The devil wears Prada

The devil wears Prada

(David Frankel, 2006)

IMDB:

A smart but sensible new graduate lands a job as an assistant to Miranda Priestly, the demanding editor-in-chief of a high fashion magazine.

I have seen this movie a millions times.  It is one of those movies that I put on for background noise, that said, I have not seen it in awhile.  I am never exactly sure why I like it so much.

The movie is about Andrea Sachs’ (Anne Hathaway) journey from frumpy wannabe journalist to a fashionable, go-to girl who unfortunately has to pick her career over love and a social life.  Like, most women, Andrea is faced with the obstacles that hinder a well-balanced life.

The bad:

Firstly, what I don’t like about this movie is the dichotomy of types of women that it presents.  Either women care about their appearance, fashion, and makeup, OR they are like Andrea, a pig.  I really do not like all of the sarcastic quips about Andrea being fat.  I think it really highlights what is wrong with the fashion industry, which is exactly what this movie is about!

I don’t like Anne Hathaway, who plays Andrea Sachs.  I don’t find that I am cheering for her, and I want Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep) to squash her.  The expectations put on Andrea are ridiculous.  I get that the fashion and magazine businesses are fast-paced and competitive, but I find it hard to believe that anyone could possibly be seen to make it through that day!

Andrea’s boyfriend, Nate, played by Adrian Grenier is a complete ass.  For some reason, he thinks that his birthday is way more important than Andrea’s career.  And, why can’t she enjoy her job at Runway??  Why do women have to be either into fashion and wear makeup or not at all in to it?  Also, why can’t someone change!?  People are allowed to change.  Even her dad doesn’t understand why she thinks that a job at runway cannot be fulfilling.

Christian Thompson’s eyebrows.  That’s it.  His eyebrows.  Well, also his nickname for Andrea, Miranda-girl.  She has a fucking name.  Emily.

The good:

Emily Blunt is amazing as Emily!  I love her accent, and I cheer for her in this movie.  Andrea is an overachieving blunderer.  If it wasn’t for Emily, I can’t imagine how Andrea would get on.  She saves her ass countless times.

As far as makeover movies go, this is one is at the top of the list.  It is a fashion movie, where the main character becomes a better worker and basically gives herself a makeover. Think, legally blonde meets view from the top.

I love her look, once she gets style, which I wish they would kind of explain how she developed her style.  I guess this should actually be on the bad list, because why in hell wouldn’t they actually show the makeover!! 

Stanley Tucci!!  I love him in everything.  He plays Nigel, who helps Andrea to fit in, gives her the makeover, and ultimately gets totally fucked over by Miranda.

In the end, Andrea discovers how back-stabbing the magazine and fashion industries can be, she decides to give up her job at Runway in order to be true to herself.  She takes the lessons she learns at Runway and gets a job at another magazine which is more suited to her.

I think the best part of this movie is how it highlights how hard it can be for women in relationships.  The old trope that you can’t have it all is not necessarily true if you have a good and understanding partner, which Andrea does not.  Her partner is awful.  I think that their relationship is very early 20’s.  Two people who are changing, and who do not realize that it is okay to break up!  Not every relationship ends in marriage, sometimes they do, and it doesn’t mean that you should not try, but don’t kill yourself trying to make it work.  Relationships are work, and they are full-time jobs, but they should be fulfilling and supportive.

The devil wears Prada receives 3 life-saving cubes of cheese out of a possible 5.

 

New Year, new me, new movies!!

Welcome 2018!!

Inspired by the motto “New year, new me!”, which some people find controversial, I have decided that it is the perfect time for makeover movies.  There are sooooo many to chose from, anywhere from classics like ‘Clueless’ to ‘My Fair Lady’.  I love these movies, especially the cheesy montages.

The makeover movies that I have chosen for the month of January are, as follows:

1. Devil wears Prada
2. Jawbreaker (maybe also Clueless)
3. The Princess Diaries
4. Material Girls (maybe also From Prada to Nada)

 

I hope everyone had a safe and happy new year, and are ready to get down to business, the business of ruining movies!!

 

The Santa Clause

The Santa Clause

(John Pasquin, 1994)

IMDB:

When a man inadvertantly kills Santa on Christmas Eve, he finds himself magically recruited to take his place.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

For some reason, I thought this movie starred a 90’s JTT, (Jonathan Taylor Thomas), but alas, no.  I was very disappointed to see Tim Allen.  Oh well, we will have to make due.

This is what I was thinking of… Dang.

Anyways, The Santa clause opens with Scott Calvin, (Tim Allen), rushing home to meet his ex-wife, who sucks and has a sucky boyfriend, (Judge Reinhold).  His kid, Charlie played by Eric Lloyd, is having an existential crisis: a kid at school told him there was no Santa.  He is bummed, and it just gets worse for him, despite Daddy Allen’s effort.  Little Charlie starts to question everything, “how do reindeer fly?”, “how does Santa get down the chimney if he is so fat?”  Rude!  Christmas is not everything it is cracked up to be for poor Charlie.  Scott burns the turkey, and they have to have Christmas dinner at Denny’s.

If you think poor little Charlie has is it bad, wait until you see what happens to Santa!  Death, death happens to Santa.

Okay, not like that!  More like, he fell off the roof and died, and then disappeared!  Spooky!

In dead Santa’s pocket there is a card saying to put on the suit and the reindeer will know what to do.  Charlie climbs into the sleigh, Scott follows and off they go!!

The special effects in this movie are very 1994: BAD!

Reluctantly, Scott puts on the Santa suit and becomes the new Santa!  After delivering the toys, the reindeer take him to the North Pole where he meets Bernard the elf.

Scott is informed that he is in fact the next Santa.  He has the next 11 months to get his affairs in order, and then is due back at the North Pole to resume his duties as the big guy in red.  I can’t imagine this would be an easy pill to swallow.  With the help of Judy the Elf, Scott is able to understand why his role as Santa is so important. 

Unfortunately, Scott wakes up not remembering what happened at the North Pole, and thinking that it was all a dream, Charlie remembers.  Charlie actually totally lets the cat out of the bag and tells his class that his dad is Santa Claus.  Now Scott is on trial.  He has to explain to Charlie that he is not Santa and they did not go to the North Pole.  They did, the kid is right, but no one listens to children.  Things are looking grim for Christmas.

While all this is happening, Neil, Charlie’s mom’s sucky boyfriend and psychiatrist, is trying to get to the bottom of what Charlie is claiming.  The only good thing about Neil is his sweaters.  They are GOLD!  Probably the best part of the movie.

In normal Tim Allen style, the movie is full of one liners.  Lots of one liners, also he does his little grunt thing a bunch, you know the one.

Everyday Scott is becoming more and more like Santa.  He grows a beard, which he shaves every morning but comes back by lunch, his hair turns grey, and he puts on 45 pounds in a week.  Looking hot, if you are into Santa, which I am, (tmi).

  He looks good!!

But his good looks will not save his visitation rights.  Charlie’s dumb mom and Neil get his visitation rights taken away, but he ends up technically kidnapping Charlie and taking him to the North Pole.

Scott, or Santa, gets arrested.  Of course.  Adults are literally the worst.  They ruin everything!  Why cant this guy be Santa?  Why is that so crazy!  Anyways, “Elves with attitude” are called in to save Santa.  They proceed to break him out of jail.  Scott takes Charlie home to his mother’s place.  Scott says goodbye to Charlie and everyone blubbers.  Finally, Charlie’s mom believes that Scott is Santa.  Duh!

To be honest, this movie is not bad!  I expected it to be total garbage.  It is a heartwarming tale, just like all of the other movies this month!  I have found a lot of new favourite movies, that are now on my Christmas classic list.

The Santa Clause receives 4 farting Comets out of a possible 5.

The nightmare before Christmas

The nightmare before Christmas

(Henry Selick, 1993)

IMDB:

Jack Skellington, king of Halloween Town, discovers Christmas Town, but his attempts to bring Christmas to his home cause confusion.

I am surprised I have never seen this movie!  Tim Burton is one of my favs, and he wrote this movie.  This movie stinks of Burton!

Henry Selick directed one of my all-time favourite movies, Coraline.  I even named my dog after Coraline!  I love the darkness, but cutesy aspects of his movies.

Hallowe’en Town looks like a fabulous place to live!!  Unfortunately, Jack Skellington (Danny Elfman) is not happy as the Pumpkin King and wants to leave, or at least find something better.  Classic, and I felt the exact same way as him growing up.  I didn’t grow up in Halloween Town, but a small town that had a weather predicting albino groundhog.  Gimmick towns are tough to live in.

Jack discovers a door to Christmas Town, another gimmick town, but at least it is different.

Meanwhile, Jack doesn’t realize that he has a comrade in arms, Sally (Catherine O’Hara), who feels the same way that he does.  Sally was made by an Evil Scientist, who she keeps drugging to be able to leave.

Jack tries to explain Christmas to his fellow Halloween Towners, but they do not fully understand it.  He does some research, using the scientific method even, to find a logical way to explain Christmas.  He calls on the Evil Scientist to borrow science stuff, beakers, microscope, you know, science stuff.  He dissects items related to Christmas, but alas has a hard time understanding the meaning behind it all.

Meanwhile, Sally is up to her old tricks, quietly escaping from the Evil Scientist.  She takes a potion over to Jack’s place.  Turns out she has the hots for that bone daddy.  She has a vision about Jack’s plan, and discovers that what he is doing will not end well.

Jack decides that Hallooween Town will celebrate Christmas.  He gives everyone in the town a job to perform, like making reindeer.

I think this is a great movie to watch right after Halloween.  I always find that I want to watch all of the Christmas movies right away, but force myself to wait and then make a mad dash to watch them before Christmas is over!  This movie would be a nice way to start the holiday season.

This movie would be a lot of fun to perform on stage.  The music is really good!

Jack has good intentions, but does not realize that he has potentially ruined Christmas by trying to steal it.  It is kind of like the Grinch, but opposite.  What poor Jack doesn’t realize is that all of the Christmas stuff does not represent Christmas, it is in your heart, or something.  It is not the reindeer, the lights, or Santa!

Jack’s little minions steal Christmas, so that Jack can take his place.  Yikes!  He gets Sally to make a Santa suit for him.

Santa is sent down to the Mr. Oogie Boogie man.

Not looking good for Santa.

Or Jack!  I feel bad for him.  The Halloween Towners do not understand that he did not want to ruin Christmas, but be a part of it.  Unfortunately, no one likes the gifts that he is giving out, and try to shoot him out of the sky.  They are victorious.  Poor Jack then goes on to sing about ruining Christmas.  Well, duh!

In the end, Jack does the right thing and saves Santa.  He also needs to save Sally, because bitches are always getting themselves into trouble and need a man to save them.  Or at least this is what movies tell me!?

I can see why this is a classic Christmas movie, and it is another one that will be added to the repertoire.  I think it is the perfect movie to watch after Halloween, right before December 1st.

I think the movie has a nice message about respecting other people’s rituals or customs, without stealing them.  Also, in the end Sally gets her bone daddy, if ya know what I mean. *wink wink*

The nightmare before Christmas receives 4.5 Bone Daddies out of a possible 5.

White Christmas

(1954, Michael Curtiz)

IMDB:

A successful song-and-dance team become romantically involved with a sister act and team up to save the failing Vermont inn of their former commanding general.

To be honest, this movie is not what I thought it was like.  Once again, I thought there would be more Christmas.  I think I am used to movies like Elf or The Grinch who stole Christmas.  Movies that are set right at Christmas.  At first I wasn’t sure if I was going to like this movie, but as it played I started to understand the appeal.

Firstly, Bing Crosby.  When I was a kid Bing summed up at Christmas for me and my family.  We would fill our glasses with eggnog, put on Bing’s Christmas album, and put up the tree.  It was tradition, and it was wonderful!  It is funny though, his voice doesn’t match his face to me.  Maybe that is just me.

Danny-fucking-Kaye!  He plays the go-getter and is a bit smarmy.

The movie opens during the second world war at Christmas.  Bob Wallace (Bing Crosby) and Phil Davis (Danny Kaye) are putting on a Christmas show for their fellow soldiers.  After the war, Bob and Phil become a two-man singing act and become successful.  They are hoping to meet some women, and then they do!  The women are a sister act, comprised of Betty Haynes (Rosemary Clooney) and Judy Haynes (Vera-Ellen).  They decide to go to Vermont, because of SNOW!  Unfortunately, they get there and find no snow!  Damn!  But they do find a General from the war, who is running the inn they are staying at.  The girls are to perform at the inn, but feel bad because no one is at the inn due to the lack of snow.  The boys decide to help their war buddy by putting on their flashy act.  They incorporate the girls into their act.  Sparks fly between Betty and Bing.  Keep in mind, in real life Bing was about 20 years older than Rosemary Clooney.  Gross.

Speaking of Rosemary Clooney, she was George Clooney’s aunt.  Vera-Ellen, was the youngest member of the Rockettes.  And boy, can she dance!!  She had been doing it since she as 10, had been in a bunch of Broadway shows, and in many musical movies, with the likes of Fred Astaire.

The General decides that he wants to get back into the army, but they don’t want him because he is fucking old.  He is appropriately sad about this, and feels useless.  Bob plans to try to get some of the men from the General’s army outfit up to the inn.

Not sure about the “choreography” number?!  It had a Funny Face feel to it.  Vera-Ellen saved it.  Danny-fucking-Kaye was weird.  Just weird.

I didn’t realize it at first, but Mary Lazarus from Sister Act is in this movie.  Her real name is Mary Wickes, and she plays Emma Allen, the nosy housekeeper.  Emma mishears Bob on the phone with an old army buddy who hosts a variety show talking about televising their show on Christmas.  She is not pleased to hear about this, mostly because she does not want the general to be embarrassed on tv.  Emma tells Betty what she has heard, who then gives Bob the cold shoulder.  Judy decides that if they want Bob and Betty to get together, then they should fake an engagement.  The schemes in movies are astounding!  Unfortunately, Betty does not take the news well and cannot forgive Bob.  It really turns into a cruel joke.  Poor Betty thinks that their act is over and she is losing her career and sister.  Betty decides to leave the inn, exactly the opposite of what Phil and Judy plan.

The dance numbers in this movie are aces!  Vera-Ellen is awesome!

Phil and Judy tell Bob about their stupid plan, and he leaves to go to New York to get Betty to come home.

Judy sings a song about heartbreak, which she does so well!  She is a badass chick. I really love the idea of going out for dinner and a show.  I would love to do this!  Does this still happen anymore?

Bob goes on his war buddy’s variety show to sing a song about the general.  He asks for ex-soldiers to come to the inn on Christmas eve to show the general that he is still important to people.  Betty watches his plea on tv and falls in love with him.  You can see it in her eyes.

In the end, all the guys show up, Betty comes back, and it snows!  Perfect ending.  Oh, and they all end up hooking up: Judy and Phil, Betty and Bob.

This movie is good, but I really think they should have had more Christmas carols.  But, at least they do sing White Christmas at the end.  One of my all-time favs.

It is a heart-warming tale, and I think everyone should watch it at least once.

Quotable: “Oh, my word, if I wasn’t such a mean old biddy, I’d break right down and cry.” -Emma Allen (Mary Wickes)

White Christmas receives 4 Danny-fucking-Kayes out a possible 5.

Miracle on 34th street

Miracle on 34th street

(1947, George Seaton)

IMDB:

When a nice old man who claims to be Santa Claus is institutionalized as insane, a young lawyer decides to defend him by arguing in court that he is the real thing.

Miracle on 34th street, now this is a Christmas classic! Full of Christmas-y spirit! I am watching the original from 1947, not that 1994 garbage, (j/k, I am sure it is a wonderful version).

The movie opens with Edmund Gwenn, who plays Kris Kringle, critiquing everyone’s holiday activities. Bit of a dick, I must admit. But, boy does he look like Santa Clause! Or at least what Coca Cola tells me he looks like.

Kris rats the drunken Santa in the parade out to Doris Walker (Maureen O’Hara).  Doris is in charge of the parade and asks Kris to sub in for the ol’ drunko. She then goes home to her maid trussing the biggest turkey I have ever seen! That damn bird could be in the Macy’s parade!

Doris’ daughter, Susan, is played by a young Natalie Wood.  She is a very cute kid. She is over at her neighbour’s place, Fred Gailey (John Payne), watching the parade.

Susan is woke! She doesn’t believe in fairy tales, or Santa.  In my house growing up the minute you stop believing in Santa he doesn’t bring any gifts.  Therefore, I believe in Santa.  Susan is kind of a bummer.

I am suspicious of this Kris Kringle. He seems to be rather obsessed with Santa and Christmas. This guy needs a hobby. Also, he does not seem to be into capitalism. He doesn’t like the commercialism of Christmas. Sounds like a communist to me!

If you absolutely hate your life and feel like torturing yourself, then give ‘My Santa‘ a watch! Now, I gotta admit that I only got through the first 15 minutes. It was pretty awful, but it follows the same plot as ‘Miracle on 34th street’. Matthew Lawerence, the hottie from ‘Mrs. Doubtfire‘ plays “Santa”, or sorry, Chris.

It seems that Doris has read too many psychology articles on how to raise a logical child who does not believe in fairy tales.  I think I see where the conflict in this movie will be! Doris and Kris get together, but Susan is not happy. Yep, classic romance between a delusional old man and an uptight bitchy mom. So typical.

Kris Kringle is very zen. Doris sends him to see Mr. Sawyer, the psychologist that works at Macy’s (??). Kris flips the script on Sawyer and psychologizes him. Sawyer says that Kris should be fired because eventually he will show his “latent maniacal” or violent tendencies. Doris et al. decided to find a place for Kris to stay in the city. Freud would have agreed with Sawyer’s theories about men who dress up like Santa Clause.

Maybe Kris is trying to start a cult? He seems to be working Susan over pretty hard. Trying to get her to join him in “imagine-nation”. Yikes! Stranger danger, Susie! Next up is Doris. I think she will a tough cookie to crack.

Susan confides in Kris that she wants a house for Christmas. He must pony up a house if he is going to prove to her that he is indeed Santa Clause. No biggie. Kris decides he will play matchmaker and get Doris and Fred together. That shoots my ideas about the plot all to hell.

Kris’ unconventional views on Christmas not being a commercial holiday gives Macy’s an edge on the market. He tells shoppers where to find items that Macy’s does not have in stock. The other stores in New York get on board. Kris decides to take on Sawyer while he is at it. He accuses Sawyer of being a fake psychologist. Kris hits him on the head with his cane because he won’t listen. Therefore proving Sawyer’s theories, but whatever. Sawyer is the worst, but violence is never the answer. Bad Santa!

Santa goes to Bellevue! Poor Kris gets committed. Mr. Macy is not happy and wants Kris out of there. In order for Kris to be fully committed and deemed mentally ill it has to go through court.

The people vs. Kris Kringle, a.k.a. Santa Clause begins and it also begins a media circus. Well, some newspapers write stories using all k’s in the titles. That is pretty crazy, I guess.

Can you imagine if you had to prove you are not crazy in court? I would be committed.

Okay, so maybe he is Santa Clause, it doesn’t actually means he flies around giving out gifts. He could just be named Kris Kringle. Maybe I should have a kid and name it Kris Kringle just to prove my theory.

In the end, everyone trying to prove or disprove that Kris is Santa decides that is best to agree that he is Santa. It is best for the children, publicity, and most importantly Macy’s.

I really enjoyed this movie! I think Natalie Wood was my favourite part! She was adorable. I really think that everyone should give this movie a watch.

‘Miracle on 34th street’ receives 5 delusional old men with guilt complexes out of a possible 5!

 

It’s a wonderful life

It’s a wonderful life (1946, Frank Capra)

Imdb:

An angel is sent from Heaven to help a desperately frustrated businessman by showing him what life would have been like if he had never existed.

Is it?  Is life wonderful?

I love the opening credits of this movie.  They are sheets of paper with the credits written on them, also with cute drawings.

George Bailey (James Stewart) needs help.  The town of Bedford Falls is praying for his well-being, so an angel (Henry Travers) who has not gotten his wings yet is sent to help, and hopefully stop George from taking his life.  Okay, so the angel that is being sent has been waiting for his wings for 200 years! Geez, I think this angel sucks, at whatever the hell these angels do.  He is reading a book.  Is there a library in heaven?  I assume they are in heaven.  Are there bookstores in heaven?  So, heaven is capitalist?  Do they have money.  So far this movie is bringing up a lot of important questions, which I do not think are going to be answered.

Anyways, the movie starts with George as a young boy.  He seems like a really good kid.  Saved his brother from drowning, likes coconut, wants multiple wives.  He helps his boss from poisoning some guy.

James Stewart is very charming.  Bedford Falls reminds me of Stars Hollow from ‘Gilmore Girls’.  A quaint town full of charming men.

Bedford Falls

Stars Hollow

Poor George is inflicted with the same troubles as any teenager in a small town.  He wants out!  His father asks him to take over the family business, a building and loan office, when he gets back from a trip and school.  Of course, George informs his father that he can’t, because he doesn’t want to be stuck.

Donna Reed plays Mary Hatch, the sister of a friend of Georges.  She is beautiful! Check her out!

Mary, like every young lady finds herself naked in a hydrangea bush.  If I had a nickel…

George’s father, Peter Bailey (Samuel S Hinds), dies of a stroke.  George gives up his trip and decides to go to just go to school.  After his father’s death, Mr. Potter, played by Lionel Barrymore, puts down Peter’s business sense and wants the loan business dissolved.  George gets on a soapbox and rants about the trials and tribulations of the common working man.  After his rant the committee decides that George should take over.  Therefore, he gives up going to college to take over the business.  George gives his college money to his brother, who after college comes home married to some chick.  Her father has some glass factory and wants George’s bro to work for him.  Poor George is stuck, just like he tried to avoid.

The only saving grace for George is Mary Hatch.  He has a hard time admitting that she is the perfect woman.  Dammit, George!! Look at what she painted you, George!!

               

George is not very nice to Mary, who is very into him.  Of course, George is truly an idiot and is into Mary, but has to be difficult.  Typical.

Don’t worry, these silly kids get together.  They get married.  Unfortunately, on the way to start their whirlwind honeymoon they are stopped because there is trouble at the building and loan business because the bank has been closed.  Once again, George has to sacrifice his own happiness to help out the business and the town of Bedford Falls.

Let’s talk about this asshole…

Mr. Potter.  He is the dick that takes over the bank and is always trying to fuck George over.  This guy is the worst.  The literal worst.  He is the Scrooge character in this movie.  He has a vendetta against George because his family has always been a thorn in his proverbial paw.  He is constantly trying to make the most money, even if that means screwing over the good people of Bedford Falls.  He even tries to recruit George to work for him.  George declines.

Mr. Potter proves what kind of snake he is when George’s poor uncle accidentally gives him the building and loans money, a whopping sum of $8000.  Instead of being a good person, he keeps the money.  He ends the Bailey family, once and for all.  Dick.

I liked this movie, the story is the tale of a man who tries so hard to be good.  He believes that the happiness of everyone is more important than his happiness.  He sacrifices a lot, but does a lot of good for the people of Bedford Falls.  This role is perfect for James Stewart.  He plays it perfectly.  He is a good man, but has difficulty with his emotions.  George is conflicted.  He is willing to make the biggest sacrifice of all for the town of Bedford Falls.

What I didn’t like about this movie is the lack of Christmas!  It is only christmas-y at the end.  Why not have more Christmas!  More Christmas!!  But, I do like how the angel lets George see what life would be like if he was never born.  Total mindfuck.

I understand why “It’s a wonderful life” is a classic movie.  I definitely think that everyone should watch this movie, and it may become a part of my “must-watch Christmas movies” list.

I have to admit that I was a blubbering mess at the end of this movie.  It was very touching.

“It’s a wonderful life” receives 4 wingless angels out of a possible 5.

 

Christmas classics! (that I have never seen)

There are many movies that are a must watch every holiday season.  I have a list of these movies that includes, The Muppet Christmas Carol, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, and Home Alone.  But, there are still many movies that may be on your list that I have not seen.  I have decided to watch some of these movies this month.

The movies I plan to watch and review:

1. It’s a wonderful life

2. Miracle on 34th street

3. White Christmas

4. The nightmare before christmas

Happy December!

Taking Woodstock

Taking Woodstock

(Ang Lee, 2009)

IMDB:

A man working at his parents’ motel in the Catskills inadvertently sets in motion the generation-defining concert in the summer of 1969.

First of all, we gotta talk about the fact that so many people in movies suck at running motels.  The motels are depressing, awful places, and the owners are usually sad people, or totally psycho, (like in the movie Psycho).  These people never seem to be happy to be running these motels.  How the heck did they start out?

Luckily, for these old crotchety assholes they have their entrepreneurial son, Elliot, played by Demetri Martin.  He is a painter and designer, who lives in New York, and goes back to the Catskills to figure out how to help his parents and the small town.  His parents are pretty awful.  As the movie progresses his parents seem to chill out and enjoy themselves.  They are definitely happy for the business and money that comes in.

They may be happy, but the townspeople are not all feeling the same.  Some are happy that the festival is coming to town.  They are happy for the business that will help to revive the town and put some much-needed money in their pockets.  Some are not happy that a ton of hippies will be invading their little town.  One of these unhappy people is Dan, who is played by Jeffrey Dean Morgan, (who looks a lot like Javier Bardem, like A LOT!!).  His brother, Billy, who is played by Emile Hirsch, is back from the Vietnam war and is suffering from PTSD.  He has flashbacks throughout the film, and seems to be taking back his life and mind after the atrocities that he saw while fighting in the war.

Can’t really blame the unhappy people, hippies are literally the worst.

Gotta say, there is a lot of penis in this movie.  There is one scene where everyone is naked.  You don’t always see penis in movies!  If you like penis, then you will like this movie.  Also, if you like pubic hair.  There is a ton of pubic hair.

The mom is a real firecracker!  The dad is too.  They both fight off some gangsters who want to do security for the motel for a hefty sum.  Like, they literally fight them.  It is amazing.

Enter, Liev Schrieber, who plays Vetty Von Vilma, a “gay transvestite”, according to IMDB.  She is hired to do the security.

I think this movie really did well to show how crazy, dirty, but also amazing Woodstock was when it was happening.  It is crazy to think that it was the first huge outdoor festival of its kind.  The sheer amount of people is insane.  A great scene is when Elliot gets a ride with a cop to the festival.  The screen is cut in two or three segments, which all show different parts of the festival.  It shows the different types of people who attended the show.  There were hippies of course, but there was so many different types of hippies.  The anti-war ones, the acid trippers, the weekend hippies who were there for the music.  Some people were full time hippies, who live in a van and travel the country, and those who take advantage of hippies.

Elliot later finds out that his mom has a bunch of money that she has been saving over the years.  The money would have saved the business.  He is very mad because he used all of his money to help them, and not to mention, all of his time.  She seems more than happy to let him suffer and struggle to make life better for them.

It is an interesting movie.  I had never heard of it before, and did not know what to think.  But, I was pleasantly surprised.  The movie portrayed not only the hard work put into putting on Woodstock, but also the relationships that were formed and strengthened while the show went on.  I like that the movie shows the everyday people and not the celebrities at Woodstock.

I definitely recommend this ‘Taking Woodstock’, especially if you are a fan of the 60’s.

‘Taking Woodstock’ gets 4.5 “dirty hippie penises” out of a possible 5.

Summer school

Summer school

(Carl Reiner, 1987)

IMDB:

A high-school gym teacher has big plans for the summer, but is forced to cancel them to teach a “bonehead” English class for misfit goof-off students. Fortunately, his unconventional brand of teaching fun field trips begins to connect with them, and even inspires ardor in some.

Shoop, who is a high school gym teacher has to teach a summer remedial english class to a bunch of rando students, who have failed an english skills test.  The students are described as a bunch of misfits prone to goofing off.

First of all, Shoop is not teacher of the year, but the hottie with a body next door certainly would win the award!  The hottie is Ms. Robin Elizabeth Bishop, played by Kirstie Alley.  She teaches the advanced english class.  She is also dating the vice principal, who seems to be a real douche canoe.

Shoop, who is up for a tenure position at the school, is told that in order to obtain the job everyone in the summer school class has to pass the final exam.  The students make a deal with him to get what they need, i.e. driving lessons, rides to the beach, and they will show up for class and pay attention.

Shoop asks for help from Ms. Bishop, and she agrees?  She even bails him out of jail and stands up to the “bite in the ass” vice principal, as well as in court!  I think she loves him!!

Boy, teenagers in the 80’s were zany!  And their parties were off da’ hook!  Every party in every 80’s movie is soooooo wild, like “burn the house down afterwards” wild!

‘Summer school’ is another Carl Reiner movie, which was made two years after ‘Summer rental’.  This movie has a ‘Breakfast club’ vibe, but is the whole summer!

The most random scene in the movie is when Shoop finds a male student stripping at a male strip club.  Why?!  Why is he there?!  WHY!?  Eventually, the student loses  his job because the club found out how old he is, also his mom and aunt were at the club.  Ewww on all levels.

There are a lot of familiar faces in this movie:

Patrick Labyouteaux, (huh? Hell of a last name!), who was “Ram” in the movie ‘Heathers’.  He plays another football meathead in this movie, but this time he is a sweet heart and develops a relationship with a pregnant chick.

Courtney Thorne-Smith from ‘Melrose place’ and ‘Ally McBeal’.  Her character is a spaced-out, surfer chick.  She also has a big crush on Shoop.

Dean Cameron, who plays “Francis ‘Chainsaw’ Gremp”.  He and his buddy are obsessed with horror movies and the new hot chick, who is played by…

Fabiana Udenio, who was “Alotta Fagina” in ‘Austin Powers’.

Shawnee Smith from ‘Who’s Harry Crumb’.  She plays a pregnant teenager, (Ram’s love interest), who is totally different than Nikki Downing, her character in ‘Harry Crumb’.  Nikki was the “Penny” to John Candy’s “Inspector Gadget” in that movie.

Keep an eye out for Denise’s zebra print outfit.  WANT!

Shoop ends up quitting when the students ask for more incentive to study for the test.  The vice principal shows up to teach the class, it goes well, (not).  He calls the kids psycho, and in retailiation they set up a horror scene the next day, which scares off a possible teacher.  They convince the vice principal to hire back Shoop.  The kids are able to get Shoop to come back, and they study their misfit butts off.  Unfortunately, they all fail the test and commit mass suicide in the gymnasium.

Okay, just kidding.  But, most of them do fail the test, but their test scores have improved enough that the principal is convinced that Shoop is a good teacher, obviously he does not know what a good teacher actually is like.  Shoop gets tenure.

In the end, the students are better people, Shoop is a better teacher, (questionable), and Robin falls for Shoop.  But the biggest triumph is that Shoop’s dog gets his lost toy back!! (I am a dog person now).

Quotable: “Why don’t you order two lunches and eat them both yourself.  One for each face!” -Ms. Bishop to vice principal (way harsh, tai)

Summer school gets 5 “bonehead teachers, who don’t give a damn, but really start to care when they get to know the students” out of a possible 5.