After Hours

Netflix currently doesn't have Afterglow, so I move on to:

After Hours- 1985, Directed by Martin Scorsese, starring Griffin Dunne, Rosanna Arquette, Thomas Chong, Catherine O'Hara, Cheech Marin, Bronson Pinchot

He says- Ordinary guy goes through a series of bizarre experiences during one incredible night in N.Y.C.  How much you enjoy this comic nightmare will depend on how closely you identify with Dunne--the only normal person in the picture!  2 and a half stars

I say-  This was not a very good movie.  Good acting and cast, and Scorsese is a great director, but not this turkey.  Trying too hard to make a Risky Business type movie without being as great.  1 star

Don Juan DeMarco

 

Don Juan DeMarco-1995, Directed by Jeremy Leven, Starring Johnny Depp, Marlon Brando, and Faye Dunaway

Leonard says-  Psychotherapist on the verge of retirement becomes entranced with a new patient, a fervent young man who believes he is the world's greatest lover.  Fanciful story (by director Leven) is made compulsively watchable by its stars: Brando, compelling as ever, Depp, hypnotically believable, and Dunaway, a delightful match for Brando, as his wife.  Ill-fated Tejano singer Selena appears in the opening scene.  3 stars

I say-  Absolutely loved this one.  Magical, greatly acted, completely compelling, you need to see this movie.  Johnny Depp is amazing, and it's a surprise that no Oscars were given for any part of this movie.  Wonderful.  4 stars

Trial and Error

Trial and Error-1997, Directed by Jonathan Lynn, starring Kramer, Jeff Daniels, Charlize Theron, Rip Torn, Alexandra Wentworth, and Stiffler's Mom

Malt says- When button-down lawyer Daniels can't appear in court (because of a bachelor party hangover), his best friend, wannabe actor Richards, tries to help by taking his place...but when the case is ordered to proceed, Richards has to keep up the ruse.  Smart, funny farce with terrific performances by the two leads and laugh-out-loud situations; Theron is adorable as the young woman who catches Daniels' eye- even though he's about to marry the boss' daughter.  3 stars

I say-  This was funnier now than I remembered it being when I was 14.  Totally watchable, not laugh out loud funny to me, but I was smiling.  Good afternoon movie when you don't want anything heavy.  2 and a half stars

Spellbound

Spellbound- 2003, Directed by Jeffrey Blitz

He says-  Terrific documentary that follows eight very different young competitors who participate in the 1999 National Spelling Bee.  An enormously entertaining and often pointed examination of ideas and success and the American dream, with the final spelling duel as riveting as anything found in a fiction film.  3 and a half stars

I say-  This was a good documentary.  Takes a little while to get going, and I only was interested in half the kids (some of them were so annoying I wanted them to leave my screen), but really interesting on how much pressure is on these kids.  3 stars

The Fog of War

 

The Fog of War-2003, Directed by Errol Morris

He says-  Unique, memorable documentary about the life of Robert S. McNamara, the controversial former secretary of defense who played a pivotal role during the Vietnam War.  Director Morris explores myriad political, social, and moral issues that resonate even more tellingly today, and McNamara--85 when the film was made--remains an outspoken and forceful personality who refuses to provide any easy answers about the history he helped to shape.  An emotional powerhouse for anyone who lived through the era depicted here so vividly.  Oscar winner for Best Documentary Feature.  Film carries the subtitle Eleven Lessons From the Life of Robert S. McNamara.  3 and a half stars

I say-  This documentary, though well made, provided subject matter that I didn't find interesting in the least.  1 star

After Dark, My Sweet

 

After Dark, My Sweet-1990, Directed by James Foley, Starring Jason Patric, Rachel Ward, and Bruce Dern

He says-  Piquant modern-day film noir based on a Jim Thompson novel, about a drifter who becomes involved with a beautiful but troubled woman and her criminally scheming friend.  Interesting at first, but eventually you catch on that it's heading nowhere--10 miles per hour, at that.  Both Patric and Dern are excellent.  2 and a half stars

I say-  UGH.  I have no idea how this movie got greenlit.  Such a slow, drawn out, long movie with pretentious acting and really overly artsy shots.  AVOID.  BOMB

Cool As Ice

Cool As Ice- 1991, Directed by David Kellogg, starring Vanilla Ice, Michael Gross, and Naomi Campbell

He says-  The Sealtest man's rap numbers frame seemingly unreleasable "wandering cyclist" yarn about a numbskull who manages to romance the town's SAT standard-bearer.  Oh, did we mention that her father is in the government's witness relocation program?  Ice's parlance ("Drop that zero/get with the hero") in his first starring role does not rekindle fond memories of Ronald Colman.  BOMB

I say-  This movie is awesome for all the wrong reasons.  It's a standard early '90's flick, complete with terrible dancing, lame jokes, and motorcycles that can leap fences without ramps.  The dialogue in this movie is so bad, it's hard to remember that Vanilla is being COMPLETELY SERIOUS.  A great, stupid time movie, and people are going to hate me because I enjoyed this much more that An Affair to Remember, so I'm giving it 3 stars