flickmanic

OK, it isn't Rashômon; but anyone who saw the trailer and then went to see it should have known what to expect. Maybe voting on movies should be by genre, and Night at the Museum was clearly crafted as a "family film." Representing that genre, it doesn't disappoint. I saw it following Blood Diamond and Apocalypto, and needed it to clear my head of ultra-violence like ginger clears the palate after each course of sushi. A very clever premise and great effects complement exceptional performances by Stiller, Williams, and Wilson and their supporting cast members. Also very nice seeing Bill Cobbs, Dick Van Dyke, and Mickey Rooney show their stuff. True or not, everyone in this movie looked like they were having great fun - and what's wrong with that? This is a movie to relax and enjoy without much thinking.

It's interesting to read so many comments about this film which start off something like, "ok, it's not a classic" or "not Oscar material," etc., then go on to praise it in a backhanded fashion. I admire Dan Ackroyd's work and think this film had a great premise and promising cast, although Demi Moore's character just seemed around for the ride. Reading between the lines, most preceding reviews seem to reflect disappointment that it didn't achieve its potential. In retrospect, Nothing But Trouble would seem to work better as a dark comedy, akin to the original "The Ladykillers" or "Dr. Strangelove." It ends up like a series of loosely connected skits with which Ackroyd can't decide whether to go for horror or humor; trying to both effectively seems beyond him (perhaps beyond anyone using this material). The violence and grim surroundings juxtaposed with goofy characters and garish colors all add up to a mess. Perhaps a result of too many components. Actually, it might have worked better as a long-running half-hour sitcom. Good thing there's cable and DVD's. Perhaps the cornerstone of a sequel to "It Came from Hollywood!" Now that would add irony!!

A much anticipated updating of the Alamo story touted to be historically accurate in every respect. A very tall order for a topic which to this day motivates extreme passions. In brief, the production team tried to do too much. The subject matter required a long running time to set up the plot, which today is much less understood - or misunderstood (!) than when John Wayne's film neatly followed Republic's "The Last Command" and Disney's Davy Crockett shows. Randy Quaid's Sam Houston, and the post-climax Battle of San Jacinto were poor choices. Old Samjacinto - and the film - would have been better served by a briefer cameo like that provided by Richard Boone in the 1960 version. Clearly the most compelling character in this offering was Thornton's Crockett; not surprising since he's the defender most written about by Alamofiles. Frankly Thornton's performance is the only element raising this production to 5-star. It is superb and really captures the essence of Crockett as described in various histories. The title should have been "Davy Crockett at the Alamo," but perhaps would have needed Disney's paid release. Even the Alamo set, proclaimed in pre-production hype to be historically accurate in all details fell short. Most disappointing, as set designers reduced the size of the courtyard in front of the chapel; I suppose for photography purposes. Wayne's production did the same, in an even more inaccurate rendition of the mission. Finally, a production like this really, really needed a Sam Peckinpaw to accurately depict the savagery of the final battle. Mexican accounts (the only reliable eye-witness ones) are pretty clear and self-damning as to the butchery that took place. According to their written reports and letters, the real battle was even more brutal than the final shootout in The Wild Bunch; but I suppose needed to be cut short to make time for San Jacinto, and to avoid violating PC rules whereby savagery not imposed by Anglo-Saxons must be muted or eliminated altogether. Watch this one for Thornton and when he's not on the screen fast forward with the remote!!