Reviews
Addams Family Reunion (1998)
Third, but no loser
Well, being an avid fan of the first two movies, they are amongst my favorite comedies, right on top, I waited two years before seeing this one. This third movie set the tone for the recent, and bad, television revival of the 60s series. Now was waiting to see some desastrous piece of crappy humor, some flat laughs and a big bunch of easy jokes. I did get that but not in the way I was waiting for. In fact I was surprised. Sure the postal worker part is bad enough to burn the tape, some jokes are recycled from the first two movies and not in a pretty way but it has good laughs, it is better constructed than the recent tv series and in a way it is more reminiscent of the original comic strip and 60s series than the first movies. Why ? Well for a few reasons. Before the Sonnenfeld movies, The Addams Family wasnt that dark and macabre, it was dark but not as much as the movies. In this third installment we dont have the lovable Lloyd Fester and as despicable as he can be, this new Fester is much more like the original. The beginning of this movie is painful and boring but in the second half we are more nicely treated with better performances and a good story. Because this story cant be worst than the story of the second movie, cant it ? Dont take me wrong, I love the first two movies but this one aint bad at all. Last thing, there is one element in this Addams incarnation that is better than in the first movies : Pugsley. He wasnt interesting or funny in the Sonnenfeld movies but in this one he successfully gets a few laughs from me, and believe me, thats a hard thing to do ! :)
Addams Family Values (1993)
Descent into the funniest madness ever !
A very well crafted sequel. Wednesday is given more depth, mostly because Ricci's performance helped in he success of the first movie. The soundtrack is much worked in this one too with the Vic Mizzy's theme being much more used. Sonnenfeld scored great with this one. There is two simultaneous storyline to follow that emphasizes on Wednesday and Fester characters. Humor in these movies is intelligent, mature and never stupid. The actors are so likeable it isnt possible to imagine these characters without them. (Even though there were good actors in the third installment, but dont think of that brrr). A sequel as good as the first one is a rare thing and since it dont happen often dont miss the chance to see this one, and see it again and again and... yes again !
The Addams Family (1991)
Delightful dark humor
Probably my favorite comedy of all time. This is dark humor at his best. What makes a winner of this movie, and the next one, is how they take distance from the original 60s series and sticks more, in a darker way, to the comic strip. Its a mature and intelligent movie, with delicious lines and a wonderful stylish soundtrack. This gem set the way for two sequels and another tv series. Sadly the death of Raul Julia, who incarnates Gomez in a delightful way, marked also the end of a good time for the Addams Family incarnation. Because with the third movie and the recent tv series it came back to cheesy 60s slapstick humor with bright colors. Still, we have two wonderfully crafted movies left, with great performances and a chemistry between the actors that makes this movie a true, and dark, masterpiece.
The Vicious Sweet (1997)
Dark... Sweet... But !
Well thats a shame the ending is so damn stupid. I was hooked by that movie, so strange, so weird. Hidden motives. The music is excellent too. The psychological aspect was really nice. I would have loved to see an ending true to the entire movie. Why did they had to screw up all this with an uninspiring, truly boring and crappy ending ? I dont understand. The beginning is great, we get to know the character well before the kidnapping. And get to know her more and more as the movie goes on, then the ending happens and we feel betrayed, why caring for a character if she ends up doing something that stupid and cliché ? Im just so disappointed.
The Negotiator (1998)
Highly entertaining thriller !
This is an intelligent, entertaining thriller. I cant say this movie is original but it is certainly captivating. Spacey and Jackson delivers great performances, as well as the late J.T. Walsh (This movie and Pleasantville were his last ones). The premise is more original than the ending who is somewhat predictable. Nevertheless for any fans of thriller this movie is a must-see.
Lucky Luke (1991)
What was Morris thinking...?
I remember what happened. Terrence Hill fell in love with the superb Lucky Luke cartoon and comic book series. He was a movie star, not a big one though, he made only two flicks since this one. He succeed in contacting Lucky Luke's creator, Morris. The cowboy father agreed to let the italian actor do his movie version and a subsequent tv series based on the most popular adventures of Lucky Luke.
What a mistake it was !
I love Lucky Luke but god do I hate this stupid movie. It is obvious this wasnt even filmed in the united states even though its supposed to take place in a western universe, with cowboys and indians. Everything is bad, Luke's love interest, the famous Daltons and overall Terrence Hill, he is NOT Lucky Luke, he dont even have the same and famous outfit. Not worth the curiosity, avoid this piece of crap. Dont go near it... Beware !
Mission Impossible Versus the Mob (1969)
Take the best from the television series...
First of all, I'm a big fan of Mission: Impossible. I didn't like the movie but I love the television series. This two-part episode is one of the greatest, all the good elements are there : a good plot, a good baddy, good gadgets and a great Jim Phelps as usual. One bad point however, the syndicate sounds really fake but even that cant make this episode bad. A must see for any fans (in 1996 the two episodes have been released together on video), or anyone who wants to discover Mission: Impossible.
Regarding Henry (1991)
This light, little but touching thing.
This movie is one of my personal favorites, i was touched and moved back in 1991 when i first seen the movie. I saw it a second time, a few years ago and still i found it very good, i wasn't touched the same way. That's the kind of movie you have to rent, you see it one time for Harrison Ford who is great as usual. Despite the fact that this movie is light and plays on easy notes, it remains a sensible entertainment. Worth the two hours spent for watching it...
The Monster Club (1981)
Really bad and ugly, but so good to watch !
This movie is certainly one of the worst for the makeup and masks of his monsters. The three stories narrated by Vincent Price the vampire to a poor horror story writer are really bad and pathetic. But despite all the ugliness of this movie, i found myself wanting more and more. Why ? Because this thing has all it needs to become a cult movie, you want to find and comment on all the errors and stupid lines. Every second is an enchantment of stupidity. And it has the merit of being bad known, so this movie can be, as it merits, a little cult among... well me i guess !
The Incredible Melting Man (1977)
A big big big pain, ooh i love pain
This movie is bad, no doubt about it, nothing good in that. In fact, i can't find with all the possible reasons why they do such a film ? Neither i understand why they've done a re-edition on video ? Maybe for the special effects, but even for that, this movie is not worth it. The story is really too easy, and i dont recommend a trip to Saturn, your skin may begin to melt and you'll be forced to pursue big nurses with apparently a surhuman strentgh and you'll have to eat flesh. So if i was you, instead of renting this movie, rent something like The Monster Club, another bad but enjoyable B movie...