Al-164

The 1999 remake of the 1970 Neil Simon wanna-be classic "The Out-of-Towners" is actually a more enjoyable and consistently funny movie. Pretty much the only thing I kinda liked about the original was its cruelty, as some one who lives in the NYC area theres nothing I hate more in the world than annoying tourists. However the original's cruelty got in the way of most of the comedy, this version doesnt have this problem. Also Martin and Hawn(2 great actors)are more believable than Lemmon and Dennis(neither of whom I mean to put down as wonderful actors)as naive and befuddled Ohio natives. Personally I could never picture Sandy Dennis outside of South Commack, LI. But anyway this version is just a nice(occasionally hilarious)fluffy piece of entertainment with John "I could be funny watching paint dry while gagged" Cleese added in for good measure. Just sit back, dont think too hard and laugh. Also notice that Martin and Hawn's daughter live's a few doors down from the best corned beef in town(at the 2nd ave deli of course).

This is Woody Allen's best nostalgic film to date (even better than "Purple rose of Cairo"). There's really no plot to the film, just a series of little stories involving one 1940's family and a huge cast of radio celebrities. The film tells little stories about the family(young Woody, his parents, cousin, aunts and uncles)and the radio stars("Roger and Irene", "The Masked Avenger"). All in all it's just a perfectly constructed series of reminisces right up there with "Brighton Beach Memoirs". And wait till you see who "The Masked Avenger" is.

"The Verdict" is probably one of the top 5 legal drama's ever made. Newman is exceptional as a washed up, drunken attorney who's friend throws him one last case to redeem himself by, a medical malpractice suit. The film follows Newman from the beginning as an old drunk who visits funeral homes looking for clients in the dead's family to him rediscovering what he loves about the law. There's a terrific supporting cast including Jack Warden and James Mason. This film also accurately shows the frustration of a once great lawyer who lost all he had and his final chance to regain it.