10s Movie Review - Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond

Director: Chris Smith
Genre: Documentary
Runtime: 94 minutes
Year: 2017
Starring: Jim Carrey, Danny DeVito, Milos Forman, Paul Giamatti, Judd Hirsch, Carol Kane, Courteny Love

Description: A behind-the-scenes look of how Jim Carrey adopted the persona of idiosyncratic comedian Andy Kaufman on the set of “Man on the Moon” (1999)

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2025 MOVIE CHALLENGE
WEEK 24: A FILM WITH JIM CARREY
 
Review: In “Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond”, we see behind-the-scene footage of the making of “Man on the Moon”, where Jim Carrey portrayed real-life comedian Andy Kaufman, with Carrey giving in-depth commentary of his experiences.

During the four months of filming the 1999 movie “Man on the Moon”, we get a glimpse of Jim Carrey’s portrayal of Andy Kaufman. In those four months, Carrey never steps out of his role as Kaufman (and his alter ego Tony Clifton_. The cast and crew go crazy with him, and occasionally the audience does too. But at the same time it is an ode to the effort actors put into a role.

It's a shocking yet inspiring look behind the scenes of this Andy Kaufman biopic. With Jim Carrey himself looking back at this period. Which was decisive for his later life.

Rating: 3,5/ 5

Oldie Movie Review - Dog Day Afternoon

Director: Sidney Lumet
Genre: Crime/ Drama
Runtime: 125 minutes
Year: 1975
Starring: Al Pacino, John Cazale, Penelope Allen, Sully Boyar, Carol Kane, Gary Springer, James Broderick, Chris Sarandon, Charles Durning

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2022 MOVIE CHALLENGE.
WEEK 39: A MOVIE THAT TAKES PLACE IN ONE DAY
 
Description: Three amateur bank robbers plan to hold up a bank. A nice simple robber: walk in, take the money and run. Unfortunately, the supposedly uncomplicated heist suddenly becomes a bizarre nightmare as everything that could go wrong does.

Review: In “Dog Day Afternoon”, Sonny Wortzik and Sal, along with a third accomplice, enter a Brooklyn bank. On this sweltering, late-summer day, the three men try to steal money from the vault just before closing time. However, the accomplice soon gives up and Sonny and Sal are left alone. The robbery goes horribly wrong and in now time the two men and nine hostages are trapped in the bank building, surrounded by policemen, journalists and civilians outside. Sonny and Sal face all sorts of human problems during their actions.

“Dog Day Afternoon” was nominated for six Academy Awards in 1976, including those for Best Picture and Best Script. The last category was a win.

The duo of Al Pacino and John Cazale is masterful in “Dog Day Afternoon”. From moment one, the unusual combination makes you sympathize with the characters Sonny and Sal. The way Pacino portrays Sonny is outstanding.

By today’s standards, “Dog Day Afternoon” might be a bit slow and people would say action is lacking. But that is exactly why this film is so good. The whole thing is so convincing. The mostly usual clichés in heist movies, are carefully avoided. The credible acting of the cast, the oppressive atmosphere, it all adds to the tension of the film. Director Sidney Lumet managed to get fine performances from his cast and made “Dog Day Afternoon” worth watching.

Rating: 4/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2016 - # 67: The Princess Bride

Director: Rob Reiner
Genre: Comedy/ Adventure/ Romance/ Fantasy
Runtime: 98 minutes
Year: 1987
Starring: Cary Elwes, Robin Wright, Mandy Patinkin, Chis Sarandon, Christopher Guest, Wallace Shawn, Andre the Giant, Fred Savage, Peter Falk, Peter Cool, Mel Smith, Billy Crystal, Carol Kane

Description: While home sick in bed, a young boy's (Fred Savage) grandfather (Peter Falk) reads him a story called The Princess Bride.

Review: “The Princess Bride” is a story that is told by a grandfather to his sick grandson. It’s about a beautiful farmer’s daughter Buttercup, who is madly in love with farm boy Westley. When they admit their love for each other, Westley leaves to earn money for their wedding. On his journey Westley is ambushed by pirates and Buttercup knows her love died. Years later Buttercup is forced to marry Prince Humperdinck. Right before the wedding, she is captured by three men who plan on declaring war to another kingdom. But the trio is chased by a masked stranger.
“The Princess Bride” is highly praised, as a fantasy film, but also as a romance and for its comedy. It has something for everyone. The people who dislike this film, take it way to seriously. There is a parody feel to this film and it’s very aware of itself. I love the combination of fantasy, action, comedy and romance.
“The Princess Bride” had been on my watchlist for a long time. Now that I finally saw it, I will definitely rewatch it many times. I’m a fan of “The Princess Bride”.

Rating: 5/ 5