00s Movie Review - Tropic Thunder

Director: Ben Stiller
Genre: Action/ Comedy
Runtime: 107 minutes
Year: 2008
Starring: Ben Stiller, Robert Downey Jr., Jack Bacl, Jay Baruchel, Nick Nolte, Danny McBride, Steve Coogan, Tom Cruise, Matthew mcConaughey, Bill Hader

Description: Through a series of freak occurrences, a group of actors shooting a big-budget war movie are forced to become the soldiers they are portraying.

Review: We all know the prototype war movie: the brave leader, the cursing black guy with a big heart, the scary newbie and the villainous opponent. We also know the prototype actors: the tough action hero on detour, the lame comedian who only knows to tell one joke in many different ways, the serious Oscar winner and the rapper that wants to explore his acting career. “Tropic Thunder” mocks both of those groups, but also Hollywood, agents, producers and entertainment shows.

The film, that starts after a few fake trailers, is about the filming of war movie Tropic Thunder. It’s the fictive memoire of Vietnam veteran ‘Four Leaf’ Tayback. Director Daniel Cockburn can’t control the actors in his crew. He’s dealing with action hero Tuff Speedman, whose try on more serious acting failed. But also the Australian method actor Kirk Lazarus and the addicted-to-many-things comedian Jeff Portnoy. To control them, they are send to the real jungle, where they unfortunately also have to deal with real drug dealers.

The most interesting and elaborate storyline is the one of Lazarus. An actor who always stays in character and even had a procedure to make his skin darker so he can play the role in Tropic Thunder. It sounds harsh and an easy way to provoke, but it’s deeper than that. The other characters aren’t thought through as much. Jack Black does nothing new, hysterical and over the top. But that doesn’t make it less funny. And Ben Stiller’s character is mocking Tom Cruise, a bit too much sometimes. Tom Cruise himself also shows up, as the fat, bald and cursing producer. Funny? From time to time.

The movie is overall very funny and Robert Downey Jr. is just fantastic in his part. And the many supporting actors, Jay Baruchel, Steve Coogan, Danny McBride, Matthew McConaughey and Nick Nolte, are all good. “Tropic Thunder” is always praised and I like it too. But not as much as most people.

Rating: 3,5/ 5 

Movie Review - A Minecraft Movie

Director: Jared Hess
Genre: Adventure/ Action/ Comedy/ Family/ Fantasy
Runtime: 116 minutes
Year: 2025
Starring: Jack Black, Jason Momoa, Sebastian Hansen, Emma Myers, Danielle Brooks, Jennifer Coolidge,
 
Description: Four misfits are suddenly pulled through a mysterious portal into a bizarre cubic wonderland that thrives on imagination. To get back home they'll have to master this world while embarking on a quest with an unexpected expert crafter
 
Review: Popular video games and its film adaptations. Most of the time, they don’t work, with of course a few exceptions. The wildly popular Minecraft games, in which players can do whatever they want in an open world, is up next. I’m definitely not the target audience. But it’s also not a very good movie.

We meet Steve, played by Jack Black, who discovers and orb (which is a cube, but okay) that leads him to the Overworld. With a quick introduction, we see how he enters it and starts building things. Everything is cube shaped and Steve loves how he can use his creativity to build whatever he wants. But there is also danger hidden within this world. And that’s why Steve decides to hide the orb, so no one else can ever enter it. Of course, in the real world this orb is found. By struggling entrepreneur and former gaming champion Garrett “The Garbage Man” Garrison.

The visuals are good, I bet fans really love this. Jack Black is fun, but his character is very generic and he really draws all the attention to him. Black has always an actor you either love or hate. I happen to love him. Jason Momoa is funny, loved him together with Jack Black. They make for a very good duo. The rest of the characters are pretty forgettable. There is this side-plot of a character from the Overworld entering the real world, meeting Jennifer Coolidge’s characters. Which was absolutely ridiculous. Even for a family film. But other than Momoa and Black, I cannot find anything I liked about it. The world didn’t interest me, I never really understood the hype of this game anyway, so that didn’t help.

I cannot judge if Minecraft fans love this film or not, like I stated before, I’m not the target audience. I do know that I didn’t like this film.

Rating: 2/ 5

Movie Review - The Super Mario Bros. Movie

Director: Aaron Horvath, Michal Jelenic, Pierre Leduc
Genre: Animation/ Family/ Action/ Adventure/ Comedy
Runtime: 92 minutes
Year: 2023
Starring: Chris Pratt, Charlie Day, Anya Taylor-Joy, Jack Black, Keegan-Michael Key, Seth Rogen, Fred Armisen
 
Description: A plumber named Mario (Chris Pratt) travels through an underground labyrinth with his brother Luigi (Charlie Day), trying to save a captured princess (Anya Taylor-Joy).

Review: Thirty years ago, there was a movie adaptation of the wildly popular Super Mario games. This was a giant failure. I’m glad they decided to give it another try, in the form of an animation. “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” is such a fun film.

In this movie, an origina story of Mario and Luigi has been created. Thus, we get to see the family of the plumber brothers for the first time. They just started their own company and have not yet managed to get jobs. When they do, their first job goes horribly wrong. In addition, the New York borough of Brooklyn suffers from overflowing sewers. Since Mario and Luigi could use a little success, they decide to “save New Yorj”. But instead, they get sucked into a sewer pipe and end up in underground world. Luigi is stuck in the dark world of Bowser and Mario meet Princess Peach in her Mushroom Kingdom.

Once Mario and his brother have entered this world, the writers pull out all stops to match the games, complete with power-ups. It looks great and it’s tons of fun. They did change up Peach’s character a bit. Instead of playing the damsel in distress, as usual in the games, she fights along with Mario this time. And I liked this change.

Even though the world if Super Mario is already quite extensive and diverse, they ingeniously manage to involve Mario Kart and the Donkey Kong series in the adventure. And Jack Black voicing Bowser is probably the best choice of the entire film.

Videogame adaptations have always been tricky, but the succeeded here. “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” is a colorful, action-packed, adventurous and funny film for all ages and a guaranteed good time.

Rating: 4/ 5

TV Show Review - The Mandalorian (Season 3)

Season: 3
Genre: Science Fiction/ Adventure/ Action
Number of episodes: 8
Year: 2023
Starring: Pedro Pascal, Carl Weathers, Giancarlo Esposito, Katee Sackhoff, Jack Black, Lizzo, Christopher Lloyd

Description: The travels of a lone bounty hunter in the outer reaches of the galaxy, far from the authority of the New Republic.

Review: Mandalorian Din Djarin has quite a bit to recover from after taking off his helmet against all rules. To save his honor, he must travel to his home planet for a cleansing ritual. Mandalore is badly scarred and now largely deserted. In addition having to care for Grogu, Din Djarin comes to the aid of an old acquaintance and former enemy in the fight against pirates on the planet Nevarro. Supporters of the old Empire are also still asserting themselves.

The nice thing about “The Mandalorian” is that while there is a large story arc that spans a season, each episode also contains a completed story. Often a mission. This continues on in the third season, but creator Jon Favreau gradually tries to tie in more and more to the larger “Star Wars” universe as well as characters from earlier seasons.

A major factor is Bo Katan Kryze, who has a large and important role in this season. I loved that. Despite the many contradictions Bo Katan and Din Djarin have, it makes for an interesting interplay between the two characters who are clearly matched but also complement each other. And Grogu, cute as ever, is also present. Can’t get enough of him.

Despite the familiar approach, this new season explores a number of separate side paths, the function of which is not always immediately clear. For example, an entire episode is devoted to two defectors from the former Empire trying to find amnesty on planet Coruscant. This episode only gains momentum towards the end . Later in the season, these Mandalorian-less events are given a bit more context.

Totally bizarre and even more self-contained is a trip to a strange planet called Plazir 15, where actors Jack Black and Christopher Lloyd and singer Lizzo make an appearance. It is the most bizarre episode in the series so far, even though I found it highly entertaining. But it’s not the show’s best. The last two episode on the other hand, make you quickly forget about that and are of the high level we are used to. And it has a heart-warming conclusion.

Even though this season wasn’t as good as the previous two, I still really enjoyed it and I can’t get enough of this amazing series.

00s Movie Review - High Fidelity

Director: Stephen Frears
Genre: Drama/ Comedy/ Romance
Runtime: 109 minutes
Year: 2000
Starring: John Cusack, Jack Black, Iben Hjelje, Joan Cusack, Lodd Louiso, Lisa Bonet, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Tim Robbins, Lili Taylor, Sara Gilbert

Description: Rob (John Cusack), a record store owner and compulsive list maker, recounts his top five breakups, including the one in progress.

Review: Everyone who grew up in the eighties, early nighties, recognizes something in Rob Gordon and his store Championship Vinyl. Rob is a 30-something guy, dresses okay, pays his bills, has a good education but is also a little stuck in life. And he is especially crazy about music, all sorts, preferably vinyl or cassette tape. Rob doesn’t care about his career, he rather works with his friends. Of all the important things that happen in his life, he makes top five lists. You might call it juvenile, but it can also be called authentic.
“High Fidelity” is the adaptation of the book by the British author Nick Hornby. The record store moves from North London (book) to Chicago (movie), but that’s not a problem.
John Cusack plays Rob Gordon. I’ve always had a thing for Cusack and I think this is the movie that it all began with. Rob is a sympathetic guy, he doesn’t really do a lot of useful stuff but you like him anyway. Rob just does what he likes to do. The fun thing about “High Fidelity” is that Rob breaks the fourth wall. He talks to the camera, to us viewers, making us a part of his story. Rob is in the middle of a break up with Laura and through flashbacks we see that it’s probably his fault it ended. John Cusack is perfect as Rob, who here portrays one of my favorite male movie characters. Jack Black is fun as Barry, an exhibitionist music freak who wants to be in the music business himself.
“High Fidelity” finds a good balance between humor and drama, but is mostly carried by the music and the meaning of it in the character’s lives. I think it’s an underappreciated movie, more people should love it. As Rob, I’m an avid top 5 list maker and “High Fidelity” is definitely in my top 5 of all-time favorite movies!

Rating: 5/ 5

00s Movie Review - School of Rock

Director: Richard Linklater
Genre: Comedy/ Family
Runtime: 109 minutes
Year: 2003
Starring: Jack Black, Joan Cusack, Miranda Cosgrove, Mike White, Sarah Silverman, Adam Pascal, Lucs Papaelias, Chris Stack, Lucas Babin, Jordan-Claire Green, Veronica Afflerback, Joey Gaydos Jr., Robert Tsai, Angelo Massagli, Kevin Alexander Clark

Description: After being kicker out of his rock band, Dewey Finn (Jack Black) becomes a substitute teacher of an uptight elementary private school, only to try and turn his class into a rock band.

Review: Dewey Finn has only one passion: music. His dream: to break through with his band. Unfortunately the band thinks otherwise, because they are completely tired of the selfish guitarist. And so Dewey gets kicked out of the band, totally broke now. Because he had hoped to win the first prize in the “Battle of the Bands” with his group. His friend Ned Schneebly, who he lives with, urges him to look for a job. When Dewey takes a call, meant for Ned, to fill in as a teacher at Horace Green Elementary School, he pretends to be Ned and takes the job. However, he doesn’t really feel like teaching. But that all changes when he sees what kind of musical capacities the children have. Dewey sees this as an opportunity to finally form a dream band, and thus starts a ‘secret project’: The rock band. The School of Rock is open!!!!
Writer Mike White had been wanting to write a film especially for Jack Black, whom he lives next to for three years. So it’s no surprise that this role is perfect for Black. In fact, he carries the entire film. Of course, there is plenty to laugh about, but his chemistry with the kids in the movie is surprisingly good as well.
Although “School of Rock” is not overly sweet, it’s a perfect feel-good-movie. And it’s a film for a broad audience, including kids. Surprising twists and turns are not to be expected, but “School of Rock” is just so much fun, that this never bothers me. And honestly, uncomplicated comedy for the whole family is sometimes really welcome.
“School of Rock” is a very fun comedy, in which you see a failed musician training a group of talented kids to become his band. I love this movie and I love Jack Black in it.

Rating: 4/ 5

10s Movie Review - Jumanji: The Next Level

Director: Jake Kasdan
Genre: Action/ Adventure
Runtime: 123 minutes
Year: 2019
Starring: Dwayne Johnson, Jack Black, Kevin Hart, Karen Gillan, Awkwafina, Nick Jonas, Danny DeVito, Danny Glover, Rhys Darby, Colin Hanks, Rory McCann, Marin Hinkle, Alex Wolff, Morgan Turner, Madison Iseman, Ser’Darius Blain

Description: The gang is back but the game has changed. As they return to rescue one of their own, the players will have to brave parts unknown from arid deserts to snowy mountains, to escape the world’s most dangerous game.

Review: After their adventure in the world of Jumanji, the students Spencer, Martha, Bethany and Fridge try to pick up their lives again. However, Spencer is struggling with his life as a student in new York and longs for a new adventure in which he can take on the form of the tough professor Bravestone. When Spencer goes missing, his friends soon know what happened. Especially when they discover that Spencer has never thrown away the videogame Jumanji. All they can do to save their friend is venture into the world of Jumanji again. But this time, not only the students get sucked in, also Spencer’s grandfather and his elderly friend join the adventure, and Bethany is left behind. Once again, they have to join forces as their old avatars in order to return from the world of Jumanji.
“Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle” was one of the biggest surprises. A movie I thought I would hate, but actually came to love. So to repeat that success, Sony Pictures (of course) created a sequel. And although it’s much of the same, “Jumanji: The Next Level” still offers a lot of fun-filled and action packed scenes.
With the same game, the same avatars and the same students its more of the same. But the creators made a few adjustments to make it a bit fresher. Danny DeVito and Danny Glover are added and they end up in the avatars that Dwayne Johnson and Kevin hart embody. I’m not the world’s biggest Kevin Hart fan and he was my least favorite in the first film. Because he was being his loud an annoying self, instead of another character. Here his character is taken over by an elderly, slow-talking man that over-explains things. And I loved that! He actually outshines Dwayne Johnson for once.
“Jumanji: The Next Level” is not a necessary sequel, but a welcome one. Because I had tons of fun watching it. Even though it was much of the same, I enjoyed this film.

Rating: 3,5 / 5

00s Movie Review - Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy

Director: Adam McKay
Genre: Comedy
Runtime: 90 minutes
Year: 2004
Starring: Will Ferrell, Christina Applegate, Paul Rudd, Steve Carell, David Koechner, Chris Parnell, Fred Willard, Kathryn Hahn, Fred Armisen, Seth Rogen, Vince Vaughn, Luke Wilson, Tim Robbins, Ben Stiller, Missi Pyle, Jack Black

Description: Ron Burgundy (Will Ferrell) is San Diego’s top-rated newsman in the male-dominated broadcasting of the 1970s, but that’s all about to change for Ron and his cronies when an ambitious woman (Christina Applegate) is hired as a new anchor.

Review: “Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy” could have easily been a juvenile, forgettable comedy. But director Adam McKay really created a hilarious film, that is a favorite for a lot of people.
We meet the arrogant and quirky Ron Burgundy, who is one of the most successful news anchors in 1970s San Diego. When Veronica Corningstone enters, he gets some rivalry, because she is a very ambitious women with only one big dream: becoming a lead anchor. At first Veronica gets simple stories to cover, like a fashion show for cats, but she doesn’t accept being just that kind of news woman.
When “Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy” was released in 2004, it wasn’t very well-received by critics. But through the years, the film has gained a cult-status and is a comedy classic. There was even a sequel in 2013.
The constant bickering between Will Ferrell and Christina Applegate’s characters is hilarious and we get fun supporting roles from Paul Rudd, Fred Willard and Vince Vaughn. But it’s Steve Carell that steals the show, as weatherman Brick Tamland. He is seriously the dumbest movie character and you question yourself how it’s possible Brick is still alive. Carell is hilarious in his role.
“Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy” is definitely one of my favorite comedies off all-time.

Rating: 4/ 5

Five to Watch - Movies Starring Jack Black

“The house with a Clock In Its Walls” is now playing in theaters and it stars Jack Black, one of my favorite funny guys. He doesn’t only seem like an all-around down-to-earth nice guy, he is genuinely an actor I love to watch. I decided to create list of five films, that I find worth watching. Somehow they are underrated or overlooked.

Bernie
In small-town Texas, the popular mortician Bernie Tiede strikes up a friendship with Marjorie Nugent. She is a wealthy widow well known for her sour attitude. When she becomes controlling and abusive, Bernie goes to great lengths to remove himself from her grasp. Jack Black plays the role of Bernie and it’s easily one of Black’s best performances. It’s a weird true story, but this movie took me by surprise. It’s highly overlooked.

High Fidelity
Set in a record store, that doesn’t get a lot of costumer’s. It follows Rob, the store owner portrayed by John Cusack, who’s dealing with some problems. Jack Black plays the role of Barry, an exhibitionist music freak who wants to be in the music business himself. “High Fidelity” finds a good balance between humor and drama, but is mostly carried by the music and the meaning of it in the character’s lives. I think it’s an underappreciated movie, more people should love it. As Rob, I’m an avid top 5 list maker and “High Fidelity” is definitely in my top 5 of all-time favorite movies!

The Big Year
Three fanatical bird-watcher, played by Owen Wilson, Jack Black and Steve Martin, spend an entire year competing to spot the highest number of bird species. I loved the theme, it’s a feel-good film. It could have easily fell into the ridiculous comedy trend, where everything that can go wrong, goes wrong. Luckily that didn’t happen and this film felt fresh and I really enjoyed it. It’s such an underrated film.

Be Kind Rewind
Mos Def and Jack Black play tow bumbling store clerks, who inadvertently erase the footage from all of the tapes in their video rental store. In order to keep the business running, they re-shoot every film in the store with their own camera, with a budget of zero dollars. This is a film that probably doesn’t speak to the younger crowd. Us 80s and 90s babies, we know what the phrase ‘be kind rewind’ mean. Because how annoying was it that you lend a VHS tape to someone and they’d return it to you without rewinding it. The cheap ways to recreate expensive special effects of some of our favorite movies. Those are the most fun parts of the film, when they are shooting the movies. Sometimes hilarious. And for someone who is creative herself, I can appreciate the creativity behind it all.

Orange County
Shaun Brumder is a local surfer kid from Orange County, played by Colin Hanks. He dreams of going to Stanford to become a writer and to get away from his dysfunctional family. Somehow mistakes are made and Shaun doesn’t get into Stanford. With the help of his brother Lance, a role by Jack Black and his girlfriend Ashely, he tries to do everything to get into the school. I don’t think there are a lot of people that even know this film. I know my friends haven’t, which is such a shame. It’s a good film, with great humor and fun characters. Like Jack Black’s Lance, he is hilarious as Shaun’s useless and lazy brother. I’ve seen it many times, there was a time I rewatched it several times a month.

10s Movie Review - Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle

Director: Jake Kasdan
Genre: Action/ Adventure
Runtime: 119 minutes
Year: 2017
Starring: Dwayne Johnson, Jack Black, Karen Gillan, Kevin Hart, Bobby Cannavale, Colin Hanks

Description: Four teenagers are sucked into a magical video game, and the only way they can escape is to work together to finish the game.

Review: It could have been another useless reboot or nostalgia trip; with Jake Kasdan as a director you expect nothing more than a cliché film. But “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle” was surprisingly fun and not bad at all. A movie that actually uses the talent of its cast, a beautiful setting and believable characters. What a surprise!
The first minute are a nod to the original board game from the first film. Somehow the game is changed into a videogame. Four high school students that are in detention, find this game and decided to play it. They pick their characters and instead of the game entering our world, the kids are sucked into the game. Becoming their characters and having to save Jumanji.
The nerdy Spencer becomes the buff and brave Dr. Bravestone. Wallflower Martha turns into man killer Ruby Roundhouse. Jock Fridge now has to deal with a much shorter self, who is a zoologist. And popular and self-loving Bethany, becomes a middle aged man who specializes in reading maps, archeology and paleontology.
At first, the body switch gives a simple and predictable jokes. But the concept stays interesting throughout the whole film, without become lame and juvenile. Dwayne Johnson, who is now the embodiment of a shy and nerdy kid, does this very convincing. And Karen Gillan really does a great job awkwardly dealing with her body language. Jack Black was probably my favorite, a teenage girl trapped inside a middle aged man’s body. Kevin Hart is the least convincing of the four, because he plays himself instead of the character trapped inside of him.
It’s very clever to turn the Jumanji game into a videogame and this makes for a fun and entertaining setting. The characters have strengths and weaknesses and there are clear rules. And the whole décor is fantastic!
Although I love the original “Jumanji” movie, this film isn’t timeless. The special effects of this film are a bit outdated, but overall I still love it. “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle” really surprised me and I really liked it. A lot!

Rating: 4 / 5

100 Movie Challenge 2017 - # 89: The D Train

Director: Andrew Mogel, Jarrad Paul
Genre: Comedy/ Drama
Runtime: 101 minutes
Year: 2015
Starring: Jack Black, James Marsden, Kathryn Hahn, Jeffrey Tambor, Dermot Mulroney, Mike White

Description: The head of a high school reunion committee (Jack Black) travels to Los Angeles to track down the most popular guy from his graduating class (James Marsden) and convince him to go to the reunion.

Review: Jack Black has his ups and downs. Well, “The D Train” is a movie that not a lot of people might have heard of, and it’s better that it stays that way. It’s not one of his best film. I don’t really know what it is, really.
Dan Landsman is the head of the high school reunion committee. He wasn’t very popular back then and he still isn’t. He still wants to be accepted by others. He decides to track down Oliver Lawless, the most popular guy in school when they were young.
The film takes some surprising turns, but they are somewhat hard to believe and understand. And the film also got on my nerves for some reason. There is a reason why this film played a limited time in theaters.
No, “The D Train” is a movie you can better skip.

Rating: 2/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2017 - # 86: The Big Year

Director: David Frankel
Genre: Comedy
Runtime: 96 minutes
Year: 2011
Starring: Owen Wilson, Jack Black, Steve Martin, Rosamund Pike, Kevin Pollack, Joel McHale, Dianne Wiest, Brian Dennehy, June Squibb, Rashida Jones, Tim Blake Nelson, Al Roker, Jim Parsons, Anjelica Huston

Description: Two bird enthusiasts (Jack Black, Steve Martin) try to defeat the cocky, cutthroat world record holder (Owen Wilson) in a year-long bird-spotting competition.

Review: Jack Black, Owen Wilson and Steve Martin. With this cast the film will draw a crowd, but a movie can disappoint with high expectations. I didn’t expect much, but this movie was surprisingly fun. A movie about bird watching or birding.
Kenny Bostick holds the record of spotting the most birds in one year, which the call the big year. Brad Harris and Stu Preissler have the same passion for birds and decide to do a big year themselves. But they have to be one step ahead of cocky Bostick.
Most people are not that positive about “The Big Year” but I found it highly enjoyable and think it deserves a bit more praise. I really like the theme of the film and how it was executed. The cast is fun, all three actors are solid and I always love watching them work.
“The Big Year” is more a feel-good film than a comedy. The film develops slowly, but it never really gets comedic. But that didn’t bother me. The movie could have easily fallen into that ridiculous comedy trend, where everything that can go wrong, goes wrong. I found this really refreshing and I really enjoyed watching it.
“The Big Year” is a good movie, that surprised me.

Rating: 4/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2017 - # 14: Bernie

Director: Richard Linklater
Genre: Comedy/ Drama/ Crime
Runtime: 95 minutes
Year: 2011
Starring: Jack Black, Shirley MacLaine, Matthew McConaughey

Description: In small-town Texas, an affable mortician (Jack Black) strikes up a friendship with a wealthy widow (Shirley MacLaine), though when she starts to become controlling, he goes to great lengths to separate himself from her grasp.

Review: This film is quirky and that’s an understatement. But that makes this true story even more unbelievable. Jack Black is playing probably one of his best roles, as the mortician Bernie. It’s a weird true story, but definitely a movie you should watch. Because this is a highly overlooked film.
Bernie Tiede is the kind of guy that everyone loves. As assistant mortician, he seems to have found his calling. He manages to make the deceased look pretty in their casket, but is also a great salesman. And Bernie also loves to sing and provides vocals on funerals. Jack Black can show his many talents here. When the rich mister Nugents dies, Bernie takes care of his funeral. But later also of his wife Marjorie Nugent.
The movie is filmed in a documentary style. In between scenes, you see people of the Texan town being interviewed about their town, Bernie and other citizens of the town. This is a fun take and made this movie even more unique.
The story feels so unbelievable, especially with knowing that it really happened. This film really surprised me and I think more people should see it.

Rating: 4,5/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2016 - # 142: Goosebumps

Director: Rob Letterman
Genre: Adventure/ Comedy/ Family/ Fanstasy/ Horror
Runtime: 103 minutes
Year: 2015
Starring: Jack Black, Amy Ryan, Jillian Bell, Ken Marino

Description: A teenager teams up with the daughter of young adult horror author R. L. Stine (Jack Black) after the writer's imaginary demons are set free on the town of Madison, Delaware.

Review: Jack Black is the perfect actor for a scary family film like “Goosebumps”, so it’s no surprise that he portrays writer R.L. Stine. He plays a fictional version of the real life author of the book series “Goosebumps”. Here he is a hermit, protecting his daughter Hannah. The new neighbor Zach is very curious about Stine and his daughter and just simply can’t accept that she can not leave the house. But when releasing Hannah, he releases a lot more.
From the beginning the movie is fast paced and has humor. Jillian Bell, as Zach’s aunt, brings some awkward family humor to the show. The young actors are solid and Jack Black is just enjoyable as R.L. Stine.
We don’t have to wait long for the first monsters to appear, that we all know from the populat books. It’s a bit like “Night at the Museum” or “Jumanji”. The horror is mild, because it’s supposed to be suitable for a younger audience. But it can get scary for the really young kids.
Zah and Hanna are the heroes of the story. Their nerdy companion Champ is not as fun. He is supposed to make it all a but lighter, but instead he’s a pretty annoying character that overreacts to every situation. At least Zach and Hannah act more realistic.
It’s actually very smart to use this story for the movie, because how do you pick from all those books. Instead the most iconic monsters from Stine’s book come to life and it works surprisingly well. I liked “Goosebumps” more than I expected and it wasn’t as bad as I thought. It’s an entertaining film, especially if you read the books as a kid.

Rating: 3/ 5

Marry, Kiss, Cliff - Round 12

Lance Brumbder (“Orange County”), Saul Silver (“Pineapple Express”) and Don Lockwood (“Singin’ in the Rain”)

Marry: Don Lockwood would be the most sensible choice. He is charming and he always knows how to lighten up your day. Don can get you in the right mood.

Kiss: Okay, he might not be the sharpest tool in the shed, but let’s face it. You gotta love Saul Silver. I think he’s great!

Cliff: As much as I like Lance Brumbder, he’s also a pain in the ass. He can’t do anything right, he actually doesn’t really do anything but watch TV.

100 Movie Challenge 2016 - # 7: Be Kind Rewind

Director: Michel Gondry

Genre: Comedy

Runtime: 98 minutes

Year: 2008

Starring: Jack Black, Mos Def, Danny Glover, Mia Farrow, Melonie Diaz, Sigourney Weaver

Description: Two bumbling store clerks (Jack Black, Mos Def) inadvertently erase the footage from all of the tapes in their video rental store. In order to keep the business running, they re-shoot every film in the store with their own camera, with a budget of zero dollars.

Review: ‘Be Kind, Rewind’, today’s kids don’t even know what that means anymore. The time before movies appeared on shiny discs but were sold on big, black rectangle VHS tapes. And when the person before you didn’t rewind the film, it was very frustrating. The store in “Be Kind Rewind” only sells VHS tapes and off course that’s hopelessly old fashioned. But this is a fun film for people with big imaginations.

Jack Black plays Jerry and believes the factory next door brainwashes people. When he unsuccessfully tries to sabotage it, he gets magnetized. This causes for every VHS tape to erase in the store that his friend Mike works at. Mike is responsible for the store after his boss left in order to save the store. One of their regular costumers really wants to see “Ghostbusters” on video, not DVD. Jerry and Mike decide to recreate the film themselves and it’s such a success that many other movies follow.

It’s very clear that director Michel Gondry had loads of fun making “Be Kind Rewind”. The cheap ways to recreate expensive special effects of some of our favorite movies. Those are the most fun parts of the film, when they are shooting the movies. Sometimes hilarious. And for someone who is creative herself, I can appreciate the creativity behind it all.

Jack Black is very typical Jack Black, Melonie Diaz doesn’t really get much to do and Mos Def is okay. So don’t see this for the acting. This film was made with love and enthusiasm and is very enjoyable.

Rating: 3/ 5

Movie Moments: "The Muppets"

If you don’t like the Muppets, you’re insane! How can you not like them? I just rewatched their latest film and I chose my favorite moments. Oh, and I can't wait to see the new movie that comes out next year!

Moment # 1: Life’s a happy song
Gary is about to leave for Los Angeles with his girlfriend Mary. He tells Walter he's coming too. They, and the whole population of Smalltown breaks into song.

Moment # 2: Walter overhears plan
When Walter visits Kermit’s office in the Muppet studios, he overhears a plan that Tex Richman has for the studios end theater. Walter starts screaming, all the way to the hotel.

Moment # 3: Electrical fence
When Gary, Mary and Walter find Kermit’s house, Walter wants to be thrown over the fence. Mary worries it might be an electrical fence, but Walter says it’s impossible because it’s Kermit the Frog. When Gary throws him over, Walter is electrocuted.

Moment # 4: Kermit the Frog
Kermit arrives and invites them into his home. Walter persuades Kermit into getting the old gang back together to put up a show.

Moment # 5: The Moopets
First they’re trying to find Fozzie Bear, who has his own show in a Reno casino called The Moopets. Which has some Muppets characters, but the ten times worse.

Moment # 6: Montage
Already they found Fozzie, Gonzo and Animal, the rest of the Muppets are in a montage.

Moment # 7: We build this city
Gary, Mary, Walter and all the Muppets fix up the old Muppet theater, while singing “We Build This City”.

Moment # 8: Me party
Mary is sightseeing Los Angeles by herself and she starts singing about it.

Moment # 9: New dance partner
Miss Piggy can’t do her duet with Kermit, because she has a new dance partner: Pepe the Prawn, who is supposed to catch her like in “Dirty Dancing”.

Moment # 10: Man or Muppet
Mary left L.A. with a question for Gary: are you a man or a muppet. Gary and Walter try to find out through a song.

Moment # 11: Barbershop
The Barbershop quartet give Jack Black a haircut while mee-meeing “Smell Like Teen Spirit”.

Moment # 12: Rainbow Connection
Kermit plays the banjo and sings “Rainbow Connection”, with Miss Piggy.


Favorite Moment: Moment # 1 : Life’s a happy song

Top 5 Thursday: Scene Stealers

Everybody knows this: supporting actors or actresses that just happen to steal practically every scene they’re in. Here are my five favorites.

5. Chloë Grace Moretz in “Kick-Ass”
As Hit-Girl, Chloë Grace Moretz gives away a classic scene stealing performance. Coolest hero without superpowers ever!

4. Emily Blunt in “The Devil Wears Prada”
I think everybody stole all the scenes away from leading lady Anne Hathaway in this movie. Poor Anne. Most people prefer Meryl, but I’m team Emily! Great role, perfect scene stealer.

3. Jack Black in “Orange County”
I simply love this movie, but Jack Black’s character is just unforgettable. He steals all the scenes, especially the ones where he is in his undies.

2. Christoph Waltz in “Inglourious Bastards”
Let’s be honest, Christoph Waltz made this movie. What a wonderful performance, by an actor that we didn’t know at that time. A real scene stealer.

1. Tim Robbins in “Mystic River”
Tim Robbins knows how to steal a scene. His performance is so amazing and I just felt for him. He got an Oscar for this role and he totally deserved it.

They Almost Made the Top 5: Kevin Spacey in “Se7en”, Melissa McCarthy in “Bridesmaids”, Robert Carlysle in “Trainspotting”, Michael Clarke Duncan in ‘The Green Mile”,Louis Gossett Jr. in “An Officer and a Gentleman”, Sean Penn in “Fast Times at Ridgemont High”, Brad Pitt in “Twelve Monkeys”, Christian Bale in “The Fighter”, Mark Wahlberg in “The Departed”, Christoph Waltz in “Django Unchained”

Movie Moments: Orange County

A breakthrough for Tom Hanks' son Colin Hanks, who I think is amazing and should get more attention. I don't know why, but I always loved this movie. I decided to rewatch it and make a list of my favorite moments.

Moment # 1:Meet Shaun
We meet Shaun Brumbder, who’s writing a letter to Marcus Skinner. He tells him about his life in Orange County and how he got the idea of becoming a writer.

Moment # 2: Lance watches Spongebob
Shaun is excited abot his letter from Stanford, but all his lazy brother Lance cares about is Spongebob.

Moment # 3: Wrong Transcript
Shaun didn’t get in to Stanford and he doesn’t understand why. He visits the students counselor and finds out she send in the transcript of a Shane Brainard. He, dumb as he is, did get in to Stanford.

Moment # 4: Visitors
Ashley arranged for Tanya’s grandfather to visit Shaun, he works at Stanford. Shaun gets one more chance to get in to Stanford. His mother is getting ready and puts on a dress that makes her look like a piñata. Shaun tells Lance he needs to stay in his room. When Lance asks him why, Shaun tells him he embarrasses him. When the guest arrive, Shaun’s mom Cindy acts weird and starts telling them her whole life story. Then Lance walks in in his underwear, Shaun’s friends shows up and Bob starts acting mad. Everything is going wrong and Shaun’s last chance is gone.

Moment # 5: Lance driving skills
Lance drives Shaun and Ashley to Stanford, because he can do it in 3 hours. But he’s an awful driver. He hardly pays attention to the road and when something happens he blames the other drivers.

Moment # 6: Lance sets a fire.
When Shaun got the dean of admission to put his name on the list of Stanford attendees and they arrive at the office, they see it’s on fire. Set by Lance.

Moment # 7: Shaun meets Marcus Skinner
Shaun is walking on campus when all of a sudden he sees Marcus Skinner walk by. He asks him about his story and Marcus says he enjoyed reading it. He invites Shaun to his office to talk about the story. He tells Shaun he doesn’t need to leave Orange County to become a good writer, he already is one.

Moment # 8: “You banged mom?”
When Shaun, Lance and Ashley return from Stanford, they see their dad. When he wants to tell them he and their mom got back together Lance asks him: “You banged mom?”

Moment # 9: Shaun stays
The trip wasn’t all for nothing, because Shaun realizes that his inspiration is right in front of him. Shaun decides to stay in Orange County and everybody is happy.

Favorite Moment: Moment # 4: Visitors

Movie Tip #25 - Orange County

Director: Jake Kasdan

Starring: Colin Hanks, Jack Black, Schuyler Fisk, John Lithgow, Catherine O'Hara, Leslie Mann, Kevin Kline, Chevy Chase, Lily Tomlin

Description: Shaun Brumder (Colin Hanks) is a local surfer kid from Orange County who dreams of going to Stanford to become a writer and to get away from his disfunctional family household. Except Shaun runs into one complication after another starting when his application is rejected after his dim-witted guidance counselor sends the wrong application. So, Shaun goes to great lengths with a little help from his girlfriend Ashley (Schuyler Fisk) and his drugged-out loser brother Lance (Jack Black) to get into Stanford any way they see fit

Review: I really enjoy "Orange County" every time I see it. The script is great. It's smart, but still wacky as a teen comedy needs to be. Colin Hanks' first major starring role and he nailed it. He looks (and sounds) a lot like his dad and he's also a great actor. I recently saw him in "The Great Buck Howard" and his performance is again great. My favourite character in "Orange County" was Lance, played by Jack Black. Weird guy, but so cool. The parents are also very funny and Ashley is sweet and tender. It's one of the only teen comedies with an actual good story and good actors. Just watch it.