Oh my god, the Thanksgiving turkey has come to life!
But how are you...?
I had you for dinner last Thursday!
// Shut up!
I do the talking.
A long time ago, one of your ancestors disrespected our people really, really badly.
And so as payback, I'm here to kill any white person that disrespects Indians, or our land.
// Don't you mean Native Americans?
Anyway, I already decided to review Thanksgiving films, didn't that make it up for you?
// Haha!
It almost did... but it didn't.
// Prepare to be dead.
// Not today, gravy-breath... because this is Movie Night!
Hello and welcome to Movie Night...
YouTube's longest running program operating under that name!
I'm your host, Jonathan Paula.
I hope you had a relaxing and enjoyable Thanksgiving break...
I know I certainly did, which is why tonight's episode celebrating Thankgiving-themed movies
is a few days late.
Hopefully you'll forgive me... regardless, we begin tonight with "Planes, Trains And
Automobiles."
This John Hughes comedy-classic was released the day before Thanksgiving in 1987, and was
a huge hit, earning over $50 million at the box office.
Iconic funny men Steve Martin and John Candy star as a mismatched duo forced to work together
to survive the ultimate road trip from hell, as they attempt to make it home to Chicago
for Thanksgiving.
With Murphy's Law in full effect, Martin does an excellent job portraying the arrogant,
and impatient business man perpetually pushed to the end of his rope, both by the ridiculously
horrible circumstances he continually finds himself in, and by Candy's irritating antics.
What makes this odd-couple pairing work however is Candy's marvelous performance as the good
natured and lovable shower-curtain ring traveling salesmen, who is so oblivious to his obnoxious
behavior, it's hard to fault the endearing guy, defending himself by saying, "I'm the
real article, what you see is what you get."
Although the supporting cast includes familiar names and faces like Kevin Bacon, Dylan Baker,
Matthew Lawrence, and Ben Stein - most are reduced to quick punchlines, and remain largely
inconsequential.
Stretching the bounds of believability, the 92-minute American adventure bounces from
one awful traveling disaster to the next... from grounded airplanes, to broken-down trains,
to having their rental car catches on fire; which results in perhaps the movie's funniest
laugh-out-loud scene when Candy attempts to calmly dismiss officer Michael McKean's safety
and legal concerns over their destroyed vehicle.
Earning its R-rated in a single, hilarious, F-bomb laced scene, this picture is otherwise
a family friendly story with noble themes of friendship, family, and not judging others
by a first impression.
With some silly, and perhaps hammy dialogue, the original screenplay by Hughes is otherwise
very tightly constructed, despite ending with an abrupt emotional shift, and a rushed ending.
Technically and visually speaking, there's nothing noteworthy with this picture, which
has held up extremely well over the years... except for its cheesy and overly synthesized
score from Ira Newborn, which is far too goofy to ever feel appropriate.
The briskly paced experience is a holiday staple, and the greatest reminder of how talented
the late John Candy really was... this is a delightful picture I love watching around
turkey day.
"Planes, Trains And Automobiles", "Brilliantly funny characters.
Amusing situations."
Now let's see what you had to say about this picture in the Google+ comments.
And our ratings are... a double EIGHT.
Everyone praised Martin and Candy's performances, scoring the film a GREAT.
Despite some story flaws, I too loved the characters in this picture, and laugh every
time I watch.
It's a GREAT movie.
For tonight's poll question, something non-movie related for a change: what's your favorite
Thanksgiving food?
I'm quite partial to mashed potatoes myself.
Leave your response as a comment below.
Our second review is for "Grumpy Old Men".
Released on Christmas day in 1993, this PG-13 rated picture doubled its $35 million dollar
budget, and effectively resurrecting its aging stars comedy careers.
The sixth of their ten movies together, Oscar winning veterans Walter Matthau and Jack Lemmon
star as elderly neighbors in wintry Minnesota, whose petty rivalries and pranks escalate
when they both chase after the same woman.
Bouncing off each other effortlessly, their unique interplay is not only the 103-minute
picture's highlight, it's really the only compelling reason to watch what is otherwise
a simple, light-hearted romantic comedy about old people.
Their demeanor can really only ever be described as "grumpy", and boy do they play that well,
greeting each other with courtesy salutations like, "Good morning, dickhead", and "Hello,
moron."
Director Donald Petrie wisely remains out of their way, letting their grandiose and
arrogant personalities fill ever scene with cute moments, and hilarious jokes, like when
Matthau pushes Lemmon's ice fishing hut across a frozen lake... with Lemmon still inside,
flailing around
and screaming.
Their sparing works because it never becomes completely mean-spirited though... and what
makes these characters great is that deep down, you can tell they actually care for
each other.
Also, some excellent supporting performances from Burgess Meredith, Ann-Margret, Daryl
Hannah, and Kevin Pollak elevate this picture from average made-for-TV fluff to a realistic,
humble, and endearing picture that's endlessly re-watchable.
Thematically about coming to terms with yourself, and giving people a second chance, the tightly-paced
movie ultimately just boils down to an amusing time as you watch a couple of frenimies bicker
at each other and flirt with woman 20 years their junior.
A playful, yet emotional score from the always capable Alan Silvestri helps cement some of
this picture's more dramatic moments as well, but nothing from the production-side of things
is ever truly impressive.
A whimsical and lighthearted film for the whole family, that set up an equally amusing
sequel, "Grumpy Old Men" has "Adorably hilarious chemistry between legends."
Now let's read some of your comment reviews.
Ratings were mixed, but they averaged to a SEVEN and a SEVEN for "Grumpy Old Men".
We both agreed that Lemmon and Matthau are awesome together, and they make this film
worth watching.
We both rated it a COOL.
And now, a quick reminder to subscribe to the Movie Night Archive channel for exclusive
trailer commentaries, and an organized library of all our past reviews.
My last review tonight is for, "ThanksKilling".
Produced by college students Jordan Downey and Kevin Stewart on a poultry...
I mean paltry budget... of only thirty-five hundred dollars, this independent comedy horror
film saw limited released in November of 2009.
As promised by the ridiculous movie poster, the movie does indeed open on a pair of mammaries...
with much of the footage shot with some Vaseline-smeared filter.
Why this pilgrim lady is running through the woods of 1621 topless is anyone's guess.
The score by Kjmir Royale is really quite awful... step below those tired Garage Band
loops, it literally sounds like one of those in-keyboard demo tracks... adding zero tension
or atmosphere to the picture.
But when a deranged turkey pops into frame, speaking English and swinging an axe... you
immediately understand and appreciate the campy nonsense this film wants to achieve.
And that's all just within the first two minutes.
From there, the picture occasionally impresses: the editing is solid, the action well-paced,
and although the acting is obviously from second-year film students, the dialogue is
written with a decent amount of believability -- there was even a few times when I genuinely
laughed *at* the jokes, rather than at their cheesiness.
As the student filmmakers were unable to afford a rating, this picture is technically unrated...
but given its language and graphic content, it would more than qualify for an "R".
The plot follows a group of helpless and horny meatbags, alone in the woods during Thanksgiving
break... who are slowly hunted and killed by a knife-wielding anthropomorphized turkey.
Lance Predmore, Ryan Francis, Lindsey Anderson, Aaron Ringiser-Carlson and Natasha Cordova
comprise the core group of protagonists, and while none of their performances are even
decent, they manage to get through the ridiculous scenes without breaking character and laughing,
so I suppose that's somewhat commendable.
The stand-out performance, if you can call it that, definitely has to be Downey as the
voice of the killer turkey...
its crass one-liners are unsubtle puns that always made me laugh, like declaring, "Damn
that was good!
You just got stuffed!", after having sex with one of the slutty girl.
If you enjoy cheesy, almost self-aware, unbelievable low-budget horror movies, this incredibly
short 66-minute feature can definitely be a fun time with friends, despite being uninspired,
and poorly made.
While I'll probably never watch this movie again...
I am strangely compelled to investigate the more expensive sequels.
"ThanksKilling", "Amateur production, but hilarious camp."
And now the Rate-o-matic... with a score of THREE for "ThanksKilling".
Sure, this movie is nothing but silly nonsense, and is from good filmmaking, but it never
does anything inexcusably bad, either.
Although I liked it, I still have to rate this a LAME.
Finally, let's read some of your tweet critiques.
If you see a new movie in theaters, Tweet your review with the #JPMN hashtag.
Next week, to honor the life and work of the recently deceased Paul Walker, we'll review
2003's "Timeline", a sci-fi adventure film focusing on time travel, "Into The Blue",
an action film from 2005 co-starring Jessica Alba, and "Running Scared" a lesser-known
crime film from 2006.
Share your opinions on these movies by voting in the polls below, or by leaving a comment
review.
If you'd like to watch more episodes, check out the "related videos" to my left, or click
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for updates between episodes.
Once again, my name is Jonathan Paula, thank you for watching and listening.
Until next time, have a good Movie Night!