Flashback Friday: Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle (2003)

When a film is successful, the obvious response from the powers that be is to greenlight a sequel. Whether or not that second film has the same success as its predecessor is not as certain.

The 2003 movie, Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle is the follow-up to the 2000 film, Charlie’s Angels. After three years, the Angels- Dylan (Drew Barrymore), Alex (Lucy Liu), and Natalie (Cameron Diaz) have another case on their hands. Led by the ever-faithful Bosley (the late Bernie Mac, replacing Bill Murray), they have to locate and protect two rings that contain information on the Federal Witness Protection Program database.

Standing in their way is the potentially suspect fallen Angel Madison (Demi Moore) and bad guy/Dylan’s ex Seamus (Justin Theroux).

As sequels go, it’s not bad. The problem is that the spark that made its predecessor successful is dimmed. It is entertaining, but not as good as the original narrative.

Do I recommend it? Maybe.

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Thoughts On The 22nd Anniversary Of Now And Then

Twelve is one of those ages that always stands out. At 12, we are in that in between stage of starting to grow up, but are still in a sense a child.

On November 1 1995, Now And Then hit theaters. It was the story of four best friends living in an average American suburb. The film takes place in two different time periods: 1970 when the characters are 12 and 1995 when the characters have grown up. Roberta (Christina Ricci/Rosie O’Donnell), Teeny (Thora Birch/Melanie Griffiths), Samantha (Gaby Hoffman/Demi Moore) and Chrissy (Ashleigh Ashton Moore/Rita Wilson) have been friends forever. They reunite to relive that memorable summer of 1970.

In Hollywood, it’s rare to to see a film where female characters, especially young female characters are the focus. It’s not about boys, it’s about their relationships with each other and how important female friendship is, especially at the age of 12.

I have fond memories of this movie and I absolutely recommend it, especially to young girls growing up now. It is worth the time to watch.

 

Flashback Friday- A Few Good Men (1992)

You know that a movie is iconic when audiences know it by a single line, regardless of if they have seen the movie or not.

In A Few Good Men (1992), Lt. Daniel Kaffee (Tom Cruise) is a military lawyer who has yet to work inside of a courtroom. His newest case is to defend two marines accused of killing a fellow Marine. Working with Lt. Cdr Joanne Galloway (Demi Moore), Daniel is initially uncaring about his case, but will quickly change his mind. Then comes the dramatic courtroom conflict with Colonel Nathan R. Jessup (Jack Nicholson). Will Daniel be able to prove innocence or did those men really kill their brother marine?

Normally, I am not a fan of Tom Cruise. But this movie is nothing short of fantastic. It hooks the audience quickly and does not let go until the very end.

I absolutely recommend it.

The Critics Were Wrong (Maybe)- The Scarlet Letter (1995)

Adapting a film based on a novel is like walking a tight rope. The screenwriter or screenwriters and the production staff must be true to the novel and it’s fan base, but the movie must also be appealing to audiences, regardless of whether they have read the book.

In some cases, the movie succeeds. In other cases, the movie is a failure and readers, especially traditionally minded readers are reminded why the book was and still is the better medium.

In 1995, Nathaniel Hawthorne’s novel, The Scarlet Letter was adapted for the big screen.

In 17th century Massachusetts, the Puritan lifestyle is law, spoken and unspoken.

A newcomer, Hester Prynne (Demi Moore) arrives in the colony. She believes her husband Roger (Robert Duvall) has died at the hands of the local Indian tribe. Relishing her independence, she starts a secret love affair with Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale  (Gary Oldman). The result of the affair is a child. Refusing to the publicly name her child’s father, Hester is forced to wear an a scarlet A (for adulteress) on her outer clothing. Then her husband reappears and starts to stir up trouble.

Were the critics wrong? In this case, no. The screenwriting and production team tried very hard to walk the fine line of being faithful to the book while attempting to fill in the seats at the cinema. But try as they might, the film is not very good.  The other issue with this film is casting. At the end of the day, Demi Moore was not only wrong for Hester, but her accent was questionable. Robert Duvall did not give me the chills that a villain of his sort would normally give. The film’s only saving grace, cast wise is Gary Oldman.

Do I recommend this movie? No.

Flashback Friday- Now And Then (1995)

Being a girl on the edge of adolescence is not easy. Life, as we know it, will change.

Now And Then (1995), is the story of four twelve year old girls during the summer of 1970. The movie then flashes back and forth to the girls, decades later, reuniting as adults. Roberta (Christina Ricci as a girl, Rosie O’Donnell as an adult), Teeny (Thora Birch as a girl, Melanie Griffith as an adult), Samantha (Gaby Hoffman as a girl, Demi Moore as an adult) and Chrissy (Ashleigh Ashton Moore as a girl, Rita Wilson as an adult) are all best friends.  What they do not know is that the summer of 1970 will be a turning point in their lives and forever affect who they will become as adults.

We all grow up, we all experience both the good and the bad the life offers. But for that short span of time that is early adolescence when we are in between being a child and growing up, it can be magical and life altering.

I recommend it.

Throwback Thursday- Melty Patrick Swayze -Dirty Dancing (1987) & Ghost (1990)

To a certain generation of women, Patrick Swayze is the movie heartthrob they will never forget. Masculine, charming, but also sexy and sensitive.

While Mr. Swayze is no longer with us, his movies will remain with us.

Dirty Dancing (1987)

In the early 1960’s, Frances “Baby” Houseman (Jennifer Grey) is on vacation with her family in the Catskills. She falls in with Johnny Castle (Patrick Swayze), a dance teacher at the hotel from the wrong side of the tracks.  When Johnny’s regular dance partner is unable to work, Baby takes her place.

Dirty Dancing is a classic. Baby’s coming of age story set to the music of the early 1960’s is perfection. There is something about this movie that no matter how many times I’ve seen it, I have to see it one more time.

Ghost (1990)

Sam  Wheat (Patrick Swayze) and Molly Jensen (Demi Moore) are perfectly happy together.  After Sam is murdered, his spirit remains on Earth to look after Molly and avenge his death.

This is one of the most romantic movies ever made. Only the coldest heart would refuse to melt at the idea of Sam’s devotion to Molly.There is also the scene with the clay that is just way too hot.

I recommend this movie.