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An extremely funny movie! This is a remake of a 1978 French comedy, La Cage Aux Folles. The story, like the original, is about a middle-aged, gay couple (wonderful teaming of Robin Williams and Nathan Lane), trying to act straight for the sake of William's son. The son is coming over to visit, bringing with him, his bride-to-be and her ultra-conservative parents (Gene Hackman and Dianne Wiest). That's where the real fun begins!An outstanding comedy that relentlessly throws jokes, both physical and verbal, all over the place. It does have a slow start, but that's just setting us up for the meeting between the two very different families. For those of you who can't stand anymore of Williams wild-and-crazy-guy antics, you will be pleasantly surprised to know that he keeps himself under control through most of the picture. He also does a great job as a verbal, rather than a physical comedian. That's left up to Lane, in an outrageously flamboyant performance, as the more feminine half of the couple. However, the best performance comes from Hank Azaria as the male butler of the couple's household, who is so feminine, he can't even walk in men's shoes without falling down. This should most certainly be put in the top ten list of best comedy films of all time.
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A movie milestone, this was the film that raised cinema from a cheap thrill to an art form. D.W. Griffith's masterpiece details the lives of two families during the Civil War and Reconstruction Era. The drama revolves around the love between Southerner, Ben Cameron (Henry B. Walthall) and Northerner Elsie Stoneman (famed silent screen actress, Lilian Gish), and the hardships of the South both during and after the Civil War.Still a masterpiece and a controversy after nearly 80 years, Griffith's handling of the production is both ignorant and brilliant at the same time. Although considerered a sensation when first released, it is to this day considered one of the largest pieces of work produced by a racist. The obvious racism towards blacks and the white-washing of the Ku Klux Klan have carried this movie's controversial depiction of race, a still "hot" subject, into modern times. Despite the racism, the power of the story has not been lost on filmgoers. In a more accurate portrayal of the times, this movie points out that the North was not exactly "saintly" in its treatment toward the defeated South-an aspect of the times many revisionist historians neglect.
There are plenty of memorable scenes, including the charge by Walthall's men against overwhelming odds and the infamous ride of the KKK. If for no other reason, it should be watched simply for what Griffith dared to do at the time and for his influence on the countless filmakers who have dared ever since.
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Based on a Robert Heinlein story, this is nothing more than a high-budget rip-off of Invasion of the Body Snatchers. Donald Sutherland plays a top government head, who learns of a planned take-over by alien parasites, who control the minds and bodies of humans like puppets (hence the title). Overblown special effects and cheesy acting doesn't get you very far in the film world. Sutherland is the only thing that saves the film, but even he goofs up once in awhile. If you want a better thrill, check out the far superior Invasion. You'll probably have a better time sitting on the couch watching bodies being snatched, rather than having to shell out four bucks at the video store for this alien puppet show yawn.
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I hope the writers and actors were paid well for this debacle. Matthew Modine, Paul Reiser and Randy Quaid play three single fathers, trying to adjust to life after marriage and to re-entering the modern day dating game. The movie could have been MUCH better than it turned out to be. It plays more like a sitcom, with all the cliches of sitcom family life. The performers try their best, but they can't breath much life into this boring "comedy".The funniest performances come from Quaid, as the most agitated of the three fathers and Janeane Garafolo in a small role as Quaid's blind date from hell. There is no major reason for why you should see this. However, it's probably going down in history as the biggest advertiser for McDonalds ever!
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