Swingers (1996)

Written by Jon Favreau

Every now and again I take a look through my DVD collection and pick out a film that reminds me exactly why I fell in love with the movies, and why I chose to pursue a career as a screenwriter. This time it was the 1996 classic Swingers, the film that launched the careers of Doug Liman, Jon Favreau, Vince Vaughn, Ron Livingston, and more.

This is without a doubt one of my favorite comedies of all time. Favreau stars as Mike Peters, a struggling bit actor and stand up comedian chasing his dream in Hollywood while trying to move past the life he left behind in New York. His group of friends, including Vince Vaughn in a career-making performance as Trent, take him on a string of adventures from parties in the Hollywood hills to the casinos of Las Vegas all in an attempt to help him get over his ex-girlfriend and back into the dating scene.

The lingo is ‘niche’, the clothes are a throwback to a throwback, and the music is a pastiche of swing, guitar rock, and lounge, but the characters are so rich and the story so felt that you can’t help but be drawn into their world.

I really truly love this movie. And I was reminded of it when I saw a trailer for a new Comedy written by and starring Jon Favreau and Vince Vaughn called Couples Retreat. They might be my favorite comedic pairing out there. From Swingers, to Made, and even The Breakup, these two have a great chemistry and a hilarious dynamic.

But Couples Retreat is getting some pretty harsh reviews, at least on its message board at IMDB, and is being compared heavily to Forgetting Sarah Marshall. I hadn’t heard anything about this pic until this past weekend, but the cast they put together is fantastic, and the premise is good. Favreau and Vaughn have always written funny, dynamic Comedies, and I’m optimistic that their latest collaboration won’t disappoint.

Couples Retreat hits theatres October 9th.

Swingers

Overall Score: 9/10

Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)

Written by James Cameron & William Wisher Jr.

I have to admit, I will be a little biased with this one. When I was a kid, this movie blew me away, and today it still does. I get chills when I watch it. This might be my all-time favourite movie. Not to say it is the best, just my favourite.

This is one example of a sequel film that far surpasses the original in terms of quality and enjoyment. The story behind the film is very intriguing and scary. Basically, Terminators have been sent back from the future: One to kill John Connor, future leader of the human rebellion against the machines and the second to protect John.

You see in the future, the world will be taken over by robots and machines. ‘Skynet,’ a military computer defense system, will take over control of all Nuclear Weapons in the US and launch them simultaneously starting World War III. John Connor, played by a young Edward Furlong, is destined to be the leader of the human resistance to these machines.

Basically this movie is all action. But don’t be fooled, it is not just an ordinary action flick. It has a backstory that really drives the Characters in an honest way. Sarah Connor, played by Linda Hamilton, is amazing in this film. From breaking out of a mental hospital to motorcycle chases through L.A.’s aqueducts, this movie delivers on all levels. Please, for the sake of humanity, rent this movie. It may save your life when the machines actually do take over the world (although some would argue that has already happened :P)

Overall Score: 8.5/10

Blue Velvet (1986)

Written by David Lynch

“After finding a severed human ear in a field, a young man soon discovers a sinister underworld lying just beneath his idyllic suburban home town.”

A shocking and mysterious journey into the underbelly of middle america, Blue Velvet is a truly unique film. Kyle MacLachlan stars as the young man drawn into the dark world of  Frank Booth, played by Dennis Hopper in what is in my opinion the most frightening character ever portrayed on screen.

This film garnered critical acclaim and commercial success when it came out, but seems to be somewhat of a forgotten gem.

David Lynch wrote and directed this classic, which earned him his second Academy Award nomination for “Best Director.”

Overall Score: 8.5/10

Marathon Man (1976)

Screenplay by William Goldman

based on the novel by William Goldman

“A graduate history student is unwittingly caught in the middle of an international conspiracy involving stolen diamonds, an exiled Nazi war criminal, and a rogue government agent.“

This film comes in near the top of my list for Thrillers. Featuring great performances by screen legends Dustin Hoffman and Laurence Olivier, taught direction by John Schlesinger, and a wonderful screenplay by master writer William Goldman.

Unique characters in a compelling story, enough action and suspense to satisfy any viewer, and a now infamous scene involving Hoffman, Olivier, and a dental drill.

Overall Score: 8/10

“Is It Safe?”

Jevan and I have decided to expand our blog a little bit. I have been pretty inactive on this thing and I have to remedy that. So here is part one of our series of classic film reviews.

The Fugitive (1993)

Written by David Twohy & Jeb Stuart

Now this one is an ultimate classic. Harrison Ford plays a medical doctor who has seemingly been framed for murder. He gets the lucky break he needs when his prison bus gets hit by a train. We follow Dr. Richard Kimble through a crazy chase from a U.S Marshal played by Tommy Lee Jones.

Seriously, if you haven’t seen this movie you must go rent it right now. The whole film is the doctors struggle to not only evade the U.S. Marshal service, but to play detective and prove his own innocence. Along the way, of course, he has to save a few lives, because after all, he is a doctor. Oh and we must not forget, the whole time Kimble is blaming the murder of his wife on the elusive one-armed-man.

This movie keeps you on the edge of your seat the entire time. It is truly fun to watch. And even though we have all seen it, you will probably still find yourself wondering what is going to happen.

Overall Score: 8/10

Check out the trailer: