Movie Rental Recommendations -- F
Fabulous Baker Boys
When this movie came out in 1989, Michelle Pfeiffer's P.R. team tried very hard to make us believe this was her first singing role. But those of us who saw "Grease II" know the real deal. Anyway, this story about a female lounge singer whose presence complicates duo brother piano players (played by real life bros Jeff and Beau Bridges) is not as straight forward as it seems. An interesting choice for a date movie.
IMDb | Other Reviews Denise Felder
Face/Off
Why does Hollywood seem intent on ruining good movies with predictable, 10-minute chase/fight scenes at the end? It was the same with "Breakdown," and it's the same here. Good movie, bad ending. A weekend night feature in a pinch, this is more like a Saturday or Sunday afternoon flick.
IMDb | Other Reviews Parker Hodges
Fargo
Just rented this one for the fourth (fifth?) time, and it was just as engrossing as the first time. The blend of characters all carve out their own identity and intermingling perfectly. It's the tale of a dim-witted embezzling car dealer who launches a series of events trying to bail himself out by orchestrating the kidnapping of his wealthy wife. Of course, the entire plan falls apart and we follow along with all the participants as they play out the caper. Frances McDormand won a deserved best actress Oscar playing the pregnant Northwoods sheriff, who is the oddest on-screen hero in years. How you leave feeling like you know too well all the characters in this movie is a testament to the filmmaking excellence of the Coen brothers. Part comedy, part thriller, this movie made the AFI Top 100 American movies list and, after watching it, you will see why.
IMDb | Other Reviews
Parker Hodges
The Fifth Element
A Critic much wiser than me has described director Luc ("The Professional") Besson's visually dazzling if narratively inept sci-fi epic as "Blade Runner" with the lights on; as much as I'd like to improve on that statement, I really can't, except to say that I spotted huge chunks of "The Dark Crystal" and "Heavy Metal" in there as well. Say what you will about the film being derivative; it's never boring, Bruce Willis has a few amusing variations on his standard hero portrayal, and most of the effects are truly special. Best of all is Gary Oldman, as a villainous cross between Ross Perot & Foghorn Leghorn.
IMDb | Other Reviews Andrew Wright
Fight Club
Here's the setup: Dissatisfied office drone Edward Norton stumbles into a secret society of glam brutality led by self-righteous messiah Brad Pitt. To say any more would be to undermine one of the past year's most genuinely subversive experiences. While this vicious, visionary satire of consumerism run rampant may not quite be as deep as it thinks it is, director David ("Seven") Fincher keeps things running at such a dazzingly staggering clip that it's impossible to avert your eyes. The final round's a doozy.
IMDb | Other Reviews
Andrew Wright
Final Destination
Creative team of Glen Morgan and James Wong demonstrated a remarkable ability to deftly dwell in the shadowy borderlands between gross-out, gut-wrench and guffaw in episodes of "Millenium" and "The X-Files." Alas, there's little of the duo's trademark mordant wit to be found in "Final Destination," a distressingly by-the-numbers supernatural thriller that squanders a nifty premise and a handful of effective scares. The set-up is thus: After a teen's fluke psychic flash saves him and a handful of buddies from a horrific plane crash, the survivors find themselves being picked off by a series of increasingly bizarre accidents. Could a supernatural force be attempting to settle some unfinished business? Potentially intriguing stuff, but after a strong opening reel, the execution goes increasingly awry. First the somnambulistic "Meet Joe Black" and now this; Death, where is thy attorney?
Full Review | IMDb | Other Reviews Andrew Wright
Fletch
What can you say. This has to be a Top 10 Saturday or Sunday afternoon flick. Breezy, fun and not taking itself too seriously, Chevy Chase looks to have a ton of fun making this movie, which, by the way, does have a hint of mystery about it.
IMDb | Other Reviews Parker Hodges
The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas
This movie is about how Fred and Wilma Flintstone, and Barney and Betty Rubble fell in love. With the exception of director Brian Levant, virtually nobody from the original film is present. "Viva Rock Vegas" is at its best when it's not in its cartoonish mode, rather when it's a morality-tinged romantic comedy. While the movie showcases a bevy of computer-generated images, they are, barring Alan Cumming's stunning alien getup, not necessarily groundbreaking. Perhaps the biggest fault of this particular live-action adaptation is that most of the actors overcompensate by imitating their characters, rather than acting out the sounds and motions of their animated counterparts.
Full Review | IMDb | Other Reviews Tim Lammers
The Fisher King
I first saw this movie in the theaters and was totally impressed with the unique and intricate story line and strong cast, lead by a whimsically serious Robin Williams. Then I rented it to watch with my mom, who wasn't paying attention the whole time, and she hated it. In short, this movie demands your full attention, but it draws you in from the start and you'll feel wholly satisfied when it's done.
IMDb | Other Reviews Denise Felder
Four Weddings And A Funeral
You've got a love a movie that stays true to its title. This is really a character-driven film, and I loved all the people in this movie except the insensitive hoochie American love interest, played by Andie McDowell. But pre-scandal Hugh Grant and his cast of friends have enough charisma to make up for her. A funny, touching, romantic flick.
IMDb | Other Reviews Denise Felder
From Here To Eternity
There's a reason this movie is on the Top 100 American movies list. It's a good one. The first reason, obviously, is the story. It's an Army base in Hawaii in October and November 1941 in a unit with a commander more interested in winning boxing championships than creating a solid division, leaving running the unit to his assistant. He and his wife lead separate lives, too. But Montgomery Clift steals his movie and if you haven't seen Clift in action, you're missing the boat. He becomes friends with Frank Sinatra (I still can't understand how he won an Oscar for this. He's good, but c'mon ...) Sinatra plays a hothead who crosses paths with the brig sergeant. It all is wrapped up in this emotion-packed story that really, truly draws you in. Worth a weekend feature, great date flick, a retro-pick that still holds up.
IMDb | Other Reviews
Parker Hodges
Full Monty
This movie was as funny, as good, as everyone told me it was. It's fun, plain and simple. The characters are truly characters. The story isn't about stripping, but about a bunch of guys who stumble and bumble their way toward trying to make money so one "mate" can pay child support to see his son regularly. They try hard and the ending is perfect.
IMDb | Other Reviews
Parker Hodges
This movie starts off kind of slow, but it has such a simple script, that's it's easy to relate to (not that I've ever been a stripper). The laughter continues to build until the end, when you just bust out. Then you leave thinking, "Would I strip for money?" A nice date flick, probably earlier in the week.
Jon Errickson
I thought this was a fun, entertaining movie that wasn't a show about strippers. Instead, it was about a group of guys getting together to help a friend. It deserves all the kudos it received and I recommend it highly. Solid choice for a fun Friday, Saturday evening feature.
Kelly Peterson
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