Movie Rental Recommendations -- P
Patch Adams
Robin Williams might be the star of the dramatic comedy, but it's the story that steals your show. It's based on the true story of a doctor with ambitious plan to bring free medical care to the world. But his unusually upbeat and comical approach to medicine and patients nearly costs him his career. We've seen Williams perform similar roles in the past ("Awakenings"), and the film drags at times, but there are some genuinely funny moments. Worth an evening rental.
IMDb | Other Reviews Erik Nelson
The Patriot
I expected a shallow remake of "Braveheart," but what I got was film with heart and soul. Mel Gibson plays Benjamin Martin, a war hero and father to seven children. He has no interest in joining the Revolutionary War that is creeping closer and closer to his South Carolina home. But when the war becomes personal, there is no stopping him from forming a rag-tag militia to do battle with the redcoats. Frame by frame, the film looks like a series of oil paintings -- realistic, yet somehow impressionistic as well. For the war movie enthusiast there is plenty of blood and guts to go around. At 2 hours and 40 minutes it tends to drag and would benefit from some judicious editing. "The Patriot" marches to a different drummer, but it is definitely a trek worth taking.
Full Review| IMDb | Other Reviews Debra Scott
Payback
They should pay you back for renting this one.
IMDb | Other Reviews Erik Nelson
Pecker
John Waters wrote and directed this comedy about America's newest superstar, photographer Pecker (Edward Furlong). Pecker is a teenager, who picks up a second-hand camera and snaps his way to stardom. Along the way he meets weirdly fascinating people that are a slice of Americana. Lili Taylor plays an art dealer who discovers the young Pecker and his photographs of his girlfriend (Christina Ricci), his sister (Martha Plimpton) and her friends that strip at an all-male club. Pecker becomes a nationwide sensation, but soon learns the being overexposed isn't all that it cracks up to be. This movie is wickedly funny and, in the tradition of Waters, outrageous.
IMDb | Other Reviews Shelby Strudler
The People Vs. Larry Flint
Woody Harrelson plays Larry Flint, publisher of "Hustler" magazine. The movie is based on the true story of Flint, who was sued by the Religious Right. It gives an inside view of Flint's outrageous, eccentric and raunchy lifestyle. It chronicles his life from his unconventional marriage to Althea (played stunningly and winningly by Courtney Love) and infamous courtroom antics to getting shot by a lunatic. Anyone interested in free speech and the Justice system should see this masterpiece.
IMDb | Other Reviews Shelby Strudler
Phantom Tollbooth
An unfocused, bored young boy, played by Butch (Eddie Munster) Patrick discovers new interests when he drives through a mysterious tollbooth and into a world of puns and intrigue. Accompanied by a watchdog named Tock and the Humbug, he visits Alphabet City, passes through the doldrums, meets assorted characters, and ultimately sets off on an adventure to save the princesses Rhyme and Reason. Taken from the Norton Juster book (1961), the video can be enjoyed by adults as well as children. The movie is a classic timepiece from 1969, with a great intro credit accompanied by a lounge track, which is also mixed in the final scenes.
IMDb Jon Stone
The Philadelphia Story
One of Katherine Hepburn's best comedic rolls. This well-written plot takes on many serious undertones as Hepburn's rich girl character begins to examine her life on the eve of her second wedding. Also stars Cary Grant and Jimmy Stewart.
IMDb | Other Reviews Denise Felder
A Place In The Sun
This 1951 movie certainly has the feel of being ahead of its time and that's mainly because of Montgomery Clift. He plays a disaffected man, much the same character he played in "From Here To Eternity." This is a story about a man who wishes his life were different -- going as far as getting his pregnant girlfriend in a position where he could murder her so he can marry an heiress played by Elizabeth Taylor. The crucial scene takes place in a boat, and you don't see the conclusion. You don't know what happened in the water, and he apparently doesn't either. This dark tale ends after a murder trial with Clift drifting between believing he killed her because he wanted her dead and steadfastly saying he didn't go through with it. The pace is slower than today's movies, but still moves along fast enough to keep your interest. A marginal weekend feature, but this flick that made that AFI "Top 100 American Movies" list is a good one to see ...
IMDb | Other Reviews Parker Hodges
Planes, Trains and Automobiles
Think of someone really annoying, times that person by one million and you've got John Candy's Del Griffith. Del meets Neal Page (Steve Martin, who puts the seal on this movie's stamp of approval), a marketing executive desperately trying to get home for Thanksgiving. But Neal's flight gets delayed, then cancelled, then he can't get a hotel room, then his bus gets a flat. All the while there's annoying Del -- bad (and we mean bad) jokes and all. This is the movie where the classic quote, "If you're going to tell a story, have a point. It makes it much more interesting," comes from. Add it to your repertoire. Of course, there is more depth to the movie than just a bunch of slap-stick. But even if it didn't have a twist, it's worth watching just to see Candy and Martin together.
IMDb | Other Reviews Molly Thompson
Pleasantville
Interesting premise, but not well presented. Two 90s teens are sucked into a 60s television show a la "Leave it to Beaver." Everything's fine until their modern-day values start warping their new TV world. Apparently, sex is what makes us all see the world in color, and that threatens to make the town not-so-pleasant. There are some stunning special effects, but the characters are hokey and the plot drags on too long. The film tries to draw some parallels to racism, but they really should have just kept the story light and comical. And then there's Don Knotts, who shows up in what should have been just a fun cameo, but ends up being recurring role that's never quite explained. The yawn factor is big on this one. Save it for a night when all the good movies have been rented out.
IMDb | Other Reviews Erik Nelson
Primary Colors
Another one of those "art imitates life?" movies. Based on a book by "Anonymous" that clearly fictionalizes Bill Clinton's run through the primary, it now seems like a crystal ball given the sex and antics involved. But, it's not that easy. John Travolta is stellar in the role of Jack Stanton (a.k.a. Bill Clinton) in this farce (yes, folks, it's a farce), playing him as a complicated yet simple guy. The story is drenched in Americana, giving us a glimpse of how we all think political campaigns work. It's a good, fun, weekend feature.
IMDb | Other Reviews
Parker Hodges
Prince Of Egypt
This is the most incredible use of animation to ever hit the big screen. The now-legendary chariot racing and parting of the Red Sea scenes are worthy of their praise indeed. This is a poignant story of a man who must turn from the royal family who raised him to lead a reluctant race to the promised land. As diligent as I was in Sunday school, I never picked up on the emotional toll leading the Hebrews out of Egypt might have had on Moses. The story is compelling to both children and adults, but the ending is far too abrupt. One side note: About a half-dozens soundtracks and albums "inspired by the movie" were released along with this DreamWorks feature. If you can, skip the dueling divas pop version of the theme song "If you Believe" and grab the more heartfelt version used in the movie instead.
IMDb | Other Reviews Denise Felder
Princess Bride
One of the best movies ever. It's romantic and it's funny with lots of memorable quotes. Because it works on a few different levels, it doubles as a great family movie and a good date movie. Worth owning.
IMDb | Other Reviews Denise Felder
Pulp Fiction
Say what you will, but with this film, Tarantino changed the face of movies forever. "Pulp" is the most original screenplay ever written and it's well executed. I hate violence, and even I was laughing through the bloody car scene. A Saturday night must.
IMDb | Other Reviews Denise Felder
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