The Princess Bride.
1987 20th Century Fox & Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.
Starring: Cary Elwes, Robin Wright, Chris Sarandon, Mandy Patinkin, Christopher Guest, André the Giant, Wallace Shawn, Peter Falk, Fred Savage, Billy Crystal, Carol Kane, Peter Cook
Director: Rob Reiner
Available from Amazon.
A sports-obsessed youth (Savage) is sick in bed one afternoon, so his grandfather (Falk) comes over to read him the book that his father used to read to him, and what he read to the kid's dad during illnesses. The boy is initially concerned that the story he's going to hear is a "kissing book".
Everyone knows the story: Buttercup (Wright) lives on a farm in the country of Florin with the farm hand Westley (Elwes) to perform chores for her, which he always answers with "As you wish", which comes to mean "I love you". They fall in love, and Westley leaves to seek his fortune so they can marry. Instead, Westley is attacked by the Dread Pirate Roberts and believed dead. Five years later, a reluctant Buttercup is engaged to Prince Humperdinck (Sarandon), but she is abducted by a trio of outlaws: Vizzini (Shawn), Inigo Montoya (Patinkin), and the massive Fezzik (André).
Vizzini and company are pursued by the Prince and his soldiers, as well as a mysterious man in black, who outpaces the royal rescue party. We learn that Montoya is seeking to avenge his father's death at the hands of a man with six fingers on his right hand, complete with his prepared speech that probably doesn't even need to be listed here. The masked man defeats Montoya, Fezzik, and tricks Vizzini into drinking poisoned wine, and reveals himself to be Westley, who was made the Dread Pirate Roberts' apprentice. They make their way to the Fire Swamp, but end up captured by Humperdinck as well as the six-fingered Count Tyrone Rugen (Guest). Buttercup agrees to return with the Prince in exchange for Westley's freedom, but he's instead sent to Rugen's torture chambers. We soon learn that Humperdinck arranged Buttercup's kidnapping in order to blame a rival country and starting a war with them. Oh, and it would be even better propaganda if she was strangled on her wedding night.
On the day of the wedding, Montoya and Fezzik learn about what's going on, and seek out Westley to kill Rugen, but there's a problem: he's mostly dead, thanks to Humperdinck. With the aid of a magician Miracle Max (Crystal) and his wife, Westley is revived, only very, very slowly. He is still present for the invasion of the castle, where Montoya finally gets his revenge, and the wedding is disrupted long enough for everyone to get away on horseback.
Highly, highly, highly recommended film, but you probably already decided that for yourselves.
Showing posts with label rob reiner. Show all posts
Showing posts with label rob reiner. Show all posts
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
This is Spinal Tap
This is Spinal Tap. 1984 Embassy Pictures; now owned by MGM.
Starring: Rob Reiner, Michael McKean, Christopher Guest, Harry Shearer, Tony Hendra, David Kaff, R.J. Parnell, Jane Chadwick
Also appearing: Bruno Kirby, Ed Begley Jr., Fran Drescher, Dana Carvey, Billy Crystal, Howard Hesseman, Anjelica Huston
Director: Rob Reiner
Currently available at Amazon as a special edition DVD, or as part of the None More Black Collector's Set.
This is Spinal Tap is also Criterion #12.
Amazon listing: out of print; please keep an eye on eBay for available Criterion editions.
One of the all time great comedy films.
Rob Reiner appears as Marty DiBergi, who, in 1982, follows the legendary British heavy metal band Spinal Tap on their latest American tour to promote their new album Smell the Glove. We also learn quite a bit about the veteran band through interviews with singer and guitarist David St. Hubbins (McKean), lead guitarist Nigel Tufnel (Guest) who insists that his amplifiers go all the way up to eleven, and bassist Derek Smalls (Shearer). Spinal Tap originated as a pop group called The Thamesmen (among many other band names) in the '60s with their hit "Gimme Some Money" before embracing psychedelic pop with "Listen to the Flower People". Spinal Tap eventually evolved into heavy metal, joined by keyboardist Viv Savage (Kaff), and a plethora of drummers who all die under bizarre circumstances, ranging from a "bizarre gardening accident", to another drummer partying so hard that he manages to choke to death on someone else's vomit. DiBergi also learns that St. Hubbins and Tufnel are actually gifted composers and musicians, but still prefer playing sexist and dumb hard rock, as evidenced by a classical music piece composed by Tufnel entitled "Lick My Love Pump".
Most of the movie surrounds the seemingly doomed Smell the Glove tour, where numerous shows are cancelled due to low ticket sales, and the record itself is boycotted by numerous major retailers for its sexist and degrading album cover. The record is eventually released without the band's consent as an entirely black cover. Nigel Tufnel starts growing impatient when David St. Hubbins' girlfriend Jeanine (Chadwick) joins the tour, participating in band meetings, and trying to change the group's image and stage presentations. After some miscommunication sees the epic live performace of the song "Stonehedge" ruined by a dimunitive stage set, Tufnel accuses band manager Ian Faith (Hendra) of mismanagement. Faith quits when St. Hubbins suggests that Jeanine should co-manage the band. Nigel himself briefly leaves the group after the tour sees Spinal Tap booked into smaller and smaller venues, and the now Tufnel-less group starts performing really bad jazz fusion while regrouping. However, Spinal Tap is still wildly popular in Japan, and Faith would like to book a new tour there. Nigel returns for the final performance, and everyone has a great time.
This is Spinal Tap was not a theatrical hit, and many viewers were unaware that this was not a real documentary. In addition, a lot of real life musicians (Robert Plant, Dee Snider, Ozzy Osbourne, Eddie Van Halen) didn't find any humor in the movie, as they went through genuine experiences like Spinal Tap did, although no one ever had a drummer spontaneously combust onstage during performance. Also, in the world of rock and roll, it's considered insulting to be told that a band is funnier than Spinal Tap.
This one gets eleven stars. Highly, highly, highly recommended.
Starring: Rob Reiner, Michael McKean, Christopher Guest, Harry Shearer, Tony Hendra, David Kaff, R.J. Parnell, Jane Chadwick
Also appearing: Bruno Kirby, Ed Begley Jr., Fran Drescher, Dana Carvey, Billy Crystal, Howard Hesseman, Anjelica Huston
Director: Rob Reiner
Currently available at Amazon as a special edition DVD, or as part of the None More Black Collector's Set.
This is Spinal Tap is also Criterion #12.
Amazon listing: out of print; please keep an eye on eBay for available Criterion editions.
One of the all time great comedy films.
Rob Reiner appears as Marty DiBergi, who, in 1982, follows the legendary British heavy metal band Spinal Tap on their latest American tour to promote their new album Smell the Glove. We also learn quite a bit about the veteran band through interviews with singer and guitarist David St. Hubbins (McKean), lead guitarist Nigel Tufnel (Guest) who insists that his amplifiers go all the way up to eleven, and bassist Derek Smalls (Shearer). Spinal Tap originated as a pop group called The Thamesmen (among many other band names) in the '60s with their hit "Gimme Some Money" before embracing psychedelic pop with "Listen to the Flower People". Spinal Tap eventually evolved into heavy metal, joined by keyboardist Viv Savage (Kaff), and a plethora of drummers who all die under bizarre circumstances, ranging from a "bizarre gardening accident", to another drummer partying so hard that he manages to choke to death on someone else's vomit. DiBergi also learns that St. Hubbins and Tufnel are actually gifted composers and musicians, but still prefer playing sexist and dumb hard rock, as evidenced by a classical music piece composed by Tufnel entitled "Lick My Love Pump".
Most of the movie surrounds the seemingly doomed Smell the Glove tour, where numerous shows are cancelled due to low ticket sales, and the record itself is boycotted by numerous major retailers for its sexist and degrading album cover. The record is eventually released without the band's consent as an entirely black cover. Nigel Tufnel starts growing impatient when David St. Hubbins' girlfriend Jeanine (Chadwick) joins the tour, participating in band meetings, and trying to change the group's image and stage presentations. After some miscommunication sees the epic live performace of the song "Stonehedge" ruined by a dimunitive stage set, Tufnel accuses band manager Ian Faith (Hendra) of mismanagement. Faith quits when St. Hubbins suggests that Jeanine should co-manage the band. Nigel himself briefly leaves the group after the tour sees Spinal Tap booked into smaller and smaller venues, and the now Tufnel-less group starts performing really bad jazz fusion while regrouping. However, Spinal Tap is still wildly popular in Japan, and Faith would like to book a new tour there. Nigel returns for the final performance, and everyone has a great time.
This is Spinal Tap was not a theatrical hit, and many viewers were unaware that this was not a real documentary. In addition, a lot of real life musicians (Robert Plant, Dee Snider, Ozzy Osbourne, Eddie Van Halen) didn't find any humor in the movie, as they went through genuine experiences like Spinal Tap did, although no one ever had a drummer spontaneously combust onstage during performance. Also, in the world of rock and roll, it's considered insulting to be told that a band is funnier than Spinal Tap.
This one gets eleven stars. Highly, highly, highly recommended.
Friday, May 8, 2009
The Bucket List
The Bucket List. 2007 Warner Bros. Pictures.
Starring: Morgan Freeman, Jack Nicholson, Sean Hayes, Beverly Todd, Rob Morrow
Director: Rob Reiner
Buy The Bucket List from Amazon. Or, visit the official site.
Two men from totally different backgrounds meet for the first time in the same hospital after both of them are diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. Carter Chambers (Freeman) is an expert at history who wanted to become a professor, but circumstances in his personal life prevented him from ever getting out of his mechanics job at the local auto body shop. Billionaire Edward Cole (Nicholson) made his fortune from healthcare, he's been divorced four times, and his favorite activity is tormenting his personal assistant Matthew (Hayes). Edward also tells Matthew to cater to Carter as well as him.
Carter writes up a "bucket list" of things he wants to do before kicking the bucket. When he is told he has less than a year to live, he discards the note, but Edward finds it, and urges him to do everything on the list, as well as adding a few more activities, like skydiving. After Edward offers to finance the whole trip, Carter agrees, but his wife Virginia (Todd) doesn't like this decision.
And, for those curious, here is what's on "the bucket list":
Witness something truly majestic (Mount Everest)
Help a complete stranger for a common good
Laugh till I cry
Drive a Shelby Mustang
Kiss the most beatiful girl in the world
Get a tattoo
Skydiving
Visit Stonehenge
Spend a week at the Louvre
See Rome
Dinner at La Cherie d'Or
See the Pyramids
Get back in touch (previously "Hunt the big cat")
Visit Taj Mahal, India
Hong Kong
Victoria Falls
Serengeti
Ride the Great Wall of China
Can Carter and Edward finish off their list before kicking the bucket?
Recommended movie, although it is a little disconcerting to see Jack Nicholson playing a terminally ill character.
Starring: Morgan Freeman, Jack Nicholson, Sean Hayes, Beverly Todd, Rob Morrow
Director: Rob Reiner
Buy The Bucket List from Amazon. Or, visit the official site.
Two men from totally different backgrounds meet for the first time in the same hospital after both of them are diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. Carter Chambers (Freeman) is an expert at history who wanted to become a professor, but circumstances in his personal life prevented him from ever getting out of his mechanics job at the local auto body shop. Billionaire Edward Cole (Nicholson) made his fortune from healthcare, he's been divorced four times, and his favorite activity is tormenting his personal assistant Matthew (Hayes). Edward also tells Matthew to cater to Carter as well as him.
Carter writes up a "bucket list" of things he wants to do before kicking the bucket. When he is told he has less than a year to live, he discards the note, but Edward finds it, and urges him to do everything on the list, as well as adding a few more activities, like skydiving. After Edward offers to finance the whole trip, Carter agrees, but his wife Virginia (Todd) doesn't like this decision.
And, for those curious, here is what's on "the bucket list":
Witness something truly majestic (Mount Everest)
Help a complete stranger for a common good
Laugh till I cry
Drive a Shelby Mustang
Kiss the most beatiful girl in the world
Get a tattoo
Skydiving
Visit Stonehenge
Spend a week at the Louvre
See Rome
Dinner at La Cherie d'Or
See the Pyramids
Get back in touch (previously "Hunt the big cat")
Visit Taj Mahal, India
Hong Kong
Victoria Falls
Serengeti
Ride the Great Wall of China
Can Carter and Edward finish off their list before kicking the bucket?
Recommended movie, although it is a little disconcerting to see Jack Nicholson playing a terminally ill character.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Stand By Me
Stand By Me. 1986 Columbia Pictures.
Starring: Wil Wheaton, River Phoenix, Corey Feldman, Jerry O'Connell, Kiefer Sutherland
Director: Rob Reiner
Buy Stand By Me at Amazon.
Ah yes, the wonderful story of Gordie, Chris, Teddy and Vern and their coming of age weekend trip to go see the dead body of their friend Ray Brower, who met his end after being struck by a passing train. Our heroes nearly meet the same fate while crossing a trestle over a river, which seems to be the one scene from the movie that everybody seems to remember best.
Great film. Recommended.
Starring: Wil Wheaton, River Phoenix, Corey Feldman, Jerry O'Connell, Kiefer Sutherland
Director: Rob Reiner
Buy Stand By Me at Amazon.
Ah yes, the wonderful story of Gordie, Chris, Teddy and Vern and their coming of age weekend trip to go see the dead body of their friend Ray Brower, who met his end after being struck by a passing train. Our heroes nearly meet the same fate while crossing a trestle over a river, which seems to be the one scene from the movie that everybody seems to remember best.
Great film. Recommended.
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