Category: 1998

The Wedding Singer (1998) Film Review

Rating 12
Length 1h37
Release 05.06.1998
Director Frank Coraci
About When Robbie Hart, a wedding singer, meets Julia, a waitress, he promises to sing at her marriage, but unaware of what destiny has in store, the two plan on spending their lives with separate people.
Moon: no moon sighting
Where to Watch: Amazon Prime
Trailer:

The Good

A plot that’s not too dissimilar to Serendipity (2001), a film I absolutely hated, The Wedding Singer shows how you can do a romance film in which both leads are with other people, yet you still root for them to be together.
Firstly, we don’t meet Robbie’s fiancé until she’s left him at the alter. As an audience, we already dislike her. Then, with Julia, we have a more traditional ‘doomed couple’ trope; she airs misgivings right from the get go, there’s outside social pressure, and in case we’re left in any doubt, Glenn is a sleaze ball of epic proportions.
Secondly, the friendship is built up first and we them gradually fall in love. The time spent together never feels date like. It also doesn’t feel cruel that Robbie is helping with Julia’s wedding plans given his employment. I do also really like that Robbie is held accountable by Holly and reminded that Julia is getting married. That doesn’t happen very often in films and all morality and ethics go out the window for the romance of it all.
Finally, there’s chemistry between the two. It’s commented on by a fair few people throughout the film and you can genuinely see the chemistry while the authenticity of them believing they are just friends works, even if others and the audience don’t.

The soundtrack is incredible. The best of the 80s for your listening pleasure. Not to mention the use of a String Quartet playing a pop cover… before it was mainstream. *chef’s kiss*

That final act on the plane is perfect. Funny, wholesome and satisfying. Most importantly. Robbie manages to get the girl without having to resort to telling her about Glenn’s sleazy antics.

The Bad

Fat and ugly jokes. It’s a common joke in Sandler movies. It sucks, but even more so in this because Robbie is a really sweet guy.

Did they really have Julia marry Robbie in the dress that was bought for her marriage with Glenn?! The marriage that caused a lot of heartache?! Come on, I know there’s the expense, but movie romance here…. give Julia another fucking dress!

The Ugly

It is an Adam Sandler shouty film. Not his worst, by any means, but it is the worst thing about this film. It’s early enough in his career so its not all one note, but it gets particularly loud towards the 45 minute mark.

Final Thoughts

A funny and sweet film that I cannot believe I’ve not watched more.

John Carpenter’s Vampires (1998)

Rating 18
Length 1h48
Release 30.10.1998
Director John Carpenter
About Jack and his team of mercenaries must hunt down vampires and retrieve the Black Cross of Berziers, an ancient relic that, should it be obtained by vampires, will allow them to endure the sunlight.
Moon: no moon sighting
Where to Watch: Free with ads on Amazon Prime
Trailer:

Trick

  • James Wood. I dislike him as an actor, as a person, hell I even hate his face. Now, if I cannot engage with, or empathise, with the protagonist I’m shit out of luck for liking a movie. I long for the day when I can deepfake this shit out of this and put my choice of actor in the role.
  • Not his fault, but Daniel Baldwin is not the Baldwin we all want in the role. He suffers in the sense that he’s the ‘wish’ version of his brother. It’s like having Donnie in a role and being told you could have had Mark!
  • I cannot put my finger on what it is, but the devastation of Crow’s team suffers narrative wise in the same way the first Tom Cruise MI outing does. Instead of moving the plot forward, it stalls it slightly. Almost as if we needed a movie before this allowing the audience to get a feel for this “universe” and almost become attached to the characters. You know before they’re taken away in a bloodbath.

Treat

  • Annoyingly, my personal feelings aside, I must say that James Wood does do a good job as Crow. He provides the same elements and checks all the boxes that Russell would have.
  • The story is brilliant. Not only does this story play on the popularity of vampires that born from the success of Dracula (1992) and Interview with a Vampire (1994) it also acts as a bridge to them for the fans of Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997- 2003). The mythology and language is all there, with some sweet surprises along the way.
  • The story gives you an “oh fuck”, Macguffin. It has a massive impact to the world of humans and vampires.
  • Visually this film is to die for. The setting, the importance of the transition of the day, the ‘slayer’ lifestyle having an almost biker gang community. It’s Buffy meets Sons of Anarchy and I love it.

Final Thoughts

I truly hate that James Wood ruins this movie for me, because it really is John Carpenter on form.

Halloween H20: 20 Years Later (1998) Halloween Advent 2022

Rating 18
Length 1h26
Release 23.10.1998
Director Steve Miner
About After escaping serial killer Michael Myers’ attacks, Laurie Strode relocates to California and adopts a new identity. However, years later, Michael returns to finish what he started.
Moon: no moon sighting
Where to Watch: Netflix
Trailer:

Trick

  • I spent a lot of the film writing down question: how has Michael learned to drive? (Rather well I might add), why does Laurie/Keri have a pumpkin that she’s taken the time to carve even though she does let Josh Harnett celebrate Halloween? Why has a coroner been called if the psycho hasn’t been declared dead and why THE FUCK has no one taken that mask off to aid in said declaration?
  • What I feel is an attempt to humanise Laurie and keep an element of her ‘Final Girl’ innocence, is that bullshit hand reaching tender moment we get between her and Michael. Fuck the hell off, Laurie is not soft and she doesn’t really know him as a brother. No one needed the moment of hesitation from her.
  • Laurie’s reveal to the boyfriend. Bullshit. Not a chance would he respond like that. He’s not some horndog teen wanting to get his leg over, you’ve spent the last almost-50 minutes building this life around Curtis’ iconic character, making it quite clear that she’s fucking hard work for anyone she lets in. It seems like a well established relationship that’s being kept hidden, that’s one patience dude.
    It doesn’t matter the reason for the deception, it is still exactly that and I just wish he’d had a more realistic response that that of a frat guy distracted by his hard on. Acceptance without process is such bullshit, and only happens when there’s one person writing both sides.
    Seriously, give me Will walking away, furious that she’s lied. A natural division that is typical for a horror movie. Have Will killed because he’s refusing to believe Michael Myers is behind him and will no longer humour his paramour. Or, have him realise too late.
    Literally anything other than “Okay, take your shirt off.”
  • For a short film, we really do spend a lot of time doing fuck all. There’s interesting things at play, but there’s no payoff. There’s the interesting attempt at exploring Laurie’s trauma and how it manifests as functioning alcoholism. Can you imagine if that’s explored further? She’s told Will who she really is, he’s fucked off to process and she drinks to the point that she’s hazy. That scene in the what I assume is the lunch hall becomes very different. Hell, own the alcoholism and firebomb the bastard?! Probably not the right message, but it’s certainly better that the half baked one we get.

Treat

  • Jamie-Lee Curtis and Janet Leigh sharing scenes together. Oh what a joy it is to see.
  • The “Williamson Opening”. I couldn’t put my finger on it while I watched, but there was something so familiar but not “Halloween” about that pre-credits, almost detached, sequence. Then I read that it was written by Scream screenwriter Kevin Williamson and it all makes sense. However, do not get me started on the mis-casting of Joseph Gordon-Levitt as the oft-expelled Jimmy.
  • Speaking of the opening, I do love the use of Mr Sandman. Not only as a call back to Carpenter’s second outing, but just in terms of it setting the scene of an idyllic town, the calmness of the 50s ‘family values’ and the charm that brings with it nostalgia. For it to cut mid song, just to remind you what film you are actually watching.
  • There’s a fair few Easter eggs and homages to other movies. Lip service thank you to Scream and its prominent use of Halloween (1978) in the first of that franchise, the car that Janet Leigh gets into at the end of the day and away for her weekend, down to the mirrored scene between Laurie, Molly (Michelle Williams) and the Shape. There’s so many more. I must say, I’m so very glad that Mike Myers turned down a walk-on cameo. It read like the Jay and Silent Bob one from Scream 3 and just a tad overkill.
  • Points for not killing my man LL Cool J. Extra points for not referring to or commenting upon the trope that the ‘black guy dies first.’

Final Thoughts

Upon reflection, this probably wasn’t the best film to put on after week-long nightmares regarding my father, Michael, being returned to me three years after his death. You know, with the whole Michael Myers being unkillable, to the point that he’ll return for yet another sequel despite having his head lobbed off.

The X-Files: Fight the Future (1998) Halloween Advent

Rating 15
Length 2h02
Release 21.8.1998
Director Rob Bowman
About Two FBI agents set out to unravel a government conspiracy related to the alien colonisation of Earth and attempt to rescue the people on the planet.
Moon: Full moon at 33 minutes in
Where to Watch: Disney Plus
Trailer:

Trick

  • There’s not enough Mitch Pileggi. There is literally never enough Mitch Pileggi, but it’s still very true here. He sort of bookends the film and then pops up one or two more times. It’s weird to see him in a role where he’s not the one in charge.
  • The Lone Gunmen are used poorly. They’re nothing more than lip service and its a real injustice. While I’m sure the actors were happy to appear on the big screen, they could have played a bigger, better, part.
  • Due to this being a film, set between series, there’s an element of setting the scene for none fans. It’s why there’s two segments before getting to Mulder and Scully. For the tv show, a cold opening works. It doesn’t here and, even as a fan of the show, I’m restless until our protagonists appear.

Treat

  • This movie really does give the fans some epic pay offs for five years of mythology content. Cigarette Smoking Man has a B-plot thread and the Well-Manicured Man shows his true-ish colours. The whole thing not only gives us answers, but it adds gravitas to the mythology.
  • There’s something more to this than it being an episode story with extra time. The budget is bigger, so the plot is able to take us beyond what we’d ever see in even a multi-episode arc. The set pieces are bigger, better and serve the plot well.
  • David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson prove that they are made for the big screen; their chemistry, their character portrayal and story arcs are still able to shine through despite the grander scale; not many actors would be able to do the same.
  • The horror comes from the rather oddest part in this movie. It’s not the extra-terrestrial or the plot that comes with their existence, but the actions of the group that both the Cigarette-smoking Man and The Well Manicured Man belong to. The lengths that they’ll go to cover things up is truly terrifying.

Final Thoughts

The only shame is that Fox Studios wouldn’t allow Chris Carter to follow through with his plan of a number of movies following this one. Its a good watch for this time of year and it works well to watch outside of viewing the series.

The Faculty (1998)

Rating 15
Length 1h 44
Release 9.4.1999
Director Robert Rodriguez
About Students suspect that their teachers are aliens after bizarre occurrences

The Good

  • That cold opening is amazing. It’s something many of us growing up at the time would be familiar with,having watched X-Files and Buffy.
  • I love that the film challenges the stereotypes. While some aren’t as convincing as others, I like that it tried. My favourite being that Zeke isn’t a flunk or a burn out. He’s really intelligent. In fact, flunking out to remain in high school with his best clients is probably the smartest move he could have made. Each of the Breakfast Club ensemble challenge their own identity throughout the movie. I frigging love it.
  • The dialogue is clever, fast paced and so much of it has a pay off.
  • Stupid thing to notice, but I love that all the girls have chipped nail varnish. The film isn’t trying to be visually polished and perfect. It’s grunge and totally more Kerrang than the gloss of MTV.
  • The deaths, the violence and the gore is on point for Rodriquez’ more adult offerings.
  • This has one awesome soundtrack. From a reworking of Alice Cooper’s I’m Eighteen, to the vocal stylings of Oasis during the credits; this is a 90s soundtrack of the highest order.

The Bad

  • Salam Hayek is utterly wasted in this film. Her nurse who is saving her sick days for when she’s feeling well all but disappears after the first 20 minutes. It’s a total shame.
  • The CGI in places is really ropey. If you emulate a film that still stands up today; you really do need to bring your A-game. I’m not advocating for better CGI either. I think both The Thing (which The Faculty has many references to) and American Werewolf in London prove, that nothing beats practical effects.

The Ugly

  • Famke Jansen is not right as Miss Burke. I’ve never found her meek, weak and vulnerable portrayals all that convincing, but its even more apparent in this film when she is having to then play the opposite. With both, she is at the very extreme and its all a little too much, too panto and, based on that final scene, a little too rapey.
  • Do all things that hire Robert Patrick have to make him do ‘the run’?

Final Thoughts

What is not to love? It’s the best of horror and sci-if, with nods and Easter eggs for the geeks.

Practical Magic (1998)

Rating: 15 Length: 1h 44 Release: 22.1.1999 Dir: Griffin Dunne About: After the death of their parents, Sally and Gillian Owens move in with their aunts, Jet and Frances. The two sisters have nothing in common except their hereditary gift for practical magic.

The Good

  • This film is well cast. Any film that lets me tolerate Nicole Kidman always gains bonus points too. The core of the likability of this film does fall on Sandra Bullock. She is Peak Sandra in this movie.
  • The music is magical (sorry). From Faith Hill’s This Kiss to the Midnight Margarita dancing to Coconut by Harry Nilson, it’s a 90s feel good soundtrack.
  • It takes the coven, the horror and the theme of the outcast from The Craft, the romance of any film from the 90s and the lust of a Sharon Stone movie and created a cocktail of a movie that many will love.
  • You know what I loved most of all about watching this time, as an adult instead of a teen?! The acceptance of the community at the end. Sally uses the phone tree to create an impromptu coven in order to save Gilly. I hadn’t realised before, but it brought me to tears this time; it’s wasn’t the witchcraft they were really against. It was the unknown. When it really came down to it and they realise the family needed help, all the barriers broke down and they accepted Sally. It was so heartwarming.

The Bad

  • The weird romance with Sally and the FBI guy. I get it, I get why and I totally find it cute with the daughters when they work out who he is, however there’s no chemistry there. I bought into her love with her first love but this guy and their make out session in his hotel. Nope, don’t buy it!

The Ugly

  • I don’t like the lack of clarification of why they performed the spell on Jimmy. He’s a toxic man and I feel it does the film an injustice to even allow a seed of doubt that it was because Gilly wanted him rather than to save her sister.

Final Thought

Love this movie. This is one of those ‘Sandra Bullock makes this awesome’ sort of movies. I’d not seen it for years, but I do want to see it again.

American History X (1998)

Rating: 18
Length: 1h 59
Release: 26.3.1998
Dir: Tony Kaye
About: Derek, who has served three years in prison for a hate crime, tries to change the thoughts of his brother, Danny, who is following the same path.

The Good

  • It covered a rather contentious topic in an open way. I don’t think anyone, not even Principle Sweeny, is painted in a perfect light. There is no one to hold up as a hero, no one who hasn’t made a mistake. The commentary isn’t about being on a named side, but about deciding for yourself what is right and wrong. On that note, it is a refreshing change to not see the influence of religious within the narrative and in the prison in particular.
  • The cast is incredible. I’m so so glad Keeping the Faith was my first Edward Norton movie. It is a narrative that moves around the timeline, but even without the visual cues, you would be able to see where it was by Norton’s performance.
  • Avery Brooks was a welcome addition to the cast. Known to me as Commander Sisko in Star Trek Deep Space Nine, this was a role that fit him well. His presence in the film as a mentor and a consultant with the police is one that joins the bits together. I think he gets the right amount of screen time, but his performance does make me wish he’d managed to venture a little more into film.
  • This film surprised me. I felt like I knew where it was going but there were a few times in which I gained new information that I wasn’t expected. One actually is present in the trailer but plays as almost a final act reveal in the movie. Having not seen the trailer, I do feel it has more impact as a reveal. It certainly felt a bit like a gut punch it me.

The Bad

  • The relationship Derek builds with Lamont is incredible and so very powerful. It’s actually my favourite part of the film as for me, its that interaction that it the true cause of Derek’s shift and acceptance of Sweeny’s help and support. However, there is one interaction between the two that I just wish the film had honed in on and just confirmed that Derek understood. That is the explanation of what it was Lamont did to get put in prison.
    Perhaps it’s me seeing it through the social movement of 2020 and perhaps the intention was to have the statement be left with doubt. I should just be satisfied that I believe what he said.
  • There is some gruesome elements to this film. Some bits may even turn your stomach. However, I would argue that nothing is gratuitous. It’s there for the purpose of revulsion and at no point does it glorify the violence.

The Ugly

  • There are some slow-mo shots throughout the film, that are mainly contained to the black and white sequences that I remind me of an arthouse aesthetic. For example, two of the three times Norton’s Derek is seen in the shower, the camera puts him in profile and focuses on the water. It doesn’t do anything for me other than remind me I’m watching a movie.
  • In the same sense I’m not too happy about the music, particularly in the black and white sequences. It feels a little heavy handed and, well, loud. I can’t think of another way to describe it. Not in terms of volume, but presence. Music should compliment the visuals and I’m not sure it does here.
  • How is it that films like this get made over twenty years ago and nothing has changed? Yes, in once sense its good that it being put on streaming platforms will bring it to a new audience. But it’s a damn fucking shame that it doesn’t have the impact it should.
  • I cried. I ugly cried. I’m not going to go into details about the whens and the whys, but this film does carry with it a lot of what’s going on today. The presence of such blind hatred is throughout the narrative, its on all sides and it is bias. I’ve always been somewhat of a empathetic viewer and this did leave me somewhat overwhelmed.

Final Thoughts

It is an incredible film. One I’m not sure I was ever ready for before and I’m not too sure if I’ll ever opt to watch again. However i do believe it’s a film everyone should see.

The Truman Show (1998)

Rating: PG
Length: 1hr 43
Release: 9.10.1998
Dir: Peter Weir
About: An insurance salesman is oblivious of the fact that his entire life is a TV show and his family members are mere actors. As he starts noticing things and uncovers the truth, he decides to escape.

The Good

  • Jim Carrey gives one of his best, most levelled and charming performances as Truman Burbank, the focus of this film. While there’s still the flourish of crazy, its not too brash.
  • The plot has aged so well in the time since it was first released. The satire element is only more prominent today and it leads to some very deep questions about the society we live in and the entertainment we accept on TV.
  • The effects used on the cameras to distinguish between certain views is a nice touch. It also stands as a reminder that Truman is on a show.

The Bad

  • Laura Linney. I can’t quite tell if its just her character, or the actress herself that bugs me. I don’t understand the method of engineering a love interest in the way the director did and I also don’t understand why they would pick such a BAD ACTRESS (Linney’s character, not Linney herself) with no ability to improvise. At the height of Truman’s mania, she makes the situation so much worse.
  • The extreme gaslighting of everyone on set does make it a little bit of an uncomfortable watch. The lengths taken are a commentary about the tv studio, but it gives me a feeling akin to a horror movie and I’m not sure that’s the film’s intent.

The Ugly

  • Ed Harris’ Christof and the ‘creator’ as God metaphor. I mean the guy was a dick anyway, did it really have to go that far?!

Final Thoughts

Charming and thoughtful look into the world of reality TV, long before it was a format that became a reality to us.

Enemy of the State (1998)

Rating 15

Length 2Hr 12

Release 26.12.1998

About Corrupt National Security Agency official Thomas Reynolds (Jon Voight) has a congressman assassinated to assure the passage of expansive new surveillance legislation. When a videotape of the murder ends up in the hands of Robert Clayton Dean (Will Smith), a labor lawyer and dedicated family man, he is framed for murder. With the help of ex-intelligence agent Edward “Brill” Lyle (Gene Hackman), Dean attempts to throw Reynolds off his trail and prove his innocence.

The Good

  • This is one smart ass thriller. One of those Rubik’s Cube movies where not everything really fits together until the final twist. These don’t exist anymore: we’ve been left with GI Butler and his mind boggling saving the President/World/Career vehicles that give you a very different brain ache.
  • I do love that even though this is perhaps my 50th watch, my heart is still in my mouth and hoping the plot does (and doesn’t) change. I’ll go out on a limb and say, for me, it’s the best and most rewatchable Will Smith film.
  • Take a look at that cast list! I think this film caught my attention with Gabriel Byrne and Seth Green, but we have second generation actors Jake Busey and Scott Caan as out cats to Smith’s mouse. Pretty much everyone on Jon Voight’s team will have you reaching for IMDB because they have been, are and will be faces from many a movie.
  • That face off is up there for me with the final showdown in Leon. It’s gritty and grand, while feeling so very claustrophobic. I just love it.

The Bad

  • Babe, the fucking cat! I love cats and that one’s gorgeous but it’s not practical (there’s no way it’s in that bag AND surviving) and I don’t feel like it tells me much about it’s owner. If it doesn’t serve a purpose, cut it out.
  • Jack Black needs lessons on acting with a god damn phone. Every single time he would close the flip of his phone and THEN tell the person on the other end ‘already on it.’ Or some derivative. It shouldn’t annoy me, but it does and now I’ve passed it on.

The Ugly

  • It feels long. It feels closer to a 3 hour movie and while I don’t feel like we stand still for a single second, it loses steam in the last third. It’s almost like it’s one scene or one location change too long.

Final Thoughts

It scares me how ‘retro’ 1998 seems: it was only yesterday!!! Dated tech aside, this film is as relevant today as ever it could be. America undoubtedly has the most corrupt government in the history of the free world and with so many privacy breaches, leaks and hacks this movie will scare the shit out of you.

Small Soldiers (1998)

Length: 1Hr 48

Rating: PG

Release date: 23rd October 1998 (interestingly, I saw it 24th December 1998. I’m not certain a film like this would survive that long at the cinemas today)

About: When teenager Alan (Gregory Smith) buys a set of Commando Elite action figures, he’s unaware that they have been programmed with military technology. The toys, including leader Chip (Tommy Lee Jones), spring to life and start taking their directives seriously, beginning by “killing” their enemies, the toy Gorgonites. But Archer (Frank Langella) and the Gorgonites won’t go down without a fight. Alan gets caught in the middle of the war, as does his neighbor and crush, Christy (Kirsten Dunst).

First Thoughts

This was a film I saw with my brother Christmas Eve 1998. It sticks out in my memory as one of my favourite and best cinema experiences. Not to sat that the film is the best or my favourite, however over time it’s certainly been a go to movie.

The Good

  • It’s got a solid good versus evil plot with the Commando Elite and the Gorgonites. I especially love the casting of actors from The Dirty Dozen and Spinal Tap to play the warring groups.
  • The teens thrown into a world where they have to fend for themselves is a theme Joe Dante works well with. I don’t know if it’s because I was a teen myself when I first saw this, but I think I relate much more to this than Gremlins.
  • I will always love the line about Spice Girls being used as psychological warfare. In 1998, the Spice Girls had not only saturated the market and tormented parents all around the world, but they were close to saying ‘goodbye, my friend.’ I think I was offended at the time, but I have a chuckle.
  • I love the Geendy Doll revolt with Christina Ricci and Sarah Michelle Gellar torturing Kirsten Dunst. While in Toy Story, it’s disturbing here I just find it awesome.
  • On the most part, the CGI is okay. You can sometimes tell between the puppetry and the graphics, but it’s still better than some of the shoddy CGI that is in place in today’s movies.
  • Hi, I’m Phil Hartman. You may recognise me and my voice from films like Jingle All the Way and the tv show The Simpson’s. Yup, that’s right, Springfield’s own Troy McClure takes on the role of Christy’s self centred father. Sadly, Hartman was tragically killed shortly before the film’s release. While the character does seem like the ever present archetype from Dante’s back catalogue (Murray in Gremlins, Rumsfeld in The ‘Burbs) Hartman does make it so much his own that you will be forgiven for not making the connection the first time you watch.

The Bad

As much as I think Gregory Smith does a fine job as Alan, and he certainly works well alongside the CGI leader of the Gorgonites… why would I want him if I could have had my favourite actor at the time (and now). Learning that the studio’s/Joe Dante’s first choice for Alan-Now-Shut-Up was Joe Mazzello is a little bittersweet.

What Joe looked like the year Small Soldiers was filmed

The Ugly

Perhaps it’s the fact that it is a little too similar to Gremlins. It’s the Jurassic Park to Gremlins’ West World. It feels a little been there watched that. When you strip in down, all its parts are gained from previous work. Now, there’s nothing wrong with that but for it to work, it has to be better. For me, without Dante’s wild child Corey Feldman taking up some screen time, it will NEVER be better.

Final Thoughts

It’s a decent way to burn an hour or so. It’s not flawless, but it is fun and certain provides a case that Joe Dante is a main stream auteur or a one-trick pony. Something I’m hoping to explore in the upcoming weeks by having a Dante retrospective.

Do you know your Dante?

What’s your favourite creation of his?

Han x

Film Review: Simon Birch (1998)

Length: 1hr 54

Rating: PG

Release: 25th June 1999

About: Simon Birch (Ian Michael Smith) and Joe Wenteworth (Joseph Mazzello) are boys who have a reputation for being oddballs. Joe never knew his father, and his mother, Rebecca (Ashley Judd), is keeping her lips sealed, no matter how much he protests. Simon, meanwhile, is an 11-year-old dwarf whose outsize personality belies his small stature. Indeed, he often assails the local reverend (David Strathairn) with thorny theological questions and joins Joe on his quest to find his biological father.

The Good

  • The plot- memoir meets mystery. Has the Stand by Me vibe that was popular in the 90s. Nothing says Sunday afternoon movie more than a 1950’s nostalgic flash back with a calming ‘Wonder Years’ narration.
  • Jim Carey as the older Joe/narrator really works. He has a beautiful voice that really carries the memoir tone. Something that really surprises me seeing as the last thing I saw him in was Earth Girls Are Easy.
  • Oliver Platt is somewhat of an underrated actor in my opinion. This film is a perfect example of what a rich performance he can bring to the table and how he is able to balance humour, charm and charisma. He could not have been in this move enough.
  • Joe Mazzello and Ian Michael Smith Have this amazing chemistry throughout the film that I want so many movies with the two of them. Joe always seems comfortable within the 50s and this film sees him give some of his most powerful scenes I’ve ever had the privilege to see. From standing up to Simon’s excuse for a father to his response to the ‘lefty’ reveal, Mazzello gives emotion by the bucket load. It’s hard not to see the parallels with Three Wishes, but watch them in close succession and you can see how much stronger a person in a similar circumstance can be so different with a true best friend to escape with. Less brat and more of a level head makes Joe of Birch a favourite character of mine.
  • Ian Michael Smith gives the most incredible performance. I hate the response of the adults, including those within the church. He is a beautiful and caring child, despite the discouragement he experiences. There’s a cheeky side to the character that makes this film such a joy to watch despite the bittersweet ending you know is coming.

The Bad

  • I’m sad we lost the relationship between Rebecca and Ben so soon. While it does have an impact on his relationship with Joe, and I love their bond, I’d have loved to have seen them as a family unit a little more.

The Ugly

  • It’s all ‘My Girl’ in places so prepare yourself with a tissue or, you know, a million. Although while My Girl gives you a really amazing happy ride until that blub-fest, this will have your eyes like Niagara Falls from the midway point onwards.