THE BEVERLY HILLBILLIES (Released to Theaters USA 1993)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì

The Beverly Hillbillies—has its own interpretation of the original Beverly Hillbillies television series and its own upgraded comedy. It’s pleasant to hear the movie concluding with Jerry Scoggins singing the Hillbillies theme song the Ballad of Jed Clampett, accompanied by Lester Flatt and substitution of Bèla Fleck for Lester Flatt. Watch for an almost unrecognizable Jim Varney as the elderly Clampett. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

Hillbillies strike oil and take their newfound wealth to Beverly Hills, California. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Penelope Spheeris for directing effort. Thank you to Producers  Ian Bryce and Penelope Spheeris for making the film possible. Cast includes Jim Varney, Diedrich Bader, Erika Eleniak, Cloris Leachman, Lily Tomlin, Lea Thompson, Rob Schneider, Dabney Coleman, Penny Fuller, Kevin Connolly, Linda Carlson, Lyman Ward, and Leann Hunley. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This interpretation of the Beverly Hillbillies television show has its moments of comedy and really tries to earn its watch. It has upgraded its storyline to fit more modern times than the original series. It’s a light afternoon watch that takes little emotional or intellectual involvement.   

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers

AMOS & ANDREW (Theatrical Release USA 1993)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì 

Amos & Andrew—good, campy, action comedy—has a unique flavor that adds to its watchability. It’s a tongue-in-cheek, sweet, light look at a series of social issues that still exist today albeit in a slightly different framework. The film is both entertaining and a welcome relief to the real scenario. WOW! It’s a nice return to times when stereotypes could still be examined within a comedic setting. The movie provides a series of unexpected turns that delightfully surprise and eventually lead to a completely unexpected conclusion. Watch the solid performances by Nicolas Cage and Samuel L. Jackson and the very good support casting of Dabney Coleman and Michael Lerner. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

A police chief makes a mistake and tries to right the mistake by letting a prisoner out of jail with the promise he won’t have to go back to jail if he helps the chief. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director E. Max Frye for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Gary Goetzman for making the film possible. Cast includes: Nicolas Cage, Samuel L. Jackson, Michael Lerner, Margaret Colin, Brad Dourif, and Dabney Coleman. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. The movie has great scripting and presentation. It is more than worth its watch.

Video Critique Available Here: 

 

Ben Meyers

 

THE MAN WITH ONE RED SHOE (Theatrical Release USA 1985)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.4|5.0 Starsììì

The Man With One Red Shoe—a film for the mature audience—has Hollywood pushing buttons in the same manner as Spies Like Us with Chevy Chase and Dan Aykroyd with its flair for adult dialogue, sexual references, and some partial nudity. But, the storyline is fresh and overall is worth the adult viewer’s time for light comedy.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

CIA Deputy Director Burton Cooper (Dabney Coleman) wants Senior CIA Director Ross’ (Charles Durning) position and stages an illegal drug transportation scheme that implicates the Senior Director as using his position to work outside of expected norms. Director Ross, aware of Cooper’s plotting, stalls a government investigation of the activity by requesting time for a more thorough investigation. He directs a loyal CIA agent, Brown (Edward Herrmann), to randomly pick someone at the airport for CIA agents to track until he can come up with a plan to thwart the negative impact of Deputy Director Burton Cooper’s activities. Agent Brown picks innocent and unaware Richard Drew (Tom Hanks), a concert musician, as the tracking decoy and the story is on as successfully detoured CIA agents try to link Richard Drew’s daily routine with CIA activity.

Additional Thanks

Good Work for Director Stan Dragoti. Thank you to Producer Victor Drai for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: CIA Director Ross (Charles Durning), Morris (Jim Belushi), Maddy (Lori Singer), Paula (Carrie Fisher), Virdon (Irving Metzman), Reese (Tom Noonan), Carson (Gerrit Graham), Stemple (David L. Lander), Hulse (Ritch Brinkley), Edgar (Frank Hamilton), Natalie (Dortha Duckworth), and The Conductor (David Ogden Stiers).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers