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ChrisDickerson
Reviews
Dick Dickster (2018)
A lot of fun!
Bobby Ray Shafer has made a very funny, very entertaining movie here with "They Want Dick Dickster."
Clearly leaning on his experiences in Hollywood, Shafer also relies strongly on the exploits of legendary Hollywood actors and directors to create a witty mockumentary about movie-making.
Shafer shows he's not just a talented actor, but he also is a sharp writer has a keen eye for producing.
The supporting cast also do a good job of making the movie a fun time. Jan Broberg in particular was fun to watch.
This one is worth your time, for sure.
Desperado (1995)
Banderas is cool, Hayek is hot
When I grow up, I want to be Antonio Banderas. Well, I don't want to be married to Melanie Griffith, but you know what I mean. The guy oozes coolness. He has more cool in his pinkie than most people do in their entire lives. "Desperado" (and later, "Once Upon A Time In Mexico") is just such an example. He's suave, but forceful. He's got it all. And Hayek ... what can you say? She's hot. She's fantastic. She brings some depth and soul to a great action movie. And their on-screen chemistry is incredible. Like most Robert Rodriguez movies, there is a little campiness and craziness. But it works. It's a great movie. It's one that shouldn't be missed. And don't miss "El Mariachi" or "Once Upon A Time In Mexico." Banderas' El Mariachi is one of the best movie characters of all time.
Joe Versus the Volcano (1990)
One of the most overlooked movies ever
In complete seriousness, I can say "Joe Versus The Volcano" is one of the best movies ever to come out of Hollywood. Sadly, it's also one of the most overlooked movies ever made. Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan both are absolutely fantastic in this movie that really is an allegory about life. The movie has a fantastic script, is directed beautifully and stands up to the test of time. Hanks is at his comedic best as the soul-sick Joe, and Ryan is fantastic in her three roles. Why this movie didn't do better (despite a lack of promotion) is beyond me. It is one seems like one of those word-of-mouth movies that just keep getting bigger. I saw it three times in the theater, watched it numerous times on video and purchased the DVD the day it came out. But it's OK, I know a hidden gem when I see it.
Fools Rush In (1997)
An under-appreciated movie
This is one of those movies that I can't help but love. It certainly isn't the best movie ever, but Perry and Hayek both turn in wonderful performances. You can't help but like both of them. You care for the characters. And that is something that is becoming more and more rare in today's movies. The supporting cast does a great job as well, especially Perry's real father and Jill Clayburgh as his parents. It probably is the first time Hayek shows that she is a star and can carry a movie (or at least half of it) on her back. Perry brings a great sense of comedy to the movie. Some of his scenes and lines are laugh-out-loud funny. On top of that, the story is just quirky enough (based on a real-life romance) that the entire situation makes you chuckle.
Bedazzled (2000)
Cute and funny
Liz Hurley plays a flirty, conniving and delicious devil to Brendan Fraser's wimpy nerd Elliott Richards. All in all, it's a cute and pretty funny 90 minutes. Fraser and Hurley both play their roles just right. And both of them, along with Frances O'Connor as the love interest, show a lot of versatility taking on essentially seven or eight roles each. While there are a few stiff and/or cheesy moments, there are more than enough laughs to make up for it.
BookWars (2000)
A fascinating documentary
Granted, it doesn't seem that the story of a group of people who sell books on the streets of New York City would make for much of a film.
"BookWars" proves that wrong. In the process, it also proves that documentaries don't have to be mind-numbing exercises in pomposity.
Jason Rosette wrote, directed, produced, edited and stars in this 77-minute glimpse into the sometimes fascinating world of street booksellers.
The first part of the movie introduces viewers to a colorful group of men Rosette meets when he begins selling his books. Among them are Peter Whitney, an artist and insect/animal expert; Slick Rick, a magician and wiseguy; Marvin, a recovering alcoholic; and Polish Joe, the "smoker of 100 cigarettes."
In addition to meeting a few of the regular customers, the viewer also is taken on searches for books, which are portrayed as treasured works of art. Rosette's comparison of book selling to drug dealing is amazingly accurate in many ways.
The second half of the movie deals with the booksellers' struggles with city officials. Under Mayor Rudolph Guiliana's "Quality of Life" push to clean up the city, NYPD officers begin being more strict and try to get the sellers' tables off the street corners.
While enforcing the city's new rules, the cops can't help but browse through the books. Nearby New York University also tries to push the sellers away.
Sometimes Rosette, who also serves as narrator (sounding eerily like William Shatner at times), waxes a little too poetic about the life of a bookseller and about books in general. But that comes from his sincere love of the entire scene, so at least it's sincere.