What’s truly fascinating about film and media in this day and age, is how some genres are have high expectations surrounding them. Take Science Fiction for instance. Because these days, fans expect their Sci-Fi stories to be elevated and intelligent. And they should stand for something, and they should offer commentary on our world and the human condition and if they don’t, well then, those stories have failed the audience and it’s understandable as to why that particular stance exists. For a great many Sci-Fi franchises have set the bar high with their hyper-intelligent stories and when you do that, it’s tough to assemble a story that doesn’t feature a deeper meaning.

Which is incredibly ironic, when one considers that Science Fiction stories of yesteryear were filled to the brim with fluff and fun. Because serials akin to Flash Gordon focused upon action and adventure and goofy moments over anything else, demonstrating that it is quite possible to tell a story that is fun and silly and grounded in science. But while this era of cerebral Sci-Fi has indeed produced some powerful stories that will be studied on end, because they are brilliant and should be celebrated, once in a while the audience needs to be able to enjoy a story that allows for them to let loose and have a little fun. And thankfully there are still stories in this genre out there that accomplish that, and one that we don’t celebrate enough, is the 1997 gem, The Fifth Element. 

Now for those unfamiliar with this motion picture, it takes place far in our future, where technology has made life better, since space travel is an everyday thing, and it’s also a time period where civilization is facing some serious trouble. For an ancient alien, one hellbent on domination and destruction, has arrived in our solar system and unless five critical elements can be assembled in an equally as ancient temple, all life will perish. Which is, in its own right, a fairly by-the-numbers plot for a Sci-Fi film, one that should engender deep meaning since this seems like the type of story that would ponder upon mankind’s worthiness of survival. Something that is actually explored in the ending of this particular picture. 

But that’s handled in such a quick and simple manner, that it really doesn’t stick with you after this motion picture has come to an end. Instead, you’re quick to reflect upon what makes this movie so much fun and really the first thing that makes this movie so delightful, is the adventure that it takes you upon. Because you get to venture to a futuristic Earth and explore the majesty of tomorrow in great detail, and that’s just awesome. But where this adventure truly shines, is that the audience is able to see the wonders of the universe as well. For the Fhloston Paradise cruise does indeed take the audience to a world they’ve never seen, and the wild aliens that are commonplace here only add to an experience that is filled with awe and wonder.

But what’s truly stunning about this potential peek into our future, is that it feels organic and natural. Something that is made possible by the fact that people are still hustling to make a comfortable living in the 23rd Century, as evidenced by our main character, Korben Dallas. Since he’s just trying to find a peaceful and comfortable way forward until fate steps in and speaking of the characters; they are what truly makes this movie so incredibly special. Because each and every one of them are dynamic and filled with depth. Plus, they are colorful and quirky and spending time with them is just a true delight. Because you simply don’t know what some of them are going to do or going to say, something that is especially true of the enigmatic Ruby Rhod, who manages to steal every single scene, he’s in, with his incredible one-liners.

If anything, all of these elements combine to make for one memorable motion picture. One that leaves you in awe since every single setting present in this film is an outright visual feast, and this is also a movie that puts a giant smile on your face. Because the comedic sequences in this film are rip-roaringly hilarious. Plus, you cannot go wrong with the stellar cast in this tale since Bruce Willis and Gary Oldman anchor a bevy of screen veterans that turn in quality performances at every turn and if by chance you haven’t seen this one, please do so. Because it really is a modern classic, one that bucks the mold for this genre and it is a movie that you’ll find yourself revisiting often, because it is supremely refreshing for certain. 

Trying to correct things that you have done in the past is always difficult. There may be ways that you can show that you are sorry, but when it is already done, you may never be able to atone for it. The best you can do is try and you may be surprised by the results, even if they are not what you expected. Always try to look ahead and see if what you are doing might possibly be frowned upon, especially if you are not sure if you should do it or not.

David Thorogood and Ryan Cates are trying to make a breakthrough in the science of reading people’s minds, but with their lack of money and new ideas, they have reached their plateau, or at least that is what they think. Meeting another graduate student by chance, Jordan has ideas about what can take them to their next step. While David is against bringing her on to the project, Ryan is more than happy to have a new set of ideas and the fact that she is a stunning woman has a little more to do with that. Being able to give the boys a next step by using science that she understands, she informs them that the computer program that they are using cannot handle the information being delivered, so that leaves the group only one option, Brain Interface.

Hooking up a person to listen, the group is able to hear the thoughts inside another person’s head while connected. Knowing that this is the breakthrough that they are looking for, the celebration starts, but is short lived. As both David and Ryan are suffering from money troubles, Ryan decides to sell off the research to pay for his grandmother’s funeral. When word reaches the department head at the school, and the missing equipment has been found in David’s garage, both friends are expelled and arrested. Not being able to believe that his best friend has done this to both of them, David will not give up on Ryan and just wants to talk it out, but Ryan is determined to end the friendship. 

While trying to come to terms with what has happened, the two are greeted by Jordan and her boss, Matthews, who wants them to take over the mind reading project that has been in development for several years. Not having a choice, the two take on the new task that has been put in front of them, but start moving faster than what is expected when a new protocol is put into place. The mind reading device is placed on each of the scientists working in the facility to ensure that none of them are looking to steal the technology. Seeing how his invention is already changing the world, David knows that it will have more of a military function than a scientific one and wants to abandon the project. That is however, more easily said than done when the government is hunting him down.

One of the things that I like about this story is that it opens your eyes to see several possibilities, not just at the big brother level, but at a personal level. With how much hatred that David should be showing at his best friend for selling their ideas, he is not willing to go away, no matter how hard Ryan pushes for it. With both of the men having the same monetary issues, they both handle it completely different and it really keeps the story moving. The addition of Jordan to the team helps them greatly, but is also designed to tear them apart, but does not succeed. Instead with David, it destroys his marriage and life. You gain more respect for each of the characters as the story moves on and while Ryan sees the practical application of his device, David is more worried about the big picture and wants to keep the invention away from anyone that would misuse it. I really dig this movie and while the science may be a little over my head, it was not lost on me as the movie played on.

Every year there is always a gem of a movie that I manage to miss, one that I regret missing when I see it later on.  In fact, I think it is safe to say it happens to all of us. For me, it usually comes down to schedules or time and I don't get the chance to make it to the theater to enjoy a particular motion picture.  

In some cases, however, there is an outstanding film released that doesn't resonate in theaters. It makes little money and from a box office standpoint is forgotten. But the wonder of home video has changed all of that and films that were once forgotten have been discovered on either the shelf or these days online, and the result is a deluge of word of mouth-based interest that ends up making the film a success after all. Case in point, the hilarious comedy; UHF. 

George Newman has an incredible resume. On it you will find job after job and with good reason, George is a daydreamer and his inability to focus ends up costing him more jobs than any of us can count. But fate is an interesting mistress and when George is handed ownership of a tiny little UHF television station, his imagination will be unleashed, and all eyes will be watching as George's station begins to dominate the ratings.  

Released in the summer of 1989, UHF found itself lost in the midst of one of the biggest summer blockbuster seasons in film history. Tim Burton's Batman and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade are just a couple of the films that completely and utterly buried UHF at the box office and that's unfortunate because this film is completely and utterly brilliant and I am so glad that this little gem was discovered years later on VHS and DVD. In fact, there are only a handful of comedies that I have seen in my time that have kept me laughing throughout the entire film and this is one of them. 

From George's daydreams, the jokes in general and incredible parodies such as Gandhi II this is a movie that just shows off the comedic genius of its star and one of its writer's; "Weird Al" Yankovic. Already a comedic genius with his amazing parody albums, turning him loose on film only enhances his legacy. I mean come on, the "Spatula City" commercial to this day still sends me into fits of laughter the instant the president of the company, Sy Greenbloom, does his thing. Those of you who have seen the film know exactly what I mean.  

But for those of you that haven't, it's high time that you do. You will be hard pressed to find a movie as imaginative and hilarious as UHF and here is to hoping that the filmmaking bug bites "Weird Al" one more time so he can make another masterpiece as awesome as this movie. ​

Money may not be everything, but it is an important thing if you want to survive. With bills coming out of the wazoo, it is amazing to see how people are able to make ends meet these days as prices continue to skyrocket and wages are stuck in neutral. Having more than one job at a time is a good way to keep the income coming in, but if you have a family, you won't get to see them that often from working so much in order to keep a roof over your heads. You need to be able to find a happy medium when it all comes down to it, since in the long run, your family is the only thing that should really matter.

Anxiously awaiting their father’s return on a daily basis, Cathy, Chris, Cory and Carrie always want to show him how much they love him. When everything seems down in the house, his delightful smile makes everything better and that is why Corrine married that man seventeen years ago. But on his birthday, he does not return home and in his place a couple of officers stand waiting to deliver the news of what happened. Selling everything in their possession, Corrine is forced to do something that she never wanted to do, take her children and move into her parents' house.

But the move may pay off in the end as Corrine tells her children about her plan to get back in the good graces of her father and become part of his Will, an act that will eventually leave them richer than they could ever imagine. The plan seems sound to the kids, but when arriving at their grandparents' mansion, everything changes. Meeting their Grandmother for the first time, Cathy, Chris, Cory and Carrie are locked into their room with a set of rules that they must follow or be punished. Thinking that this is strange but trusting that their mother has their best interests in mind, they decide to play along, but when they see their mother again, their attitudes begin to sway. 

Receiving seventeen lashes, Corrine has been forgiven for running off with the love of her life and is now starting to rebuild her status in her father’s eyes. Telling the kids that her plan is working, Corrine also tells her kids about the attic where they can escape their torment in the house and hope that it will help keep them in line. As Corrine’s visits stop for a time, Cathy and Chris decide to go and find out what is happening with their mother. But trying to break out of the mansion is harder than it seems and the only way to escape is through the front door. Being able to roam the house at night, the brother/sister duo find out that their mother is being pampered to no end while the kids have not been given food for days. Cathy is tired and believes that there is something wrong with her mother since she does not seem to care about her family any longer, but Chris is not on the same page, but when he finds a copy of his grandfather’s Will, he knows what trouble the remaining members of his family are in for.

Yikes, that is all I can say about this movie. I have always believed that family should come first, especially in a mother’s eyes, but I guess I was wrong. This story might leave me scarred for a while, since I never saw the twists coming, but the good part was that the kids never stopped fighting for themselves. But outside of a delivering a great story, this movie also features an incredible cast, since this is one of the first movies that I have seen in years where the cast actually looks like they could be family members and that made the story all the more enjoyable. I liked the bickering between the two eldest kids, Chris and Cathy, as they are trying to find a way out of the house, but I must admit that the Grandmother is my favorite character in the movie since she makes sure that nobody in their right mind will cross her. 

Five Takeaways

1. When your kids are going to be on lockdown inside your parents' house, you might want to ask why.
2. Always respect your elders, even if their rules seem out of whack.
3. When your mother tells you about a secret room and you are told by your captor about it as well, it is not a secret at all.
4. Don’t challenge the people bringing you food, you may never get a bite to eat if you lose.
5. Rats not only make good pets, but they can help you pinpoint if you are being poisoned. 

There are many frightening things that can happen in your life that can make it flash in front of your eyes. I don’t know what is scarier when this happens, if you are really about to die, or that it can happen more than once. One of the scariest ways to die in my opinion is being buried alive since it all comes down to waiting to pass on while you are not able to do anything about it. That is followed by drowning, since you may take your last breath long before you believe that your time should be up. Well, Submerged brings the best (or worst) of both of my greatest fears to life on the screen and makes me wonder if there is anything that could frighten me any further.

While driving a group of his little brother’s friends home from the club, Matt is met head on by several armed men that are looking to kidnap his employer’s daughter. While Matt has been trained in the military and is able to defend himself, looking after someone else is more difficult than he ever expected it to be. Being able to protect Jessica from being kidnapped, Matt is forced to drive the limo aggressively and winds up driving into the river. With everyone in the limo being okay, they know that the oxygen is running out and they need to make up a plan to escape before the car becomes their coffin. 

As the group is waiting for help from someone since the GPS in the car is still functional, Matt ponders on what brought him to this place in his life. Thinking back, Matt is told by his employer that there have been many threats on his daughter Jessica’s life, and it will be his job to protect her. As Jessica is dating Matt’s younger brother Dylan at the time, it is easy to keep an eye out, but when his employer shuts down the factory in the town, it is becoming a more dangerous endeavor. Without his parents to lend a hand, Matt works numerous jobs to make ends meet so he and his brother can survive, but when Dylan cannot defend himself against the bullying at school, he winds up taking his own life. But the memory of Dylan hasn't faded since Matt is reminded of his little brother every time, he looks at Jessica and with her basically being the only family he has left, he decides to drive her and her friends for their night on the town. Little does he or the youths in the back know how the night is about to end.

I have always been straight forward about this; flashbacks are not on the top of my list on how to tell a story. With that being said, Submerged did a pretty good job in keeping pace with the story by using them. Seeing the dynamic between Dylan and Matt were the best parts of the movie, and while Matt would do anything to keep his little brother safe and happy, it destroyed Matt when his efforts were not enough. But it is hard to take little tidbits away from everyone trapped in the limo on the bottom of the river, since clearly a raw experience of fear is what the movie wants us to share with these characters. Everyone deals with what is happening to them in their own ways, but the story is ramped up when they all start to point fingers at each other, blaming someone else for the predicament that they are currently in. The movie does a great job in showing how people can turn against one another when all of the cards are on the table, and for that reason, I was not disappointed in it one bit.

​Earning respect from others can be very difficult for some people. Just knowing what you have done in the past may not be enough to get people to follow you, much less believe that they need to listen to one word that you say. Actions speak louder than words and even with a massive list of accomplishments in your back pocket, you have to show that you are willing to lead by example. No matter your industry, there are always people that need to be given direction, but if you are the person in charge, you need to prove to them that you have their best interests in mind.

Returning to base after another failed mission where most of his men are killed, Jack Wosick does not want to return to the front for any reason.  But Major A.J. Redding knows that Wosick is one of the top men in this war and needs him to get back in the fight. Assigning him another command, Wosick is tasked with taking over the War Pigs, a group of soldiers that have not had anyone in command longer than one mission. Wosick will not be alone in this task as he is given a seasoned French Foreign Legion Captain to help him turn this group of military rejects into the killing force they should be.

Arriving at their camp, Wosick sees what he will be working with and with the lack of respect that his new men are giving him, he knows that the script will need to be flipped a bit. Training for a special mission, Wosick pushes his men to the brink of mutiny, but is able to tell when things are getting out of control and pulls back when he sees his men’s morale start to tank. When the War Pigs’ training is completed, Wosick is assigned his first mission with the group to go behind enemy lines and find out if the Germans have completed their weapon that could change the outcome of the war. Knowing that his team is ready, the War Pigs quickly find out that a common recon mission can be more costly than advertised.

Just a good little World War II movie that shows how much the troops do not agree with the orders that they are given. Wosick has to prove to his men that the orders are proper and for the greater good, but also needing to earn their respect at the same time, it is not an easy feat. Watching as the men are put through hell, Wosick knows how to keep them from reaching their breaking point and is able to gain their respect when showing his biggest foe in the regiment that he cares about him as well.  Even though the movie starts out kind of slow with all of the training, you get plenty of action as well.  Getting to see fire fights with the German Army, the War Pigs are a powerful force, even when they choose to disobey their direct orders. Happy Viewing.

While there are some people that are having a hard time in deciding what to do with their lives, there are others that have been able to discover their talents at a young age. I'm not saying that it is better to know what you are good at when you are so young, but it does give you a leg up when working on perfecting it. When trying to find what you are best at, it is important to not be afraid to try new things. If it is something that you have never done before, it is hard to know whether it is something that you will not like in the end.

Avery has won her first prestigious award for photography since she is incredibly talented at being able to tell a person's story through the lens. Only wanting to document life through photos, she wants the world to know it is not her that makes anything great, she just captures it on film to show everyone else. But her editor wants much more for the young woman and has bought her a ticket to go down to Columbia to follow a small band of freedom fighters that are making waves and are led by a man named Guillermo. Even though she is against it, it is a great opportunity to show the rest of the world the hardships that are taking place in Central America. 

Tagging along with the group, Avery finds out about what their mission has become, going from village to village, helping with any work that needs to be done, along with bringing people any food and medication that is needed. Calling himself and his armed companions missionaries, they have the goal of replacing the government that has forgotten about its people in the forest. While everything seems to be going the way that Guillermo would like to show, he finds himself being photographed by Avery while collecting money from a drug drop and killing an innocent boy that happened to be in the way. Now knowing that Guillermo’s mission is a scam, Avery is more than willing to come forward with the truth, but Guillermo has different ideas and cannot allow the photographer to leave the jungle alive.

This is a great story that makes sure you understand that nobody is above doing something wrong, especially if there is money to be made. Guillermo is against everything about his new country and knowing that it is the cartels that are running things, so many people will be left out to dry, and his mission is to remedy that, but he is trafficking the same product which has taken him out of the running for humanitarian of the year, that and the boy he killed. As Avery wants to get the truth out to the world, she is hunted down by Guillermo and his team, but none of them expect much of a fight out of the photographer. I liked how Avery had to fight to stay alive and all the while she was looking out for others wellbeing along the way. Even if she cannot help herself, she may be able to help others in their time of need and a selfless act can change the world more than you ever know. 

For the most part, romantic comedies that feature heartbreak and a search for true love, tend to be supremely formulaic in nature, to the point where one can recite their cookie-cutter plots in their sleep. Because they always feature someone who thinks their relationship is in a wonderful place because they’ve discovered their true love. Only to have said love dump them like a hot potato, and our hero or heroine is listless as they search for that other half that truly completes their soul and of course, they eventually find that individual and live happily ever after. Complete with a closing sequence that involves a big kiss and a hit song for the soundtrack, or Santa if it’s a Hallmark movie.
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If anything, being able to break down that plot with ease, makes those types of movies boring for the most part. Because the characters are often two-dimensional in nature since they have no hopes or dreams in life outside of falling in love, and they cannot be successful in life until they’ve found their other half. But thankfully, there are romantic comedies out there revolving around heartbreak and rediscovery that break the mold, and actually manage to offer depth and meaning to the audience. And thanks to Jason Segel’s writing skills, a movie that meets that particular criteria hit theaters in 2008, and the sheer quality of the script and the film as a whole has made Forgetting Sarah Marshall a true cult classic and a refreshing romantic comedy as well. 

But what’s funny about this film, is that initially seems as though it is going to follow the formula we just discussed, and the only twist present in this particular iteration would be some edgier and more relatable humor. But once you dive into the wonder of this motion picture, you come to realize that it has so much to offer to its audience, since it is hands down one of the most intelligent romantic comedies out there. In large part because it offers up a realistic look at dating, something that few films in this genre ever attempt to do since they prefer to operate within a fairy tale atmosphere. But this movie, well it wastes no time in reminding us that dating can be a chore, and we really do have to go on quite a few dates to get an idea of what we want out of a relationship.

But while that alone is a big departure for this genre in general, this motion picture finds ways to go above and beyond in its frank dissections of modern dating by exploring something that few films bother to dive into; self-discovery and self-care and how that relates to healthy relationships. Because sometimes what causes a relationship to fail, is the fact that we aren’t happy with or love ourselves, and that motivates us to gravitate to garbage people who don’t treat us as equals and that’s also a big reason we drift from relationship to relationship with no end or happiness in sight and this movie does a fine job of looking at the cure for that.
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Because Peter really does go on quite the journey of self-discovery here, the kind that allows for him to realize exactly why his relationship with Sarah didn’t work out and why he gravitates to her. Because Sarah wanted things her way and expected Peter to transform himself into her perfect man. And he was happy to do so because he really wasn’t all that happy with himself and expected this relationship to make him a better man. Which is why the third act of this film is so outright inspiring, because Peter comes to realize this as well, and he finally takes the time to care for himself and heal, and discover what really makes him tick and that allows for him to accomplish wonders and that really is a beautiful and satisfying way to wrap up this fascinating motion picture.

Yet, while it is nice to find cerebral meaning in a romantic comedy, it is also important to note that this is a hilarious film as well. Because the jokes work at every single turn, and there are sequences that outright leave you gasping for air as you laugh and that’s thanks in large part to a stellar cast that knows how to handle comedy through and through. In the end however, this really is just a gem of a motion picture. Because it is that rare comedy with heart and it is filled to the brim with wonderful life lessons for the audience and if by chance you haven’t seen this one yet, please seek it out and give it a look. Because it’s powerhouse script and slick direction allow for you to get lost in a wonderful story about a man trying to find his place in the world and you simply cannot go wrong with enjoying a movie that features all the wonderful elements we’ve just discussed… and a Dracula puppet musical.