​I am a firm believer in the notion that a story should end in the most appropriate fashion possible. If that means it takes one movie, or book or game to bring it to a logical conclusion, so be it. Or if it takes ten, so be it. Because the biggest mistake that any story or franchise can make, is dragging out a particular tale for far longer than it needs to go on for and we’ve seen it time and time again in cinema, print and the gaming industry, wherein a particular saga has clearly exhausted all of its creativity as it churns out sequel after sequel and what’s left is a shell of what we once loved.
 
Sadly, that’s something that quite frankly happened to the Austin Powers franchise. Because after delivering two phenomenal entries in this series, the third film in the saga, Austin Powers in Goldmember simply didn’t quite wow the audience as its predecessors did and really, that’s quite a shame. Because there are some genuinely wonderful moments to be found in this film, since some of the gags work quite well and the performances are strong and much of the humor is strong as well, so perhaps the big questions to ask here are why exactly this film feels so out of place and well, tired when compared to the other two movies in the franchise?
 
As it turns out, there are several reasons as to why this movie just didn’t quite jibe with us and the first glaring issue when it comes to this film is that it really doesn’t offer up anything new for the audience. A lot of the gags we adored in the first two movies are used in excess here, and while some of said gags are chuckle worthy, they eventually lose their luster since they go on for a little bit too long here and that’s a shame really because there really was quite the opportunity to do some original stuff with Goldmember and Nigel Powers coming into the mix in this story.
 
But for me, what really doesn’t work at all, is the strange sub plot involving Austin and Doctor Evil being brothers all along. I mean, don’t get me wrong, how the script puts those pieces together is just fine, but comedy or no, that particular plot twist just feels like an outright cop out when all is said and done and a convenient way to simply wrap up the saga rather than giving the audience some kind of hilarious final showdown between Powers and Evil and if anything, this just goes to show that the franchise had indeed run out of steam and ideas and should have ended with The Spy Who Shagged Me.
 
However, despite my complaints, there are still a lot of reasons to enjoy this movie. Because Goldmember does steal the show when he arrives into the plot with his weird desire to collect dead skin and you cannot go wrong with Doctor Evil finally getting his freakin’ sharks with freakin’ laser beams attached to their heads. But, this is by far the weakest film in the trilogy and that’s a shame because it could have wrapped up in epic fashion, but alas, it is what it is and while the saga ends in off fashion, overall the trilogy is something to be admired since it did offer up some new ideas and hilarious moments and I think that’s why we give this particular entry in the series a pass, because it really is a part of something special. 

I will admit to the fact that I’ve written ad nauseam about how people feel about sequels on this site, simply because, they truly are polarizing, and people take quite the stance when it comes to them. But regardless of where you stand when it comes to follow up stories in Hollywood, I think we can all agree upon the fact that some point or another in our lives, we simply could not wait to see one and back in 1999, I was counting down the days to the arrival of the next Austin Powers movie, because all of the trailers for Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me, looked downright phenomenal and epic, and well…this is a film that certainly did not disappoint when the day of its release finally arrived.
 
After all, it really was a movie that felt bigger in scope and scale and the addition of new characters helped with that and really, as I settled in to re-watch this film to write this review, I’m honestly in awe of how many memorable characters came out of this motion picture and that the ones we love the most in this film, weren’t even leads. I mean come on, who doesn’t love Fat Bastard and find his strange desire to eat a baby downright hilarious and for that matter, who can resist the wonder of Mini Me? He’s just a spectacular clone and the late Verne Troyer’s portrayal of him is the stuff of legend.
 
But, all of that wonder aside, there are really two key reasons this particular entry in the saga stays with us, the laughs for one because holy cow the jokes are as big as the story and while there are jokes in International Man of Mystery that don’t work as well as they used to, I am hard pressed to find a spot here where I wasn’t laughing heartily once again. From the Baby Back Ribs song to the running gag involving a giant…well you know, the jokes just work, and the performances are simply incredible, and those elements set the foundation for the other reason I think this film is so memorable, it’s story.
 
Which may sound silly and I understand why since this is a time travel movie about a horny secret agent looking to shag whenever possible. But upon viewing it again, it’s quite the intricate script when all is said and done, and it features perhaps the finest Bond homages in the entire trilogy. Because this one covers a great many 007 films, and it offers them great respect, allowing for the jokes to grow on their own and I was truly in awe of how many homages they packed into this one and how well all the little details come together in this film by the time the end credits start to roll.
 
If anything, this is likely the finest film in the trilogy since I can’t think of a particular moment where I’ve heard anyone speak ill of this movie, and often times when I do talk about it with others, the quotes simply begin to flow from both parties, reminding me again of how memorable the characters are. But sadly, the good times wouldn’t last for dear Austin and his adventures for the next and final film in the franchise is one that polarizes fans. But before we dive into that feature, it’s best we just take another moment and bask in the glory of this one, and every magnificent moment it has to offer.

It’s interesting how our brains categorize our favorite films. Some of the movies that we’ve seen and adore find themselves at the top of our minds often, and we revisit them with glee and tell everyone to watch them whenever we get the chance. But, for every beloved film in our lives that is slowly being worn out by our Blu Ray players, there are a bevy of movies that brought us great joy and satisfaction that quite frankly…we kind of forget about. These are the movies that stay on the shelf or aren’t even in our collection and it’s just fascinating that our brains let them go to the wayside.
 
After all, we are creatures that feed off of our memories and the happiness they bring us, and that’s one reason why we are addicted to our favorite motion pictures. But, the question at hand is why we forget about movies we love and honestly, I’m not sure there’s one exact answer to that. We could have grown out of them, they may not hold the same meaning anymore, the list goes on and on. But if there’s one solid reason that I think applies to this discussion, it’s that…sometimes they encapsulate a particular moment or a particular time in our lives that holds a special meaning to us and our minds preserve that, motivating us to revisit other memories and stories instead.
 
Of course, that’s just an outlandish theory of mine and we may never know exactly why some of our favorite films go the wayside. But what we can agree upon, is that when we do stumble upon them once again, we are left wondering why on earth we let them slip away in the first place. And thanks to the magic of the Alamo Drafthouse, with an assist from my sister, I recently had the opportunity to revisit a magical comedy that I damn near forget about myself; Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery, and let me tell you know, I am so incredibly happy that I took the time to see this again and re-discover the wonder of this true comedy classic.

​Because this movie is just as funny as it was 21 years ago when it hit the big screen, and well, the enduring power of this movie is its jokes because once Mike Myers gets rolling and lets Doctor Evil and/or Austin do their thing it’s simply the stuff of magic and I found myself laughing hard at jokes and gags that I knew by heart and well, it pleased me to no end to see that these jokes, specifically Doctor Evil’s incredible monologues, still hold up after all this time and that the love present in this film for the James Bond franchise, despite the lampooning this movie provides of 007’s adventures, hasn’t diminished in the slightest.
 
If anything, I suppose the only gags that don’t work anymore are the sexual related sight gags involving sausages and melons because the audience I saw the movie with didn’t really laugh much at those and honestly, neither did I, but that’s okay. Because there’s plenty more humor to be found in this one and really, what stuck with me after watching this one again is the question, I posed earlier in that…how on earth did this movie slip my mind? And for me, the answer to that took a little time for my brain to achieve but more or less, this movie came out right as I was leaving high school, meaning that it is forever locked in a special segment of memories in my mind.
 
After all, at that point in my life, the future was in front of me and the euphoria that comes with that feeling and that time can never be replicated again, and that’s why this film is locked away in that special place. But I am quite glad I had the chance to revisit this one again and find new appreciation for it that isn’t related to that particular point in time and well, it’s clear I need to re-add this one to my collection and revisit it as often as possible. Because it really is one of the finest fish out of water stories out there, and a damn funny film and if by chance it’s slipped your mind as well for your own specific reasons, give it another try, you’ll be glad you did. 

While every cinephile out there has their respective opinion when it comes to sequels and what they mean to the industry, I think we can find common ground in that, when a sequel arrives to a magnificent first entry in a series, we are instantly nervous. Because time and time again, we’ve sat through follow ups that simply don’t hold a flame to the original in the slightest, or they end up being nothing more than a rehash of what we fell in love with in the first place, and really, no one likes sitting through two hours of raw disappointment.
 
But sometimes, sequels deliver, and there are plenty of follow ups that have outright blown us away with their overall quality, the kind that makes part two better than part one. But for every extreme when it comes to this, there are plenty of sequels out there, that simply hang in the middle when it comes to their quality. Where they do just enough to please the audience with echoes of the original while offering up enough new ideas and gags to allow for the next entry to stand out on its own and recently, I finally had a chance to watch a sequel that meets that particular criteria to a tee in Super Troopers 2.
 
Now in this long-awaited sequel, the beloved troopers from the first film are reunited after losing their jobs with the Spurbury Police Department in the most unique possible way. For when it is discovered that the border between Canada and Vermont was drawn incorrectly ages ago, they are recalled to active duty to patrol a stretch of Canadian land that is being absorbed into the United States and well, that’s really all we are going to discuss when it comes to the plot, because there are plenty of intricate moments and shenanigans (oh yeah, I went there) that I simply don’t want to spoil. 

​Instead, let’s discuss exactly what makes this sequel worth your while, and all of that is related to the criteria that I laid out just a moment ago. Because this is a film that knows exactly what elements to reinject into the story to keep the hardcore fans happy, and most of that is accomplished with references or quick shout outs to our favorite gags from the first film and the good news is, there’s way more new stuff than there is old stuff and that makes this film supremely enjoyable through and through since you really are going on a new adventure with the most incompetent Highway Troopers known to man.
 
But regardless of the fresh ideas and new storylines to be found in this one, the million-dollar question on all of your minds, is whether or not the film is funny and thankfully, it’s downright hilarious. Because the cast and crew just let loose in this one, allowing for Broken Lizard’s talent to simply shine and there are definitely sequences and gags here that leave you rolling and well, when you combine high quality laughs, with the joy of seeing this troupe reunite in the universe that put them on the map in the first place, you walk away from this film with a giant smile on your face.
 
As an added bonus, there are also some surprisingly big names comedy wise that pop up in this one as well, and every last one of them contribute something worthwhile to the story and their arrival adds a sense of legitimacy to this sequel, making it feel like a genuine effort to provide the fans with something special, rather than pull off a cash grab and I am simply over the moon that one of the finest comedies in the modern era finally got the sequel it so deserved and all of these elements make this a comedy that I absolutely recommend. Because if you’re a fan of Broken Lizard, then this is the sequel you’ve been waiting for, and if you’re a fan of comedy, well then this is just a hilarious ride. Either way, see this one, it’s definitely worth your while. 

Often times, it's quite easy to understand what makes a motion picture absolutely wonderful because the formula to making a good film is simple, you need quality to be present in every important facet of the movie. You get a great script, pair it with a thoughtful and visionary director and some top notch acting and lo and behold, you are left with a film that withstands the test of time and is beloved by all.

But, there are exceptions to that rule. Sometimes there are films that offer up a weak script, or a merely adequate director and performances and yet they just so happen to steal our hearts when we settle in to watch it. They ignite something special within all of us and regardless of the motion picture's flaws, we always remember the story and the adventure fondly and always manage to smile when we find it on television or pop it into our DVD player and one such film that qualifies into this category, is Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory.

Now I did just say that this movie falls under that 'flawed' category, and I stand by that. Because when you think about the story from a technical aspect, it certainly has its issues. The script is wonky at times, shifting back and forth from being a fantasy style film to a musical, to even a drama. Some of the performances are over the top, and while it seems as though we are headed into negative territory in this review, that's simply not the case. Because I also made mention of the fact that films like this, find their way into our hearts, and this one does because at its core...Willy Wonka is a unique adventure that touches us all because it manages to encapsulate the wonder of a child's imagination and in the process take us back to our childhood. 

In a way, this film literally recreates our childhood because it portrays exactly how we were as children, all over the place, filled with manic joy that moves us from moment to moment with glee and that's where the film sucks us in. We relate to Charlie, and some elements of the nastier kids taking the tour with him, because we all knew a Veruca Salt or Augustus Gloop back in the day and their fates give us a certain sense of satisfaction that they got theirs when some of the punks we knew back then did not. But outside of bringing our youth back to life...little in this film would have worked without a powerful actor to keep the film grounded in a sense of reality and purpose, and well...this film has that in Gene Wilder and his incredible performance. 

In fact, Wilder is what makes the film so wonderful. His portrayal of the mysterious chocolatier serves as the bridge for the audience since one moment he can be a great big kid cavorting around his own factory before snapping into adult mode and helping us learn a valuable lesson about life and how we should conduct ourselves and his role as conductor of a mortal themed ride is subtle to say the least since he lets the Oompah Loompahs handle the heavy handed stuff. But what truly sticks with us about his performance, is the fact that it is completely genuine. It almost seems as though Gene Wilder the actor disappears in this story, and all that remains is Wonka and the endearing moments he brings us, along with beautiful quotes left and right that leave you thinking are why this film reaches us on an intimate level. We've all shared those moments with our father, or mother, or uncle/aunt or grandfather/grandmother and it warms our heart to relive those tender memories in our special way. 

Either way, this film will no doubt stand as one of the finest performances Gene Wilder ever turned in, and now that he has passed on, it makes this movie all the more important once again, if only to see a gifted actor in action as he turned a wild and off the wall character into a thoughtful and powerful man who only wants to bring out the best in people...if they so choose; and when you combine that performance with the incredible visuals this film has to offer...well this is simply a rare treat. That one of a kind perfect storm of creativity and wonder, that will sadly never come again. If by chance you haven't seen this one, do it as soon as you can and for those of us that have seen it, well it's high time to watch it once again to relish in all the magic this film provides us with...and to relish in the joy that the late Gene Wilder brought into our lives. 

​Cult classics are films that outright fascinate me for so many reasons. Because no two are the same when it comes to their quality or their story, and why people love them varies from film to film. Some love the cheesier ones because of their endearing nature, some love the fact that someone truly took the time to put together a wild film that while it was a box office failure, defied conventions and offered us something new and fresh and sometimes, a movie becomes a cult classic simply because it’s fun and oddly enough offers up something special to audiences of all ages.
 
But of the many cult classics out there, one that continues to fascinate me is 1997’s Starship Troopers. Because in many ways, this film should have gone down in history as a big-time turkey. After all, at first glance, this seems like quite the loosey-goosey adaptation of Robert Heinlein’s novel since it seemingly removed the harrowing experiences found on the page, instead replacing a grand commentary on war with a 90210-esque storyline featuring teenagers caught up in a bloody conflict and even then, one can argue that it falls short in providing quality there as well. But the fact of the matter is, there’s a lot to like about this motion picture, and when all is said and done, it’s outright brilliant.
 
Because this cult classic, meets every single bullet point that I made mention of a moment ago. Sure, the acting is a bit hammy and over the top at times, and you are darn right the plot is silly, but it really is an endearing film. There’s a genuine heart to these performances as the cast tries to sell a wild story about an epic war with interstellar bugs and while this movie wasn’t exactly a box office smash, it really did give us a solid effort when it comes to its production values and it features some breathtaking action and well, the sweeping action sequences and surprisingly gory violence help to cover up many of the film’s glaring mistakes because you do get outright lost in the moment.
 
However, I am a firm believer that the movie’s social commentary on nationalism and propaganda is what makes it resonate with audiences today because while the civilian vs. citizen concept, and silly ‘Would You Like to Know More?’ segments, were laughable back in ’97, they’re oddly chilling now since American society is embroiled over a grand debate of what it means to be American and social media has allowed for charged segments and networks to exist where people are more than happy to learn more about a topic that reflects their views and their ideologies.
 
But, all of that chilling commentary aside, the biggest draw when it comes to this movie, is that it is downright fun. It really did defy convention by giving us a violent and sweeping war movie that’s filled with cheeky moments and laughs and it’s a film that brings a smile to people’s faces when you talk about it and well, it’s one that quite frankly should be celebrated for trying new things and it’s a movie that I look upon fondly and it’s one that I need to revisit more often due to its unexpected brilliance and to re-live my favorite moments. So, if by chance you haven’t seen this one, do so, you’ll be glad you did, since it offers up some fine ideas and plenty of crazy moments to get lost in. 

​The bio-pic is and will forever be a risky gambit for filmmakers, for so many reasons. The first one being, you only have two hours to tell a complete tale about someone’s life, and that often means that corners will be cut, important moments will be omitted or shuffled around to maximize dramatic effect for the audience and well, that juggling act is no easy task. Sometimes though, it works out in spades and the changes made to a person’s life on the silver screen go unnoticed and audiences enjoy the powerful and inspiring story that plays out before them.
 
But when fans have poured over a person’s life, or they are iconic enough that just about everyone knows their story, well…that’s when disaster strikes for these particular films because so many can and will point out the flaws and inaccuracies and one such motion picture that has taken some serious flak, with good reason, is Bohemian Rhapsody, a movie that focuses on the life and times of musical legend Freddie Mercury and the band Queen and well, this is a film that does make some glaring mistakes when it comes to Freddie’s life, the kind that are wild enough to potentially remove the audience from the experience and ruin the film, yet…those unfortunate goofs can be overlooked because this story offers so much more for the audience.
 
Case in point, the fact that it puts a homosexual man squarely in the spotlight and handles his sexuality with class and grace, even going so far as to give the audience a fine understanding of Freddie’s struggles in discovering his sexuality, and this is just wonderful to see. Because films that take the time to present LGBTQ characters or historical figures as human beings are in short supply, and I truly appreciated that Freddie was presented as a man instead of a gimmick here, and that his life-long battles with some powerful demons was showcased as well, and taking the time to examine Freddie’s lack of self-worth and desperate desire to be loved makes him supremely relatable in this tale since let’s be honest, we’ve all battled those problems at some point in our lives.

​Which brings us to what exactly makes this film such an inspiring experience. Because despite Freddie’s flaws, and firm belief that he mattered to no one, he still went out and lived his dream and inspired others and made them feel special and as though they belonged and seeing Freddie realize the impact that Queen’s music had on people and how so many people did in fact love him definitely gives the audience pause when watching this film because it forces the viewer to take a moment and reflect upon their own lives briefly and take inventory on similar matters and well that was an unexpected surprise to find in a bio-pic, but fitting when all is said and done.
 
Of course, none of this works without a solid cast and a rockin’ soundtrack since it would be a crime to not include Queen’s iconic music in a movie that features the band and thankfully, the film delivers on those fronts as well. Because you’ll definitely find your toes tapping as some of Queen’s greatest hits play over key scenes and quite frankly, you’ll be blown away by Rami Malek’s performance as Freddie Mercury simply because, Rami just becomes Freddie. From his mannerisms to the look, he just embodies the man and he steals every single scene in the movie he’s in and well, Rami needs to be nominated for just about every award imaginable because this is a performance for the ages.
 
And his portrayal of Freddie is another reason why you need to see this movie as soon as possible. It’s simply a magnificent story to watch and while it has its flaws, those are all easily forgotten thanks to the amazing story that unfolds, one that celebrates the life of one of the greatest rock stars to ever take the stage, one that reminds just how amazing a band Queen really is and one that quite frankly, leaves you with your spirits soaring when you walk you out of the theater. Because if Freddie can ignore the odds that were against him in order to live out his dreams, what’s our excuse? And if by chance you’re not looking for anything that deep at the multiplex, see it anyways just because this movie is a blast, and you will laugh, and cry and dance in your seat, because this is just a fine story, about a wonderful human being.