Galaxy Quest

"Did you guys ever WATCH the show?"

Seventeen years after their show aired, the cast of Galaxy Quest are out of work and spend their time signing autographs at fan conventions.  The show followed the adventures of the crew of the NSEA Protector.  Jason Nesmith (Allen) was the star of the show and his ego has alienated all of his co-stars.  He arrives late to conventions and manages to steal the spotlight.  The rest of the cast includes Gwen DeMarco (Weaver) who has a history with Nesmith and had no purpose on the ship, Alexander Dane (Rickman) a classically trained actor who hates his character and catchphrase, Fred Kwan (Shalhoub) is laid back, Tommy Webber (Mitchell) was a child on the original show, and Guy Fleegman (Rockwell) was an unnamed character who was killed in an early episode.

At one convention, he meets a group of Thermians, who he believes are hosting the next gig.  The Thermians, led by Mathesar (Colantini), believe the show is a historical account and want Nesmith to negotiate with their oppressor Sarris (Sachs).  Believing it is just another convention with fans, fires on Sarris and returns to the earth.  The Thermians return and ask Nesmith to negotiate peace between them and Sarris, and he takes his co-stars along.  They soon realize that the ship and situation are real, and they must help the Thermians or be killed with them.


The film is an homage to the original Star Trek series, specifically the cast and character perceptions and the rabid fandom.  Cast members from the original series and the Star Trek: The Next Generation apparently enjoyed the film and the references to the show, their characters, and their personalities.

The film is still funny today, with many memorable quotes and moments, especially for science fiction fans.  Tim Allen is always funny, and here is no different.  Sigourney Weaver has some great moments and lines "Let's get out of here before one of those things kills Guy."  I love Alan Rickman's delivery and the fact that although his character hates his persona, he stays in costume for the entire film.  Tony Shalhoub, who is best known for Monk, proves that he can be other characters convincingly.  Daryl Mitchell also has great delivery, the scene on the alien planet cracks me up.  But the real scene-stealer is Sam Rockwell.  He spends most of the film in terror that his character is going to die because on the show he didn't have a name.

The Thermians are equally entertaining, with their stilted speech and mannerisms.  It's great to look at the different actors and actresses who had minor roles as Thermians, who have since gone on to more memorable roles: Rainn Wilson (from The Office), Sam Lloyd (from Scrubs), etc.  This was Missi Pyle (Laliari) and Justin Long's (Brandon) film debut.  Both are good in their roles.

Overall, it is a funny film that science fiction fans and non-fans will enjoy.

Galaxy Quest (1999) 102 minutes
Director: Dean Parisot
Starring: Tim Allen as Jason Nesmith / Captain Taggart
Sigourney Weaver as Gwen DeMarco
Alan Rickman as Alexander Dane
Tony Shalhoub as Fred Kwan
Sam Rockwell as Guy Fleegman
Daryl Mitchell as Tommy Webber
Enrico Colantini as Mathesar
Robin Sachs as Sarris
Patrick Breen as Quelleck
Missi Pyle as Laliari
Jed Rees as Teb
Justin Long as Brandon

Cuban Fury

"I have something you don't"

"Type 2 diabetes?"

As a teen Bruce Garrett was an unstoppable salsa champion, until bullies crushed his spirit.  Twenty years later he is an engineer and hasn't danced for decades.  No one in his life knows about his dance past, except his sister Sam (Colman), who was his dance partner.

His new boss, Julia (Jones), is beautiful and unattainable, until he learns that she loves salsa.  With his jerky co-worker Drew (O'Dowd) also pursuing Julia, Bruce decides to return to salsa.  Can his former teacher Ron Parfitt (McShane) and the other dancers at the studio reignite Bruce's passion for dance in time to win Julia's heart?


I have loved Nick Frost since his days on Spaced and his film collaborations with Simon Pegg (who has a funny cameo here): Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, Paul, and The World's End.  He also has a successful career on his own.  He starred in Hyperdrive, and has a nice variety of film roles.  This film proves that he has the ability to be a compelling lead actor and carry a film on his own.  He is endearing as Bruce and shows off his dance moves.  He is surrounded by talented actors who are clearly having a blast.

Chris O'Dowd, who typically plays good guys, goes for broke as the smarmy Drew.  I loved him in The IT Crowd and his movie roles, but it was nice to see him do something new.  The dance-off scene between Frost and O'Dowd is one of the best scenes in the film (pictured above).  Rashida Jones is underused and her character is underdeveloped.  She has proven that she can be compelling and funny, and it is tragic that she doesn't get to show off like the rest of the cast.  The real standout is Kayvan Novak.  He is hilarious.  Apparently in the UK, he created and starred in the show Fonejacker where he performs as several different characters.  Now he is poised to take Hollywood by storm.  Ian McShane and Olivia Colman are great in their respective roles.

A funny film with a solid Latin soundtrack and lots of salsa dancing.

Cuban Fury (2014) 98 minutes
Rating: R for language and sexual references
Director: James Griffiths
Starring: Nick Frost as Bruce Garrett
Rashida Jones as Julia
Chris O'Dowd as Drew
Olivia Colman as Sam
Ian McShane as Ron Parfitt
Alexandra Roach as Helen
Rory Kinnear as Gary
Kayvan Novak as Bejan
Tim Plester as Mickey

Blended (2014)

"What the fudge is he doing here?!"
"Is this a sick dream?"
"Do I have a new mommy?"

Lauren Reynolds (Barrymore) and Jim Friedman (Sandler) are setup on a disastrous blind date.  Lauren is a perfectionist and co-owns a closet organization business.  She is divorced with 2 sons, geeky teen Brendan (Beckham) and adventurous tween Tyler (Silverstein).  Jim is a manager at Dick's Sporting Goods, re-entering the dating pool after the death of his wife.  He is trying to raise 3 daughters, athletic Hillary (Thorne), Espn (Fuhrmann) who can't let go of her mother, and adorable Lou (Lind).

When Lauren's best friend / business partner Jen (McLendon-Covey) ends her relationship with Jim's boss, their family vacation to Africa is up for grabs.  Both Jim and Lauren's families end up on the trip, which is a retreat for blended families.  Can they put aside their differences long enough to enjoy the trip?


This is the third film collaboration of Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore.  In 1998 they starred in The Wedding Singer, also directed by Frank Coraci, then in 2004 they starred in 50 First Dates.  I enjoyed both of those films and looked forward to seeing them together again.  I was not disappointed.

Sandler and Barrymore have great chemistry and seem to enjoy working together. The film features small roles by the usual Sandler regulars, including cameos for characters from The Wedding Singer and 50 First Dates.  Wendi McLendon-Covey is entertaining as Lauren's best friend.  Terry Crews is over the top and Abdoulaye N'Gom is an understated funny.  Kevin Nealon and Jessica Lowe steal the show as the overly affectionate newlyweds.  The kids are good as well, although Braxton Beckham's Brendan can be grating.  Joel McHale is the right amount of smarmy.

This film won't appeal to everyone, but it is still funny.

Blended (2014) 117 minutes
Rating: PG-13 for crude and sexual content, and language
Director: Frank Coraci
Starring: Adam Sandler as Jim Friedman
Drew Barrymore as Lauren Reynolds
Bella Thorne as Hillary Friedman
Emma Fuhrmann as Espn Friedman
Braxton Beckham as Brendan Reynolds
Alyvia Alyn Lind as Lou Friedman
Kyle Red Silverstein as Tyler Reynolds
Terry Crews as Nickens
Abdoulaye N'Gom as Mfana
Joel McHale as Mark
Wendi McLendon-Covey as Jen
Kevin Nealon as Eddy
Jessica Lowe as Ginger
Zak Henri as Jake
Shaquille O'Neal as Doug

The Other Woman (2014)

"If we find anymore mistresses I'm going to have to send her to rehab."

Carly Whitten (Diaz) is in a serious relationship with Mark King (Coster-Waldau).  When he bails last minute on a dinner with her father, she decides to surprise him at home, where she discovers he is married.  His wife, Kate (Mann), visits Carly at work to confront her about the affair.  They bond over alcohol and their mutual disgust with Mark.

They follow Mark, and discover a third woman, Amber (Upton).  They meet Amber and explain the situation.  She is equally disgusted with Mark, and soon all three are plotting revenge, with a little help from Kate's architect brother Phil (Kinney), Carly's father Frank (Johnson) and her assistant Lydia (Minaj).


This film is mindless fun.  The previews (and the description of the film) show you exactly what the movie is about, and there is nothing wrong with that.  I enjoyed it.

Cameron Diaz and Leslie Mann are great at physical comedy, and those skills are put on display here.  They work well together and get some great physical moments and dialog.  Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, best known as Jaime Lannister on HBO's Game of Thrones, is the perfect foil for the ladies.  He is believable in the part and you enjoy watching his interactions with the women, especially as they get their revenge.  Kate Upton is good as well.  The rest of the cast are good in their respective roles.

Enjoyable, mindless fluff.

The Other Woman (2014) 109 minutes
Rating: PG-13 for mature thematic material, sexual references and language
Director: Nick Cassavetes
Starring: Cameron Diaz as Carly Whitten
Leslie Mann as Kate King
Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as Mark King
Don Johnson as Frank Whitten
Kate Upton as Amber
Taylor Kinney as Phil
Nicki Minaj as Lydia

Knights of Badassdom

"Needst is not a word."

"Where we are it is."

Joe (Kwanten) works as a mechanic by day and by night sings lead in a doom metal band.  His long-time girlfriend Beth (Levieva) is frustrated with his lack of ambition and ends the relationship.  He is heartbroken and plans to sulk and drink all weekend while his best friends / roommates are away to LARP (Live Action Role Play).  Eric (Zahn) and Hung (Dinklage) are accidental millionaires, and the three live in a castle.  Forced to choose between helping their friend and LARPing, they decide to do both and kidnap Joe.

When Joe wakes, he is dressed in armor and already at the event.  Eric is a level 26 wizard, who is trying to level up, and Hung is an expert with swords.  They convince Joe to stay and join their quest, despite the protestations of Ronnie (Simpson), the Game Master.  As the journey begins, Eric reads from an ancient book and unwittingly conjures a succubus from hell.  Can the make believe heroes defeat an actual foe?


I can't remember when and where I first heard about this film, but it was supposed to be epic.  After a long wait, it was finally released on DVD.  I thought it was great!

The cast is phenomenal; it is an impressive roster of geek icons.  Ryan Kwanten, best known for his role on HBO's True Blood,  is a charming lead.  He has great chemistry with Steve Zahn and Peter Dinklage, who play his best friends.  Zahn is adorably geeky and Dinklage, who is currently stealing the show on Showtime's Game of Thrones, is perfect and great with a sword.  Jimmi Simpson is hilarious as Ronnie.  He is a scene stealer and gets some great lines.  Summer Glau is great and holds her own with the boys.  The rest of the cast, including the small parts / cameos, are great as well.

Apparently, the film was mostly completed in 2011 and part was shown at the 2011 San Diego Comic Con.  However, the producers delayed the release for 2 years to re-edit portions of the film, without the consent of director, Joe Lynch.  Lynch has disowned the film, since it no longer reflects his vision.  You can read more about this at http://www.fthismovie.net/2013/12/assholes-please-release-joe-lynchs-cut.html

With that in mind, I enjoyed the film... but I won't add it to my collection until Lynch is able to release a Directors Cut.  Entertaining, but not perfect.

Knights of Badassdom (2013) 86 minutes
Rating: R for horror violence, language throughout, some drug use and sexuality
Director: Joe Lynch
Starring: Ryan Kwanten as Joe
Steve Zahn as Eric
Peter Dinklage as Hung
Summer Glau as Gwen
Margarita Levieva as Beth
Jimmi Simpson as Ronnie Kwok
Brett Gipson as Gunther
Danny Pudi as Lando

D3: The Mighty Ducks

"You guys are not skating like Warriors. You look like something else. You look like Ducks."

The Ducks have all received scholarships to attend Eden Hall Academy, the prestigious prep school their coach Gordon Bombay (Estevez) attended.  They are named the junior varsity hockey team, and are given a new coach, former Minnesota North Stars player Ted Orion (Nordling).  Bombay accepts a position with the Junior Goodwill Games.

The varsity hockey team, led by Rick (Orr) and Cole (Cudlitz) are not impressed with the Ducks.  They are especially annoyed because they don't feel the Ducks earned their spaces on the team.  The classes are difficult and Coach Orion makes drastic changes to the style and positions of the Ducks.  He also outlaws their Ducks jerseys and removes Charlie as captain.  Can the Ducks learn to fly in their setting?


This is my least favorite film The Mighty Ducks film series.  The film is fine, but is missing something.  The majority of the cast return for the film.  The only Duck missing is Jesse Hall, played by Brandon Adams.  Jesse was a pivotal character in the previous 2 films, and yet he is not in the film and his absence is never mentioned.  Many of Jesse's characteristics are given to Charlie, who is the focus of the film.  Hans appeared in the first film, but was replaced in the 2nd film with his brother Jan, is back here, but is underused.  And Jan is not mentioned in the film.  Interestingly, the varsity team is played by many of the actors who were rival hockey players in the previous films.  Jeffrey Nordling is fine, but Emilio Estevez is better in the part.

It was a good idea overall, but they definitely dropped the ball here.


D3: The Mighty Ducks (1996) 104 minutes
Director: Robert Lieberman
Starring: Emilio Estevez as Gordon Bombay
Jeffrey Nordling as Coach Ted Orion
Joshua Jackson as Charlie Conway
David Selby as Dean Buckley
Joss Ackland as Hans
Elden Ryan Ratliff as Fulton Reed
Shaun Weiss as Greg Goldberg
Vincent A. Larusso as Adam Banks
Matt Doherty as Lester Averman
Garette Ratliff Henson as Guy Germaine
Marguerite Moreau as Connie Moreau
Michael Cudlitz as Cole
Christopher Orr as Rick
Aaron Lohr as Dean Portman
Ty O'Neal as Dwayne Robertson
Kenan Thompson as Russ Tyler
Mike Vitar as Luis Mendoza
Colombe Jacobsen as Julie "The Cat" Gafney
Justin Wong as Ken Wu
Margot Finley as Linda