Free Birds

"Do you know what "hypothetically" means?"

"No, but I can imagine a scenario where I might."

Reggie (Wilson) is pardoned by the President of the United States (Hayward) for Thanksgiving.  As the pardoned turkey, he lives a life of luxury, until he is kidnapped by Jake (Harrelson).  Jake received a mission from The Great Turkey to find Reggie and save all turkeys.  They break into a top secret government facility and take the time machine.  The time machine is controlled by an AI called S.T.E.V.E. (Takei), who takes them back in time to a few days before the first Thanksgiving.

The wild turkeys are led by Chief Broadbeak (David).  They are being hunted by Myles Standish (Meaney) and other colonists, to serves as the main course at their meal with the native tribe.  The turkeys are highly intelligent and their scouts, led by the Chief's son Ranger (Hayward), have a plan to stay alive and stay one step ahead of the hunters.  Reggie is captivated by the Chief's fearkess daughter, Jenny (Poehler).  Reggie and Jake join the flock and concoct a plan to save their friends and all future turkeys.  But the settlers have plans of their own; who will win the battle for the first Thanksgiving?


I watched this film on Thanksgiving morning.  As the aroma of turkey filled the air, I laughed at the antics on the screen.  It isn't a great animated film, but it does have it's moments... and I appreciate that there is finally another animated Thanksgiving film.

Owen Wilson has previous experience as a voice actor, starring in Pixar's Cars franchise as Lightning McQueen.  He brings the same charm to this role.  He is matched by the excitement of Woody Harrelson.  Harrelson always brings a unique perspective to his characters, and Jake is not exception.  Amy Poehler is an excellent comedian and her voice really lends itself well to the character and to animation in general.  George Takei brings a solid dose of sarcasm to S.T.E.V.E.  The voice cast is perfect.

The story is not great... it has good moments, but it looses track a few times.  It is funny, but definitely won't appeal to everyone.

Free Birds (2013) 91 minutes
Director: Jimmy Hayward
Starring: Owen Wilson as Reggie
Woody Harrelson as Jake
Amy Poehler as Jenny
Dan Fogler as Governor Bradford
George Takei as S.T.E.V.E.
Colm Meaney as Myles Standish
Keith David as Chief Broadbeak
Jimmy Hayward as Ranger; President of the United States

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles

"Are you crazy?"

"Not yet. But I'm getting there."

It's two days before Thanksgiving and Neal Page (Martin) is anxious to get home.  He is stuck in a boring meeting at work in New York, with the minutes ticking down until his flight back to Chicago.  He gets to the flight just in time, but the flight is delayed.  During the wait, he begins chatting with a fellow traveler Del Griffith (Candy), who stole his taxi.  Neal and Del are seated together on the plane.  The plane is grounded in Wichita due to a blizzard in Chicago.

With no other option, they decide to team up to find a place to spend the night.  With all of the flights booked, can they find a way to get to Chicago in time for Thanksgiving?


Prior to today I had seen a few scenes from this film, but somehow I never watched the entire film.  I didn't even though it was about Thanksgiving (my guess was Christmas).  Anyway, since Thanksgiving is in a few days, I decided it was time to officially watch this film.

This film was written and directed by John Hughes, his fifth time as a director.  He was responsible for some of the most popular films of the 1980s.  He would go on to write and produce 2 popular Christmas films: Christmas Vacation and Home Alone.

The casting is perfect here, and the film revolves around these characters, with only a few other characters appearing in multiple scenes.  John Candy, who would collaborate with Hughes many more times, is great here... alternating between endearing and irritating.  Steve Martin does well with uptight characters, managing to skate the line between grating and funny.  Together they are excellent.

Check it out this Thanksgiving (instant streaming on Netflix) when you think your travel or family are too much.

Planes, Trains & Automobiles (1987) 93 minutes
Rating: R
Director: John Hughes
Starring: Steve Martin as Neal Page
John Candy as Del Griffith
Laila Robins as Susan Page
Olivia Burnette as Marti Page
Matthew Lawrence as Little Neal Page
Susan Isaacs as Marie

Batman Returns

"Mistletoe can be deadly if you eat it."

"But a kiss can be even deadlier if you mean it."

With Christmas around the corner, corrupt businessman Max Shreck (Walken) is trying to convince Gotham City officials to approve his new power plant.  He teams up with the Penguin (DeVito), who has lived in Gotham sewers since childhood when he was abandoned.  The Penguin saves the Mayor's (Murphy) son and is called a hero.  He uses his newfound fame to learn his real name, Oswald Cobblepot.

Meanwhile, Shreck's secretary Selina Kyle (Pfeiffer) discovers the truth behind the power plant and is killed.  She is revived by a pack of alley cats and becomes Catwoman to destroy Shreck.  Bruce Wayne (Keaton) is not convinced that Shrek and the Penguin are being completely honest and begins investigating.  He and Selina are attracted to each other, while their alter egos have a bitter rivalry.  Can Bruce save the city and get the girl?


After the success of the 1989 Batman film, Tim Burton and Michael Keaton were approached to do a sequel.  Burton did not want to make a direct sequel, so Vicki Vale (portrayed by Kim Basinger) did not return for the sequel, although she is mentioned a few times.  The only actors to return for the film were Keaton, Pat Hingle as Commissioner Gordon, and Michael Gough as Alfred.

Once again the writers used iconic Batman villains from the 1960s TV show.  This time Danny DeVito put his own spin on the Penguin.  Burgess Meredith was the Penguin in the show and 1966 film.  DeVito takes a much darker spin on the character, who has not appeared in any subsequent Batman films, although he is a main character on TV's Gotham.  Michelle Pfeiffer is perfectly cast as Catwoman.  Catwoman was portrayed by 3 different women on the show: Julie Newmar, Lee Meriwhether, and Eartha Kitt.  She also appeared on the WB show Birds of Prey, along with every cartoon version of Batman, and was played by Anne Hathaway in The Dark Knight Rises.  She is a beloved character, and Pfeiffer is one of the best parts of the film.

This film is even better than Burton's first Batman film, but much darker and more gruesome.  The film might have worked better with only 1 villain, and potentially setting up future villains (the script originally featured Harvey Dent and setup his transformation into Two-Face).  Or maybe it needed less emphasis on Max Shreck, who is a new character.  Christopher Walken is good, creepy and calculating, but he could be better used elsewhere.  A decent Batman film, although it ushered in 2 terrible Batman films (Batman Forever and Batman and Robin).

Batman Returns (1992) 126 minutes
Rating: PG-13 for brooding, dark violence
Director: Tim Burton
Starring: Michael Keaton as Bruce Wayne / Batman
Danny DeVito as Oswald Cobblepot / Penguin
Michelle Pfeiffer as Selina Kyle / Catwoman
Christopher Walken as Max Shreck
Michael Murphy as Mayor of Gotham City
Pat Hingle as Commissioner James Gordon
Michael Gough as Alfred Pennyworth

Batman (1989)

"What do you want?"
"My face on the one dollar bill."
"You must be joking."
"Do I look like I'm joking?"

Gotham City is overrun with corruption and crime.  Police Commissioner Gordon (Hingle) and District Attorney Harvey Dent (Williams) are trying to increase the police presence and eradicate crime, especially with the city's bicentennial celebrate on the horizon.  But their efforts are continually thwarted by corrupt police officers and the mob organizations that have a strong hold on the city.  At the head of the mob presence is Carl Grissom (Palance) and his ambitious second-in-command Jack Napier (Nicholson).  Napier is seemingly killed when he falls into a vat of dangerous chemicals, but is reborn as the Joker.  Now insane, he brutally murders the other crime bosses and begins a violent crime wave.

Meanwhile, reporter Alexander Knox (Wuhl) is investigating a mysterious giant bat that is terrorizing criminals.  He is joined by famed photographer Vicki Vale (Basinger), although the rest of the city views his story as a joke.  The Batman is striking fear into the hearts of criminals and doing what the city police are unwilling or unable to do.  Batman is the alter ego of millionaire Bruce Wayne (Keaton), who is scarred by murder of his parents that he witnessed as a child.  He is focused on justice for the city, and with the help of his trusted butler Alfred (Gough), fights crime every evening.  He is intrigued by Vicki and the two begin a relationship.  Can he protect the city and the woman he loves?


In 1939, artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger created Batman for DC comics.  He was a dark character, the perfect contrast to DC's most famous character: Superman.  In the 1960s the character was restyled with a campier feel, which appeared in the comics and in the live-action TV show starring Adam West in 1966.  There was also a 1966 film version of Batman, starring the cast of the TV show.  Over 2 decades later it was time for Batman to change again.

Tim Burton, having only directed 2 films, envisioned a darker Batman, reminiscent of the character's 1940s origin.  The script, by Sam Hamm and Warren Skaaren, made Batman and Gotham much darker.  He cast Michael Keaton, previously known for comedy roles, as the caped crusader, despite protests from fans.  For Batman's iconic villain the Joker, he cast Jack Nicholson.  Nicholson took the character to a darker, weirder place.  The Joker has appeared in 3 Batman films, each having a different iconic take on the character: Cesar Romero in 1966, Nicholson, and Heath Ledger (in an Oscar winning performance) in The Dark Knight.

Fans of the comics were upset by several major discrepancies in the film.  Their main issue involved the identity of the man who murdered Bruce's parents, which changed for this film.  However, these changes were approved by Bob Kane.

The film is visually impressive, bringing Gotham City to life.  Nicholson's performance is also a great aspect of the film.  He owns the film and every scene.  The rest of the cast are fine.  Michael Keaton is distant but good as Batman, and returned in the sequel Batman Returns.  Pat Hingle and Michael Gough appeared in all four of the 1990 Batman films, and are the only actors / characters to appear in all four.  Kim Basinger's character is not well developed, despite her large presence in the Batman comics, and her screaming is grating.  The film is interesting to watch, especially when compared to Christopher Nolan's trilogy and the 1966 film / TV show.

Batman (1989) 126 minutes
Rating: PG-13 for brooding, dark violence
Director: Tim Burton
Starring: Michael Keaton as Bruce Wayne / Batman
Jack Nicholson as Jack Napier / The Joker
Kim Basinger as Vicki Vale
Robert Wuhl as Alexander Knox
Pat Hingle as Commissioner Gordon
Billy Dee Williams as Harvey Dent
Michael Gough as Alfred Pennyworth
Jack Palance as Carl Grissom
Jerry Hall as Alicia Hunt
Tracey Walter as Bob

TV: The Middleman

"I tell ya. Some chucklehead's always tryin' to take over the world."

Wendy Watson (Morales) is a painter working temp jobs to pay her rent.  One day at her temp job a lab experiment turns into a tentacled monster.  The monster is dispatched by the Middleman (Keeslar), who is impressed with Wendy's demeanor in the face of imminent danger.  He hires Wendy as his sidekick / Middleman in training, to help deal with weird situations / circumstances.  They are assisted by Ida (Gleeson), a cranky android.  Their cover is a temp agency called Jolly Fats Wehawkin Temp Agency.

Wendy shares an apartment with her best friend, Lacey (Morgan), a performance artist.  And they across the hall from Noser (Smollett), a laid-back musician who relishes his song-lyric conversations with Wendy.  Can Wendy protect the world and her secret job, and still have time for her friends and her art?


Fighting evil so you don't have to.
This show is based on the comic series by Javier Grillo-Marxuach and Les McClaine.  Grillo-Marxuach adapted the series for ABC Family.  The show was cancelled after 12 episodes, but the cast reunited at Comic Con in 2009 to perform a live reading of the 13th episode, which was never filmed.  You can watch the whole thing on YouTube.

Natalie Morales is snarky perfection as Wendy.  She is the audience surrogate and gets some of the funniest lines, besides Mary Pat Gleeson's Ida.  The main cast members perfectly breathe life into their characters.  They also had a slew of talented guest stars to play opposite.  It was ridiculous and endearing, with lots of in jokes and pop culture references... and all of the villains monologue that "My plan is sheer elegance in it's simplicity."  The show was enjoyable, but was too unique to have any hope to survive long-term.

The Middleman (2008)
Creator: Javier Grillo-Marxuach
Starring: Matt Keeslar as The Middleman
Natalie Morales as Wendy Watson
Brit Morgan as Lacey Thornfield
Mary Pat Gleeson as Ida
Jake Smollett as Noser

Crimes of Fashion (2004)

"Look, I am a fashion student. I design pretty clothes that don't include gun holsters."

Brooke Taylor (Cuoco) is a hapless fashion student.  She works hard on her designs, but can't seem to catch a break.  All that changes when she is approached by George (Chianese), an associate of her grandfather.  She learns that her grandfather died and named her as his successor in the family business: mob boss of the Sarto family.

Meanwhile, her actions are being monitored by the FBI, who intend to use her to take down the mob.  Clumsy agent Jack Lawton (Kelly) is assigned to go undercover at the school to gain Brooke's confidence.  Brooke also has to contend with mob boss Sal Hugo (Shamata), who intends to destroy her family.  Can Brooke divide her time between her classes and the family she never she had?


This was an ABC Family original movie that aired in 2004.  I remember seeing commercials for the film, but never got around to watching it.  I rediscovered this film recently on Netflix.  Since the film aired, the two female leads have become household names.  Kaley Cuoco, who is best known for her TV roles (Penny on The Big Bang Theory and Bridget on 8 Simple Rules), is charming here.  Megan Fox is the perfect foil as Candace.  Fox is best known for her film roles (in the Transformers series).

The film is predictable, but entertaining.  It is mindless fun and good for a lazy afternoon.

Crimes of Fashion (2004) 89 minutes
Director: Stuart Gillard
Starring: Kaley Cuoco as Brooke Taylor
Dominic Chianese as George
Megan Fox as Candace
Pat Kelly as Jack Lawton
Chuck Shamata as Sal Hugo
Jill Morrison as Dee
Serena Lee as Page
Anthony Sherwood as Sr FBI Agent

Swiss Family Robinson

"Why don't we put up a distress flag?"

"Don't you think we look distressed enough? Anyone who sees a ship stuck on the rocks might possibly guess it's in trouble."

The Robinson family leave their home in Bern, Switzerland for a new life in New Guinea.  Their ship is attacked by pirates and caught in a terrible storm.  When the storm subsides, they discover that the crew is gone and they are shipwrecked.  An island is nearby and Father (Mills) suggests they build a raft and go to shore.

On the island, they build an elaborate treehouse to protect them from the wild.  Mother (McGuire) still hopes they will be rescued, but her sons want to explore the island.  Fritz (MacArthur), the oldest son is resourceful, Ernst (Kirk) is the brains of the family, and Francis (Corcoran) wants to go on adventures and catch different animals.  Can they survive the wild and evade pirates until they get rescued?


We watched this film many times during my childhood.  My brother and I loved the film and all of the animals and always dreamed of living in a tree house like the family.  It is a classic Disney film, that featured many Disney favorites.

The film does not translate as well in modern times... and this film could not be made the same way today.  The main problem is the treatment of the animals, which were not as strict as they are now.  The movie was filmed in Tobago and looks great.

Apparently the story is based on a book ("The Swiss Robinson" written by Johann David Wyss).  And the story has been adapted for TV movies on several occasions.  It is an interesting story, and gave the filmmakers lots of freedom for adaptation.

The film works so well because you love the characters.  English actor John Mills is a compelling lead, who starred in future Disney films alongside his daughter Hayley Mills.  Doroth McGuire starred in several Disney films and is best known for playing the mother in Old Yeller, alongside Tommy Kirk and Kevin Corcoran who  played her sons again in this film.  James MacArthur went on to star in Hawaii Five-O.  Tommy Kirk and Kevin Corcoran were Disney regulars, who made several movies together.  And Janet Munro starred in several other Disney films including Darby O'Gill and the Little People.

I love the ending with the big battle and the family festival.

Swiss Family Robinson (1960) 126 minutes
Director: Ken Annakin
Starring: John Mills as Father Robinson
Dorothy McGuire as Mother Robinson
James MacArthur as Fritz Robinson
Janet Munro as Roberta
Sessue Hayakawa as Kuala, Pirate Chief
Tommy Kirk as Ernst Robinson
Kevin Corcoran as Francis Robinson
Cecil Parker as Captain Moreland
Andy Ho as Auban