Movie Stakeout Reviews 22/02/19-28/02/19
All the latest Movieland investigate from detectives Dick Japowski & Joey Arizona.
The VHS Chronicles with Detective Dick Japowski.
Showdown in Little Tokyo (1991)
A vicious drug lord lord meets his match when he goes up against Dolph Lundgren's Champ and his new partner Brandon Lee.
There's a moment in this movie where Lee compliments Champ on having the biggest penis he has ever seen. We never see it. But it's the balls that impress me, with this and other movies like this of the time.
Kung-pokery fun of the highest order.
First watch: 3.5 Doughnuts
The Arizona Case Files
Man on the Moon (1999)
Jim Carrey stars as influential alternative comic Andy Kaufman, a role which if you believe the documentary Andy & Me: The Great Beyond was a completely immersive experience for Carrey...something I'm sure Kaufman would appreciate.
I'd not long discovered the sitcom Taxi when this came out, and only knew Kaufman from that, and didn't really get his humour out of the role that made him famous. Obviously my tastes have matured/de-evolved since because I found myself chuckling along to Kaufman's ludicrous antics this time round.
Rewatch: 4 Doughnuts
The Arizona Case Files
Passengers (2016)
Chris Pratt wakes from hibernation 90 years too early and he's all alone...wait a minute, is that Jennifer Lawrence in that stasis pod?
Passengers is enjoyable, if sometimes predictable, and looks beautiful, but the last people alive romance might be more believable if it didn't star two of the most beautiful people on the planet.
First watch: 3.5 Doughnuts
The VHS Chronicles with Detective Dick Japowski.
Brewster's Millions (1985)
Richard Pryor has just 30 days in which to spend 30 million dollars. If he succeeds he'll get 300 million. If he fails nada! The only catch, he can't tell anyone what he's doing and he can't own anything at the end of the month. Phew sounds stressful!
I remember in primary school writing about this being the highlight of my weekend, and it's still good but it slows down in the middle then ends abruptly and caused me heavy anxiety! The child me probably had cola cubes to deal with this!
Rewatch: 3 Doughnuts
The Many Views of Detective Dick Japowski
Birdy (1984)
Returning home from the Vietnam war in a catatonic state, Matthew Modine's Birdy is visited by his old home town friend Al, who tries to spark some memories in him.
Alan Parker does an amazing job directing this unlikely friendship and Nicholas Cage shows he's the real McCoy.
First watch: 4 Doughnuts
The Many Views of Detective Dick Japowski
Will Work for Views: The Low-fi Life of Weird Paul.
If you're not familiar with Weird Paul then it's time you got acquainted! Paul is the original internet vlogger who was making awesome videos, documenting his life and his family all through the 80s.
This documentary is a window into his day to day life and the hard work he puts into coming up with new content for his fans.
The film goes from extremely funny, (Paul having to take down a shed) to very touching moments like going to L.A for the first time and being unsure of his place.
Here's hoping this documentary finally gets him the recognition he and his music deserves. Now available on Amazon Prime.
First watch: 4.5 Doughnuts
The Arizona Case Files
Paddleton (2019)
When Michael finds out he has terminal cancer he ask his best friend to help him die.
This is one of those movies where nothing really happens, but that's kind of the point, it's what makes Michael and Andy's friendship feel genuine, and it's what makes the finale all the more heartbreaking. Make sure you bring the tissues.
First watch: 3 Doughnuts
Have you witnessed any of the movies we've investigated? What's the verdict? Are they guilty or innocent? Let us know in the comments below.