Sunday, June 16, 2024

Margot at the Wedding (2007)

  • What's it about?: A writer with BPD takes her son to visit her sister for her wedding.
  • Thoughts: It's ok. I don't have much to say on it. It's mostly just a bunch of nothingburger conversations with little bits of drama and tension. It's not bad, it just doesn't do much for me.
  • Rating: 6/10
  • Recommendation: Maybe
  • Tier: C
Supporting Characters
Malcolm
Jack Black
The guy marrying Margot's sister.

Other Notable Actors: Nicole Kidman, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Ciarán Hinds, John Turturro
Director/Writer: Noah Baumbach

Friday, May 31, 2024

The Holiday (2006)

  • What's it about?: An American woman in Hollywood (Cameron Diaz) and a British columnist (Kate Winslet) who both want to just get away after a bad break up swap houses for their vacations and both explore new relationships.
  • Thoughts: It's just another sappy romcom. It's not as painful as other romcoms, but the best I can say is it's ok.
  • Rating: 6/10
  • Recommendation: Maybe
  • Tier: C
Supporting Characters
Miles Dumont
Jack Black
A film composer who works with Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet's main love interest.

Other Notable Actors: Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jude Law, Eli Wallach, Rufus Sewell
Director/Writer: Nancy Meyers

Tuesday, May 28, 2024

Tenacious D in the Pick of Destiny (2006)


  • What's it about?: Jack Black goes to Hollywood to form a strong alliance and the world's most awesome band with Kyle Gass, but before they achieve greatness they must find the Pick of Destiny, win the open mic night contest and pay their rent. 
  • Thoughts: Movie is hilarious and the music is great, the best you could expect from the D.
  • Rating: 9/10
  • Recommendation: Highly Recommended
  • Tier: A
Main Character
J.B.
Jack Black
An aspiring rocker who teams up with K.G. to form the greatest and most awesome band ever.

Other notable actors: Kyle Gass, Meat Loaf, Ben Stiller, Tim Robbins, John C. Reilly, Dave Grohl
Writers: Jack Black, Kyle Gass

Thursday, May 23, 2024

Nacho Libre (2006)

  • What's it about?: A friar in a Mexican orphanage teams up with a street man to do luchador wrestling in order to get money to support the orphans.
  • Thoughts: It's good enough. It has a certain awkward charm to it. Could have done without the random farts sprinkled throughout that just don't really serve any purpose other than "haha, fat guy farted."
  • Rating: 7/10
  • Recommendation: Recommended
  • Tier: B
Main Character
Ignacio/Nacho
Jack Black
A friar who takes up luchador wrestling to support some orphans.

Director: Jared Hess
Writers: Jared Hess, Jerusha Hess
Producer: Jack Black


Tuesday, April 23, 2024

Danny Roane: First Time Director (2006)


  • What's it about?: A blackballed actor with substance abuse problems tries to make a film, obnoxious Andy Dick antics ensue.
  • Thoughts: It's bad. Andy dick is just an annoying and obnoxious asshole.
  • Rating: 3/10
  • Recommendation: Not Recommended
  • Tier: F
Cameos
Jack Black
Jack Black
Himself playing God in Danny's film.

Other notable actors: Andy Dick, Bob Odenkirk, James Van Der Beek, Anthony Rapp, Ben Stiller
Director: Andy Dick
Writer: Andy Dick

Thursday, April 18, 2024

King Kong (2005)


  • What's it about?: This remake goes back to following the plot of the original and staying within the period it came out in.
  • Thoughts: Honestly better than the original. The characters and story are much more fleshed out, Skull Island is more terrifying and of course a movie from 2005 with access to more modern filmmaking techniques is going to have better visuals than one from the 30s.
  • Rating: 9/10
  • Recommendation: Highly Recommended
  • Tier: A
Main Characters
Carl Denham
Jack Black
An ambitious filmmaker who just wanted to film a simple uncharted island.

Other notable actors: Andy Serkis, Naomi Watts, Adrien Brody, Thomas Kretschmann, Colin Hanks, Kyle Chandler, Jamie Bell
Director: Peter Jackson
Producer: Peter Jackson

Remake of: King Kong (1933)

Wednesday, April 17, 2024

The Mighty Kong (1998)


  • What's it about?: The original but animated and partially a musical.
  • Thoughts: Pretty bad. The animation is crap, the story is watered down, rushed and too cartoony.
  • Rating: 1/10
  • Recommendation: Not Recommended
  • Tier: F-
Notable Actors: Dudley Moore

Remake of: King Kong (1933)

King Kong Lives (1986)


  • What's it about?: 10 years after Kong was shot down he's somehow revived with an artificial heart and a blood transfusion from a newly discovered female Kong. The two escape to the wilderness where the female is captured by the military and now Kong has to save her.
  • Thoughts: A little more underwhelming than the last one, which should have been the end of it.
  • Rating: 5/10
  • Recommendation: Don't Care
  • Tier: D
Notable actors: Linda Hamilton
Director: John Guillermin

Sequel to: King Kong (1976)

Tuesday, April 16, 2024

King Kong (1976)

  • What's it about?: In this version an oil company goes to Skull Island seeking oil and then all the usual King Kong stuff happens. 
  • Thoughts: This one just doesn't seem as grand as its predecessor. The gorilla suit doesn't seem as special as stop-motion or mocap and there's a disappointing lack of dinosaurs and giant monster fights.
  • Rating: 6/10
  • Recommendation: Maybe
  • Tier: C
Notable actors: Jeff Bridges, Jessica Lange, Peter Cullen
Director: John Guillermin

Remake of: King Kong (1933)

Monday, April 15, 2024

Son of Kong (1933)


  • What's it about?: Following King Kong, Carl Denham seeks to escape prosecution in Indonesia where he gains a lead on treasure that leads him back to Skull Island where he meets the titular offspring. 
  • Thoughts: Pretty underwhelming follow up to such an iconic film. You don't even get to see the Son till the last half hour so there's not enough monke. 
  • Rating: 5/10
  • Recommendation: Don't Care
  • Tier: D
Notable actors: Robert Armstrong
Director: Ernest B. Schoedsack
Producer: Ernest B. Schoedsack

Sequel to: King Kong (1933)

King Kong (1933)


  • What's it about?: A filmmaker organizes an expedition to a dangerous unmarked island to find a giant monke. Look man it's King Kong, we all should know what happens in King Kong.
  • Thoughts: Pretty good for a film of the era. Stop motion holds up. 
  • Rating: 8/10
  • Recommendation: Highly Recommended
  • Tier: A
Notable actors: Robert Armstrong, Fay Wray, Bruce Cabot
Directors: Merian C. Cooper, Ernest B. Schoedsack
Producers: Merian C. Cooper, Ernest B. Schoedsack

Sunday, April 14, 2024

Shark Tale (2004)

 

  • What's it about?: An ambitious cleaner wrasse at the bottom of the food chain suddenly finds fame and fortune when the death of a high ranking mafia shark gets misattributed to him.
  • Thoughts: It's definitely not a great movie, but I don't necessarily think it's as bad as Schafrillas everyone else thinks. 
  • Rating: 4/10
  • Recommendation: Not Recommended
  • Tier: D
Supporting Characters
Lenny
Jack Black
The vegetarian and possibly gay allegory brother of the shark that Will Smith fish supposedly kills and son of the Robert De Niro mafia boss shark. He befriends Will Smith fish and fakes his death, not wanting to face his ashamed father.

Other notable actors: Will Smith, Jack Black, Robert De Niro, Renée Zellweger, Martin Scorsese, Angelina Jolie, Vincent Pastore
Director: Rob Letterman

Friday, April 12, 2024

Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)


  • What's it about?: A top news anchor in 1970s San Diego finds himself a rival and lover in a new coworker as she aims for his job.
  • Thoughts: This movie is just really fucking hilarious. Will Ferrell does a great job and even his costars get their fair share of laughs.
  • Rating: 9/10
  • Recommendation: Highly Recommended
  • Tier: A
Minor Antagonists
Jack Black
An angry biker who kicks Ron's dog into the river after he throws a burrito at him and wrecks his motorcycle. 

Other notable actors: Will Ferrell, Christina Applegate, Paul Rudd, Steve Carell, David Koechner, Vince Vaughn, Fred Willard, Chris Parnell, Kathryn Hahn, Fred Armisen, Luke Wilson, Tim Robbins, Ben Stiller, Danny Trejo
Director: Adam McKay
Writers: Will Ferrell, Adam McKay
Producer: Judd Apatow

Wednesday, April 10, 2024

Envy (2004)

  • What's it about?: Ben Stiller becomes envious of Jack Black after he invents a spray for dog shit and gets rich.
  • Thoughts: This movie is just dumb. The worst part, it's not Ben Stiller's poor envious attitude, it's not the liar revealed plot that ultimately has no consequences, it's not the country singer who keeps popping in and singing about envy, no the worst part is just how boring and unfunny it feels. 
  • Rating: 4/10
  • Recommendation: Not Recommended
  • Tier: D
Supporting Characters
Nick Vanderpark
Jack Black
Ben Stiller's friend, neighbor and colleague who gets rich after inventing a spray that gets rid of dog shit.

Other notable actors: Ben Stiller, Rachel Weisz, Amy Poehler, Christopher Walken
Director: Barry Levinson
Producer: Barry Levinson

Sunday, April 7, 2024

School of Rock (2003)


  • What's it about?: A washed up rocker is kicked out of his band and needs to make some rent money so he poses as a substitute teacher and teaches some kids the ways of rock to win the battle of the bands.
  • Thoughts: Really good movie. The role is perfect for Jack. It was actually pretty heartwarming watching Jack make a connection with these kids.
  • Rating: 9/10
  • Recommendation: Highly Recommended
  • Tier: A

Main Character

Dewey Finn
Jack Black
A washed up rocker who pretends to be a substitute teacher and teaches kids about rock.

Other notable actors: Joan Cusack, Sarah Silverman, Miranda Cosgrove
Director: Richard Linklater

Wednesday, April 3, 2024

Melvin Goes to Dinner (2003)

 


Sorry there was no trailer for this on youtube

  • What's it about?: Some friends have dinner and talk about stuff.
  • Thoughts: I really just don't have anything to say about this, it's a total nothingburger.
  • Rating: 5/10
  • Recommendation: Don't Care
  • Tier: D
Minor Characters
Jack Black
A mental patient who thinks he created the universe.

Other notable actors: Stephanie Courtney, David Cross, Bob Odenkirk, Fred Armisen
Director: Bob Odenkirk

Tuesday, April 2, 2024

Ice Age (2002)

 

  • What's it about?: A grumpy mammoth, an annoying sloth and a saber-toothed tiger come across a human baby and must return it to its tribe before the looming Ice Age begins.
  • Thoughts: Pretty decent movie. There were some things I could've gone without but overall it was enjoyable enough. 
  • Rating: 7/10
  • Recommendation: Recommended
  • Tier: B
Supporting Antagonists
Zeke
Jack Black
A hyperactive saber-tooth that really wants to eat Manny.

Other notable actors: Ray Romano, John Leguizamo, Denis Leary, Goran Višnjić, Diedrich Bader, Cedric the Entertainer, Stephen Root

Thursday, March 14, 2024

Run Ronnie Run! (2002)

 

  • What's it about?: A redneck (David Cross) gets a gig running from police on tv.
  • Thoughts: It's ok, had some funny moments but leaves a lot to be desired. 
  • Rating: 6/10
  • Recommendation: Maybe
  • Tier: C
Minor Characters
Jack Black
A Mary Poppins chimney sweep parody singing about kicking women in the vagina.

Other notable actors: David Cross, Bob Odenkirk, David Koechner, R. Lee Ermey, Tom Kenny
Writers: David Cross, Bob Odenkirk, Brian Posehn

Sunday, February 4, 2024

Orange County (2002)


  • What's it about?: A high school student attempts to get into Stanford University but his transcript is mixed up with someone else and now he must do what he can to get it fixed, lest he be trapped in his hometown.
  • Thoughts: I enjoyed it well enough. Jack Black is hilarious and Colin Hanks has a decent story. 
  • Rating: 7/10
  • Recommendation: Recommended
  • Tier: B
Supporting Characters
Lance Brumder
Jack Black
Colin Hanks' stoner brother.

Other notable actors: Colin Hanks, Catherine O'Hara, John Lithgow, Harold Ramis, Chevy Chase, Lily Tomlin, Leslie Mann, Kevin Kline
Director: Jake Kasdan