Tag: Jake Busey

Classic Movie Review – ‘Starship Troopers’ – Let’s Get Rocked

Original Release Date: November 7, 1997

Directed by Paul Verhoeven
Written by Ed Neumeier, based on the book by Robert A. Heinlein
Cast: Casper Van Dien, Dina Meyer, Denise Richards, Jake Busey, Neil Patrick Harris, Clancy Brown, Seth Gilliam, Patrick Muldoon, Michael Ironside, Rue McClanahan, Marshall Bell, Eric Bruskotter, Matt Levin, Blake Lindsley, Anthony Ruivivar, Brenda Strong, Dean Norris, Christopher Curry, Lenore Kasdorf, Amy Smart, Timothy Omundson, Dale Dye
Soundtrack: Basil Poledouris

I have to admit, I am one of those people who thought this was a “bad movie” the first time I saw it.

In my defense though, I was watching it on TBS, and I was young. After all, there’s no such thing as “irony” when you’re in middle school, mostly because kids are stupid.

Once I got a little older though, and I could see Starship Troopers front-to-back in its full glory, I finally got the joke, which let me appreciate all the other wonderful things about it.

Heck, on paper, this is a sure-fire smash. You’ve got nearly the whole creative team from RoboCop back for another satirical romp ten years later, but I guess for some reason people didn’t realize it was a satire? I mean, I can understand the studio not knowing how to market it (not to mention the line of children’s toys), but critics really should have known better (then again, I scratch my head plenty at what paid critics for major outlets say today, so, maybe it’s unfair to have such high expectations for these people).

Even taking out the story and satirical elements though, the technical achievement alone is enough to get you your money’s worth, as there are incredible blends of digital and practical effects (often miniatures). Not to be that guy, but Starship Troopers often looks better than many (if not most) movies today.

What’s the heart of the movie? Well, that’s the joke. On the surface it’s a soap opera science fiction epic, but really it’s a commentary on unbridled fascism; and yet it doesn’t take itself too seriously. You know, like RoboCop, but for some reason that’s regarded as a classic and Starship Troopers largely isn’t.

Don’t listen to the haters. See it again, for the first time.

Rating: ★★★★☆


P.S.
Dizz is The Best Woman. Everyone knows that.

Twofer Movie Review – ‘The Predator’ and ‘White Boy Rick’ – On the Hunt

Full disclosure, it’s been such a down year for movies (especially compared to last year) that I may be overrating both of these, but what are you going to do?

Directed by Shane Black
Written by Fred Dekker & Shane Black, based on characters created by Jim & John Thomas
Cast: Boyd Holbrook, Trevante Rhodes, Jacob Tremblay, Olivia Munn, Sterling K. Brown, Keegan-Michael Key, Thomas Jane, Alfie Allen, Augusto Aguilera, Yvonne Strahovski, Jake Busey, Niall Matter, Brian A. Prince
Soundtrack: Henry Jackman

Shane Black films are notoriously difficult to market because he has such a specific tone (and often suffers from studio interference), The Predator being no exception, but I think his fans get largely what they expect from him with this one, as the movie feels like a mix of John McTiernan’s 1987 original with another film from that same year, The Monster Squad, which seems appropriate given that Black and [Fred] Dekker wrote that one as well.

It’s a shame that the title is such soft reboot nonsense, because this is a legitimate sequel, keeping at least Predator and Predator 2 in canon (I’ve still not seen Predators even though everybody tells me it’s alright; I’ll get to it eventually).  Certain fan service moments feel a bit cringy, but overall I can’t fault Black and Dekker for wanting to make a movie for existing fans, while also putting their own stamp on it (and I really appreciated Henry Jackman’s adaptation of many pieces from Alan Silvestri’s scores from the first two, giving the film a nice throwback feel at least in the music).

Now, I’ve seen at least one person call the movie “a mess”, and I can understand why they would say that, because there are a number of elements that shouldn’t necessarily be in the same film together, but, nevertheless, I had fun, which is all I really wanted (and if nothing else it’s a more satisfying experience than Predator 2).

And I’m so glad it’s R-rated.

Rating: ★★★★☆

 

Directed by Yann Demange
Written by Andy Weiss and Logan & Noah Miller
Cast: Richie Merritt, Matthew McConaughey, Bel Powley, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Brian Tyree Henry, Rory Cochrane, RJ Cyler, Jonathan Majors, Eddie Marsan, Bruce Dern, Piper Laurie, YG, Taylour Paige, Danny Brown, IshDARR, Kyanna Simone Simpson, Kwon Haynes
Soundtrack: Max Richter

The synopsis for this movie is in big, bold letters right on the poster, so there’s no need to waste too much time on it, but suffice it to say it’s a story worth bringing to the silver screen.

White Boy Rick effectively rests on the shoulders of two actors, newcomer Richie Merritt and old hand Matthew McConaughey, and they carry it with aplomb.

Sure, the true life story is actually interesting, and I can’t think of a supporting actor who truly sticks out like a sore thumb, but without these two guys executing at the level that they do, the film would be much worse off.

Of course I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention director Yann Demange (if he wasn’t already he’s definitely a director to keep an eye on now), who manages to bring together an entertaining yet poignant movie out of some pretty dark and dour material.  I’m sure some people will try to argue that the movie glorifies crime (like always), but I think it’s akin to Goodfellas in terms of a frank look at the lifestyle, the reasoning, and the consequences.

Lastly, composer Max Richter continues to do outstanding minimalist work, and his score for White Boy Rick is pitch perfect, appropriately apportioning synth-wave and traditional sounds with the right touch of melody and dissonance when needed.

And, again, I’m glad the movie’s R-rated.

Rating: ★★★★☆