Dennis the Menace (Special Edition) (1993) Review

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(More customer reviews)"Dennis the Menace", directed by Nick Castle, is based on the hit 60's sitcom, by the same title.
PLOT SUMMARY: Mason Gamble stars as Dennis Mitchell, a young kid who just can't seem to stay out of trouble. He doesn't MEAN to cause trouble...he just well, does. Walter Matthau stars as Dennis's grumpy next door neighbor, Mr. Wilson, who can't STAND Dennis. When Dennis's parents go away (Robert Stanton and Lea Thompson), Dennis must stay with the Wilsons, and Mr. Wilson is extremely unhappy about this. But when Dennis gets out of line, Mr. Wilson gets so angry that he yells at Dennis, which makes Dennis run away. That's when the real trouble begins...Dennis encounters an old neighborhood thief, Switchblade Sam (Christopher Lloyd), who kidnaps Dennis, and soon Dennis learns that Switchblade Sam has stolen some items from the Wilsons' house (and others from his neighborhood), so it's up to Dennis to save the day.
MY OVERALL THOUGHTS: I haven't seen this film in a long time, but I remember it well. The acting from the entire cast is great. The storyline is light-hearted and fun. Mason Gamble was a perfect choice for Dennis. The directing is wonderful, too.
From the looks of the DVD, there is going to be some great special features. The bonus features will include a behind-the-scenes featurette, a documentary on Dennis the Menace, a special "memories" document with Mason Gamble, a conversation with Walter Matthau, and another conversation with writer and producer, John Hughes. The DVD will also include trailers and a DVD-ROM game. The DVD will be available in wide screen format.
I highly recommend "Dennis the Menace".
Score:
89/100
B+

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Hank Ketcham's popular comic-strip kid comes to uproarious screen life in Dennis the Menace, from writer/producer John Hughes, the creative force behind the family mega-hits Home Alone and Beethoven. Young Mason Gamble is all-boy, all-menace, all-Dennis right down to his slingshot and dog, Ruff.DVD Features:Challenges:Dennis's Tin Can ChallengeDVD ROM Features:Garbage Contraption gameFeaturette:Behind-the-scenes featuretteInteractive MenusInterviews:Memories of a Menace, a 10th anniversary visit with Mason Gamble; conversations with Walter Matthau and John HughesScene AccessTV Special:Original network special "A Menace Named Dennis"Theatrical Trailer:Trailers of this and the sequel "Dennis the Menace Strikes Again"

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The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (1974) Review

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(More customer reviews)Of all the gritty, realistic police dramas of the 1970's, "The Taking of Pelham 1-2-3" stands out as the best of a very good lot. Released during the low-point year of NYC history in 1974, "Pelham" is argueably the most real-life look at New York and New Yorkers one can get without actually visiting the big town. The plot concerns the hijacking of an IRT subway train by a gang of four men, led by the coolheaded Robert Shaw (Jaws, Black Sunday). The late Walter Matthau shines as Lt. Zach Garber of the NY Transit Police who, over a two-way radio, has to deal with the terrorists unbelievable demands. The writing in this movie crackles with smart-mouthed NY urgency. The acting, photography, editing, and music MUST have all been created by native NYers. Even the 18 passengers who are taken hostage in the lead car of the #6 train look like they stepped off the street and into the IRT without missing a beat. You wanna hijack me just before rush hour? Go ahead, but I'm not ganna make it easy for you, punk! Many other NY movies (Serpico, Dog Day Afternoon, French Connection) have overshadowed this gem, but do yourself a favor and buy it, especially in the DVD version, which gives the viewer a panorama of a NYC that has faded into history.

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Four ruthless gunmen hold a speeding New York subway train hostage for a hefty ransom, threatening to kill all the passengers on board.Genre: Feature Film-Action/AdventureRating: RRelease Date: 1-MAY-2001Media Type: DVD

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I.Q. (1994) Review

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(More customer reviews)Now this is how to do the genre!
This is brilliantly funny, poignant and tender, but never insipid (the director is Australia...so insipidness is definitely out) movie. Matthau is truly fantastic as Einstein, as are his three sidekicks (especially Godel! and the tree that likes to eat their stuff!) as they try to manuever the two leads together and remove the Lesser Professor, a.k.a the rat man, Chimp Pimp, etc from the picture: the stuffy english fiance of Meg Ryan's Character, played perfectly by Stephen Frey. Of course the Lesser Professor is trying to hang on to Meg Ryan's character and expose Tim Robbin's character as a fraud because of his new found friendhsip with Einstein and the secret paper they're working on so Tim Robbin's character can impress Meg Ryan's charater with 'his genius' because that is what she looks for in a man- a genetic hope of making genius children so she, lacking in her own confidence, can achieve through her children. MEg Ryan's character is Eistein's neice.
I can't understand how Matthau didn't get a best supporting actor nomination for this movie! He is so good, as is all the cast: they fit perfectly, especially the 'four boys'.
The story is fairly linear but well paced. It does deal with a lesser theme of self belief, being yourself, and sexual equality and that brilliant men can be have brilliant women as their equal, or betters. The main theme is not letting the brain rule the heart too much, and to be happy. And that some things-love- defy science!
I can't think of any movie like this one. Its unique, clever, witty and subtle at times (especially the humor: Einstein on a motorbike going wah-hoo...very cool!). So if you like your movies sophisticated, wholesome, honest, stylish and not contrived then you defintely want to see this one! The cinematography and 'fifty-ness' is fantastic!
Definitely 5 stars! More even...!
DVD is very plain: just the movie. No added features or even bio's for that matter. But with a movie this good, who needs them? The picture and sound quality are top notch.

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A young mechanic falls in love with Albert Einstein's mathematician niece and the scientist schemes to make her fall in love with the mechanic.No Track Information AvailableMedia Type: DVDArtist: RYAN/ROBBINS/MATTHAU/DURNINGTitle: I.Q.Street Release Date: 09/09/2003

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Out to Sea (1997) Review

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(More customer reviews)You've got a number of stars in this comedy! Walter Matthau and Jack Lemmon star as a pair of friends who go to sea as Gentlemen Escorts to find new romance. In essence they are free dance partners for the many single woman on board.
Jack promptly falls for Vivian (Gloria DeHaven) as a true romance, while Walter Matthau schemes to seduce a younger woman (Dyan Cannon) who appears wealthy and single. The ship is the Holland Westerdam, an actual luxury cruise ship. You get to see a lot of scenes on the ship - from the pool area, the restaurant, the ballroom and the deck.
I really loved the smaller parts played by Hal Linden and especially Brent Spiner. The "Data" from Star Trek really shines here as the commanding cruise director.
What makes the movie so special is that, in its release year of 1997, you had Lemmon being 71 years old, and Matthau being 77. The two men are still great actors. It gives you a great sense of how vibrant old age can be, if you keep your mind and body healthy. Sadly, both have since passed away, so this movie is a collector's item.
What was even more surprising to me is how young Dyan Cannon looks. I loved her in Deathtrap, and while I watched this movie I thought she was a great actress but way too young for the Matthau character. I kept thinking of him as a cradle robber. Actually, she was born in 1937 - so she was 50 in the movie! In comparison, Gloria was 72.
So in general, this was a cast with a lot of experience, that shows a great movie can be made without having to rely on teen starlets or the latest handsome face.
Highly recommended!

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Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau, the big screen's original "odd couple," star in this riotously funny high-seas adventure. In search of lonely ladies with big bank accounts, happy-go-lucky Charlie (Matthau) cons his cranky, widower brother-in-law Herb (Lemmon) into joining him on an all-expenses-paid, luxury cruise. But their "deluxe accommodations" are deep in the bowels of the ship, and Charlie has signed them on as dance hosts! Under the tyranny of crooning cruise director Gil Godwyn (Brent Spiner), Charlie and Herb are in for rough weather as they romance the luscious Liz (Dyan Cannon) and the lovely Vivian (Gloria De Haven).

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