As a 90’s baby, I grew up in the original Jumanji (1995) craze, a movie which really should not have existed considering the brevity of its source material, a children’s book of the same name by Chris Van Allsburg. I absolutely wore out my VHS copy of the film, watching it dozens of times to the point that I can to this day recite the movie largely line by line.
Synopsis
Nuclear Neighbourhood is a Independent feature horror comedy film written & directed by Matt J Oliver. Produced by Megan Schultz & Matthew J Oliver from Oliverschultz Film ltd.
Nuclear Neighbourhood surrounds three teenagers. Lizzy, a female punk rocker, Dan a regular ordinary guy and Eugene a typical nerd. Together they live in a small suburban neighbourhood in the fictional town of West Lark. There’s a strange mysterious large house in the neighbourhood that everyone is curious about, for good reason… Weird flashes of light appear in the sky over the house at night on a regular basis. People are disappearing from the neighbourhood at an alarming rate. One night Dan’s girlfriend Sandra is kidnapped in a van. The three friends soon discover that Sandra must have been taken to the strange house and now they must break in to rescue their friend. What awaits them inside the house is a labyrinth of toxic traps and something even deadlier is happening in the basement. Will they survive? Or will it be a Nuclear Nightmare..?
Trailer
The Video Review
httpv://youtu.be/UoVkEypM-VE
The Written Review
First of all, I would like to extend my apologies to Matt for the tremendous delay. He sent us this film before they released it in Summer 2014 and we managed to drop the ball pretty hard. Fortunately, Matt is a real cool guy and reminded us to finish the work – which we did! As a small consolation for the lateness of this review, I decided to also give it the video review treatment!
Now, on to the review. I’m not real sure where to start with NN – it’s definitely a campy movie that doesn’t take itself too seriously, but there are some serious moments. Things start off quickly with scenes of an eerie mansion and a shady van patrolling the ‘hood, undoubtedly up to no good. Of course, there’s a quick kidnapping by a creep and soon the friends of the misplaced step up to solve the crime.
Upon entering the house, the group encounters a menagerie of bizarre situations and characters, ranging from silent knife wielding wackos to resident mutant rocker Bud. The group manages to stumble across the way to access the obligatory basement laboratory, and have a chance to rescue the damsel and end the horror show that is plaguing the neighborhood!
There were some great camera angles, characters, and lines. We really thought the CGI was impressive (if a little cheesy, but hey, you actually did some post work). The music added a TON to the atmosphere as well. There are some minor issues with pacing and plot development, but if anything it adds to the campy and grungy feel of the flick. I got the same vibe I got from other great B-movie fare like The Toxic Avenger and other Troma masterpieces.
Overall, we found NN to be an enjoyable movie, especially if you are a fan of B-movies and campy horror. It was a worthy candidate for our first *International* independent film submission! I would like to extend kudos to Matt for incorporating CG effects into the film – something that I have yet to attempt. Meeting Bud was a trip and I think that he’s definitely got a future in the series. This definitely should be a series. I’m thinking about a 4-5 film story arc with promotional tie-ins.
3/5 Reels
Squid Rating
This movie emits a warm and enjoyable radiation!
Did you ever participate in a spelling bee? For most kids, it’s a good but annoying excuse to get out of class for the afternoon. Nobody really wants to win, because that means you have to compete again on a higher level. In the case of Bad Words, Guy Trilby (Jason Bateman) is making his journey to the Golden Quill National Spelling Bee personal. He is 40 years old and technically eligible for the bee because he has never passed the 8th grade. His take no prisoners attitude (plus the fact that he is a 40-year-old man competing against preteens) grates parents and competition officials alike. His media sponsor and online reporter Jenny Widgeon (Katherine Hahn) tries to figure out what his angle is for her big story, but by the time she figures out the reason for Guy’s vendetta, it’s too far to turn back.
How would you feel if a fraternity moved into the house next door? Depends on where you are in life I suppose. It would be pretty cool if you are a fresh-faced college freshman, free from any real responsibility and down to party. If you were a young married couple with a young child, you probably wouldn’t be as excited. How would you handle a situation like that? Move away? Make life a living hell? To an independent observer, it would be entertaining to watch!
It’s officially happening, folks! The long anticipated sequel to Dumb and Dumber (1994), featuring the original Harry and Lloyd (Jeff Daniels & Jim Carrey).
Here’s the synopsis:
20 years after the dimwits set out on their first adventure, they head out in search of one of their long lost children in the hope of gaining a new kidney.
I’ll see you all at the theaters in November – be sure to stock up on Turbolax!
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGXHVlEklgQ
White House Down is not a bad movie, but it’s not a great one either. I did enjoy the action and overall story. There are a few flaws, the largest being an overused factor of comedy! For a movie that focuses on such a serious concept, it really didn’t feel too serious. But, what else would one expect from a film with Foxx and Channing?!
I also think the plot could’ve been better. Having said that, this is still an entertaining film. Some will like it, others will hate it.
It’s best not to take it to seriously and just have fun it, and if you can do that then I’m sure that White House Down will leave you satisfied.
6.5/10 Reels
Translates to a ‘Squid’ Rating (3/5)
Decent film that falls flat in some aspects
A big thanks to Shaun Rowe for the guest review!
I found Hot tub time machine to be a pleasant surprise when I watched it for the first time, a film that doesn’t only consist of a few laughs here and their but a one that has a deeper meaning within all the gags and one liners.
The 4 main characters being Insurance salesman Adam (John Cusack). A once budding musician Nick (Craig Robinson). Violator of the group Lou (Rob Corddy) and finally, Adam’s nephew Jacob (Clark Duke). After drifting apart and their life’s not turning out how they expected the gang are reunited after Motley Crue fanatic Lou ends up in hospital after attempting suicide; although Lou denies this Adam and Nick decide it would be a good idea to go back to the 3’s old getaway ‘Kodiak Valley Ski Resort.’ On Arrival the group soon realizes that things have changed at K-Val for the worst. After checking in the gang make another discovery in the form of their deserted party going nature or ”momentum” as they put it, when all hope seems to be lost they decide to get into the Hot Tub. Copious amounts of alcohol later, they wake up in what seems to be the dreaded ‘morning after’ feeling – as they slowly progress through the day the gang soon realize they are back in 1986!
With the whole gang too scared to put a foot out line in fear of affecting their future lives – the biggest being the possibility of Jacob not being born – will they remain grounded or will they try to change the past in order to improve the future and their so far lackluster lives?
On a whole I found Hot Tub Time Machine to be very enjoyable, although not the funniest film you’ll ever see it has enough to keep you more than satisfied. With cameo appearances form 80’s legends Chevy Chase, Crispin Glover and William Zakba it most certainly delivers on nostalgia. As I mentioned above the deeper meaning is one in which we all can relate to. Whatever choices we make in life whether they be good or bad it will ultimately affect us as we get older; difference being will be able to go back in time and rectify our mistakes.
Final Verdict:
8.5/10
(4.25/5)
Main Cast:
John Cusack as Adam Yates
Craig Robinson as Nick Webber
Rob Corddy as Lou Dorchen
Clark Duke as Jacob Yates
Collette Wolfe as Kelly Yates
Lizzy Calpan as April Drennan
Sebastian Stan as Blaine
Crispin Glover as Phil Wedmaier
William Zakba as Rick Steelman
Chevy Chase as Father Time/Hot Tub Repair Man
Kellee Stewart as Courtney Agnew-Webber
Budget $36 Million
Box Office $61 Million
Directed by Steve Pink
Story by Josh Heald
Well, it has finally been confirmed by no less than legendary anchorman Ron Burgundy himself that the sequel to the 2004 hit comedy, Anchorman, does exist, and will be hitting theaters sometime next year. Will Ferrel made a surprise (and hilarious) guest appearance as lead anchor Ron Burgundy on Conan with the news. He broke the news with a highly appropriate and somewhat transfixing “yazz” flute performance.
I am really excited for this sequel. Anchorman is quite possibly one of the most original and hilarious comedies of all time (ranking up there with Airplane) and I will definitely be watching this on the big screen in 2013. See, now there is no reason for the world to end – you have something to look forward to in 2013! =D
The Announcement:
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrNA7RjU91I&hd=1
Comedian Conan O’Brien, well known for his stint as host of the Late Night show, and the controversial gain and then loss of the Tonight Show, will soon be hosting his own late night comedy/talk show on the TBS network. It was highly speculated that he would sign with Fox, so the TBS move was quite a surprise. The show is scheduled to begin this November.
The bigger question here is: Can he finally get the Emmy award that still eludes him? Conan is a great host and has been working the late night comedy shift for over a decade, and all he has to show for it is one lone Emmy nomination. Perhaps this will be a new life for his career. It certainly has been crazy for him and his fans since the Tonight Show debacle. As Conan said. “NBC stands for Never Believe your Contract!” =P
Good luck, Mr. O’Brien. SquidFlicks will be following the updates!
Intro:
Bob Munro (Robin Williams) is a husband and father of two. He works for Pure Vibe, a large soft drink manufacturer. When one of his daughter’s friends attacks his boss at a company event, his job is on the line. He has to attend and present at a merger meeting with Alpine Soda Co., an independent company that wants to be part of Pure Vibe’s distribution and reach. The only problem is that this meeting coincides with his family vacation to Hawaii.
Bob decides to take an RV trip to Colorado under the guise of a family vacation, but in reality an attempt to do work. He and his family deal with various problems along the way as RV newbies. From broken parking breaks, backed up sewage lines, and a troublesome family from the RV park, this is one trip they may never want to take again!
Dialogue:
RV has some of the best lines in all of the comedies I have seen. The comedy of RV and most of the comments thereof are related to RVs and their surrounding stigmas. The parks with the strange people, the complication of draining the sewer line, avoiding vermin, living in close quarters, and navigating traffic are all part of the act and part of the bigger joke in RV.
Acting:
This is a perfectly-cast film. The Munros were great, consisting of Robin Williams as Bob, Cheryl Hines as Jamie, Joanna Levesque as Cassie, and Josh Hutcherson as Carl.
Equally amazing was Will Arnett as the creepy and germophobic leader of Pure Vibe, Todd Mallory.
The Gornike clan was led by Jeff Daniels as Travis Gornike, his wife Mary Jo (Kristin Chenoweth), and children Earl (Hunter Parrish), Moon (Chloe Sonnenfeld) and ‘Not Earl’ or Billy (Alex Ferris).
Plot:
RV consists of a plot similar to that of The Lampoon’s Vacation. Bob Munro wants to take his kids, who are seemingly growing up too fast for Bob’s liking. He wants to have a family vacation where he can spend quality time with his kids, which is something that won’t happen in Hawaii. He is also torn between his family and his boss, who threatened Bob’s job if he didn’t come to board meetings in Colorado.
Bob embarks with the family in the RV, which is dubbed the ‘Rolling Turd’. Tensions are high and everyone is at each other’s throats as the trip goes on. Somewhere along the way, everything is resolved, and the family begins to enjoy the outdoors and adventure. The only problem is that the bliss is broken when Bob’s secret business meeting is discovered by his wife and family. It will take a moment of redemption to earn the affection of his family once again.
Music:
There was a lot of humor in the music that was throughout RV. It really added to the experience and hilarity of the plot. Classics like ‘G.T.O.’ by Ronny and The Daytonas peppered the score from composer James Newton Howard.
Overall:
I really enjoyed RV, and I love the fact that the premise was really original! Once again, if you are a regular on SquidFlicks, you know I applaud originality. RV has that originality, and combines it with a lot of humor. I saw this in theaters back in 2006, and I own it on DVD. I have seen it at least 10+ times and it hasn’t gotten old yet. Some RVers may be offended, and Robin Williams’ sense of humor isn’t for everyone, but RV delivers a solid performance that is family-friendly and fun!
4/5 Reels
Gold Squid Rating
Check this one out!
Trailer:
Purchase:
[amazonify]B000G8O0MK[/amazonify]