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Three 80's comedies.

Biloxi Blues, is a screenplay adaption of Neil Simon's autobiographical work directed by Mike Nichols. In this comedy, Eugene Morris Jerome (Matthew Broderick) is drafted and shipped to Biloxi, Mississippi for boot camp during World War II. Here he encounters a psychotic drill sergeant Toomey (Christopher Walken) and he becomes friends (and enemies of some) with the other new recruits played by Corey Parker, Matt Mullhern, Michael Dolan and Casey Siemaszko all the while wanting to lose his virginity before being sent off to war. Although there is nothing groundbreaking here, the story is well-written, the dialogue is witty and sharp, and the film has some genuinely warm moments. Most importantly it's often very funny. Broderick and Walken are perfectly cast, and both shine in their repective roles. For those looking for a good 80's comedy, this isn't a bad one to rent.

Married to the Mob is a vastly overrated comedy directed by Jonathan Demme. Michelle Pfeiffer plays Angela DeMarco, who is married to Mafia hitman Frank "The Cucumber" DeMarco (Alec Baldwin). When Frank makes the move on his bosses mistress, his boss Tony "the Tiger" Russo (Dean Stockwell) murders him and his mistress and makes a move on Angela. Angela, unaware of who murdered Frank, nonetheless wants nothing to to with Tony, or the Mob Life, so she moves herself and her son away. However the persisent Tony continues to pursue her, much to the chagrin of his wife Connie (Mercedes Ruehl). Meanwhile FBI agent Mike Downey (Matthew Modine) is hot on the trail, suspecting Angela may hold the key to solving these murders, but he soon falls in love with Angela, complicating matters even more. Sound promising? Yes, the elements of a good (and funny) movie are all here. However the characters are so utterly cliched, the story so contrived and predictable, and worst of all the "comedic elements" so sophomoric and unfunny that I found this film to be excruciatingly painful to watch. Pfeiffer has a couple of fine moments, but not enough to save this silly and stale comedy. Amazingly enough this film received nicew reviews and Stockwell even received a Best Supporting Actor nomination for his role. Don't be fooled, it's not worth watching.

Raising Arizona, the second film from the Coen Brothers, is a quirky madcap comedy about a dimwitted criminal Hi (Nicholas Cage) and his mug shot photographer wife Ed (Holly Hunter) who yearns for a family. When Hi and Ed can't reproduce, they decide to kidnap one of the quintuplets of Arizona businessman Nathan Arizona. This leads to changing responsibilities and some hilarious moments between Hi and Ed as they learn to be good parents. Things get complicated when two of Hi's prison friends (John Goodman and William Forsythe) appear at the family's trailer, angering Ed. Hi begins to question the entire family thing when Ed's friends Dot (Frances McDermond) and Glen (Sam McMurray) and their unruly children visit. Soon bounty hunter Leonard Smalls (Randall "Tex" Cobb) is on their trail, looking to find the baby and cash in on the reward.

Raising Arizona is basically two movies, one full of offbeat charm and quirkiness, and the other half devolving into a mindlessly unfunny road/chase movie. The first half of the film that examines Hi and Ed's relationship and their introduction into parenthood is comedy at it's best. The two actors have great chemistry (Hunter is fantastic) and despite the kidnapping, we genuninely like these characters and laught at the novice parent's plight. The scene with Frances McDermond is hilarious! However the introduction of the Mad Max like Tex Cobb character, and the ensuing chase scenes really drag the film down. Whereas most of the characters in the film are offbeat, yet funny, The Cobb character is just annoying. Perhaps the Coen Bros. didn't know where to go with this film, so they tried to find an easy way out. As much as I thoroughly enjoyed the first half of the film, I was sady disappointed with how it played out. A lukewarm recommendation only because I enjoyed the first part so much.

11-08-06

Married to the MobI've always thought that Michelle Pfeiffer was a good actress, I enjoy everything that she does. This movie I really liked, from the look of it I thought it might be some stupid comedy but it wasn't. It was funny but it had some great performances that really stood out. I would suggest checking this movie out.

Married to the Mob (1988)

I think this is a solid 80s comedy. I've always found this movie worth watching if it's on TV but otherwise nothing special.