MIDDLE-AGED MATINEE! #40 - 'Beverly Hills Cop' (1984)

5/5 Stars

I have finally reached the end of the road. This will be my final written review and it’s a rather appropriate one. Why did I save “Beverly Hills Cop” for my last “Middle-Aged Matinee!” review? Well, when I was born on December 10, 1984, this was the movie that was at the top of the box office!

Eddie Murphy had been in a couple of hits such as 1982’s “48 Hrs.” with Nick Nolte and 1983’s “Trading Places” with Dan Aykroyd. Yet, it was “Beverly Hills Cop” that cemented his status as a superstar leading man. The movie went on to be the highest grossing film of 1984 and, at the time, the highest grossing R rated movie of all time.

Murphy plays a wise-cracking cop from Detroit named Axel Foley. One day, a former friend of his, Mikey Tandino (James Russo), comes by for a visit from Beverly Hills. Before Mikey can leave town, though, he is murdered by two men who supposedly work for Mikey’s former employer after Mikey stole money from them.

Eddie Murphy stars in 'Beverly Hills Cop'!

Axel then heads out to Beverly Hills to find out who killed Mikey. This puts him at odds with the clean and by-the-books cops in Beverly Hills, particularly John Ashton’s Sergeant John Taggart and Judge Reinhold’s Detective William “Billy” Rosewood. He also has to deal with their superior, Lieutenant Andrew Bogomil (Ronny Cox).

Let’s face it, this movie just doesn’t work without Eddie Murphy. It is truly his signature role. Originally, it was a far grittier and more violent film and Sylvester Stallone was attached to star in the movie. If you want to see what that version would have been like, then simply go and watch “Cobra” as that film borrowed many of the elements that were supposedly in the original “Beverly Hills Cop” script.

Murphy fires on all cylinders with the comedy, the action, and the drama in the movie. Audiences mostly see Murphy as a comedian because that’s where his entertainment roots started, but he is a genuinely good actor. You cheer for Axel not just for the fact that he’s a fast talking and intelligent police officer, but also because you want to see him bring his friend’s murderers to justice.

Thankfully, he also has a wonderful supporting cast as well. Reinhold is great as Rosewood, a guy who sort of becomes the Robin to Axel’s Batman. He’s innocent and hasn’t seen a lot of action, but when time comes, he’s up to the task.

Axel must contend with BHPD detectives Billy Rosewood and John Taggart.

Ashton, who sadly passed away earlier this year, is also great as Taggart. While we don’t get much of a backstory, he’s definitely a more seasoned cop and it almost feels like he may have been a cop in a rougher city at one point but now he has to deal with the strict rules of the BHPD.

Of course, every good guy needs a good bad guy. Steven Berkoff proves to be a great antagonist as the evil businessman and drug dealer, Mr. Victor Maitland. Axel’s initial attempts to get at him are often foiled due to Maitland’s connections to the city as he is viewed as a respectable businessman.

Normally, Berkoff can be a little over-the-top such as when he played the evil General Orlov in the James Bond film, “Octopussy”. Thankfully, he is more restrained in this movie and plays Maitland a little more straight but he never lets you forget that he is the true villain of this piece.

Finally, I can’t wrap this up without mentioning the movie’s film score. Composer Harold Faltermeyer brings us a classic ‘80s score filled with synthesizers and keyboards that completely slap. This is especially true of the now iconic “Axel F” theme song that is just as tied to the movie as it is to Murphy himself. Sometimes, while writing reviews, I’ve thrown on certain movie themes and “Axel F” is a repeat offender as it gets me into the zone when I’m ready to write something.

“Beverly Hills Cop” may be a film of its time, but yet it still somehow works today. The jokes hit, the action hits even harder, and it is understandable why this is the movie that truly propelled Murphy into superstardom. Axel Foley will always remain his key signature role and the movie is destined to remain a classic forever!

And with that, I’m finished writing film reviews. However, that doesn’t mean I’m going anywhere. Soon, I plan on starting a YouTube channel where I’ll at least review the new movies that I see. I’m thinking, at the time of this writing, on beginning the new channel and review show in January 2025.

I hope that any of you who have been reading these reviews will join me and, always and forever, I’ll see you at the movies!

MIDDLE-AGED MATINEE! #39 - 'The Shawshank Redemption' (1994)

5/5 Stars

Over the years since I’ve been writing film reviews, people have asked me from time to time what my favorite film is of all the movies that I’ve seen. They’re a little surprised when I have to put no thought into the question. The answer is and always will be “The Shawshank Redemption” from 1994.

The movie was a box office disappointment when it was initially released, so like many others, I discovered it on home video on one Friday evening when dad and I rented the movie. Something magical happened when I watched the movie as I was genuinely taken away by director Frank Darabont’s adaptation of the Stephen King short story, “Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption”.

I loved everything about this story that follows a man who is imprisoned after being wrongly persecuted for the murder of his wife. What follows is a story about one man’s hope against all the odds that are stacked against him.

The man in question is Tim Robbins’ Andy Dufresne, a former banker who eventually befriends another inmate, Ellis “Red” Redding (Morgan Freeman), a man who is known to get things from the outside from time to time for other inmates. Unfortunately, Andy also has to deal with the more corrupt agents of the prison including vile prison guards, other inmates, and the absolutely corrupt Samuel Norton (Bob Gunton).

Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman star in 'The Shawshank Redemption'!

Through it all, though, Andy finds a way to cope with prison life and even make a few changes such as getting funding for a new library. The story’s biggest theme at the center is simple: hope. People like Red feel like hope is a dangerous thing considering their situation but Andy thinks that in prison, hope is the greatest thing that one can have in order to survive.

While the story is great, the direction from Darabont is absolutely perfect. Along with cinematographer Roger Deakins, Darabont succeeds at creating a bleak prison setting yet somehow there is a sense that there is hope to be found in this godforsaken place.

Then there are the performances. Firstly, Robbins has to carry this film on his shoulders and does a magnificent job as Andy. You feel all the emotions he goes through, yet he also has that certain glint in his eye as though he’s telling you directly that he knows more than he’s letting on.

Another actor of note is Gunton as Warden Norton. There have not been that many antagonists in the history of film that are as nasty as this terrible human being who loves to claim that he’s a hard working man of the community and a man of God. It could have been easy to make him a cartoon villain, but Gunton never pushes him too far and even plays Norton as a man who has convinced himself that the despicable things he’s done have just and righteous reasons.

Bob Gunton is the face of evil as Warden Norton in 'The Shawshank Redemption'!

Then there is Freeman as Red. Not only is Red one of the main characters, he’s also the character who guides us through the movie with Freeman’s smooth narration. He also has a great running subplot.

Red is the only man who readily admits that he’s guilty of the crime he committed and truly remorseful for what he’s done. There are a series of scenes where he has to meet with the parole board in order to be released. At first, what he tells them is well rehearsed with a big smile on his face as he tells them what he thinks they want to hear.

In subsequent scenes, though, he begins to break down and soon, the bullshit is put to the side and he just tells them what he really thinks. It’s a remarkable performance from Freeman that should have gotten him all the awards at the time.

The fact is this is a movie that with every viewing, I feel like I’m watching it for the very first time. I sometimes used to go to sleep watching movies because they would help me get to sleep. I put this movie on one night and instead of falling asleep, I sat up and watched the whole damn thing.

I know that the movie is on several people’s list as their favorite movie and there is a good reason for that. For me, it is simply the best movie that I’ve ever seen and I don’t see that changing any time soon.

MIDDLE-AGED MATINEE! #38 - 'Forrest Gump' (1994)

5/5 Stars

When “Forrest Gump” was released on home video, it was yet another film that my dad and I rented from the video story. The good news is that this movie came out at a time where I loved pretty much any and all types of movies. I didn’t just prefer action or comedy films, I would watch genres of all types including dramas.

As the title suggests, the movie follows Tom Hanks as Forrest Gump, a simple-minded man who has several adventures throughout history from the 1950s to the 1980s. He also has several run-ins with significant historical figures along the way including Elvis Presley and JFK.

So, one of the things that I’ve noticed over the years is that there has been somewhat of a backlash against the movie. Some people have accused the movie of looking at the past through rose-tinted glasses and ignoring some of the more tumultuous events of the times that Forrest lives through.

What they don’t get is that the movie does take a look at the tumultuous times except through the eyes of a simple-minded man who just wants to live in spite of the chaos. In fact, I think that people often forget that there is an entire segment of this movie where Forrest goes to Vietnam and loses his best friend Benjamin Buford “Bubba” Blue (Mykelti Williamson).

Tom Hanks plays the titular character in 'Forrest Gump'.

Instead of mourning his friend in despair, Forrest honors Bubba and opens up a successful shrimping company and even gives Bubba’s proceeds to his family.

Yes, we can look back at any time and pick apart what went wrong and focus on all the negative aspects of a certain time and place. However, it is also fine to look at some of the positive things that were happening as well and it is also okay to sometimes have a film that looks back with hope rather than with despair.

The movie may be known for its genuine drama and heartfelt comedic moments, but it is also noted for its amazing performances. Hanks, the man of the hour back then, won the Academy Award for Best Actor and for good reason. He could have easily played Forrest as a completely inept character, but instead he just views Forrest as someone who is capable of many things even if his intelligence suggests otherwise.

Then there is Robin Wright as Jenny Curran, Forrest’s love interest who also has her own journey throughout history. Unlike Forrest, though, Jenny becomes a victim of the times she lives in and has a more tragic storyline. Wright should have won an award and, if I’m being honest, was probably more deserving of one than Hanks.

Robin Wright and Hanks star as Jenny and Forrest in 'Forrest Gump'.

Then there are the solid supporting performances. Gary Sinise is fantastic as Forrest’s wounded platoon leader that later joins Forrest at Bubba Gump. At first, he is an angry character who feels that it was his destiny to die in Vietnam and yet Forrest forces him to see that he still has worth in the world and, like many others in the movie, Sinise gave an award worthy performance.

Finally, there is Sally Field as Mrs. Gump, Forrest’s mother who loves her son unconditionally. For the first part of the movie, Mrs. Gump is the heart of the movie as she is the one who teaches her son that no matter his limitations, he can do anything he wants if he sets his mind to it. Field is perfect at portraying a strong mother who knows how to say just the right things when her son needs to hear them.

Then there is the superb direction by filmmaker Robert Zemeckis. With this movie, Zemeckis was able to direct a beautiful looking film with cinematographer Don Burgess. In addition to that, he also used state-of-the-art special effects to put Forrest into archive footage with historical figures such as Presidents JFK and Lyndon Johnson.

At the end of the day, this is one of the ultimate feel-good movies. I laugh and cry at all the right moments and I’m still sucked into the movie’s almost whimsical narrative. The good nature of the movie may not be for some, but for me it makes “Forrest Gump” one of the best films to come out of the 1990s.

MIDDLE-AGED MATINEE! #37 - 'The Fifth Element' (1997)

4/5 Stars

Back when this stellar sci-fi film came out on home video, my dad and I rented one Friday as a part of our weekly video store ritual. While my dad wasn’t quite as captured by the movie, I was blown away by the bright visuals and the unique storyline.

The movie was written by Luc Besson and Robert Mark Kamen and directed by Besson. The story follows Korben Dallas (Bruce Willis), a former soldier turned taxi driver. One day, a woman literally falls into his Taxi. Her name is Leeloo (Milla Jovovich) and she is here to save the universe.

A malevolent and faceless entity is making its way through space and will eventually destroy Earth. Korben learns that he must obtain four stones representing the four classical elements of earth, wind, water, and fire. They must also find another yet mysterious “fifth element”.

Bruce Willis and Milla Jovovich star in 'The Fifth Element'.

The movie is a futuristic fantasy quest. Dallas is the hero that must take the damsel to a certain point in order to take out the evil forces that are descending upon them. However, it is worth noting that the damsel is certainly not in distress as Leeloo can definitely take care of herself should the need arise.

Since the evil entity is essentially a giant fireball in space, the face of the villain is a ruthless and eccentric arms dealer named Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg, played by Gary Oldman who once again gives a fantastic performance. Since the true threat is an entity in space, Oldman gets to chew some scenery and have a lot of fun with his character and in turn, it is fun for us as well.

Another side character of note is Chris Tucker as Ruby Rhod, a loud talk show host who somehow gets involved in Korben’s quest. Now, I will say that if you don’t like Tucker in any of his other films, then this movie won’t do much to change your mind. As it stands, I do like Tucker and I especially liked him in this movie as Ruby Rhod.

Gary Oldman plays the villainous Zorg in 'The Fifth Element'.

Willis was already an established action star by the time he joined the cast on this movie. Therefore, it should be no surprise that he turns in another great performance as a hero that is both a badass but also open to being vulnerable at times.

Jovovich also stands out as Leeloo, an alien character who doesn’t quite understand human life at the beginning. In many ways, she plays Leeloo as an innocent child who is just now discovering how to behave as a human though she is a quick learner. This role has become something of a signature role for Jovovich and it is easy to see why with her confident performance.

One thing that surprised me while I was rewatching the movie is how good the special-effects look 27 years after the movie has been released. The effects truly hold up and pull you into this bright yet somehow bleak version of the future.

If you claim to be a fan of sci-fi films and you haven’t yet added this movie to your collection, then you need to check it out. It is one of the most unique sci-fi films out there that truly stands up at the top with the likes of “Star Wars” and “Blade Runner”.