Yeah I’d agree here. It’s either epically terribly bad or epically campy amazing, either or both are reasonable assessments. But it’s not by any sense just “okay”
Yeahhh, Yeah.
Only thing i could say is that a lot pf Pryor films exist in a universe of slightly strained credibility.
Brewsters Millions
Silver Streak
I watched it a couple of years ago. I love this movie unabashedly, but yes, it’s as good as ever.
I love Silver Streak. Another (for me) on the list of best “okay” movies (sounds bad but I really do love it).
I liked the baseball game
(Throws his best heat)…“Strike!”
Batter: “That his change-up?”
The Monster and the Girl (1941)
A man, framed for murder, is executed, but before he dies, his brain is transplanted into a gorilla that seeks revenge. It’s sorta like an early take on Death Wish-type movies. Except with a gorilla.
I know: it sounds like a bad film that’s fun to watch, as opposed to an “okay film” that’s a personal favorite. Don’t be misled! Title and story notwithstanding, it’s got a superior cast, several moments of well-directed/edited suspense and a stand-out performance that will blow you away. Yet a film like this could never win any awards or be life-changing in any meaningful way. If I still watched TV or channel-surfed (which I do not miss), I would definitely stop for this movie if it was on.
Of the leading cast, I barely know any of them and don’t recall them even being in the film for very long. The exceptional supporting cast has Paul Lukas as the boss of a white slavery ring. His henches include sinister Joseph Calleia, pockmarked Marc Lawrence and stud Gerald Mohr. George Zucco is the mad - if not quite evil - doctor who does the transplant deed “for science.” And Charles Gemora, having played gorillas since the 1920s, essays the critical role of “The Gorilla,” giving arguably one of the best, most emotive gorilla suit performances of all time(1) despite the suit’s obvious severe limitations.
As great as Gemora is, believe it or not, he is overshadowed by the incredible acting of Skipper the Dog. I kid you not: this has to be one of the greatest canine performances I have ever seen. Clearly communicating to the viewer that he recognizes his former master-turned-gorilla, Skipper offers loyal support and timely aid in the hairy (and violent) quest for revenge, emerging as the film’s most likable and competent character while providing an undercurrent of wholly unexpected tenderness to the film.
Neither a great movie, nor a bad one. I would call it “okay” and of more than routine interest for its strangeness.
- Noting the fact that “Charles Gemora (the gorilla) was too ill to do more than close-ups for this film, and the man in the long shots was a stuntman.” - The Monster and the Girl (1941) - Trivia - IMDb
I don’t have to. I’ve seen it at least a hundred times, and can play it in my head. Which is NOT a bad thing.
Those of you with kids might remember the phase where they were little and wanted to watch the same movie(s) over and over. Back in the day, that entailed walking down to the local video rental place, and them immediately grabbing the VHS of The Rocketeer…
“AGAIN?”
“But we lovvvvve it… and you do too!”
They were right. Sincere kid (Billy Campbell) discovers jetpack, gets the girl (Jennifer Connely) and ends up fighting Nazis (led by Timothy Dalton) on a zeppelin!
.
(I finally got a break when they switched to the All-Animal Robin Hood. Hmm, I bet that’s on Disney+, I know The Rocketeer is…)
Did they ever watch the cartoon series The Rocketeer on Disney Junior? I just found out that it existed.
Two perfect okay movies are Air Force One and Star Trek IV.
AF1 is a perfect concept - Harrison Ford hides out for awhile giving the supporting characters something to do and then kicks a lot of ass. And with Gary Oldman as the bad guy, you’ve got a sure fire two hours of popcorn-munching, non-taxing, pure enjoyment, where you know from the very first moment that Harrison Ford is going to win.
I pick Star Trek IV over The Wrath of Khan in this category because in my mind TWOK is frankly awesome. ST4 is a more relaxed, easy-going adventure - almost a romp - with unforgettable lines like “nuclear wessels” and whales named George and Gracie. Got a rainy afternoon with nothing better to do? Put this movie on for the 25th time and feel free to doze off from time to time.
Terminator 2 is just a fucking well-oiled machine of a popcorn flick. Total Recall, too. Early 90s Arnold may be my personal peak of just turn your brain off and ride the wave.
I’ve seen this movie several times. It’s not a great movie by any means, but I like it anyway. I find myself quoting it now and then:
Losing weight, Richard?
You’re not caught up in all the boooolshit.
Someone mentioned Big Trouble in Little China, so I’ll mention Bubba Ho-Tep, a very okay film.
“Strange Brew”
“No way, eh? Nuclear radiation has made me an enemy of civilization!”
Spaced Invaders
I just love this movie and it is pretty dumb. Four Martians come to Earth to conquer it because they hear a broadcast of War of the Worlds on their equipment. They Land in Big Bean, Illinois and everyone just disregards them because it’s Halloween. The Martians are all kind of dumb and goofy, the townspeople are all kind of dumb and goofy, and the one person who figures everything out is the young girl played by Ariana Richards.
UHF
Weird Al finally gets his own movie and it’s full of goofy pop culture parody. The movie has a great cast of comedic actors and its really only let down by a pedestrian plot.
What you said, except with much fewer words. It is a great movie, not just OK.
IIIRC, George Takei called it “a chillingly accurate documentary.”
My brother and I used to say that drownin’ in beer was like heaven, eh? Now he’s not here, and I’ve got two soakers… this isn’t heaven, this sucks.
Armageddon is not a good movie at all. Loud and dumb, scientifically ludicrous, and with a chemistry free romance between Ben Affleck and Liv Tyler. Typical Michael Bay. But I can’t not watch it. And not to make fun of it. It genuinely pulls me in.
Yes!!! Wonderful quirky little film.
Mr. Takei is a very funny man. And he speaks the truth.
A bunch of Jean-Claude van Damme movies–
Bloodsport
Lionheart
Universal Soldier
Nowhere to Run
Hard Target
Timecop
Inferno a.k.a. Desert Heat