One Crazy Summer is perhaps might be underrated as it does get overshadowed by many other comedies from the 1980s, but I found myself laughing throughout mainly for the bizarre scenes alongside John Cusack’s deadpan line deliveries.
Sixteen Candles is another home-run from John Hughes, further proving his amazing influence on the 1980s that still resonates to this day. This Blu-ray release from Arrow Video offers up great video and audio transfers to go along with some good bonus material.
Never Grow Old isn’t an especially memorable Western-drama though Emile Hirsch holds his own in the lead while John Cusack I suppose does his best with a thin role, even so, he does come across as bored versus menacing.
The No Tell Motel set is another budget release from Mill Creek and outside maybe Vacancy, are not very good movies, but if you enjoy these types of movies then it might be worth picking up in the sub $10 range.
Blood Money might not be a terrible movie… on paper, but when you have characters you actively despised, and one you hoped the villain would actually kill, you have a problem. But if you take it as a good bad flick, then it might be worth a rental.
Arsenal is the type of movie that makes you wonder who exactly is financing it with a bad script and a so-so performance by its lead actor. The only redeeming value, if you can call it that, is seeing Nic Cage doing vintage Nic Cage who is wildly hilarious.
Midnight in the Garden of Good & Evil is a nice inclusion in Warner’s Archive Collection and while I didn’t particularly think very much of the movie, there’s at least some good elements headlined by another masterful performance from Kevin Spacey and even John Cusack contributes well.
Dragon Blade is a respectable enough flick but not much more. The fights are well choreographed, thanks to Jackie Chan who served as the action director, but the story is terribly predictable and Adrien Brody, as fine of an actor as he is, phones in his performance as the primary villain.
Shadows and Fog is one of the more forgotten films in Woody Allen’s repartee and for the most part, it’s not a bad little comedy though it is typical Allen in terms of his performance and writing. Clearly it’s nowhere near the quality of Manhattan or Annie Hall, or more recently Midnight in Paris, but it might be worth a watch.
Drive Hard had a nice concept, and a good cast with Jane and Cusack to boot, but the execution was lousty despite some decent dialogue, however the car scenes were poorly done making for missed opportunities.
The Prince is a generic action movie that seemed to be geared towards Jason Statham but instead got Jason Patric who at least did come off better bad ass than he did in Speed 2… Still, it’s passable entertainment even though you won’t remember a single thing about it the following day.
Adult World isn’t perfect with a clumsy story but the performances by Emma Roberts and John Cusack are both quite good and the film itself is at least watchable though has a limited replay value. The DVD doesn’t have much with minimal features and so-so video/audio transfers.
The Frozen Ground excels in many areas from a welcomed subtle performance by Nicolas Cage, a mature turn for Vanessa Hudgens and John Cusack playing the thankless role as the creepy and thoroughly disturbing serial killer. However, for all the good acting by the main cast and beautiful, Oscar-worthy, cinematography, it never quite reaches its potential.
While I didn’t think The Numbers Station was anything special, there’s still enough here to warrant at least a rental. Cusack and Akerman deliver enticing performances, and that includes Cusack being dourer than ever, the story unfolds in a unique manner and at least provides some entertainment until the end.
The Raven has some interesting scenes and features fine performances from John Cusack, Alice Eve and, to a lesser extent, Luke Evans (but mainly because the character merely chases down leads).