Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian

Perhaps my memory of the first installment of this story has faded, but this movie felt more fun than the first. I liked the first one - enough to watch this one. And I'm glad I did. There were some good lines and some great nods to other films.

Can you spot the tip of the hat to Indiana Jones films, Apollo 13, Top Gun, and others?

Ben Stiller reprises his role as the Night Guard at the museum who alone knows the secret of what happens after closing. Hank Azaria steals the show however, with all three of his characters. Amy Adams is very fun as Amelia Earhart. Robin Williams is back as Teddy Roosevelt as are others. Alain Chabat is great as Napoleon.

Voice talent is interesting too here and includes the Jonas Brothers, Eugene Levy, and Brad Garrett. Surprise!

Watch this movie with someone who has a very good imagination and likes going to museums.

Moscow on the Hudson

Who knew all the things you could get at Bloomingdale's in Manhattan. A very hairy Robin Williams plays a musician for the Moscow circus performing in New York. A very funny string of events, beginning in Moscow, and ending with a defection in Bloomingdale's sets this story in motion.

Maria Conchita Alonso is beautiful as William's new American girlfriend. And Cleavant Derricks is the security guard to whom Williams defects. And the late great Alejandro Rey plays Williams immigration attorney. Funny stuff.

This poignant story is as timely now as it was 25 years ago. Everyone wants to be in America. Everyone in America is from somewhere else. Williams goes from a tiny apartment with 3 generations of his own family to an identical situation with a black family in New York.

Watch this movie with someone who has been a stranger in a strange land. Like this one.

Dead Poets Society

If this movie does not make you want to be a teacher, watch it again. This one is on my Top 10 list, but don't confuse that with my idea of the best movies ever made. This is just one of my favorites to watch.

Just 18 years ago, this movie was nominated for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, and Best Screenplay. Sort of a movie grand slam for you baseball fans. It won for only Best Screenplay however.

Robin Williams was at the height of his career, or at least one of the peaks. I believe his character there to be his most noble to-date. Some of his lines from this movie are now part of pop culture. Carpe Diem?

And if you look closely at the supporting cast (pretty much everyone NOT named Robin Williams) you should recognize a few faces that are now part of today's most popular TV shows and movie.

While the ending may break your heart, it is still a very inspirational movie. There is something in this movie for everyone. See how many of the literary misquotes you can catch?

Watch this movie with someone. Thats it. Don't watch this alone.

August Rush

Bring your tissues. Bring extra hankies. Bring a towel. If this movie does not make you at least a little teary then I will hang up my keyboard and turn in my remote.

This is first and foremost a fairy tale. Don't be guiled into thinking its a slice-of-life piece, or based on something vaguely similar to a true story. It's a fantasy. No doubt its a very good one. Screen-writer Nick Castle does some great stuff (see Hook).

This story is borderline inspirational and some of the deeper, most meaningful points are placed like familiar themes in the overture of a great work. For example, and perhaps the best one at that: Music is God's little reminder that there is something else besides us in the universe - a harmonic connection between all living things - every where - even the stars. I think "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" made the same point, but I digress.

The sound track is diverse and very satisfying. Add it to your collection.

Freddie Highmore plays the son of two musicians who don't know he is even alive. He grows up in an orphanage and dreams of learning to play music so he can call out to his parents. Highmore has played some very beefy roles for his age. Pray he does not turn into Macaulay Culkin.

His parents are played by Keri Russell, who is still a face in search of talent as far as I'm concerned, and Jonathan Rhyse Meyers who has both Elvis and King Henry VIII under his young belt. They are the story, but far from making the show.

Robin Williams steals the show. Completely. His Bono-esque character is so real and so spot-on-perfect you forget it's Mork. I love this character as I have loved every "bad guy" Williams plays.

Be prepared to suspend belief for just a little while, and watch this movie with someone whom you are not embarassed to shed tears with.

The Fisher King

As if from current headlines, The Fisher King (1991) is still relevant, touching, and instructive. Monty Python alumnus, Terry Gilliam, spins a haunting tale of guilt and redemption. I wonder why I like these movies so much? Hmmm....

Robin Williams (Moscow on the Hudson, Awakenings, and Patch Adams) plays a man who lost his wife in a New York City night club shooting rampage. His grief drives him to madness and homelessness. Sadly, the shooter was acting on the rants of a self-absorbed shock jock played by Jeff Bridges (Thunderbolt and Lightfoot, Jagged Edge, and The Fabulous Baker Boys).

Guilt from the incident drives Bridges to seek redemption from William's character who leads him on a crusade across Manhattan.

Mercedes Ruehl (Big, Crazy People, and recently part of the Entourage cast) won an Oscar for her role as Bridges long-suffering girlfriend. Between her angst, Bridges guilt and depression, and Williams psychosis, this movie has something everyone can recognize in themselves or someone close to them.

It is an emotional roller coaster. The same scene will have you in fits of laughter and fighting back tears. One of the basics of a good story is that the main character goes through some change over the journey. In this movie, all the main characters go through immense change.

Watch it with someone whom you love just the way they already are.

Hook

I am amazed at how many people I talk to who have never seen this movie. Talk about star power? Spielberg directs Robin Williams, Dustin Hoffman, Julia Roberts, Phil Collins (yes, of Genesis), Maggie Smith (Prof. McGonagall for you Potter fans), and a very young Gwyneth Paltrow.

Even if you are not a fan of the Pan, you should see this movie just for the theatrical one-liners. There are several which, once they have entered your psyche, may remain part of your personal vernacular forever.

"I think I just had an apostrophe"

"Bad form"

"Your brains been junktified"

And so on. How many more will you adopt? Who knows.

If you do however love the Pan story and have not seen this movie, please see it before you grow up. Your path to grown-up status should be significantly corrected.

If it has been some time since you've seen it, get it and watch it with people you like to have fun with. Kids love this movie for the story and near constant action. Oh, and there is a great food fight. Adults who used to be kids love this movie for the reminders is sends.

We all age chronologically, that is a law of nature. There is no law however, that says we must extinguish the inner child. Let yours out for a little while and see this movie.