Favorite First Time Viewing
Dolemite is My Name (2019) - 8/10
One of the better surprises of my movie watching year so far, Dolemite is My Name is a terrifically made, well-paced, and hilarious comedy that gives viewers a behind the scenes look at a very particular subset of the entertainment industry. Eddie Murphy turns in a brilliant performance as musician/stand-up comedian/actor Rudy Ray Moore, a larger than life character who made a name for himself in Blaxploitation films in the 70's. Rudy's a dreamer and never lets anyone tell him that he's too old or not talented enough to realize his dreams. Murphy is hit or miss with me - and almost completely hitless for the last 20 years or so - but he dominates this film with not only his comic energy, but also with a surprising amount of heart and gravitas. The rest of the cast - including Wesley Snipes, Mike Epps, Keegan Michael Key, Craig Robinson, Tituss Burgess, and Da'Vine Joy Randolph - all contribute heavily to the film's success and all get their moment to shine. Like any biopic, the movie isn't wholly accurate and Murphy doesn't resemble Moore very well, but that didn't dull my enjoyment at all. If you're a fan of 70's Hollywood or Eddie Murphy, I'd highly recommend giving it a chance on Netflix.
Worst First Time Viewing
Meatballs (1979) - 2/10
Meatballs has been on my watchlist for ages, but when I finally got around to it, I ended up wishing it would have stayed there for another couple decades. I don't know who this movie is for. It's too dull for kids, too stupid for adults, and just too annoying for everyone, I'd think. Obviously, plenty of people love the movie, but I just can't fathom why. It's loud, unfunny, and seems much longer than its 94 minutes. Even the great Bill Murray - one of my very favorite actors - can't help much to redeem this mess. He is the sole reason it gets a 2/10 instead of the thankfully very rare 1/10, though. The dialogue he's saddled with isn't funny, but his delivery is. The one positive aspect of watching this disappointing dreck is that I got to cross off one of my last remaining "major" roles of his. If you haven't seen Meatballs and you're not a Murray completist, stay far far away.
Favorite Rewatch
Private Parts (1997) - 8/10
I've never listened to Howard Stern's radio show, only saw the televised version on E! a handful of times (and never watched a whole episode) and haven't read any of his books. But I've liked Private Parts ever since I first watched it on VHS with my sister Stacy in early 1998. That night, we watched this and the first Austin Powers flick for a double feature - what a good night for comedy! Stern isn't exactly a great actor, but he's certainly serviceable enough and the movie is consistently funny in all sorts of different ways. There are sight gags, gross out bits, moments of physical comedy, over-the-top characters, witty dialogue, and genuinely funny performances from the real-life stars Stern, Robin Quivers, and Fred Norris, who all play themselves. Paul Giamatti nearly steals the movie as the overbearing Kenny aka "Pig Vomit", a radio executive who tries to curtail Stern's wilder side. Giamatti and Stern share some wonderful scenes together and I imagine this is where my love affair with Giamatti started. I didn't consider this until just now, while writing this piece, but Private Parts and Dolemite is My Name would make an excellent double feature pairing of their own. They're similar in many ways, including their theme of an outsider overcoming the odds to become successful and realize their dreams. One month, but two great comedic biopics!
Worst Rewatch
The Count of Monte Cristo (2002) - 4/10
I didn't have any terrible rewatches this month, so the honor of "Worst Rewatch" goes to this early aughts retelling of the famous The Count of Monte Cristo. This is a movie I really loved in the theater twenty years ago, but now I found it mostly a slog to get through. Most of the blame can be traced back to the main cast delivering subpar or terrible performances. Jim Caviezel (normally bad) and Guy Pearce (normally excellent) are both just so bad. I don't know if they didn't care about their roles, didn't like the film or production, or just didn't understand their characters, but they're both very wooden and unengaging. The best part of the movie is the second act when Caviezel's Edmund is sent to prison and meets Abbe Faria played by the sensational Richard Harris. This storyline, Faria's character, and Harris's performance are all first rate. I would have loved the entire movie to center around them, but unfortunately that's just not how the source material goes. A really negative side effect of having a super interesting middle act is that it highlights how underwhelming the first act and disappointing the last act are. Oh, well. At least I got to see Harris shine again. I might go watch Unforgiven and Gladiator again to get more superb supporting work from the late Irish master.
My month, in watch order:
* = rewatch
* Frailty (2001) - 4/10
Magic Mike XXL (2015) - 6/10
Meatballs (1979) - 2/10
Thoroughbreds (2017) - 5/10
What's Eating Gilbert Grape (1993) - 6/10
* Private Parts (1997) - 8/10
* My Cousin Vinny (1992) - 8/10
The Bob's Burgers Movie (2022) - 5.5/10
* The Count of Monte Cristo (2002) - 4/10
Detroit (2017) - 7.5/10
* Where the Wild Things Are (2009) - 5/10
Dolemite is My Name (2019) - 8/10
* Big Trouble in Little China (1986) - 7/10
Paddleton (2019) - 6.5/10
Thor: Love and Thunder (2022) - 5/10
What about you guys? Have you seen any of these movies? If so, what did you think? Did you watch anything great or really disappointing in July?
Thanks for reading and commenting!