1989
Tag: Bill Murray
video review : Little Shop Of Horrors
The plant, a flytrap personified, is the star of this show, but it’s the music that makes it worthwhile. Little Shop Of Horrors is based on a stage play, but it works best as a seamless collection of songs. When they’re not being performed, there’s nothing to distract from the annoying characterization. When they are, it’s a delightful experience.
From the opening theme, sang by a trio of up-dressed street urchins; the only characters allowed to eavesdrop in front of the cinematic fourth wall; to the epic closer, the tunes branch the plot in a charming sing-along kind of way. My personal favorite is Suppertime; Audrey Two’s feeding theme; a two-part act led by a psychedelic funk groove.
my rating : 4 of 5
1986
video review : Ghostbusters
The Ghostbusters are annoying. Peter’s deadpan humor is particularly eye-rolling, but none are as bad as a nerdy accountant who’s, at one point, possessed by a demon called The Keymaster.
This is a silly movie with a silly plot. The main problem is that it goes for comedy and isn’t funny, nor is it scary; a double whammy that serves as a virtual death sentence for a movie about ghosts.
my rating : 2 of 5
1984
video review : What About Bob
I’m generally amused at the thought of a person being inconspicuously annoyed by another, especially when I’m around them being around each other. So this comedy; about a psychiatrist who meets what quickly becomes his most exasperating patient; is best during its first half when doctor Leo is still trying, on some level, to hide his contempt for Bob. The more obvious Leo is with his behavior and the more likeable Bob becomes to everyone other than Leo, including those of us watching the movie, the less funny it all is.
my rating : 3 of 5
1991