Ever After

1998

Starring: Drew Barrymore, Dougray Scott, Angelica Huston, Megan Dodds, and Melanie Lynskey

Written by: Susannah Grant, Andy Tennant, and Rick Parks based on story by: Charles Perrault

Directed by: Andy Tennant

I must preface this review by saying I am a bit biased towards this film. This was the first movie I saw with my then-future wife and it is the source of the middle name of my firstborn child. So, it certainly has effected by life.

It is a wonderful retelling of a fairy tale grounding the story of Cinderella in a bit of realism. But it doesn’t make it dark or dismal or change much. Sure the actual magic and fairy godmothers and pumpkins turning to carriages are all taken out. But the inner magic is working fine.
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American Wedding

2003

Starring: Jason Biggs, Seann William Scott, Alyson Hannigan, Thomas Ian Nichols, Eddie Kaye Thomas, January Jones, and Eugene Levy

When I first
Written by: Adam Herz

Directed by: Jesse Dylan

The third and final slice of movie Pie. Yes they go on in DVD. I doubt I ever will though. But I was happy for one more theatrical version. If part 2’s are generally supposed to be terrible, part 3’s are supposed to be infinitely worse. And it is true American Wedding is the worst of the three films. What is surprising is that it isn’t a disaster. It’s just a bit tired.
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American Pie 2

2001

Starring: Jason Biggs, Seann William Scott, Shannon Elizabeth, Alyson Hannigan, Tara Reid, Mena Suvari, Chris Klein, Thomas Ian Nichols, Eddie Kaye Thomas, and Eugene Levy

Written by: Adam Herz and David H. Steinberg

Directed by: James B. Rogers

Back for more. In film, usuall sequels are not up to task and if anything they can ruin a good thing. This is even MORE true with comedies. When people list top 20 sequels, there aren’t many comedies that would even be considered.

Now American Pie 2 might not be considered in that list either, but it is surprisingly almost as engaging as the first one. It is a fluid transition that doesn’t mess with what made it succesful. The only real difference is that they boys are home from college on break and plan on making it a summer to remember.
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“Epitaph One”

Um. Wow. This was really an interesting way to do things. In the now infamous tale, this was supposed to be the season finale of sorts, but FOX decided not to air it due to a difference in how many episodes they ordered. Instead it was saved for the DVD as an extra. So is it canon? Does it count. It seems from what I’ve gathered the first episode of the 2nd season will continue more directly from the 12th episode but that elements from this episode will play a sizable part in the season. And yet it could have served as a series finale if it were to be canceled as expected.
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“Regrets”

I am happy to report that perhaps not quite as solid as the previous week, this week’s episode of Warehouse 13 is in the same ballpark and perhaps just might be saving itself from the dustbin. It manages to strike quite the balance between the horrific happenings at a prison due to an artifact causing delusional suicide and the almost humorous danger being wrought at the warehouse itself.
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I Love You, Man

2009

Starring: Paul Rudd, Jason Segel, Rashida Jones, J.K. Simmons, Jane Curtin, Jaime Pressly, Andy Samberg, and Lou Ferrigno

Written by: John Hamburg and Larry Levin

Directed by: John Hamburg

I Love You, Man is one of those films that thinks it’s funnier than it is. It takes two great talented comic actors and coasts on their abilities to make a movie that, while definitely funny, seems like it could have been better.
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Billy Madison

Starring: Adam Sandler, Darren McGavin, Bridgette Wilson, Bradley Whitford, Josh Mostel, Norm Macdonald, Steve Buscemi, and Chris Farley

Written by: Adam Sandler and Tim Herlihy

Directed by: Tamra Davis

While it will never go down in history as a “great” film, I find that Billy Madison has as much replay value as many of the “greats.” This review will be quite simple. Much like Paul Blart. Do you like Adam Sandler’s inane zaniness or not? If not, there is no way you will ever watch this film. But if you are a fan, then this film is guaranteed to please.
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In a sort of mini-state of the site address, I wanted to announce two new projects that will be occurring at SecondViews…well one real project and the other more of a scheduling announcement.

1. If you look up at the banner, you might see a new tab entitled Top 100 Project. As a member of a film forum that was trying to gather votes on the top 100 films of all time, I decided to throw together a list. Unfortunately I joined the site a bit late and am having to pull a list together in days rather than the two months that was initially given. So it might not be as comprehensive as it should be but I should put up a list soon – perhaps a bit later than the list is done so I can present it properly. The good news is I will continuously maintain and edit as I do more research.

I also figured, why stop there? So I will eventually add more Top 100 lists. In the world of television, film, music…and try to maintain them as I get influenced by more media.

2. When SecondViews began it was definitely tilted towards sci-fi/fantasy but as we’ve grown we’ve definitely been branching out. This will continues as I work on my own project – the idea being going through all the DVDs in my collection – no matter the genre. Now this means I will be offering my view on all sorts of movies, some perhaps surprising. But it is all a part of completeness!

I hope you all enjoy the journey!

Back to the Future Part III

Starring: Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, and Thomas F. Wilson

Written by: Bob Gale and Robert Zemeckis

Directed by: Robert Zemeckis

Released in: 1990

The finale of a wonderfully filmed trilogy, it has slowed a bit and isn’t quite the film I is but is definitely on par with the sequel and thus at the very least, an enjoyable flick to watch.
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