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Grumpier Old Men , a review by Dragonfire

Grumpier Old Men

My Thoughts

This movie is really entertaining, though it isn't as good as the first one.  The returning characters are still entertaining and likable overall, though a few of them aren't in as much of this movie.

I'm not sure how much time is supposed to have passed since the end of the first movie.  John and Arial are settled into marriage, Melanie and Jacob are planning a wedding with interference from their fathers and John and Max are actually getting along fairly well.  They still sort of bicker, but it isn't as bad as it was.  They are both horrified at the idea of the bait shop being turned into a restaurant, so they work together to sabotage things.  Max and Maria really don't seem to like each other much at all, but they end up starting to date.  More problems crop up, including one that causes the men to return to their feud.  The plot is entertaining even though it isn't that complicated.  Much of what happens is predictable, but that doesn't keep things from being entertaining.

The movie is very funny, especially with some of the things that John and Max do once they start feuding again.  Some of what happens with Maria is also funny.  I do think the humor works well in the movie, though I think the first movie was funnier.  There is more fishing in the movie, though since this one is set in warmer weather, it at least isn't ice fishing.  Only a few of the characters are actually seen fishing, unlike in the first movie when a lot of characters were at least shown where the ice fishing was going on.  There is a minor subplot going on dealing with a huge fish that John and Max have been trying to catch for years.

The relationships are important again.  John and Max's friendship becomes strained again, as do a few other relationships.  There is a developing relationship between Max and Maria that is entertaining.  Melanie and Jacob also have some relationship issues to deal with.  That does cause a bit of complication to what is going on. 

The characters are still very entertaining and likable.  John and Max are wonderfully entertaining.  The cast is really good.  I haven't seen a lot of movies with Sophia Loren, but I think this is pretty much the only comedy I've seen her in. I think she does well with the humor. 

There really aren't any extras on the DVD, which is a bit disappointing.  I really like this one and think it is definitely worth watching even though it isn't as good as the first movie.



I did get a review posted on Epinions.

Grumpier Old Men

(From Grumpier Old men on September 19th, 2010)

Music & Lyrics, a review by DJ Doena

Hugh Grant   ...    Alex Fletcher
Drew Barrymore    ...    Sophie Fisher
Haley Bennett   ...    Cora Corman
Brad Garrett    ...    Chris Riley
Campbell Scott    ...    Sloan Cates

Synopsis: Alex Fletcher is an 80s-Has-Been of the pop band "PoP" who sings now in theme parks and class reunions. But then two things happen at the same time. The star Cora wants him to write a new song for her about a broken heart. And Sophie comes to his appartment to water his plants. And incidentally she can actually write lyrics! They team up together to deliver the new hit song for Cora and fall in love on the way.

My Opinion: Romance movie stories are often rather simple and predictable with the usual break-up shortly before the happy end. So is the story of this movie. But as I said I don't care. It's not really what is told, but how it is told. And Hugh Grant doesn't need to play much, he is actually the forty-something-doesn't-want-to-grow-up-kinda-guy. But how he performed the typical 80s pop band member on stage was hilarious. It was so funny. And Drew as this shy yet totally sweet character is great.

(From DJ Doena's movie watchings 2009 on January 4th, 2009)

"Due South" marathon, a review by Tom

4.01 Dr. Longball (1998-09-23)
Writer: Paul Haggis (Created By), Paul Quarrington (Writer)
Director: Larry McLean
Cast: Paul Gross (Constable Benton Fraser), Callum Keith Rennie (Stanley "Ray" Kowalski), Beau Starr (Lt. Harding Welsh), Camilla Scott (Toni Lake), Tony Craig (Detective Jack Huey/Hayseed), Tom Melissis (Detective Dewey/Hayseed), Ramona Milano (Deputy Bernie), Gordon Pinsent (Fraser Sr.), Dean McDermott (Bubba Dean), Max Gail Jr. (Wilson Welsh), Wanda Cannon (Olivia Murtagh), Richard Fitzpatrick (Woody), Bruce Weitz (Huck), Avery Saltzman (Hector Proulx), Dan Redican (Booth Announcer), Jon Cubrt (Rusty Barstead), Reg Dreger (Winston Cohoon), Thomas Mitchell (Kelly Olsen), Joseph Di Mambro (Pete Consentino)

I think it is time to finally continue with this marathon. This season set has been lying on my DVD player for months now begging me to watch it.
As soon as I put the DVD into the drive and the menu came up, the theme music put me right back into the mood to watch this TV series. I just love the theme.
The episode itself though is nothing special. It concentrates on Lt. Welsh and his brother too much and we hardly have any interaction between Fraser and Ray.

Rating:

(From "Due South" marathon on December 30th, 2010)