James-Belushi Movie Reviews
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GANG RELATED review
Tupac Shakur's last film role.
A potent cop thriller, given extra lift by superb acting...Two corrupt cops who work in an inner-city precinct set up fake drug deals, sell coke to dealers, then kill them, and keep the money for themselves, they get away with it because these kinds of killings in these seedy areas almost always get filed under 'gang related' when no suspect is in sight. However, their plan begins to fall apart when their most recent victim turns out to be an undercover DEA agent and now they's got federal agents looking into the case. What happens next depends too much on surprise for me to reveal it, but the despair and desperation comes across extremely well as the two cops struggle to cover up what they've done. Without mentioning specifics, I'll just say that betrayal, distrust, and out-of-control violence sets in as a result of the decisions made.
I was actually very surprised at the chemistry between Belushi and Shakur. Considering the grim material the two actors are working with, they have a gritty and almost comic spirit together. The opening scene is one of my favorites, in which the two sitting, bored and exhausted in a seedy motel room waiting for their next victim, have a conversation about wishing they were in Hawaii (Shakur: "How can you think about Hawaii now?" Belushi: "I'm here... I don't wanna be here... so I think about being in Hawaii, so as not to get depressed about being here.") Even the tension-filled and confrontational scenes later in the film showcase the two actors' talents, particularly Tupac.
At the time I saw this I was just beginning to explore the West Coast hip-hop scene (after years of listening to only New York-based hip-hop), and I knew very little of Tupac and his legacy. Interestingly enough, it was his acting career that first made me admire him after seeing him in 'Juice' and 'Poetic Justice' in the early '90s. Being that he he studied at the Baltimore School of Arts and was classically-trained in the theater, it is no surprise the skill he possessed. He was extremely charismatic and convincing in every one of his performances. In fact, if his final performance here is any indication, I think he had the potential to become one of the best of his generation. And this is enough cause for even a non-fan to mourn his death.


GANG RELATED reviewBelushi and Shakur make for a good team in an otherwise average crime thriller. Belushi is the more brutal of the two as he goes around kicking and blasting while the more sympathetic Shakur is trying to keep it together and also seems to feel some form of guilt over the crimes that he and his partner have committed. As is often the case in films like this, the deeper the two cops get in trying to cover up their crime, the more their world seems to fall apart. Real criminals that they have arrested are acquitted because they have used the stolen evidence in other cases, some of their phony witnesseses are buckling under pressure, and the man who they try to stick the murder charge to turns out to be more than what they expected. Through it all, Belushi and Shakur have a real chemistry and the audience often finds itself rooting for these guys who are in all honesty, complete jerks.
Many of Shakur's hardcore fans often praise his performance, which is real good, but Belushi is the one carrying the team here. Not to say that Shakur does not give an excellent performance but his role is less-defined so without Belushi, the film doesn't work. He is the one we all love to hate here. A scumbag homicide cop with homicidal tendencies who seems to keep testing his luck in every area. Shakur is more or less the guilty conscience of the duo. The more the story progresses, the worse he seems to feel about what he has done.
The interesting thing is how Shakur's character compliments Belushi's. Once the two are no longer functioning as a unit, Belushi is lost in our eyes. The little sympathy we felt for his character is gone. The way that he distances himself from Shakur is one of the few noble things that he does in the film but unfortunately, without his partner to save him, he is beyond help. He is now just a renegade without a purpose and we as an audience know that wherever he is going, he is in for some trouble.
"Gang Related" is not an excellent movie. The story seems to wear thin in some areas but the film's two leads really keep this one above water. James Belushi turns in one of his best perfomances in some time in a role much different from what you're used to seeing from him. Shakur, in somewhat of a low-key performance is absolutely brilliant. Many people criticize rappers for trying to pick up a second paycheck without mastering the acting craft. Shakur is so natural as an actor, you would think it was his first love. It is a shame that Tupac never got an opportunity to be all that he could as far as acting goes. "Related" is not exactly an original concept but it is worth the time spent as it takes you for a nice little ride. On a side note, the Pac-influenced soundtrack of the film also helped give it a more professional feel.
Tupac Shakur's last film role.
A potent cop thriller, given extra lift by superb acting...Two corrupt cops who work in an inner-city precinct set up fake drug deals, sell coke to dealers, then kill them, and keep the money for themselves, they get away with it because these kinds of killings in these seedy areas almost always get filed under 'gang related' when no suspect is in sight. However, their plan begins to fall apart when their most recent victim turns out to be an undercover DEA agent and now they's got federal agents looking into the case. What happens next depends too much on surprise for me to reveal it, but the despair and desperation comes across extremely well as the two cops struggle to cover up what they've done. Without mentioning specifics, I'll just say that betrayal, distrust, and out-of-control violence sets in as a result of the decisions made.
I was actually very surprised at the chemistry between Belushi and Shakur. Considering the grim material the two actors are working with, they have a gritty and almost comic spirit together. The opening scene is one of my favorites, in which the two sitting, bored and exhausted in a seedy motel room waiting for their next victim, have a conversation about wishing they were in Hawaii (Shakur: "How can you think about Hawaii now?" Belushi: "I'm here... I don't wanna be here... so I think about being in Hawaii, so as not to get depressed about being here.") Even the tension-filled and confrontational scenes later in the film showcase the two actors' talents, particularly Tupac.
At the time I saw this I was just beginning to explore the West Coast hip-hop scene (after years of listening to only New York-based hip-hop), and I knew very little of Tupac and his legacy. Interestingly enough, it was his acting career that first made me admire him after seeing him in 'Juice' and 'Poetic Justice' in the early '90s. Being that he he studied at the Baltimore School of Arts and was classically-trained in the theater, it is no surprise the skill he possessed. He was extremely charismatic and convincing in every one of his performances. In fact, if his final performance here is any indication, I think he had the potential to become one of the best of his generation. And this is enough cause for even a non-fan to mourn his death.

The highlights, however, are the tunes, from "The Chanukah Song" ("Paul Newman's half-Jewish. Goldie Hawn, too. Put them together--what a fine-looking Jew!") to the all-out opus "Lunchlady Land," featuring a bemoled Chris Farley rocking out like no one in a hairnet ever has to the "Slop-Sloppy-Joes" chorus.
All in all, it's a nice trip back through SNL time. When it comes to getting in touch with his inner goofy 8-year-old, Adam Sandler is comedy's big daddy. --Bob Michaels

A fine showing of Sandler's bestAnd it was well worth it. We get the great Operaman skits, the hilarious Canteen Boy (probably the funniest SNL skit ever), and the skit I can relate to the most, the Denise show. There are also many other funny skits worth watching.
My only criticism is that there should be a lot more special features. That's one of the reasons you buy a DVD player, so I think a lot of emphasis should be on special features. Maybe some extra commentary, or maybe a behind-the-scenes of SNL type of thing would be great, so they fall short there.
But overall, this is a great purchase, and a great addition to anyone's DVD collection.
Not the best of Adam Sandler, but still fun for "SNL" fans!Adam Sandler has probably gotten the most out of "Saturday Night Live." He appeared in one film prior to his casting on "SNL." It was a film called "Going Overboard," and it is a true cinematic disaster. After "SNL," however, he has appeared in such flicks as "Billy Madison," "Happy Gilmore," "The Waterboy," "The Wedding Singer," and last year's "Punch-Drunk Love," in which he displayed his true feelings behind the goofy boy persona.
"Saturday Night Live: The Best of Adam Sandler" is a compilation of his greatest moments on the famed television show, ranging from skits involving original characters such as Canteen Boy and Operaman, to the host of "The Denise Show" and The Herlihy Boy Homesitter.
I stumbled upon this DVD while I was at my video store picking up another "SNL" DVD. I was happy because I like the early 90s segments of "Saturday Night Live" much more than the recent episodes, especially now that Will Ferrell has left the show. I was pretty excited that I had found it.
Which is why I was a bit disappointed. I liked this collection of his so-called "greatest moments," but I can't necessarily say that I've seen nothing better. In fact, some of the skits on this DVD are not that funny after a while. The Herlihy Boy Homesitter gets old pretty fast, and while I liked "The Denise Show," I recall seeing a much funnier sequence of the same fake TV show with Nicole Kidman as a guest star - and it was funnier than this one.
Thinking back, I didn't laugh a whole lot at all the skits. They weren't as funny or outrageous as those included in this year's "The Best of Will Ferrell." Is it because Adam Sandler himself isn't funny? Many people think so. I think he's good at what he does. I like his goofy comedies like "Happy Gilmore" because they put a smile on my face (though he's far from being a great comedian at all). Also included on the DVD is the song that inspired his animated feature film "Eight Crazy Nights," as well as Iraqi Pete (an odd skit but pretty funny). I had already seen a few of these skits on television before, including that involving Kevin Nealon and guest star Kirstie Alley being bothered by sex-craved Italians in a hotel.
My favorite skit, however, would have to be one that has Michael Keaton paying Chris Farley to keep an eye on his frail grandmother while he goes back to his room with a girl for a half hour. The grandmother (played by Sandler with a wig) wants Joey (Keaton), and she doesn't want anything to do with Farley. Farley tries to help her with everything but "she" screams and claims he's attacking her. Keaton comes out and beats up Farley a few times in the process. Funny stuff, but still a long shot from anything extraordinary.
And just as with "The Best of Will Ferrell," I am disappointed in this DVD's length. 73 minutes is short for a collection such as this. I understand that it originally aired on television, and with commercials it runs to a full 90 minutes. However, why not make it a full two hours with commercials? That would mean the DVD, without commercials (of course), would run closer to 90 minutes than 70. Or why not include a batch of extra "Best Of" scenes for the Special Edition DVD? That would interest many more buyers.
There are also no special features on this DVD, save one single photo gallery that scans through a handful of snapshots from the skits for about thirty seconds. The new "Best Ofs" contain dress rehearsals, outtakes, Conan O'Brian interviews, and photo galleries. I suppose there wasn't much footage left over since Adam Sandler's skits were filmed before DVDs and Lorne Michaels never thought of saving some deleted scenes and so on and so forth. But it would have been interesting to have more than a photo gallery. Maybe even trailers for some of Sandler's movies?
Strictly speaking, it's not an overblown Special Edition DVD like so many nowadays. It is basically exactly what it says - a collection of his best moments. No real special features, no commentaries, etc. Just the same as the TV broadcast only on DVD format. I guess that's OK.
If you're a fan of "Saturday Night Live" or Adam Sandler, I recommend picking up this DVD. However, if you want a good laugh, I recommend picking up "The Best of Will Ferrell" or "Dana Carvey," which I am told is hilarious and is next on my list. Steve Martin is always a good bet, too, but you may have more trouble finding older episodes - not many people care for them anymore. I'm still waiting on "The Best of Dan Aykroyd," "Chevy Chase," and "Gilda Radner," to name a few of many....
"Saturday Night Live: The Best of Adam Sandler" runs 73 minutes, and includes many different skits. It is not rated and contains some sexual content and language. Its single bonus feature is a photo gallery.
The Amazing Adventures of Canteen Boy. Excellent!When you purchase this bad boy, what you get is about 73 minutes of pure hilarity and the chaotic genius of Mr. Sandler. Every skit is hilarious and will leave you wanting more. This is something you will want to watch over and over again. (Then, you'll watch it again!) With an all-star cast and plenty of big star cameos, this is an outstanding collection.
Some of the skits included are: The Denise Show, Cajun Man, Grandma, Canteen Boy, Opera Man, Zagat's, Gap, Schmitts Gay, Herilhy Boy, Iraqui Pete, and many more.
Some of the stars (and cameos) included are, David Duchovny, Rob Schneider, Alec Baldwin, Chris Farley, David Spade, Michael Keaton, and many more.
My favorite skit by far has to be "The Denise Show." No matter how many times I see that skit, it never gets old. I also enjoyed the "Grandma" skit, with the very funny Michael Keaton and the late Chris Farley. (Chris Farley is probably the one who brought out the best in Sandler, as he is in many of them. We miss you Chris!)
All in all, an EXCELLENT collection. Topnotch all the way on all fronts. This is a DVD (or VHS) that will entertain you over and over again. If you love Adam Sandler, or SNL, then this is the collection you've been waiting for.


The critics are wrong
Yes!
The Original Wag the Dog

The critics are wrong
Yes!
The Original Wag the Dog

"Jingle All The Way" Is An All-Time Classic....The movie starts out with Howard (Schwarzenegger) as a distracted businessman who hasn't paid much attention to his son lately. His son Jamie (Lloyd) is really excited about Christmas coming up and desperately along with every kid in the city wants one thing for Christmas: A Turbo Man doll. Every child has been begging their parents to buy it. Even though his wife Liz (Watson) told him to buy it a month ago, he FORGOT!!
Now it's Christmas Eve and he decides then to go buy the most popular toy on the market. Luckily so he don't look stupid, dozens of of other parents are doing the same thing. Now at the first store, they are SOLD OUT! Then one store after the other and the other and NOTHING!! Then he finds out that one store just got a late delivery of Turbo Man dolls and they are having a lottery to see who gets one first. So they whole crowd goes crazy after all the number balls are thrown in the air. He fights a mailmain (Sinbad) for number 2. He loses his ball. Then a mall Santa Claus convinces him that they have Turbo Man dolls to sell him. He follows the guy to his secret facility. He actually pays $300 for a doll and opens the box and it is all broken. They ARE CONARTISTS!! After all the trouble he's been through he starts punching everyone. He fights migit Santa's and even 7' giants.
Finally, after being chased my a cop, he accidenlty hides in the dressing room for the people in the parade. They think he is the replacement for the Turbo Man actor that goes on the parade float. So he finally gets his hand on a turbo man and now see what happens next. Will Jamie get this Turbo Man doll or NOT?
If you are a big Christmas fan, this is the next piece to add to your Christmas collection. Merry Christmas!! Ho, Ho, Ho!! Jingle All The Way!!
An unusual Schwarzenegger filmArnold takes an unusual part in this film, much like Kindergarten Cop, where he is not pumping lead into enimies. This is a well done Christmas movie portraying what many parents must go through trying to find the popular Christmas toy of the year at the last minute. There is some good laughs, but also some times of annoying parts of the film with Howards son, which is amazingly annoying. But all in all, Jingle All the Way is a film that can be enjoyed among all ages.
Great Holiday Family Movie

A twist of muppets and cartoons characters
I bought it by mistake.I wanted to order more movies but I got this instead.
How are you supposed to get the movies you want?
Now I have the movie I want so I watch it. It is called the
World's nuttiest nutcracker. Which is why I bought this movie
because it's about world records for who is the nuttiest of all.
Let me repeat that I hate cchristmass. But I love movies about christmass. I dont have to deal with my own family because I hate them. So now I watch this movie and I like it like 4 stars out of 5, it is insane. There are all these people in the movie
that look like cheap plastic, but wait they are not real, they are realtime 3d people/fruit. So that caught my Eye and I loved the fact that this was a good choice to buy and then watch this
awfull film
I hope every child finds this treasure under the tree...

A twist of muppets and cartoons characters
I bought it by mistake.I wanted to order more movies but I got this instead.
How are you supposed to get the movies you want?
Now I have the movie I want so I watch it. It is called the
World's nuttiest nutcracker. Which is why I bought this movie
because it's about world records for who is the nuttiest of all.
Let me repeat that I hate cchristmass. But I love movies about christmass. I dont have to deal with my own family because I hate them. So now I watch this movie and I like it like 4 stars out of 5, it is insane. There are all these people in the movie
that look like cheap plastic, but wait they are not real, they are realtime 3d people/fruit. So that caught my Eye and I loved the fact that this was a good choice to buy and then watch this
awfull film
I hope every child finds this treasure under the tree...

A twist of muppets and cartoons characters
I bought it by mistake.I wanted to order more movies but I got this instead.
How are you supposed to get the movies you want?
Now I have the movie I want so I watch it. It is called the
World's nuttiest nutcracker. Which is why I bought this movie
because it's about world records for who is the nuttiest of all.
Let me repeat that I hate cchristmass. But I love movies about christmass. I dont have to deal with my own family because I hate them. So now I watch this movie and I like it like 4 stars out of 5, it is insane. There are all these people in the movie
that look like cheap plastic, but wait they are not real, they are realtime 3d people/fruit. So that caught my Eye and I loved the fact that this was a good choice to buy and then watch this
awfull film
I hope every child finds this treasure under the tree...

A twist of muppets and cartoons characters
I bought it by mistake.I wanted to order more movies but I got this instead.
How are you supposed to get the movies you want?
Now I have the movie I want so I watch it. It is called the
World's nuttiest nutcracker. Which is why I bought this movie
because it's about world records for who is the nuttiest of all.
Let me repeat that I hate cchristmass. But I love movies about christmass. I dont have to deal with my own family because I hate them. So now I watch this movie and I like it like 4 stars out of 5, it is insane. There are all these people in the movie
that look like cheap plastic, but wait they are not real, they are realtime 3d people/fruit. So that caught my Eye and I loved the fact that this was a good choice to buy and then watch this
awfull film
I hope every child finds this treasure under the tree...
Belushi and Shakur make for a good team in an otherwise average crime thriller. Belushi is the more brutal of the two as he goes around kicking and blasting while the more sympathetic Shakur is trying to keep it together and also seems to feel some form of guilt over the crimes that he and his partner have committed. As is often the case in films like this, the deeper the two cops get in trying to cover up their crime, the more their world seems to fall apart. Real criminals that they have arrested are acquitted because they have used the stolen evidence in other cases, some of their phony witnesseses are buckling under pressure, and the man who they try to stick the murder charge to turns out to be more than what they expected. Through it all, Belushi and Shakur have a real chemistry and the audience often finds itself rooting for these guys who are in all honesty, complete jerks.
Many of Shakur's hardcore fans often praise his performance, which is real good, but Belushi is the one carrying the team here. Not to say that Shakur does not give an excellent performance but his role is less-defined so without Belushi, the film doesn't work. He is the one we all love to hate here. A scumbag homicide cop with homicidal tendencies who seems to keep testing his luck in every area. Shakur is more or less the guilty conscience of the duo. The more the story progresses, the worse he seems to feel about what he has done.
The interesting thing is how Shakur's character compliments Belushi's. Once the two are no longer functioning as a unit, Belushi is lost in our eyes. The little sympathy we felt for his character is gone. The way that he distances himself from Shakur is one of the few noble things that he does in the film but unfortunately, without his partner to save him, he is beyond help. He is now just a renegade without a purpose and we as an audience know that wherever he is going, he is in for some trouble.
"Gang Related" is not an excellent movie. The story seems to wear thin in some areas but the film's two leads really keep this one above water. James Belushi turns in one of his best perfomances in some time in a role much different from what you're used to seeing from him. Shakur, in somewhat of a low-key performance is absolutely brilliant. Many people criticize rappers for trying to pick up a second paycheck without mastering the acting craft. Shakur is so natural as an actor, you would think it was his first love. It is a shame that Tupac never got an opportunity to be all that he could as far as acting goes. "Related" is not exactly an original concept but it is worth the time spent as it takes you for a nice little ride. On a side note, the Pac-influenced soundtrack of the film also helped give it a more professional feel.