John-Candy Movie Reviews

A lively, bouncy, kaleidoscopic view on the topless dance girls of the late 60's.

The most memorable short scene, is that of a ridiculously proportioned girl, Darlene Grey, doing a topless boogie in the desert. Otherwise petite, she almost falls over on several occasions, because of the weight of her swinging breasts!
Unlikely to be forgotten in a hurry.

All hail the hedonistic dance of the leather belt.

Topless go-go girls abound in this wonderfully skewed, ultra-hip documentary from the one-and-only Russ Meyer. Great girls and great music.

I, like the other reviewers, am a huge fan of SCTV. This video consists of clips of John Candy from SCTV, but you just can't chop this kind of satire up and still make it work -- it's like the "Beatles' Greatest Hits"; like making Fred and Ginger dance in a refrigerator box; like "Julia Child Cooks Celery" or "Hamlet, the Readers' Digest Version."

They need to either reproduce the SCTV programs whole, or not at all.

Except for classic Saturday Night Live (1975-80), SCTV is one of the most funniest, creative and most inventive television comedy shows ever to be broadcast. From Dr. Tounge to Jonny LaRue, Candy exhibits his great talent in one scene after the other. Why is there not more SCTV on video? Why are we forced to watch garbage and untalented people like Tom Green when we could spend the rest of our lives watching Candy doing something really funny (and things that don't hurt people!) Put more SCTV on video! PLEASE! If I could put 10 stars for this one, I would. Rent it, laugh at it and tell everyone: John Candy lives!

What more can one say, I only they would get the liscense through to making SCTV dvds!!!!!

You movie reviewers need to learn to just enjoy a movie for what it is and stop searching for some deeper meaning to the whole thing or whining about wasted talents of actors. Well let me fill you in: there is no deeper meaning. This is just a light, fun movie about a cross-country road race that isn't trying to win any academy awards. If you ask me, those academy awards a load of bunk anyway. Could Saving Private Ryan have been any more predictable and pre-packed, if you know what I mean? I don't think so. But all you reviewers sure bought it. I guess it's no coincidence that the vast majority of movies I enjoyed got bad reviews. But to y'all's credit, you were spot-on with Chicken Run...

This movie is very good. At the beginning a Lamborghini skips accoss a river. Lots of car wrecks. Great Acting! If you like all sorts of 80's exotic cars this is the movie for you! I really love it!

The first time I saw this movie it was in 1989. This movie was great. I love cars and it so happened to be that my favorite car in the world was in the openning. The Lamborghini Countach (WOW). For years I was trying to look for this movie to see it again. I could not find it until a few years back. Now I want to buy it. I want to have a copy so that I can watch it whenever I want. I thought that the movie was good and the races were fun to watch especially when the Countach smoked the Jaguar. That was awesome.

"King Creole" from 1958,(the same year Elvis Presley was inducted into the U.S.Army),is a good drama with a few good musical numbers thrown in. Shot in glorious black&white and produced by Hal Wallis,who produced some of Mr. Presley's biggest hits("Loving You" from 1957,"Blue Hawaii" from 1961,"Girls!Girls! Girls!" from 1962) and directed by Michael Curtiz(the classic "Casablanca"),the story takes place in New Orleans and Elvis stars as Danny Fisher,a disillusioned high school drop out with designs on being a singer.Danny gets a job at the night club "King Creole". The picture features a fine supporting cast including the late,great Walter Matthau,very effective as a sleazy gangster,Carolyn Jones as the gangster's kept woman,Dean Jagger as Danny's father,Vic Morrow as a hoodlum and one of the gangster's henchman and Dolores Hart as Danny's girlfriend,(Ms. Hart after making several movies left acting and decided to become a nun in the mid '60's).Elvis's top ten hit single from this movie was "Hard Headed Woman".Also, "Trouble" was a well known number.Elvis Presley had said in interviews that of all the 30 odd pictures he had made Danny Fisher in "King Creole" was his personal favorite film role.And,Mr. Presley added that he hated most of the rest of the pictures he had made.

In 1958 Elvis made his fourth movie -- the hip-shaken, "King Creole." This story line follows Elvis as he portrays Danny Fisher, a teenage 50's style rebel. Clad in a t-shirt and blue jeans his protrayal reminds one of Marlon Brando, in his great perfomance in , "On The Waterfront."

Living in a small apartment with his father and sister, the young Elvis takes a job sweeping floors and cleaning tables in a local nightclub to help ends meet. The gangster-owner of the Bourbon Street hot spot, is Walter Matthau.

One night Elvis is forced to jump on stage and perform in his bus boy attire. The name of the song was, "Trouble." Which pretty well sums up the life of Danny Fisher. The songs that came from this movie are phenomenal. Among the all time greats are, Crawfish, Lover Doll, Trouble, King Creole, Young Dreams, New Orleans, Hard Headed Woman, Don't Ask Me Why and As Long As I Have You.

Also starring in this superb movie are, Delores Hart, Carolyn Jones, Vic Morrow and Dean Jagger.

Be forewarned this movie is in black and white, but don't let that scare you. This movie is a must for Elvis fans. END END

He said it himself. This was Elvis' favorite film he starred in. There were several, of course, and with much more acclaim and popularity, ie. "Viva Las Vegas". But Elvis was particularily proud of his work in this film. In my personal opinion, the Elvis film were no more than attempts to boost his rock star image. He was, much like singer-actors/actresses today, vainly aspiring for film fame as Madonna has done. It is best for some to remain singers and not try their hand at acting. Elvis was not a bad actor, but his films tend to be a variation of the same theme- he sings, he falls in love, he gets into trouble. It was the 50's and 60's after all- in which beach settings, rock'n'roll and camp was quite popular. Elvis was merely giving the audience of his time what they wanted.

In King Creole, Elvis plays a young graduate who works in a jazz club in the French Quarter of New Orleans. He has problems with his father, he is torn between the love of his high school sweetheart who is "the good girl" and his ganster friends' wife, the seductive "bad girl" played by Carolyn Jones. Carolyn Jones was a lesser known 50's and 60's actress, most famous for her portrayal of Morticia Addams in the comedy sitcom "The Addams Family" which ran from 1965 to 1965. But Carolyn Jones was a great actress, able to portray a mobster's wife, a troubled woman, a vixen, a beat nick, and many other personages. She was also in other tv shows, the cult classic "Batman" in which she played the villanious Marsha Queen of Diamonds and, in her older age in the Dynasty-style soap opera of 1982 "Dynasty".

Elvis and Carolyn Jones chemistry is what makes this film work. It is quite impressive in its treatment of supposed "real" problems, especially for a young man growign up in this time. Rock and roll and nostalgia abound in this must have classic for fans of Elvis and Carolyn Jones.

Yes I am doing reviews on these Movies backwards so my last review will be on the Love Bug. The movie is really nice me thinks. Herbie falls in the good care of a Relative of Tennessee. She takes such good care of her Car , like I do to my Cats :)

An interesting thing here is the mean Man in this movie happens to be related to a good Man who falls in love with the daughter of the Old Woman who now owns the Car. There is only one very mild race in this film and not a bunch of races like in The Love Bug and Herbie goes to Monte Carlo.

This is a classic movie and Herbie is so awesome. Herbie does interesting things like Rides on tall Buildings and gets chased by bad people who where sent by the Villain to run that Old Lady out of her house.

I know people compare this movie to The Love Bug and, since it is a sequel, I guess that's natural. Still, I think it sould be veiwed on it's own. When you do that, the movie is a good movie that drives home the same message as the original: Persevere. Don't give up even in the face of adversity. It doesn't have the same charm as the original but it has it's own charm. I enjoyed this movie very much, but for it's own merits, not because it was a duplicate of the first.

WASSUP, AMERICA?!

Herbie Rides Again is a great movie! It was the first I saw out of the four of them! I bought it one day and at first I didn't care for it but I guess it grew on me! SO GREAT!

PEACE!

Yes I am doing reviews on these Movies backwards so my last review will be on the Love Bug. The movie is really nice me thinks. Herbie falls in the good care of a Relative of Tennessee. She takes such good care of her Car , like I do to my Cats :)

An interesting thing here is the mean Man in this movie happens to be related to a good Man who falls in love with the daughter of the Old Woman who now owns the Car. There is only one very mild race in this film and not a bunch of races like in The Love Bug and Herbie goes to Monte Carlo.

This is a classic movie and Herbie is so awesome. Herbie does interesting things like Rides on tall Buildings and gets chased by bad people who where sent by the Villain to run that Old Lady out of her house.

I know people compare this movie to The Love Bug and, since it is a sequel, I guess that's natural. Still, I think it sould be veiwed on it's own. When you do that, the movie is a good movie that drives home the same message as the original: Persevere. Don't give up even in the face of adversity. It doesn't have the same charm as the original but it has it's own charm. I enjoyed this movie very much, but for it's own merits, not because it was a duplicate of the first.

WASSUP, AMERICA?!

Herbie Rides Again is a great movie! It was the first I saw out of the four of them! I bought it one day and at first I didn't care for it but I guess it grew on me! SO GREAT!

PEACE!

Yes I am doing reviews on these Movies backwards so my last review will be on the Love Bug. The movie is really nice me thinks. Herbie falls in the good care of a Relative of Tennessee. She takes such good care of her Car , like I do to my Cats :)

An interesting thing here is the mean Man in this movie happens to be related to a good Man who falls in love with the daughter of the Old Woman who now owns the Car. There is only one very mild race in this film and not a bunch of races like in The Love Bug and Herbie goes to Monte Carlo.

This is a classic movie and Herbie is so awesome. Herbie does interesting things like Rides on tall Buildings and gets chased by bad people who where sent by the Villain to run that Old Lady out of her house.

I know people compare this movie to The Love Bug and, since it is a sequel, I guess that's natural. Still, I think it sould be veiwed on it's own. When you do that, the movie is a good movie that drives home the same message as the original: Persevere. Don't give up even in the face of adversity. It doesn't have the same charm as the original but it has it's own charm. I enjoyed this movie very much, but for it's own merits, not because it was a duplicate of the first.

WASSUP, AMERICA?!

Herbie Rides Again is a great movie! It was the first I saw out of the four of them! I bought it one day and at first I didn't care for it but I guess it grew on me! SO GREAT!

PEACE!

Yes I am doing reviews on these Movies backwards so my last review will be on the Love Bug. The movie is really nice me thinks. Herbie falls in the good care of a Relative of Tennessee. She takes such good care of her Car , like I do to my Cats :)

An interesting thing here is the mean Man in this movie happens to be related to a good Man who falls in love with the daughter of the Old Woman who now owns the Car. There is only one very mild race in this film and not a bunch of races like in The Love Bug and Herbie goes to Monte Carlo.

This is a classic movie and Herbie is so awesome. Herbie does interesting things like Rides on tall Buildings and gets chased by bad people who where sent by the Villain to run that Old Lady out of her house.

I know people compare this movie to The Love Bug and, since it is a sequel, I guess that's natural. Still, I think it sould be veiwed on it's own. When you do that, the movie is a good movie that drives home the same message as the original: Persevere. Don't give up even in the face of adversity. It doesn't have the same charm as the original but it has it's own charm. I enjoyed this movie very much, but for it's own merits, not because it was a duplicate of the first.

WASSUP, AMERICA?!

Herbie Rides Again is a great movie! It was the first I saw out of the four of them! I bought it one day and at first I didn't care for it but I guess it grew on me! SO GREAT!

PEACE!

A spinster who makes up corpses to look like movie stars and a cop who lives with his overbearing mother. A match made in heaven? Maybe, but there wasn;t much chemistry between Ally and John here. His mother does a good job and the neighbor nearly steals the film. not something to go out of your way to see.

This movie has all the makings of a winner. A plot that is identifiable to almost any moviegoer, (everybody knows somebody in this situation.)A cast consisting of a fine comic lead, good supporting characters and two Hollywood legends. And a script that fits each actor like a glove.

John Candy pleases in this low key role of a lonely police officer tied too tight to his mother (O'Hara) who has very strong opinons about almost everything and who plays the mother guilt card like no other as he is pursuing his interest in an equally lonely lady (Sheedy). I watched this with my own mother who is O'Hara's age and saw her nodding in agreement all over the film. (until her full blooded Siclian fists clenched when O'Hara's character described us. The look on her face was worth the price of the movie alone.)

The story is plesant and worth your money, Candy & O'Hara work well together (who would have thought she would outlive him!) but the real power of the film is her interaction with Anthony Quinn. Classic film buffs like myself will get a real charge out of Quinn once again persuing O'Hara, but this time without an Errol Flynn as a rival. That sub plot is at least as interesting as the main one and for my money is better. It is classic Maureen O'Hara, the strong woman who is chased by the strong man and frankly is a great contrast to the the exact opposite situation between Candy & Sheedy.

In the end to nobodys surprise love conquers all and Candy's final immagined scene (contrasting with several ones eariler in the film) gives him closure. That final scene is my favorite and show O'Hara playing a character she has always excelled at. Considering the events of 9/11/01 the ending has even more meaning as we see a member of "The Greatest Generation" setting an example (albert a fictious one) that would be bravely followed in reality 10 years later.

I've said little about the good performances by Sheedy and Belushi, not to mention several other supporting characters in minor roles, they all add to the picture, but the stars make this film. Buy it.

I saw the movie on Pax tv, channel 16 here in Salt Lake City and it was very good. I like Maureen O'hara, she played in Miracle on 34th Street, I have that video. I am going to order Only the Lonley because it is very moving and entertaining, I thought that it was interesting when Maureen O'Hara "Tells it like it is" to John Candy's girl friend and almost ruins their plans for getting married.

I first saw this film in 1979, and it was much better than what I was expecting. This is a good example of a "B" movie that far surpasses so many of the heavily hyped "A" productions. Elliott Gould and Christopher Plummer are outstanding in their roles, with solid work from Susannah York and the then virtually unknown John Candy. The plot is compelling all the way through, the suspense never falters, and the logic is "airtight", for people like myself who are annoyed with thrillers that don't thrill, and plots that have more holes than the pavement in downtown Belgrade. Only a single scene of gruesome and gratuitous violence detracts from what is a really fine film of its kind.

"The Silent Partner" is one of those rare films I have enjoyed watching over and over again. Every clever detail adds to the suspense and enjoyment of this truly under-rated film. Elliot Gould is excellent in his portrayal of bank teller Miles Cullen. The viewer actually finds himself rooting for Cullen, who is not only a thief, but is stealing from his own employer! And Christopher Plummer is deliciously wicked as Cullen's twisted, off-centered "Partner", who will do anything to settle the score. The scene where he talks to Cullen through the mail slot is worth the price of admission alone...

Seeing this movie when originally released, I remember the energy, the suspense, at how things were going to turn out. Christopher Plummer is the baddest of bad guys here (you'll never be able to view "The Sound of Music" the same way again). Elliot Gould is terrific, especially as we watch his character go from being in over his head to in control.

Note: this was penned by Curtis Hanson, who brought us "L.A. Confidential".

Fans should also note a small, but distinctive part played by a then almost-unknown John Candy.

This is one film that desperately needs full DVD treatment. If anyone knows where to lobby...