THE TOP 10 AMERICAN FAVORITE 4th of July MOVIES !!!

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY !!!  

 GOD BLESS AMERICA !!!

Ahhh, the Great American Holiday Weekend is upon us !!!  Time for generations of sweaty family and friends to gather together in parks and backyards across this fruited plain for BBQ, multi-colored Jell-O salads, and swimming pool parties.  And what could be more American than a little homegrown, illegal, fireworks display at the end of the day for the whole cul-de-sac to enjoy.

Good times indeed.  I won't be  partaking in any of that silliness.  I'll have a wonderfully chilled adult beverage in my hand, and be staked out on a good spot on Art Hill Sunday night enjoying the Sammy Hagar concert as part of VP Fair or Fare St Louis, or whatever they call it these days.  By the way, you are more than welcome to join me for what is bound to be a great show.  Rain or not, it's going to be a rock-n-roll weekend.

But then this afternoon I sat here at this keyboard enjoying the thunderstorm.  I got to thinking, what if it rains all weekend ?  Then I checked the forecast and things don't look so good for the Great American Holiday Weekend.  Knowing I could not leave all of you hanging without a Plan B should the rains ruin the Backyard BBQ/Swimming Pool Bonanza - I kicked into Action Mode !  After hours of research, data compilation, and a nice nap after dinner - I have compiled a list of America's Favorite 4th of July movies.  So, relax, rain or shine, your get together will be a hit - either in the pool or in front of the DVD player ! 

I guess I should mention that this is a list based on research, NOT personal opinion.  I found ten sources from the internet, cross-referenced the movie titles on the various lists and tallied up the number of times a movie title appeared.  It sounds pretty impressive, and it is.  It took a lot of time and effort, but hey, it's for my readers, so I don't mind the effort.

Here it is .... THE TOP 10 AMERICAN FAVORITE 4TH OF JULY MOVIES !!!

#10 --- "The Sand Lot"

To be honest, I've never seen it.
I've heard it's great fun though.

# 9 --- "Jaws"

This film still keeps people out of the water.
It is a true classic.

#8 --- "Yankee Doodle Dandy"

This is the classic tale of the rise of George M. Cohan,
brought to life by none other than James Cagney.
This is another true American classic.

#7 --- "Forrest Gump"

One of Tom Hanks best films,
and a great look at the 2nd half of 20th Century America.

#6 --- "Captain America: The First Avenger"

This is everything a comic book movie should be.
Actually, this is everything a good movie needs to be.

Sadly, neither sequel measure up.

#5 --- "Rocky IV"

Rocky is at the top of his career and it looks like
only a big, bad Russian can bring the Stallion down.
Will Rocky let America or Adrienne down ?
Cold War Classic.

#4 --- "The Patriot"

One of Roland Emmerich's best films,
One of Mel Gibson's best performances
This is a great story about the brave men and women
who fought and defined "Independence Day".

#3 --- "Born on the Fourth of July"

One of, if not, the best of Tom Cruise's performances.
Probably not the "go-to" movie to keep the party moving,
however one of the most powerful, moving, true stories
of a real, American hero.

#2 --- "Top Gun"

Pretty People ... Cool Jets ... Rockin' Soundtrack ...
100% American Pride
You can feel the need for speed just as much now
as it was when it
came out at the height of the Cold War.

AND NOW ... THE #1 AMERICAN FAVORITE 4TH OF JULY MOVIE IS ...

#1 --- "Independence Day"

This movie really has it all.  It is one helluva
action thrill ride with great, memorable characters.

It is still an awesome feel-good movie, twenty years and a sequel later.
This is still the best.

So, there you have it.  America's Top 10 4th of July film favorites.  Now, if it rains all weekend, you know which DVDs to have lined up and ready to go !

I would like to make a second list for your consideration, and "Honorable Mention" list perhaps.  These were films that received a vote on one or two of the lists I reviewed for this posting.  You should definitely also consider these for you viewing pleasure this weekend.  In no particular order ...

*** The Honorable Mentions ***

"All the President's Men"

"American Graffiti"

"The American President"

"Dave"

"John Adams"

"Johnny Tremain"

"Stripes"

"Mr. Smith Goes to Washington"    

and then, of course, ANY movie starring the ultimate American --- Mr. John Wayne.

 

Before I sign off, I would like to wish you all a very heartfelt Happy Independence Day to you and your families !!!

Also - if interested - the following lists of sites are the ones I compiled my data and research for this posting:  ABC News, EW.com, Forbes, Fox News, IMDB, NBC News, Netflix, Reader's Digest, Refinery, and Suggest.

Thanks again for stopping by !  Please pass this along to your friends.  I'd like to see how much we can grow this little site and have some fun along the way.  Any ideas or suggestions - let me know !

Enjoy your holiday and God bless America !!!

John M. Dunlap
"The Hollywood Outsiders"  

 

"Independence Day: Resurgence"

 First of all, thanks for stopping by and checking out my review of the long-awaited sequel to ID4.  As far as I'm concerned - this is the first big summer movie of 2016.

We've waited twenty years for this movie, and it was (for the most part) worth the wait.  Overall, I enjoyed the picture.  I do have some problems with it, and I'll be sharing those in this review.  Don't worry - no major spoilers here.  I won't give away anything you didn't already know from the previews or other media attention.

So, what do we know?  It's twenty years later since mankind faced the brink of extinction from alien invaders, only to be saved by a great speech from President Whitmore (Bill Pullman), an awesome plan concocted by David Levinson (Jeff Goldblum), and an act of ultimate sacrifice from the unlikely hero Russell Casse (Randy Quaid).  It was 4th of July weekend 1996 and damnit - it was good to be 'Merican !

Now - the world has united as one species and as thus has advanced and rebuilt.  Director Levinson (never really told what exactly he's the Director of, but he's large and in charge) has spent the last twenty years studying the alien technology and progressing human technology leaps and bounds - particularly in the weapons and planetary defense department.  His life's mission has become ensuring the world that if another unfriendly space visitor came knocking - we now had the tools to defend and prevent another near-extinction event.  He has even built a base on the moon and a large cannon that mimmicks the primary weapon of the first alien invaders.  Honestly, every time I saw the big laser I couldn't help but think of Dr. Evil and want to name the weapon, "the Alan Parsons Project".

Of course this new film must have new, pretty young people to look at.  This brings me to  one of my issues with the new film.  They are just that - pretty young people to look at.  Thor's little brother, Liam Hemsworth, is the only one in the bunch to show any promise of developing as a promising actor.  Remember little Dylan - Captain Steven Hiller (Will Smith) stepson?  He was so cute, with his hat on sideways and hanging onto his big yellow lab.  Do you remember the daughter of the President and First Lady - the "Munchkin" ?  Well, they are all grown up now and portrayed by very attractive young people - none of which will be working in Hollywood in the next five years.  Well, that's not entirely true, they might be at an all-night gas-n-go or a cocktail lounge waitress within the zip code boundaries of Hollywood CA.  Their "acting" careers will be a distant memory.

Every film creates devices to keep the audience keen to the time and location of what you are watching.  Sometimes this device can even help build the suspense.  Thus was the case with the original ID4.  You will remember from the beginning of the film, Levinson finding the signal hidden in our own satellite feeds that was causing all the broadcast troubles.  The signal was a countdown timer for the aliens to move into place and coordinate their massive attack on the planet.  We know this is happening on JULY 2 as those large letters loom across the screen.  After the countdown reaches zero and the initial attack is over, the dust begins to settle, a new day begins - JULY 3.  Of course, this culminates on JULY 4 in the film's big finale where, as President Whitmore proclaims, "we will not go down without a fight ... we're going to live on ... today is our Independence Day !" and by God - the world unites and kicks their green lizard butts !

The date across the screen was a great device.  It moved the movie (and audience) closer to the finish line.  It gave us a good idea where we were in this movement.  It built the suspense to the coming big finale we all knew was going to happen.  They did not use this device in the sequel and its absence was felt.  There is no sense of time elapsed in the events unfolding on the screen, and thus no sense of urgency for the deadlines the heroes have to save the world.  Is all this happening over three days or three weeks ?  Who knows, they're not telling us.

Here's another thing ... a few months ago a friend and I were looking over upcoming movies and this film came up.  My friend asked, "when does it come out?"  I laughed and replied, "hello, Independence Day?!"  My friend got the last laugh as the sequel did not follow its predecessor and open on the obvious Independence Day weekend.  Why?  Why would you not open ID4-2 any other time than Independence Day ???  Are you afraid that Tarzan's opening is going to steal your thunder ???  News flash ---- you lost your thunder to a cartoon, as most people this weekend went "Finding Dory" ... 73 MILLION of them.

Do you remember at the beginning of this post I recalled the names and major plot points of several of the first film's primary cast?  We remember these characters because of good writing and character development.  The writing created time and situations for us to become emotionally involved with these characters so that now, even 20 years later, who can forget Julius and David Levinson?  Area 51's top scientist, Dr. Okun ?  The Crazy, former alien abductee now turned bottle-sniffing crop duster, Russell Casse?

There are new, fresh faces in this film.  Due to a lack of the same good writing from the the first film and hiring fresh faces, NOT good actors.  The first film was carefully scribed by the film's director, Roland Emmerich, and the talented writer, Dean Devlin.   They are back for this film as well.  You can definitely feel their presence in the script.  Unfortunately, they are not alone.  There is a team of new writers attached to the project, and it is obvious where there "contributions" come in.  This is the film's major problem.  The writing does not create the emotional attachment to these new characters that we need for this film to really hit the suspense level it needs to.  For example, Liam Hemsworth plays "Jake".  Jake is a pilot.  Jake and the (now all growed up) Munchkin are in love.  That's it - there is your character "Jake". 

Bottom line - as for the writing - there are too many cooks in the kitchen.  Too many "great ideas" competing with each other to the point that the original great idea gets lost in a sea of revisions.

Conclusion

 

The original, the classic, 1996 "Independence Day" remains one of Hollywood's greatest achievements.  It raised the bar on the disaster movie genre, and is a hard act to follow.  The simple fact that it took twenty years for Roland Emmerich to find an idea that he thought was a worthy successor to his original film speaks volumes.

This film has its flaws.  However, it is a worthy sequel to the original classic.  It is a lot of fun.  All of the original characters are back (except one) and they are all just as entertaining, if not more so than the original - so that balances out the flat, lifeless pretty faces.  As for Will Smith not being included in this film --- he is not missed at all.

It is a shame that the opening box office for the film has been less than impressive, but that is going to happen to any film that opens up against a kid friendly family cartoon film from Pixar/Disney.  It should not be a reflection on ID4-2.  Sadly, it will. 

Go see ID4-2 on the big screen while you can !  It is definitely worth it !

Bottom Line:

---- "INDEPENDENCE DAY:  RESURGENCE"  ----  
 

3 OF 5 STARS

Thanks again for stopping by and checking out the review.  I'm going to try and get back to doing this and more stuff like it on a regular basis again.  If anyone has an idea - let me know.


John M. Dunlap

"The Hollywood Outsiders"

 

DVD REVIEW - "Kill the Irishman"

I love mob movies.  I love true stories turned to film.  Thus, when I saw the preview for this I could  not wait to see it.  However, the film was only scheduled for limited release in a few screens across the country and St. Louis was not on that short list.  "Kill the Irishman" is now available on DVD and I highly encourage you to rent this picture.  The film stars Ray Stevenson, Vincent D'Onofrio, Val Kilmer, and Christopher Walken.

This is the true story of an Irish mobster named Danny Greene.  Born and raised in Cleveland Ohio, Danny rises from his poor upbringing to become the president of the International Longshoremen's Association in Cleveland.  This leads to his involvement with the Mafia in Cleveland, dominated by an Italian family with connections to the Gambinos in New York City.  After a "disagreement" with one of Cleveland's top mob officials, the Jewish money launderer and lone shark named Shondor Birns (Christopher Walken) puts out the contract for Danny Greene's execution.  This begins the brutal and true all out war waged between the Italian mafia and Danny Greene's crew.  In the summer of 1976, 36 bombs detonated in various mob killings all over the Cleveland area.  Most of which were aimed at Greene, who had an uncanny knack for avoiding death.  He became a media sensation, and popular opinion either labeled him a hero of the people and the neighborhood he loved or a vicious egomaniacal killer with an unsatiable thirst for money and power.

This movie is a must see on many levels.  First and foremost, as outrageous as the story becomes - it is 100% true.  There is no fabrication or embellishment to this screenplay, penned by Jeremy Walters and Jonathan Hensliegh (who also directed the film).  The attention to detail is fantastic.  This movie does not look at all like it was filmed in 2011.  It is a complete immersion into the 1970's, down to the fine detail of using actual television news coverage from the 70's to help tell the story. 

The cast is the film's greatest strength.  The director has chosen some of today's most talented, and in some cases, most underrated actors to bring these real life characters to life.  Ray Stevenson is fantastic throughout as the seemingly unkillable Danny Greene.  His performance is consistently powerful throughout the film.  I am very much looking forward to seeing his next performance in the upcoming "The Three Musketeers" as he will be portraying the flamboyant Porthos (previously enacted by Gerard Depardieau and Oliver Platt).  Vincent D'Onofrio is as quirky and entertaining as ever in his portrayal of John Nardi, an Italian mobster who gets shafted by his own organization and allies with Greene.  Christopher Walken ... ahhh, Christopher Walken.  Has he ever turned in a bad performance?  The answer is a simple "no".  And while he does not play a large role in the film, his character is ultimately responsible for the whole story you are about to see, and Walken owns every scene he is in.

Lastly, Val Kilmer portrays the good cop, Joe Manditski, who is a native of the same neighborhood as Danny Greene.  In another world, with another set of circumstances, Greene and Manditski would probably have been best of friends.  In this one, Manditski cannot help but secretly like Greene, and all the while he pursues him as a good cop should.  Val Kilmer is one of our generation's best actors.  It is a shame that his career seems to have dwindled from the bright lights of the big screen to more of the Direct to DVD market.  Time, as well, has not been too kind to Kilmer.  He is not aging particularly well as the once "Iceman" is now more aptly categorized as more of a double scoop of soft serve.  But, his talent is as strong and chiseled to a sharp point as it ever was, and hopefully with more roles like this - we will see Kilmer back on the big screen where his caliber of talent belongs.

In conclusion, "Kill the Irishman" did not get the big screen time it should have, and as such not enough people have seen or heard of this film.  This is one of the best mob films made in recent history.  Given enough time and word of mouth recomendations from one person to another, and the day will come that this film will be rightfully listed on any Top 10 Mob Movies list that is worth paying attention to.  If you like movies like, "Goodfellas", "Donnie Brasco", and "The Departed" - you need to see this movie.  And then, you need to tell as many of your friends and family who like good movies that they need to see this movie.

4 out of 4 Bright, Shining Stars on this one !

John M. Dunlap
The Hollywood Outsiders

DVD REVIEW --- "Dylan Dog: Dead of Night"

I remember seeing preview trailers for this film and thought it looked like fun.  I also thought it would be interesting to see Brandon Routh getting out from under the trainwreck that was "Superman Returns".  I am not at all familiar with the comic book source material, so I am judging the film solely on its merits as a movie and not an adaptation.  I had my calendar marked to see it in the theater.  Unfortunately I was not able to make it opening weekend.  This movie bombed so bad, I don't think it was in theaters a second week.  It is listed as one of the biggest flops of 2011.  It grossed only $4 million worldwide, with a budget near $20 million.

I am telling you all of this before I continue for a simple reason.  Sometimes, it is best to not judge a book by its cover.  I rented this movie, expecting a fun B-movie that would hopefully have some decent action, some humor, and just generally provide some mindless entertainment for a couple hours.  Go into watching this movie with those kind of expectations, and you will be thoroughly entertained.  This is a fun, silly movie.  It never feels like they are trying to take themselves too seriously with this and neither should you.  Just sit back, grab some popcorn, and have fun with this.

Brandon Routh does a fine job playing the lead character.  The movie takes place in New Orleans, the apparent mecca for the undead just looking to find some place they can quietly live out their unnatural lives.  In this world, one man - a pulse pounding human - has been appointed to oversee criminal matters of the underworld as an impartial investigator.  This job belongs to Dylan Dog. 

The movie plays out as a loose mystery taking in plenty of action and comedy along the way.  It is predictable and yet, it is entertaining enough that you don't mind.  While I doubt there will be a big screen Dylan Dog 2, it would not surprise me to see it happen as a direct to DVD project.  As long as Routh returns as the hero, that would be just fine with me.

Give this movie a try.  It will surprise you.

3 out of 4 Stars

John M. Dunlap
The Hollywood Outsiders