THE ‘BURBS Most everyone who lives in the suburbs thinks that some of their neighbors are nuts. (I’m sure a number of my neighbors think that about me). Then there is that particular house in which lives a family that really is strange. The ‘Burbs recounts a summer weekend in which three husbands with too much time on their hands become suspicious of some really weird people who have moved into the neighborhood eye-score. Are the husbands over reacting or are these new folk really doing something diabolical in their basement? Stars: Tom Hanks, Bruce Dern, Carrie Fisher, Corey Feldman M.P.A.A. Rating: Year Released: 1989 Type of Humor: Situational Comedy Strong Language: A few minor words Physical Violence: Slapstick Sexual Content: None Irreverence to social mores or religion: None Crudeness: Minor Political Incorrectness: No Anyone who might be offended: Color/Black and White: Color Released by:  MCA Home Video          GEORGE OF THE JUNGLE Surprisingly witty and joyfully silly. Many adults missed this film assuming it was a Disney kid’s movie. Very clever script with a lot of gags that would go over the average child’s head. Stars:  Brendan Fraser, Leslie Mann,Thomas Haden Church, Richard Roundtree, John Cleese (As an ape named 'Ape') M.P.A.A. Rating: Rated G Year Released: 1998 Type of Humor: Burlesque/Screwball Strong Language: None Physical Violence: Slapstick Sexual Content: Mild Irreverence to social mores or religion: No Crudeness: Grammar school level Political Incorrectness: Actually pretty politically correct Anyone who might be offended: Not likely Color/Black and White: Color Released by: Disney Home Video HERCULES Judged by the box office gross this was a dud when it was released in 1997. Yet I and a number of others thought it to be one of the funniest animated Disney movies in years. I never saw Hercules as a kid’s movie, although I can understand why kids would like it. Much of the humor is subtle and even sophisticated mixed in with humor that is burlesque and a bit over the top. Stars:  (voice talent) Tate Donovan, James Woods, Danny DeVito M.P.A.A. Rating: G Year Released: 1997 Type of Humor: Slapstick, Witty Strong Language: None Physical Violence: Cartoon Sexual Content: A wink or two Irreverence to social mores or religion: None Crudeness: Some grade school doodoo humor Political Incorrectness: To the contrary, very politically correct. Anyone who might be offended: No one Color/Black and White: Color Released by: Disney Home Video LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS Here is a movie for those who like their humor in a jugular vein. The hero Seymour, a nerdy florist, discovers that he is in possession of a talking, man eating plant. Most everyone has heard of actors eating the scenery, but here the scenery eats the actors! This is a rock and roll musical with Steven Martin as a Elvis Presley look-alike, sadistic dentist. Stars: Rick Moranis, Ellen Greene, Vincent Gardenia, Steve Martin, Levi Stubbs M.P.A.A. Rating: PG Year Released: 1986 Type of Humor: Satire Strong Language: Some Physical Violence: Well, you have a man eating plant and a sadistic dentist who beats up his girlfriend. . .cartoonish. Sexual Content: Inferred Irreverence to social mores or religion: The hero is willing to be an accomplice to murder. Crudeness: A little Political Incorrectness: This is a satire of the 1950's when women were not considered to be more than housewives and sex objects. Anyone who might be offended: Dentists and anyone who is offended by mayhem being treated as a joke. Color/Black and White: Color Released by: Warner Home Video THE MASK This is a film starring Jim Carrey that can even be enjoyed by people who do not particularly enjoy Jim Carrey. The Mask has a clever story line, good acting, a sympathetic main character and a cute little dog, Max, who upstages a number of the human actors. It’s sort of a Doctor Jekyll and Mr Hyde tale about a meek, nerdy bank teller who is transformed into a smirking, cartoonish hipster when he puts on a magical mask. This Mr Hyde has the manic energy, wit, and contortions of a 1940's Tex Avery cartoon. The other characters in the movie offer a good counterbalance to Carrey’s character. If you like this film, you will probably enjoy multiple viewings. Stars: Jim Carrey, Cameron Diaz, Richard Jeni, Peter Greene M.P.A.A. Rating: PG? Year Released: 1994 Type of Humor: Slapstick Strong Language: Some Physical Violence: Mostly cartoon (literally) but some realistic Sexual Content: A few minor moments. Irreverence to social mores or religion: Not really Crudeness: A number of crude gags Political Incorrectness: Little if any Anyone who might be offended: Color/Black and White: Color Released by: New Line Home Video THE MUMMY Very popular film in 1999 in large part because it was done with tongue in cheek. It’s an action adventure that ends up being sort of a Indiana Jones meets George Of the Jungle. I saw the movie both in the theater and on video and found that it works better on the little screen. Stars: Brendan Fraser, Rachel Weisz, John Hannah M.P.A.A. Rating: PG-13 Year Released: 1999 Type of Humor: Screwball Strong Language: Some Physical Violence: Considerable, with gruesome deaths by all sorts of nasty things but without showing bloody details. Sexual Content: Especially in the beginning with a near nude princess Irreverence to social mores or religion: Good guy, bad guy mentality Crudeness: Some Political Incorrectness: Treats Egyptians as two dimensional Anyone who might be offended: Those who take offense to casual mayhem and death Color/Black and White: Color Released by: Universal Home Video WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT? Is this a cartoon or a live action movie? It’s actually an incredible blend of both. When it came out in 1988, there had never been anything like it, and to this date (year 2000) Who Framed Roger Rabbit? remains unique. Forget the story. As with The Big Sleep, the acting and production are so classy, it doesn’t matter what the plot is about. If you like your comedy about as subtle as a stick of dynamite but still expert style and great acting, then this comedy is for you. Stars: Bob Hoskins, Christopher Lloyd, Roger Rabbit, Donald Duck, Daffy Duck, Jessica Rabbit M.P.A.A. Rating: PG Year Released: 1988 Type of Humor: Satire, Slapstick Strong Language: Some four letter words Physical Violence: Literally cartoon violence of the Tom and Jerry variety Sexual Content: Jessica Rabbit is the greatest sex symbol since Marilyn Monroe and is about as subtle as Mae West, even when playing pat-a-cake. Irreverence to social mores or religion: The main characters are certainly not moralistic Crudeness: Cartoon crudeness Political Incorrectness: Satire about discrimination (in this case against toons) Anyone who might be offended: Pretty tame Color/Black and White: Color Released by: Touchstone Home Video