The Whoopee Boys (1986) Movie Review

The Whoopee Boys (1986) (IMDB)

The Whoopee Boys movie poster

Two misfit men take an etiquette/charm class to help them fit into high society. They like to run street cons but one of them has the opportunity to win the heart of a wealthy families daughter. The daughter is in a rush to get married at her father’s request but only to a man he thinks is good enough for her. Her father as another man in mind. A series of events lead to contests between the possible fiancés, including a fencing match, skeet shooting and a game called cross courts. The fencing contest overflows into a hedge maze and then into a fountain. The humor feels very Revenge of the Nerds, and that may be because the writers and the producers of it also made this film. It has some funny moments, but not enough for me to recommend it.

I give it a 5.2/10

Attack of the Gryphon (2007) Movie Review

Attack of the Gryphon (2007) (IMDB)

Attack of the Gryphon movie poster

In a world….you know how it is popular for trailers to start with that in the deep male voice. Imagine this movie review being read in that voice, it will be more enjoyable. In an ancient fantasy kingdom plagued by a civil war a gryphon is unleashed. A gryphon is part lion and part eagle so you don’t want it on your bad side. Unfortunately this particular one is computer generated from 2007 and it does not look good. So a barely ok movie becomes bad because the terrible animation is so distracting. If the special effects were re-done the movie would improve to almost watchable. While this was not a made for tv movie it feels like one that would be on a random small channel late at night. Possibly with people sitting in a movie theater talking about it while it plays.

What is a good way to escape a gryphon who is attacking ? Enter an underground labyrinth, of course. It works, but this movie does not.

I give it a 4/10.

The Strange Vice of Mrs. Wardh (1971) Movie Review

The Strange Vice of Mrs. Wardh (1971) (IMDB)

The Strange Vice of Mrs. Wardh movie poster

Early 1970’s slasher horror set in Europe. Mrs. Wardh is the wife of a diplomat who returns to Vienna from NYC and is stalked by a serial killer. As people around her continue to become victims, will she able to stay safe ? Is the stalker her former lover ?

If you are going to pay a bribe so your husband doesn’t find out about your affair, best to not make the meet-up place near a hedge maze. The dropoff is supposed to take place at Palmenhaus at Schönbrunn Palace (A must see tourist destination in Vienna, and maybe all of Europe - the grounds are outstanding). In real life, the Schönbrunn - Irrgarten includes many mazes if you visit !

The movie unfolds with Mrs. Wardh playing a game of cat and mouse, with notes, attacks and chases unfolding. Overall a decent movie worth a watch.

I give it a 6.3/10.

Anina (2013) Movie Review

Anina (2013) (IMDB)

Anina movie poster

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I sat down to watch this movie, but I like what I found. I am a huge fan of the animation style which is unlike any other to me. The movie follows our main character, Anina Yatay Salas, a ten year old girl, whose full name is a palindrome, which she does not like and the other children make fun of. After Anina gets into a fight during a school recess, her punishment is in a sealed black envelope that she cannot open for a week. We follow Anina during the week as she lives her home life, goes to school, and daydreams, while always wondering what the sealed envelope holds. I will leave the lessons and learnings for you to discover.

Our first look at a maze in the movie is when Anina is solving a maze puzzle in her room ! But our big scene takes place while Anina is daydreaming on a bus. She imagines herself exploring a huge hedge maze, with a surprise located in the center.

I watched the movie in Spanish and I am not sure if there is a dubbed version, but either way it is a really good animated movie for both kids and adults. I recommend it. Nice animation, good story and music.

I give it a 7.3/10