Silent Movie

Silent Movie

Twentieth Century Fox

June 16, 1976

Comedy

DVD
C+

I saw this at the time and Marcel Marceau's "Non!" produced one of the biggest laughs I've ever had in a movie theater.  This time, I instead laughed at the "walking against the wind" joke, which I wouldn't have gotten at eight. Anyway, the movie is uneven, sometimes tedious, sometimes hilarious.  I think it's worth sticking with, especially if you want to count '70s "movie stars."  (I tagged as many as I was allowed, but I do have to mention I spotted a pre-CHiPs Erik Estrada.)  Brooks directed, co-wrote, and stars.

Patch Adams

Patch Adams

Blue Wolf etc.

December 25, 1998

Drama

DVD
D

Yeah, not one of those Robin Williams movies I like.  This is based on Gesundheit: Good Health Is a Laughing Matter by Patch Adams and Maureen Mylander.  Tom Shadyac directed the year before Liar Liar.

Freaky Friday (2003)

Freaky Friday (2003)

Disney

August 6, 2003

Comedy

DVD
C-

I saw this at the time and knew it couldn't hold a candle to the Jodie Foster & Barbara Harris version, although it wasn't terrible.  It hasn't aged well in the last 17 years, and I only did the first quarter hour this time, so it's not technically sci-fi (or fantasy) on this blog.  (I didn't even get up to the racist revision of the switch.)  My main issue is that none of the characters are sympathetic, while they are lovable, flaws and all, in the '70s version (and of course the Mary Rodgers book).  Still, the "indie" music isn't bad and the production values are of course superior to the K-Mart-looking '70s.  Mark Waters directed.