Titanic (1997)

A treasure-hunting team recruits an old woman to help them find a necklace in the ocean. They fly her over and she proceeds to move her entire life’s possessions on board before telling them a very long story that does not help them at all. Then we find out she had the necklace the whole time but she doesn’t tell them this and instead drops it in the ocean. Hilariously baffling narrative framework aside, the titular story in the middle is a good one: grandly romantic, exciting, and well-filmed.

6

The Highwaymen (2019)

A pair of Texas Rangers come out of retirement to catch the infamous outlaws Bonnie and Clyde. (IMDb)

Old-timey feeling, and in a good way (aside from being a little long..in the tooth), with aging protagonists (with great chemistry) appreciably not dressed up as action stars (see their post-chase wheezing), a gorgeous folksy soundtrack + Americana landscapes cinematic combo, and a tried and true buddy cop plot. Hints at deeper themes (criminals’ humanity–see Hamer with Clyde’s dad–and police violence: see Maney’s mesmerizing story around the card table) are unfortunately never followed up upon.

7/10 (Good)

 

The Waterboy (1998)

A waterboy for a college football team discovers he has a unique tackling ability and becomes a member of the team. (IMDb)

Mostly just really juvenile and unfunny, from Sandler’s annoying schtick (though his extravagant water obsession as a “water distribution engineer” brought lots of laughs) to the childish “bayou bumpkin” stereotypes to the eye-rolling talking heads gag. The sports storyline is also completely predictable, of course, though the requisite climactic game is admittedly done quite well, from the halftime turnaround (“Remember the time Bobby Boucher showed up at halftime?”) to the goofy announcers.

5.5/10 (Poor)

 

Tammy (2014)

After losing her job and learning that her husband has been unfaithful, a woman hits the road with her profane, hard-drinking grandmother. (IMDb)

McCarthy is the only highlight here; her trademark blend of self-deprecating slapstick and decidedly “unfeminine” and unaware mannerisms produces lots of laughs throughout. Elsewhere, Sarandon is awfully awkward and forms a terribly miscast three generations of women with Janney and McCarthy. The rest of the oddly stacked cast flounders amidst the film’s weak attempt at being a romantic dramedy, with its contrived storylines and insubstantial characters. Some good comedy here but not much else.

5.5/10 (Poor)