The Movie Hit List

Rocky 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 oh hell, to infinity

2012-02-07T07:35:00.000-08:00

They say, a great movie usually can't deliver a second time, but I think most would agree that Rocky 1 through 3 were pretty good. I am actually amazed at how many times Sylvester Stallone managed to milk the teat of this cash cow but at any rate the first three are worth seeing and I am willing to wager most have done so.

Where he started losing me what in Rocky 4. Lets get real shall we? I mean Rocky realistically would not have stood a chance in hell at defeating Mr. T in Rocky 3, so why should we even think for a moment that he was going to be able to do anything but crouch down in a fetal position and cry when he was up against the Russian in 4? It was at this moment I knew, Sly Stallone was asking a bit too much.

By the time Rocky Balboa (the sixth movie released in 2006) came out I was asking, who could he possibly be fighting now? At this age? Images came to mind of two wheel chair bound old men in a nursing home sparring over the last cup of green jello, boxing with adult diapers wrapped around their fists. Perhaps for added effect, scribbled across the top of their homemade boxing gloves with crayon, the familiar word EVERLAST..and yet...I watched. I have to admit this was the most depressing movie I have seen in the sequels. No one is left!!! Adrian is gone, Mick is gone, Apollo is gone, the only one that is still around is Paulie, played by Burt Young. This movie just left me feeling empty inside. Hey I hear there will be a Rocky the Musical, can you imagine that?

Movies ya might wanna pass on....

2012-01-27T13:35:00.000-08:00

Ok ths is a mix of old and possibly new. Warning: It's going to be a little Prince bashing, but it's not because his music sucks, its because some of his cinematic undertakings, well they lacked..don't worry, we still love Purple Rain, oh Purple one, but these first two, well..yikes.

Cover of Under the Cherry Moon [Region 2]Under The Cherry Moon
Ok..I saw this movie..it was respectively, what I call a time bandit. It robbed me of approximately 2 hours of my life that I cant get back. The most memorable parts of this movie was the popcorn I ate at the movies that day was pretty good,it was buttery..the other good memory, was the Prince death scene, yes..he was killed, and not a moment too soon, I was out of popcorn and my soda was getting flat..I actually laughed at this part, because it was so poorly acted and so animated..when I saw him do is little spasmodic fall to the ground with his little size two high heels thrust up in the air, I was like, EUREKA, its a comedy!..and a bad one, and its OVER!! yesssssss!!!

Do yourself a favor..keep whatever money you were going to spend on this movie and ball it up and throw it down on the street for a hobo...believe me, you'll feel better about doing that than spending any money on this..this movie isnt even worth the rental fee at the video store..I had a copy someone gave me, and I tried to sell it at the flea market for a dollar..a guy did buy it, but only walked over to the garbage can with it after he bought it and threw it in..I guess that was his way of saving the unsuspecting possible viewer..where was he when I first received this movie??

Graffiti Bridge

Graffiti Bridge (Image via RottenTomatoes.com)

Welllll here we go again...you know..I suffered through the viewing and loss of two hours of my life with Under the Cherry Moon, and then I saw this..Some actors can sing, and some singers can act..but I didnt see that singer in this film. I think whoever directed this movie was drunk, and they should have fired every single person in this film, starting with the "purple one". You know..atleast in Under the Cherry Moon, you got a bonus, a poorly acted death scene where Prince throws himself on the ground..no such luck in this movie! I tried to donate this movie to a charity that feeds the homeless, but they said the homeless wasnt"that" hungry..so I ended up using it for something to put my coffee cup on in the morning..dvds make great coasters especially the ones that suck.

And here's a few more....

Deuce Bigalow: European Bigelow

Check this out, this movie sucked so bad I couldn't even find a picture for this post.Can you say sucks? Well you're gonna have to learn that word if you watch this movie. Unless you really love sticky floors and stale popcorn, or throwing $3.00 bucks away, leave this one on the shelf, correction, clearance bin.

Wicker Man

Nicolas Cage, some weird chicks, and a big man basket statue, sounds.....like something I'll pass on..and you should too.

Cover of Norbit [HD DVD] Norbit

Ya know I love Eddie Murphy, and his skills at doing different characters in Nutty Professor were superb, and then Norbit came out and I had to take away some points. yikes. It just wasn't good. Period.

Image via Wikipedia
Cash and Tango

Hell no. Ya know, sometimes even cool actors do the crappiest things. Kurt Russell is generally awesome, and even though Captain Ron was a wee bit sucky, this movie stunk worse than Rocky's armpits after his fight with Apollo, and.....speaking of Rocky, Sylvester, at some point, dude, really? Some one should have told you this movie was a little ripe.

Cover via Amazon
Son of the Mask

Big Jim Carrey fan. Didn't see it, didn't know it was even made..that's pretty much all that needs saying isn't it? I mean you pretty much know a movie sucks when the last thing you wanted to remember about it was the previews of the movies that ran before the movie starts, right? Sad.

Image via Wikipedia

Swept Away

Madonna should probably just stick to what she knows best..I hear this movie, the original one is romantic and awesome. After seeing this, I too wanted to be swept away..anywhere..away..from this..movie..it was a snooze fest.

Cover of Mac and MeMac and Me

How about Mac, and somebody else? I mean I had about enough of that ET wannabe.

Image via Wikipedia Showgirls

Brief summary, mad girl that can't dance. If you paid to see this, I have some ocean front property in Arizona you will love!

Image via Wikipedia
Trog

This horror movie starred Joan Crawford..I wonder if she thought this through? I mean, at all? Trog was some monster that was ugly and yet laughable. Hey, I wonder if they offered the part of Trog to Bette Davis?

More to come stay tuned...

3 Awesome Movies You've Never Seen

2012-01-27T12:19:00.000-08:00

Are you tired of the same old same old? MHL thinks you need to try out a few of these epic movies that didn't get near the attention they deserved for their story telling and entertainment value. Check them out:

Map of the Human Heart
This movie is a love story that is unique between a young Eskimo boy Avik, played as an adult by Jason Scott Lee, and a young vivacious french girl he makes friends with while recovering from Tuberculosis in a hospital. The story chronicles the friendship that turns into love that lasts throughout time with a surprising ending. Movie Hit List thinks it's worth watching.

1492: Conquest of Paradise
Movie Hit List doesn't care if other review sites gave this movie low marks. This movie had everything you could possibly want for an epic film of it's kind. Gerard Depardeau did a fantastic job in his role as the brave and determined Christopher Columbus. Armand Assante, Sojourney Weaver as Queen Isabella all did wonderfully in this movie. Movie Hit List suggests watching for yourself, especially if you enjoy movies that are historically relevant.

Orlando
Movie Hit List loved this quirky and entertaining movie that travels beyond time and sexual identity. This movie's main star is Tilda Swinton who is uber cool and a little unconventional, you may recall she was Gabriel in the movie Constantine.

Unreal Tournament III: Dominic's Review

2012-01-25T18:57:00.000-08:00

Image via Wikipedia

Unreal Tournament III, isn't what the name would suggest, it's a common FPS multiplayer with online game play. The game shares similar characteristics with Gears of War II, which came out in the same year. The style of the game is a fast paced FPS game with splendid graphics, effective game play and memorable gimmicks.

I've played both of them on the PS3 and Xbox 360, there's slight sound glitches with the PS3 version, but that might just be me. Other than that, it's a pretty great FPS for the price, I mean, I got it pre-owned at Gamestop for $5.00, for game like that, it's a steal.

Let's begin with the cons:
Whenever your starting a match, it takes a few seconds for the textures to load, which is somewhat irritating. The problem should be eliminated if the game is installed on the hard drive. Another con is that the control settings are difficult to adjust for "n00bs" to FPS games. The campaign, it's a little tiresome to just be fighting bots throughout the story line. Speaking of which, the story-line lacks character development, the only way you actually find out about the characters is when your browsing through them in the player selection. As far as I've seen, the game's story-line doesn't even involve most of the characters. The chapter where your in matches with the Liandri seemed to be just filler, the only time when the matches seem to have a point is the end where you're in matches with the Necris.

Now to begin the pros:
Starting with the Gameplay. When your in the heat of battle, you tend to have your adrenaline pumping, which that itself is an achievement. There's a colorful selection of weapons ranging from a shock-rifle to a powerful rocket launcher. There is a wide selection of levels to choose from and the design of the battlefields look pretty great. The vehicles are inconvenient, but you can have so much fun riding in the scorpion or the manta. Overall, this is a pretty good game, I would recommend this game to anyone, especially since it's so cheap nowadays.

Currently in Theatres

2012-01-18T11:42:00.001-08:00

Joyful Noise (PG-13) - 1 hr 58 mins New Release \| Comedy / Drama	7:00pm Save Showtimes
The Devil Inside (R) - 1 hr 27 mins Horror	7:20pm Save Showtimes
War Horse (PG-13) - 2 hrs 26 mins War	6:50pm Save Showtimes
Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol (PG-13) - 2 hrs 12 mins Action	7:10pm Save Showtimes

Let Me In: Review

2012-01-18T06:30:00.000-08:00

Let Me In (Image via RottenTomatoes.com)

I don't want to ruin this movie for those who haven't seen it so I always keep my reviews short and to the point. The basis of the movie is surrounding a young boy named Owen (Kodi Smit McPhee) that is lonely and bullied. His family is going through a divorce and he spends a great deal of time alone. He meets a young girl, (or so he thinks) Abby (Chloe Moretz) and even though she tells him she can't be his friend, they end up being very close. What Owen doesn't realize is that Abby is a vampire.
The story is tragic, sweet, and pretty violent. It is not like other vampire movies, and it pulls at your emotions in different ways. Even though Abby is a vampire, you can't help but feel sorry for her as she was made a vampire centuries ago and depends on blood to survive. More unfortunate is the poor host that chooses to help her by supplying and murdering for her to collect the blood that she needs as they meet with an unfortunate end as the law closes in on them. You always have overwhelming pity for Owen, a super sensitive and very bullied young fellow, that seems younger than his age of 12.

Let Me In was an awesome movie. What makes it worth seeing is the great emotional elements in it, something I personally like. The musical score in the movie was great, thanks to Michael Giachinno. It's a must see. Plain and simple. It's a hit on Movie Hit List.

Workaholics

2012-01-17T16:31:00.000-08:00

Image by Getty Images via @daylife

The lamest show you'll ever love....

What can I say? It's The Office on weed. This show follows the trials and tribulations of three roommates/office workers as they meet with mishaps as only three heavily drinking, party throwing twenty something men can do. Each character in this show has a unique personality and they are truly and authentically funny. They remind us all of someone we used to know and love in our youth. This show is still in it's infancy but I look forward to season three which is set to premiere in May 2012. Check your local listing on Comedy Central, and in the meantime, check out this hilarious episode.

Top ten family friendly Christmas movies

2012-01-15T15:02:00.001-08:00

Image via Wikipedia

While many Christmas movies tend to start showing up on your television far too soon, it's a good idea if you have children to purchase these classics yourself and show them when you are ready to get “into the spirit” as they say. This way you can watch them when you are ready, and not a day or month in some cases ahead of schedule. If you live in South Carolina, many of these classic movies are available at your local Blockbuster for rent or sale. For a link that will help you find a Blockbuster video near you, see the *link at the bottom of this article.

A Christmas Carol

There are many good versions of this movie out there. No matter which you prefer you really can't have a true Christmas experience without it. If you think about it, this is one of the first “paranormal” movies centered around Christmas. If not the only one. What makes this movie so great, like many Christmas movies is the lessons it bestows. To be generous, and to give to those in need, especially during the holidays.

It's a Wonderful Life

This movie is wonderful. Jimmy Stewart's portrayal of big hearted George Bailey, was sweet, sad and comical all at the same time as he works out his issues with a sweet yet goofy angel wannabe Clarence.

What makes this movie special is even today you can identify with the main characters struggles with life, family, and money problems. This movie helps us examine just what is truly important in the grand scheme of things, your family and friends.

Miracle on 34^th Street

This movie captures all the magic and wonder in the spirit of Christmas and in children, with Natalie Wood starring as a youngster in her second major film. It's a must see classic, and if you are looking to establish a Christmas eve tradition with your family, make watching this movie a part of it. Warm and touching with a little magic mixed in. If you haven't seen this movie yet, you've got a good reason now, its a holiday favorite of many for a good reason.

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

This stands out of one of the best National Lampoon movies. Funny, accident prone Clark Griswald, played by Chevy Chase can't seem to get the perfect family Christmas off to a good start. Try as he might, he can't seem to get going in the right direction when inlaws, neighbors, killer squirrels, bosses and Christmas lights all seem to get in the way of his perfect family holiday.

A Christmas Story

Image via WikipediaThis movie is a favorite among young and old alike. It's starts off with this one little boy, Ralphie Parker (played by Peter Billingsley) who has but one goal in life and that is obtaining a Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas. Very much like children do today, Ralphie will stop at nothing to get this prized BB gun, including pestering his parents, having endless fantasies of shooting villains, and facing a terrifying visit with Santa. The father and mother are so easy to relate to, mom is a little frazzled and goofy, dad is the hard working, swearing bread winner, yet has a strange attraction to a lamp in the shape of a woman's leg. If you are one of the rare one's that hasn't seen this movie yet, go rent it today.

Home Alone

It's hard to believe any parents could forget and leave one of their own children behind for Christmas as they make the trek to spend the holidays out of the country, yet this is exactly what happens. However, little Kevin Mccallister, (played by Macaulay Culkin) is far from defenseless as he encounters two burgulars that have set their sites on his house to rob. While mom finds a way back to retrieve her son, little Kevin gives two burgulars the worst experience of their lives and stops nothing short of torture as they become burned, tarred and feathered, and beaten down by a little boy that is by far more clever than they are. It was a huge hit in the 80's, and perhaps, one of only a few for the time era that relate to Christmas.

Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Image via WikipediaAs a child, it really doesn't sink in that Christmas is around the corner until this movie shows up on television. This cartoon is timeless and the music is also just as great as the movie. The Grinch is a terrible character that decides to masquerade around Whoville as Santa, only to steal Christmas and all Christmas related items from the innocent, if not oblivious Whos. If you have last minute packages to wrap, play this movie in for the kids with some hot cocoa and you'll find they'll give you all the time you need.

Santa Claus: The Movie

David Huddleson, by far plays one of the best Santas ever in this movie. His sparkling eyes, sweet smile and robust presence make for a great Santa along with Dudley Moore, playing the perfect elf. If ever there were to be a real Santa, Huddleson would have to be him. Both do a wonderful job along with John Lithgow at providing an excellent Christmas story that answers some of those pesky little mysteries around how Santa came to be, how the reindeers fly and what got Santa all the way to the North Pole in the first place. The movie mixes old with new as it has a contemporary spin to it, with Dudley Moore playing an elf “Patches” that has big ideas about marketing magical Christmas products. It's a must see for the family.

Jingle All The Way

This movie is about a workaholic dad Howard Langston, (played by Arnold Schwarzeneggar) who tries to redeem himself in his son's eyes by going to great lengths to get his son a special super hero toy action figure, Turbo Man. As he waits until the last minute he soon discovers that he is not alone in trying to secure this sought after toy and must battle one other very determined mail man dad, Myron Larabee (played by Sinbad). Larabee, like Langston will stop at nothing to get his son this limited toy and Langston soon discovers how waiting until the last minute to buy a gift can be a huge mistake. Meanwhile, Langston's wife and son are getting plenty of attention for a divorcee neighbor, Ted Maltin (played by Phil Hartman). Maltin is the ideal dad and attentive which only makes Howard Langston look worse to his family. This is a very entertaining movie, Sinbad does a wonderful job in this Christmas movie and why this one didn't make it to the list in most reviews is surprising.

Elf

“We elves try to stick to the four main food groups: candy, candy canes, candy corns and syrup.” “I just like to smile, smiling's my favorite.” This quote is one of many musings of Will Ferrell's role as the child-like elf “Buddy.” This movie is listed everywhere as one of the best Christmas movies of all time. It is a cute movie in a time when few Christmas movies are being made anymore. There are a few actors that are a blast from the past in this movie, including Ed Asner as “Santa”, and Bob Newhart as “Papa elf.” Buddy the elf begins life crawling into Santas' home and being raised by elves, only to discover later that his real father, Walter Hobbs, (played by James Caan) was alive and well in New York. Hobbs is on the “naughty” list and soon Buddy locates his less than loveable dad. It's a cute story, that gives one the view of what an actual elve's life and mentality might would be like. A unique perspective but worth watching at least once anyway.

*Blockbuster stores in South Carolina

A Madea Christmas: The Play

2012-01-15T11:21:00.001-08:00

Review of Tyler Perry's A Madea Christmas: The Play

Cover via AmazonImage by Getty Images via @daylifeTyler Perry makes great films, and even better plays. However, this play, fell just short of Product Dudz expectations. Loud and outspoken grandma Madea (Tyler Perry) shows up unannounced and intervenes when a wealthy family begin arguing amongst themselves during a Christmas vacation at Cape Cod.
Unlike other Tyler Perry ""Madea" plays, this one went on a little long, well a lot long before Perry's trademark character "Madea" makes her appearance. Up until that point there is little humor, a lot of singing.

What was entertaining was a new character that almost stole the show entirely was actress Patrice Lovely who played the cook "Hattie" in this play. Without this funny little unexpected character livening up what would have been some dull moments this play would have tanked entirely. There just wasn't enough of a viable story line to make it work. Most of Perry's work include great underlying messages and life lessons that make it perfect for families, however the references to pot smoking, etc. make it fall a little wayward.

Regardless of what anyone's opinion is on sparing the rod and spoiling the child, gun control or marijuana smoking, these things are still either illegal or frowned upon by the general population and could probably be left out of these plays. It is odd to see any play embrace religion and pot smoking, child spanking and gun carrying all in one.
Tyler Perry is a gifted, intelligent, and valued actor, director, and writer. Product Dudz encourages people to see most if not all of his work to gain true perspective as to just how much of a value to society he is. Plays like Diary of a Mad Black Woman, and Madea's Family Reunion, are worth their weight in gold. So even if "A Madea Christmas" didn't necessarily hit it out the of the park for Product Dudz, it is because we are holding this play up to the high standards Perry's own work has already set. The plays in general are superior to the movies only because of the impromptu moments, and live audience reactions.
Bottom Line: If you are a die hard Tyler Perry fan, you'll probably enjoy this play regardless of what anyone says. If you love most of Perry's work, and can relate to this reviews and some of it's points, you may want to pass on this one, and go for one of the many great Tyler Perry alternative movies and plays that are really off the charts in humor and overall entertainment. Product Dudz recommends these plays/movies as great alternatives: Diary of a Mad Black Woman, I Can Do Bad All By Myself (play), Madea's Family Reunion.

Rant Time: The Kardashians

2012-01-13T06:17:00.000-08:00

Image via Wikipedia

Sure I know we all hate Kardashians right? So why in the name of all things holy is this show still on the air? It's not like the every day American can relate to these characters? And yes, they are characters in my book. The Kardashians are soon becoming if not already the family America loves to hate. I have never seen a more shallow, disrespectful, adolescent acting group of dim wits in my life and how they have made any success out of their lives in beyond me. First you have Bruce Jenner, used to have respect for him, but then I guess he lost his &%$^& at some point, maybe an accident? At any rate he stumbles around there oblivious to the fact he is married to the most money hungry, self centered, dimwit, woman demon on the planet. If you haven't seen this show or any show that is linked to it, consider yourself forewarned, it's not worth the time out of your life to watch.

The Movie Hit List

Rocky 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 oh hell, to infinity

Related articles

Movies ya might wanna pass on....

Ok ths is a mix of old and possibly new. Warning: It's going to be a little Prince bashing, but it's not because his music sucks, its because some of his cinematic undertakings, well they lacked..don't worry, we still love Purple Rain, oh Purple one, but these first two, well..yikes.

More to come stay tuned...

3 Awesome Movies You've Never Seen

Unreal Tournament III: Dominic's Review

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Currently in Theatres

Let Me In: Review

Workaholics

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Top ten family friendly Christmas movies

Related articles by this author:

A Madea Christmas: The Play

Review of Tyler Perry's A Madea Christmas: The Play

Rant Time: The Kardashians

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