Fun Night Monday June 12th at 6:00PM - The Money Pit

The night I closed on my first house I ordered a pizza and watched The Money Pit. At the time, it was just about the funniest thing I had ever seen. Two poor unsuspecting lovebirds get suckered into buying what they *think* is the house of their dreams, only to have everything under the sun go wrong. It was so over the top absurd that I laughed myself silly.

Fast-forward five years and I have a WHOLE new appreciation for this movie. I bought a "fixer-upper" with stars in my eyes, dreaming about all the DIY projects that were going to be *so* much fun. Hah. There's a scene in this movie that has become my all-time FAVORITE scene in ANY movie. Tom Hanks gets out of the cab and sighs, saying "Ah. Home Crap Home." Every single time something has gone wrong in my house (the roof, the water heater, the foundation, ants eating through the siding - you name it) I remember this movie and start laughing. Home Crap Home. I can completely, totally, 100% RELATE to this movie, which makes it even funnier (if that's even possible).

Anyone who is thinking of buying a house should watch this movie. Anyone who has ever bought a house should watch this movie. Yes, even if you've got a great house with no problems (do those even exist??) - you should watch this movie. And anyone who has ever dealt with a contractor should watch this movie

Fun Night Monday May 8th at 6:00PM - What About Bob

This is one of the most fun summer movies of all time. I'm rewatching it now for probably the 20th time and it just never gets old. Richard Dreyfuss and Bill Murray are so perfect together that it's a wonder that it's their only picture together (or at least I think it is). You know the plot: Bill Murray plays an out-of-control multi-phobic nutso that latches on to his new shrink: Dreyfus. What Dreyfuss' character doesn't realize (at first, though he soon discovers it) is that "Bob" is the patient from hell. Much of the movie was filmed at Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire and the setting is just spectacular.

I find it hard to believe that there is anyone that hasn't yet seen this class comedy, but if you haven't, try it. 

Fun Night Monday April 3rd at 6:00PM - The Bucket List

Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman...now there's a powerhouse! This generation's "The Defiant Ones"! 

This film should have swept the Oscars, destroyed all box office records, and be declared among the greatest films of all time! But, even if it was denied these accolades, it is still a fine film. 

Our leads play a pair of men, previously unknown to one another, who become hospital roommates as they both learn that they have terminal cancer. Deciding to make their remaining time count, they set out on an around-the-world trip, one of them being rich enough to easily finance the venture for the pair and his assistant/butler/verbal punching bag "Thomas", played by Sean Hayes...I actually found the explanation of this character's name to be among the funniest parts of the movie. 

This film worked because of the chemistry that Freeman and Nicholson built up throughout their time together...you could see their friendship rise and fall with each passing event. I don't know much, if anything, about Beverly Todd, but I felt she was just there so Morgan Freeman could have a wife. 

I just don't like it when there's a couple on the screen and we only get to know one person and the other one's just...there. I don't care if the story wasn't about her...she still deserves a real personality. This was a really great and funny film.  I highly recommend it. Enjoy.

Fun Night Monday February 13th at 6:00PM - Weekend at Bernie's

A Very Funny story of two over ambitious young men in a company run by a Guy who squanders money, drugs, and women to find that He's up to "His Neck" with the Mob. 

He's been over needy to! Not much of a spoiler but you can get the picture of where it starts and only God knows where it's going from here. 

For Bernie...It ain't good! (LOL) But! It's a Great Movie sure to please.

Fun Night Monday January 9th at 6:00PM - Mr Mom

After he burst off the screen in Night Shift, Michael Keaton was given his first leading role in this film. He plays Jack Butler who designs and builds cars for a big Detroit auto maker. 

Due to cutbacks, he is laid off from his job. His wife, played by Teri Garr, has been a housewife to their three kids and hasn't worked in years. Jack and her make a bet as to who will get a job first. 

Of course she does and Jack is forced to stay at home and watch the kids. He obviously has no idea how tough the job is and the film goes through his transformation from an inept house dad to a growing into the role. 

Some hilarious scenes include a trip to the supermarket gone awry, Jack's addiction to soap operas and his confrontations with his wife's smug boss played with oily charm by Martin Mull. 

Teri Garr is very funny as is Ann Jillian as her best friend. The real star is of course Mr. Keaton, who shows he cannot only be funny, but touching and caring. a first rate performance.

Fun Night Monday December 12th at 6:00PM - Miracle on 34th Street

What an interesting find! I didn't know this version existed, and it seems that for many decades nobody else did either. Although it is Black and White it is fun to watch.

It is a snappy 46 minute version made for television in the 1950s, closely modeled on the 1947 movie. It was never intended to be preserved beyond that one showing. 

For such a fleeting almost throwaway product, I am very impressed with the care taken with its production and the excellent casting. 

I'm not saying it is "better" than full length movie versions of the story, but it is a 

well done TV version. 

I can't really call it an adaptation as it so closely copies the film version. I suppose television at this time was still finding its own place is the entertainment industry and experimenting with its relationship to feature films. 

How great that the Library of Congress unearthed the only copy of this production and we're able to see it after so long lost.

Fun Night Wednesday October 12th at 6:00PM - Night Shift

This early Ron Howard effort is somewhat forgotten in the aftermath of his big-budget hits that have come in the last decade. That is too bad, because this is probably Howard's best comedy and it is one of the funniest movies you will ever see.

The story centers on Chuck Lumley (played by Henry Winkler), a nebbish who works at the city morgue after leaving his high powered finance job due to stress. Chuck is a loser who cannot face up to any kind of bully, including his fiance. After being relegated to the night shift, Chuck is teamed with a morgue new-comer, Bill Blazejowski (Michael Keaton at his maniacal best). Bill, who likes to be called Billy Blaze, is "an idea man". When Chuck's prostitute next-door neighbor (Shelly Long) loses her pimp, Bill's new idea is to use the morgue to run a call-girl ring. Doesn't sound funny? Well, trust me, it is hilarious.

Keaton steals the show with his over-the-top performance. His high-energy comedy is the perfect contrast to Winkler's nerdy Chuck. Winkler, in a departure at the time from his Happy Days role as the Fonze, is also dryly funny. The supporting cast (most of whom made their mark on t.v., not movies) is also fantastic. The prostitutes, lead by Long, combine looks and humor. Richard Belzer (Homocide), Pat Corley (Murphy Brown), Gina Hecht (Mork and Mindy) and Derek Munoz (Freaks and Geeks) are among those who provide memorable moments in small roles. Clint Howard as usual has a role in his brother's film and is very funny as a loser who employees the services of Chuck and Bill.
And, as a previous reviewer noted, this movie is ripe with great, quotable movie lines.