Family Favorites: 10-Movie Collection

Awesome

Good movies

Awesome movies thank you

The Collection contains the filmsCloak and DaggerThe WizardCop and A HalfKing RalphMatineeSgt BilkoGhost DadEd (another stupid chimp movie I'm sure)One Simple WishThe BorrowersI'm certain there's been some compression done on these, but if there was, it's hardly noticeable. I'm sorry for all you film majors, I'm not that familiar with aspect ratio and compression ratings, and for you English professors, I'm well aware of my, abuse, of the comma in this sentence. (,)The PROS are that you get 10 films for the price of one. It's a hodge podge of flicks noticeably marketed as Family classics. I don't know about YOUR family, but I seriously doubt any of these films can be considered family classics. In fact, I think the only classic here is GHOST DAD, but it's status in the classic section is listed under excrement. So in a sense you've got a fossilized POS in Ghost Dad (or so reviews would say when it was released)I purchased this set in order to acquire another copy of one of my favorite flicks: MATINEE as directed by Joe Dante (of Gremlins fame) I find it to be a hilarious look at the golden age of b-films in theaters and a welcome tribute to the legendary King of Theater camp William Castle. The film recreates the gag that William Castle had done with the film THE TINGLER (starring Vincent Price) and the allusions to corny scientific exposition is present here as well, you'll hear medical terms and made up terms deefined the very second they're mentioned.The film within the film: MANT is worth the price of admission alone.Basically the film is about a group of adolescents living near military camp in the 1950's at the peak of the Cuban missile crisis and it draws comparisons between the fear and panic of the time vis a vis the same matinee experiences the children had at the theaters watching Ghoulish B movies about hypnotism, and the ramifications and fantastic results of atomic energy exposure. There are elements of doom present in the film, and it serves as a comedic coming of age slice of life; and presents many perspectives of the day: those who believed the government propaganda about duck and cover safety and those that didn't. I believe that this is likely the ONLY "kid-themed" movie on the collection, unless you count the pile of chimp crap that is ED.KING RALPH: I'll keep it brief. This movie is hilarious. But it will likely find an audience with adults or 10-13 year olds. There's a sentimental scene that starts in a British strip joint. Although there's no direct nudity, it's half there for anybody concerned with such things titillation. There are a few curse words as well but it's safe. The film DOES have that boring UK feel to the color scheme, I wonder if it has much to do with film stock or just the grey casting of the environment out there. Had the film been a bit crisp and brighter it'd be a really youthful appealing film. The title Credit Fonts are bad too. Those and the "zip" noises at the culmination of the introductory scene are the only things I can complain about. Had I never bought this collection I may have never bothered watching this film. It's hilarious.The concept is that Ralph (a sports junkie everyday man who sings in a lounge in Las Vegas) is a distant relative to the throne of the King of England. As the royal family rather stupidly arranges for an elaborate family photo on the wet lawn in front of several submerged power connectors they all die on camera when the camera man clicks the electronic shutter. Ralph inherits the throne by being the only surviving member of the royal family. Various people in the aristocracy take offense at the fact that an AMERICAN will be assuming the throne; there are several ploys to have his name tarnished through his activities, and "hijinks ensue". You get the point. This film is hilarious fun for people who love John Goodman (still probably THE greatest guest host ever on Saturday Night Live)The only other film I have bothered to watch so far was GHOST DAD, it was NOTORIOUSLY panned when it was released. It's namesake is up there with OH HEAVENLY DOG! and other such box office failures.I found the effects to be tastefully done and pretty good given its era. But the overall film was too grim for me to really consider it a comedy. The family loses their father (who is already living mostly in absentia due to his strenuous work schedule) to a freak occurrence with a "satanic taxi driver" (yes, that's a key plot element). Its up to Bill Cosby to discover he is actually dead (or is he?) and try to save the family from financial ruin and well, homelessness. Not a really funny situation. It is far too realistic for me to laugh at, no, not the ghost dad part, the vulnerability of his family to succumb to peril when the bread winner dies.Somehow most of the family seems to deal with his death rather conventionally and easily. Although he can be SEEN in the dark, for some reason no one is horrified or really truly sad on screen after finding out their father is dead. He eventually summons some way to grasp and touch things but this is still a frightening position. That this was directed by Sidney Poitier makes it all the more stranger. Its an odd film, i'm surprised it was even made. Though there are a few comedic bits, it all felt in the end like a bad dream I might have had after a few pints too many; not funny, not scary, almost not interesting, but just a total strange experience. I can't see others finding it "so bad it's good" either. I actually thought the special effects were pretty darn good considering the era.Anyways, that is all I'll review of the collection: the only other film I Intend on watching is THE WIZARD with Fred Savage. I remember that film with an incredible nostalgia for its corniness "YOU SCORED 50,000 POINTS on DOUBLE DRAGON!!??!!"" and the incredible POWER GLOVE scene. Growing up with Nintendo in the golden age of the late 80's was a great time to be a child. Not perfect, but before the decline of street playing and sports, and the advent of the digital age. I'm holding back watching this one in order to prevent losing the sentimental value it has had over the years. Sometimes you can't go back home.I don't believe I'll watch any of the other filmsDETAILS: 8 films on 3 DVDS: There is only ONE MENU on each disc, although the chapters are still intact, you don't get a SUB MENU or even a TITLE MENU for any of the films. These are bare bones but good transfers. Almost like the modern dvd rental copy.I really wish MATINEE would get a better treatment on DVD, I wish Joe Dante could produce MANT into a feature length film. The humor of it is just so hilarious.I'm also still waiting on CRITERION to do a true upgrade of THE WIZARD; maybe give the public an idea of what it meant to be in that era where there were the incipient video game battles and contests. It would be something for a historical sense. Not that anybody really truly cares these days, but I have just realized that my joke suggestion for a CRITERION release might actually have some merit. (BARELY)Enjoy a couple of films. I'm sure they're not ALL horrible. I'm looking at Burt Reynolds here and thinking that COP and a HALF would appeal to a 3-5 year old.

Great collection of classics! Enjoyable for the whole family-adults and children.

Obviously some are better than others. Great deal for so many movies.What I like is they’re family friendly for when you are tired of things blowing up, people being shot and the closeups of blood/wounds in movies.

Though I am a 80’s baby I have not seen all of these. I thought this would be a good collection for the family; I have children ages 14 down. We have only gotten through a few movies so far but King Ralph in particular is NOT appropriate for youngsters. There is a burlesque dance scene that showed a lot of skin, the love object purposely boost up her breast through much of the movies as well. Just wanted to warn other families so there wasn’t a shock like we had.

10 movies for the price of one? Yes, please.