Nothing But Trouble (1991)

There is nothing better than the word free because it means it doesn't literally cost you anything and that is what I love about the VUDU app. They literally offer you a selection of free movies every month and while some may be less desirable than others all you have to do is watch ads. That is literally the reason I chose to watch the 1991 comedy Nothing But Trouble which stars and was written and directed by Dan Aykroyd (Driving Miss Daisy). Chevy Chase (Caddyshack) plays Chris Thorne, a wealthy financial journalist who along with some friends decide that they are going to take a trip to Atlantic City. Unfortunately, the gang takes a detour into a strange town and they run a stop that brings them some backwoods justice. The film also stars Demi Moore (Striptease) as Diane Lightson, John Candy (Uncle Buck) as Dennis/Eldona, Aykroyd as Judge Alvin 'J.P' Valkenheiser / Bobo, Valri Bromfield (Needful Things) as Miss Purdah, Taylor Negron (Angels In The Outfield) as Fausto, Bertila Damas (Brooklyn Nine-Nine) as Renalda, Raymond J. Barry (Sudden Death) as Mark, Brian Doyle-Murray (Wayne's World) as Brian, Daniel Baldwin (Cold Case) as Dealer #1, the late Tupac Shakur (Above The Rim) as a member of Digital Underground, and John Daveikis (Spies Like Us) as Lil' Deebull.

One thing is for certain, I feel like Rob Zombie got his idea for the Firefly Clan house of doom from the set of this film as you can see in the picture to the left of this paragraph. There is a lot more than just that pic, but when you watch the film you'll see exactly what I am talking about. To be perfectly honest, I think that was my favorite thing about the film was the set and the way everything looked in the house as well. Chevy Chase acted like he was phoning it in with his performance in the film. Dan Aykroyd was actually the best part of the film as he obviously didn't phone it in, but he was all in as the Auteur of the film. When you think things get weird with him in the film, wait till you check out the twins outside which is just outrageous, but I loved them. It was great seeing John Candy playing two roles, but he didn't really have a huge role in the film except when he played the mute sister version of himself. Then there was the cool performance by Digital Underground which featured a young Tupac Shakur and that was probably the funnest moment of the film. Other than that, the film was just OK and I was definitely happy that I was able to watch it for free because I would've regretted paying for it. Check it out on VUDU right now, but know that I am giving the film an C+/B- for a final grade.

Driving Miss Daisy (1989)

There are films that over the years were done so well that they became ingrained in us like Forrest Gump and the countless quotes from that film. I remember one film also became a part of pop culture back in the day, but I never had watched it until now and that is 1989's Driving Miss Daisy. The film was directed by Bruce Beresford (Ladies In Black) and it stars Morgan Freeman (The Shawshank Redemption) as Hoke Colburn, an African American in the deep South in the 50's who gets a job as a driver for an old stubborn Jewish woman by the name of Miss Daisy (Jessica Tandy). Their relationship is rocky at first, but the film is a journey over the years and how their relationship improves over time. The film also stars Dan Aykroyd (I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry) as Boolie Werthan, Patti LuPone (Summer Of Sam) as Florine Werthan, the late Esther Rolle (How to Make an American Quilt) as Idella, Jo Ann Havrilla (True Blue) as Miss McClatchey, William Hall Jr. (Safety Not Guaranteed) as Oscar, Bob Hannah (Coal Miner's Daughter) as Red Mitchell, Sylvia Kaler as Beulah, Muriel Moore (Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil) as Miriam, Clarice F. Geigerman as Nonie, and Crystal Fox (In The Heat Of The Night) as Katie Bell.

In 1990, the film won Oscars for Best Picture, Best Actress in a Leading Role (Jessica Tandy), Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium (Alfred Uhry), and Best Makeup (Manlio Rocchetti,  Lynn Barber, and Kevin Haney). The film rightfully won every single one of those awards because Jessica Tandy was masterful in her performance as the very stubborn, but caring woman. It was so good that it was even scary to see the scene in which she doesn't know where she is or the fact that she is not a teacher any longer. The story itself is a fantastic one as it is sort of a coming of age film for Miss Daisy as she learns to be more tolerant and caring for Holk as she realizes the struggles he goes through as an African American male in the south. The make up team deserves a lot of the credit because they do a terrific job transforming all the characters as they get older right before our very eyes like Dan Aykroyd's character. Morgan Freeman was also amazing in my opinion, but I would have to look to see who he lost to that year to understand why he didn't win an Oscar (he lost to Daniel Day Lewis). Nonetheless, if you want to see some great acting, some great cinematography, and see Aykroyd's transformation then give this film a shot because you will not be disappointed. That is why I am going to go ahead and give the film an A for a final grade.