kmcollins29

I watched the 1990 film Stanley and Iris last night for the first time. I had always wanted to see this movie, as I am a big Robert DeNiro fan. Knowing that the film was poorly received upon its release I still went into my viewing with an open mind. Unfortunately the reviews were spot on twenty-two years ago. This film is very bad. I mean VERY bad. A real waste of the talents of both Deniro and Jane Fonda. I may have been a little more generous with this review if it was a low budget piece with two lesser caliber actors at the helm, but this is not so. Not only is the story generally weak, but this film suffers from perhaps the worst editing that i have ever seen in a major studio film with high profile stars. The story moves on from scene to scene, seemingly not explaining events that have lead up to what we are watching. It was like I was watching a poorly trimmed down television airing of a studio film that was compressed for time, however that was not the case here. this was an unedited presentation on Cable. Unless you are absolutely smitten with Deniro or Fonda, avoid this film.

I saw this film in the theaters in 2004 when it was released with a few of my friends. We intended on seeing Kill Bill 2, but unfortunately the theater we went to wasn't showing it. We all decided to see this which was starting shortly after we arrived I wasn't expecting Citezen Kane, but I figured John Travolta, Thomas Jane, and R-rating. Should be pretty good. Wrong. You know when the version starring Dolph Lundgren and produced by the Cannon group 15 years earlier is much better something is seriously wrong. The Punisher is supposed to be dark and disturbing. This movie is just awful on all counts. This is on my short list as worst films ever produced by a major studio.

When I was in the Marine Corps we used to watch this movie on a regular basis. It is absolutely amazing how ridiculous this film is. Yes that isn't a typo. I gave Cobra a nine out of ten. Why? Because Cobra is one of those few movies that you could watch again and again and never tire of it. It is without question the funniest non-comedy ever made. Sure you have your low budget Z-graders like Plan 9 and Manos, but they were shot on a shoestring budget with no talent hacks making them. This was a major studio picture with a huge budget. In 1986 when this film was released Sly was the most bankable movie star in the world just coming off of two mega hits Rocky 4 and Rambo 2. Did you know he dropped out of starring in Beverly Hills Cop to make this film. I hope Eddie Murphy still sends him a Christmas card every year. This movie is great for all the wrong reasons. Bad lines, outrageous action sequences, cheesy music, but I love it. Just for kicks next time you watch it count the number of bikers Cobra kills in the chase while he is standing in the bed of the pick-up truck. I can't remember the exact number off of the top of my head, but I can tell you that it is definitely over 40!!! Here's to you Sly, the most inconsistent actor/writer/director in the history of cinema!! But we love ya!