Family Friendly Movies

Monkey Shines

by user
May 29, 2017January 8, 2022

Monkey Shines (1988) starring Jason Beghe, John Pankow, Kate McNeal, Boo

reviewed by: The masked reviewer

When promising athlete Allan Mann (Jason Beghe) is involved in an accident his world changes forever. He goes from top athlete to quadriplegic in an instant, and he’s not taking it well. His over-dramatic, overbearing mother Dorothy Mann (Joyce Van Patten) tries her best to make him comfortable by hiring a patronizing, lazy nurse Maryanne Hodges (Christine Forrest) to take care of him. Time passes, and Allan’s a shadow of himself, until his friend Geoffrey Fisher (John Pankow) brings Allan a trained monkey named Ella (Boo) to help him.

Donovan’s Brain

by user
May 29, 2017January 8, 2022

Donovan’s Brain (1953), starring Lew Ayres, Gene Evans, Steve Brodie, Nancy Reagan Davis

Synopsis of Donovan’s Brain

In Donovan’s Brain, when a rich, selfish, multimillionaire is critically wounded in a plane crash, a nearby doctor uses an experimental procedure to preserve his brain after the death of the body. And Donovan’s brain survives … and thrives … and controls .. and kills.

The Terrornauts

by user
May 29, 2017February 18, 2024

The Terrornauts (1967) starring Simon Oates, Stanley Meadows, Zena Marshall

In short, The Terrornauts looks and feels like a bad 1960’s episode of Dr. Who — which is disappointing, since the first third or so of the film was very promising.

Eegah

by user
May 29, 2017January 30, 2022

Eegah! (1962) starring Richard Kiel, Arch Hall Jr., Marilyn Manning, Arch Hall Sr.

It should be mentioned at the outset that Eegah! is one of the worst movies of all time. It earns that title with bad acting, bad sets, and a bad script.

But Eegah! is one of those movies that’s so bad, it’s fun to watch and make fun of while you do. It’s not surprising that it’s been mocked by Mystery Science Theater 3000, among (many) others.

by user
May 29, 2017August 5, 2023

Wolfen, starring Albert Finney, Diane Venora, Gregory Hines, Edward James Olmos

Synopsis of Wolfen

In Wolfen, a real estate tycoon, his coke-binging wife and a slum wino have something grisly in common. They’re the latest victims in a series of random murders. A veteran NYPD detective soon suspects the killings may be supernatural and deliberate: ages-old beings of cunning intelligence and incredible power, defending their turf from the encroachments of humankind.

Review of Wolfen

Attack of the Puppet People

by user
May 29, 2017April 29, 2023

Attack of the Puppet People (1958) starring John Agar, June Kenney, John Hoyt – produced and directed by Bert I. Gordon

Attack of the Puppet People is a surprisingly enjoyable film by Bert I. Gordon, who lived up to his initials of B.I.G. A lonely doll maker, who can’t bear to have his friends leave him, has a very unusual way of making sure that they don’t …

War-Gods of the Deep

by user
May 29, 2017November 10, 2023

War-Gods of the Deep (1965) starring Tab Hunter, David Tomlinson, Vincent Price, Susan Hart, John Le Mesurier

War-Gods of the Deep is a delightful popcorn movie – not dreadfully deep, but eminently enjoyable. It deals with a trio (Tab Hunter, David Tomlinson, Susan Hart) staying at a manor on the Cornish coast in 1903, where the house is burgled by … mermen? Who later proceed to kidnap the woman, sending the two men — and a chicken — in pursuit, where they find a group of smugglers, living deep beneath the sea, near an active volcano, and led by the iconic Vincent Price.

House of Wax

by user
May 29, 2017January 20, 2024

The House of Wax (1953) starring Vincent Price, Phyllis Kirk, Carolyn Jones

Review

Vincent Price is well-known for playing the role of the sympathetic monster. And here, as a once-great artist named Jarrod, his hands ruined, confined to a wheelchair, he’s definitely sympathetic. And, literally with a tragic backstory.

7th Voyage of Sinbad

by user
May 29, 2017December 31, 2023

The 7th Voyage of Sinbad (1958) starring Kerwin Mathews, Kathryn Grant, Richard Eyer, Torin Thatcher

The 7th Voyage of Sinbad is best remembered as a Ray Harryhausen special effects extravaganza. And as a huge fan of Ray Harryhausen’s work, I certainly appreciate the great work that he did here. But a film has to be more than special effects; and thankfully, this film is more than great special effects. The acting is good, with characters that the audience care about. Also, the effects enhance the story and don’t take it over.