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| Movie Review: The Great Buck Howard Alternate Title: Do You Believe in Magic?
Story: Depending on your generation,
you will either be rooting for more screen time for the anachronism
known as Buck Howard or for the twenty something called Troy Gable,
who is looking to find his true path in life. Me? I could not get enough
of the great Buck Howard. Based on the career of the Amazing
Kreskin, writer and director Sean McGinly
brings one heck of a legend to the big screen.
The Great Buck Howard's claim to fame is that
he appeared on Johnny Carson's Tonight Show 61 times. His career is
now reduced to playing to half filled venues in towns like Bakersfield,
Ca, Akron, Ohio (where they just love him) and Cincinnati. He amazes
his audiences with the same magic tricks and feats of mentalism that
has worked for him for the past forty years.
Enter Troy Gable, a law school drop out, who
is searching for his true calling. Troy becomes Howard's road manager,
coddler and general organizer. In an often annoying voice over, Troy
tries to explain how he feels about this lovable, dated lunk called
the Great Buck Howard.
This movie is one of those small scale gems that
you can just sit back in your sit and just enjoy the ride. I was treated
to many a laugh and a few surprises.
Watch the trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCbXmTdzRpQ Watch this promo for the Amazing Kreskin: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9CAM7xGDzY Acting: John Malkovich as Buck Howard, has not been
this good in years. He owns the screen nd I bought every minute of his
performance. Colin Hanks as Troy Gable, did not move
me at all, I found him to be moderately pleasant, but totally forgettable.
Emily Blunt as Valerie Brennan is all over the place
these days and is a fine actress. Steve Zahn never
fails to deliver a good performance as did the hilarious Debra
Monk. Tom Hanks (Colin's real life father
and one of the producers of the film) appears as the disapproving father.
There are some funny cameos by George Takei (Sulu of Star Trek),
Gary Coleman, Jack Carter, David Blaine, Jon Stewart, Conin O'Brien,
Jay Leno, Griffin Dunne, Regis and Kelly and more.
Trivia: Steve Zahn is a Harvard graduate.
Colin Hanks is the son of Tom Hanks and Samantha Lewes.
John Malkovich is of Croatian heritage. He has developed a
great passion for Portugal, where he has filmed some movies recently.
He also keeps a house here, as he co-owns a disco in Lisbon. When he
was 16, he decided to get his excessive weight under control and lost
70 pounds by eating nothing but Jell-O for two months.
Predilection: None - although I do like John Malkovich.
Critters: None
Food: Cobb salad, brandy.
Opening Titles: A very clever opening sequence.
Theater Audience: Six other people.
Quirky Meter: 2
Drift Factor: I drifted a little trying to figure
out who Colin Hanks reminded me of. When I finally figured it out, I
relaxed. He reminds me of the guy that plays McGee on TV's NCIS.
Predictability Level: High
Tissue Usage: 0
Oscar Worthy: No
Big Screen or Rental: Either would be fine.
Length: 90 minutes
LOBO HOWLS: 8
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