Death Becomes Her - 1/5

This is a self-aware black comedy that tries to ham it up but fails miserably. I usually enjoy macabre humor but this was too cheesy, too plastic, too over-the-top corny for me to enjoy. Instead of making jokes about death, it uses uncanny body disfigurement as the punchline without bothering to provide humor to go along with it. None of the actors are making an effort to be charismatic, but instead feel like they’re relying on their fame to carry their performance and expecting the audience to be won over by their mere presence. This is a dud that has rightfully faded into obscurity.

Content warning: partial female nudity

Closest comparison: It’s like Bruce Willis at the height of his narcissistic hubris trying to imitate Tim Burton’s style and failing.

Setting: Tawdry Drama
Plot: Comedy Horror
Tone: Black Comedy

Romancing the Stone - 3/5

This movie is a parody of its own genre, trying at once to make fun of and be an adventure clone in the vein of Indiana Jones. And for that it largely succeeds, though many of the jokes fell flat for me and there’s too much mundanity to really make it an enduring classic. The lead actors fail to exude the confident charisma needed for the genre, with generally average performances that should have been stellar.

Content warning: Brief female nudity

Closest comparison: It’s like Galaxy Quest by way of Indiana Jones

Setting: Exotic Adventure
Plot: Adventure Parody
Tone: Action Adventure