The Bucket List

THE BUCKET LIST -vs- BUBBA HO-TEP

The Smackdown. Two motion pictures share a similar theme. Both have a pair of geriatric geezers (one white, one black) undertaking adventure in the twilight of their lives. Both films are entertaining, but can the big budget, major studio offering with an "A List" cast and a big name director trump a small, independently-made gem based on a Bram Stoker Award nominated short story? Can Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman best Bruce Campbell and Ossie Davis? Is gallimaufry globetrotting more poignant than fighting giant roaches in Nacogdoches? Will the Hollywood-based screenwriter from NYU's film school hold his own against the Mojo Storyteller from the Big Thicket in East Texas? In short, will "The Bucket List" command as fervent and as loyal a following as "Bubba Ho-Tep?"

Fruit of the Loom jumpsuits and a Maxwell parachute -- "Good to the last drop!" What's next?

The Challenger. "The Bucket List" stars two of the biggest, most well-respected actors of our time. Nicholson plays Edward Cole, an enormously wealthy, crotchety cancer patient whose hospital roommate is Carter Chambers (portrayed by Freeman), a middle-class auto mechanic with a big family, a longtime marriage and a penchant for "Jeopardy." He, too, has only six or so months to live. Together they concoct a list of things to do before "they kick the bucket," and thanks to Cole's financial capability the sky's the limit, literally, as they jet their way to the French Riviera, the Serengeti, the Pyramids, the Taj Mahal, the great Wall of China and on to Tibet. AARP would be proud. Yes, it's a wonderful, albeit, brief life they live, to the fullest, with a lesson or two being learned along the way. There's no question that Screenwriter Justin Zackham pitched a terrific premise for Rob Reiner to direct. And Nicholson and Freeman undoubtedly make the most talented "odd couple" ever. Clearly "The Bucket List" seems to have everything in place to make it a box office hit.


To save money, the patients at the Mud Creek Convalescent Home are provided Maxwell House coffee instead of Starbucks.

The Champion. "Bubba Ho-Tep" opens with three sentences of voice-over that rank among the most outrageous, audacious and bodacious lines in the history of American cinema. And that's just the beginning of a wildly imaginative tale concocted by Joe R. Lansdale and adapated to the screen by writer/director Don Coscarelli that proposes Elvis Presley is now a 68 year old resident of an East Texas nursing home. Of course, no one believes that he is the real deal despite the remarkable resemblance (portrayed brilliantly by Bruce Campbell) and his unrelenting insistence that he swapped lives with an Elvis impersonator so he could escape the hassles of unprecedented fame. I said no one believes him; that's not entirely true. One old codger (played by the late, great Ossie Davis) does accept Elvis' story as true. Then again, this man believes he's none other than John Fitzgerald Kennedy and his now-black skin is just another example of the Johnson Administration's evil ingenuity. What a pair -- and so the stage is set for the King of Rock and Roll and the King of Camelot to undertake the greatest challenge of their lives. You see, residents of this nondescript convalescent center are dying at an alarming rate and the culprit isn't Old Man Time. Rather, it is a soul-sucking Egyptian mummy who just happens to be in the area thanks to a nearby highway accident. And while the mummified soul sucker's roaches are no match for a swift bedpan, he's the real deal as two full body burns will attest.

The Scorecard. Surprisingly, "The Bucket List" borders on being a Hope-Crosby "Road" picture replete with some rather cheesy stock footage backgrounds reminiscent of "The Road to Zanzibar." Despite various technical glitches, Nicholson and Freeman do an admirable job of keeping the viewer entertained in what could have been called "The Road to Cremation." That's star power...but it is star power engulfed in a black hole thanks to the disappointing screenplay by Justin Zackham. Purportedly written in a mere two weeks, it is readily apparent that, despite the best of intentions, Zackham needed not only more time, but more inspiration and another Big Chief Notebook Tablet or two. On the other hand, "Bubba Ho-Tep" works on every level -- it is touching, it is convincingly acted, it is extremely entertaining, it is thought-provoking and it succeeds because it treats its outrageous premise with total sincerity. Let me emphasize that it is also very well written.

The Decision. "Bucket" or "Bubba?" "Bubba Ho-Tep" is a triumph of the human spirit. Coscarelli has an uncanny way of making us really care for Lansdale's cooped-up old coots living their last days in ignominity. Unfortunately, "The Bucket List" fails to do the same. Ironically, one of the items on "The Bucket List" is to "witness something truly majestic." When comparing these two feature films, it is "Bubba," not "Bucket," that comes closest to that goal.

Robert A. Nowotny

The Bucket List

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There IS no spoon!

Last updated: 2010-03-13 08:24:05 by McDozer

The Bucket List

Ok to the cry babies, you should save a box of tissue before seeing this. Seriously, even I was close to tears myself when the movie ended. So if you watch this, don't watch with Kenny.



The theme of The Bucket List was really simple. What would you do if you knew you had 6 months to live? And, who would you do it with? The story is about two complete strangers who are diagnosed with cancer, who escape from the hospital and go on a journey to complete their bucket list, which is this list of things you want to do before you die.



The characters and plot developed so well in just a hour and a half movie with Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman as the main characters. It didn't really focus on the completing of the list but the friendship between the two guys which got stronger as they went on in their adventure. They started out kinda awkward coz they didn't even know each other at first but as time progressed, it was as if they were life long friends. And Oh My God.....the ending where they had to go their separate ways(oops..spoiler) was so beautiful and sad, for sure your eyes will do waterworks.



It's also quite a powerful film about things more important than money and power or even family. I mean, you live your whole life getting a job, climbing ladders, getting money or starting a family, have kids, see them go to college and then when it's all done you just feel shitty coz you realize there was more to life than just that.



The acting was oh so chun from the two Oscar winners and the script is super hilarious. Imagine two 70 year old cancer patients, with their botak heads from chemo going Nascar racing, lion hunting in Africa, sky diving, climbing the Himalaya's, riding Harleys on the Great Wall Of China and getting tattoos. Also, since Jack Nicholson is in it with a black dude, prepare for a lot of discriminative nigga jokes and 'F' bombs. Super funny.



This film is a perfect story of life and friendship. It's kinda sad that it's Jack's last one but it's kind of a nice movie to end on. For sure after the movie, you'll have that fuzzy feeling inside and a strong want to hug your best friend.

RATING: 7/10

NicholasC

THE BUCKET LIST (2008)

BOTTOM LINE: Strong, emotional and heart-felt film with superb performances from Nicholson and Freeman as the unlikely duo taking on life one more time before they kick the bucket.

THE GOOD: The idea of taking stock of your life and asking yourself if you've actually lived it to its fullest is an old one that's been given a beautiful treatment by director Rob Reiner in this film. What's so good about this film is presenting the theme, "there's no time like the present!"; even if it means in the case of Carter (Freeman) and Cole (Nicholson) that they only have six months to live. The masterstroke of the film of course was to cast both Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson as the unlikely odd couple who end up living life to the fullest in the final months they have left. It could have been all silly and contrived but instead we get two rock-solid, genuine performances from two of Hollywood's heavy-weight actors in sequences that are believable and amusing. The funniest scene? Perhaps when Freeman tells Nicholson he's never been with another woman other than his wife. Nicholson's mischievous response of, "that's definitely going on the list!" makes for a good laugh. "The Bucket List" is filled with such glorious moments, and it manages to do it while imparting a message that getting caught up in life's trivialities should never stop you from experiencing life the right way. Nicholson's billionaire businessman character is testament to that; he's been married four times, has an estranged daughter and lives alone - but he has a lot of money. Freeman has a wife, family and peace of mind - but he's poor. The two go together perfectly. One genuine surprise in the film is that you actually get a sense of what it's like for someone who's sick - early on we see scenes of Cole's character reacting to chemo treatment which are not pleasant, as we do Carter's. "The Bucket List" is a film that makes you think about life, gives you a good laugh, gives you two enjoyable acting performances, and doesn't overstay its welcome or go over the top.

THE BAD: It always seems inevitable that a film like this will enter into sentimental territory towards the end of the film and "The Bucket List" is no exception. Rob Reiner has tended to go in this direction in a number of his previous films but thankfully the sentiment is not poured on in bucket loads (pardon the pun). That said however, despite some schmaltzy scenes at the end which basically make you feel good about life and the lives of the characters, the film is blessed with having two real solid acting stars making completely believable performances; so in the end, it's not all that bad.

RATING: 8/10

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Todd Murphy <br />
http://www.allaboutmovies.net

The Bucket List

I had the opportunity to watch this with my girlfriend this afternoon as I’m sick as a dog and feel as if I need to be making out my own “bucket lsit.” She said the film was rather depressing. As for me, maybe I’m heartless, but I didn’t feel the same way. Yes, it ended on somewhat of a sad note, but you kind of get the idea that its going to when you decide to watch the film initially, not to mention the opening narration kind of hints that way.
Morgan Freeman always delivers in every role I’ve seen him in. This was no exception. I will admit, though that it was hard to see a man who had played God on his death bed.
Jack Nicholson, like Freeman, has never really had a bad role. My favorite is his turn as The Joker in Batman.This role finds him as a Scrooge-esqu type of billionaire who needs to see the error of his ways before its too late, and he really gets into it, not to mention add that Jack-ness to it.
Speaking of Jack, Sean Hayes (Jack from Will & Grace) is actually pretty good in his role as the assistant, complete with smart-ass remarks. Freeman and Nicholson may be the focal point of the film, but Hayes gives just as important a performance.
I really like the concept of the bucket list. Perhaps I shuld make one myself before I kick he bucket. Of course, I’d need to find a rich roommate/friend to help me get them all done, but anything’s possible, right?
The funniest scenes of the film are when they are about to skydive and on the race track. Both scenes really lighten the mood of the film and show that these actors do have a sense of humor.
When I first saw the trailer for this film and saw Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman in a movie about two guys dying, I was thinking that I wanted to stay away from this “artsy-fartsy” film. However, turns out that this is a bit of a comedy, and quite the enjoyable film. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it as well.

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