Since Shudder didn't work I went to the Music Box for a midnight showing of Yellow Submarine. It's pretty great! It made me nostalgic for Saturday Morning Cartoons and awestruck by how equally brilliant The Beatles were at comedy as they were with music.
As I loved the Beatles (still do), I watched a couple of their movies in the 90's, but found them kind of "lame" and "corny". But that was when I was a teenager. I should re-visit them now, and perhaps I'll see them in a different light.
Shudder doesn't work here in the old continent, so I did the most unoriginal thing possible and rewatched the first two Friday the 13th movies yesterday. And then revisited My Cousin Vinny. Been years since I'd seen it last. It holds up.
There was a lot of movie watching this week. When life feels heavy, I need some distraction.
I ended up having a horror double feature early in the week.
HATCHET (2006) – Hatchet and its sequels have been mentioned many times (just yesterday) here, so I thought it was time to actually find out who this Victor Crowley fellow is. Well, he certainly is not handsome or the friendliest “thing,” for lack of a better word. Although I had some misgivings about Hatchet at the beginning, I ended up entertained by it. Hatchet tries to balance being a film of its time and a throwback film, which it mostly succeeds in doing. The comedy grew on me. The especially liked the character of Marcus in that regard. The use of practical effects, even though they were not always pulled off well, I also appreciated.
Do you learn more about Victor Crowley’s nature in the sequels? The film does not clarify that point.
In addition, I was surprised by the abrupt ending. I hope Adam Green knew he would have the funds for a sequel when choosing that conclusion. His and the casts’ enthusiasm made up for some of the film’s weaknesses.
TALES OF HALLOWEEN (2015) – Maybe an odd choice for a July viewing, but Tales of Halloween was what came into my head when thinking about another horror film to watch after Hatchet. I cannot say I found this a satisfactory watch. Four of the stories I outright did not like (2,3,4 and 6), and the others I enjoyed in limited ways. If I had to choose a favorite tale, it would be Grim Grinning Ghost. It captures that feeling of your mind playing tricks on you after being spooked by a story. I wish everything had stayed imaginary, however. The bizarre Jason vs the evil dead section I found somewhat amusing, and the one about the creature that would not go away at least was an interesting idea.
I also saw a couple of French films during the week.
MAÎTRESSE (1973, dir. Barbet Schroeder) – Gerard Depardieu plays Olivier, a young man newly arrived in Paris who inadvertently enters a woman’s life by breaking into her apartment with his friend. She catches them in the act of burgling. Despite being initially confused, Olivier realizes that they have stumbled onto the lair of a dominatrix. Soon Olivier becomes absorbed into her life.
Maîtresse utilizes the visceral power of cinema to take the viewer into the realm of BDSM. As Schroeder commented in the interview on DVD, the acts in the film are very real. The expertise of a real dominatrix was involved in the harsher acts, but the lead actress otherwise performed in most of those scenes. As disturbing as some of the punishments are, you get an understanding of the dynamic between the dominatrix and the clients.
The leads are terrific, melting into their roles. Bulle Ogier, who plays the dominatrix, puts a lot of nuance into her performance. Depardieu is channeling an animalistic energy at this point in his career; he is simultaneously charming and repulsive. The two of them have a great chemistry on screen.
As a word of warning, there is a graphic scene at a horse slaughterhouse. The French eat horses.
POLICE PYTHON 357 (1976, dir. Alain Corneau) – This is a strange French police thriller starring Yves Montand as a detective in a Dirty Harry vein. The unremarkable beginning morphs into the most unlikely cat and mouse game. That part of the film was absolutely terrific, but the ending is rather anticlimactic. As is often the case with 1970s films, the characters tend to be on the unlikeable side. If you like gritty ‘70s police films, this is worth a watch. Another spot is now clear on the DVR.
MONKEY BUSINESS (1931) – Early Marx Brothers zaniness that remains a personal favorite. For some reason I respond to the comedy in this film more than other Marx Brothers productions, but Duck Soup is still their best. For most of Monkey Business, the brothers find themselves stowaways on an ocean liner trying to evade the crew and stay out of trouble, but trouble always finds them. Harpo really shines in it, especially during the customs scene. The concluding kidnapping story is adequate
Had the day off yesterday, so I took in an 11 AM showing of Skyscraper, a movie I probably wouldn't have seen otherwise. And you know what, it's actually perfectly fine. The plot is insanely contrived, and there's a part in the beginning where the characters walk into a room that could serve no purpose beyond being the setting for an action scene. It's going to be called a Die Hard ripoff, but it's not really (DH doesn't have a patent on tall buildings). At least not any more than 50 other movies have been Die Hard ripoffs. In that respect, I'd place it somewhere above Air Force One and below Cliffhanger. Curiously, it does borrow some of the weaker elements of Die Hard. Like (minor spoilers I guess), there's 2 cops on the ground, and one of them is on the Rock's side all the way, and the other is a big fuckin negative Nancy about literally everything. Then there's the part at the end where our hero and the cop finally meet and share a moment.....except they've never talked before and the Rock has no idea who the guy is. That being said, it's actually quite fun. If you have Movie Pass or have time for a matinee, I'd say go see it.
Oh, I also watched Friday the 13th 5 and 6. They're both still very enjoyable movies for wildly different reasons.
Nice! I saw Skyscraper yesterday morning too and also had a great time. I think it’s the best Rock movie in a long time, and one of his best performances. I like that he’s not playing the same old “wink at the camera” guy that he always does. He’s kind of taken on that weary, regretful action hero persona that every action star does eventually. And I thought he was really good at it. Plus, Neve Campbell is so so good.
I somehow really really want to watch Air Force One now (a movie I somehow missed). I am going to watch Air Force One. In my mind I'm imagining The Fugitive. I hope you haven't deceived me because I'm assuming it's better, or at least as good as The Fugitive. This is on you, Mr. Sager.
Whoops! Mixed that up. Thought it was better than Skyscraper!
Air Force One was okay. Finally, I'm pretty sure I have seen it at one point. Most of the exterior airplane scenes don't hold up well. The shots using models (I think?) are alright, but there is some horrid CGI too. Early days of CGI I guess. I know many people think Tony Scott is a garbage director, but his use of actual planes in Top Gun still looks amazing, and Air Force One is a joke in comparison.
I was pleasantly surprised to realize it was directed by one of my favs, Wolfgang Petersen! The man directed one of my favourite movies ever (Das Boot), and another I could watch on repeat for a week (The Perfect Storm), so I'm willing to give him a pass. Two thumbs up!!!
i'll take Air Force One over Skyscrapper any day. Skyscrapper was fine, but i really didn't care for it, and the kids annoyed me. it's Die Hard meet The Towering Inferno.
and the best The Rock movie in recent years is Jumanji.
"it's Die Hard meet The Towering Inferno." I haven't seen Skyscrapper, but now I'm sold!
I rewatched Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle with the kids, and it was just as good as the first viewing. It lags a bit in the 3rd act when they start to do actual action sequences, but overall it's very enjoyable. My favourite part is when Jack Black is teaching Karen Gillan to be sexy.
I know you've said that you really don't like Jack Black, and I used to feel the same, but I've been revisiting a lot of his movies and he's really grown on me. Be Kind Rewind has risen into at least my top 20 favourites. (Not so much for Black's performance, however. More just the "feel good" love of movies present in the film.)
I liked Jack Black in Jumanji. I guess i don't care for him when he does his 'Jack Black thing', like in School Of Rock. In Jumanji, he's actually a big part why i like the movie
and when i said 'Die Hard meet The Towering Inferno', i forgot to mention that it was that, without the interesting characters and the good plot development.
Shoot, I forgot about Jumani. That’s better than Skyscraper, I stand corrected. I think I forgot it because it seems like more than a “The Rock movie”.
last night, with my friend, we've watched the blu-ray of The lost World. no, not that one, the one from 1925. JB wrote a great piece on it and the blu-ray a few months ago, so i suggest you go read it. as a movie, it's fine. as a piece of cinema history, it's a must see.
also watched The Plague Dogs. from the same director as Watership Down. so you know it's not sunshine and butterflies. it's pretty gut wrenching and you won't feel good at the end, but it is a fantastic movie.
also watched all 3 Austin Powers earlier this week. that was a good time. the opening of the 3rd one is the best opening ever.
and in the category of blu-ray find of the week. i bought the north american of The Grandmaster when it came out, a few years ago. knowing that it was butchered by Weinstein. a couple of months ago, i got tired of waiting for a re-release of the full lenght movie, as intended by the director, and bought the French release of the disc, which is 120 minutes. i knew of a 130 minutes Korean release, but i couldn't find it at a decent price. well, about 2 weeks after i received the French disc, i found the Korean disc at a used dvd store near me, for only 10$. so now i have 3 copy of the movie, but in 3 different edit. i regret nothing.
The Grandmaster is a movie I'm looking forward to seeing, but have hesitated because of some negative reviews saying it was boring. Hmm. Maybe you can pass me one of your copies!?! Kidding. There are many more positive reviews than negative. I'll get to it someday.
I've never seen any of the Austin Powers movies. Aren't they supposed to be all terrible except for the first? Maybe I'm mixing it up with The Guru movie.
I loved the Watership Down book when I was young. Is he movie adaptation worth watching? From the context of your post, yes? But not very cheery?
The Grandmaster, the North American version is not great. the longer version is fantastic. i saw it a long time ago, but i can't remember if it was the 120 or the 130 minutes. now i have both, so someday i'll compare the two.
Austin Powers, there was a lot of negative review at the time, but i always liked them and i still do today after not seeing them for years
Watership Down, never read the book, but as an animated movie, it's a classic. a depressing one, but a classic nonetheless. a definitive must see, more so if you like classic, hand drawn animation.
SORRY TO BOTHER YOU (2018) is a decent, angry and smart indie flick with a surprising third-act twist I didn't see coming. It's so nice that the ads and trailer don't spoil what happens. Me and the audience I saw this with were shaken by the "twist," something that rarely happens anymore. Doesn't make this a great or even good message movie, just an entertaining one that zags when you expect it to zig. It also has (a) Steven Yeun in a killer post-"Walking Dead" role, (b) Danny Glover and Armie Hammer cutting loose while (c) David Cross and Patton Oswalt deliver better voice-over work than in any animated movie they've starred in. These actors and Tessa Thompson's free-spirited, sexy Detroit are so good they make you wish Lakeith Stanfield's "Cash" wasn't such a pushover lightweight as the film's lead.
Saw CHAPPAQUIDDICK ('18) on the airplane ride to Phoenix, where I'm currently vacationing with my folks. The filmmakers assume you already know the details of the incident its re-enacting (the car is already under the bridge 15 minutes into the story), so then it's time to let the performers shine. I'd never think of John Connor from "Terminator: Genysis" as a Ted Kennedy type, but Jason Clarke pulls a De Niro-in-"Raging Bull" physical transformation and sells Kennedy's contradictory persona real hard. Ed Helms is surprisingly likable as the only voice of reason in Teddy's inner-circle (including Clancy Brown and Olivia Thirlby in choice roles) urging him to do the right thing, the complete opposite of Bruce Dern playing Kennedy patriarch Joseph as an amoral, barely alive monster. Nothing Earth shaking or revolutionary here, just a clinical portrayal of a politically motivated cover-up by some well-cast actors giving it their all.
Saw Kathryn Bigelow's BLUE STEEL (1990) in 35mm before I left town. Finally, a Bigelow movie I can love for having both style and depth to go with the pretty pictures. Clancy Brown (again!) plays NYPD asshole cop so good he slips almost unnoticed until he comes face-to-back-of-skull with an unhinged Ron Silver (so good as a Patrick Bateman-type psycho). It's like a superhero origin story in which Jamie-Lee Curtis (tremendous acting) births her antagonist from the same traumatizing incident (starring a then-unknown Tom Sizemore) that changes her life. Gorgeous and clean 35mm print to boot. :-)
Last and certainly least, Toho's FIREWORKS (2017) is being sold as the next big anime follow-up to "Your Name" (my #1 favorite movie of 2017) because they share a producer. While visually exquisite (even throwaway shots are blessed with extreme attention to detail), the "time rewind" premise and characters (leads and supporting ones) aren't as likable or endearing as "Your Name's." It almost feels like a return to 80's American movies in which oversexed kids can barely keep their hormones in check. Worth seeing for the never-ending parade of pretty pictures (almost as if the animators have been encourgaed to show off), just be prepared for the plot and characters to work at an emotional level far below "Your Name's."
I’m too young to have really experienced the whole “tv horror host” thing but I am having the best time with The Last Drive In”. Briggs is so great, I wish this would be a regular thing.
I was away camping for a bit, so missed last week. I had a GREAT time this Junesploitation, and for the first time managed to watch a movie every day (cheating of course..multiple movies some days, and I finished on July 1st). Highlights were: -The Beach Girls was so light and fun. -Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy's Revenge might be the best slasher ever. -Clan of the White Lotus, I saw a bunch of Shaw Brothers movies, but this was my favourite. Even if the villain didn't get thousands of acupuncture needles stuck in his head at the end, it would have been good. But he did. -Petey Fucking Wheatstraw! Oh yeah! I've recommended this to everyone. Most don't love low budget exploitation movies, so we'll see how that goes. I also ordered the great soundtrack.
And thank you everyone else for your little reviews and recommendations! It's great having this space for movie lovers to share their discoveries. Thanks too to Fthismovie contributors for all the content during the month.
I watched a new Irish Horror film called "The Devil's Doorway". I'm adding it to my list of "acceptable Found Footage Horror Films" which is few and far between as I generally can't stand that sub-genre. There's nothing particularly special about this film, but it is really well acted, shot and filmed. The debut from the director shows promise and for a FF film, it takes place in 1960 and is framed and shot as such, so I was really impressed. It's a simple story, running at a great length of 1 hour 15 minutes and there are some genuine creepy moments in it.
Also revisited "Tourist Trap" since Shudder and Joe Bob got me all amped only to crush my dreams of having a fun night due to the overwhelming response of the stream in which Shudder wasn't ready for. Tourist Trap is possibly the best PG Horror film ever made. Right up there with Legend of Hell House, Gremlins and Poltergeist.
Just watched "Lover's Lane" (2000) on VHS. I loved it! It's the equivalent to a SOV (though it's not, just low budge) of a Saved By the Bell era, Scream; I Know What You Did Last Summer ripoff. It's streaming on Prime in case anyone cares. Early Anna Faris too if you like her. Also, cat jump scare. It's not great by any means, but it's weird for me to watch a film from the year 2000 and feel like it's retro. I remember doing the math as to how old I would be in 2000, haha. UGH.
I just watched Ghostbusters II with RedLetterMedia's commentary track. It's not a very good movie, but the commenters shitting on it made it more fun to watch.
Then I watched an episode of the Ghostbusters cartoon show that was included on the DVD. Never seen the show before, and I couldn't focus on anything else other than Venkman having the same voice as Garfield.
I have a few of those RLM commentary tracks downloaded on my phone (not losing those dollars). When I listen to a new F This Movie podcast, the Ghostbusters II track is the next one up chronologically. So I've listened to the first 30 seconds of that track like 200 times.
So tonight is the night where I finally finish my 10 month goal of watching all the Halloween movies. Watched the first 5 on the first weekend of October last year, but 5 broke my spirit and now I need like a 2 month break between each of them. Anyway, finishing up a rant I had last month after I watched his first one, I hate Rob Zombie's Halloween movies. Laurie and Loomis are just the most awful, selfish, shrill and disgusting people on planet Earth, and I just want them to die. Which isnt great for a slasher movie. And the kills aren't even fun, they all have the same set up. Random person bumps into Michael, says "what the fuck you looking at retard?" then is beaten or stabbed. Hey, great. And its SO LONG. A 2 hour movie that includes a 5 minute conversation between 2 coroners about necrophilia. And when Michael is making his way to Haddonfield, and the tension is supposed to be rising, we cut to a scene of Dr. Loomis lamenting his bad Chris Hardwick interview? Who gives a fuck? It just sucks, you guys. Luckily for Rob Zombie, Halloween Resurrection is literally the worst. /rant
I caught 5 of the Last Drive-In movies but had to work/sleep the rest of the time.
Watched a couple of the movies that came into my theater last week, Leave No Trace, and Three Identical Strangers. Both are really good although pretty depressing (the latter especially because it's a documentary).
Leave No Trace comes from Winter's Bone director Debra Granik, and has strong performance from Ben Foster and Thomasin McKenzie (who has also been cast in Taika Waititi's upcoming film Jojo Rabbit). They're father and daughter who have taken to living in the wilderness due to the father's PTSD. It made me uneasy in a lot of parts because there's obviously not going to be some sort of happy ending where he magically gets better. In some ways it didn't feel to me like an entirely realistic portrayal of PTSD, not that I'm an expert on it but I think it works in more of a symbolic way. Good movie overall though.
Also did a rewatch of Breaker Morant because I was spending some time with family and my dad have never seen it. He enjoyed it well enough although not to the same level I do. Such an amazing cast.
Breaker Morant is an excellent film that poses hard questions about the conduct of soldiers during wartime. It is the only film I can recall about the Boer War, too. Many years have passed since I watched it.
I have a thick book about the Boer War at home. The savagery of that conflict is largely forgotten today. Ah, the good old days of European imperialism.
The level of stupidity on display in The Bees amazed me. Usually I was more amused than appalled, but there were many moments when it was all too much. The bee attacks are some of the funniest scenes I have watched in a long time. (Since I rarely watch comedy, that is not saying much.) The film reminds me of the terrible 1950s sci-fi films about aliens coming to Earth. Instead of aliens, there are bees with a message to humankind.
I was looking for schlock on a Saturday night, and I certainly found it.
S IS FOR STANLEY (2015)- A portrait of Stanley Kubrick through the eyes of his driver and all-around gofer, Emilio D'Alessandro. It is probably not for those without an interest in Kubrick. I found it worthwhile.
While I was watching S Is For Stanley, I was thinking about how little information about Kubrick was actually known about him during his lifetime. I remember a BBC radio documentary on him from the late 1990s which more about the Kubrick mystique than the actual human being. I was obsessed with his films at that time and soaked up whatever information I could find.
I was just thinking about how The Bees would be a great film to mention to anyone who states that Plan 9 from Outer Space is the worst film ever made. The Bees is much worse. By the way, I have never disliked Plan 9; it is entertaining in a quirky way.
For any Xtro fans Brian Saur and our Stephanie Crawford are going deep on JustTheDiscs podcast this week talking about the brand new Xtro Bluray release from Second Sight
My bluray release of the year but of course I am biased as i have dreamed of a proper UK region free release for years
I can't believe it's actually happened
Every review so far of the release has been positive
I watched Blockers (2018), and it was fine TM (I tried, but can't do superscript). I really love John Cena, and I think he has talent. Hopefully he'll eventually get some parts in some decent comedies/movies, where he can shine.
Watched Tourist Trap, Sleepaway Camp and some of Rabid as part of The Last Drive In on Shudder. This was my first Joe Bob Briggs experience. I get the hype for sure. Also, good on Shudder for putting each part on demand.
Watched "Drive" (1997) with Mark Dacascos, Kadeem Hardison and Brittany Murphy who is incredible in it! (and looks amazing). GREAT action flick and, at times, actually kind of funny! Almost feels like PM Entertainment should have released it. So much fun with amazing fight sequences. Highly recommended.
Sadly Australia doesn't get shudder. But I watched a whole bunch. Brothers' Nest a small dark aussie movie about the supposed perfect murder. Antman and the Wasp (which I liked), Friday the 13th part four cause it was friday the 13th. I was able to show it to friends and we had a blast with it. Oh and I also rewatch Mulholland Dr. Which, is still a masterpiece.
Since Shudder didn't work I went to the Music Box for a midnight showing of Yellow Submarine. It's pretty great! It made me nostalgic for Saturday Morning Cartoons and awestruck by how equally brilliant The Beatles were at comedy as they were with music.
ReplyDeleteAs I loved the Beatles (still do), I watched a couple of their movies in the 90's, but found them kind of "lame" and "corny". But that was when I was a teenager. I should re-visit them now, and perhaps I'll see them in a different light.
DeleteShudder doesn't work here in the old continent, so I did the most unoriginal thing possible and rewatched the first two Friday the 13th movies yesterday. And then revisited My Cousin Vinny. Been years since I'd seen it last. It holds up.
ReplyDeleteThere was a lot of movie watching this week. When life feels heavy, I need some distraction.
ReplyDeleteI ended up having a horror double feature early in the week.
HATCHET (2006) – Hatchet and its sequels have been mentioned many times (just yesterday) here, so I thought it was time to actually find out who this Victor Crowley fellow is. Well, he certainly is not handsome or the friendliest “thing,” for lack of a better word. Although I had some misgivings about Hatchet at the beginning, I ended up entertained by it. Hatchet tries to balance being a film of its time and a throwback film, which it mostly succeeds in doing. The comedy grew on me. The especially liked the character of Marcus in that regard. The use of practical effects, even though they were not always pulled off well, I also appreciated.
Do you learn more about Victor Crowley’s nature in the sequels? The film does not clarify that point.
In addition, I was surprised by the abrupt ending. I hope Adam Green knew he would have the funds for a sequel when choosing that conclusion. His and the casts’ enthusiasm made up for some of the film’s weaknesses.
TALES OF HALLOWEEN (2015) – Maybe an odd choice for a July viewing, but Tales of Halloween was what came into my head when thinking about another horror film to watch after Hatchet. I cannot say I found this a satisfactory watch. Four of the stories I outright did not like (2,3,4 and 6), and the others I enjoyed in limited ways. If I had to choose a favorite tale, it would be Grim Grinning Ghost. It captures that feeling of your mind playing tricks on you after being spooked by a story. I wish everything had stayed imaginary, however. The bizarre Jason vs the evil dead section I found somewhat amusing, and the one about the creature that would not go away at least was an interesting idea.
I also saw a couple of French films during the week.
MAÎTRESSE (1973, dir. Barbet Schroeder) – Gerard Depardieu plays Olivier, a young man newly arrived in Paris who inadvertently enters a woman’s life by breaking into her apartment with his friend. She catches them in the act of burgling. Despite being initially confused, Olivier realizes that they have stumbled onto the lair of a dominatrix. Soon Olivier becomes absorbed into her life.
Maîtresse utilizes the visceral power of cinema to take the viewer into the realm of BDSM. As Schroeder commented in the interview on DVD, the acts in the film are very real. The expertise of a real dominatrix was involved in the harsher acts, but the lead actress otherwise performed in most of those scenes. As disturbing as some of the punishments are, you get an understanding of the dynamic between the dominatrix and the clients.
The leads are terrific, melting into their roles. Bulle Ogier, who plays the dominatrix, puts a lot of nuance into her performance. Depardieu is channeling an animalistic energy at this point in his career; he is simultaneously charming and repulsive. The two of them have a great chemistry on screen.
As a word of warning, there is a graphic scene at a horse slaughterhouse. The French eat horses.
POLICE PYTHON 357 (1976, dir. Alain Corneau) – This is a strange French police thriller starring Yves Montand as a detective in a Dirty Harry vein. The unremarkable beginning morphs into the most unlikely cat and mouse game. That part of the film was absolutely terrific, but the ending is rather anticlimactic. As is often the case with 1970s films, the characters tend to be on the unlikeable side. If you like gritty ‘70s police films, this is worth a watch. Another spot is now clear on the DVR.
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DeleteAnd last of all....
DeleteMONKEY BUSINESS (1931) – Early Marx Brothers zaniness that remains a personal favorite. For some reason I respond to the comedy in this film more than other Marx Brothers productions, but Duck Soup is still their best. For most of Monkey Business, the brothers find themselves stowaways on an ocean liner trying to evade the crew and stay out of trouble, but trouble always finds them. Harpo really shines in it, especially during the customs scene. The concluding kidnapping story is adequate
Had the day off yesterday, so I took in an 11 AM showing of Skyscraper, a movie I probably wouldn't have seen otherwise. And you know what, it's actually perfectly fine. The plot is insanely contrived, and there's a part in the beginning where the characters walk into a room that could serve no purpose beyond being the setting for an action scene. It's going to be called a Die Hard ripoff, but it's not really (DH doesn't have a patent on tall buildings). At least not any more than 50 other movies have been Die Hard ripoffs. In that respect, I'd place it somewhere above Air Force One and below Cliffhanger. Curiously, it does borrow some of the weaker elements of Die Hard. Like (minor spoilers I guess), there's 2 cops on the ground, and one of them is on the Rock's side all the way, and the other is a big fuckin negative Nancy about literally everything. Then there's the part at the end where our hero and the cop finally meet and share a moment.....except they've never talked before and the Rock has no idea who the guy is. That being said, it's actually quite fun. If you have Movie Pass or have time for a matinee, I'd say go see it.
ReplyDeleteOh, I also watched Friday the 13th 5 and 6. They're both still very enjoyable movies for wildly different reasons.
Nice! I saw Skyscraper yesterday morning too and also had a great time. I think it’s the best Rock movie in a long time, and one of his best performances. I like that he’s not playing the same old “wink at the camera” guy that he always does. He’s kind of taken on that weary, regretful action hero persona that every action star does eventually. And I thought he was really good at it. Plus, Neve Campbell is so so good.
DeleteI somehow really really want to watch Air Force One now (a movie I somehow missed). I am going to watch Air Force One. In my mind I'm imagining The Fugitive. I hope you haven't deceived me because I'm assuming it's better, or at least as good as The Fugitive. This is on you, Mr. Sager.
DeleteI mean I just said it's worse than Skyscraper, a movie I'm lukewarm on. But, sure, I'll wear this.
DeleteWhoops! Mixed that up. Thought it was better than Skyscraper!
DeleteAir Force One was okay. Finally, I'm pretty sure I have seen it at one point. Most of the exterior airplane scenes don't hold up well. The shots using models (I think?) are alright, but there is some horrid CGI too. Early days of CGI I guess. I know many people think Tony Scott is a garbage director, but his use of actual planes in Top Gun still looks amazing, and Air Force One is a joke in comparison.
I was pleasantly surprised to realize it was directed by one of my favs, Wolfgang Petersen! The man directed one of my favourite movies ever (Das Boot), and another I could watch on repeat for a week (The Perfect Storm), so I'm willing to give him a pass. Two thumbs up!!!
"GET OFF MY PLANE!"
Deletei'll take Air Force One over Skyscrapper any day. Skyscrapper was fine, but i really didn't care for it, and the kids annoyed me. it's Die Hard meet The Towering Inferno.
Deleteand the best The Rock movie in recent years is Jumanji.
"it's Die Hard meet The Towering Inferno."
DeleteI haven't seen Skyscrapper, but now I'm sold!
I rewatched Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle with the kids, and it was just as good as the first viewing. It lags a bit in the 3rd act when they start to do actual action sequences, but overall it's very enjoyable. My favourite part is when Jack Black is teaching Karen Gillan to be sexy.
I know you've said that you really don't like Jack Black, and I used to feel the same, but I've been revisiting a lot of his movies and he's really grown on me. Be Kind Rewind has risen into at least my top 20 favourites. (Not so much for Black's performance, however. More just the "feel good" love of movies present in the film.)
I liked Jack Black in Jumanji. I guess i don't care for him when he does his 'Jack Black thing', like in School Of Rock. In Jumanji, he's actually a big part why i like the movie
Deleteand when i said 'Die Hard meet The Towering Inferno', i forgot to mention that it was that, without the interesting characters and the good plot development.
DeleteShoot, I forgot about Jumani. That’s better than Skyscraper, I stand corrected. I think I forgot it because it seems like more than a “The Rock movie”.
Deletelast night, with my friend, we've watched the blu-ray of The lost World. no, not that one, the one from 1925. JB wrote a great piece on it and the blu-ray a few months ago, so i suggest you go read it. as a movie, it's fine. as a piece of cinema history, it's a must see.
ReplyDeletealso watched The Plague Dogs. from the same director as Watership Down. so you know it's not sunshine and butterflies. it's pretty gut wrenching and you won't feel good at the end, but it is a fantastic movie.
also watched all 3 Austin Powers earlier this week. that was a good time. the opening of the 3rd one is the best opening ever.
and in the category of blu-ray find of the week. i bought the north american of The Grandmaster when it came out, a few years ago. knowing that it was butchered by Weinstein. a couple of months ago, i got tired of waiting for a re-release of the full lenght movie, as intended by the director, and bought the French release of the disc, which is 120 minutes. i knew of a 130 minutes Korean release, but i couldn't find it at a decent price. well, about 2 weeks after i received the French disc, i found the Korean disc at a used dvd store near me, for only 10$. so now i have 3 copy of the movie, but in 3 different edit. i regret nothing.
Thank you
DeleteThe Grandmaster is a movie I'm looking forward to seeing, but have hesitated because of some negative reviews saying it was boring. Hmm. Maybe you can pass me one of your copies!?! Kidding. There are many more positive reviews than negative. I'll get to it someday.
DeleteI've never seen any of the Austin Powers movies. Aren't they supposed to be all terrible except for the first? Maybe I'm mixing it up with The Guru movie.
I loved the Watership Down book when I was young. Is he movie adaptation worth watching? From the context of your post, yes? But not very cheery?
The Grandmaster, the North American version is not great. the longer version is fantastic. i saw it a long time ago, but i can't remember if it was the 120 or the 130 minutes. now i have both, so someday i'll compare the two.
DeleteAustin Powers, there was a lot of negative review at the time, but i always liked them and i still do today after not seeing them for years
Watership Down, never read the book, but as an animated movie, it's a classic. a depressing one, but a classic nonetheless. a definitive must see, more so if you like classic, hand drawn animation.
Thanks. I'll make sure to buy the longer version.
DeleteSORRY TO BOTHER YOU (2018) is a decent, angry and smart indie flick with a surprising third-act twist I didn't see coming. It's so nice that the ads and trailer don't spoil what happens. Me and the audience I saw this with were shaken by the "twist," something that rarely happens anymore. Doesn't make this a great or even good message movie, just an entertaining one that zags when you expect it to zig. It also has (a) Steven Yeun in a killer post-"Walking Dead" role, (b) Danny Glover and Armie Hammer cutting loose while (c) David Cross and Patton Oswalt deliver better voice-over work than in any animated movie they've starred in. These actors and Tessa Thompson's free-spirited, sexy Detroit are so good they make you wish Lakeith Stanfield's "Cash" wasn't such a pushover lightweight as the film's lead.
ReplyDeleteSaw CHAPPAQUIDDICK ('18) on the airplane ride to Phoenix, where I'm currently vacationing with my folks. The filmmakers assume you already know the details of the incident its re-enacting (the car is already under the bridge 15 minutes into the story), so then it's time to let the performers shine. I'd never think of John Connor from "Terminator: Genysis" as a Ted Kennedy type, but Jason Clarke pulls a De Niro-in-"Raging Bull" physical transformation and sells Kennedy's contradictory persona real hard. Ed Helms is surprisingly likable as the only voice of reason in Teddy's inner-circle (including Clancy Brown and Olivia Thirlby in choice roles) urging him to do the right thing, the complete opposite of Bruce Dern playing Kennedy patriarch Joseph as an amoral, barely alive monster. Nothing Earth shaking or revolutionary here, just a clinical portrayal of a politically motivated cover-up by some well-cast actors giving it their all.
Saw Kathryn Bigelow's BLUE STEEL (1990) in 35mm before I left town. Finally, a Bigelow movie I can love for having both style and depth to go with the pretty pictures. Clancy Brown (again!) plays NYPD asshole cop so good he slips almost unnoticed until he comes face-to-back-of-skull with an unhinged Ron Silver (so good as a Patrick Bateman-type psycho). It's like a superhero origin story in which Jamie-Lee Curtis (tremendous acting) births her antagonist from the same traumatizing incident (starring a then-unknown Tom Sizemore) that changes her life. Gorgeous and clean 35mm print to boot. :-)
Last and certainly least, Toho's FIREWORKS (2017) is being sold as the next big anime follow-up to "Your Name" (my #1 favorite movie of 2017) because they share a producer. While visually exquisite (even throwaway shots are blessed with extreme attention to detail), the "time rewind" premise and characters (leads and supporting ones) aren't as likable or endearing as "Your Name's." It almost feels like a return to 80's American movies in which oversexed kids can barely keep their hormones in check. Worth seeing for the never-ending parade of pretty pictures (almost as if the animators have been encourgaed to show off), just be prepared for the plot and characters to work at an emotional level far below "Your Name's."
I’m too young to have really experienced the whole “tv horror host” thing but I am having the best time with The Last Drive In”. Briggs is so great, I wish this would be a regular thing.
ReplyDeleteI was away camping for a bit, so missed last week. I had a GREAT time this Junesploitation, and for the first time managed to watch a movie every day (cheating of course..multiple movies some days, and I finished on July 1st).
ReplyDeleteHighlights were:
-The Beach Girls was so light and fun.
-Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy's Revenge might be the best slasher ever.
-Clan of the White Lotus, I saw a bunch of Shaw Brothers movies, but this was my favourite. Even if the villain didn't get thousands of acupuncture needles stuck in his head at the end, it would have been good. But he did.
-Petey Fucking Wheatstraw! Oh yeah! I've recommended this to everyone. Most don't love low budget exploitation movies, so we'll see how that goes. I also ordered the great soundtrack.
And thank you everyone else for your little reviews and recommendations! It's great having this space for movie lovers to share their discoveries. Thanks too to Fthismovie contributors for all the content during the month.
DeleteI wanna see BlackKklansman already.
ReplyDeleteI watched a new Irish Horror film called "The Devil's Doorway". I'm adding it to my list of "acceptable Found Footage Horror Films" which is few and far between as I generally can't stand that sub-genre. There's nothing particularly special about this film, but it is really well acted, shot and filmed. The debut from the director shows promise and for a FF film, it takes place in 1960 and is framed and shot as such, so I was really impressed. It's a simple story, running at a great length of 1 hour 15 minutes and there are some genuine creepy moments in it.
ReplyDeleteAlso revisited "Tourist Trap" since Shudder and Joe Bob got me all amped only to crush my dreams of having a fun night due to the overwhelming response of the stream in which Shudder wasn't ready for. Tourist Trap is possibly the best PG Horror film ever made. Right up there with Legend of Hell House, Gremlins and Poltergeist.
I think PG horror is my genre.
DeleteHahaha! :)
DeleteSomething Wicked This Way Comes and Watcher in the Woods are a couple great PG ones too if you haven't seen them.
DeleteDo you not consider Jaws horror or are you the one person who doesn't like it?
DeleteJaws is 100% Horror. Just didn't mention it, that's all.
DeleteYes please! Wow that’s Betty Davis!
Delete:)
DeleteHaha I'm just having fun Chaybee. I caught Tourist Trap for the first time a few months back before my Prime ran out and, yeah, it's really good.
DeleteJust watched "Lover's Lane" (2000) on VHS. I loved it! It's the equivalent to a SOV (though it's not, just low budge) of a Saved By the Bell era, Scream; I Know What You Did Last Summer ripoff. It's streaming on Prime in case anyone cares. Early Anna Faris too if you like her. Also, cat jump scare. It's not great by any means, but it's weird for me to watch a film from the year 2000 and feel like it's retro. I remember doing the math as to how old I would be in 2000, haha. UGH.
ReplyDeletePatrick, I just got the photo for the weekend thread....that's freakin' hilarious.
ReplyDeleteI just watched Ghostbusters II with RedLetterMedia's commentary track. It's not a very good movie, but the commenters shitting on it made it more fun to watch.
ReplyDeleteThen I watched an episode of the Ghostbusters cartoon show that was included on the DVD. Never seen the show before, and I couldn't focus on anything else other than Venkman having the same voice as Garfield.
I have a few of those RLM commentary tracks downloaded on my phone (not losing those dollars). When I listen to a new F This Movie podcast, the Ghostbusters II track is the next one up chronologically. So I've listened to the first 30 seconds of that track like 200 times.
DeleteWatching "14 Cameras" the sequel to "13 Cameras" and I'm so bored that I'm watching another film on YouTube. It's that bad, IMO.
ReplyDeleteSo tonight is the night where I finally finish my 10 month goal of watching all the Halloween movies. Watched the first 5 on the first weekend of October last year, but 5 broke my spirit and now I need like a 2 month break between each of them. Anyway, finishing up a rant I had last month after I watched his first one, I hate Rob Zombie's Halloween movies. Laurie and Loomis are just the most awful, selfish, shrill and disgusting people on planet Earth, and I just want them to die. Which isnt great for a slasher movie. And the kills aren't even fun, they all have the same set up. Random person bumps into Michael, says "what the fuck you looking at retard?" then is beaten or stabbed. Hey, great. And its SO LONG. A 2 hour movie that includes a 5 minute conversation between 2 coroners about necrophilia. And when Michael is making his way to Haddonfield, and the tension is supposed to be rising, we cut to a scene of Dr. Loomis lamenting his bad Chris Hardwick interview? Who gives a fuck? It just sucks, you guys. Luckily for Rob Zombie, Halloween Resurrection is literally the worst. /rant
ReplyDeleteAny movie that has Busta Rhymes saying "Trick or treat, muthafucka!" can't possibly be the worst of anything?!? Can it?
DeleteI caught 5 of the Last Drive-In movies but had to work/sleep the rest of the time.
ReplyDeleteWatched a couple of the movies that came into my theater last week, Leave No Trace, and Three Identical Strangers. Both are really good although pretty depressing (the latter especially because it's a documentary).
Leave No Trace comes from Winter's Bone director Debra Granik, and has strong performance from Ben Foster and Thomasin McKenzie (who has also been cast in Taika Waititi's upcoming film Jojo Rabbit). They're father and daughter who have taken to living in the wilderness due to the father's PTSD. It made me uneasy in a lot of parts because there's obviously not going to be some sort of happy ending where he magically gets better. In some ways it didn't feel to me like an entirely realistic portrayal of PTSD, not that I'm an expert on it but I think it works in more of a symbolic way. Good movie overall though.
Also did a rewatch of Breaker Morant because I was spending some time with family and my dad have never seen it. He enjoyed it well enough although not to the same level I do. Such an amazing cast.
Breaker Morant is an excellent film that poses hard questions about the conduct of soldiers during wartime. It is the only film I can recall about the Boer War, too. Many years have passed since I watched it.
DeleteI have a thick book about the Boer War at home. The savagery of that conflict is largely forgotten today. Ah, the good old days of European imperialism.
THE BEES (1978) The killer bees are coming. Scramble all the jet fighters! J.B. has given his testimony about the horror of this film:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.fthismovie.net/2016/05/glutton-for-punishment-bees.html
The level of stupidity on display in The Bees amazed me. Usually I was more amused than appalled, but there were many moments when it was all too much. The bee attacks are some of the funniest scenes I have watched in a long time. (Since I rarely watch comedy, that is not saying much.) The film reminds me of the terrible 1950s sci-fi films about aliens coming to Earth. Instead of aliens, there are bees with a message to humankind.
I was looking for schlock on a Saturday night, and I certainly found it.
S IS FOR STANLEY (2015)- A portrait of Stanley Kubrick through the eyes of his driver and all-around gofer, Emilio D'Alessandro. It is probably not for those without an interest in Kubrick. I found it worthwhile.
While I was watching S Is For Stanley, I was thinking about how little information about Kubrick was actually known about him during his lifetime. I remember a BBC radio documentary on him from the late 1990s which more about the Kubrick mystique than the actual human being. I was obsessed with his films at that time and soaked up whatever information I could find.
I was just thinking about how The Bees would be a great film to mention to anyone who states that Plan 9 from Outer Space is the worst film ever made. The Bees is much worse. By the way, I have never disliked Plan 9; it is entertaining in a quirky way.
DeleteSeconded
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ReplyDeleteFor any Xtro fans Brian Saur and our Stephanie Crawford are going deep on JustTheDiscs podcast this week talking about the brand new Xtro Bluray release from Second Sight
ReplyDeleteMy bluray release of the year but of course I am biased as i have dreamed of a proper UK region free release for years
I can't believe it's actually happened
Every review so far of the release has been positive
Let's see what Brian and Stephanie think?
The release is pretty fantastic. Biased or not, it's a defendable pick
DeleteI'll listen to the podcast soon
Looking forward to that podcast. Stephanie was really funny and enjoyable on the recent Kill By Kill episode. Killing it, excuse the wordplay!
DeleteDefinetly killed it. she is really cool
DeleteAnd Brian is a big movie lover, I'm excited to hear there thoughts
I watched Blockers (2018), and it was fine TM (I tried, but can't do superscript). I really love John Cena, and I think he has talent. Hopefully he'll eventually get some parts in some decent comedies/movies, where he can shine.
ReplyDeleteWatched Tourist Trap, Sleepaway Camp and some of Rabid as part of The Last Drive In on Shudder. This was my first Joe Bob Briggs experience. I get the hype for sure. Also, good on Shudder for putting each part on demand.
ReplyDeleteAmazing trifecta right there, brother.
DeleteThere are worse ways to go than Chuck Conners
Deletecurrently watching Jaws. i always forget, among other great things in the movie, how much the cinematography and editing are excellent.
ReplyDeleteWatched "Drive" (1997) with Mark Dacascos, Kadeem Hardison and Brittany Murphy who is incredible in it! (and looks amazing). GREAT action flick and, at times, actually kind of funny! Almost feels like PM Entertainment should have released it. So much fun with amazing fight sequences. Highly recommended.
ReplyDeleteFini
Weird. Not sure how "Fini" ended my post? Stupid text fingers I guess.
DeleteSadly Australia doesn't get shudder. But I watched a whole bunch. Brothers' Nest a small dark aussie movie about the supposed perfect murder. Antman and the Wasp (which I liked), Friday the 13th part four cause it was friday the 13th. I was able to show it to friends and we had a blast with it. Oh and I also rewatch Mulholland Dr. Which, is still a masterpiece.
ReplyDeleteJust watched "How It Ends" I actually enjoyed it quite a bit until the end. Talk about shitting the bed.
ReplyDelete