The Last Stop in Yuma County (2024): yes, it's as good as Patrick and Paul Calvert said. I guarantee you, you'll never guess whatever happens from scene to scene.
Streets of Fire (1984): i know it's a favorite around here, but as Patrick Willems said in his latest video essay, it's an okay movie sandwiched between an awesome opening scene and a great ending.
The Fall Guy (2024): this was fun. I'm not the first to say this, but this is the ultimate love letter to action cinema and stuntpersons. Also, I'm not usually a fan of Ryan Gosling, but he didn't bother me here.
The Crow movie series: we all know how good the first one is. the designs, the music, the casting, everything is there. There sequels are... something else. I didn't have a bad time watching them, but they never come close to being as good as the first. Apparently, there was a genuine try to make the second movie different and worth watching, but as usual, the studios had something to say and screwed it all up. 3rd is very ordinary. I kinda liked the 4th movie, but the last act of the movie drags a lot and i just checked out. It didn't help that i watched 2-3-4 in a row. I should've spaced them out a little.
Streets of Fire I have only seen in full once, but I put on that amazing opening scene regularly.
Same with Phantom of the Paradise which I've only seen recently. But since then at least once a week I'll watch some little 10 minute section or song from the movie. The end credits are fantastic. Brian De Palma is the best.
I don't think I've ever actually seen The Crow (or the sequels). I listened to the soundtrack a bunch when it was released.
The movie week was, of course, dominated by the Juneploitation announcement. This will be my eighth participation, and it is always a satisfying, and somewhat grueling, experience. I gathered a box full of discs that match the days, but I can never be sure that something will not come onto my radar during the month that will change my plans. I am trying to focus on my collection this year. The discs do not do any good sitting around here unwatched.
There was a lot of diversity to my watches this week. I also looked at many films to judge their suitability for next month.
UNKNOWN PLEASURES (2001, dir. Jia Zhangke) – In a provincial Chinese industrial city, several alienated youths meander around and try to figure out what to do with their lives. Work is scarce and low paying, and there are few opportunities to get out of the city. A Chinese independent film, this was shot with an early digital camera and uses long takes, both of which predisposes me not to like the film. The unlikeable characters do not help, either. What the film does show well is a society undergoing tremendous change, which the main characters clearly do not feel is improving their lives. The contrast between the positive announcements on the state TV channels and the lives on display seems deliberate.
PEPPERMINT SODA (1977, dir. Diane Kurys) on MUBI – At an all-girls school in Paris during the school year of 1963-64, two sisters deal with their parents’ divorce, puberty, boys, friendships, rivalries, etc. In short, adolescent life in general. Kurys and the cast, who were around the ages of their characters, brought a sense of authenticity to everything that happens in the film. That a female director made this is evident. I do not think a male could have handled the material with the grace Kurys does nor could have gotten the nuanced performances that the two leads give. As teenage ensemble casts go, this is one of the best I have come across. I was completely engrossed in the interweaving stories and the performances. The polished flow of the narrative helped in that regard. An upbeat mood is maintained throughout the film. I have a soft spot for school dramas, and this one did not disappoint at all.
THE GLASS SLIPPER (1955, dir. Charles Walters) – A case of the parts being more satisfying than the whole. There are few films where French actress Leslie Caron’s charm shines brighter than in The Glass Slipper. She portrays Cinderella, and her tough but dreamy character is matched beautifully by the lovely ballet sequences. The fairy godmother, whimsically played an actress named Estelle Winwood, is absolutely delightful. She put a smile on my face every time she came on the screen. Unfortunately, the way the story unfolds is not as engaging as the design of the costumes and sets.
DAWN OF THE DEAD (2004, dir. Zach Snyder) – My first night at the Mahoning Drive-In was for the start of the tenth Zombiefest weekend. This year it is all about the films of George Romero, including the remakes of his classics. I liked Snyder’s Dawn remake when I first saw it, and I think it still holds up. The cast has a lot to do with that, but Snyder also paced the film well. Only at the conclusion did the plot seemed rushed, and it does gets very nihilistic. In that wave of horror remakes from the 2000s, this is one of the highlights, paying homage to the original material while having its own identity.
Its a rainy day sunday here so i think i may have to start listing out a ton of spoitation options! woot!!
Predator (4k 1987)
Me: "Theres no such thing as a PERFECT action movie....."
Dutch: "hold my choppa" Dillion: "hold my doublecrossing but redemptive story arc" Mac: "hold my razor...but do it 'over herre..over herre' " Cooper: "hold ole painless" or "hold my chewing tobacco" Billy: "hold my laugh."
Predator is the first film that I think of when considering Schwarzenegger's career. The Terminator may be more famous, but Dutch has always been my sentimental favorite of his roles. I watched it many times as a kid and found the whole concept of the story very unique for that time period. The cast does not hurt the film, either.
I've watched a few good things recently. I thought Ferrari (2023) was quite good. P. Cruz puts on a great performance and the racing scenes were electric. Probably not in my top 5 M. Mann movies, but really glad to have him making movies again. Hopefully he gets money for at least one more.
Air (2023) was pretty entertaining, even if it felt like a Nike commercial at times. My biggest grip were the needle drops between every scene with nostalgia flashbacks to 80's things. I kind of made it feel formulaic because it was used continuously throughout the whole movie.
My son and I have been watching lots of comedies. We had a Zach Galifianakis triple feature a few weekends ago where we watched Out Cold (2001), The Hangover (2009) and Due Date (2010). The Hangover is worse with every re-watch and Due Date is better.
Last weekend we did a Ben Stiller double feature with There's Something about Mary (1998) and Tropic Thunder (2008), both classics. I miss having Cameron Diaz in movies.
Really looking forward to Junesploitation! I'm going to be busier than I have been in previous years, so I'm not going to stress about watching a movie a day, and instead just try to enjoy the ones I can squeeze in. That's what I did last SMM, and honestly I had a lot more fun with it without the pressure. And nearly ended up watching a movie a day anyways!
My favourite part is reading everyone's reviews and getting recommendations for future watching. I'll be able to do that even on days where I don't have time for a movie.
Even having the time for it, Junesploitation can be a challenge. Being a die-hard movie fan does not spare you from feeling burnt-out as the weeks of June go by.
BATMAN FOREVER (1995) Yes, the Shumaker Batmen are the definition of Hollywood excess, but I still say there’s some good stuff in them if you go looking for them.
RETURN TO OZ (1985) Just imagine if the entire movie took place in the room full of screaming heads.
JURASSIC PARK (1993) Still holds up!
STAR WARS EP. IX THE RISE OF SKYWALKER (2019) I don’t hate this movie, but at this point even I must admit that it’s lackluster as the grand finale of the series.
Finished the weekend with a watch of the 1984 Ken Russell film CRIMES OF PASSION. Russell never did anything halfway in his career, and this is a prime example. Kathleen Turner portrays a woman who has a double life as a p-r-o-s-t-i-t-u-t-e. Turner was completely on board for the explicit content, but film censors certainly had problems with it. At her day job she is Joanna, but at night she becomes China Blue, a chameleon morphing into whatever fantasy her clients want. When she meets Anthony Perkins, an obsessed man masquerading as a preacher, his desire to redeem her split personas will only get out of control. The most normal aspect is the subplot of a man dealing with the loss of love in his marriage. The film unfolds in unexpected ways and manages to come together by the conclusion, but it is not for all tastes.
For those looking to post on the daily threads next month, be aware that the software can be sensitive about certain words. Blogger will delete your post if there is something in it that does not conform to some unknown rule. You can always open another tab for the website to check if your post is staying on. Then you could copy the post and modify it to make it acceptable.
The Last Stop in Yuma County (2024): yes, it's as good as Patrick and Paul Calvert said. I guarantee you, you'll never guess whatever happens from scene to scene.
ReplyDeleteStreets of Fire (1984): i know it's a favorite around here, but as Patrick Willems said in his latest video essay, it's an okay movie sandwiched between an awesome opening scene and a great ending.
The Fall Guy (2024): this was fun. I'm not the first to say this, but this is the ultimate love letter to action cinema and stuntpersons. Also, I'm not usually a fan of Ryan Gosling, but he didn't bother me here.
The Crow movie series: we all know how good the first one is. the designs, the music, the casting, everything is there. There sequels are... something else. I didn't have a bad time watching them, but they never come close to being as good as the first. Apparently, there was a genuine try to make the second movie different and worth watching, but as usual, the studios had something to say and screwed it all up. 3rd is very ordinary. I kinda liked the 4th movie, but the last act of the movie drags a lot and i just checked out. It didn't help that i watched 2-3-4 in a row. I should've spaced them out a little.
Streets of Fire I have only seen in full once, but I put on that amazing opening scene regularly.
DeleteSame with Phantom of the Paradise which I've only seen recently. But since then at least once a week I'll watch some little 10 minute section or song from the movie. The end credits are fantastic. Brian De Palma is the best.
I don't think I've ever actually seen The Crow (or the sequels). I listened to the soundtrack a bunch when it was released.
The Crow, the movie wouldn't be the same without the killer soundtrack
DeleteThe movie week was, of course, dominated by the Juneploitation announcement. This will be my eighth participation, and it is always a satisfying, and somewhat grueling, experience. I gathered a box full of discs that match the days, but I can never be sure that something will not come onto my radar during the month that will change my plans. I am trying to focus on my collection this year. The discs do not do any good sitting around here unwatched.
ReplyDeleteThere was a lot of diversity to my watches this week. I also looked at many films to judge their suitability for next month.
UNKNOWN PLEASURES (2001, dir. Jia Zhangke) – In a provincial Chinese industrial city, several alienated youths meander around and try to figure out what to do with their lives. Work is scarce and low paying, and there are few opportunities to get out of the city. A Chinese independent film, this was shot with an early digital camera and uses long takes, both of which predisposes me not to like the film. The unlikeable characters do not help, either. What the film does show well is a society undergoing tremendous change, which the main characters clearly do not feel is improving their lives. The contrast between the positive announcements on the state TV channels and the lives on display seems deliberate.
PEPPERMINT SODA (1977, dir. Diane Kurys) on MUBI – At an all-girls school in Paris during the school year of 1963-64, two sisters deal with their parents’ divorce, puberty, boys, friendships, rivalries, etc. In short, adolescent life in general. Kurys and the cast, who were around the ages of their characters, brought a sense of authenticity to everything that happens in the film. That a female director made this is evident. I do not think a male could have handled the material with the grace Kurys does nor could have gotten the nuanced performances that the two leads give. As teenage ensemble casts go, this is one of the best I have come across. I was completely engrossed in the interweaving stories and the performances. The polished flow of the narrative helped in that regard. An upbeat mood is maintained throughout the film. I have a soft spot for school dramas, and this one did not disappoint at all.
THE GLASS SLIPPER (1955, dir. Charles Walters) – A case of the parts being more satisfying than the whole. There are few films where French actress Leslie Caron’s charm shines brighter than in The Glass Slipper. She portrays Cinderella, and her tough but dreamy character is matched beautifully by the lovely ballet sequences. The fairy godmother, whimsically played an actress named Estelle Winwood, is absolutely delightful. She put a smile on my face every time she came on the screen. Unfortunately, the way the story unfolds is not as engaging as the design of the costumes and sets.
DAWN OF THE DEAD (2004, dir. Zach Snyder) – My first night at the Mahoning Drive-In was for the start of the tenth Zombiefest weekend. This year it is all about the films of George Romero, including the remakes of his classics. I liked Snyder’s Dawn remake when I first saw it, and I think it still holds up. The cast has a lot to do with that, but Snyder also paced the film well. Only at the conclusion did the plot seemed rushed, and it does gets very nihilistic. In that wave of horror remakes from the 2000s, this is one of the highlights, paying homage to the original material while having its own identity.
Its a rainy day sunday here so i think i may have to start listing out a ton of spoitation options! woot!!
ReplyDeletePredator (4k 1987)
Me: "Theres no such thing as a PERFECT action movie....."
Dutch: "hold my choppa"
Dillion: "hold my doublecrossing but redemptive story arc"
Mac: "hold my razor...but do it 'over herre..over herre' "
Cooper: "hold ole painless" or "hold my chewing tobacco"
Billy: "hold my laugh."
Its a timeless masterpiece.
Predator is the first film that I think of when considering Schwarzenegger's career. The Terminator may be more famous, but Dutch has always been my sentimental favorite of his roles. I watched it many times as a kid and found the whole concept of the story very unique for that time period. The cast does not hurt the film, either.
DeleteI've watched a few good things recently. I thought Ferrari (2023) was quite good. P. Cruz puts on a great performance and the racing scenes were electric. Probably not in my top 5 M. Mann movies, but really glad to have him making movies again. Hopefully he gets money for at least one more.
ReplyDeleteAir (2023) was pretty entertaining, even if it felt like a Nike commercial at times. My biggest grip were the needle drops between every scene with nostalgia flashbacks to 80's things. I kind of made it feel formulaic because it was used continuously throughout the whole movie.
My son and I have been watching lots of comedies. We had a Zach Galifianakis triple feature a few weekends ago where we watched Out Cold (2001), The Hangover (2009) and Due Date (2010). The Hangover is worse with every re-watch and Due Date is better.
DeleteLast weekend we did a Ben Stiller double feature with There's Something about Mary (1998) and Tropic Thunder (2008), both classics. I miss having Cameron Diaz in movies.
Really looking forward to Junesploitation! I'm going to be busier than I have been in previous years, so I'm not going to stress about watching a movie a day, and instead just try to enjoy the ones I can squeeze in. That's what I did last SMM, and honestly I had a lot more fun with it without the pressure. And nearly ended up watching a movie a day anyways!
ReplyDeleteMy favourite part is reading everyone's reviews and getting recommendations for future watching. I'll be able to do that even on days where I don't have time for a movie.
Even having the time for it, Junesploitation can be a challenge. Being a die-hard movie fan does not spare you from feeling burnt-out as the weeks of June go by.
DeleteBATMAN FOREVER (1995) Yes, the Shumaker Batmen are the definition of Hollywood excess, but I still say there’s some good stuff in them if you go looking for them.
ReplyDeleteRETURN TO OZ (1985) Just imagine if the entire movie took place in the room full of screaming heads.
JURASSIC PARK (1993) Still holds up!
STAR WARS EP. IX THE RISE OF SKYWALKER (2019) I don’t hate this movie, but at this point even I must admit that it’s lackluster as the grand finale of the series.
DRACULA (1931) I was in a vampy mood.
I think I like the Schumacher Batmans better than the Burton ones. They're just a lot of fun. Also, I didn't know Joel Schumacher died? RIP
ReplyDeleteI remember Schumacher passing away during Junesploitation. Many people did tribute watches for him that year.
DeleteGot the old laptop out to tell y'all I just ordered VHS head cleaner in prep for Junesploitation. Ha!
ReplyDeleteFinished the weekend with a watch of the 1984 Ken Russell film CRIMES OF PASSION. Russell never did anything halfway in his career, and this is a prime example. Kathleen Turner portrays a woman who has a double life as a p-r-o-s-t-i-t-u-t-e. Turner was completely on board for the explicit content, but film censors certainly had problems with it. At her day job she is Joanna, but at night she becomes China Blue, a chameleon morphing into whatever fantasy her clients want. When she meets Anthony Perkins, an obsessed man masquerading as a preacher, his desire to redeem her split personas will only get out of control. The most normal aspect is the subplot of a man dealing with the loss of love in his marriage. The film unfolds in unexpected ways and manages to come together by the conclusion, but it is not for all tastes.
ReplyDeleteFor those looking to post on the daily threads next month, be aware that the software can be sensitive about certain words. Blogger will delete your post if there is something in it that does not conform to some unknown rule. You can always open another tab for the website to check if your post is staying on. Then you could copy the post and modify it to make it acceptable.
Delete