Planes, Trains & Automobile (1987): After watching Uncle Buck last week, I needed more classic Candy. It's not my favorite, but it's still very good.
Swamp Thing (1982): I'm a fan of the comic books, so I'm biased towards liking the movie, and it is a fun one. I finally caved and got the MVD 4k disc, mainly because of the presence of the Unrated version (mostly unavailable before), and specifically for that one scene (you know the one). The 4k is very good looking, which is important with all the forests and swamps shown on screen. Tons of extras too.
The Return of Swamp Thing (1989): That one was a blind buy, I never saw it before, but I figured it should be entertaining, and it is. It's not as good as the first movie, it's a bit sillier, but the suit looks way better. Also, more weird monsters. The disc was produced by a different company, which is always annoying for an OCD collector like me, but at least they did a good job.
Trivia Note: In Only the Lonely, Candy takes Ally Sheedy on a date to the Music Box Theater. The filmmakers thought the theater's original glass box concession stand was underwhelming, so they built a new one that matched the lobby's architecture. After filming, the Music Box kept that ornate concession stand for years, until the lobby was reconfigured for the addition of a second screen. I miss the buying candy at the Only the Lonely concession stand. I miss John Candy.
So, without being all doom and goom, as i peruse the 2025 movie release calendar off and on again i am faced with a general feeling of malaise. The titles im stoked for are few and far between. Additionally, without beating a dead horse, the superhero genre of movies and tv has found itself in a place of diminishing returns. But every so often something comes along to set things on a better path....
The original Daredevil TV run was a bit of a revelation. It combined exceptional writing, strong characters, adult-ish material, and a few great seasons. Rebooting/revisiting/continuing said show years later feels part IP grab and part desperate to connect with what used to work. Yet somehow they've NAILED IT. The first 3 episodes are just outstanding. The show has shaken itself up and brought back one of the most creative villain performances in years with Dnofrios Wilson Fisk. The writing thus far is incredibly strong as it manages to weave concepts like the law, the police, and vigilantism together. Its situations such as this that remind me there is still exciting and original stories being told, we just have to sift through so much to find them. In this case, it was worth the wait.
Ooh, The Good German; I like that one! I'm not ready to issue the scalding hot take that it's better than The Third Man, but I preferred it when I saw both of them fairly close together in college.
Podcast recs (for when one is all caught up on F!TM, of course): I've been enjoying Unclear and Present Danger, about political and military-themed 90s flicks, co-hosted by former Slate and current NYT writer Jamelle Bouie. Mostly Nitpicking is fun for big franchise movie reviews, though they tend to take a lot of time getting to the movie itself (as in, well over an hour at times), and are overly invested in an absurdly dull game of guessing what the IMDb plot summary sentence is. But hey, it's a free podcast without ad breaks, and when they finally get around to discussing the actual movie, they usually do so with an admirable amount of depth.
Random movies I watched this week: 2015's Secret in Their Eyes. It's good! Not sure why they made it PG-13, as I doubt they captured many teens at the mall multiplex, but it's pretty brutal for the rating. I haven't seen the 2009 Argentine original, but now I want to. Well worth the $2 Amoeba Records Blu/DVD combo pack. :P
I second the Unclear and Present Danger podcast! I've actually been listening to it a lot recently, going through the back catalogue. They don't just talk about those movies, but also how they fit into the politics of that time period. The discussion is informed and quite interesting as someone who grew up in the '90s. I think both hosts have written political science books about the '90s.
Wrapped up the Star Trek TNG rewatch and we immediately went through all the TNG movies this week. For Insurrection and Nemesis this is my first time rewatching them since the theater, and I had warned my gf in advance that most of these movies weren't great, and... they actually played surprisingly well.
Obviously First Contact is great, and I'm not saying that Generations, Insurrection, and Nemesis are actually hidden gems. They've clearly all got problems. I think there were a few factors that made them work better for me this time around though. First was seeing how the gf was reacting to them. She was only introduced to Star Trek in the last year or so, so she didn't have any baggage of expectations going into it. She mostly got into Trek through Lower Decks, so the more humorous stuff, like Data with emotions (which often felt to me like they went a bit too silly with in Generations) really worked for her.
Also, back when these movies came out, they not only effectively acted as the send off for TNG, but for pretty much all of Star Trek. Enterprise still had a couple seasons left after Nemesis, but that was a prequel. We then got the Kelvin timeline stuff, and then Discovery started off as another prequel and even that didn't start until 2017. Now we have a better send off for the TNG crew in Picard, and we have new Trek going in multiple eras (eras).
Generations: The plot falls apart if you think about it at all, but the movie starts off strong. Like most of the TNG movies, it's the Data and Picard show, but they also give consistently great performances, and I think I appreciate Spiner's acting a lot more now when I used to take it for granted. Also, pushing Beverly into the water absolutely was funny, Geordi!
First Contact: Perfect, no notes. The TNG movie that does the best at giving everybody at least a little to do.
Insurrection: The Picard romance sub-plot ultimately doesn't go anywhere. F. Murray Abraham carries on the tradition of over-the-top Star Trek movie villain performances. The last half of the last season tried to make Worf and Tori a thing, and I assume since they couldn't do anything with that on DS9 since Troi wasn't there, it ultimately got abandoned. Insurrection is the start of bringing Riker and Troi back together, so there's that at least.
Nemesis: It felt like the climax of this movie started less than halfway through the runtime. I'm probably wrong there, but the ship fight goes on a long time. I could have used more Dina Meyer Romulan. It also feels crazy to see Tom Hardy that young as post-Nemesis and Black Hawk Down, I feel like he instantly aged into his mid-40s and has remained there since.
I agree that Frakes does an amazing job directing First Contact and Insurrection. While I was watching Nemesis I found myself wondering what he would have done with it. Glad he's at least had a solid career directing TV though (and it was cool that they got him to direct a couple episodes of The Orville).
I actually finished a TNG rewatch a few weeks ago, and without skipping a beat (like a minute later) I was watching the pilot of DS9 haha. I had meant to watch Strange New Worlds, but it's too late now, as I'm all in on DS9.
I've never seen Insurrection. Frakes is awesome directing First Contact and the ST episodes he directs are always excellent too. Too bad Thunderbirds (2004) kind of killed his movie directing career.
We'll be going through DS9 soon (and eventually Voyager, Enterprise, Picard and Prodigy), but after doing Lower Decks, Discovery, Strange New Worlds, a bunch of TOS including all the movies, and now all the TNG stuff over the last year we're taking a break to watch some K-Drama thing at the moment..
CRIMSON TIDE (1995) Great movie! Reminds me a little of The Fugitive, in how there's not a lot of big action scenes, but a propulsive pace throughout that makes it feel like action.
MICKEY 17 (2025) Ever see a movie and your first reaction is, "I need to see that a second time?" That was this for me.
STAR TREK V: THE FINAL FRONTIER (1989) You might grok Spock, but do you grok Sybok?
QUEEN OF HEARTS: A TWIN PEAKS FAN FILM (2022) Finally getting around to seeing this after hearing about it off and on for a few years. It's very, very good. Maybe a little weird seeing other actors playing our favorite TP characters, but there are some solid performances and lots of deep lore references for fans. Recommended!
NOSFERATU (2024) Watched with the Blu-ray commentary. Eggers spends most of the time on how there was almost no location filming, and everything was constructed on sets, so he could have total control over every little detail. (Reminds me of Wes Anderson.) Sadly, he doesn't mention Orlock's Nosfer-wiener.
Crimson Tide is so good! It's in MY top 5 I think. I could watch it endlessly. As you said, the score and direction are propulsive and the combo of Hackman and Washington are brilliantly playing off one another with a fantastic supporting cast. I love how it's an action movie and forgoes the usual submarine movie tropes, while keeping a lot of the tension that we love from the traditional submarine movies.
A buddy of mine, who's a big comic book fan, but never watched most of the Marvel movies, came over to catch up on some of them. If we're lucky, we'll be able to continue with the others that I consider good, and then jump to DC movies (yes, there's some good ones, at least to me)
So, we watched Thor (2011), Thor Ragnarok (2017), Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) and Captain America The Winter Soldier (2014). Ragnarok was his least favorite of the night, and with time I cooled down on it myself. Still a good movie, but Waititi bad habits are becoming more apparent. Winter Soldier is still one of my favorites. Anyway, fun night.
I watched Kraven the Hunter yesterday. I didn't even realise he was a Spider-Man villain until reading about it afterwards. It was a pretty fun movie, and avoids all the trappings that the MCU can't seem to shake (quips, constantly spending time tying into other TV shows that I'll never watch). Worth just to see Russell Crowe hamming it up.
That's because Kraven is not a MCU movie, it's a Sony movie, with Madam Web and Morbius 😁. I had a ton of fun with that movie, way better than the other 2 i just mentionned
You mean you liked Kraven better than Morbius and Madame Web? I want to see Kraven and I'll try to make the time this week, but not if it's like Morbius.
Hrmm...tough to review. Its a weird, trippy, strange ride (from a Cronenburg...who coulda guessed that!). Its not quite an 'eat the rich' premise but its focus is, i think, about wealth/excess unchecked. Pairs well with another such recent flick Blink Twice. Im going to stay spoiler free till the last few sentences as the premise includes a bit of sci-fi technology that, while a bit interesting, is so preposterous in its use that it almost felt wasted. Still, the flick is visually bananas and does have some weird violence and sexual overtones that makes it unique these days. Also i reallllly like the performances by Skarsgard and Goth. Not for everyone but different.
(Spoiler observations: #1: the fact that this island has the technology for PERFECT cloning and then, apparently, ONLY uses it as a get out of jail free card for rich foreigners is ridiculous. not in that its used, but in that the original people are THERE for the execution of their doubles. this would completely negate any true vindication of those affected as they are LOOKING at the original perpetrators who walk away. #2 theres a fair amount of discussion that doubles make survive and take the place of the original throughout...this is a common premise in clone flicks, but, here, doesnt really matter as if the clone is 100% accurate in body and thought then it doesnt matter which one lives. )
With doing some pet sitting this weekend, I was looking at my movie options with the Roku service here at the house. One of the new options I found is a channel called Pam Grier's Soul Flix. As the that name suggests, the channel mainly focuses on 1970s blaxploitation films. Grier herself appears in short clips played during commercial breaks showing that she still can project "badass" attitude.
Last night there were a couple of films on there that I had not yet seen. There are many reasons why SHAFT'S BIG SCORE! (1972) is not as iconic as the original, but it is still a very entertaining film. When a New York businessman is killed, John Shaft gets drawn into the struggle for control over his criminal enterprises. Richard Roundtree is a great tough guy actor, and the finale is impressive for what was likely not a large budget. The polish of Shaft's Big Score! is certainly not present in TNT JACKSON (1974). Everything about this Filipino production is awkward, especially the poorly choreographed fight scenes, of which there are many. Despite that, there is an undeniable Junesploitation charm to this blending of the blaxploitation and kung fu genres. TNT JACKSON also fits the Revenge! and Lethal Ladies! categories very well. Only 2.5 months are left until all of that madness begins.
Dune Part One (2021) and Dune Part Two (2024): Full disclosure, Lynch's Dune is one of my top 5 favorite movie ever. Not ironically, not anything, I truly think it's a masterpiece in every way, and a perfect distillation of the book. So, these movies have a lot to live up to, and they mostly don't, to me. All my quibbles probably come from the fact that I love the other one so much. This viewing (3rd for One and 2nd for Two) played better than before, but I can't help but keep them at arm's length. The chanting part of the score will always be a problem to me, more often than not, it feels out of place and I found it quite annoying. The rest of the score is fine. I could go on and on about my issues with both movies, but I'll stop here. I'll say this, they didn't shy away from film grain, making the movies look like movies.
I liked the score from Part 1, but didn't really get into it. However the score from Part 2 is amazing and has been a regular listen for me since I bought it. I've only seen Lynch's Dune once about a decade ago and remember it fondly. I should rewatch. Top 5!
I like Lynch's Dune, partly because of the cast and the general Lynch vibe, but overall Dune is a franchise that has just never connected with me. I used to think it's because it has too many layers of sci-fi stuff like clones, psychics, giant worms, shapeshifting, mentats, and that all this was keeping me at arms length from being able to invest myself in it. That kind of thing doesn't stop me from enjoying superhero stuff, or Star Wars though, so really I don't know why Dune has always just left me a bit cold.
The mall theatre near me was playing Flow after it's recent Oscar win for best animated movies. Really really good! I loved everything about it and glad I got to see it in a theatre (even if it was in one of their small rooms.
Afterwards I snuck into Wicked which must have had about a 1/2 hour left and watched 10 minutes of it. I don't think I'll be watching that. Although maybe jumping into it near the end isn't a great idea, and I was coming off of a high from Flow. Whatever song I heard was rather banal.
Haha. I just bought Wicked so I can rewatch the parts I like. But not the other parts in the middle, which I will not/CAN NOT rewatch. I wish they would remake the unpopular songs as pop songs like the good ones. I hope they make WICKED 2, but won't be surprised if it doesn't get made now.
Planes, Trains & Automobile (1987): After watching Uncle Buck last week, I needed more classic Candy. It's not my favorite, but it's still very good.
ReplyDeleteSwamp Thing (1982): I'm a fan of the comic books, so I'm biased towards liking the movie, and it is a fun one. I finally caved and got the MVD 4k disc, mainly because of the presence of the Unrated version (mostly unavailable before), and specifically for that one scene (you know the one). The 4k is very good looking, which is important with all the forests and swamps shown on screen. Tons of extras too.
The Return of Swamp Thing (1989): That one was a blind buy, I never saw it before, but I figured it should be entertaining, and it is. It's not as good as the first movie, it's a bit sillier, but the suit looks way better. Also, more weird monsters. The disc was produced by a different company, which is always annoying for an OCD collector like me, but at least they did a good job.
"The disc was produced by a different company, which is always annoying for an OCD collector like me" -- I feel so seen
Delete{insert gif of john candy from stripes sheepishly raising his hand and nodding in a "yup, me too" motion}
DeleteNow "I" feel seen 😁
DeleteSpeaking of John Candy, I caught part of Nothing But Trouble on TV this weekend. That gets into some weird territory.
DeleteHaha, that movie's awesome
DeleteHave you ever seen Only The Lonely? Candy doing a RomCom, it's really good and a crime against art that it's not on blu-ray yet
Trivia Note: In Only the Lonely, Candy takes Ally Sheedy on a date to the Music Box Theater. The filmmakers thought the theater's original glass box concession stand was underwhelming, so they built a new one that matched the lobby's architecture. After filming, the Music Box kept that ornate concession stand for years, until the lobby was reconfigured for the addition of a second screen. I miss the buying candy at the Only the Lonely concession stand. I miss John Candy.
DeleteThat's very cool
DeleteIt has been over three decades since I watched Only The Lonely. I remember Maureen O'Hara as Candy's overbearing mother more than his role.
DeleteF This TV
ReplyDeleteDaredevil: Born Again (2025 disney ep 1-3)
So, without being all doom and goom, as i peruse the 2025 movie release calendar off and on again i am faced with a general feeling of malaise. The titles im stoked for are few and far between. Additionally, without beating a dead horse, the superhero genre of movies and tv has found itself in a place of diminishing returns. But every so often something comes along to set things on a better path....
The original Daredevil TV run was a bit of a revelation. It combined exceptional writing, strong characters, adult-ish material, and a few great seasons. Rebooting/revisiting/continuing said show years later feels part IP grab and part desperate to connect with what used to work. Yet somehow they've NAILED IT. The first 3 episodes are just outstanding. The show has shaken itself up and brought back one of the most creative villain performances in years with Dnofrios Wilson Fisk. The writing thus far is incredibly strong as it manages to weave concepts like the law, the police, and vigilantism together. Its situations such as this that remind me there is still exciting and original stories being told, we just have to sift through so much to find them. In this case, it was worth the wait.
Ooh, The Good German; I like that one! I'm not ready to issue the scalding hot take that it's better than The Third Man, but I preferred it when I saw both of them fairly close together in college.
ReplyDeletePodcast recs (for when one is all caught up on F!TM, of course): I've been enjoying Unclear and Present Danger, about political and military-themed 90s flicks, co-hosted by former Slate and current NYT writer Jamelle Bouie. Mostly Nitpicking is fun for big franchise movie reviews, though they tend to take a lot of time getting to the movie itself (as in, well over an hour at times), and are overly invested in an absurdly dull game of guessing what the IMDb plot summary sentence is. But hey, it's a free podcast without ad breaks, and when they finally get around to discussing the actual movie, they usually do so with an admirable amount of depth.
Random movies I watched this week: 2015's Secret in Their Eyes. It's good! Not sure why they made it PG-13, as I doubt they captured many teens at the mall multiplex, but it's pretty brutal for the rating. I haven't seen the 2009 Argentine original, but now I want to. Well worth the $2 Amoeba Records Blu/DVD combo pack. :P
Thanks for the podcast recommendations, i'll check them out
DeleteSecret In Their Eyes us from the same director as Shattered Glass (finally coming out on blu-ray), so i'll have to watch it.
i second the thanks for podcast recommendations!
DeleteI second the Unclear and Present Danger podcast! I've actually been listening to it a lot recently, going through the back catalogue. They don't just talk about those movies, but also how they fit into the politics of that time period. The discussion is informed and quite interesting as someone who grew up in the '90s. I think both hosts have written political science books about the '90s.
DeleteWrapped up the Star Trek TNG rewatch and we immediately went through all the TNG movies this week. For Insurrection and Nemesis this is my first time rewatching them since the theater, and I had warned my gf in advance that most of these movies weren't great, and... they actually played surprisingly well.
ReplyDeleteObviously First Contact is great, and I'm not saying that Generations, Insurrection, and Nemesis are actually hidden gems. They've clearly all got problems. I think there were a few factors that made them work better for me this time around though. First was seeing how the gf was reacting to them. She was only introduced to Star Trek in the last year or so, so she didn't have any baggage of expectations going into it. She mostly got into Trek through Lower Decks, so the more humorous stuff, like Data with emotions (which often felt to me like they went a bit too silly with in Generations) really worked for her.
Also, back when these movies came out, they not only effectively acted as the send off for TNG, but for pretty much all of Star Trek. Enterprise still had a couple seasons left after Nemesis, but that was a prequel. We then got the Kelvin timeline stuff, and then Discovery started off as another prequel and even that didn't start until 2017. Now we have a better send off for the TNG crew in Picard, and we have new Trek going in multiple eras (eras).
Generations: The plot falls apart if you think about it at all, but the movie starts off strong. Like most of the TNG movies, it's the Data and Picard show, but they also give consistently great performances, and I think I appreciate Spiner's acting a lot more now when I used to take it for granted. Also, pushing Beverly into the water absolutely was funny, Geordi!
First Contact: Perfect, no notes. The TNG movie that does the best at giving everybody at least a little to do.
Insurrection: The Picard romance sub-plot ultimately doesn't go anywhere. F. Murray Abraham carries on the tradition of over-the-top Star Trek movie villain performances. The last half of the last season tried to make Worf and Tori a thing, and I assume since they couldn't do anything with that on DS9 since Troi wasn't there, it ultimately got abandoned. Insurrection is the start of bringing Riker and Troi back together, so there's that at least.
Nemesis: It felt like the climax of this movie started less than halfway through the runtime. I'm probably wrong there, but the ship fight goes on a long time. I could have used more Dina Meyer Romulan. It also feels crazy to see Tom Hardy that young as post-Nemesis and Black Hawk Down, I feel like he instantly aged into his mid-40s and has remained there since.
Just did this same rewatch. Frakes should have had a better feature directing career. Dude’s a born shooter.
DeleteI always had a soft spot for Nemesis.
DeleteI agree that Frakes does an amazing job directing First Contact and Insurrection. While I was watching Nemesis I found myself wondering what he would have done with it. Glad he's at least had a solid career directing TV though (and it was cool that they got him to direct a couple episodes of The Orville).
DeleteI actually finished a TNG rewatch a few weeks ago, and without skipping a beat (like a minute later) I was watching the pilot of DS9 haha. I had meant to watch Strange New Worlds, but it's too late now, as I'm all in on DS9.
DeleteI've never seen Insurrection. Frakes is awesome directing First Contact and the ST episodes he directs are always excellent too. Too bad Thunderbirds (2004) kind of killed his movie directing career.
Totally forgot Thunderbirds existed, i'm not sure i ever saw it though. I liked Clockstoppers though
DeleteWe'll be going through DS9 soon (and eventually Voyager, Enterprise, Picard and Prodigy), but after doing Lower Decks, Discovery, Strange New Worlds, a bunch of TOS including all the movies, and now all the TNG stuff over the last year we're taking a break to watch some K-Drama thing at the moment..
DeleteCRIMSON TIDE (1995)
ReplyDeleteGreat movie! Reminds me a little of The Fugitive, in how there's not a lot of big action scenes, but a propulsive pace throughout that makes it feel like action.
MICKEY 17 (2025)
Ever see a movie and your first reaction is, "I need to see that a second time?" That was this for me.
STAR TREK V: THE FINAL FRONTIER (1989)
You might grok Spock, but do you grok Sybok?
QUEEN OF HEARTS: A TWIN PEAKS FAN FILM (2022)
Finally getting around to seeing this after hearing about it off and on for a few years. It's very, very good. Maybe a little weird seeing other actors playing our favorite TP characters, but there are some solid performances and lots of deep lore references for fans. Recommended!
NOSFERATU (2024)
Watched with the Blu-ray commentary. Eggers spends most of the time on how there was almost no location filming, and everything was constructed on sets, so he could have total control over every little detail. (Reminds me of Wes Anderson.) Sadly, he doesn't mention Orlock's Nosfer-wiener.
I was not aware of the Twin Peaks thing, i'll have to check it out
DeleteCrimson Tide is so good! It's in MY top 5 I think. I could watch it endlessly. As you said, the score and direction are propulsive and the combo of Hackman and Washington are brilliantly playing off one another with a fantastic supporting cast. I love how it's an action movie and forgoes the usual submarine movie tropes, while keeping a lot of the tension that we love from the traditional submarine movies.
Delete"Chief of the watch, float the buoy"
A buddy of mine, who's a big comic book fan, but never watched most of the Marvel movies, came over to catch up on some of them. If we're lucky, we'll be able to continue with the others that I consider good, and then jump to DC movies (yes, there's some good ones, at least to me)
ReplyDeleteSo, we watched Thor (2011), Thor Ragnarok (2017), Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) and Captain America The Winter Soldier (2014). Ragnarok was his least favorite of the night, and with time I cooled down on it myself. Still a good movie, but Waititi bad habits are becoming more apparent. Winter Soldier is still one of my favorites. Anyway, fun night.
I watched Kraven the Hunter yesterday. I didn't even realise he was a Spider-Man villain until reading about it afterwards. It was a pretty fun movie, and avoids all the trappings that the MCU can't seem to shake (quips, constantly spending time tying into other TV shows that I'll never watch). Worth just to see Russell Crowe hamming it up.
DeleteThat's because Kraven is not a MCU movie, it's a Sony movie, with Madam Web and Morbius 😁. I had a ton of fun with that movie, way better than the other 2 i just mentionned
DeleteYou mean you liked Kraven better than Morbius and Madame Web? I want to see Kraven and I'll try to make the time this week, but not if it's like Morbius.
DeleteKraven is way better
DeleteOh goodie.
DeleteInfinity Pool (2023 Hulu)
ReplyDeleteHrmm...tough to review. Its a weird, trippy, strange ride (from a Cronenburg...who coulda guessed that!). Its not quite an 'eat the rich' premise but its focus is, i think, about wealth/excess unchecked. Pairs well with another such recent flick Blink Twice. Im going to stay spoiler free till the last few sentences as the premise includes a bit of sci-fi technology that, while a bit interesting, is so preposterous in its use that it almost felt wasted. Still, the flick is visually bananas and does have some weird violence and sexual overtones that makes it unique these days. Also i reallllly like the performances by Skarsgard and Goth. Not for everyone but different.
(Spoiler observations: #1: the fact that this island has the technology for PERFECT cloning and then, apparently, ONLY uses it as a get out of jail free card for rich foreigners is ridiculous. not in that its used, but in that the original people are THERE for the execution of their doubles. this would completely negate any true vindication of those affected as they are LOOKING at the original perpetrators who walk away. #2 theres a fair amount of discussion that doubles make survive and take the place of the original throughout...this is a common premise in clone flicks, but, here, doesnt really matter as if the clone is 100% accurate in body and thought then it doesnt matter which one lives. )
With doing some pet sitting this weekend, I was looking at my movie options with the Roku service here at the house. One of the new options I found is a channel called Pam Grier's Soul Flix. As the that name suggests, the channel mainly focuses on 1970s blaxploitation films. Grier herself appears in short clips played during commercial breaks showing that she still can project "badass" attitude.
ReplyDeleteLast night there were a couple of films on there that I had not yet seen. There are many reasons why SHAFT'S BIG SCORE! (1972) is not as iconic as the original, but it is still a very entertaining film. When a New York businessman is killed, John Shaft gets drawn into the struggle for control over his criminal enterprises. Richard Roundtree is a great tough guy actor, and the finale is impressive for what was likely not a large budget. The polish of Shaft's Big Score! is certainly not present in TNT JACKSON (1974). Everything about this Filipino production is awkward, especially the poorly choreographed fight scenes, of which there are many. Despite that, there is an undeniable Junesploitation charm to this blending of the blaxploitation and kung fu genres. TNT JACKSON also fits the Revenge! and Lethal Ladies! categories very well. Only 2.5 months are left until all of that madness begins.
I did not expect all of that italicizing. I messed up the HTML elements somewhere.
DeleteI don't even know how to do the HTML, though i'm sure I could figure it out if I wanted to 😎
DeleteDune Part One (2021) and Dune Part Two (2024): Full disclosure, Lynch's Dune is one of my top 5 favorite movie ever. Not ironically, not anything, I truly think it's a masterpiece in every way, and a perfect distillation of the book. So, these movies have a lot to live up to, and they mostly don't, to me. All my quibbles probably come from the fact that I love the other one so much. This viewing (3rd for One and 2nd for Two) played better than before, but I can't help but keep them at arm's length. The chanting part of the score will always be a problem to me, more often than not, it feels out of place and I found it quite annoying. The rest of the score is fine. I could go on and on about my issues with both movies, but I'll stop here. I'll say this, they didn't shy away from film grain, making the movies look like movies.
ReplyDeleteI liked the score from Part 1, but didn't really get into it. However the score from Part 2 is amazing and has been a regular listen for me since I bought it. I've only seen Lynch's Dune once about a decade ago and remember it fondly. I should rewatch. Top 5!
DeleteAs i said, i love Lynch's Dune, so of course i'll encourage you to watch it asap 😎
DeleteI like Lynch's Dune, partly because of the cast and the general Lynch vibe, but overall Dune is a franchise that has just never connected with me. I used to think it's because it has too many layers of sci-fi stuff like clones, psychics, giant worms, shapeshifting, mentats, and that all this was keeping me at arms length from being able to invest myself in it. That kind of thing doesn't stop me from enjoying superhero stuff, or Star Wars though, so really I don't know why Dune has always just left me a bit cold.
DeleteThe mall theatre near me was playing Flow after it's recent Oscar win for best animated movies. Really really good! I loved everything about it and glad I got to see it in a theatre (even if it was in one of their small rooms.
ReplyDeleteAfterwards I snuck into Wicked which must have had about a 1/2 hour left and watched 10 minutes of it. I don't think I'll be watching that. Although maybe jumping into it near the end isn't a great idea, and I was coming off of a high from Flow. Whatever song I heard was rather banal.
Haha. I just bought Wicked so I can rewatch the parts I like. But not the other parts in the middle, which I will not/CAN NOT rewatch. I wish they would remake the unpopular songs as pop songs like the good ones. I hope they make WICKED 2, but won't be surprised if it doesn't get made now.
Delete