A PIECE OF THE ACTION (1977) This is the last of the Sidney Poitier and Bill Cosby "trilogy" after UPTOWN SATURDAY NIGHT (1974) and LET'S DO IT AGAIN (1975). I read Let's Do It Again is widely considered the best, but I liked A PIECE OF THE ACTION most. Loved it. It's like To Sir With Love plus a little bit of crime comedy. It also has Sheryl Lee Ralph. She's great. All the young people, including her, are amazing.
UPTOWN SATURDAY NIGHT and LET'S DO IT AGAIN were fine, kinda goofy, but not really memorable for me. On Bill Cosby - I always found him sleazy (Woody Allen, too), since I was a kid. It comes across onscreen in these movies, too. But I'm still glad I watched all of them. Will probably try to find more like them.
I still have To Sir With Love high on my watchlist. Crosby is a monster of a human being. There was about a decade where as an adult visiting my parents the downstairs bathroom always had a Crosby book, I forget the title, so it was good reading when pooping. Fuck that guy though, he should have been jailed for the rest of his life.
I hated him and he scared me. Same with Woody Allen. Same with...James Bond, sorry. That is the most sexist, creepy crap character. I think James Bond got better over the years, though (more focus on action, less on sleaze).
Brewster's Millions (1985): Richard Pryor has never been my guy, but I've enjoyed him in movies, and this one is probably my favorite. I do miss the french dub I was listening to when I was younger. The blu-ray from Shout has the 1945 adaptation, which I haven't watched yet, but I'm looking forward to it. Between this and Extreme Prejudice, you can say that Walter Hill has range.
Not Just A Goof (2025): A pretty sweet documentary about a pretty sweet movie. There's no big revelation, just a bunch of talented individuals who came together to work on a small project that became bigger than they thought, with the usual problems and crunch times you'd expect. After that, I obviously had to rewatch A Goofy Movie and the sequel, because why not.
Novocaine (2025): The movie is as cool as advertised, though I would've liked to see a version with only the romance between the guy and the girl, they were so cute together, there's a decent romcom in there, until people start dying. Anyway, the action is cool and there's plenty of funny violence and gore once the movie gets into gear.
I was in the exact same boat wanting the movie to just be about Amber Midthunder and Jack Quaid falling in love. Once the real plot kicked in I didn't like it as much.
Mulan (2020) was pretty enjoyable. Kind of subpar for that type of movie, but having an English language version could be an entry point to the genre for young viewers. I cried a bit at the end (happy cry) so I was working emotionally for me.
Knock Off (1998, dir. Hark Tsui) was another attempt to bring in a Hong Kong director to work with Van Damme. This one is actually set in Hong Kong. Hark Tsui is of course a legend, and Iron Monkey and Once Upon a Time in China are amazing. There are some great action sequences, but the whole thing is a little disjointed and Rob Schneider is himself bleh. It's a lesser Van Damme but worth watching and better than the 4.9 IMDB rating.
I was sick last Monday and watched all 3 Austin Powers movies. They're silly and I like silly comedy movies.
I rewatched Gravity (2013, dir. Alfonso Cuaron) and it was so much fun. I had forgotten how good it was. The soundtrack is fantastic too. Please come back Alfonso and make movies again! Then again, I never watched Roma, so maybe it's my fault he's doing some TV thing that I have no interest in.
I haven't seen Gravity since my screening in the theater. I really liked it then but have never felt compelled to revisit it. Instead I keep going back to Interstellar, which I liked a lot less in the theater but totally have come around on (mostly). What I'm saying is that I need to watch Gravity again.
Yes! I was floored by how amazing Gravity was. People spinning around, space stuff crashing into other space stuff, the score going wild, it's visually and sonically pure cinema. I really connected with the emotional beats of it too more than the first time (I might have cried 3-4 times). Sandra Bullock, she's a treasure. There's a lot of silent moments between the chaos with just her and she nails it.
Too Funny To Fail: The Life and Death of the Dana Carvey Show (2017 Hulu)
Absolutely incredible documentary on the very very short lived prime time network TV sketch show. Well worth a watch even if you've never seen nor heard of the show. It turns out that above/beyond the amazing Dana Carvey, this show was stacked with comedy genius in front of and behind the cameras. Everyone comes back to discuss what they set out to do and reflect on why it didnt fly. Also serves as a pretty wonderful origin story for Steven Colbert and Steve Carrell's careers. Most of all its just really really funny.
one more...which makes me realize i did an unintentional "Life and Death" double feature this week...who knew!
The Life and Death of Peter Sellers (2004 dvd)
This was a rewatch. Always have been a big big fan of Peter Sellers movies (Pink Panther series being a highlight of my childhood comedy education). I like this biopic quite a bit..its a sort of scatter shot look at moments from Peters career and personal life and depicts him as a heavily flawed, troubled, and often mean individual. Of course as this is a biopic, how close it is to 'reality' is up for discussion, but based on what ive read with folks who were there, it does seem to depict things honestly.
OMG Kunider! I was going to reference that EXACT moment in my review. I swear im still laughing about it days later. Even better is the uncontrollable laugh Colbert has after seeing it. Its amazing.
The other bit that got me big time was during the credits when Smigel has Triumph thank all the Hulu viewers...and then he proceeds to read a handfull of names. Classic.
Hope everybody’s having a good weekend. I watched The Kids In The Hall: Brain Candy yesterday for the first time in maaaany years. Realized pretty quick that I almost have it memorized, but some lines and readings caught me pleasantly off-guard. I think I’ve always known that it has third act problems even though I used to ignore them. Thinking about other Lorne Michaels produced comedies, this one might only be beat out by Wayne’s World, but this might win on straight laughs for me.
Bought it for cheap on Apple so I guess this is the first time I’ve seen it in high-def. Looked good!
I'll still never seen Brain Candy. I loved Kids in the Hall. As a Canadian who grew up in a rural area and watched whatever the small selection of what we got on our antenna (no cable TV), it was one of my favourites. The documentary that Amazon made a few years ago about them was pretty good. The American TV channel was always the best for movies. Fox 29 from Buffalo, we could get it on UHF, and it was always the best one for movies.
ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD (2019) We never found out what went down between Jake Cahill and Major Nathan Maxwell Janice.
THE BIRDCAGE (1996) “I don’t want to be the only girl not dancing.”
STAR TREK INSURRECTION (1998) It's odd how this is all set in one valley on one planet, rather than the grand space opera fans hoped for. But hey, everybody sings Gilbert and Sullivan, so there’s that.
WINNIE THE POOH: BLOOD AND HONEY (2024) This is just as hackneyed as everyone’s been saying. I love me some low-budget slasher movies, but this is more of an approximation of a slasher than the real thing.
REPO: THE GENETIC OPERA (2008) As is tradition, this is my yearly “put it on in the background while doing my taxes” movie.
SEASON OF THE WITCH (2011) Nicolas Cage goodness! Most folks dismiss this movie as a joke, but I think it’s pretty cool. The director was clearly trying to do Sam Raimi.
PROMETHEUS (2012) Why yes, I was the body double for the Engineer. Thanks for asking!
A PIECE OF THE ACTION (1977)
ReplyDeleteThis is the last of the Sidney Poitier and Bill Cosby "trilogy" after UPTOWN SATURDAY NIGHT (1974) and LET'S DO IT AGAIN (1975). I read Let's Do It Again is widely considered the best, but I liked A PIECE OF THE ACTION most. Loved it. It's like To Sir With Love plus a little bit of crime comedy. It also has Sheryl Lee Ralph. She's great. All the young people, including her, are amazing.
UPTOWN SATURDAY NIGHT and LET'S DO IT AGAIN were fine, kinda goofy, but not really memorable for me. On Bill Cosby - I always found him sleazy (Woody Allen, too), since I was a kid. It comes across onscreen in these movies, too. But I'm still glad I watched all of them. Will probably try to find more like them.
I don't know if i could watch a Cosby thing today. I never grew up with his stuff, but he was always 'around'.
DeleteI know... But he can't come between me and Sidney Poitier filmography.
DeleteI still have To Sir With Love high on my watchlist. Crosby is a monster of a human being. There was about a decade where as an adult visiting my parents the downstairs bathroom always had a Crosby book, I forget the title, so it was good reading when pooping. Fuck that guy though, he should have been jailed for the rest of his life.
DeleteI hated him and he scared me. Same with Woody Allen. Same with...James Bond, sorry. That is the most sexist, creepy crap character. I think James Bond got better over the years, though (more focus on action, less on sleaze).
DeleteBrewster's Millions (1985): Richard Pryor has never been my guy, but I've enjoyed him in movies, and this one is probably my favorite. I do miss the french dub I was listening to when I was younger. The blu-ray from Shout has the 1945 adaptation, which I haven't watched yet, but I'm looking forward to it. Between this and Extreme Prejudice, you can say that Walter Hill has range.
ReplyDeleteNot Just A Goof (2025): A pretty sweet documentary about a pretty sweet movie. There's no big revelation, just a bunch of talented individuals who came together to work on a small project that became bigger than they thought, with the usual problems and crunch times you'd expect. After that, I obviously had to rewatch A Goofy Movie and the sequel, because why not.
Novocaine (2025): The movie is as cool as advertised, though I would've liked to see a version with only the romance between the guy and the girl, they were so cute together, there's a decent romcom in there, until people start dying. Anyway, the action is cool and there's plenty of funny violence and gore once the movie gets into gear.
The poster for Novocaine really dissuaded my interest in it for some reason.
DeleteI love Walter Hill but have never gotten around to Brewster's Millions. Hopefully Extreme Prejudice is included in the FThisMovieFest 1987!
Brewster's a not your typical Hill movie, kind of a blip in his filmography
DeleteI didn't see the Novocaine poster, just bits of the trailer. I watched it mostly for Amber Midthunder (the girl from Prey) and Jack Quaid
I was in the exact same boat wanting the movie to just be about Amber Midthunder and Jack Quaid falling in love. Once the real plot kicked in I didn't like it as much.
DeleteMulan (2020) was pretty enjoyable. Kind of subpar for that type of movie, but having an English language version could be an entry point to the genre for young viewers. I cried a bit at the end (happy cry) so I was working emotionally for me.
ReplyDeleteKnock Off (1998, dir. Hark Tsui) was another attempt to bring in a Hong Kong director to work with Van Damme. This one is actually set in Hong Kong. Hark Tsui is of course a legend, and Iron Monkey and Once Upon a Time in China are amazing. There are some great action sequences, but the whole thing is a little disjointed and Rob Schneider is himself bleh. It's a lesser Van Damme but worth watching and better than the 4.9 IMDB rating.
I was sick last Monday and watched all 3 Austin Powers movies. They're silly and I like silly comedy movies.
I rewatched Gravity (2013, dir. Alfonso Cuaron) and it was so much fun. I had forgotten how good it was. The soundtrack is fantastic too. Please come back Alfonso and make movies again! Then again, I never watched Roma, so maybe it's my fault he's doing some TV thing that I have no interest in.
I haven't seen Gravity since my screening in the theater. I really liked it then but have never felt compelled to revisit it. Instead I keep going back to Interstellar, which I liked a lot less in the theater but totally have come around on (mostly). What I'm saying is that I need to watch Gravity again.
DeleteYes! I was floored by how amazing Gravity was. People spinning around, space stuff crashing into other space stuff, the score going wild, it's visually and sonically pure cinema. I really connected with the emotional beats of it too more than the first time (I might have cried 3-4 times). Sandra Bullock, she's a treasure. There's a lot of silent moments between the chaos with just her and she nails it.
DeleteWhat up space cowboys!
ReplyDeleteToo Funny To Fail: The Life and Death of the Dana Carvey Show (2017 Hulu)
Absolutely incredible documentary on the very very short lived prime time network TV sketch show. Well worth a watch even if you've never seen nor heard of the show. It turns out that above/beyond the amazing Dana Carvey, this show was stacked with comedy genius in front of and behind the cameras. Everyone comes back to discuss what they set out to do and reflect on why it didnt fly. Also serves as a pretty wonderful origin story for Steven Colbert and Steve Carrell's careers. Most of all its just really really funny.
Lord of the Rings Trilogy (4k blu)
Masterpiece. That is all.
The best part of Too Funny is when they watch the super serious and dark Home Improvement promo.
Deleteone more...which makes me realize i did an unintentional "Life and Death" double feature this week...who knew!
DeleteThe Life and Death of Peter Sellers (2004 dvd)
This was a rewatch. Always have been a big big fan of Peter Sellers movies (Pink Panther series being a highlight of my childhood comedy education). I like this biopic quite a bit..its a sort of scatter shot look at moments from Peters career and personal life and depicts him as a heavily flawed, troubled, and often mean individual. Of course as this is a biopic, how close it is to 'reality' is up for discussion, but based on what ive read with folks who were there, it does seem to depict things honestly.
OMG Kunider! I was going to reference that EXACT moment in my review. I swear im still laughing about it days later. Even better is the uncontrollable laugh Colbert has after seeing it. Its amazing.
DeleteThe other bit that got me big time was during the credits when Smigel has Triumph thank all the Hulu viewers...and then he proceeds to read a handfull of names. Classic.
Hope everybody’s having a good weekend. I watched The Kids In The Hall: Brain Candy yesterday for the first time in maaaany years. Realized pretty quick that I almost have it memorized, but some lines and readings caught me pleasantly off-guard. I think I’ve always known that it has third act problems even though I used to ignore them. Thinking about other Lorne Michaels produced comedies, this one might only be beat out by Wayne’s World, but this might win on straight laughs for me.
ReplyDeleteBought it for cheap on Apple so I guess this is the first time I’ve seen it in high-def. Looked good!
I'll still never seen Brain Candy. I loved Kids in the Hall. As a Canadian who grew up in a rural area and watched whatever the small selection of what we got on our antenna (no cable TV), it was one of my favourites. The documentary that Amazon made a few years ago about them was pretty good. The American TV channel was always the best for movies. Fox 29 from Buffalo, we could get it on UHF, and it was always the best one for movies.
DeleteLoved the Amazon series. You should def give Brain Candy a spin.
DeleteONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD (2019)
ReplyDeleteWe never found out what went down between Jake Cahill and Major Nathan Maxwell Janice.
THE BIRDCAGE (1996)
“I don’t want to be the only girl not dancing.”
STAR TREK INSURRECTION (1998)
It's odd how this is all set in one valley on one planet, rather than the grand space opera fans hoped for. But hey, everybody sings Gilbert and Sullivan, so there’s that.
WINNIE THE POOH: BLOOD AND HONEY (2024)
This is just as hackneyed as everyone’s been saying. I love me some low-budget slasher movies, but this is more of an approximation of a slasher than the real thing.
REPO: THE GENETIC OPERA (2008)
As is tradition, this is my yearly “put it on in the background while doing my taxes” movie.
SEASON OF THE WITCH (2011)
Nicolas Cage goodness! Most folks dismiss this movie as a joke, but I think it’s pretty cool. The director was clearly trying to do Sam Raimi.
PROMETHEUS (2012)
Why yes, I was the body double for the Engineer. Thanks for asking!