Finally watched The Thunderbolts and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was nice to see a recent Marvel movie with actual heart.
Recently got burned on the 4k Terminator 2, the transfer and sound were anything but great. I returned it and I'm just keeping the bluray. I also ordered the 4k Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 (1986) from Vinegar Syndrome (is it Scary Movie Month yet?) that I'm hoping doesn't disappoint as it was $44!
To deviate from movies, I finally got around to playing Red Dead Redemption 2 and after already playing two play-throughs, it has become my favorite video game I've ever played. The story and character developments are top notch, the gameplay is rich and detailed. If you love the wild west, I couldn't recommend this game enough!
Nobody 2 (2025): In the category of unnecessary sequel, this one is a contender. I enjoyed the first one a lot, the contrast of the boring, wimpy, family man with the violent Home Alone style action scenes was fun. But that's gone in the sequel because we know what the guy can do, so it just becomes another cartoonish violent action flick. Not bad, but I'll stick with the first movie.
Dragonslayer (1981): I first saw this movie only a few months, recommended by a friend, and loved it. So, I ordered the 4k, which Canada Post lost, then ordered it again somewhere else, and now it's here. It will always make my brain explode to see the weasel from Ghostbusters 2 being a fantasy hero. Don't get me wrong, he's great, but I've seen G2 so many times (I actually like that movie) that seeing him as a fearless warrior is kinda weird. I'm also starving for good, well made, fantasy flick, so I'll grab anything and everything (I just ordered Deathstalker 4k, which may or may not have been a mistake, it's a total blind buy).
Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975): Monty Python goodness in glorious 4k. I got it from Amazon UK, because I was afraid to get custom fees if I ordered from US, and the CA store is always weird about these types of pre-orders. We're only missing Life of Brian.
It was a slow week for movies. Things come up, and the day and your energy are now gone. I might get to something tonight.
GOING DOWNIF…. (1969, dir. Lindsay Anderson) – An elite British boarding school becomes a living hell for Mick Travis (Malcolm MacDowell) and his fellow noncomformists as the representatives of the upper-class establishment hold sway over the student body. Bullying and intimidation are an everyday experience, frequently crossing line into abusive behavior. IF… succeeds in putting the viewer into the oppressive atmosphere of the school and the routines of student life. The large cast and smart script make the film more compelling than the story description would make it out to be. Being from the 1960s, If… is unsurprisingly far more sympathetic to the rebels than the establishment.
An online horror movie challenge that I have at least partially followed the past two years was posted during the week. I devoted some time to digesting the categories and finding films in my watch list that would fit them. A few days I would set aside for random watches, however. How much I would participate depends on many factors, especially time, but I have found these challenges a useful way to vary my October watches.
Unintentional Double Feature This Week: Cat n Mouse
Dangerous Animals (2025 shudder)
I had a blast with this one. Its a horror/thriller from down under. Id say go into it with as little knowledge as possible, but even the film description pretty much gives away the premise. Jai Courtney is outstanding in the villain role. Also theres a bunch of great cat .n. mouse stuff within. Highly recommend for genre fans...this would be a great choice for Scary Movie Month!
Death Note 2: The Last Name (dvd 2006)
The 2nd of a two part live action series adapting a famous manga and anime series. Id seen the anime a long time ago and loved it. The movie adaptations are pretty fun in a made-for-cable-movie way. Part 2 very much ups the ante in the cat n mouse tale of a brilliant quirky dude working with police to track down vigilante killers armed with the power of death dealing demons. Any final exam about this movie should be...wait for it....open notes. (#DadJokes!)
That first post turned out weird. Here is what I saw during the week.
GOING DOWN (1982, dir. Hadyn Keenan) at the Gap Theatre – A slice of life from early ‘80s Australia. Written by two of the actors and utilizing the sights of Sydney, Going Down captures the music scene and grimy downtown environment. An eclectic group of young women sharing a house in Sydney go out on the town for the final night for one of them in the city. Full of youthful energy and counter-culture vibes, there is plenty of drama, comedy, and music as craziness unfolds. Made with minimal resources, Going Down is a raw film in its style and content. It would have been helpful to have subtitles because the audio can be rough in spots.
IF…. (1969, dir. Lindsay Anderson) – An elite British boarding school becomes a living hell for Mick Travis (Malcolm MacDowell) and his fellow noncomformists as the representatives of the upper-class establishment hold sway over the student body. Bullying and intimidation are an everyday experience, frequently crossing line into abusive behavior. IF… succeeds in putting the viewer into the oppressive atmosphere of the school and the routines of student life. The large cast and smart script make the film more compelling than the story description would make it out to be. Being from the 1960s, If… is unsurprisingly far more sympathetic to the rebels than the establishment
Finally watched The Thunderbolts and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was nice to see a recent Marvel movie with actual heart.
ReplyDeleteRecently got burned on the 4k Terminator 2, the transfer and sound were anything but great. I returned it and I'm just keeping the bluray.
I also ordered the 4k Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 (1986) from Vinegar Syndrome (is it Scary Movie Month yet?) that I'm hoping doesn't disappoint as it was $44!
To deviate from movies, I finally got around to playing Red Dead Redemption 2 and after already playing two play-throughs, it has become my favorite video game I've ever played. The story and character developments are top notch, the gameplay is rich and detailed. If you love the wild west, I couldn't recommend this game enough!
Don't forget to listen to the excellent commentary track by Mr Bromley on TCM2. And i confirm the transfer is excellent
DeleteNobody 2 (2025): In the category of unnecessary sequel, this one is a contender. I enjoyed the first one a lot, the contrast of the boring, wimpy, family man with the violent Home Alone style action scenes was fun. But that's gone in the sequel because we know what the guy can do, so it just becomes another cartoonish violent action flick. Not bad, but I'll stick with the first movie.
ReplyDeleteDragonslayer (1981): I first saw this movie only a few months, recommended by a friend, and loved it. So, I ordered the 4k, which Canada Post lost, then ordered it again somewhere else, and now it's here. It will always make my brain explode to see the weasel from Ghostbusters 2 being a fantasy hero. Don't get me wrong, he's great, but I've seen G2 so many times (I actually like that movie) that seeing him as a fearless warrior is kinda weird. I'm also starving for good, well made, fantasy flick, so I'll grab anything and everything (I just ordered Deathstalker 4k, which may or may not have been a mistake, it's a total blind buy).
Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975): Monty Python goodness in glorious 4k. I got it from Amazon UK, because I was afraid to get custom fees if I ordered from US, and the CA store is always weird about these types of pre-orders. We're only missing Life of Brian.
NI! NI! NI!
DeleteHow dare you say Ni to me?
DeleteIt was a slow week for movies. Things come up, and the day and your energy are now gone. I might get to something tonight.
ReplyDeleteGOING DOWNIF…. (1969, dir. Lindsay Anderson) – An elite British boarding school becomes a living hell for Mick Travis (Malcolm MacDowell) and his fellow noncomformists as the representatives of the upper-class establishment hold sway over the student body. Bullying and intimidation are an everyday experience, frequently crossing line into abusive behavior. IF… succeeds in putting the viewer into the oppressive atmosphere of the school and the routines of student life. The large cast and smart script make the film more compelling than the story description would make it out to be. Being from the 1960s, If… is unsurprisingly far more sympathetic to the rebels than the establishment.
An online horror movie challenge that I have at least partially followed the past two years was posted during the week. I devoted some time to digesting the categories and finding films in my watch list that would fit them. A few days I would set aside for random watches, however. How much I would participate depends on many factors, especially time, but I have found these challenges a useful way to vary my October watches.
Unintentional Double Feature This Week: Cat n Mouse
ReplyDeleteDangerous Animals (2025 shudder)
I had a blast with this one. Its a horror/thriller from down under. Id say go into it with as little knowledge as possible, but even the film description pretty much gives away the premise. Jai Courtney is outstanding in the villain role. Also theres a bunch of great cat .n. mouse stuff within. Highly recommend for genre fans...this would be a great choice for Scary Movie Month!
Death Note 2: The Last Name (dvd 2006)
The 2nd of a two part live action series adapting a famous manga and anime series. Id seen the anime a long time ago and loved it. The movie adaptations are pretty fun in a made-for-cable-movie way. Part 2 very much ups the ante in the cat n mouse tale of a brilliant quirky dude working with police to track down vigilante killers armed with the power of death dealing demons. Any final exam about this movie should be...wait for it....open notes. (#DadJokes!)
That first post turned out weird. Here is what I saw during the week.
ReplyDeleteGOING DOWN (1982, dir. Hadyn Keenan) at the Gap Theatre – A slice of life from early ‘80s Australia. Written by two of the actors and utilizing the sights of Sydney, Going Down captures the music scene and grimy downtown environment. An eclectic group of young women sharing a house in Sydney go out on the town for the final night for one of them in the city. Full of youthful energy and counter-culture vibes, there is plenty of drama, comedy, and music as craziness unfolds. Made with minimal resources, Going Down is a raw film in its style and content. It would have been helpful to have subtitles because the audio can be rough in spots.
IF…. (1969, dir. Lindsay Anderson) – An elite British boarding school becomes a living hell for Mick Travis (Malcolm MacDowell) and his fellow noncomformists as the representatives of the upper-class establishment hold sway over the student body. Bullying and intimidation are an everyday experience, frequently crossing line into abusive behavior. IF… succeeds in putting the viewer into the oppressive atmosphere of the school and the routines of student life. The large cast and smart script make the film more compelling than the story description would make it out to be. Being from the 1960s, If… is unsurprisingly far more sympathetic to the rebels than the establishment