Candyman (2021): This was recommended here when I watched the original movie a few months ago. I got lucky and found the 4k disc at my used dvd store. It's obviously not as good as the original movie, but I really enjoyed it. Gore is fun, and we get plenty of it. There's even an exposition cartoon.
Matinee (1993): Like any normal human, I like Joe Dante movies. Especially the suburbia stuff. Following Red Letter Media videos on Dante's movies, I realised I hadn't seen Matinee in a while. So, to Amazon I went and ordered the 4k disc, because that's how I roll. Not my favorite Dante, but that's like saying I have a least favorite pizza, either way I get pizza. On RLM, they said the movie is too much about the kids, but I think they just wanted more Goodman, Picardo and Miller. Where's my 'Burbs 4k?
Suburbicon (2017): It was mentioned in a Blank Check episode because it's written by the Coens. I thought I hadn't seen it, but as the movie went on, I realised I did see it before. Clearly it left a mark. It's a weird movie, about a home invasion and how it affected Matt Damon and family, with a twist of course. There's also the B-story of a black family moving in the white neighborhood, mostly happening in the background, just as a things-were-not-good-back-then kinda story. It obviously all end in chaos and death. I didn't hate it, Clooney is a good director, but it was missing the Coen's flare, which showing in the writing.
AKA Charlie Sheen (2025): As Patrick said, it's mostly about his substance abuse and all the bad things he did. They kinda talk about his movies and tv shows, but just as a way to bring the dr*g use in the conversation. I zoned out for most of it. I'll give him this, he's very candid, doesn't shy away from difficult questions, though he seems to take it with kind of a 'it is what it is' attitude.
Mortal Kombat (1995): Much better than the 2021 reboot, or at least more fun. They didn't forget it was from a videogame, with all the craziness that comes with it. The special effects are a bit dated, like the fights with the 4-arms dude are less than convincing, but some of the puppetry shots are pretty good. Also, if anybody likes techno music, this is the soundtrack for you.
Mortal Kombat Annihilation (1997): James Remar replace Christophe Lambert as Raiden, that's a win in my book. The movie is still not very good, but I like cheese, so I still find it more entertaining than the reboot.
The blu-ray 3-pack I got comes with the first season of Mortal Kombat Legacy, which was made in 2011. It was pretty cool, and at 10 minutes per episode, they go straight to the good stuff.
I'm Not There (2007): A much more interesting Bob Dylan biopic than what came out last year. I get it, the new one has a wider appeal, and I'm not shaming anybody for liking it. And it was shot in and around Montreal, which is always fun for me.
Happy Gilmore (1996): The sequel s*cked, I had to do something to scrub it from my brain. Cue the Kino 4k disc. I miss the old Sandler, when he just made funny movies with simple jokes, then something ridiculous would come up, like the guy in the background at the arena, mouthing the words to the love song playing over Sandler kissing Julie Bowen.
Totally agreed on every one of these that I've seen except that Matinee is my favorite Dante. Love the observation on Happy Gilmore and really wish we could get a Blu-ray of I'm Not There because I love it so much.
There is a long out of print bluray for I'm Not There, but sells for way too much money... Yeah, I got it. I paid too much, but I got lucky and it was not too bad
Night of the Juggler (1980, dir. Robert Butler, Sidney J. Furie)
James Brolin's desperate chase across the gritty streets of NYC to rescue his kidnapped daughter. Wow! I'd say the first hour is about as perfect as movies get. There is an extended car/foot/subway chase that is stunning. The energy reminded me so much of Die Hard with a Vengeance (the best Die Hard :) ) that it had to be some kind of inspiration. I thought it petered out just a bit towards the ending and was a little anti-climactic (Just like Die Hard with a Vengeance!), but this is still a must see. Could have used a better title too.
BRAM STOKER’S DRACULA (1992) What a wild movie. The big vamp-y set pieces still thrill, but I don’t know if the sweeping romance worked as well as intended.
THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN (1974) I don’t like the idea of Amazon doing a bunch of Bond reboot spinoff TV series. BUT… I can see an “Adventures of Scaramanga” show working.
THE HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER (1990) McTiernan goodness!
DR. JEKYLL AND SISTER HYDE (1971) The original battle of the sexes.
THE MAN WHO FELL TO EARTH (1976) That David Bowie is quite the interesting character, isn’t he? Is 2025 too late to do the deep dive and finally learn what that whole “Ziggy Stardust” thing was about?
BALLERINA (2025) Gives new meaning to the word “nutcracker.”
Dr. Jekyll and Sister Hyde is a unique take on the story and among the gems of Hammer's late period. The atmosphere of the street sets is as thick as the fog. Martine Beswick is one of the beauties of the British cinema of this era.
The Man Who Fell To Earth has been in my watch list for many years. It is one of those films that I know I would need to be in a specific mind-set to appreciate, though.
The big vamp-y set pieces still thrill, but I don’t know if the sweeping romance worked as well as intended.
IMO, it breaks the whole movie (which Keanu's presence already cracked - no offense to the person, I like the person, but that remains one of the worst miscastings ever). Sure, make Dracula kinda charming, especially at the height of his regeneration and powers. But to make him a sympathetic antihero with a tragic past just plain scuttles the story, and it certainly makes a lie of the title, because that's not at all what Stoker wrote. Granted, my beloved The Mummy '99 also gave Imhotep a tragic backstory, but it had the good sense to make its monster an unmistakably irredeemable villain once he reaches the present day.
YouTuber Dominic Noble ably prosecutes the case here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URp_kduirgI
There is only one more of these open threads before Scary Movie Month begins. October movies have been on my mind a lot, and I have a list of planned viewings - including theater screenings - ready. I avoided any horror watches for the week. It was by chance that the week was dominated by crime films.
SUDDEN FEAR (1952) – Going into noir territory with Joan Crawford, the queen of the crime melodrama, as an heiress and successful playwright who gets married to the wrong man. She received an OSCAR nomination for this. Craggy-faced Jack Palance got his breakthrough role here as the husband who may be plotting a murder. Sudden Fear unfolds in a very intriguing manner and succeeds in generating suspense.
THE BREAKING POINT (1950, dir. Michael Curtiz) – Another excursion into film noir territory with John Garfield as a charter boat owner facing mounting financial pressures. When a client skips out of paying for a trip, his desperation leads to a fateful decision in order to salvage his boat and, ultimately, his dreams. Beyond the crime elements, there is a lot of depth to the story and the characters. The stakes become very real on the strength of John Garfield’s performance. Sadly, his career by this time was almost over because of the Hollywood blacklist, and he would be dead two years later at 39.
THE NIGHT DIGGER (1971) – An aristocrat and her adopted daughter live in a crumbling British mansion where a mysterious young man comes seeking a job as a live-in handyman and gardener. American actress Patricia Neal is the daughter who feels like her life has been squandered taking care of her mother. She is drawn to the handyman, who just happens to have impulses that lead to murder. The Night Digger is a curious mix of drama and thriller that does not work yet still fascinated me in its parts. Though the killings are far from graphic, there are disturbing aspects to them. In many ways, the film pushes the envelope for what was acceptable for the time.
RADIOACTIVE DREAMS (1985, dir. Albert Pyun) at the Gap Theatre – For a film that has not had a physical release for a long time, a 35mm screening is the best way to watch it. The colors of the print popped beautifully and the details of the shadowy scenes were easy to decipher. As for the film, Radioactive Dreams is a concoction of so many genre elements that it was never going to gel together: film noir, post-apocalypse, comedy, action, and musical. All of that comes together in an utterly mid-1980s style. There are sections that go full-on music video. Radioactive Dreams reminded me a lot of the Pyun’s film Vicious Lips, with the main difference being that he had far more resources to work with for this one. I have listened to the soundtrack often this week.
UNDERWORLD BEAUTY (1958, dir. Seijun Suzuki) – This is not ground-breaking cinema from Suzuki, but it is undeniably entertaining. Various yakuza try to control the proceeds of stolen diamonds. Miyamoto, just released from prison after a stint for the robbery of the diamonds, walks into a hornet’s nest of double-crosses and changing alliances. He is also focused on getting a former colleague’s sister from taking a wrong path in life. The black-and-white chiaroscuro lighting would not feel out of place in a classic film noir. The gunfight set-piece at the conclusion is surprisingly prolonged and intricate.
TWISTER (1996) This was one of my childhood favorites and I hadn't seen it in years. It doesn't really hold up :( So sad. The characters are unlikable and it feels formulaic. Definitely felt cool back in the day, though.
DRESSMAKER (2015) Another comfort film rewatch. Still outstanding. I wish everyone saw and loved it as much as I do.
I'm driving through Toronto today and realised I could stop and see Apollo 13 at the "real" IMAX theatre they have there. Sounds like a plan. They don't have real IMAX in Ottawa.
Dolph Lundgren stars as Jack "Blackjack" Devlin, a bodyguard assigned to protect a supermodel from an assassin. His one weakness? He's allergic to the color white. Utterly ludicrous but still a lot of fun. Contains a couple banger action scenes in Woo's signature style. Fred Williamson co-stars!
Yeah. I like The Fugitive, too; I don't want to make it seem like I don't. I think it's missing something. But I compare it because it's a shame Double Jeopardy doesn't get the same kind of attention when it's so similar.
Hang on to your hats, I had a big movie week...
ReplyDeleteCandyman (2021): This was recommended here when I watched the original movie a few months ago. I got lucky and found the 4k disc at my used dvd store. It's obviously not as good as the original movie, but I really enjoyed it. Gore is fun, and we get plenty of it. There's even an exposition cartoon.
Matinee (1993): Like any normal human, I like Joe Dante movies. Especially the suburbia stuff. Following Red Letter Media videos on Dante's movies, I realised I hadn't seen Matinee in a while. So, to Amazon I went and ordered the 4k disc, because that's how I roll. Not my favorite Dante, but that's like saying I have a least favorite pizza, either way I get pizza. On RLM, they said the movie is too much about the kids, but I think they just wanted more Goodman, Picardo and Miller. Where's my 'Burbs 4k?
Suburbicon (2017): It was mentioned in a Blank Check episode because it's written by the Coens. I thought I hadn't seen it, but as the movie went on, I realised I did see it before. Clearly it left a mark. It's a weird movie, about a home invasion and how it affected Matt Damon and family, with a twist of course. There's also the B-story of a black family moving in the white neighborhood, mostly happening in the background, just as a things-were-not-good-back-then kinda story. It obviously all end in chaos and death. I didn't hate it, Clooney is a good director, but it was missing the Coen's flare, which showing in the writing.
AKA Charlie Sheen (2025): As Patrick said, it's mostly about his substance abuse and all the bad things he did. They kinda talk about his movies and tv shows, but just as a way to bring the dr*g use in the conversation. I zoned out for most of it. I'll give him this, he's very candid, doesn't shy away from difficult questions, though he seems to take it with kind of a 'it is what it is' attitude.
Mortal Kombat (1995): Much better than the 2021 reboot, or at least more fun. They didn't forget it was from a videogame, with all the craziness that comes with it. The special effects are a bit dated, like the fights with the 4-arms dude are less than convincing, but some of the puppetry shots are pretty good. Also, if anybody likes techno music, this is the soundtrack for you.
Mortal Kombat Annihilation (1997): James Remar replace Christophe Lambert as Raiden, that's a win in my book. The movie is still not very good, but I like cheese, so I still find it more entertaining than the reboot.
The blu-ray 3-pack I got comes with the first season of Mortal Kombat Legacy, which was made in 2011. It was pretty cool, and at 10 minutes per episode, they go straight to the good stuff.
I'm Not There (2007): A much more interesting Bob Dylan biopic than what came out last year. I get it, the new one has a wider appeal, and I'm not shaming anybody for liking it. And it was shot in and around Montreal, which is always fun for me.
Happy Gilmore (1996): The sequel s*cked, I had to do something to scrub it from my brain. Cue the Kino 4k disc. I miss the old Sandler, when he just made funny movies with simple jokes, then something ridiculous would come up, like the guy in the background at the arena, mouthing the words to the love song playing over Sandler kissing Julie Bowen.
Totally agreed on every one of these that I've seen except that Matinee is my favorite Dante. Love the observation on Happy Gilmore and really wish we could get a Blu-ray of I'm Not There because I love it so much.
DeleteThere is a long out of print bluray for I'm Not There, but sells for way too much money... Yeah, I got it. I paid too much, but I got lucky and it was not too bad
DeleteNight of the Juggler (1980, dir. Robert Butler, Sidney J. Furie)
ReplyDeleteJames Brolin's desperate chase across the gritty streets of NYC to rescue his kidnapped daughter. Wow! I'd say the first hour is about as perfect as movies get. There is an extended car/foot/subway chase that is stunning. The energy reminded me so much of Die Hard with a Vengeance (the best Die Hard :) ) that it had to be some kind of inspiration. I thought it petered out just a bit towards the ending and was a little anti-climactic (Just like Die Hard with a Vengeance!), but this is still a must see. Could have used a better title too.
That sounds awesome! Adding it to the queue now. :)
DeleteBRAM STOKER’S DRACULA (1992)
ReplyDeleteWhat a wild movie. The big vamp-y set pieces still thrill, but I don’t know if the sweeping romance worked as well as intended.
THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN (1974)
I don’t like the idea of Amazon doing a bunch of Bond reboot spinoff TV series. BUT… I can see an “Adventures of Scaramanga” show working.
THE HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER (1990)
McTiernan goodness!
DR. JEKYLL AND SISTER HYDE (1971)
The original battle of the sexes.
THE MAN WHO FELL TO EARTH (1976)
That David Bowie is quite the interesting character, isn’t he? Is 2025 too late to do the deep dive and finally learn what that whole “Ziggy Stardust” thing was about?
BALLERINA (2025)
Gives new meaning to the word “nutcracker.”
Looks like you are warming up for October, Mac.
DeleteDr. Jekyll and Sister Hyde is a unique take on the story and among the gems of Hammer's late period. The atmosphere of the street sets is as thick as the fog. Martine Beswick is one of the beauties of the British cinema of this era.
The Man Who Fell To Earth has been in my watch list for many years. It is one of those films that I know I would need to be in a specific mind-set to appreciate, though.
The big vamp-y set pieces still thrill, but I don’t know if the sweeping romance worked as well as intended.
DeleteIMO, it breaks the whole movie (which Keanu's presence already cracked - no offense to the person, I like the person, but that remains one of the worst miscastings ever). Sure, make Dracula kinda charming, especially at the height of his regeneration and powers. But to make him a sympathetic antihero with a tragic past just plain scuttles the story, and it certainly makes a lie of the title, because that's not at all what Stoker wrote. Granted, my beloved The Mummy '99 also gave Imhotep a tragic backstory, but it had the good sense to make its monster an unmistakably irredeemable villain once he reaches the present day.
YouTuber Dominic Noble ably prosecutes the case here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URp_kduirgI
There is only one more of these open threads before Scary Movie Month begins. October movies have been on my mind a lot, and I have a list of planned viewings - including theater screenings - ready. I avoided any horror watches for the week. It was by chance that the week was dominated by crime films.
ReplyDeleteSUDDEN FEAR (1952) – Going into noir territory with Joan Crawford, the queen of the crime melodrama, as an heiress and successful playwright who gets married to the wrong man. She received an OSCAR nomination for this. Craggy-faced Jack Palance got his breakthrough role here as the husband who may be plotting a murder. Sudden Fear unfolds in a very intriguing manner and succeeds in generating suspense.
THE BREAKING POINT (1950, dir. Michael Curtiz) – Another excursion into film noir territory with John Garfield as a charter boat owner facing mounting financial pressures. When a client skips out of paying for a trip, his desperation leads to a fateful decision in order to salvage his boat and, ultimately, his dreams. Beyond the crime elements, there is a lot of depth to the story and the characters. The stakes become very real on the strength of John Garfield’s performance. Sadly, his career by this time was almost over because of the Hollywood blacklist, and he would be dead two years later at 39.
THE NIGHT DIGGER (1971) – An aristocrat and her adopted daughter live in a crumbling British mansion where a mysterious young man comes seeking a job as a live-in handyman and gardener. American actress Patricia Neal is the daughter who feels like her life has been squandered taking care of her mother. She is drawn to the handyman, who just happens to have impulses that lead to murder. The Night Digger is a curious mix of drama and thriller that does not work yet still fascinated me in its parts. Though the killings are far from graphic, there are disturbing aspects to them. In many ways, the film pushes the envelope for what was acceptable for the time.
RADIOACTIVE DREAMS (1985, dir. Albert Pyun) at the Gap Theatre – For a film that has not had a physical release for a long time, a 35mm screening is the best way to watch it. The colors of the print popped beautifully and the details of the shadowy scenes were easy to decipher. As for the film, Radioactive Dreams is a concoction of so many genre elements that it was never going to gel together: film noir, post-apocalypse, comedy, action, and musical. All of that comes together in an utterly mid-1980s style. There are sections that go full-on music video. Radioactive Dreams reminded me a lot of the Pyun’s film Vicious Lips, with the main difference being that he had far more resources to work with for this one. I have listened to the soundtrack often this week.
UNDERWORLD BEAUTY (1958, dir. Seijun Suzuki) – This is not ground-breaking cinema from Suzuki, but it is undeniably entertaining. Various yakuza try to control the proceeds of stolen diamonds. Miyamoto, just released from prison after a stint for the robbery of the diamonds, walks into a hornet’s nest of double-crosses and changing alliances. He is also focused on getting a former colleague’s sister from taking a wrong path in life. The black-and-white chiaroscuro lighting would not feel out of place in a classic film noir. The gunfight set-piece at the conclusion is surprisingly prolonged and intricate.
Breaking Point is excellent. The Criteriin disc has a bunch of very interesting extras
DeleteTWISTER (1996)
ReplyDeleteThis was one of my childhood favorites and I hadn't seen it in years. It doesn't really hold up :( So sad. The characters are unlikable and it feels formulaic. Definitely felt cool back in the day, though.
DRESSMAKER (2015)
Another comfort film rewatch. Still outstanding. I wish everyone saw and loved it as much as I do.
I'm driving through Toronto today and realised I could stop and see Apollo 13 at the "real" IMAX theatre they have there. Sounds like a plan. They don't have real IMAX in Ottawa.
ReplyDeleteBlackjack (1998, dir. John Woo)
ReplyDeleteDolph Lundgren stars as Jack "Blackjack" Devlin, a bodyguard assigned to protect a supermodel from an assassin. His one weakness? He's allergic to the color white. Utterly ludicrous but still a lot of fun. Contains a couple banger action scenes in Woo's signature style. Fred Williamson co-stars!
Gladiator II (2024, dir. Ridley Scott)
ReplyDeleteI guess this is why Tarantino is stopping at ten... Oof!
DOUBLE JEOPARDY (1999)
ReplyDeleteI like this movie so much more than The Fugitive.
I love that movie. I know the law make no sense, but i don't care.
DeleteYeah. I like The Fugitive, too; I don't want to make it seem like I don't. I think it's missing something. But I compare it because it's a shame Double Jeopardy doesn't get the same kind of attention when it's so similar.
DeleteSure, i'm not dissing The Fugitive either, but I have more fun with DJ
DeleteThe Fugitive is awesome but it has major 3rd act problems. Just saw Double Jeopardy for the first time recently. It was fun!
Delete