A few extra reviews while l'm still able too (damn extra work load during holidays at the USPS! 🥵🤓).
PREDATOR: BADLANDS (2025, IMAX 3D): Loved it, especially going in blind and not knowing anything about who the protagonist is and/or who he's up against. Easily the best "Predator" stand-alone movie (or "AVP" crossover) since the '87 original and the "Prey" revival, despite (a) the PG-13 rating neutering violent action scenes (but not as much as you'd expect) and (b) the story feeling like Disney meddling with its 20th Century-bought IP's. Dan Trachtenberg can do no wrong as the creative steward of this rejuvenated franchise. Two legs way up! 😉😅
KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN ('25, THEATER): Same story as the original Broadway musical and 80's Raul Julia movie version, except now it gets a shot of classy old school Hollywood elegance during its numerous fantasy musical sequences. Writer/director Bill Condon ("Dreamgirls") feels more comfortable during the Technicolor spectacle than the sad Argentina prison reality, where Diego Luna and Tonatiuh's chemistry isn't as strong as the actors in the 80's versions. Jennifer Lopez hams it up as the titular character (especially her duets with Tonatiuh) and eats scenery like the diva pro she plays (is?). Worth seeing for golden age musical fans.
ANNIE HALL (1977, THEATER): RIP Diane Keaton, l fell in love with her the moment she steps out of that tennis court dressed in that hat/tie combo outfit. 🥰😭 While this remains a sweet Woody Allen comedic post-mortem on a failed then-contemporary relationship many of its jokes/set-pieces haven't aged well. Still my favorite romantic comedy of all time, though. 🥹😢
LONG SHADOWS ('25, THEATER): Low-budget western about a young Arizona orphan (Blaine Maye) seeking revenge against the posse of horse thieves that killed his parents in front of him as an impressionable child. At times feels like AI is making a film built on western stereotypes, but it comes together at the end. Veteran thesps (Jacqueline Bisset, Delmont Mulroney) are more fun to watch than younger ones (Dominic Monaghan's drunk routine). Strictly for forgiving western fans. 🫣🤨
A few extra reviews while l'm still able too (damn extra work load during holidays at the USPS! 🥵🤓).
ReplyDeletePREDATOR: BADLANDS (2025, IMAX 3D): Loved it, especially going in blind and not knowing anything about who the protagonist is and/or who he's up against. Easily the best "Predator" stand-alone movie (or "AVP" crossover) since the '87 original and the "Prey" revival, despite (a) the PG-13 rating neutering violent action scenes (but not as much as you'd expect) and (b) the story feeling like Disney meddling with its 20th Century-bought IP's. Dan Trachtenberg can do no wrong as the creative steward of this rejuvenated franchise. Two legs way up! 😉😅
KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN ('25, THEATER): Same story as the original Broadway musical and 80's Raul Julia movie version, except now it gets a shot of classy old school Hollywood elegance during its numerous fantasy musical sequences. Writer/director Bill Condon ("Dreamgirls") feels more comfortable during the Technicolor spectacle than the sad Argentina prison reality, where Diego Luna and Tonatiuh's chemistry isn't as strong as the actors in the 80's versions. Jennifer Lopez hams it up as the titular character (especially her duets with Tonatiuh) and eats scenery like the diva pro she plays (is?). Worth seeing for golden age musical fans.
ANNIE HALL (1977, THEATER): RIP Diane Keaton, l fell in love with her the moment she steps out of that tennis court dressed in that hat/tie combo outfit. 🥰😭 While this remains a sweet Woody Allen comedic post-mortem on a failed then-contemporary relationship many of its jokes/set-pieces haven't aged well. Still my favorite romantic comedy of all time, though. 🥹😢
LONG SHADOWS ('25, THEATER): Low-budget western about a young Arizona orphan (Blaine Maye) seeking revenge against the posse of horse thieves that killed his parents in front of him as an impressionable child. At times feels like AI is making a film built on western stereotypes, but it comes together at the end. Veteran thesps (Jacqueline Bisset, Delmont Mulroney) are more fun to watch than younger ones (Dominic Monaghan's drunk routine). Strictly for forgiving western fans. 🫣🤨