The week got away from me and I didn't watch any of my recent John Woo purchases (I have a Ringo Lam on the way too), I needed something familiar and/or not subtitled. I have nothing planned this weekend, so I'll get on it...
Dust Bunny (2025): I have the feeling the title was not appealing to people, so they didn't go to see it. That and a nearly minimalist marketing campaign. If you like the quirky and dark humor side of Bryan Fuller (like Pushing Daisies, Dead Like Me), you'll like this. It drags a little in the middle, but it picks up on the 3rd act. There's a feel of Delicatessen or City of Lost Children that I enjoyed. The little girl is very good, Mads Mikkelson is as great as usual, and any movie with David Dastmalchian in it is worth the watch.
Step Brothers (2008): For some reasons I wanted to rewatch this. There are better John C Reilly movies to watch, but I recently saw Talladega Night, so I kinda wanted to see the duo again (Reilly and Ferrell). There's a couple of funny joke, but as a whole it's just an annoying and stupid movie. I also made the mistake of watching the extended cut, which was not the best idea.
Tron (1984): I finally pulled the trigger and got the 4k, which looks great. I always loved the movie and it pains me they never manage to do anything decent with the franchise. I like Legacy, but it has deep flaws, starting with the main character casting. I don't plan on upgrading that one to 4k. As a Babylon 5 fan, I love seeing Bruce Boxleitner in a main role, and Peter Jurasik in a smaller one. Also, every time I watch this movie, I feel like rewatching the animated series Reboot. Fun fact, I got the Italian release because the ebay seller labeled the page like a dyslexic monkey and I didn't see the small prints. But it's all good, the disc is basically the same as the other countries releases, just the packaging is italian. Luckily, the title is the same in every language.
Minority Report (2002): another 4k upgrade that was not planned. Especially this one since the visuals are so peculiar, but I did it anyway because I deserve it. It does look good though.
Matilda (1996): For some reasons, I've never seen this movie. I've heard of it a lot of course, especially how Dany DeVito was great with the young Mara Wilson. It's great, I wish I'd seen it earlier. One of the extras on the blu-ray is a reunion with most of the cast, including the kids, now adults. They recreate some of the scenes, and the whole thing is just adorable. I wish it was available as an uncut version to see the whole day they had.
Lastly, I watched The Monkey (2025) on 4k, because Patrick said it was the best horror movie of the year. I'm sure he's right (I don't see enough of them to rate them), but I can say it's very good. Horror-comedy is my jam, that exploding diver was super funny.
"Dust Bunny" was a surprise in theaters because it feels like something that'd end up as a Netflix or Hulu exclusive. She has a small role but Sigourney Wraver pointing her shoe guns at the "bunny" made me laugh out loud. 😅
Between "Dust Bunny" and her few on-screen seconds as a human spirit at the end of "Avatar 3," Sigourney is the best-looking senior citizen working in movies today. Who knew Ripley would become ageless in the real-world Earth she lives in. 😍🥰
I have had issues with Blogger recently, J.M. It seems like once a posting is deleted, getting it to stay is difficult even if you considerably edit the text.
Trying again, but breaking down tbe reviews individually to "fool" the evil Blogger. 🙄🧐
Hope most of you in the States are warm and cozy this c🥶🥶🥶ld weekend. 🫤
Rewatched AVATAR: FIRE AND ASH (2025) one last time before Timur Bekmambetov's MERCY (2026, both in IMAX 3D) took over the premium screens. "A:F&A" is pure eye-candy with the best tech in the business supporting a beautiful alien world populated with shallow characters and predictable-as-eff tropes. When the action hits, though, it's almost worth the ridiculous 3+ hr. bloated runtime. Oona Chaplin's Varang is easily the best antagonist in the series so far (Stephen Lang's Quaritch has outstayed his welcome in the sequels), a zero-effs-to-give Na'vi bee-yatch that brings the best (worst?) warrior tendencies out of Neytiri (series MVP Zoe Saldaña). 3D Blu-ray, here l come.
MGM's "Mercy" feels like last year's Amazon "War of the World" movie (same company owns both features), a lone protagonist (Chris Pratt's disgraced LAPD cop) fighting for his life in a single room surrounded by hi-tech tools and an AI judge (Rebecca Ferguson doing an uncanny Katee Sackhoff impersonation 😅) putting the world at his disposal to prove his innocence. The avalanche of legal/cop/techno-thriller/dysfunctional family/etc. tropes eventually underwhelm a decent premise that could have worked better with the 'less is more' approach. 'It's fine.'
Speaking of the LAPD, NIGHT PATROL ('26, THEATER) starts super strong as a Shudder-produced horror flick in which the held-in-high-regard autonomous cop unit breaking in a new member (Justin Long impersonating David Schwimmer 🤨) perpetuates the cycle of abuse against dark magic-fearing residents of a housing project... until the divided-by-gang-affiliation locals have had enough and pool their (practical and supernatural) resources to fight back. Alas, "NP's" final act completely drops the ball and kills its own momentum with tonal shifts and out-of-place comedic beats (pretend slow-motion running) that hint at its relatively low budget. Dermot Mulroney and Flying Lotus deserved better than this ambitious failure.
I still haven't seen Avatar 3! I have just been busy and have been delaying it. It's still playing for at least 1.5 weeks in IMAX so I'll see it soon. I loved Way of Water so much. Looking forward to it, even though it seems to have had a more tepid respond than the last one.
"Avatar 3" and "Mercy" are sharing IMAX screens with other one-night special events for the next week or so. It's almost 3.5 hrs. long, so plan ahead for its sporadic IMAX schedule going forward. And despite that long running time and critical drubbing it's on track to make $1.5 billion worldwide, maybe a little bit more. Tepid my butt! 😅🤑
Oh no, I don't doubt it's going to be great. It's made by James Cameron, one of our finest Canadian filmmakers. But yeah, I'm going to be careful to not miss its IMAX window. There's zero chance I'm going to ever watch Mercy. Meh, it's probably fine. But no.
Rewatched ORCA [THE KILLER WHALE] (1977, KINO LORBER 4K UHD) with its commentary tracks (RIP Lee Gambin 😢). Better than the "Jaws" sequels but still saddled with a layer of Dino De Laurentiis' Italian cheese, "Orca" (helped immensely by an Ennio Morricone score that tugs at your heartstrings) works overtime to make its human protagonist (Richard Harris in paycheck mode) an equal to its titular animal. Wish the story was more about Charlotte Rampling's scientist than Nolan's self-destructing quest, but this is the rare OG "Jaws" rip-off that's worth mentioning in the same breath as Spielberg's masterpiece.
Orca traumatized me as a kid. I remember when it first hit network TV. It was a big deal as it was oft mentioned with Jaws. There's a scene early in the movie on the boat that sets off the revenge which was just beyond shocking/unexpected to me. That being said, i think its a great flick which earns the comparison "Jaws Meets Moby Dick".
Now that you mention it, Richard Harris' Nolan behaves/acts as a modern day re-interpretation of Capt. Ahab chasing after his white whale... except here the rightfully-pissed whale fights back and taunts his human tormentor. 😎😢
Orca is pretty good. I had a great time watching it. There was a podcast with Erika where they were joking about watching Orca which got me to watch it. I don't think recommending it was their intention.
Two decades after his underwhelming 2006 movie adaptation of Konami's "Silent Hill" divided critics/fans, Cristoph Gans' RETURN TO SILENT HILL ('26, THEATER) is more of the same. The PS2 "Silent Hill 2" videogame's story/characters are the basis for the screenplay, which doesn't stop Gans from liberally inserting locales/monsters/moments from other "SH" games. Acting/line delivery is atrocious across the board, particularly lead Jeremi Irvine's whiny facial expressions. Even with cutting-edge special effects (for a German/Serbian co-production) and some ambitious production/monster designs giving this the hint of artistic ambition, "RTSH" is ultimately a bad movie heavily inspired by a game with decades-old cutscenes eons better than anything it has to offer. Avoid!
'06 "SH" has its fans (Sean Bean is in it) as does this sequel (some people applauded at the end of "Return..." while me and a few others booed just as loudly 😛). I was shocked how 20 years between the Christoph Gans "SH" movies resulted in zero improvements. I think they're both bad as adaptations of videogames or stand-alone horror flicks. 🤨👎
Sorry if that came off as harsh! I'm glad you liked it, and your defense of it on the episode got me to watch it. And while I was off-put by the vibe, I'm glad it worked for some people. Having a diversity of opinions on movies is normal and good.
PRIMATE ('26, AMC PRIME) is just what its trailer/premise tells you it is ("Cujo" with a super strong, rabid chimpanzee named Ben), freeing your brain to enjoy the slasher tropes and gory gags. Ignore the fake CG tropical home with a glass pool built into a mountain and the poor attempt at human emotion between the sisters, and "Primate" delivers its unambitious goods.
Last but not least, rewatched DIE HARD (1988, 4K UHD) in January because why not. It's not the start of a new year until the Nakatomi Tower maintenance guy washes off with a hose the stain that used to be Hans Gruber from the sidewalk. 💀😉👻
Unintentional Double Feature #1: Contained space "bottle" thrillers:
Flight Risk (2025)
Its...not great...but watchable. Pretty by the numbers thriller taking place entirely in the cockpit of a small plane. Witness transfer goes awry. Even at 90m it felt stretched. I will say Wahlberg is having fun making crazy faces that channel Skarsgard out of make up doing the Pennywise smile combined with Golum.
The Rip
I went in with tempered expectations for this made-for-streaming flick. But as i like the director and Afleck/Damen i was hopeful. Turns out its AWESOME. Most of the movie centers around a group of officers in a drop house with a LOT of money and temptation. Super well written and directed tense thriller. Looking forward to revisiting.
Unintentional Double Feature #2: Documentaries about Subjects Unknown.
Hendrie (2024)
Interesting look at the career of a divisive radio personality. While i dont think his radio show would be something i'd listen to, it was interesting to see his persona that combined shock jock with incredibly quick improve character creation skills.
Show Business is My Life But I Cant Prove It (2022)
A very interesting look at the life and career of a stand up comic/musician named Gary Mule Deer. Not sure how ive never heard of him considering his longevity, quirkyness, and fan base. Enjoyed this.
Quickie Bonus Review:
Mel Brooks The 99 Year Old Man (2026 HBO)
Im in the middle of watching but i gotta say its exceptional. Mel has been a storyteller for decades and director Apatow does an amazing job of weaving new footage with old to tell Mels story. Honestly i like this even more than Mels book All About Me as i feel it gives deeper insights to his incredible journey and work. If you are fan and have access I HIGHLY suggest this one.
Kunider...i hear you about the current wave of docs. However, trust me when i say this one is different and truly something special. I finished watching and will add to my review:
Mel Brooks The 99 Year Old Man is one of the best documentaries ive seen in a long long time. I typically dont do year end favorite watch lists but if i did i know this would be on it 11 months from now. Far far more than a look at the films of the man, we get an incredible journey of his life. The laughs, the hardships, the love, the friendships, the stories. I teared up multiple times.
Huge kudos to Apatow, whos interview books ive read this year and come to realize that hes quietly crafting and creating some truly wonderful comedy history for generations to come.
Just watched Moves for Lovers and wow, the emotions in this movie are so real! 💖 It’s amazing how a small gesture or a simple line can change the whole mood. Kind of like using a copy and paste font generator —just like how a plain word can suddenly feel magical and stand out when you style it right. Fonts have their own little way of making feelings pop, just like this movie does!
I am thinking about June, too. Connecting movies that I would like to watch with potential categories. I found one connected to Cannon (from the early distribution days of the company) in my collection this week.
I'm stacking my June-earmarked shelves with Arrow and Indicator titles (to complement the yet-to-be-determined streaming choices) from the ongoing Barnes & Noble 50% off sale. 🙃🙂
This week I got to see the 1928 silent FALL OF THE HOUSE OF USHER on the big screen with live music accompaniment. The movie is phenomenal, all gorgeous gothic goodness filled with foggy woods, shadowy mansions, and curtains flowing in the wind. The music was less full orchestration and more atmospheric tones, which was a good choice. Overall, a great night at the movies!
Went through all the bonus features on the SUPERMAN (2025) Blu-ray. It's mostly the usual back-patting promo stuff, except for one moment where James Gunn and David Corenswet get into a disagreement over Supes' final confrontation with Luthor at the movie's climax. It gets pretty heated before they manage to work things out. Surprising that they left this in, but it was fascinating seeing the creative process at work -- Kryptonian warts and all.
EMPIRE RECORDS (1995) Finally got around to seeing this for the first time. It's just as good as everyone says. Funny and sweet, and a killer soundtrack.
HEAD OF THE FAMILY (1996) Don't mess with the head.
RETURN OF THE JEDI (1983) In STAR WARS, Han fails at impersonating an Imperial officer. But in this movie, he succeeds at it. Character development!
I took my 8 year old nephew and my 75 year old aunt to see The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938) at the local indie theatre. Such a great movie and all 3 generations had a great time watching. They're having a series of "Golden Age" movies over the next while. I hope they show Ben Hur as I'd love to see it on the big screen.
All right, I started my John Woo weekend with all the Shouts 4k discs they released in the last few months. From his Hong Kong years, I only ever saw Hard Boiled and The Killer, but I've seen a lot of his American years, the good and the bad. So, this was eye opening.
Bullet In The Head (1990). I'm used to heavy action Woo, so I was not expecting this one which is more drama than action. It's not about bullets flying or gunfight ballet (despite what the title would make you think), it's about war and revolution and 3 friends surviving and making their way through the world. If you're looking for cool gunfights, you'll find them in the second half, including a very disturbing POW scene and a pretty dark ending. Pleasantly surprised.
A Better Tomorrow 1,2,3 (1986,1987,1989): Not as action-y as I thought they would be. When the action starts, it goes hard, especially the 3rd movie last act, which was directed by Tsui Hark. The guy doing Chow Yun Fat english voice in the 2nd movie is pretty bad (there's one scene where the character speaks english, inside a diner). It's all good stuff, but nowhere near the balls-to-the-walls craziness of Hard Boiled.
The Killer (1989): Now this is the Woo I expected to see. Gunfights erupt every few minutes, intercut by bits of character and story development. I've seen it before, but it's been a while. Is this where he started with the doves?
City On Fire (1987): I finish this marathon with a Ringo Lam movie, but Chow Yun Fat is starting, so there's still a link. Glad I waited to watch it last, it's a lighter and more jazzy movie, but still in the same vein as all the Woo I saw. I mean, there's a christmas song playing at some point during the finale.
After all that, I should be speaking fluent cantonese.
So, how'd you rank the six HK movies you saw? "Killer" is clearly No. 1, but what's 2-6? 🤔 Are 4K transfers worth the $$$? 🤑😬
"Hard Boiled" (new restoration from which Shout's 4K UHD's were made) is playing for a week at select AMC theaters right now. Tempted... but so much snow and cold outside right now! 🥶🥶🥶
My opinion, but a John Woo weekend wouldn't be complete without watching Red Cliff part 1 and 2 (there's an American condensed version too, but why). Those movies rule! But still, only so much time, and you got to watch a ton of good stuff.
I was surprised when Bullet in the Head turned out to be more of a war movie than an action one. I really liked it. I've still never seen The Killer. It was playing near me during the local theatre's Hong Kong action run last spring, but unfortunately never made it out.
@Paul, I will watch Red Cliff someday. Specifically these were all Shout recent 4k releases
@JM, my favorite is Hard Boiled, because it's just nuts. But of all that I saw this weekend, for sure The Killer was the best, followed by Bullet To The Head. I really liked City On Fire, then the 3 Better Tomorrow
The 4k are gorgeous and there's a ton of extras that I didn't watch yet. The Killer and Hard Boiled are special-er editions, with hardback slipcover and 52 pages booklets, so they cost a bit more. Highly recommended
I hope you like it as much as I did. Although it's a genre (war/history epic movie) I'm very much a sucker for. And despite being out of Woo's wheelhouse of action stuff, I think he nailed it. The Chinese government was totally behind it, so despite a bunch of CGI (par for the course at that point) which is noticeable but well done in bits, it's also got tons of big sets and boats and hundreds of extras running around. I think the Chinese government gave them a bunch of soldiers to use as extras for the movie.
Oh, and you better believe that during a big point you get a bunch of pigeons flying as the camera follows them. I fist bumped. I hope you like it!
The week got away from me and I didn't watch any of my recent John Woo purchases (I have a Ringo Lam on the way too), I needed something familiar and/or not subtitled. I have nothing planned this weekend, so I'll get on it...
ReplyDeleteDust Bunny (2025): I have the feeling the title was not appealing to people, so they didn't go to see it. That and a nearly minimalist marketing campaign. If you like the quirky and dark humor side of Bryan Fuller (like Pushing Daisies, Dead Like Me), you'll like this. It drags a little in the middle, but it picks up on the 3rd act. There's a feel of Delicatessen or City of Lost Children that I enjoyed. The little girl is very good, Mads Mikkelson is as great as usual, and any movie with David Dastmalchian in it is worth the watch.
Step Brothers (2008): For some reasons I wanted to rewatch this. There are better John C Reilly movies to watch, but I recently saw Talladega Night, so I kinda wanted to see the duo again (Reilly and Ferrell). There's a couple of funny joke, but as a whole it's just an annoying and stupid movie. I also made the mistake of watching the extended cut, which was not the best idea.
Tron (1984): I finally pulled the trigger and got the 4k, which looks great. I always loved the movie and it pains me they never manage to do anything decent with the franchise. I like Legacy, but it has deep flaws, starting with the main character casting. I don't plan on upgrading that one to 4k. As a Babylon 5 fan, I love seeing Bruce Boxleitner in a main role, and Peter Jurasik in a smaller one. Also, every time I watch this movie, I feel like rewatching the animated series Reboot. Fun fact, I got the Italian release because the ebay seller labeled the page like a dyslexic monkey and I didn't see the small prints. But it's all good, the disc is basically the same as the other countries releases, just the packaging is italian. Luckily, the title is the same in every language.
Minority Report (2002): another 4k upgrade that was not planned. Especially this one since the visuals are so peculiar, but I did it anyway because I deserve it. It does look good though.
Matilda (1996): For some reasons, I've never seen this movie. I've heard of it a lot of course, especially how Dany DeVito was great with the young Mara Wilson. It's great, I wish I'd seen it earlier. One of the extras on the blu-ray is a reunion with most of the cast, including the kids, now adults. They recreate some of the scenes, and the whole thing is just adorable. I wish it was available as an uncut version to see the whole day they had.
Lastly, I watched The Monkey (2025) on 4k, because Patrick said it was the best horror movie of the year. I'm sure he's right (I don't see enough of them to rate them), but I can say it's very good. Horror-comedy is my jam, that exploding diver was super funny.
"Dust Bunny" was a surprise in theaters because it feels like something that'd end up as a Netflix or Hulu exclusive. She has a small role but Sigourney Wraver pointing her shoe guns at the "bunny" made me laugh out loud. 😅
DeleteNot that it breaks the movie for me, but in these kind of weird guns, i always wonder where the bullets are stored 🤣
DeleteBetween "Dust Bunny" and her few on-screen seconds as a human spirit at the end of "Avatar 3," Sigourney is the best-looking senior citizen working in movies today. Who knew Ripley would become ageless in the real-world Earth she lives in. 😍🥰
DeleteWell, she was in cryo-sleep for a while
DeleteI'm long overdue to re-watch Minority Report. Longer than when I started keeping track of what movies I watched (so >8 years).
DeleteBlogger strikes again. 😡🤬I keep posting reviews w/o bad words or anything offensive, Blogger keeps deleting my post after a few minutes. WTH! 🙄😥
ReplyDeleteI had time to read it before it disappeared. I feel like the chosen one 🤣
DeleteI'm honored. 😁😭🫤
DeleteI have had issues with Blogger recently, J.M. It seems like once a posting is deleted, getting it to stay is difficult even if you considerably edit the text.
DeleteTrying again, but breaking down tbe reviews individually to "fool" the evil Blogger. 🙄🧐
ReplyDeleteHope most of you in the States are warm and cozy this c🥶🥶🥶ld weekend. 🫤
Rewatched AVATAR: FIRE AND ASH (2025) one last time before Timur Bekmambetov's MERCY (2026, both in IMAX 3D) took over the premium screens. "A:F&A" is pure eye-candy with the best tech in the business supporting a beautiful alien world populated with shallow characters and predictable-as-eff tropes. When the action hits, though, it's almost worth the ridiculous 3+ hr. bloated runtime. Oona Chaplin's Varang is easily the best antagonist in the series so far (Stephen Lang's Quaritch has outstayed his welcome in the sequels), a zero-effs-to-give Na'vi bee-yatch that brings the best (worst?) warrior tendencies out of Neytiri (series MVP Zoe Saldaña). 3D Blu-ray, here l come.
MGM's "Mercy" feels like last year's Amazon "War of the World" movie (same company owns both features), a lone protagonist (Chris Pratt's disgraced LAPD cop) fighting for his life in a single room surrounded by hi-tech tools and an AI judge (Rebecca Ferguson doing an uncanny Katee Sackhoff impersonation 😅) putting the world at his disposal to prove his innocence. The avalanche of legal/cop/techno-thriller/dysfunctional family/etc. tropes eventually underwhelm a decent premise that could have worked better with the 'less is more' approach. 'It's fine.'
Speaking of the LAPD, NIGHT PATROL ('26, THEATER) starts super strong as a Shudder-produced horror flick in which the held-in-high-regard autonomous cop unit breaking in a new member (Justin Long impersonating David Schwimmer 🤨) perpetuates the cycle of abuse against dark magic-fearing residents of a housing project... until the divided-by-gang-affiliation locals have had enough and pool their (practical and supernatural) resources to fight back. Alas, "NP's" final act completely drops the ball and kills its own momentum with tonal shifts and out-of-place comedic beats (pretend slow-motion running) that hint at its relatively low budget. Dermot Mulroney and Flying Lotus deserved better than this ambitious failure.
DeleteI still haven't seen Avatar 3! I have just been busy and have been delaying it. It's still playing for at least 1.5 weeks in IMAX so I'll see it soon. I loved Way of Water so much. Looking forward to it, even though it seems to have had a more tepid respond than the last one.
Delete"Avatar 3" and "Mercy" are sharing IMAX screens with other one-night special events for the next week or so. It's almost 3.5 hrs. long, so plan ahead for its sporadic IMAX schedule going forward. And despite that long running time and critical drubbing it's on track to make $1.5 billion worldwide, maybe a little bit more. Tepid my butt! 😅🤑
DeleteOh no, I don't doubt it's going to be great. It's made by James Cameron, one of our finest Canadian filmmakers. But yeah, I'm going to be careful to not miss its IMAX window. There's zero chance I'm going to ever watch Mercy. Meh, it's probably fine. But no.
DeleteRewatched ORCA [THE KILLER WHALE] (1977, KINO LORBER 4K UHD) with its commentary tracks (RIP Lee Gambin 😢). Better than the "Jaws" sequels but still saddled with a layer of Dino De Laurentiis' Italian cheese, "Orca" (helped immensely by an Ennio Morricone score that tugs at your heartstrings) works overtime to make its human protagonist (Richard Harris in paycheck mode) an equal to its titular animal. Wish the story was more about Charlotte Rampling's scientist than Nolan's self-destructing quest, but this is the rare OG "Jaws" rip-off that's worth mentioning in the same breath as Spielberg's masterpiece.
ReplyDeleteOrca traumatized me as a kid. I remember when it first hit network TV. It was a big deal as it was oft mentioned with Jaws. There's a scene early in the movie on the boat that sets off the revenge which was just beyond shocking/unexpected to me. That being said, i think its a great flick which earns the comparison "Jaws Meets Moby Dick".
DeleteNow that you mention it, Richard Harris' Nolan behaves/acts as a modern day re-interpretation of Capt. Ahab chasing after his white whale... except here the rightfully-pissed whale fights back and taunts his human tormentor. 😎😢
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteOrca is pretty good. I had a great time watching it. There was a podcast with Erika where they were joking about watching Orca which got me to watch it. I don't think recommending it was their intention.
DeleteTwo decades after his underwhelming 2006 movie adaptation of Konami's "Silent Hill" divided critics/fans, Cristoph Gans' RETURN TO SILENT HILL ('26, THEATER) is more of the same. The PS2 "Silent Hill 2" videogame's story/characters are the basis for the screenplay, which doesn't stop Gans from liberally inserting locales/monsters/moments from other "SH" games. Acting/line delivery is atrocious across the board, particularly lead Jeremi Irvine's whiny facial expressions. Even with cutting-edge special effects (for a German/Serbian co-production) and some ambitious production/monster designs giving this the hint of artistic ambition, "RTSH" is ultimately a bad movie heavily inspired by a game with decades-old cutscenes eons better than anything it has to offer. Avoid!
ReplyDeleteThe first Silent Hill movie is good? I don't think i've ever seen it
Delete'06 "SH" has its fans (Sean Bean is in it) as does this sequel (some people applauded at the end of "Return..." while me and a few others booed just as loudly 😛). I was shocked how 20 years between the Christoph Gans "SH" movies resulted in zero improvements. I think they're both bad as adaptations of videogames or stand-alone horror flicks. 🤨👎
DeleteThe Fthismovie did an episode on the first Silent Hill movie. Rob DiCristino is a fan. I thought it was awful.
DeleteOh yeah, totally forgot about that. I've yet to see a Christopher Gans movie I like, so i think i'll pass
Delete"Brotherhood of the Wolf" is a legit good Christoph Gans joint. 😎👍
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DeleteNah, didn't care for it. I rewatched it a few months ago.
DeleteNobody's perfect, Paul. Don't get yourself down about it.
DeleteSorry if that came off as harsh! I'm glad you liked it, and your defense of it on the episode got me to watch it. And while I was off-put by the vibe, I'm glad it worked for some people. Having a diversity of opinions on movies is normal and good.
DeleteOh, I’m just messing around! No movie’s for everyone! I’m just glad it’s for me.
Delete:)
DeletePRIMATE ('26, AMC PRIME) is just what its trailer/premise tells you it is ("Cujo" with a super strong, rabid chimpanzee named Ben), freeing your brain to enjoy the slasher tropes and gory gags. Ignore the fake CG tropical home with a glass pool built into a mountain and the poor attempt at human emotion between the sisters, and "Primate" delivers its unambitious goods.
ReplyDeleteLast but not least, rewatched DIE HARD (1988, 4K UHD) in January because why not. It's not the start of a new year until the Nakatomi Tower maintenance guy washes off with a hose the stain that used to be Hans Gruber from the sidewalk. 💀😉👻
Howdy gang! Stay warm and safe!
ReplyDeleteUnintentional Double Feature #1: Contained space "bottle" thrillers:
Flight Risk (2025)
Its...not great...but watchable. Pretty by the numbers thriller taking place entirely in the cockpit of a small plane. Witness transfer goes awry. Even at 90m it felt stretched. I will say Wahlberg is having fun making crazy faces that channel Skarsgard out of make up doing the Pennywise smile combined with Golum.
The Rip
I went in with tempered expectations for this made-for-streaming flick. But as i like the director and Afleck/Damen i was hopeful. Turns out its AWESOME. Most of the movie centers around a group of officers in a drop house with a LOT of money and temptation. Super well written and directed tense thriller. Looking forward to revisiting.
Unintentional Double Feature #2: Documentaries about Subjects Unknown.
Hendrie (2024)
Interesting look at the career of a divisive radio personality. While i dont think his radio show would be something i'd listen to, it was interesting to see his persona that combined shock jock with incredibly quick improve character creation skills.
Show Business is My Life But I Cant Prove It (2022)
A very interesting look at the life and career of a stand up comic/musician named Gary Mule Deer. Not sure how ive never heard of him considering his longevity, quirkyness, and fan base. Enjoyed this.
Quickie Bonus Review:
Mel Brooks The 99 Year Old Man (2026 HBO)
Im in the middle of watching but i gotta say its exceptional. Mel has been a storyteller for decades and director Apatow does an amazing job of weaving new footage with old to tell Mels story. Honestly i like this even more than Mels book All About Me as i feel it gives deeper insights to his incredible journey and work. If you are fan and have access I HIGHLY suggest this one.
As much as I'm already bored with the current wave of end-of-career-docs, I will watch the Mel Brooks doc as soon as possible.
DeleteMe too. We should cherish/honor the chance to see/hear Mel Brooks while he's still above ground. 😎🤩
DeleteKunider...i hear you about the current wave of docs. However, trust me when i say this one is different and truly something special. I finished watching and will add to my review:
DeleteMel Brooks The 99 Year Old Man is one of the best documentaries ive seen in a long long time. I typically dont do year end favorite watch lists but if i did i know this would be on it 11 months from now. Far far more than a look at the films of the man, we get an incredible journey of his life. The laughs, the hardships, the love, the friendships, the stories. I teared up multiple times.
Huge kudos to Apatow, whos interview books ive read this year and come to realize that hes quietly crafting and creating some truly wonderful comedy history for generations to come.
Just watched Moves for Lovers and wow, the emotions in this movie are so real! 💖 It’s amazing how a small gesture or a simple line can change the whole mood. Kind of like using a copy and paste font generator
ReplyDelete—just like how a plain word can suddenly feel magical and stand out when you style it right. Fonts have their own little way of making feelings pop, just like this movie does!
You'd think this bot spam would use the name of a real movie.
DeletePatrick, they release a cheaper version of Bringing Out The Dead 4k in case you didn't know
ReplyDeletehttps://www.amazon.com/Bringing-Out-the-Dead-4K-Blu-ray/dp/B0FX9TX3L3?tag=bluray-062-20&linkCode=ogi&th=1&psc=1&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER
The more I think about it, the more I realize that FThisMovieFest! is my favorite day of the year. Eagerly awaiting!
ReplyDeleteJune's my favorite month of the year... just saying. 😉😙
DeleteConcur! Already planning for it!
DeleteI am thinking about June, too. Connecting movies that I would like to watch with potential categories. I found one connected to Cannon (from the early distribution days of the company) in my collection this week.
DeleteI'm stacking my June-earmarked shelves with Arrow and Indicator titles (to complement the yet-to-be-determined streaming choices) from the ongoing Barnes & Noble 50% off sale. 🙃🙂
DeleteThe thought that Fthismoviefest is coming soon just popped into my mind a few days ago. Can't wait.
DeleteThis week I got to see the 1928 silent FALL OF THE HOUSE OF USHER on the big screen with live music accompaniment. The movie is phenomenal, all gorgeous gothic goodness filled with foggy woods, shadowy mansions, and curtains flowing in the wind. The music was less full orchestration and more atmospheric tones, which was a good choice. Overall, a great night at the movies!
ReplyDeleteWent through all the bonus features on the SUPERMAN (2025) Blu-ray. It's mostly the usual back-patting promo stuff, except for one moment where James Gunn and David Corenswet get into a disagreement over Supes' final confrontation with Luthor at the movie's climax. It gets pretty heated before they manage to work things out. Surprising that they left this in, but it was fascinating seeing the creative process at work -- Kryptonian warts and all.
EMPIRE RECORDS (1995)
Finally got around to seeing this for the first time. It's just as good as everyone says. Funny and sweet, and a killer soundtrack.
HEAD OF THE FAMILY (1996)
Don't mess with the head.
RETURN OF THE JEDI (1983)
In STAR WARS, Han fails at impersonating an Imperial officer. But in this movie, he succeeds at it. Character development!
Damn, i missed that part in the Superman extras. Gotta get through them again 😜😎
DeleteI took my 8 year old nephew and my 75 year old aunt to see The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938) at the local indie theatre. Such a great movie and all 3 generations had a great time watching. They're having a series of "Golden Age" movies over the next while. I hope they show Ben Hur as I'd love to see it on the big screen.
ReplyDeleteCool family outing. ✌️😎
DeleteAll right, I started my John Woo weekend with all the Shouts 4k discs they released in the last few months. From his Hong Kong years, I only ever saw Hard Boiled and The Killer, but I've seen a lot of his American years, the good and the bad. So, this was eye opening.
ReplyDeleteBullet In The Head (1990). I'm used to heavy action Woo, so I was not expecting this one which is more drama than action. It's not about bullets flying or gunfight ballet (despite what the title would make you think), it's about war and revolution and 3 friends surviving and making their way through the world. If you're looking for cool gunfights, you'll find them in the second half, including a very disturbing POW scene and a pretty dark ending. Pleasantly surprised.
A Better Tomorrow 1,2,3 (1986,1987,1989): Not as action-y as I thought they would be. When the action starts, it goes hard, especially the 3rd movie last act, which was directed by Tsui Hark. The guy doing Chow Yun Fat english voice in the 2nd movie is pretty bad (there's one scene where the character speaks english, inside a diner). It's all good stuff, but nowhere near the balls-to-the-walls craziness of Hard Boiled.
The Killer (1989): Now this is the Woo I expected to see. Gunfights erupt every few minutes, intercut by bits of character and story development. I've seen it before, but it's been a while. Is this where he started with the doves?
City On Fire (1987): I finish this marathon with a Ringo Lam movie, but Chow Yun Fat is starting, so there's still a link. Glad I waited to watch it last, it's a lighter and more jazzy movie, but still in the same vein as all the Woo I saw. I mean, there's a christmas song playing at some point during the finale.
After all that, I should be speaking fluent cantonese.
So, how'd you rank the six HK movies you saw? "Killer" is clearly No. 1, but what's 2-6? 🤔 Are 4K transfers worth the $$$? 🤑😬
Delete"Hard Boiled" (new restoration from which Shout's 4K UHD's were made) is playing for a week at select AMC theaters right now. Tempted... but so much snow and cold outside right now! 🥶🥶🥶
My opinion, but a John Woo weekend wouldn't be complete without watching Red Cliff part 1 and 2 (there's an American condensed version too, but why). Those movies rule! But still, only so much time, and you got to watch a ton of good stuff.
DeleteI was surprised when Bullet in the Head turned out to be more of a war movie than an action one. I really liked it. I've still never seen The Killer. It was playing near me during the local theatre's Hong Kong action run last spring, but unfortunately never made it out.
@Paul, I will watch Red Cliff someday. Specifically these were all Shout recent 4k releases
Delete@JM, my favorite is Hard Boiled, because it's just nuts. But of all that I saw this weekend, for sure The Killer was the best, followed by Bullet To The Head. I really liked City On Fire, then the 3 Better Tomorrow
The 4k are gorgeous and there's a ton of extras that I didn't watch yet. The Killer and Hard Boiled are special-er editions, with hardback slipcover and 52 pages booklets, so they cost a bit more. Highly recommended
I hope you like it as much as I did. Although it's a genre (war/history epic movie) I'm very much a sucker for. And despite being out of Woo's wheelhouse of action stuff, I think he nailed it. The Chinese government was totally behind it, so despite a bunch of CGI (par for the course at that point) which is noticeable but well done in bits, it's also got tons of big sets and boats and hundreds of extras running around. I think the Chinese government gave them a bunch of soldiers to use as extras for the movie.
DeleteOh, and you better believe that during a big point you get a bunch of pigeons flying as the camera follows them. I fist bumped. I hope you like it!