#101 - Soldier [1998]
Trailer
Date Watched: 3/21/15
Straight up sci-fi that utilizes a wonderful mix of potent action executed with practical effects and a nifty survival/retribution storyline. Kurt Russell doesn't say much as Todd, but he doesn't have to. He is a soldier through and through, letting his bravery and instincts take charge. He's joined by Gary Busey being pretty much himself and Jason Issacs as a sniveling military twat. And I'll always remember Jason Scott-Lee as the evil, scarred counterpart to Russell's supposedly-obsolete character because he also recently played Mowgli in the live action adaptation of The Jungle Book.
One of my favorite aspects is the set design and extensive use of practical effects. The trash planet set, crudely built from scrap and junk, is impressive and the gargantuan crawlers always fascinated me as a kid. I always really enjoyed movies with cool military weapons and futuristic technology. Uniquely, this came out in the tail-end of the 90's where CGI was beginning to take hold and overrun the industry, but a lot of directors were able to secure modest budgets in the range of $30 to $65 million which they used to construct huge sets and crazy vehicles with elaborate special effects involved. I miss that age of big-budget 90's action flicks.
Anywho, the end is a wild First Blood-style battle where Todd employs guerrilla warfare and booby traps to pick off his foes one by one. It's delightfully creative and satisfying to watch. People give Paul W.S. Anderson so much shit but he always knew how to stage and shoot a good action scene. This is a personal favorite!
One of my favorite aspects is the set design and extensive use of practical effects. The trash planet set, crudely built from scrap and junk, is impressive and the gargantuan crawlers always fascinated me as a kid. I always really enjoyed movies with cool military weapons and futuristic technology. Uniquely, this came out in the tail-end of the 90's where CGI was beginning to take hold and overrun the industry, but a lot of directors were able to secure modest budgets in the range of $30 to $65 million which they used to construct huge sets and crazy vehicles with elaborate special effects involved. I miss that age of big-budget 90's action flicks.
Anywho, the end is a wild First Blood-style battle where Todd employs guerrilla warfare and booby traps to pick off his foes one by one. It's delightfully creative and satisfying to watch. People give Paul W.S. Anderson so much shit but he always knew how to stage and shoot a good action scene. This is a personal favorite!
Rating: 9/10
#102 - The Pit and the Pendulum [1991]
Trailer
Date Watched: 3/21/15
I've always been a fan of Stuart Gordon, the man behind classics like Re-Animator, Robot Jox and From Beyond. He handles horror and action very well. TPATP isn't his best, but it's a moody, gore-splashed spin on the Poe tale. Lance Henriksen fully commits to his crazed zealot role, which is to be expected. He's always been a fantastic actor. If you're not familiar with him, go watch Pumpkinhead immediately!
Visually, it's one of Gordon's less impressive. That time period is inherently limiting, an era you can't do very much with. Still, Gordon gets in a few stylish shots. The gore is satisfying. Loved the witch exploding and her bone fragments impaling those nearby. I've never seen that done in a movie before and if I ever make a movie, I'm gonna include something like it. There's also a messy bisection and a brutal impaling. The nudity is a plus. On the bad side, I thought it dragged at points which could've been avoided with tighter pacing. Other than that, it's worth watching if you dig horror.
Rating: 6/10
#103 - The Dark Crystal [1982]
Trailer
Date Watched: 3/21/15
The visual style is incredible, better than Labyrinth. The Skeksis' avian design and animation is superb, props to the Jim Henson puppeteers. I loved the beetle bug warriors. They reminded me of Starship Troopers and seeing horseshoe crabs in Ocean City when I was young. This makes me wonder if I might've liked this movie as a kid and I'm gonna say no. The monster-like Skeksis and dead-eyed lead puppets would've been too much for me to handle because I used to be deathly afraid of Chucky. The production design and world building deserves praise, as it creates a lived-in, believable world in a land or planet or dimension far, far away!
Rating: 8.5/10
#104 - In Bruges [2008]
Trailer
Date Watched: 3/22/15
A well-acted and unpredictable crime thriller, with dashes of dark comedy on taboo subjects.
Excellent cast from top to bottom
European scenery
Shocking gore
Amber/teal visual style
Patient editing
Rating: 8.5/10
#105 - Fantastic Voyage [1966]
Trailer
Date Watched: 3/23/15
One of the best 60's science fiction films. Great cast, psychedelic special effects and efficient direction. Occasional plot holes don't detract from the fun.
Rating: 8/10
#106 - The Package [1989]
Trailer
Date Watched: 3/24/15
A solid 80's Cold War thriller. Nothing new, but an interesting watch. Tommy Lee Jones plays an intelligent bad guy and the action, while limited, is damn good when it happens. As far as assassination movies go, I think Wolfgang Petersen's In The Line Of Fire is better, even though it came later.
Rating: 7/10
#107 - Dazed And Confused [1993]
Trailer
Date Watched: 3/24/15
A time capsule that takes you back to the 70's and follows a variety of teenagers on the last day school. It's filled with great performances, featuring a number of future stars. It also has a killer soundtrack and captures the freedom and recklessness of youth perfectly.
Rating: 10/10
#108 - The Dark Half [1993]
Trailer
Date Watched: 3/24/15
While overlong, The Dark Half is still an intriguing watch. It eschews King's traditional cerebral fears in favor of more visceral slasher elements. Timothy Hutton, in one (two?) of his best roles, portrays a conflicted character who you can't trust but still pull for. The duality element is handled well, though the script doesn't fully delve into the more psychological aspects as King did in the book. Film is limited in a number of dramatic ways because it's mostly a visual medium. George A. Romero's direction is efficiently stylish as always, and he beautifully captures the New England setting King is so rightfully fond of.
Rating: 7.5/10
#109 - Life Itself [2014]
Trailer
Date Watched: 3/25/15
One of the best documentaries I've seen in recent memory. I want to be a film critic, so to dive deeply into the life of the man who elevated it and made it an art was an intelligent, poignant experience. It paints Ebert not as an idol or legend, but as an ordinary man who did some extraordinary things for film and culture as a whole. He had many flaws, but instead of trying to fix them, he embraced them and enjoyed his life to the fullest.
Some of the medical scenes are sad and uncomfortable to watch, but they really give the film more emotional heft. The behind the scenes footage of Ebert bickering with cohort Gene Siskel was incredibly revealing and, in an amusingly appropriate way, evoked the buddy cop dynamic present in many of the films they reviewed together throughout the 80's and 90's. It's amazing how two radically diametrical people joined together to create something so great. Ebert's enthusiasm and strict moral code are admirable. I hope I'm as jolly as him when I'm that age.
If you're a fan of film even in the slightest, I highly recommend this documentary about arguably the best film critic to ever live. It's touching, informative and celebrates film and how it affects our lives.
Rest in peace good sir."So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past."
Rating: 9/10
#110 - Ginger Snaps [2000]
Trailer
Date Watched: 3/25/15
A gory and bizarre coming of age werewolf film.
Dug the cast. Katherine Isabelle is scintillatingly smokin', Emily Perkins has the perfect weirded out face kinda like Rooney Mara, and Kris Lemche's stoner chemist/botanist reminded me so much of Zeke (Josh Hartnett) from The Faculty with his elaborate laboratory. I like clever characters like that - I see myself in them a little bit. Overall good chemistry and an instantly believable sibling dynamic.
The gore is chunky and plentiful. Disturbed by the dismembered dogs but impressed with all the practical effects. The werewolf design and make-up is very dog-like, reminded me of the dog-Thing from The Thing (one of the greatest films ever made). I loved the chemical angle with the monkshood/wolfsbane plant. Including these types of scientific elements always helps build a film's world and make it seem more plausible, if pulled off correctly of course. Some films pay no mind to scientific accuracy, and while movies are allowed to play fast and loose with the laws of physics, chemistry, and engineering, when an inaccuracy is glaring enough it can ruin your immersion in a film.
Rating: 8/10
#111 - Before Sunrise [1995]
Trailer
Date Watched: 3/26/15
Rarely do films this natural, intelligent, touching and bittersweet come along. Before Sunrise is a story about love in it purest form; two strangers who meet strictly by happenstance and quickly fall in love. It sounds like every other cliched romantic comedy, but the difference is that this film has the heart and soul those others lack. There's no maudlin montages, no cheeky misunderstandings, no climactic reunion set to some cloying pop hit. It's just two people talking, ruminating on life, death and everything in between. And it's splendid.
Director Richard Linklater has the innate ability to find the perfect actors for the roles he writes. Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy generate some of the most believable chemistry I've witnessed in a romantic film. They feel like genuine people with a certain joie de vivre to whom we can relate. Listening to them discuss past mistakes, their hopes and dreams and the very nature of love is never boring or tedious, only charming and engrossing. Credit the witty script by Linklater and Kim Krizan, which touts a remarkable degree of realism that most love stories actively avoid.
Setting the film in Vienna, instead of say Paris, works in its favor. The quaint city seems to be made for these two wandering souls, capturing their intimate moments in time. They sight-see a little bit, but a majority of the film is them exploring all the nooks and crannies and local culture while they gradually fall in love. It's a fairy tale grounded in reality.
Highly recommended.
Rating: 9.5/10
#112 - Before Sunset [2004]
Trailer
Date Watched: 3/27/15
Picking up nine years after they first met (and brilliantly titled by the way), Before Sunset retains and builds upon the charm and intelligence that made Before Sunrise so appealing. These two characters of Jesse and Celine have grown up and lived their lives thinking about each other in a transformative way. They may be older, but they still share the same chemistry and love they had all those years ago. The dialogue remains whip-smart and authentic, thanks once again to the stellar script by Linklater and both Hawke and Delpy. It amazes me how just these two people talking about life can be so engaging, but it is. It leaves you transfixed, hanging on their every word. This is the perfect trilogy about romance and the joy of life. Richard Linklater is the man, and after watching these and Boyhood earlier this year, I can say with great pleasure that he is one of my favorite filmmakers.
Rating: 9.5/10
#113 - Before Midnight [2013]
Trailer
Date Watched: 3/28/15
Jumping forward another nine years like its predecessor, Before Midnight continues this beautiful love story without missing a beat. You would think letting that much time pass between films would dilute the love story and lessen its impact, but it doesn't. The transition is effortless. At this point Jesse and Celine are in their early 40's, having gotten together after reuniting in Before Sunset. They've settled down and had twin daughters, who thankfully don't take over the story. Their presence is acknowledged but the focus is squarely on this kismet couple.
As expected, their vivacious chemistry remains fully intact and propels the story as they struggle with life and each other. It's a raw and realistic portrayal of a natural relationship with all its ups and downs. The fights, the sacrifice, the passion and the emotion flow freely here and it is brilliant thanks to Hawke's and Delpy's virtuosic performances. This final chapter is set in Greece, which is photographed and framed beautifully by Linklater. Setting this story in these magical European cities steeped in history and character gives the trilogy a timeless vibe. Never so emphatically has true love has been captured like this. Where's the Criterion release?!
Rating: 9.5/10
#114 - Big Fish [2003]
Trailer
Date Watched: 3/29/15
The power of storytelling explored by macabre visual master Tim Burton. The charming and well-chosen cast bring the colorful characters to life before your very eyes. Juxtaposing his last days with his early days of mischief and might works well because it deftly balances the whimsy and cold hard reality. This is mature territory for Burton and he handles the material quite well, better than I could have ever anticipated. Ewan MacGregor is top-notch as always.
The visuals are more fantasy than horror oriented. The scenes in the dark forest with its cavernous walls, foreboding fog and jumping spiders is vintage 90's Burton. Big Fish may be his best overall film. Don't miss it!
Rating: 9/10
#115 - Blade II [2002]
Trailer
Date Watched: 3/29/15
Like T2, Guillermo del Toro's first foray in the superhero genre is a vibrant, action-packed bloodbath chock full of badassery. The fight scenes in the beginning are worth the price of admission alone. It has Blade in hot pursuit of suckheads that he dispatches in showers of sparks and ash. He squares off against two vamps on motorbikes and flips onto the bike behind the guy while decapitating him with a silver razor wire, disentegrating to ash, as Blade effortlessly takes control of the still speeding cycle. It is an INCREDIBLE action setpiece. It's followed by Blade raiding a blood warehouse holding Whistler's body, where bloodsuckers are impaled with silver stakes.
Love it when I first saw it, and love it every time I rewatch it.
Rating: 10/10
#116 - The Conversation [1974]
Date Watched: 3/30/15
Smart, caustic and rife with political intrigue, Francis Ford Coppola's The Conversation remains a nerve-wracking thriller that still resonates this day.
Rating: 9/10
#117 - Crimewave [1985]
Trailer
Date Watched: 3/31/15
Silly, hyper-actively shot homage to three stooges style slapstick.
Rating: 6/10
#118 - Seventh Son [2015]
Trailer
Date Watched: 4/1/15 (started 3/31/15)
Nowhere frickin' near as bad as the reviews say. While it's nothing new, it's executed stylishly and packed with action.
I'm enjoying it for the same reasons I liked I, Frankenstein but disliked 47 Ronin.
Jeff Bridges begins as a caricature with his ridiculous accent, but plays it straight and improves the otherwise lackluster cast. Julianne Moore overacts. Weak dialogue but solid action.
Polished but stylish gothic visuals. A number of striking shots. The attention to detail and world building is admirable. I really dug Gregory's armory. The fights and action are pretty damn good with some nice practical stuntwork. The purple guy with four arms and swords was bitchin'. And the way the witches and demons disintegrated reminded me of Blade II. Djimon Honsou wields the blades of chaos from God of War! The camera work is mobile and fluid during the action scenes.
Shitty CGI animals which I fucking loathe. In this case the fantasy element almost makes it forgivable but the rendering and cartoonish nature is immersion breaking.
Rating: 7/10
#119 - Upstream Color [2013]
Trailer
Date Watched: 4/2/15
On one hand, you have to respect Shane Caruth for making Primer and this film on such a small budget. It is impressive. On the other hand, I find his work to be incredibly pretentious and overrated. I kept hearing that UC was visually amazing, but found the overall visuals to be bland except for a few splashes of color here and there.
It started off great but lost momentum and direction as it went on. The concept was wild but not explored how I was expecting. Like Primer, it is intentionally minimalist, and also like Primer, it could've been cooler. I feel like Caruth gets too invested in his own characters without letting the audience in on WHY they should be. It's not a great way to tell a story because it's difficult to relate to the characters and the pacing noticeably suffers.
Rating: 5.5/10
#120 - Furious 7 [2015]
Trailer
Date Watched: 4/2/15
Over-the-top action, charismatic performances, and Jason Statham's formidable yet fun villain make Furious 7 a befitting end to this unique series, and a proper send off for the late Paul Walker. R.I.P. brother.
Rating: 8.5/10
#121 - Sometimes They Come Back [1991]
Trailer
Date Watched: 4/3/15
The further we get from 90's horror, the more I appreciate it, particularly the atmospheric Stephen King adaptations. STCB isn't the best - that honor goes to either Misery or The Shawshank Redemption, but falls right alongside Graveyard Shift, a personal favorite due to the chilling short story.
Tim Matheson stars as Jimmy Norman, whose brother was killed by greasers when they were kids. He must face the undead greasers who are out to get him so their souls won't be sucked into hell. That's a heck of a premise, worthy of a feature film, but it got the TV horror movie treatment which back then didn't necessarily mean it would be awful like today.
Rating: 7/10
#122 - From Dusk Till Dawn [1996]
Trailer
Date Watched: 4/3/15
Two different movies in one, much like 2007's Grindhouse. The similarities go beyond Tarantino writing the screenplay and Robert Rodriguez directing, as QTs section is more grounded and intense, RR's part is a gory actioner. It begins as a potent crime drama that takes a disturbing turn, but then morphs into a lively, action-packed bloodbath. The gore and practical special effects are outstanding. From the gruesome vampire deaths to a mutant rat-like creature, KNB FX did an impressive job.
The first time I watched this, I was 15 and stayed up late to watch it. It became my 2nd Robert Rodriguez film (after Desperado), and the rest is history. It incorporates those quotable scenes that have nothing to do with the story, but are instantly memorable due to their weirdness. I can't recommend this one enough, especially in the CGI effects age.
Rating: 8.5/10
#123 - Darkness [2002]
Trailer
Date Watched: 4/4/15
I wrote this off as mid-2000's horror drivel but was told by Kyle to check out the R-rated director's cut. While it's still nothing amazing, the final film is a nightmarish haunted house tale with a fucked up twist. I've never been a fan of Anna Paquin. She's a doe-eyed, one dimensional actress whose work has never impressed me. Here she's satisfactory, a bit better than usual.
The Gothic visuals are creepy and the camerawork is both nifty and infuriating at times due to seizure-like shaky-cam. I like that the backstory is slowly revealed and that the monster(s) aren't shown that much; only fleeting glimpses that make you go "WTF was that?!" in a good way. Overall, an OK horror film that's not as bad as its reputation suggests, but it's still underwhelming.
Rating: 5/10
#124 - Total Recall [1990]
Trailer
Date Watched: 4/5/15
They recently released a collector's edition of Total Recall, subtitled the Mindbending Edition, and that couldn't be truer. TR is one of the best science fiction films ever made, up there with the likes of Star Wars and Aliens, which are some elite company. Most write it off as another Schwarzenegger vehicle, but it is so much more than that. Paul Verhoeven knew exactly what he was doing by expertly blurring the line between fantasy and reality. That's the beauty of it: the whole movie could all be part of Quaid's implanted memory "ego trip" or it could have been real. The movie doesn't pick a side and let's the viewer decide, which remains refreshing in the age of spoonfed storytelling. Rewatching it, I noticed all sorts of hints and bits of throwaway dialogue that work on multiple levels and foreshadow the adventure to come.
For example, in the beginning Quaid tells his wife Lori "you know you're the girl of my dreams" to show affection, but it's actually the truth because she turns out to be an undercover agent posing as his wife to make sure Quaid's memory wipe was successful. His perception of Lori is a figment, a fantasy woman he'd only find in his dreams. It's these little things that make the film special in my eyes. Give credit to screenwriters Gary Goldman and Ronald Shusett, who reworked Shusett's and Dan O'Bannon's screenplay from the mid-80's into the final script. The fact that the script went through 42 rewrites and we still got a great movie out of it is amazing and a testament to these immensely talented artists working together to create something magnificent.
Also give credit to Schwarzenegger, who was given an unprecedented amount of control over production, including veto power over the director, screenplay, producer, co-stars and promotion. He personally recruited Verhoeven, who in turn brought in his regular collaborators and Goldman. On top of that, Schwarzenegger negotiated a salary around $10M AND 15% of the profits; total gross: $261.3M, which translates to a little over $39M! People act like Arnold was some dumb bodybuilder, but he was an incredibly savvy businessman who made an even larger fortune outside of Hollywood. Read up on him, you'll be surprised.
The cast is superb. Schwarzenegger plays the invincible badass better than anyone, and here he's allowed to show more range due to the heady sci-fi story. The look of disbelief on his face after he dispatches some agency kidnappers is golden. Sharon Stone is at her best playing the badass bitch, and here is no exception. She can go from sweet and sexy to viciously deadly in the blink of an eye. Ronny Cox and Michael Ironside (both brought in by Verhoeven) are the prototypical despot and evil henchman. Cox's Vilos Cohaagen could easily be OCP's Dick Jones, just relocated to conduct his villainy on Mars. Ironside is vile and relentless as the awesomely named Ritcher who would rather kill Quaid than capture him. And lest we forget Benni, the taxi driver with FIVE kids to feed and Mary the three-breasted hooker. Verhoeven has always excelled at casting, all the way down to the memorable smaller roles like Ray Baker as the shiesty Rekall manager. Add the fact that the entire film is endlessly quotable, and you're all set for some classic one-liners. "GODDAMMIT COHAAGEN GIVE DEES PEOPLE AIR!" and "YOU THINK DIS IS DA REAL QUAID? IT IS!" are just two of my many favorites.
Verhoeven also brought in make-up master Rob Bottin. His special effects are the best I've ever seen. Yes, better than Tom Savini. Bottin's work on John Carpenter's The Thing is outstanding, some of the most disgustingly bloody and eye-popping effects in a motion picture. And they still look good. Same goes for Total Recall's effects. All the mutated Martians, Kuato and the gory bloodshed are creative and impressive. The large scale miniatures (the last big production to utilize them before CGI would take hold), especially the terrain of Mars and its cavernous infrastructure are so lifelike you feel like you're on the red planet. Rewatching it in HD, it only enhances how much work and care was put into every square inch of the production design.
The epic score by Jerry Goldsmith is the perfect compliment to the film, remarkably unique with its larger than life orchestral horns and rad synth effects. It's one of those themes you'll find yourself humming for days afterwards...it's that good! So good it was my Myspace theme song for a while. Remember Myspace? Good god, I'm reminiscing about Myspace over here...I am getting old.
I literally could sing Total Recall's praises all damn day. Along with RoboCop and Starship Troopers, it makes up what I call Verhoeven's Sci-fecta, his trilogy of near-perfect science fiction masterpieces. I cannot recommend this film enough. It's one of the best of it's kind and I proudly display the poster in my Man Cave. "SEE YOU AT DA PARTY RITCHER!"
Rating: 10/10
#125 - Better Off Dead [1985]
Trailer
Date Watched: 4/6/15
Darkly comedic yet charming and infectious, Better Off Dead is one of the quintessential films of the 80's. Think a more absurd version of Say Anything.... John Cusack is lovable as always. He has a charismatic screen presence and makes for the perfect underdog to whom the audience can relate. He seems to have natural chemistry with everyone, which as an actor is ideal.
The black humor is reminiscent of Harold and Maude, just in a shinier package. So many unusual and awkward things happen and the supporting characters are strange in a Twin Peaks sort of way, but this is what sets the film apart from the dozens of other 80's teen comedies. As with many of Cusack's films, the soundtrack is stellar with originally composed pop songs to go along with classics by Sinatra, Hendrix and Van Halen.
I can't really say much more without heading into spoiler territory, so just watch and enjoy, you won't regret it!
Rating: 8/10
#126 - Conspiracy Theory [1997]
Trailer
Date Watched: 4/7/15
An odd film that should be more exciting and thrilling than it is, most because it doesn't have a clear direction. You've got all the core elements in place: a great director in Richard Donner, an A-list cast, an Oscar winning screenwriter and an unusually unique story. Yet, the whole affair seems preoccupied with the mysterious allure of conspiracy theories rather than trying to create an intriguing, over-arching one within its own story. Granted, trying to link the plethora of wild theories out there would make any writer's head spin and turn them into a tin-foil hat wearing kook, but the final film just underwhelms after a desultory third act.
Mel Gibson is charming as always, making his conspiracy nut a likable lead instead of a paranoid creep. Everyone hates Gibson now, but I'll always love the guy for his theatrical contributions and charisma, much like Tom Cruise. He wouldn't have been my choice for the lead though. I would've picked someone edgier and potentially unstable. I've never been a big fan of Julia Roberts and her performance is nothing special; any 90's A-lister could've been cast with the same result. Patrick Stewart is his usual sophisticated self, but doesn't make a good villain. They should've tried to cast someone a bit younger and more threatening. All his henchmen are big bruisers, but most are outwitted easily so there's little urgency other than the constant and seemingly omnipresent surveillance that makes it impossible to hide from these clandestine organizations.
It's not all bad. From a technical standpoint, everything looks slick and New York is photographed nicely with blue-gray industrial cinematography but I thought the production design should've been more grimy and seedy to make the goings-on seem more ominous. The jazzy score gives it a pulpy feel. Donner's direction is steady as always. The camerawork within Gibson's apartment is very jittery and erratic, much like his nervous mannerisms - a nice touch. The little background details and nods to the many, many conspiracy theories out there help you buy into the story and its deceptive world. Loved the sound of the black helicopters flying in whisper mode.
What else can be said? Conspiracy Theory has its moments, but the overall story leaves a lot to be desired.
Rating: 6/10
#127 - Going Clear [2015]
Trailer
Date Watched: 4/7/15
A scathing look at L. Ron Hubbard and the unscrupulous dealings and abuses of power by the cultish "church" of Scientology. Hubbard was a loon, but also a cunning con man who got rich by starting a sci-fi religion that stole people's money and worked them like slaves by promising them great things (all of which were 100% bullshit). He spun tales of being able to read minds, control people and transcend to a higher existence that brainwashed people into blindly following him.
It's a shocking cautionary tale about the dangers of blind faith. The interviews are honest and raw, and the research is sound. They dig up some pretty damning information and statistics that expose this cult of personality on almost every conceivable level, and it just gets more absurd the further they go down the rabbit hole. They use pseudoscience and interrogation to mine deeply into member's personal lives and over time warp them into mindless drones to do the cult's bidding. They have a squad of enforcers who coerce and oppress members to keep them from escaping. THEY HAVE PRISON CAMPS. It's fascinating and horrifying at the same time. It would make a great science fiction movie...and maybe Tom Cruise is just pretending to be a member so he can prove himself the ultimate method actor? I kid, but after witnessing the pure lunacy and batshittery this hive mind of zealots is preaching, it's not as far-fetched as it sounds. Remember Battlefield Earth?
Look, I'm all for religious expression, but once your religion starts physically or mentally abusing its followers or outsiders, something is wrong. You can see it in Catholicism and Islam as well, in the past with the Crusades and in the present with Bible & Quran-thumping assholes like the Westboro Baptist Church and ISIS. Believe what you want to believe, just don't expect others to do the same. It just shocks me that some people can be so blind. I've said it before: religion is the cause of some of mankind's worst problems. Hang on while I get down off my soapbox....
In all seriousness, I highly recommend this documentary to everyone if only to educate people to think for themselves and never forget how manipulative religion can be. It's time well spent and you might learn something.
Rating: 8.5/10
#128 - A Dangerous Method [2011]
Trailer
Date Watched: 4/8/15
David Cronenberg's cinematic evolution has been fascinating. He single handedly created the "body horror" genre with his early 70's films like Shivers and Rabid, and later expanded this nasty sub-genre with classics like The Brood, Scanners, Videodrome and his magnum opus The Fly. In the 90's, he began transitioning from the gory, physical side of horror to the cerebral side, delving into what makes disturbed individuals tick in films like Naked Lunch, Crash, and Spider. By the mid 2000's, he had matured and has since focused mostly on unflinching crime dramas like the damn good A History of Violence and Eastern Promises.
So when he decided to tackle a historical drama about instrumental figures Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung and their pioneering work in psychoanalysis, it was a perplexing choice. Luckily, it seems Mr. Cronenberg can use any genre to tell a great story. The final film is an engrossing portrait that paints these two men as fallible human beings whose discoveries were influenced by their personal lives just as much as they were through research.
Viggo Mortensen plays Freud condescendingly, while Fassbender is the main focus and is stellar as always. Fassbender can do no wrong as far as I'm concerned. He's one of the main reasons Prometheus was so good. I know everyone hates it but I'm a big fan. Keira Knightley plays Sabina scarily well. She's desperate but determined. I never thought she'd amount to more than a pretty face but I'm glad I was wrong. The production design is accurate and the dialogue, while technical, is still interesting. It may not interest everyone, but it's worth a look I think.
Rating: 7/10
#129 - Exodus and Kings [2014]
Trailer
Date Watched: 4/9/15
Bloated but still worth watching for the large scale destruction executed by Ridley Scott. Did we need another updated version of the Ten Commandments? No, so that's strike one right there. I know it's an age old story that many people enjoy, but it's not like there was a clamoring for another biblical epic. Last year brought us the successful Noah and a bunch of TV movies so I can see the line of thinking, but in Noah's case the take on the story was unique and not as cookie cutter as you'd expect, which I applaud.
Anyway, Scott's version does little more than update the effects and allow Joel Edgerton and Christina Bale to show off their dramatic chops. Admittedly, the ten plagues of Egypt are pretty awesome. The 'rivers turn to blood' scene was intense and disturbing.
The main problem is that it plods along for two and a half predictable hours. There is absolutely NO REASON for it to be this long. We aren't in the Golden Age of Hollywood anymore. The Ten Commandments length was justified because it focused more on the characters than the impact of God, where Exodus' structure is almost clinical in its approach, which leaves it feeling hollow despite the heavy subject matter. Worth a rental, nothing more.
Rating: 6/10
#130 - The Lost Boys [1987]
Trailer
Date Watched: 4/10/15
(Note: this is my IMDb review and my feelings are the same. I bought the Blu-ray and rewatched it)
The Lost Boys is one of the movies that I think epitomizes the 1980's. It has a genuine 80's look and feel, as well as an awesome soundtrack and some fantastic performances by 80's legends like Corey Feldman.
This movie really draws you into it and makes you feel like you're right there in Santa Carla. The music fits the film perfectly. Nothing would have worked better. The setting is perfect. If you were a vampire and you were never going to die, where else would you want to spend your time? The amusement park, the abandoned cave with all that great stuff in it, and the railroad tracks (trust me, you'll understand after you see it) are absolutely incredible. The way Joel Schumacher uses certain POV shots and the eerie fog only add to the mood and atmosphere of the movie.
The gore and special effects are great! Since this is an 80's movie, there is no CGI thankfully, so everything you see is really real. The make-up of the vampires is excellent with their piercing eyes and long fangs. The gore doesn't really show itself until the end, though there is a very bloody (but quick) campfire attack in the middle. Once we do get to the blood and guts, it's great! There's a melting vampire in holy water, an exploding vampire, two excellent impalings, and more where that came from.
Finally, the acting is great. We have a very good cast, especially Kiefer Sutherland, who puts everyone else to shame. Jason Patric is a little dry, but he's great in his role. Max and Lucy have good chemistry, as well as Star and Michael. The Frog Brothers are classic and are responsible for most of the humor. Superb performances by all!
The Bottom Line:
A true 80's flick, with great performances, awesome special effects, a rocking soundtrack, and Corey Feldman!!!
Rating: 9.5/10
#131 - Demolition Man [1993]
Trailer
Date Watched: 4/10/15
This film just gets better with age. It impresses more and more every time I watch it. It's Stallone at his very best. He's funny, sincere and badass simultaneously. The futuristic setting and utopic sci-fi world building are expertly handled and really make the world feel alive. It's still extremely quotable and the culture clash leads to many humorous moments. The effects still look great despite being made in 1993. The action is excting and well-shot, especially a high speed car chase on a freeway between a computerized car and a kickass red Mustang that turns into a fist fight within the car. I used to think this was a typical 90's actioner, but the more I watch it, the better it gets. Highly recommended!
Rating: 10/10
#132 - End of Days [1999]
Trailer
Date Watched: 4/11/15
It may get a bad rap, but this horror-action hybrid starring Schwarzenegger is a rollicking good time. He plays suicidal ex-cop Jericho Cane (awesome name) who must protect a young woman from the devil who wants to impregnate her with the Antichrist and bring about the end of the world. The devil is menacingly played by Gabriel Byrne. He is pure evil, killing for the fun of it with no remorse. I like how they allowed him to corrupt the souls of others to do his bidding, showing Satan as cunning and ruthless instead of just mindless evil.
The stunts and action are exciting and well-shot and edited. Since this was pre-2000, there's absolutely no stupid shaky-cam to 'enhance' the action and it just makes me miss 90's films even more. The gore is pretty heavy, with lots of graphic killings that are horrifying but inventive. The devil never kills someone the same way twice. The best is probably him punching completely through some poor sap's head.
Director Peter Hyams has always been underrated, and his work throughout the 90's is his best, such as Timecop, Sudden Death, the oft-forgotten Stay Tuned and The Relic. End of Days is yet another, with many wild shots and hellish imagery conjured up. Fire is a prominent symbol of evil and seems to have a life of its own; perhaps the devil can control it? The themes of redemption and faith are interesting, and though this isn't Arnold's most believable dramatic performance, the serious nature of the material is handled well. My only complaint is that most of the CGI effects are poorly rendered, but thankfully they're used sparingly so it's only a minor nitpick.
Rating: 8/10
#133 - Heavenly Creatures [1994]
Trailer
Date Watched: 4/12/15
Equal parts surreal fairytale and unnerving true crime story, presented with Peter Jackson's trademark manic camerawork.
Rating: 7/10
#134 - Lost River [2015]
Trailer
Date Watched: 4/13/15
Ryan Gosling's directorial debut is a potent lucid dream, filled with eerie imagery that is simultaneously frightening and beautiful. It seems Gosling picked up a few cinematic flourishes from his collaborations with Danish director Nicolas Winding Refn, as there are parts where the weirdness (dance scene esp.) and trippy neon visuals emulate his style almost perfectly. The one thing I loathed was a scene of animal cruelty that was so pointless and unnecessary that it actually pissed me off a little. Kill all the humans you want, but DO NOT fucking hurt animals in movies.
Performances are solid.
Rating: 7.5/10
#135 - Cyborg [1989]
Trailer
Date Watched: 4/14/15
Scattershot pacing and frenetic editing, but impressive low budget production design and visuals. A little more in-depth than your typical Van-Damme vehicle. Loved the brutal fist/knife fight at the end and the guy who plays Fender is an imposing brick shithouse.
Rating: 6.5/10
#136 - Romancing The Stone [1984]
Trailer
Date Watched: 4/15/15
Rip-roaring, unpredictable adventure full of charm and excitement. My mom loves this movie so I had always seen bits and pieces growing up, but the only part I remembered was an alligator biting off a character's hand near the end. Watching it now I was expecting something more akin to a chick flick, but there was a surprising lack of melodrama. Instead director Robert Zemeckis (one of my favorites) keeps the story light and efficient, injecting the romance at all the right times.
It helps that Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner have impeccable chemistry. This is one of those movies where they couldn't have picked better leads. Douglas used to be a badass in the 80's and 90's with films like this one, Wall Street, Basic Instinct and my personal favorite of his, Black Rain. But RtS is what started it all and he's as ruggedly awesome as ever playing explorer Jack T. Colton. Not quite to Indiana Jones' level, but close. I've never cared for Kathleen Turner, but here she is sexy and sweet, the perfect balance. It may be her best role. Her character of Joan Wilder is a romance novelist, so to have her essentially living one of her novels is a pretty cool narrative device that naturally pushes the story along. The supporting cast is an unusual mix of character actors but they all feel authentic, especially Manuel Ojeda as the villain Zolo. It was also fun seeing Danny DeVito bumbling around as a clumsy smuggler.
The on-location shooting in the Mexico jungles provides tons of beautiful scenery and opportunities for excitement. At one point, Jack and Joan must get over a river canyon by swinging to the other side on tree vines, straight out of freakin' Tarzan! Later they take shelter in the wreckage of a crashed drug-smuggling plane in what must be the coolest makeshift tent ever! They even throw in two lively car chases and one of the best and most elaborate, Rasputin-like deaths for a movie bad guy ever! Kudos to the stunt team for executing some gnarly setpieces, the best of which is car careening over a waterfall. That took some balls. I have to commend Zemeckis, who is already in fine form here, with an eye for detail and the ability to effortlessly balance the action and the drama. He would direct Back To The Future the following year, and continue to create challenging, unique and technologically savvy films well into the 2000's.
I highly recommend this film, especially as a date night movie because it has such a broad appeal to both men and women.
Rating: 8.5/10
#137 - Timeline [2003]
Trailer
Date Watched: 4/16/15
Considering the talent involved, this should've been better. You've got Richard Donner directing a time travel adventure based on a successful Michael Crichton novel, yet somewhere along the line it seems to have lost its way. I don't know whether to blame the script or Donner, who doesn't display his normal flourishes and inventiveness. This is a generic, by-the-numbers film that doesn't delve into the science enough to be technically engaging, nor does it develop its characters or utilize its time travel concept to its fullest.
I normally elaborate on the cast, but everyone is forgettable except Gerard Butler as a Scottish archeologist who plays both the brain and the badass. They have little chemistry and many of the supporting male roles are interchangeable, with the core problem being a noticeable lack of character development. We learn nothing of these people before they're sent back in time, so how are we supposed to care about what happens to them? Even the villains are stereotypical and unremarkable.
On top of that, it's a visually bland movie, a muddled brown-grey mess with only the forest scenes having any cinematographic worth. The 14th century isn't exactly what you'd call a vibrant setting, but comparing Timeline to something similar like Game of Thrones or Excalibur just exacerbates the missed opportunity. The production design is lacking as well, with the shields and costumes looking like cheap props. It's immersion breaking, which is a huge problem for a time travel movie. The lone bright spot is the castle siege in the finale which showcases lots of practical stunts and explosions.
Add it all up and you get a cinematic misfire.
Rating: 5/10
#138 - Eight Below [2006]
Trailer
Date Watched: 4/16/15
Expecting cheesy melodrama and manipulative storytelling, I was pleasantly surprised to find a heart-wrenching survival story. The visuals are sumptuous. The Antarctic is photographed beautifully giving it an eerie, otherworldly feel. It reminded me of The Thing actually, which is always a good thing! You'd think it would become visually stagnant after awhile, but director Frank Marshall keeps the scenery fresh.
The drama with the dogs doesn't feel overwrought like many often do, and you pull for them the whole time. Being a dog lover, I got teary-eyed a few times seeing them struggle. It makes the ending have more of an impact. Paul Walker is better than usual and the supporting cast works well, even Jason Biggs. This makes two Paul Walker movies in a row, unintentionally. I must subconsciously miss him.
Rating: 7.5/10
#139 - Underworld [2003]
Trailer
Date Watched: 4/17/15
I thought Underworld would have aged considerably, but it still holds up well. It's Gothic scenery and industrial visuals give it a unique feel in the post-Twilight world, much like the first Blade film. The weapons and tech are gnarly, and the vampire and lycan designs are impressive. The acting is better than your typical genre flick, but it won't blow anyone away.
Rating: 7.5/10
#140 - Ted [2012]
Trailer
Date Watched: 4/18/15
Still funny, though I do think it runs too long. This seems to be a common problem of MacFarlane's. He has trouble cutting or letting go of certain scenes and ideas even in they aren't working. That said, it's still his most consistently funny work thus far in his career. It helps that Mark Wahlberg is a natural funnyman, and the supporting cast, pop culture references (including elaborate nods to Flash Gordon) and wide variety of humor all work. After seeing MacFarlane's horrible follow-up A Million Ways To Die In The West, I worry he may not be the comedy wunderkind we anointed him after this film. It also makes me wonder if Ted 2 will be any good.
Rating: 8/10
#141 - V For Vendetta [2006]
Trailer
Date Watched: 4/19/15
Almost 10 years later, after all the graphic novel hubbub, VfV remains a potent and thought-provoking thriller. The mystery is intriguing, the story is topical (despite being watered down), the cast is stellar, and the production design and action are top-notch. It inspires feelings of rebellion and anarchy, but in a positive way. It makes you question the things you've been told to believe. While it may be directed by James McTiegue, it has the Wachowskis' trademark visuals and style all over it.
Rating: 9/10
#142 - Mrs. Doubtfire [1993]
Trailer
Date Watched: 4/19/15
A beautiful product of the 90's, with Robin Williams and director Chris Colombus both at the top of their game. Still absolutely hilarious and quotable. Heartfelt without feeling sappy.
Rating: 10/10
#143 - Pirate Radio [2009]
Trailer
Date Watched: 4/20/15
A love letter to music, specifically 60's rock n' roll. Much like Almost Famous, it captures a moment in time where the world was being transformed by music. The soundtrack is appropriately awesome, an expertly crafted mix of well-known and obscure artists ranging from The Kinks and The Beach Boys to Hendrix and Cream. The core story is about them fighting the UK government and BBC Radio, but most of the time is spent on the ship with this motley crew of lovable pirates. The main conflict falls by the wayside until the end, preferring the personality clashes between the characters on the ship. This works because the ensemble cast has excellent chemistry and is diverse enough that each character is memorable and gets a shining moment. I particularly liked Rhys Ifans and Phillip Seymour Hoffman's professional rivalry and Bill Nighy's sarcastic charm. He's just effortlessly cool in that Steve McQueen way.
It is a little long, but not in a horribly distracting way. If they could've trimmed the runtime by about 10 or 15 minutes it would've been perfect. Bonus points for 60's boobies.
Rating: 8.5/10
#144 - Jupiter Ascending [2015]
Trailer
Date Watched: 4/21/15
Not as bad as they say, but also lacking the wherewithal to launch a new franchise. The sci-fi genre can be tricky, especially in recent years. Studios keep trying to create the next Star Wars, but their reach usually exceeds their grasp. Jupiter Ascending had to be a tough sell, but my guess is whoever greenlit it was banking on whatever goodwill the Wachowskis had left from The Matrix, hoping for a franchise starter. And while it's highly unlikely given its earnings, the potential is there to create a new universe.
For the most part, JA succeeds in its sci-fi ambitions but because of market oversaturation, this big budget space opera fell to the wayside. When it comes to world building, few are better than the Wachowskis, and to me this is JA's biggest strength. They create a deep world full of all sorts of cool technology, infrastructure and alien races that just begs for expansion. Whether it's Caine's gravity surfing boots or the Gothic architecture, it's a world I'd want to live in and explore.
World building will only take you so far though. The weak point here is the script, which becomes top-heavy with ideas that would've been better suited in a sequel. Part of me thinks this may be due to executive meddling, or that the Wachowskis realized the planned franchise might not materialize and decided to pack the film with as much as they could. Some of it works, some of it doesn't, but you have to admire their dedication to this world they created. Either way, there are stretches where the story loses direction and goes off the rails or becomes too caught up in its own mythology to the point of incoherence.
On top of that, Mila Kunis hurts the film. I am one of the few who think she's a one dimensional actress who works well in comedies but not much else, and here she does nothing to make this title role stand out. I realize she's the entry point into this fantastical world, but she's supposed to be this universal goddess yet she's as bland as can be. Casting someone with better dramatic skills, like say Emma Stone, and we could've gotten the next Ellen Ripley. Eddie Redmayne is also wasted. His tyrannical king character is boring and cliche and leaves the film without the great villain it deserves. It's egregious because this guy just won Best Actor and yet his acting is suspect. They can't all be winners I guess. On the bright side, Channing Tatum is better than expected as a genetically engineered half human/half wolf soldier.
The visuals and production design are excellent, though not as good as The Matrix or Cloud Atlas, so it underwhelmed. I am tiring of the blue-orange cinematography that seems to be running rampant in films these days. Also, some of the CGI is terrible which is inexcusable. I guess I expect more from the Wachowskis given their pedigree. Michael Giacchino is one of the best in the biz right now and his score is solid as always. What else is there to say? It's far from the next Star Wars but it is an interesting melding of science fiction and fantasy.
Rating: 6.5/10
#145 - Kung-Fu Hustle [2004]
Date Watched: 4/21/15
A fast-paced, live-action version of a cartoon. Vibrant visuals and violence. The cartoony nature allows the film to get away with breaking the laws of physics. It'll definitely be too goofy and weird for some, but if you like anime or cartoons, check it out.
Rating: 8/10
#146 - The Relic [1997]
Trailer
Date Watched: 4/22/15 (finished 4/23)
A nasty little creature feature. Peter Hyams has had an interesting career directing films.
The creature is wild. It's a genetic hybrid of a number of fearsome animals including a tiger, a warrior beetle, a snake/reptile and a boar that specifically feeds on a part of the human brain, which it rips from the heads of the humans it gruesomely decapitates. It also happens to have human level intellect. This makes the monster a perfect killing machine that continually adapts to its environment as it grows and matures making it a terrifying villain for sure.
The museum setting is used wonderfully by Hyams and the practical gore effects are gruesomely satisfying. However, the CGI is spotty and at times the poor lighting makes it hard to see what the hell's going on.
Rating: 7.5/10 (maybe 8)
#147 - Waterworld [1995]
Trailer
Date Watched: 4/23/15
I've loved Waterworld ever since I was a kid. It has all the stuff I loved then and only appreciate more now: a unique post-apocalyptic setting, inventive technology and weapons, superb world-building, a vile villain and some of the BEST action and practical stunts you're likely to see. At a more mature age, I adore the production design and absolutely love the lively score by James Newton Howard. Big budget, high concept 90's actioners like this just don't get made anymore and I miss them considerably. Two seconds while I clean my rose-tinted glasses...
Costner is wooden which is unfortunate because he is the lead and some of the dialogue (especially between him and Tripplehorn) is just plain bad, but the other colorful characters make up for it with their eccentricity and sarcastic humor. Dennis Hopper is fabulous as the Deacon, a despicable despot who revels in the debauchery while exploiting his people. He has some of the best lines in the movie and I quote him all the time.
I would love to see an open world video game set in the Waterworld universe where you could sail around exploring and fighting pirates as a good guy or pillage and destroy as a bad guy. You could have underwater exploration of the sunken cities, boat and jet ski races/battles, watercraft customization, weapon salvaging/crafting, fishing or even sea-monster hunting. Just think of the possibilities!
I highly recommend this flick - it's Mad Max 2 on the water. It may be overdone, but it's a true product of the 90's and an impressive feat considering its troubled production.
Rating: 9/10
#148 - Terminator: Salvation [2009]
Everyone seems to hate this movie but being a fan of the franchise, I think it's a fine entry that has a few cool ideas as it explores the future world after Judgment Day and the fight against the machines. The script has problems and some of the casting choices leave a lot to be desired, but the action is fun and violent, and the visuals and technology further expand the universe.
Rating: 7/10
#149 - 22 Jump Street [2014]
A worthy sequel that maintains the chemistry and the jokes by moving the setting to college and reversing Schmidt and Jenko's roles. The vibrant colors pop and the film's infectious attitude makes you want to party after watching it.
Rating: 8/10
#150 - Ex Machina [2015]
Date Watched: 4/26/15
Beautifully visualized and scripted by Alex Garland in his directorial debut, Ex Machina is a cerebral science fiction classic and my favorite of the year so far. All three leads are superb, in career best work. Domhall Gleeson plays a sharp but vulnerable programmer, Alicia Vikander stuns and disarms as Ava the android and Oscar Isaac is outstanding as the mastermind who created her. Isaac is particularly memorable as a heavy drinking, skinheaded genius billionaire inventor, almost like a more grounded and ruthless version of Tony Stark. The back and forth between Isaac and Gleeson is raw and feels completely genuine, while the chemistry between Gleeson and Vikander is enthralling. They all play off each other so well. and That's the other thing I liked was the minimal cast. It was perfect.
The ideas on philosophy and the human condition are fully explored, probing what it means to be human and showing how dangerous technology can be in such a terrifyingly simple way, executed brilliantly. It's scary to think how close we are to a true artificial intelligence that may eventually make us obsolete. Not in a Terminator way but in the Singularity way where once A.I. is achieved, it will get to a point where its intelligence and understanding will eclipse our current knowledge and it will become unintelligible to humans, but could still be useful to us. Sort of like at the end of Her, the smart A.I. basically went to another plane of existence beyond our comprehension. It's deep, challenging stuff, but damn if it's not fascinating to imagine and ponder.
The writing and above all, the direction, is just stellar. Alex Garland creates so many gorgeous and visually stunning shots that it feels like he's been doing this for YEARS. He must've picked up a few tricks from Danny Boyle & Co. I adored the nature vs. technology juxtaposition. Not only does it keep the film from becoming visually monotonous, it speaks to the whole of creation and how far humans have come and what we've created too. It gives the film a grander feel, I guess.
Films like Ex Machina are the reason I go to the movies. This is meat and potatoes cinema for me - I can't get enough of it. Highly recommended!
Rating: 9.5/10
#151 - Pacific Rim [2013]
Date Watched: 4/27/15
For my 2013 review of Pacific Rim, check #28 here.
I'll admit it: I'm a Guillermo del Toro fanboy. For a Mexican filmmaker, one of only three major ones active in Hollywood, to dazzle, amaze and frighten me with his films so consistently and beautifully is quite a feat. I'm a nitpicker but del Toro has such a grasp on the scientific parts of his worlds that even seemingly absurd things like giants monsters vs. giant robots feel as real as they can because of his control and meticulousness.Other examples include The Devil's Backbone, Blade II, Hellboy 1 & 2, and Pan's Labyrinth.
I loved Pacific Rim when it was released and upon rewatching it again, it's still just as impressive. The semi-futuristic world has adapted to these giant kaiju in ways that breathe life into the world like few other filmmakers can. It's all in the background details, like a cultish church that worships the monsters as gods inside their temple made from a kaiju skull. Or the fact that kaiju body parts are harvested by black market smugglers for their physical and mental effects. Not to mention the existence of a united military front and the sheer size and scale of the robotic jaegers. Few films grab you so quickly and plunge you into their world so successfully.
In retrospect, my only complaints are some of the dialogue is weak and Charlie Hunnam never really becomes the true hero we expect, though this is because we have a strong female lead in Mako Mori, the much more interesting character. I also wish more of the battles would've been done in daylight instead of rainy nighttime conditions.
Rating: 9/10
#152 - Thank You For Smoking [2006]
Date Watched: 4/28/15
A satire of big tobacco and by extension all industries that traffic our vices. It's not as dark as you'd expect, giving the movie a light feel, but this leads to it feeling unfocused and unwilling to get behind its message. This isn't to say it needed to be 100% serious because of the subject matter, just that it doesn't really take a stand.
The performances are spot-on. Aaron Eckhart is an underrated actor, and here he's a natural as a suave tobacco lobbyist whose silver tongue could convince Jesus to start smoking. Eckhart's enthusiasm is infectious and his speeches and diatribes are mesmerizing in their own warped way. William H. Macy plays the de facto villain, an idealistic Vermont senator who wishes to eliminate smoking completely. His back and forth with Eckhart is great.
Visually, it's nothing special, though I did like the editing style. It uses spot cuts and voiceovers effectively. Give it a watch if you like dark comedies or the subject matter interests you. If not, take a pass.
Rating: 7/10
#153 - The Living Dead At Manchester Morgue [1974]
Date Watched: 4/29/15
I first watched this back in the early 2000's under its alternate title Let Sleeping Corpses Lie and it became one of my favorite zombie movies along with The Beyond and Romero's Dawn/Day of the Dead. The name difference is one of the few times I think both titles work well.
This Spanish zombie film by Jorge Grau is a unique one as it has a sort of anti-pollution/environmentalist social commentary, sort of how Romero incorporated themes of race, anti-consumerism and anti-authority into his Dead films. In this case, the message is delivered at random, bluntly I might add, but it's still somewhat effective and I commend them for at least trying. People don't watch European horror movies for the message; they watch them for the atmosphere, music, gore and titties and TLDAMM succeeds in all those areas.
Though it begins in Manchester (with shots of the dirty and polluted streets), most of the action takes place in the English countryside. Normally picturesque, it becomes an isolated and creepy place once the fog rolls in and the pulsating music starts. It gives the whole film an eerie, disquieting feel.
The gore is outstanding. Coming out four years before DOTD, it showcases less but much more disgustingly realistic carnage.
Rating: 8.5/10
#154 - Avengers: Age of Ultron [2015]
Trailer
Date Watched: 4/30/15
Let me preface this by saying I sat in front of an extremely annoying older woman who babbled and cackled throughout the entire movie like a drunk five-year-old who never saw a movie before. I told her to be quiet multiple times to no avail, and after the movie was over I asked her if she knew how loud she was and she seemed clueless. I told her she was loud, rude and obnoxious and should never go to a movie again. Going to the theater is becoming an insufferable experience not worth the money or the hassle. I can't wait til same day digital distribution takes over. Anyway...
For each thing it gets right, Avengers: Age of Ultron seems to get something else wrong. It has all the pieces in place but the execution is clumsy and listless. It doesn't feel like a standalone story, but merely set-up for the third installment. I don't know if I can blame director Joss Whedon as the disconnected narrative hints at executive meddling from Marvel or (more likely) Disney. The script and clunky dialogue could've used some serious polish, but I guess the locked release date forced them to rush and it shows. Hopefully Disney keeps their grimy hands off any future releases, though I doubt it.
It's great to have the band back together, and almost everyone brings their A-game. Captain America remains the fearless leader and Evans is earnest as always. Black Widow is as badass and sexy as ever and her new Tron-like outfit is gnarly. She has a good rapport with the Hulk, who is always awesome. The destructive free-for-all between him and the Hulkbuster armor is arguably the best of the action scenes. Thor is given more to do and he, Cap and Iron Man share equal screen time. I have to say it seems like Robert Downey Jr. is tiring of the Tony Stark role as he seems bored from time to time. After being tossed aside in the first film, Hawkeye gets plenty to do this time around and he ends up being the most interesting character. The additions of Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch are welcome, though Quicksilver is underused. Scarlet Witch is more involved and her telekinetic and reality-warping powers are gnarly and used creatively. She can manipulate people's minds to make them face their fears and play other mental mind games. It's like having Jean Grey on the team.
This brings me to Ultron himself. A comic book movie is only as good as its villain, and while Ultron could and should be a complex nemesis, he just isn't very threatening or interesting. James Spader's voice acting is wasted due to the poor writing and jumbled story. He's supposed to be this cunning enemy with a God complex but there are long stretches where he disappears or sends his robo-lackies to do the dirty work. It's underwhelming. and to have the Avengers battle another robotic army in the finale feels recycled and repetitive.
On top of that, the vibrant visuals from the first film are replaced with the standard issue brown-grey color palette of grittiness. They should've went with a steely blue look to complement their mechanized villain. Everything appears bland and ugly, which is a damn shame because the bright colors really made The Avengers feel like a living comic book. A missed opportunity for sure. The CGI is spotty at times, mostly when Cap or Black Widow flip or jump around. It's 2015 guys...this is inexcusable.
After all that, you probably think Age of Ultron has nothing going for it, but there are some positives. The banter between the group is funnier and feels natural since they've been together longer. Hawkeye gets all the best lines, which I wasn't expecting at all. Ultron throws out some great sarcastic zingers too. The variety of cameos by other members of the Marvel Cinematic Universe is a nice touch that makes the MCU seem huge. The best thing, and perhaps the only reason to see it on the big screen, is the action setpieces. They're cinematic showstoppers set in a number of unique locations with characters continuing to awesomely combine their superpowers with crowd-pleasing results. The camerawork and editing don't feel as fluid as the original though. And finally, Vision is excellent and portrayed wonderfully by Paul Bettany, who also voices J.A.R.V.I.S. He has a bio-mechanical appearance that I loved. I'm excited to see more of him in future films.
Overall, a fun but inferior sequel. Check it out if you enjoy the Marvel movies, just temper your expectations.
Rating: 6.5/10
#155 - Iron Man 3 [2013]
Date Watched: 5/1/15
The lack of hype made watching this much more accessible this go round. It's a lively but disjointed Marvel adventure from action master Shane Black. He infuses his trademarks and has fun with the characters but due to Marvel's strict rules, he doesn't really make it anything special. More and more I'm realizing Marvel's despotic control over all aspects of production make these films lack an identity, which causes them to all run together after a while.
The goofy use of the Mandarin (a villain who could've been incredible) ends up as a farcical caricature. What a waste.
Loved the Extremis designs and how they glowed and manifested.
Rating: 7/10
#156 - Neighbors [2014]
Date Watched: 5/2/15
Much better than expected and sort of relatable. Too many jokes ruined in the trailer. The visuals pop. Rose Byrne is smokin' hot. Funny gags, but a few too many dick jokes.
Rating: 6.5/10
#157 - Silent Hill: Revelation [2012]
Date Watched: 5/3/15
Gets universal hatred but I'm still a fan. The acting is bad but the atmosphere is right on and the trademark creepy weirdness makes the whole thing a fun, twisted ride.
Rating: 6.5/10
#158 - Captain America: The Winter Soldier [2014]
Date Watched: 5/4/15
To get the sour taste of Age of Ultron out of my mouth, I decided to watch The Winter Soldier, one of my Top 5 Marvel flicks. It's still just as good, with the kinetic action and intriguing political story sucking you into the movie. After the mind-numbing CGI action in AoU, it was so refreshing to see real, visceral fistfights and practical stunts and explosions. Chris Evans is just so damn good as Captain America, and I love the duality themes involving the Winter Soldier as an evil Cap. Great stuff.
Rating: 9/10
#159 - Edge of Tomorrow [2014]
Date Watched: 5/4/15
This is a classic example of a wild concept being executed perfectly. It could've been a complete mess, but the final film is polished and well-acted thanks to a smart script and innovative use of the time-loop mechanic. Tom Cruise plays against type and is as awesome as ever while Emily Blunt plays a badass Ellen Ripley-esque sergeant who's also symbol of hope. The aliens are wild and the pacing is excellent - you really feel the urgency.
Rating: 9/10
#160 - Groundhog Day [1993]
Date Watched: 5/5/15
Bill Murray and Harold Ramis in top form and a unique time looping plotline make this a special 80's style comedy released in the 90's. Quotable as hell.
I also just noticed (on 5/21/15) that I watched Edge of Tomorrow the day before and both have timeloop plot devices. I didn't even plan it that way! My subconscious must've been craving it.
Rating: 8.5/10
#161 - It Follows [2015]
Date Watched: 5/6/15
Refreshingly shot and culturally relevant, It Follows is a solid modern horror film, however its ambiguity keeps it from being truly great. It doesn't explore its own mythology enough, leaving you with an underwhelming feeling. The cast of mostly unknowns do a decent job and the metaphor for death and fear of STDs resonates well in this age of open sexuality.
Rating: 7.5/10
#162 - Insomnia [1997]
Date Watched: 5/6/15
A cold and calculating thriller that plays out like a surreal dream. Gorgeously shot and efficiently acted, I have to say it isn't as good as Nolan's remake, which had more heart.
Rating: 7/10
#163 - Braveheart [1995]
Date Watched: 5/7/15
Sweeping, inspiring and filled with rich detail, Braveheart is an epic masterpiece. Mel Gibson is excellent, the underdog nature of the story makes it easy to root for Wallace and his army of rebels. The battle scenes are vicious and exciting and the potent themes of redemption and sacrifice run deep.
Rating: 9/10
#164 - Maggie [2015]
Date Watched: 5/8/15
Arnold and Abigail Breslin are both excellent. I liked the stripped down nature of it, kind of like Blue Ruin. It had a raw, dreadful feel that worked really well with the drama. It also subverts a number of Schwarzenegger's action cliches, which I got a kick out of.
Rating: 7.5/10
#165 - Duel [1971]
Date Watched: 5/9/15
Only Spielberg could make a TV movie so nail-bitingly intense. Duel mirrors Jaws in a number of ways and uses many of the same less-is-more techniques. The true definition of a thriller.
Rating: 10/10
#166 - Sin City [2005]
Date Watched: 5/10/15
Led by an all-star ensemble, Sin City is a hyper-stylized, noirish living comic book packed with blood, boobs and bullets.
Rating: 9/10
#167 - Tales From The Darkside [1990]
Date Watched: 5/12/15
Solid anthology. The first ("Lot 249") and last ("Lover's Vow") of the three tales are very good. The middle story ("Cat From Hell") is weak but saved by a shocking ending. The gore and special effects are nasty and well-done and the music, particularly in "Lover's Vow", is 80's synthesizer perfection.
Rating: 7.5/10
#168 - In Dreams [1999]
Date Watched: 5/12/15
Weird, visually impressive thriller that follows a woman who essentially mind melds with a deranged serial killer. Annette Benning and Robert Downey Jr. are both sufficiently crazy. The beginning is horrifying and sets the grim mood. The cinematography is exquisite at times, particularly during the underwater opening credits. Elliot Goldenthal's brooding score compliments the thrills.
On the bad side, there are a few unintentionally funny scenes that I still enjoyed, like when RDJ slides down an apple chute while cackling manically. Some parts of the story feel disconnected at times, which hurts the pacing.
Rating: 7/10
#169 - Jeepers Creepers [2001]
Date Watched: 5/12/15
One of my favorite early horror films rented from Blockbuster. The creature is memorably unique and consistently scary, with an imposing silent performance from Jonathan Breck as the Creeper. The cast is solid too as Justin Long and Gina Phillips make believable siblings with their bickering. Other than Eileen Brennan as a cat lady familiar with the creature, the rest of the cast is Creeper fodder.
The film really sets up its unnerving scares with a slow first act that ends with one of the most terrifyingly macabre killer's lairs in horror history. It gradually intensifies as we learn more about the creature and what it wants...spare parts. Spoiler alert, the Creeper is an ancient beast that eats human body parts to prolong its life, replace damaged limbs and organs, and because it's HUNGRY. This leads to heaping helpings of chunky gore as the Creeper slices, rips and eviscerates his victims.
I don't want to spoil anything else, so just watch this if you're a fan of horror. And if you dig it, be sure to check out the awesome (and arguably superior) sequel.
Rating: 8.5/10
In honor of Mad Max: Fury Road coming out in May 15th, I had to rewatch the Mad Max trilogy. Watching them all in one day was quite the treat and made me realize how well they work as a whole thanks to George Miller. I CANNOT WAIT FOR FURY ROAD. BRING ON THE DESTRUCTION.
#170 - Mad Max [1979]
Date Watched: 5/13/15
A low budget masterpiece. It's raw, gritty and harrowing, but also exciting and intense. Superb camerawork and cinematography, especially during the destructive car chases.
Rating: 9.5/10
#171 - The Road Warrior [1981]
Date Watched: 5/13/15
A classic that delivers everything you could hope for and more. The beautiful visuals of the Australian desert and the groundbreaking car chases only enhance a brutal apocalyptic revenge tale. This is one of the greatest films of all time. If you don't like The Road Warrior, fuck you.
Rating: 10/10
#172 - Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome [1985]
Date Watched: 5/13/15
An interesting tangent in the story of Mad Max. He must work with Tina Turner's tyrannical but charismatic Aunty Entity to help her control Bartertown. Max must face off against enemies in the Thunderdome, a caged gladiatorial arena packed with all sorts of deadly weapons where two men enter, one man leaves.
This entry is lighter in tone and the 2nd act does drag a bit, but it all works and we get another car chase for the ages, this one involving a train. The acting by both Gibson and Turner is very good as well.
Rating: 8.5/10
#173 - Mad Max: Fury Road [2015]
Date Watched: 5/15/15
We are so lucky Fury Road ever got made. Since 1998, it had a long and arduous production with so many things going wrong it seemed destined to fail. The fact that the final film is a bonafide action classic and one of the best films of the last 20 years, it seems fitting. Fury Road is visual poetry.
If you're not familiar with the Mad Max franchise, I can guarantee you've at least seen its influence on the myriad of post-apocalyptic video games out there, such as Borderlands. Set in a desert wasteland where the vestiges of humanity have reverted to a sort of tribal hierarchy, FR takes place in between Mad Max 1 & 2. Max must team up with Imperator Furiosa, a rebel, to fight Immortan Joe, a calculating warlord hellbent on retrieving his stolen property. As with previous entries the exposition is quick and efficient with minimal dialogue, something I found immensely refreshing nowadays where everything is drawn out and over-explained.
The characters are memorable, with superb performances from Charlize Theron as Furiosa and Tom Hardy as Max. Theron is as badass, intelligent and vulnerable as Ellen Ripley or Sarah Connor, which is some serious company. Her character is the true center of the story with Max along for the ride. It's an interesting gamble to have the title character take a backseat in his own movie, but it pays off because it breathes new life into the franchise instead of feeling like a retread of the earlier films. Hardy slides effortlessly into Max's boots and never looks back. He has Gibson's grit and charm, plus the story delves into what makes Max so mad, giving the character a satisfying arc. Toecutter himself (Hugh Keays-Bryne) returns as Immortan Joe, the fearsome leader of the War Boys, a diseased but highly resilient army of kamikaze zealots including Nicholas Hoult as the enthusiastic Nux. The rest of the cast is made up of mostly unknowns but all are well-chosen as expected.
The car chases and balls-to-the-wall action rival many 90's Schwarzenegger classics such as True Lies and Terminator 2: Judgment Day. Incredible tableaus of destruction and vehicular carnage. The pace is unrelenting, so much so that after many of the chases, you could audibly hear people breathing a sigh of relief...it's that intense! The amount of creativity in the Frankenstein-like vehicles is remarkable. There are SO many different fearsome automotive monstrosities, welded and fused together with scraps and spare parts, such as a hot rod that's the love child of a 57 Chevy and a monster truck or a stage on wheels complete with massive drums and a wall of speakers with a mutant, Hellraiser-like guitarist armed with a flame-throwing guitar. It's all so imaginative!
The world-building is magnificent. The different warring factions, the varied landscapes, the water starved town, the milk maids, and the hydroponic gardens are just a few examples of some of the best world-building since Avatar. The world feels lived-in and deep, and it feels REAL because it was shot on location in Namibia instead of on some shitty green screen. George Miller is a master at world-building and with a budget of $150M, he had lots of stuff to play with. Visually, it is absolutely gorgeous. Today's modern cameras help Miller capture shots of such pure beauty and spectacle that few other filmmakers could ever achieve.
The religious themes of redemption and sacrifice really push the film above its sci-fi action trappings. There's all sorts of religious imagery throughout, such as the War Boys zealotry and worship of cars and chrome. The whole film could be seen as an allegory for the search for Eden.
Rating: 10/10
#174 - The Bubba Movie [2000]
Date Watched: 5/16/15
A no budget movie made by my two best friends when they were teenagers. It was filmed and edited together using two VCRs. It's nonsensical but that's kinda the point and they clearly had a blast making it. It'll be on YouTube...one day. We have plans for a sequel.
Rating: 6/10
#175 - House of Wax [2005]
Date Watched: 5/16/15
Though not as great as I remember, House of Wax is still a solid horror flick that oozes atmosphere and gore. It's a remake in-name-only of the 1953 Vincent Price classic, but that's OK because it plays just like a typical 80's slasher. It's nothing new, but it is executed stylishly. The cast epitomizes the horror stereotypes but all deliver satisfactory performances, and it is nice to see the smokin' hot Elisha Cuthbert running around in skimpy clothes.
The thing that sets HoW apart is the creepy setting and the excellent production design. The town itself is filled with wax figures, presumably former victims of the killer, and the wax museum itself is like a living nightmare...I wouldn't want to spend the night inside. The gore is well-done and pulled off with some grisly practical effects, while the cinematography and music exude an unnerving vibe. This was Juame Collet-Serra's directorial debut, which makes it all the more impressive. He can handle the horror format well, though there are some cheap boo scares.
Rating: 7/10
#176 - Half-Baked [1993]
Date Watched: 5/16/15
The juvenile humor might not be as funny as it once was, but this stoner comedy is one of the best of its kind. The material should be boring but the cast makes the most of it, with Dave Chappelle giving a surprisingly good performance. There's not much else to say. You should know exactly what you're getting from the poster alone. Enjoy, or don't.
Rating: 7/10
#177 - The Beach [2000]
Date Watched: 5/17/15
Oh Danny Boy(le), you impress me especially when you work with Alex Garland. This fever dream of a movie came out right after Leo became a star with Titanic so it was marketed around him as a adventure when it reality it was a dark thriller. The general reception was less than stellar, to say the least. I remember my mom and sister absolutely hating it, while it always stuck with me through all these years.
It's a curious film, with surreal and terrifying parts, much like Boyle's masterpiece, Trainspotting. The thing is, you can't look away, much like the stunning lost paradise that entices the characters in the first place. Leo does a great job as always and his descent into madness is quite convincing. Other than a bohemian Tilda Swinton, the other cast members are all unknowns but they do a fine job.
Look, the less said about this one the better. I say check it out.
Rating: 7.5/10
#178 - Muscle Shoals [2013]
Date Watched: 5/18/15
An inspiring and humbling documentary about one of America's finest music studios and its effect on pop culture.
Rating: 8.5/10
#179 - Midnight In Paris [2011]
Date Watched: 5/19/15
Woody Allen's best film in over a decade is a nostalgic and bittersweet journey of a lost soul through Paris. Charming performances and picturesque visuals evoke a timeless feel that harkens back to the Golden Age of Hollywood, which is wonderful for a film lover like myself.
Rating: 9/10
#180 - Project Almanac [2015]
Date Watched: 5/20/15
Like all time travel movies, this had the potential to be something really cool, but it's ultimately a bit underwhelming because it doesn't do anything original with the time travel concept. They do exactly what you'd expect teenagers to do - use it to pass classes, get payback on bullies, attend a concert they missed, etc. I get that the target audience is teens and it is fun to imagine yourself in their shoes, but overall the script does little to advance the story or explore the characters. The only cool aspect is that one character jumps back by himself to make a move on a girl he likes and it results in time ripples that change the future for the worse. It does flash a few more clever ideas that I don't want to spoil, but not enough of them.
My other question is why was this found footage again? I know it's to keep the budget low, but good time travel stories need to be given the size and scale they deserve, i.e. Looper or Edge of Tomorrow to cite some recent examples. It's not a huge problem and at times I did forget I was watching found footage, but there were definitely a few times where it really annoyed me, particularly when the characters would be cut off or talking to the camera out of frame. JUST POINT THE CAMERA AT THEM. But I digress. I recommend a rental for this one if you dig time travel and can stomach the found footage format.
Rating: 6.5/10
#181 - Mad Max: Fury Road [2015]
Date Watched: 5/20/15, 2nd theatrical viewing in 2D
Even BETTER the second time around. I noticed all sorts of little details I missed the first time and I picked up on a lot more of the religious allegory. The acting is excellent by everyone too, something that's rare in a genre movie like this. It transcends. The action is just a sight to behold, man. You know how people can be entranced by a painting? That's how I am with Fury Road. It had me in awe, something that is currently very hard to do in this desensitizing age of jumbled, cacophonous CGI action scenes. Pacific Rim and The Raid 2 were amazing, but the joyous, ecstatic feeling I got while watching Mad Max was something I hadn't felt in a long time. This is film is pretty much perfect!
Rating: 10/10
Movie watching placed on hold for our annual Memorial Day Camping Trip!
#182 - Defendor [2009]
Date Watched: 5/25/15
Defendor and Super came out exactly one year apart (Sept 12), each focusing on the everyday superhero. Instead of super soldiers and gods, they showed ordinary guys fighting for what they believe in. In Super, it's done for selfish reasons but in Defendor, it's done for honor (and the fact that the main character is mentally ill). It sounds like a horrible concept, but somehow Woody Harrelson and Co. pull it off. There's no climactic finale versus some big bad villain, just a normal guy who had a terrible life fighting for what's right, even after he repeatedly gets his ass kicked. The dedication is admirable.
The weak point is the cast, specifically Kat 'DSL' Dennings and Sandra Oh. I hate both of these "actresses" and they do little to quell my hatred as Dennings plays a meth-head hooker with a heart of gold and Oh shows up as a patronizing therapist. To be fair, both roles were throwaway and I was actually surprised Dennings wasn't more annoying...so yay? I did enjoy Michael Kelly as Defendor's friend.
Rating: 6.5/10
#183 - REC 4: Apocalypse [2014]
Date Watched: 5/26/15 (started 5/22)
Another solid entry in the REC series, with a unique maritime setting to boot. It doesn't explore the origin of the virus like I was hoping, but I liked the research aspect of them trying to find a cure. Combined with the isolated cargo ship setting, it was reminiscent of The Thing. The characters all fill memorable archetypes, though in order to keep the status quo, one person's storyline is wrapped up too neatly for my taste. The gore was subdued compared to REC 3 but there's still plenty of bloodshed to satisfy.
Rating: 7/10
#184 - The Loft [2015]
Date Watched: 5/28/15
Do you ever open the fridge looking for a snack only to realize there's nothing good inside, then shrug your shoulders and walk away unsatisfied? Watching The Loft feels a lot like that. With its predictable plot, unlikable leads and bland visuals, it offers absolutely nothing worthwhile and ends up feeling like a polished TV movie you'd see on Lifetime or ID.
I don't know what Karl Urban and James Marsden saw in the script, but this kind of vapid drivel is beneath their talents. Wentworth Miller continues to be a terrible actor, unconvincing in his meek role. The guy's delivery is more wooden than a beaver dam and seeing him try to emote is just awkward. Eric Stonestreet plays an alcoholic womanizer, the complete opposite of his character on Modern Family, which would be notable if the character wasn't totally irrelevant to the story. And I think that's the film's biggest problem - it has no clear direction. It brings together this group of unscrupulous douchebags who we dislike from the start and eventually tries (and fails) to make us care about the shit happening to them. Sorry fellas, karma is a bitch.
Strangely, this is a remake of a well-received Belgian film of the same name, directed by the same director and it still sucks. What the hell happened? Do I really care? No. All I know is this concept has been done before in way better films. Take a hard pass on this one unless you want to see a quick shot of Karl Urban's hairless ass.
Rating: 4/10
#185 - Kung Fury [2015]
Date Watched: 5/29/15
The greatest 80's action/sci-fi movie NOT made in the 80's. This short film excises all the needless dialogue, character development and exposition that hamper so many 80's schlockfests and gives us a condensed mini epic. Take a look at the poster. It mimics so many classic 80's posters that promised us stuff like Vikings riding T-Rexes but never delivered. Well Kung Fury delivers everything as advertised and MORE.
Rating: 7/10
#186 - End of Watch [2011]
Date Watched: 5/29/15
When this came out back in 2011, Roger Ebert crowned it "one of the best police movies in years..." and I couldn't agree more. It's a raw portrayal of what it's like to be a cop in one of the most volatile cities in the US. It's like the Wild West out there and the Western influences are subtle but undeniable from start to finish. The opening expertly sets the mood for what you're about to experience like few other films can. It begins with a brilliant monologue from Gyllenhaal explaining what it means to be a police officer over footage of a wheeled pursuit. Sounds stupid, but believe me it is outstanding. From there, it's a day-in-the-life story following Gyllenhaal and his partner Pena as the patrol the streets. If this sounds like a big screen version of COPS...well it kinda is, but what makes it special is the performances and social commentary on crime and violence.
Rating: 9.5/10
#187 - The Stendhal Syndrome [1996]
Date Watched: 5/29/15
A disturbing horror film from the master himself, Dario Argento. This one is tough to watch at times given all the rape and debauchery, but if you're a horror fan it is definitely worth it. You've got Argento's usual amazing visuals and arguably Asia Argento's best performance as the main victim.
Rating: 7/10
#188 - Zombie [1979]
What else can be said about Lucio Fulci's genre classic? It drags at times (what Italian horror film doesn't?) but it is one of the best zombie movies out there. And THAT SCORE. Holy shit every time I hear it, chills go down my spine. One of the best horror scores of all-time. The gore is graphic and still impressive to this day. 'Nuff said. If you haven't seen this...what are you waiting for?!
Rating: 8.5/10
#190 - The Lost World [1997]
Date Watched: 5/30/15
Everyone hates this movie but for me in the late 90's, this was heaven. Almost 20 years later, I have to say this one holds up as a fun adventure with a meanstreak (much like Temple of Doom compares to Raiders of the Lost Ark). Its two biggest problems are its lengthy runtime and the character of Sarah Harding. On top of being played by a woefully out of place Julianne Moore, this character is one of the DUMBEST scientists to ever grace the silver screen. She acts like a 5-year-old and her negligence and sheer stupidity get multiple people killed.
As much as I loathe Stupid Sarah, the movie gets a pass in my book because it delivers the dino action and rest of the characters are memorable and sarcastic.
Rating: 7/10
#191 - Pitch Perfect 2 [2015]
Date Watched: 5/30/15
A fine sequel that is essentially more of the same. The riff-off is the highlight and the cameos are hilarious.
Rating: 7/10
#192 - Tomorrowland [2015]
Date Watched: 5/31/15
Condescendingly preachy and underwhelming, Brad Bird finally has a miss in his impressive filmography. The script is the problem. Given it's lengthy runtime of 130 minutes, we spend all of 10 minutes in Tomorrowland itself. Instead the characters spend most of the time looking for it so when they actually do get there, it ends up being a major disappointment. In addition, George Clooney's curmudgeonly inventor is grating, like when your grandpa gets pissed at you for stepping outta line...it comes off as patronizing. Same goes for Britt Robertson as the young lead. She's whiny and despite being a 'dreamer', her character is more skeptical than Dana Scully.
There are a few cool scenes like the prop store that has tons of nods to the great sci-fi films of the past, but they are few and far between, sadly.
Rating: 5.5/10
#193 - Housebound [2014]
Date Watched: 6/1/15
Billed as a quirky New Zealand horror comedy in the vein of Peter Jackson's early works, it sadly doesn't live up to the hype. The concept is ripe for amusing situations, but the cast really hurts the movie. The main character, played by Morgana O'Reilly, is immensely unlikable and has a permanent scowl on her face, while her frumpy mother is too goofy and one-note to be funny. Combined with the unambitious storytelling, you get a tedious and forgettable horror comedy that isn't very scary or funny. Shame.
Rating: 5/10
#194 - Zombeavers [2014]
Date Watched: 6/1/15
Now this is horror comedy done right! Zombeavers reaffirms exactly why Housebound was underwhelming. Horror-comedies need a certain degree of self-awareness to succeed nowadays, and Zombeavers knows exactly what kind of movie it wants to be. It's cheesy B-movie goodness packed with radioactive beavers that crave human flesh, stupid but quotable characters, bikinis and boobs. What more do you need?
Rating: 6.5/10
#195 - Something Wild [1986]
Quirky with a meanstreak. Jeff Daniels is perfect and Melanie Griffith is adorably sexy and shows off her supple tits. Ray Liotta plays his greasy scumbag almost too well. The soundtrack is a badass mix of pop and punk covers.
Rating: 7.5/10
#196 - Grabbers [2012]
Delightfully cheeky Irish horror-comedy about a pub besieged by tentacled beasts, the only catch is they can't tolerate alcohol so our heroes must stay drunk to survive. You should know what you're getting based on the poster alone, and it's pretty cool. It reminds me of Tremors mixed with The Fog and a dash of H.P. Lovecraft.
Rating: 7/10
#197 - King Arthur [2004]
Slick and hyper-edited retelling of the Arthurian legend that tries to ground the characters and deliver a Braveheart-esque adventure. Your mileage may vary here depending on your tolerance for Clive Owen or Keira Knightley, who seem too young and brash to portray these historic characters.
Rating: 6.5/10
#198 - Insidious: Chapter 3 [2015]
Triple Feature, Part 1
Another solid entry in the Insidious series, a series I always thought had a ton of potential. The whole concept of The Further, a ghostly otherworld where souls can be taken, just begs to be explored. I don't know why more movies haven't explored the "ghost dimension" you tend to glimpse in horror films. The third Ghostbusters film would've had them venturing to the astral plane, Hell and other dimensions, which subsequently showed up in the awesome 2009 video game. Anywho, Chapter 3 is more like the original in that it tells a new story with lots of creepy build-up, while tying into the existing storylines. The scares are genuine, with two scenes in particular making me jump and cringe.
Rating: 7/10
#199 - Entourage [2015]
Triple Feature, Part 2
A proper sendoff for the cast of the solid HBO showbiz show. It's funny, raunchy and honest. The cast slides right back into their roles with ease, the glamorous lifestyle remains enviable and the celebrity cameos are numerous. Not much else to say...if you dug the show, check out the flick.
Rating: 6.5/10
#200 - San Andreas [2015]
Triple Feature, Part 3
Since Roland Emmerich has stopped making disaster films, someone had to pick up the slack. Enter Brad Peyton and The Rock teaming up again to give us San Andreas, an old-school Irwin Allen style flick about a massive earthquake striking the San Andreas Fault. It takes itself seriously and The Rock makes for a convincing hero. The rest of the cast is decent. Blue-eyed beauty Alexandra Daddario and her stupendously pendulous breasts are a sight to behold, along with the well-framed CGI destruction sequences. My personal favorite has a fleet of boats and ships trying to get over a gigantic tsunami, a creative setpiece that slapped a smile on my face.
Rating: 7/10
