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He Never Died (2015)
Quirky Entertainment Winner
This is a surprise packet of a movie. I am a Rollins fan so I figuered it would appeal to me but it was a far stronger effort than I had expected.
Rollins is his typical offbeat self but somehow even more so than usual but it stays inside the sphere or reasonable (sort of).
It takes a little while for the movie to find its feet, meandering a little before jumping right in to the entertainment.
The real surprise here is how funny the movie is. Some stone-faced golden moments with Rollins at his brilliant best. As a side note for some reason I started thinking of Rollins whacking his penis with a toilet seat, but that's another story!! :)
Twisters (2024)
I Really Wanted To Like It...But
I didn't. LIke a victim in the movie I just kept hanging on hoping for better times, like many of those poor unfortunates, it didn't pan out.
Somehow the effects are less impressive than the original (I have no idea how that is even possible).
The characters have had the charm sucked out of them. They are wooden and one dimensional and Glen Powell needs to do much more than just attempt to smile his way througha movie.
No tension or drama is developed, no plot twist, nothing to hang your cpwboy hat on.
It lacks in almost every aspect of what it takes to be a good 'blockbuster', basically a waste of your time :)
Trafficked (2017)
Shoot Me Now
Sucked in once again. I watched the movie due to Ashley Judd being in the it. Well hold on, if you can, for the entire, maybe, 10 minutes that she is actually in the movie. Major marketing duplicity.
Once you get past that, the movie is filled with left over actors from the 80's and a girl supposed to be 18, was in her mid 20's but looks 35. The cast is just horrible and the delivered acting presents what you would expect.
It has a real horror story to tell but instead the fear comes when you realise how many more minutes you have to sit through.
A highly important topic as this deserves and needs a much better film to illustrate it :)
Fasandræberne (2014)
Brilliant And Bleak
Department Q strikes again!
What a fantastic series. I have watched all 4 movies (with the same cast) and have loved them all.
No. 2 continues the great character driven drama packed with little and large moments that really wet the appetite.
The Absent One has the same dark grit and malice as Keepers immersing the viewer into this underworld of sex and violence.
The acting is sublime. Lending itslef to the drama and the development of the personal relationships between the partners.
Not all viewers will find the appeal but I hope you give this fantastic series a look and reap all the benefits :)
The Operative (2019)
I DARE YOU
I want my punch!
Too often we are presented movies that are a 'solid' drama or a political blah blah blah but where are the cinematic moments. 'We can't handle the truth' has lived way too long in its magic moment, 'show me the money'. Give me something to get a laugh or flinch or OMG over.
Why are we being inflicted with this ongoing meandering blandness. I dare you to put a heart rate monitor on and watch any movie by Tom Hanks made in the last 10 years and see if you notice a blip.
I want movies to get back in my face and ram themselves down my throat.
The Operative, if made 20, 30 or 40 years ago would have done just that. Now its a resting heart rate movie. :)
Aus dem Nichts (2017)
One Frustrated Movie Fan
YET AGAIN A GOOD MOVIE DIMINISHED BY A POOR LAST ACT.
I am seeing a lot of movies lately that are actually pretty good films that just seem to run out of steam. Causing them to stare greatness in the eye and turn away in fear.
Its so frustrating. I remember when I watched the original IT. 3 hours of brilliant storytelling until the end when the monster was defeated by a rock! I was like WTF and I guess that feeling has stayed with me for my lifetime as I have a strong sensitivity to movies that have a good story to tell, build nicely and then disolve into nothingness.
Into the Fade does exactly that :)
Steve-O's Bucket List (2023)
You May Vomit In The Bucket!
Awkwardly I gave this movie the same rating as Steve O Gnarly. The problem is its actually a better movie, but its not worth a 7.
Steve O is a good story teller and can be interesting to listen to. He did a good podcast with DCEO that was a good watch.
Bucket list is a little bit of a mixed bag, some of the stunts are entertaining and funny, a couple of them are a bit ew.
Clearly a man with no shame and absolutely an attention whore (as he readily admits).
What will be interesting for me is where he goes next. He has grown as an indivdual and a performer but I will be fascinated to see where the development takes him :)
PS for some reason I found the fainting hilarious.
Steve-O: Gnarly (2020)
It Was Actually Pretty Good
Gnarly is an unusual retrospective of someones career.
Steve O and I'm guessing his mostly unemployeed friends/hangers on, deliver a funny (not always) and interesting (not always) back story on some of the explosive (pun intended) events that comprise Steve's career.
Its a tight show so, it calls it quits before it becomes tiresome and repetitive. Which was really smart. It may also have factored in the short attention span of the people who would be choosing to watch this.
Steve is pretty entertaining and can tell a good story. The film suffers when he tries to drag his friends back into the limelight to give them a shoutout :)
Wrath of the Titans (2012)
Turn It Up
Wrath of the Titans is not as good a film as its predecessor. The story is a little too shallow and some of the acting is as stiff as the statues we see.
Where the film does do better than the 2010 movie is the audio and visual effects are a step ahead. Its bombastic to say the least.
As a night in, a back to back viewing of the 2 movies is a pretty fun way to spend an evening as long as your neighbours can handle the noise pumping out of your house!!
Ralph Fiennes is the star of both movies. His character and its portrayal. Whenever he is on screen he owns it, especially when next to Neeson who is fantastically wooden or statuesque.
Good fun :)
Clash of the Titans (1981)
A Great Version Of The Film Especially For Young Kids
Ok, IF you are under 30, I would recommend watching the 2010 version instead of this one. The 2010 has the shock and awe audio and visuals that you have grown up with.
This version will seem like a pop up book for most of you.
Having said that, the original version is a charming film that I suspect holds a bit of a special place in a lot of people's hearts, mine included.
Its very magical, literally and metaphorically. It carries a level of charm that struggles to exist in contemporary film making. At the time of its making it was an homage to films of the 50's and 60's where films such as Hercules were the spectaculars of their day.
Its a sweet film and one to watch :)
Clash of the Titans (2010)
A Reasonable Remake Unlike Most
Generally I'm not a fan of remakes, its lazy creativity, offering simply money for the studio from something that made them money before.
Best example I can think of right now Point Break. A shameful grab for cash.
However, sometimes a remake can modernise things adding a polish that helps take a movie to the next level and I feel that is what has happened here.
As a kid I loved CotT, I was too young to care about how dodgy the effects were (or later on how camp the movie actually is). It was a good tale. When I watch it now the effects of the movie diminish the joy.
The remake, yes it does lose a little charm, fixes all the effects issues. Now the movie looks and sounds fantastic. So in this instance I think both versions have value and add something worthwhile to the historical movie library.
The Next Three Days (2010)
Film Makers Need To Work On Their Endings
Three quarters of The Next Three Days is a very enjoyable drama. Disappointingly that last quarter crashes and burns like a Nitro Circus event.
The result is a diminishing of what could have been a great movie.
The characters are developed really well and the acting supports this. In fact Crowe's performance in The Next Threes Days is one of his better ones as he becomes more deperate or focused on his goal as the movie progresses.
So the Good, it draws you in, which actually sets up the viewer for the Bad, the last act.
Give it a go, its better than average and you may enjoy its closing out more than I did :)
Crossing Over (2009)
My Immigration Solution
My solution. Have America and all the South American nations merge to become one nation. They all share the resources and the problems.
Problem solved.
Now to the movie :)
Crossing Over is a great film, detailing a number of views and perspectives about the big issue. As a result it skims across the surface a little, so no deep dives here, but that does stop the movie getting too bogged down in finite details.
It is very well acted, the pacing is good and the stories that comprise the film are all interestly put together.
Its probably not a movie that will be enjoyed by those VERY connected to the immigration 'fight' but for others it will be a good time :)
Blown Away (1994)
Engaging Fare
A reviewer wrote 'how did Speed get better reviews than this'?
Well in my opinion Speed is simply a more entertaining movie and that's inherently what movies are about. And, aside from featuring bombs they don't have anything really in common.
Blown Away is a solid drama full of well built tension that engages the viewer. It is a slow burn but that does allow nicely for character development which is very important to the success of this story.
Bridges is very good in his role, TML is a little more cliched with his delivery but still contributes nicely.
Its a mature film targeting a considered audience and does it well :)
Silence (2016)
A Grade Movie No Doubt
Silence is a good movie that avoids the bombastic power that often, happily, comes along with a Scorsese movie. That results in a more even film.
Scorsese delivers a fantastic visual environment that makes you really feel onside with the characters both main and support. You engage with their beliefs and the troubles they are enduring because of it.
The acting is exceptional excluding Neeson and this may be more of a misscasting than anything else. Neeson sticks out like two things dangling from underneath a dog!
It is a long movie (Mr Scorcese, sometimes a good game is a fast game!) but it only drags sometimes leaving you pretty entertained :)
Dr. Caligari (1989)
Dr WTF
This movie is only for one type of film fan, that is the kind of person who loves Lynch, Cronenberg etc.
If you enjoy the weird, quirky and absurd (as I often do) then this movie could give you a few bumps. If not then stay very far away. This is not a mainstream audience movie.
As I mentioned I like unusual films but with any movie being weird or having great action etc isn't enough, a movie has to offer a range of facets to sink your teeth into.
Dr. Caligari fails to offer anything to the viewer but the weird and abstract and its simply not enough.
Some good quirky scenes but nothing else to invest your time on :)
The Babysitter (2017)
Fun Funny Clever
The Babysitter is a bread and butter role for Samara Weaving, she was perfectly cast.
Weaving delivers the same type of energy as Kelly Le Broc did back in the day. Funny, strong, sexy and charasmatic.
Those attributes are in full swing in The Babysitter.
The movie has some great 'bet you weren't expecting that' moments that nearly made my eyes fall out of my head, in a good way.
After a strong first act the film does diminish a little as it plays out, however it keeps the entertainment rolling along.
Aimed, I'm guessing at the young teen audience, The Babysitter will tick a lot of boxes for them, for the rest of us its some good fun :)
Massage Parlor Murders! (1973)
Sucked In Again!!!
OH this keeps happening to me. I had never heard of this movie. It had just been rereleased in UHD so I thought I will check it out, afterall it must be ok of they wouldn't waste the resources releasing a primo version of it.
Wrong wrong wrong!!!
Having watched it I can only guess that there was somekind of contractual agreement that made it necessary for them to release this bunk.
Its boring.
And, unfortunately it doesn't circle around to be so bad that its good.
This is a complete time waster and now that I am writing this review I am questioning why I gave it 3 stars, so I'm going to change it to 1 :)
Force of Nature: The Dry 2 (2024)
Thank Goodness For The Rainforest
The Dry part two, a film no one really asked for. The Dry was a good film, but, Bana's character was not so noteworthy that you would use it to develop a film series with.
Unfortunately that's what has been attempted here and it doesn't work. In fact across two films the audience knows almost nothing about the man so why would there be a connection. If you want a movie series where the lead character is what drives the crime drama then watch Department Q. That series does an amazing job of what I feel The Dry 2 was trying to acheive.
The best part of the movie is easily the rainforest where it was shot :)
Hostiles (2017)
More Westerns Please
Christian Bale rides to cinematic vistory once again.
Hostiles is a high quality story with a very basic plot. The strength of the film is about a characters journey rather than any particular on screen developments.
This is where the movie's success belongs to Bale, his expression of the emotions have so much depth and believability in them that you get swept up for the ride.
The movie is beautifully shot with some stunning landscapes which provide some of the connection between the Native Americans and their journey home.
A strong support cast is also present, providing a platform for Bale to weave his on screen magic :)
Tesla (2020)
Is It Tesla Or Dali?
Tesla is a biographical drama about inventor Nikola Tesla, portrayed by Ethan Hawke.
Hawke has a history of taking on different roles and film styles and Tesla is another example of that.
The film takes a non-traditional approach. Its unconventional style, including modern-day references and a minimalistic set design, might not appeal to all viewers (including this one).
However, it offers an abstract portrayal of Tesla's life and ideas. The problem is that the style of the film overpowers the substance so you are often disconnected from the character. Personally I don't think the story really lends itself to this surreal presentation :)
The Loft (2014)
A Smooth Who-Dun-It
Lift your expectations, The Loft is a far better movie than you may first think.
This is a real actors piece, no real action sequences etc to get distracted by, just some good dialogue and some equally good acting.
James Mardsen is the pick of the bunch here. His intense moments carry great levels of authenticity and passion.
Beyond that though the remaining key members of the cast are all satisfyingly strong and help take the movie up those higher levels I was talking about.
Its a simple drama that may get lost amongst the 27 Fast & Furious movies but it shouldn't. Its a good movie that deserves being given a look at :)
Bad Lieutenant (1992)
He Really Is Pretty Bad
Bad Lieutenant is the kind of movie that comes along every now and then that feels like its an actors acting movie.
I can't imagine a lot of big name actors would have the courage to take on such a role. Harvey Keitel makes it his own with a fantastic performance.
There is a plot but its pretty thin, the movie is really just a day in the life of a broken cop, his abuses of himself and others as he makes his way through the days.
Its not a shy film which is really its strength, he is a worts and all character and the film explores all his vices and failings.
Its an intense movie that really grabs your focus, which makes it a lot of fun to watch :)
High Life (2009)
Not So High
The film does have some moments.
Just not enough to string together to make a fully enjoyable movie.
Almost all of the highlights belong to Timothy Olyphant who is launching his career long charm offensive.
Beyond that, its really a nothing movie full of characters you could easily live without ever meeting.
As a result the movie is just as frustrating as it is funny. Mediocre springs to mind when thinking about High Life.
All the other aspects of the film are pretty run of the mill, it looks ok, it sounds ok and is thankfully short.
See it for Olyphant only otherwise give it a wide berth :)
The Iron Claw (2023)
Zac Efron Great
Where coaching meets child abuse?
The Iron Claw is an interesting insight into one of the most famous sporting families and their road to destruction.
What happens in the ring is mostly irrelevant to the story, the story is about attitudes, beliefs and family.
For the main part, in my opinion, this family had some serious issues and the consequences were significant. A dominating father with a 'nothing to see here' mother raised their chidren in an uncompromising, apparently, belittling way striving to capture the glory and recognition that had eluded them. The results going way past unfortunate.
Thankfully revelations at the end of the movie about how it all turned out provide at least some reprieve :)