Watched this tonight. I don't think he was supposed to be imposing. He was supposed to be some crazy-ass nutjob that matches Dalton's intensity, just in a different way. There were some campy aspects of the movie, or cliches, if you will. The main bad guy is so cookie-cutter it's hilarious, even down to his back-story/current dad-issue situation.Road House (2024 version. Streaming on Amazon Prime Video)
Jake Gyllenhal takes over the role of Patrick Swayze in the remake of the 1989 original. Jake plays a MMA fighter who takes a job as bouncer at a bar in the Florida Keys to help rid them of the bad element that frequents the bar. Meanwhile a bad guy is trying to take over the bar. MMA fighter Conor McGregor plays the main heavy who is eventually brought in to take on Jake.
I liked this movie but it certainly doesn't have the campy draw that the original had. The fight scenes were well staged. I give the movie a B+. I think a weak link of the movie was McGregor. He didn't seem that lethal or imposing as a bad guy.
It IS a bit darker than the original, as for the characters. The one-off "funny" lines were indeed funny, I did get a kick out of those.
Honestly, this is a borderline "buy" from me, not just a watch.
When you tell somebody somethin', it depends on what part of the United States you're standin' in... as to just how dumb you are.
Hell of an actor with some absolutely amazing roles.
“When your best friend is the son of God, you get tired of losing every argument.”
― Christopher Moore, Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal
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Decided I needed something to pick my spirits up after the loss so I watched Steve! a 2-part documentary on the life and career of Steve Martin. Brought back many memories of watching him on SNL with my brother, or listening to his records or going to his movies with friends. Not a year goes by that one of us doesn't find a reason to quote, "He hates these cans!" or, "Where's your other hand?" or "If she's like a dog, we do it on the paper" or any of dozens of others. Fun watch.
Expats on Prime
6 one hour episodes
First four episodes are slow, hard to stay with. They try to get you involved and engaged with the characters but the first four episodes could have been done in one 90 minute movie.
My wife got tangled in it so I ended up sitting through the entire thing. Nicole Kidman and her family are living in an apartment in Hong Kong. The neighbors are involved, A couple that can’t have kids and husband is having an affair. Others that are meaningless. One entire episode of three people, a grown up daughter and mother exposing their lives to a stranger while stuck in an elevator. One character is a local who Nicole meets and starts using her as a nanny. She is completely irresponsible and the worst thing happens and the rest of the series is filled with meaningless dialogue as they stumble around, trying to make things right, the police show up and I hoped it would end but it ended up extending the slow dragging dialogue of nothing flipping between the different characters. 4 bad episodes and two good ones when a typhoon hits.
One Day on Netflix
Must have been a TV show in Britain. Half hour episodes. Romantic series about two friends who meet at their high school grad party and stay friends through their lives. Takes you through their lives in 80s, 90s, 2000s. 14 episodes and I got very involved in it.
I’m well aware that Director Cuts or Extended versions of films often add scenes or change things, but last night I watched the extended version of Salt starting Angelina Jolie (I didn’t know it was a different version). Good grief, it’s an entirely different film!! I’m watching and honestly started to think am I losing my mind? Not just extra scenes but a total rewrite of some major points in the theatrical version.
1) her husband is killed in a totally different way, drowned vs shot
2) After being forced to witness his death she doesn’t go hard ass and kill all the Russians on the ship! Nor does she kill Orlov.
3) After killing the CIA/mole (Liev) she has a weeping self examining scene about spider webs and love🤢
4) Then she tries to commit suicide.
5) It does not end with her vowing in the helicopter to track down find the other sleeper agents and jumping into the river. It ends with her dressed as a nun, back at the Russian training school, finally killing Orlov and blowing up the school.
I mean holy crap, not the same film at all. I’m still trying to process the weirdness. Needless to say, I did NOT like this extended version at all.
Note: Due to inflation dirty deeds will no longer be done dirt cheap.
I should check that out. It's why I love "Red Cliff" (international version) so much. COMPLETELY different than the US version. On a lesser note, "Tombstone" director's cut fills in a couple blanks with Doc's girl, Earp's wife, and the 2 Cowboys that turned against the gang.
Guy Ritchie's The Covenant (Prime):
During the war in Afghanistan, a local interpreter risks his own life to carry an injured sergeant across miles of grueling terrain.
Solid movie. You can tell that the sergeant (Jake Gyllenhaal) and the interpreter don't like each other, overall, but they do respect each other by the end of the movie. The movie is a bit critical of the US government, but not over-the-top. It does peel back a layer of what is "official" and what is not, most likely how things really work in the field.
I enjoyed it, it did get a little weird at times (and that is Guy's style), and I would recommend it. It's not about the conflict itself, it's about 2 soldiers making a bond.
When you tell somebody somethin', it depends on what part of the United States you're standin' in... as to just how dumb you are.
I just watched Replicas, a 2018 movie with Keanu Reeves. I enjoyed it. I watched it on cable, (where it’s harder to find movies I haven’t seen/want to watch since everything is on a streaming platform these days…) but I digress.
I will only post a plagiarized synopsis I copied online so I don’t give any spoilers. I can’t analyze movies like Rube, I just watch them. 😉
”William Foster is a brilliant neuroscientist who loses his wife, son and two daughters in a tragic car accident. Utilising cutting-edge technology, William comes up with a daring and unprecedented plan to download their memories and clone their bodies. As the experiment begins to spiral out of control, Foster soon finds himself at odds with his dubious boss, a reluctant accomplice, a police task force and the physical laws of science.”
Wrath Of Man (Prime):
A cold and mysterious character working at a cash truck company responsible for moving a lot of money around LA has ulterior motives.
Jason Statham stars, so you should know where this is going. However, it's presented like a Shakespearean play with the movie divided into "acts" for a lack of a better word (well, Guy Ritchie directed it, and he does odd things, so, you know...). It borrows from a lot of cliches, but it's not totally mindless. Good popcorn movie.
When you tell somebody somethin', it depends on what part of the United States you're standin' in... as to just how dumb you are.
Mine:
After a failed assassination attempt, a United States Marine finds himself stranded in the desert, exposed to the elements...and his foot is on a live mine.
Sounds pretty basic, right? Oh, hell no. It shows the viewer of what this soldier is going through, and it's not pretty. Very psychological, quite a bit out there. The movie does its best to put you in the soldier's mindset, and that's the hook. You have to be hard-pressed to not feel something as you're watching this one.
Highly recommend.
When you tell somebody somethin', it depends on what part of the United States you're standin' in... as to just how dumb you are.
I recently streamed Ricky Stanicky on Prime, starring Zac Efron, Jermaine Fowler, Andrew Santino, William H. Macy, and most importantly John Cena. I didn't think that I was going to be able to get into it very much. But I ended up laughing pretty hard for most of the movie. When it was over I saw Peter Farrelly in the credits. That explains a lot. I don't think that I've seen a Farrelly Brothers movie in years. Dumb and Dumber, Kingpin, Something About Mary. This movie was along those lines, if you remember how they went. Have the Farrelly Brothers even had any recent movies? Where did they go?
I recently streamed Ricky Stanicky on Prime, starring Zac Efron, Jermaine Fowler, Andrew Santino, William H. Macy, and most importantly John Cena. I didn't think that I was going to be able to get into it very much. But I ended up laughing pretty hard for most of the movie. When it was over I saw Peter Farrelly in the credits. That explains a lot. I don't think that I've seen a Farrelly Brothers movie in years. Dumb and Dumber, Kingpin, Something About Mary. This movie was along those lines, if you remember how they went. Have the Farrelly Brothers even had any recent movies? Where did they go?
Peter Farrelly won an Oscar as both a producer and screenwriter for Green Book. He also directed it.
Peter Farrelly won an Oscar as both a producer and screenwriter for Green Book. He also directed it.
Interesting. That isn't even a comedy. I'm going to have to watch it.
It's good.
When you tell somebody somethin', it depends on what part of the United States you're standin' in... as to just how dumb you are.
The Antisocial Network: From Memes To Mayhem:
A group of lonely teenagers formed an online community and bonded over their isolation, but their collective beliefs warped reality.
The arc is about 2Chan to 4Chan to 8Chan to Anonymous to QAnon. Really weird evolution of what started out as fun and games, and how it became to be what it is now. One of the opening lines to this is "You can fix code. You can't fix people." Yeah, let's look in the mirror, this is who we (as a people) are generally are.
Demetri Deconstructed:
The new Demetri Martin stand-up special.
Kind of an art-house approach in production, which he's sort of done in the past at times. Quirky as ever "All horses have mullets...makes sense, being country-folk and all..." he delivers, although this particular presentation does distract from the jokes at times. Still worth a watch if you like that Steven Wright/Mitch Hedberg style of humor...
When you tell somebody somethin', it depends on what part of the United States you're standin' in... as to just how dumb you are.
I watched "The Holdovers" last night (Peacock). I can best describe it as a cross between Sideways and Scent of a Woman, as weird as that sounds. Recommend.
The Adventurers (Prime):
The world's top thieves join forces to pull off the heist of a lifetime. But when they find themselves pursued across Europe by a legendary French detective, they'll have to take their game to the next level.
Jean Reno (many movies, but Leon: The Professional and Ronin are the ones that stick out in my mind) and Andy Lau (Infernal Affairs, which is the original "The Departed", House Of Flying Daggers, The Warlords) star. Ok, I'm checking this one out. Eh, standard crime caper with double crosses and double double crosses. It was entertaining enough, worth a watch, but you really have to like this type of movie, where you try to figure out the twists and turns before they happen.
When you tell somebody somethin', it depends on what part of the United States you're standin' in... as to just how dumb you are.
The Wall (no, not THAT one) (Prime):
Two American Soldiers are trapped by a lethal sniper, with only an unsteady wall between them.
Basically a 3 man-show. And you don't ever see the sniper, not really a spoiler alert, because it would be a lesser movie if you did see him.
The sniper is GOOD, and not just at shooting. Very psychological, total mind-f* at what he does. No soundtrack or score, just dialogue. In the middle of the f*ing desert. Excellent writing and execution of the script.
Scoop:
How the BBC obtained the bombshell interview with Prince Andrew about his friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Solid movie, have liked anything I've seen Gillian Anderson do, and she's the tough woman yet again. 😉 Overall, it had a big-time "Frost/Nixon" feel to it (another great movie). They just replaced the characters, and that's not being lazy, because both were true stories.
When you tell somebody somethin', it depends on what part of the United States you're standin' in... as to just how dumb you are.
The Bricklayer:
An ex-CIA agent is reactivated when an extortionist targets the agency
CIA agents, conspiracies, and grudges, oh my!
Entertaining, but you probably have seen this movie before. It's a'ight.
Stolen:
A young woman's struggle to defend her indigenous heritage in a world where xenophobia is on the rise, climate change is threatening reindeer herding, and young people choose suicide in the face of collective desperation.
That pretty much sums it up. It's set in Sweden with the Sami people, but honestly, it's a plug and play with any country's indigenous people. Again, this movie is a'ight.
When you tell somebody somethin', it depends on what part of the United States you're standin' in... as to just how dumb you are.
Jimmy Carr: Natural Born Killer
New standup special on Netflix, just dropped today.
It's...Jimmy Carr. If you know you know. I love the humor, some others, notsomuch.
Trailer: NSFW.
I thought one of the best jokes was:
"I have a half-brother...wait, sorry, 'transgender.'"
When you tell somebody somethin', it depends on what part of the United States you're standin' in... as to just how dumb you are.
Whiplash (rewatch):
A promising young drummer enrolls at a cut-throat music conservatory where his dreams of greatness are mentored by an instructor who will stop at nothing to realize a student's potential.
Wanted to see if I could appreciate it as much as the first time I saw it. I know there are band geeks on here, and this is a movie they REALLY should watch. They would appreciate the music talk more than I would, lots of technicalities. That being said, JK Simmons is a top-notch A-hole, and that is being polite. And he's damn good at playing that role. Fully enjoyed it on the re-watch, and for ANY music fan, yeah, it's a must-see.
When you tell somebody somethin', it depends on what part of the United States you're standin' in... as to just how dumb you are.
Troll (2022, Norwegian movie):
Deep in the Dovre mountain, something gigantic wakes up after a thousand years in captivity. The creature destroys everything in its path and quickly approaches Oslo.
Pretty much a Norwegian version of King Kong. However, it was still worth the watch, the effects were pretty good, and despite the cliches, told a good story.
When you tell somebody somethin', it depends on what part of the United States you're standin' in... as to just how dumb you are.
We also watched Troll and thought it was entertaining. Not going to rank among the greats but a fun popcorn flick.
Rust Creek:
An overachieving college student gets lost on her way to a job interview. A wrong turn leaves her stranded deep in the Kentucky forest.
College student in the backwoods of Hick Area, yeah. It does have enough quirks (not quite twists) in the story to keep you reeled in, but meh. Good time-killer, nothing more.
When you tell somebody somethin', it depends on what part of the United States you're standin' in... as to just how dumb you are.
Run Lola Run is being re-released in theaters in June. I hope it will be available here.
Troll (2022, Norwegian movie):
Deep in the Dovre mountain, something gigantic wakes up after a thousand years in captivity. The creature destroys everything in its path and quickly approaches Oslo.
Pretty much a Norwegian version of King Kong. However, it was still worth the watch, the effects were pretty good, and despite the cliches, told a good story.
Sounds like my favorite episode of Metalocalypse... haha. I might have to check it out.
I hope it’s the original sub-titled version. The dubbed one was changed and not for the better.Run Lola Run is being re-released in theaters in June. I hope it will be available here.
If you’ve never seen this film RUN to see it…😉
Note: Due to inflation dirty deeds will no longer be done dirt cheap.
The Baker (Hulu)
"The Baker" centers on a quiet, solitary man whose estranged son suddenly comes back into his life with a granddaughter he never knew existed. When his son disappears on a shady business opportunity, the baker must do everything he can to find his son and protect his granddaughter from the mob hitmen sent to find her.
One man army movie starring Ron Perlman (who I am a big fan of). The story itself is rather cliche, but the development of Perlman's character is the draw. I mean, guess what, he has some secrets from the past, but that's not the draw. It's him evolving at this stage in his life.
It's a decent little movie. Good afternoon killer.
When you tell somebody somethin', it depends on what part of the United States you're standin' in... as to just how dumb you are.
Poker Face (Hulu)
A tech billionaire hosts a high-stakes poker game between friends, but the evening takes a turn when long-held secrets are revealed, an elaborate revenge plot unfolds, and thieves break in.
This one really keeps you in the dark until the moment of "Ok, here we go!" Just unleashes everything at once and you're figuring out all the angles, and then rather devolves a bit, and it becomes a simple ending. Basically one single tidal wave, and then you're just picking up the pieces. The setup is phenomenal, but the resolving of the issues leaves you wanting a bit more.
When you tell somebody somethin', it depends on what part of the United States you're standin' in... as to just how dumb you are.
Ender's Game:
Young Ender Wiggin is recruited by the International Military to lead the fight against the Formics, an insectoid alien race who had previously tried to invade Earth and had inflicted heavy losses on humankind.
Harrison Ford, Ben Kingsley, and Viola Davis is enough to check this movie out. While the movie itself isn't spectacular (and is a rather blunt message about war, etc), it is entertaining enough to watch. It's pretty much a paycheck movie for Kingsley, but Ford and Davis (especially Ford) chew up every scene they are in.
When you tell somebody somethin', it depends on what part of the United States you're standin' in... as to just how dumb you are.
Technically a 3-part documentary on Netflix. Per Wiki:
American Nightmare is a true crime television series directed by Bernadette Higgins and Felicity Morris. The series covers the March 2015 kidnapping of Denise Huskins from the home she shared with her boyfriend Aaron Quinn in Vallejo, California. The Vallejo police department and the FBI assumed the kidnapping was a hoax staged by Huskins and Quinn, and Huskins was labeled "the real Gone Girl" by the media.
Completely crazy and very interesting.
I watched 2 movies this weekend
Unfrosted (Netflix Streaming): In 1963 Michigan, business rivals Kellogg's and Post compete to create a cake that could change breakfast forever (from IMDB)
Jerry Seinfeld stars, directs and is one of the writers. It is LOADED with cameos but overall a pretty unsatisfying movie. It's like he wanted to load the movie with cameos and didn't think to give them that much funny stuff to say. Overall I would give it C-. Fun for the cameos and that's it.
The Fall Guy (in theaters): A down-and-out stuntman must find the missing star of his ex-girlfriend's blockbuster film. (Also from IMDB.
Ryan Gosling plays the down-and-out stuntman and Emily Blunt is his ex-girlfriend. I thought the first third was pretty slow. The final two thirds was really fun and I found myself smiling a lot and leaving with a smile on my face. Very entertaining. If you're old like me, make sure to stay all the way through the credits. I recommend.
Poor Things:
An account of the fantastical evolution of Bella Baxter, a young woman brought back to life by the brilliant and unorthodox scientist Dr. Godwin Baxter.
Emma Stone, Willem Defoe, Mark Ruffalo star. I heard it was a bit weird and that is a MASSIVE understatement. Great story, and the actual execution of the story is grand. The presentation of said story...holy f* pretentiousness artsy-fartsy WTF, take the stick out of your arse and the beret off your head.
It was a constant struggle to keep watching it due to those factors. The story and characters kept pulling me back in, but I was disgusted at how it was shot. Could the director be more full of himself and his "vision?"
That being said, at least start the movie, and see where it takes you.
When you tell somebody somethin', it depends on what part of the United States you're standin' in... as to just how dumb you are.
The Great Wall:
In ancient China, a group of European mercenaries encounters a secret army that maintains and defends the Great Wall of China against a horde of monstrous creatures.
I came to peace with this movie like I did "300," where the descriptions of the myth were grand and exaggerated. However, they still made a mess of things. On top of that, it played the "buddy cop"/"white savior" tropes, and were blatant about it. The best thing I can say about this one is the pretty colors that the Chinese army wore.
When you tell somebody somethin', it depends on what part of the United States you're standin' in... as to just how dumb you are.
Ill respectfully disagree with you on some of your assessment. Full of himself? His “vision” was kind of the whole point of the film. Would you call Terry Gilliam full of himself with his films? Or more recently, Wes Anderson? Maybe they are, but everything doesn’t need to be presented as true to life. A weird swirling candy colored world of fantasy was part of the film. Honestly I thought the strange look of the film helped offset the jarring sexuality, which if in a more realistic setting would have come off as just crude and not a deep part of Bella’s formation. I loved it.Poor Things:
An account of the fantastical evolution of Bella Baxter, a young woman brought back to life by the brilliant and unorthodox scientist Dr. Godwin Baxter.Emma Stone, Willem Defoe, Mark Ruffalo star. I heard it was a bit weird and that is a MASSIVE understatement. Great story, and the actual execution of the story is grand. The presentation of said story...holy f* pretentiousness artsy-fartsy WTF, take the stick out of your arse and the beret off your head.
It was a constant struggle to keep watching it due to those factors. The story and characters kept pulling me back in, but I was disgusted at how it was shot. Could the director be more full of himself and his "vision?"
That being said, at least start the movie, and see where it takes you.
Note: Due to inflation dirty deeds will no longer be done dirt cheap.
Wes Anderson's movies are all pretty much the same movie (about the only one I really liked was the Tenenbaums).
This one, the occasional "fish-eye" lens or like you're looking through a hotel door's peephole, whatever? Ugh. That sort of thing.
I do agree in a way about all the sex in this...I was a bit surprised at how graphic it was at times (not that it made me clutch my pearls, just surprised at how much they got away with), but also understand that it was a major factor in Bella's development as a person.
When you tell somebody somethin', it depends on what part of the United States you're standin' in... as to just how dumb you are.
Been lazy, time to catch up for the week (all Netflix, as is my default):
Bird Box:Barcelona:
After an entity of mysterious origin annihilates the world's population causing those who observe it to take their lives, Sebastián and his daughter begin their own great adventure of survival in Barcelona.
Yes, a sequel to the Sandra Bullock original. Same basic story, but it does add another level to things. It's takes a little bit to see that level, then it's a "hoo-boy" sorta thing. I enjoyed it, especially after the initial twist.
Wages Of Fear:
In order to prevent a deadly explosion, an illicit crack team has 24 hours to drive two truckloads of nitroglycerine across a desert laden with danger.
Basic action plot, but good secondary plots. In the end, as the movie progresses, it becomes predictable, due to the massive foreshadowing, but enjoyable to watch. Good time-killer.
Airport:
A bomber on board an airplane, an airport almost closed by snow, and various personal problems of the people involved.
I will fully admit, being a massive fan of Airplane! and Airplane! 2 affected my watching of this movie. That being said...wow, 1960s-style drama was so blah (this was released in 1970, so it was actually made in the 60s 😉 ). Call it a different time/era/whatever, but I've seen better drama movies than this one. I was a bit disappointed. However, do not take my first statement with a grain of salt. I was definitely biased.
When you tell somebody somethin', it depends on what part of the United States you're standin' in... as to just how dumb you are.
Went to ‘Unsung Hero’ with my wife on Tues. night. Very good movie. Definitely made me look at myself and look for ways to be a better father and husband.
Keep your stick on the ice...
Dabney Coleman dies at 92.
Dabney Coleman dies at 92.
80's kid here. I remember Coleman most from "Cloak and Dagger". My friend had it on VHS, which we watched all the time for some reason. Cloak and Dagger to me is what Goonies is to most of my peers.
Goonies kind of sucks, by the way.
WarGames for me.Dabney Coleman dies at 92.
80's kid here. I remember Coleman most from "Cloak and Dagger". My friend had it on VHS, which we watched all the time for some reason. Cloak and Dagger to me is what Goonies is to most of my peers.
Goonies kind of sucks, by the way.
B1G refs... corrupt, or just incompetent?
Wargames. And do not speak ill of The Goonies. I'm not kissing up. LOVE that movie.
When you tell somebody somethin', it depends on what part of the United States you're standin' in... as to just how dumb you are.
Yeah Goohies blows goats. Hugely overrated.
Bit of trivia:
The events of the Goonies and Back To The Future happened on the same day (Oct 26, 1985). 😉
When you tell somebody somethin', it depends on what part of the United States you're standin' in... as to just how dumb you are.
Bit of trivia:
The events of the Goonies and Back To The Future happened on the same day (Oct 26, 1985). 😉
I know the date was shown on the display panel inside the Delorean in BTTF, but when was it seen or mentioned in Goonies?
Bit of trivia:
The events of the Goonies and Back To The Future happened on the same day (Oct 26, 1985). 😉
I know the date was shown on the display panel inside the Delorean in BTTF, but when was it seen or mentioned in Goonies?
Fratellis escaped Oct 24 (newspaper in a scene shows the date, also, when Brandon is working out, calendar in the background that shows it's October). Kids are at home, so no school. One of the kids mentions it's Saturday. There was only one Saturday after Oct 24 in 1985, and that was Oct 26. 
When you tell somebody somethin', it depends on what part of the United States you're standin' in... as to just how dumb you are.
A little tardy as it’s been around a few weeks, but went to The Fall Guy today. Very funny, a perfect summer popcorn film. If you haven’t seen it be sure and stay through the credits.
Note: Due to inflation dirty deeds will no longer be done dirt cheap.
WarGames for me.Dabney Coleman dies at 92.
80's kid here. I remember Coleman most from "Cloak and Dagger". My friend had it on VHS, which we watched all the time for some reason. Cloak and Dagger to me is what Goonies is to most of my peers.
Goonies kind of sucks, by the way.
For the time Wargames was an underrated movie.