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LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated Re-Animator (1985) in Movies
Aug 29, 2020
Straight up, Re-Animator is one of my favourite horror movies of all time - there is just so much to love about this bonafide classic.
Based on an H.P. Lovecraft story, the plot revolves around trainee doctor Dan Cain, who's world is turned upside down when he crosses paths with Herbert West, a fellow trainee who has developed a serum that has the ability to reverse brain death. With some serious trial and error, it's not long before all hell breaks loose, and Dan is roped into Herbert's crazy schemes.
This film is a shining example of schlocky 80s horror done right and ticks all the right boxes. The dialogue may come across a bit B-Movie-ish at times, but that's hardly a problem with the strong cast involved.
Jeffrey Combs dominates every second he's on screen as Herbert West, giving us a truly iconic Mad Scientist of cinema. Same goes for David Gale as primary antagonist Dr. Carl Hill. God, I hate that character - a trait that makes him an excellent horror villain.
Bruce Abbot plays Dan, and his performance has you on his side for the whole runtime, even when he's reluctantly helping West in his unethical experiments. This was also a break out film for horror icon Barbara Crampton. I can't help but love her in anything she's in.
Another fantastic aspect about Re-Animator is the practical effects, which are truly incredible. It's such a visceral experience, so over the top, and just plain gross, everything you want from a gory horror flick. This all culminates in one of the most absurd final sequences in 80s horror, and that's saying something!
Re-Animator is both charming and disgusting, and manages to be funny as well. A true horror gem that should be seen by any fan of the genre.
Based on an H.P. Lovecraft story, the plot revolves around trainee doctor Dan Cain, who's world is turned upside down when he crosses paths with Herbert West, a fellow trainee who has developed a serum that has the ability to reverse brain death. With some serious trial and error, it's not long before all hell breaks loose, and Dan is roped into Herbert's crazy schemes.
This film is a shining example of schlocky 80s horror done right and ticks all the right boxes. The dialogue may come across a bit B-Movie-ish at times, but that's hardly a problem with the strong cast involved.
Jeffrey Combs dominates every second he's on screen as Herbert West, giving us a truly iconic Mad Scientist of cinema. Same goes for David Gale as primary antagonist Dr. Carl Hill. God, I hate that character - a trait that makes him an excellent horror villain.
Bruce Abbot plays Dan, and his performance has you on his side for the whole runtime, even when he's reluctantly helping West in his unethical experiments. This was also a break out film for horror icon Barbara Crampton. I can't help but love her in anything she's in.
Another fantastic aspect about Re-Animator is the practical effects, which are truly incredible. It's such a visceral experience, so over the top, and just plain gross, everything you want from a gory horror flick. This all culminates in one of the most absurd final sequences in 80s horror, and that's saying something!
Re-Animator is both charming and disgusting, and manages to be funny as well. A true horror gem that should be seen by any fan of the genre.

Sarah (7800 KP) rated Thor: Ragnarok (2017) in Movies
Nov 5, 2017 (Updated Nov 6, 2017)
One of the best Marvel films
This is definitely the best Thor film by far, and up there as being one of the best Marvel films in general.
It's so much fun, and the humour in it is brilliant. It's very funny, and Korg has to be my new favourite character. The action scenes were marvellous and the sfx too. The whole 80s neon theme works really well, especially with the awesome soundtrack. The plot was interesting and serious, but with the humour in it felt a lot more lighthearted than other recent Marvel films. This seemed much more along the same lines as the Guardians of the Galaxy films.
I loved some of the new characters like Valkyrie and the Grandmaster, although my only negative is that I felt Karl Urban and Idris Elba were a little underused. Need more Heimdall!
It's so much fun, and the humour in it is brilliant. It's very funny, and Korg has to be my new favourite character. The action scenes were marvellous and the sfx too. The whole 80s neon theme works really well, especially with the awesome soundtrack. The plot was interesting and serious, but with the humour in it felt a lot more lighthearted than other recent Marvel films. This seemed much more along the same lines as the Guardians of the Galaxy films.
I loved some of the new characters like Valkyrie and the Grandmaster, although my only negative is that I felt Karl Urban and Idris Elba were a little underused. Need more Heimdall!

Sarah (7800 KP) rated Atomic Blonde (2017) in Movies
Aug 16, 2017
Soundtrack (1 more)
Fight scenes
Style over substance?
This is basically a slightly above average spy film - given the above average rating solely based on the killer soundtrack and great action scenes. Charlize Theron makes a pretty good kick ass action star. However the plot itself is a bit confusing at times, drags quite a lot and seems to have almost been pushed to the background in favour of the stylish music and fight scenes. The basic premise as well is sadly lacking in originality, it's so similar to numerous other spy films just with a cool 80s setting. It does however have a great supporting cast, but James McAvoy has been massively underused in this as he's a fantastic actor and needed more screen time. The ending was alright though, just a shame it took so long to get there.

Lenard (726 KP) rated Ask Dr Ruth (2019) in Movies
Jun 14, 2019
I grew up on Dr Ruth Westheimer. I wrote a book report on her autobiography in probably middle school. This is how influential she was during the 80s. The new documentary about her life released on Hulu and in select theaters quietly pays homage to this remarkable woman. Much like another short statured Jewish woman who received a documentary last year, Dr Ruth gave a voice to women and power to women in the bedroom. She made it okay to air your sexual problems and get a solution. For a generation, her humor and honesty turned a German girl who escaped the Holocaust and the 1948 Israeli-Arab War into a minor celebrity. I hope people can see this film and appreciate this trailblazer who tirelessly works for feminism (although she is not a feminist) and LBGTQ.

Awix (3310 KP) rated Robocop (1987) in Movies
Feb 12, 2018
Murphy's Law
Heavy metal action satire from Dutch director Paul Verhoeven that established him as one of the world's leading SF directors. The story is functional, if hardly original - dedicated cop is shot to pieces by bad guys, rebuilt as an armoured cyborg by heartless corporation, struggles to reclaim his humanity - but what makes it special is Verhoeven's ability to turn the movie on a dime, switching the mood from black comedy to sincere drama in a moment.
The setting is futuristic, but few films capture the look and feel of the 80s quite as effortlessly as Robocop. There are a few wobbles in the plotting and some uninspired supporting performances, but this is directed with heart and intelligence. At least as good as The Terminator or Aliens; would probably be much better remembered if any of the sequels had been any good.
The setting is futuristic, but few films capture the look and feel of the 80s quite as effortlessly as Robocop. There are a few wobbles in the plotting and some uninspired supporting performances, but this is directed with heart and intelligence. At least as good as The Terminator or Aliens; would probably be much better remembered if any of the sequels had been any good.

Andy K (10823 KP) rated American Psycho (2000) in Movies
Jun 3, 2018
The business card scene is the best!
Christian Bale is excellent as Patrick Bateman (Batman lol), a Wall Street executive with an extremely dark side, he is a cold-blooded murderer.
Much of the film sees Bateman juggling his two separate lives, and how has has to have everything just so, and loses it if everything doesn''t go his way. He really loves 80s music and explains the nuances of his favorite artists in way too much detail.
The ending is ambiguous, but that is all right here as it leaves you wondering what actually happened and what was in his mind and was he really just going crazy or dreaming.
Some very graphic scenes are not for the squeamish and I'll never like the song "Hip to be Square" the same way again.
Much of the film sees Bateman juggling his two separate lives, and how has has to have everything just so, and loses it if everything doesn''t go his way. He really loves 80s music and explains the nuances of his favorite artists in way too much detail.
The ending is ambiguous, but that is all right here as it leaves you wondering what actually happened and what was in his mind and was he really just going crazy or dreaming.
Some very graphic scenes are not for the squeamish and I'll never like the song "Hip to be Square" the same way again.

Erika (17789 KP) rated Bumblebee (2018) in Movies
Jan 9, 2019
I was not expecting to like this film at all, I only went to see it for something to do. I'm not a huge Transformers fan, they've all been the same, except for that last one, it was just awful. Most of the Transformers films are filled with overlong sequences with whatever female character running around in very little clothing.
I was pleasantly surprised, this was essentially an 80s buddy movie. It had a great soundtrack and I've been listening to it on repeat for the past few days. The plot was fairly simple and predictable, but it was a joy to watch and I was entertained throughout. Hailee Steinfeld was a compelling lead and her character was realistic, which I really liked. Jorge Lendeborg Jr (Memo) was also really amusing, and one of my favorite characters.
I was pleasantly surprised, this was essentially an 80s buddy movie. It had a great soundtrack and I've been listening to it on repeat for the past few days. The plot was fairly simple and predictable, but it was a joy to watch and I was entertained throughout. Hailee Steinfeld was a compelling lead and her character was realistic, which I really liked. Jorge Lendeborg Jr (Memo) was also really amusing, and one of my favorite characters.

Ross (3284 KP) rated Stranger Things - Season 3 in TV
Aug 15, 2019
I'm starting to tire of the concept I think
Series three follows the established formula, of happiness, weird things happen, everyone gets involved, Steve gets a kicking while the kids hide, Hopper and Joyce save the day.
While the series continues to be atmospheric and full of nice 80s references, I really think I am starting to tire of the show. The fact that it is supposed to be centred around the kids is strong, and yet they get involved in so little of the action that it is a let-down. Imagine if in the Goonies the gang got to One-eyed Willie's booby traps only for Chunk's uncle to appear to get them through it, while they complain about snogging in braces.
Hopefully series 4 will be more interesting and mix things up a little.
While the series continues to be atmospheric and full of nice 80s references, I really think I am starting to tire of the show. The fact that it is supposed to be centred around the kids is strong, and yet they get involved in so little of the action that it is a let-down. Imagine if in the Goonies the gang got to One-eyed Willie's booby traps only for Chunk's uncle to appear to get them through it, while they complain about snogging in braces.
Hopefully series 4 will be more interesting and mix things up a little.

Kevin Phillipson (10072 KP) rated Chopping Mall (1986) in Movies
Feb 17, 2020
Kelli Maloney (1 more)
Design of the robots
Watched last as I had nothing else to do what being my birthday and I was feeling rather low as well. Anyway I've never seen this film before I knew about it back on the days of VHS but never got round to seeing the film till now on Amazon prime. I'm glad I did finally simple plot security robots go haywire killing off anyone who trespassers in the shopping mall there are some good kills not great acting Kelli Maloney from night of the comet is the standout out of the acting. wish there was mote dick miller great actor but has one scene in the movie. Liked the design of the robots very 80s. Anyway not a bad movie just wished I had seen the movie alot sooner

Who Killed Mister Moonlight?: Bauhaus, Black Magick, and Benediction
Book
Beginning with the creation of Bauhaus's seminal debut hit 'Bela Lugosi's Dead', David J. Haskins...