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Sarah (7798 KP) rated Evil Dead II (1987) in Movies
Nov 24, 2019
Bloody good fun
This could possibly be one of the few sequels that actually surpasses the original. Not only does it start off by recapping (and slightly alterating) the first film, it goes completely over the top with the gore and physical effects and it is brilliant.
The effects and the horror aspects are the best thing about this film. The gore is so brilliantly done and despite the fact that the physical effects look maybe a tad dated, they still look a lot better than any modern day effects. The humour and comedy fits in really well and the whole thing is just gloriously bonkers and a riot from start to finish. I think Bruce Campbell may be a tad too over the top at points (even for this film) but it was made in the 80s after all.
They don't make horror films like this anymore.
The effects and the horror aspects are the best thing about this film. The gore is so brilliantly done and despite the fact that the physical effects look maybe a tad dated, they still look a lot better than any modern day effects. The humour and comedy fits in really well and the whole thing is just gloriously bonkers and a riot from start to finish. I think Bruce Campbell may be a tad too over the top at points (even for this film) but it was made in the 80s after all.
They don't make horror films like this anymore.
MelanieTheresa (997 KP) rated Joker (2019) in Movies
Jan 10, 2020
I guess I just didn't get it.
I know I'm in the extreme minority here, but I was just not a fan of this movie. It was super bleak, and I grew bored fairly quickly. I know, it was supposedly a commentary on society & mental health/illness blah blah blah, and I'm not sure what this says about me, but it did absolutely nothing for me. Phoenix's performance, which everyone and his brother is applauding (and, apparently, awarding - see last week's Golden Globes), was just ok in my opinion. Then again, Phoenix as an actor in general is just ok in my opinion.
Gotham was super seedy, as Gotham should be, and the Wayne name was only invoked once or twice (both Bruce & Thomas) - and that's where any connection to the DCU ends. And that's really fine, since I have zero desire to see this Joker again.
Gotham was super seedy, as Gotham should be, and the Wayne name was only invoked once or twice (both Bruce & Thomas) - and that's where any connection to the DCU ends. And that's really fine, since I have zero desire to see this Joker again.
TheDefunctDiva (304 KP) rated Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019) in Movies
Mar 8, 2020
Dynamic Duo
Contains spoilers, click to show
My boyfriend watched this movie three times before I had the opportunity. I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. Great setup to an ultimate revenge scene. I loved, loved, loved the costuming. But what was up with everyone's dirty feet??? I can see why Bruce Lee's family objected to the portrayal of the late, great actor. But we have to remember that this entire film is fiction and not fact. It did make me exceptionally sad that some of these events did not transpire in real life. I don't have the time for a three-hour movie, but I would definitely watch this again...
Kevin Morby recommended track Ghost Rider by Suicide in Attempted: Live at Max's Kansas City 1980 by Suicide in Music (curated)
Kelly (279 KP) rated Outlaw King (2018) in Movies
Dec 16, 2018
Clear passion to retell the story (1 more)
Excellent battle scene
Watchable
After seeing an advert for the Outlaw King, I was excited to watch the movie. Despite this I found that the film missed my expectations, and I found that it became almost boring in places.
The writers of the outlaw king had a clear passion to retell the story of Robert Bruce and his fight to regain the Scottish crown from the English in the early Plantagenet period. To the best of my knowledge, the story was told as accurately as possible, however this did mean that there were a lot of scenes centred around the politics of Roberts plight. The slower scenes were unbalanced with the battle scenes which meant that the pace of the story dipped many times during the film - I have to confess it took me three attempts to watch it in full as a result of this.
As the writers tried to cram too much into such a short film, I found that the movie had a bit of an identity crisis - was this an action, romance or political film? Had the writers focused on just one area, I believe the movie would have been a lot more watchable, instead the movie felt overloaded.
The acting in general was okay, and reasonably well cast, except for the relationship between Robert Bruce and his wife. I struggled to believe the romance between the two actors. Although this is ultimately my opinion, I struggled to believe that what was ultimately an arranged marriage between the two, could rest in the two characters falling for each other as quickly as the film portrayed.
In general, the film is watchable, although it is not one I would go to as a first choice. There are some good parts of the film, for example the relationship between Robert and his men, and the final battle scene. The film also teaches us about part of Scottish history that tends to be overlooked by many schools during history lessons.
The writers of the outlaw king had a clear passion to retell the story of Robert Bruce and his fight to regain the Scottish crown from the English in the early Plantagenet period. To the best of my knowledge, the story was told as accurately as possible, however this did mean that there were a lot of scenes centred around the politics of Roberts plight. The slower scenes were unbalanced with the battle scenes which meant that the pace of the story dipped many times during the film - I have to confess it took me three attempts to watch it in full as a result of this.
As the writers tried to cram too much into such a short film, I found that the movie had a bit of an identity crisis - was this an action, romance or political film? Had the writers focused on just one area, I believe the movie would have been a lot more watchable, instead the movie felt overloaded.
The acting in general was okay, and reasonably well cast, except for the relationship between Robert Bruce and his wife. I struggled to believe the romance between the two actors. Although this is ultimately my opinion, I struggled to believe that what was ultimately an arranged marriage between the two, could rest in the two characters falling for each other as quickly as the film portrayed.
In general, the film is watchable, although it is not one I would go to as a first choice. There are some good parts of the film, for example the relationship between Robert and his men, and the final battle scene. The film also teaches us about part of Scottish history that tends to be overlooked by many schools during history lessons.
Heather Cranmer (2721 KP) created a post
May 1, 2021
Matthew Krueger (10051 KP) rated Batman (1989) in Movies
Oct 10, 2019
Batman- i love this movie, i have seen it about 7-9 times. I love michael Keaton as bruce wayne/batman. I love jack nicholson as the joker. This movie has action, comedy, suspense, laughing gas, a prince song, adventure and so much more. Also you have darkness, romance, lots of screaming from Vicki Vale played by Kim Basinger. Did i mention that Tim Burton directed this film.
The Plot: Having witnessed his parents' brutal murder as a child, millionaire philanthropist Bruce Wayne (Michael Keaton) fights crime in Gotham City disguised as Batman, a costumed hero who strikes fear into the hearts of villains. But when a deformed madman who calls himself "The Joker" (Jack Nicholson) seizes control of Gotham's criminal underworld, Batman must face his most ruthless nemesis ever while protecting both his identity and his love interest, reporter Vicki Vale (Kim Basinger).
Keaton's casting caused a controversy since, by 1988, he had become typecast as a comedic actor and many observers doubted he could portray a serious role. Nicholson accepted the role of the Joker under strict conditions that dictated top billing, a high salary, a portion of the box office profits and his own shooting schedule.
The tone and themes of the film were influenced in part by Alan Moore and Brian Bolland's The Killing Joke and Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns. The film primarily adapts the "Red Hood" origin story for the Joker, in which Batman inadvertently creates the Joker by causing him to fall into Axis Chemical acid, resulting in his transformation into a psychopath, but it adds a unique twist in presenting him specifically as a gangster named Jack Napier.
Considered the role of Batman, including Mel Gibson, Kevin Costner, Charlie Sheen, Tom Selleck, Bill Murray, Harrison Ford and Dennis Quaid.
Brad Dourif, Tim Curry, David Bowie, John Lithgow and James Woods were considered for the Joker.
This film is great and should be watched.
The Plot: Having witnessed his parents' brutal murder as a child, millionaire philanthropist Bruce Wayne (Michael Keaton) fights crime in Gotham City disguised as Batman, a costumed hero who strikes fear into the hearts of villains. But when a deformed madman who calls himself "The Joker" (Jack Nicholson) seizes control of Gotham's criminal underworld, Batman must face his most ruthless nemesis ever while protecting both his identity and his love interest, reporter Vicki Vale (Kim Basinger).
Keaton's casting caused a controversy since, by 1988, he had become typecast as a comedic actor and many observers doubted he could portray a serious role. Nicholson accepted the role of the Joker under strict conditions that dictated top billing, a high salary, a portion of the box office profits and his own shooting schedule.
The tone and themes of the film were influenced in part by Alan Moore and Brian Bolland's The Killing Joke and Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns. The film primarily adapts the "Red Hood" origin story for the Joker, in which Batman inadvertently creates the Joker by causing him to fall into Axis Chemical acid, resulting in his transformation into a psychopath, but it adds a unique twist in presenting him specifically as a gangster named Jack Napier.
Considered the role of Batman, including Mel Gibson, Kevin Costner, Charlie Sheen, Tom Selleck, Bill Murray, Harrison Ford and Dennis Quaid.
Brad Dourif, Tim Curry, David Bowie, John Lithgow and James Woods were considered for the Joker.
This film is great and should be watched.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Batman (1989) in Movies
Feb 25, 2018
Tim Burton's landmark superhero adaptation was an unavoidable media juggernaut on original release; has stood the test of time pretty well. Bruce Wayne begins his battle against crime as Batman, inadvertently creates psycho crime-lord the Joker; the two of them both take a shine to reporter Vicki Vale.
Enormously influenced by Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns, clearly, but then you could say the same about every single other Batman movie since. The real innovation at the time was to create a distinctive fantasy world around Batman so he appears less absurd: hence the gothic nightmare of Gotham City's architecture, and the combination of elements of 40s and 80s fashion in the costume design. Whole film is arguably unbalanced by Jack Nicholson's not-exactly-understated performance as the Joker, though Michael Keaton does his best. Is there really anything behind all the art direction and overacting? Possibly not, but that may be missing the point.
Enormously influenced by Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns, clearly, but then you could say the same about every single other Batman movie since. The real innovation at the time was to create a distinctive fantasy world around Batman so he appears less absurd: hence the gothic nightmare of Gotham City's architecture, and the combination of elements of 40s and 80s fashion in the costume design. Whole film is arguably unbalanced by Jack Nicholson's not-exactly-understated performance as the Joker, though Michael Keaton does his best. Is there really anything behind all the art direction and overacting? Possibly not, but that may be missing the point.
Emily Slomski (3 KP) rated Fortunate Son in Books
Jun 18, 2018
Narrative (2 more)
Voice!
History of CCR
Personal and Revealing Memoir of CCR's Front Man
John Fogerty welcomes us into his world and talks to us like a close friend. He doesn't shy away from the difficult topics. For those who had only a positive connotation for Creedence Clearwater Revival, this book will smash that perspective. Fogerty spends the majority of the book discussing the difficult relationships between the band members and the many ways that the recording company screwed the band, and particularly John Fogerty, over. There is much to get out of this book. While he spends a lot of time talking about the difficulties, he also talks about his childhood, his personal relationship with music, his wife, his friendships with people like Bruce Springsteen, and the fulfilling life he has built for himself today. I totally recommend this book for anyone interested in Fogerty, CCR, and/or classic rock and roll!
Darren (1599 KP) rated Twenty Feet from Stardom (2014) in Movies
Jun 20, 2019
Story: 20 Feet from Stardom starts as we meet different backup singers that have worked with the biggest names in music, Mick Jagger, Sting and Bruce Springsteen to mention a few, we follow these backup singers that have always wanted to sing, but not perform not giving them the fame the lead singer would get, despite the effect their singer put towards the songs.
Thoughts on 20 Feet from Stardom
Final Thoughts – This is a nice documentary about the people that add something to the songs you know and love with their backup vocals, there stories of how they learned from the more famous performers while also aspiring to become the big names on their own stage. This is a documentary that shows that talent comes from each position on the stage.
Overall: Good documentary about the lesser known talents.
https://moviesreview101.com/2018/02/27/abc-film-challenge-oscar-nominations-20-feet-from-stardom-2013/
Thoughts on 20 Feet from Stardom
Final Thoughts – This is a nice documentary about the people that add something to the songs you know and love with their backup vocals, there stories of how they learned from the more famous performers while also aspiring to become the big names on their own stage. This is a documentary that shows that talent comes from each position on the stage.
Overall: Good documentary about the lesser known talents.
https://moviesreview101.com/2018/02/27/abc-film-challenge-oscar-nominations-20-feet-from-stardom-2013/