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2024/10/03 15:28:35
Subject: Mini-Movie Reviews- What You Are Watching.... in Miniature
This is a silly film. A very very silly film. Amnesiac US Soldier is secretly a Ninja, which is just as well because, as they’re wont to do, Ninjas in the Philippines are harassing the US Military stationed there, because I guess there’s not much else for a Ninja to do in the Philippines in the 1980’s. Well, other than appear in unconvincing Ninja movies.
I mean, it’s not awful, it’s more unintentionally funny. It’s definitely a film you’d stick on for anything other than a good laugh.
Oh, and the Blackstar Ninja, shortly before I presume he gets his kicked in, just cut electric to the base, with a pair of steel pliers. Never knew Ninja were self insulating.
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2024/10/03 19:45:38
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Oh, I just watched American Ninja. It's okay. I'd say that 2, is more fun and actually has better ninja action too. At that point I'm also a bit of a fan of the dynamic duo of Dudikoff and James.
Caught Starship Troopers on TV. What a fun film and the casting is just marvellous.
Based off of a 1975 Stephen King story. There have been 2 or 3 adaptations of this story over the years since its first publishing, some of which were nominated for TV/entertainment awards. I don’t think this version will get any accolades. Nothing new or groundbreaking here. It very much shows its age, as a story concept. There are much better vampire stories out there, as well as some that are much scarier.
At a runtime of near 2 hours it feels overlong yet also rushed, somehow.
There are definitely some cool visuals, so it has that going for it, and I think Bill Camp is a great “hey its that guy” kind of actor that gives it his all in every project that I see him in. Bill Pullman’s son, Lewis Pullman, plays one of the lead characters, but the story jumps all over the place that I didn’t really get invested in his character.
Just wasn’t a satisfying viewing experience overall. 4/10
I think this was a SAG-AFTRA Strike casualty put out to streaming pasture.
This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 2024/10/05 04:05:33
"Sometimes the only victory possible is to keep your opponent from winning." - The Emperor, from The Outcast Dead.
"Tell your gods we are coming for them, and that their realms will burn as ours did." -Thostos Bladestorm
2024/10/05 05:12:11
Subject: Mini-Movie Reviews- What You Are Watching.... in Miniature
Probably the definitive film in the series, as we go from “everything’s pretty rubbish, but maybe we can claw it back” to “well that didn’t work, sheer unbridled anarchy where everyone has lost their minds”
It also sets the visual language for what’s to come. Modified vehicles, fetishistic clothing and scant resources.
Whilst it’s now somewhat tame in its violence, in its day is was pretty brutal stuff. Yet for my money, it never really crosses into truly gratuitous or grotesque violence. I mean it makes no apologies about including unpleasant deaths, but the camera never lingers, and it’s not being done purely for shock value.
At its core is a pretty simple story, done incredibly well. And I bloody love it.
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I dug Salem’s Lot out of storage to read it, as my son wants his Halloween theme to be vampires. Is the original Miniseries good? I’ve heard it was quite frightening for children of the day.
I much prefer Jerusalem’s Lot over Salem’s Lot, but it’s a prequel of sorts. DonI read it first, in chronological order, or second as a treat?
@MadDocGrotsnik
The Road Warrior was the source and inspiration of so, so many post-apocalyptic films in the 80’s. Just for that it’s impressive.
Indie Horror with a Halloween theme from last year that flew under my radar.
Rural American Town is menaced annually by Sawtoothed Jack, whom the young men of the community must hunt down and prevent entering the Church before midnight. There is of course a twist in the tale.
Whilst nothing particularly new nor original, this is very comfortable fare. The pacing and plot progression is very well done, and we do learn to care about our protagonists, which all too often is an easily forgotten factor in modern horror.
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2024/10/07 12:01:19
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Indie Horror with a Halloween theme from last year that flew under my radar.
Rural American Town is menaced annually by Sawtoothed Jack, whom the young men of the community must hunt down and prevent entering the Church before midnight. There is of course a twist in the tale.
Whilst nothing particularly new nor original, this is very comfortable fare. The pacing and plot progression is very well done, and we do learn to care about our protagonists, which all too often is an easily forgotten factor in modern horror.
This was one that I found actually really well done. I really enjoyed it and definitely agree with recommending it!
Best Painted (2015 Adepticon 40k Champs)
They Shall Know Fear - Adepticon 40k TT Champion (2012 & 2013) & 40k TT Best Sport (2014), 40k TT Best Tactician (2015 & 2016)
2024/10/07 15:54:28
Subject: Mini-Movie Reviews- What You Are Watching.... in Miniature
Also the one with the bowling vampires (and werewolf).
Fright Night 2 has the same goofy energy as the first, but dialed up. All the actors seem to be having a lot of fun. The makeup effects are still top tier. The story isn’t quite as good as the first movie, but it’s an enjoyable horror comedy.
“Whenever Michael isn’t on screen, all the other characters should ask, ‘Where’s Michael?’”
—The Director, probably
Did you like Blade? Would you like to see Blade in a Vampire The Masquerade film? Would you like Blade to be a stunning woman in tight leather? Well, here you go.
Underworld is a nearly-great action movie with a mostly likeable cast and mostly good effects, with very late-90’s lighting and music. Sadly, the actor playing the one character the plot revolves around and lore builds up makes Sam Worthington look charismatic. The special effects that hold up best and still impress kids today are the old tried-and-true in-camera effects and wire work. The Lucan suits look good for their day. The cgi isn’t terrible, but it isn’t great, either.
If you’ve ever wanted to walk the city at midnight in a leather duster, or go clubbing in a choker and bustier, you’ll find something to love in Underworld.
I always think the biggest problem with the Underworld series is its so freaking dark all the time. No not the plot the freaking lighting setup.
It's one of those films that you feel they just used the heck out of it to hide all the set elements they didn't want you seeing. And its a shame because its a good action thriller and casual series of vampire films.
Underworld is a fun slice of film. Plus it has Michael Sheen in it, therefore it’s automatically fantastic. That’s just science and a law of the universe.
I’ve seen the second one, but other than that shot? I couldn’t tell you a damn thing about it.
Yes.
That shot.
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I’m in the same boat. I saw the first three, but I can only remember one and three. The second one slipped into the same memory hole as such classics as The Journey Of Natty Gan and The Gun in Betty Lou’s Handbag—movies I know I’ve seen but couldn’t tell you a single thing that happens in them.
Wasn't sure I was going to like this after being unimpressed by Afterlife (It wasn't bad, I just found it very slow), but I thought it was a much better movie. Without a lot of new characters to set up, it could just jump straight into things, needed more ghosts though, so it's stuck at 3rd best Ghostbusters film.
2024/10/10 18:45:20
Subject: Mini-Movie Reviews- What You Are Watching.... in Miniature
George A Romero’s fourth, latter day, entry to his zombie tales. And it definitely stands up amongst its contemporaries and it stablemates.
It’s got his trademark social commentary, some inventive gore, and importantly for me, builds off Bub from Day of the Dead, as some of the zombies display basic reasoning and fine motor control, as well as a general awareness.
Speaking of which? More movies are in the works, which I’m hype for, and I’d love it if Rick Moranis would return. He’s had the best and most wholesome reason for being retired, but he’s done some work in recent years.
A pastiche slashed flick, exclusive to Shudder and starting Alyson Hannigan.
Kind of a Scream style deconstruction of the genre, without being lazy enough to just copy Scream.
Our hero is possibly a psycho killer, who’s been working his way through his fellow camp counsellors. And he phones his friend, portrayed by Alyson Hannigan (who works in a geek store selling GW products!) for advice.
It’s pretty original in its presentation, but with pretty obvious influences it’s not ashamed to hide.
I’d say this is worth a watch. Kind of reminds me of Tucker and Dale vs Evil, whilst being nothing like Tucker and Dale vs Evil.
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This one is on one of the streaming platforms (maybe peacock??). It's listed as a horror movie, and it being October, we went in with some reservations. A lot of those reservations were along the lines of "neckbeard rolling up an 'ancient' female character who only looks super young so they can justify doing some pedo gak". Thankfully, there was nothing like that at all.
To call this a horror movie, IMHO, would be like calling The Godfather a telenovella. . . I guess they put the horror tag on it because it has vampires??
Anyway. What a fun little movie. It's pretty well predictable in terms of story, but remains quite entertaining none the less. Realistically, there's not much I can say that wouldn't spoil some of the plot. The synopsis "on the tin" pretty well covers it: a band of ne'er do wells (who are somehow "professionals") kidnap someone they think is just a 12 year old kid. However, it turns out, said kid is pretty powerful vampire, and things take a turn for the worse for all but the main character. In following a trope of the horror genre, Main Character is one of the very few who survives this 2 hour flick, and. . . there aren't much sympathies elsewhere. Did I mention a lot of this is utterly predictable?
While I enjoyed it, I can only recommend this if you go in with expectations of gore and action with the barest hint of suspense. If you're going in expecting jump scares and proper horror, you'll likely be disappointed.
2024/10/12 17:47:56
Subject: Re:Mini-Movie Reviews- What You Are Watching.... in Miniature
Abigail was originally titled Dracula's Daughter and was a remake/re-imagining of the 1936 Universal horror film. The success of Megan made the producers decide that a change to the title would be a good marketing move.
Amidst the mists and coldest frosts he thrusts his fists against the posts and still insists he sees the ghosts.
2024/10/12 20:55:12
Subject: Mini-Movie Reviews- What You Are Watching.... in Miniature