Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

 H.B.M.C. wrote:

 Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:
I genuinely forgot this film existed.

I think a sign of a terrible film is if you sit down to watch it and 20-ish minutes in you suddenly go "Hang on... I've seen this already!".

That happened to me with Taken 3. It was so bad and my mind did such a good job of scrubbing it from my memory that I actually sat down to watch it thinking that I'd never seen it.

The one that sticks in my mind is Underworld 2.

I’ve seen it, I know I’ve seen it. More than once. But I couldn’t tell you a damned thing about the plot, because I have no particular memory of it. Given I have vivid and confirmed by my Dad memories of stuff from the age of 3? That’s…..quite an achievement. Or indictment.

 Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:

 H.B.M.C. wrote:

 Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:
I genuinely forgot this film existed.

I think a sign of a terrible film is if you sit down to watch it and 20-ish minutes in you suddenly go "Hang on... I've seen this already!".

That happened to me with Taken 3. It was so bad and my mind did such a good job of scrubbing it from my memory that I actually sat down to watch it thinking that I'd never seen it.

The one that sticks in my mind is Underworld 2.

I’ve seen it, I know I’ve seen it. More than once. But I couldn’t tell you a damned thing about the plot, because I have no particular memory of it. Given I have vivid and confirmed by my Dad memories of stuff from the age of 3? That’s…..quite an achievement. Or indictment.

Wasn't there a werewolf guy locked in a cage in a lab or something in that one? Otherwise I'm right there with you on drawing a blank. I'm sure I saw it, but....

I think there’s a vampire werewolf hybrid. And of course Kate Beckinsale’s bum in that latex.

But…..that’s about it. Genuinely.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Collateral Damage

An Arnie film I’ve somehow never seen before.

Made in 2002, it’s a later entry, but it checks out fine. If anything it’s more restrained than we’re used to, as we don’t have One Man Arnie doing it all for himself.

It’s perfectly enjoyable, with a pretty solid cast.

Kate Beckinsale’s bum in the early 2,000s overcomes a lot of mediocrity…

 Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:
I think there’s a vampire werewolf hybrid. And of course Kate Beckinsale’s bum in that latex.

But…..that’s about it. Genuinely.

i believe that's the one with Derek Jacobi and the guy that was thrown into a helicopter rotor.

Red Sparrow

Jennifer Lawrence tries to bounce back with an espionage film where she is a Russian. It was interesting premise of an espionage film from a Russian prospective. It also is a proper espionage film, no super heroics. Despite this being a strong film, the pace was a bit challenging.

That said, in the wake of the Harvey Weinstein scandal and how it relates to Lawrence; many of the scenes of sexual exploitation were even more uncomfortable than normal. I couldn't help but wonder how much of her performance was channeled from that experience. That made me sad.

 Easy E wrote:
That said, in the wake of the Harvey Weinstein scandal and how it relates to Lawrence; many of the scenes of sexual exploitation were even more uncomfortable than normal. I couldn't help but wonder how much of her performance was channeled from that experience. That made me sad.

How does it relate to Lawrence?

The Descent

Right after work today, an episode of EFAP (EFAP Movies #43, for reference) popped up and it was focusing on this pretty excellent British horror flick. Along for the ride on the watch along/discussion was the actual writer/director of the movie, Neil Marshall*!

The discussion talked about how much movie making magic/trickery is involved in this film. From using paintings, miniature sets, and just different angles of the set pieces to give the appearance of being in different parts of the cave system. I had always liked this movie, but now I think I love it.

Just a solid, well written horror flick that did sooo much with so little.

*Also found out that he directed “Blackwater” and “Watchers on the Wall”, two of my favorite Game of Thrones episodes. He’s got some decent other hits in his CV, with a notable black mark being 2019’s Hellboy, but I’m a fan of his now for sure.

He also brought us Dog Soldiers, probably my favourite Werewolf movie ever.

Then Doomsday, which is definitely more Marmite. Me, I love it because it’s bonkers and doesn’t pretend otherwise.

The Wolf of snow Hollow - 2022

I saw a trailer for this and it reminded me of Twin Peaks from the uniform patch and the Sheriff ( Robert Foster ) who was in Twin Peaks the return.

Grizzly murders in a small town just ahead of ski season. Aside from the investigation into the murders it's about a sheriffs deputy who's extremely stressed out.
My wife didn't like this movie and pointed out a few plot wholes and inconsistencies and ya, they're there. The movie is more about the sheriffs deputy and him trying to deal with everything than the investigation and solving the murders. It's worth at least one viewing, you may or may not like it.

 warhead01 wrote:
The Wolf of snow Hollow - 2022

I saw a trailer for this and it reminded me of Twin Peaks from the uniform patch and the Sheriff ( Robert Foster ) who was in Twin Peaks the return.

Grizzly murders in a small town just ahead of ski season. Aside from the investigation into the murders it's about a sheriffs deputy who's extremely stressed out.
My wife didn't like this movie and pointed out a few plot wholes and inconsistencies and ya, they're there. The movie is more about the sheriffs deputy and him trying to deal with everything than the investigation and solving the murders. It's worth at least one viewing, you may or may not like it.

Jim Cummings, who wrote and starred in the above movie was also the writer/director in a film called Thunder Road, which was pretty good. A black comedy that deals with heavier subjects, but it was something that I didn't regret watching. The dude is pretty good at portraying characters that you're supposed to root for, but they're also a pretty big donkey-cave.

 nels1031 wrote:

 warhead01 wrote:
The Wolf of snow Hollow - 2022

I saw a trailer for this and it reminded me of Twin Peaks from the uniform patch and the Sheriff ( Robert Foster ) who was in Twin Peaks the return.

Grizzly murders in a small town just ahead of ski season. Aside from the investigation into the murders it's about a sheriffs deputy who's extremely stressed out.
My wife didn't like this movie and pointed out a few plot wholes and inconsistencies and ya, they're there. The movie is more about the sheriffs deputy and him trying to deal with everything than the investigation and solving the murders. It's worth at least one viewing, you may or may not like it.

Jim Cummings, who wrote and starred in the above movie was also the writer/director in a film called Thunder Road, which was pretty good. A black comedy that deals with heavier subjects, but it was something that I didn't regret watching. The dude is pretty good at portraying characters that you're supposed to root for, but they're also a pretty big donkey-cave.

Thanks!

I'll have a look for Thunder Road trailer and maybe check it out but I don't think we'll watch it together based on her reactions to this one.
I can't say I'd heard of Jim Cummings before this movie.

My wife really disliked his character based on the dialog. She was asking, do people really talk like that. I tried to impart that he was stressed out to the extreme but I don't think she cared. I think it reminder her too much of asshats we both knew during our time in the army.

 H.B.M.C. wrote:

 Easy E wrote:
That said, in the wake of the Harvey Weinstein scandal and how it relates to Lawrence; many of the scenes of sexual exploitation were even more uncomfortable than normal. I couldn't help but wonder how much of her performance was channeled from that experience. That made me sad.

How does it relate to Lawrence?

There are allegations and rumors that Harvey Weinstein targeted her for his attention. The actress flatly denies these rumors last I saw. Harvey apparently claimed otherwise at some point. I have not followed it super closely to be honest.

Here is a pair of many, many article if you are interested:

https://www.businessinsider.com/harvey-weinstein-bragged-about-sleeping-with-jennifer-lawrence-2018-12

and

https://www.newsweek.com/jennifer-lawrence-harvey-weinstein-vogue-73-questions-metoo-1740268

Masters of the Universe

This movie is just so much fun. Yeah, it feels like a Star Wars knock-off, but it does it well. And Skeletor is just perfect. If you like campy 80’s Sci Fi, you have to check out the movie. It’s free with ads on Tubi.

 Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:
He also brought us Dog Soldiers, probably my favourite Werewolf movie ever.

It's one of those movies that's inexplicably 100x better than it has any right to be. Great fun.

I’d agree with that.

It does take certain cues from Aliens and similar “big ‘ard soldiers meet the supernatural”, but inverts it. Where our Brave Boys aren’t seen to just go to pieces, but just give it their all.

I think my Favorite Bit is when the guy gets the Landrover going, and notices the breath steam. Rather than simply accepting the inevitable, jumps in the back with his knife, seizing Slim over No chance.

At the time I was a bit “hurr durr Britian am ‘arder than ‘Murica”. But I’ve matured since then. And I’m now fairly certain it’s overall a more realistic reaction of any decently trained, squad bonded Solider. Because even if you don’t survive? The other level of hope is mutual deth, or at least crippling the foe so your brothers have one less to worry about, improving their odds, however incrementally.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Robocop

Yes. Again. Because it’s genuinely that good.

Come and be satisfied by the late 80’s action movie. Stay to learn more and more and more about media literacy, subtext and satire.

This is one of those films where it feels like a bottomless well of film making brilliance. Especially because as alluded to? If you just want to watch it as a Par For The Course Big Dumb Action film? You’ll get one of the era’s best.

But once you start scratching below the surface? There’s so much more to know. And not in a “oh actually this line in Shakespeare was actually a joke but you first need to know Middle English and then Latin to get it oh god can you tell my parents paid for my education and possibly boarding school because even as an infant I was that tedious” way.

Clue

Marvellous bit of silliness with more Ham than a Danish pig farm.

It’s not often we get such farce comedies these days, which is a shame. But this film is exactly what I needed on this dreech summer’s day while my sausage rolls are in the oven.

Solid cast, excellent word play (two bodies, everything’s fine) and even a decent underlying mystery.

Is that the one with Tim Curry? That is an epic bit of film.

Yup. Just so much going on, and all of it brilliant.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Mousehunt

Slapstick comedy from 1997, starring Lee Evans and Nathan Lane.

Our protagonists are kind of Laurel and Hardy type bunglers. When their father dies, he leaves them a mansion, which turns out to be worth a huge amount of money.

Deciding to auction it, they decide the resident House Mouse had to go, and hijinks ensue.

This is quite a sweet natured film. Our boys are idiots, and their quarry far smarter that they. We’ve a mix of live action, puppets and CGI. Importantly, for a near 30 year old film? The CGI is actually pretty good, and used sparingly.

I’d say this is quality family entertainment, but be warned there is mild language. Not often, but it does stand out when it’s used.

Red Notice - Ryan Reynolds/10

In Blade: Trinity Deadpool The Hitman's Bodyguard Deadpool 2 Detective Pikachu Hobbs & Shaw Free Guy 6 Underground The Adam Project Red Notice, Ryan Reynolds plays Ryan Reynolds, a quick witted (and even quicker mouthed) international art thief who laughs in the face of danger, always has a jab or quip to make, and generally never takes any situation seriously nor ever looks like he's trying to do anything.

The Rock plays an FBI profiler (LOL!) who is trying to capture Reynolds. Gal Gadot is gorgeous plays 'The Bishop', a rival art thief with near-supernatural levels of skills, to whom everything seems to come even easier than it does to Ryan Reynolds. On the bright side, at least Gal does appear to be having a little fun with this one. The scene where she tortures The Rock is a standout. Feels like she's really cutting loose.

They all go on a globe-trotting adventure to discover 3 golden eggs that Mark Antony gave to Cleopatra, two of which are in the hands of other people, and one that has been missing for 2000 years.

The action set pieces are fun if largely free of stakes, and the banter between Ryan Reynolds and The Rock certainly is fun, but boy I'm getting sick of Ryan Reynolds just playing himself in every single film he's in. I want the guy to demonstrate a little range, and whilst perhaps an over-budgeted Netflix isn't the best place to show that range, his flippant endlessly-quipping style really begins to drag by the end of the film.

So not great, not terrible, and a reasonably entertaining way to spend a few hours. And it does explain why Gal's character can full on Judo shoulder throw someone like The Rock, which I appreciated.

In conclusion: Ryan Reynolds Ryan Reynolds Ryan Reynolds!

Asteroid City - 2023

I don't know, have to watch it again.
My reaction to trying to recall the name Norman Rockwell for the majority of the movie. I spent more time looking at the "Pictures" this movie is made from than enjoying or thinking about the story. I know I didn't dislike it I just think I missed most of everything that was going on.
I don't have anything bad to say.

 Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:
I think there’s a vampire werewolf hybrid. And of course Kate Beckinsale’s bum in that latex.

But…..that’s about it. Genuinely.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Collateral Damage

An Arnie film I’ve somehow never seen before.

Made in 2002, it’s a later entry, but it checks out fine. If anything it’s more restrained than we’re used to, as we don’t have One Man Arnie doing it all for himself.

It’s perfectly enjoyable, with a pretty solid cast.

Big thing about this one was that it was the first post-9/11 film dealing with a quite 9/11ish topic. I remember seeing the trailer for that one when I watched Vanilla Sky at the cinema.



I love Robocop. An exemplar film when it comes to getting stuff done efficiently. From characterization to points to plot, etc. And along with that we get a ton of memorable "world building" (eurch), and all in like 90 minutes! Compare to this the remake. Which got nothing across in (as far as I recall) longer time.


About Masters of the Universe - i don't know, it seems like something I would enjoy, but somehow I never managed to.

Spider-Man, Across the Spider-verse

Another excellent animated effort. Though I wasn’t previously aware it was part one of two.

It has however now got me hype for Spider-Man 2 on the PS5.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
The Mist

Before The Walking Dead, Frank Darabont and Greg Nicotero teamed up to produce this pretty wonderful slice of Stephen King Adaptation.

Almost a creature feature, it’s more a siege movie with gribblies. And man does it have a pretty solid ending.

Definitely one worth watching.

 Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:
And man does it have a pretty solid ending.

Words cannot adequately express how much I despise the ending of that film. Unnecessary, Edgelordy with a side of slide trombone. It diminishes everything which led up to it.

Not a fan.

I think it really makes it, adding a level of tragedy beyond everything else that happened. Spesh when we see Carol From Walking Dead survived, because she took her chances early doors.

But now I’m on….

The Faculty

Robert Rodriguez, 1998. And starring so many names of the era and the future it’s almost mind boggling. Also a banging soundtrack of 90’s classic bands.

I’m not gonna lie me being from exactly that era, having only just left education and really being into horror? I’m heavily biased in favour of this film.

But even trying to push past my bias and nostalgia? I’d still argue this is a Good Movie, and a superior example of its wider genre from that time. Trope laden, sure. But where would be without tropes? Eh? Eh?

The short story for the Mist has a different ending. It’s an ambiguous ending though, so not for everyone.


The Faculty is a must watch for horror fans or fans of that era. And for Dropzone Commander players.

30 Days of Night

So close, but not quite there.

In a town above the Arctic Circle, Vampires close in and lay siege to a town when 30 days of perpetual night set in.

30 Days of Night: Darkest Days

The first one was so close, the second one.... so, so far away. It is so far away, I would rather watch Blade: Trinity rather than this. Some points because the survivor final girl is the star and it opens with a somewhat logical premise from where the last one left off.

Then, it goes into super cheap Vampire hunter rip-off mode and never gets any better at all. Just.... not good. Not good at all.

 BobtheInquisitor wrote:
The short story for the Mist has a different ending. It’s an ambiguous ending though, so not for everyone.


The Faculty is a must watch for horror fans or fans of that era. And for Dropzone Commander players.

The film has the privelege of King thinking the movie ending was better and wishing he'd thought of it.

Which, I get why someone would hate the ending.

But given the film's message and theme of the unknown and the thin line between rationality and irrationality (how the line is blurrier, especially when you can't see gak) it's the perfect ending.

Smile

If you're new to horror, or only watch the occasional movie because it's not your favourite genre, Smile would be a decent prospect. It's scattered with a few genuinely creepy moments, but is neither too intense or too explicit.

For fans of horror, it's a well made, but ultimately uninspired hybrid of The Ring and It Follows which spoils pretty much every one of its best moments in the trailer.

I doubt anyone will feel too cheated after watching this, but Smile is just another high profile but ultimately unsatisfactory horror to add to the pile.

 Easy E wrote:
30 Days of Night

So close, but not quite there.

In a town above the Arctic Circle, Vampires close in and lay siege to a town when 30 days of perpetual night set in.

30 Days of Night: Darkest Days

The first one was so close, the second one.... so, so far away. It is so far away, I would rather watch Blade: Trinity rather than this. Some points because the survivor final girl is the star and it opens with a somewhat logical premise from where the last one left off.

Then, it goes into super cheap Vampire hunter rip-off mode and never gets any better at all. Just.... not good. Not good at all.

I really liked 30 Days of Night. I didn't enjoy it due to it being so ....dark and scary. But I really liked it as a vampire film. The vampires design is great.



30 Days of Night: Darkest Day: Yeah, I watched the first 15-20 minutes, and had a suspicion it would suck badly.




So I looked up old tv shows again. Saw the two intros of Rags to Riches. That's one show I saw in my somewhat early childhood, but impressed me somehow. Pretty sure the concept wouldn't get realized today. Two show intros on youtubve, the first one is the proper one.


I also watched 2 episodes of Riptide. That show was goofier than I remembered.


edit: In an odd double feature I just watched an episode of Rags to Riches and the fight scene from 30 Days of Night. Both for the first time in a long time.