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Post by ArcLight on Mar 24, 2020 1:47:41 GMT -5
I've been doing more regular TV watching and gaming (seems a perfect time for another run-through of The Last of Us, after all), but...
Charlie's Angels (2019)
Love the original series (have it on DVD and Blu-ray) and didn't mind the TV reboot from 2011 (which is an 'extra' on the Blu-ray set of the original) so obviously I checked it out in theaters and watched the Blu-ray the other day.
It was pretty good, with some reservations. Continuity nut that I am, I appreciated that they kept this as just the current day version of the Townsend Agency, which has been in business for forty years (great gravy, has it been that long??) but didn't exactly like how they did it. I'd still put it in an 'alternate universe' I think.
Patrick Stewart, of course, did a fine job as Bosley (wherein lay my first problem - he not only was meant to be the same character portrayed by David Doyle in the series but apparently also Bosley'd for the Drew Barrymore/Lucy Liu/Cameron Diaz generation of Angels), as did Elizabeth Banks because by now the organization has grown so large that they have multiple groups of Angels around the world each with their own handler given the name Bosley as a 'tribute' to the original. Must make conference calls a real pain.
Naomi Scott was their client who joins in on the Angel activity with Ella Balinska (who apparently already had extensive experience with weapons and combat according to various people in the extras) and Kristen Stewart. Stewart was definitely the standout to me as the fierce and funny Sabina. She, in particular, looked like she was having a ball.
Overall I thought it was worth a watch and really wouldn't have minded it spawning a sequel or two.
Child's Play (2019)
I dunno...I guess there's a free preview for Showtime/Epix or something because they've popped up on my Spectrum app. I just happened to be cruising the channel guide when I saw this was starting. I haven't seen any of the original films in ages so the reboot aspect didn't bother me.
This time around, Chucky isn't possessed by the spirit of a serial killer, but rather is re-programmed by a disgruntled factory worker. Chucky is the latest product line from an Apple/Google-esque tech company whose gadgets are all around and all interconnected via the 'cloud' and all become weapons for this hi-tech version of the killer doll, now voiced by Mark Hamill, who you may know as the one true voice of the Joker (and he did some movies, too - I recommend Corvette Summer). The kid's mom is played by Aubrey Plaza which is also perfectly okay by me.
Not awful, with some surprisingly gory scenes.
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Post by someoldguy on Mar 24, 2020 7:24:00 GMT -5
...now voiced by Mark Hamill, who you may know as the one true voice of the Joker and he did some movies, too - I recommend Corvette Summer).  I remember him chasing that Vette in the way back. Also remember the pre-Ghostbusters Annie Potts. Voices?  www.youtube.com/watch?v=snFXyWzRRrA |
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Post by someoldguy on Mar 24, 2020 12:30:14 GMT -5
The Wicker Man (1973) Not the really bad 2006 remake but the excellent original This was the 'short' 87 minute version which I believe is what I saw in the movies way back when. Happily it is not the even shorter version shown on commercial TV with all the sexy stuff cut out. Edward Woodward as the copper and Christopher Lee as Lord Summerisle are outstanding. And of course, Britt Eklund as the landlord's daughter.  Everything about this movie is very good, especially the plot development, dropping clues here and there and having it all add up at the end. I have read that the several 'restored' versions include having Woodward's character in the police station at the beginning. Personally, I think having the entire movie take place on Summerisle is best. On Netflix |
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Post by someoldguy on Mar 24, 2020 12:48:25 GMT -5
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Post by silverbullet63 on Mar 24, 2020 17:10:23 GMT -5
Slithis is hilariously bad, but a guilty pleasure for me. Crater Lake Monster has a Boggy Creek vibe to it. A movie I truly adore. You adore Crater Lake Monster or Boggy Creek? And which Boggy Creek? I liked the 2010 one, excluding the irrelevant psychodrama stuff. I like your new avatar. And I really liked Howl, which as I recall you turned me on to. Boggy Creek, the original version. Howl is a film I'll never get tired of, figured it should be my Avatar. 😀 Inmate Zero (2020) Basically WWZ outbreak at a Penal Colony. World War Z (2013) I figured, why not watch it again? |
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Post by someoldguy on Mar 24, 2020 19:40:44 GMT -5
Grabbers (2013) Tentacled monster on a island off the Irish coast. Scary and funny, often at the same time. Acting and dialog: The Quiet Man with more drinking and profanity. Production values etc.: Rather good, nice scary monster, no not a squid - scarier. FX but well done. References here and there to Aliens. Also when the monster first attacks, The Night of the Living Dead (1968) is on TV. "They're coming to get you Barbra. Here comes one now." (Banging on door) How to protect yourself against the monster? In a very Irish manner. No, not blarney.
It ain't over ending but you should expect it.
The dog lives. |
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Post by someoldguy on Mar 24, 2020 19:52:03 GMT -5
You adore Crater Lake Monster or Boggy Creek? And which Boggy Creek? I liked the 2010 one, excluding the irrelevant psychodrama stuff. I like your new avatar. And I really liked Howl, which as I recall you turned me on to. Boggy Creek, the original version. Howl is a film I'll never get tired of, figured it should be my Avatar. 😀 Inmate Zero (2020) Basically WWZ outbreak at a Penal Colony. World War Z (2013) I figured, why not watch it again? The Legend of Boggy Creek (1972)? That was the one structured like a documentary? That was pretty good. There are a few zombie movies that I liked. World War Z was not one of them. How was Inmate Zero? IMDb reviews are not kind. |
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Post by silverbullet63 on Mar 24, 2020 20:23:45 GMT -5
Boggy Creek, the original version. Howl is a film I'll never get tired of, figured it should be my Avatar. 😀 Inmate Zero (2020) Basically WWZ outbreak at a Penal Colony. World War Z (2013) I figured, why not watch it again? The Legend of Boggy Creek (1972)? That was the one structured like a documentary? That was pretty good. There are a few zombie movies that I liked. World War Z was not one of them. How was Inmate Zero? IMDb reviews are not kind. Inmate Zero delivered on the gore. But another generic entry to this subgenre. |
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Post by ArcLight on Mar 25, 2020 0:09:16 GMT -5
London Has Fallen (2016)
I dunno...maybe it's all the Far Cry 5 I've been playing while 'self-isolating' but I was in the mood for an action shoot-em-up and remembered I hadn't watched this one yet.
A sequel to 2013's Olympus Has Fallen, this time it's not the White House that has been attacked but the entire city of London as a years-in-the-planning attack reduces most of the city's landmarks to rubble and wipes out nearly every world leader who has arrived for the funeral of the British Prime Minister. Unfortunately for the bad guys, super Secret Service Agent Mike Banning (played by Gerard Butler) accompanied the President so many graphic headshots, stabbings, neck-breakings, and other forms of violence ensue as he pretty much single-handedly takes down the entire invading force.
Mindless fun if you like that sort of thing, which is exactly what I was in the mood for.
Guess I'll have to look around for last year's Angel Has Fallen now to round out the trilogy.
Side-note: as mentioned earlier, I've also been replaying The Last of Us and wouldn't have an issue if Gerard Butler ended up playing Joel in the rumored series in the works.
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Post by someoldguy on Mar 25, 2020 9:03:11 GMT -5
London Has Fallen (2016) I dunno...maybe it's all the Far Cry 5 I've been playing while 'self-isolating' but I was in the mood for an action shoot-em-up and remembered I hadn't watched this one yet. A sequel to 2013's Olympus Has Fallen, this time it's not the White House that has been attacked but the entire city of London as a years-in-the-planning attack reduces most of the city's landmarks to rubble and wipes out nearly every world leader who has arrived for the funeral of the British Prime Minister. Unfortunately for the bad guys, super Secret Service Agent Mike Banning (played by Gerard Butler) accompanied the President so many graphic headshots, stabbings, neck-breakings, and other forms of violence ensue as he pretty much single-handedly takes down the entire invading force. Mindless fun if you like that sort of thing, which is exactly what I was in the mood for. Guess I'll have to look around for last year's Angel Has Fallen now to round out the trilogy. Side-note: as mentioned earlier, I've also been replaying The Last of Us and wouldn't have an issue if Gerard Butler ended up playing Joel in the rumored series in the works. Angel Has Fallen is on Prime for six bucks to rent or $15 to buy. Gerard Butler has that Don't F With Me look.  |
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Post by ArcLight on Mar 25, 2020 15:30:29 GMT -5
Little Monsters (2019)
Fun zombie movie on Hulu starring Lupita Nyong'o as a kindergarten teacher trying to keep a bunch of five-year-olds safe and unafraid during a zombie invasion with the help of a slacker washed-up musician and a children's show host who hates kids.
Don't let the fact that kids are involved throw you off - this is a full-on zombie flick full of profanity and gore (including a lot of zombies chowing down on animals since it happens at a petting zoo/farm sort of place). And some of it was pretty funny.
If you've got Hulu and you're fine with zom-coms like Shaun of the Dead and Ana & the Apocalypse, I'd say it's worth a watch.
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Post by someoldguy on Mar 25, 2020 19:47:50 GMT -5
The Devil's Candy (2017) I debated putting this in the Haunted House thread but it did not quite seem to fit since the 'bad guy' is not in the house. And he hears the whispers wherever he goes. OTOH the father also starts hearing the whispers but in the house. But it does not really feel like a haunted house movie and so I am posting here. A supernatural thriller that is a bit different from the usual horror story. Acting is good, bringing the several characters to life. And not your usual stereotypes either but all distinct and a bit oddball. Or more than a bit. Dialog is also mostly good. Production values are high. Metal music is loud. Story line is nicely spooky and carried out well. A good one IMO. Free to Prime members. |
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Post by silverbullet63 on Mar 25, 2020 20:06:06 GMT -5
Re-Animator (1985)
From Beyond (1986)
Castle Freak (1994)
R.I.P Stuart Gordon...
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Post by someoldguy on Mar 25, 2020 21:36:48 GMT -5
Re-Animator (1985) From Beyond (1986) Castle Freak (1994) R.I.P Stuart Gordon... I know Re-Animator well and I remember From Beyond from the movies long ago. I think it was on Halloween or close to it. I recall smiling when I heard the name of the other Doctor. Both great stuff if you just let go and enjoy. I have not seen Castle Freak but from the trailer it looks like the same kind of stuff. I see that Gordon wrote and directed all three and they all starred Jeffrey Combs. |
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Post by someoldguy on Mar 26, 2020 11:56:12 GMT -5
Watched Castle Freak (1995)
Good one. Less wacky than Gordon's other work with a more complex plot and better human interest but a good horror story. Great setting for this kind of story. Nice twists with the right ending. One more time, thanks for the tip.
On Shudder
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Le Loup-Garou Qui Rit
Everything about this movie is very good, especially the plot development, dropping clues here and there and having it all add up at the end.