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Post by Duke Cameron on Dec 15, 2022 1:12:23 GMT -5
Robocop (1987)
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Post by The Kevstaaa on Dec 15, 2022 20:27:16 GMT -5
#523 - Phantom Thread (Netflix)
*1st Viewing
I've come to fully understand that I just don't like Paul Thomas Anderson's work. He makes movies that are good but not my personal cup of tea. Daniel Day-Lewis was the highlight here. [**½]
#524 - Seed of Chucky (SyFy)
*1st Viewing
Chucky and Tiffany handled their child's gender identity discussion better than most parents in cinema. Other than that, this movie is wildly forgettable. [**]
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agent817
Fry's dog Seymour
Doesn't Know Whose Ring It Is
Posts: 21,166
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Post by agent817 on Dec 16, 2022 16:06:04 GMT -5
156. Elf - Saw this in theaters. Yes, you read that right. It was brought back to theaters and while I am aware it's on AMC all month and on HBO Max, I wanted to see it in theaters. Because why not?
This is the first time in a while that I had watched it all the way through. I can see why this is considered a Christmas classic. I know that people are divisive when it comes to Will Ferrell. Personally, I enjoy some of his films like Anchorman, Old School, Talladega Nights, etc. This is among those films that I enjoy.
This film definitely has its charm with its slapstick humor, as well as the jokes. On top of that, the story also has some heart to it.
But what I also admired was the effects used in the film, such as the way the actors playing elves made to look small in comparison to Ferrell, as well as the stop motion. Even for early-2000s standards, one would have expected CGI, but the stop motion worked.
After two decades, it still holds up.
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Post by The Kevstaaa on Dec 16, 2022 23:26:50 GMT -5
#525 - Avatar (Disney+)
*2nd Viewing
The story is pretty generic and the exposition is poorly handled but it's still the kind of stuff that works well enough. This is a visual masterpiece as well but WHY ISN'T IT AVAILABLE IN 4K ANYWHERE? [***½]
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agent817
Fry's dog Seymour
Doesn't Know Whose Ring It Is
Posts: 21,166
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Post by agent817 on Dec 17, 2022 21:46:28 GMT -5
157. Avatar: The Way of Water - Saw this in theaters. After watching this film's predecessor in IMAX 3D a few months ago, I knew I had to watch this film the same way. It was worth it.
I am aware that people are critical over its basic story and stuff, but before I get into that, let me talk about the biggest selling point of this film. It's no mistake that this film is a technical masterpiece. The visuals were phenomenal. It is definitely a step up from the 2009 original granted that technology had gotten more advanced since the late-2000s. The models for the Na'vi look even more realistic than before. Even in 3D, a lot of the stuff that were seen in the foreground in some scenes added to the film's atmosphere. Personally, I don't doubt James Cameron with his technical style. So the film is visually impressive.
James Horner also delivered with his score. A lot of his music added to the overall atmosphere of this film.
As for the story, it was rather basic. The first one was basic, too, but then again, you could say the same about some James Cameron's other films. The first one was a sci-fi version of FernGully, Pocahontas, and Dances with Wolves. This one had a familiar vibe with its theme mixed with a revenge story. I could say that there are elements to the plot that have been done before, but I would be lying if I said that I didn't get invested in it.
The movie was long, but I didn't think it dragged. Sure, some parts could have been taken out, but at the same time, those parts did add to the overall story. After 13 years, I would say it was worth the wait, even though I would have preferred that the sequel come out sometime in the 2010s.
I know that Cameron has the sequels planned out and there are dates set up. Let's hope that it doesn't take too long. Hell, I'd be fine if the third was the last, but if he has plans for the other ones, let's just see how they go.
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Post by The Kevstaaa on Dec 17, 2022 23:52:27 GMT -5
#526 - The Woman King (Vudu)
*1st Viewing
What a fantastic movie that felt like a true epic. Gine Prince-Bythewood proved her skills in directing action with The Old Guard but takes it to the next level here. Not only is there a lot of heart here but you get great performances from Davis, Lynch, and Mbedu, and the action sequences are top-notch. [****]
#527 - Knives Out (4K Blu-Ray)
*3rd Viewing
Watched this again ahead of the sequel and it's still perfect. Every little detail is so well crafted and it's one of my favorite movies ever. Even on rewatches, it remains captivating. [*****]
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agent817
Fry's dog Seymour
Doesn't Know Whose Ring It Is
Posts: 21,166
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Post by agent817 on Dec 18, 2022 2:05:07 GMT -5
158. Heavy (1995) - Watched this on Netflix. I had been curious about this film for many years. I recall seeing it on TV listings and catching bits and pieces of it on TV. When I read the plot summary, I could say that I found myself relating to it, but now that I have seen the movie, I can see it was different than what plot summaries have made it out to be.
It's definitely a character study. Whether it's talking about Pruitt Taylor Vince's character and his own existential crisis, or Liv Tyler facing her own problems with her boyfriend, as well as other characters who were supporting characters, they all had their own problems. It was a rather quiet and lowkey film.
The performances from the aforementioned actors were done well. I was also impressed by the performances of Liv Tyler and Debbie Harry (yes, as in the lead singer of Blondie). Shelley Winters did well, too. Did I mention that this movie was directed by James Mangold? I liked The Wolverine and Logan. I now wonder about his earlier work. I had heard a lot of good things about Cop Land.
I can't think of enough good things to say about this film. I was really moved by it.
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Post by The Kevstaaa on Dec 18, 2022 20:43:57 GMT -5
#528 - Finding Dory (Disney+)
*3rd Viewing
A very good sequel that doesn't quite live up to the original but looks beautiful and has a lot of heart. [***½]
#529 - Superman: Doomsday (HBO Max)
*1st Viewing
Gonna try and go through the wide array of DC animated movies. This was an interesting one to start with. The idea is very well done though the climactic battle doesn't live up to the early fight. I wish they had a bit more time to really sell what a world without Superman was like. [***½]
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agent817
Fry's dog Seymour
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Post by agent817 on Dec 18, 2022 21:51:50 GMT -5
159. Christmas in Rockwell - Rented this through Xfinity. You've seen one Christmas TV movie, you kind of know what to expect depending on the plotline. Because this movie starred Trish Stratus (yes, really), I had to watch this.
Like many movies of this sort, I actually knew where this would go and had the plotline down. Stratus played a famous actress who went to her hometown to celebrate Christmas but wants to keep her presence under wraps. She meets this one guy who runs a theater. She deals with her mother who is also her manager. Somehow the small town catches wind of her being in town and it goes all over the internet. I also figured she would run into an old childhood friend. Yes, I could go on about the plot elements found in a movie like this.
I was "stratusfied" with Trish's acting. I wasn't surprised that she would get a gig like this because one, she is Canadian and I know that a lot of these movies are shot in Canada. Two, I like she has ventured into other things outside of wrestling. I am aware she has her fitness thing going, but to see her in movies, it's not a bad thing. Plus, she had decent chemistry with the male lead. I have seen other movies like this where the leads had little-to-no chemistry.
These movies are not original by any means, but they have their charm. I could be biased towards this because I had (or have, because I still do) a crush on Trish Stratus.
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agent817
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Post by agent817 on Dec 19, 2022 20:11:25 GMT -5
160. Ernest Saves Christmas - Watched this on Showtime on Demand. I had an itch to watch an Ernest movie. In case you're wondering, I mean the character of Ernest P. Worrell, portrayed by the late Jim Varney. While I was more in the mood for "Ernest Goes to Jail," I figured because it's Christmas time, I should watch this one.
Going into these movies, one should not expect a lot. If you're familiar with the Ernest movies, you kind of know what to expect. They are mostly silly, slapstick family comedies. Jim Varney really made the Ernest P. Worrell character work and it became a well-known role of his at the time of his passing. For what it is, it's not a bad way to pass 90 minutes. I mean, it's just... what it is. It's a cute story about Santa Claus trying to find a successor, and Ernest, along with some runaway girl, get mixed up in it. Also, as someone who has seen some other ones (particularly "Goes to Camp," "Goes to Jail," and "Scared Stupid"), I wonder if this is the only film that has Ernest talking to Vern, who was mostly just a surrogate for the audience.
I had also read that the script for this film wasn't originally intended to be an Ernest movie, but was rewritten to help fit Ernest into it.
161. Trapped in Paradise (1994) - Watched this on Showtime on Demand. I recalled seeing TV spots for this as a child and not knowing what to make of it. Since I saw this as part of a list of suggestions earlier, I figured "why not?"
Before watching this, I had noticed that this wasn't well received back in 1994. Being the person that I am, I gave it a chance and came out thinking that this wasn't as bad as the reviews made it out to be. In fact, I found this movie to be underrated.
Out of the three leads, the only one who seemed likable was Nicolas Cage. Of course Cage hammed it up in some scenes like he does in almost every movie he is in. But what I found interesting was the dynamic between Cage, Jon Lovitz, and Dana Carvey. Each of them had their own distinct personalities and character arcs that contrasted with each other's. I also found the adventure aspect of being in that small town on Christmas Eve and pulling a heist that somehow gives the characters second thoughts about doing it.
In the end, a lot of things wrapped up and it had a heartwarming ending. I don't think that this movie was bad at all. I wouldn't call it great, but I think it's fine for what it is. Hell, I think it might be something I could watch in Christmases to come.
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Post by The Kevstaaa on Dec 20, 2022 23:20:39 GMT -5
#530 - The Nightmare Before Christmas (Disney+)
*10th Viewing
From celebrating my two favorite holidays to timeless animation to great music, this movie has it all. [****½]
#531 - Curse of Chucky (SyFy)
*1st Viewing
There were a lot of intriguing ideas in here and it mostly leads to a solid movie but you can feel the low budget here and it seems like it ends about five times before it actually does. Also, basically everyone in this movie is unlikable. [**½]
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Post by BlackoutCreature on Dec 21, 2022 13:54:19 GMT -5
83. H.G. Wells' The Shape of Things to Come (1979) 84. Night at the Museum: Kahmunrah Rises Again (2022) 85. The Return of Captain Invincible (1983)So I was going through the Night Flight Plus streaming service again looking for anything to watch so it doesn't feel like I wasted my 99 cents and I came across this. For those not familiar, this is an Australian movie about a Superman-esque American superhero who has become a drunken hobo after being accused of being a traitor by a McCarthy-esque hearing in the 50's. In the present day he's forced to come out of his "retirement" when his old enemy, Mr. Midnight (played by Christopher Lee) resurfaces. Based on what I can find, this movie bombed in theaters, but has built up a cult following since. I can see why it bombed. It just doesn't seem to know what kind of movie it wants to be. There are time when the movie does a great job balancing comedy with the drama of the hero trying to redeem himself, highlighted by Alan Arkin's genuinely earnest performance against Christopher Lee's over-the-top mustache twirling. Other times it's trying way way way too hard to be a Naked Gun-esque wacky surreal comedy, and failing miserably with unfunny bits that just drag on way too long. Other times it's a musical and that just feels bonkers. Interesting watch, ton of potential in the concept, but pretty badly executed and I would not recommend it.
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Post by The Kevstaaa on Dec 21, 2022 23:43:57 GMT -5
#532 - Cult of Chucky (SyFy)
*1st Viewing
I wasn't feeling this one early on but once you get to the third act, it gets wild in the best possible way. it also manages to blend the humor and horror very well. [***]
#533 - Anna and the Apocalypse (Blu-Ray)
*3rd Viewing
It's my favorite Christmas movie for a reason. [*****]
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Post by The Kevstaaa on Dec 22, 2022 23:38:43 GMT -5
#534 - A Christmas Carol (Disney+)
*1st Viewing
The story always works but this style of animation is always uncanny valley for me. [**½]
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Post by The Kevstaaa on Dec 23, 2022 23:13:29 GMT -5
#535 - Zoey's Extraordinary Christmas (Peacock)
*2nd Viewing
I miss this show so much. [****½]
#536 - Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (Netflix)
*1st Viewing
Not as perfectly constructed as the original and I preferred the cast in the first one but this again ruled. Rian Johnson's writing is sharp and we do get great performances from most of the actors, with Monae shining. Honestly, Rian Johnson doesn't miss. [****½]
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Post by bibboid on Dec 24, 2022 20:13:03 GMT -5
71. The Noel Diary
The wife insisted we needed to watch one Christmas rom-com and this was it. A man meets up with a woman who was given up for adoption by his nanny. They embark on a search for his estranged father to find her bio-mom. Pointless twists and turns. Constant snow falling though none of it seems to land on anything. It stars Justin Hartley and I have always gotten a douchebag vibe from him in every role he does. I came out of the movie feeling bad for the boyfriend who got dumped at Christmas when he didn’t do anything wrong.
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Post by The Kevstaaa on Dec 25, 2022 0:11:28 GMT -5
#537 - Just Friends (Netflix)
*10th Viewing
A Christmas staple and even if some aspects haven't aged well, it remains hilarious today. [****]
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Post by bibboid on Dec 25, 2022 0:46:14 GMT -5
72. Flash Gordon
Nothing says Christmas like terrible acting and horrible special effects. It is two hours of absolute crap tied together with a rocking soundtrack by Queen. I love this movie so much.
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EZ: Brainy Bae
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Post by EZ: Brainy Bae on Dec 25, 2022 16:58:24 GMT -5
NOPE (2022) - 4/10
I admire Peele's ability to make what he wants because at no point was I gripped or tense about what unfolded. Going by audience scores I'm not alone. Only positives are that the chimp scene was amusing and the idea of a UFO as a living being is interesting. This was a waste. Get Out was novel but tight. Polished. Us was a narrative mess but had moments of genuine awe and terror. This was a 20-minute short stretched out into a 130-minute long edging session.
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Post by bibboid on Dec 26, 2022 1:31:04 GMT -5
73. Bullet Train
That was one of the oddest movies I have seen in quite some time. A bunch of criminals end up on a bullet train to Kyoto and all try to either kill each other or find out why they are all trying to kill each other. It is a farcical comedy with bloody violence and cartoonish character introductions. The ending is quite satisfying and actually manages to tie up every single loose end. I liked it.
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