Track the Movies You Watched (2024)

[mystermystery]

I haven't really had the motivation to watch much lately, but here's an update on since the last time I posted:

241. THE STRANGERS IN 7A (1972)
Early 70s Made-for-TV movie starring Andy Griffith in what might be his most pathetic role as a loser repairman in a slum apartment complex who decides to cheat on his wife when she leaves to care for her sick sister. The only woman he comes close to picking up is a young lady playing him like a fiddle to ensure the bank robbery team she's working for has a place to hold up near the bank before their robbery.

Slow when dealing with the bank robber's plans, but jaw droppingly astounding to someone like me (who grew up watching The Andy Griffith Show) to see how much of a failure the actor portrays in this thing.

242. THE EXORCISM (2024)
The "other" Russell Crowe related Exorcism movie is more of a character study of an alcoholic who gets hired to play an exorcist in a THE EXORCIST style movie that was directed by the son of the alcoholic who played an exorcist in THE EXORCIST.

The demon stuff in the third act is fine. This got maligned pretty bad when it first came out, but I think it's better than its reputation.

243. THE CURSE OF THE NECKLACE (2024)
A Tubi original film that is based on, get this, a cursed necklace. Has a twist reveal right out of a Simpson's Treehouse of Horror.

It's a Tubi Original that hits a lot of tropes as it gets where it's going. It's fine.

244. ZERO TOLERANCE (1994)
Robert Patrick stars as an FBI Agent who barely survives an ambush when collecting a high-end drug dealing suspect from Mexico. Nearly killed, he's kidnapped and forced to do a drug drop for the White Hand Cartel or else his family will be killed. After he does the drop, he discovers they already killed his wife and kids before they try to kill him. However, he escapes and...well...a revenge action movie occurs.

The editing is dreadful, the budget is stretched to its absolute limits, and some moments are beyond absurd (Patrick's character walks into a busy casino while casually loading a gun until he gets to the table occupied by a member of the White Hand Cartel and casually shoots the man dead to set off another gunfight).

However, it was absurdly interesting in its delivery of what's occurring. The ending did make me shout "Wait, what?!" though.

245. GAGS THE CLOWN (2018)
Found Footage with multiple storylines and various "camera" angles to use to follow a story of a strange, potentially supernatural clown that is appearing in the streets. I'll confess to fast forwarding through parts of this.

It just didn't land for me.

[Futureraven: Beelzebruv]

60. Wolverine and Deadpool

Finally seeing this.

There's all the memes about the cameos, and the story is pretty basic but what they hang on it...

There's a reason they keep going to Hugh Jackman and these 2 guys are so iconic as these characters.

The performances are great, they get genuine emotion among the super silly gags, the mood whiplash that Marvel gets crap for, this is how you do it.

[The Kevstaaa]

#457 - Doctor Strange (2016; Disney+)

*6th Viewing

Every time I watch this, I'm like "Oh yeah, there's a lot of cool shit in here." [***½]

#458 - Emilia Pérez (2024; Netflix)

*1st Viewing

There are some issues with how it handles the trans aspects of the story but I couldn't help but be captivated here. The musical numbers are great ("El Mal" is the standout), there are some very cool stylistic choices, and the performances of Zoe Saldaña, Selena Gomez, and Karla Sofia Gascón are spectacular. [****½]

[agent817]

152. Transformers (2007) - Watched this on Paramount+. It's midway through November and I feel like I am barely getting a start on my action marathon of November, even though I can watch the genre whenever (It's like that with horror too, especially when people choose to watch the genre in October). Also, because I am still kind of on my Transformers kick, it's time I do the Bayverse films, including the reboot/prequel films like "Bumblebee" and "Rise of the Beasts."

I know that a lot of people have criticized Michael Bay's "Transformers" films, but I have always that this was one of the better entries of the series. Yes, it was the first one, and while most of the focus was on the human characters (like the other ones after this), there were still some good action scenes. I do know that there was a basic plot, but I think a lot of the appeal is on the Bayhem, particularly in the fight scenes and the big climax in the city. Of course, there were a lot of Bay-isms in this film, such as the moving camera (especially the 360 degree camera shot), the sunshine glare, the pervy camera angles on Megan Fox, and of course, some immature humor in some scenes. But I still enjoyed it. I still think it was a good time.

It's definitely better than the sequel, even though I may revisit that one despite how I felt when I first watched it.

[agent817]

153. Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen - Watched this on Paramount+. I am just going to say this: I was not a big fan when I first watched it. However, because I wanted to marathon Michael Bay's "Transformers" films, I knew I would include this. However, to say that I hate this movie would be a stretch, but it would also be a stretch to say that I love it. When I watched some clips, I told myself to watch it because at least some of the action scenes and visual facts were among the film's redeeming qualities.

Okay, I must note that this movie was made at the time of the writers' strike in the late-2000s, which wasn't much different than what happened in the past couple of years. You could really see that there is barely a script to work with in this film given how inconsistent some plot elements were. First, there was a plot element about a shard from the All Spark. Then, you had a plot line involving the titular character, The Fallen. I was not sure if there really was much of a plot. Oh, and let's not forget some pointless characters and immature humor. Although some of the humor did get a chuckle, but anything else, I am not sure what the point was with the roommate character who came along on the adventure. Maybe to add some comic relief? I would surmise that.

Plus, I recall thinking that when they got to Egypt, it still dragged. I could tell that it was the big climax. But I'm not even sure why it took so long for some stuff. I know the big climax in the third film was long, but in hindsight, I didn't mind it.

However, it still delivered on the action and Bayhem. The visuals on some of the models still looked good, but I had a hard time guessing who was who. I did like the inclusion of Devastator, who was different from the source material, but I will give it a pass here.

I would say it grew on me a tad. Keep that in mind by "a tad." It wasn't a whole lot. I'm still not a big fan of this one, but I guess I can enjoy it in some areas for some reason. I don't love it, and I am not sure if I like the film. But if I am doing a marathon, I will still include it.

---

154. Transformers: Dark of the Moon - Watched this on Paramount+. When it comes to these films, I have always felt that this was one of the better entries, at least in terms of the ones directed by Michael Bay. I remembered seeing this in theaters and having fun. Not that I thought it was the best film of 2011, but I thought there was some fun to be had. However, it was rather long when it didn't need to be. But then again, Michael Bay's movies are sometimes longer than necessary.

With that said, I still feel that way about this film. Yes, there is still some stupid humor in some scenes, but it wasn't to the level of "Revenge of the Fallen." I thought John Malkovich was funny in the scenes he was in. Ken Jeong wasn't as bad as I remembered. I sometimes wonder what could have been taken out to shave off some of the time, but other than that, I didn't mind it. Some of the action was still fun. I liked the freeway chase scene, which I think was somewhat of an homage to "Bad Boys II." The big climax in Chicago, though long, it didn't drag like the climax in Egypt in "Revenge of the Fallen." However, there were some parts when I cringed at the dialogue. Hell, I wonder if Patrick Dempsey was hamming it up in some scenes.

I also have to give it to Bay for making it a bit darker than the previous two films, especially when it got to Chicago. The effects that made the city look like a war zone and wasteland worked. I will give it that.

Now it's time to get to the other ones. Oh boy, I am not sure what to say because I remember thinking "Age of Extinction" was not only too long, but even there are things about the second one I could put over that one.

[Ultimo Gallos]

141-R66M 6-Anchor Bay DVD

2006 horror/thriller with Christine Tayllor and Jerry O'Connell as the leads. Taylor is a school teacher,with Chloe Grace Moretz as her creepy student,on her way home Taylor is arguing with her BF. They get in a wreck. With the BF and the lady from the other car being rushed off in ambulances. In the other car is Jerry. So Christine and Jerry team up to find out which hospital their loved ones were taken too.

Take Larry Cohen's The Ambulance add in some Jacob's Ladder and you get this decent but forgettable film.

6.4 Screams from Christine Taylor out of 10

[Ultimo Gallos]

142-Croczilla-Echo Bridge DVD

Got this in a pack with 4 PD horror films. The 4 PD films I already have many times over. Croczilla on the other hand I just assumed was some SYFY original that I hadn't heard of.
Nope it is a 2012 Chinese made film.

Giant croc escapes and eats a woman's purse stuffed full of Euros. We got this lady,the croc's original owner and a cop all after it.

Bad dubbing some very broad comedy and a cheap CGI croc and still I enjoyed this crap movie.

7.6 Croczilla's opening a door quietly out of 10

[The Kevstaaa]

#459 - The Muppet Movie (1979; Disney+)

*2nd Viewing

As a full grown man, I laughed so hard at some of the stuff in here. It's almost a perfect blend of humor for both kids and adults. [****]

#460 - Jackie Brown (1997; Prime)

*1st Viewing

Okay, now I've seen all of Tarantino's feature films. I don't consider him the GOAT or even close like some people do but I will say this is one of his better movies. It keeps you engaged from start to finish and has some flawed, fun characters. [***½]

[agent817]

155. Transformers: Age of Extinction - Watched this on Paramount+. The first thing I will say is that I am very mixed on this film. Let me note that I had watched this movie a long time ago after requesting it from the library. I remember finding it okay, but too damn long. Well, I did say that I am mixed, so I will give my takes on the positives and negatives.

Okay, regarding the positives, I can say that Bay delivered on the action. I am not a Bay hater, so I have enjoyed a good majority of the films that I have seen of his. The action scenes are still some of the better qualities of the film. The visual effects for the Transformers themselves still looked good. I also thought that Kelsey Grammer played a good villain, but I could never complain about him. Also, Stanley Tucci was another redeeming factor in the film. I also thought Lockdown was a good villain in the film. Also, the idea for the story involving how humans turned against the Transformers could have worked if they continued with that bit. It was also interesting to see the Dinobots this time.

Now let me talk about the negatives. I have noted that it is a long movie. A lot of the movie could have been shaved off. If there was at least 30-45 minutes taken out, maybe it would have improved the film, but I don't know. Some bits were unnecessary. Another thing is the biggest factor involving a relationship that I question, but I am just going to leave it at that. While I did say that it was interesting to see the Dinobots, I also thought that they could have been removed from the film entirely and it would have made no difference. They added very little, if nothing. Also, because it seemed like "Dark of the Moon" was initially supposed to be the final film, I wonder if Paramount wanted the series to keep going but start focusing on new characters. I felt like Mark Wahlberg's character had promise, but with all of the stuff surrounding his daughter's relationship, I found the new characters to be annoying.

At the end of the day, I didn't hate it, but I am not sure which one I dislike more, this or "Revenge of the Fallen." I may include them in future marathons, but in some areas, each of them have their pros and cons. I might say that I liked "Revenge of the Fallen" better.

Now to get to "The Last Knight."

[BlackoutCreature]

Oct 24, 2024 8:51:21 GMT -5 BlackoutCreature said:

Oct 22, 2024 12:15:26 GMT -5 BlackoutCreature said:

135. Good Burger (1997)

136. Saban's Power Rangers (2017)

137. Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991)

So as I've said before, I've been wanting to re-watch this for awhile now, ever since I watched Men in Tights a few months back. And now it's finally on YouTube.

And yeah, it's still the best Robin Hood movie ever.

[agent817]

156. Transformers: The Last Knight - Watched this on Paramount+. I never thought I would say this, but I think maybe this one is inferior to "Age of Extinction." I recall watching this years ago after getting it from the library. However, I didn't binge on the other films prior to it. I recall thinking it was "meh" at best, but that isn't saying a lot. While there were some interesting story aspects to it, such as Optimus Prime becoming Nemesis Prime, as well as Cade Yeager (Mark Wahlberg's character) becoming a fugitive and living on the grid. The same with those boys seeing the ruins of Chicago after the events of "Dark of the Moon," but then came the whole aspect of Merlin and how the Transformers fought in various eras. Don't get me started on mentioning Sam Whitwicky (Shia LeBouf's character) and implying that he may be dead. I have an idea that there were plenty of ideas for this film but they were bunched together.

On the plus side, I did mention that some story aspects had some promise. Some of the action scenes were fine, like the one in the small town, as well as the big climactic battle. I did get a chuckle out of that part in the scene when Anthony Hopkins's character revealed stuff and how there was an in-universe film score. That was kind of funny.

Other than that, I still wasn't a big fan. Would I include it in future marathons? Maybe, or I could just do a triple-feature of the first three films. Even then, I still think 1 and 3 are the better ones. I think the second one grew on me a bit, but I still kind of flip-flop it with the fourth film. This one, I would put it at the bottom.

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157. Bumblebee - Watched this on Paramount+. I knew I was going to watch this eventually. I had not seen it since seeing it in theaters, and I recall liking it. I can even say that I liked it better than the last two entries of the "Transformers" series, at least the ones that Michael Bay directed. Now that I have revisited it, I actually appreciated it more than before.

While I am still not an expert on "Transformers" (but I am not against watching the old cartoon shows), I can see that there was a lot more to it than just action scenes and stuff. Hailee Steinfeld did a good job in her role, especially with how she presented herself as someone going through depression. Not just in her behavior, but also how she looked. I also have to give it to the people who designed the CGI models as the Transformers looked similar to the G1 versions. I could also say the same about the two original villains, who looked like they were done in the G1 style, even though they were made for this film.

But the real meat of the story falls on the titular character and Hailee Steinfeld's character. They both develop a bond that shows how alone they are. Those scenes had a lot of heart to them, and Steinfeld really delivered in her role. I also liked the friendship/budding romance between her and that character Memo. I kind of felt the chemistry, and I liked how it wasn't forced, nor did they actually end up together at the end. Also, it was interesting how there callbacks to other versions of "Transformers" in some scenes, especially when "The Touch" played in one scene.

In regards to the live-action films, I would say that this was the best. However, in relation to the ones not directed by Bay, I think "Transformers One" has surpassed this, if not is on the same level. On the other hand, there is one more film to watch.

[The Kevstaaa]

#461 - Blink Twice (2024; Apple TV)

*1st Viewing

Zoë Kravitz joins Anna Kendrick as actors with impressive directorial debuts this year. She showcases a great eye here in a pretty captivating movie. [****]

[Duke Cameron]

The Fluffy Movie (2014)