what was the last movie you watched?

Warhawk

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Caught Maverick in IMAX, and I concur. Deeply satisfying and superior to the original.
I've heard that from several folks that have seen it. As soon as I finish kicking COVID's *** (I've had fairly mild symptoms, I seem to be close to out of it now) I'm taking the fam to check it out. Thanks for avoiding any spoilers short-term. ;)

Edit 5/29 - woke up feeling pretty much 100% today. If that holds, it's now just a matter of testing negative - hopefully soon....
 
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At long last have another quality option in the Q section.

Sam Raimi’s The Quick and the Dead is somewhere between quirky, pseudo-artistic cult western and hyper-stylized revenge fantasy popcorn muncher paired with the hint of schlocky Victorian gothic influences hovering at the edges, complete with Raimi’s patented zoom cuts from The Evil Dead series.

In other words, there’s a lot to take in. And to be completely honest, it doesn’t all work.

Most of the characters aren’t given enough time to develop as anything more than elaborate cardboard cutouts, and the plot points are telegraphed rather blatantly so nothing comes as a surprise.

But the premise and potential of a 16 person quick draw tournament is all the way rad, and the cast is low key stellar.

Sharon Stone works well as our Bride-like heroine, pulls off wearing either a duster or a corset. Gene Hackman as the villain so evil he’s personally offended when another bad guy tries to not be bad. Russell Crowe is an outlaw turned pacifist preacher forced into the tournament by Hackman. A babyface Leonardo Di Caprio is Hackman’s cocky son with something to prove. Even Gary Sinise makes a cameo in a flashback.

I’d love to see a remake of this with less of Raimi’s specific flair, and more emphasis on developing the 16 gunfighters and setting the scene.

Until then, this is a fun enough romp to kill a couple hours.
 
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Also, I watched Johnny Mnemonic this weekend and I have a lot of questions, chief among them: why did I watch Johnny Mnemonic.

Morbid curiosity I suppose. And a barren Netflix option pool after binging Stranger Things. Still, questions abound.

Why is Ice-T dressed as a dreadlocked Mad Max scavenger, but plays the exact same character as in SVU.

Why did Dina Meyer’s agent think her post Beverly Hills 90210 trilogy of Johnny Mnemonic/ Dragonheart/ Starship Troopers was going to be her roadmap to stardom?

Why does Internet (notably, not The Internet) of 2021 look like cutting room floor footage from The Lawnmower Man?

What is the lightsaber whip made out of and why doesn’t the Yakuza hit man just use that, like, all the time?

Why is Dolph Lundgren a terminator preacher?

Why is there a medical doctor named Spider?

Why isn’t Spider spelled with a Y?

How is there a hacker dolphin? (The movie says he was once “used by the Navy” but imma need a little more).

If the Lo-Teks use more devices than NASA to hack “Internet” and fight the man, what makes them “low tech?” The crossbows?

If the NAS pandemic is caused by using the virtual internet, wouldn’t the cure be to just … not do that anymore?

How is Keanu screaming skyward that he wants “pressed shirts, $10,000 a night hookers, and room service” the most nuanced and poignant dialogue in the movie (and possibly of Keanu’s career)?

I suppose most confounding: how did Keanu’s career keep surviving things like this Crappy Blade Runner, and how, after this movie specifically, did he ever get cast in The Matrix?

Also I wonder, does Alex Winter ever watch Johnny Mnemonic (or Chain Reaction, or Replicas, or Dracula, or 47 Ronin) and think “Damn, that could have been me.”
 
I highly recommend everyone to watch "Hustle" on Netflix staring Adam Sandler and Juancho Hernangomez. Sandler is an NBA scout for the 76ers who finds a 22 y/o unknown prospect from Spain (Hernangomez).

It was a really enjoyable movie that featured NBA players, basketball personnels, and popular YouTubers. Anthony Edwards was a great actor in this one as well.

My only complaint is that the basketball scenes were a bit too choppy. They didn't need any stunt doubles, so I'm not sure why there were as many cuts as there were. Maybe because the audience is used to it from all the older basketball movies?
 

Warhawk

Give blood and save a life!
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Caught Maverick in IMAX, and I concur. Deeply satisfying and superior to the original.
Took my folks to see this for an early Father's Day dinner and flick. I agree with this. Somewhat cheesy in spots, plot holes and some "realistic wonkiness" aside, it hit the right emotional notes, had some great flight sequences, and was a very entertaining flick.
 
For those who like Supernatural films, The Black Phone is extremely good. Based on a short story by Joe Hill, who is Stephen King’s son, it is terrific. Ethan Hawke is the name actor in it but the young child actors in it carry the film.
 
Completed a Winona Ryder Cult Classic double feature this weekend.

First up, Heathers, and it was quite surprising to retroactively recognize just how much of its DNA was baked into the updated and considerably more sanitized Mean Girls 15 years later.

Heathers is of course darker, edgier, more disorienting, and I would say considerably more biting in its satire.

“Whether to kill yourself or not is one of the most important decisions a teenager can make.”

I don’t see that line (or even the whole movie’s premise) flying today. Although it makes complete sense within the context of the film, and demonstrates a supremely sharp critique of popular culture, both teen and general alike.

There is a very 80s “claustrophobic” aesthetic with dramatic, disruptive camera angles and close-ups. Textbook example of the power of distinct and explicit mise-en-scene and cinematography for the “every frame a painting” crowd.

Ryder is a strong lead, able to ground over-the-top ridiculousness to an air of believability. Slater perfectly embodies the slick and sinister dreamy psychopath. Everyone else are kind of stock stereotypes, but it works well with the satire.

Enjoyed Heathers more than I expected to, even if the laughs start to drop off in the third act as things get more tense spiraling down into nihilism.

Speaking of nihilism, next up was Reality Bites which simply put is the extracted concentrated essence of the slacker Gen X 90s. Post-college grad malaise, crudely edited VHS taped documentary of existential truths, job hopping, couch surfing, overdue bills, flannel shirts, off brand MTV, the Gap, the consummate fear of selling out, it’s all here.

Ryder again does well as the film’s emotional center, although her love triangle with Ethan Hawk and Ben Stiller seems to amount to a simple choice between selling out or keeping it real. Also wasn’t sure why she seemed surprised at getting fired from her producer job after intentionally sabatoging the star on live TV.

Disappointed more emphasis wasn’t put on exploring and devolping the other two friends, instead of devolving into a straight forward “will she realize her true love was the nonsense spouting slacker sleeping on her couch the whole time?” Rom-com plot.

Overall, Ryder went two for two this weekend.
 
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Warhawk

Give blood and save a life!
Staff member
Thor: Love and Thunder
As an actual movie? 7/10
As a nice distraction immediately after the former prime minister has been assassinated? 11/10

The movie is so big, loud, colorful, and dumb that you will literally be able to think of nothing else as you watch it.
I couldn't find an English-language showing (that I know of) in Europe, so I'm looking to check this one out shortly.
 

Warhawk

Give blood and save a life!
Staff member
I couldn't find an English-language showing (that I know of) in Europe, so I'm looking to check this one out shortly.
Thor: Love and Thunder
As an actual movie? 7/10
As a nice distraction immediately after the former prime minister has been assassinated? 11/10

The movie is so big, loud, colorful, and dumb that you will literally be able to think of nothing else as you watch it.
I agree with this. A bit on the silly side at times, but still fairly enjoyable overall. I generally liked the tone of the first Thor movie better than the last couple but YMMV. There are 2 post-credit scenes, if you were wondering.
 
I agree with this. A bit on the silly side at times, but still fairly enjoyable overall. I generally liked the tone of the first Thor movie better than the last couple but YMMV. There are 2 post-credit scenes, if you were wondering.
Saw it yesterday and agree with Tets’ and your assessment (although I loved Ragnarok). However, I’m starting to get a little concerned with the overall health of the MCU in general. Everything has been feeling so inconsequential lately…I dunno.
 

Warhawk

Give blood and save a life!
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Saw it yesterday and agree with Tets’ and your assessment (although I loved Ragnarok). However, I’m starting to get a little concerned with the overall health of the MCU in general. Everything has been feeling so inconsequential lately…I dunno.
Yeah, and I can't see that they are actually building towards anything in particular. You used to see glimpses of Thanos throughout the movies until they got to Infinity War and Endgame. The glimpses we seem to get now don't seem related at all, and the stories are just all over the place. I assume they will lead somewhere, but I don't know where....
 

Tetsujin

The Game Thread Dude
Yeah, and I can't see that they are actually building towards anything in particular. You used to see glimpses of Thanos throughout the movies until they got to Infinity War and Endgame. The glimpses we seem to get now don't seem related at all, and the stories are just all over the place. I assume they will lead somewhere, but I don't know where....
There's a certain element mentioned in Multiverse of Madness that sort of indicates where they're probably headed
John Hickman's Avengers arc culminating in Secret Wars and a on-ramp for potential franchise reboot
but with Fantastic Four being stuck in development hell, I don't know how they're going to get to it anytime this decade.

It would also appear that the X-Men are coming to the MCU sooner rather than later.

The next Ant-Man movie will probably be where we see the greater MCU story pick up.
 

Warhawk

Give blood and save a life!
Staff member
There's a certain element mentioned in Multiverse of Madness that sort of indicates where they're probably headed
John Hickman's Avengers arc culminating in Secret Wars and a on-ramp for potential franchise reboot
but with Fantastic Four being stuck in development hell, I don't know how they're going to get to it anytime this decade.

It would also appear that the X-Men are coming to the MCU sooner rather than later.

The next Ant-Man movie will probably be where we see the greater MCU story pick up.
I never read any of the comics, so there may be things there I'm just not getting (storylines, etc.) that may be obvious to others. I noticed a couple of these things in the movies (but I haven't finished watching Ms. Marvel yet).
 
Is Ms Marvel worth the viewing?
I’ve been going through it pretty slowly and feel a little indifferent towards it. I like what they’re trying to do, but it’s the first that feels very ‘Disney’ to me in that it skews a little younger (which makes sense though, given the source material). I’m left wishing it had a bit more edge and moved a little quicker.
 

pdxKingsFan

So Ordinary That It's Truly Quite Extraordinary
Staff member
Watched House of Gucci on second flight yesterday since I was tired and couldn't read anymore. Started to nod off a bit at the final half hour so I need to do a rewatch of about 15 minutes. I really had no idea about this story, and didn't recall the ending (especially since I was very familiar with another similar story that happened around the same time). I enjoyed it but I definitely prefer movies under 2 hours (I misread 158 minutes as 1:58). Great cast, Jared Lito is unrecognizable.
 
Watched Nope. I liked it, big fan of Jordan Peele movies. Between he and M Night Shymalan, you know your going to get some twists and a movie where you can try to figure things out as the movie unveils more information.
 

Warhawk

Give blood and save a life!
Staff member
Caught Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness today with 4 friends - one loved it, 2-3 liked it (including me), one just went along not anticipating liking it (didn't like the first one) and said it was OK.

It felt a bit disjointed at times (even with the multiverse aspects) as if they were trying to cram in a bit too much. The horror elements added in were a nice change of pace from traditional Marvel fare, and there are definitely some surprise characters that show up in this one (although you may have seen some clues here and there over the past year). It makes more sense if you've been watching the Disney+ shows as well - some of those have elements that play into this flick.

Interesting to see where some of the plot threads lead in the future....
I watched this again tonight - was a bit better the second time around. Dad hadn't seen it so we watched it at home after Amazon left a present on the porch. :) Again, liked it, didn't love it, some things are still a bit disjointed or unexplained. But that's OK. I'm sure some of it will be paid off in future flicks/shows. Speaking of which....

Marvel Phase 5: The MCU continues with new schedule of movies and TV - Polygon
 
I watched this again tonight - was a bit better the second time around. Dad hadn't seen it so we watched it at home after Amazon left a present on the porch. :) Again, liked it, didn't love it, some things are still a bit disjointed or unexplained. But that's OK. I'm sure some of it will be paid off in future flicks/shows. Speaking of which....

Marvel Phase 5: The MCU continues with new schedule of movies and TV - Polygon
I watched this with my brothers a couple days ago. I knew I wouldn't like it because I generally dislike superhero movies, but I went along with it because they both wanted to see it. All 3 of us thought it was bad to awful with a baseline level of entertaining enough to endure the entire thing. To me, it suffered from what essentially all superhero movies suffer from: bad writing, illogical and inconsistent plot progression, and way too frequent "huh?"/"lol" moments. This is only like the third or fourth Marvel movie I've ever seen, so I thought i would be the only one with issues, but we all sat there for twenty minutes afterwards complaining of its flaws and saying we were glad we didn't go to a theater and pay extra money to watch it.
 
First off, hey everyone!! Long time, no see!

Anyway, I recently watched Everything Everywhere All At Once (have seen it twice now) and it's a really fun film! May not be for everyone but I really liked it. Go see it!
I wanted to point out how criminally underrated this post is. Not only did the absolute All-Star @atxrocker pop in after years away from the board for a single post then bounce, but did so to promote quite possibly the most exciting film of the year, and potential antidote to all this Marvel malaise.

Everything Everywhere All at Once

Michelle Yeoh is an international treasure; the Meryl Streep of martial arts movies. But even that supposed compliment ultimately proves reductive for Yeoh; she is so much more than a martial arts actor*. Like Streep, Yeoh has an impossibly sweeping range to believably be the only "Bond Girl" to play as Bond's equal, the beating heart of one of the few martial arts movies to break through to become an American mainstream household name, Jackie Chan's fellow Supercop, a meticulously precise geisha mentor, and the Crazy Rich Asian dragon mom who is both menacing and relatable, all with a sublime mix of sensitivity, strength and superb comedic timing. Yeoh might be the only person on the planet who could have made Everything Everywhere's ambitious and moderately insane premise work.

The fact that Yeoh can carry this film should not be a shock. However, Ke Huy Quan - who most people last saw as Short Round in Temple of Doom or Data in Goonies and hasn't been on a big screen since his child actor days more than 30 years ago - is nothing short of remarkable in his contribution as a seemingly goofy beta-male house-husband who is eventually revealed to be the hinge on which the plot turns.

The film itself defies genre classification. Seemingly a melding of martial arts, slapstick/absurdist comedy, romantic comedy, family drama, religious philosophy, artist spectacle, and superhero films, all interwoven into an immersive and maniacal whole. There is a lot of abject silliness and exposition dumps at the beginning, which slowly evolve into deeper meanings with superb payoffs as the film unfolds.

Perhaps the best example, (and hopefully vague enough to not warrant spoilers) the "villain" of the story is a hyper-aware, godlike entity who can travel the multiverse at will. As omnipotence does, the being becomes bored and begins to dabble in the absurd for entertainment, in this case, putting literally "everything" on a bagel. It's at that moment the entity spirals into nihilism, believing existence has no meaning and going on a multiversal rampage with the "bagel" resembling a zero of nothingness. Eventually, we come to understand the bagel also resembles the enso, or Zen symbol, giving new perspective to the purpose of existence by the end.

Also there's a universe where everyone has hotdogs for fingers.

This movie is overwhelming. Rarely have I dwelled on the philosophic meanings of a film that included a purple sex toy as a fighting prop. This may be simply too absurd and erratic for your tastes, and that's perfectly fine. But films like this need to be supported, otherwise the artform gets static and formulaic.

If you've at all be disapponted by blockbuster films of late, you owe it to yourself and the industry to support films like Everything Everywhere All at Once.

And see it twice.

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*I just learned Yeoh supposedly has never been formally trained in martial arts, but knows enough about dance to quickly pickup the moves on set. I suppose that's the martial arts equivalent of learning lines phonetically. What a badass.
 
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