kpowers said:

S2DG said:

John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum (2019)

Enjoyed the first two movies and now this one can be added to the list. The violence is so cartoonish that you kind of forget that it's violence. Not sure how I feel about that morally but as far as entertainment this movie feels more like a video game. Martial arts, knives, guns and 94 total deaths...slightly lower than the 128 in the second movie.

The action is quick and moves the movie from location to location. Great to see Hally Berry in top form kicking ass with two amazing dogs doing their "Dog Fu". Think I fell for Ian McShane during the short run of Deadwood but I love his delivery as an actor. Laurence Fishburne isn't Morpheus but he just carries such a presence, even with the small part here.

Not a thinker movie, more of an entertaining journey like the other 2 movies. Thought this one would have jumped the shark but it did not. Can they keep this quality streak going with JW IV?


out of

[Edited 8/6/20 18:29pm]

They killed his dog in part 1. I never got over that.

Me either! consequently, I have not seen any of those movies.

DiminutiveRocker said:

kpowers said:

They killed his dog in part 1. I never got over that.

Me either! consequently, I have not seen any of those movies.

The dog scene got me too. I did stick it out for the whole first movie, but it was so cold and mechanical with no emotion, personality, humor, or even much of a rooting interest given how unrelatable the protagonist is. There are other movies that feature a lot of killing, but also ahve some of the above elements including the Die Hard series and Terminator series. Perhaps the subsequent movies did add some of these elements, but I was already off the boat.

kpowers said:

S2DG said:

John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum (2019)

Enjoyed the first two movies and now this one can be added to the list. The violence is so cartoonish that you kind of forget that it's violence. Not sure how I feel about that morally but as far as entertainment this movie feels more like a video game. Martial arts, knives, guns and 94 total deaths...slightly lower than the 128 in the second movie.

The action is quick and moves the movie from location to location. Great to see Hally Berry in top form kicking ass with two amazing dogs doing their "Dog Fu". Think I fell for Ian McShane during the short run of Deadwood but I love his delivery as an actor. Laurence Fishburne isn't Morpheus but he just carries such a presence, even with the small part here.

Not a thinker movie, more of an entertaining journey like the other 2 movies. Thought this one would have jumped the shark but it did not. Can they keep this quality streak going with JW IV?


out of

[Edited 8/6/20 18:29pm]

They killed his dog in part 1. I never got over that.

It's things like this I wrestled with but knowing that no animals were actually hurt in the making of the movie gave me perspective. Felt the same with the hundreds of people killed...

It does feel fucked up though even if it is for entertainment purposes.


In this third movie one of Halle Berry's dogs get shot and it felt equally brutal but it had a bulltet proof vest on.

[Edited 8/8/20 8:33am]

S2DG said:

kpowers said:

They killed his dog in part 1. I never got over that.

It's things like this I wrestled with but knowing that no animals were actually hurt in the making of the movie gave me perspective. Felt the same with the hundreds of people killed...

It does feel fucked up though even if it is for entertainment purposes.


In this third movie one of Halle Berry's dogs get shot and it felt equally brutal but it had a bulltet proof vest on.

[Edited 8/8/20 8:33am]

Ah, they did add some humor!

"Game of Death 2" (1981)

Even in the pantheon of crazy Bruceploitation films this one is unique in its incoherence, dubbing, characters and craziness; kung-fu lions and some fucking kick-ass sequences. A surreal masterpiece.

5 out of 5.

[Edited 8/8/20 20:29pm]

Last movie I saw in a theater was 'Godzilla, King of the Monsters' (2019). It was a love letter to us hardcore fans - the American Godzilla film we've been waiting for since that piece of shit from TriStar in 1998. They did a fantastic job updating the monsters designs, yet staying true to the classics (Rodan never looked better).

'Godzilla, King of the Monsters' isn't as good as the more somber/depressing 1954 Japanese original, but it's one of the best sequels. It sets up 'Godzilla vs Kong', which was pushed back to a 2021 release.

4 out of 5 stars.

The Peanut Butter Falcon. (3.5 of 4 stars)

A highly enjoyable and feel good movie that deserves it's excellent word of mouth.

I had no expectations about this movie, but I have to say it ws a fun little fantasy story and Seth Rogen did a pretty good job playing the descendent and his "pickeld" great grandfather. Lots of very funny moments as well as tender ones. This is exactly the kind of movie that makes for an enjoyable, stress-free viewing, all the while touching on family connections as well as social and cultural trends.

3.5/5

[Edited 8/10/20 10:56am]

Lenny (1974)

Biopic on the original stand-up comedian Lenny Bruce directed by Bob Fosse staring Dustin Hoffman.
Had no idea Bob Fosse directed films and even in B/W you could feel his sense of direction throughout.

It was nominated for multiple academy awards and I can see why. It was a good movie because Dustin Hoffman's authenticity makes you believe he's Lenny Bruce. Valerie Perrine as his wife is also really good in this.

Tragic story of arguably the first person to do stand up comedy (in the current form) and his persecution that paved the way for others. While it feels a little 1974, the story arc keeps you engaged from beginning to end.


1/2 out of

S2DG said:

Lenny (1974)

Biopic on the original stand-up comedian Lenny Bruce directed by Bob Fosse staring Dustin Hoffman.
Had no idea Bob Fosse directed films and even in B/W you could feel his sense of direction throughout.

It was nominated for multiple academy awards and I can see why. It was a good movie because Dustin Hoffman's authenticity makes you believe he's Lenny Bruce. Valerie Perrine as his wife is also really good in this.

Tragic story of arguably the first person to do stand up comedy (in the current form) and his persecution that paved the way for others. While it feels a little 1974, the story arc keeps you engaged from beginning to end.


1/2 out of

I would give this one a 4.5 of 5. The acting was incredible and Fosse's direction was excellent. Fosse won the Oscar for best director the year before for "Cabaret."


The 1970s was a great decade for Film, IMO. Lots of American directors from the "film school" generation came of age (Coppola, Lucas, Spielberg, Scorsese, DePalma etc) and stage directors like Fosse and Mike Nichols leap into film with some remarkable films as well. Altman, Lumet, Woody, Pollack... so many.

[Edited 8/10/20 13:15pm]

Onward (2020) 4/5 stars

The kids especially loved it. They all gave it 5/5.

I like looking at the jobs at the end of animated movies. Crazy to think there were people employed just to do the clouds in this one (to give just one example).

DiminutiveRocker said:

I would give this one a 4.5 of 5. The acting was incredible and Fosse's direction was excellent. Fosse won the Oscar for best director the year before for "Cabaret."


The 1970s was a great decade for Film, IMO. Lots of American directors from the "film school" generation came of age (Coppola, Lucas, Spielberg, Scorsese, DePalma etc) and stage directors like Fosse and Mike Nichols leap into film with some remarkable films as well. Altman, Lumet, Woody, Pollack... so many.



Y'know, I see both of your points. My main criticisms were that it felt more 70s than other great films of the era and at some points the movie lost my attention (the writing).


Agree with the seventies being great era in film as I have a lot of favorites but not all of it.

Never could get into Woody Allen either but art/humor/music is subjective. To be honest, because of my dislike of one of his movies that I don't remember the name of, I've never really watched any of his work.

gandorb said:

The Peanut Butter Falcon. (3.5 of 4 stars)

A highly enjoyable and feel good movie that deserves it's excellent word of mouth.

love this ONE

maplenpg said:

Onward (2020) 4/5 stars

The kids especially loved it. They all gave it 5/5.

I like looking at the jobs at the end of animated movies. Crazy to think there were people employed just to do the clouds in this one (to give just one example).

4 out of 5 for this lame movie, you've got no taste at all.

DiminutiveRocker said:

kpowers said:

They killed his dog in part 1. I never got over that.

Me either! consequently, I have not seen any of those movies.

I turned the movie off like 10 minutes after they killed his dog. Won't watch anymore of the series

kpowers said:

DiminutiveRocker said:

Me either! consequently, I have not seen any of those movies.

I turned the movie off like 10 minutes after they killed his dog. Won't watch anymore of the series

I stopped watching right when they killed his dog. That was bullshit!

DiminutiveRocker said:

kpowers said:

I turned the movie off like 10 minutes after they killed his dog. Won't watch anymore of the series

I stopped watching right when they killed his dog. That was bullshit!

It took me awhile to turn it off because I was to traumatized to move

kpowers said:

DiminutiveRocker said:

I stopped watching right when they killed his dog. That was bullshit!

It took me awhile to turn it off because I was to traumatized to move

I get it

Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971)

As an adult and rewatching this film I now understand that it wasn't made for kids. The jokes, the references to raising kids as brats and lessons throughout the whole movie. Don't usually like musicals but the music is really enjoyable and added to the story. Oompa Oompas still freak me out. It's the non-emotional, robot movements and the orange make-up.

The standout is Gene Wilder, he's so great in this movie it's hard to notice any other actor. The European feel comes from it being filmed in Munich and contributes to why the movie holds up. It's a little dated, feels a little low budget but I think it holds up very well and is just a great movie.



out of

S2DG said:

Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971)

As an adult and rewatching this film I now understand that it wasn't made for kids. The jokes, the references to raising kids as brats and lessons throughout the whole movie. Don't usually like musicals but the music is really enjoyable and added to the story. Oompa Oompas still freak me out. It's the non-emotional, robot movements and the orange make-up.

The standout is Gene Wilder, he's so great in this movie it's hard to notice any other actor. The European feel comes from it being filmed in Munich and contributes to why the movie holds up. It's a little dated, feels a little low budget but I think it holds up very well and is just a great movie.



out of

5/5 for sure. Wilder was sheer genius. I think for 1971 it had a decent budget (compare to what Tim Burton had with his version) but it does look low budget by today's standards. I heard a band in a club cover "Pure Imagination" - it's a great song. And of course the Oompa Loompas are fantastic.

Favorite line: "We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of dreams."


I love this movie and the book on which it was based. Sadly, however, author Roald Dahl was not happy that the film (unlike the book) focused more on Wonka than Charlie. For me, the movie does not really get intersting until they enter the factory and we meet Wonka.

DiminutiveRocker said:

5/5 for sure. Wilder was sheer genius. I think for 1971 it had a decent budget (compare to what Tim Burton had with his version) but it does look low budget by today's standards. I heard a band in a club cover "Pure Imagination" - it's a great song. And of course the Oompa Loompas are fantastic.

Favorite line: "We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of dreams."


I love this movie and the book on which it was based. Sadly, however, author Roald Dahl was not happy that the film (unlike the book) focused more on Wonka than Charlie. For me, the movie does not really get intersting until they enter the factory and we meet Wonka.

Funny you mention this line as it jumped out at me in the way it's delivered and the context.

Now I'll have to check out the book because that sounds interesting. Thanks for the heads up.

Line comes from this poem, also where the term "movers and shakers" came from:

We are the music makers,
And we are the dreamers of dreams,
Wandering by lone sea-breakers,
And sitting by desolate streams;
—World-losers and world-forsakers,
On whom the pale moon gleams:
Yet we are the movers and shakers
Of the world for ever, it seems.

— Stanza 1

Ode by Arthur O'Shaughnessy 1873

[Edited 8/18/20 10:08am]

Jay and Silent Bob Reboot (2019)

Kevin Smith is a very likeable guy and I've been a fan for most of my adult life. Of course not everything he's done has been great but he's a cult-following-type of film maker. His monologues and his writing is typically where he shines in addition to the dick jokes and comic book references.

With that said, this movie felt like he phoned it in and maybe rushed to complete?

It must be hard to bring in the sheer number of Hollywood cameos (loved seeing Method Man and Redman) as well as write something with some substance. The references to a lot of his movies was very tongue in cheek and I knew what I was getting into before it started but this just felt like his weakest movie yet.


our of

The Nice Guys (2016)

Not even Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe and some decent action scenes can save this one. Goes for gritty and nuanced, but comes off as gratuitous and pretentious.

.5

jstar69 said:

Tenet - excellent 4.5/5

this hasn't been released yet