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rjb57
Reviews
The Vast of Night (2019)
Refreshingly Low-Key
I'd been putting off seeing this one; glad I finally did. Stylish without being heavy-handed about it, the film has a sense of immediacy and presence. I was impressed with the steadycam sequences. It's quite suspenseful, with an underlying sense of fear and dread. It also made me wonder if it's based on a true story. No spoilers here - see it!
Tales from the Purple Grotto (1974)
Late-night Schlocker!
I remember staying up late to watch this UHF gem. He goofed on Reptilicus and really hammed it up. One of the prototypes, I'm sure, for SCTV's Count Floyd.
Dune (2021)
Overblown, overrated, overlong
I'm glad I didn't pay $20 to see it! Not too many people are saying this, but the film suffers by comparison to the David Lynch version. I always liked Lynch's feverish version, and thought it was unjustly maligned. In some ways it's better than Villaneuve's: cast, pacing and some plot points. Particularly the cast - Jose Ferrer, Kyle MacLachlan, Sting, Dean Stockwell among others.
While I was keen to see the new interpretation, my expectations were tempered by Blade Runner 2049. And I was right - it's a fair comparison: Dune is to Dune what BR 2049 is to Blade Runner. I would suggest to anyone who hasn't - see the David Lynch version and draw your own conclusions. Oh, and - read the book.
D.E.B.S. (2004)
Lots of Fun
I found a lot to like in D. E. B. S. - Nubile badass cuties in school uniforms, girl-on-girl romance, the cynical hard-bitten matron, funny, sharp script with bloodless action and gunplay. Formulaic? Sure. But well paced and acted, with a montage to boot! Big thumbs-up!
The Suicide Squad (2021)
Did I miss a meeting?
Bloody as hell and not particularly funny. Furthermore, I had this movie confused with the similarly titled Suicide Squad and was looking for Jared Leto! Attempts at 'style' were lost on me, but I did kinda like the throwback starfish monster. Maybe I'm jaded, but the action sequences left something to be desired. Also a WTF moment at the end with some weird rat-creature walking off? A mess of a movie. Back to Marvel...
The Bourne Legacy (2012)
More of the same and that's a good thing!
Ok, to be fair, I didn't see the whole thing; started watching about a third of the way in - pretty darned good. A bit formulaic, with more of the same brutal hand-to-hand and frantic chases. The same heroic lead with a female partner, the same sinister government underpinnings etc. But the same formula that worked in the original works in this one. Great cast - yes that IS Stacy Keach. Renner and Weisz are well cast and real pros. If you liked The Bourne Identity, you'll like this.
Vivarium (2019)
I'd have killed the kid. Just sayin'
Weird AF. I guess the premise being that aliens are interbreeding and using unsuspecting young couples to rear their hybrid offspring in a 'Vivarium', an incubator disguised as an uber-middle class neighborhood. I'm sorry, the dude was right when he said that's no child. I would have wrung its its neck.
The weird TV was the tipoff.
The Magnificent Seven (2016)
Overlong and oddly dull
Maybe it's because I'd seen the original a few times, but this one failed to move me. Even Denzel Washington's stoic presence couldn't redeem this one. Strangely boring in spite of all of the action. Maybe it was the cast, although I like Denzel, Vincent D'Onofrio and Ethan Hawke. For me it just fell flat. Like many remakes, it doesn't live up to the original (and I'm not referring to Seven Samurai).
Jolt (2021)
What's not to like?
When I read the description, it seemed a little silly, so I passed on it the first time. When I did watch it I was instantly captivated - the action and humor plus a great cast make this a winner! Ignore the bad reviews and buckle up for a fun ride. Action packed and funny AF. Waiting for sequel...
Coppelia (2021)
A Visual Feast
I have to admit that I didn't see the entire story; I was bouncing back and forth between channels. What I did see was a unique blending of ballet with a sci-fi themed storyline. Beautiful visuals and masterful dancing combined with interesting music - I will have to revisit it.
Sherman's Showcase (2019)
Brilliant!
At first I was scratchin' my head, and then Bruce LeRoy busts through the wall! 'Nuff said...
Barely Lethal (2015)
Maligned Gem
Candy coated, sure, but not without poignancy. Above-par acting and a great cast elevate this slightly formulaic farce. Close your cold hard eye and have fun with this one. Some laugh-out-loud moments and great fight choreography. Hope to see the talented lead actress in more films.
Bad Santa 2 (2016)
A Worthy sequel
Lewd, crude, vulgar, and funny as hell. Touching, too. The kid is back and innocent as ever. Kathy Bates is incapable of a bad performance, and nails it as mom. The last 30 seconds was the best part. I was still laughing after it was over. Not for the easily offended or even the moderately offended.
Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins (1985)
So when does the adventure continue?
Being a longtime fan of "The Destroyer" series, I had high expectations of the film. I wasn't disappointed. (Although I might have cast Steven Seagal as Remo). I liked the way the writers managed to integrate some of the humor from the books (like where Remo gets his name). Good action sequences, great one-liners - "Nice Buttons!", well-paced. A FUN movie! Loved the carnival scene. The best quote by Chuin: "Rely not on what you see, but what you know." But to really appreciate the movie, you should read at least one of the books, of which there are many. Find one written by both Sapir and Murphy. Now, if they would just make a sequel.