This past month I was able to power through several films at the begining of the month and I ran through the final season of “Success” like most fans. I was also able to catch up on a few more super hero films on the DC side and I was happy to see a couple more super films worth re-watching.
The Forever Purge (2021)
Adela and her husband, Juan, live in Texas, where he works as a ranch hand for the wealthy Tucker family. Juan impresses the Tucker patriarch, Caleb, but that fuels the jealous anger of his son, Dylan. On the morning after the Purge, a masked gang of killers attacks the Tuckers, forcing both families to band together and fight back as the country spirals into chaos.
Five movies and two seasons (20 episodes) of the Purge TV show came out from 2013-21. That’s tons of purging and mostly iffy writing. I didn’t watch the 2nd seasons of the TV show but I’ve seen all the movies and I it’s mostly a poorly written and underdeveloped property. Even “The First Purge” (3rd movie) set the stage for a “good vs. evil” instead of approaching the purge as purely a difference in political ideas and exploring those concepts. I’m not sure how people can live as neighbors 364 days a year under the current evil, less neutral context. It’s crazy either way but Forever Purge was supposed to be with last movie in the franchise with the US completely turning into a kill zone free-for-all at its conclusion but a sixth film is being development. This film included more elements of today’s xenophobia for the always aware franchise and rolled that aspect into the Purge. Never subtle in script writing, always using a mallet, that aspect of the movie is obvious. Finally killing (and other crimes using below a level 5 weapon) have hit a boiling point and I’m losing track of any resemblance of a storyline. The Bunny costumes scene is creepy and this movie has more active than some of the others, but I want some writing.
Dune: Part One (2021)
Paul Atreides, a brilliant and gifted young man born into a great destiny beyond his understanding, must travel to the most dangerous planet in the universe to ensure the future of his family and his people. As malevolent forces explode into conflict over the planet’s exclusive supply of the most precious resource in existence, only those who can conquer their own fear will survive.
A two and a half-hour part 1 for what is supposed to be the next great sci-fi/fantasy film series and it sure held up. Timothee Chalamet is excellent as Paul Atreides, basically a young man in a family of power with special lineage and powers emerging somewhat similar to “The Force” in Star Wars to my understanding. The world building is awesome as you’re drawn into the balance between families and power over “spice” a drug with numerous special abilities including reduced aging and heightened awareness for space travel. It’s created by sandworms that live on the planet Arrakis where we spend most of the film. I’m not a huge fan of desert landscapes, they’re often flat and boring, but we do get an awesome run-in with one of the huge worms that’s a great scene to put into perspective how dangerous the planet can be. The stakes are real as Chalamet tries to navigate alliances involving both spice and his own natural abilities. I struggle to keep up with sci-fi properties sometimes with fictional and/or goofy names, places, groups, powers, resources, and honestly I’ll didn’t remember what everything was called or how everything ties together the first watch through. However, pacing seems to be great (I’m no expert), moments have real stakes, tension, and mystery, the casting seemed pretty great. I haven’t read the books, watched the 84 film, or 2000’s mini-series, nor have I looked at any spoilers for the property. Part 2 will be out in November and I’ll re-watch this in anticipation.
Death Proof (2007)
Two separate sets of voluptuous women are stalked at different times by a scarred stuntman who uses his “death proof” cars to execute his murderous plans.
Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino have long been film friends and teamed up for 2007 “Grindhouse”. Released as a double-feature with (Plant Terror & Death Proof) homage to the “grindhouse” theaters that would run movies though day and night during the 70’s and 80’s. The cheaper and more exploitive the better. I didn’t get a chance to watch Planet Terror but Death Proof very simple and full of unneeded scenes to fill run time. Kurt Russell is the antagonist that meets and then murders a vehicle full of women crashing his stunt car into theirs. Then the movie picks up with a new set of victims after he recovers from the prior accident, but this time they get the best of him. Death Proof 100% fits the formula for a movie in this vein. It’s wild violent, suggestive, and grimy. I don’t regret checking it, but it’s not worth a re-watch.
Shazam (2019)
Shazam:Fury of the Gods (2021)
A newly fostered young boy in search of his mother instead finds unexpected super powers and soon gains a powerful enemy.
I’m catching up on my superhero movies and it was time to watch these two in passing. I would be more exciting to see a non-major character get a movie but the hero fatigue is real. Zachary Levi is an awesome Shazam. The whole premise of a teenager becoming an adult superhero was going to translate strangely to film (and indeed it does in several situations).The villains are boring. The plot is ridiculous. All of the children at Bill aka Shazam’s foster home have powers in the 2nd movie. They’re not particularly unique, created another seemingly unnecessary super team, and somehow the entire group deceives their foster parents for some time until they reveal they’re super heros. With a DC universe reboot coming both of these films are skippers in the broad superhero viewing scape.
Zack Snyder’s Justice League (2021)
Determined to ensure Superman’s (Henry Cavill) ultimate sacrifice was not in vain, Bruce Wayne (Ben Affleck) aligns forces with Diana Prince (Gal Gadot) with plans to recruit a team of metahumans to protect the world from an approaching threat of catastrophic proportions. The task proves more difficult than Bruce imagined, as each of the recruits must face the demons of their own pasts to transcend that which has held them back, allowing them to come together, finally forming an unprecedented league of heroes. Now united, Batman (Affleck), Wonder Woman (Gadot), Aquaman (Jason Momoa), Cyborg (Ray Fisher) and The Flash (Ezra Miller) may be too late to save the planet from Steppenwolf, DeSaad and Darkseid and their dreadful intentions.
The 4-hour uncut Justice League master piece as Zack Snyder truly saw the film. An all-star cast, top action, epic stakes, and decent writing seems to produce one of the best real comic-to-big screen projects we have. I watched the film in three different sittings but came away pretty happy with the epic story. The main heros get time to themselves on the screen and have impact to the overall story. Batman still hangs in despite being an “underpowered” hero. We don’t spend much time with the mighty Darkseid but his minions instead. I’m not sure if the “Anti-Life Equation” makes sense but it comes from the comics making this film a more true adaptation. The battles are epic and the characters feel real. It is in the dark DC tone but it’s appropriate. This is a better super hero film because it isn’t edited too short and spends time with each character (if that’s what you’d like to do) I think this is one of the better super hero movie so the past few years, but it is difficult to re-wmatch with it’s length.
The Batman (2022)
When a sadistic serial killer begins murdering key political figures in Gotham, Batman is forced to investigate the city’s hidden corruption and question his family’s involvement.
Set in Year 2 of Bruce Wayne being Batman, this film is a fun different approach to the property. It’s more of a murder-mystery than a beat em up.I have mixed feelings with Robert Pattenson as Batman. He’ll always be the Twilight guy to me which is part of the problem of an actor anchoring themselves to a franchise. That being said, I slowly adjusted to him wearing the cowl as the movie continued. I’m still not sure he nailed the Bruce Wayne portion of the role. Zoe Kravitz plays a solid Catwoman portrayal. Colin Farrell is an awesome Penguin. The costumes and setting are very batman and Gothamlike. Following the evidence with Bruce Wayne and the dark Gotham backdrop reminds me of the film “Seven”. I will need to re-watch this film but my initial thoughts are that it was a good Batman film that slots behind the Christian Bale films. Its possible Pattenson will grow on me.
Old (2021)
A vacationing family discovers that the secluded beach where they’re relaxing for a few hours is somehow causing them to age rapidly, reducing their entire lives into a single day.
M. Night Shyamalan’s 2021 release isolates a group of people dropped off at a local beach for the day by the resort they’re staying at as they slowly start to realize they’re aging quickly. This movie was great. A classic case of a group of people thrown together in a terrifying situation trying to solve how to escape the beach, figure out how what exactly is going on, and navigating their own relationships and the strangers around they’re trapped with. The “rules” of the beach are explored as to why it’s difficult to escape. Relationships are forged, fostered, grow, fall apart and strangely find some happiness. The aging is handled pretty well, especially with the children aging into adult bodies but keeping childish behaviors. The ending is debatably unneeded but leaves room for further questions and exploration into the space as most M. Night films do. This film is tense, exciting, a roller coaster of emotions, and very enjoyable.
Malignant (2021)
Paralyzed by fear from shocking visions, a woman’s torment worsens as she discovers her waking dreams are terrifying realities.
I couldn’t quite understand the buzz around this 2021 film for the first 30-35 minutes, but boy does a creepy second act set up for a surprise ending. Whatever your prediction is for the conclusion will be wrong. This puppy get wild. It’s a slow build for to discover the secrets behind Madison’s (Annabelle Wallis-also appearing in Peaky Blinders) dreams and the “imaginary friend” from her childhood but it’s worth the watch. The dream sequences look awesome. There is also a scene filmed from above but inside a house that’s a cool perspective. The antagonist is creative and surprising. Watch this film if you haven’t already. It can be over-the-top (you’ll see) but it’s understandable by the conclusion.
The Menu (2022)
A young couple travels to a remote island to eat at an exclusive restaurant where the chef has prepared a lavish menu, with some shocking surprises.
The Menu wasn’t what I expected. Anna Taylor-Joy highlights a solid group of characters in a slow burn, manipulative, mind-game, ego trip of an evening. It’s the kind of film that has you digesting what you just consumed long after credits roll. I expected some kind of cannibal, serial killer film that involved the killing of the diners to be consumed by those that were left. That’s not what happened. Instead the film and head chief Ralph Fiennes takes a heavy-handed approach to punishing his guest while lecturing on privilege and power…I think. Sometimes I’m don’t believe I missed a subtle grander message, but this film could also be titled: “Jilted Chef” if viewed through another lens. The ending has you asking questions as to how we arrived as the conclusion and the movie throughout has you re-analyzing the real motivations of the events. The food is beautiful and the design is luxurious and fitting. I just think the film came up flat.
Ticket to Paradise (2022)
A divorced couple teams up and travels to Bali to stop their daughter from making the same mistake they think they made 25 years ago.
The premise is simple. George Clooney and Julia Roberts are a divorced pair flying to Bali to prevent their new college grad daughter from marrying a man she just met on vacation after questioning her future as a lawyer. A culture class ensues, hijinks, inappropriate behavior and a revisiting of the past relationship. The film was actually shot in Queensland Australia which is beautiful. Clooney and Roberts are fun, although too childish at times. Daughter Lily, played by Kaitlyn Dever is a full character that fleshes out her motivations and balances what she feels is the “correct” active versus what she desires. Some of the plot elements aren’t original or just plain goofy and characters like Lily’s friend Lauren (Romy Poulier) are underutilized, but this is a fun, beautiful film centered around its two stars.
Detective Pikachu (2019)
The plot follows former Pokémon trainer Tim Goodman and the titular Pokémon as they attempt to solve the mysterious disappearance of Tim’s father, Harry.
I don’t know why I waited so long to finally catch Ryan Reynolds voicing Pikachu.He’s charismatic, the voice seems to fit, and he just commands the screen without being on it. Realistic looking Pokemon walking around is the coolest thing ever. Bulbasaus have a moment and look adorable; Granbull, Aipom and Charizard look cool in their scenes. We need more battle scenes but what we receive is exactly what pokemon battles should be. The plot is kind of weird and more convoluted than it needs to be, but it works. Harry, search for his missing detective father, makes more progress than other detectives. After watching the new Batman movie which truly focused on the mystery/detective aspect of the character I saw this film through different eyes. Detective Pikachu is a “who-dun-it” but it’s focus is more comedy/action/adventure/maybe we’ll figure this out by chance. It doesn’t lean heavily into the alternative detective take which was strange to begin with nor the Pokemon battling aspect. Straddling the line loses some juice in both areas. Not awesome writing but the characters work and real looking Pokemon are awesome. More non-animated Pokemon movies please.
Succession-Season 4 (2023)
The conclusion to one of the best shows ever. I binged this in 3 days and now it’s been almost a month since I watched it but this season didn’t disappoint. This show has been covered by other media at length and it’s not worth spoiling but I enjoyed ALL of it. The writing is A+. The acting is A+. Alexander Skarsgård and his quirky mind games are A+. I think the ending lands the plane as satisfactory as possible. Maybe I’ll change my mind in the future but this a fine ending to one of the greatest shows ever. Re-watchable, enjoyable, and a show to be shared and discussed.
All-American-Season 5 (2023)
I don’t know why I keep watching this show. It’s on my list on “passive watch” shows to put on when I can put something on that doesn’t command my full attention. It’s also one of the few network shows that I watch and those are the worst. The seasons are bloated to 20ish episodes and need to pad those episodes with poor plots. The PG/PG-13 rating isn’t pushed even when the content could be useful for the story. Most situations could be solved with simple conversations between characters, there are too many characters, some of these people wouldn’t be friends in real life, the show tries to tackle class, economic, and race issues and often resolves conflict with a nice little bow, and the dialogue is often eye-rolling. Oh, let’s not forget that football is somewhat the focal point and between completely made up football teams, a lack of understanding of most football orientated activities and horrible looking in-game scenes, the “football” aspect is has always been a disaster.
In season 5 JJ struggles with alcoholism, Spencer/Olivia relationship weirdness, Jaymee is pregnant, Layla/Jordan has relationship weirdness and Jordan gets engaged…..again after just getting divorced at the age of 19.The loss of a major character that seems like it could really damage the show going forward is handed with mixed results through the characters and the feelings are pretty resolved nicely for next season. There are some other side plots that no one cares about. I think I like this show for the same reason that it’s flawed. It moves at a fast pace, something (semi) major is always happening, the entire cast is attractive and the actors (allll the actors) are likeable. It’s similar to watching a soap opera every episode. Can’t wait for season 6.
Aquarius Season 1 & 2 (2015-16)
A gritty 1960s cop drama about LAPD detective Sam Hodiak and his trainee, who must deal with gangs, brutal crimes, changing times, family crises and unhinged manipulative small-time crook Charles Manson, who’s slowly building his cult.
I don’t know a soul who has heard of or watched this little gem but it popped up on my Netflix recommend and I’m been grinding through the two season for the past two months. Charismatic David Duchovny plays detective Sam Hodiak who gets involved in all kinds of his own personal trouble with fellow officers, his estranged wife, his son, various women, all while juggling the post-Vientam landscape. Gethin Anthony plays a creepy Charlie Manson who often crosses paths but isn’t always the antagonists of police with his “Harlem of young women”, blackmailing of those in power, and various other crimes but season 2 does indeed end with the “Helter Skelter” murders. The surrounding cast is excellent and engaging. I believe the show was expecting a third season but it wasn’t in the cards for the program that originally ran on NBC. As it stands, the show is a switches on/off between a buddy/cop feel mystery feel and a disturbing, psychological, drama that occasionally intertwine. The characters feel fleshed out. Duchovny is great in his role. Anthony is a creepy, unpredictable, Manson. I’m not sure that I get the allure from his portrayal that attracted people to him, but maybe that’s not for the viewer to fully understand. The show portrays issues that deal with Vietnam, racial tension, interracial relationships, homosexual fears, sex inequality that were issues during the period. Seasons 1 & 2 were only 13 episodes each, not a massive run like most network shows so most plot points have meaning. Aquarius was a unique show and interesting viewing experience that ended too soon.
