Rate The Last Movie You Saw

This Gun for Hire (1942)

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[ J ] - [ S ] - [ F ]

The Call of the Wild (2020)

Directed by Chris Sanders
Starring Harrison Ford

Waste of time. A childish movie and I'm not sure if the current kids generation would be interested in this film. The special effects for the dogs were quite artificial and annoying. Huge budget for what? I guess for the Chinese mall-cineplexes...

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"Population don't imitate art, population imitate bad television." W.A.
"You can't depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus." M.T.

The person I was watching this with is a massive fan of the Mario and Donkey Kong games and they haven't been able to play the games for a few years now due to illness but this film put a big smile on their face and it was excellent remembering all the different things from the games. To me that was all that mattered watching this.

SF = Z


[Snooze Factor Ratings]:
Z = didn't nod off at all
Zz = nearly nodded off but managed to stay alert
Zzz = nodded off and missed some of the film but went back to watch what I missed
Zzzz = nodded off and missed some of the film but went back to watch what I missed but nodded off again at the same point and therefore needed to go back a number of times before I got through it...
Zzzzz = nodded off and missed some or the rest of the film but was not interested enough to go back over it

The last two movies for me were Saw and Saw II. I thoroughly enjoyed both, but I had some qualms about the editing/cinematography (it was too chaotic, something clinical would have been better---in my mind). Overall 7/10.

By http://www.dixiechicks.com/dc_movieposter_us.htm, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=28925578

Dixie Chicks: Shut Up and Sing - (2006)

It's hard to believe it's been 20 years since the War in Iraq and Weapons of Mass Destruction fiasco, and one almost forgotten aspect of the divided political consensus and opening shots of the culture wars began when Dixie Chick lead singer Natalie Maines told an audience in London that she was ashamed that her president came from Texas. There's a tendency in modern times for the American Right to take things a little too far - being upset about that is okay, and so is airing your views, but this endless rage thing is not a winning hand in anyone's point of view. We all have a right not to like a band, performer or celebrity - but to stage concerted (and successful) efforts to have them blacklisted from country radio, or in some cases threaten to kill them, is unhealthy for society as a whole. As seen in this Barbara Kopple & Cecilia Peck documentary, the Dixie Chicks came through a torrid three years okay, winning Grammy Awards for the album and single that dealt with the whole controversy. In the meantime, the war they were against descended into deadly farce and hopeless entanglement. The tribulations of this era, combined with the financial crisis of 2008, sowed the seeds of future discontent in America.

7/10


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Disturbia - (2007)

Have you ever wondered what Rear Window would have been like if Jimmy Stewart's character had of been gut-wrenchingly obnoxious? Okay, I'll cut Kale Brecht (Shia LaBeouf) some slack - he did accidentally kill his own dad, but he's also very lucky that neighbour Ashley (Sarah Roemer) thinks that his constant spying on her and watching her is "sweet" rather than terrifying, horrifying and means for police assistance. Over at Robert Turner's (David Morse) house, the bodies are piling up (really piling up) and it's Morse that provides the film with some real performance satisfaction - such a slimy, slippery customer. Well-liked and a box office success, Disturbia doesn't grab me as much as it does others I'm afraid - but I'm glad Shia LaBeouf has graduated to films the quality of Honey Boy after playing so many undeserving jerks.

5/10


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Steep - (2007)

Top marks for underlining the passion extreme skiers have for mountain skiing - with some really incredible shots of various greats either hurtling down at 50mph, carefully descending with left/right swivels or else base jumping off cliffs after daredevil downward plunges on skis. The various personalities and famous (in the skiing community) adherents are made known to us in a chronological order as they speak their minds. One of them, Doug Coombs, died while the film was being made. Extraordinary, dangerous and somewhat crazy stuff - a relatively new phenomenon (the first to ever try his hand did so in the 1970s) that seems made for motion picture cameras that can capture the various vistas and maniacs hurtling down them.

7/10


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The Soul of a Man - (2003)

Kind of a big step down from Buena Vista Social Club in format for Wim Wenders, with a framing device that feels especially awkward. You have to respect his love for these three Blues legends all the same, and if you just sit back and listen to his music choices and watch the historic footage (not the docudrama reenactments) then there's some value to be had.

6/10

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SF = Zzzz



[Snooze Factor Ratings]:
Z = didn't nod off at all
Zz = nearly nodded off but managed to stay alert
Zzz = nodded off and missed some of the film but went back to watch what I missed
Zzzz = nodded off and missed some of the film but went back to watch what I missed but nodded off again at the same point and therefore needed to go back a number of times before I got through it...
Zzzzz = nodded off and missed some or the rest of the film but was not interested enough to go back over it

Juniper (2021)

Written and Directed by Matthew J. Saville
Starring Charlotte Rampling

Often explored theme about relation between far ends generations, in this case a self-willed old lady and her grandson, who is a big boy in his latest teen years.
Well, it is always nice to see Charlotte Rampling acting.
+ 72/100

The Spirit of the Beehive (1973)

One of the very best.

Warming By The Devils by Charles Burnett was my favorite from the series.

The Seventh Continent (1989)

Directed by the chief master of comedy Michael Haneke. This is an absurdist tale of a family who, whilst living a comfortable existence, decide they don't like the world they are living in. There may be a deeper motif about consumerism but it's so opaque it's hard to tell. I enjoy Hanekes films and the nihilism and darkness of them but this was just ok.

Darker Than Night, 1974

Ofelia (Claudia Islas) is surprised when she inherits a lovely mansion from her elderly aunt Susana (Tamara Garina). She moves in, along with her friends Pilar (Helena Rojo), Marta (Lucia Mendez), and Aurora (Susana Dosamantes), and the house is cared for by Susana’s loyal housekeeper, Sofia (Alicia Palacios). The only stipulation to the inheritance is that the women take care of Susana’s beloved cat, Bequer. But when tragedy befalls the cat, mysterious and threatening things begin happening in the house.

An excellent story and killer, along with a fabulous color palette makes this a delicious and engaging horror film.



Full review

Mer-People (4-Episode Miniseries), 2023

This docu-series follows a number of members of the mermaid community---people who dress up and perform as mermaids. The documentary covers what led people to joining the community, the challenges of being part of a niche group in a small town, biases that exist in the mermaid community, and the technical aspects of mermaiding.

Showcasing multiple compelling personal stories and a fascinating glimpse into a niche community, this docuseries is a great mix of humor and heart.

Would I recommend this series? Shell yeah.



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Wayne's World (1992)

Not as good as I remember it but has a sitcom-like charm to it. When I first saw it as a new release I hadn't yet bought my first record or gotten into music to anything more involved than hearing what my parents were listening to. So, I enjoyed it more from a comedy angle. A time capsule of the end of the 80s hairband era, before grunge took over. I don't know when the last I saw this was but it was a long long time ago either on Comedy Central or Pay-Per-View or something like that.

6.5/10

Casino - 1995

I think I saw this in my youth but I didn't remember a damn thing. Maybe it was just bits and pieces. I thought it was good however I saw Pollack on a podcast recently said if Scorsese didn't make Goodfellas this would be considered his big movie. I don't think I'd go that far but I do think having made Goodfellas, especially so close to this one, did hurt it a bit. When you hold it to the standard of Goodfellas you can see the flaws. I could feel it drag where as Goodfellas I never felt it. It's sort of a redundant story and redundant role for Pacino.

The biggest flaw to me was the narration. It felt too spoon fed to me. It worked in Goodfellas it was too much here. The movie is too long as well. I think Scorsese might have indulged too much in this flick. I didn't think it was a bad film...Just certain parts I was looking at my watch. It's fine but I don't think I'll revisit it.

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I came here to do two things, drink some beer and kick some ass, looks like we are almost outta beer - Dazed and Confused

101 Favorite Movies (2019)

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Eddie Murphy Delirious - (1983)

40 years ago Delirious was naughty enough to be cool, and Eddie Murphy's star was on the rise - my friends and I knew this hour-long performance off by heart, and the man's charisma held us in his thrall. Today, some parts (especially the start) are on the wrong side of offensive, and others have aged poorly, but the comedian's style and enthusiasm can still be felt. He was only 22-years-old when making this HBO Special, and while that didn't mean much to me back then, it sure sounds incredible to me now. At 22 you're still basically a kid, and his meteoric rise would have still felt fresh and new. Watching it again, there was nothing I didn't remember - as kids my friends and I watched this far too many times, but as far as comedic style went, Eddie Murphy was at the very top of the mountain. He was one of the most bankable stars of the 80s, and a very, very funny guy.

8/10


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Magic Mike - (2012)

Finally got around to seeing this. I don't know how male strippers feel about Magic Mike, but it kind of made the industry feel a little dirty and disreputable by the time we reach it's conclusion. When character Adam (Alex Pettyfer) first meets Mike (Channing Tatum) and learns that he's a male stripper, the job itself seems professional and yet open to newcomers, not to mention fun. Boss Dallas (Matthew McConaughey) welcomes Adam to the fold, but there'd be no drama if there's no conflict and Adam's sister Brooke (Cody Horn) becomes the volatile, protective ingredient of good sense when the newcomer starts sliding down a slippery slope of drug dealing and using. On the whole this was a fine, albeit average, drama that I neither loved nor hated. It held up - I like Channing Tatum, he has a nice comedic delivery and stops the film from sinking completely.

6/10


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My Life - (1993)

Michael Keaton brings back some of his unique comedic schtick in drama My Life - an unusual choice, but I think Bruce Joel Rubin (the Oscar-winning writer of Ghost) would have welcomed anything that made character Robert Jones (Keaton) more amenable and likable. In this film he has cancer and is dying, while wife Gail (Nicole Kidman) is pregnant with their child. Bob decides to record as much of himself as he can on camera so that his soon to be born son can get to know him, and so he can have that participation in his life. There are two ways I experienced the end of this film - the first at 11:30pm last night, with my heavy eyelids closing and thinking "C'mon, end already" (I decided to shut my eyes with the intention of turning everything off and going to bed when the credits finished - I woke up in the early morning in the same position with nothing turned off.) So early this morning I watched the end again, and this time tears were welling up in my eyes. This film ends with half a dozen scenes that are all really turning the screws hard as far as manipulating it's audience into sadness goes, and I think if you come to those scenes fresh then they'll hit you a lot harder. I didn't mind this - Keaton gives one of his last "Keaton Comedy" performances, and as long as you're not tired you'll find it does manage to play on your emotions.

6/10

Rock Star (2001)

This movie. There's so much to say, but I'm gonna keep it short. 7/10 because I like it a scoche more than Wayne's World. Ask me 20 years ago and I'd tell you different.

7/10

Guardians of The Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023)

Good movie, but I still think the first one is the best of them all.

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There has been an awekening.... have you felt it?

I saw it couple of years ago. Bizarre experience indeed.
I'd rate it a bit higher: 70/100