The horror fest continues

 I have been watching movies I have never seen before. Yesterday I watched a movie called Becky with Kevin James, Joel McHale, Lulu Wilson and Amanda Brugel. It just seemed interesting. It's one of those revenge type movies with a twists. The opening sequence is interesting as we get to see the two stories that will soon intertwine, intertwine. What's different about this movie is that it is a child that is getting revenge for seeing her father killed as they were just beginning to reconnect. The character is only 8 or 9 years old so there is no way this child will ever recover from this, but things do happen. Not sure if there would be a sequel, but it could be interesting. How many times can a person go through tragedy? Several times, I know, I've been there. If you are looking for something different and you want to see Kevin James in a more serious role, I recommend checking Becky out.

The other movie I watched which was very interesting was called 65, starring Adam Driver. I am not sure where Adam Driver came from, but I saw him in a Gucci opposite Lady Gaga and Black Klansman and he was really good and has given great performances in everything I have seen him in. In 65 he plays a spaceship pilot whose craft crashes and it turns out to be earth, 65 millions years earlier. His character is believed to be the only survivor until he discovers a young girl. The two battle prehistoric creatures while trying to get to the pod to get help or leave. It's has a lot of moments to make you jump and sit on the edge of your seat. I love movies when there aren't a lot of characters if it is done right.

I watched the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre. I had not seen it in years. It has been remastered in 4k. I am not sure if the music changed, but it was bad. The remake that was made several years ago with Jessica Biel is really good.

I wonder why no one has tried to change the soundtrack to some of the 70 movies when they are remastering them. It would certainly change the feel of a lot of the movies, especially the Last House on the Left. Without the music it would be terrifying.

Speaking of 70's movies, another movie I watched was called X. The movie is set in the 70's. It is about a film crew that is making adult movies at the beginning of the VHS craze. Most filmmakers went this route to hon their craft because it was cheaper and easier to distribute right to someone's door step. They rent a place from an older couple who we suspect is unaware of what the young adults are up to. I don't want to give away too much, but this movie has a lot of messages going on. The movie stars Mia Goth in a dual role, Jenna Ortega, Kid Cudi, Martin Henderson, Brittany Snow and Owen Campbell. It's another movie with a small cast. Directed by Ti West, it is done very well and tasteful. There is a blood and gore and some nudity.

The Pope's Exorcist was something I stumbled upon, starring Russell Crowe. This one is based on an actual story as was the original Exorcist written by William Peter Blatty. The story was about a young boy and the character became the young girl Reagan. In the Pope's Exorcist a young boy is believed to be possessed by demons.

Time to get back to the movie watching. Thanks for stopping by; keep an open mind and do come back again.

Fear the walking dead

 The month of October is usually reserved for scary movies. Because I like scary movies I sometimes watch them through out the year. When that happens I don't feel like watching them again within a short period of time. The scary factor isn't there. I have found some very interesting movies thanks to Amazon prime. The collector is one of my favorites. Storm Warning is interesting. It's what is called a revenge movie. Eden Lake is another interesting movie starring Michael Fassbender and Kelly Reilly from the Yellowstone series. I watched Nature's Grave because it started Jim Caviezel. His career had a shift where he appeared to be doing religious films and was not using any profanity or showing any of his body. I was surprised as the movie has him cursing a lot. The premise of the movie is quite interesting, but it takes some time to see what is going on. His upcoming film is based on a true story, Sound of Freedom about child trafficking.

I continue to try and find movies I have never seen or even heard of, but I will watch a few of the classics. The Birds, Psycho and Halloween. 

Thanks for stopping by. If you have any recommendations for horror films, let me know. Do come back again and keep an open mind.

Riverdale

 Graffitti at the Hope Gallery also known as Graffitti park, but the location is no longer in downtown Austin.

 When the series first aired, I think I watched one of two episodes because Luke Perry was associated with it. Because it was on the CW it's not a channel that I watch frequently and since it comes on opposite the NBC line up I forget that it's on. I recently checked out a few episodes and sort of gotten hooked. I decided to see if the library had the series so I could start from the beginning. I have no idea what season is on televison, but eventually I will catch up. It's very interesting. It reminds me of Beverly Hills 90210 and Gossip Girl. It pays tribute to various films, books and tv shows. I wasn't sure of the time frame as the fashions looked like something from the 50's and 60's as an homage to the comic strip. The characters do have cell phones and computers. The story lines are condicative of what is going on today. 

There were a few surprises in the cast including Robin Givens as the mayor of Riverdale, Skeet Ulrich as leader of the Serpents and Jughead's dad. Molly Ringwald plays Archie's mom. Mark Consuelo is in the second season as Veronica's dad. I'm curious to see how they handle Luke Perry's absence.

The surprises keep popping up. The focus isn't just on the kids. The parents are harboring just as many secrets.

Like most series by the third season new writers come on board and they don't always check to see remember what certain characters did. Riverdale is no exception. It's still quite interesting and entertaining. You can see how television has evolved and what they can get away with these days. LOL.

The Waiting List

 Bullet Train - I didn't really have any expectations with the film, in fact I had forgotten about it. That's what I like about going to the library because as I am going through the drawers looking for movies to watch, I see something of interest or that was on my list. The film started off rather slow and then it escalated sort of like a train. The film stars Brad Pitt, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Brian Tyree Henry, Bad Bunny, Hiroyuki Sanada, Michael Shannon, Zazie Beetz, Joey King, Channing Tatum, Andrew Koji and Sandra Bullock. There is a cameo by Ryan Reynolds. The story revolves around several criminals, a brief case and revenge. There are funny moments, lots of blood and incredible visual effects. There are several flashback moments to tie in the characters and once you get used to that you will enjoy the film.

I was trying to see all of the Oscar nominated films before the Oscars, but I wasn't able to do that. I was on the waiting list with the library for several films and movies. When I signed up for The Black Panther Wakanda Forever I was number 48. I don't remember exactly how many copies were in the library's inventory, but I finally picked it up Saturday 4-22-23.

Later in the week I will watch, Everything, Everywhere all at Once.

There are still other films I am waiting to be ready for pick up, but I have a lot of movie watching to keep me busy.

The Black Panther Wakanda Forever - I was hoping the film would be as good as the first one and I was impressed. The tribute to Chadwick Boseman as Black Panther was very interesting and appropriate. It is very sad and it makes one reflect on what really happened outside of the movie. Everyone was wondering how the movie would go on and they did quite well so that it makes sense. I had forgotten that it was called Black Panther Wakanda Forever because there is no Black Panther. The special effects are really great. We are introduced to some new characters in an underwater world. The film does keep you guessing as you are not sure where the story is going. I will add it to my collection, but for me the one thing that I had an issue with is the sister becoming The Black Panther. I knew it was going to happen, but I was expecting when she put on the suit she would be larger. Other than that things were good. I especially liked the introduction of T'Challa's son. This film does leave the door open for anyone putting on the suit. So maybe in a few years T'Challa's son will dawn the suit and there will be a war.  There are a few surprises in the film with Julia Louise Dryefus and Michael B Jordan reprising his role from the first film. I thought perhaps he would have tried to dawn the suit. When Winston Duke's character M'Baku said he had a challenge I thought he might even try for the title, but that wasn't the case. Anyone of the warrior women could have probably worn the suit, but it added to the story to have Letitia Wright's character Shuri wear it. Wakanda Forever stars, Letitia Wright, Lupito Nyong'o, Danai Guirira, Angela Basset, Martin Freeman, Tenoch Huerta, Dominique and Michaela Coel, Florence Kashuma and Mabel Cadena. It definetly was a great watch and it is different that most of the other marvel movies. The characters are not cartoonish. The story and writing is very strong. I thought Letitia Wright could have been nominated for an Oscar for her performance.

Thanks for stopping by; do come back again and keep an open mind.

Oscar Sunday

 

My favorite Oscar poster.

I will watch some of the awards, but there will be another program on that I watch.

Friday I watched Top Gun Maverick which was pretty much the same story. Introducing a new group of characters. The scene with the Iceman and Maverick was sad. Then his character dies.

Saturday I watched The Fabelmans. I didn't have any expectations, I was just trying to see all of the nominated movies, but there were a lot of people waiting to see them as well through the library.

The Fabelmans is better than Elvis, Elvis is better than Top Gun Maverick . Just have to wait and see how things turn out.

Unless you see every film and movie you can't say if one deserved the Oscar over another. They all have moments. The Fabelmans was a movie I could really relate to. It was very entertaining, but I would have liked a different ending. 

Today I am watching Alfred Hitchcock's Lifeboat. I have seen it a few times. It's really an interesting film. Having gone through a disaster it resonates some realistic moments.

The stories surrounding the film are fascinating. I enjoy watching the special features on the DVDs.

I am also going to watch Misery.

Thanks for stopping by. Do come back again as I continue my quest to watch the nominated movies.

2023 Movies

 

I keep a list of the movies that I watch since I do so many... Between the library, Prime and my own collection I try to watch at least one movie a day. It was more than that before I started working again. The challenge now is trying to remember what the movies were about. Some stand out and others not so much. I am going to work my way backwards according to the slips from the library and see what I can remember and give a rating and you can judge for yourself. I don't like giving away stories or saying something is bad, but I will say if something is really good. I love films and movies in general. It takes a lot of work to get a project done let alone trying to get distribution. There are many movies that never see the light of day for many reasons. I keep hoping with the Internet things would pop up and then again maybe its best they stay hidden.

 Actor David Tennant

The Guilt Trip stars Seth Rogen and Barbra Striesand, I had seen part of it on television and I decided to see if the library had it since there were some things bleeped out on tv. Sometimes actors just want to work together so they put a project together that sounds good and reads good on paper, but then doesn't always work out. I guess I was expecting it to be funnier. It is an interesting movie and depending on the connection you had with your parents you can definitely relate to the story. Its worth a look.

Nowhere Boy is the story of John Lennon and how the Quarreymen eventually became the Beatles, but the movie doesn't take us that far because it is about John Lennon's up bringing. If you love any of the Beatles you will love this move. The only Beattle we don't get to see if Ringo Starr.

Beast stars Idris Elba, who just seems to be everywhere these days. There had been a lot of people that wanted him to play Bond, but I just feel they can just turn The Take into a franchise and just keep it original. Daniel Craig made Bond rogue and that's Idris' character in The Take. It's full of excitement, but back to the Beast. I was recommending this to someone and it's like Cujo, but better. Idris Elba has to protect his girls and a friend from a lion. The scenes are so realistic. I am hoping the DVD has some special features to explain how they pulled off the sequences. I have seen it twice and now I will watch it a third time since I had put the DVD on hold with the library and had forgotten. It's rare that I watch a movie 3 times is such a short period of time. If you are a fan of Idris Elba I highly recommend the film and that you check out The Take.

The Following is one of the scariest series I had ever seen. It stars Kevin Bacon as an FBI agent trying to put an escaped serial killer back behind bars. Some of the sequences when the series first aired were actually happening. I always worry about how people process what they are seeing, but if a person doesn't know they have a mental health issue they don't really think they are doing anything wrong. I watched all 3 seasons. When it was on television I didn't see every episode probably because of the work schedule or there was something else I was watching and since it was on FOX I don't always remember. If you are a fan of Kevin Bacon you will enjoy the series. If you like psychological thrillers this will keep you interested.

The Mountain Between US, this is part love story, part survival story as Idris Elba stars opposite Kate Winslet. Every actor wants a chance to shine and doing a film or movie with minimal characters allows them to show just how good of an actor they are. I think Tom Hanks did it best in Castaway and James Franco pulled it off in 127 Hours and Leonardo DeCaprio in The Revenant. In The Mountain Between Us Idris and Kate must work together to survive the elements and whatever else comes there way in hopes that they will be rescued after the plane they are on, with Beau Bridges at the wheel crashes. If you love stories of people against the odds or people falling in love, this is definitely the film for you. The camera shots are really great and there are some action moments.

The Power of The Dog, after a comment supposedly made my Sam Elliot I wanted to see the movie for myself, but first I decided I would read the book by Thomas Savage. This book is supposed to be award winning, etc. I wonder sometimes if there is something wrong when I don't see what everyone else sees. I found the book boring. Maybe it was my moof, but I normally read before I go to bed. Perhaps now that I am older I need to try a different approach. When the DVD was ready at the library I just decided to go for it and see if it would be different. The movie is no different. The cinematography is excellent with a lot of wide angle shots, but the characters all who are flawed don't say much. It's all in their demeanor and the way the look at each other. I love many of the actors in the movie and so that made it watchable. It's rare that I will turn something off or walk out of a movie theater. Benedict Cumberbatch, Kristen Dunst, and Jesse Plemons who is her real life husband play opposite each other as husband and wife and Benedict is his smart over masculine brother, who may or may not be hiding a secret. I am curious now to go back and read the book just to see how it deals with certain things. If you like Jane Campion this is different for her as the men are the main focus and the women are in the background. She exploits the men somewhat, but its in a normal way as men would bath and frolic in the lakes and rivers. Kodi-Smith McPhee the tall actor who has been in the industry since age nine gives an interesting performance, but his androgynous features add to that.

Elvis also features Kodi along side rising star Austin Butler who channels Elvis very well, but it is Tom Hanks' performance that really makes the movie. I have talked about this before. It's a long one, but I will watch it again.

Des is a series starring Dr. Who star David Tennant as a serial killer. If you like David Tennant, you will enjoy seeing him in this. Is definitely different then his other roles.

Thanks for stopping by and do come back again as I list more from my viewing experiences. Remember to keep an open mind.

Films and Movies 2023

 I continue to watch films and movies and I am trying to watch as many of the Oscar nominated films and movies before the awards. There will be several that I won't see only because I would like to see them on the big screen. Black Panther Wakanda Forever and Avatar, The Way of Water are two of them. I watched Elvis because it had done well at the Golden Globes. I wasn't sure about it when I first started watching. Tom Hanks is rather creepy as the Colonel, but it is as much a story of the Colonel as it is of Elvis. I am not a fan of films or movies that have narration, but it was getting better as the movie progressed. I am not sure if Tom Hanks is nominated for an Oscar, but he should be. The influences of Elvis are very interesting. I am not a big fan of Elvis, but his music was played in the house, and I did see some of his movies. The actress who plays Rosetta Tharpe has a powerhouse of a voice and this is her first movie. The only thing I don't like with Baz Luhrmann his is incorporation of hip hop music. With the exception of Mouline Rouge, it just doesn't work for me when you are doing a period piece. Other than that, the movie is quite entertaining.

Austin Butler embodies Elvis as does Tom Hanks as Colonel Peters. Alton Mason gives a great performance as Little Richard, I felt there could have been a better job done with the hair. Perhaps they didn't think black people would check out this movie. Kelvin Harrison, Jr plays B.B. King, Gary Clark, Jr is Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup"and Shonkra Dukureh plays Big Momma Thorton. For me it was just as important to see the things that were happening and the influences and those that encouraged Elvis to be himself. It's worth a look.

Thanks for stopping by; keep an open mind and do come back again.