Last movie you saw.

[Bear 1817]

Yeah, it was well-worth the wait. So good!

 

Brawl in Cell Block 99 - Watched this after watching Dragged Across Concrete, and while a different type of movie, it's very much a S. Craig Zahler movie. He loves making intense, slow-burning movies that steps a bit out of the genre "rules". This is just as fantastic as it is dark, nasty, grim, intense and fucking brutal. The violence are just top notch, and the fights are beautifully choreographed and executed. Very un-american., mean and so on. Zahler does whatever the fuck he wants. Vince Vaughn fucking rules!

 

 

I've always been a fan of Vince Vaughn, and when he was cast in True Detective season 1 I was "the only one" who actually liked that casting. I like a-typical castings, but I always saw something in Vince Vaughn. His only problem throughout his career was his choice of roles, not him as an actor. Because he was always good. Happy to see him finally reach his true potential. Brilliant actor!

[Bear 1817]

Let the Corpses Tan - I've been a huge fan of Hélène Cattet, Bruno Forzani since I saw their weird, psychedelic neo-giallo Amer ages ago, and I was equally impressed by their even stranger neo-giallo The Strange Colour of Your Body's Tears. This time around they've left the neo-giallo genre in favor of a weird, modern western movie inspired as much by 60 and 70's spaghetti western, as by 70's poliziotteschi movies. This shit is psychedelic, surreal, sexual, weird and out there, but also really interesting and impressive with hella lot of close ups of eyes, mouths, tits, roasted meat and everything in-between. It jumps back and forth between shit that's real, shit that's just the fantasies of the characters and shit that's probably happened in the past. I don't fucking know, nor do I care. It's just fucking awesome. It's fucking weird. It's the type of movie most people will either hate or love, with 3/4th probably hating it. 

[Tokage 5930]

Zeiram - Rewatched this after like more than a decade, I honestly couldn't remember much about it other than the plot &  the fact I really like Zeiram's overall design. Fans of 80s and 90s sci-fi/action owe it to themselves to peep this one, as it's just incredibly fun. The plot is incredibly simple: alien bounty hunter low on funds lands in Japan to duke it out with an evil, sentient bioweapon (also from outer space) in a sealed-off alternate dimension version of Japan. A duo of comic relief electrician guys end up getting sucked into the alternate dimension as well and so the bounty hunter finds herself having to deal with both the monster and getting those two guys to safety. That's it, that's literally the whole plot. As soon as the characters move to the alternate dimension, the action never really stops. There's lots of cool practical effects here, including some wonderfully creepy stop-motion animation for some of Zeiram's later transformations. I get the impression Keita Amemiya really, REALLY likes his stop-motion monsters cuz there's been one in just about every one of his movies I've seen. Recommended if you're in the mood for something simple and fun

[Hell2U 6]

Legion 

[platy 3018]

The Miseducation of Cameron Post. 

 

No. Just no. This won a couple of awards? It's nothing but a few pretty scenes with indie music. I really wanted to see Chloe Moretz have lesbian sex, and turns out those are actually the only good scenes in here. I'm annoyed because the book was so rich in its world building and message. Cameron's development and her journey in finding herself and dealing with traumas was reduced to the bare minimum they could get away with. They literally made a movie out of the last third of the book, ignoring everything that got her to that point,there's 0 character development for an hour and a half. 

Even my bf, who hasn't read the book thought it was meh at best. Wasted opportunity for a good lgbt movie. Well it's pretty and somewhat charming if you like drawn out scenes and dry attempts at humor. Would rather not have spent £3 on it though. 

 

Easy A - just got curious about this because of Emma Stone. It's alright except for all the extremely shitty characters and constant prostitute jokes, I know the premise of the movie relies on that but still, cringe. Didn't laugh once, but Emma Stone sure is charming. 

[suji 8317]

i watched pink flamingos the other day and wow, was it a trip :))))

 

but I shouldn't be surprised, it's Divine and John Waters after all. the movie wasn't the best in the world (the acting and the dialogue was kinda cringe tbh), but I was actually taken off guard by how gross it actually was. It's not Serbian Film levels of gross, but lemme just say, it was the early 70s and porn was just taking off...

 

I'd like to watch more Divine films too; Female Trouble sounds like a good one to watch next, although that one takes place during Christmastime.

 

 

[Bear 1817]

Everything John Waters is worth seeing tbh. Such a unique director.

 

As for the acting and dialogue, it's all on purpose to get the campy attitude that he loves. Because he's intentionally going for camp, and he's nailing it every single time.

[platy 3018]

Pet Sematary (2019) - don't spend your money on this. Cheapest horror tactics and awful pacing. I don't get it. The source material is right there and it's  great, the job is already half done. How can you fuck up and create someone so hollow and boring? 

[sleepy coffee 1476]

Damn I'm seeing it tonight LMAO although I had 0 expectations I'm just going with friends

[Marchen 116]

I want to eat your pancreas

 

https://myanimelist.net/anime/36098/Kimi_no_Suizou_wo_Tabetai

 

It's an animation, it is sad. Tears guaranteed 10/10

[Bear 1817]

Turn It Around: The Story of East Bay Punk - This is a documentary that documents the bay area punk from the late 70's and up until the mid-90's. Co-produced by Green Day, who of course was a huge part of that scene, it runs for no less than two and a half hours and tell you one hell of a story. Loads and loads of interviews, old clips, old pictures and whatnot from them days. There's interviews with people like Jello Biafra, Ian MacKaye, Kathleen Hanna, Kirk Hammett, Billie Joe Armstrong and way, way more, narrated by no other than Iggy Pop. If you have any sort of interest for punk, or fuck it, rock and metal, this is a must watch. Phenomenal!

[Bear 1817]

Hevi reissu/Heavy Trip - A Finnish metalhead comedy about a band that's been around  for about 12 years without making their own song, playing a gig or releasing anything. This is hilarious, charming and really, really good. And to me, it's just another great example on how far ahead Finland are in producing movies compared to Norway, which is weird considering how most film nerds can mention some Norwegian movies, but few can mention Finnish movies. But Finland are light years ahead. This was really awesome!

[Bear 1817]

Mega Time Squad - I got interested in this film "years ago" because of its poster and been looking out for it since then, and I finally got around to watching it yesterday. Incredibly silly and far from original, but the New Zealand style humor and dialogue does put a specific punch to it that's truly excellent. Made me laugh out loud several times. Action comedy.

 

Raging Balls of Steel Justice - I had to rewatch this modern animated classic as I found out that director Mike Mort released a full length featuring Chuck Steel last year. A must see for sure! And this is one of the best animated movies out there. 15 minutes of 80's action worship, with hints of horror. You can catch this masterpiece on youtube.

[Bear 1817]

Disco Godfather - Funky and groovy blaxploitation movie about a former police turned disco guru that goes by the name of Disco Godfather. The film is so campy, so over the top and so silly. It's not good, but it's a lot of fun and the preachy anti-drug message is quite hilarious.

 

The hallucination scenes are excellent, tho. I wish it had hella lot more of those. Trippy and cool.

[Bear 1817]

Cleopatra Jones - More blaxploitation and this time a real classic. An action-comedy which focuses on themes such as feminism, black power and similar, but the most important thing is that it feels like a female James Bond movie. The way she dresses, her cars, the way nonchalant attitude in which she never tried to hide. Fantastic film, and while Tamara Dobson ain't no Pam Grier, she's not too far behind either. She's just fantastic in this film and she's absolutely stunning.

 

Trouble Man - Another blaxplitation film tht's both been bailed as being one of the worst movies ever, as well as one of the finest examples of blaxploitation there is. In another words, this is an interesting entry to the blaxploitation scene. It's cool, at times almost confusing because of all the different characters around, but it's totally badass and funky as fuck. Brilliant soundtrack by Marvin Gaye.

[Bear 1817]

Enter the Fat Dragon - Hong Kong legend Sammo Hung directs and stars in this kung fu comedy where he is paying an homage to Bruce Lee, spoofs and make fun of Bruceploitation as well as Hollywood and their way of treating Asians at the time. This is hilarious, it's superbly choreographed (as expected from Sammo Hung) and it's fucking entertaining. Also as expected from Sammo Hung. If you like martial arts movies but haven't seen this, then get off your fat ass and do it. Because it's truly fantastic!

 

Coffy - Classic blaxploitation starring none other than the beautiful Pam Grier who's as bad as you can get, isn't shy to showing some skin, or her whole body for that sake, and a funky muthafucking soundtrack. Can you dig? Hell motherfucking yes! One of the very best blaxploitation movies made.

 

Foxy Brown - Same as above. Pam Grier was a bloody GODDESS! One of my all-time favourite actresses for sure.

[Bear 1817]

The Big Boss - This isn't the best out of the few martial arts movies he made, but it's still bloody muthafuckin brilliant and Lee's performance as both an martial artist and actors are outstanding. He was truly something different, and despite the little time he got he made one hell of a massive impact on both the Asian, American and European film industry as well as directors, actors and fans. A proper star!

[Bear 1817]

Fist of Fury - Another Bruce Lee flick, and this time it's less gritty and dark, but it showcases a lot more of Bruce Lee's acting side which people seem to forget. Was a lovely actor, and this film is brilliant. Great story, fantastic action. Bruce Lee was a GOD! Will worship this man until the day I die.

 

The Way of the Dragon - Yes, Bruce Lee. Not quite as good as Fist of Fury or The Big Boss, but excellent nonetheless. It's always fun watching this and seeing Chuck Norris in his first ever role. Totally badass of course. Bruce Lee? GOD!

[Flame-X 441]

Avengers End Game

 

Go see it!

[Bear 1817]

Fighting with My Family - Drama-comedy about a wrestling family that tours England and try to make a living off it, while the entire family dreams of the daughter and one of the sons to make it into WWE. It's almost solely based off of clichés and is predictable as fuck, but it's also based on the true story of the former wrestler Paige. Of course, they've taken freedom to make it a better and more interesting film, but I don't mind that. Filled with clichés and predictable as fuck, but warm, charming and very, very witty. Very good film.

 

The Wandering Earth - Decent Chinese catastrophe movie that is entertaining for what it is, but it isn't good enough or over the top enough to be remembered as anything special. I wish they'd go a lot more over the top, or keep it more real. But it doesn't stand back to Hollywood productions like this or anything. And that is good to see.

 

The Debt Collector - Very good action-comedy with Scott Adkins and a truly excellent Louis Mandylor. This entire movie feels like a late 70's to late 80's buddy movie. Doesn't quite have the wit of movies like 48 Hours, Running Scared, Lethal Weapon, but it has really good action, which is expected by a movie with Scott Adkins. Really enjoyed it.

 

Enter the Dragon - Best Bruce Lee movie. It's amazing how his movies were similar in many ways, but still so very different. Just brilliant! Feels very much like a classic James Bond movie mixed with classic Bruce Lee. Hands down!

 

Contraband - Decent but very standard Mark Wahlberg action-crime movie. Nothing special, but fun for what it is.

 

[Bear 1817]

Iron Sky: The Coming Race - The first Iron Sky movie came way back in 2012 and the production for this movie has taken half an eternity, which again has helped building my expectations. But sadly this isn't anywhere close to the original in neither tone or quality. This has more in common with the recent, over the top tributes to the 80's like Kung Fury, Commando Ninja and so on. And I did love those those, but I think this just lacked that feeling. Or I was just disappointed that it wasn't as "straight-forward" as the original. Over the top, all over the place and so on. But I liked it anyway.

[Bear 1817]

Furious - Wild, weird and absurd martial arts fantasy with Simon Rhee and Phillip Rhee in the leads. Just, what the fuck all the way through. But I like "what the fuck" movies, so it was all good. Hah!

 

Merantau - The second film of genius Gareth Evans (The Raid I & II, Apostle) and the first of modern action star Iko Uwais (The Raid I & II). Amazing martial arts movie with a great story and fantastic action, as expected from anything involving these two guys. It's not overly original, but it does what it sets out to do. This is such a great film! And one of the best movie debuts ever for an actor. Iko Uwais looked like a proper star already here.

 

Maria - Decent, but ultimately very disappointing Filipino action movie. Main problem is that the action scenes are poorly put together with way too much cutting, which is a shame because they could've done so much better. It does have one action scene which is absolutely gorgeous tho, and it's such a simple one as well. But other than that scene the action was disappointing.

 

See You Yesterday - I expected an uplifting sci-fi comedy, but what I got was a rather dark and serious sci-fi comedy about time travel, but it does ask some very serious questions about grief and how to handle the aftermath of losing someone, and the one big question: what if I did this, that, and that? Thought this was very good.

 

[Bear 1817]

Watching movies and I am getting so tired of all this wacky CGI use now. It's incredible how Jurassic Park (1993) still looks better than both Jurassic World (2015) and Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018),  despite the fact that the CGI has come a long, long, long way since then. It's all about how they used it, how they mixed it with practical effects and how and when they chose to use it. Probably the best example ever is the T-Rex shot in Jurassic Park. They didn't just throw it out there, they really thought about it. Having it dark and rainy made the whole task so much easier to make it look good, and it still looks incredible. Is there even a decent shot in Jurassic World or Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom where the dinosaurs actually look threatening, scary and real? Heeeell naw!

 

And this also sums up why movies like Avengers: Endgame and Alita: Battle Angel already look dated, despite being out for only a few months. They use of CGI are fucking disgusting.

 

If you want another disgusting example: Take a look at how Black Panther looks when fighting in his suit in Captain America: Civil War, as opposed to how he looks when fighting in his suit in Black Panther. How you ever wondered why he looked so awesome when fighting in Civil War, and why he looks so fucking awful when fighting in his own Black Panther movie? Three letters: CGI!

 

In Captain America: Civil War you have a guy in a black suit, a stuntman, actually doing stunts. So the physics is spot on. It's real. They just glossed up his suit and shit, but they didn't make him CGI. So they didn't fuck up any of the physics.

 

In Black Panther it's just CGI, and because the CGI is still far from being perfected they still haven't managed to master physics and so on. They're just cartoons fighting, and they're light and can do whatever the fuck they want. It doesn't look OK at all. Compare the non-suited Black Panther vs Killmonger with the later fight where both are in a suit. Just look at the difference.

 

So annoying, and what's more are all the people in the world who actually consider this to be good looking and a fine thing to do. Open your eyes, use them and just think for a second. Christ almighty.

 

Rant over!

Edited May 20, 2019 by Bear

[Bear 1817]

Once Upon a Time in China IV - For the fourth entry based on the legend that is Wong Fei Hung Hark Tsui stepped aside from his role as a director with Bun Yuen taken the role, and Jet Li left with Vincent Zhao replacing him. Vincent Zhao actually does a very good job, but you're always gonna be seen as a flop when you take over from one of the biggest Hong Kong movie stars of the 90's. But he's very good, something he'll prove in the next film in the franchise. Bun Yuen however is not a very good replacement. It's a messy movie with messy direction and messy editing, especially in the fights. Weakest of the five first movie by a good margin.

 

Once Upon a Time in China V - Vincent Zhao continues in the role as Wong Fei hung, and again he's good. He's not only good, he's superb here. And one of the main reasons for that is the fact that Hark Tsui is back as a director, and he really gets the best out of Vincent Zhao. Makes him look like a proper star. The direction, cinematography, editing and most importantly choreography are much, much tighter here, and it makes everything better. This entire movie is superb! The franchise have played around with wuxia since the beginning, but it takes it much further with this movie making it more of a fantasy film, and it leans closer towards wuxia than regular kung fu. Flying super humans, fucking KUNG FU PIRATES. Dayum! This is a wuxia adventure. Think...Sinbad (the 90's TV-series), Pirates of the Caribbean and so on mixed with late 80's and early 90's wuxia like Swordsman I & II. This film also felt a lot dirtier and bloodier than the rest of the movies. I really liked it! Not on par with the two first, but at least as good as the third and way better than the fourth. Amazing!

[Bear 1817]

Once Upon a Time In China and America - The sixth and last movie in the series about Wong Fei Hung. Hark Tsui once again stepped away from the directorial chair and in came none other than motherfucking Sammo Hung, one of my favourite directors and actors ever. Jet Li is back in the role as Wong Fei Hung and he's brilliant, and as expected from a Sammo Hung flick the fights are neat as fuck. And once again it offers something different. This is a kung fu western with armed kung fu cowboys, indians (native americans, yesyes) and so on. Not the best in the series, but both good and fun as hell anyway. Great ending to a fantastic series!