Justice League

broderic on November 27, 2017

Justice League is not Batman v Superman. It’s better. It’s directed by Zak Snyder, and yet it isn’t. Justice League had a very low bar to make it over. It did. Low expectations made the movie bearable. Don’t believe the bad reviews. It is a perfectly cromulent superhero movie. It would be a low wattage Marvel film like the first two Thors, but as a DC film it is one of the better ones. Not too hard to beat out the others. Not too hard to be beat again by better DC films, if they come along.

It’s decent for a Holiday film. Watch it. And make mine Marvel!

3 of 5 stars.

Thor: Ragnarok

broderic on November 27, 2017

You’ll have fun watchingThor: Ragnarok. It’s a whole lot better than the previous incarnations of Thor in the movies. First of all, it’s not boring. Take a look at it’s kaleidoscope of colors. Second it’s got the fight of the century: Hulk v Thor. That was always a question for Marvel fans. Who would win? While Hulk is the strongest, Thor’s power is god-like and has not been completely tapped. I think Hulk’s strength hasn’t been maxed out, but his brutishness is known to be powerful. Third, everyone dies. Ragnarok is the death of the Norse gods and it does happen. Just be ready for it. Fourth, Valkyrie is cute and hot and should be in more Marvel shows. She should show up in the Defenders. Finally, it’s a Marvel film so there’s gonna be some fun to it.

You will enjoy it immensely. Watch it. And make mine Marvel!

4 of 5 stars.

The Foreigner

broderic on October 27, 2017

The Foreigner was advertised (if one had seen its commercial) as a vehicle for an old Jackie Chan to become the Chinese Liam Neeson — old man out for revenge on those who took his child. The reality is that it was a political action thriller about the Irish IRA.

Hunh?

Jackie Chan did kick butt, but it was mainly Pierce Brosnan trying to terrorize the U.K. for the sake of ancient Irish grudges.

HUNH.

All I’m trying to say is that it must’ve been a bait and switch on Jackie Chan, too.

Anyway. Meh. I’ve seen worst.

3 of 5 stars.

Blade Runner 2049

broderic on October 25, 2017

I’m giving Blade Runner 2049 a decent star count because I love the first one from the 80s. I watch that one and know that every anime derives from that film. Yes, even K-ON! LOL!

Anyhow, this version hews very close to the Philip K. Dick story, “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?” It’s a sadder L.A. A more empty place where those who got off world did. And those left in the detritus of the world. Dark and somber.

The film didn’t make any money like its predecessor. So in 10 years, we’ll look back and call it genius.

4 of 5 stars.

American Made

broderic on October 23, 2017

American Made stars Tom Cruise and was directed by Doug Liman. They look to be a combination that’s up and coming. I wonder if Liman can work well with Cruise. They seem to like each other as this is their second go the first being Live, Die, Repeat.

3 of 5 stars.

“Why did we go to Hawaii together?” “That was a dream.” “Oh… Wait a minute, I’m pretty sure it wasn’t.” “All right then. How was it?” “Not that good, actually.” “I’m sorry.”

broderic on September 30, 2017

I should’ve posted this when I first started writing it. Now the opening doesn’t run right. But so what here we go…

While the world was watching football, I caught In This Corner of the World at The Charles. A second movie in the theatre this weekend? Yo!

The film is an anime set in Japan around the time of the second world war. It’s main protagonist gets married and spends her time in Kure, the main naval base. It’s around the mountains from Hiroshima. World War 2 and Hiroshima? You know where the story is leading.

The film is slice of life like. Following her travails as she copes with her new family and new life. She also dodges bombs and the war as America bombs her city. Finally, the Bomb is dropped and it really messes up her life.

That’s the film.

Not bad. I liked it. But I like all kinds of anime. YMMV.

3 of 5 stars.

“Hey Dave, last chance for Chock.”

broderic on September 12, 2017

It is not a horror movie. It is more an adventure with horror overtones — sort of a “Goonies” with Sloth being a very scary, creepy clown. The merry band of kids go on this adventure to rid the town of frightening Pennywise. They lived happily ever after. End Part One. Afterwards, I wasn’t scared to go to sleep with the lights off.

I’ve never seen “Stranger Things,” but one of the casts of It is from there. This film had a feel of that television show. First, because of the setting in the 80s. Next, because it seems to find kids who are free to roam around their town. Finally, because I have a feeling that It was modeled after the show. I’m sure I’m wrong, but in other ways I’m sure I’m right.

Not a bad film. Over the weekend I also caught the 90s version of It on television. Very, very different. Now I know what to look forward to in the second part.

3 of 5 stars.

“Don’t mind Dave. His callous mask hides his grief. You know what they say, little man, big emotion.”

broderic on September 5, 2017

I watched Annabelle: Creation. Maybe “watched” is a strong word, because I watched it from behind my fingers. Was it too scary? Not really, but I always watch scary movies from behind a veil of fingers. It’s a habit.

Not sure why I like too, but I do.

Scratch that I like to watch the scary movies because of the heeby-jeebies it gives me. I like the goosebumps up my arm. I like going home in the dark and wondering if I should leave the lights on. I like sleeping to the glow of the television if not to the light on. It’s weird but it’s fun.

Anyhow. Annabelle is a prequel to the first Annabelle film which itself was a prequel to the first Conjuring film. It wasn’t stupid scary like The Conjuring was and it doesn’t have the evil character like the Nun from the second Conjuring. She’s there but in a great cameo. LOL.

There were a few things that bugged me. There always is. Like that damn scarecrow. Why even have that? Then there’s the Demon. There’s too much of it.

Overall, that doll is still the scariest thing out there.

3 of 5 stars.