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.

Spider-Man: Homecoming

broderic on August 30, 2017

Spider-Man: Homecoming is no Spider-Man 2, but at least it isn’t as unlikeable as The Amazing Spider-Man 2.

I almost said this one was as good as 2. Almost. It at least made you care for and like Peter Parker. Of course, if you watched close enough it followed 2 very closely in emotional beats. It was very much the same film. And that’s why I knocked it down a bit.

I liked Peter Parker, but he’s such a kid.

4 of 5 stars.

Baby Driver

broderic on August 30, 2017

I didn’t think this was Edgar Wright’s masterpiece. You can’t beat his Coronetto Trilogy. Baby Driver tries, but sure can’t. It did have a funny moment with Mike Myers, but that would be funny.

Anyhow, I saw this a while ago. I don’t remember much. But I’m sure I would watch this on FXX when they show it and I’ll enjoy it then, too.

3 of 5 stars.

Wonder Woman

broderic on June 25, 2017

It’s been a few weeks since I saw Wonder Woman. I can’t believe I have not wanted to write this review. I need to get on with being the blogger that I know that I am.

Here: good. For a DC movie. That’s a low bar. Even Ant Man could step over that one.

I’m a Marvel guy. (Make mine Marvel!) DC comics was never one to catch hold of. There movies in particular are just grim. Sarting with the hyper-real, The Dark Knight, they took a tone that borders too much on realism. It’s just men in tights. To imagine the super heroes as something more is too ridiculous. DC’s somber tones just put me off. When I give these movies 3 star, they are barely are.

Wonder Woman is less somber a DC movie. There’s some joy there especially in the playful romance between Chris Pines’ Trevor Barnes and Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman. There’s also some grimness as Wonder Woman confronts the world for the first time and sees the horror man has made of things. Overall, there’s sun in this film and darkness. But at least they got rid of the grim tone.

I liked it, but this isn’t a Marvel movie. You should watch it and decide for yourself.

3 of 5 stars.