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Batman: Soul of the Dragon (2021)
Homage to 70's adventure films
Which in fact it does quite well. A dash of James Bond at the beginning, Followed by a helping of Bruce Lee. Followed by a second course of Chuck Norris, with a side order of Shaft! Followed by desert with a helping of Mortal Kombat!! Good stuff Maynard!! The trolls who don't like this movie aren't even trying to understand what the film makers are trying to do; make a light hearted homage to 70's exploitation films. The movie is certainly worth a one watch. Maybe it won't find your way into your film collection, but you'll have fun watching it one time for sure. The other reviewers are obviously kids who do not remember or have seen the kind of movies that inspired this particular Batman. Many of those who did not like this movie probably gave Batman vs Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles its 7.1 rating. Not realizing it's just a different variation on the same idea: having fun with the mythos!! That's all. Watch it, don't judge, and just have fun.
Wonder Woman 1984 (2020)
Good God lay off!! It's not that bad
From the reviews posted you'd thing they spent 2 and a half hours filming paint dry on the wall! Gal Gadot is cute and sexy as Wonder Woman as she always is. Chris Pine is brought back as the love interest in a believable way. And Kristen Wiig is fine as Cheetah. The movies worst failing is that it puts two super villains in instead of sticking to just one. Other that that, it's fun to watch. Could have moved a little faster. But it was okay. Certainly deserves better reviews than it is getting.
Lost Horizon (1973)
Give is a break folks!! It's not that bad!!
Point number one, some of the musical numbers are fun to watch and not bad to listen to. (And there are a couple that needed some work.) The music writers were at the end of their partnership which did not help things much. The "Lost Paradise" mentality of "Here is where your dream can finally come true", would resonate with older viewers rather than younger ones. I've always like Michael York in any of his older movies, and he comes off well in this one. John Gielgud is one of the worlds great actors and is fine in any movie with a decent script. Olivia Hussey and Sally Kellerman both add charm to the movie. Overall it's not the worst musical ever made. Many musicals are a dicey affair to make for a director. Either it's going to be loved or hated is usually the end result. If you have not seen it, it's worth a watch. Works better for older viewers rather than younger ones.
Lovecraft Country (2020)
Hoo Boy!! Where do I start? (I've written a Cthulhu mythos story myself)
***Spoilers***Sin Number One: Why change the name of the town to Ardham? In Lovecraft's stories the name of the town is Arkham, Mass. Why do something like that? I dislike writers who fiddle with established mythos. Sin Number two: Why is the series so Anti-White? That is just reverse racism which is just as bad as racism. Sin Number Three: It rides on the coat-tails of a great writer while having little to to with his established mythos and world that other writers have created.
Now other than these sins against Lovecraft, it is an okay and entertaining series in and of itself. HBO does need to get out of the rut they are in with all the diversity programming they are brainlessly shoving down their viewers throats. Let us simply say, been there done that, and move on to some other ideas.
Birds of Prey and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn (2020)
Harley Quinn was okay, the rest of it was not up to par
The girl who played Harley Quinn put her heart into the movie and you can tell she did. But from that point, it went downhill. The Huntress is one of the sexiest characters in the DC universe and they flopped badly on this character. Black Canary is supposed to be a classic blond white chick and they caved in to PC non-sense on that character and wasted so many opportunities just for the sake of clueless PC mentality. The guy who played the Black Mask was good in his role. But what is going on that white men are now the bad guys at every opportunity in superhero and science fiction movies?? There is some bigotry and shortsightedness there.
Overall, if you have not seen the movie it is a good watch. Fun to watch and fast paced, you won't get bored. Could have been better.
X-Men: Dark Phoenix (2019)
There is nothing wrong with this movie!!!
This movie has been suffering from a lot of troll work!! It is a good production, actors did a good job, good script, story progresses logically, good fight scenes, interesting villains. For some reason, trolls got started hating the movie and it has just progressed from that point. I like the part that Dazzler was shown in the movie. She is one of my favorite lesser known Marvel characters. It is a much better movie than "X-Men: The Last Stand" which is one of the cheesiest in my opinion. Didn't have a stinger at the end!! Needs one, I like those.
Avengers: Endgame (2019)
Okay, but does not stick to original source material.
First, go on Amazon and get an old copy of Infinite War that came out originally in the 1990's and read it. You will be hit in the face hard that the original comic book is a far cry from what was dragged up on the screen. The original comic was far more cosmic, having many metaphysical characters in it. With Thantos not just being able to snap his fingers to win. While the movie was good and entertaining although slow to start, it was good once is got moving, kept up the roller coaster ride well. But my main problem with Marvel is that they have sold out so completely to Hollywood not thinking of their original fans at all. They have so hugely abandoned the original mythos of the comics books for a complete re-write of the Marvel Universe. Also, the Fantastic Four and the X-Men who were in the original story line were cut out completely on the movie re-make. Just is not the Marvel that I have in my comic collection. Could have been so much better.
Captain Marvel (2019)
Don't know why so many people hate the movie
First off, the important points. Good acting, good direction, actors were well cast. Jackson and Gregg reprise their roles well, sticks well to the mythos of the comic books, puts in some interesting variations such as the Skrulls actually being good guys on the run. (In most of the comics, they were bad guys.) Great special effects!!! There was a lot of backstory, it was necessary to develop the character. The Marvel Universe is HUGE people!! It takes a lot to explain was is going on and why. So, there are some flashbacks??!! Big deal!! They work well in the story. If you are not a fan of the comic books, as I have been for decades, yes you might not enjoy it as well. But on it's own it's a good flick. Rent it and you will agree!!
Aquaman (2018)
Rotten Tomatoes has rotten critics
First of all, fine production values, great effects and cinematography, good acting by all the principal actors, (Amber Heard who is normally nice eye candy was surprisingly good as female lead, her costume should have been a tad tighter!), other actors were quite good, good villain actor. Overall I loved the way the movie looked, they kept well to the DC universe mythos, story progressed well. The Dum-Dums at Rotten Tomatoes have frequently missed the mark on many good movies, formulaically criticizing a certain type of movie unless it falls into the pre-approved guidelines that have cooked up. This movie is a good time at the theater, plain and simple, and it is re-watchable. It is definitely a big screen movie and should be seen there! It will find it's way into my streaming library.
The House with a Clock in Its Walls (2018)
Good Young Viewer movie
Good fun movie for younger viewer and older people alike. If it had followed the book closer it would have been better. The first two Harry Potter movies that followed the books the closest were the best of that series. Still this is a good movie in it's own right. Not scary for younger kids as some reviewers have suggested. It is no more scary than the "Goosebumps" movies. Jack Black is good as the Wizard Uncle and Cate Blanchett is much better as the good witch neighbor. Story moves along well with great special effects of the house and it's mystery. Overall, should have gotten better reviews.
Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
Good but not the original comic books
If they had followed the original comic books to the letter. They would have a much better series overall. And the Fantastic Four movies would not be so terrible! The original comic book was so cosmic and far out it was a trip to read. While the movie is okay, it just does not have the spirit of the original comic books. Something was lost somewhere. That being said, it is a good movie with plenty of action, some humor, and dazzling looks. Bringing all the various Comic book heroes of the Marvel Universe together is a spectacular way. But I lament, it was always done so much better in the books, Writers need to sit down and re-read the 70's and 80's comics from Marvel. They would have so much a better picture.
Inhumans (2017)
Slow start to a good series
***Spoilers***The pilot episode and the following episode was a little stiff on the acting. The actors were obviously not used to the characters. By the third episode, they acting had improved quite a bit and the series was beginning to get interesting. It keeps a good deal to the spirit of the comic books. It would have been nice to see Johnny Storm show up as Crystal's boyfriend as it was in the comic books long ago. The actress that played Crystal was pretty cute. One of the better parts of the show. ABC should give the show one more season to see if it could not get off the ground better. It might have also worked better if Attilan was in the mountains on Earth as the series originally started out. But overall, I liked it and gave it the chance that it deserved. Sad, not sure as of this writing that ABC will renew series, they should.
Stone Pillow (1985)
Sad movie with happy ending
***Spoilers***I believe when this movie was being made, Mrs. Ball could not let it have a sad ending. Florabelle finally finds a home after years of wandering with the help of a social worker who puts forth some effort to help her. The movie does do a good job of showing the plight of homeless people and the lack of caring shown by regular people who see them but do nothing to help. Your heart does go out to Florabelle. Many times in the movie reference is made to a missing son who is never found in the time frame of the movie. Also a husband who left and is never located. Florabelle has a good heart but many bad things happen to her. Finally near the end of the movie the social worker is able to help her find a home and start getting social security checks again. So there is some happy ending but not total. This movie has always been on my mind a lot, I live alone myself and worry about my situation and becoming homeless. Sad that such a condition has to exist in such a wealthy country. I also, have some relatives who don't seem to care much what happens to me. So I can identify with her character. We all need to help the guy on the curb. He is your father, brother, son or uncle when you think about it.
Fantastic Four (2015)
Makes the two older movies look great by comparison
Okay let try and list and much wrong that I can think of: (1) Did not follow the original source material of the comics, (2) Poor casting except for Sue Storm (Kate Mara), but in the comics she was never a scientist, a boner they have pulled three times now, also she is older than Miles Teller (Reed Richards who is ten years older than Sue in the comics), (3) they screwed up Doctor Doom again, (4) means by which they got their powers is out of place with the comics, (5) close involvement with the military is not seen in the comics (some but not much), (6) Baxter building is one the few things that closely followed the comics with it's outside design, (7) Stan Lee's cameo seems to be missing. Okay to watch on it's own merits, but it' is not Marvel's Fantastic Four. The older movies did a better job of sticking to the books, where they still screwed up Doctor Doom and Galatus.
The Last Unicorn (1982)
Sad feeling throughout movie, but that's part of its charm
***Spoiler***Good old time classic fairy tale concerning courage, perseverance, friendship, beauty and love. Yep, all that crammed into and hour and a half format. One of the interesting things about this movie is the sad tone that it keeps while telling its story. As if all the trials that the heroes endure would never need to be if people weren't such greedy selfish characters. However, our brave and beautiful Unicorn does find some good friends to help her on the way to free her fellow Unicorns. Other heroes find some or part of what they are looking for during the film which is very much in keeping with the theme that life is something of a compromise. All the voice acting is good with Mia Farrow doing a great job as the principle. Christopher Lee can't help but be good in his part. Like I said, sad tone all through movie despite its happy ending. Of all the movies Rankin and Bass did, this is one of their best.
Jinn (2014)
Grade B trying for a Grade A
***Spoilers***Needed more detail to make it a good story. However, it was obvious that the production team had only so much money for the effort. To their credit, the movie did not lapse into mindless gore. An attempt to keep to some involved plot was tried. Acting was fair (not great), special effects were good, production was good. A pretty good Bollywood type effort. Tried and done story of young lad growing up to be defender of the world against evil spirits. Some people show up to help him. He kills big spirit baddie. Scares the rest of them. Roll credits. Credits did look cool, probably best part of the movie. All in all, okay effort, watched it free from offer from cable company for one free on demand movie. Glad did not have to pay for it. Recommend you wait for this one to come out with commercials so you don't wind up mad at yourself.
Devil's Knot (2013)
Hold your nose for "Devil's Knot"
Okay, here is a review by an Arkansan concerning a movie that is supposed to take place in Arkansas. Stinky point number one, it was filmed in Georgia, not Arkansas!!! Pardon us but we do have flush toilets, shoes, electricity, universities (good ones), and Memphis, Tennessee is nearby so the rich stars would have great hotels to stay in. Not to mention a good film support industry that would have leaped at the chance for a major motion picture to be filmed nearby in West Memphis, Arkansas. Filming actually on location might have saved this honker!! Stinky point number two, the Arkansas cops were depicted as bigoted and unprofessional. Now to be sure, cops the world over can be pretty boorish and stupid sometimes. But the way overused favorite Hollywood plot device of stupid, backwoods, pushy Southern cops is paraded constantly on the screen in this movie. At the time of this review the movie has a 5.9 from IMDb and a 23% from Rotten Tomatoes. That might even be a few points too high.
Avengers Assemble (2012)
Good fun for a Kid's show
Some of the other reviewers need to look at the age limit on the show. It's recommended for age 7+ kids. It is not an adult superhero show and does not pretend to be. Yes, "Avengers: Earth Mightiest Heroes" was a better effort, but it's still fun to watch. Some of the plots and dialog are a bit over the top. But when you think about it, most superhero stuff is over the top. It's certainly okay if you are a fan of the Marvel Universe. Just enjoy and don't worry about it. Voice acting and music are okay, a nice array of villains are brought along, plenty of smashing and mayhem. Some of the other reviewers remarked about the level of damage done in the show?? Obviously you have not read any comic books in a while. There's always a roof coming down!! Like I said, just watch and enjoy!!
Noah (2014)
Hollywood writes its own Bible
Let's see, what trendy new age fads were missed? Thou shalt be a vegetarian was covered, the evil of firearms (the men of Noah's ancient world used a primitive type of musket), trendy ideas of the fallen angels (the Watchers myth is covered), and devout men of God are crazy (long drawn out scene of Noah wanting to kill his grand-daughters). This story strays from the Biblical story and facts. This is a bad because any future version of the Flood brought to the big screen may have to top the variations shown here by being even more varied. Thus pushing even more away from the true source material. On the plus side, the movie does have good performances, great special effects, good production, and an interesting take on the Ark. Being a good Christian, gave it a 1 star due to not covering the Biblical story faithfully. But it does stand okay on it's own as a fantasy story of Noah. Should not be used to teach the story of Noah to children.
The Dunwich Horror (2008)
Poor old Lovecraft!!
***Spoilers***Why can't Hollywood or the Syfy Channel just read what Lovecraft wrote and do some good anthology movies of his short stories?? Trying to take one of his novella's or short stories and stretch it into an hour and one half movie is a hard task to do except for those film makers who truly love Lovecraft's writings. Dean Stockwell shows up again, not doing quite as good a job as the first time. The plot is very far away from the original written classic. Acting and special effects okay, but they should have stayed much closer to the original story. A cute girl was added for eye candy effect, also not a character found in the original story. And a rather wooden excuse for a primary hero in the college professor. Alas, poor Lovecraft!! I pray a well funded famous director will do you justice one day!!
Angel Beats! (2010)
Very good Animie Series
***Spoilers***The story deals with a high school located in the afterlife that is a way station for kids whose lives did not end well. The place is sort of a soft purgatory were they find the fulfillment that they did not find in the living world. The group of kids is lead by a girl who had the horror of watching her family die. She rebels against this horror by blaming God for the sins of the killers. She leads the other kids in battles against the student leader of the school who may or may not be an actual angel. Many of these battles use guns and weapons that can't kill the kids because they are already dead. So the first part of the series shows funny death scenes where the kids are always raised back from the dead. Later in the series, the male leader of the group realizes that they all need to find peace to leave the place. He works with the girl called "Angel" to help some of the other kids find peace. Bit by bit the other kids let go of their earthly anger and move on. "Angel" and the lead boy of the series are shown finding each other in a new incarnation on earth in the last few seconds of the last episode. The series is a good one that has a universal religious feel to it. It has some sad moments in the end but it is very well done with good acting and dialog. Worth renting or buying.
Vanishing on 7th Street (2010)
Pretty good effort, much better than 5/10 stars!!!
***Spoilers***IMDb staff please place this review as first review with cast and voting stars. By no means does this film deserve the 5 out of 10 stars rating that it had at the time that I posted this review. The cast is good, plot and story lines good, good production and effects, along with good acting by the principles. It has an interesting and original story. I gave it a 7 out of 10 star rating myself. I have reviewed and voted on many of the movies found in IMDb. Some reviewers didn't like the movie because the reason for the dark is not explained in the movie. But explaining the reason for the dark would be just standard formula and this movie tries to stay away from that. It is definitely a good creeper movie. It comes on like some steady fever dream horror from a child's nightmare. No explanation for why the event occurred is part of the goodness of the film. That part is left to the viewers imagination. Worth a rent or your effort, don't listen to other reviews on this film. They did not watch the movie with the right frame of mind.
The Island (2005)
Copywrite infringement of "The Clonus Horror "
***Spoilers***This movie is basically a rip off of a movie produced in the late 70's called "The Clonus Horror" which starred Peter Graves and a number of well known stars from the seventies era. I thought when this movie came out that it was a remake of this earlier movie. I was surprised to learn on IMDb that "The Island" was made with no one looking back to the past to see if something else like it was ever made. Both movies have almost identical plot lines, characters, and themes with "The Clonus Horror" at least having the saving grace of nude scenes that are much better than the so called sex scenes that are found in "The Island". Makes one wonder how many recent releases that are just veiled remakes of earlier movies.
Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief (2010)
Bad Harry Potter rip off!!
***Contains Spoilers*** I've read some of the other reviews and have to agree that the movie is not what it should have been. I have not read any of the books but was dismayed to see all the criticism that the movie did not follow the books. That is a inexcusable mistake that producers make these days. Never change the book. That is how the Harry Potter movies were made and they work well, even if some minor changes were made. I have never understood why producers and directors make the idiot mistake of changing the book!! Obviously the author was bought out by the producers just to crank out a movie to milk the fans. Which means that he can forget seeing another of his books made into a movie. That being said, on it's own merit without having read the book, the movie is okay to watch. Since I hadn't read the books, I had no disappointment from the story being changed. The fighting scenes are a bit plastic. Also, the battle for the flag is very plastic, with way too much praise being heaped on the lead character. Pierce Brosnan was not well used in the film either, he is a great actor and had terrible dialog. You'd think Chris Columbus, who made the first two Harry Potter movies, would have done a better job!!
The Dreamers (2003)
At least it had a lot of nudity!!
***Spoilers*** I sometimes wonder if certain film makers like to drop some poo like this onto a plate, stride boldly out onto the streets holding the platter with both hands, and and politely present it to the world with a wan silly smile saying, "Hey look I'm a genius!!" That being said, it's not a terrible movie. It does have the saving grace of nudity and some interesting intellectualism. It's very character driven and goes deep into the psychology of the three young people in the movie. Also some gross out scenes are provided such as the American spitting in his room and the food scene which are supposed to make the story more realistic, (probably should have been left out.) But this is in the neo-realistic style so I guess those scenes had to be in there along with all the other mind candy (or drivel, depending how it strikes you) to tickle (or nauseate) your intellect. Still they tried to make something with a cut above the average in smarts for this film and succeeded on some levels. I gave it an 8 out of 10 (primarily because you get to see so much of the girl.)