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Reviews
Robert the Bruce (2019)
Could have been better.... No action
I watched this... it made something like $30,000 in the box office, total commercial failure. Would have been better staying as a TV movie. That being said, Outlaw King came out on Netflix the year before and is a much better film to watch (although that lacks the battle of Bannockburn). For this stage in Robert the Bruce's life before the battle of Bannockburn etc.
Covid didnt help matters on its release but overall its a hard watch and lacklustre at times. Filmed in North America, those of us from Scotland find it hard to associate the landscape with Scotland as it looks nothing like the landscape of Montana! Hey ho, as a fan of Braveheart I gave this a go, but wouldnt watch it again.
If you want a film on Robert The Bruce (Robert de Brus if you are of Norman heritage) then give Outlaw King a go.
Counter Clockwise (2016)
It's ok for what it's worth.
From the outset, one can tell it's a very low budget movie. Nevetheless, some great films such as Cube (1997) were very low budget and had a fantastic end product.
I found this movie hard to follow. Wasn't really sure what was going on or what the plot was trying to achieve. I did figure the main protagonist was stuck in a time loop hence multiple versions of himself but in the end it could have been an infinite perpetual loop.
Some of the graphics/computing effects looked as if they stemmed from the 80's/90's at times. Perhaps that was intentional to give an industrial feel, but for me, reinforced that low budget feeling.
I am a fan of Michael Kopelow hence I gave this a watch. I haven't seen him run that fast since he was cast as 'Joe' in The Stoned Age! I was rooting for Joe when he was running away from the villains!
Anyway, I may give this another watch. I think it deserves that as I am going through a trawl of watching indy films, rather than the Hollywood blockbusters!
Cube 2: Hypercube (2002)
Could have been so much better
I like the first film for it's originality, grittiness and the mind games the film takes you through. This film doesn't really have any of this. For me frankly disappointing and won't get that time back. Only watched it as I watched the original this week and wondered what the sequel would hold, ie a continuation of the guy who got away or so, or the same cube that had stragglers in it who never found the original characters in the first film but found the remains of them in the second. It could have had much more going for it. But no, they chose a very weak and unbelievable storyline that just didn't make sense at all.
Avoid if you haven't watched it.
Cube (1997)
First watched in 1999
I first watched this flick as a teenager with my then girlfriend at the time. It was a movie she had on VHS! Yes VHS! First things first we had to rewind the tape before we could even settle down to watch it. That was then, this is now.
Now, I streamed this film on one of the well known streaming services as I found it pop up whilst browsing. I thought why not? It's been a while and I enjoyed it before so thought I would enjoy it again. Well I certainly did enjoy it again. Considering how low budget this movie is, it creates a lot of suspense in what is effectively a 'box'.
The film makers did very well with what they had and the storyline and plot twists are in my view brilliant. I did sit in fear wondering what was going to happen to them each time they entered a new room. It was clever that each member had something to contribute to the puzzle itself in navigating their way round.
From a psychological perspective, you can see why certain types would lose their nerve and go all psycho in a confined space.
For me, there is just something about movies like this that are well done, low budget and unknown or up and coming actors.
Powder (1995)
I watched this to see Bradford Tatum!
So I came here as going through a bunch of Bradford Tatum movies! This is a film you need to pay attention to for sure. I had it on in the background whilst working so perhaps need to give it another viewing without any distraction. But from what I did see looked ok and sort of followed the story line. Sean Patrick Flanery does give a great performance and may I add so does Bradford Tatum. I felt Jeff Goldblum was just picking up a pay check between blockbuster roles here. Came across as a bit wooden in his acting. Lance Henriksen you get what you see and every movie Ive seen him in, lives up to the task!
I think I'll give it one more run at some point and may up the rating from 6 to 7.
The Stöned Age (1994)
My summer of 1999 go to movie
One thing is for sure, it was because of this film I discovered 'Blue Oyster Cult'. Yup... I had never heard of the band until I saw this movie! My bad!
Directed by James Melkonian and starring Michael Kopelow, Bradford Tatum and China Kantner, this was the sort of film that would be on Sky Movies (UK) at like 2am or so on repeat for several weeks. Usually the summer months. It never got a primetime slot. But one night, as a 17 year old me had the house to oneself (my folks and siblings were abroad), I came across this film for the first time! Now I could sort of relate to this film, as had not long passed my driving test and did have some stoner mates that liked to come on a 'cruise' around town at night to see what was happening.. If they wanted a 'puff' it would be outside the car for sure! Not my scene 'skank weed'.
At the same time, between us we had a few female acquitances where there was always a 'spare' who didn't fit the ratio! Meeting up at whatever party was on. As rare as they were at times, those times were care free and have so many good memories. I guess now, being older I can relate to this film from my coming of age years! It's bizarre to think that at one point, we didn't realise then our last outing/hanging around together. University came along, life and having to get a job and join the rat race happened...
So putting my feet up and watching this flick the other evening for the first time in like 25 years or so took me back to those times. This film doesn't get the credit it deserves. Shame it never got a theatrical release.