Mortal Kombat II

 

          I like to point out that I watched Mortal Kombat II, a long week ago maybe two, in case you're curious of if I ever went to the movie theaters in general. May 7th was pretty much my only free time I had this opportunity so like Super Mario Galaxy, I decidedly had myself a video game movie marathon at my local movie theater. FYI if you’re ever in the central part of Nebraska aka Kearney Nebraska. Golden Ticket Theater lets you go nuts on the butter flavor; hence you can use a ton of butter on your popcorn.

          Johnny Cage (Karl Urban) joins other fighters in the ultimate no-holds-barred battle to defeat the dark rule of Shao Kahn, a powerful tyrant who threatens the very existence of the Earthrealm and its defenders. 

          Like the first movie that came out in 2021, this film has a blend of good things and at times bad, though granted they writers and filmmakers did learn so that's at least a good things but then again there moments in the film where I'm just desperately waiting for a specific and great character but will get to that character I want to talk about other things besides the bad morally for a little while. I do like that they do give more character development with Johnny Cage whose down on his luck and is given a purpose from Raiden to participate in the tournament, I mean when we first see him he's depressed almost a typical hero down on his luck finding purpose and Karl Urban does a great job at that, while he goes off to film the last season of The Boys. I do love the actor who plays Shao Kahn played by Martyn Ford whose of course a bodybuilder just like guy who played Gregor Clegane from seasons 4-8 of Game of Thrones, and he does a fantastic job playing this iconic video game villain who will stop at nothing to conquer the Earth, although there moments where I would love to see this guy’s face because my one of my main problems with the film is we don't see his face at all and he needs to remove his mask at times so we can see emotions on him instead of seeing a monster with zero emotions although sure we can blend 50/50 on the helmet on and helmet off, but at times we can't have a hundred percent guy in helmet, for which in all fairness is a small gripe. Again, there's a 50/50 split of what I like what they did with the movie and what I don't like about this film and I'm trying to keep this review short because I don't like spoiling all of the story. And like the first movie we see very little of Scorpion through the course of the movie and yet it's the same as the first movie AGAIN! And sure it's about Earth warriors fighting the fight but come on you have to have at least a good portion of Scorpion fighting in Mortal Kombat tournament I mean him and Sub-Zero are like the GOAT's of MK Universe and sure I do like the fact that they don't have Sub-Zero again in this movie but I really wished they had more Scorpion like the character graces the  cover through each of the last recent games and he doesn't appear more in this movie? Moreover if you don't want to have Scorpion through a good chunk of the movie then why bother casting Emmy/Golden Globe winner, Hiroyuki Sanada to play the fire spawn because this guy I would listen for hours of teaching wisdom and never get tired of him talking and he's in very little of the movie, it's almost insulting if you ask me. Again, like the first movie there's plenty of good things I like about the movie as well as some unique and okay-ish twists and there are somethings I didn't like but again I love Mortal Kombat for which in all fairness yes, I'm a typical gamer who loves the games, but I love film more and I can do a better job then what the writers and filmmakers did with the movie. For sure you've probably already seen and deep down it's not awful, in fact it was for certain an enjoyable movie from beginning to end but if you’re going by yourself or taking a date along for the ride. Then It's not worth blowing sixty to a hundred dollars of your hard earn money at the movie theater so, just wait till it comes out on Blu-Ray or 4K, if you ask me or if you want to go even more cheaper, just rent it on your streaming service. 

    

Remarkably Bright Creatures

 

         Sometimes in a world that's fallen into chaos and everyone around you is annoying that you want to yell at them or say something that would get you into a lot of trouble. You just need to take a deep breath or sit down and watch a movie about broken people, furthermore, a mess but find the redeeming qualities that you know can be saved. Remarkably Bright Creatures staring Sally Field and Lewis Pullman, both are seeking purpose and Alfred Molina becomes the unlikely voice of reason for which let’s face it all wise British actors are a voice of reason.

         Through unlikely bonds formed during night shifts at a local aquarium, Tova (Sally Field), an elderly widow, learns from a life-changing discovery that may bring her joy and wonder once again. 

          I think I had one of my bad weekends where I was getting into one of those foul modes mostly at work where cooperation is of course telling me what to do, blah, blah. And of course, just having one of those negative attitudes. Long story short, my mom could tell I was in those moods, and I apologized for my behavior and then she sat me down to watch this great movie filled with a lot of emotions. I may or may not give my Mom a ton of credit but she actually does a great job finding a the right feel good movies that make you personally feel about your own life and that you still have much to feel good about in terms of your living a great life as well as not knowing you’re really doing good for the world. Both Sally Field and Lewis Pullman do such a great job, by personally making you feel for these characters and their personal struggles their going through as well as being able to find closure in their past as well as being able to be a good friend no matter how bad your feeling in your own life. I don't want to spoil any details as well as making this review short as possible but this was defiantly a compelling story about loss, tragedy and sometimes leaning on people to help out no matter how much of your life is turning into a complete mess and this movie defiantly shows that yes, mankind is the worst but there's a lot of people out there, who are good people who care deeply not matter how lost they are in the world, and this movie truly shows me that as well as other people telling me to stop complaining about getting older especially from a 66 year old customer, and deep down that guy had a point. Hands down this was a great movie from beginning to end, props to my mother for finding this movie and if you have a Netflix account, I will highly recommend watching this movie right now if you feel in a foul mood.

        

Mother's Day Recommendation: Jesus Christ Superstar

 

         

          This is a Mother's Day movie recommendation in the making mostly because I've been in my own right trying to understand this movie from my entire childhood but now, having watched the film twice, once without Audio Commentary and the second with commentary from the director and Star of the film. Of all the movies my mother loved most, it was Jesus Christ Superstar that was her most all-time favorite along with my aunts’ favorites as well. Moreover, I'm simply tired of delaying this great classic so, now the time has finally come to talk about the one movie that brings seventies culture with religion for which people then still say that this film has brought them back to their faith. 

         Adapted from Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's Broadway rock opera, Jesus Christ Superstar recounts the last days of Jesus (Tim Neeley) from the perspective of Judas Iscariot (Carl Anderson), his betrayer. As Jesus following increases, Judas begins to worry that Jesus is falling his own hype, forgetting the principles of his teachings and, look if you've attended Catholic school or been raised by great parents then you've obviously known the final days of Christ so, apologies for trying to explain further.

          Now, through the development of doing a Mother’s Day Recommendation it's mostly talking about my mom’s favorite movies or either my aunts or Sister's favorite movies. And I always delayed Jesus Christ Superstar because I wanted to understand more of these seventies hidden treasure. Moreover, after watching the Stage production of Hamilton with my niece on Disney Plus, I slowly realized that "you know logic is always out of the door when it comes to musicals" so, the time is now to finally talk about this great classic. If you had to talk to my mom and her three sisters about which is their favorite movie of all time would be, it would most certainly be Jesus Christ Superstar whenever it's Easter or any special day one of my aunts would say that Superstar would be a needed basis in listening to the album every Easter Season. And strangely enough how they discovered Jesus Christ Superstar was a bit of shock for me because out of all the people who bought the Album first when it came out some time in the early seventies was actually my Grandma (aka my Mom and Aunts mother), for which I never expected my Grandma to actually liked Jesus Christ Superstar mainly because I'd imagine my grandparents being those parents in the early seventies that found this abomination, but according to my Mom and one of my aunts she bought the album because out of her own faith in God and Jesus, for which when you think about it makes a lot of sense. And while Grandma was listening to the album out of her religion, the mom and her sisters got into it for the music, for which that was their own way of was how they grew closer to God. More importantly my mom, and Aunts grew up in a small town so, by the time the film was released in theatres they had to go to another town to watch this great classic and soon enough by the time of the films were released in 1973 the rest became history. Having watched this film twice along with audio commentary I now, understand what the filmmakers were actually going for in terms of telling a story and that's telling a story for the modern audience and if you think about it, that actually makes a ton of sense because if you’re a teenager or a young adult having hard time with faith and religion, this film was the movie that brought a ton of people back to their faith almost the same way Passion of the Christ or even The Chosen brought everyone back to religion and following God, moreover the fact that they shot this entire movie in the Holy Lands is really cool, for many reasons you can't do that now due to the fact that there's some serious tensions brewing in the lands of God. And even King Herold's musical scene that was shot at the Dead Sea is surprisingly awesome even though it still has comedic humor, I mean sure you’re not going to laugh at it much, but the film still puts a smile on my face. I would still say that this movie has more logic then Hamilton because Hamilton in real life was actually, a slave owner while this movie it's basically telling their own story for kids or teenagers as well as lost adults finding faith in God, by telling a story in modern times and to the filmmakers credit they did an exceptional job and even using very limited resources and just using the lands as it's center piece and even the scene where Jesus is all by himself, that's actually him climbing up the mountains not using any protective hardware for him to be safe just him climbing up the mountains with nothing but sandals to walk on, for as a director that would be a terrifying thing to worry about, for your actor but in the end they did a great job. Now I can go on and on about how great Jesus Christ Superstar is, unfortunately I need to go through a long treatment of trying to get the songs out of my head because these songs are like reliving a haunting nightmare or insanity process. But this film still stands the test of time, music as well, and telling a story for the ages, especially when Nixon was about to resign in a couple of months during that period. So, if you have a mother that's been raised with Jesus Christ Superstar then I would highly recommend watching this great musical with her this Mother’s Day, and even though this film does have some unintentional comedic humor this film still stands tall in one of the many greatest musicals of all time.

        

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie

 

            Well, finally after watching the first Super Mario Bros. Movie I now had the once in a lifetime opportunity to watch The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. And literally was a once in a life time opportunity because the movie theater that was near my area was having a one, only showing in the afternoon also I almost thought I was going to be late but then I later realized I'm not missing a whole lot in terms of movie previews that are going to be meh to I have no intention in seeing it. 

            The follow-up to the first Mario Bros. Movie, Mario and the gang face another threat but goes to distant parts of the galaxy where no man has gone before. 

            With the predecessor you must keep the story very simple to set the world of Mario so that everyone can understand as well as follow through from beginning to final frame, basically making the first film as if it's the original Mario game with early games to go along with it. Now with this movie you can finally expand the world of Mario to great lengths as well as characters and worlds that even people like me grew up with characters like Yoshi but then beginning to love other characters like Star Fox. Now I've never played any of the Star Fox games and I don't know how many Star Fox games there are but I swear hearing them instructing Fox to do a barrel role put a huge smile on my face because I'm old and I knew the reference from other media's, moreover I hope if they do make a Star Fox movie, that they make it almost like a Top Gun movie. I will say the one actor who stands out the most as well as character wise is Donald Glover's performance as Yoshi and I honestly don't know how they used his voice or if Glover was able to make those sounds or just say Yoshi all the time hell, I don't know what he did with the help of the acting director but what they did was great and funny because through the course of the movie it's really Yoshi stealing the entire film where Keegan-Michael Key as Toad feeling jealous through the course of the film that both actors really steal the show together. Having watched all Mario films I'm grateful in finally witnessing a Mario movie as what it's meant to be and that's being a CARTOON! For which we can all go to great length as to why back in the nineties where Hollywood decided to make Mario live action and combine Mad Max, hell it can be a unsolved mystery for all I care but my theory is that most of the Hollywood producers back then, didn't know how to turn these videogames into movie or struggle with paying big actors the big bucks, that's basically my own assumption. So, if you’re looking to have a family movie night or want to take the kids to the movies, Super Mario Galaxy is the go too movie that I would highly recommend taking your family to the movies as well as watching the latest installment in the Mario movie franchise.

      

The Super Mario Bros. Movie

 

           

          I noticed that there is a once and a lifetime opportunity to view the latest sequel to the latest Mario Bros. movie, and I was always intrigued with the creators as well as the people behind Illumination and Universal Studios did by finally getting Mario right. And so, I decided to make a late movie night and watch the very first Super Mario Bros. Movie for the first time and see if it still holds up before I make a 1:15 pm showing of its successor. 

          While working underground to fix a water main, Brooklyn plumbers and brothers Mario and Luigi are transported through a mysterious pipe to a magical new world. But when the siblings are separated, an epic adventure begins.

            When I first saw the trailer three years before the film’s release I have to admit I was a bit uncertain of the choice of actors they cast for these iconic characters like Chris Pratt playing Mario who at first watching the trailer and hearing his voice I almost thought that he was doing a bizarre Batman impression when delivering Mario's iconic lines and even Charlie Day cast to voice Luigi, I was a bit confused because Day is shorter than Pratt so, I would imagine Day would be more suitable to play Mario and also by the time of the film’s release people been releasing videos of Charlie Day in It's Always Sunny, as Luigi like he's doing a Sunny in Philadelphia scene for which in all honesty it's funny and amusing to me personally because it just fits perfectly. Now watching the film, three years after the film’s release each actor or actress really do a great job with each of their roles and Pratt and Day really do an exceptional job bringing these iconic video game characters to life for really I almost thought that it would never happen but really Illumination did a great job in choosing the right actors to play these iconic characters from my childhood. Anya Taylor-Joy does a fantastic job as Princess Peach for which in all honesty she as a great voice moreover is an exceptional actress so deep down there's a no brainer. But the surprising thing is Seth Rogen is fantastic as Donkey Kong, for which sure you can put this guy as a has been like bro with that annoying chuckle and that's Donkey Kong but for some reasons he does a fantastic job and actually love the way he plays Donkey Kong despite that I've seen many of his films and always looked at him as an annoying douche. Sadly it's taken Hollywood to finally get right with the Super Mario Bro's and well, let’s be honest we don't need to talk a lot about the awful live action movie, but with this movie I really felt like it was worth the wait and in all honesty want to get a Nintendo well, maybe the latest Nintendo and got to town with Mario games but that will hopefully be for another time. Now if you’re an old time and grew up with Mario in terms of games or the old cartoons then I would highly recommend re-watching the film or watch the film on Peacock and have a great time with the film and really just have this sigh of relief that all this time Hollywood or basically Illumination finally finding the right recipe to make this film what it was meant to be and that's BE A CARTOON! Although let's be honest Hollywood never could figure out adapting Video Games all they really do is just give to the wrong people, though it’s all about the baby steps, let’s face it. 

    

Movies I haven't seen in a while: Celtic Pride

 

                

           Now I will argue with this movie I haven't seen in a long time, that this was a way better Damon Wayans movie than Major Payne. Although Celtic Pride has the potential of being good and somewhat of a bewildering and ridicules idea. I would still say that this is the least entertaining movie but more importantly shows off Damon Wayans comedic talent. Also starring SNL Alumni Dan Aykroyd and Daniel Stern, this is a comedic duo that are professionals but may have just cashed in a check.

          Obsessive Boston fans Michael O'Hara (Daniel Stern) and Jimmy Flaherty (Dan Aykroyd) plan to kidnap Utah Jazz best player Lewis Scott (Damon Wayans) after outscoring their Celtics in the NBA Finals. Now the real fun begins as the battle of wits becomes the ultimate test. 

           I honestly don't know how I was able to watch this movie, though I know for sure this was one of those movie's we rented as kids back when there use to be Video Store's and I guess we probably watched this movie because Dan Aykroyd was a Ghostbuster and it was because of him as well as Daniel Stern who played Marv from the first-two Home Alone films, and at the time I was like okay a goofy comedy sure, but then re-watching the film this truly and yet almost becomes a dark comedy, disguised to be a family goofy comedy, for which that's probably the best way to describe the film now. The script was developed by comedy legend Judd Apatow and Colin Quinn (infamous from Weekend Update on SNL) both men are from New York City, and for some reasons they chose to set the movie at the time the old Boston Garden is diminished, and the Celtic's are playing for the NBA Finals? Like sure you can probably do that because it's Hollywood you can get away with made up stories but you should also read the facts because Michael Jordan was and still is the king of the NBA so, why not just make it a Conference finals rematch and have Knicks fans kidnapping Jordan, though I doubt you can make that happen considering MJ costs a lot of money and probably expensive to even do, so that would be a good reason. I will say being older now and this film being thirty years old why not make this a Lakers/Celtics finals instead of a Utah Jazz because sure they were great in the late 90's but they were never going to win anything so, why not make this a Lakers/Celtics rivalry and make Damon Wayans the Kobe Bryant looking player and that way it can be more interesting, over all there's a lot of things they could of done but what they did do didn't do so great at the box office because really I think both Stern and Aykroyd just got a check and cashed it all in, as well as not caring a whole lot of the script in general or the story. All in all, Damon Wayans performance in the movie is almost better and out classed Stern and Aykroyd in terms of comedy because the way he's trying to get into Dan's head to turn against Stern is hilarious especially when they paned to Wayans and has this Jack Nicholson impression. This movie alone has the potential to be good, granted it's not the best or greatest comedy, it's also an entertaining and great production design, in terms of re-creating the Boston Garden. If it were me I would hire minimum wage Ben Affleck and minimum wage Mark Wahlberg and have them kidnap Lebron James and just center the story around these bozo's that's basically how I would do it because both Stern and Aykroyd don't look like the Boston time so, that's basically how I would do that, if I had to remake this movie. Now hearing that the Celtics blown game six against the Sixers in the playoffs I'm wondering if history would repeat itself in terms of movie-wise although game seven is tomorrow so, hopefully it won't happen because this movie might be to blame.

     

Nixon

 

       

            After being 0 for 2 in terms of finding movies to get Trainspotting out of my head, though I can never get certain images out of my head. Granted as great of a movie Trainspotting is and still is, I decided to go back to my brothers list of movies I need to watch, and Nixon was on the list and sure enough, Nixon was on Amazon Prime for free well technically, free considering you have to pay a subscription right. Anyway, Nixon directed by Oliver Stone and Anthony Hopkins in the title role, combined to make one of the most unappreciative biopics about a former President of the United States.

             The non-chronological narrative Nixon's (Anthony Hopkins) personal and professional life, touching on his youth, college years, and political triumphs and failures. Nixon is seen as a child born to austere Quaker parents, as a young attorney wooing his future wife, Pat (Joan Allen), and as an astute but dour politician. After finally becoming president, Nixon is embroiled in the infamous Watergate scandal.

              There are times when watching a bio-pic about certain historic people like Richard Nixon, where it's like when you watch certain films like Frost/Nixon or All the President's Men you feel like you've seen them all I mean hell, while at work I been reminded about the movie Chappaquiddick where Senator Ted Kennedy literally killed a woman (no not like O.J. but close) where he was drunk driving and left the woman to die, I mean sure you can use a what if, but deep down he literally killed a woman and got away with it. And, true for some movies like there's reason as to why there is no historically accurate films is because majority of them with accuracy in the real life event or story, tend to be so, boring or something that you can find on the old TV show Drunk History, where famous celebrities are wasted and telling the story of historical figures or events. But while watching Nixon I began to realize we truly never got to see a more complex side to Nixon and it always brings back to only thing Nixon was ever remembered for, and that's the Watergate Scandal. Moreover, we never or tend to forget that Nixon has done good things for the country by getting rid of the Draft as well as pulling out American troops from Vietnam. Forming the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) and more importantly, overseeing the peaceful, large-scale integration of Southern schools so, deep down Nixon did some good things for the world it's just sadly the man went in over his head or a narcissistic a-hole whichever comes first. As great of a direction Oliver Stone did with this movie and there's a ton of elements that he did with the camera were fantastic, but it's Sir Anthony Hopkins performance as Nixon that really brings this film to greatness, in fact Hopkins actually watched a ton of Nixon's speeches to get the feel of the character, as well as met with a ton of people who knew Nixon at the time and they all gave Hopkins pointers on how to portray him. Granted this movie is a three hour long movie so, if you’re feeling compelled to watch the film I would highly recommend watching the film with soda or Celsius energy drink and take a good ten minute breaks between the movie so that way you can rest your mind as well as your ability to get through the movie, either that or you can pause the movie and pick up where you left off the next day, that is if everyone has a Prime account. The film alone got me thinking a lot about the good things Nixon did as well as the bad things he did but there was a lot of complexities that we've never been able to see in terms of movies and television and the sad thing was that he died a year before the film’s release and I truly believe if he was alive he would approve the movie as well as Hopkins performance, despite Hopkins claiming it's not his great performance but I beg to differ, though the man will probably be dead before I ever get the chance to meet him in person. This film alone is for certain an unappreciative movie and I would highly recommend watching Nixon, whether your Republican or Democrat, this film really shows the complexations to Nixon, and more importantly gives you a sort of humanized feel for the former U.S. President along the way. 

               

Major Payne

 

         Damon Wayne's was another one of those actors that I remember watching one of his films, Celtic Pride and I'm going to get to that film soon, oh don't you all worry. And Major Payne was a film that I've not seen and thought "oh this might be interesting and it's under ninety minutes, so let's give it a shot". Well, I could lie and say that this was funny but unfortunately this film was like Titanic, which had promise but was slowly sinking down to the bottom.

           Basically, Kindergarten Cop meets Rambo/Apocalypse Now, Major Payne (Damon Wayans) is discharged from the army and doesn't know how to cope with civilian life. Then he gets a second chance by going to a degraded military academy where he's literally teaching young kids, for which I would never in a million years have this guy teach kids anything about war, if it were me. 

           I believe my first introduction towards the film was a scene where they're making fun of Apocalypse Now, basically the scene where Martin Sheen is in his hotel room and having a mental breakdown and I thought okay great, there making fun of war movies like Apocalypse now and Full Metal Jacket maybe Major Payne will be a black version of R. Lee Ermey in Full Metal Jacket. No, basically the whole film is Wayans with a strange southern accent that gets way annoying and he's being a sort of mentor the these dysfunctional kids who also do childish pranks that go wrong because hell, I don't know this film really made me bewildered to the point where I couldn't find logic or even cared to find any logic. The film is actually based off of a 1955 film, The Private War of Major Benson staring Charlton Heston and literally caries the same plot as Major Payne has, and the good news is you can't find this movie anywhere not on the streaming services so, deep down I'm relieved because even looking at the movie poster I'm just glad to not even attempt to watch a family movie with Heston. I could probably go on and on about what ways to make this funny and avoid turning this into a typical family appropriate film, but deep down this film from the opening frame was having some potential to be good in all but then when the kids came involved then I suddenly realized that this, was going to be a disaster, so either way this film is a great example of the Titanic where it has potential to be a good movie but through the course of the film it was slowly sinking to the very bottom of the ocean, by the final frame. Now if you’re a fan of this movie or love Damon Wayans movies I guess go ahead and watch this movie since this film is on Hulu and Direct TV, but to me this film is like one of those films that are not as good as you'd remember. Like going to a high school reunion and it's at your High School and look at the school like a decaying school from a Simpsons episode (Season 6) and you want to leave as soon as you get a good look around the place. For which that's basically a great example of Major Payne. And now after watching Reefer Madness and Major Payne, I'm suddenly realizing that I'm failing to watch a dumb and entertaining movie to get my mind off watching Trainspotting though deep down I can never un-see the worst toilet in Scotland.

          

Reefer Madness

 

            Trying to find something dumb but entertaining at the same time after my fun and dark experience with both Trainspotting films. Although this film has all the qualities of dumb and entertainment, this film is a combination of both bewilderment and hard inaccuracies I have with the film unlike historians who b***h about historical films. Like I would say films like Gladiator and Kingdom of Heaven or The Last Duel are more accurate than this film. Reefer Madness is, I guess a movie about the dangers of Reefer in the 1930's, although moonshine liquor was more dangerous than getting high on weed.

            High-school principal Dr. Alfred Carroll (Josef Forte) relates to the audience of parents that marijuana can have a devastating effect on teens. In his story, a drug supplier entices several restless teens, including sister and brother Mary (Dorthey Short) and Jimmy Lane (Warren McCollum) and Mary's boyfriend, Bill (Kenneth Craig), into frequently a reefer house. Gradually, Bill and Jimmy are drawn into smoking dope, which affects their family lives and leads to a terrible crime. 

             I tried to find a lot of trivia or some unknown details but there's absolutely nothing I can find, though in all fairness find something but there's too much writing that I found unbearable to translate and yet more lazy to even do it. All I know is that this film to me is just too foul and accurate, mostly consisting of reefer being a big danger in the 1930's when booze or cigarettes would harm the body more than getting high. And for sure Reefer is bad if you overuse it so much especially when you feel paranoid all day and all night. So, luckily, I did some tiny bit of research and basically what Reefer Madness was basically trying to be a propaganda film to scare parents and children upon the film’s release. Furthermore, I can't say on the filmmaker’s aspect on what they’re trying to do other than making a fabricated film to scare all the parents in the sort of prohibition kind of way. But again, this is reefer or cannabis this is a drug that of course is going to give you cancer though can't back that fact up but will be addictive and you'll probably have the munchies or get paranoid the amount of times you get high but this drug is like the minor case of dangerous it's not like alcoholism or being a heroin junkie where you’re probably going to see a lot of disturbing things or hallucinate a lot of things you want to forget but reefer is almost like getting drunk of beer sure it's going to kill your brain cells and destroy your own liver but it's a drug that I doubt will get you into a realm of harming yourself other than paranoid. This film is no doubt fascinating in terms of how they were able to get this film made but this is one of those films that I would find more inaccurate than the historical films like any Ridley Scott epic. This film alone isn't as bad or disturbing as Trainspotting or The Lost Weekend. So, if you’re looking for something new or something you haven't experienced or want to experience. Then Reefer Madness is on Tubi moreover can find the movie on YouTube so, if you feel adventurous go nuts, but then again, this movie is mad in the thirties so the side effects will most certainly give you a massive headache as well as calling this film highly inaccurate. 

       

April Recommendation: T2 Trainspotting

             

            Well, I did it everyone I finally got around to finally watching the sequel to Trainspotting, T2: Trainspotting another 20 years in the making sequel category of films.  I never really recommend a whole lot of sequels for a monthly recommendation, but this movie is surprisingly a well-made and more relatable, which is strangely weird because in the first movie, I'd never imagine finding a more f**ked up movie that could rival A Clockwork Orange. But with this movie it's more of a relatable story to the extent of growing old and as well as overcoming your personal demons.  

            First there was an opportunity, then there was a betrayal. Twenty years later, Mark Renton (Ewan McGregor) returns to the only place that he can ever call home. There waiting for him are old buddies Spud (Ewen Bremner), Sick Boy (Johnny Lee Miller) and Begbie (Robert Carlyle). Sorrow, loss, joy, vengeance, hatred, love, fear, regret, self-destruction and mortal danger are also all lined up and ready to welcome him. 

            Sadly the film is not realistic in terms of these addicts not looking like actual junkie's where they're hair is falling off as well as their own teeth falling off as well, though lets be fair the actors would never take the junk and sure you can use make-up but then it would make the characters less relatable so, deep down it would be less interesting. When you make a sequel, twenty years of the predecessor's last release they're at times, where the sequel can be either at least be good or enjoyable and some of them surpassed the expectations and some well, just failed miserably. With Trainspotting 2, it's more exceptional to the film being made and set twenty years after the film’s release, but more importantly was sets the film to where these characters you love from the first film would end up now furthermore would make a tone of sense as towards their attributes in life. Like Begbie being a psycho so, made ton of sense that he would end up in jail. Sick Boy is still doing lame schemes that would never work and Spud is still fighting with addiction. And the main protagonist of the original film Renton lives somewhere else but then has a breakdown in life that would soon take him back to where it all started. Furthermore, it's all great and everything but what really drives the sequel together is both Danny Boyle and John Hodge driving terrific themes about long-term consequences of addiction, the addiction to the past, especially trying to remember the good days and having no will in wanting to move on in the world. The other great themes to the film are also betrayal, revenge and forgiveness, and if you haven't watched the first film, basically ends with Renton betraying two of his three friends and leaving to start a new life and through the course of the movie Renton played by Ewan McGregor confronts his friends both of them resent him and later forgive him while Begbie played by Robert Carlyle is a raging nut case who just wants to kill him with forgiveness being out of the topic. But the most important two themes that make this film exceptional is aging and nostalgia for which that resonates with me in ways you can't imagine, I mean I'm now 39 years old and looking at the world now it's almost unrecognizable to me, like I worked at state basketball in Nebraska and some of the events were taking place at Bob Devaney Sports Center and my first time working, I couldn't recognized the place anymore and out of the many times I've went to that place for state wrestling it's like the memories went past me and I didn't know what to feel since the state has been producing the best Volleyball team under Coach John Cook. For good measure watching this film for the first time really resonated with me to that I can relate to these characters as time just losing touch with them. If I had to pick a character that I can relate to the most of the four friends it would most certainly be Spud played by underappreciated actor, Ewen Bremner who does such a great job playing his character with a man whose literally struggling with the world as well as addiction but feeling guilty as well and having a hard time overcoming the guilt and I love the scenes with him and Ewan, where Ewan is helping him find new things to be addicted to other then heroin and Bremner does a great job at that to where he's the only one out of the four friends that has a heart moreover would never hurt a fly or person. If you've seen the first movie as well as a fan of the original film I'm sure you all have your opinions of Renton as a character but in my opinion he's a guy who's trying to choose life more than having to put up with two of his toxic friends, Begbie and Sick Boy for which if I was in his shoes yeah I would screw them over because those two out what they are as people and you as an audience member would know they would never change, and the beauty of the movie is again is expressing betrayal, revenge and forgiveness at the same time that you see all of these elements working in the best way possible that you continue to feel blessed and appreciated with the film's ending. I don't think gave a whole lot of appreciation to the first Trainspotting film, but hands down is a great film from start to finish and does a fantastic job being unapologetic with the realistic tone of heroin addiction as well as expressing how dangerous these things really hard to T2 exploring the themes of life not being kind to either one of us and each of these films does a great job in exploring their own themes and I believe everyone needs to see these films to be understood, well, the first one you can just give the film a good once over. Yes, you have to watch the first film to get the understanding towards sequel's themes but each of them are great and both Danny Boyle and John Hodge does a great job with these films together, and T2 Trainspotting is a great film of exploring the aging and nostalgia and yet you have to move forward in life and that's what I love so much about the film and now having watched both films together, I feel blessed and appreciated in watching these films despite the first film being out of this world more F'd up than a Clockwork Orange, either way both films are great because you can never make those films to this generation. And though you'll have to purchase these films on Blu-Ray, I promise you they’re worth the purchase, though don't watch these with your own kids.

                  

Trainspotting

 

          

         

          I used to believe, The Lost Weekend was the most disturbing movie about addiction. Clearly, I was wrong, because after watching Danny Boyle’s classic Trainspotting I now feel so sick and disturbed that I truly need to take a long shower as well as cleaning myself about six times. And I'm not lying when I say that this movie is disturbing look on heroin addiction and why I will never in a million years, want to even touch that stuff.  

          Heroin addict Mark Renton (Ewan McGregor) stumbles through bad ideas and sobriety attempts with his unreliable friends -- Sick Boy (Johnny Lee Miller), Begbie (Robert Carlyle), Spud (Ewen Bremmer) and Tommy (Kevin McKidd). He also has an underage girlfriend, Diane (Kelly Macdonald), along for the ride. After cleaning up and moving from Edinburgh to London, Mark finds he can't escape the life he left behind when Begbie shows up at his front door on the lamp, and a scheming Sick Boy follows.

          The film honestly starts off with a bang by having the characters run for their lives over lord knows what and I thought to myself okay at least this film is going on a fast-paced thrill ride. Then we get to scenes where it gets absolutely disgusting like Ewan McGregor having a bad case of the runs and going into the worst toilets ever upon which everywhere in this bathroom is LITERALLY filled with s**t and McGregor is pulling out pills he dropped from the SAME TOLIET. Which I was taken an aback on how gross this looked and new from that point on why I made the best choice in never EVER trying drugs. Although this doesn't stop there no, no, no sir, it doesn't after that TMI of a scene I wished never to watch again I stumble upon multiple scenes of disturbing images as well as Ewan finally getting detoxed from all the dope he's been injecting and it literally gets into that horrendous disturbed feeling in your gut that I was literally was wanting to look away and say to make this stop. And Ewan's character apparently hooks up with an underaged teen for sure that's horrifying but all the other elements that happen in the movie outweigh the underage romance. Danny Boyle said that he wanted his actors to watch older movies like the Hustler and A Clockwork Orange, for which "good for you" though the way I see it after watching this movie I think he was may or unintentionally wanting to be more dark and gross than A Clockwork Orange in my opinion. Granted there are some great comedic tones to the movie if you go back on YouTube and rewatch some of those scenes, but watching the whole movie for the first time the disturbing images outweighed the comedy to this movie. I will give this movie a ton of credit this film does have that crazy f**ked up feel to it, but more importantly explores the grunge puck rock themes in the early to late nineties that you forget happened but also focuses on a character that just wants a fresh start as well as getting off of the addiction but more importantly trying to get rid of friends that do nothing but steal and sell your stuff to get rich in a hurry, furthermore believe that's where the great comedic value comes into the movie. Good news you can't watch this movie on any streaming service you'll only get the sequel, in which I'm surprised now after watching the first film why they need to make a sequel because how these nut jobs are able to survive the heroin addiction is beyond me. So, now that I have this movie on Blu-ray and consider this movie as a good once over type film, like A Clockwork Orange, what I'm probably going to use this movie for, is if I have kids and they do stupid s**t like getting into drugs I'm going to sit them down and make them watch this film twice so they can get the horror of drug addiction in the back of their brain memories. Though hopefully that won't happen, I'm confident that won't happen because I know the difference between right and wrong in the world. 

    

               

10 Year Anniversary of Mortal Kombat X

 

             After finally completing the story mode of Mortal Kombat (2011). Moreover, learning about the ten-year Anniversary of its successor I figure well, I need to go back and replay a beloved sequel that has made everything better than I remembered in terms of giving Raiden much better combo moves, if you know what I mean. Though there are for certain a ton of great memories I have of the game in terms of the game’s promotion as well as a ton of new elements that still hold up. 

             Two years after the defeat of Outworlds ruler, Shao Kahn, Shinnok attacks Earth Realm with his army of NetherRealm demons, as well as Earth Realm warriors who were killed during Kahn's invasion and are now resurrected as revenants under Quan Chi's control. 

             I knew ten years ago I was planning on pre-ordering this game, but when the launch trailer came out and they included System of a Down's "Chop Suey" playing and it got me excited beyond measure that I even watched the trailer, multiple times. What really makes the MKX intriguing to play as well is a new set of characters such as Cassie Cage and Jacqui Briggs who are both the daughters of Johnny Cage, Sonya and Jax's, moreover brings something new as well as something exciting for story development because we always knew that Cage and Sonya would hook up and now is the time they finally do and that's something you'd love to see. Moreover, you do see the chemistry between the two from being annoyed with one another to truly caring for one another, especially their daughter as well. The other thing in what I like most about the game is, we get to see a much better look of Outworld on the outside aspect, usually and I would imagine Ed Boon and his crew didn't have enough money to make a better version of Outworld, but with this game you see Outworld with a mix of Middle East with Aztec vibes to it, and the new Emperor of Kotal Kahn sets a new tone for it as an Emperor whose on neutral sides to the coin in situations but a more respectable Emperor. The other thing and this is coming from a fans point is that we finally get to see Scorpion behind the mask, as Hanzo Hasashi a ninja whose not all about revenge but trying to restore honor to his forgotten clan almost the same as Sub-Zero moreover finally seeing these too finally become allies and not just rivals or enemies as well. The other entertainment factor is granted I was a bit weary on this idea, but having played Jason Voorhees in MKX, I have to give some bonus points for impressed because it truly is fun to play some of these characters like the Alien or Predator so, now you can have your own Alien vs Predator almost the same way you can have a 80's showdown between Robocop and the Terminator in MK11. Ten years after the games were released, Mortal Kombat X or XL still holds up from great story mode to increasing more special guest characters appearing in the game. And even having beloved characters like Liu Kang and Kitana as evil revenants to fight Earth Realm warriors, to make the story more compelling and not just allowing Liu Kang as the main hero but have some of these young warriors like Cassie Cage to be the new protagonist in this tenth installment to the Mortal Kombat franchise. So, if you have a PS4 or Xbox One then I would highly recommend playing this game as well as recommend having a horror movie showdown between Jason and Leatherface, for which would make a very interesting showdown, moreover shows Jason being offered an alliance with Liu Kang in the NetherRealm but decides to kill Liu Kang anyway for which shows why Jason is an unstoppable killing machine. 

    

Easter Parade

 

           Even though Easter is over, I still need to rush into a film about the Easter Parade. And although there's no Easter Bunny involved nor the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus. This happy Musical is all about finding love on the Easter Parade, hence the title of the film Easter Parade. A year ago, I tried to make it a mission to get my hands on any Judy Garland films that I haven't seen besides Wizard of Oz and Meet me in St. Louis. And with this film I have got to say it has all the elements of a musical for which I don't believe they had a script, just suggestions in a Musical suggestion box. 

            In this lavish musical, Broadway star Don Hewes' (Fred Astaire) dancing partner goes solo, and Don declares that he can make a hit performer out of the next dancer he sees. This turns out to be the inexperienced Hannah (Judy Garland), who bristles as Don tries to make her into his old partner. But as he realizes that he is falling in love with Hannah, Don knows that he must let her grow into her own kind of dancer if he wants her to reach her full potential. 

            Originally Gene Kelly was going to play the lead role of Easter Parade, the same Gene Kelly infamous for numerous Musical roles like Signin' in the Rain. Unfortunately, Kelly couldn’t accept the role due to an ankle injury while playing Volleyball in his back yard, for which if I was the producers at MGM, upon hearing the news I would probably have this sigh of "F*ck sakes" then pour a bottle of whisky. Luckily Kelly suggested Fred Astaire for the role and producers I'm assumed we're all like "what the hell". Although Gene Kelly wasn't the first injury towards this movie, actress Cyd Charisse was originally going to play the partner who becomes too big for her mentor, but withdraw due to torn ligaments in her knee, for which brought in Ann Miller for the role. So, with all these injuries that occurred during the pre-production of the film I would imagine that the producers, after the film’s release, all took a long vacation to avoid that cluster bomb. After watching so many musicals throughout my 39 years of existence I have to say that this is without a doubt one of those many musicals that you know where it's going from the very beginning of the film, I mean sure this film does carry some really good drama but I feel like even from a writers stand point, this is like the writers and the producer all had a conference meeting had a bag of writers ideas almost like a bag full of suggestions and each of them took turns picking out a writer's idea and that's how Easter Parade was formed, because this is one of those musicals where you can predict where it's going just because you know both Fred and Judy are going to end up together till the very end. Now that being said, does this film hold up in terms of entertainment value? For sure it does, because this film provides great musical numbers as well as great dancing sequences to disguise itself as a predictable musical. For a Judy Garland movie that I've not seen, the film alone holds up to one of her beloved classics it's both entertaining and enjoyable to watch on screen, moreover, provided something new and fresh to watch in the Easter season. So, if you’re a huge fan of Turner Classic Movies or have Live TV on either Direct TV or Hulu then I would highly recommend watching this for this Easter week or next Easter season. 

  

Easter Sunday Recommendation: Lilies of the Field

 

           Easter Sunday is among us ladies and gentlemen, for which I honestly say that even in these years of Lent I often wonder why not start the seasons of lent on a specific day or month just like Thanksgiving or Christmas are always on the same day. I mean not that I'm complaining because in all fairness it's all part of God's plan, I guess. Sadly, with all the evil shenanigans I couldn’t get caught up on season five of the Chosen, though I might be getting back sooner since season six is coming out later this year. Luckily, I found a movie that brought memories of seeing a long time ago, moreover, starring the great Sidney Poitier.

         When traveling African American Homer Smith (Sidney Poitier) stops by a farm in rural Arizona, he is welcomed by a group of Roman Catholic nuns who have emigrated from Germany. Realizing that the farm needs a lot of work, Homer takes on several repair projects for the women, who are led by a head strong Mother Maria (Lilia Skala). Impressed by Homer's kindness and strong work ethic, the nuns come to believe that he has been sent by God to help build them a chapel. 

          I do in fact have a memory in seeing this movie, though granted it's been quite a long time since I've actually seen this movie whole, though I would imagine it's been my childhood years when I went to my Grandfather's house during Easter season, and all I remember is Sidney being concerned for breakfast when you can't eat before Mass. Now if your Catholic or Christian you would understand but if you’re not then no worries. The film alone was made for 240,000-247,000 and yet did a successful run at the box office with 5 million worldwide, for as a Catholic that's awesome considering now you don't see a whole lot of Christian based movies doing well at the box office unless it's The Chosen. Going back and watching this film all the way through this film does in fact bring a lot of Noah's Ark vibes to me to the extent that the character of Homer is being tasked by God in the form of a nun to task him into building a chapel and although the man is not perfect or up to standards of a good Christian, but with kindness towards others he feels compelled to build the Chapel. If there was anyone to make this film believable or authentic, you have to cast Sidney Poitier in the role of Homer Smith for a gillion reasons, the man brings a great sense of realism and relatability towards the character in that he's just a drifter, looking out for himself until he meets these group of nuns that slowly change his life one step at a time, and that to me is something more believable to me because we're all trying to get by on life and life isn't a great thing to rely on but we all have to find the inner kindness in all of ourselves not matter how life throws at you and when you see something that's in need of help you just have to help and that's what Poitier does really well in making the character relatable for the audience member. The surprising factor is that yes this is the movie that made Sidney Poitier a acting legend as well as being the first African-American actor to win the Oscar, but it's his only Oscar besides the lifetime achievement Oscar in 2002, for which sure it's great but I could of swore he won more Oscars especially with his great performance, In the Heat of the Night. But on the other hand, Denzel Washington has two Oscars under his belt so, can't win them all, I guess. Having the opportunity to go back as well as remembering, this great Christian movie classic this is hands down one of the best Catholic films since The Trouble with Angles because it, more importantly brings the diversity in terms of both religion as well as culture, but also brings a positive spin on faith and human kindness that everyone should see, especially on Easter Sunday, furthermore if you have Amazon Prime subscription and looking for a perfect Christian movie to watch this Easter than I would highly recommend watching this Sidney Poitier classic.  

        

Megalopolis

    

         So, here we are ladies and gents. We're here, well technically me, to talk about a film that I would declare is one of the worst films I've ever seen in my entire life. Now sure I've probably said that multiple times, though of course sure most of them are either every Adam Sandler movie or watching something that nobody is ever going to watch in this life time although this film, for reasons why I consider this the worst film ever made is because this film is directed by legendary director Francis Ford Coppola.

         To tell you the truth I can't really understand the plot in the movie, in fact I don't believe anyone can describe this film. I would imagine if you asked Gemini or Alexia or Siri to explain Coppola's Megalopolis. All I can tell you is that mental health is a series condition and sometimes when you don't have enough in the tank to tell a story it's probably best to quit while you’re ahead. 

          To explain the concept or if there is a concept to the madness behind Coppola's idea we must start almost 49 years ago. Back in 1977, Coppola had an idea to make a film drawing parallels between the fall of the Roman Republic and the future of the United States by retelling a conspiracy theory from Ancient Rome into modern New York, which is a good concept to start off with but like most concepts this idea went into developmental hell through the past decades. Moreover, after years of making some great too decent films, more importantly being disillusioned by the Studio system in general, Coppola decided to take a loophole of sorts and use the fortune he made from various wine-making businesses and financed the film himself. And despite the fact that yes all the things he says about the studio system being afraid to take risks and not trying something new all of those things are true except you made the worst movie ever made and you made it in a way where the acting as well as the story is polarizing to the point that you can't believe Coppola himself directed this movie. And this is the same Francis Ford Coppola who made such great and iconic movies from the Godfather to Apocalypse Now, and he's written a script that would best be described as if Charlie Kelly (from It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia) had written and the big problem to that is he can't read, moreover the man also knows how to bring out the best of actors and actresses but I feel like the actors themselves once they read the script are bewildered or terrified because they may have made a big mistake. And Shia LaBeouf claims in an interview that he came to blows with Coppola in terms of understanding the story or wanting to understand the movie well, but at the end of the day it was a never ending battle especially when it was said that even Coppola would have new ideas at the last second for which I despise beyond measure because I've dealt with a ton of egotistical monsters and they all do that at the last second for which is bad for business in my opinion. And some of these veteran actors like Lawrence Fishbourne, Jon Voight, Dustin Hoffman and even Talia Shire (aka Adrian Balboa) have this miserable look on their faces through the course of the movie where they don't even know what this film is and I feel bad for all of these actors and actresses because this is what they have to live with for the rest of their lives especially Jon Voight because there's one scene where he asks Shia about a boner he's got.  Look there is so, much I can tell you about this movie that just seems to bad and beyond measure of explaining but I'm starting to realize that even words can't explain MegaFlopolis but I will be posting some videos so you can understand more because those scenes that you can watch on YouTube speak for themselves. Furthermore I've said many times about what makes a terrible movie and what is the worst movie but this film by Francis Ford Coppola is to me the worst film of all time just because it's created by a crazy 85 year old man whose completely lost his mind as well as losing touch on reality and I would say the same for Steven Spielberg but that's a discussion for another time hopefully when he doesn't make a film like this but it's made by a man whose created some of the greatest films of all time and has somehow made a personalized film that makes no sense and you can tell he's angry about Trump for good reasons he's making a movie about Rome and today's society. Sadly, and for good of mankind you can't see this film on streaming because Coppola believes we don't understand it and are just selling the movie on Blu-Ray so you can watch the movie that way. Though all jokes aside, this film is a great example of keeping tabs on your mental health as well as quitting while you’re still ahead of making iconic films, because the worst thing you want to remember is the one movie you did last then your accomplishments. But, more importantly, take care of your mental health as well, for many reasons you don't want to be like Coppola and Spielberg, even George Lucas quit while he's still ahead even though he doesn't care anymore. 

            

 

March Recommendation: The Dressmaker

 

          There are times when a movie comes around and it's either a good movie or a decent film or something that's a good treasure that you would usually find of Tubi. But I rarely go on Amazon Prime, and I would finally find a hidden treasure that's outstanding from start to finish but also has that story that's worth watching repeatedly but more importantly a relatable movie to watch as well. The Dressmaker is a film based on the book by Rosalie Ham. Furthermore, as director of the film Jocelyn Moorhouse describes the film, she best described the film as "Unforgiven with a sewing machine" and this film is without a doubt one of the greatest hidden treasures I've seen in a long time. 

          Decades after an incident that changed her life, Tilly (Kate Winslet) a skilled dressmaker, returns to Dungatar, Australia seeking answers to the questions that drove her from the town.

           I honestly don't know how I found this movie to be truthfully honest, it's pretty much the same way I found Happiest Season, where Facebook always releases some of the strangest and yet intriguing movies to watch on like the reels or shorts that you would normally find on Facebook where once you selected the reel, it automatically shows you another one, furthermore one of those reels was Kate Winslet in a gorgeous dress attending a Australian Soccer/Football match in the middle of nowhere and 15 dollar/Thor makes an appearance, aka Liam Hemsworth. And so, being curious of what the film is and after so many clips on Facebook as well as the help of Google for research, I found The Dressmaker basically made by an Australian director, though mostly made entirely by a Australian film crew all set in fictional town in Australia that's so, small makes my home town of Juniata Nebraska look like a New York style of a city. And this is without a doubt one of the greatest hidden treasures I've ever found as well as seen in my lifetime. I think what makes this film compelling is that it's about a femme fatale who returns to her hometown to write the wrongs of the people who wronged her and it's directed in a best way possible but also has that type of story that's almost a blend of both a Coen Bro's movie to a western movie directed by Clint Eastwood. Now sure I've seen Titanic and love Titanic but after watching this movie I got to say this is single handily Kate Winslet's best performance, I mean she does an excellent job playing the protagonist in the movie whose searching for answers but you also feel for her character through the course of the movie and through her eyes you see how awful the townspeople were awful to this woman that you have this great sense of relieve by the end of the film. As great as Kate was in the movie her counterpart Judy Davis who portrays her unstable mother does an excellent job as well playing the mother whose at first a mom that makes me fear my later years because I'm getting the sense of terror or realization that my Mom might be unstable though I strongly hope that's not the case but through the course of the movie the Davis begins to have the warm, hearted and caring felling helps makes this movie a compelling story to tell as if these two characters who are both flawed and had traumatic past are finally being able to rekindle with one another, in their dire need of accepting a terrible truth. Hugo Weaving is simply outstanding in the movie as a loyal friend to Kate who’s both a police officer and a secret crossdresser, for which in a comedic type of a film he does it perfectly, that you can see the man having the time of his life. I think the last film I ever saw Liam Hemsworth in was of course the Hunger Games films but I also liked his performance in Expendables 2 and with this movie he actually does a excellent job playing the love interest to Kate's character that you forget about making fun of him in terms of him being the last minute stand in for Chris Hemsworth in case you Chris Hemsworth. Another actress I have to five recommendation for, is Sarah Snook who the whole world knows her for her performance as Shiv in Succession, and I didn't recognized her until she appeared in a beautiful dress and yet through the first act of the film she's an awkward nerdy grocery clerk and she does a great job out shining Kate Winslet in wearing glamourous dresses. This film is on Amazon Prime for free despite having to pay a subscription fee. But this is one of those films that feels right moreover has that great feel of a dark comedy and a sense of revenge story set in the outback of Australia and like I've said earlier it has one of those elements of a story being developed by the Coen Bros, as well as a western tale directed by Clint Eastwood where you can see the horribleness of the townspeople and you feel for Kate's character through the course of the movie and to be truthfully honest it's like a fine wine of films you haven't seen and when you watch the movie you slowly realize "where has this movie been all my life?" And so, I would highly recommend anyone who has Amazon Prime, should stop what they’re doing and watch this great movie from beginning to the very end and if you don't have Prime or can't afford it you can also find the movie on YouTube just look up the title and you'll find the entire movie for free. In conclusion, yes, this isn’t the greatest films of all time, but this is one of those films I would defiantly rank in my favorite movies to watch, list. Especially when this is a movie about a woman who finally stands up to her bullies and who doesn't love those kinds of films. Moreover, I need to make sure that everyone well, almost everyone sits down and watch this movie all the way through because this movie is just flat out amazing. 

           

Donovan's Reef

 

          After my incredible time watching John Wayne's Hatari I decided to watch another John Wayne classic that's on Amazon Prime along with Hatari as well. Donovan’s Reef is another film like Hatari that has some fun love stories but great comedic performances by Lee Marvin. As a matter of fact, this is another round that John Wayne and Lee Marvin pick off after their duel in The Man who shot Liberty Valance. Speaking of which, Donovan's Reef is both John Wayne and legendary western Director, John Ford's last collaboration together and although it’s a sad fact but could this be in a sense of a Christmas movie to watch this Holiday season? I guess we're going to have to find out. 

          Three World War II Navy Veterans -- Donovan (John Wayne), Doc Dedham (Jack Warden) and Gilhooley (Lee Marvin) -- converge on the French Polynesian island of Haleakaloha and team up to deceive Dedham's prim daughter (Elizabeth Allen), who has just learned of her father's existence and his inherited stock from the company of which she is chairman, and hopes to find just cause to reclaim his shares. Dedham's marriage to an island woman serves further threaten his share in the company.

          I believe I watched this film a bunch of times through the month of March to the point that I almost considered this to me my monthly recommendation, although there's another film I watched where I just need to recommend but will get to that some other time. Though this movie is just a breath of fresh air from both John Wayne and Lee Marvin fighting each other as well as the comedy involved as well as some heartwarming moments that you can't help but love this movie from beginning to the final frame. John Ford explained in his own words that this film would be "a spoof picture -- a whammy crazy sort of thing. We're not going for any prizes", and I would imagine even at Ford's old age, speaking of Ford's age, during the mid-sixties he was in fact suffering from health and the duke became an assistant director on set, mostly setting up equipment and checking dallies each day. More importantly I think, Ford knew that this was going to be his last collaborations with Wayne for good reasons, Ford was going through his last and final couple of years due to health concerns and creative differences with Wayne, one of them was during this movie where the Duke felt a little uncomfortable romancing a woman twenty years between his age though again if it were me I would simply tell the Duke "have you seen Lolita?, Go watch that movie right now and tell me you feel uncomfortable romancing a woman whose 34 years of age", though with this movie they both realized it was going to be the last dance so why not make this the best movie possible. Now when it comes to a John Wayne movie, The Duke is simply the greatest, I mean the man can do both drama as well as action as well as romantic comedies but more importantly he's really funny onscreen so, look as a big fan of the Duke there's really nothing to say the man is a legend that can do anything as an actor for which is a reason why he's an Icon. Now when it comes to Lee Marvin, granted I haven't seen a whole lot of his films but I can say with this movie he's flat out funny and this was his second round with Ford, moreover told Marvin about the movie he was going to make, he told him it didn't matter what the movie was about just simply said that it's going to be a good excuse for the cast and crew to have a free holiday in Hawaii, and with Marvin he's playing the best friend to Wayne for which is weird because their last round they were against each other and now their bro's, but more importantly this movie shows that Marvin can do comedy instead of playing a great antagonist like Liberty Vallance and again both him and Wayne play off each other so well, that there were times I almost though is certain scenes with Marvin that I thought the man was drunk, and the interesting fact both him and Wayne actually went on a drinking binge out in Hawaii together. Now I don't know how that fiasco would turn out but I would imagine Ford's perspective, he'd probably have that typical phone call but instead of him picking them up he called the duke’s son Patrick Wayne to pick them up. No, they basically rescheduled until he got sober, but if I were Ford, I would just call Pat and tell him to pick up Dad and Marvin because they’re at a bar not feeling well. Elizabeth Allen I don't know a whole lot about but, she certainly steal the whole movie as the daughter and love interest to the Duke, for many reasons she starts off as a huge stickler but through the course of the movie she begins to blossom in loving the island as well as getting the chance to know her father and also falling in love with the Duke and who doesn't want to fall in love with him, hell if I were a woman I would totally audition to be the Duke's love interest. To clarify if this stands as a Christmas movie and yes, I will consider this film to be in the spirit of Christmas, and sure all of you can share a different point of view but last year in Nebraska we didn't have any snow in Christmas time we just had fog. But all jokes aside, this film does have a lot of Holiday cheer of a stranded daughter meeting her father for the first time, as well as realizing she has a young bother and sisters moreover she finds love so, if that doesn't give you Holiday cheer, I don't know what does. So, for me I'm defiantly watching this on the month of December this film provided a ton of great comedic humor from both Wayne and Marvin as well as I have a great uplifting story of a woman not knowing her father but then starting a new life with a brand new family which that's something special to see even with Ford at the helm of directing. So, last I checked the film is still on Amazon Prime and you can watch this film on YouTube for free, though I'll let you all be the judge of this film being a contender for a Christmas film but for me I would highly recommend watching this film even if you haven't seen this film as well as being a fan of The Duke's filmography.