June Recommendation: Hell or High Water

                      

                         I'm starting to run out of ideas to recommend, I guess the only way to describe it is that I have critic block or I don't feel like it. But luckily one movie I truly recommend is still on Netflix and to be honest if there's any movie I would recommend this summer it would be Hell or High Water. A fantastic modern western really that takes a big look on the modern world, and the idea that its about two brothers who are trying to save their mothers ranch by robbing the banks of the people who happen to own that piece of land is truly an amazing touch to add and yet I still don't understand why this film didn't win any awards at the Oscars for 2016. Moreover the film itself has some great list of actors along with Jeff Bridges, Chris Pine and Ben Foster, so you really can't go wrong with these performances in this great western tale about not having your own follow in the same footsteps as you have.
                          Toby (Chris Pine) is a divorced father who's trying to make a better life for his son. His brother Tanner (Ben Foster) is an ex-convict with a short temper and a loose trigger finger. Together, they plan a series of heists against the bank that's about to foreclose on their family ranch. Standing in their way is Marcus, a Texas Ranger (Jeff Bridges) who's only weeks away from retirement. As the siblings plot their final robbery, they must also prepare for a showdown with a crafty lawman that’s not ready to ride off into the sunset.
                           Why I like this movie so much mainly its written by the same guy Taylor Sheridan who also written and directed by Wind River, so there's another movie you defiantly need to watch. But what makes this movie amazing is that its about being poor all your life and being able to do whatever it took make a better life for your own kin and not letting them follow in the same footsteps as you've walk in furthermore the decision's you made along the way. Moreover what's not to love about two brothers sticking it to Bank that's trying to foreclose your own home? Now I'm not saying all of the characters in the movie are good in the way people think, but if I had to pick the true villain in this movie it would be Jeff Bridges character mainly reason's why is that he embodies everything about doing things by the book and always looking down on people and judging them for having done the wrong things and not letting them go, and the best way to describe his character is that in one scene he interrogating a waitress who seen and talked to Chris Pine's character and mentions that he left a good two hundred bucks for a tip and Bridges character says he needs that money for evidence but the waitress says no and still says no because she's using that for her own kids, and I think that what describes his character is that he's more about the law than trying to make a living that people in the state of Texas are still trying to struggle on making. Chris Pine to me is the protagonist in the movie the same with Ben Foster, even though there both different in their own motives, Pine's character is really driven in making a better life for his two sons making sure that they don't follow in the same footsteps as he made, and if you don't believe that's what makes a good father then I don't know what is. Ben Foster on the other hand is an ex-convict with a huge but mild temper though with all his major flaws he's still able to help his own brother because that's what family does despite being raised the wrong way. Along with some great visual scenery by Ben Mackenzie and with a fantastic screenplay by an amazing writer of Taylor Sheridan comes and amazing movie. And so that's basically the many things why I love this movie and consider it one of the many greatest movies of all time for me, so if you have a Netflix account I would suggest watching it right now.

 

Doom Eternal

                                 Finished this amazing first person shooter game of the recent reinvention to the Doom franchise and I am not going to like easy level kicked my ass, and it wasn't even pretty it was like trying to figure out Shao Kahn out in MK 2011, and still not getting any close to finishing the game, uh so frustrating sometimes. Okay, back to Doom Eternal now a side from the difficulty in finishing a level furthermore dealing with the pain in the ass demon's with the axe and shield combo oh dear god I do not want to get started with those guy. Now don't get me wrong this was an amazing game from start to finish but all the adrenaline kicking in with the heavy metal music to blur my gaming I was in my own mind thinking "oh I'm sorry is this your friend? Don't worry he died doing what he loved being a dumb f**king demon".
                                 The end of the world is upon us, well for Doom guy that basically smells cooked bacon in the morning. As Doom Guy does what Doom Guy does best, people try to tell him to stop his rampage. Well as Dikembe Mutombo would say "NO, NO, NO, NOT TODAY".
                                  Now to be brutally honest there's no need to describe this games amazingness because really, this game speaks for itself. I am not going lie I had to take my time on this game mainly because of the adrenaline kicking in moreover being scared demons coming from behind me, plus the attention is outstanding specifically when your shooting at the demons, parts of their flesh start to fall out, a side from the blood and gore which is also awesome too. Now I'm going to say this when you start playing this game make sure you start at the easiest level, because the easiest level kicked my ass specially when there's a ton of courses that are on the difficult side of insanity specially when you got demons lurking around. The Demon with the axe that guy is difficult as hell, and I'll explain it in the best possibility when your attacking demons they keep getting closer and when you shoot at them they begin to weaken but when your battling those guys they can block your moves so you have to be in mid range in order to defeat them. Speaking of shooting demons you have to move every time you’re shooting at them and if you try to use strategy your dead so whenever your playing just improvise. The story sounds ridiculous, I mean look why do you need an origin story for Doom Guy because all the guy is about is killing that's it just say the he's was a resurrected from the Crusade and stuff, either way that really doesn't matter because we're all about killing demons inside.   Anyway great game, from start to finish. So if you want to play something new during this pandemic of madness, I would highly recommend this great game to play.  

Hardcore Henry

 

                            Decided to go through my Blu-Ray collection for at least something to watch since, well we're still in a so called lock down. Luckily I found a movie that I still think is awesome after watching it four years ago in the theaters, Hardcore Henry a film that takes first person action to the next level. Russian filmmaker Ilya Naishuller first started the first person camera work while directing majority of his music videos with his Rock Band he does on the side. Then he decided to use his skills to make a movie through the first person perspective using Go-Pro camera's. Now that's what I call a man making it work moreover making something new and different. Even got help from Wanted director Timur Bekmambetov to help finance the movie along with Sharlto Copley in probably one of his best one man performances. And I got to say watching this film again was still amazing to see. I know a lot of people didn't quite understand this film, which explains why it didn't receive a whole lot of respect but honestly I don't care what most people think I consider this as one of the best underrated film of the last decade and also, for a movie that only cost 2 million dollars to make plus made back 16.8 million dollars at the box office that's got to be impressive.
                            Awaken in a mysterious laboratory with no memory of his past, Henry is brought back to life by Estelle (Haley Bennett) who claims to be Henry's wife. All of a sudden Henry's life becomes in danger when a strange mercenary Akan (Danila Kozlovsky) abducts his wife. With the help of complex man named Jimmy (Sharlto Copley) they plan to rescue Henry's wife furthermore destroy Akan's army before its too late.
                            Now when I actually saw the trailer for the first time I was actually intrigued from the look and the idea of a first person action film, plus I'm a man who just wants to see something new and different. And I still think this film is great film from start to finish. And the way they coordinate a lot of the action sequences is really impressive and exciting to watch hell I some times look up those scenes on YouTube and it still amazes me on how they were able to make those shots look good. I think one of my favorite action sequences is where Henry is chasing a guy all of Moscow and the fact that you’re able to look how dangerous some of those stunts look and how creative some of the transitions are sometimes. The fact that the films cost about 2 million is really impressive because I actually thought that the film cost a lot to make but the way they were able to make the film at least 2 million bucks is amazing, hell I can go further and consider it a great low-budget action movie even though I don't know a whole lot of them other than El Mariachi by Robert Rodriguez. Sharlto Copley does an amazing job playing a complex character who in a sense have a dozen or so multiple personalities and the way he's able to go from one side of his character to another is incredible and I got to give him credit to work outside the box, Haley Bennett does good work playing this mysterious woman who you know is the reason for Henry to keep going but you don't know a whole lot about her. It's still strange to me that this film didn't receive a whole lot of respect because I thought the story is solid the action sequences are the most creative aspect I've seen in any other action film to date. All though you can't win all respect from people, furthermore I guess people can't handle to much of the first person experience, but if you haven't seen this film I would strongly suggest watching this film during the pandemic were in now, and I promise you won't be disappointed from beginning till the end.

 

Father's Day Recommendation: Field of Dreams

                  

                   Fathers Day is coming soon and I figured in this time of depression and idiotic lunacy that is happening in the world today I figured, I recommend a film that really puts a smile on all baseball fans face moreover my own father who is a huge St. Louis Cardinals fan furthermore got me into loving this movie. The film I'm referring to is Field of Dreams, this beloved film alone was my first introduction to Kevin Costner and my first tale about Shoeless Joe Jackson and the 1919 Chicago White Sox, and I must say watching this film again brings back great memories. Hell, when I was a kid I used to believe if I looked closer I might see old ballplayers coming out of the cornfield that was next to my once elementary school, I use to think Shoeless Joe was the greatest ballplayer till I realized, I wasn't even alive to watch him play or even seem him, hence he died in 51. When I was in eighth grade I even wrote a speech report about him, so I can go on for hours and hours of how much I loved this movie and still consider it one of the Greatest Baseball films of all time tied with Major League. So to all men and women who have fathers that loved the game of Baseball, I would suggest taking the time this father's day weekend to relive the greatness of Field of Dreams.  

                   Ray Kinsella (Kevin Costner) lives on a farm in Iowa with his wife and daughter, moreover a fan of Baseball past on by his late father. Until Ray begins to hear a mysterious voice he goes on a quest of discovery and perhaps a sense of healing and love for the game of baseball and a nice game of catch. 

                   Hands, down one of the greatest films of all time and frankly one of the best Baseball films tied with Major League. It's kind of amazing how through the course of your life when you watch a film you get to have a different experience, like when I was a kid I always thought you'd see past Ballplayers come out of cornfields. Now when you are all grown up furthermore watch it again for the first time you have a different experience also see a more meaning to the film and the greatness of Baseball, moreover getting a second chance at life and being able to heal and make amends for the past. So when I was a kid my first memory was watching a lot of movies my Mom and Dad grew up on like all Star Wars films 1-6, the Indiana Jones films and a lot of John Wayne films, now I don't have a vague memory of when I sat down and watched Field of Dreams but I do remember my parents either renting the film or taped the movie on VHS and I probably watched it a million times because I would always go out to my nearest elementary school with a ball and bat and see MLB players from the past, unfortunately, that never happened but hey, can't hurt to dream at least and then that became my love of baseball through hearing about how great the 90's Atlanta Braves were until my Dad and brother had to sit me down and say look you're going to root of the Cardinals and you are going to like it. Although that all changed when my Dad took the whole family to St. Louis to watch the Cardinals in 1998, and that pretty much sealed my love for the Cardinals because that was the year I saw Mark McGwire hit his 17 home run, so yeah I said it I still to this day consider Mark McGwire as one of my hero's and if you can't except that well then just SUCK IT. Okay now back to the movie, I still consider this as one of Kevin Costner's greatest roles of all time, I mean he's basically playing a modern-day Noah trying to build a baseball field and all the mid-westerners think he's crazy and really he's the perfect guy to do that moreover for a guy who's born in California he does a great job channeling the mid-west. Now I still to this day consider Ray Liotta as my Joe Jackson even though he's made only two great films of all time this film and Goodfellas. Now I don't know if there's anyway to describe the incredible performance James Earl Jones provides in the films, sure he will always be remembered as Darth Vader, but to me, I always look to him as the Voice of God so when I go and meet my maker I would hear his voice, and really he's the one person in this entire insane asylum I call the world, where he can make the people will come speech, sure I tried to hear Vin Scully's version on YouTube but it's not the same, sorry Bob Costas. So, everyone, I would defiantly consider this to be your weekend film to watch this Saturday and Sunday, mainly in a time of confusion and lunacy that is happening in the world today, we all need a movie to put a smile in our face. And even though there will always be a pain, poverty and injustice in this screwed up world but there will always thank the lord, Kevin Costner and James Earl Jones’s performance and also Field of Dreams. And I dedicate this to all Fathers especially my Father who loved the Cardinals this latest recommendation and to say thank you for getting me into loving the game.

The Eddy

                     Damien Chazelle creator of Whiplash and La La Land co-directs a limited series on Netflix that I really suggest staying away from. But if you’re in need of a binge watch I would highly suggest folding your laundry or sort out your football or baseball card collection. And yes sure I would think people are saying right now that Damien Chazelle can do know wrong when it comes with a series about Jazz music set in Paris but to be honest it's more about the slowness of the show that I'm not particularly fond of, especially when you really don't like the main protagonist as well. but well get to him for sure. But I need to get started and warn all of you why this is a show you should not watch during this pandemic unless you want to die of boredom.
                    Basically the series is set in Paris where it's set in a Jazz club called the Eddy, The owner of the Club is also the creator of the band that sings every night. Though things start to get interesting, when his best friend and co-owner of the club, is in some dangerous water's with the mafia. Though the course of the show consists of a ton of drama though not the best kind plus as we all know in Paris finding love in the not so right but wrong places as well.
                    Now sure the music was great to listen and all, but it's really the characters and the storytelling that I personally have a hard time taking serious. So lets talk about the character's because their the main reason why I don't like about the show, and it's not that their unoriginal but it more that they are all pieces of shit, moreover if your going to give me a series to watch you should at least get me to like them give them a personality that I can look at and say these guys are really fun to watch, but no for one the main character is such in a-hole that I just have a hard time liking and has a lot to do with him not seeking help from everybody pushing everyone aside through the course of seven episodes. Yeah that's right all he does is being a super d*ck through the course of it all and it only takes him till the seventh episode to realize how terrible of a person he is, and I'm sorry but you have to give me at least two to three episodes max to at least like the guy don't take up the whole series to show me how big of a d*ck he can become, then I just loose interest and don't ever want to watch it but granted now that I finished this waste of time I don't ever want to watch this show ever again. Oh I almost forgot about him criticizing his own band for being awful though he can't play because he's has a so called tragic back-story about his own son, now I can understand that in a way, but if your being a d*ck to me than I'm going to be a d*ck right back and tell you to get your a** up there play if your so good. Even the love interest bothers me because she either loves the guy then she hates him, she loves the guy then she hates him, then she decides to leave him which I was hoping she was going to leave, but no she decides to stay and love him, for which I was like aw come on he's never going to change. Though the only character that's developed more and becomes human is the daughter and she gets her sh*t together till at least the third episode, so really all the other characters suck except for her, now I know people have problems I get it but you don't waste my time to watch them become children throughout the entire show moreover a pain in my own a** and I don't even have one. The storytelling is also lame because its in hour long episodes each and I have to hear them be children, like again you have to give some witty dialogue or some interesting characters that I can use otherwise I get bored out of my mind with characters that have problems and I as a viewer don't want to hear peoples problems cause I already have problems of my own that I got do deal with, even the ending was just terrible because it leaves with a bleak ending of us viewers not knowing what happens next and I'm sorry but that's not enough for me if your going to give me a series that bore's me to death I should at least have some closure in the end. I guess all and all when you win an Oscar, you can half a** when it comes to upcoming projects that's basically when it comes to celebrities in Hollywood so thanks America. So listen if your into La La Land or Whiplash I would suggest staying away from this latest creation because you'll be bored out of your own mind like I was.