Barbarian Queen

 

                                           It really started with a night of watching Mystery Science Theater 3000, me and my brother were just watching one episode where Mike Nelson and the Bots are watching Deathstalker and the Warriors from Hell. And after watching that movie we decided to watch another B-movie called Barbarian Queen, which is weird. Although this was a bad but enjoyable movie that has hilarious dubbing moreover the filmmakers are a bunch of sleaze balls that everywhere you turn all the women are completely topless. Though I should add that the film was executive produced by Roger Corman, the king of insanely entertaining B-movies. Staring Lana Clarkson who years later was murdered by Phil Spector moreover appeared in an episode of another Roger Corman show one I talked about three years ago Black Scorpion for which was her final performance before she died.  I have now begun to rethink that all movies that come out every year are nothing but throw away films and slowly turn to the forgotten realm. 

                                           Barbarian woman (Lead by Lana Clarkson) go on a quest for revenge when pagans in black ruin wedding day. 

                                            I now began to rethink that all movies that come out every year are nothing but throw away films and slowly turn to the forgotten realm moreover just getting a buck or just something to profit. And I do remember a fair share of films I've seen in the movie theaters where a good portion of films that come out either in January through March or the mindless action films that come out in the summer blockbuster season there only made just to keep the lights running. Which is fair and understanding but how can these movies make money when they don't make profit in the theaters? And there's so many questions with the system of Hollywood that just doesn't make any sense and Barbarian Queen is a great example of that. In terms of the research, I found Roger Corman wanted to produce a sword and sorcery film to capitalize the success of Conan the Barbarian. Which yeah it makes sense but, if you experienced any of Corman's produced films I can't honestly say if he was going to take the film serious or does not care about the story mainly because the film by itself is an hour and ten minutes long, and I'm not lying when I say it, it's that long and even when it comes to the end it shows that they were just wanting to wrap it up like pronto. Furthermore, when it comes to Corman, where does the money go and how is he able to fund the money to keep the lights running, especially when it comes to his studio company? So, again there are so many questions that are just curious to me because if I was running a company studio, I want my films to be seen not just throw aways that no one will ever see again moreover years later appear on Tubi. But, then you have to realize that the things which makes Barbarian Queen entertaining is that the film is unintentionally funny like the dubbing for a great example, and if you don't know what dubbing is, it's basically if you don't have a boom mic in certain scenes where it's impossible to have a boom mic you go to the studio and dub you're lines and since the film was shot in Argentina I assume majority of the lines had to be dubbed which again that's an assumption so again the films is so forgotten that you can't even find answers on IMBD. The other thing is that the film has so much topless woman that the costumes weren't made to be strong clothing, and the thing is that the beginning of the film starts off with a plunder of woman that just seems wrong but yet I'm like of course this would happen moreover kind of funny because yet again this just so predictable that all the men in the movie are thinking with their balls, and the scene that also gives the movie two stars is that a male torturer is pillaging the queen that it looks like her vagjayjay is demolishing the guys dong and then pushes him into a vat of acid, it's just the little things that just makes it funny. Now, I'm not going to lie when I say this, through the course of the film I begin to hear music from Jesus Christ Superstar and while watching the film I began singing one of the songs from Superstar, which is crazy and funny at the same time. Anyway, this is a film that is not for recommendation but is also a conversation starter for how the system of Hollywood is somewhat in question in terms of how they're able to make a profit especially when it comes to B-Movies that become forgotten hidden treasures.

                                                          

Fletch

 

                                       The last time I watched a Chevy Chase movie was when I realized how much I hated the movie as well as its Christmas sequel. I mean I hated the movie so much that I had to watch Caddyshack that was a billion times better moreover what I thought was Chevy's best and only good performance. That is until I decided to watch another one of his films Fletch, and granted I didn't think much of it other than seeing a trailer to Confess, fletch starring Jon Hamm. Moreover, the original film was on Tubi, so a free movie is better than anything, but most importantly this was another attempt to expand my horizons in terms of finding movies I haven't seen. 

                                    A veritable chameleon, investigative reporter Irwin "Fletch" Fletcher (Chevy Chase) might drive his editor up the wall, but he always produces great pieces for the newspaper. When the next story is about the drug trade taking place on the beach, fletch goes undercover as a homeless man. Unaware of Fletch's identity, a businessman offers Fletch $50,000 to kill him. Intrigued, fletch decides to unearth the full story behind the offer. 

                                     Now I'll say again this was one of those movies I had little expectancy in terms of how good the movie was, like my bar was so low. This was the first time I was surprised by a movie that Chevy Chase movie especially when this movie is a full-on mystery story not just a typical comedic film starring a comedic actor. Though sure the film itself has some comedic moments and Chase does a good job at that, but this was a first time that I see him show off more of a drama performance especially when it came to some of the most serious scenes where I was a little shocked at times. So, this was really the first time while watching this movie I was impressed by Chase's acting abilities when it came to both comedy and drama at the same time. I must admit while researching the movie this was the first time that I heard the character of Fletch is based on a book by Gregory Mcdonald, who wrote numerous mystery adventures revolving on Fletch and now having heard of this I now want to check out some of those books. And it isn't just Chevy Chase's performance that makes the movie great, but you also have some great supporting cast as well, such as Joe Don Baker playing a great bad guy and a great female lead in Dana Wheeler-Nicholson who plays the love interest to Chase's character. For a standalone movie this was a huge surprise for me in terms of how entertaining a good the movie was, and I put this in competition with both Caddyshack and Fletch as the best Chevy Chase movies alone. Although I should add Hot Tub Time Machine but to be fair that's more of a supporting role, so in all actuality Caddyshack and Fletch are both Chevy's best films combined and in all honesty that's really the truth sorry not sorry. Now, having really enjoyed from movie from start to finish, moreover hearing a sequel that has nothing to do with the books I think for now I'm pretty much am going to pass on Fletch, Lives and move over to Confess, Fletch for many reasons if it has nothing to do with the books than it's obviously not going to be great, but more importantly the first film was out of luck that this was or if going to be enjoyable for me but also one or two Chevy Chase's films are pretty much enough for me. So, if you're a big fan of Caddyshack or love Chevy Chase as a SNL alum then I would highly recommend watching Fletch.

    

Meg 2: The Trench

 

                                      

                                     In days of slumber from work I was tasked by my brother to take my nieces and nephew to a movie that they wanted to go and see. For which that movie I grudgingly did not want to go see, and that movie was Meg 2: The Trench. And really this was an uncle, nieces and nephew's night out moreover don't have a whole lot to say because my youngest nephew loves some of the weirdest movies that I never thought she'd ever like but she does. Now before I proceed with my review, I should point out that I haven't seen the first movie for many reasons well, the most obvious reason I don't really want to.

                                     Jonas Taylor (Jason Statham) leads a research team on an exploratory dive into the deepest depths of the ocean. Their voyage spirals into chaos when a malevolent mining operation threatens their mission and forces them into a high-stakes battle for survival.

                                     Now having experienced this time with my niece and nephew, I of coursed learned a lot of form this experience and more importantly will defiantly do this again. I mean sure I'm going to lose out when it comes to kids wanting to see movies like Meg 2, and yes I'll most certainly get some bonus points when it comes to the kids but in all honesty when they get older I'll be forcing them to pay for my food when I pick the movie I want to go see so, that will at least be some sweet petty childish revenge on them or will it? Okay, I'll joke aside in terms of movie itself all I can say is that this is the reason why Jaws is the godfather of all Shark movies as a genre that's completely by itself. Though true I haven't seen the first one but that's because I've seen a lot of previews to shark movies that I look at and think those are without a doubt a complete waste of my time, just one of those genres after the success of Jaws, Hollywood is like "well how can we top that, there must be a why right? Well, what if the dead shark had a baby and that's it that's the story, or what if he goes out on revenge, how about we combine a shark with an octopus, I mean that can work we're Californians we're brain dead". For which to be fair Hollywood producers are brain dead that's why they continue to produce so much crap. Even though I haven't seen the first movie, I can honestly say that the whole premise of this movie is just way too predictable especially when the antagonist in the movie is insanely dumb in wanting to control these huge Sharks it’s like how I hope they all die a horrible death for their insane stupidity. Here's the thing, when it comes to Jason Statham when it comes to his movies a hit at times, but then he also has hard misses, and the Meg movies are like Rick Vaughn's misses in Major League where there are hard misses. I mean when it comes to the Crank films those were so entertaining that I had to stop what I was doing and enjoy the ride but with the Trench, I felt so bored that I'd using a good portion of my bathroom breaks. I did find a disturbing truth that the Meg films we're based on books from the late 90's for which I was beyond surprised, moreover I want to check these books out and see what's the big difference between the movies and the books, for many reasons I can't believe the movies are the same as the books. Of course this movie was not my cup of tea furthermore have no interest in wanting to watch these movies again, but when it comes to my own nieces, nephews and their love of movies I have to watch what they like for many reasons it's there wants not mine and I have to respect that moreover that's an important lesson when being an uncle to three kids, and even though I don't look at this movie the way they do, I will always no questions asked be taking my them to a movie they want to go see even if the movie looks bad and they're driving me nuts because I love them to death.

          

                                       

                                         

Legacy: The True Story of the LA Lakers

 

                                            I don't much write out rare reviews when it comes to documentaries for many reasons I watch them for mostly typing movie reviews I have to get done, working out on my exercise bike, or sorting out and putting away my clothes, though there was something about the new Hulu documentary from Training Day director Antione Fuqua about the rise of Dr. Jerry Buss and his kids buying the LA Lakers for which started the dynasty of the 80's moreover spawned a certain TV show on HBO. Now, I wasn't expecting much out of this show because there was a lot of history I've learned through a ton of documentaries and books I've listen too, but really what made this show moving by the last episode was that it was more about a dysfunctional family running a NBA franchise and some of the stuff I've learned about the Buss family was defiantly moving and a sense that I don't have to worry about how dysfunctional my family is at times for which will get to that.

                                            The rise and unprecedented success of one of the most dominant and iconic franchises in professional sports is told only by the people who lived it.

                                             A side from the first act of the series there really wasn't much to say because I've already know a good portion of what happened in the 80's from again it was sex, drugs and basketball that's basically the best way to describe the Showtime Lakers of the 80's and that's all I know so there's really no need to talk about things I've already known, though in all honesty the business wise was interesting during the 80's because what Jerry Buss was able to accomplish in terms of making money plus promoting the Lakers was very interesting moreover genius in terms of what they were able to get away with especially when it was the eighties and that the economy was blooming at that time, the Buss's really did a good job by taking advantage of that. Then when we got to the ending of Showtime there were a lot of elements I didn't know but found it a little interesting but again that was just meh stories until we got to the Shaq and Kobe era than it got back to the interesting aspects of it moreover Shaq going over to Phil Jackson's house asking him to coach the Lakers and Jackson putting Shaq through a trial of respect that was pretty cool and as a kid growing up in middle school hearing that Phil Jackson was coaching the Lakers I thought was an act of betrayal towards me because I loved Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls along with Phil Jackson they were the greatest team ever and for him to go to the LA Lakers is like Mark McGwire going to the Yankees. But now at the age I'm at now moreover finishing the Last Dance, I really understand Jackson going to the Lakers moreover appreciate him as one of the greatest Basketball coaches of all time furthermore him going to the purple and gold was probably the best decision he's made because he got a new life coaching a team back to the Finals. I will say if there was one basketball player I wished I continue to follow was defiantly Kobe Bryant for many reasons the guy was an exceptional player and during Michael's run as the greatest to ever lived I was kind of resentful of people saying that Kobe is better than Jordan which again is bulls**t and I personally looked at Kobe and the Lakers as kind of enemies but again now into my old age I don't think it's necessarily fair because those guys are complete opposite moreover I had no idea that Jordan looked at Kobe as a younger brother or apprentice that would soon be the next big thing. I’m not going to lie, when I say that I had no idea that Shaq and Kobe had a huge beef against one another moreover hearing that these two wanted to be the main leader and a fight brewing for which broke these guys up, and like I said documentaries like these you learn something's you never knew really happened. Now, the sports history when it comes to the Lakers from 1990 to now is no doubt fascinating but also the business of the franchise between the kids is also fascinating but also moving because when I look at the Buss family and the kids it's like you're typical dysfunctional family where everyone resents one another moreover don't trust another in terms of business transactions and really it does feel like a succession story where you're obviously know that Jerry Buss's kids don't love one another and no doubt he wanted to have get together for which sucks and being the youngest of three yeah it does suck in a way but my mom and dad are more saints compared to his Jerry Buss and his wife. And through the course of the series yeah the kids stories does sound like a NBA version of Succession but once I got to like the last episode and get a twist that I never thought was coming from a mile away that's when I really started to seriously sit down and shut up because that's when you really get to see more that these kids begin to forgive one another especially Jeanie Buss doing what she had to do to own the team, and when Covid happens and you got nowhere to go both of these kids really come together and begin to accept the situations that happens and learn to forgive each other, moreover that really moved me because there are times where I'm annoyed with one of my siblings and now having seen this I really hope in the near future I can re-capture that time I've spent with my siblings instead of seeing the negative aspect of it. Having watched this series moreover thought that Antoine Fuqua did a really good job in bringing this documentary to life and when it comes to documentary style of filmmaking that's a not so simple thing to do, would I be following the Lakers after watching this series, and the answer is very simple HELL NOOOOOOOOOOOOO! I mean no doubt I respect the Laker franchise as a whole just like other iconic franchise in the United States other than Soccer, but no way I would wear any sports team that would consist of anything LA or New York for it's just how it is once the St. Louis Rams left for LA I went back to the Dallas Cowboys now granted I should of went to the Chiefs because Patrick Mahomes is awesome but I already used up my free jump train card once you use that there's no going back, and it's the same with New York and Boston or any East Coast or West Coast teams it's nothing personal it's more of I would think if God put his foot down between each part of the United States, it would be both the east and west coast of the United States. Aside from this being a straightforward series about in NBA team from 1979 to now, it's the same history that I already knew moreover didn't think much of it but the family aspect of the final episode which moved me, is the reason why I'd recommend it. So, if you're a Lakers fan or a Basketball fan I would recommend it, that is if you’re obsessing over Winning Time then, I got nothing hell I had a joke for a moment, but it disappeared.

              

August Recommendation: Sound of Freedom

 

                              Hello everyone as the Governator would say, "I'M BACK". That's right I've been gone on a long three-week vacation doing absolutely nothing though watching movies and playing a little bit of Golf, Chevy Chase style. Throughout the course of my three weeks of hibernation I've decided to expand my horizon in a lot of interesting and surprisingly good films that really challenge my views in ways I couldn't imagine. One film for which I've considered my monthly recommendation for the month of August, is a movie that my parents watched and wanted me to watch as well. Sound of Freedom is a courageous story about one U.S. Agent who embarks on a mission to rescue children from sex traffickers in Columbia. 

                              After rescuing a boy from ruthless child traffickers, a federal agent (Jim Caviezel) learns the boy's sister is still captive and decides to embark on a dangerous mission to save her. With time running out, he quits his job and journey's deep into the Colombian jungle, putting his life on the line to free her from a fate worse than death.

                               I’ve seen a lot of movies for a long time since 2010, more of them are films I enjoyed through the years moreover I'd also watch films that I kind of wanted to have a challenge from bad to good, from worst to one of the greatest films I've ever seen. But Sound of Freedom is considered an Action movie, I must admit it's really something new and different than I've ever seen especially when it comes to a small independent movie. The film itself is based on a true story based on Tim Ballard who started in operation titled Operation Underground Railroad for which taken care of the anti-sex trafficking, and the interesting factor is that Ballard recommended Jim Caviezel after watching the Count of Monte Cristo, for which damn I now have to re-watch that movie because that's another film I've haven't seen in quite a long time. Now getting back to never seeing a different kind of film, when I watched the film for the first time I really thought in my own mind that I would actually see some of these scumbags getting what they deserve moreover hell I was actually hoping they would maybe torture some of them for the their monstrous deeds I'm not going to lie and this film doesn't have that in a sense granted once some of these guys get captured they are showed what their lives are going to be like but in the darkest of things I was kind of hoping we at least have a scene where some of these scumbags go to prison and all of the inmates give death glare's at these new inmates because they know what there convicted of and know they're not going to last. And honestly that's kind of the thing I was going to expect in the movie, and yet we didn't get to see that for which yes it's a little disappointing but then I began to think about it a little bit and the thing was I had to talk to my Mom about it via texting her, and then it just accrued to me that, that's really how Hollywood in a sense kind of transformed my brain a little bit in terms of what I’m going to expect, a great example of that is Taken where Liam Neeson is torturing a sex trafficker or the first season of Big Sky on ABC where one of the protagonist shoots the evil police officer in the head but yet is question for their actions I mean it's one of those things where I expect in a movie like this. And yet I have to realize I need to turn my brain off of things I'm going to expect in movies like this and with Sound of Freedom expecting these cruel people getting what they deserve it's really about the story of man whose reached a breaking point in his job and wants to free these children from the worst acts of human kind, and Jim Caviezel's quest to save these children and bring them back to their dad, and that's the thing that makes Angel Studios such a great start up movie studio because their taking serious in terms of making great Christian media. Furthermore praise the good Lord when it comes to Angel Studios because when the films was completed back in 2018, producer Eduardo Verastegui made a distribution deal with the Latin American subsidiary of 20th Century Fox, though when the studio was bought by Disney the film was shelved until Verastegui and director Alejandro Gomez Monteverde bought the distribution rights back from the Studio and then when to Angel Studios who really saw potential in the movie, and great praises for Angel Studio's because their the one Christian company that actually gives a s**t about story telling the movie itself is an exceptionally great film from start to finish as well as a great suspense film because with the help of Jim Caviezel's performance he really does an exceptional job leading the audience through this dangerous mission of rescuing children from bad people on the planet and what these kids are going with in the movie is just horrifying to imagine. Another actor who gives a great performance is Bill Camp who plays a former cartel accountant turned helper for government officers because his monologue of why he decided to help troubled kids is just amazing moreover you feel for the guy and knowing that it takes a lot to forgive yourself from terrible deeds. From start to finish Sound of Freedom was known doubt a surprising hit of 2023, with great suspense and great acting from Jim Caviezel who let's not forget the man is the best movie Jesus (though Jonathan Roumie is the best TV Jesus), but deep down this is a movie that needs to be seen for many reasons the topic of sex trafficking is in important to discuss because it's everywhere and nobody is doing about it hell it's happening in small unexpected places like Central Nebraska and we don't even know it. So, I would highly recommend watching this film in your selected theaters or when it's released in Blu-Ray and watch the film and most importantly for those who've watched a ton of movies like me pretend you haven't seen a movie like Sound of Freedom.