The Righteous Gemstones

 

                                   I don't much go for anything that consist of Danny McBride mainly because majority of his work consist of him playing the same douche/dumb ass cliché person out there, well I take it back because I did love Alien Covenant mainly since its directed by a professional director like Sir Ridley Scott. But since we're living in mad, mad world, and was given access to HBO Max furthermore his, I figured what the hell might as well make the use of it. speaking of Hellfire and Brimstone Danny McBride's latest creation The Righteous Gemstones is surprisingly pretty good considering it's about televangelist family that cares more about their personal lifestyle than others. But, is somewhat the religious Walt Disney in which builds an empire in their name, kind of Jimmy Swaggart/Walt Disney. And I usually don't say this a lot, but this is hands down McBride's best work. Now I hope I don't say that in futures to come but will just have to wait and see. 

                                 The series centers around The Gemstones led by Dr. Eli Gemstone (John Goodman) a televangelist whose created a huge empire of gospel preachers, which I'm still stating it's like Jimmy Swaggart and Walt Disney created the Gemstones, in a secret lab. After his wife dies Eli has been trying to fill that void in hopes of his children can do that, but unfortunately his kids are spoiled and downright egotistical. All that changes when Eli's oldest son is being blackmailed and a long-lost brother in law (Walter Goggins) comes into the family's lives. Though when it comes to this family what can possibly go wrong?

                                 I had to re-watch the first episode with an associate of mine and he enjoyed it, and the only reason I did this because I wasn't quite sure how to make of this. Now that I got through all the first season I must say and hopefully this will be the last time I say this personally, but this was McBride’s best work. One of the reasons why this show is intriguing to me is well, it's about horrible people who use the fame and fortune in order to be a million dollar franchise this going back to Disney Company furthermore they also proclaim themselves higher being's and yet don't look at themselves in the mirror. Moreover, I must admit it's fun to watch horrible people trying to survive in a famous lifestyle. John Goodman as always does a great job playing the religious Don Corleone of the family keeping the children at check moreover feeling lost in terms of not having his wife around and Goodman’s a St. Louis Cardinals fan so anything he does I’ll give a chance in watching, well except for Rosanne and the other spinoff shows. Both of the kids (Danny McBride, Adam Devine and Edi Patterson) do a fantastic job playing so spoiled and cruel but strangely enough you kind of relate to them for most purposes is that they both bicker and fight furthermore are immature sometimes but deep down they love each other and will always help one another out. I do have to admit I was impressed with McBride's performance aside from him creating this fascinating show, but I have to say I love the fact that he plays a man who's a bit cruel sometimes, also thinking he's better than himself, but also kind of on the dumb side to be honest because there were amusing parts in which I think he's way late with the generation furthermore being a bit way to stuck in the eighties I guess. Goggins does good work as well playing a deceitful brother in law who hold a grudge with Goodman's character, and let’s be honest the man was born in Alabama so him playing a Southern man is always his best work. What I find most impressive with the show is that there moments where you'd think oh okay they settle it all in the first episode but after end of the first episode they real do good in making you come back for more. The other thing I found to be a nice touch was the fact that each member of the Gemstone family has a come to Jesus moment and I personally thought that was a great idea because as much as I enjoy seeing the family be terrible to everyone around them I also love the fact that they actually get a good glimpse of the mirror and see what monsters they've become. Unlike Scarlet O'Hara WHOSE A STONE COLD B***H THROUGH OUT THE ENTIRE F**KING MOVIE OF GONE WITH THE WIND AND DOESN'T EVEN HAVE ONE SENSE OF REALIZATION OF WHAT A TERRIBLE PERSON SHE'S BECOME MOREOVER TOOK TWO AND A HALF HOURS OF MY LIFE. AND I WILL NEVER GET THOSE PRECIOUS HOURS BACK. Sorry I had to get that out of my system I just the thought of watching two and a half hours of Gone with the Wind and just listening to O'Hara b***h and complain just haunts me to this very day, which is why I advise you all to stay away from a terrible movie like Gone with the Wind. Okay, getting back on track, I highly recommend watching this show although there's quite of bit of men's packages throughout the show, which is why I was blinded sometimes. So, you can get through that disturbance then you'll be okay. But seriousness a side, this was a great show coming out of the mind of Danny McBride, furthermore, am looking forward to season two if it ever comes soon. And if you’re a fan of McBride's work than this will defiantly be a show for you. 

     

10 year Anniversary of Immortals

 

                            Ten years ago, the film that made Henry Cavil aka Superman, aka The Witcher a household name. That film was Immortals a Greek Mythology movie were Greek Mythos where nearly hitting the brink of destruction although this wasn't the reason why but this film at the time had some potential in a sense. I've seen this film in the theaters for which, why I went to it was, well because Cavil was reported to play Superman, so I must see this and so how does this film rank up now? Well, to be honest the film itself was not all bad but at least better than the 2010 and 1981 version of Clash of the Titans. Now don't get me wrong it does have some flaws moreover some moments where it could have been better and lastly has Stephan Dorff who consistently tries to have a career, but his talking fails miserably when opens his mouth. But on the bright side this has Mickey Rourke playing the bad guy in the movie which is convenient despite the fact that he was in the Wrestler two years prior to this film's release so obviously he brings wrestling fighting style when he takes on The Witcher. So, without further ado let’s talk and see if Immortals was as good as I or yourselves remember it.

                            The film is loosely based on Theseus (Henry Cavil) who fought the mighty Minotaur. After his mother is brutally murdered by King Hyperion (Mickey Rourke), Theseus goes on a quest that will change the very course of history when it is revealed to him that he was chosen or mentored by Zeus (Luke Evans and John Hurt who plays mortal version of Zeus). Accompanied by an Oracle (Freda Pinto) who can for see the future. Theseus leads the people of Greece to stand and protect Mount Tartarus or else Hyperion will unleash the Titans and bring Chaos upon the world.

                            Now before you call me out on this yes I know this film came out in November but since where living in a screwed up world, all thanks to the American Government I honestly don't have anything to talk about so I guess sorry but not that sorry. I got to say, I don't honestly remember my views ten years ago though honestly the film is okay-ish but there were mostly moments and visions I can't take much serious when it comes to the whole movie, plus its story as well. And I'll start with the story, the whole concept of a mad man taking revenge on the Greek Gods because his prayers weren't answered to save his family that whole concept for the antagonist I get, moreover Zeus's point of view of never interfering with mankind though he guides a demigod like Theseus to be a skilled warrior and a leader through mortal form that I get as well, but if he for saw the events of Hyperion trying to destroy mankind also the Gods themselves then why didn't he just summoned the assistance of other demigods like Hercules, Cadmus or even Perseus to help our main demigod since were telling a fantasy story why not just break a few rules and having a few demigods join forces to stop the mad man from destroying the world. For many reason's I'd rather prefer that concept than having to listen to Stephan Dorff talking, I mean holy crap there were times when I just wanted to shout at my TV "SHUT UP STEPHAN DORFF", I'm sorry but there was a time I view him as a mediocre bad guy and that was after watching Blade. I don't mind a whole lot of the Titans look per say, but the Greek Gods I do kind of have an issue because they all look like there about the same age especially when there's a scene between Zeus and Athena even though Zeus is talking to his own daughter who looks the same age as he is. I mean sure you can argue that the Greek Gods are supposed to be perfectly good looking but really you can at least make them different in a sense like at least for example have Zeus and Poseidon have at least a grow a beard for the presence that they're both brothers and they're also the origins of Olympus, Ares another great example since he's the God of War he can always have like a battle scar furthermore he also has post dramatic stress, but on the other hand Ares would also make a good antagonist as well instead of just writing a fictionalized mad King or Ares can also influence Mickey Rourke's character in mortal form as well. The other thing that I kind of feel confused nor don't understand is the whole battle sequence between the Gods and Titans is there's very few Gods taking on the Titans moreover it would of been in interesting fight if you had Hermes involved because he can use his speed to run over these Titans one by one, speaking of very few Gods they didn't have Hades involved and personally he come down and summon spirits of lost warrior's but I guess the only explanation I can think of is budgetary reasons which I don't know how that can make any sense or logic. Furthermore, this is one of those films that I believe could have been done better in terms of story and action sequences despite the fact that this film has already been made ten years ago. Now, I haven't seen the 2010 or 1981 versions of Clash of the Titans in quite a long time though I do have a unique memory of the 2010 version and I can honestly say that Immortals is a better movie than the 2010 Clash of the Titans a side of that being a very small complement because this film really has some flaws, but its honestly not all bad I just feel like it could of been made better although more appropriate version of this movie is logged in the forgotten reaches of my brain. Having watched this film for the first time in ten years, I have to admit it's really not all bad Henry Cavil isn't all bad as the protagonist in the movie Luke Evans does a good job as the King of the Gods, the story itself is decent and so is the action sequences, though in my honest opinion this film alone could of been done better. So, this film is in the one dollar bin or the five dollar bin I would recommend picking it up or just rent it on your phone or touch pad, just don't buy it for many reason's it cost fifteen dollars and to me that's expensive for a B-movie like Immortals, but if you’re not adventures I totally understand.         

February Recommendation: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

 

                                  Well its February everyone, to some it's the romantic time of the year via Valentine's Day. To the rest it's just a regular day in the month of February, for which means we don't really care about Valentine's Day because we're all single. Unfortunately, I don't know the best way to recommend a film based on February since it's mostly a romantic type month, but the good news is I'm recommending a good chick flick movie not just those dumb hallmark movies or any of Nicholas Sparks books that have been adapted to cliché like films. No this will be a real chick flick movie. And with that, I present Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, a trippy science fiction-like, romance film developed out of the mind of Charlie Kaufman writer of such films like Being John Malkovich, Adaption and Confessions of a Dangerous Mind. The film stars Jim Carrey before he becomes insane but look it's at least one of his finest acting roles since the Truman Show. Alright, enough talk so without further ado let's talk about Carrey hooking up with a blue haired Kate Winslet.

                                 Heartbroken and distraught, Joel (Jim Carrey) decides to erase memories of his ex-girlfriend Clementine (Kate Winslet) who also went through the same procedure as well. But once undergoing the treatment Joel begins to relive memories of the good times with Clementine and decides to, he doesn't want this anymore and begins to fight it. With what happens in the mind hopefully can be remembered.

                                 I have watched this movie before, but just so all of you know I had to re-watch film to be sure that this would be my recommendation for this month. And I got to say that this was one of the most complexed films I've seen to date, mainly because Charlie Kaufman stated that he really doesn't use a whole lot of CGI when it comes to his movies but some of the shots in the movie, I believe they had to, in some cases. But behind the whole complexities of making a film like this, there a real theme to be learned in life that I think everyone needs learn from, and that's basically sure we've all had those moments in life where we want to forget the person that hurt us but you can't think of always the bad stuff you always got to remember the good times you had with that person even if they didn't go the way you think. Furthermore, that's in important lesson to learn, and not even Nicholas Sparks or any dumb Hallmark movie would ever use because let's face it their films would just have the same Romeo and Juliet type cliché in which they don't learn a lesson at all. Jim Carrey has always through the course of his career proved that he can do drama and not just be a comedic actor his whole life and this film I believe this is one of his finest works since the Truman Show, and I'll say it many times if I have to he really does a fantastic job showing his emotions on screen and showing some of his comedic side especially in some of the more trippy scenes where he's trying to hid in the courses of his mind, furthermore yes the man now has lost his bonkers, but deep down some of his drama made films, he really does an exceptional job and though the man never won in Oscar for any of his roles but let’s face it the Oscars are a popularity contest so deep down, WHO CARES. I really don't have much of a whole lot to say about Kate Winslet other than this is probably the only good movie I liked her in for many reason's it has been quite a while since I've seen Titanic and if I do proceed to watch it I might have a different reaction just like Avatar so I think its best I keep it that way till I kind of feel like it. The supporting cast of character's I give huge props for are Frodo aka Elijah Wood and Tom Wilkinson for the reason that, their characters are just horrible people in this movie, for example they both take advantage for the women throughout the movie moreover while watching this I was actually thinking if there was a moment in Middle Earth were Sam walked in on Frodo banging a female hobbit (maybe Sam's girl he's been eyeing through the trilogy) and Sam was asking what's going on here Frodo says he bang her, Sam reply's "you’re supposed to talk to her not have sex with her" then Frodo reply's okay well I did talk to her, then she told me to jug this big glass of tequila/ale, and then she told me to have sex with her". And then Sam and Frodo get into a brawl, okay so I'm sorry for that thought but I just wanted to share that with you because I can moreover, I'm always by myself sometimes and weird thoughts pop in. Okay, so all seriousness a side this is one of the many films I rank as one of the best Romantic/Drama/Comedies of all time moreover Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind I'd rank in the top three of all time as well. Both Carrey and Winslet have great chemistry together, on screen the supporting cast are also fantastic as well moreover the best visual effects and directing I've ever seen in a romantic film. So to all the couples out there if you’re having a hard time finding a film to watch on Valentine's Day this would defiantly be the peacemaker, and if you’re bored moreover single like I am, this I guess would be a film to watch on a movie night but I leave that up to the single's out there. And closing Happy Valentine's Day.

 

                                          

Too Late for Tears

 

  

                                          There is rare few times I find a movie on YouTube or any streaming services that I honestly look at and just scream at the top of my lungs and say "OMG THAT WAS F**KING AMAZING", well in my random movie night picks this one was obviously the out of the park home run. Too Late for Tears, tells a simple story of how money can make you do the evillest things possible especially if it's a bag full of cash. And I myself don't seem to understand how this amazing well-crafted film isn't recognized by Turner Classic Movies, AFI or the Academy Awards, meaning this was hands down one of the many movies I consider the greatest movies of all time. Hell, I will even go so far and say that this maybe better than No Country for Old Men though I mean no disrespect to the Coen Brothers moreover I haven't seen it in quite a while. But we're going to have to leave that whole story later because now I'm going to tell you what great of a hidden find I found in Too Late for Tears.

                                     After an unknown driver throws a bag of money into a couple’s car things begin to become chaotic when the wife persists on keeping the money by any means necessary. Unfortunately, a mysterious figure shows up and tells the wife that it was his money she took. Now all hell breaks loose when a few begin to realize what the wife is planning to do with all the loose cash.

                                      I think what I love most about film noir's is that they impose a lot of psychologic elements to the story they really dive deep into what the person's drive furthermore their personal needs to survive, and what makes this great is through the course of the story you get to see some of the characters true colors, but then you also on the other hand see characters you don't know about nor no their background but then you proceed to understand who they are when your reminded a tiny bit of clue on who that person truly is. And so that's one of the many reason's as to why I love film noir is of its many surprises moreover the twists and turns they included, for which is way better pay off's than a M. Night Shyamalan movie. Lizabeth Scott does a great job in this film (now bear with me when I try not to spoil this film because I want you all to watch this) and I completely forgot the fact that she was also in another film which stared Barbra Stanwyck and Kirk Douglas, but that's for another time. Now back to this film, what I like most about Scott's performance in this film is that she first starts out as just a simple loving wife whose married to Arthur Kennedy (no not related to any of the Kennedy's, hopefully) but she begins to shed a different light when her character discovers the bag of money then slowly becomes a different person once you get to know her more, and to me that's really fascinating because one, its character development and two in on person/character slowly turning into a monster or being pushed into madness. Also, I love the idea where the beautiful/gorgeous female becomes the antagonist of the movie and I do wish they have more of that idea for modern day films like a slasher film or maybe a blackmailer type of a film because I'm a firm believer in that women can be villain's too if the story is good enough and right enough as well, just not movies like Obsessed with Beyonce and Ali Larter or, actually that's they only film I can think of so far but feel free to quote me on another film noir where the woman is the antagonist. Don Deforce I'm not quite familiar with moreover haven't seen any of his films if I remember right but him in this film does a great job as well playing the unknown stranger that comes in on the scene until the very end when we see his true purpose as to why he's involved so that's at least another good plus, I can give credit for and I apologize to anyone if I haven't seen any of his work, although I may have I just don't remember. What I'm madder at is the fact that this film has not been appreciative by anyone in the AFI list or Turner Classic Movies and I found this on YouTube for all things wrong about the world and yet I thought this was an amazing movie. But what really pisses me off, especially when it comes to the AFI is that this amazingly well-crafted movie isn't on the top 100 list but the Sixth Sense is? Though granted I haven't seen the Sixth Sense in a while but its Shyamalan, his films now are really on the crap side of things.  So, look bottom line if you’re looking for a film to watch on random movie night this is one of those movies you defiantly need to watch, this is everything I want in a Film Noir and it will keep you on the edge of your seat till the final frame.

                                    

WandaVision: First Two Episodes Review

 

                           Well, Phase Four of Marvel Cinematic Universe has commenced. And? Okay I'm not going to lie about WandaVision, I was totally lost after watching the first two episodes, meaning I don't quite understand what I was watching really. Like I guess this is some sort of traveling back to old retro TV's sitcoms with a blend of Westworld. But what bothers me is what is the point to this whole lunacy, why can't we just turn waste so much money one a pointless show that's only going be one season on Disney+, when you could simply just put this a full-fledged movie on Disney+. Although in the end I'm not going to get any of these answers, so I'm going to try and explain in the best of my abilities the idea that is WandaVision.

                               Set after the events of Avengers: Endgame. Both Wanda and Vision (Elisabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany) have somehow are trapped in a world that doesn't seem to be real. Although they don't feel something's wrong but the slowly begin to see strange things. Now in futures to come who knows what could happen.

                               And so that was my explanation on what WandaVision is so far, furthermore it was just too hard to binge watch this show because I was literally in overload mode when it came to so many questions in terms of what the hell is going on. Even I can't understand why everyone thinks this show is amazing all because they did a fantastic job with paying tribute to the past sitcoms. Which is fine I guess, but at least give me something that the world is Wanda and Vision are living in is completely fake, or at least have Kevin Feige make a cameo saying that he hates it or something. The only theory I can come up with how Vison came back from the dead, was that he's in purgatory for which explains why he's in this strange world of TV Land, and if that's the case then he must of had a terrible deal in order to be in that kind of purgatory moreover if that's what purgatory is then kill me five thousand times over. Now, if you want me to tell you if this is binge worthy? Then the answer is most certainly no, just take my advice and wait till March fifth when the finale comes out because this show will probably hurt your brain in more ways than you can possibly imagine moreover goes for me as well, because I'm going to do the same and take my time to watch one episode at a time, for many reasons I think this show was a waste of money and should of been used for movie purposes than a show for Disney+.  

January Recommendation: The Rocket-The Legend of Rocket Richard

 

                        Well it's the new year ladies and gentlemen and no the year that shall not be named will never be talked about nor ever will me mentioned about at all, so let's just leave it at that because well I don't even want to mention last year. But, hey it's a new and hopefully a better year so it's time for a monthly recommendation, and luckily since it's the beginning of NHL (Hockey Time) this month I figured what better way to start of the new year than to recommend a Hockey film that no one has pretty much ever seen in their life time well, other than the citizens of Quebec, Canada has, but I'm not quite sure if anyone else had the pleasure in seeing either. The film I'm recommending this year is called The Rocket: The Legend of Rocket Richard, and if you think Hockey is barbaric when it comes to the fighting they have, well ponder that thought when you watch a film like this when in the Original Six era (1942-67) for many reason's these guys were crazy mother f**kers, and I don't want to get into any further detail other than to say no goalies at that time were wearing any masks and none of the players were wearing any helmets, and so I'll just leave it at that. So, anyway let's talk about my January recommendation to start of the New Year.

                          The film itself is a biopic of Montreal Canadians superstar Maurice "Rocket" Richard (Roy Dupuis) who rose from the poverty levels in Quebec to becoming the French-Canadian hero in Montreal. The films start with him slowly rising to stardom in the NHL, then taking a stand to the league in recognizing French Canadian players out there.

                          Now how I found this movie I guess it was, in a strange description of fate for many reasons I kind of found this film by accident but in a good way. I was trying to create a list of the top five best Hockey films out there, and suddenly I found a trailer to this film and for some reason it peaked my interest because it has a lot to do with the blue-collar worker becoming a legendary hero in the sport of Hockey. A side from that, Richard played the game at a time were hockey players had to be tough in order to survive, give you a great example Richard's teammate Elmer Lach once had his foot slashed by an opponent’s leather skate, two severed veins were punctured and he's still playing hockey. And people doubted the Rocket especially when it came to his first and second season except for his Coach Dick Irvin who believed he was a special breed of wanting to win furthermore prove people wrong. And I personally have now knowledge of the what the tensions were like in French Canada during the World War II times but I thought the film alone was compelling on so many levels when it comes to telling the story of a Hockey player who became more of a Hero to all Quebeckers and still to this day, and this is probably my forth or maybe fifth viewing of this great film and I'm learning a lot of things every time I sit down and watch the film again. I watched a few documentaries about Maurice Richard and a lot of the historic facts actually happen in the movie as well such as my favorite moment in the film, is when the Canadians play the New York Rangers in New York, a defensemen named Bob Dill is task with trying to stop Maurice with any means necessary and the Rocket was at the point of wanting to fight Dill, but everyone including Dick Irvin was trying to stop Richard because they thought he was going to be hurt and with the whole tension expanding through the film till they meet face to face Richard his Dill with just one punch and Bob Dill goes down moreover everyone including myself was like "oh he's fine, he got this" and I thought that was amazing because I honestly didn't expect that. Roy Dupuis does a fantastic job playing the Rocket furthermore does a great job in really embodying the physical presents of the character moreover does a grand job showing so much of the emotions the real-life Richard burden himself with through his playing career and the attitude that went along with it especially when he went to score goals. Stephen McHattie whom I recognized after watching Watchmen a few years back, does a great job as well playing the real-life Dick Irvin who in a sense becomes the mentor/motivator to push the right buttons on Richard furthermore to be the best at what he can be. I should point out that this film is both a French and English speaking film, so if you don't want to watch this I completely understand, but deep down I this film alone is up there in the best of three Hockey films of all time third among Slap Shot and Miracle, furthermore I believe Maurice "Rocket" Richard's story should be told for generations of Hockey fans out there for many reason's without him we wouldn't have NHL greats like Gordie Howe, Bobby Orr, Super Mario Lemmieux or The Great One aka Wayne Gretzky. And in closing, if you’re a Hockey fan or not but do love a sports movie I would highly recommend this film to start off the New Year of 2021. And GO BLUES.           

John Wick

 

                                   I wasn't really intrigue in wanting to watch John Wick when it first came out mainly because I'm a dog person and I'm not really big in seeing dogs getting killed, so there I said it moreover sue me all you like because I'm the only normal human being out there that cried to Where the Red Fern grows, moreover had a few dogs in my life died so SUCK IT. But with some assistance and assurance that I wouldn't see the dog killing scene, I must say that this without a doubt the most amazing action film I've seen in a long time, moreover a film where they do an amazing job making the protagonist of a film a scary person you'd ever want to cross. And I'm not joking hear after seeing the second Wick film and this one as well, I now officially am never going to make fun of Keanu Reeves acting career ever again, although I don't have any interest in seeing Bill and Ted 3, but I'm still not going to make fun of the man's filmography for many reason's I've seen what he can do in the films and I'm afraid that he's going to come to my apartment and deflate my balls and feed them to his dog. Moreover, I'm just going to leave it at that.

                                   After his wife dies, super assassin, John Wick (Keanu Reeves) receives a parting gift from his wife of a small puppy so he can mourn his wife un-alone. Until a group of house raiders led by a former Russian mobster's son steals his car and kills his puppy. Wick comes out of retirement to take revenge on them setting the course of more than five moves as far as I can see.

                                   Now a side from the puppy being killed for which I believe they don't show it. This is hands down one of the smartest and yet well-crafted action movies ever created. I mean for anyone who wants to make a Batman film, this would defiantly be one of those movies to be influenced by. What I love most about this film is that they took a good time to make the character of John Wick as a scary human being like someone you don't want to meet up in a back ally, which basically him and Batman would be one of those people you would be terrified to meet basically. Although when you come to think about it, that would be amazing to have a team up movie of Batman and John Wick if we can make that happen, hell even I would picture it right now and it would be amazing, in fact I may ponder into writing a screenplay idea for that whole concept, or I guess that would be Deathstroke and Batman when you think about it. Keanu actually does a spectacular job playing a man whose both has compassion but when he is screwed over, he just becomes the destroyer of worlds like even Thanos after destroying half of the planet he finds out he killed his dog and is in sheer terror the moment Wick comes in his door, even the mobster Viggo is scared of him as well when he tells the story about Wick which is amazing, so props Reeves in making this iconic character we all know and love as of now. There's really nothing to say about the action sequences for many reasons they just speak for themselves, like the action sequences are something that just pushes your blood pressure to the max, I mean no doubt you don't need a Rockstar energy drink to watch this because you'd probably go up and down on your own couch yelling at the TV like it was a football game and then the ending you'd probably just smash your own television just for the fun of it. It's hilarious of all the female baddies they chosen Adrianne Palicki to fight Keanu Reeves and to be honest when you’re in a terrible show like Friday Night Lights yeah, you obviously need some work so at least it's sort of a good thing a side from the fact that it really doesn't go well. So, granted I haven't seen a whole lot of Keanu Reeves films but John Wick one and two along with The Matrix would defiantly be in the top three films in my viewpoint when it comes to Keanu Reeves, so if you’re looking for something epic or something to keep you up this would be a film for you.     

The Mandalorian

 

                  With the calamity that was once Episodes VII, VIII, and IX of Star Wars. I believe it's finally a nice thing to have a show like The Mandalorian that gives us a nice value and touch of the Original Trilogy of Star Wars. And yes I know that season two of the Mandalorian has pasted but I don't care because I'm officially doing a special tribute to the greatest Star Wars show that ever lived, and most importantly the only reason to subscribe to Disney+ furthermore as we all know by now is that if you’re a Star Wars fan is to get Disney+, and The Simpsons also let’s not forget the Simpsons. Now if you haven't seen The Mandalorian then shame on you because you have failed miserably at life, because this is going to be in all out, special tribute to the Mandalorian.

SEASON 1

The first season of the Mandalorian I view it as a more of a simple show, that the Execs can look at and give a green light too. On what we see in all new storyline we can expand through the course of the Star Wars universe furthermore introduce new characters and different worlds for which is what you should always do when it comes to Star Wars and thank God, we have both Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni to bring this amazing show to life. What really makes The Mandalorian amazing is that we're focusing not a Jedi, a smuggler or a Republic but more of the most underappreciative characters The Mandalorians whom one of the protagonist is a Bounty Hunter, and really that's a nice way to start a show because as a Star Wars fan myself I always loved Boba Fett (and of course Jango Fett, despite his short introduction) furthermore I was always intrigued of this character whose mysterious and yet cool at the same time. So, with introducing a whole new Mandalorian/bounty hunter I was sold on it the first time I saw the trailer. Moreover on what makes the story and show so compelling is that it’s about a Hunter who lives by a code of honor and suddenly has a change of heart when the bounty he's hunting just happens to be a child (Baby Yoda), for which brings amazing aspect of being able to see the emotions through Mando's helmet in which the voice and somewhat physical appearance of the Mandalorian Pedro Pascal did an amazing job at expressing it while not being on screen. Even the list of actors do a fantastic job as well such as Carl Weathers because let’s face it the man is great in almost everything he does a side from the many memes I've seen where he transitions to Apollo Creed, now I know I'm going to be in the minor because there so called stories about some dumb controversial tweets or rumors, but I loved Gina Carano performance as Cara Dune, I confident in pointing out that she does a fantastic job playing great with her emotions on screen and she still continues to do that throughout season 2, moreover does a great job as always incorporating some of her fighting background with some of the action sequences. Giancarlo Esposito does a fantastic job as always playing the main antagonist of the show, and if I may say he really knows how to play evil in the best way possible, although I wouldn't want to find out why because he may or may not be evil for personal reasons either way I don't want to know how he does it perfectly. I do love the variety of directors they use through the course of the episodes, a side from Favreau and Filoni, but they also use such great talents like Brice Dallas Howard (who surprisingly a great job directing, guessing God given talent coming from her dad aka Ron Howard) and Taika Waititi as well. So, in closing of season 1, in terms of comparisons I don't believe there needs to be any, because this season was supposed to be introducing Mando's world moreover introducing the very western/science fiction aspect of Star Wars that we all know and love.

SEASON 2

The second season of the Mandalorian, we get to see a much broader view of Mando and Grogu's journey and introduce ourselves some recognizable characters and some iconic characters aka BOBA FETT but will get to that portion later. What I loved most about season 2 is that we get to see a much broader father and son bond between Mando and Grogu get a more sense of danger when they continue their journey moreover feel a sense of sadness that this may be the last time, they see each other. Furthermore, I do love the bond they have for one another especially in scenes when it becomes funny as well. Now with this season I do love the fact that we get to see some recognizable character we've seen through the course of both Clone Wars and Rebels most notably Bo Katan and Ashoka Tano, for which Ashoka helps develop the essence of Mando moreover helping him be a good man also a good father figure to Grogu. And I know, that I'm clearly in the minority on this topic but I thought Rosario Dawson did a fantastic job bringing Ashoka to life moreover really embodied the likeness moreover the physicality when it comes to the fighting and emotions when talking about her past. Anyway, back to my other topic Bo Katan helps Mando show him things, he wasn't aware of his whole life moreover reveals things even his clan never told him outside of the galaxy nor any tribes of Mandalorians. Okay now I've waited long enough, LET'S TALK ABOUT HOW AWESOME BOBA FETT'S RETURN WAS AND THE FACT THAT HE'S GETTING HIS OWN SHOW AS WE ALL HOPED HE WOULD. What also makes Boba Fett's return amazing is the fact that we all know of his origins takes to the Prequals (SUCK IT HATERS), also the fact that former Star Wars actor returns to play Boba aka Temuera Morrison, although the late Jeromy Bulloch will always be the Original Boba Fett, Morrison will always be essence of Boba Fett moreover the great one liners as well and yes I'm defiantly one of those people that is looking forward to the Boba Fett show coming in twelve months from now so make sure everyone you get your calendars ready. Now I should say all the amazing things about the fact that Mark Hamill aka Luke Skywalker makes and amazing Emmy award winning cameo appearance but, ah screw it that whole fight between the Dark Troopers was just amazing on so many levels I can barely pronounce my words right, and I don't care if his appearance was CGI because one I'm not a hater and two, it made me happy in ways you can't even imagine, so once again to all overdramatic haters out there I say to you SUCK ON IT, SUCK IT LONG AND SUCK IT HARD. So once again The Mandalorian is hands down the greatest show every created in the Star Wars Universe I truly believe this is something that even George Lucas can be proud of moreover this is without a doubt the greatest space western out there so if you’re feeling bored and in the other stuff Disney+ has it's okay to go back and re-watch season's one through two. So, listen if you’re feeling you don't want to use Disney+ because you’re an adult. Well you probably have children and you have no choice but on the bright side you'll have countless Star Wars shows to binge watch on so now worries.

            So please to everyone if you’re a Star Wars Fan I would highly recommend this show, again greatest show of the twenty-first century right behind The Boys so if you’re a true Star Wars maniac like me then The Mandalorian would be a show for you. And always remember, "This is the Way". 

  

House on Haunted Hill

 

                             I remember seeing a VHS copy of House on Haunted Hill laying in my cousin’s house and at a young age I must admit that was a movie I didn't want to watch because I thought that this was scary on so many levels. Now re-watching this along with the Rifftrax commentary of the MST3K crew (Michael J. Nelson, Kevin Murphy and Bill Corbett) I've now realized that this was a terrible movie from start to finish. Hell, even Psycho was a better scary film than this, aside from that being an understatement. I mean I get the fact that Vincent Price is famous for these cult classics but a movie like this one, has not aged well more like it was the skeleton this whole time then it just assists his own self to a suicide. Now I will go out on a limp and say that Price's best movie so far is is Laura. Although in a foreseeable future, I'll need to talk about that movie but for now let's just talk about the lameness that is House on Haunted Hill.

                            Eccentric, Millionaire Fredrick Loren, along with his fourth wife Annabelle (Carol Ohmart) invites five guests for a party at some estrange House they claim is Haunted. The catch is that whoever stays the night gets ten thousand dollars. Unfortunately, strange things happen around the house for which leads one of the guests feeling hysterical. Now remains the question will they all get out alive for stay in the house forever.

                            Now if you see a man like Vincent Price trying to scare you with spookiness about a house that's clearly not haunted, you'll know that it won't be scary at all. And yet I'm not quite sure if I can rank this as the worst movie ever because in truth, I've seen a lot of movies that were much worse than this one. In honesty my biggest gripe I would have with the movie is Rotten Tomatoes giving this a fresh 88% rating, and I'm sorry but that is something I can't accept because there was nothing scary about this film the Price was overrated moreover just so, cliché when it comes to some of the jump scares especially when he's using this weird contraption like skeleton puppet to lure his unappreciative wife into the vat of acid, and now as a grown man I'm thinking to myself, "Okay? Was this supposed to be scary because there not doing a good job in marketing the scariness more like trying to market something for a short lived tv series, or maybe that was what Price was trying to do but yet decided to make a full-length movie out of it. Okay so now I'm going to talk about this weird relationship between Price's character and Carol Ohmart because to me this is like some sort of 50 shades of Grey thing where they love each other but hate one another physically or whatever the hell that meant, and really watching them act I'm like "look so are you guys going to do each other or not". In fact, I'm almost comparing this to Crimson Peak because that movie as well is not as scary even though Loki and Jessica Chastain haven't even made any updates to the house. Okay, so let's just get down to the point because the more I'm describing the awfulness of this film the more it's not making sense and I'm getting tired just looking at this poster and realizing how I thought this movie looked creepy when it really wasn't, bottom line is that some people would look at films and say that they still live on in age. Well this was a movie that has not aged at all, it was both dumb and lame at the same time moreover if a movie like the guys at MST3K can make fun of it and also make you realize how bad it was well, that's when an atomic bomb has exploded in your brain, so if you’re looking to expand in watching any of Prices films I would highly recommend to stay away from them because you can have your own kid watch these and he/she wouldn't find these scary believe me, I have a nephew who has some scary films and I would believe he wouldn't find this scary. 

   

                                    

Wonder Woman 1984

 

                           

                          Well ladies and gentlemen I finally had the privilege to watch Wonder Woman 1984. Staring Gal Gadot in the title role with Chris Pine as her love interest. And some newcomers like, Kristen Wiig as Cheetah whom surprisingly did a good job though that's does feel weird to say despite the fact that she honestly not funny. And finally the Mandalorian himself Pedro Pascal, or as we all can say "This is the Way". Now I'll admit, watching a lot of the trailers to the film I was a bit on the weary side to it mainly because Chris Pine's return because the last I saw him he was doing a bid of suicide bombing and yet for some reason, he came back all of a sudden though thankfully director Patty Jenkins, whom also directed the last film explained how he return. But that wasn't the only question really there were a ton of questions, but Pine's return that was the biggest question. Now I do love the first Wonder Woman furthermore Gal Gadot will always be my Wonder Woman just like Christian Bale will always be my Batman. Now this film alone is a good movie, but really wasn't as great as the first movie because there were a lot of flaws through out this movie, and luckily we get to talk about those flaws in my review of Wonder Woman 1984. 

                           Set in 1984, Diana aka Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot) still maintaining in keeping the piece but wishes to have the love of her life back. Although Steve Trevor (Chris Pine) mysteriously returns into her life, something strange happens when a strange stone emerges and grants the wishes of both Maxwell Lord (Pedro Pascal) and Barbara Minerva (Kristen Wiig). But Diana comes to realize that the magical stone grants the wishes but they come at a price. Now Diana must race against time to save the world from falling into chaos but is she willing to give up everything to save the entire earth from the end of all humanity. 

                            Okay now this film with out a doubt is a good movie, not as great as the first movie but it's a good movie moreover I apologize if I'm repeating myself here but I just wanted to put that out in case the dumb people call me out in saying I hated this film which I know most dumb people would do. Now that being said this film is a good movie, but there's a lot of flaws in the movie that needs to be addressed, for example it takes a long time for the movie itself to be compelling in the best way possible for many reason's the first act and beginning of the second as is some what hard to watch because really the whole trend of the eighties and Kristen Wiig's performance then the way of how Chris Pine was introduced was just to much to handle moreover I almost felt like going to the bathroom or getting a sandwich and waiting for that to pass the time but once we get to like the ending of the second and third act than things get to the compelling side of OMG. Personally, I don't think it was necessary to have this flashback at the beginning of the film where she's learning a valuable lesson from Robin Wright and Connie Nielson for which she's obviously doesn't in a sense have anything to do with the story itself, though I could be over thinking this so that's just my opinion. Kristen Wiig I sort of hate and love her performance because like the structure of the film itself its very slow but then very compelling at the middle till end, and her performance at the beginning of the film I feel like she's playing the same comedic character as always in which is annoying and I honestly felt like those guys at the beginning of her scene just wanting to leave and get out of there, but then through the midst of the second act she actually becomes a different person and is really amazing to see on screen, and like I said before its really weird to give her a complement like this because in a lot of movies she's staring in I honestly have no interest in seeing but being able to see her do an amazing job of playing the villain in the movie I got to say she actually did a great job but that was like in the midst of the second act and final act. I have no notes in Gal Gadot's performance because as always she does an amazing job as Wonder Woman so I'll just leave it at that. Oh, I almost forgot the to much of eighties trend I thought was way to much mainly because lets face it the eighties weren't as amazing in terms of clothing wise and yeah I going to have to say the clothing, just kind of like the nineties really but hey I still wouldn't mind seeing Kristen Wiig in that black dress again. Oh son of a vondruck, I forgot how Patty Jenkins did a great job in bringing the invisible jet to life (and I apologize for the spoilers), now in my years of witnessing Wonder Woman through cartoons is that you can see her from the outside and I just thought the invisible jet was pointless to have, and being able to see it the way Jenkins portrait it, I have to give her major bonus points because its even better than I have imagined it.  All said and done this film was a good film, not as great as the first one although a good example would be almost like Batman Returns where the film itself was good but not as great as the first film, and yes it does have some flaws but deep down I thought I was enjoyable to watch and at least worth seeing on HBO Max, moreover if you want to take your young daughters to see the film in theaters I would defiantly say its worth seeing in both the theaters and on HBO Max.     

Kiss of the Dragon

 

                          I see bits and pieces of Jet Li's films mainly because majority of his films our modern ones and to be brutally honest there occasionally on the meh to okay-ish side to them from like Romeo must die to that one with DMX. But when I was browsing around, furthermore found Kiss of the Dragon, I said to myself why not I'll give this a chance. Now I don't think that I would want to watch this film again, but I got to say this was admittedly entertaining in terms of the fight sequences and the most satisfying death scene to a bad guy. Granted I don't know if you’re a big fan of Jet Li's films but if you’re trying to find a film to watch and any given movie night this would probably be one of those B-movies I would recommend watching. 

                          During an operation set in Paris goes horribly wrong and a Chinese intelligence agent (Jet Li) becomes a fall guy in this set up. Now one the run the agent helps a prostitute (Bridget Fonda) whom is also in the same situation as he is to stop the crooked constable, before more blood is shed.

                           Now I'll admit the story was not that great, but I think what saves this movie is majority of the fight sequences and I got to admit Li does a great job keeping you on the edge of your seat until the final frame. Furthermore I did a little research and found that majority of the action sequences used very little in terms of wire work and CGI enhancement's, now I don't know what CGI enhancement means but I do remember watching Blade 2 and one fight sequence where there two clips that looked a bid cartoonish, so I guess that's what they’re talking about. The final climax of the film I do say was what makes the film enjoyable to watch because it really does a great job in using a lot of the wide angle camera and really pacing the fights where you get to see how Li uses is brain when it comes to strategize so a lot of using a lot of wide camera angles and less of the short camera angles instead of using way to many quick edits I got to say they did a great job. And finally I save the best for last is the great satisfaction I got when seeing a painful death a bad guy gets, and my word, I got to admit I loved the fact that Ramsey Snow gets what coming to him in Game of Thrones moreover had a boner when I watched the first season of the Punisher, though this one I have to say is up there in the to five favorite deaths by a terrible human being. So deep down, the story is mediocre for which is convenient in all action movies in the pre-2000's but I have to at least give some bonus points for the action sequences. So, if you’re having a rough week and wanting to turn your brain off, then Kiss of the Dragon would be a movie to watch when it comes to refueling your brain. 

          

Freaky

 

     

                     As much of a tremendously bad year this was, I have found my worst movie of the year, though sure this was an intriguing concept I have to say that this was without a doubt three strikes your out type film. Now we've all have seen scary slasher films we know the cliché's like never have sex, don't say you'll be right back because you'll never be back, or no booze or doing drugs. But this film has one to many horror clichés you've pretty much seen them all and personally, as a fan of certain horror films this was just really on the boring side to absolute terrible writing. And yes, I know that Vince Vaughn is in it, but to be honest I've never really was a big fan of his although I though he was entertaining in the film Hacksaw Ridge but that was it. Now ordinarily I would tell you all that you should just stay away from this movie completely and that would be the end of the conversation, but for the good of humanity I think it's best I tell you why you shouldn't pay nor rent this film because let's be honest here there's a lot of dumb people out there and as we all know dumb people do really dumb thinks just as the Adam Sandler or the every idiot who runs the U.S. Government.

                      Bullied High School student, Millie (Kathryn Newton) is attacked by an urban legend, known as the Blissfield Butcher (Vince Vaughn), although the Butcher failed to kill Millie, they both wake up now possessed in the other's bodies. Millie now possessed in the Butcher's body must seek help from her friends while learning about what happened. She comes to learn that the knife she was stabbed with was an ancient ceremonial knife and if not switched back to the right body by midnight they stay in the same body forever.

                      Now I try my best in naming some of the many reason's as to why I consider this one of the worst movies of 2020. As obvious when you've seen a lot of horror films, know all the clichés by heart furthermore know what's going to happen once the scene starts because well, I'm old enough to know that I can probably predict the future when it comes to films. Then you begin to realize that you've seen all these films moreover there's really nothing anything new about them. And to be honest it gets annoying when you watch a film like Freaky and see that the protagonist is bullied a lot and yet something like this happens to her (like switching to another man's body). I mean, horror has been around for quite some time but we as writers and directors can't do anything new or different, now if I did anything different with this movie, I would at least give our protagonist some personality at least maybe stands up to her bullies at least I mean that's something new right? Even some of the jump scares are lame as well, because as I've said before after witnessing a lot of slasher films, you already know what's going to happen. And I'm sorry but I just call that lazy writing on so many levels moreover I would at least try to at least get the audience to jump out of their chair at least. The comedy as well I didn't find funny also, especially when our protagonist is in Vince Vaughn's body make certain jokes about then man's body that even I don't want to speak out loud due to my brain hurting. Probably the one scene I found unnecessary was during the midst of the third act our protagonist (who is in Vaughn's body) admits his/her love for the boy he/she's been stalking all her life and both the boy she's and love with, and Vince Vaughn share a kiss scene. Now I don't know of any language or any that belongs in that certain country or state, but that is completely unnecessary, like it’s a forty or fifty-year-old man kissing a twenty something young man and I'm sorry but no just no I do not wish to see that every again in my life time. So listen, do yourselves a favor and please skip this film especially since it's already out now, moreover I know that you’re trying to find something new to watch this holiday but for the sake of all things humanity watch something else because if I can find something dumb but in a good way I'm okay, but unfortunately this is one of those films that's really dumb but not in the best way.

         

                              

                      

The Five Venoms

 

                          One of my usual late-night movies on Netflix I decided to check out a kung fu film. Luckily for me I was able to say why not, now Bruce Lee's films like Enter the Dragon, Game of Death on Fists of Fury. But this one while watching at least fifteen minutes into I was very intrigued when it comes to showing each of the kung fu, fighting styles on screen for the audience to see. Moreover, I like the fact we're in a sense whose who, when it comes to some of the mysterious characters. Mostly made in the late seventies, this film The Five Venoms does a great job in terms of using the wide-angle lens of the camera and give you a nice way to see how each of the fighting style's but will get to that later, let's talk about this hidden gem on Netflix.

                           A Dying Master sends his last pupil on a mission to keep a watchful eye on his Five students who he bestowed five venom like fighting styles (The Centipede, Snake, Scorpion, Lizard and Toad). But in order to survive the last student must ally with one of the four in order to succeed in his mission. Though for see's that a conspiracy of fortune becomes involved, and the last student to the dying master must find out who to trust in a game of who is who.

                            I know there's a rare few of people who enjoy kung fu films or martial arts epics, but this was really caught my eye in a good way. For many reasons mostly, I think it's a unique genius idea creating a story of who is who and the audience trying to figure out which of the mask man is, and I believe they really pull that off in the best of filmmakers ability moreover I was still on the edge of my seat trying to figure out who were the remaining five were. The other reason why this film is so great is that they use a lot of the wide angle lens to let us see more of each fighting style so we can absorb more of what each fighter can do furthermore I love that they keep the fight sequences going while on the wide lens to make it more compelling and epic at the same time, also what makes these fights mesmerizing is you get to see them in full image not just some quick edits or lame CGI effects where they seem to have high speed fighting styles or look like there for some reason can make those ridiculous jumps. Now I know there a rare few people aren't big on martial arts films, and sure I have my personal favorites from Enter the Dragon to Brotherhood of the Wolf, furthermore I truly understand if you’re not big into these kind of films but if you love martial arts films I would highly recommend watching this great epic it was great to watch put me on the edge of my seat till the final frame. Plus, this film isn't CGI effects or way too many quick edits for which I have to give double points for this film if there not doing any of those annoying elements. 

    

                           

December Recommendation: Remember the Night

 

                              With this screwed up miserable of a year almost ending. I am officially going to FIX the CHRISTMAS MOVIE GENRE. Starting with recommending Christmas film that no one has heard of, yeah that's right I said it this is going to be the year where we as a normal society are throwing away movies like Home Alone, Christmas Vacation, Elf, and finally the horribleness that is A Christmas Story, OH I almost forgot the Jim Carrey's The Grinch that stole Christmas, moreover were going to except that Die Hard is a Christmas movie but that's in article we're going to discuss later. So, get use to these minor changes because my Blog is not about democracy it's dictatorship and I AM THE LAW. Alrighty then, now that we got that minor gripe out of the way let's talk about my December Recommendation, Remember the Night and this film alone helped me get huge deep breath on life, moreover no matter how awful and how screwed up our lives are, especially with a year like this one, I think we should all feel better when someone is showing kindness, especially us as well. Also, with a great message about being kind to one another, the film alone provides a great chick flix storyline for which everyone should enjoy, believe me I was sold on this amazing storyline because of the great chemistry throughout the third act. Anyway, I'm already getting to much into detail so let's talk about this great Christmas film no one has ever had the thought in wanting to watch.

                              Assistant DA Jack Sargeant (Fred MacMurray) is assigned to work on a case about a shoplifter Lee Leander (Barbara Stanwyck) who stole valuable jewelry. While wanting to spend Christmas Sargeant convinces the Judge to cancel the trial till Christmas is over. Although this backfires on him when he overhears that Leander must spend her Christmas in Jail, feeling guilty Sargeant pays for the bail so she doesn't have to stay in Jail, but this begins to backfire when the Bailsmen leaves Leander with Sargeant. With no other option Sargeant decides to take Lee on a long trip back to Indiana to spend Christmas with his folks. Though minor stumps along the way, the two get to know each other well, moreover respect one another. But when Holidays are over the two begin a romantic bond that they begin to question while heading back to New York, that's when they begin to decide what happens in the court room.

                              Now I've honestly said this a thousand time, I do enjoy myself a chick flix movie it’s just a matter of finding one that's not annoying as any of Nicholas Sparks works or any film, you'd find on the Hallmark Channel. And this film, granted I've never seen before furthermore was looking to recommend this December/Holiday season I figured well I have not a whole lot to go on so why not. And I can honestly say that this has officially became my new favorite Christmas movie. Though I was going through a rough day moreover was in a grudge like mood, and this film really gave a huge deep breath and calmed me down, furthermore realized that yes we all have one of those moments where we feel that we're never going to have a nice Christmas or Holiday season moreover predict that its always going to be a miserable time, but deep down we're not the only ones who have problems and really, you can't just judge a book by its cover. And yet when you come to think about it this film really is a true definition of not judging a book by its cover. What makes the film great is that you get to know Stanwyck and MacMurray's character's very well and you get to see who each of them grown and had to survive in harsh environments, and this film really shows that as well, I'm even more impressed with Barbara Stanwyck's performance, for many reasons through the first act we begin to see that she wasn't given a whole lot of love through her childhood and once she meet's Sargeant she begins to be impressed with his kindness than begins to feel blessed when she's shown even more kindness from Sargeants family, than begins to have a change of heart through the midst of the second and third act of the movie. A lot of people fail when it comes to chick flix stories and I think the biggest problem to that is way too much drama and the chemistry between the man and the woman, and both Stanwyck and MacMurray really deliver in the best of their abilities, and sure I loved the fact that MacMurray show's great kindness to Stanwyck's character but I was even rooting more, hoping these two would get together in the end moreover that's what I love about this film is that it lets me get to know the man and woman than gives me plenty of time to decide if these two are right for each other or not. And really, this film alone is great for the Holiday's but also should be a movie lesson to all writers and directors when it comes to making a good love story. So listen if you’re feeling annoyed about the same Christmas movie or even the music for which God forbid we all are. Than I would highly recommend checking this movie out, it really lifts the Christmas spirit moreover it's probably up there in the top five love stories in Cinema. So, in closing I wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy Holidays. 

        

                                      

Black Scorpion

 

                             So, Wonder Woman 1984 is HOPEFULLY coming to theaters on Christmas Day, or if you're feeling lazing and want to watch it on HBO Max, go ahead you bum. But till then I have an amazingly bad movie that EVERYONE defiantly needs to see, and I don't care if you don't like superhero movies, chick-flix or even cheesy horror films. You need to watch this film NOW. Okay, so remember when I talked about a certain show that was so mesmerizingly bad you can't take your eyes off it, well say hello to the TV made film that started it all. That's right everyone Black Scorpion started out as a TV made movie, one Showtime. Although God forbid Roger Corman didn't direct this, but he did have a hand in it, by making this happen. And now after watching the so-called Black Scorpion Begins type movie, I now rank this as my all-time favorite, guilty-pleasure movie of all time and I'm stating the facts now that everyone and I mean everyone needs to see this movie, hell I'll even fight anyone to the death in say that Hallie Berry's Catwoman although I don't know if there are any one out there so I'll just leave it at that. 

                            Now the way I see this movie is really kind of the same origin storyline to Batman Begins. After witnessing her father getting shot by a District Attorney furthermore suspended for police brutality, Detective Darcy Walker (Joan Severance) decides to take the law into her own hands and downs a mask to become Black Scorpion, there in the darkest of nights she begins to uncover a conspiracy that had something to do with her father’s murder.

                             I'll say this a billion times this, is the greatest guilty pleasure I've ever witnessed in my whole life, moreover is pretty much getting me through this miserable year. Basically, the way Corman said it in his own words to writer Craig Nevius, "I wanted to do a female Superman-Spiderman-Batman". Now I honestly don't know if Corman came any close with Superman or Spiderman concept but at least he nailed the Batman part and yet I'm not sure if he ever heard of Wonder Woman either. Now I know that there's really nothing to say, because this film speaks for itself, like this film starts off with Severance's character going undercover as a prostitute in broad daylight, in BROAD DAYLIGHT. And yet I'm thinking to myself "what, what, why?". Now every movie buff or movie critic out there would know that Corman when it comes to making movies whether it’s a high budget movie or a low budget film, he really sucks at doing both when it comes to budget, believe me because I saw a lot of his film on Mystery Science Theater 3000. But so how when it comes to making this, this was so bad on so many levels, but I couldn't look away and really, I though the show would be different but now I understand why this movie somehow looks like a train wreck but a good train wreck because nobody died. Hell even, thirty minutes of the movie it seems like a simply good gritty cop movie but then the next hour it turns upside down and becomes all science fiction when we have some kind of Mr. Freeze knock off, in which I guess, but yet why go back to science fiction side when you were doing so well dark and gritty yet cheesy cop drama? But then again, I shouldn't question it because yes, it's awesome and bad but I just have to many questions. Okay so here is another quote from Roger Corman when he was in search for Joan Severance and this is very interesting when you think about it. "My demands were -- I felt -- not difficult in Hollywood. I wanted an actress who was beautiful and had a great figure. Because we economized on the amount of cloth, we used in the costume... I wanted a tall actress. She does a lot of martial arts. I couldn't have a 5-foot-1 actress beating up all these big guys. So, I wanted a tall, beautiful woman with a good figure, who was a good actress, but I wasn't looking for Meryl Streep, just a good actress. I figured this would be easy in Hollywood. It turned out to be incredibly difficult. I've never seen so many beautiful bad actresses in my life." Now I can agree that both Michelle Lintel and Joan Severance are gorgeous women in playing Black Scorpion but the way he's trying to find a beautiful woman that had great figure confused because you can seriously look for an actress that has beauty and great figure I mean look at Michelle Pfeiffer as Catwoman from Batman Returns or even now with Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow in the MCU films, again there is like three billion women on planet Earth that we all live on three billion, and your telling me it’s hard to find a good actress that's beautiful with good figure? I know, I know I'm asking way too many questions furthermore I'm not questioning Corman's choices in both Joan Severance and Michelle Lintel but when I saw his quote's, just so many questions where just popping through my skull that I need to say, huh? Now look if you've never watched the Batman TV series than I take it this wouldn't be a movie for you but deep down I truly believe that everyone needs to see this mesmerizingly bad film. It’s a really, really, good train wreck and you can find this movie on YouTube moreover you don't have to pay anything so the way I see it that's a win, win deal.

  

Death Race 2000

 

                                Before, the Fast and the Furious became the fast cars and beautiful women genre, there was Death Race 2000. And no, before you say anything dumb and ridiculous, we are absolutely not talking about the Paul W.S. Anderson Death Race. We are officially talking about the 1975 version, the one Roger Corman wanted to develop, while foreseeing the success of RollerBall. Starred David Carradine in the lead role, for which was originally was offered to Peter Fonda but was unavailable. And Sylvester Stallone, who I believe was the turning point of his career because he went on to create the famous movie boxer Rocky. Although I've heard about the movie but never had the chance to see it personally, I got to admit this was really fun/exciting to watch and I know I seem crazy, but I would highly recommend this to anyone whose big on action and science fiction films, mainly by reason of, it’s one of those low budget films that the director Paul Bartel really made it work. Just like filmmakers the late George Romero including the original Night of the Living Dead, George Miller with the first Mad Max film and Robert Rodriguez alongside El Mariachi. So, without further ado let's talk about Death Race 2000.

                                 Set in the year 2000, the United States government is reconstructed into a totalitarian regime after the economic ruin of 79. Each year a cross country road race occurs when five racers, race to be respected among the world, although on catch in order to win running over countless civilians earns them points and whoever makes it to the finish line wins. Though a group of resistance fighters are wanting to put a stop the monstrous sport. But what everyone doesn't know is that the champion Frankenstein (David Carradine) has some plans of his own, unfortunately his rival Machine Gun Joe (Sylvester Stallone) wants to destroy him. For which the question remains who will make it to the finish line alive?

                                 Now call me crazy all you like, but this was one of the most exciting and well-crafted action movies along with Mad Max. Moreover I know everyone will back me up on this but this is a way better storyline than the Hunger Games books series and movies, and I'll happily explain that firstly, they’re both set in a post-apocalyptical world like regime, where the government performs gladiatorial games furthermore sacrifices their own citizens (in short like Ancient Rome or Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union). But what really really makes Death Race 2000 better than the Hunger Games series is that director Paul Bartel and Corman at least end the story with just one film unlike the Hunger Games where they try to squeeze four movies to make more money for which is monstrous moreover inhuman. And sure I can agree in terms of the costumes they use through the course of the film like using Nazi symbols or David Carradine dressing up like some strange gimp, but really this was the budget they had to work with, I mean come on this was before Star Wars put science fiction on the map, so really you can't just say the movie has bizarre and yet strange themes because really it just determines on how much they can use furthermore to work with into putting the story of a regime-like evil, on screen. In my view point on what makes this movie works is that car sequences, because those are full on, real action cars going in dangerous speeds that even I would be terrified for the stuntmen going at that speed, but yet with so little on budget I got to say they really pulled it off when it comes to just using a certain amount of cars for the entire movie and yet pick the right moment to destroy them, furthermore these are real people using real cars going in a dangerous speed, not using any CGI effects that don't look cartoonish so you have to give props for movies like this. I won't say that this movie is better than Ford v. Ferrari and really I don't think any racing movie will ever top Ford v. Ferrari but I will make exceptions that the film itself is better than Ron Howard's Rush in 2013, so really in my top three racing movies it would defiantly be Ford v. Ferrari, Death Race 2000 and Rush. So, if you’re looking for something new and different I would highly recommend Death Race 2000, its surprisingly fun, exciting you get to see David Carradine after the success of Kung Fu moreover a young Sylvester Stallone before he sits down to right the one true movie that rises him to the top of the world, so large this also have a better story line than the Hunger Games for many reasons they just started the movie with telling you who the good and evil is then they end it without any more sequels well, except for the remakes but those don't necessarily count. So, in truth if you are looking for a movie to watch in your spare time, I'd check out Death Race 2000 that is if you’re not a fan of action.

      

                                        

Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile

 

                         When you’re trying to watch one film a day, I guess the best way to do it, is play Eeny, Meany, Miny, Moe game and hopefully you've made a good choice. But with this film about the famous serial killer Ted Bundy, I would kind of in a sense be intrigued but when you realize that High School Musical star Zac Efron is playing Bundy then the intrigue level goes sideways to the point where it just fall flat when you see actors like Haley Joel Osment and Jim Parsons aka Sheldon Cooper in the movie, and I'm not going to lie I was really hoping that Sheldon was channeling is inner Sheldoness and arguing about Efron taking his spot. But will leave those joke in a little bit because I am officailly blown away when I did some Wikipedia searching and found out that Angela Sarafyan aka Clementine from Westworld. Hell, at first, I was like "WHAT ARE YOU KIDDING ME I HARDLY RECOGNIZED HER". But then the whole excitement faze just fades when I see Sheldon Cooper, Osments face and the one actress from the Mortal Instruments movie. So, let’s talk about if this Ted Bundy movie is a hit or a miss.

                          The Story, centers around a single mother Liz Kendall (Lily Collins) as she begins to date law student Ted Bundy (Zac Efron). But her world soon comes crashing down when she slowly begins to discover that Bundy may have committed some strong and monstrous crimes. Now that Bundy is in Jail trying to fight for his freedom does, he really tells the truth or is he trying to create more chaos wherever he goes.

                           I'm not going to lie Zac Efron's performance was okay but to be brutally honest I didn't see it as a game changing performance of a life time it was just a man who had a temper tantrum, who in his own bizarre mind is innocent. I mean sure you can show me real life footage of the real life Ted Bundy with the exact same thing Efron did, but to be honest I still don't see it as a great performance at all, part of the problem really in my eyes is that I have to at least see him commit these murders to actually believe in his craziness furthermore his insanity and yet they don't really show that, they just show a killer going to court through the course of the film moreover him escaping as well. So bottom line this was still a terrible performance out of Efron hell even Glenn Howerton (It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia) would have made a better Ted Bundy than Efron. The main problem I had with the film was the choice of actors in the film, and yes we've already addressed Efron as Bundy but we also have a list of actors like Haley Joel Osment and Jim Parsons, for which brings the problem of using type cast actors for which is really on the annoying side, furthermore if you’re making a movie that's on a serious side for about a hundred percent of the movie, make sure you have actors who can take this movie serious don't ever have actors you recognized from television or past films we remember growing up and really any person who thinks that Parsons can do drama is a serious idiot or have no brain at all, because while I was watching his scenes I was hoping Parsons and Efron were going to have an argument about Efron being in Parsons spot or having unnecessary debates on nerd culture. But no, we don't get that which is sad for me personally, now Osment well all I can say for that guy is that he at least tried his best and the man does need to pay the bills so I don't know he can get in out of jail free card. The way personally on how I would make this film better is that I would cast professional actors to play these characters so we as an audience can care about them moreover try to understand the motivation on why their struggling through the events of Bundy's trial. The other thing is at least focus more on Bundy's insanity and what makes him tick, also at least show him killing someone because deep down we all know he committed these crimes at least show them to the audiences so we can see what and why the man is a psychopath. So look if your wanting to find something different to watch on Netflix I wouldn't want to watch this, never in a million years and yes I'm sure that everyone will praise Efron’s performance, there was absolutely no praise I can give from his performance other than playing a grown man with a huge temper tantrum who doesn't even look scary at all.