Log: week 52 / 2024
Even though this film is set in the future, I don't think there's much sci-fi to be found here. It's more like a fantasy film with a similar premise as The American Astronaut. While that film is intriguing and beautifully stylized, Zardoz is an absolute cheese-fest that's funny for all the wrong reasons. I'm guessing Sean Connery probably doesn't want to be reminded of this part, the costumes and world-building are hilarious(ly bad) and the film is a mix of passable ideas gone horrifically wrong. It's an amusing train wreck, and it did keep me engaged throughout, but I wouldn't call it anywhere near good.Read all
A live performance that was altered to become a movie. That probably explains why the film is quite dialogue-heavy, a bit too much if you ask me. It would've been nicer if they'd spent a bit more time on world-building, but considering the limited budget of the production they did a fair job. I appreciated the maximalist take but would've preferred it if they'd doubled down on it. There are some nice visual effects and the score is proper, but it never goes completely wild. The premise is interesting enough and there's a real gem hidden away in there, it just lacks the little extra energy and passion you'd expect from a film like this.Read all
I didn't like the original Gladiator one bit, but this film is definitely worse. My main gripe is that it could've been released in 2001 and nobody would've noticed the difference. It's like the last 24 years of cinema never even happened, and Scott just made an alternate version of his 2000 success. It's no surprise then that this sequel won't be remembered in the same way. The story is predictable, the drama is cheesy and I couldn't care less about the setting. There's not enough material to fill 2.5 hours so the film feels stretched and lump. Not a day has passed and I'm already having a hard time separating both films. Yuck.Read all
It's one thing when TV shows make a movie spin-off where the film is little more than an extended episode, but this film is just two completely separate episodes tacked together. There's some fun to be had here, but the entire second hour could've been scrapped, while the first hour should've been fleshed out more. The performances aren't too bad and the setup of the first half is fun. The film can't quite hide its TV roots though and while both episodes have merit, the combination makes zero sense. I guess this is mostly for the fans of the series, but even then they could've put a bit more effort into it.Read all
Another famous classic reworked (or reimagined) as a contemporary streamer flick. The concept hasn't changed too much (in a remote inn, a whole bunch of different people gather, each on a mission of their own), this film throws in a few more fantasy elements though, which spreads out the focus. The CG is a little problematic and the plot isn't all that interesting, but the setting is lush and there are some fun action sequences. The usual drama that builds up between the different people there is also amusing, but the film isn't quite as good as its 90s counterpart. Still a lot of fun though, if you like this type of thing.Read all
A tense, concise film by Schumacher. I often appreciate these single-location films and Phone Booth is no exception. It sounds crazy that 90% of the entire film is set in a single phone booth, but it's not the first time that limitations forced directors to be a bit more creative with their filmmaking. Farrell is perfect as the shifty guy stuck in the booth, Sutherland's voice work is equally tense as the guy on the other side of the phone. The cinematography and editing are pleasant, the build-up of tension is what it needs to be and the finale, while a little predictable, is gratifying. Good cinema, just not quite as special as it used to feel.Read all
Rolf de Heer is an interesting one. Bad Boy Bubby comes with an outlandish, dark premise, then slowly turns it around into a weird feel-good movie. It's been described as a twisted take on Forrest Gump and that's spot on. I really dug the first half, but the film kind of lost me during the second part. Nicholas Hope does a tremendous job, and Claire Benito is excellent as Bubby's mother. But once Bubby escapes into the real world the film becomes hit-and-miss. The story becomes episodic and not all the characters and adventures are equally fun. Still, if you're looking for something odd, this one won't disappoint.Read all
Not the first Japanese drama to dismantle the "happy family unit". Blossoms Bloom does so through the onset of dementia of the grandfather, but it gets a little too cheesy and sentimental in places to make a real impact. While there are some sweet and genuine moments scattered throughout, the film sometimes crosses the line of good taste. The performances are solid and the presentation is nice, though not the most refined. The mix of light and deep drama could've used a bit of extra work and the ending is a bit too easy, but all in all, this was a pleasant enough drama. It's not the most remarkable film, but if you're coming from Hollywood dramas this'll offer a nice transition into the Japanese drama niche.Read all
This used to be an old favorite and while still amusing, I can't but admit that the film has lost quite a bit of its shine over the years. There's still some cheesy fun to be had, but the scenes with the spiders are a tad underwhelming, and unless you share the lead's arachnophobia I can't see how this film will put you on the edge of your seat. The setup is long and the finale is too short. It's the middle part that is by far the most amusing, but the kills are relatively generic and a slew of famous B-actors fails to hit the right amount of tongue-in-cheek (Goodman excluded). There are some memorable moments, but overall I remembered this to be better.Read all
A promotional film for some or other Japanese idol group. I'm not familiar with the girls, I doubt their music is any good, and I didn't expect much from this little horror anthology either. The only reason I watched it is because Noboru Iguchi directed it, but safe to say, he wasn't allowed to do his usual thing with these idols. The performances are pretty bad, the horror is pedestrian, though I did somewhat like the candle wax creature. It helps that this is an anthology, so you're not stuck with the same horror story for 90 minutes, but other than that there's little here to recommend. For Japanese horror fans only.Read all
A British take on Deck the Halls mixed with some Home Alone-type burglar antics, with Lee Mack and Chris McCausland as the main attractions. And it works pretty well, despite the limited ambitions of this film. It's mainly the addition of the blind character that makes this more enjoyable than it ought to be. Don't expect anything too cinematic or grand, this is a made-for-streaming Christmas flick. The film is probably just the byproduct of the Christmassy poster that lures viewers around this time of year. But the two comedians do a solid job and there are some decent laughs spread around. Not too shabby.Read all
A pleasant anime from Madhouse, the only real negative here is the atrocious soundtrack. I don't know who picked the songs, but they are cheesy as hell, and they actively take away from the mood. It sounded like a bad J-pop band needed to plug their latest album and used this film to do so. The animation is nice, though the character designs are a bit simple. The first half of the film offers a nice adventure, while the real heart of Don Glees is revealed during a lengthy outro. A more skilled director could've done more with this, but if you're looking for a short, sweet, and adventurous anime, this won't disappoint.Read all
A typical 90s Obayashi film. The film is aimed squarely at a younger audience, but it's charming enough for older audiences. It's about a young boy and his grandfather spending an epic summer in a small Japanese rural town, where the line between folklore and reality is often indistinguishable. This is one of those films where you might want to book a ticket to Japan once the credits start rolling. The performances are a bit middling though and the cheesy effects are vintage Obayashi. But it's a sweet film with its heart in the right place. Not quite as fun or adventurous as some of his other work, but fun filler regardless.Read all
Not a terrible film, but I have no clue what the fuss was about. This felt like a movie the Safdie brothers could've made. Young people get in a bunch of trouble, everybody is hypertense about it and nobody ever shuts up. And somehow Baker made it last for a full 140 minutes, God knows why. The performances are decent and the cinematography is pleasant enough. The soundtrack is dull though (bad pop) and the plot isn't all that interesting. It might've been a bit more bearable if the film had been cut to 90 minutes, but no such luck. Passable cinema, but I couldn't say the greatness.Read all