My brother recently showed some interest in delving into the beloved Ghibli collection, so a few showings during Ghibli Fest 2023 are a must for us. I got him into Mononoke back in 2015, so we started this recent dive with Nausicaä—he enjoyed it but kept mentioning the Dune tropes; kids these days… I chose Totoro because it had been a while since I saw it, it’s much different than Nausicaä, and it’s the first entry for GF23. It made sense…
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John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum 2019
Okay. I am glad I stuck through Chapter 2 for this one. They brought the goods here—mainly the early weapon museum knife fight and the final Mark Dacacos trial—and I felt it. I’m lowering my rating for the previous chapter only because it’s not good. This series should have been shortened to three installments, but alas studios and money. Looking forward to the finale, which I will have to see very soon. You’re welcome, Ricardo ;)
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John Wick: Chapter 2 2017
John Wick quickly loses the boogyman persona and is reduced to being just another hitman in the eyes of all the characters from Continental—no one fears him—which was a very impressionable aspect of the original film. The first action set piece with the car and motorcycle was badly edited and blocked, and then we don’t get another fight/action scene for what seems like forever (40 minutes I believe). So what gives?Well, the studio probably knew they had a cash cow,…
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Le Mans 1971
Happy birthday, Steve McQueen! Welcome back to another episode, folks... I am glad I was able to revisit this work of art with Chris, because without doing so, I would have had one of the wrong pieces of the puzzle. McQueen's vision is an absolute revelation, and his portrayal of a man chasing only the pursuit of glory is spot on. If not today, next time....
Recommend a pairing with Steve McQueen: The Man and Le Mans (not on Tubi).
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Mirage 1965
-"Pretend your James Bond. He always knows."
-"Maybe we oughta get something to eat. I'm dying for a peanut butter sandwich."
-"Forget James Bond."File Mirage, with Charade, under Hitchcock movies that Alfred did not make, and both with George Kennedy and Walter Matthau—both actors under-utilized here. Peck does well, but he still couldn’t save it from its muddled third act. Great build up, boring pay off.
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The Field 1990
Happy early St. Patrick’s Day, all! On this week’s episode, we discuss the not so famous The Field (1990), which got Richard Harris an Oscar nod. The best thing about the movie is the Irish scenery and culture, but some may enjoy the stageplay vibe—I did not. Join us for some festive shenanigans. Lá Fhéile Pádraig sona duit!
4.5/10
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On Any Sunday 1971
JustWatch didn't lie for this one! McQueen deep dive continues.. he's in this one for all of 30 seconds, maybe. Only watch if you like motorcycles, or think you need to see another Bruce Brown doc, like Endless Summer. (Hint: that one is more bearable).
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Steve McQueen: The Man & Le Mans 2015
JustWatch lied, it's not on Tubi!
Here it is on YT
www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIMPAPFAOr4 -
Stardust 2007
The band of Searchers are back this week with a review of Stardust (2007), directed by Matthew Vaughn and created by Neil Gaiman. We get into the nitty gritty about this coming-of-age fantasy film. This episode includes a good discussion about the topic of authorial intent, some trash talking Bobby DeNiro, a mention of Tom Brady (recorded on the day of Superbowl 57), and a fan favorite: Trailer Park Boys. Join us on our 20th episode!
PS - Liked DeNiro in the movie. Trash talk is on other roles 😬
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Zatoichi Meets the One-Armed Swordsman 1971
I was finally able to watch to this greatly-anticipated flick, which I could not let myself do until I watched the first The One Armed Swordsman. So here I am. Zatoichi and the One-Armed Swordman, aka Zatoichi Meets the One-Armed Swordsman or The Blind Swordsman Meets His Equal, is the stuff made for audiences. Two massively legendary characters from different popular series clashing together, with all the clamoring of swords, (popular for the time) blood squibs, and of course a high…
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Crippled Avengers 1978
Journey to Hong Kong '23 Challenge - 11th Stop
DUB
Returning today back to the Shawscope Volume 1 boxset, and I only needed to watch this and Mighty Peking Man. Let’s just say I’m not in a rush for that one! But how could I say no to another Venom Mob entry, especially after watching the better than average Flag of Iron? When I first saw Five Deadly Venoms, it had me worried—not a good kung fu movie—however, VM has been vindicated. …