54/100
”Sad story. You got a smoke?”
Just as I was saying that I have yet to be disappointed or uninterested in a film by Carpenter in my review for Escape from New York, this really got close to being the first film I disliked. On a very basic and general level I think the film is totally mediocre at best. However, given the huge talent involved and the previous film being an absolute classic, I just expected so much…
80/100
”The name's Plissken!”
Another absolute classic from Carpenter and I’m not even the slightest bit shocked. Through each and every one of the films that I’ve seen from Carpenter so far, he’s had this complete control over creating such exciting and brilliant moments that leave you just in awe at what’s unfolding here. While I think his horror films have had a better lasting effect on me; there’s no doubt that the exact same mechanics that he infused in…
49/100
”It's a mistake to confuse pity with love.”
Still not totally amazed at what Kubrick does here, but it’s definitely better than his debut. It’s a weird sort of comparison because this in of itself actually feels like his directorial debut and even if it’s not totally great, it’s a start. Yet, it isn’t so it kinda makes it feel like his first “real” film and that’s just disappointing in anyway you look at it. Anyways, I’m a fan…
77/100
”I know I can never defeat you, Lobo. But I will never stop fighting for this life.”
For the longest time I could not find the reason why this was being made. I mean the franchise pretty much dove off the deep end really after the second film and the previous film was such a mediocre thing, I just didn’t realize this was of upmost importance to DreamWorks. I am so absolutely thankful for director Joel Crawford and the…
60/100
”Sometimes you don't see the line until you cross it.”
As much as I’ve been a fan of Del Toro’s work, this was one of the first times I really wasn’t captivated like I normally am. The sense of gothic nature that inhabits each and every one of his films is easily the most brilliant aspect of his career. However, when it comes to Nightmare Alley I found myself in a sort of trance of boredom at times. I…
62/100
One of the options for an assignment in one of my classes and this has long been something I’ve wanted to see. Totally good film. Not much else to say if I’m honest. I’m not sure if I was actually expecting something spectacular or just a run-of-the-mill drama, but I can’t definitely say I was neither overly impressed or disappointed. Leonardo DiCaprio & Johnny Depp are both equally great in their own respective ways and I definitely found their relationship…
11/100
”Well, we have nothing to lose but our futures.”
While I do think film preservation is always of the upmost importance for numerous reasons, I can easily see why Stanley Kubrick wanted every single copy of this film destroyed. I think it served as a very important film in history just from the future it builds off of Kubrick’s work; but, at best, this acts like it was made as a high school student film. That isn’t to say…
59/100
”Never ignore a man's courtesy.”
It’s solid enough as a feature debut from Paul Thomas Anderson, but I think what really makes this worth a watch is watching Philip Baker Hall just absolutely make rounds around everyone here. I mean that’s saying something with everyone around him being equally solid, but watching Hall work so much brilliance in the simplest ways it makes the entire film worth it. I also love the casino/gambling scene so even though the film…
60/100
“You win this round, lettuce.”
Such a strange combination of things going on here. On one note, such a strange sense of humor and use of language and overarching comedic performance that I really was not expecting here. On the other hand, the very basic storytelling fits right into the mold that I expected and I’m left feeling like a simple and fine film. I definitely figured this would ride that like between geared for children/aiming for that older…
72/100
”You look like every white homeless man I've ever seen.”
I’ve been under the weather for quite a few days now and haven’t had any real motivation to watch much of anything so when I finally decided to sit down and actually watch something; I needed something a bit simplistic and fun and that’s exactly what I got with Bullet Train. Even though the comedic timing of a few certain aspects and characters got a little too much for…
78/100
”You would lie for a lie, but you won't lie for the truth.”
At times, Rian Johnson’s newest film in the new world order of whodunits is a real masterclass at creating fantastic misdirects and simply wonderful ensemble moments. However, at other times I found that maybe this wasn’t exactly the time of film that I was expecting. Whereas in the first film it really boiled down to the simplest function of creating itself of a murder mystery, when…
62/100
”Trading in eight reindeer for 400 horses!”
If there was ever a time for a good-looking and hella charismatic Santa Claus, then Kurt Russell in this film is the definition. I hate to say that the entire film was rested on his shoulders because I think the story was actually something fairly charming and a nice mix in the traditional holiday film, but man I couldn’t stop admiring how well Russell fit into this role. Other than that, I…