At the Movies!

[Berry]

Watched Creed II.

So...

I gotta front, it is a very by-the-number sequel. It is good but not exactly in the way of memorable. What I liked is very few and far between, which is basically the training montages and the boxing fights. As a Rocky fan, the highlights in terms of Character is Rocky and Ivan Drago. There isn't a lot going for Adonis Creed besides having to live up to the Creed Legacy, something that the first Creed film did perfectly. As for Rocky, his role is reduced and used sparingly but really pales in comparison to Rocky storyline in the first Creed movie, where he was at his lowest and I was heavily invested in him because of the impact he had in the Rocky series. As for Ivan Drago, he is just as brutal and menacing as he was in Rocky IV. The interaction that he has with Rocky is stellar and is THE highlight towards the end of the movie during the final bout between Viktor and Adonis. Viktor Drago was fine and played his part just... fine.

I do want people to check this movie out and if you are a Rocky fan, you pretty much are obligated to. Thats my final say on the matter.

[ZpaceJ0ck0]

Here's a recap of all the movies I've seen as of recently. 

28 days later: Rather than focusing extensive, special-effects-controlled, gory action sequences between infected and normals, with heavy background music, as seen in various Biohazard Outbreak movies, this one has tinges of sadness, emptyness, helplessness. Consider that empty London scene with that background music, that sequence alone tells you how bad the situation is. I liked the second half, with its chance of pace and everything. Why? Because it makes a very important point: What is scarier, the end of the world, or having the world repopulated by maniacs? 

The rage virus is a man-made disease (it was confirmed in the prequel comic that the rage virus is indeed man-made). Quite the allegory right there. 

EDIT: it should be noted that the infected in this film are NOT zombies. They are infected with the rage virus, basically what if ebola also gave you permanent roid rage, and they don't try to eat the normals, just kill them and spread the rage virus. Not only that, but a zombie is a reanimated corpse, meanwhile those who are infected with the Rage Virus are pretty much alive.

This is a zombie movie only in name.

28 weeks later: Eh...  I mean, it wasn't as good as the previous one, but is still enjoyable. Sure, this one is more like a traditional "infected" film, compared to the previous one that had a more words of caution/social commentary style, but that's not necessarily a bad thing per-say. The very beginning of the film sets the tone for the rest of the duration, and I saying this in a good way. And yes, they made a parody of this scene in the Boondocks. Just a fun fact I wanted to share.

Oh, and the kids did a fairly good job at their roles... I mean, as far as child actors go.

Overall, this one is a pretty good apocalyptic/biohazard Outbreak movie, but a bad sequel to 28 Days Later. The more I think about it, the more I wish 28 Days Later stayed as a solo film and 28 Weeks Later became its own IP. 

Alfred Hitchcock's Vertigo: I'll make this one short. The performances of Kim Novak and James Stewart are memorable. Hitchcock does a great job at creating hypnotic scenes and a general sense of unease and dread in even the most banal of situations. Oh, and the musical score by Bernard Herrmann certainly helps. 

Another thing, by the time I posted this Vertigo is officially 60 years old. Time flies by, don't you think? 

Alfred Hitchcock's Rear Window: This one has a little bit of everything. On one hand you a suspense story with combined with romantic tension in the main plot. But then on the other hand, you have numerous sub-plots, some humorous and some moving, all with many psychological overtones. The main cast did a great job with their roles. The setting of an apartment complex, while simple at first glance, is developed into a world filled with intriguing and sometimes unsettling possibilities, all of this without relaying on supernatural elements like ghosts. Hitchcock did a great job at fleshing out the setting.

---

Happy 10th anniversary to The Curious Case of Benjamin Button!

[Berry]

This doesn't really have to do anything about any certain movies(I've watched quite a lot as of late but the majority are so and so) but a pet peeve of mine is how people feel like they have to applause at the end of said movie. It just bothers me that they have such low expectations about the movie they are watching that they willingly get overexcited if the movie in question is somewhat entertaining and "fun".

Don't get me wrong, I am glad that they had a great experience but to such an extent where they give a roaring applause, I just don't get it.

[Berry]

On the first day of January, it had come to my attention that Yorgos Lanthimos movie The Favourite was available to watch in the nearest theatre. This took me for a loop because I was just sleeping on the floor and was in a uncomfortable state. Whatever plans I had(which was just driving back home) was immediately dashed and I got a ticket to the closest screening.

The excitement I felt is immeasurable. The great Yorgos Lanthimos has become a recent favorite director due to how The Lobster and Killing of a Sacred Deer were just phenomenal. So I obviously had very high expectations for this movie.

As for the movie itself...aka SPOILERS

I loved it. The performance from Emma Stone,Rachel Weiz, and Olivia Colman is top notch and never falters for a minute. Especially for a historical period movie,the type of film that relies heavily on the actor performances.

Because it is a historical period, It did surprise me that it had comedic moments. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate humor but Yorgos Lanthimos comedic timing is something of a mixbag for me. I like the funny moments but it does somewhat takes away from the experience. Especially because I was immersed into his interpretation of Great Britain of that time.

As always, I love the camerawork that Yorgo Lanthimos uses for his movies, and it is one of the highlights in this movie.

The only negative I have that it does end abruptly, but that can only be my fault because of how heavily invested I was in the movie. But it does not topple The Lobster and Killing of a Sacred Deer in terms of his best film imo.

Now, the movie does contain a major twist(that are only privy to history buffs) that is very... Adult. So I can't really recommend this unless you watch it by yourself or someone you have great confidence not to be immature about it. The audience I was with(which were a lot of females) were definitely not ready for that moment.

Overall,I give it a 4 and a half out of 5 Lobsters.

Please check it out if you can, only because the poster is pretty sick.

[CLXcool]

Saw Happytime Murders. All I can say is, this was a huge fucking disappointment. I was expecting a 21st century take of MEET THE FEEBLES, but in the end its a fucking mess that I witnessed with my own eyes. The only thing that is good about this movie is the puppetry(handled by the Jim Henson company). This is the live-action version of Sausage Party. A lot of talent people working on something that ends up being nothing more than a giant piece of shit.

[ZpaceJ0ck0]

Sony gives ‘Venom’ sequel the green light, may arrive in 2020

[Berry]

This is the same guy that turn down the role of Django of Django Unchained.

[ZpaceJ0ck0]

^

Reminds me of that time he turned down the role of Neo in The Matrix because he thought that Wild Wild West movie was gonna be a greater hit at the box office. He later regretted that decision, but still.

---

Before Affleck donned the cape and cowl in Batman v Superman, martial arts actor Scott Adkins was one of the names rumoured to have auditioned for the role. Here is his audition tape.

So what do you think about this? Personally, I think he would be a fairly decent replacement for Ben Affleck considering he officially left the role of the caped crusader. If he cannot be the main actor then at least he could be a stunt double.

---

So I watched the movie Glass and I thought it was... I really don't know what to say about the movie other than this: "well, it's a thing". That's all I gonna say.

[CLXcool]

I swear, Detective Pikachu may be the only movie that I'm likely gonna see that's coming out this year. Everything else doesn't look even worth the money to see.

[ZpaceJ0ck0]

Swiss actor Bruno Ganz has passed away at age 77

Bruno Ganz is the one who portrayed Adolf Hitler in the movie Downfall. The same 'Downfall' that spun off all those "Hitler reacts" parodies.

May he rest in peace.

[Prohyas]

Anyones thoughts on the Will Smith Genie in the new Aladdin film? I kinda hope they make him more expressive like the original. I want to see more clips before I decide.

[ZpaceJ0ck0]

Happy 20th anniversary, The Matrix!!

Mike Judge's Office Space is now 20 years old (February 19)

---

So around this time I watched the Aquaman film.

Say all you want about the film but this marks the end of an era. No more "Aquaman is useless" jokes.

[ZpaceJ0ck0]

Rest in peace, Chewie.

Also, Rest in piece John Singleton (director of Boyz N the Hood).

EDIT:

I know I am a month late, but it was revealed that Robert Pattinson is the new Batman.

Mean Girls is now 15 years old.

[ZpaceJ0ck0]

Elmore Rual "Rip" Torn, Jr is dead: Men In Black and Dodgeball actor dies aged 88

The Hangover is officially 10 years old.

The Fantastic Four movie is 10 years old.

---

Some time ago I watched The Equalizer and Stand up Guys.

[ZpaceJ0ck0]

spoilers for John Carpenter's The Thing

I know I'm two months late but Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace is 20 years old. This years marks the 20th anniversary of the Star Wars prequels.

I know I'm a month late, but happy 15th anniversary to Spider-Man 2!

Happy 15th anniversary to Will Smith's I, Robot! (July 16)

So I finally watched the Alien films. Alien, Aliens, and a little of Alien 3. Haven't watched Alien Resurrection.

EDIT: Actor Rutger Hauer has died on July 19 at age 75. He played Roy Batty in Blade Runner. May he rest in peace.