Movies: Last Movie You Watched and Rate It | Cinema at the End of the World Edition

[Pranzo Oltranzista]

Night of the Living Dead (1968)
3.75 out of 4stars

"A ragtag group of Pennsylvanians barricade themselves in an old farmhouse to remain safe from a horde of flesh-eating ghouls that are ravaging the East Coast of the United States."
I had a hard time rating this movie on a scale quality because of it's historical significance, 'it's' present day all encompassing circumstances, and comparatively to it's post Romero zombie trio films. Historically, it created the stage for zombie films visually and tactically/characteristically, had revolutionary and controversial elements from it's 'gore'/special-effects to it's 'casting' to it's ''events'' so to speak, is supposedly "the" first huge grossing low budget b-movie, and of course it's socio-political messages can't be undermined either/including it's bold choice(s) and statements/messages on African-Americans/war in the US at that time. All that said, it's still a great horror film in and of itself. There is a true sense of dread from start to finish, honest human conflicts/struggles, shocking horror visuals, and a realistic sequences of events on a small and grand scale with excellent and essential use of the media for it's story building. It's not only a must see for horror enthusiasts, but a must see for all cinephiles.


Dawn of the Dead (1978)
3.40 out of 4stars

"Following an ever-growing epidemic of zombies that have risen from the dead, two Philadelphia S.W.A.T. team members, a traffic reporter, and his television executive girlfriend seek refuge in a secluded shopping mall."
This was my favorite of the trio. While Night introduced the world to zombies, Dawn took the next step in the most logical way, with people scrambling for permanent shelter and unwittingly finding a mall as a possibility. Again, there is a lot of socio-political commentary from hints to bold messages on the topics of minority treatment/views, consumerism, the media, the police/military, the government, and even women/women's rights and place in society. It also expands on the zombie mythos in a satisfying way, albeit more in the visual and gore aspects(with the help of color film now) than in the background information way I'd say. And the use of action/visuals/gore in the movie was so fun and a huge step forward from Night, and the concept/tone of fun balanced with the horror here made this movie more enjoyable and a fun emotional roller coaster to me. The main characters being more likeable too helped. Romero's use of the mall's vaster setting and availabilities were perfect. It's many a child and adult's dream to have a whole mall cost free at one's disposal, and it's brought to life here fairly well while never feeling out of place. And every event forward in the mall for that matter was done so in a pretty smart way. I will try not to ruin any evolutionary or unforeseen things in this film, but adding another step of the human threat to this zombie apocalypse world was done well.

Day of the Dead (1985)
3.25 out of 4stars

"As the world is overrun by zombies, a small group of scientists and military personnel dwelling in an underground bunker in Florida must determine whether they should educate, eliminate or escape the undead horde."
While not as good as first 2 movies, it is still a great film imo. "Again" it takes another logical step/view from Dawn of the Dead, with scientists and military peoples debating and acting out the best way to deal with this zombie apocalypse on long term and short term timetables. It does everything the previous films do with building on socio-political issues, zombie visuals, zombie characteristics in and out, and brings an intriguing story to the table, but first and foremost here shows that humans are real threat and more powerful enemy in this zombie apocalypse, especially after sustainable shelter has been found. This 3rd movie was far and away the most intellectually engaging and satisfying for me. Bringing in the scientific and military mindsets and motives into this was perfect. There are reasonable arguments on both sides of this spectrum in these circumstances, and, without ruining things, to see the real differences in and out on how they operate/would operate with and without hierarchies(military chain of command), masculinity, survival instincts, treatment of their dead friends/military family, emotional tolls/reactions, bonding ways, time management, experimentation, investigation, conditioning, I would suggest even a nature vs nurture aspect also/or barbaric vs civilized style, etc. And not just from the human aspect either, development of the zombies themselves here is thoroughly brought about. Exploring directly in the movie and externally the never ending differences of how the world should operate and balance from a militaristic/forceful and scientific/civilized, even internally on a person by person basis, is something that will exist from the beginning to the end of time as history has already shown us on a global and personal scale. Not to mention, this movie has my favorite ending of all of the trilogy movies and might have my favorite beginning scene also.


I have a feeling I have just witnessed the greatest horror trilogy of all-time, possibly even one of the greatest movie trilogies across all genres. Romero's trilogy successfully connects and satisfies on an emotional and intellectual level while being inventive and giving relevant socio-political commentary. It was definitely above and beyond worthy of my time investment.

Very interesting comments, especially since Day is by far the least engaging to me. Did you watch Argento's or Romero's edit of Dawn?

 

[OzzyFan]

Very interesting comments, especially since Day is by far the least engaging to me. Did you watch Argento's or Romero's edit of Dawn?

126minutes US Cut, so I guess Romero's. Day of the Dead has me thinking the most throughout and afterward comparatively.

 

[KallioWeHardlyKnewYe]

Messiah of Evil. Super lo-fi 70s horror written and directed by buddies of George Lucas who'd eventually score creative credits on Temple of Doom and Howard the Duck. I really dug this. Not packed with a ton of story or action, but it sets a mood pretty well and has some genuinely excellent visuals and filmmaking, particularly one in a movie theater. If you want blood n guts and shock, this ain't your bag but of you're game for a simple horror VIBE, I'd recommend this.

 

[Chili]

Decoy-1946

Shades of Linda Fiorentino in The Last Seduction. Jean Gillie is able to get men to do her biding and then... Visually she reminds me of Rita Hayworth. She's good in the film, had a short career (passed away of pneumonia at age 34). The story revolves around a gangster's hidden loot. Interesting twists with a fair bit of violence, impressive for a film made in a couple of weeks on a shoestring budget.

The Paradine Case-1948

Interesting courtroom drama, just takes a l o n g time to reach that point. Apparently 15+ minutes were eventually removed from the final version, seems like more could have been taken out of the first half. A chance to see a young Atticus Finch aka Gregory Peck. For the master of suspense, curious there was not more here. Great cast though.

Three on a Match-1932

'Mary, your bloomers are showing'. Infidelity, kidnapping, blackmail, drugs...a lot of story in a 63 minute pre code film. Three schoolmates reunite after several years and different fortunes. There are interesting newspaper headline montages of important world events as the years go by. A chance to see Bette Davis and Humphrey Bogart in a small early roles (they are very good). Well done.


Still Crazy-1998

A British rock group gets back together after many years and are reminded of why they split up. A movie like this needs to have some good music and it does. Bill Nighy and Jimmy Nail can really sing. Good film.


If anyone is interested, the first two films are available on youtube.

 

[KallioWeHardlyKnewYe]

His Girl Friday. There are times I hate being "modern guy" but this is one that really tries me. There are formal innovations that are undeniable-- the rapid, overlapping dialogue, Rosalind Russell as a total force of nature. But it is hard to totally detach from what was and what is. Despite its reputation it's not as inherently comedic as you might think. It dabbles in media and political commentary but doesn't fully commit because there's "romantic" banter to be had. So the end product feels like an unrealized hybrid of sorts. Scenes absolutely work in the micro. But the macro didn't add up for me. Characters literally die or face death due to multiple societal failures and yet we're meant to flee the theater in joy because our oil-and-water leads actually love each other (and the job) deep down inside. No one comes out well in this and yet I think the movie and its defenders disagree?

That dialog does, as the kids say, slap though.

(Small point of defense to show I'm not inherently a scolding fuddy duddy: I love The Philadelphia Story which is contemporary, shares a star and deals with love amid the media. I struggle with this one though as an overall product)

 

[Pranzo Oltranzista]

Messiah of Evil. Super lo-fi 70s horror written and directed by buddies of George Lucas who'd eventually score creative credits on Temple of Doom and Howard the Duck. I really dug this. Not packed with a ton of story or action, but it sets a mood pretty well and has some genuinely excellent visuals and filmmaking, particularly one in a movie theater. If you want blood n guts and shock, this ain't your bag but of you're game for a simple horror VIBE, I'd recommend this.

Funny, I saw it a few months back and I also caught that Howard the Duck tidbit!

Messiah of Evil (Huyck, 1973) - American film with a distinct European feel that makes it quite unique. It has huge and numerous flaws (editing and sound are often very bad), but it makes up for them with beautiful aesthetics, efficient atmosphere, and interesting narrative structure (even though the voiced narration is overdone). It has touches of the giallo's aesthetics, Lovecraft themes, and could be something like a prequel to I Am Legend or one of the films it inspired (maybe Omega Man more than the others). It is clearly a descendant of Night of the Living Dead, but it also proposes scenes that would later on become central thematic elements of Dawn of the Dead and Demons. Very interesting minor flick. 5.5/10

*Oh, Huyck would end up directing Howard the Duck, 13 years later / also co-wrote American Graffiti and Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.

Movies: - Last Movie You Watched and Rate It | Mid-Spring Edition. Happy Beltane!

Pretty interesting flick indeed.

 

[Osprey]

Scott of the Antarctic-1948

Adventure tale of the attempt to be the first to reach the South Pole. Captain Scott left diaries and still living survivors were consulted so much of he film is based on fact. Impressive shots bring the long arduous trek in the snow to life. John Mills is like the Henry Fonda of British cinema, always good.

Good film for exploration history buffs.

I just finished this and really liked it. I wasn't expecting it to be in color and was captivated by it. I kept imagining how cool it must've been to see nature footage (especially of such exotic and harsh locations) in color in 1948. The film lost a little steam in the final third, I thought, but I can appreciate that it's because it pretty closely depicts what actually happened. Thanks for recommending it. If anyone else is interested, it can be streamed for free at localnow.com and is also on AppleTV.

 

[nameless1]

Just watched "License to Kill" for the first time in a long time. Dalton made a very good Bond in my opinion and this one plays it straight for the most part which I appreciate. Just a touch of humor and just a touch of the excess. Maybe a bit more brutal than most. I also thought it was well acted overall. 8.5/10 for me.

I like the concept that Bond goes rogue to avenge a friend, which is a really fresh take on the character, the Pablo Escobar-esque antagonist is probably one of the more complete and memorable villains in the whole Bond mythology, and the action sequences are the best up to that point. Unfortunately, the filmmakers tries to keep both aspect of his past role as a superspy and a rogue agent at the same time, and it just feels off as result. Bond is supposed to be cut off from MI-6, and yet, he still gets help from Q, with all the gadgets, which makes very little sense to me. Personally, they should have just went all-in with the rogue agent aspect, and I actually think A Living Daylight is Dalton's best outing as Bond, which Dalton himself also prefers. Also, while most people hated Quantum of Solace, it actually executed the revenge idea much better.

I watched all 24 Eon-produced Bond movies and even the non-Eon Thunderball remake in chronological order sometime in the beginning of the year, and I can fully understand why a lot of people disliked Dalton's portrayal. He just followed two giant figures who put their own stamps on the character, and he had to compete with all the muscled one man army type action heroes like Stallone and Schwarzenegger who populated the 80s. Dalton tries hard to give Bond more emotional depth and bring him closer to Fleming's original idea, but he is still influenced by his predecessor's prior paths, so he took the middle path to mixed results. Bond is also a product of the Cold War, but as the real life event winds down, there is a simultaneous lost of direction reflected in both the character and the movie franchise. Craig, meanwhile, goes all-in, and he becomes the most complete Bond thus far.

It is rather unfortunate, because the two Dalton helmed movies are certainly in my top ten of all the Bond movies, but his version comes in at the wrong period, as the audience back then already thought his take on Bond was too dark, even though it is considered mild these days. He is not my favourite Bond, but Craig's current version owes a large debt to him.

 

[KallioWeHardlyKnewYe]

I like the concept that Bond goes rogue to avenge a friend, which is a really fresh take on the character, the Pablo Escobar-esque antagonist is probably one of the more complete and memorable villains in the whole Bond mythology, and the action sequences are the best up to that point. Unfortunately, the filmmakers tries to keep both aspect of his past role as a superspy and a rogue agent at the same time, and it just feels off as result. Bond is supposed to be cut off from MI-6, and yet, he still gets help from Q, with all the gadgets, which makes very little sense to me. Personally, they should have just went all-in with the rogue agent aspect, and I actually think A Living Daylight is Dalton's best outing as Bond, which Dalton himself also prefers. Also, while most people hated Quantum of Solace, it actually executed the revenge idea much better.

I watched all 24 Eon-produced Bond movies and even the non-Eon Thunderball remake in chronological order sometime in the beginning of the year, and I can fully understand why a lot of people disliked Dalton's portrayal. He just followed two giant figures who put their own stamps on the character, and he had to compete with all the muscled one man army type action heroes like Stallone and Schwarzenegger who populated the 80s. Dalton tries hard to give Bond more emotional depth and bring him closer to Fleming's original idea, but he is still influenced by his predecessor's prior paths, so he took the middle path to mixed results. Bond is also a product of the Cold War, but as the real life event winds down, there is a simultaneous lost of direction reflected in both the character and the movie franchise. Craig, meanwhile, goes all-in, and he becomes the most complete Bond thus far.

It is rather unfortunate, because the two Dalton helmed movies are certainly in my top ten of all the Bond movies, but his version comes in at the wrong period, as the audience back then already thought his take on Bond was too dark, even though it is considered mild these days. He is not my favourite Bond, but Craig's current version owes a large debt to him.

I did a big chronological rewatch last year too and Licence to Kill really stood out in interesting ways. The biggest thing to me was it's the only movie in the series that feels like it was actually a different script that someone took and grafted on some James Bond stuff. I know that wasn't the case, but damn if it doesn't feel like it. Very little Bond in that Bond movie. They actually feel like they're distancing themselves from it and when the famous theme comes back during the climactic truck chase it's pretty jarring.

The heaviness of this was obviously rejected at the time (leading to the longest non-Covid delayed layoff between movies) but was ahead of its time. I've always been a Dalton defender, though I think this movie lets him down. Also a classic example of the series' eagerness to dip into whatever cool of the moment thing is happening (here, Miami Vice-style drug dealer shenanigans).

 

[nameless1]

I did a big chronological rewatch last year too and Licence to Kill really stood out in interesting ways. The biggest thing to me was it's the only movie in the series that feels like it was actually a different script that someone took and grafted on some James Bond stuff. I know that wasn't the case, but damn if it doesn't feel like it. Very little Bond in that Bond movie. They actually feel like they're distancing themselves from it and when the famous theme comes back during the climactic truck chase it's pretty jarring.

The heaviness of this was obviously rejected at the time (leading to the longest non-Covid delayed layoff between movies) but was ahead of its time. I've always been a Dalton defender, though I think this movie lets him down. Also a classic example of the series' eagerness to dip into whatever cool of the moment thing is happening (here, Miami Vice-style drug dealer shenanigans).

It is definitely top 10 in the entire canon, but I am both impressed and disappointed by it at the same time.


The action sequences are great, and certainly ranks amongst the best in the entire franchise, and all the characters, from Bond, the villain, and even the Bond girl, are actually three-dimensional, which is a rarity, but like you wrote, it really does not feel like a Bond movie at all, and the whole thing just feels off as a result.

It did so many things right, but the execution is just not quite there, so there is a sense of disappointment there.

 

[Hockeyfrilla]

Dune - 8/10

 

[S E P H]

Hey lads I need some help in terms of is there a good website out there where you can add loads of movies to like a list or database so you wouldn't forget them? I started a list with Word, but it just isn't working out.

 

[Osprey]

Hey lads I need some help in terms of is there a good website out there where you can add loads of movies to like a list or database so you wouldn't forget them? I started a list with Word, but it just isn't working out.

Google Search has a feature like that: How to create a movie and TV show watchlist using Google Search | TechHive

Also, JustWatch.com, which I use a lot for finding where movies are streaming, has a watchlist feature.

Finally, ReelGood.com is a site like JustWatch that I also sometimes use and it has a watchlist feature.

I haven't tried that aspect of any of those services, but those are what I'd try if I were you.

 

[Pranzo Oltranzista]

Hey lads I need some help in terms of is there a good website out there where you can add loads of movies to like a list or database so you wouldn't forget them? I started a list with Word, but it just isn't working out.

I tried different stuff and always drop them and only keep IMDB. You can rate them, you can keep a watchlist, and you can make your own lists.

 

[S E P H]

Google Search has a feature like that: How to create a movie and TV show watchlist using Google Search | TechHive

Also, JustWatch.com, which I use a lot for finding where movies are streaming, has a watchlist feature.

Finally, ReelGood.com is a site like JustWatch that I also sometimes use and it has a watchlist feature.
I haven't tried that aspect of any of those services, but those are what I'd try if I were you.

I tried different stuff and always drop them and only keep IMDB. You can rate them, you can keep a watchlist, and you can make your own lists.

Thanks for these suggestions. I think I am going to cheque out Google and IMDB, hopefully one of these websites has the ability where you can add a ton of movies and have it get autocorrected for genre and or any other criteria correct?

 

[Pranzo Oltranzista]

Thanks for these suggestions. I think I am going to cheque out Google and IMDB, hopefully one of these websites has the ability where you can add a ton of movies and have it get autocorrected for genre and or any other criteria correct?

You can search IMDB through lots of different fields. You can PM me if you're not finding what you look for.

 

[Martinez]

Cop Shop (2021)
6.7/10 (not bad)
It’s an action/thriller/dark comedy movie staring Gerard butler and frank grillo. Starts kinda slow but it’s overall worth the watch. Don’t take this movie seriously, it’s more “fun” than a masterpiece.

 

[MetalheadPenguinsFan]

Rewatched Again:

8/10

 

[KallioWeHardlyKnewYe]

Hey lads I need some help in terms of is there a good website out there where you can add loads of movies to like a list or database so you wouldn't forget them? I started a list with Word, but it just isn't working out.

I like Letterboxd for tracking and listing but not sure if that has the capabilities you're looking for.

 

[Osprey]

Prisoners of the Ghostland (2021) - 3/10 (Really disliked it)

A convict (Nic Cage) is forced to venture into the wasteland to bring back a man's runaway granddaughter (Sofia Boutella). It opens with 8 (!) studio logos, letting you know up front that you're about to watch a movie that no studio had enough faith in to put up much more than 1/8th of the budget. I started to wonder if they all couldn't decide on what kind of movie to make because it's a real jumble. It's half post-apocalypse and half 19th century Japan, with Samurai and geisha, but also with a sprinkling of Old West gunslingers, neon lighting, 60s fashion, disco balls, 21st century cars and even zombies. It's all over the place. For the most part, it's like if you crossed Mad Max with The Last Samurai and then mixed in a little Army of Darkness... though that makes it sound better than it is. It's just strange and nonsensical.

It does have some eye-catching sets between the dirt poor Ghostland and the pretty "Samurai town," and they went a long way to keeping my attention, but what goes on in them is rather dull and it's painfully obvious that 90% of the movie takes place on just those two sets. There are some action scenes, but they're not terribly exciting, and there are a few amusing bits, but it's not really a funny movie. Cage and Boutella are watchable, but their characters aren't very interesting. The villain is a cliched white-suited Southern "gentleman" like you've seen in many other movies.

The basic plot is simple enough to follow, but too basic and poorly written, IMO. The director tries to make up for it with lots of slow motion shots, replaying one particular "memory" scene over and over, scenes that just seem extraneous to the plot and the occasional musical number. Those who appreciate stylish films may like it more than those looking for a good story. Also, Cage fans who were disappointed that Pig wasn't crazy enough may like it more. I found it somewhat watchable because of the imaginative and inconsistent world, but just not entertaining as a movie and I'm liking it less the more that I think about it. It's for rent for about $7 on most services.

 

[TheGreenTBer]

Every time someone brings up Cage my mind immediately goes to that shitty Wicker Man movie.

NOT THE BEES!

 

[Pranzo Oltranzista]

#31-32-33, or a slice of crap stuck between quite a lot of sleaze. The crap one was by far the most fun to watch.

The New York Ripper (Lo squartatore di New York, Fulci, 1982) – With its fascination for close-ups of sliced up flesh (and nipples), this later giallo by Fulci sometimes slips into the (lack of) sensibility/subtlety of a slasher film, with good measures of soft porn elements too. Add to this a pretty bad score that feels like it's straight out of a cheap early 80s TV series and the result just feels like it doesn't even try to be taken seriously. The fact that the 3 fingers guy clearly has all 5 is really bothering too. The intro scene is predictable, but fun. The rest is just predictable (there's no real lead to follow to unmask the killer, but you'll know very quickly who it is). The psycho-bullshit is not new to the genre, but normally it serves to dress up some thematic elements, here it's not much more than bullshit. For some reason (probably the soft core sadism), I had it at 5/10 on IMDB, but I have to drop it at 3.5/10.

The Iguana With the Tongue of Fire (L'iguana dalla lingua di fuoco, Freda, 1971) – The copy I have of this film is very bad so I will not address the many ways I thought it looked like shit, but I'm afraid it won't help much because everything else is shitty too. I seriously thought Jesus Franco was the only director dumb enough to fake a slow-motion shot by asking his actors to move exaggeratedly slowly, I was wrong (at least they don't hit a lamp that moves at normal speed in this one). And it's not because they didn't have the means to do it, since they managed to put some fight shots on fast forward, making them utterly absurd. The whole finale, with botched editing, transvestite violence, and a father ffw>> fighting for his suddenly naked young daughter is both cringey and hilarious. You can laugh your way through this one with lots of comedy gold: the overacting is just amazing (the fake Irish accents and Frenglish dialogues on the English dub just make it worse) and the musical accentuation highlighting of every stupid “clue” (the killer wears sunglasses at night – or so I guessed because those shots were way too dark to tell – but every other character owns the exact same model... TA-DAM!). Based on a novel that doesn't exist, this is the film you wish was in the MST3K catalog. SoBIG. 1/10

Amuck (Alla ricerca del piacere, Amadio, 1972) – My copy of this one is a crappy transfer of a VHS tape, with an Erotik70s tag in the bottom of the screen, but it didn't look as bad as that Iguana thing (even has some pretty nice shots in the hunting scene). This giallo is more on the traditional mystery side of things, with a little gaslighting, some kitsch sleaze with gorgeous ladies (including quasi-experimental slow-motion softcore lesbian sex, for some reason), and stays away from the serial killer whodunit schema. In fact, it takes a pretty funny reflexive jab at some other films of the genre: one character being a respected writer proposes to lower himself and write a whodunit. That's just one of quite a few clever ideas (I just love manipulative flashbacks that end up being lies told through the same medium as the real-world of the story), but these are spread out in an otherwise pretty boring film. Some pretty tough to watch animal cruelty and a lot of not-so-consensual assaults on women make of this one a cult favorite, but it just ain't that good. 3.5/10

 

[Pink Mist]

I like Letterboxd for tracking and listing but not sure if that has the capabilities you're looking for.

Hey lads I need some help in terms of is there a good website out there where you can add loads of movies to like a list or database so you wouldn't forget them? I started a list with Word, but it just isn't working out.

Also suggesting letterboxd. It's what I use and it's connected to Justwatch so it'll send you an email when something from your watch list becomes available on streaming services

 

[Chili]

A Man For All Seasons-1966

Brilliant film of the story of Saint Thomas More and King Henry VIII. A play on film but so well done.

 

[Osprey]

The Punisher (1989) - 4/10

I couldn't remember if I'd seen this, but some parts were familiar, so I must've. It's sure not a memorable movie. Something that surprised me is that Dolph Lundgren looked rather "small" in it compared to how he looked the previous year in Red Scorpion. See what I mean...

Spoiler

Same guy one year later:

Maybe that's just what happens when a Swede loses his blond hair? I'm not very familiar with the comic book, but it didn't feel like it could've been very faithful. For one, Dolph didn't seem very vengeful, maybe because his family had been dead for years and the Yakuza weren't the ones responsible for it, either. It felt more like a generic 80s action movie. I certainly have a soft spot for those, which is why I'm giving as high of a score as I am, but this is one of the forgettable ones and I'll probably forget again that I watched it.

The Punisher (2004) - 5/10

This was actually better than I expected (though I expected pretty bad). I appreciated that it's a modern "superhero" movie that doesn't involve any super powers or CGI. I'm partial to Batman and Darkman for that reason and it reminded me of both. It was dark and not too corny, Thomas Jane made for a decent lead and watching bad things happen to John Travolta was satisfying. I liked parts of it, but other parts not so much. It had some good visuals, action scenes and explosions, but also dragged at times and was too long (good thing that I elected not to watch the extended cut). In spite of its problems and not quite "liking" it, I'd still take it over most of the superhero CGI-fests.