Movies: Last Movie You Watched and Rate it | {Insert Appropriate Seasonal Greeting Here}

[PK Cronin]

Empire Records (1995)



I'm going back to the 90's to watch the movies I missed the first time around.

Plot: A record store employee steals the daily bank deposit and blows it all in Atlantic City, and then realizes that the store is about to be absorbed by a "Big Music" store chain. Quirky teenage hijinks ensue. Probably based on a true story, but embellished into silliness. I remember the soundtrack from the nineties, but never bothered to watch the movie. No big loss. 4/10.

That soundtrack, though.

1 Til I Hear It From You - Gin Blossoms
2 Liar - The Cranberries
3 A Girl Like You - Edwyn Collins
4 Free - The Martinis
5 Crazy Life - Toad The Wet Sprocket
6 Bright As Yellow - The Innocence Mission
7 Circle Of Friends - Better Than Ezra
8 I Don't Want To Live Today - Ape Hangers
9 Whole Lotta Trouble - Cracker
10 Ready, Steady, Go - The Meices
11 What You Are - Drill
12 Nice Overalls - Lustre
13 Here It Comes Again - Please
14 The Ballad Of El' Goodo - Evan Dando
15 Sugarhigh - Coyote Shivers

I also watched this recently but I did see it back in the 90's when I was the appropriate age to enjoy the movie. It's weird, not nearly as good as I remembered, but the nostalgia was strong for me so I still enjoyed it. I'd say 6/10 for me.

 

[Supermassive]

I also watched this recently but I did see it back in the 90's when I was the appropriate age to enjoy the movie. It's weird, not nearly as good as I remembered, but the nostalgia was strong for me so I still enjoyed it. I'd say 6/10 for me.

+2 points for nostalgia and relatability is fair.
I wish I was as chill dealing with a shoplifter with a gun. Maybe the 90's were a more innocent time (to be white, lol).

 

[PK Cronin]

+2 points for nostalgia and relatability is fair.
I wish I was as chill dealing with a shoplifter with a gun. Maybe the 90's were a more innocent time (to be white, lol).

When you write out all the storylines it's insane that anyone actually approved that movie to be made. It's even crazier to think that there's something about it that teens found relatable or endearing given all the wackiness. Now that I'm thinking about it (and am going to ramble), it's probably because they grab different archetypes that they know teens would find relatable, the weird one, the smart one, the slutty one, the stoner, etc. and then just throw them into a weird array of things teens might encounter or feel. The very loose cohesion to the story doesn't matter as much in that case I guess.

I know adults who "celebrate" Rex Manning day so it does have some lasting power, though I'm still not sure why.

 

[Babe Ruth]

When you write out all the storylines it's insane that anyone actually approved that movie to be made. It's even crazier to think that there's something about it that teens found relatable or endearing given all the wackiness. Now that I'm thinking about it (and am going to ramble), it's probably because they grab different archetypes that they know teens would find relatable, the weird one, the smart one, the slutty one, the stoner, etc. and then just throw them into a weird array of things teens might encounter or feel. The very loose cohesion to the story doesn't matter as much in that case I guess.

I know adults who "celebrate" Rex Manning day so it does have some lasting power, though I'm still not sure why.

Good post.. and I remember how this movie was received in real time.. it was mostly ignored, and hated by people who went to see it. If I remember right, it made back less than 10% of its budget. At the time, I felt like it was betting on Liv Tyler becoming a bankable star..

But I think it has aged well, for the nostalgic explanation you mentioned earlier. Because there were so many superficial 9os stereotypes.. it's fun to look back on now. But at the time, their fading, early 9os stereotypes were so conveniently contrived it seemed dumb/uncool?

 

[PK Cronin]

Good post.. and I remember how this movie was received in real time.. it was mostly ignored, and hated by people who went to see it. If I remember right, it made back less than 10% of its budget. At the time, I felt like it was betting on Liv Tyler becoming a bankable star..

But I think it has aged well, for the nostalgic explanation you mentioned earlier. Because there were so many superficial 9os stereotypes.. it's fun to look back on now. But at the time, their fading, early 9os stereotypes were so conveniently contrived it seemed dumb/uncool?

A cult classic lite that did better outside of the theaters than it did upon initial release. Funny how that happens sometimes.

 

[KallioWeHardlyKnewYe]

Alexander. (Oliver Stone's big honkin' 3.5 hour final cut). I saw the original version in the theater and remember being bored to tears and feeling like Colin Farrell was horribly miscast. I wondered if I was just historical epic'd out at that point with this near the end of the run long, dusty-ass antiquity-set pics that began with Gladiator. Stone eventually got around to expanding and reworking the movie into his true vision. It still mostly bored me and I still feel like Colin Farrell is horribly miscast. But at least it's longer.

Zandalee. You can squint at this erotic thriller and almost see how it could have worked. It's almost sexy but Nicolas Cage is too intensely silly. He's like a skeevy scuzzball cousin of his Moonstruck character. It's almost dramatic but poor Judge Reinhold just can't keep up. You see why this good-natured goober rarely did serious movies. But you can kinda see it. Feels like it could've been a good book. Alas, the only lasting legacy of this is the scene where Cage covers himself in black paint and yells. (He's in emotional pain). This does also have Steve Buscemi and Marisa Tomei in small, before-they-were famous parts and Joe "Joey Pants" Pantoliano doing a good job in a supporting role that's very unlike his normal parts.

 

[Babe Ruth]

The Grim Sleeper (2014)

This was a surprisingly good Lifetime movie.. basically a crash course on LA's 'Grim Sleeper' serial killings.. and the aspiring reporter breaking the story.

I really only had one complaint.. they had a problem with film location continuity. Some of the scenes were faithful to LA. There are some recognizable LA landmarks, and street signs etc.. but in mid scene they would cutaway, to scenes where it was wet, gray, and cold enough to see the actors' breath. My guess is they split time filming some in British Columbia. But, literally they'd show a car driving thru a sunny, dry LA street..and when they'd get out of the car.. it was cold, damp, and suddenly all the dying palm trees & barred windows would disappear from the street shots.

 

[Bahama Mama]

Saw this recently based on a true events, very touching and disturbing but enjoyed it as sad as it was.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0253474/

 

[NyQuil]

Now that I'm thinking about it (and am going to ramble), it's probably because they grab different archetypes that they know teens would find relatable, the weird one, the smart one, the slutty one, the stoner, etc. and then just throw them into a weird array of things teens might encounter or feel. The very loose cohesion to the story doesn't matter as much in that case I guess.

It's like the Breakfast Club only without a point.

 

[Bahama Mama]

I have a book on Jim Morrison which have yet to read - Break on Through by James Riordan and Jerry Prochnicky. Riordan was a consultant on the Doors' film. Flipping through, there is a picture of Jim's dad, Admiral Morrison. Some shots of JM getting arrested on stage in New Haven. Interesting, Vincent Furnier of Alice Cooper was a drinking buddy. Will check out Top Secret, see that it was made by the Airplane gang.

I read '' Know one here gets out alive'' when it came out, don't remember much though. Whence read, how about a critique? Was not aware Jim and Vinny were buds, way before Vin go into golf I suspect.

Here's a doc on Jim seen some time ago. Never realized that I had stayed in the same Hotel a few times over the decades. Never noticed any plaque or anything, nice place though.

If you're familiar with ''Airplane '' you kind of know what to expect, silly but good enough and funny enough to merit watching it. IIRC, it's first run on release lasted over a year in the cinemas, very popular back then.

The biggest problem with the Doors movie is the Doors really sucks as a band and I can't sit through a three hour movie about their trash music.

The Doors suck? is that why they have tens of millions of fans? Music is a personal palate and so easy to crap on music not in ones own area of preference. So much music sucks but que sera sera. Guess you some how managed to see an extended version of the movie that I certainly was not aware of.

 

[Chili]

Saw this recently based on a true events, very touching and disturbing but enjoyed it as sad as it was.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0253474/

Memorable film, liked Adrien Brody in Detachment too.

Movies: - Last Movie You Watched and Rate it | {Insert Appropriate Seasonal Greeting Here}

Police Story 2 Well I loved the first, so I had to give the sequel a shot. I don't get why they went this angle with it. There's less action, less slapstick, it's longer, and the plot is overly serious. Just really missed the mark here. The action that's there is still fantastic (playground...

forums.hfboards.com

 

[Babe Ruth]

Traveling Light (2021)

Anyone else see this?

Candyman (Tony Todd) is a new Uber driver, who searches the streets of Hollyweird for his homeless son while he drives..
It's set in the midst of COVID hysteria, and at the (exact) start of the George Floyd riots.. Todd encounters a strange cult as he taxis members to their meeting spot (looked like up on Mulholland).

This felt like it had a lot of potential.. but was very slow at times, and depressingly pointless. I shouldn't have been surprised, because it has Stephen Dorff, who I feel hasn't been in a good movie since The Gate.
It was an intriguing setting, just not a good Tubi watch in my opinion. Because of how unique it was, I am curious to hear other takes tho?

 

[Sleemans]

Comrades, Almost a Love Story (1996)

Late last year I subscribed to The Criterion Channel for the first time, and so far have not taken advantage of my subscription as much as I should. At the start of each month they let you know which films are leaving at the end of that month. So late each month I'm trying to catch them before they're gone, and this was the case yesterday with "Comrades, Almost a Love Story."

What a great film with two wonderful lead characters/actors!

If you have The Criterion Channel, try and watch this film before it's gone July 1st.

Comrades, Almost a Love Story (1996)

Jun arrives in Hong Kong from mainland China, hoping to be able to earn enough money to marry his girlfriend back home. He meets the streetwise Qiao and they become friends. As friendship turns into love, problems develop, and although they seem meant for each other they somehow keep missing out.

letterboxd.com

4.5/5

 

[kihei]

In the Land of Saints and Sinners (2024) Directed by Robert Lorenz 7A

Finbar (Liam Neeson) is an aging hitman who has got to the point in life where he is tired of the work. But when a bad guy mistreats a young girl, Finbar takes it upon himself to eliminate the scumbag and he buries him in a remote area where he then plants a tree on his grave. There are an awful lot of young trees in this general area which tells us all we need to know about how active Finbar has been down through the years. Unbeknownst to him, he has killed the brother of and IRA terrorist, and she (Kerry Condon) is none too happy about it. With the help of a young hotshot gunman (Jack Gleeson) still eager for the kills, he figures out a way to defend himself from her wrath.

In the Land of Saints and Sinners is a pleasant surprise, the best Liam Neeson film since 2011's The Grey. This doesn't mean it's a great movie...the bar has been pretty low for Neeson on that score for well over a decade. But it is an above average genre work with a more interesting setting, Donegal, Ireland during the "troubles," and more fleshed out characters than we normally get in this sort to thing. While the characters are all familiar types and have been since the 1940s, they are given shape and liveliness by fine performances from the supporting players. In fact, the whole cast, which includes Colm Meaney as a crime boss and Ciaran HInds as a policeman, is excellent. Likeable as always, Neeson brings his "A" game as well as a more pronounced Irish accent to the proceedings. The atmospheric setting, the fine cinematography and some good pacing all make In the Land of Saints and Sinners way more fun than expected. In short, the movie is something of a throwback to the days when "B" movies were works of craftsmanship and personality, not mindless action outings with explosions in place of plot, all cut from the same cloth. You could do a lot worse than to make this the next movie on your list.

Netflix

 

[The Macho King]

Haven't been on in awhile but watched Days of Being Wild and Happy Together from WKW.

This man doesn't miss. Both masterpieces.

 

[Spring in Fialta]

Haven't been on in awhile but watched Days of Being Wild and Happy Together from WKW.

This man doesn't miss. Both masterpieces.

I'll never forget the scene when the girl starts sobbing to Andy Lau's cop character in Days of Being Wild.

 

[The Macho King]

I'll never forget the scene when the girl starts sobbing to Andy Lau's cop character in Days of Being Wild.

My wife developed a crush on Leslie Cheung. I don't get it - Tony Leung is right there.

 

[Neil Racki]

The Hitman - 6/10 .. kinda sucked

 

[Nakatomi]

Between Benedetta, The First Omen, and Immaculate, I have unexpectedly watched a many movies about nuns in Europe recently.

Benedetta was more-or-less softcore pornography but apparently somewhat inspired by a true story involving a scandal in the Catholic church involving lesbians in a convent back in the day. There are also some religious visions and a reasonable attempt to explore how sexual freedom conflicts with faith.

Immaculate stars Sydney Sweeney, which obviously ensures seeing her topless as that appears to be a requirement for her to sign onto anything, and this one is a lot closer to The First Omen than to Benedetta. The First Omen is a prequel to The Omen, and comes up short in that regard. But taken on its own, it kept me relatively engaged. Also features nudity and naughty nuns, and the extremely expressive face of Nell Tiger Free (true name!).

All in all, my main takeaway is that I do not need to see any movies featuring nuns for some time.

I think both The First Omen and Immaculate work well enough, with the former being a little better on the tension and eeriness scale and the latter being better paced. Benedetta fell into a different genre as it is a sort of semi-biographical drama, but was fairly enjoyable despite a few eye rolling turns in the story.

 

[Osprey]

I see that Paul Verhoeven directed Benedetta. If there's one filmmaker that I would trust to handle the topic of faith and life in a convent with thoughtfulness, tastefulness and restraint, it's Paul Verhoeven.

 

[Pranzo Oltranzista]

Between Benedetta, The First Omen, and Immaculate, I have unexpectedly watched a many movies about nuns in Europe recently.

Benedetta was more-or-less softcore pornography but apparently somewhat inspired by a true story involving a scandal in the Catholic church involving lesbians in a convent back in the day. There are also some religious visions and a reasonable attempt to explore how sexual freedom conflicts with faith.

Immaculate stars Sydney Sweeney, which obviously ensures seeing her topless as that appears to be a requirement for her to sign onto anything, and this one is a lot closer to The First Omen than to Benedetta. The First Omen is a prequel to The Omen, and comes up short in that regard. But taken on its own, it kept me relatively engaged. Also features nudity and naughty nuns, and the extremely expressive face of Nell Tiger Free (true name!).

All in all, my main takeaway is that I do not need to see any movies featuring nuns for some time.

I think both The First Omen and Immaculate work well enough, with the former being a little better on the tension and eeriness scale and the latter being better paced. Benedetta fell into a different genre as it is a sort of semi-biographical drama, but was fairly enjoyable despite a few eye rolling turns in the story.

So, not for now?

 

[Unholy Diver]

The Bikeriders 7.5/10 - not the biggest Tom Hardy fan, but found this one enjoyable, interesting cast of characters amongst the biker gang, though I'd imagine the film painted them a little more favorably than reality

Inside Out 2 - 7.5/10 Riley, now 13 and entering puberty gains the new emotions of embarrassment, envy, ennui, and anxiety, which push the emotions from the first film to the back burner, another solid effort from Pixar, though I would rate it a tick behind the original

Hero and the Terror - 5.5/10 - Chuck Norris is Danny "Hero" O'Brien a San Francisco detective that has to hunt down Simon Moon aka "the Terror" a large mute serial killer he had put away three years prior after the killer escapes a mental institution and resumes snapping women's necks. Roundhouse kicks all around


Eye of the Tiger - 5/10 - Gary Busey an ex con Vietnam vet wages a mostly one man war (Yaphet Kotto helps a little bit) against a biker gang running drugs and raising hell in his small Texas hometown, while a crooked sheriff looks the other way

 

[Rodgerwilco]

Saw this recently based on a true events, very touching and disturbing but enjoyed it as sad as it was.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0253474/

One of my favoite performances from one of my favorite actors. May have to give this one another watch, it's been quite a while.

 

[shadow1]

Machete (2010) - 6/10

A Mexican day laborer is hired to assassinate a politician, but is double crossed by his handler.

Danny Trejo stars as Machete, an ex-Federale who has fled to the United States after the death of his family. While working as a day laborer, Machete is forced into taking a hit job against Texas Senator McLaughlin (Robert DeNiro). When Machete his double crossed and badly wounded, he turns to an ICE agent (Jessica Alba), a Taco vendor (Michelle Rodriguez), and his priest brother (Cheech Marin) to help in getting revenge...

Machete was written by Robert Rodriguez and co-directed by Rodriguez and Ethan Maniquis. The idea of Machete was developed in the mid-1990's by Rodriguez and star Danny Trejo, and received life in the form of a "mock" trailer that played in the movie Grindhouse (2007). After the trailer gained a cult following, Rodriguez expanded it into a full length movie. How does it fare?

Pretty solid. Machete is a modern day exploitation movie, and has a very tight story with little fat. It's a simple movie where the audience pleasure comes from its schlockier elements, like one liners and over-the-top violence. And, if you watch the trailer, you'll know exactly how things are going to play out.

...Except when the movie tricks you. Machete's Grindhouse trailer is extremely popular, and almost every clip from it was lifted and worked into the plot of the film. However, there are times where you expect something to happen because it was in the trailer, but the movie pulls the ol' rope-a-dope and something else happens. For example, maybe a different character is on the receiving end of Machete's blade, or a scene that you think is going one way suddenly goes another. The way this film's trailer interacts with the audience viewing experience is fascinating.

Interestingly, Machete is somewhat prophetic, with the Robert DeNiro character erecting an electrified fence along the Mexican border. But for the most part, Machete is more about cheesy fun than having a strong political message. One thing the film does to keep you on your toes is change bad guys frequently, allowing Robert Rodriguez to cram in lots of familiar faces, including Jeff Fahey, Don Johnson, Lindsay Lohan, Steven Seagal, Shea Wingham, and (my favorite) Tom Savini.

Overall, Machete don't text. If you're looking for popcorn fun, with true badass Danny Trejo carving up some wrongdoers, look no further. Machete was a hit, earning $45.5M against its $10.5M budget.

Machete Kills (2013) - 6/10

The President of the United States recruits ex-Federale Machete to stop the launch of a dangerous missile.

Danny Trejo returns as Machete, who receives a call from President Rathcock (Charlie Sheen, credited as Carlos Estevez) alerting him to the fact that a dangerous missile located in Mexico may soon target the United States. Rathcock offers Machete USA citizenship if he can completely his mission. However, it won't be easy - Machete is hunted by a mysterious assassin, and the person controlling the missile (Demian Bichir) is suffering from severe multiple personality disorder...

Machete Kills was directed by Robert Rodriguez, and written by Rodriguez and Kyle Ward. The film was planned, along with a third Machete film, at the time the 2010 movie was released, and went into production in 2012. How does it fare?

Also pretty solid. Machete Kills could've fallen into the trap of being a rehash of the first movie, but rehash it is not. If I had to describe Machete Kills, I would call it a blend of Escape from New York (1981) and Mission: Impossible (1996). It's an odyssey film, with an adventure so over-the-top that you never know what's coming next. No, the original Machete (2010) wasn't exactly a grounded movie, but Machete Kills is full on comic book. Danny Trejo is practically a terminator, barely flinching when inflicted by wounds that should be fatal.

And I love the movie for that. It's a wild, adrenaline fueled ride, with an even bigger cast than the first movie. In addition to Trejo, Bichir, and Sheen, Machete Kills sees the return of Jessica Alba, Michelle Rodriguez, and one person I won't spoil (it's hilarious). Additionally, Antonio Bandares, Lady Gaga, Mel Gibson, Cuba Gooding Jr., Walton Goggins, Amber Heard, and Sophia Vergara join the fray, assuring this film's cast is just as over-the-top as the movie is.

What's the catch? The story is somewhat of a hot mess. You can definitely follow what's going on, but it's all over the place; a stark comparison from the original Machete (2010). There are times in this movie where it feels like there are alternative, simpler solutions to the problems the protagonists are facing... but hey, it's a popcorn movie. If a wild plot leads to more Danny Trejo bad-assery, I'm all for it.

Overall, Machete don't tweet. Machete Kills, in my opinion, is on par with the original movie in terms of enjoyment, but for completely different reasons. Unfortunately, with 2007's Grindhouse far in the rearview mirror in 2013, audiences didn't come out to see Machete Kills, as it earned only $17.5M against its $20M budget.

Machete Kills Again ...In Space (202X) - 10/10

Ex-Federale Machete goes to outer space to stop a mad man from starting a nuclear war on earth.

Danny Trejo returns as Machete, who following the events of Machete Kills has followed clairvoyant madman Voz (Leonardo DiCaprio*) into outer space. Voz has kidnapped Luz (Michelle Rodriguez) and is trying to start a nuclear holocaust on earth, intending to rebuild society on his space station, with plans to use his new citizens as his slaves...

Machete Kills Again ...In Space was conceptualized by writer/director Robert Rodriguez. Originally loosely planned following the release of Machete (2010), Machete Kills Again ...In Space received a teaser trailer in 2013. The film has been stuck in development for over a decade, but in April 2024 Rodriguez told website IndieWire that he still plans to make the film, but has avoided sharing news about it until pre-production actually begins. How will it fare?

Please god come out.

 

[Osprey]

I watched both Machete movies last year, myself. I didn't review them, but my thoughts were similar. I preferred the first because the second was a little too comic bookish and all over the place for my taste, but they were both dumb fun.

Trejo is a cool guy. He supposedly owns the record for on-screen deaths with around 70, largely because he tends to play henchmen, drug pushers and gang members and insists that those characters die to show young people that such choices have consequences.