Recently Watched Movies 2021

[CL82]

Timeline - Skipped this one all those years ago. Should've left it that way. Pretty dumb stuff

The Michael Crichton book is pretty good. Not his best, but good. I watched this recently too, without knowing the storyline ahead of time, it would have been tough to follow. It's watchable, but not great.

 

[CL82]

Jungle Cruise (2021). Daughter is headed to college in a week, so we had a family movie night. Another one coming tonight. You've got The Rock and Emily Blunt. Ms. Blunt is among the more physical lead actresses in Hollywood, along with people like Kate Winnick, she legit can kick some butt. She uses that a bit here. The Rock is what he always is, massive, funny and likable. The story rips off at least a dozen other movies and/or books, including African Queen, Pirates of the Caribbean and Star Wars. Look at the costume below and compare to Bogart in African Queen. Pirates relied on the brilliance of Johnny Depp and a rich trove of both fact and fiction pirate tales, and it was terrific as a result. This lacks any real creativity or imagination at all, like a movie made by polling focus groups. It isn't bad. It's fun and funny at times, with enough action. It just isn't particularly good either.

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Disney is great at cross promoting. This is another in a series of movies designed to do just that. Plus saving the cost for the rights of intellectual property that you already own, can't hurt either.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Free Guy (2021). Finally saw a movie in the theater. Our local Regal completely refurbished, and is running a special, all movies $3 this week. I had wanted to check it out anyway. We were in a VIP theater, so big comfy chairs, electric foot things, tray for food etc. Place had about 10 beers on tap, a bar and a coffee shop. Huge sound, including in the seat, which shook during explosions (subwoofers in the headrest?).

The Movie: Outstanding. This movie has everything. It's really well written and a clever story, loads of action, comedy, some intrigue and even mild Ron-Com elements. Not sure who could pull this off but Ryan Reynolds. Reynolds is "Guy", and non playable character (NPC) in a MOM video game that resembles Grand Theft Auto. Without revealing details about how, Guy becomes self aware and evolves. He meets Molotov Girl/Millie, a playable character (very cute Jodie Comer) who assumes he is a player who hacked an NPC skin and says to level up over 100 to get her attention. He does it in a unique way that makes him famous. The movie shifts from in game activity, and outside the game real world activity, with Millie the main character doing both. She is a game designer and worked with "Keys" (Joe Keery from Stranger Things) who now codes this game, on a different game of their own. Taika Waititi is superb as always, as the bad guy, Antoine, who owns the game. The story lines inside and outside the game merge, and we lead to our exciting, funny, dramatic conclusion. Just loads of fun, heartwarming and enjoyable.

 

[Deepster]

Coda - Another score for Apple TV. Story of a daughter born into a fisherman's family where the mother (Marlee Matlin), father and brother are all deaf. She figures out in high school that she's a talented singer with the help of a choir teacher who sees her ability. There are a lot of layers in the rest of the story that I'll leave for you to experience. The scene where her parents go to her big performance was amazing. Worth watching the movie just for that.

 

[Jay-Bone]

Pig - The monthly Nick Cage offering. Actually getting good ratings. I couldn't take it seriously though. Not even sure if you're supposed to or not. Certainly not what you would expect, so definitely don't think you have another John Wick on your hands. Seemed to be pretentiously mocking pretentiousness. Trying for a deeper meaning, but I thought just too hokey.

 

[Waquoit]

We had a couple of tweens staying over for the weekend and the movie choice was Shazam. I liked it! Once it got going, it kept going. Didn't seem as long as the running time to me. Mrs. Maisel's old boyfriend did a great job.

 

[nwhoopfan]

I think "Pixie" is a Showtime original, right now it's free On Demand w/ xfinity. Sort of a low budget version of all the British gangster movies you've seen, except it's set in Ireland. Fairly mediocre, but Olivia Cooke made it watchable. She's got charm and panache to spare. Everybody else was just kinda there, including Colm Meaney and Alec Baldwin.

 

[dbmill]

Matinee (1993) - This comedy with some dramatic overtones stars John Goodman and was directed by Joe Dante. This film takes place in Key West in 1962 when Goodman, playing a William Castle type independent filmmaker, shows up in town to promote his latest film which is showing at the local movie theater. For those who don’t know, William Castle was heavy into putting various gimmicks in theaters to promote and gain attention to his films, ranging from skeletons flying over the audience during a movie to putting buzzers in seats to shake up the audience a bit, among plenty of other items and promotions.

The appearance of Goodman’s character to promote his latest film in Key West coincides with the the announcement of the Cuban Missile Crisis, and the tensions that it brings to the local community (not to mention the whole country at the time). Goodman’s character sees this as a stroke of good luck, as his movie theater stunts range at striking at the various emotions of the audience. Goodman promoting his movie is one part of this film, the other focus of this film is the impact of what is going on with the local community, most notably the school age population, which this film and Goodman targets. And believe me, there is plenty of crossover in emotions generated between what is going on in the film and the theater with the stunts that are being pulled, in combination with the atmosphere that the missile crisis has created with the local population..

I quite liked Matinee”, particularly Goodman’s performance in this film. While I don't necessarily go out seeking Goodman movies, this is one of the most enjoyable performances I have seen from him. While Goodman is the nominal star, this film gives quite a bit of screen time to a number of child actors who do quite fine with the material at hand as well.

 

[nwhoopfan]

"As Cool As I Am" on xfinity On Demand. Never heard of it before. Kind of heartbreaking, good performances. Worth a watch I thought. Stars Sarah Bolger, also Claire Danes, James Marsden, Thomas Mann (who I like quite a bit, even though he's kinda always the same character), bit parts by Jeremy Sisto and Peter Fonda. She's a teen facing some of the issues teens deal with, in addition to dysfunctional parents (who had her when they were teens, and they never quite grew up). Bolger capably carries the film.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Reminiscence (2021). HBO Max and theaters. Stars Hugh Jackman, Rebecca Ferguson and Thandie Newton. I read a meh review before watching this, so wasn't sure what to expect. Turns out that once you get past the implausible flood/rising sea waters it is an interesting future film noir genre movie. Jackman has a business with Newton that allows people to experience their memories as if reliving them. So it has some shades of Total Recall for me, but the filming has hints of Blade Runner as well. I won't say more as this is a thriller/romance movie that unravels nicely. It kept my interest all the way. Rebecca Ferguson proves to have a wonderful smoky, sexy singing voice. It's free on HBOMax through 9/19.

 

[Sonofabeach]

(IMO) Don't Breathe part 2 is just as good as the first one

 

[Dove]

Pig (2021) - Another unique, off the grid character by Nicolas Cage.

Definitely worth the watch as he and Alex Wolff (Patriot's Day, Hereditary) do a great job together.

Hermit in the woods, who hunts truffles with his pig, used to be a damned good chef. Pig gets stolen and the hunt is on.

 

[storrsroars]

All Nighter (2015). I'd never heard of it, but was looking for something on Prime without dumb plots, dumb characters and explosions, and saw JK Simmons attached to it, so gave it a watch. Fun story of an absent dad looking for his daughter, worried about her safety, and spending a night out with her ex-boyfriend (Emile Hirsch) trying to find her at various bars, cafes and restaurants among drunks, stoners and d-bags. Even has a bit part from Milana Vayntrub trying to kill them. Not a great film, but the leads were believable, a few very funny moments, and overall an enjoyable watch.

 

[Deadrody]

Watch "Jungle Cruise" last month. I think this is the best entertaining movie I have watched this year. Combined the good adventure and jungle funs in one movie.

Agreed. Really, really good. What you used to expect for summer blockbuster entertainment

 

[nwhoopfan]

Sarah Gadon is absolutely lovely...but if you ever see her you should run away. Something bad always happens when she's around. Sometimes to her, sometimes to someone else, but somehow she's always a tragic figure, at least in everything I've seen her in.

So I checked out something I was previously unaware of--"The Moth Diaries." Strange film. Never really sure if there were supernatural elements or just a character losing her mind and imagining everything. Didn't really love it. But in addition to the lovely Sarah Gadon, it also featured Sarah Bolger (one stop shopping for Sarahs). It was set at a girl's boarding school. Like most movies set at girl's boarding schools there was tension and jealousy and obsession. And maybe a vampire. Or maybe not. And for some reason Scott Speedman as the only male faculty member, just to further complicate everything.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention Gadon was around 24 and Bolger around 20, playing 16-18 year olds I'm guessing? The usual.

 

[nwhoopfan]

I've been bouncing back and forth between Amazon and Netflix streaming for a while. Didn't have any streaming service for a little while, now back to Nflix again.

First up was "Afterlife of the Party" starring Victoria Justice and Midori Francis, both of whom I like a lot. Was different than the trailer suggested, less goofy and more sentimental. Victoria and Midori are best friends, they have a fight during the middle of Victoria's wild night of celebrating her 25th birthday. Before they can make up, Victoria stumbles around, slips and conks her head on the toilet and dies. A year later her spirit gets a chance to right some wrongs with the people she was closest with in life. I enjoyed it. Not a great movie, but likable characters and it keeps moving along well enough.

I've said it before, but it's surprising to me Victoria isn't a bigger star. She was as a tween or teen w/ her show "Victorious" from Nickelodeon, but she's never been able to recapture it since then.

 

[HuskyHawk]

I've been bouncing back and forth between Amazon and Netflix streaming for a while. Didn't have any streaming service for a little while, now back to Nflix again.

First up was "Afterlife of the Party" starring Victoria Justice and Midori Francis, both of whom I like a lot. Was different than the trailer suggested, less goofy and more sentimental. Victoria and Midori are best friends, they have a fight during the middle of Victoria's wild night of celebrating her 25th birthday. Before they can make up, Victoria stumbles around, slips and conks her head on the toilet and dies. A year later her spirit gets a chance to right some wrongs with the people she was closest with in life. I enjoyed it. Not a great movie, but likable characters and it keeps moving along well enough.

I've said it before, but it's surprising to me Victoria isn't a bigger star. She was as a tween or teen w/ her show "Victorious" from Nickelodeon, but she's never been able to recapture it since then.

Show me Nick teen that became a star. The iCariy cast? Nope. The only one I can think of is Christine Taylor who was in Hey Dude ages ago. If Victoria can act, that’s news to me. She has the looks.

 

[nwhoopfan]

If Victoria can act, that’s news to me.

She's not heading for an Oscar, but she's passable. I've certainly seen worse from bigger names.

Show me Nick teen that became a star.

I found a list that isn't linking very well. How about Ryan Reynolds, Jessica Alba and Ariana Grande for starters?

edit--and Emma Roberts

 

[CL82]

Show me Nick teen that became a star. The iCariy cast? Nope. The only one I can think of is Christine Taylor who was in Hey Dude ages ago. If Victoria can act, that’s news to me. She has the looks.

Ariana Grande?

 

[HuskyHawk]

Back to Movies.

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021). Saw this last night on the big screen. Our Regal cinema as spectacularly renovated and it makes me sad that it is mostly empty. I plan to go frequently. They need the business to stay open. And hell, this one now has a bar with about 8 beers on tap, along with a coffee shop.

The cast has few names you know beyond Michelle Yeoh and Ben Kingsley (reprising his Mandarin actor personality in a bit part for some humor). The lead guy is pretty likable, along with his goofy friend side-kick Katy. Fala-Chen plays his mom and is a knockout. The story starts before the lead character is born, and there are frequent flashbacks to him as a child and as a teen. This is an origin story, with minimal tie ins to the Marvel Universe. It doesn't feel like a Marvel movie. The filing locations in San Francisco, Australia (stand in for China) and Macau are pretty cool. It's visually appealing and the story is long and complex. I have issues with the editing, which could have cut some fight and chase scenes a bit shorter. Aside from that it is quite a fun movie and is definitely a little different for Marvel. Shang-Chi/Shaun gives me some Spider-Man vibes, he's not a teenager, but in some key ways he's a regular guy.

 

[nwhoopfan]

Not surprisingly, Netflix originals have been hit and miss for me. More miss than hit.

"Beckett"--conspiracy thriller set in Greece, starring John David Washington (and Alicia Vikander for about 10 minutes). My interest waned about 2/3 of they way thru. When it was finally revealed what was really going on and why, seemed fairly undercooked.

"Nightbooks"--surprised they didn't wait til October for this, definitely a Halloween season kind of movie. 2 kids are held captive in a spooky apartment by a witch. It's a kids movie I guess, but fairly intense and a bit disturbing at times. I found the 2 kids kind of annoying. Krysten Ritter was great as the witch. Haven't seen her in anything in a while.

"Kate"--I was looking forward to this one. Mary Elizabeth 'Winstead plays a hitwoman who is poisoned and has a very shot time to figure out who did it and get revenge (not a spoiler, it's in the trailer). One woman army goes on a rampage. Fell kinda flat. Been there, done that. There are a few good action scenes, but long lulls inbetween, and the story line just wasn't that interesting. On a side note, who would've guessed Woody Harrelson would have such a long, successful career based on his start as a dim bulb in Cheers?

 

[Dove]

Nobody (2021) - Bob Odenkirk in a damned entertaining movie. That's it. Just damned entertaining.

 

[nwhoopfan]

Dating back several weeks.

"The High Note." Threw that on a list quite a while ago, but wasn't feeling much enthusiasm for actually watching it. Finally did. Exceeded my expectations by far. I like Dakota Johnson, I think she's been doing some really good work the last several years (caveat, I didn't watch and will never watch any of the 50 Shades series). The movie wasn't really what I thought it was going to be.

"Mortaln Kombat (2021)." Another I put on a list but wasn't very excited about. Entertaining, again better than expected. Less cheesy than the '95 version.

"Opening Night." Took a flyer on this, it's streaming on Netlfix. Don't recall hearing of it before. Some recognizable names--Topher Grace, Taye Diggs, Anne Heche, Rob Riggle, Paul Scheer, Alona Tal, Lauren Lapkus, JC Chasez playing a db version of himself. It's kinda savagely poking fun at the whole Broadway musical scene. Opening night of a production based around one hit wonder songs. Grace is the stage manager (who absolutely despises musicals), various other characters are either acting in the production, or behind the scenes persons. Got some good chuckles out of it, decent enough. Lots of pop culture references, lots of making fun of boy bands.

 

[nelsonmuntz]

Rules of Attraction (2002) - This is a really interesting, well done, absolutely amoral, movie. In 2002, after watching this movie, I would have predicted that James Van Der Beek, Ian Somerhalder, and Shannyn Sossamon would have been 3 of the biggest stars on the planet by 2010. The movie is definitely over-directed, but it somehow does not completely lose the plot despite all the gimmicks.

Reviews are critical of the self-destructive behavior of the characters, but this movie is not meant to be a morality play. It doesn't apologize. It is surreal and not particularly grounded, but it ultimately doesn't matter. The movie is what it is. Interesting, with a great soundtrack.

 

[nwhoopfan]

You don't watch Fast & Furious movies for realism. But oh my goodness, F9 was utterly ludicrously ridiculously over the top. I laughed hysterically at several scenes that weren't supposed to be funny. So dumb. Tyrese Gibson's character even got meta for a moment and questioned how they have been in so many impossible situations and keep walking away w/out a scratch...but they just shrugged it off. The music in the movie sucks too. But hey at least they brought Jordana Brewster back into the franchise and let her actually be part of the action.

 

[Dove]

Malignant (2021) - A James Wan film starring Annabelle Wallis (Peaky Blinders).

Mrs. Dove tapped out and was close but the POW...I was all in. Great special effects and graphic kill scenes galore.

Psychological horror more than scream horror. Very entertaining.

 

[nwhoopfan]

I'll often watch something simply because an actor or actress I like is in it. The results are very hit and miss. Tonight was a case in point.

Knew absolutely nothing about "Broken Diamonds," just added to Hoopla. Lola Kirke is in it, so I was in. It's a tough watch, it's heartbreaking, but very well done and worth the watch. It does leave you with a little bit of hope. Lola plays a young woman struggling with schizophrenia. Ben Platt (who I've only seen in comedic roles previously) plays her younger brother. Their parents are divorced and both remarried. Father just died. Mother moved out of the area and has dementia. I imagine this was fairly realistic, both for people who have mental health issues, and for family and friends around them who also deal with it. Ben has spent his entire lifetime trying to appease everyone and hold things together, and he's never really dealt with his own emotional issues. It all hits the fan when Lola is kicked out of the facility she's living at, has nowhere else to go so has to move in with him.

The other movie I tried is "French Exit" mostly because Imogen Poots is among the cast. But she was hardly on screen. I tried, but gave up after 30 or 40 minutes. Fast forwarded to catch a bit more of Ms. Poots. Not even gonna bother with a plot synopsis or anything else. Fans of Michelle Pfeiffer might consider it worth the effort, but I just couldn't bring myself to give it any more time than I did. Imogen needs a better agent. I adore her, but I can't remember the last movie she was in that I actually liked.

 

[ZooCougar]

Venom 2 is really fun and funny. It’s a Buddy flick. And some really worthwhile post credit twists.

 

[dbmill]

The Water Man (2020) - Actor David Oyelowo delivers the goods in his feature film directing debut, a very solid kid adventure story with fairy tale overtones. 11 year old Gunner (his father played by Oyelowo is a Marine, so that no doubt helps explain his name) and his mom and dad have recently moved to a small rural town in Oregon. Gunner is a kid with great imagination whose big passion is drawing and writing a graphic novel. The illustrations and the animation that go along with them in this film are quite entertaining and imaginative, and are a big highlight in this story.

Anyway, Gunner finds his mom (played by Rosario Dawson) who he is quite close to is seriously ill with leukemia. This certain draws Gunner’s attention as this illness becomes part of the research that the kid always seems to be involved in for his graphic novel. While this sorry news surrounds him, Gunner starts to hear about the local legend of the The Water Man, a person who is said to have come back from the dead after drowning who is said to still live in the woods nearby the town. Gunner hopes The Water Man can help his mom, so he decides to go find him. Gunner meets a girl named Jo who claims to have encountered The Water Man, so he gets this girl who has more than a bit of a grifter in her to guide him in a quest to find this mythical person, and this gets the adventure going.

The two kids (played by Lonnie Chavis and Amiah Miller) do very well in carrying the film, and in addition to the solid acting work of Oyelowo and Dawson, there are nice supporting roles for Alfred Molina and Maria Bello as well in this movie. I feel this film is definitely worth checking out.

 

[nwhoopfan]

Venom 2 is really fun and funny. It’s a Buddy flick. And some really worthwhile post credit twists.

Set a pandemic era record w/ $90 mil opening weekend. Previous high was Black Widow at around $80 mil. Opened even better than the original, which of course was pre-pandemic.