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Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014)
Koba Akimbo!
Wow!! What a movie! This takes place some years after its predecessor, Rise of the Planet of the Apes, takes everything that film gets right, and cranks it to eleven. Cæsar and his clan of super apes are living in the redwoods of Northern California, and a ragtag band of humans are struggling for survival across the Golden Gate Bridge. A small group of humans cross the bridge in search of a power station, Cæsar initially allows them to do their work, but Koba, still bitter from his time as an abused lab ape, begins stirring descension. The mocap and cinematography have only improved, and the story is riveting. Watch and enjoy.
Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011)
Cæsar Is Home
Andy Serkis is the best mocap actor ever. His performance as a chimp that slowly gains sentience is riveting. This film rebooted the Planet of the Apes franchise with a bang, the titular apes look amazing, and the story point of how the apes become increasingly clever is well told. John Lithgow also turns in a great performance here, and even James Franco has his moments. The cinematography is gorgeous as well. I don't think motion capture is going anywhere soon-it only seems to be getting better. If you missed this in theaters, you should try to watch it on the biggest TV you can find. The sequels too.
Forbidden Planet (1956)
The Tempest in Space
This is easily one of the greatest science fiction movies ever made. Human astronauts travel to distant planet Altair IV (in a flying saucer, one of many clever touches here) to determine the fate of a missing group of explorers, and encounter a man with an unfathomably powerful machine at his disposal. They try to ascertain what's going on when an unseen malevolent force begins to wreak havoc on the crew.
While a few aspects of this film show its age, it generally feels timeless and continues to entertain several decades after its release. A common consensus in the 1950s was that when MGM went for something, they went all out. They absolutely delivered on that here. This film is a classic!
Love Lies Bleeding (2024)
A Steroid Injected Thriller
There were a couple of fantastical steroid induced fever dream moments I wish hadn't been there, as I felt they took me out of such a dark and serious thriller, but generally an entertaining movie. Kristen Stewart has come a long way since the Twilight saga. She's proven many times over to be a talented actress. Haven't seen Ed Harris in quite a while. He's one of those actors you could hand a shopping list to and be entertained. A few cool flashbacks soaked in red light didn't hurt the film at all, but as mentioned, a few of the steroid moments went too far for me. Still, I mostly enjoyed this. If you like thrillers, check it out.
Drive (2011)
Neo-noir cinematic rapture
2011's Drive checks all the boxes for movie gold. Compelling storyline? Check. Great performance(s)? Check. Beautiful cinematography? Check. Stellar directing? Double check!
Nicolas Winding Refn delivers a powerful, compelling film about a stunt driver who sidelines driving criminals (or is it the other way around?). When he begins to develop feelings for his neighbor and her son, he finds himself wanting out of the criminal life. But can he get out in one piece?
Neo-noir is a rare genre, and this is a major standout. The film exudes excellence from every pore, and the 80s pop-synth music only elevates it further. But don't take my word for it, just watch and enjoy. Fair warning, though--it contains some violence that is not for the faint-hearted.
P.s. How this wasn't even nominated for Best Picture and Best Director at the Oscars is beyond me.
The Shining (1980)
An author's lament, a director's best work
It's well known that Stephen King was upset with this adaptation of his novel of the same name, because it's a very personal book for him, and the film strays from the original narrative. While I understand King's argument, it doesn't take away from just how phenomenal a motion picture this is.
Stanley Kubrick is on top form directing this movie, and it shows in every frame. The long tracking shots, the wide shots of large hotel rooms, the zooms, the close-ups...just immaculate.
Speaking of immaculate, the set design is just stunning, particularly the Gold Ballroom.
The cast is also amazing. Jack Nicholson goes from an everyman early on to increasingly creepy and unhinged. Shelly Duvall is excellent as the wife who wants to trust him but slowly grows more uneasy, and Danny Lloyd is amazing as their son.
This film truly is a masterpiece. If you've never seen it, watch it today.
Future World (2018)
Post-Apocalyptic Insanity
Post-Apocalyptic movies are usually a treat, despite common plot holes and story threads. Occasionally they can be a surprise, but are more typically just fun to watch.
While this film can get bogged down by James Franco's art house tendencies and contains far too many b-words, it does have its moments, and resolves itself fairly well.
One issue for me is that the locations aren't explored enough. A few extra minutes spent on location details would have helped. Without them, the movie feels a bit vague.
Also, I won't spoil any details, but Milla Jovovich's character is a fun standout here.
Ultimately, the film isn't that good, but neither is it terrible. If you like post-apocalyptic movies, give it a watch.
Space Truckers (1996)
Movies like this just don't get made anymore.
Stuart Gordon was a a singular director who made unique gems you won't see anywhere else. Space Truckers is about as ridiculous as its title suggests, but that's a big part of its charm. Dennis Hopper plays a freelance hauler on a space freighter that closely resembles modern semi trucks. When he gets stiffed by an unscrupulous company man, he accepts a clandestine shipment that brings him nothing but trouble. The cast is great in this, particularly Charles Dance, but he's one of those actors who could entertain by reading a shopping list. Great makeup work, great models, bad CGI, and lots of fun.
Hellraiser (1987)
He did indeed have sights to show us.
Clive Barker's directorial debut is one of the better horror films of the 1980s. The mythos of the cenobites is fascinating, the special effects are very good, and the film drips with atmosphere. One wishes Barker had been able to sell it to a bigger studio, because even a slightly increased budget would have helped eliminate the very few cracks in such a polished film. Doug Bradley is excellent as Pinhead, easily stealing every scene he appears in. The movie is full of gore, therefore not for the faint-hearted, but horror fans who haven't seen it should watch it immediately. It spawned too many sequels, but the original is still a classic.
Hellbound: Hellraiser II (1988)
A good compromise leaves everybody mad.
It is well documented that the UK exchange rates shifted as this film was in production, forcing Barker to release it in compromised form. Given that this is a solid sequel to one of the better horror films of the 1980s, I can only imagine the spectacle an uncompromised version might have given us. While not quite as good as the original, Hellraiser II is still an entertaining movie, and arguably more imaginative than the first, since Barker clearly wanted to expand the mythos of the cenobites and their realm. The film is full of great special effects. If you enjoyed the original, definitely give it a watch.
Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth (1992)
A Pale Shadow...
Disappointing third entry does not remotely measure up to its predecessors. The idea that Pinhead is separated from Elliot Spenser is interesting, but the script doesn't explore it very well. It is a pale shadow of what it could and should have been. Perhaps if Barker had been more directly involved, it might have become something more. This is also the first Hellraiser film to be made by Dimension, which did not end well at all. Truly a pity. If you enjoyed the first two films and are hoping to find an equally enjoyable third here, I doubt you'll be happy. If, on the other hand, you just want to watch Pinhead kill people, there's plenty of that.
Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993)
Brilliant Batman film is unsurpassed
Mask of the Phantasm is, to this day, the best feature length Batman film ever made. The story is ensconced with multifaceted psychological layers, as is befitting the character. Kevin Conroy's vocals fit Baman like a glove, and the viewer is treated to a very emotional journey as Bruce Wayne tries to balance bringing justice to Gotham City while having a very serious love affair.
While the movie is PG and generally family friendly (parents should keep kids younger than seven away though), in many ways, the story feels very adult. There are hints that Andrea Beaumont is Bruce's first mature affair, and the ramifications of this stretch throughout the narrative. Mark Hamill is the best Joker ever, and while Shirley Walker's score borrows from Danny Elfman's a little, it's impeccable and doesn't get enough credit. Put the opening operatic aria on loud, close your eyes and take it in.
This movie needs to be seen and discussed by even non-Batman fans. Enjoy.
Island of Lost Souls (1932)
This is Dr. Moreau's Island!
This is the best film adaptation of H. G. Wells' The Island of Dr. Moreau. Charles Laughton embodies the titular mad scientist with aplomb, the makeup is very good for the 1930s, and Bela Lugosi is a welcome surprise as the lead 'manimal' who recites the 'law'. This film inspired the band Devo (de-evolution) and their song Jocko Homo (Are we not men?). Excellent film.