Movie Review: The Final Master

When I approached watching The Final Master, I was unsure of what to expect. Based on the trailer I saw the action was going to feature weapons and be primarily based on Wing Chun. It also boasted being from the writer of The Grandmaster. The film also appeared to be set in a similar time frame of The Grandmaster and the Ip Man films. It is true, The Final Master is set in the 1930’s, just prior to the start of World War II. I was excited to see the action, however, that was tempered by my expectation of period based drama. You see, those are not particular favorites of mine, period dramas. I have found the martial arts ones, in particular, tend to lose me along the way as I wait for the next fight.

2016 Oscar Predictions.

The Oscars are tomorrow night. That means it is time for another round of Hollywood backslapping. Funny thing is, I still kind of enjoy watching the show It can be silly, stupid, boring, and yes, even exciting. Over the years I have seen my tastes go from being pretty in line with those films that get nominated to being quite a bit different. It is to the point that if a movie I legitimately love gets nominated, I get quite happy. In any case, I thought I would give a quick rundown of my guesses and predictions, if any of you actually care. So, anyone interested?

2015: My Favorite Films

Wow. It has been awhile, hasn’t it? Believe me, I know. I am sorry about that. January has been a strange month of projects and issues, like my DVD collection condensing project (which is still ongoing). I am planning on getting back into the groove and providing you faithful followers with a bunch of new reviews. To that end, I figured I should try to get my top 10 for 2015 up at least before February hits. As a bonus, I have decided to give you my top 15 instead. How’s that sound? I am not sure what a list like mine actually means, but I like to share.

2015: My Least Favorite Films

So, we are two weeks into the new year and I have not, until now, posted my best or worst of the year lists. I know on some level these are unnecessary, especially from someone such as myself. Still, here it is, my bottom ten movies of the year list. I will try to make it short and sweet, seriously, how much do you need to know? You probably already had an idea of how bad these are. Still, for some reason, I am always ready to jump in front of that bus for you and take the bullet. That’s right, this is the kind of movie where a guy could jump in front of a bus and die of a bullet. Read on, brave souls….

Movie Review: The Revenant (2015)

Going in to seeing The Revenant, I found it hard to ignore some facts regarding the production. It is not that I was seeking this information, but when you travel in certain circles, it becomes,a bit difficult to completely avoid it. With regards to this film, much has been made of Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu shooting it entirely with natural light, leading to some days only having twenty minutes of shooting time. The there is Leonardo Dicaprio who did much of his own work, going through the rigors of the elements and having some issue with the raw liver. Not that this should have an impact on the movie itself, but sometimes it can color an opinion.

Movie Review: Point Break (2015)

Way back in 1991 an action film hit theaters that saw some success, featuring Keanu Reeves starring as an FBI agent who goes undercover with a group of bank robbing surfers who wore masks of presidents, led by Patrick Swayze. I recall liking it, but have not seen it enough to really have any attachment to it, so when it was announced that a remake was being made, I cannot say I had a strong reaction either way. Then the trailer came out and I knew it was going to be a disaster. Then I saw it and it was definitely a disaster. Seriously, this movie is just bad, not because it is a remake, but because it is, well, bad. Point Break is here.

Movie Review: The Hateful Eight

When is a Quentin Tarantino simultaneously like a Quentin Tarantino movie and not like a Quentin Tarantino movie? When it is the eighth movie by Quentin Tarantino. It is a movie that is also known as The Hateful Eight. I am sure you are wondering what that opening statement means. I will get to that. Let me start by saying one of my first thoughts was wondering when I am going to see a Broadway billboard advertising the first play by Quentin Tarantino. That is what that opening alludes to. This movie feels a lot like a play, the limited locale, the focus on dialogue, but it still feels very cinematic at the same time. Rather contradictory, I know, but it fits.

Movie Review: Joy (2015)

At first I was going to take a pass on Joy. I have never been the biggest fan of David O. Russell, although I did like Silver Linings Playbook was pretty good (American Hustle on the other hand…. well, let’s say it was not so). The trailers for this movie didn't exactly leave me thrilled, there was a scene it that just makes me cringe just like the Rosie O’Donnell quip in the Deadpool trailer, in other words, not good. Still, I found myself sitting in the theater watching Joy unfold before me. It did not exactly bring me joy, but it was a bit better than I was expecting. I still won’t be lining up to sing the praises of Russell, but at least I was entertained.

Movie Review: We Are Still Here

In 1981, Lucio Fulci completed the unofficial Gates of Hell Trilogy with House by the Cemetery (it follows The Beyond and City of the Living Dead). The movie centered on a family who move to an old house with a secret. I do not want to give away the secret, but let me say it is a good one. The film is another winner in the late Fulci’s filmography. It has a great score and features the great Catriona MacColl. Of course, it has the most annoying screen child this side of the Babadook boy, the infamous Bobby. Now, I am sure you are wondering just what this has to do with We Are Still Here, right? Well, rest assured, it is not another remake.

Movie Review: Star Wars - The Force Awakens

It is finally here. Star Wars: The Force Awakens has been in theaters nationwide for barely 24-hours and it is already decimating box office records. I know the movie has its detractors, those who never got the fuss over the franchise, or just those who have grown tired of the marketing blitz. I get it. Really, I do. There are things that got insane hype and whatnot from various sectors that I don’t get. Honestly, I am not sure how to explain it without some serious research into the film’s history, which I am not likely to do right now. Just know that I get it. I love the Star Wars films and can even defend the prequels (the Holiday Special is another story). This new entry is one that gets it.

Event Recap: Hudson Horror Show XXII - Slasher Sequels, Killer Hands, Heavy Metal, and Gang Warfare

I am so sad that it is over. You honestly have no idea. For a day the whole world just disappears and all I have are the movies. Well, not just the movies, I have the friends. I probably sound like a broken record, but I am sure some of you can attest, the two annual Hudson Horror Show marathons are among my favorite days of the year. Nothing else matters. I get to sit in a theater, watch movies, get some cool stuff from cool vendors, and hang out with friends. There really is nothing quite like it. Even if the movie is a bit lackluster, there is always something special about seeing it projected from 35mm with a crowd.

Movie Review: Creed (2015)

Earlier this year I saw trailers for two boxing movies, one was obviously Creed, the other was the Kurt Sutter penned Southpaw. Knowing nothing other than the two trailers, I predicted that Creed would be the better of the two. Boy, was I right. It is not that Southpaw was all that bad, but aside from a strong lead performance, it never really grabbed me. Now. Creed on the other hand, while it is not exactly the most original film, but the movie is so well executed, it has this great build up. It grabs you emotionally and drags you into the moment. It is the sort of movie that will leave you exhausted.

Movie Review: Krampus (2015)

It may not hold true to any of the various versions of the Krampus myth, but that does not keep the movie from being very entertaining. This is a movie that reminds one of movies like Christmas Vacation, Gremlins, and even a touch of Home Alone and in doing so has crafted what is sure to become a new Christmas tradition, at least for me if not my whole family. This is a sweet natured holiday movie that that is not afraid to get a little crazy and just captures just the right tone. No, it is not a pure horror film, nor is it purely comedy. It strikes a delicate balance that slices its way right to my heart.

Movie Review: Victor Frankenstein (2015)

Have you ever seen a trailer and been absolutely convinced it was going to be a terrible movie? Sure you have, probably happens all the time. Now, have you ever seen a trailer for a movie you were sure was going to be terrible but still wanted to see it? I bet that happens a lot too. Finally, have you ever gone to one of those movies and found that you actually like it? It doesn’t have to be great, just that it defied those expectations you started with and you honestly enjoy it. Well, that happened with Victor Frankenstein. I was convinced it was going to be a jokey mess and left believing it was a genuinely good movie.

Blu-ray Review: No Escape (2015)

When I first saw the title No Escape pop up on an upcoming movie list, my mind flashed back to 1994 and wondered if they actually remade the Martin Campbell directed sci-fi/action film that came out that year. You don't remember it? It was pretty good, had a decent cast with Ray Liotta and Lance Henriksen, and reminded one of movies like Escape from New York. Well, obviously they didn't, it is just a coincidence. This No Escape is actually a modern day thriller featuring a family just trying to stay alive. In all honesty, this new film is probably the better of the two, but I think I want to revisit the older one now, see if it holds up.

Movie Review: The Night Before (2015)

I am not normally the kind of guy who likes Christmas movies before Thanksgiving, outside of the obvious year round exceptions (A Nightmare Before Christmas, Silent Night Deadly Night, Black Christmas, you get the idea). Still, sometimes theatrical release schedules make the decision for you when you start seeing them in any given year. This year The Night Before got me in front of a Yuletide themed film prior to turkey-day this year. And you know what? It was a blast. It is a buddy movie, a drug comedy, an awkward coming of age tale, and it is all wrapped up like A Christmas Carol. Yes, I liked it. Smart? Hardly, but certainly funny and surprisingly heartfelt.

Movie Review: The Hunger Games - Mockingjay: Part 2

Well, the series has come to close, not with a bang, but a whimper. This is not to say I did not enjoy the film, but it is certainly not without its flaws. I can say I was entertained, but considering how the series got off to a roaring success with its first two entries, the final two seem a little tired and worn out by comparison. I seriously think the franchise would have been better off, creatively, if the Mockingjay pair of films were just one film. The studio got greedy, and as they are wont to do with their high profile franchises, split the final book into two films (following Harry Potter, Twilight, and you could probably toss The Hobbit in there as well). Both final films felt stretched and padded with material to meet run time requirements.

Movie Review: The Peanuts Movie

I am not sure The Peanuts Movie will be considered one of the classics, I will probably use the Halloween special as my go to Peanuts special, but that does not change the enjoyment I got from this film. Seriously, there is something about this movie that just really works. It is filled with callbacks to gags and stories from the strip and other shows, but it all adds to the charm contained within its frames (or what takes the place of frames in this digital age). All of the classic characters are there doing what those characters do and I sat there with a smile on my face the whole time. It is not a laugh out loud sort of film, and that is all right.

Movie Review: Specte

Few franchises can lay claim to more than fifty years of history and even fewer have twenty-four films under their belt. It wasn’t that long ago that I was talking about another franchise that got better with age, meaning the later sequels were actually better than the first few. Now, when it comes to James Bond, we have a whole new story to tell. When it comes to the best films in the franchise, you will likely get a mixture of old and new. Seriously, when I think about my favorites, titles such as From Russia with Love, Casino Royale (2006), Goldfinger, and Skyfall. Now, there is Spectre. I am not sure it will land in the top five, but it is certainly no slouch.

Movie Review: Paranormal Activity - The Ghost Dimension

We have certainly come a long way, but it is finally over. Well, that could mean the end of the franchise or it could just mean the end of this story cycle. While I can be counted among the fans of this series, I honestly hope this is the end of it. Period. I always felt like the Paranormal Activity had a limited shelf life. I haven't even gone back and rewatched any of the series, never really felt the need to. Now it is over as Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension has graced theater screens.