I’m of the opinion that the original Exorcist is only good for the last 30 minutes or so. The opening portions are kind of lame and dull. Exorcist 2 is insane, but not in a good way. It feels like a comedic attempt at one of these films.
Exorcist III? Amazing. The best one by a lot. George C. Scott gives a wonderful performance and the whole movie is just top notch. In fact, it’s one of the scariest and best horror movies of the…well, I was going to say 80s, but it actually came out in 1990.
I saw the theatrical release edit. I’ve heard a bit about a director’s edit, but many prefer the theatrical. Sometimes the guys in suits from the studio are right.
The climax is great, but unlike the first one, the entire film is excellent.
I’ll tell you something funny - I’m a fan of a drummer named Jon Wurster, he drums in three different bands and does all sorts of side gigs. He’s also the first person who booked The Dead Milkmen and is mentioned in one of their songs.
Anyway. I also learned recently that he loves Exorcist 3 so much that he hosts occasional viewings of it. We weren’t quite able to make it, but if he does it in the area again, we’re going. (but maybe I’ll see it before that)
Love on a Leash, about a guy who’s been turned into a dog as punishment for his past life, and must find a woman to love him for who he is to be human again. Distinctly wacko.
The Nice Guys - Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe in a bit of 1977-based comedy noir detective action. The body count is surprisingly high considering the comedy aspect, but I enjoyed it. It’s probably funnier if you’re old enough to remember 1977 though.
Argo 2012 Ben Affleck, John Goodman, Bryan Cranston, Alan Arkin
Excellent film. I appreciate that it tried to remain faithful to the true history. No shoot outs or chases.
John Goodman and Bryan Cranston are very good in small parts. Alan Arkin’s portrayal of Hollywood producer, Lester Siegal was remarkable.
Lester Siegel: ‘Argo fuck yourself!’
Do you really know Warren Beatty? Yes, I do. I took a leak next to him once at the Golden Globes..
John Goodman delivered some good lines too.
First A.D.: He says the Minotaur prosthetic is too tight, so he can’t act.
John Chambers: If he could act, he wouldn’t be playing the Minotaur.
The Canadian Ambassador and his wife are prominent in the film. But, Canada’s involvement should have been made clearer. The Canadians took a lot of personal risk that could have gotten them sent to prison or hanged.
American films often give too much credit or even invents American characters to favor the US.
Affleck created dramatic tension at the end with Iranians chasing the plane as it takes off.
I understand they needed some complications when the group arrives at the airport.
It is an incredible story. I’m surprised the Iranians accepted a Canadian film crew just after Khomeini seized power.
Breakdown 1997 Kurt Russell, J.T. Walsh, Kathleen Quinlan
I will watch almost any movie with Kurt Russell. I found Breakdown on Paramount+.
Kurt’s car breaks down in the desert. A semi stops and the trucker offers to give Kurt and his wife a lift to a near by cafe. Kurt wants to stay with the car. His wife leaves and plans to call a tow truck at the cafe.
Kurt’s wife disappears. This thriller builds suspense as Kurt searches for his wife.
I like Kurt’s performance. He starts as your typical middle aged, non-violent guy. He is forced to change and do what’s necessary to confront J.T. Walsh and save his wife.
Other reviewers comment that Kurt doesn’t show enough fear and emotion for his missing wife at the beginning.
I agree Kurt needed a moment where he breaks down sobbing. But the extreme circumstances require that he finds the people responsible and confronts them.
I enjoyed the movie. I found myself wondering what I’d do in similar circumstances. How would I track the trucker and his associates? Calling the cops is an obvious step, but they weren’t helpful.
The aerial photography of the desert is very good. Awesome shots of the canyons and gorges.
This was William Friedkin‘s entry in the “how not to make a film” textbook. You can read all about the difficulties, runaway budget, and extremely unlucky release date online, but l’ll just address the film itself.
Three expats, down on their luck, are looking for a way out of their dreary hand to mouth existence in a small South American village/oil drilling camp. The oil company needs four truck drivers desperate enough to transport unstable dynamite 200 miles on bumpy, washed-out roads so it can be used to extinguish an oil rig fire. Joined by a Mexican assassin, the four foreigners cobble together two trucks (one called Sorcerer) and the nail-biting adventure begins.
Admittedly, there is a lot wrong with this film (particularly the unnecessary backstories and the misleading title) but, damn, what a ride - with more than one real gut-punch. Roy Scheider is the best “everyman” to grace the screen and the locations feel amazingly authentic. I can’t speak to how women might react to the film (my wife lost interest and picked up a book less than five minutes in) but I think it’s safe to say this is a man’s film about men meant to be viewed by men. It was well worth searching out (I found it on YouTube) and spending a couple hours.
I still remember this movie, and the way the wife let the husband know she was telling an untruth without the kidnappers knowing it. The movie was almost too realistic and intense for me. I thought it was well done. Kathleen Quinlan has always been a compelling actress.
1993’s Philadelphia. I admit, I’m a little behind.
Quite a powerful movie. But 33 years on, it really shows what a “safe” gay movie it is. Hanks never kisses his boyfriend once. I remember that Hanks was advised not to take the role because it would ruin his career. Yeah, not quite.
I thought the video montage went on too long at the end, but 90% an amazing film.
And I’ve never seen so many Law and Order “repeat offenders” in a film, ever. I guess Philadelphia is close to NY.
Breach 2007 Chris Copper, Ryan Phillippe, Laura Linney
Rental on Prime
.
Based on the investigation and arrest of FBI Agent Robert Hanssen
It’s a little slow paced. .Hanssen is portrayed as very smart, knowledgeable, religious, and wary of the young agent that is assigned to work on a new project. I enjoyed the back and forth exchanges as the two men verbally spar.
Hanssen is a very strict boss and appears to be the perfect bureaucrat. It’s not surprising that he quietly sold intelligence to the Soviets and later the Russians for 20 years.
So we’re still making this, huh? Quentin Tarantino said he hasn’t seen Toy Story 4(and certainly not 5) because Toy Story 1-3 made such a great trilogy and ended just right.
You know what? He’s right.
Toy Story 4 and 5 feel like afterthoughts. 5 focuses on a tablet and screen time and other modern issues toys might face. It’s…fine.
Woody is more or less forced into this movie. He walked off at the end of 4 and they had to find a way to justify bringing him back. They don’t, really. This movie focuses on Jessie and Woody is there because Disney wouldn’t let them make a Toy Story movie without Woody.
It was OK. I don’t think I laughed a single time, though, and the first 3 were quite humorous.
This movie starts with a guy(Robert Pattinson) trying to impress a girl(Zendaya) because she is pretty. The date, all within the first 15 minutes. Then, they get engaged. All very quickly in the movie.
Then something happens. It’s not worth spoiling what it is, but something happens. And you think this will make interesting plot development and story. It doesn’t.
The more I think about it(it was two days ago), the more I lean towards saying this is one of the worst films of the year. Mind you, I avoid total stinkers if I know they are total stinkers. This is “movie I went in positively and was shocked it was so bad”.
Thumbs down. Way down.
I had some issues with Toy Story 5(saw today), but it was much better than “The Drama”.
It did end. But even the ending was dull. Some young folks driving on an endless road. The movie isn’t interesting, witty, or well written enough to be more interesting than just a dull ride in the car.
