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  • Full Metal Jacket (1987)

    Full Metal Jacket (1987)

    [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_fullwidth_header title=”Special Review” subhead=”This review is a special request from Patreon supporter BodaciousCNO. If you’d like to support me on Patreon, click the button below.” text_orientation=”center” button_one_text=”Visit Patreon” button_one_url=”https://www.patreon.com/filmnerd” background_overlay_color=”#f96854″ _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h2″ background_color=”#f96854″ custom_button_one=”on” button_one_bg_color=”#052d49″ custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”25px||25px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_fullwidth_header][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.6.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.6.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.6.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]

    In the early 1980s, Stanley Kubrick expressed interest in doing a film about the horrors of the Vietnam War. After discovering the 1979 novel The Short-Timers, Kubrick referred to Gustav Hasford, the original author, to adapt the book. Kubrick had also been working with novelist Michael Herr, who previously wrote the Vietnam memoir Dispatches, on the screenplay. Initially, they brought on former Marine R. Lee Ermey as a technical advisor, but he convinced Kubrick to cast him. The rest of the cast consisted of relative unknowns like Matthew Modine, Vincent D’Onofrio, Adam Baldwin, and Arliss Howard. Filming occurred between 1985 and 1986, primarily in England, though it was difficult for many cast and crew members. After a rough shooting, the film premiered in the US in June 1987 and the UK in September. Concerned that audiences would misunderstand the title, Kubrick chose to call the movie Full Metal Jacket.

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    Synopsis

    At Parris Island, Drill Instructor Gunnery Sergeant Hartman (R. Lee Ermey) trains recruits to become Marines. While he’s tough but fair to most of them, he’s particularly annoyed with Private Leonard “Gomer Pyle” Lawrence (Vincent D’Onofrio). Throughout the training, Lawrence is mocked and ridiculed by both Hartman and his fellow recruits for being overweight and incompetent. The only one who shows some compassion is J. T. “Joker” Davis (Matthew Modine), but even he can’t help him. After training, J. T. is made a sergeant and sent off to Vietnam as a reporter for Stars and Stripes. Paired with combat photographer Private First Class Rafterman (Kevyn Major Howard), J. T. witnesses first-hand the horrors of war. He sees fellow soldiers getting blown up, shot by snipers, and losing their humanity as the conflict continues. In his own words, J. T. sees what he calls “the duality of man” at play.

     

    Review

    Of the many Vietnam war movies released around this time, Full Metal Jacket is undoubtedly one of the most well-made. There are tons of long takes, tracking shots, and harsh lighting to accentuate the mood in typical Kubrick fashion. Admittedly, the movie’s best parts are the scenes at boot camp, mainly because of the performances. R. Lee Ermey steals the show as the hard-as-nails drill sergeant spouting some of the most profane dialogue imaginable. Also, Vincent D’Onofrio is another stand-out as the sympathetic yet insane Private Pyle with some memorable lines of his own. Matthew Modine makes for a good center as he deals with the unhinged insanity of Ermey and D’Onofrio. Unfortunately, the boot camp sequences end roughly 45 minutes in, and the rest of the movie slows down dramatically. Still, the scenes in Vietnam have their merits, even if they’re not as memorable.

    As mentioned earlier, the film is incredibly well-made, and it shows during the Vietnam scenes. You get a sense of how ravaged these cities have become by the war with all the blown-up buildings. It’s crazy to think the film was shot in England, considering how well they could recreate a bombed-out Vietnam. The film tackles many themes, such as the duality of man and how war can make people into killing machines. Sadly, the sequences in Vietnam feel somewhat scattered and more like a series of events that just happen. It doesn’t quite have the emotional impact of similar Vietnam war movies like Platoon or Apocalypse Now. Despite its flaws, this is still an incredible well-made war film with great performances that explores humanity as a whole. Overall, Full Metal Jacket isn’t perfect, but it still earns its place as a cinematic classic.

     

    Buy Full Metal Jacket from Amazon: https://amzn.to/34cknVR.

    Disclosure: The above link is an affiliate link, which means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

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  • Godzilla vs. Hedorah (1971)

    Godzilla vs. Hedorah (1971)

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    Following the release of All Monsters Attack, director Ishiro Honda left Toho, and special effects creator Eiji Tsuburaya passed away. With nowhere left to go with the series, Toho decided to hire newcomer Yoshimitsu Banno to helm the next installment. After driving through cities like Yokkaichi and seeing all the pollution, Banno chose to add an environmental message. He previously worked with filmmaker Akira Kurosawa as an assistant director on Throne of Blood and The Hidden Fortress. Unfortunately, the studio gave Banno a meager budget to work with due to how the previous films performed financially. In addition, the film ran into some production problems, most notably one of the suit actors contracting appendicitis. Sadly, this would be the only Godzilla film Banno would helm since producer Tomoyuki Tanaka hated the finished product. In 1971, Godzilla vs. Hedorah, aka Godzilla vs. The Smog Monster, landed in Japanese theaters.

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    Synopsis

    A small tadpole-like creature has been cited feeding off Japan’s pollution and growing into an enormous sea monster. Dr. Toru Yano (Akira Yamauchi) and his young son Ken Yano (Hiroyuki Kawase) narrowly survive an attack from the creature. Ken insists that Godzilla will save them from the pollution-spewing horror, which the public dubs “Hedorah” after its reveal. Soon enough, Godzilla arrives to do battle with Hedorah, quickly taking down the sludge creature and forcing it to retreat. Unfortunately, Hedorah soon grows to an even larger size and causes several people to die from its poisonous fumes. A group decides to throw a party on Mt. Fuji, thinking the world’s ending, though Godzilla and Hedorah soon arrive. While Godzilla puts up a good fight, Hedorah soon overpowers him and tries drowning him in toxic sludge. Will Godzilla stop this gross horror, or will Hedorah consume the earth in its poisonous gases?

     

    Review

    Even by Showa era standards, Godzilla vs. Hedorah is one of the strangest entries to date, and that’s saying something. Considering that Banno wanted to showcase the horrors of pollution, he certainly succeeded at showing how gross it is. Hedorah is undoubtedly one of the more unique monsters Godzilla’s ever faced, taking multiple forms that get stronger over time. The movie also includes one of the more infamous moments of the series: Godzilla using his atomic breath to fly. This leads to one of the film’s biggest problems: it doesn’t seem to know who its audience is. There are plenty of goofy moments more in line with this era of films appealing to kids. However, there are also tons of nightmarish and trippy imagery that seem more suited for adults. It’s like the film can’t decide if it wants to promote an anti-pollution message or be a 1970’s anti-drug PSA.

    Even Godzilla’s entrance is accompanied by music that sounds like what you’d hear when a cartoon character is drunk. There are also these weird animated segments sprinkled throughout the film that add to the tonal dissonance. Speaking of Godzilla, the suit works well for what’s required, and the Hedorah suit is also well-made. Unlike the last film, this one has plenty of monster fights that are easily the highlights, though they end quickly. Like other kaiju films from the time, the lead is a kid who seems to know more than he should. Thankfully, the kid is nowhere near as annoying as the child lead from the previous installment. If nothing else, this entry is worth a watch for just how downright weird it is. Overall, Godzilla vs. Hedorah is a mid-tier installment that’s most noteworthy for how bizarre everything is.

     

    Buy Godzilla vs. Hedorah on Amazon: https://amzn.to/32HTKr0.

    Disclosure: The above link is an affiliate link, which means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

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  • The Girl Who Returned (1969)

    The Girl Who Returned (1969)

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    Long before he brought us The Toxic Avenger, Lloyd Kaufman was a student at Yale University majoring in Chinese studies. In 1966, Kaufman took a break from college to work in the Peace Corps as a pathfinder in Chad. After returning home, he worked as a producer on the film Rappaccini by director Robert Edelstein. Towards the end of his college career, Kaufman decided to try his hand at filmmaking, working with a $2,000 budget. Kaufman could only afford a Bolex camera that didn’t have sound sync and could only record up to 40 seconds. Most of the cast was unknown actors who haven’t appeared in anything since, though future producer Michael Herz appeared. Once filming wrapped, various east coast universities, including Yale and Harvard, screened the film for an eager audience. Now, let’s go back to 1969 and look at Kaufman’s directorial debut, The Girl Who Returned.

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    Synopsis

    In an alternate reality, the only nations left on Earth are Luxembourg, comprised of women, and Mongolia, ruled by men. Each country competes in an Olympics competition every four years to determine who controls the world. Lucy (Gretchen Herman) trains with her strict coach Geneva (Beverly Galley) to become the best runner in Luxembourg. However, Lucy feels drained and controlled by her domineering coach, so she breaks free from home. She makes her way to Mongolia, where she meets a man (Tim McClean) and instantly falls in love. While the two of them grow as a couple, the Olympics in Luxembourg is in full swing. Soon, Lucy has to decide between her newfound lover and her devotion to her home country. At least, that’s what I think is supposed to be happening in this otherwise jumbled mess of shots.

     

    Review

    Usually, I can write a review of just about any movie with relatively no trouble, even if they’re incomprehensible. However, I was utterly baffled by The Girl Who Returned and didn’t know what I could say. On the one hand, it’s a fascinating piece of Troma and Lloyd Kaufman’s career history. On the other hand, it’s one of the most confusing and indecipherable movies I’ve ever seen. Of course, not every filmmaker’s first feature will be as good as Citizen Kane or Reservoir Dogs. That said, this feels like the stereotypical student film: black and white photography, no dialogue, and non-traditional storytelling. Also, like many student films, this comes off somewhat pretentious and too ambitious for its own good. It says a lot when even Lloyd Kaufman, the film’s director, refers to the movie as “boring.”

    Since this is a silent film, judging the acting is challenging since there’s no audible dialogue. Going off of body language, much of the cast feels stiff and uninterested, like the actors have no direction. They lack the emotional expression of silent film stars like Buster Keaton, Charlie Chaplin, or Lon Chaney. It doesn’t help that there aren’t any dialogue cards to show us what the characters are saying. The only information given to us comes from a pair of narrators who sound like they’re making things up. At 66 minutes, the film drags on and on until it abruptly ends with no clear resolution. Like I said earlier in the review, Troma completionists will probably enjoy watching this as a curiosity, but that’s it. Overall, The Girl Who Returned has its place, but I wouldn’t recommend this to Troma newcomers.

     

    Watch The Girl Who Returned on Troma Now: https://bit.ly/3qTL8XI.

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  • Killjoy 2: Deliverance from Evil (2002)

    Killjoy 2: Deliverance from Evil (2002)

    [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]Alchemy Entertainment/Big City Pictures couldn’t generate enough revenue to sustain itself after only four movies despite its ambitious nature. Following the release of The Vault in 2001, Mel Johnson Jr. left the studio though Charles Band tried sustaining it. With Johnson gone, J.R. Bookwalter of Tempe Entertainment took over to produce a sequel to the label’s biggest hit, Killjoy. Rather than repeating the first film, Band and Bookwalter wanted to take the series in a new direction. Douglas Snauffer wrote the script, adding some inspiration from 1996’s From Dusk Till Dawn, though he later regretted this decision. Unfortunately, the original actor Ángel Vargas couldn’t return for the sequel, so Troma veteran Trent Haaga replaced him. In her directorial debut was actress Tammi Sutton, who appeared in 2001’s Horrorvision and later directed six more films. After a short shooting schedule, Killjoy 2: Deliverance from Evil hit video stores in early 2002.

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    Synopsis

    Detention officers Denise Martinez (Debbie Rochon) and Lieutenant Harris Redding (Logan Alexander) must escort a group of juvenile delinquents. The group must spend 90 days at this location to help renovate a group home for fellow troublemakers. Unfortunately, their bus gets a flat tire on the way there, and they have no cell phone reception. Redding takes some of the delinquents to find reception when Raymon “Ray-Ray” Martin (Choice Skinner) finds a seemingly abandoned house. However, Ray-Ray gets shot by the home’s owner Lilly (Tammi Sutton), and the group manages to escape with him. They take refuge in the house of voodoo priestess Kadja Boszo (Rhonda Claerbaut), who says she can heal Ray-Ray. At the same time, delinquent Nicholas “Nic” Gordon (Austin Priester) asks Kadja to summon a revenge demon against the locals. She ends up calling the monstrous Killjoy (Trent Haaga), who soon wreaks havoc on our unlikely heroes.

     

    Review

    Killjoy 2: Deliverance from Evil does a lot to distinguish itself from the original, but it suffers from similar flaws. Like the first film, the pacing drags quite a bit, and it takes a while for things to pick up. Killjoy doesn’t show up until roughly 45 minutes in, but it gets much better once he does. Though Ángel Vargas’s performance is missed, Trent Haaga plays the demonic clown well and makes it his own. He doesn’t have the snappy one-liners of his predecessors, but he adds a menacing playfulness to the character. Not only that, but the makeup design is much better than how he looked in the first film. Admittedly, most of Haaga’s dialogue consists of laughing and chuckling, but it’s easy to see why he stuck around. Haaga would go on to play the character at least three more times.

    Unfortunately, the rest of the cast doesn’t stand out much, but they serve their purpose well enough. The four main delinquents are mostly there as cannon fodder for Killjoy, but none of them are particularly annoying. Debbie Rochon primarily acts like she’s pissed the entire time, which fits her character, though she has some human moments. Admittedly, having the story revolve around a group of delinquents being reformed is a nice change of pace. Plus, the forest setting helps this stand out from the primarily urban environment of the original. There are some pretty fun kill scenes, though they’re not as wacky or silly as in the original. At an hour and seventeen minutes, the movie does feel padded at times, but it gets out relatively quickly. Overall, Killjoy 2: Deliverance from Evil slightly improves upon its predecessor while having some of the same flaws.

     

    Buy Killjoy 2: Deliverance from Evil from:

    Disclosure: The above link is an affiliate link, which means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

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  • Dragonball Evolution (2009)

    Dragonball Evolution (2009)

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    After his successful 1980 manga Dr. Slump, writer and artist Akira Toriyama published Dragon Ball in Weekly Shōnen Jump. Inspired by Journey to the West, the manga became a massive hit that spawned an entire media franchise. In 1986, Toei Animation produced an anime series that eventually led to the wildly successful Dragon Ball Z in 1989. Both shows gained a much broader audience when Funimation licensed them for an English dub in 1996. Seeing the series’ popularity, 20th Century Fox announced they had acquired the rights for a live-action film in 2002. The studio approached Kung Fu Hustle director Stephen Chow before hiring Final Destination director James Wong to helm the project. Unfortunately, the film ran into several production problems, including a slashed budget, the Writer’s Strike, and unfavorable fan reactions. After seven years of development, Dragonball Evolution landed in theaters in April 2009.

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    Synopsis

    After being imprisoned for thousands of years, the evil Lord Piccolo (James Marsters) searches for the Dragonballs. According to legend, whoever finds all seven Dragonballs will be granted one wish, which could spell doom for Earth. Piccolo sends his henchwoman Mai (Eriko Tamura) to retrieve the balls and kill anyone who gets in her way. She kills the elderly Gohan (Randall Duk Kim), who gave his 4-starred ball to his grandson Goku (Justin Chatwin). Before he dies, Gohan tells his grandson to seek Master Roshi (Chow Yun-fat), a martial arts guru with a Dragonball. Along the way, Goku runs into Bulma (Emmy Rossum), who’s built a device that can track the Dragonballs’ energy readings. While this is going on, Goku struggles with his feelings for his high school crush Chi-Chi (Jamie Chung). With the world’s fate hanging in the balance, it’s up to our brave heroes to defeat Piccolo.

     

    Review

    Honestly, this is one of those projects that seemed doomed to fail even before the cameras started rolling. Even if this weren’t an adaptation of a popular anime, Dragonball Evolution still fails to entertain as a standalone film. For one, the film’s writer, Ben Ramsey, said that he saw this purely as a job in an interview. He stated that he accepted the gig with no passion for the source material, and it shows. Even though characters, objects, etc., are taken from the show, almost all of it is entirely different. For instance, Goku has changed from the cheerful goofball we know and love to an angsty teenager. The newly added high school subplot feels out of place, probably meant to add realism that was not needed. Even when it somewhat resembles the anime in the third act, it feels hollow and empty.

    The differences between the film and anime aside, this is one of the most poorly made blockbusters I’ve ever seen. For one, the CGI looks shockingly bad for a movie made in 2009, especially the noticeable green screen used. Some of the effects look unfinished, as if they rushed the render time to meet the release date. Most of the acting comes off flat and dull, particularly from Chatwin and Rossum, who have only one facial expression. Chow Yun-fat, Randall Duk Kim, and Ernie Hudson look like they’re embarrassed to be on screen. The only one who seems to be trying is James Marsters, who makes a decently intimidating villain. The fight scenes are jumbled and incomprehensible, and by the end, you’ll be begging for it to be over. Overall, Dragonball Evolution is not only a poor adaptation but also a dull action fantasy film.

     

    Buy Dragonball Evolution from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3qmS0g7.

    Disclosure: The above link is an affiliate link, which means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

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  • Blades (1989)

    Blades (1989)

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    In 1975, Steven Spielberg’s Jaws became an instant pop culture phenomenon and ushered in the Hollywood blockbuster. Over the years, the film influenced numerous filmmakers and spawned several spoofs and knock-offs trying to capitalize on its success. One person inspired by the Spielberg classic was up-and-coming producer John Finegan, who was looking into making low-budget horror films. The son of a pro golfer, he spent much of his childhood on a golf course with a giant lawnmower. Seeing this gave Finegan the idea to make a spoof of the Spielberg classic with a lawnmower replacing the shark. During a presentation at NYU, Finegan recruited aspiring filmmakers Thomas Rondinella and Bill Pace to work on Girl School Screamers. Once they wrapped filming, Finegan assigned them to work on the Jaws parody film. In 1989, Troma Entertainment distributed the killer lawnmower movie Blades.

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    Synopsis

    At the Tall Grass Country Club, owner Norman Osgood (William Towner) is preparing for the annual golf tournament. He hires former golfer Roy Kent (Robert North) to organize the event, much to Kelly Lange’s (Victoria Scott) chagrin. Unfortunately, things take a turn for the worst when several people are found dead all over the golf course. Kelly wants to cancel the tournament until they find the killer, but Norman insists the event will stay on. Norman organizes a local search party to search for whoever is responsible as the killings continue. They accuse local groundskeeper Deke Slade (Jeremy Whelan), but he insists that a rogue lawnmower is running amok. After proving to Norman what’s going on, Roy and Kelly team up with Deke to destroy the lawnmower. Just when you thought it was safe to putt, you’ll wish you stayed at the country club.

     

    Review

    Blades isn’t quite as good as Joe Dante’s Piranha as a Jaws parody, but it’s still enjoyable. People who have practically studied the 1975 film top to bottom will recognize all the scenes copied here. What helps this film stand out is that, instead of an animal attacking people, it’s a machine this time around. The idea of an ordinary lawnmower becoming sentient and killing people is a darkly comedic spin on something so familiar. Like the killer shark movie, this one uses plenty of POV shots before revealing the lawnmower in the climax. When we finally see the lawnmower, it has a monstrous yet straightforward design that’s appropriately ridiculous and threatening. There are some reasonably gruesome death scenes, though most of them consist of people getting their legs chewed off. Even still, this is arguably the best movie about a killer lawnmower for what it’s worth.

    For a low-budget horror-comedy, the cast does a primarily above-average job delivering their lines, though there aren’t many stand-outs. Perhaps the only real stand-out is Jeremy Whelan, who gives a performance that’s almost too good for this type of movie. He plays the part as if he were Robert Shaw rather than just an imitation of his Quint character. While he’s no Roy Schieder, Robert North makes a decent lead and has some interesting character flaws. In addition to filling in the Richard Dreyfuss role, Victoria Scott has some good back-and-forths with North. William Towner fills in for the Amity Island mayor, but he doesn’t have the charisma Murray Hamilton had. At slightly over 90 minutes, the film does take a while to get going, but it goes by quickly. Overall, Blades is a decent parody with above-average acting and a unique concept that B-movie fans can enjoy.

     

    Buy Blades from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3zMKNsQ.

    Disclosure: The above link is an affiliate link, which means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

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  • End of the World (1977)

    End of the World (1977)

    [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]While hardly a household name, writer/director John Hayes certainly had an oddly fascinating career spanning several decades. His first claim to fame was writing the Oscar-nominated short film The Kiss by future TV director Everett Chambers. Throughout the 60s and 70s, Hayes became known for directing various low-budget drive-in exploitation films of varying genres. His movies included titles like The Farmer’s Other Daughter, The Cut-Throats, Garden of the Dead, and Jailbait Babysitter. Around this time, Charles Band started getting into film production and even dabbled in directing movies. His first film was Last Foxtrot in Burbank, followed by Crash!, which Hayes worked on as a sound mixer. Through his connections with producer Irwin Yablans, Band got Hayes to direct a sci-fi film capitalizing on the disaster craze. With a small budget and some fading genre actors, John Hayes’ End of the World hit theaters in August 1977.

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    Synopsis

    NASA Professor Andrew Boran (Kirk Scott) starts noticing strange radio signals coming from space that carry a foreboding message. Andrew soon learns that the transmissions are coming from Earth, so he and his wife Sylvia (Sue Lyon) investigate. It turns out that the signals are a warning about a series of natural disasters about to hit Earth. During their investigation, Andrew and Sylvia find themselves kidnapped by aliens disguised as a priest and some nuns. The leader Zindar, disguised as Father Pergado (Christopher Lee), explains that Earth has become a hotbed of diseases. They plan on destroying the planet through a series of natural disasters and force Andrew to steal a Variance Crystal. To do this, Andrew must infiltrate the very same lab he works for and betray humanity to save his wife. Will our heroes survive, and will the aliens bring about the end of the world?

     

    Review

    Despite his reverence, the late Sir Christopher Lee is no stranger to starring in movies he later came to regret. For example, he apologized to director Joe Dante for starring in The Howling II, the sequel to Dante’s werewolf classic. I mention this because Lee famously called End of the World one of the worst movies he ever starred in. Honestly, having just seen the film, it’s not hard to see why Lee would prefer people not to remember it. Even by 1970s Charles Band standards, this is an absolute mess of half-baked ideas, flat direction, and dull execution. Acting-wise, everyone seems to be either bored or confused as to what exactly is supposed to be happening. Sue Lyon, who was pretty good in Crash!, comes off demure and somewhat bland here. It doesn’t help that Kirk Scott, as her husband, acts as stiff as a board.

    That said, even if he did not want to be there, Christopher Lee seems to be at least trying. He is always the consummate professional, and he delivers his lines with eloquence and grace that’s too good for this movie. Unfortunately, Lee disappears for much of the runtime until roughly halfway through despite his prominent billing. The rest of the film is padded out with boring dialogue scenes, endless driving scenes, and many walking scenes. John Hayes’ direction feels flat, not helped by many outdoor scenes being so darkly lit that you can’t see. Every so often, there’s an explosion, but don’t expect the same level of explosiveness as Laserblast. Ultimately, this movie commits the biggest sin in cinema: it’s boring, which is honestly worse than just being terrible. Overall, unless you’re a die-hard Christopher Lee fan, End of the World is best left forgotten.

     

    Buy End of the World from:

    Disclosure: The above link is an affiliate link, which means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

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  • The Green Knight (2021)

    The Green Knight (2021)

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    In the 14th Century, an unknown author wrote the Arthurian legend Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. The story is about the virtuous Sir Gawain, who accepts a challenge from a mysterious Green Knight that ends grimly. In 2018, A24 announced that acclaimed director David Lowery would adapt the story for a modern audience. Lowery drew inspiration from 80s fantasy films like Willow and Excalibur, known for their much darker tones. For the lead role, Dev Patel, who was working on The Personal History of David Copperfield, was cast. While the film was an adaptation, Lowery decided to make Sir Gawain a more flawed character to stand apart. He also made the conscious effort not directly to reference King Arthur or any of his knights aside from Gawain. While initially planned for a May 2020 release, The Green Knight finally hit theaters in July 2021.

    [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.14.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_circle_counter title=”Rating” number=”90″ bar_bg_color=”#7CDA24″ _builder_version=”4.14.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_circle_counter][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.14.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.14.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.14.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]

    Synopsis

    In the Middle Ages, a young knight named Gawain (Dev Patel) must go to Camelot on Christmas Day. Soon, the mysterious Green Knight (Ralph Ineson) visits and offers a challenge to The King (Sean Harris) and his knights. If anyone can land a blow on The Green Knight, they’ll win his green axe, but there’s a catch. Whoever wins must travel to visit him at The Green Chapel and receive an equal blow from the knight. Gawain accepts the challenge and decapitates the knight, winning his axe, but the knight reminds him of the deal. After soaking in the reverence for a year, Gawain sets out on his quest to find The Green Knight. Along the way, Gawain’s honor and chivalry are called into question as he meets some interesting characters. Will Gawain succeed in his quest, or will he back down from his destiny?

     

    Review

    Aside from the fundamental premise, I didn’t know what to expect when I went into this movie. I’m glad I went in knowing next to nothing because The Green Knight is one of 2021’s best films. First off, Dev Patel does an excellent job playing Sir Gawain, especially considering he’s the only one we follow. It’s interesting to see him play this character as someone struggling with living up to expectations. After slaying the Green Knight, he’s already hailed as a hero, and people revere him despite not venturing on his quest. There are points throughout the film where he’s tempted to turn back, but he instead chooses to keep going. Ralph Ineson is also memorable as the titular character, especially with the heavy prosthetics, and has a commanding presence. The cast also features Alicia Vikander, Joel Egerton, and Sean Harris, who do a fantastic job.

    The Green Knight is a fantasy film that other similar movies should note since most nowadays are relatively forgettable. Not only does the film have a great cast, but the production design and overall filmmaking are breathtaking. David Lowery takes full advantage of the locations given and creates some beautiful imagery, like something out of a painting. While they use some digital effects, there are more practical effects, and the CGI helps complement those effects. There are some genuinely memorable digital set pieces, which is rare in a world where digital is the norm. Plus, Daniel Hart’s haunting score adds to the overall atmosphere without getting in the way of what’s happening. The slow pacing might put off some audiences, but it’s still a journey worth taking at least once. Overall, The Green Knight is a beautifully well-crafted dark fantasy that makes you question Arthurian legend.

     

    Buy The Green Knight from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3FH8e8J.

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  • Promare (2019)

    Promare (2019)

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    In 2007, Japanese animator Hiroyuki Imaishi gained worldwide attention for the series Gurren Lagann from the studio Gainax. He also directed the 2010 series Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt before leaving Gainax in 2011 to start Studio Trigger. Their first project was the 2013 short film Little Witch Academia, which spun off into Kill la Kill. Imaishi frequently worked with writer Kazuki Nakashima, whose credits include Ultraman Max, Kamen Rider Fourze, and Batman Ninja. In 2017, Studio Trigger and XFLAG revealed a new project that had been in production for roughly four years. Later announced as a film in 2018, the project would see Imaishi and Nakashima returning to collaborate. The two had previously worked on Gurren Lagann and Kill la Kill, both earning critical praise. Promare premiered in Japan in May and the US in September two years later.

    [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.6.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_circle_counter title=”Rating” number=”80″ bar_bg_color=”#7CDA24″ _builder_version=”4.14.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_circle_counter][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.6.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.6.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.14.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]

    Synopsis

    A series of spontaneous combustions ends up killing half the world’s population in an event called the Great World Blaze. Following the cataclysmic event, a group of people with pyrokinetic abilities emerged called Burnish, and they continued spreading. Thirty years later, the firefighting group Burning Rescue rolls out whenever a fire arises due to Burnish attacks. They run into Mad Burnish, a terrorist group led by Lio Foita, during one such episode and take them down. Burning Rescue member Galo Thymos is hailed as a hero by Kray Foresight, the city governor and Galo’s hero. However, Kray reveals his true intentions when Galo learns he’s using Burnish to power a spaceship. It turns out the Earth is about to explode, and Kray wants to migrate with a select group of people. Galo and Lio have to settle their differences and work together to save the world.

     

    Review

    Promare is one of the most stunningly beautiful animated movies I’ve seen in quite some time. There are so many bright and vibrant colors that it feels like a euphoric trip throughout. The pacing is fast-paced and kinetic, so you’re never bored and constantly left on the edge of your seat. The music, which is insanely catchy and quickly gets stuck in your head, perfectly complements the kinetic pacing. At just under two hours, the film flies by pretty fast but not so much where it feels anemic. Even though the target audience is teens, even hardcore and casual adult anime fans will enjoy watching this. Admittedly, some of the transitions between 2D and 3D can be jarring, and the fast pace can get overwhelming. It’s almost like an animated Michael Bay movie, but it’s way better than the live-action Transformers movies.

    Unfortunately, despite how dazzling the animation is, the story comes off as convoluted, and the characters are paper-thin. There is so much happening, and it goes by so fast that it’s challenging to keep up with sometimes. Also, the characters don’t have much of a personality aside from the basic archetypes they fill. You’ve got the reckless hero, the solemn and misunderstood villain, and the hero figure revealed to be the true villain. Aside from their designs, even the side characters are pretty one-dimensional and primarily forgettable, though they’re not the central focus. The film does touch on some serious issues, such as exploiting people considered harmful for a supposedly good cause. Even with a basic story and characters, this movie will satisfy you if you’re looking for a fun thrill ride. Overall, Promare is a flawed but enjoyable roller coaster of an animated movie.

     

    Buy Promare from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3J2OZIS.

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  • Nightmare Alley (2021)

    Nightmare Alley (2021)

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    In 1946, William Lindsay Graham published Nightmare Alley, a novel that explores the darker side of carnivals and their inhabitants. Graham based much of the book on conversations with a former carny while serving in the Spanish Civil War. In 1947, 20th Century Fox bought the rights to adapt the novel into a feature film with director Edmund Goulding. The film received mixed reviews from critics and was a financial disappointment when it was released. Over time, the film has been reappraised and is now considered a classic of the film noir genre. In 2017, Searchlight Pictures announced a new film adaptation of the novel directed by Guillermo Del Toro was in development. Production started in January 2020 but was halted due to COVID-19, though they managed to finish filming in December. After nearly two and a half years of production, Del Toro’s Nightmare Alley hit theaters in December 2021.

    [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.14.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_circle_counter title=”Rating” number=”90″ bar_bg_color=”#7CDA24″ _builder_version=”4.14.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_circle_counter][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.14.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.14.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.14.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]

    Synopsis

    After burning down his childhood home, Stanton “Stan” Carlisle (Bradley Cooper) gets a job working for a local carnival. He works with clairvoyant “Madame Zeena” (Toni Collette) and her husband, Pete (David Strathairn), who teaches him some tricks. Pete shows Stan how they use a coded language system to make it seem like they have psychic powers. While at the carnival, Stan falls in love with fellow carny Molly (Rooney Mara), who performs an electrifying act. Despite warnings from her father figure Bruno (Ron Perlman), Molly decides to run off with Stan for a better life. Two years later, Stan has become famous for his psychic act with Molly as his assistant using Pete’s methods. During one show, psychologist Dr. Lilith Ritter (Cate Blanchett) challenges Stan’s abilities, but they later develop an odd relationship. They plan to extort money from Judge Kimball (Richard Jenkins), which soon spirals out of control.

     

    Review

    Guillermo Del Toro is one of those filmmakers who consistently put out high-quality entertainment, and Nightmare Alley is no exception. Admittedly, it’s not as strong as films like Pan’s Labyrinth or The Shape of Water, but it’s still impressive. The production design and cinematography are exquisite and capture the film noir aesthetic found in old pulp novels. Even in the daytime scenes, there’s a sense of gloom and dread throughout that leave you feeling uncomfortable. The score by composer Nathan Johnson (Knives Out) further adds tension and has a hauntingly beautiful quality. Bradley Cooper makes for an excellent lead, playing his part with plenty of charisma despite his shady dealings. As a femme fatale type, Cate Blanchett is perfect casting, and she has fantastic chemistry with Cooper. Also, Rooney Mara is wonderfully empathetic as a naive woman caught in the middle of this odd
    ménage à trois.

    The rest of the supporting cast, including Willem Dafoe, Ron Perlman, Toni Collette, Richard Jenkins, and Mary Steenburgen, are fantastic. Even with their limited screen time, each gets a shining moment, and they’ll stick with you well after they’re gone. Granted, I have not seen the original 1947 movie, so I can’t say how this film compares to that version. Also, I will admit that the film is pushing it with its two-and-a-half-hour runtime, and plenty could’ve been trimmed. This slow burner doesn’t necessarily have a structured plot, which might put off some audiences. It doesn’t get going until 40 minutes in, but if you’re willing to go for the ride, it’s worth it. This movie may not be one of Del Toro’s best, but that doesn’t take away from how incredible it is. Overall, Nightmare Alley is a well-crafted psychological thriller that’ll stay with you well after watching it.

     

    Buy tickets to Nightmare Alley from Fandango: https://fandan.co/3sMJoRk.

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