-
Prince and the Revolution: Live 1985
The VHS port just added to magic of this. That extended intro on Little red Corvette just letting that echo around north New York State stadium.
-
Thor: Ragnarok 2017
Any film that channels 1980’s Flash Gordon. I was sold on this looking like a Dino De Laurentiis production. This actually comes closer to what Jodorowsky's Dune would possibly turned out like. The Kirby-esque colour explosion and Mark Mothersbaugh moog soundtrack.
It still feels a little muted like Homecoming... like Marvel is sitting on its directors urges stopping them from being truely great. A 3rd act where nothing really feels at stake. A problem that goes way back to Iron…
-
Darkman 1990
Have a confession to make, I ever watched a Sam Raimi Spider-Man film. Knew he was right man for the job because of this. But didn’t see much point in watching them. This was his true stab at this stuff. Way back post-Robocop when DC and Marvel didn’t give up there licences likely, and would soon lose teenage hearts and minds to video games.
In 1990 people would make there own comic book protagonists. Darkman probably has more in common… -
Starman 1984
As kid this was a late night movie. All I can ever remember of this film was Jeff Bridges unforgettable performance as new born awkward adult and the big love that envelopes when they ditch the mustang, start moving from prefab houses on trucks, pick ups to railway carriages. The finally we are engulfed in that soundtrack. What beautifully shot film. This is Carpenter’s road movie. His John Ford moment. Those Monument Valley vistas in winter, dear god.
-
Sicario: Day of the Soldado 2018
Really enjoyed this. I can see the writer is steering this ship. She is the core of this secret world. Visually apes the look of the first film not in a forced manner. Same goes for the soundtrack.
The moral compass (Blunt) has been removed, making rest the characters more monstrous in their choices.. possibly the child is now in that role as a quiet observer.Didn’t watch the original again before hand because of the difficult comparison problems. Keen to go back and watch it again.
-
Superman 1978
Kept thinking about Mario Puzo name doing the flyby at the start of this film. Even though his treatment was changed dramatically. It takes it’s time like Godfather Pt.2.. Brando has the first lines. Feels like a American epic with its Norman Rockwell Smallville which is definitive for me.
-
-
The Sky Crawlers 2008
It feels like a nice companion piece to The Wings of Honnêamise. Same campaign just a different theatre. Punchy arial combat sequences are kept to minimum making them count. When things are at stake they cut to ground crews waiting for pilots to come home.
Amount of war ration smokes and existential contemplation in this film. That ending keeps you guessing. When you rewatch the opening back from Sky Crawlers knowing the films final revelation. The aggressor pilot shaking planes then killing the ejecting pilots... Chills to the bone.
-
Iron Man 3 2013
This was a palate cleanser after lop-sided Capt Amerika Civil War. It’s still 35% a Lethal Weapon film and I’m happy with that. Shane Black has even adapted Richard Donner’s love affair with those slow circling helicopter long shots. Because it’s S.Black it’s got big optimistic heart, it’s funny and smart. The action feels fresh.
Happy Hogan spitefully fucking up the scientist botanist’s pet plant in the opening is possibly the best thing ever in the MCU.
-
Annihilation 2018
What is it with distributors surrendering beautiful looking films to cheap ass streaming services. Entire scenes in low light compromised. The contrast was turned down so low to hide the shitty compression and artefacts in the darkness.
This review was sponsored by NETFLIX yer greasy cheap motherfuckers.. .
-
The Shape of Water 2017
T E A L. 1960s Baltimore looking Parisan. del Toro made this look like a 90s Jean-Pierre Jeunet film.
-
Firefox 1982
I can remember a time in mid 80s when this was on every Sunday afternoon TV bundled in with all the Alistair MaClean WWII films.
It’s two for the price of one, 1st is spy infiltration film, 2nd air combat cat and mouse. With pace and lighting that distinguishes the two. As a kid use to find the aerial evade and escape dance in the second half fascinating.
Everyone in the early 80s was making Star Wars. Even Eastwood could…