Fitzcarraldo - 3/4

A slow, deliberately frustrating journey through an extremely hostile natural environment mirrored back in the plot, the production problems and in the wait for something big to finally happen.
It does have to be admired as an absolutely unnecessary exercise, an almost extravagant use of real physical manpower and presumably a whole bunch of human rights violations.

The story is that of an ambitious man run down by lack of aptitude, the film a perfect reflection of it on screen and in it's well recorded, torturous production history.

I don't think the film is as good as the story it tells or the methods Herzog used to tell it but it is a sight to see knowing how it was made. Throw in the documentary "Mein Liebster Feind" as proof of Herzog and Kinski's completely insane working relationship and it's hard to imagine how this was ever finished.

Kinski plays a role Jason Robards had filmed 40% of, contracted dysentery and quit. Mick Jagger was supposed to be in it too but due to the crazy delays he dropped out and was never replaced.

This is a noble attempt at realism through legitimacy but I feel like Klaus Kinski was brought in in desperation and it shows. He's not who I'd have cast, the character needs to be more sympathetic rather than utterly pathetic.

Fighting with my family 7.5/10.

Watching Creed 2.

My spine is still tingling at the hour mark. This means it's going to be a perfect score. It's basically Rocky 3's story structure in an updated Rocky 4 atmosphere.

It's so in tune with the Rocky vibe that no matter how predictable it can be you know you're leaving with a full heart.

Sly just keeps giving back to his fans. I love that man.

This is incredible. I can't remember the last time my body reacted to a film so positively...spine tingling. In all honesty it was probably Rocky 3 when I was a little boy.

This may be the second best Rocky film. It's absolutely fucking brilliant.

CGI in the fight looks like a video game. Pretty awesome.

Creed 2 - 4/4 a perfect tribute to the legacy of a truly brilliant franchise. There are some astonishing homages to the earlier films and some wonderful swerves and emotionally satisfying story conclusions and progressions.

I know how I'd write Creed 3 and I am truly terrified that it will be the end forever.

Girl In The Spider's Web.

It was enjoyable

Must of been a shit ton of black men in that Girls Spider Web.

The Obama Deception - 10/10

LOL

"Scanner Darkly features the greatest cameo in the history of motion pictures..." - Roger Ebert

How would you write it? I expect a first draft on my desk by Friday.

Was only impersonating all the women you've had in your life.

Looking at a few upcoming films and it looks like Dark Phoenix is going to suck ass.
I reckon Tarantino's Manson film is going to be fucking awful too. On the plus side it has Emile Hirsch, Dreama Walker, Timothy Olyphant and Damon Herriman so there will be some brilliance among the seat sniffers that have lined up for it.

Thunder Road - 10/10

This film has done "irreparable damage". It made me want to stay alive and commit suicide innumerable number of times.

Layer Cake 8/10

DUMBO - 6.5/10

Good production design but not a good or great film. Just ok. Was looking forward to seeing what Tim Burton would do w/ 'The Pink Elephants on Parade' scene and it's very underwhelming.

How to Train Your Dragon 3-8/10

Much of the same from the previous 2. The villain wasn't particularly deep and the stakes weren't really high at all. It's a good story, though, and the main characters carry it because the supporting cast is seemingly there for one liners and gags.

Still a fun and funny ending to what's been a surprisingly great trilogy. Very much liked the direction they decided to go in for closing up the series.

Damian Rey writes readable, enjoyable movie reviews. I envy the ability to be so pinpoint.

Not surprised nor upset by this. Very interested to see it now.

You sweet man. Oddly enough, I envy your ability to watch movies with a "see the forest for the trees" approach. You should be blogging reviews, really.

Thunder Road - 9/10

Real gem of the independent scene. Both a comedy and a tragedy about a man whose life is falling apart.

:heart:

What Men Want

5/10

Mel Gibson version where he read women's thoughts was better.

Fyre

Documentary on the Fyre Festival.

9/10. It was really good.

Perfume: The Story of a Murderer 7.7/10

Ben Whishaw plays a Zeeboe-esque character, who goes around murdering women with the intent of capturing their scent to create the greatest perfume.

Triple Frontier - 3.5/5

Meh. It's got a unique plot. But, there's better military heist flicks. See: Kelly's Heroes and Three Kings.

Shazam! - 9/10

Shazam! - 9/10

Probably one of the best superhero flix - DC or Marvel. It's got comedy-drama-action and surprisingly some horror touches as well. But it all flows. Characters are all fleshed out pretty well, script and directing is solid. Basically BIG meets Harry Potter meets Superman.

Blow 7/10

Focus - 3.5/5

I wish Will Smith would make more of these types of films instead of going for the Disney or summer blockbuster money grab. Ali, Pursuit of Happiness, etc. are all good stuff.

Triple Frontier - 6/10

Shazam! 8/10

Was good. Feel like a lot of the humour was given away in the trailers and so "lost its impact". I'd say it isn't better than Aquaman or Wonder Woman, but definitely better than Man of Steel/BvS/Suicide Squad.

Sun Dogs - 3/4

A film of greatly flawed brilliance who's writing and direction push a hackneyed story beyond cheesy into charming via three compelling, warm contributions from Melissa Benoit, Ed O'Neil and the restrained but immensely entertaining Michael Angarano.

The ending of this film was extraordinary, enough to make another 90 minute film out of.

The Piano 8/10

I'm not quite sure what to make of the film, but I found myself engrossed by it.

I love that your comments do not support any real notion of worth.
The Piano is truly an awful film. Minimalist pap with nothing enjoyable about it. No celebration of anything, even the cinematography depresses me. It is a wholly wasteful, deliberately self indulgent child of a film.

Shazam!-8/10

Really fun, heartwarming, plucky little movie. This is there approach Suicide Squad should've taken. The stakes for the characters are high, but it's still an intimate, small scale story that doesn't leave you asking "why wouldn't Wonder Woman or Supes just show up?".

Loved where they went with the ending and how they utilised the family. I'll leave it at that as far as they go. But it's a really fun, lighthearted movie with funny gags and pokes at the DC universe.

I'd put this above Aquaman and below Wonder Woman as far as the DC films go.

Escape Plan 7/10
Walking Tall 6/10

Fateful Findings - 10/10