Movies I Watched in April 2022

Date: 4/1/2022
Viewed: In Theaters
First Viewing

Note:



SPOILER REVIEW:




It's better late than never, so I finally saw the new Batman film while it was still in theaters. I'd heard great things about the film, so I went in knowing nothing about the plot. It's the first solo Batman film in nearly 10 years, probably the longest gap that we had with a Batman film. I must say that the movie lives up to the hype. While my opinion may change over time, I believe that The Batman is the best live-action Batman film to date. I prefer it to Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy, in my opinion. What I like best about The Batman is the film's scope. Gotham in The Batman has a colossal feel to it. Unlike the Christopher Nolan Batman films, Gotham feels more like a comic book world than a Batman film set in Chicago.

The color palette in The Batman is breathtakingly beautiful, thanks to Greig Fraser's (Dune 2021) fantastic cinematography. The color palettes perfectly capture the tone of the film. I love how the color palettes help to create a gothic atmosphere in the film, which I felt was lacking in previous recent Batman films. I found myself completely immersed in its atmosphere. When I was watching it, I never wanted to get out of my movie theater seat. There's so much eye candy in the film (in a good way).

Robert Pattinson's performance as Batman was excellent, and I adore his relationship with Gordon (played by Jeffrey Wright). It was also refreshing to see Batman doing detective work in a live-action Batman film for the first time in years. In contrast to Batman Begins (2005), Carmine Falcone (played by John Turturro) felt like a major character rather than a plot device. I enjoy Zoe Kravitz's (Kimi) portrayal of Catwoman. Since Michelle Pfeiffer in Batman Returns (1992), this is probably my favorite performance of Catwoman. Paul Dano (Prisoners) steals the show as The Riddler. While I am not a fan of The Riddler's design in the film, I do enjoy this adaptation of the character. When the Riddler appears on-screen, he has a dark and frightening aura about him. If Heath Ledger's Joker in The Dark Knight (2008) evoked the terror of Al-Qaeda in the 2000s, then I feel like Dano's Riddler evoked the terror of QAnon and the Dark Web in the 2020s. The other actors did a fantastic job with their performances in my opinion.

I enjoyed the story, which was inspired by Batman: The Long Halloween, Batman: Year Zero, and Batman: Hush. Other films and TV shows, such as Se7en (1995), Memories of Murder (2003), Zodiac (2007), and Netflix's Mindhunt (2017-2019), also have an influence on the film. The plot keeps you guessing as to what will happen next, as Batman searches for clues to stop The Riddler. When something is building up to the next clue, you are kept on the edge of your seat. It's an engrossing story that never bores me. I also appreciate the fact that The Batman isn't just another origin story. For over 30 years, people have already seen Batman's origin story; so the film simply skips over it. It begins with Bruce Wayne has been Batman for more than two years.

The Batman, like any other film, is not without flaws. I don't believe The Batman should last more than three hours. The final act, in my opinion, begins to drag a little. The film could have ended right after The Riddler was arrested by the police, but we were forced to endure another 10-15 minutes. The plot twist of Carmine Falcone being Catwoman's father didn't sit well with me either. Colin Farrell's performance as The Penguin is fantastic, but I believe his character was underutilized. His character could have been anyone, and he didn't feel like The Penguin to me in my opinion. The Joker also makes a brief appearance near the end of the film. Given that we just had a Joker film over two years ago, I don't want The Joker on the big screen for a while now. His cameo felt rather forced if you ask me. Regardless, I enjoyed the movie and would like to see it again.

Overall, The Batman is a great film that I highly recommend.

Date: 4/2/2022
Viewed: Arrow Player
First Viewing

Note: I wanted to see more of Alex Chandon's films after seeing Bad Karma (1991) a while back. Cradle of Fear was one of the few of his films that I could find online, so I decided to watch it. I had no prior knowledge of the film and ended up enjoying it. In my opinion, Cradle of Fear is a pretty good movie. I was concerned that, with a running time of two hours, this film would be slow and overstay its welcome. Thankfully, the film moved along at a good pace, and there were no dull moments. The film is extremely entertaining and contains a lot of blood and gore. I also enjoy the film's low-budget feel. It gives it a sense of authenticity. The film's violence, blood, and gore are sometimes pushed to the extremes. If you do not enjoy extreme violence, this film won't be for you. Cradle of Fear, on the other hand, will appeal to gore hounds.

So much of the blood, gore, and violence are done with practical effects. They also appear to be quite good for a low-budget film in my opinion. It gives the gory death scenes such a satisfying aesthetic. The film does have CGI and green-screen effects, and it looks terrible. Thankfully, there isn't a lot of bad CGI on screen. Cradle of Fear is a four-part anthology film about a serial killer who seeks vengeance on those who were responsible for his arrest. The majority of the stories were good, but some could have been better.

The first story was intriguing which was about a woman who has a one-night stand with a demon and discovers that she has a demon inside her. I kind of wish it was its own film because the premise and characters appeal to me. The first story ends with a demon coming out on the woman's belly, and it looks like a demonic version of the Spider Baby toy from Toy Story lol. The following stories are not bad, but they are forgettable in my opinion. The final story, however, was my personal favorite. The film's final story is about a man who is addicted to a dark web snuff film website and will go to any length to watch murder. It's an interesting story about the dangers of addiction. It felt like a Black Mirrors episode if Black Mirrors had existed at the time.

The biggest issue with Cradle of Fear, in my opinion, is that the stories are disjointed. The film also wants you to care about the characters, but I believe they could have been more developed. You're also forced to watch police drama in between segments, which isn't particularly entertaining. The story concludes with a major twist, and I found myself completely disinterested in what was going on. If you don't care about the characters, the twist becomes uninteresting. You do have some gory scenes that exist solely for the sake of being edgy. As much as I enjoy gore and extreme violence, it must exist for a reason. There's a scene in which a character kills a cat for no apparent reason whatsoever. Even though I knew the animal violence was fake, it seemed pointless to me. On the plus side, the film's soundtrack was nice. The film's music is composed by Cradle of Filth, and they have a solid track record in my opinion.

Overall, Cradle of Fear is a gory horror film that is enjoyable to watch. If you enjoy gory horror films, I recommend you watch it.

Date: 4/5/2022
Viewed: Blu-ray
Re-watch

Note: I recently purchased The Last Dragon on Blu-ray from Amazon and was eager to see how it held up. I haven't seen this movie in 25 years. Fortunately, the film holds up well. The Last Dragon is still a solid classic in my opinion. The Last Dragon features memorable characters, a fantastic soundtrack, and epic battle scenes. The film is a great love letter to Bruce Lee's 1970s kung fu films. There isn't a single dull moment in the whole movie. The film is nonstop pure entertainment throughout. The film is very 1980s, which is a good thing in my opinion. There are outdated fashion clothing, Berry Gord music, and cheesy bad guys wearing ski masks. What's not to love about that? It's pure cheese from the 1980s.

Taimak does a good job as Leroy Green. In my opinion, he plays a cool and memorable main character. Julius Carry (Disco Godfather) as Sho'nuff aka The Shogun of Harlem is my favorite character in the film. He's a memorable villain because of how cool and cheesy he was. The final battle is also epic for having wuxia-style fight battles. I'm aware that some people have criticized this film for being too silly, but that doesn't bother me. That is, after all, why this film is so entertaining. I can watch this film all over again and never get bored with it.

There's not much more I can say about this film that hasn't been said already. If you haven't seen it yet, The Last Dragon is well worth your time.

Date: 4/7/2022
Viewed: Netflix
First viewing

Note: SPOILER REVIEW:



Despite the fact that I had heard this film was not particularly good, I was still interested in seeing it. I decided to watch it because I didn't have anything else planned for the evening. The new Texas Chainsaw Massacre film isn't quite as bad as I expected, but it's still not very good. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre sequel from 2022 is a standalone sequel to the 1974 film. They did this almost a decade ago in 2013 (Wow, it's hard to believe it's been that long) with Texas Chainsaw 3D. This film is better than the recent TCM movies, but that isn't saying much.

A story centered on an older Leatherface had the potential to be told in this film. Give us a story that focuses on how much Leatherface has changed over the last 50 years. Unfortunately, the film is a dud. The characters are unlikable and boring. I don't actually care about them or their first-world problems. You have two adolescent girls from middle school (or possibly high school) who are dealing with their mother's dating a new guy and not being able to see their father. The movie desperately wants us to care about them and identify with them. People who watch this movie aren't likely to care about their own family issues. You also have some trauma with one of the main characters, who survived a school shooting, though it doesn't play a significant role in the story. They could have done a lot more with the character trying to recover from their own trauma, but they didn't. They threw away that opportunity.

When they try to buy some land from an elderly woman named Ginny (played by Alice Krige), the film becomes even worse. When her character dies, the main characters start to feel sorry for this old lady, who calls one of the main characters the N-word and has a Confederate flag on her house. The main characters become so sad because they believe Ginny's death was their fault. Why would you be so concerned that some obnoxious racist died? I'm sick to my stomach just thinking about how they want us to care about some racist woman. Sally Hardesty, who is now a Texas ranger, is the best character in the film. In my opinion, she should have been the film's main character instead. She intrigues me far more than the rest of the main cast of characters. I do hate how they killed her off in the film when she should have been the one that defeated Leatherface once and for all.

The gory violence is the film's best feature. You get a lot of great kills to watch, which is a lot of fun. It was also refreshing to see them use practical effects for the majority of the gory scenes. Leatherface brutally murdering everyone at once was one of the coolest slaughter scenes I've seen in a slasher film in a long time. Unfortunately, gory violence alone isn't enough for me to enjoy a film if the story and characters aren't engaging. The acting isn't great, but it's not terrible either. Elsie Fisher (Eighth Grade) did a good job with her performance. You also have a fun small role from Sam Douglas (Eyes Wide Shut) as well. It was also cool to see John Larroquette back as the narrator.

I can't think of anything else to say about this film. I believe they should put this franchise to rest for good. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre franchise is clearly out of ideas. Overall, Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2022) is a mediocre film at best. Only fans of the franchise or those with a strong curiosity should see this film. Otherwise, don't bother with it.

Date: 4/8/2022
Viewed: In theaters
First viewing

Note: I've been wanting to see this film since I first saw the trailer a few months ago. I finally got a chance to see it today in the theaters, and I went in knowing nothing about the plot. When it was over, I was completely speechless. Seriously, this is the best big-screen movie-going experience I have had in a while. When I saw it, my mind was completely blown. I'm not sure where to start with this film because there is so much to discuss. I'm still trying to process what I just saw. Everything Everywhere All at Once is a clever, funny, and remarkable sci-fi comedy in my opinion.

It makes me happy that a creative and unique film has been made in Hollywood and has been released in theaters rather than being buried on some streaming service. This is a film that deserves to be seen on the big screen. Everything Everywhere All at Once does a fantastic job of blending various genres. The film is amusing, serious, and heartwarming all at the same time. Several times while watching this film, I found myself laughing uncontrollably hard. The only criticism I have for this film is that it began to drag in the final act. Apart from that, I can't think of anything else I disliked about this movie. I don't want to sound cliché by ending this review so quickly, but I strongly advise going into this film with no prior knowledge of it. This is a film that you must see without being spoiled by spoilers.

Overall, Everything Everywhere All at Once is a brilliant film, and it's probably my favorite of the year so far in 2022. I highly recommend it.

Date: 4/10/2022
Viewed: Youtube
First viewing

Note: Today was a lazy Sunday afternoon, so I decided to kill some time by watching this film. As a kid, I remember seeing Fatal Error on VHS at Blockbuster and other video stores back in 1999, but I never had the opportunity to rent it. I'm finally watching it now, 23 years later, because it's better late than never. The movie wasn't bad at all. Fatal Error is a decent film, in my opinion. The film's premise of a computer virus that can kill people was a clever one. Fatal Error almost felt like Hackers (1995) meets Outbreak (1995) with a mixture of CSI (despite this film coming out first). In the film, the evil company Digicron had technology that could provide people with TVs with over 500 channels, camera chats on their phones, and cameras that could spy on their homes, similar to what you have now.

I found the film to be very entertaining. I didn't find it tedious to watch. For a TV movie, the production values are pretty good. It's nothing amazing, but it doesn't appear to be all that bad. The biggest problem with Fatal Error is the characters. In my opinion, the characters are uninteresting and forgettable. Ron Ramin's (Walker, Texas Ranger) music score is disjointed and inconsistent. The film will have a creepy music score at times, and then a really cheesy music score at other times. It detracts from the film's overall tone. The script is a messy, with plot holes that are easy to spot if you pay attention. The acting is a mixed bag, with performances ranging from decent to hammy. The film's best performances came from Malcolm Stewart (Moon) and Robert Wagner (Austin Powers 1-3). Antonio Sabàto, Jr. (The Big Hit) is as cheesy as you'd expect him to be. That's about it, really. I have nothing else to say about Fatal Error.

Overall, Fatal Error is an average film that is entertaining to watch. If you're interested, I recommend checking it out.

Date: 4/13/2022
Viewed: Blu-ray
Re-watch

Note: After receiving my Shaw Brothers Arrow Blu-ray set last Christmas, I wanted to revisit this film because it had been years since I had seen it. In my opinion, it is still a good film. The Mighty Peking Man is an entertaining giant monster movie. The story isn't groundbreaking, but it's entertaining nonetheless. The film's story takes its influence from King Kong (1933), with a group of people transporting a giant ape to a city for display. The only difference is that the movie is set in Hong Kong rather than New York City. I also find it cool that the giant ape in this film is this universe's version of the Yeti. It's entertaining to watch the wild animals interact with the protagonists. A battle between a leopard and a cobra occurs in the film, and it is so bizarre that it ends up being awesome. The acting is pretty good for the most part. Danny Lee Sau-Yin (The Killer) is always fun to watch on screen.

The characters aren't well-written. They are rather bland and cliché in my opinion. The special effects are what make The Mighty Peking Man so enjoyable in the first place. There are a lot of fantastic miniature sets in this film. By having the giant ape go on a rampage in Hong Kong, the film begins to resemble a Japanese Kaiju film. It's a lot of fun to watch a giant ape destroy buildings. It's too bad it takes so long for it happen, but it'll be well worth the wait. One flaw in this film is that it attempts to tell an emotional story in the vein of King Kong and Mighty Joe Young (1949), but falls short. Those two films, in contrast to this one, had more developed characters and better-written themes. On the plus side, this film is superior to the 1976 King Kong remake ;).

Overall, The Mighty Peking Man is a fun movie to watch. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys giant monster films.

Date: 4/14/2022
Viewed: Hulu
First Viewing

Note: Ever since seeing Blade 2 in the theaters back in 2002, I've been a huge fan of Guillermo del Toro's films. I've been looking forward to seeing this film since it was announced in 2017. Due to a lack of time and money, I was unable to see it on the big screen back in December. I finally decided to watch it because it's now available on both Hulu and HBO Max (as of 4/14/2022). It's worth noting that I've never read the book or watched the original Nightmare Alley movie from 1947. I'm going to judge it as a separate entity. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but this film disappointed me. Don't get me wrong, Nightmare Alley is not a bad movie. However, it fell short of my expectations. In my opinion, it didn't quite live up to the hype.

There are a lot of things in the film that I enjoy. The acting and production values are excellent. Nobody did a particularly poor job with their performances. I really like how the film feels like it's set in the late 1930s, right before WW2. The set designs are stunning, and I admire the amount of care that went into making this film. Dan Laustsen's (John Wick 3) cinematography is stunning, and Nathan Johnson's (Looper) music score is fantastic. That's all there is to it.

For me, good production values aren't enough to like a film. The film's boredom was my biggest issue with Nightmare Alley. The film runs for two and a half hours, but it feels like five hours long. I couldn't care less about what was going on, and none of the characters connected with me. They were forgettable and boring in my opinion. In another week or two, I'll probably forget what happens in this film. The entire film has an overabundance of direction. It almost felt like the film should have been a miniseries instead.

However, I enjoyed the film's final act and thought it was well worth the watch. It's a shame that this film didn't do so well at the box office (releasing it two weeks before Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021) would have helped). Adult-oriented, rated-R drama films don't get made by Hollywood like they used to. I doubt Guillermo Del Toro will be able to make another film like this ever again after the film flopped at the box office. Overall, Nightmare Alley is a decent movie. If you're curious, I recommend it. It's likely that you'll enjoy it even more than I did.

Date: 4/15/2022
Viewed: Amazon Prime
First Viewing

Note: For the past several years, I've been curious to see this film after hearing good things about it. Because I didn't grow up in Australia, I'm unfamiliar with the Snowtown murders (also known as the Bodies in Barrels murders). I didn't even know about this tragic event until the film was released over a decade ago. I will judge the film on its own, as I do with most films of which I have no prior knowledge. I'm glad I finally got around to watching it because it was terrific. In my opinion, Snowtown is a solid film.

The slow-burn atmosphere is one of my favorite aspects of this film. I love how cold and desolate the entire film is. Snowtown has a gritty, raw, and realistic feel to it. It's one of those films that sends shivers down my spine. Adam Arkapaw's (The King) cinematography is also excellent, with washed-out color palettes for the film. It gives Adelaide, South Australia, a run-down and filthy appearance in the film. The film succeeds in being disturbing without coming across as pointless shock value. I wouldn't recommend watching this movie if you're a squeamish person.

In my opinion, the performances were excellent. On-screen, Daniel Henshall's (The Babadook) performance as John Bunting was truly terrifying. I liked how the other actors' acting was genuine as if they were portraying real people. If I had to pick one flaw with this film, it would be that the plot can be a little jumbled at times. The film can sometimes jump around in terms of what's going on with the characters. Characters will flee without being informed of what has happened to them. Some things are never explained as to what just happened as well. That being said, watching this film piqued my interest in learning more about the true story. I thank this film for that.

Overall, Snowtown is a great film that I strongly recommend you see.

Date: 4/16/2022
Viewed: Arrow Player
Re-watch

Note: I wanted to see a Takashi Miike movie that I hadn't seen in a while. So I decided to watch Rainy Dog, which is currently available to stream on Arrow Video's streaming website (as of 4/16/2021). Takashi Miike's films from before 1999 don't seem to get much attention from film buffs. Rainy Dog is a great gem in my opinion, which I believe many people overlook. It demonstrates that Takashi Miike can make serious films, as opposed to his usual body horror or wacky action fare. The characters and atmosphere are what makes Rainy Dog a fantastic film.

I enjoy how atmospheric this film is because it is set in Taipei during the cold, rainy season. The rain, combined with the gritty cinematography, gives the film a dirty, run-down, and moody feel. In my opinion, the story and characters are well-written. I like how the main characters' father/son relationships are handled. You become attached to the characters in the film and are concerned about their well-being. I find myself shocked and saddened whenever something bad happens to them. There are a few great story moments that will make you go "Holy crap!" that you won't see coming. Without spoiling anything, the film does have a great and memorable moment in it.

The film moves at a good pace for a slow burn film, with a run time of 95 minutes. I never felt like the film was too long or too short. The film lacks the action of Takashi Miike's other Yazkua films, but the solid drama makes up for it in the film. I don't know what else to say about this film except that it's excellent. Check it out if you haven't already.

Date: 4/18/2022
Viewed: Amazon Prime
First Viewing

Note: I remember seeing parts of The Joy Luck Club on TV as a kid in the 1990s, but I've never seen the entire film until now. I'm glad I saw it because it was wonderful. In my opinion, The Joy Luck Club is a fantastic film. I was honestly blown away by it. The film has the feel of an anthology film, with four different Chinese women telling different stories about how their lives have changed over the decades. I love how The Joy Luck Club tells a compelling emotional story. There were some scenes that caught me off guard because I wasn't expecting them. I hate to sound like a broken record, but I do recommend watching this film without reading spoilers about it. The film is also over 2 hours long, and it goes by so quickly (in a good way).

Everyone's performance in this film is truly outstanding. On-screen, the actors and actresses feel like real-life people. You can empathize with them and feel the emotions they are experiencing. I also admire how they handle mother-daughter relationships without being overly sentimental or clichéd, in my opinion. The only thing I didn't like about this film was how quickly the narrative switched between stories. It took me some time to figure out what was going on.

There isn't much more I can say about The Joy Luck Club that hasn't already been said. If you haven't seen it yet, I strongly urge you to do so.

Date: 4/19/2022
Viewed: 4K UHD
Re-watch

Note: I've been wanting to rewatch this film for years because I haven't seen it in the last 25 years. I remember seeing it on the Sci-Fi channel in the mid-1990s when I was a kid and then purchasing it on VHS not long after. Furthermore, I used an Amazon gift card I received for Easter to purchase Alligator in 4K UHD. Alligator is still an enjoyable film to watch. It's not a masterpiece, but it's still entertaining. Along with The Birds (1963) and Jaws (1975), it's one of my favorite killer animal movies.

I really enjoy the film's eerie atmosphere. They have done an excellent job of making the film feel suspenseful. I also enjoy the filthy atmosphere of Chicago's slums. It makes the movie feel icky and sleazy at times. I get the distinct impression that I can smell sewer rats while watching this film lol. The special effects are impressive for a low-budget film. The giant alligator can look goofy at times, but that's part of its appeal. If this film were made today, it would almost certainly be CGI. The presence of a giant rubber alligator on the loose adds to the film's B-movie appeal. The acting isn't half-bad. On-screen, Robert Forster (Mulholland Drive) and Robin Riker (TV's Brothers) have great chemistry. Kane Hodder (Jason Voorhees in the later Friday the 13th films) also has an early role in the film.

For a film with a silly premise, it actually works. Without coming across as too hokey, Alligator does a good job of being self-aware of how ridiculous it is. Even the dialogue can be quite amusing at times due to its wit. I'm blown away by how stunning the film looks in 4K UHD. It gives me the impression that I'm watching a brand-new film. It really demonstrates how much of a difference there is between 4K and 1080p.

Overall, Alligator is a good movie that you should check out. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys B movies or killer animal films.

Date: 4/23/2022
Viewed: Blu-ray
Re-watch

Note: I haven't seen this movie in years, but it was one of my favorites as a kid. I remember when this film was a big deal when it first came out back in the mid-1990s because it was shot in Baltimore, Maryland (my hometown). Because it was a Friday night, I decided to sit down and watch it once more. I'm aware that the film is available in 4K UHD, but I'm not in the mood to double-dip right now. In my opinion, 12 Monkeys is still a fantastic film. I like how it uses time travel in a unique and creative way. The film has a Terminator vibe to it, but instead of killer machines, there's a deadly virus.

My favorite part of the film is when the film is set in the far future. The film's underground compound features surreal futuristic set designs and washed-up colors. They have a vibe that is similar to what you'd find in a Marc Caro and Jean-Pierre Jeunet film (The City of Lost Children). The film is also beautifully shot, thanks to Roger Pratt's (Batman 1989) superb cinematography. In my opinion, the story in 12 Monkeys is well-told. The film has some interesting themes and subtext about what is real and what isn't. With Cole's (played by Bruce Willis) story, the film leaves room for interpretation of whether he is truly from the future or not. The film has an awesome ending that will leave you thinking long after the credits have rolled.

I don't have much to say about 12 Monkeys other than that it's a great film, which many of you have already seen. Check it out if you haven't already.

Date: 4/24/2022
Viewed: Tubi
First Viewing

Note: To be honest, I had no idea what to expect from this film because Lucio Fulci's work after the early 1980s is a mixed bag. I figured I'd check it out since it's currently available on Tubi (as of 4/24/2022). To be honest, it wasn't half-bad. In my opinion, Demonia is neither the best nor the worst film directed by Lucio Fulci. The film gets off to a strong start in the 1400s, with a group of nuns being nailed to crosses. It's a shame that the rest of the movie does not live up to the film's opening sequence.

The story barely made any sense, and none of the characters piqued my interest. When they died on screen, I didn't give a damn about them. The gory sequences didn't appeal to me because they mostly rehash gory death scenes from other Lucio Fulci films. The scene with the guy getting his tongue nailed to the ground, on the other hand, was pretty cool. Even for a low-budget Italian horror film, the acting was poor. However, I applaud the film for having decent production values. I really like how the film uses a nice dark blue color palette for the majority of the film. Demonia has a nice frightening vibe to it as well. I also didn't find it tedious to watch, unlike Aenigma (1987).

Overall, Demonia is an average film at best. I only recommend it to Lucio Fulci fans or people who are curious about Nunsploitation films.

Date: 4/25/2022
Viewed: Criterion Channel
First Viewing

Note: Someone gave me this film to watch for Film Club's Secret Cinema, and I'm delighted to see it because I like Orson Welles' films. I have nothing to lose because the film is only 60 minutes long. The movie itself isn't bad. The Immortal Story is Orson Welles' shortest film, and it's a bit hard for me to compare it to his other works, such as Citizen Kane (1941). To be honest, I don't have much to say about this film other than that it's well-directed and acted. The film's vibrant colors make it a visual treat. I found the rest of the film to be rather dull at times, and I had little interest in the characters. At the very least, it was well-paced for a one-hour film. It didn't feel short or rushed in any way.

Overall, The Immortal Story isn't a bad film, but I'm not sure if I'll watch it again anytime soon. Fans of Orson Welles or cinephiles should check it out.

Date: 4/25/2022
Viewed: Amazon Prime
Re-watch

Note: I hadn't seen this film since the late 2000s, and I wanted to rewatch it. REC isn't my favorite found footage movie, but it's still a good one. I've always admired the fact that the movie was shot on location rather than on sets. It lends a sense of realism to the film. REC has a fantastically frightening atmosphere, with everything feeling claustrophobic. The characters are trapped inside an apartment building, which gives the film an atmospheric feel. In my opinion, the film also does a good job with jump scares without coming across as gimmicky. REC moves at a nice pace throughout its 75-minute runtime. For a film with such a short run time, the story works well. It would have outstayed its welcome if it went on much longer. The acting is pretty good for what it is. Both Javier Botet (It Chapter 1-2) and Carlos Lasarte (Faust: Love of the Damned) have fun roles in the film.

My only issue with this film is that I never connected with the characters. They aren't bad characters, but they didn't appeal to me. I've seen REC referred to as a zombie film, but there's no mention of zombies in the film. You have a virus that turns people into rabid monsters, but they aren't called zombies and don't look undead. Furthermore, the film's English dub is terrible. When I rented it from Amazon Prime's streaming service, I received the English dub. When they're talking, none of their voices match their lips. The English voices are terrible and don't fit with the majority of the characters. I strongly advise you to watch it with subtitles in Spanish.

Overall, REC is a good horror film that you should check out.

Date: 4/26/2022
Viewed: Blu-ray
Re-watch

Note: I was in the mood for a high-brow science fiction film, so I chose Fantastic Planet. I hadn't seen it in over a decade and felt compelled to watch it again. Fantastic Planet was one of those films that made an impression on me as a kid. Back in the 1990s, it was one of those films that would air at night on HBO or TNT. It's the perfect midnight movie, in my opinion. Even nearly 50 years later, Fantastic Planet remains a wonderful film. In my opinion, it's a completely remarkable animated film. It's probably one of my favorite non-Japanese animated films, along with Waking Life (2001). René Laloux is a master of animation who, sadly, only made three films. It's a shame that he never made more before he died in 2004.

Fantastic Planet is a surreal film that you must see to fully appreciate. The entire film has the feel of a bizarre acid trip into someone's dream world. I always loved the animation in this film. The animation feels as if you're watching a living painting come to life. I understand that the animation has been criticized for being stiff at times, but that is part of the appeal, in my opinion. Many of the characters and alien creatures in Fantastic Planet feel as if they were stripped from Salvador Dali's paintings.

Fantastic Planet is a clever and well-written story about animal cruelty and society vs. the state. Scenes in the story reflect current events at the time, such as the civil rights movement in the United States and the French occupation of Algeria. You can sense the poor suffering that humans go through in the film. There's not much more I can say about this film that hasn't already been said. Fantastic Planet may not be everyone's cup of tea, but it's a must-see for anyone who enjoys avant-garde cinema or animated films.

Date: 4/26/2022
Viewed: HBO Max
First Viewing

Note: Ridley Scott is a director who has directed a number of films that I love, including Alien and Blade Runner. He has, however, directed some films that I consider to be bad or average at best. At first, I wasn't interested in seeing this film because the trailers made it appear to be extremely dull. However, it received positive feedback on the internet, so I decided to give it a watch. I thought it was quite good after seeing it for the first time. In my opinion, The Last Duel is an enjoyable film. This film's production values are outstanding. I adore the look and feel of the entire movie. They did an amazing job re-creating the 1300s. As one would expect from a Ridley Scott film, the acting is superb. I didn't think it was too slow for a film that lasted over two hours. The film has a strong cast of characters and plenty of action to keep me engaged.

While I enjoyed watching this film, I don't think I'll be watching it again anytime soon. Despite not being boring, the film feels excessively long. After it was over, I was completely exhausted. I even took a break around the two-hour mark, knowing that I had another half hour left. I can see the film growing on me after multiple viewings, though. Having said that, I still recommend seeing The Last Duel.

Date: 4/28/2022
Viewed: IMDB TV
Re-watch

Note: I was looking for something to watch and came across the first Final Destination film on IMDB TV (now called Amazon Freevee which is a dumb name IMO). I remember when this film was a big hit when it was released back in 2000. I missed it when it first came out in theaters, and I didn't see it until it was released on VHS later that year. Even after 22 years, the first Final Destination film is still a solid film. In my opinion, the first Final Destination film is the best in the franchise because it has a more serious tone.

Final Destination has a unique premise for its time. The film has the feel of a classic Twilight Zone episode in which someone uses precognition to avoid death. The film is actually creepy and suspenseful. When I was a kid, this film actually made me scared of airplanes in a pre-9/11 world. It's one of those films that keeps you on the edge of your seat, waiting to see what happens next. Another disturbing event occurs just when you think one thing is going to happen after another. You're left wondering how these characters are going to make it out alive in the end.

The film's characters are likable and intriguing. The film succeeds in making you care about them. The film is also a nice nostalgia trip for me because it's essentially a time capsule from the year 1999-2000, complete with outdated hairstyles and technology. One of the characters appears to be ripped straight from Malcolm in the Middle lol. Except for one scene, another aspect of the first Final Destination film that I like is that the deaths feel serious and realistic. The Final Destination sequels are essentially Wile E. Coyote cartoons with blood and gore.

Final Destination is far from perfect. At times, the acting and dialogue can be a mixed bag. Both Ali Larter (Resident Evil: Extinction) and Devon Sawa (Idle Hands) deliver good performances. In the meantime, both Kristen Cloke (Lady Bird) and Kerr Smith (TV's Dawson's Creek) give poor performances. Tony Todd (Candyman) should have had a major role instead of a small cameo. This film's CGI has also aged poorly. You can easily point out that some deaths are extremely unlikely to occur in real life if you really want to be nitpicky. That's all I've got to say about this film. Maybe I'll go back and rewatch the sequels someday.

Overall, Final Destination is a good horror movie that you should check out.

Date: 4/30/2022
Viewed: Criterion Channel
First Viewing

Note: Jia Zhangke is a filmmaker about whom I've always been curious for years because I've heard nothing but good things about his work. I wasn't sure where to start, but someone recommended Pickpocket for Film Club's Secret Cinema. I ended up watching it on the Criterion Channel and found it to be quite enjoyable. In my opinion, Pickpocket (Xiao Wu) is a solid film. This film has a great overall vibe and atmosphere. I liked how the movie was shot in 16MM, which gave the cinematography a gritty feel. I thought the story about a guy (played by Hong Wei Wang) who spends all of his money on women at karaoke bars and never puts it to good use was interesting.

I like that the film has a strong sense of realism and the characters feel believable as real people. Thanks to Yu Lik-wai's (In the Mood of Love) cinematography, some scenes in the film are very bright and colorful. The scene at the karaoke bar that uses a dark red neon color for the lights is always one of my favorite things about the film. I almost wanted to give this film a higher rating, but it took me a while to warm up to the protagonist. I didn't like him at first and didn't care about him until the end of the movie. That said, I'm glad I watched it. I can see why people would recommend this movie to me because it has a vibe that reminds me of films from both Wong Kar Wai and Tsai Ming-liang.

Overall, Pickpocket is a good film that deserves to be seen.