Movies I Watched in February 2022

Date: 2/1/2022
Viewed: Tubi
Re-watch

Note: I hadn't seen this film in a long time, so I decided to start Black History Month with a Pam Grier film. While I still think Coffy (1973) is Pam Grier's best film, Foxy Brown is still a great film. Pam Grier plays a strong and independent woman, similar to her role in Coffy. Both films contributed to Pam Grier's current status as a feminist icon. The film has a fairly straightforward plot, but it is still well-told.

You can sense Foxy Brown's emotional turmoil and rage as she seeks vengeance against the people who murdered her boyfriend. The film's social commentary on violence, drug abuse, and racism is still relevant today, in my opinion. Willie Hutch's soundtrack is awesome and very funky. The acting is solid, and Pam Grier always puts in a good show, no matter how bad a movie is. I still prefer Coffy to Foxy Brown because the story and characters in that film are more appealing to me. Foxy Brown may be a good movie, but it won't be everyone's cup of tea. Some scenes may make some people feel uncomfortable.

Overall, Foxy Brown is a great film that you should check out.

Date: 2/2/2022
Viewed: Amazon Prime (Rental)
First Viewing

Note: I remember hearing about The Collingswood Story back in the 2000s, but I had never seen it until now. I had no prior knowledge of this film and was able to rent it for a low price through Amazon Prime. I'm glad I saw it because it was surprisingly good. The Collingswood Story is a unique take on found footage. It may not appear to be anything special by today's standards, but it was able to do something new with video chatting in film before it became mainstream. The film isn't perfect, but I believe it deserves a higher rating than it currently has on most movie websites.

I like how the film was shot on a Sony Hi-8 camcorder, which gives it an authentic feel. It gives it a sense of realism by making it appear as if it were a real home movie from the early 2000s. I love how creepy the film is despite the lack of a musical score. In my opinion, it strengthens the film's credibility as a found footage film. I found the story to be very intriguing because you have a secret devil cult that performs rituals in the attic of the house. I'm a sucker for stories about cults, so this movie was right up my alley. The film's backstory and news articles about the cult are creepy and disturbing. The psychic (played by Diane Behrens) is also frightening, with her eerie background settings and spooky appearance attempting to scare the two main characters. Although the acting isn't overly amazing, the actors did a good job with the material they were given.

When I watch this movie, I can't help but feel nostalgic because The Collingwood Story is a time capsule from the early 2000s. This film's technology harkens back to a time before smartphones, social media, and higher-speed Internet. I also like how the movie will begin to go black and white as it incorporates random scary imagery. It was able to accomplish this by avoiding the overuse of jump scares. Another aspect of this film that I enjoy is the mystery surrounding the backstory. I believe that having things that aren't explained adds to the film's creepiness. The Collingswood Story is not a perfect film, as I previously stated. You have some bad dialogue, and there are also some plot holes in the film's final act that don't make sense.

Overall, The Collingswood Story is a good film that is worth seeing in its entirety.

Date: 2/4/2022
Viewed: In Theaters
First Viewing

Note: During the 2000s, Jackass was one of my favorite TV shows, and I saw all three films when they were released in theaters. I was hesitant about them making another film because Ryan Dunn died in 2011, and it won't be the same without him. The movie turned out better than I had hoped, and I'm glad I saw it in theaters because it brightened my day. There were plenty of hilarious moments in the film that made me laugh out loud. With this film, they went all out with the stunts. You could tell they were eager to return with a bang. There were no stories in any of the Jackass films. These are the kinds of films you watch for 95 minutes of mindless entertainment. It's good to give your brain a break now and then.

I don't know what else to say about this film except that it's a welcome return to the franchise after nearly 12 years. It made me want to watch the TV show and the first three films again. I do recommend checking out Jackass Forever with your friends on a weekend night.

Date: 2/4/2022
Viewed: HBO Max
Re-Watch

Note: Because it was the 30th anniversary of The Player this year, I decided to watch it again. The Player is still a fantastic film, even after 30 years. I enjoy the inventive story, which is a satire of modern-day Hollywood. The film is a dark comedy that shows how people in Hollywood stab each other in the back. The film itself is a real blast, with several hilarious moments. It's also entertaining to see how the main character (played by Tim Robbins) tries to flee the cops after committing an unintentional crime. There isn't a single bad performance in the entire film. There are so many cameos in The Player that listing them all would be impossible. When you're watching The Player, you can almost play a movie version of I Spy lol.

The only criticism I have for this film is the pacing. The Player is over two hours long and feels like a long movie. In my opinion, the film takes a while to get into high gear. I don't have anything else to say or new to add about this film because it has already been seen by many people on this website. When you have the opportunity, I strongly recommend checking out The Player.

Date: 2/5/2022
Viewed: YouTube
First Viewing

Note: I remember seeing VHS copies of TC 2000 at Blockbuster when I was a kid in the mid-90s, but I hadn't seen it until now. It was recently released on Blu-ray by Vinegar Syndrome, but I wanted to see it first before purchasing it. I actually enjoyed it after watching it for the first time on YouTube. In my opinion, TC 2000 is a fun film to watch. This movie is pure cheese in every way. I really enjoy how cheesy the acting and dialogue can be at times. The story isn't particularly original, but it is entertaining. When they're on-screen together, Billy Blanks (The Last Boy Scout) and Bobbie Phillips (Showgirls) have a lot of chemistry.

The film's overall vibe is my favorite aspect. It has a similar aesthetic to other cyberpunk films from the early to mid-1990s. With both TC 2000 and Nemesis (1992), you can create a fantastic double bill. I like the production values because they are decent for a low-budget movie. TC 2000 has the impression of taking place in a broken-down world wracked by climate change. You get great fight choreography and nice lighting. You have plenty of martial arts action to keep you occupied. Bolo Yeung (Enter the Dragon) appears as a major character in this film. When you have a martial arts legend in your film, you know it's going to be awesome.

Everything else about the movie isn't great, but that doesn't bother me. For what it is, I enjoy TC 2000. I do wish the film was a little longer, though, because I wouldn't mind seeing more fight scenes. If you're looking for a cheesy film to watch, I highly recommend TC 2000.

Date: 2/6/2022
Viewed: Shudder
First Viewing

Note: When A Field in England was released in 2014, I remember hearing about it but never getting around to seeing it. I decided to watch it because it's currently streaming on Shudder (As of 2/6/2022). In my opinion, A Field in England is an interesting take on the war film genre. Outside the American Civil War, I haven't seen many films that do war films before the twentieth century, let alone in the horror film genre. It felt refreshing for someone to do something new and different for once. I love how atmospheric this film is, thanks to Laurie Rose's (Freaky) stunning black-and-white cinematography and Jim Williams' (Possessor) creepy music.

The acting is great, with everyone in this film giving strong performances. I enjoy how surreal the film becomes as it progresses. There's some nightmare fuel that's fun to watch. While I enjoy many aspects of A Field in England, I do have some problems with it. Even for a 90-minute film, the film feels very long. The humor wasn't even funny, and it had no place in such a serious film. Having said that, I'm glad I watched it. I'll definitely be watching it again in the near future when I'm in a better mood because this film deserves it.

Overall, A Field in England is a good film that you should check out.

Date: 2/7/2022
Viewed: Amazon Prime
First Viewing

Note: I had never heard of this film until it was chosen as the weekly film for Film Club. I adore French animation, and they've never disappointed me. I thought it was great after renting it from Amazon Prime. Marona's Fantastic Tale is an amazing movie. With so many art styles blending into one, the animation is breathtaking. The animators went all out with the animation by being experimental. I like how the story is told by having the dog in the movie have various owners throughout her life.

You get to follow her journey as it unfolds over time, which is both sweet and sad. I found myself quickly becoming attached to the characters. While I love this film, I don't think I'll see it again unless I'm in the right mood. Without giving anything away, one scene in the movie nearly made me cry uncontrollably. Despite this, I still recommend Marona's Fantastic Tale. It's a must-see for animation fans of all ages.

Date: 2/7/2022
Viewed: Shudder
First Viewing

Note: Over the last few months, I've been hearing great things about The Last Matinee on the internet, and I've been eager to see it. It's an Uruguayan horror film, and it's the first one I've ever seen from that country. I'm glad I finally got to see it because it was awesome. The Last Matinee is a terrific homage to classic giallo movies. This movie was right up my alley. The aesthetics of The Last Matinee are my favorite aspect of the film. The bright neon colors and the dark, rainy atmosphere appeal to me. The film's setting, which is set in an old, broken-down movie theater, reminds me of Goodbye Dragon Inn (2003).

Both films are slow-burn atmospheric films that give you the feeling of being inside a movie theater. The Last Matinee resurrects the nostalgia for Italian giallo films as well as the nostalgia for watching movies in a theater before the twenty-first century. In my opinion, the film does an excellent job of paying homage to a number of classic giallo films without coming across as cheesy or gimmicky. There's a lot of brutal violence in the film, and it's all done with practical effects and not cheap CGI.

The acting isn't particularly good, but it's okay for what it is. In my opinion, the characters in The Last Matinee could have been better. I wish they would give them more depth. I'm never sure why the main killer in the movie is doing what he's doing. Some might argue that this adds to the film's suspense, but other giallo films at least explain why the main villain is murdering people. With that being said, I'm looking forward to getting my hands on it on Blu-ray as soon as possible.

Overall, The Last Matinee is a solid horror film that anyone who enjoys giallo or old school horror films should watch.

Date: 2/9/2022
Viewed: Blu-ray (Shout Factory)
Re-Watch

Note: I hadn't seen this movie in a long time, and I found the Shout Factory Blu-ray on Amazon Prime for a ridiculously low price. Given that it is Black History Month, I decided to re-watch it because Richard Pryor is one of my favorite comedic actors. It always surprises me that this film did not receive positive reviews when it was first released because I always enjoy it. Brewster's Millions (1985) is, in my opinion, a smart and funny film.

The acting is good, and the humor is occasionally amusing. Richard Pryor (Blue Collar) does an excellent job as a baseball player who must spend $30 million in 30 days. You can see how his character tries to manage a large sum of money while staying within the rules. The plot is fairly predictable, but Walter Hill (the director) does a good job of telling a funny story from beginning to end. Richard Pryor and John Candy (Cool Runnings) have great chemistry together on screen. Peter Jason (They Live) has a fun role as well.

Another aspect of Brewster’s Millions (1985) that I enjoy is the message about how greed can turn people into jerks and how other wealthy people will find a way to take advantage of others behind their backs. The film is not without flaws. I do wish the other characters had a bit more development. Lonette McKee's (Malcolm X) character seems to exist solely to serve as the main character's love interest.

Overall, Brewster's Millions is a good 80s classic that you should watch.

Date: 2/9/2022
Viewed: Blu-ray (Red Box)
First Viewing

Note: WARNING SPOILERS


To be honest, I had no intention of seeing this movie. I believe Ramis, Murray, and Aykroyd were responsible for the franchise's success. The charm and visual effects of the first two Ghostbusters films will be impossible to duplicate. That's why Ghostbusters 3 should have been released in the early-mid 1990s (like back in 1993 or 1994) when the cast was still in their prime. However, after hearing good things about it, I decided to give it a try. I finally decided to rent it from my local Red Box and hope for something good. To be honest, I didn't enjoy it as much as the majority of people did. In my opinion, Ghostbusters: Afterlife is okay. It's better than the Ghostbusters remake from 2016, but that's not a particularly high bar.

None of the new characters appealed to me because they were uninteresting and forgettable. They all felt like cliched movie characters you've seen a million times. None of the jokes were particularly amusing, with the majority of them feeling formulaic and unoriginal. The film's pacing is pretty bad, and nothing interesting happens for 50 minutes. While the film's CGI is better than the CGI in Ghostbusters (2016), it still looks sloppy at times. The biggest issue I have with Ghostbusters: Afterlife is that it doesn't try anything new and relies too heavily on nostalgia from the first two films. When you're doing a sequel 32 years later, I wish they did something fresh and original. When New York City was attacked by ghosts twice in the 1980s, I don't understand how ghosts are still considered fictional in the universe they live in.

Ghostbusters: Afterlife has some redeeming qualities. It was fantastic to see the original cast in their original outfits once more. The scene with Harold Ramis at the end is extremely touching. It's also nice to see them using practical effects for Zuul. For the most part, the acting and dialogue are also good. If you ask me, the film was a good way to end the franchise, and I'm not interested in seeing any more Ghostbusters films.

Overall, Ghostbusters: Afterlife is an average film at best. I only recommend it to people who are curious.

Date: 2/11/2022
Viewed: Blu-ray
Re-watch

Note: My week has been a little rough lately, and I need to watch something to cheer myself up. I decided that watching an Italian exploitation film would be a good choice. I have actually never seen this film before, but I have heard a lot about it over the years. This film's poster is so cool, and I'd love to hang it in my room one day. I'm glad I watched it because it was awesome. In my opinion, The Last Hunter is a solid action film. When it comes to Vietnam War films, it's no Apocalypse Now (1979), but it's still entertaining.

There are a lot of great action sequences in the movie that is entertaining to watch. When it comes to violence, the film is quite brutal. The film was so violent, it was labeled as a video nasty in the United Kingdom in the 1980s. In my opinion, some gory scenes are still violent by today's standards. The Last Hunter has a cool cast of memorable characters thanks to the fun performances from David Warbeck (The Beyond), Tisa Farrow (Zombi 2), Tony King (Shaft 1971), Luciano Pigozzi (Strike Commando), and John Steiner (Tenebrae).I like how the film was shot in a gritty manner. It makes the film feel more atmospheric thanks to Riccardo Pallottin's (Castle of Blood) cinematography.

Despite being an action film, I enjoy how The Last Hunter has a horror feel to it at times. With the characters trapped inside a deadly jungle, the film can have a spooky atmosphere by instilling a sense of death in the air. It was terrifying to watch the characters trapped in a cage with dozens of hungry rats while also trying not to drown in the river. Franco Micalizzi's (The Tough Ones) music is another aspect of this movie that I enjoy. The music is very catchy to listen to. The movie isn't without flaws, though. The acting isn't particularly good, and the dialogue can be a little corny at times. There are sexual harassment scenes in the film that didn't need to be there in the first place.

Overall, The Last Hunter is a fun grindhouse film that I recommend checking out.

Date: 2/12/2022
Viewed: Amazon Prime (Rental)
First Viewing

Note: I hadn't heard of this film until I was looking for new movies to watch about a month ago. I went into this film completely unaware of what to expect, and I'm glad I did because it completely surprised me. In my opinion, 11:14 is a clever and hilarious film. Based on the poster and the title, I expected the film to be a serious sci-fi film, but it isn't. The film is actually a comedy, and it's quite amusing. Several times while watching this film, I burst out laughing. The story was told in a comic nonlinear narrative style, almost like a Richard Linklater film.

11:14 reminded me of Slacker (1990), with its frequent shifts in perspective of other events that all happen in real-time on the same night. I enjoyed how engaging the story was and how it kept me on the edge of my seat waiting to see what would happen next. When I was watching this film, I was curious to see how it would all come together in the end. You can pick up on a lot of clues in the flashbacks if you pay attention to the details. I enjoyed the characters because they seemed like real people. They appear to be the type of people you might meet in real life. There are also notable performances from Hilary Swank (Boys Don't Cry), Patrick Swayze (Point Break), Shawn Hatosy (The Faculty), Ben Foster (Hell or High Water), Henry Thomas (Doctor Sleep), and Rachael Leigh Cook (She's All That).

My biggest issue with this film is that I believe the story could have ended better. Despite the fact that the story was building up to everything, I didn't feel like anything was resolved. There were far too many questions that will never be answered (I don't mean this in a positive light). In my opinion, another 15 or 20 minutes would have helped to wrap things up. It's also a shame that this hasn't been released on Blu-ray. You'd think that a film with such a high Rotten Tomatoes score would have received a Blu-ray release by now.

Overall, 11: 14 is a solid experimental comedy to watch. Check it out when you get the chance.

Date: 2/13/2022
Viewed: Hulu
First Viewing

Note: With everyone watching the Super Bowl today, I decided to watch a Super Bowl-themed film. This is one of those well-known films that I had heard about for years but had never seen before. Because this film and the Mario Bava film from 1960 have the same title, I'm never sure which one they're referring to when someone says Black Sunday. I figured I'd check it out since it's currently available on Hulu (As of 2/13/2021). I'm hoping for the best because I generally enjoy John Frankenheimer's films. I'm glad I took the time to sit down and watch it. Although Black Sunday is not my favorite John Frankenheimer film, it is still a good film in my opinion.

This film has a grand epic feel to it, which I adore. You can tell that this movie had a reasonably large budget at the time. The film makes extensive use of practical effects to give it the feel of a large-scale motion picture. Another aspect of the film that I enjoy is the dark atmosphere. I like how the film has a gritty tone to it by demonstrating the dangers of terrorism. Terrorism was regarded as a frightening topic for the United States even before 9/11. Especially in the midst of the Cold War. The acting in Black Sunday is great as well. Robert Shaw (Jaws), Marthe Keller (Marathon Man), Bruce Dern (The Hateful 8), Bekim Fehmiu (Salon Kitty), and Fritz Weaver (Creepshow) all give excellent performances.

While the rest of the film is enjoyable, I was disappointed by the slow pacing in Black Sunday. Black Sunday is two and a half hours long, and you can tell when you're watching a really long film. I usually enjoy watching long films, but this one is painfully slow. It took a long time for me to like the main characters. The entire Super Bowl scene isn't even shown until the last 15 minutes of the movie. Having said that, I'm glad I watched it. This is a film that, in today's world, I wouldn't mind seeing remade. What they can do with the story set in the twenty-first century has a lot of potential.

Overall, Black Sunday (1977) is a worthwhile classic film.

Date: 2/14/2022
Viewed: Shudder
Re-Watch

Note: Happy Valentine's Day everyone (This review will most likely go up after Valentine's Day). I haven't seen this movie since the early 2000s, and I'm interested to see how it holds up now as an adult. To be honest, my opinion hasn't changed in 21 years. Valentine isn't the worst slasher movie ever made, but it could have been better. In my opinion, the gory deaths are the best part of this film. It's a pleasure to watch the death scenes on screen. The hot tub scene is my favorite scene in the movie because it's the one I remember the most. Surprisingly, the film's special effects hold up quite well. I barely notice any CGI when watching this film.

The acting isn't great, but it's also not god awful. Denise Richards (Starship Troopers), Marley Shelton (Planet Terror), David Boreanaz (TV's Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Johnny Whitworth (The Rainmaker), and Katherine Heigl (Bride of Chucky) all give entertaining performances. I like the soundtrack because it has a good selection of songs. Disturbed, Rob Zombie, Static-X, Deftones, and Filter all have songs on the album. Even though most of it isn't very good, I still have a soft spot for nu-metal. I still have nostalgia when I listen to the soundtrack for this film. I even remember downloading Disturbed's new song for this film back in the early 2000s.

The rest of Valentine isn't particularly good. The characters are uninteresting, and the plot is predictable. I didn't like the main characters, and some stereotypical characters irritated me. It didn't seem to do anything with the slasher film genre that we hadn't seen before. It felt like "been there, done that" even as a throwback to 80s slasher films. I appreciate that the film attempted to address issues such as toxic masculinity and the fear of rejection, but I think the themes could have been handled more effectively. Despite this, I give the film an A for effort. Jamie Blanks (the director) appears to have put a lot of love and effort into the film. After all, he was making an 80s throwback slasher film before everyone else jumped on the nostalgia bandwagon.

Overall, Valentine is an average film at best. It's only something I recommend if you're curious.

Date: 2/16/2022
Viewed: Hulu
Re-Watch

Note: I haven't seen this film in a long time, and I'm excited to watch it again. I remember watching this film with my dad when it first came out, and I still have fond memories of it. He Got Game is still a fantastic film almost 25 years later. I love how entertaining the entire film is. The film is over two hours long and moves along at a good pace. In my opinion, there was not a single dull moment in the film. Spike Lee told a great story about a basketball player (played by Denzel Washington) attempting to persuade his son to attend college in the hopes of reducing his son's prison sentence. The characters are well-developed and have distinct personalities.

Denzel Washington does an excellent job portraying a character who is trying to make amends with his family after being in prison. There are several great scenes in the story that make you feel the emotions that the characters are experiencing. Even after all these years, some scenes in this film still make my jaw drop. Another aspect of He Got Game that I enjoy is how it is edited and shot. The film has a distinct feel thanks to the use of slow-motion basketball shots and quick editing. It gives the impression that you're not just watching a regular basketball game, but something special and different.

Malik Hassan Sayeed's (Belly) cinematography enhances the film's visual appeal. I love how the film has its own set of colors and filters that perfectly capture the mood of late-90s Brooklyn. Some of the film's locations have a dark, and dirty vibe to them. Because of how run-down and sleazy Denzel Washington's character's hotel was, it could have easily been Hotel Broslin lol. I also enjoy the soundtrack for He Got Game because it is so catchy. You have a strong selection of rap and hip-hop songs to choose from.

Overall, He Got Game is a great film that you should watch.

Date: 2/17/2022
Viewed: DVD (In-Class)
Re-Watch

Note: I haven't seen Food, Inc since it was released on DVD, and our professor made us watch it in class today. While some parts of Food, Inc are out of date due to changing facts over the last 14 years, I still think it's a good film. Food, Inc does an excellent job of discussing modern-day corporations and how they hide a lot of their secrets from the public. You can see firsthand how badly food corporations treat both their human employees and animals.

The documentary also examines how many companies get away with people dying as a result of their illnesses. Seeing children become ill and die only makes things even worse. I don't have anything else to say about Food Inc because it's already been reviewed by a lot of people on this site. If you're interested, I recommend watching Food Inc.

Date: 2/17/2022
Viewed: Netflix
First Viewing

Note: I had never heard of this film until it was recommended to me for Film Club's Secret Cinema. Without knowing the plot, I watched it on Netflix and thought it was great. In my opinion, Forgotten is an excellent Korean horror film. The film is a nonstop thrill ride that keeps you on the edge of your seat, waiting to see what will happen next. I thought the story was captivating with me being really hooked to everything that was going on. I admire how they were able to develop plot twists that will truly surprise you throughout the story. This is a film that will catch you off guard because it avoids the usual story cliches.

The acting and dialogue are also superb. I really like the film's dark, creepy tone. The film contains some truly terrifying scenes that made my jaw drop to the floor. I hate to cut this review short, but this is a film that is difficult to discuss without revealing plot details. Without knowing anything about the story, I strongly advise you to watch Forgotten.

Date: 2/18/2022
Viewed: Amazon Prime (Rental)
First Viewing

Note: The Great Silence is one of those classic films I've never seen but have heard a lot about over the years. I couldn't find it on any of the streaming services, I had to rent it from Amazon Prime. After watching it for the first time, I was completely enthralled. The Great Silence is an incredible film. I can see how Quentin Tarantino used this film as inspiration for The Hateful Eight (2015). In my opinion, Silvano Ippoliti's (Così fan tutte) cinematography is visually beautiful. I adore how visually stunning this film is, with bright colors that really make the film pop. I haven't seen a film with snow that is so beautiful in a long time. Ennio Morricone's (John Carpenter's The Thing) music is equally impressive. His score contributes greatly to the film's dark and cold atmosphere.

With the film's cold, snowy weather, it's a very atmospheric experience. It's one of those films where you can feel the chill running down your spine while watching it. By playing a hero without a voice, Jean-Louis Trintignant (Three Colors: Red) portrays a total badass. It's awesome to watch him kill bad guys on screen. The Great Silence is a dark and brooding story with no happy endings. It was one of those films that surprised me with how dark it was. I didn't expect the ending of this film to be so depressing. The film's characters are well-developed, and you feel for them when something bad happens to them.

Another aspect of The Great Silence that I enjoy is the film's social commentary. This film is more than just another Italian grindhouse movie. Sergio Corbucci was able to incorporate current political issues in the United States into a western. It works extremely well without appearing to be a complete disaster. I don't know what else to say about this film except that it's fantastic. I'm hoping for a 4K UHD release one day because this movie would look incredible in that format.

Overall, The Great Silence is an excellent film that deserves to be seen.

Date: 2/19/2022
Viewed: Blu-ray (Scream Factory)
Re-Watch

Note: I received a $50 Target gift card for Valentine's Day from my family which I used to purchase some of the store's Blu-rays. I noticed they had a good deal on the Scream Factory Blu-ray of Event Horizon, so I had to get it right away. Over the years, I've grown to appreciate Event Horizon. I used to think it was overrated when I was a kid and a teenager. After several viewings as I grew older, I began to appreciate it. Even though Event Horizon has flaws, I find it to be a very enjoyable film. In today's world, I believe a film like Event Horizon will not be green-lit unless it is available on a streaming service such as Shudder. I miss the days when films like this were commonplace.

My favorite aspect of Event Horizon is the production values. I adore the film's stunning set designs. The set designs are eerie and atmospheric. The film's visual style feels like it belongs in a gothic horror novel. You have human skulls strewn across the walls and the ground are covered in blood, & gore. There are also moments where random gory scenes appear out of nowhere, messing with the audience's mind. Event Horizon has a haunted house feel to it, but it's set in space. The backstory of the film is very intriguing because it tells a story about inner dimensions. When the characters board the ship, their mental state is becoming worse. I enjoy the film's main cast of characters, and I like how the haunted spaceship gives us more information about their backstories by having their hallucinations correlate to their fears and regrets.

Michael Kamen's (Die Hard) musical score and Adrian Biddle's (V for Vendetta) cinematography are both excellent. Michael Kamen's ability to create a music score that is both eerie and catchy is impressive. His eerie music perfectly complements the film's overall tone. By making the film look bleak and bright, Adrian Biddle was able to bring Paul W.S Anderson's artistic vision to life. In my opinion, the film makes excellent use of various colors to make it stand out. The acting is pretty good as well. Both Laurence Fishburne (The Matrix 1-3) and Sam Neill (Jurassic Park) deliver solid performances.

Event Horizon, as I previously stated, is a flawed film. The dialogue can be pretty bad at times, and you have some really stupid characters that do dumb things that they are not supposed to do. You'd think that these highly educated scientists wouldn't do anything to worsen the situation. In addition, the script contains plot holes that do not always line up. With that being said, I have nothing else to say about this film. The Scream Factory Blu-ray is worth buying because it comes with a ton of extras and the new transfers look fantastic. I was able to notice a lot of details that I had previously overlooked.

Overall, Event Horizon is an entertaining sci-fi horror film that is worth seeing.

Date: 2/20/2022
Viewed: Dailymotion
First Viewing

Note: I've always liked Fritz the Cat, but I've never seen the sequel. I've always heard bad things about the second Fritz the Cat film over the years, and it's usually forgotten. I was still curious to see if it was really as bad as everyone said it was. After finally seeing it for the first time, I can see why it isn't very well-known. In comparison to the first film, the second Fritz the Cat film is a mixed bag. The Nine Lives of Fritz the Cat is an excellent example of what can happen when the original team isn't involved in the sequel. As was the case with both Kick-Ass 2 (2013) and Pacific Rim Uprising (2018).

The reason the second Fritz the Cat film isn't as good as the first is that it lacks the oomph that made the first one a solid classic in my opinion. The Nine Lives of Fritz the Cat is now an anthology film with a non-linear narrative, rather than having a straightforward plot. In less than 90 minutes, the film tells nine different stories. The premise of this film has a lot of potential, but the execution does not pay off. The Nine Lives of Fritz the Cat makes an attempt to recapture the magic of the first film but falls short. The first film was gross and offensive, but it mostly worked and served a purpose. This film is attempting to be funny by including a lot of sexual and gross humor. The humor in this film was mostly stale, aside from a few funny moments.

The first film is a good political satire and has a social commentary on events in America in the 1960s and 1970s. In the meantime, there aren't many in this film. The themes in the film seem to be all over the place as if they don't know what they want to say about the message. The New Africa segment of the movie, in my opinion, had the best story. I like that the New Africa story tries to send a message about racism, but it falls short in the end. Even the dialogue, in my opinion, has aged worse than the dialogue from the first film.

Despite its flaws, I still find Fritz the Cat: The Nine Lives of Fritz the Cat to be entertaining. I almost enjoyed the film as a guilty pleasure. It's great to see Skip Hinnant reprising his role as Fritz. Fritz is still a fun and entertaining character in my opinion. I like the gritty, sleazy tone of the film, which, like the first, does an excellent job of capturing the tone and mood of 1970s Grindhouse cinema. I really like how the animation is dark, colorful, and lively. There are a few surreal animation moments that make you feel like you're high on drugs. You even have a small role with Glynn Turman (Bumblebee), long before he became a well-known actor and would later go on to star in The Wire on television. The soundtrack is extremely groovy and enjoyable to listen to as well.

Overall, The Nine Lives of Fritz the Cat is an average film at best. I only recommend it if you're interested.

Date: 2/22/2022
Viewed: Shudder
First Viewing

Note: I had never heard of this film before, but the premise of Koko-di Koko-da sounds intriguing. It appears to be a film that I would enjoy watching. Maybe I wasn't in the right frame of mind when I watched the film, but I didn't care for it. I admire Koko-di Koko-creative da's artistic direction, as well as the film's excellent cinematography. I had a hard time caring about the characters, and I found the film to be mostly boring. I'm still not sure what the film was supposed to be about. With that being said, it wasn't a terrible film. Perhaps on a second viewing, when I'm in a better mood, I'll enjoy this film more. If you're interested, I still recommend watching Koko-di Koko-da.

Date: 2/23/2022
Viewed: Netflix
First Viewing

Note: I remember seeing the TV commercials for Tangerine when it first came out in 2015, but I never got around to watching it until now. I decided to finally watch it because it's currently available on Netflix (As of 2/23/2022). I'm glad I finally got to see it because it was quite enjoyable. Tangerine is, in my opinion, a good film. I really like how the film was shot, with Sean Baker coming up with a unique idea by using three iPhone 5S smartphones. It gives the movie the feel of a neo-realism film. The film also has a soothing quality to it, as if it were based on reality. I like how the film makes you feel like you're with these characters in Los Angeles when watching this film.

Tangerine does an amazing job with the characters, making them seem like real people. This is one of the most compelling portrayals of trans women I've seen in a film in a while. I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the acting by actresses who had never previously appeared in a film. While I enjoy this film, it isn't my favorite of Sean Baker's so far. For me, some humor in the film is hit or miss. There were some scenes in the movie that were difficult to sit through. I know it was supposed to be that way, but unlike Take Out (2004) or The Florida Project (2017), I would need to be in the right mood to watch it again. Having said that, I'm glad I watched it.

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

Date: 2/25/2022
Viewed: Blu-ray
First Viewing

Note: I chose to watch a Fred Williamson film for Black History Month because, along with Keith David, he is one of my favorite black actors. This is a film I had never heard of until it was released on Blu-ray by Vinegar Syndrome. Whatever It Takes has an awesome cast of actors, so I had to see it as soon as possible. I'm glad I saw it because it brightened my day. In my opinion, Whatever It Takes is a fun and cheesy film.

Whatever It Takes feels like a strange mix of Lethal Weapon (1987) and Pain & Gain (despite being released 15 years earlier), as well as an anti-drug ABC After School Special. To be honest, the film isn't very good, but I still enjoy it. The acting is really over the top at times. When I was watching this film, I found myself laughing for all the wrong reasons. The dialogue is also at times pretty ridiculous, which adds to the cheese factor. The story isn't particularly unique, but it's entertaining. In my opinion, there are a lot of great action sequences that are both fun to watch and well-directed.

Everything in Whatever It Takes has been fueled by testosterone. You have buffed-up men, bodybuilders, and attractive women. This film caused my estrogen levels to plummet while my testosterone levels skyrocketed lol. Despite the film's poor acting, I admire the actors' efforts to do the best they could with the material they were given. In my opinion, Don "The Dragon" Wilson (Cyber Tracker 1-2) and Andrew Dice Clay (A Star is Born (2018)) have good screen chemistry. As the main villain, Fred Williamson (Black Ceasar) is fantastic. Vic Polizos (Night of the Creeps), Bruce Gray (Crimson Peak), Diane Robin (Robocop (1987)), and Michael Bailey Smith (A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child) also have fun roles.

The film's biggest flaw is that some serious scenes try too hard to be melodramatic. When attempting to be serious and emotional, some scenes felt ripped straight from a soap opera. With that being said, I'm glad that this film exists. It makes me grateful for companies like Vinegar Syndrome for releasing long-forgotten films on Blu-ray. We must not allow them to fade into obscurity. Even if they aren't particularly good, they hold a special place in someone's heart.

Overall, Whatever It Takes is a fun late-90s action film. I recommend watching it with friends on a weekend night for a bad movie night.

Date: 2/25/2022
Viewed: Criterion Channel
First Viewing

Note: Over the years, I've heard that this film is a major classic, but I've never seen it. This film was recommended to me, and it gave me a reason to watch it. I've seen a good amount of film noir movies from the 1930s and 1940s, so I'm excited to see this one. I'm glad I saw it because it was a good movie. Detour is a solid classic from the 1940s in my opinion. The story drew me in and kept me on the edge of my seat. Despite the fact that it was a little over an hour-long, it was well-paced. It didn't feel like a very long film. I enjoy the film's atmosphere because it is dark and gritty. You can totally feel the sentimentality in the film's atmosphere.

The acting is excellent, and I appreciate that the film has good-looking production values for a low-budget film. While I enjoyed this film, I believe it could have been even better. I didn't like some supporting cast of characters in the film. In my opinion, another ten minutes would have helped flesh out the characters. I'm still glad I finally watched it and can cross it off my list of things to watch. Criterion's 4K restoration is stunning and is the best-looking version of the film. I would recommend watching that transfer over the film's public domain releases.

Overall, Detour is a good film that I would recommend to anyone who enjoys classic movies from the 1940s.

Date: 2/26/2022
Viewed: HBO Max
First Viewing

Note: This is an 80s classic that I'd always heard about but had never seen until now. I can see why it's considered to be a classic film after seeing it for the first time. In my opinion, Broadcast News is a great film that holds up well. The humor is very clever and funny. I adore all the characters and how relatable they are. Everyone's performance in this film stands out, and it helps to make the characters feel very believable. I also appreciate how the film can be both funny and serious at the same time. The film contains some truly heartbreaking scenes that are truly gut-wrenching to watch.

The social commentary was my favorite aspect of the film. The film's message about the news industry is spot on, and it demonstrates that it hasn't changed in 35 years. The only aspect of this film that I didn't enjoy was the pacing. Broadcast News is more than two hours long, and it can be a little slow at times. I don't have anything new to say because this is a film that has already been seen and reviewed by numerous people on both Letterboxd, Listal, and other movie websites.

Overall, Broadcast News is a fantastic film that deserves to be seen.

Date: 2/27/2022
Viewed: IMDB TV
First Viewing

Note: I decided to see this film because the poster for the film looks awesome. The premise for this film also sounds intriguing. I decided to watch it because it's currently on IMDB TV (As of 2/28/2022). Unfortunately, it isn't very good. In my opinion, Antidote is a forgettable horror film. The characters aren't particularly interesting, and I wasn't particularly invested in them. I struggled to stay awake while watching this film because it was so boring. I really wanted to fast-forward through the entire movie, but I prefer to give everything a chance. The film's ending was terrible, and it made me angry because it felt like everything had been a complete waste of time.

The only aspects of this film that I enjoyed were some gory scenes and the dark atmosphere. I give the film credit for trying because I appreciate how practical effects are used pretty frequently. You can also tell that they put forth their best effort in the production of the film. They were attempting to create a sense of isolation, but they fell short. Except for Louis Mandylor's (Avengement) role, the acting isn't very good. He is, without a doubt, the best actor in the movie.

Overall, Antidote is a mediocre film that I do not recommend.