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Ricky's Movie Log: February 2016
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Showing 13 items
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15
7.3
7.7
The Lunch Date (1989)
February 3, 2016
Watched on Youtube
Rewatched
I was taking a part in my high school film class that day when the teacher recommended we watch 2 short films. This film and the only below it. Both of them share some similarities. Very simple premises that take place in a singular environment (both of them being forms of transportation). Both of them also kind of deal with racial relationships, focusing on a prejudiced older woman and a black man. When watching these films, I didn't realize the similarities. I didn't like this one as much as the other one. I felt like this film was more build-up to a particular joke but still, I think the cinematography and directing was well-done. Overall, a decent outing that I did not regret watching.
Watched on Youtube
Rewatched
I was taking a part in my high school film class that day when the teacher recommended we watch 2 short films. This film and the only below it. Both of them share some similarities. Very simple premises that take place in a singular environment (both of them being forms of transportation). Both of them also kind of deal with racial relationships, focusing on a prejudiced older woman and a black man. When watching these films, I didn't realize the similarities. I didn't like this one as much as the other one. I felt like this film was more build-up to a particular joke but still, I think the cinematography and directing was well-done. Overall, a decent outing that I did not regret watching.
Ricky49er's rating:
16
6.8
7.6
Black Rider (1993)
February 3, 2016
Watched on Youtube
First Time Watching
This was the other film I watched in my high school film class. Honestly, of the two films, I think I liked this one more. I felt it had stronger directing and editing. It felt like a more memorable film. There is also bigger tension in this film as the old lady is more obviously racist compared to the more prejudiced woman in the last one. Plus, the twist at the end I found funnier and more interesting than the other film's twist. I recommend you catch both short films. You're not really losing much by checking them out. They are called SHORT films for a reason.
Watched on Youtube
First Time Watching
This was the other film I watched in my high school film class. Honestly, of the two films, I think I liked this one more. I felt it had stronger directing and editing. It felt like a more memorable film. There is also bigger tension in this film as the old lady is more obviously racist compared to the more prejudiced woman in the last one. Plus, the twist at the end I found funnier and more interesting than the other film's twist. I recommend you catch both short films. You're not really losing much by checking them out. They are called SHORT films for a reason.
Ricky49er's rating:
543
7.2
7.5
February 4, 2016
Watched on Netflix
First Time Watching
Winnie the Pooh has been a part of my childhood but surprisingly, I didn't watch many Winnie the Pooh movies as a kid. Especially the original Walt Disney classic that started it all. Now, watching it as a young adult, I kind of wished I had gotten the chance to view it as a kid. I'm certain I would have loved this movie. While Disney certainly has a wide appeal, this film did feel very children-oriented. Mainly from its' slice-of-life conflict-less stories with adorabe characters. This isn't necessarily a bad thing and it helps give the film a nostalgic feel. The characters in the Hundred Acred Woods are iconic beloved characters that have stood the test of time. Every single one of them is memorable with unique personalities and characteristics. It is not groundbreaking or spectacular but is smothered in charm that will leave you in a grin throughout the entire picture.
Watched on Netflix
First Time Watching
Winnie the Pooh has been a part of my childhood but surprisingly, I didn't watch many Winnie the Pooh movies as a kid. Especially the original Walt Disney classic that started it all. Now, watching it as a young adult, I kind of wished I had gotten the chance to view it as a kid. I'm certain I would have loved this movie. While Disney certainly has a wide appeal, this film did feel very children-oriented. Mainly from its' slice-of-life conflict-less stories with adorabe characters. This isn't necessarily a bad thing and it helps give the film a nostalgic feel. The characters in the Hundred Acred Woods are iconic beloved characters that have stood the test of time. Every single one of them is memorable with unique personalities and characteristics. It is not groundbreaking or spectacular but is smothered in charm that will leave you in a grin throughout the entire picture.
Ricky49er's rating:
1765
7.9
8.1
The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)
February 6, 2016
Watched on DVD
First Time Watching
Watched on DVD
First Time Watching
Ricky49er's rating:
2
8
8.2
February 12, 2016
Watched on Youtube
First Time Watching
This is pretty much going to be my summary/"review" of my experience watching these Cathy TV specials. I don't know what compelled me to watch all of these. I honestly never even heard of Cathy prior to watching these specials. I just heard her being mentioned once in a Top 10 list I was watching. Then was compelled to watch the three specials that were made about her. I watched them in the order you see listed below. I don't remember much of these specials but I found them to be quirky enough. I could relate to Cathy and Irving's neurotic nature and enjoyed seeing their dysfunctional relationship. It didn't know about the vitriol that has been directed towards the comic like some many other infamous newspaper comics. While I won't say these are particularly amazing or progressive, I found them to be harmless enough. Really I feel only Cathy fans or shmucks like me will want to go out and watch these. I watched them all on Youtube and I didn't really feel like my time was wasted. [Insert Cathy catchphrase here]
Watched on Youtube
First Time Watching
This is pretty much going to be my summary/"review" of my experience watching these Cathy TV specials. I don't know what compelled me to watch all of these. I honestly never even heard of Cathy prior to watching these specials. I just heard her being mentioned once in a Top 10 list I was watching. Then was compelled to watch the three specials that were made about her. I watched them in the order you see listed below. I don't remember much of these specials but I found them to be quirky enough. I could relate to Cathy and Irving's neurotic nature and enjoyed seeing their dysfunctional relationship. It didn't know about the vitriol that has been directed towards the comic like some many other infamous newspaper comics. While I won't say these are particularly amazing or progressive, I found them to be harmless enough. Really I feel only Cathy fans or shmucks like me will want to go out and watch these. I watched them all on Youtube and I didn't really feel like my time was wasted. [Insert Cathy catchphrase here]
Ricky49er's rating:
2
7.5
6.9
February 12, 2016
Watched on Youtube
First Time Watching
Watched on Youtube
First Time Watching
Ricky49er's rating:
2
7
7.9
February 12, 2016
Watched on Youtube
First Time Watching
Watched on Youtube
First Time Watching
Ricky49er's rating:
6319
7.5
8
Sin City (2005)
February 14, 2016
Watched on Netflix
First Time Watching
This was the Robert Rodriguez movie I've been waiting to see for the longest time. I was one of those millennials who grew up watching Robert Rodriguez's Spy Kids films as a kid, completely unaware of the completely violent side to this well-known director. And this film is definitely violent. Even as a guy who is accustomed to gratuitous amounts of violence, I was honestly taken aback by how excessive violent this film was during some moments... but that only adds to the appeal of this flick. This is a film that's full of style, honestly, some of the most gorgeous visuals I've ever seen. This feels like a classic noir/pulp novel told in a modern-day context. But even if it's more style than substance, there is still substance to this movie. Despite being an anthology of different stories all taking place in the twisted Basin City (get it!), the film is well-paced with all of the individual segments being the proper time and feeling like a well-constructed narrative. There are even some grand performances in this movie from the iconic Marv played magnificently by Mickey Rourke to the hardened badass Hartigan played by Bruce Willis to the valiant Dwight played by Clive Owen. From beginning to end, this is an adrenaline-rushed overtly-masculine experience which off-courses can lead to fatigue at times but is still exhilarating.
Watched on Netflix
First Time Watching
This was the Robert Rodriguez movie I've been waiting to see for the longest time. I was one of those millennials who grew up watching Robert Rodriguez's Spy Kids films as a kid, completely unaware of the completely violent side to this well-known director. And this film is definitely violent. Even as a guy who is accustomed to gratuitous amounts of violence, I was honestly taken aback by how excessive violent this film was during some moments... but that only adds to the appeal of this flick. This is a film that's full of style, honestly, some of the most gorgeous visuals I've ever seen. This feels like a classic noir/pulp novel told in a modern-day context. But even if it's more style than substance, there is still substance to this movie. Despite being an anthology of different stories all taking place in the twisted Basin City (get it!), the film is well-paced with all of the individual segments being the proper time and feeling like a well-constructed narrative. There are even some grand performances in this movie from the iconic Marv played magnificently by Mickey Rourke to the hardened badass Hartigan played by Bruce Willis to the valiant Dwight played by Clive Owen. From beginning to end, this is an adrenaline-rushed overtly-masculine experience which off-courses can lead to fatigue at times but is still exhilarating.
Ricky49er's rating:
1640
7.2
8
Deadpool (2016)
February 19, 2016
Watched in Theaters
First Time Watching
Deadpool is my third favorite superhero character, right behind Batman and Spider-Man. So I was eagerly anticipating the idea of a Deadpool movie but I also had my doubts that it would get made. Especially after X-Men Origins: Wolverine severely screwed up the character, which is a shame cause I liked the idea of Ryan Reynolds returning to a more accurate representation of the character. But sometimes, dreams do come true because this Deadpool movie is everything I wanted to see in a Deadpool movie. Vulgar, bloody, hilarious, meta, and elements pulled straight from Deadpool's comic history. Ryan Reynolds kills it as Deadpool and really gave it his all into getting this movie made. I have to applaud him for his determination. So happy that this movie got made and with its' immense success I hope movie studios realize that good things happen when you give characters like this the treatment they deserve without the excessive meddling or mass-appeasing measures. I'm glad this was R-rated because the character needed to be in an R-rated world, PG-13 would have neutered the character of its' appeal. So yeah, good job, Fox, you truly redeemed yourselves for X-Men Origins: Wolverine.
Watched in Theaters
First Time Watching
Deadpool is my third favorite superhero character, right behind Batman and Spider-Man. So I was eagerly anticipating the idea of a Deadpool movie but I also had my doubts that it would get made. Especially after X-Men Origins: Wolverine severely screwed up the character, which is a shame cause I liked the idea of Ryan Reynolds returning to a more accurate representation of the character. But sometimes, dreams do come true because this Deadpool movie is everything I wanted to see in a Deadpool movie. Vulgar, bloody, hilarious, meta, and elements pulled straight from Deadpool's comic history. Ryan Reynolds kills it as Deadpool and really gave it his all into getting this movie made. I have to applaud him for his determination. So happy that this movie got made and with its' immense success I hope movie studios realize that good things happen when you give characters like this the treatment they deserve without the excessive meddling or mass-appeasing measures. I'm glad this was R-rated because the character needed to be in an R-rated world, PG-13 would have neutered the character of its' appeal. So yeah, good job, Fox, you truly redeemed yourselves for X-Men Origins: Wolverine.
Ricky49er's rating:
329
7.3
7.5
February 21, 2016
Watched in Netflix
Rewatched
I'm currently spending my Senior Year in a film analysis class and the first film that was being analyzed is Fruitvale Station. I already watched this film on Netflix and found it to be a powerful, harrowing experience based on a real-life tragedy. Unfortunately, as the years pass, events like what happened to Oscar Grant seem much more common. But enough about that because the film does a phenomenal job portraying the final hours of this man's life. Special credits goes to Michael B. Jordan for his incredible performance as Oscar Grant who makes you feel like you're watching a real human being living his life rather than a character. The man has been in his fair share of stinkers but this performance shows the man has talent. Coogler's direction also deserves special mention for presenting a realistic tone and documentary-like filming style all the while adding subtle cinematic choices that makes this film really enjoyable on repeat viewings.
Watched in Netflix
Rewatched
I'm currently spending my Senior Year in a film analysis class and the first film that was being analyzed is Fruitvale Station. I already watched this film on Netflix and found it to be a powerful, harrowing experience based on a real-life tragedy. Unfortunately, as the years pass, events like what happened to Oscar Grant seem much more common. But enough about that because the film does a phenomenal job portraying the final hours of this man's life. Special credits goes to Michael B. Jordan for his incredible performance as Oscar Grant who makes you feel like you're watching a real human being living his life rather than a character. The man has been in his fair share of stinkers but this performance shows the man has talent. Coogler's direction also deserves special mention for presenting a realistic tone and documentary-like filming style all the while adding subtle cinematic choices that makes this film really enjoyable on repeat viewings.
Ricky49er's rating:
589
7.1
7.3
The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (2015)
February 26, 2016
Watched on DVD (Screening)
First Time Watching
This is a film that seems to have flown past the radar for a lot of people. Everyone who I talked to about this film seemed to have never heard of it or thought I was referring to an older film. It's a shame cause I thought this was a very enjoyable action romp. I got to see this film in a home-theater environment and thus was provided a very enjoyable experience. The cast was very good, especially Henry Cavill and Armie Hammer as the rival America/Russian spies respectively that are forced to work together on a case. I'm not entirely familiar with Guy Ritchie as a director but I felt he did a good job of providing a modern take on the '60s full of cool period piece aspects mixed with modern-day action. While I might not give this film a rewatch, I was given an enthralling cinematic experience that I will not be forgetting anytime soon.
Watched on DVD (Screening)
First Time Watching
This is a film that seems to have flown past the radar for a lot of people. Everyone who I talked to about this film seemed to have never heard of it or thought I was referring to an older film. It's a shame cause I thought this was a very enjoyable action romp. I got to see this film in a home-theater environment and thus was provided a very enjoyable experience. The cast was very good, especially Henry Cavill and Armie Hammer as the rival America/Russian spies respectively that are forced to work together on a case. I'm not entirely familiar with Guy Ritchie as a director but I felt he did a good job of providing a modern take on the '60s full of cool period piece aspects mixed with modern-day action. While I might not give this film a rewatch, I was given an enthralling cinematic experience that I will not be forgetting anytime soon.
Ricky49er's rating:
631
5.9
6.2
Tower Heist (2011)
February 26, 2016
Watched on TV
First Time Watching
I'll admit I got some chuckles out of this film and the plot wasn't abhorrently terrible. I'd say it was mildly interesting. There are certainly worse things to watch while channel-surfing. But even with the occasional chuckle, this film was mostly pedestrian in terms of its comedy and occasionally just plain forced with its jokes. Its' large all-star cast is being used... for something. Not for anything memorable, even if this is the closest Eddie Murphy is gonna get to a funny performance any time soon. But yeah, overall, a rather underwhelming experience.
Watched on TV
First Time Watching
I'll admit I got some chuckles out of this film and the plot wasn't abhorrently terrible. I'd say it was mildly interesting. There are certainly worse things to watch while channel-surfing. But even with the occasional chuckle, this film was mostly pedestrian in terms of its comedy and occasionally just plain forced with its jokes. Its' large all-star cast is being used... for something. Not for anything memorable, even if this is the closest Eddie Murphy is gonna get to a funny performance any time soon. But yeah, overall, a rather underwhelming experience.
SIDE-NOTE: I don't believe the romance between Ben Stiller and Tea Leoni's characters are believable at all. Seriously, this forced relationship would never happen in real life. Leoni's literally leagues above what Ben Stiller's worth.
Ricky49er's rating:
2940
7.7
7.9
Mystic River (2003)
February 27, 2016
Watched on DVD (Screening)
First Time Watching
I usually don't get that invested in straight dramas without the inclusion of science-fiction, mystical, adventure or horror elements. But this film really did work for me. From the opening scene of the kidnapping to the eventual murder of a youthful daughter, this film gets crazy intense. This film is full of impeccable performances from Sean Bean, Kevin Bacon, and Tim Robbins. Especially Tim Robbins. His performance was so good and effective that I really thought he killed the daughter and in hindsight, his death becomes even more tragic. I literally had no idea what this film was before watching it, except that it was directed by Clint Eastwood. I have to say that the cowboy did a really good job directing this film, especially the performances. Seriously, if you know nothing about this film, check it out blind. It will really provide you with an unbelievable experience.
Watched on DVD (Screening)
First Time Watching
I usually don't get that invested in straight dramas without the inclusion of science-fiction, mystical, adventure or horror elements. But this film really did work for me. From the opening scene of the kidnapping to the eventual murder of a youthful daughter, this film gets crazy intense. This film is full of impeccable performances from Sean Bean, Kevin Bacon, and Tim Robbins. Especially Tim Robbins. His performance was so good and effective that I really thought he killed the daughter and in hindsight, his death becomes even more tragic. I literally had no idea what this film was before watching it, except that it was directed by Clint Eastwood. I have to say that the cowboy did a really good job directing this film, especially the performances. Seriously, if you know nothing about this film, check it out blind. It will really provide you with an unbelievable experience.
Ricky49er's rating:
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