Last night, after watching Robot Jox (1989) while digesting my midday munch, I decided to round off the Bank Holiday with its sequel Robot Wars (1992).
This is a, kind of, sequel to Robot Jox. As GBF has made a retrospective on it, which covers all points I’d generally raise about this film, I’ll let him do the rest.
Last night, I was mostly watching Legion (2010)
The best way to describe it as a last stand movie which was originally about demons taking over Earth which was changed to Angels destroying humanity - though no time was given for script rewrites. So, the old lady, Ice Cream Man (the one which gives @TorturedZen the willies and was portryed by the amazing and prolific horror character actor Doug Jones) and child are completely out of character in the movie.
Luckily for the people trapped in the diner, the Archangel Michael himself joins to protect them. When you have an angel that badass, then you know help is here (I actually have the Sigil of Michael as one of my tattoos).
For a low budgeted effects heavy film, they did an amazing job and was definitely worth spin-off sequels showing the events in other places.
Clips with the three - If you don’t want the movie spoiled prior to watching, then skip them (I think a 13-year-old movie may still need a spoiler warning). Oh, and definitely suitable for the visually or theologically sensitive.
#IfGlenDiesWeRiot
Just started watching this since I got the day off.
Looks like I’m not getting shit done today
I enjoyed pretty much all of Torchwood. A great fantasy premise for a series.
It was a great idea and the third series - Children of Earth really encapsulated all aspects of it. I cannot think of a show which would have the balls to rely on the method they did in the final episode.
Well, I haven’t posted a movie in a while.
I will blame being forced the watch Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.
This movie was so painful to watch that I needed to have a little time away from movies due to such utter and complete ineptitude in creating and delivering a tale. I really struggle to think of anything I would praise about it and, I think ensuring that the rest of the cast not being present for Bill Murray’s cameo was an admirable move to keep a legend alive is the best I can do on that front.
I did manage to do some watching of late. As one of the themes for April included St. George and the Dragon - I thought a dragon film was needed. So, instead of something simple, I chose to watch the three main adaptations of Robert Harris’ Red Dragon.
These are Manhunter (1986)
Red Dragon (2002)
Hannibal Season 3 (2015) [I chose season/series three as it is the one which includes The Tooth Fairy, even if all three centre around Hannibal and Will’s relationship].
So, which one is better? Personally, I am heavily in favour of Manhunter as its neo-noir style and dry delivery captures to characters better than any other interpretation and is just a better movie. I will put Red Dragon in second place. It does not get the bottom slot as Ralph Fiennes elevates the production in spite of a bored Anthony Hopkins and Edward Norton being Edward Norton. It is also great to see Ralph Fiennes as the villain two decades before The Menu.
Hannibal Season 3 gets the final slot as it was so rushed: with the series being cancelled, the whole Francis Dolarhyde thread had no time to develop or grow in comparison to the generally glacial pace of this show. As such, it felt like being cheated out of a main course when six hours were spent examining the starter.
To get me back into the movie mood - I need something unashamedly OTT. For such a task, Stone Cold came to mind:
If you are not aware of it, then here are Good Bad Flicks and Red Letter Media discussing it:
Best of the Worst: Plinketto #10 - YouTube
(I have timestamped the latter video to start with the Stone Cold discussion).
I’m 5 episodes into “The Diplomat” on Netflix.
So far, I am enjoying it. Much of it seems over the top, but I can’t wait to see how they end it. Keri Russell’s character is abrasive, outlandish and a hoot to watch. I’ve always enjoyed Rufus Sewell. The supporting cast are nailing their roles. I’m not watching it for realism, but alternate between chuckling and shaking my head over the actions and decisions of many of the characters.
I think I got hooked on watching heads roll…
As the month draws to an end, I’ve decided to revisit my favourite TV show when I was a child (and to be honest, it is probably still my favourite of all time) - The Prisoner.
It is a series which is utterly insane and truly inspired in equal measure. Although, all who have sat down to watch every episode have developed and deep love of it as the ultimate lightning in a bottle (Or, should that be lightning in a white balloon?).
Watch it and I’ll be seeing you soon.
@SquirrelSmash A classic that does bring back memories of lightning in a big white bouncing ball. Thanks for reminding me of this confusing, confounding, intriguing and entertaining show.
Hopefully you’ll revisit the series too. The Girl Who Was Death has always been my favourite.
Oh, the two parts of the finale are actually on YouTube (hopefully they will continue to be there for the next week: as most of the things I’ve shared have been taken down within hours.
For those who have never watched any episode of it, I’d suggest watching Arrival, Schizoid Man, and The Girl Who Was Death first.
As I do need a few more evenings engaging with brilliance before going back to glorious exploitation and tiresome Hollywood content - I’ve decided to rewatch the original House of Cards trilogy - Where Francis Urquhart shows that any woody influence is beneath him.
Obviously, I’ll be rewatching the second series first: To Play the King seems fitting with the week ahead.
Well, it was initially a sad moment to hear that Jerry Springer had fallen off this mortal coil. But I quickly remembered the thousands of hours of litigation and examination he gifted to the legal profession.
I have to admit to relying on Jerry Springer: The Opera in regard to enforcing blasphemy.
Due to my sporadic reviews of what I’ve watched before bed, I thought I’d just create a schedule for the whole month and hopefully it’ll inspire others to watch something outside of their comfort zone.
So, here is my (Come What) May list. Obviously it does ramble around genres and styles, so there may be at least one to peek someone’s interest.
1st Moulin Rouge
2nd Definitely Maybe (I need to include rom-coms for Mrs. Squirrel).
3rd Midsommar - Yes, I am giving it a second chance.
4th Star Wars (the despecialised Marcia Lucas cut).
5th The King’s Speech
6th The Madness of King George
7th Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy.
8th Howl’s Moving Castle
9th The Wicker Man (1973)
10th The Cider House Rules
11th Dune (1984)
12th Sausage Party
13th Dune (2021)
14th First Knight
15th Clear, in case I choose to view a May release
16th Clear, in case I choose to view a May release
17th Clear, in case I choose to view a May release
18th The Adjustment Bureau
19th Dark City
20th The Hunt for Red October
21st The Sum of All Fears
22nd The Langoliers
23rd My Girl
24th Elizabeth
25th Freddy Got Fingered
26th Gosford Park
27th Withnail and I
28th Stand by Me
29th Barefoot in the Park
30th Braindead / Dead Alive
31st Species
You got some good ones on there bud. The langoliers was weird for me as i read the short story in stephen kings book four past midnight. It was one of the cases of reading the story was better.
For me its another night of ben and hollie. Have seen every episode on netflix about 20x now lol joys of toddlers lol
The Langoliers is a great adaptation with the tone of the 1990sThe Outer Limits. The Sandkings springs to mind as being tonally similar. Sadly, most remember The Langoliers due to the terrible CGI in the final act but, if you forget about that, it’s a fine tale.
