After 22 years, finally saw "The Crow". The 90's didn't click for me while they were happening, so I probably wouldn't have dug it then, but now, I really enjoyed it. Will have to add it to my superhero collection.
Fantastic Four Yeah. You can see a lot of good ideas that could have made a good movie, but all the bad ideas, poor execution, and plot holes drag it down. Maybe a 3/10 (as someone unfamiliar with the source).
Divergent Entertaining enough, but 1 week after watching the first two Hunger Games films, I kept wondering if I was watching a third one. I had to stop myself from shouting "Go, Katniss!" a couple of times. Okay, not really. But the similarities in the two storylines can NOT be coincidental.
Zombeavers. Pure awful schlocky goodness. The White Haired Witch Gorgeously photographed Chinese martial arts/romance/tragedy movie with subtitles.
The only reason I didn't rate it higher was for a couple of nitpicky things that even took my daughters right out of the moment: Koba's endless ammunition in his final scene and the fact that the apes' short legs would make it difficult for them to ride those horses (their feet don't extend far enough to "spur" them in the flanks to get them to "go").
San Andreas 6/10. Fun summer popcorn flick with lots of building falling apart and the Earth shaking.
Mr. Holmes - quite enjoyable. Recommended if you're a Sherlock Holmes fan, still a good movie if you aren't.
Advise and Consent. 1962 political drama that still resonates today (though the blackmailing done to one senator would have to be changed to something else). 8.5/10
RIFIFFI - it's one of the first "heist" movies, set/filmed in Paris 1955 or so. It influenced many heist movies to follow. Totally awesome!
Was on a bit of a time travel kick last night so I watched Time Lapse and Project Almanac. Both films were entertaining but never fully reached the promise of their premise. Time Lapse is an indie flick about a group of roommates who discover their neighbour has a camera that can take pictures 24 hours into the future. The camera, which takes up half a room, is pointed at their apartment window. Hilarity ensues when one of the roommates tries to make money by betting on future sports events. There's a bit of a twist in this movie that would have been a lot better in more capable hands. Project Almanac is about a bunch of teenagers who create a time machine. One of them uses the time machine to alter past events so he can "get the girl". Hilarity ensues when things go very bad with each change he makes in the timeline. Both are worthwhile films if you like time travel stuff.
CAT.8. Total crap, turned off after 20 minutes. Watched ANGER MANAGEMENT instead, again. Nicholson gets his usual 10/10, Sandler tries so 4/10, overall a solid, entertaining 7. Well, if you're in the mood for teh stoopid.
It has occurred to me that Mr. Holmes shares a fair number of traits with a certain other good movie. It's not a ripoff by any means, though.
The Roger Corman Fantastic Four from 1994. Youtube has it. Cheeseiest corniest thing ever....and still better than the Josh Trank one.
I read somewhere the other day that there's a documentary about that production which is about to be released (assuming the producers don't get a cease and desist letter from the studio).
Ant Man: 8+/10. Funny, engaging, thoroughly enjoyed it! Points off for: 1) 2-dimensional villain, b) an overly simplistic "save" when the hero seems doomed, and iii) Evangeline Lilly's awful haircut (didn't think anyone could make her that much less attractive, but that 'do managed it!)
In theatres, Ant-Man, solid A, funny, engaging, another marvel hit. On the tube, the Drop - one of James Gandalfino's last movies. A-, pacing could be slow at times, but a good morality tale/crime drama with a nice twist.
Saw "Bridesmaids", last night to get the flavor of Paul Feige's female-centric comedies he's been doing, and now I'm genuinely excited about the Ghostbusters reboot. That style of humor, plus the chicks are wielding rayguns and fighting monsters? That's going to be fucking insane. Can't wait.
Feig's on a good streak. Bridesmaids is damned funny. The Heat is also very good. Spy, from this summer, is probably the weakest of the three, but is still pretty entertaining. Last movie I saw? Underworld (Kate Beckinsale, vampires vs. werewolves). I thought it was pretty enjoyable.