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Josiah23
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The Marksman (2021)
As with most action movies made today, it carries the scent of loftier ambitions
I think there are several compelling factors about this movie that need to be pointed out, if they haven't already been done so. Number one, some fresh takes on some old themes. What I liked most among these was the soldier mentality and code of honor exhibited by both the main villain and the hero, the fact that they both have something in common... or, at least, it is perceived that way. The fact that the villain keeps one of Henson's military medals, offering it up to him in the end, relinquishing his envy for the man and in return, gaining a little bit of respect... enough to have earned a 'soldier's choice' (how you die).
The young boy with the deep soul. The first thing we learn about him is that his ambitions in love give him a kind of divine confidence and the ability to see beauty anywhere (even from a sunlit gummy bear). He understands his mother's death and is able to process it in such a way that guides Liam Née son's character. After the death of the dog, the trip to the church to pay respects to Miguel's mother, was a much needed reprieve in the storyline and one you don't often find in this type of action-thriller.
I thought this movie was well blended with action and drama. Enough action to create suspense, enough drama to keep your attention. Overall, I would give it ten stars because I would like to see more movies like this.
Space Force (2020)
Oof!
This tonally off-kiltered broad satire was either in a race against time to stay relevant or the work of amateurs who thought they could skate by with its stellar cast. They struggle with even the protagonist, trying to make him lovable yet lambasting everything he represents. There is, of course, the tired tactics of identity politics at play here: all minorities are flawless AND sympathetic, all straight white males are buffoonish. Overall, the entire show is just a thinly veiled snarky retort to one of Donald Trump's many tweets... I guess this is season one of a fart in the wind, will there be a 2nd? Who cares?
Lady Psycho Killer (2015)
Not another Teen Slasher...
I stumbled across this movie not knowing what to expect, I liked the cast and it had a cool cover.
I think it's an independent movie in the truest sense of the word. What I mean is that while it touches upon some familiar territory in this particular genre, it is by no means confined to convention... it is, perhaps, more of a response to said convention.
The central character is an attractive 'good girl' in college, pursued by a virtuous dude-bro with an obnoxious buddy (the two seemingly serve as each other's alter egos)... the essence of this group harkens back to the classic set-up of Friday The 13th and other popular franchises... but we learn from the onset that there is more to this 'good girl' then what she leads on. She's both the protagonist and a deeply disturbed young lady.
The voice over provides a deeper characterization of who she is with her homicidal thoughts and we really do see the world through her eyes... the world being the veritable den of male sexual deviants... even the nice old neighbor, played brilliantly by Malcom McDowal is deviant under a thin veneer...
All of these cretens get their just deserts when she is given a rather unorthodox assignment by her professor (the incomparable Michael Madison) who challenges his class to break one sexual norm during the course of the semester and then to write about it. Something that would most likely not hold up well in today's #MeToo movement but our suspension of disbelief is adequately maintained because ultimately what is more compelling is Ella's journey.
There is the obligatory confusion between sex and death that comes with these teen slasher flicks... with Ella as the virginal maiden, expressing her sexuality through grotesque violence, thus effectively distancing herself from her own discomfort. It is only when she and the aforementioned Dude-Bro come together that a resolution to this conflict comes into sight.
The pop psychology angle of it posed some interesting questions that likely would be explored in a sequel but proved, more so, to add a very interesting twist in the end... in which all is right with the world... this very devious world... her world.
All in all, I really enjoyed this picture because, like I said, it thwarted my expectations and I give it high markings because I believe efforts like these are important in cinema and should be encouraged!
Just watch it, give it and chance, and see what you think!
The Hanover House (2014)
The house gets what the house wants...
OK, so there's a couple of things to mention here. Number 1, the name itself implies that this is going to be a haunted house picture and that is exactly what it is. Where as most haunted house pictures tend to remain true to their Victorian roots, keeping a rather stuffy disposition with "sophisticated" scares and intrigue, HH unapologetically delves much deeper and much darker than the usual fare. It truly does push the envelope in this cherished little sub genre thus making it an irreplaceable contribution to the lexicon. This movie is important, this movie sets precedent, this movie SHOULD be remembered. If you're reading this review right now and you haven't seen it, run don't walk to the nearest showing and/or netflix (eventually, I'm not sure if it's there yet... As of 05/11/14). Good performance by the legendary Anne Bobby. Why don't producers cast her more often? She's actually one of the few cult movie queens who can actually act! Very we'll shot, this movie will astound you: 10 out of 10 stars
Infestation (2009)
The kitchen sink...plus bugs!!!
The way I see it, the only real risk against this flick is just how easily it can be taken for granted. It's so action packed that you might forget how funny it is. It's so funny that you might forget that's even got a little bit of heart. I heard about this flick 'cuz I guess it was made by one of the project greenlight guys from way back. Anyways, I saw it in the theater the other night and was blown away. I found out it's airing on the sci-fi channel this August, which is cool but you're probably not going to get the same experience as seeing it in the theater. You're best bet is to get it on DVD because the sci-fi channel is definitely going to have to edit some stuff out. It's got Ray Wise (Of Twin Peaks fame) in it who has all the charm and comedic timing as one of those classy silent movie stars. You can't help but smile when he's on the screen. It's also got that kid from Joan of Arcadia, not John Ritter's son but the chick's boyfriend.
A lot of the humor from this movie comes from it's effortless ability to reference it's own script and "call back". It does this with great ease and so when you're watching it, you feel like your in on a million "inside jokes". Some of the action is pretty funny too, though it's not quite "splatstick". You won't feel guilty for laughing when this one dude bounces out of the mouth of a giant flying mosquito. Even Wiley Coyote took a few hits for the all-American chuckle. There's a father son relationship that really develops and becomes warm without being too sentimental. And a love interest that seems real and down to earth. That's what kind of surprised me about this movie, just how unprentenious it was. I'm not saying I was expecting an art house flick with Giant Bugs but all the character development and dynamics were really ambitious.
Overall, I'm giving it ten out of ten stars simply because it's a fun flick and I think people should watch it.