Displaying Review 16 - 20 of 20 in total

• The original The Thing is worth a watch. — for The Thing from Another World
  Written by random12345 on 29.09.2023

  This is a B movie from the 50s to be sure, but it's one of the classic B movies.

  Part noir, part sci-fi there's a certain amount of camp value to this film that you just can't take seriously. Carpenters The Thing was technically a remake of this film, though more close to the novella "Who Goes There", which this film was based on.

  Now considered a classic sci-fi, this movie is still a bit rough around the edges by modern standards. Taken as a movie of it's time, and foundational science fiction however, it's entirely a different thing. A good movie to watch at 12am, on a cold winters night when you're snowed in.

• I hate illinois Nazis. — for The Blues Brothers
  Written by random12345 on 03.10.2023

  The Blues Brothers is a movie that makes no sense on paper. Two guys need to raise money to pay property tax for an orphanage (which pays no property tax), so they get their former band back together, but in the process attract a bunch of haters that have nothing better to do than track them down for small slights like an unpaid bar tab, tracking and tracing them for days.

  But... somehow, Dan Akroyd, John Belushi, and director John Landis pull off one of the funniest movies ever made in history.

  How can you not love a movie where cars drive through an active mall, full of people, smashing everything in their path?

  Part comedy, part musical, part social comedy. All entertaining. The bad guys are all played for laughs in this movie, and authority figures are turned upside down (often literally). If you like to laugh at the police, nuns, Nazis, rednecks, country music, uppity restaurants, murderous ex-girlfriends, and fleabag motels where "the trains run by so often you won't even notice", this is the movie for you.

  If you don't at least laugh 10-20 times I weep for your soul. The entire movie is outrageous and unbelievable, and that's what makes it so hilarious. So many classic lines from this movie it's unbelievable. The vast majority were likely never intended to be catch phrases.

• Star Trek at its best. — for Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
  Written by random12345 on 08.10.2023

  A spectacular performance by Ricardo Montalban, who was very proud of his muscular and chest development for the role of the "genetic superman" of Khan.

  The film has much focus on aging, renewal, sacrifice, and revenge, with literary and cultural references scattered through the film. The plot revolves around an old super-villain and his quest to seek revenge on James T Kirk, who he believes wronged him 15 years earlier.

  This movie is mostly driven by space battles and conflict. The two main characters of Khan and Kirk never actually meet in person, so it can feel a bit like two men fighting each other over TV screens.

  The costumes designed for the crew of the Botany Bay are among the most creatively and best designed in film, and add to the atmosphere of people left to use the scraps left to them to survive in a harsh environment for 15 years.

• Can I have a piece of toast? — for An American Werewolf in London
  Written by random12345 on 14.11.2023

  There's not many movies that manages to successfully combine horror, humor, and sex all in one movie. An American Werewolf In London not only manages to do all three, but does it in this brilliant way that defies expectations.

  Directed by John Landis while at the height of his powers, the humor and the gore contrast each other in this brilliant way that nobody has done before, or since. The attraction between David Naughten and Jenny Agutter seems as real as it gets. The special effects make you really believe Naughten turns into a wolf.

  All the actors give outstanding performances, and Landis's attention to detail, and subtle in-jokes add to the story immensely.

  Must see horror.

• Make 'em Laugh Make 'em laugh Make 'em Laugh! — for Singin' in the Rain
  Written by random12345 on 25.11.2023

  Many have said this is the greatest musical ever made. That's only half the story. It' the greatest musical AND dance movie ever made.

  Gene Kelley and Donald O'Connor produce some of the most incredible dance scenes ever caught on film. O'Connors "Make 'em Laugh" routine is beyond words, and has to be seen to be believed. It's not JUST dance, it's a magical movement of his entire body that defies explanation.

  The movie itself is laugh-out-loud funny. The cinematography and color choices create an a world onto itself that's not afraid to escape from reality for just a short period of time. The movie is absolutely beautiful.

  Jean Hagen creates a brilliant "dumb blonde" character, who's not quite as dumb as you think she is.

  Singing in the Rain is set in a world that quickly goes from silent film, to the talkies. Not the best plot in the world, but is more than made up for by everything else, the singing, dancing, physical comedy, and performances of the entire cast.

  For that reason it's a movie that doesn't wear out as you've seen it before. You'll see something new every time you see it.