It’s time to catch up on the theatrical experiences I’ve had since early August. I’ll post again on Thursday to mention some random events during that time not mentioned yet.
First was Strange Harvest, a horror mockumentary which was an interesting yarn that was spun. It’s a convoluted tale concerning a serial killer which has some wacky details. Several people walked out-it could be because corpses were shown and that was graphically gruesome. Me, the movie was fine, even with some nitpicks.
Shin Godzilla: Randomly, this 2016 film from Japan (which I saw theatrically that year) was brought back to cinemas to plug an upcoming 4K disc release. I love the movie as much now as back then—while totally different from Godzilla Minus One, both are awesome.
Nobody 2: It wasn’t awesome-and not as good as the first film-but was still fine. There was enough entertaining action and boomer needle drops for me. Sharon Stone’s bizarre character, though…
War 2: This is a sequel to a typically wacky Indian film; the first one was released in ’19 and was a lot of fun. The sequel… I wasn’t a fan. The story was total nonsense and was so out there, it played like a parody of modern Indian cinema.
Relay: This was a modestly-budgeted thriller starring Riz Ahmed and Lily James concerning a fixer who protects whistleblowers from retaliation. It was a lot of fun and the sort of R-rated film I wish was on the big screen more often.
The Conjuring: Last Rites: Not as good as the first two, although better than the third one. Most of the movies in The Conjuring Universe are at least “fine,” this included. Of course, I know that Ed & Lorraine Warren in real life were frauds, total charlatans—but the movie versions are a nice couple.
All the President’s Men: Yes, the classic 1976 movie starring Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman. I’d seen it before, but this was at some AMC Theatres for a week to pay tribute to the late Redford. It’s still a great motion picture.
Friday the 13th: Part 3D. I use the 3D moniker as Regal Cinemas played the movie for one night in 3D. Of course, I’ve watched the movie in 2D and 3D at home (the latter w/ those plastic 3D glasses) and always liked the silly thing but never thought there’d be the chance to see it in true 3D. It was a blast and everyone laughed at the most gratuitous usage of the third dimension, especially one of the characters randomly using a yo-yo. Thankfully, when the film became serious, the laughter stopped and the crowd wasn’t mocking it although they could have.
One Battle After Another: It’s contrarian time for me-something I never wish for. I love some of Paul Thomas Anderson’s films (Boogie Nights, There Will Be Blood) but this was just bad. I hated every character, its apparent message of “both the far-right and the far-left are imbecilic idiots” is delivered in a heavy-handed fashion, and I hate to say that I loathed the lead Black woman (Leo’s gal) but when she’s portrayed as the worst Black woman stereotypes (constantly vulgar, constantly sexual), that’s on the movie for being prejudiced, not me! As Leo’s character was a drunk druggie loser… this was just bad-and a bad satire to boot. Sean Penn’s Colonel character is named STEVEN J. LOCKJAW! That sounds like a Colonel character he would play in an MCU film.
Like I said, the next one of these will be posted sometime on Thursday.
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