The Last Stand 7/10

The story seemed like a good idea but the execution was lackluster.

 

^ you went to an arnold movie, expecting a good story?  

 

Been going through my Bond 50th Anniv Blu-Ray collection. Watching Octopussy at the moment. I think I left off with Thunderball last so I continue from then on:

You Only Live Twice - Good standard bond film. Plenty of good action. Kinda has the misfortune of Bond becomes Japanese bit. It is more or less Sean with a different haircut and a tan. Still a good one. Plus it has the tiny helicopter Little Nellie. Awesome little thing. 8/10

On Her Majesty's Secret Service - Lazenby is no Connery. He gets his ass kicked several times, the girl initially just runs away, he wears a kilt, the tuxes are very frilly. Telly Savallas is not a good Blofeld either. Overall a weak bond film. 6/10

Diamonds are Forever - Another Blofeld is the villain movie. The henchmen Mr. Kidd and Mr. Wint are enjoyable. Has some good moments. A decent return for Sean. 7.5/10

Live and Let Die - Good stuff with the voodoo and overall plot. TeeHee makes a good henchman. Mr. Big/Kanaga is a decent villain. But does come off a little bit Blacksploitation-esqe. 7/10

Man With the Golden Gun - a step up. Scaramanga is a good match and a polar opposite of Bond. Bond kills for security of mankind, MwtGG for money. Plus you got Knick Knack played by Herve Villachez. 8/10

Spy Who Loved me - Another step up. Bit of a recycled plot with a large vessel swallowing smaller ones. Action is fantastic. Villain is forgettable but it did introduce Jaws. He is one of the best henchman. Great opening stunt with the skiing off a cliff. Lotus Sub is also awesome. 8.5/10

Moonraker - Bond in space. Ugh. This one is the more or less exact same plot as SWLM, but in space! Jaws returns and is once again awesome. A huge step back because of the stupid space laser battle. 5/10 One of the worst of the franchise!

For Your Eyes Only - Simple plot of a missing McGuffin Bond has to locate. Add in a revenge plot by the Bond girl and you get a good dark film. Villain is forgettable, but you do get a nice story. Plus a fun chase with Bond driving a little Citroen. Good suspense and action. A great improvement over Moonraker. 8/10

Octopussy - Starts with imposter Faberge eggs and becomes plot about Soviet expansion. Some really goofy bits like Bond swinging on vines complete with a Tarzan Yell.  Starts off good with a cool mini-plane sequence. Overall is is a great bond film. 8/10.

 

Wreck It Ralph - 8/10

 

Just saw Dredd, and I have to give it 9/10. It was much better than the Stallone version.

 

any movie that doesn't have Rob Schnieder in it automatically is better than that one.

 

God Bless America - 8/10

Another really awesome and disturbing film from Bobcat Goldthwait (a sentance I never would have guessed I would be able to say back in the 80's!). While I'd never do what the characters in the film did to deal with their annoyances (I just keep the TV and radio off and that generally works) I certainly share their frustrations. One of those movies where you feel really guilty being entertained by it.  

And speaking of movies that make you feel guilty for being entertained:

Been a big fan of Battle Royale since it first came out. I think its what Hunger Games wishes it had the balls to be.   j/k

 

Dark Shadows – 6/10 – I’m not sure how to rate this one. Was is supposed to be a comedy? I didn’t really laugh too much. There were some ok parts, but mostly not very memorable. A lot of the side characters were underdeveloped and I didn’t care about them. Seeing Alice Cooper was cool, but also pretty pointless. I won’t be watching this one again.

Because of Winn-Dixie - 8/10 - A good family flick. We started reading the book to my girls so I thought they would like the movie (didn't realize they never finished it before I got the movie at the library!) AnnaSophia Robb’s first performance is a pretty good one! I also like Dave Matthews’ role.

 

Gangster Squad - 6/10

I felt it should have been a lot better. I expect a lot more out of the A-List cast of actors. Sean Penn delivered as always, but everyone else seemed like they were dialing it in. Also, didn't like how all the Gangsters had the shooting skills of Storm Troopers. Makes me kind of wonder what the scene with the theatre shooting would have added and if the edits to take it out effected the pace too much.

 

Terminator 8/10

It had a murky story and was slow at times but I kept watching to see what would happen next. I like that Reese was Connor's father

 

hitchhiker's guide to the galaxy 8/10 this is my first time watching this movie, and quite frankly......IT kicked ass!!!!!!

 

Zero Dark Thirty - 8/10

I can see why Jessica Chastain has been getting a lot of Oscar buzz for her role, she was great. The movie had some great supporting performances as well. I also felt it brought up some interesting political debates that aren't supposed to be spoken of on these boards. I'd say the only downside to the movie was that the pacing seemed to be a little off at times. There were also a lot of slower parts that didn't feel like they added much to the overall movie.

 

Source Code- 9.5/10

 

Django Unchained - 8/10

Definitely needed about 50 mins edited out of it, third act was unneeded.

Had a bit of a problem with the anachronistic use of hip hop music, but nothing to ruin the film for me.

Definitely his best since Jackie Brown, nice to see Tarantino come back with films that actually have character motivations etc instead of pointless exercises like death proof.

I heard some complaints about the use of humor during the baghead scene, I don't agree with that however, I thought it worked well do demystify them and make them look like fools.

Most of the professional actors turned in very good performances, however Quentin's decision to star in the movie, even briefly, stands out horribly with his bad acting which is exposed more with the better actors around him.

 

Night of the Living Dead (1968) - 8/10

 

Amazing Spider-Man. 8/10
I saw this movie last year, but I recently rewatched it today. It was a lot better the second time around. Peter didn't seem as douchey (Maybe it's the hair...), and while there were some issues (Connor's turn happened far too quickly), it's just superior to all the other Spidey movies (And on par with 2). I still like that Uncle Ben and Aunt May were actual characters in this movie, and not just spouting one liners to guilt Peter.

 

Apartment 143 9/10

 

The Last Stand - 7/10
Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters - 7/10