Last Movie You Saw, Name & Review Movie • Page 176

Predator is so sick

 

It's funny, when AvP came out, my friend and I always debated who would/should when that fight, and even though I largely prefer the Alien franchise, even then I couldn't deny that Predator was That Dude.

 

yeah I think it would be a bit of a challenge but I don’t see a scenario where Predator doesn’t come out on top tbh

 

It's just brains and brawn vs. viciousness and numbers. I can see the argument, but there's a reason the Predators have canonically been hunting xenomorphs for centuries. They wouldn't keep coming back if they weren't coming out on top

 

Alien 2 The queen got beat by the loading bay suit.

 

Not a movie, but True Detective: Night Country - 7.5/10
A very good season of television that somehow mimics many of the themes of season one (flawed characters trying to do one good thing) while also feeling like a completely different (and ultimately, more human) show. Because of this, your mileage may vary with the tone depending on how much you care about season one. It's frustrating because while the thematic callbacks are great, the actual references to season one feel extremely ham-fisted (hearing "Time is a flat circle" again made me roll my eyes). The same can be said about the way this season borders on horror. 30 days of night in Alaska is a perfect setting, and I love the introduction of indigenous culture and superstition. I love the way the season pays homage to The Thing. But the moments when that superstition turns into actual visions of the supernatural look like generic jump-scares from mid-2000s films.

Still, if you can divorce it from the first season despite all of the now-questionable marketing trying to convince you to do the opposite, it's a compulsively watchable season of television largely due to the setting and strong performances across the board. It shares a number of goofy (and occasionally underwritten) moments with season one, but I love that the show is not set up as a whodunit but more so a mystery that slowly unfolds in front of you. The finale has some flip-floppy moments where you question the plausibility or action of the leads, but the final reveal is so, so worth it. I'm glad the show is getting another season under Issa Lopez.

 

Predator 2 - 6.5/10
This one is so close to being good, but I've always felt that Predator in the city should be an absolute slam dunk, and unfortunately, this is a pretty run-of-the-mill 90s cop flick that just so happens to turn into a Predator movie in the final act. Points for introducing so many badass hallmarks of the Predator, though.

Dogface: A Traphouse Horror - 7.5/10
This remains completely bonkers and much more interesting than most big-budget horror flicks being produced right now. Come for independent black horror, stay for something Lynchian that you have to see to believe.

Dune (2021) - 8.5/10
Left a shitpost review because this is my second watch, so I'll modify my original review:

As someone who was skeptical about another big IP product and curious about this film at best (I've never read the book or seen Lynch's film), I am SHOCKED at how good this turned out.

And maybe I shouldn't be. Villeneuve is so, so good at bringing worlds like this to life (see: Blade Runner 2049). Compared to other big IPs, this is how a blockbuster should and would feel if they weren't completely factory made and shoveled out every month. The star power here is well well-cast and not distracting. The film boasts strong characters and performances throughout, thoughtful pacing and cinematography, and perhaps most importantly, the overabundance of source material doesn't feel inaccessible; instead, it invites you to watch again and learn more about the film's universe without making it a requirement.

There's only a little fat to be trimmed here in the third act, and more importantly, the action sequences are purposeful and not offered as padding. It's unbelievable what happens when you give a film like this to someone with a vision who cares about making a good movie (and the freedom to do so). I never thought a Dune remake could or would be one of the best blockbusters of the past decade, but here I am with a ticket to catch an early screening this afternoon, and I couldn't be more excited.

 

I was lukewarm on my 1st watch of Dune but really enjoyed a rewatch this past weekend and I have my ticket for part 2 at 845 tonight and I'm hyped! The early impressions are getting me super excited and having not read the book, and staying away from any spoiler thoughts, I'm a blank slate to hopefully have my mind melted in enjoyment. Not seeing it in imax but got good seats at a good new theater so ready :)

 

Hell yeah! Benefits of getting out of work early, there are less than 10 other people in the theater and they're all sitting near the back. I'm in the very back from of the front section. Don't mind being a little close to the screen and I've got that whole section to myself.

 

Dune: Part Two - 7.5/10
This is a tricky one. The first half of the film is perfect. The second half may be perfect too; maybe I'm thinking too hard without much prior knowledge about the Dune franchise (aside from this film's immediate predecessor). One major strength of 2021's Dune is that it is largely accessible to those unfamiliar with the source material, and while that mostly continues to be the case here, there is something looser about Part Two's second half that holds it back from being truly great. Unfocused character arcs and motivations are hardly a problem considering duality and struggle are major themes throughout the film, but at the same time, some things feel unresolved, revelatory twists borderline inconsequential. Things escalate very quickly in the second hour of this film; whether you blink or not, it feels likely you'll miss something.

Now, with those minor-ish complaints out of the way (and without getting into Butler being a bad actor and Walken being miscast here)... this is a dream adaptation for science fiction fans. Villinueve's sense of style pays homage to that of Jodorowsky and (to a lesser extent) Giger, his directing clearly and tastefully influenced by early Ridley Scott. I can't imagine anyone else doing the job. Zimmer's score is incredible here, and the sound design will have your seat rumbling during the big sandworm sequence. It's unreal how good this film looks and undeniable how good some of the performances are. Part Two is simultaneously more humorous and sinister than its predecessor, accentuating the film's tone in all the right places. While the finale does tie up some loose thematic ends, I just wish this film offered a slightly more coherent conclusion to an otherwise masterful sci-fi epic.

 

My wife REALLY wanted to see this, but due to unforeseen circumstances is out of town and so my spoiler free review to her was the following - "that was a lot of movie to digest. Ill see it again next weekend".

The only thing i really disagree with you on is that i thought Austin Butler was great.

EDIT - since this is the review thread 8 / 10. Visually stunning, and an undeniable spectable in all senses, but a lot of potential narrative stumbles that may be resolved or doubled down on a rewatch.

 

Sounds like I'm in good company! Glad you mostly enjoyed the film as I did! A great theater watch.

 

Red Dragon - 6.5/10
A very competent and watchable entry into the Hannibal Lector franchise that would feel more special if it weren't a remake of a much better film. In fact, it would likely be better if it deviated even slightly from Manhunter, but aside from its bookending scenes, it is nearly shot-for-shot, line-for-line, making it hard to wonder why you would ever choose to watch this over Manhunter. Sure, you get Anthony Hopkins (with a ponytail to make him appear younger, no less), but Brian Cox played his turn in the role just fine. The same can be said about Norton's Will Graham. Hoffman is mostly wasted, although he fits the role perfectly. Fiennes, however, feels much more inspired; it's nearly impossible to surpass Noonan's physicality as Dolarhyde, so Fiennes doesn't try, instead focusing on the character's mental and emotional turmoil.

So yeah, you take Manhunter, add a little water, and force it through the camp filter of Hannibal, and that's Red Dragon. Inoffensive -- at times, quite good -- but never good enough to really justify its existence and stand on its own.

 

Just watched this movie on Netflix , it’s leaving soon. Highly recommended if you enjoy crime thrillers. Stacked cast , dark & very engaging.

The story follows two childhood friends and two police detectives who are suspended for police brutality who in a desperate need for money, are embroiled in a robbery done by a professional thief.

 

I've gone back and forth on checking that one out for a while based on my enjoyment of Zahler's other films (politics be damned) but I just don't think I can do it with Gibson

 

Yeah Gibson is a fuck

 

The Gate - 7.5/10
Scatterbrained, but so undeniably fun. A haunted house for anyone under the age of 13, a blast for anyone over. Not what I expected, but also exactly what I was hoping for.

Secretary - 3.5/10
Look, I'm as pro-slut and pro-sex pervert movie as they come, and there's no doubt Secretary is slightly more interesting than the films it inspired (most notably 50 Shades of Grey and Sanctuary), but a movie about coercing your mentally ill employee into a BDSM relationship just hits different in 2024.

 

I throughly enjoyed it. The dialogue between both duos are extremely well written. And yeah Craig is a great filmmaker. Brawl & bone are great too

 

Gibson is a piece of shit. He's also an absolutely magnetic screen presence. I don't blame anyone being driven more by the first than the second.

 

Are seasons of shows or entire shows alright for this thread or is there a separate thread for it? I don’t care either way, just curious. There’s a season I’m wrapping up lol.

 

Here or chat thread

 

TV works here because who cares there's no cops

 

There used to be a sheriff

 

Now he just grimaces.