New update (and more timely this time!) Films in bold = <3
New films
8) Super / James Gunn / 2010 / 3/5
17) Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves / Kevin Reynolds / 1991 / 3/5
35) Climax / Gaspar NoΓ© / 2018 / 5/5
Man, I haven't seen that movie since I was like 7 or 8 years old. I know Arrow Video just put out a 4K edition. I was considering grabbing it to revisit it. Maybe after Christmas. Don't know if it will hold up or not. As a kid, I remember liking it. But I know a lot of people like it in an ironic sense. Yeah, I might pick that one up at some point from Arrow.
Yeah, I would say Climax is probably Noe's most re watchable film. I think that's mainly due to Cabin in the Woods/Horror structure it kind of has about it. The dance scenes are phenomenal in that film though. And when the shit hits the fan, boy does it get dark. Some of the self mutilation scenes still make me wince hard. I would still say that maybe Irreversible or I Stand Alone are still my two favorite Noe films but Climax is up there as well. The soundtrack is also pretty great on that movie. I have it in my vinyl collection for a reason.
I haven't seen Super in a while but I still very much love that film. For me, it was the film I wanted Kick Ass to be. Which is ironic because the Kick Ass comic is much closer in tone to Super in terms of not downplaying the insanity of its main characters. Also, I really love Michael Rooker's small part in Super. For some reason, Michael Rooker always stands out to me in that film.
Good list of stuff in general.
Alright, my update time. Not that I've seen much to update on, but here goes.
Rageaholic (Gekkido) // 3.5 out of 5 - A Japanese film made by a friend of mine (Yoshiki Takahasi). He sent me a screener since he knows I probably won't get to see it for a long time. It's currently screening in Japan so it was nice to watch a screener of it as I've been following it on social media since the guy is a friend of mine. For note, Yoshiki is the tattoed guy that was featured in that Battle Royale documentary on the latest Arrow Video release. How would I best describe Rageaholic? It's kind of like a Japanese Demolition Man crossed with elements of Yakuza 7. (believe it or not)
A lone renegade Japanese detective known for his violent outbursts makes the mistake of killing a bystander in a hostage situation and is sent to a medical facility in New York for anger management. 3 years later he returns to his hometown in Japan only to find the place has changed drastically as the overbearing local Community Watchdogs now play judge, jury and executioner as they seek to eradicate the town of the so called "dregs of society." The detective tries to play nice as he attempts to tow the line, but he is eventually pushed to his limits resulting in a bloody showdown between the community fascists and the "dregs of society."
A fun low budget affair. It's well paced and wastes no time making its point. Something I really appreciated as I have sat through way too many bloated films lately. It's low budget so some of the effects work is a bit on the nose. But there are some inspired physical gags towards the end that really made me laugh. It does a good job building to the violent outburst at the end.
It reminded me a little of Yakuza 7 in the sense that the community watchdogs reminded me of the Bleach Japan movement. Anyways, it was a fun watch. Not a bad effort for a first time Director. It's only hurt by the low budget as some of the gore effects leave a little to be desired at times. What can I say? I'm not a big fan of CGi blood but I get it, it's a low budget film. What can you do? But given its budget, I thought it was very well shot and was just a fun satire in general. I had a good time with it.
Smile // 3 out of 5 - It's The Ring all over again. It's really hard not to see the Ringu influence in this. But I did enjoy it. Even if it was highly derivative.
Bullet Train // 3 out of 5 -- Fun. Not much else to say, really. It was just fun. Didn't blow me away but I wouldn't say it was forgettable either. It was just a fun movie and nothing more.
The Menu // 4 out of 5 - I knew absolutely NOTHING about this going in. All I knew is that it was a horror comedy. Didn't read a single review, didn't watch a single trailer, had no expectations whatsoever. I actually really enjoyed it. It's a really tight, well paced dead pan/dark horror comedy. Probably one of my favourite films I've seen this year as it was very up my alley.
Ransom // 3 out of 5 - I've seen this before but it was on late night TV and I ended up watching it again. Very well crafted thriller that loses steam in its final act. I feel like the plot wheel plays it hand one too many times. Say what you will about Mel Gibson and his crazy ways, but man, the guy can act. He and Gary Sinise really are the two best reasons to watch this as they play their deadly game of cat and mouse.
Planes, Trains and Automobiles // 4 out of 5 - Still my favorite John Hughes and John Candy collaboration.
Home Alone // 3.5 out of 5 - It's that time of year again and my nephew is now at the age where he has first discovered Home Alone. Christ, I feel old. I remember going to see it when I was his age in a cinema with my family. Now I'm in my 30's and I'm watching my Nephew discover it. Way to make me feel incredibly old
It's still very charming in its own right. I always revisit it once every Christmas as is and it was fun to watch my nephew cracking up at it for the first time. As I get older, it really is Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern and the rest of the adult cast that really steal the show for me. Culkin is cute and all, but I really do appreciate the adult cast more and more as I get older. John Williams score is still beautiful in that film. I really have to get around to buying that soundtrack on vinyl someday. And the scene with the old man in the church hits harder every year I get older. It really is a wonderful little Christmas film when you sit back and look at it.
