Before Legendary Pictures assumed production of the Godzilla series, they had created an original franchise called Pacific Rim. In it, Kaiju (Giant Monsters) came through a portal deep in the Pacific Ocean to attack mankind and ravage cities within the ring of fire. Mankind created Team-Driven Mechs to combat these creatures. As time progressed, the Kaiju increased in size and power and pushed the Mechs to their operational limit. While watching this movie, I thought of a great opportunity to where the invading Kaiju would overwhelm the mechs and the world would face complete destruction. It would be at that point that the Toho Guardian Monsters (Godzilla, Mothra, King Caesar and Baragon) would appear and save the day. Somebody at Legendary obviously has my house bugged as this series is exactly what I thought would be a great idea.
A cinematic bridge between Legendary’s Godzilla and Kong movies, this 10 episode show evolves the series and adds a new dimension to the Godzillaverse. We now have a new understanding on where the Kaiju exist - in an alternative plane - and that Godzilla is a guardian to keep humanity and the Kaiju separated in their own planes of existence. This series is built specifically for the non-Kaiju fan. It fixes all of the complaints of those who went to the Godzilla movie and were disappointed with the results. The human character development is extremely in-depth, which individual histories are over exposed. Everything you would want to know about individuals are covered extensively. A homosexual element is also included, because Gen Y and Z can’t connect with any media release without a relationship of this nature incorporated in the storyline (even though it adds nothing to the actual story). This was obviously only included to pander to a special interest group.
Kaiju Fans will be extremely disappointed with the production. Monster appearances are extremely rare and the only minor conflict between the titans happens in the final episode. Everything is focused on the human interaction on how Monarch becomes and how it progressed. Nevertheless, the acting is top notch. The story plays and is believable. The time swaps between the 50s and current time keeps viewers on their toes and involved in the story. I enjoyed the experience, but just like Legendary’s Godzilla (2014) I felt that there needed to be more Godzilla included in the Godzilla Show. Nevertheless, the series gets an 8 out of 10 simply for the development of the G-Verse.
Starring a bunch of people whose names you won’t recognize…with Martin Mull and Christopher Plummer in supporting roles. This comedy(?) really scrapes the bottom of the barrel. Obviously intended as a break out production for most of the cast, it falls flat with little to offer for the viewer. It gets a 4 out of 10.
Re-watched Second Hand Lions last night. Stars Robert Duvall and Michael Caine. A mother leaves her young son to spend the summer with his eccentric uncles. During the stay he learns about their adventures as young men. A very enjoyable film
One of the final films done by John Wayne. Ironically the main character is dying from colon cancer while Wayne was dying from stomach cancer. The supporting cast is impressive with Lauren Bacall, Ron Howard, James Stewart, Richard Boone and Henry Morgan - along with many others - providing excellent performances. A dying shootist (gunfighter) has one last fight in him as he goes out guns a’blazing. An 8 out of 10
Dwayne Johnson proves how far a father will go to save his son in this action adventure flick. Caught by the DEA for drugs, The Rock’s son (Rafi Gavron) is used as a leverage tool to work up the chain of command for a drug cartel. To help his son, Johnson injects himself into the investigation and becomes a pivotal part of it. A slow burn of a movie with a serious supporting cast, Snitch gets a 7 out of 10.
Everyone seems to have missed the origins of this movie. This is the Space Version of the Magnificent Seven, which of course is the recreation of the Japanese classic Seven Samurai.
Robert Vaughn gets the award for playing a role in two movies that recreate the Japanese Classic film playing the exact same character in both. Roger Corman’s production brought many big names to this rendition including George Peppard, Richard Thomas, Robert Vaughn, John Saxon, Jeff Corey and Sybil Danning. Almost every space ship somehow was a recreation of some sort of animal: Moose, Hammerhead Shark, Frog, Large-Mouth Bass, Dragonfly, Flea, Tick, Manta and Octopus. Even the Nestor’s ship resembles a jellyfish without the hanging tentacles. The Valkyrie plays the part of Chico (Horst Buchholz). If you have about 5 hours to kill, watch The Magnificent Seven and this movie back-to-back and you’ll easily see the comparisons.
After his family is murdered by Kansas Red Legs, Josey Wales joins the fight on the side of the Confederacy during the Civil War. Refusing to surrender, Wales rides south into the Indian Territory, gathering a following as he makes his way to Texas. His gunfighting skills are repeatedly challenged as he takes on all comers. A spectacular Clint Eastwood production, getting an 8 out of 10 stars.
Three of the biggest, baddest brothers of the 70s team up in this action adventure. Jim Brown, Fred Williamson and Jim Kelly take on racist evil scientists who have developed a serum that only kills people of color. Jay Robinson plays the ultra-creepy evil leader like no one else could and looks to introduce the serum into the public water supply for L.A., Washington D.C., and Detroit. The action is almost nonstop but the overt racism detracts from the overall production.
BTW: pay no attention to the magic blue Dodge van that can transform back and forth from a 1960s version to a 1970s one. It gets a 6 out of 10.
Just watched The Kill Room on Netflix, it’s a thriller with a lot of murders but there seems to be a comedy element to it (or perhaps I imagined it?) I quite enjoyed it. Starred Uma Thurman
New repeating handguns are just being introduced in the West. Two of these are stolen and then used for robberies of the local stage lines. Randolph Scott looks to recover his stolen weapons and bring justice to the gang that is terrorizing a local town. A fair western that hits on all the standard requirements. It gets a 6 oiut of 10.
The 5th and final Dirty Harry movie, now Harry Callahan is part of a celebrity list who are being predicted to die before the year is out. A psychopath is looking to make that list a reality. Liam Neeson, Jim Carrey (in an early role), Patricia Clarkson and Evan Kim fill out the cast and help to bring this series to a successful close. Harry even ditches his .44 for an even bigger gun in the finale. It gets a 7 out of 10.
Chevy Chase plays a Secret Service agent charged with protecting a Duke and Duchess. Carrie Fisher is the movie executive in charge of extras for the filming of the Wizard of Oz. They all collide together at the Hotel Rainbow. Unfortunately, there is evil afoot as an assassin (Robert Donner) looks to kill the Duke, Nazi (Billy Barty) and Japanese (Mako) agents look to obtain classified materials about an American invasion and the little people run amuck during the whole event. Note: This was Hollywood Legend Leonard Barr’s final film. He died before the movie was released. This film was dedicated to him. It gets a 7 out of 10.
A rival burger company opens up to threaten Good Burger’s reign at the top of the fast food pyramid. Their tactics are completely evil and it is up to our heroes to save the day and the burger store. Honestly, the performance of Kel Mitchell is the ONLY reason to watch this flick. Everything else is a waste of time. It barely gets a 6 out of 10.
A small town man with old school values (Adam Sandler) inherits $40 Billion Dollars from an unknown adventurous relative. Never before visiting a big city, Deeds is a fish out of water and gets exposed to every trick and scam possible but still maintains his friendliness and kindness to strangers, winning over most of the people he interacts with. Winona Ryder plays the investigative reporter looking for a story who eventually falls for Deeds and he for her. John Turturro plays Deeds’ super sneaky manservant who can appear when needed out of thin air. Steve Buscemi provides extra comic relief as the character “Crazy Eyes.” A delightful Rom-Com, it gets a 7 out of 10
The biggest poker game in the territory is about to begin and the five richest men are rushing to be there. A traveling family, whose husband has a gambling problem (Henry Fonda), comes to town on the same day. Fonda talks his way into the game and puts up the entire family’s savings in a single hand. The stress becomes too much for him and he suffers a heart attack mid-hand and his wife (Joanne Woodward) is forced to play the hand in his place. However, not everything is as it appears to be. Jason Robards, Kevin McCarthy, Burgess Meredith and Paul Ford are part of this excellent cast. An 8 out of 10.
From time to time the President of the United States uses a lookalike double for public events. This time the President suffers a stroke while his double is in the public view. Suddenly, the double is thrust into the role of the chief executive while the President’s staff manipulate things behind the scenes. Unfortunately for that staff, Dave (Kevin Kline) discovers that they can no longer control him and he starts to actually fix the government for the good of the people.
Sigourney Weaver plays the First Lady, Frank Langella is the Chief of Staff pulling the strings, Kevin Dunn is the Press Secretary and Ving Rhames is the head of the Secret Service detail assigned to the President. An excellent Rom-Com with a taste of politics thrown in for good measure. A 9 out of 10.
The government is designing a new crowd control special helicopter that can hear through walls, see in the dark, travel whisper quiet and carries an arsenal big enough to take out an entire city. Testing in Los Angeles before the upcoming Summer Games, the developers of the machine look to create enough havoc in the ghettos to have the people demand the 'copter be put into service. Frank Murphy (Roy Scheider) is chosen to be the test pilot. They had the ultimate weapon and the perfect plan but Murphy stole their Thunder! This film contains some of the wildest helicopter stunts ever put on film. Warren Oats, Candy Clark, Daniel Stern and Malcolm McDowell lead an all-star cast. An 8 out of 10.
Hal Needham and Burt Reynolds team up again to bring you a high-speed comedy. Reynolds plays the part of an elite NASCAR driver who constantly is having issues on and off the track. Stroker loses his sponsor and is forced to sign with Clyde Torkle (Ned Beatty) and drive his Chicken Pit Special. Unfortunately, Stroker did not read the contract before signing it and traps himself in a horrible 3-year contract. Now Stroker needs to find a way out by getting fired by Torkle, but he’s making so much money for the company that Torkle simply refuses to lose his meal ticket.
Jim Nabors plays Stroker’s crew chief, Bubba Smith plays Torkle’s bodyguard and Loni Anderson plays the very attractive executive assistant that everyone is looking to bed. There are also plenty of cameos for actual NASCAR drivers who were on the circuit in the early 80s. Reynolds and Needham succeed once again and Stroker Ace gets a 7 out of 10.
A Super Sex Machine is also a Super Fly Drug Dealer looking to get one big score and get out of the business forever. However, nobody else wants him to leave, including the cops that are making too much off of his payoffs. Ron O’Neal (Original Gangstas, The Final Countdown, A Force of One) plays Priest, the man looking to get out. The movie includes a super funky soundtrack but it drags in the middle of the film. It only gets a 6 out of 10.
