What Films Have You Seen Recently?

[Demdike@Cult Labs]

Originally Posted by MrBarlow

Thank you Mr Demdike, I have seen then film and was trying to remember the title, the film where JCVD takes a bible with him for inspiration

Hey, don't laugh. It clearly works.

[MrBarlow]

Originally Posted by Demdike@Cult Labs

Hey, don't laugh. It clearly works.

It certainly did for him.

[MrBarlow]

16 Blocks. 2006.

Burned out alcoholic cop Jack Mosely escorts a witness to the court for him to testify against corrupt cops but are hunted and framed by the ones he is testifying against.

Bruce Willis stars as another cop this time bordering on the brink of life as a copper and booze assisting Mos Def as the witness to a few bad cops. It's not action packed as I thought it would be but it is a tense packed cat and mouse game with a fast talking guy who plans to open a bakery and some bit of drama mixed in bit then the film goes back on track to shootouts with some good turns in it.

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[Nosferatu@Cult Labs]

Originally Posted by MrBarlow

The Owners. 2020.

I enjoyed this, probably more than I expected. As you say, it does cover familiar territory for a 'home invasion' film, though the ending shows that the storyline and homeowners were unlike any seen in any other from this subgenre.

Originally Posted by nicholasrope

Matilda

2022 British Remake of the Roald Dahl Film in which a gifted Girl who gets her revenge on the Headmistress and Parents. Pam Ferris did Miss Trunchbull better in a Film that has it's differences from the 1996 version but it's too long and the Songs just aren't catchy or memorable.

As the full title is Matilda the Musical (or Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical), this is principally a film adaptation of the hit musical, rather than a remake of Danny DeVito's film of the same name.

I know they have the same source material, but this took the story from Dennis Kelly's book – he wrote the screenplay – and the songs, by Tim Minchin, are mostly the same as those in the Matilda the Musical stage version.

I've seen DeVito's film several times and it's one I thoroughly enjoy so, because I haven't seen the stage adaptation and think Tim Minchin is a funny and talented songwriter, I'm interested to see this musical version of Dahl's story.

[Demdike@Cult Labs]

Deathstalker II (1987)

Following watching Deathstalker II it became easy to understand why i'd totally forgotten it from watching it in the past via a Shout Factory dvd. I'd forgotten it because there's nothing much to remember.

It's basically the first Deathstalker film redone with less blood shed, less boobs, certainly less budget, basically less of everything, meaning it's instantly forgettable.

Whilst John Terlesky as Deathstalker and Monique Gabrielle in a dual role are quite fun and there's some witty repartee between the two there's not much excitement along the way, nor is there any sense of danger or tension. In fact one scene in a wresting ring between Deathstalker and Deanna Booher is f*cking interminably boring.

For me Toni Naples as the evil sorceress Sultana was the best thing about the film, upstaging Gabrielle comfortably.

Deathstalker II looks lovely on Blu-ray it has to be said.

[MrBarlow]

The Flesh And Blood Show. 1972

Actors rehearsing for a stage show at a seaside theatre are being killed by a unknown assailant.

Pete Walker must have been a fan of the murder/mystery genre that he created this little gem that seems to pop up every so often. The cinematography is decent at the start when you see the theatre on the pier shrouded in a fog that you know it be a perfect setting. He acting decent even though there is little blood there is plenty of flesh to see and a good plot twist to the killer.

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[Nosferatu@Cult Labs]

The Greatest Showman (2017) ★★★½

A sanitised account of P.T. Barnum's rise to fame and becoming a famous and influential entertainer, though a thoroughly entertaining one with excellent songs.

The film looks great, occasionally reminding me of Baz Luhrmann's Moulin Rouge! due to the energetic camerawork and editing, the vibrant costumes and sets, and appropriate CGI.

Hugh Jackman is very good in the central role, ably supported by a good ensemble cast led by Michelle Williams and Zac Efron, but the real stars are Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, whose songs are more memorable than the film itself.

[Demdike@Cult Labs]

Originally Posted by Nosferatu@Cult Labs

The Greatest Showman (2017) ★★★½

A sanitised account of P.T. Barnum's rise to fame and becoming a famous and influential entertainer, though a thoroughly entertaining one with excellent songs.

The film looks great, occasionally reminding me of Baz Luhrmann's Moulin Rouge! due to the energetic camerawork and editing, the vibrant costumes and sets, and appropriate CGI.

Hugh Jackman is very good in the central role, ably supported by a good ensemble cast led by Michelle Williams and Zac Efron, but the real stars are Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, whose songs are more memorable than the film itself.

I must pick this up on Blu at some point. Same goes for La La land.

[Demdike@Cult Labs]

The Greatest Showman soundtrack album has been a phenomenon. 152 weeks after it was shunted into the compilation chart it's still at #5.

Last week it was #1.

It had to be removed from the album chart proper a couple of years ago as it kept going to #1 when there weren't any big new releases as people downloaded it's popular songs.

[MrBarlow]

The Untouchables.1987.

Elliot Ness tries to bring gangster Al Capone to justice during the 1930s prohibition.

Such a amazing and awesome film by Brian De Palma with Kevin Costner, Sean Connery, Andy Garcia and Charles Martin Smith as the small group of law enforcement trying to shake down Capone's operation played brilliantly by Robert De Niro.

The cinematography is brilliant, some good shootouts and can be tense in some parts especially at the train station, avoiding gun fire while trying to stop a pram rolling down the stairs. Two hours watching this film can fly by, just like Billy Drago found out he can't fly off a roof.

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