Movies: Classic or Not

Okay, I'm a bit late with this, about a month late from Valentine's, but life and my job kept me away...

Anyway, I would like to list my favorite movie couples, including the movies, in case you want to see them.

Buttercup and Westley (The Princess Bride) Honestly, the epitome of couples for me. When Westley says, "As you wish"...I love it. *sigh* The danger and struggle they endured just to be together set the tone for countless couples in movies, in my opinion, and they are worth watching. (If not only for the most quotable movie lines of all time.)

2. Gomez and Morticia (The Addams Family) You had to know I was going to put them in here. They are the perfect couple! The passion. The acceptance. The chemistry. How could you even think they wouldn't end up on anyone's list of favorite couples? LOL

3. Rick and Evie O'Connell (the Mummy). Their romance was on par with Gomez and Morticia. I loved their banter and how the romance blossomed through the movie with such ease it was believable, and they still remained strong through the sequels (yes, even the third).

4. Aragorn and Arwen (The Lord of the Rings) These two...I absolutely love their story. Their scenes were full of so much underlying passion and tenderness it was hard not to love them, even if you knew it would end tragically in the long run, you wanted them to have that happiness, if only for a short time. (Well, immortal elf and human, it was a given.)

5. Hawkeye and Cora (The Last of the Mohicans) This was one of my first couples to love, next to Buttercup and Westley. They meet and are not the best of friends, if you get my meaning, but the love between them flows so naturally, that you cannot help but root for them to have a happy ending. (Not to mention the waterfall scene!!! *sigh with fans*)

“Far over the Misty Mountains cold...”

Oh, the haunting song has become one of my favorites through the years. The dwarves version is chilling and heartfelt. Every time I hear it I get literal goosebumps! Who doesn’t? LOL!

Anyway, I’m going to be doing something a little different for this week/month. I’m going to be exploring the series of The Hobbit/The Lord of the Rings. Yes, I know, this is popular and just about everyone has watched it or heard of it, but like other movies I’ve reviewed on this blog, I would like to give my opinion.

Now, onto this first movie of the series. An Unexpected Journey.

Having watched this for years, I can honestly say I love it. The story. The characters. Everything is enjoyable and full of emotion you can’t tear your eyes away. At least, I couldn’t.

Everyone, at least, knows the story, but here it goes.

In a hole in the ground, there lived a hobbit. A hobbit by the name of Bilbo Baggins. He’s a quiet hobbit. Never did anything unexpected. Very respectable. Until the day a wizard named Gandalf appears and offers him a change. He’s resistant, even after meeting 13 dwarves, but quickly changes his mind and goes on an adventure.

And what an adventure! He meets Elves. Trolls. Orcs. Goblins. He even meets Gollum and finds a very special Ring. (You know which one I mean.)

I’ve been a fan of the book since I was about 10, so that’s about 21 years of me loving Tolkien’s world. So, when this movie came out, I was excited to say the least. The movie is different than the book, but I will say I enjoyed it nonetheless.

I loved the delivery of the backstory of Thorin Oakenshield and the dwarves of Erebor. In the book, (Spoiler) Thorin tells Bilbo the story of Erebor and Smaug, but in the movie, Bilbo tells the story. Hearing the late great Ian Holm tell the story is powerful and enjoyable. I could honestly listen to him narrate the entire story. He was an amazing actor with marvelous talent.

The story is told at an easy pace which is great. It flows steadily throughout with each moment more entertaining than the previous. There were moments where you may go, why are they doing this? What direction are they going with this? There is no way this was in the book or even making any sense? But bear in mind, everything makes sense, in time, in this series. Characters, you may not know or weren’t even in the “Original” trilogy, become beloved and have a purpose. Nothing happens without reason.

The cinematography is spectacular, as this was filmed in New Zealand, giving me more reasons to visit this beautiful other worldly country. Anyway, the CGI effects are amazing and enhances the experience as there are some moments where you can’t create without a bit of CGI.

The actors are amazing, and the chemistry between them are perfect. They click and go along with the story. Martin Freeman, aka Bilbo, does an amazing job portraying a fish out of water with the dwarves who transforms into a confident Hobbit by the end of this first installment. Richard Armitage was meant to play Thorin. He brings the tortured soul of Thorin to life in a way I can’t imagine another actor doing it. If you’ve watched the original trilogy, there are other familiar faces appearing in this. Hugo Weaving, aka Lord Elrond. Cate Blanchett, aka Galadriel. The late Sir Christopher Lee, aka Saruman. Sir Ian Mckellen, aka Gandalf. And of course, Andy Serkis as Gollum.

I have favorite moments in this movie. So many, that I honestly, can’t pick just one.

I loved the trolls scene. Bilbo is quick to help and it’s one of the first moments he shows his strength and courage. His quick thinking saves the dwarves from being eaten and earns some of their respect. Again, I loved it because Bilbo is beginning to come into his own. He is becoming a stronger person and realizes he can help.

The scene has to be Bilbo meeting Gollum. It’s my favorite chapter in the book, and I was so glad they stayed true to it in the movie. Again, Bilbo’s quick thinking saves his life. He doesn’t use the sword or brute force, but his mind to outwit Gollum. It’s a charming and fun scene with a hint of darkness, because Gollum wants to eat Bilbo.

The last scene I will mention is the one that proves to be very powerful, at least to me. Thorin faces Azog, close to the end, and fails. It doesn’t seem he will make it, but out of nowhere Bilbo attacks. He saves Thorin’s life by killing another Orc, and stand in front, ready to fight Azog and whoever to protect Thorin. Up until now, Bilbo had used his wits to survive, but now, he’s using his physical strength to defend a friend. Though, this friend did not believe he belonged in the company, but Bilbo proved he did.

I loved the growth of Bilbo’s character and the side stories, which will come together as the trilogy and original movies continue.

The movie ended on a happy note, and one that brings a smile when watching it.

This is a wonderful story, which continues with two more parts, but taken individually, it’s wonderful and a great adventure.

“Can you promise I will come back?” “No. And if you do, you will not be the same.”

“I knew then, there is one who I would follow. One I could call king.”

“True Courage is knowing not when to take a life, but when to spare one.”

“You. What were you doing? You nearly go yourself killed. Did I not say that you would be a burden? That you not survive in the wild. And you had no place amongst us?...I have never be so wrong in all my life.”

(Above is the scene link on YouTube.)

OVERALL RATING: A+ (I would go higher, but that’s as high as I could rate. LOL!)

A perfect Halloween movie!! At least in my opinion.

I’ve always been a fan of Johnny Depp. His acting skills are versatile and, to me, that’s what makes him so great to watch. I’ve seen him play an eccentric character, murderer, devoted father, investigator, love interest, criminal, and pirate. This one is a mixture.

He portrays Ichabod Crane, an investigator, who is brilliant but a bit of a wimp in certain areas. How Crane became a forensic investigator is beyond me, but he is. He is a bit eccentric, but fun to watch. He’s more like a fish-out-of-water when he’s sent to a tiny hamlet of Sleepy Hollow to discover who is beheading prominent members of the town.

Christina Ricci, who seems to excel in Gothic roles, kind of shines in this film as Katrina Van Tassel, whose family allows Crane to board there. Sometimes, her character seems stiff and out-of-place, but that was mainly because of a poorly fleshed out characterization. Though, her chemistry with Johnny Depp is not the best, it is there. I will say, it’s not flaming out of the screen like Raul Julia and Anjelica Huston from the Addams Family, but it’s there. Subtle, but there.

There does seem to be characters which should have been drawn out more, but the movie is passable without it. I do enjoy the back story of the Hessian soldier. (Though, the soldier was hit by a cannon ball during the Battle of White Plains in 1776 during the Revolutionary War, rather than a group of soldiers who ambush the soldier and behead him.)

This is what can be called a Tim Burton classic. To me, he is the king of Gothic horror, only to be rivaled by Guillermo del Toro. Both filmmakers have a flair for the Gothic horror. To be honest, I could have reviewed one of his movie for this week, but to honest, I would need a whole week to review his films. I can’t review just one! LOL!

Anyway, back to the film, I loved the way Burton took a classic American tale and turned into an edge of the seat kind of movie. The cinematography is perfect with the colors matching the gloom of a Gothic tale. Dark colors and dark atmosphere. Both mix together to provide a perfect horror story.

The score is haunting and beautiful. Danny Elfman, Burton’s musical collaborator for many movies does a wonderful job. He is one of my favorite composers in Hollywood and brilliant at capturing emotion with each note.

There is one scene that, like everyone I’ve talked to about this film, have agreed. One of the most disturbing moments has to be the murder of the entire family.

I have a rule. You can kill the grown ups in movies, but children and animals are off limits! That rule was broken in this movie. If you want to watch it here it is.

The moment when the horseman gets his head back is awesome! I loved that moment. The special effects is right on target with that moment and every moment the horseman comes onscreen. One of my favorites! (Not to mention that Christopher Walken plays the amazing Horseman.)

By the way, if you ever want to check out a creepier version of the story, I suggest you check out the Sleepy Hollow TV series that came on FOX a few years back. The first few seasons were the best. The last one wasn’t that great, but I suggest you watch the show! It’s perfect for a scary fest. At least the first two seasons will do it. The scariness kind of wans later, but check it out anyway!

OVERALL RATING: A- (Despite some dull characters, the storyline and Johnny Depp saved this rating. LOL!)

Ah...Another 80s flick! I couldn’t help it. The 80s were a good decade, from what I’ve been told, and the honestly, the movies and music really backs them up.

This movie is honestly one that is considered a B movie. It’s not well known by a lot of people, and those who know it always say how cheesy it is and some say it’s not worth the time.

I will say that it’s worth at least one watch.

The story goes like this. A mysterious being appears out of no where and takes on a gang in a small town. Challenging them to races with a really unique car, he kills each one in turn until tangling with the leader. The purpose behind the attacks is the murder of a young man by the gang. There was no evidence tying them to the murder, so no arrests were made.

Enter the Wraith.

He is the source of justice, in a way, and from his attacks, the gang is destroyed.

What I enjoyed about this movie was the similarity between this and The Crow. I did a review on The Crow on Day One, if you want to check it out, but anyway back to The Wraith. This movie had all the cheesiness of the 80s involved when it came to the special effects, but even for what is now a B movie, they are actually pretty good.

The explosions and the rebuilding of the car every time is really the main highlights of the movie. Although, I got to admit the part where he shoots up the garage is a great scene! Spoiler! hahaha

If you want to see the moment, here it is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_EYg-ml0-w

But hey, let’s talk about the car! I am not really a car kind of girl...Okay, I do love the 1986 Trans Am, the 1976 Chevy Impala, and the classic Jeep Wrangler, but other than that, I’m not much of a car person. I will say I can appreciate an awesome, sweet ride when I see it. The main car in this film was the Dodge M4S Turbo Interceptor, and it is the definition of sweet. Unfortunately, it wasn’t sold and the only one created was the prototype used in the film. (At least, so I was told, if you know more about it, message me!)

I don’t own this image, so I hope no copyright infringement is taken.

See...isn’t is sweet. It kind of reminds me of the DeLorean, but moving on.

Charlie Sheen played The Wraith/Jake, and even if you don’t care too much for him now, this film is a good flick to see him in his younger days. He does a pretty good job playing triple roles. (Another spoiler.)

There are other characters which make this film unique, in a sense. There is one character called Skank, which if you watched The Crow, it sounds like a bit of a rip-off since another character is named Skank, but I digress, this character is a bit off-the-beam. He drinks brake-fluid. Yes, you read it right, brake-fluid and other things in order to get high.

The Sheriff, played by Randy Quaid, figures out the purpose of the Wraith, and at the end he says one of my favorite lines:

“Roadblocks won’t stop something that can’t be stopped. It’s over. There is no one left in Packard’s gang to kill.”

There are other lines:

“This is as close as I could come to who I was before. Think of it as a second chance. We were meant to be together.”

“Who are you, bro?” “You said it, Billy.”

“There’s a killer out there, and I’m gonna track the hairball down.”

The list could go on, but that would kind of defeat the purpose of watching this movie.

Overall, the movie has just about everything you want in a film. Revenge, chases, explosions, love, brotherly love, supernatural events, and so on.

OH, I should probably mention the soundtrack. No movie would be complete without an awesome soundtrack! This one, despite the 80s flair, has an amazing soundtrack. You’ve got Ozzy Osbourne, Motley Crue, and Bonnie Tyler in one album, if you can locate it. It’s kind of hard to find, but the music is on YouTube. I would definitely check out: Tim Feehan’s “Where’s the Fire.” To me, it’s the best song in the movie!

I should warn you, there is some brief nudity and cuss words, if that upsets you, but this film is Rated R.

OVERALL RATING: B (Mainly because of cheesiness, but the storyline is good. The main reason for the rating is the similarity to the awesome film, The Crow.)

WHO YOU GONNA CALL?!

Everyone knows the trademark. The song. The movie. It’s iconic. It’s perfect 80s in a flick. It’s GHOSTBUSTERS!

This movie made me wish I had been born in the 80s and not the late 80s when I couldn’t enjoy the movies when they arrived in theaters. I heard about this movie when I was just a child, but the song is really what solidified the urge to watch the movie.

Raise your hands if you absolutely love this song!

Anytime the song comes on, you get the urge to dance, scream the name, and just have a damned good time. Or, is this just me? hahaha

Now, back to the movie...

This movie is typical 80s. The styles. The special effects. Everything literally screams 80s.

Bill Murray is at his best in this, teamed with Dan Ackroyd, Harold Ramis, Ernie Hudson, Rick Moranis, Annie Potts, and Sigourney Weaver it makes one of the best team-ups in movie history.

Comedy, horror, and mystical mystery all combined to make an awesome ride in an Oldsmobile or hearse. (I honestly can’t remember the type of car they drive, so sorry! LOL)

The special effects, to me, make the movie all the more thrilling. I mean, Slim-O became one of my favorite ghosts in movie history. I mean, come on, every time he eats, it goes right through.

I loved the whole movie, even the darker parts. I’m usually not one to enjoy soul possession, but the whole bit with Dana and Tully being possessed and turned into demon dogs was done so tastefully, even I enjoyed it.

When ghosts are being released unto the world, the Ghostbusters are called to take them down. There is opposition to them. I know, there is always opposition, but this one is a twit. Of course, the actor who plays him seems to mostly play twits. (Example: Die Hard reporter) This one moment should say it all:

I know, I haven’t really done a summary of the movie, but it’s such a classic most everyone knows it.

I do love the ending where Gozer brings the Destroyer out and it comes in the shape of the Stay Puff Marshmallow Man. Such a classic scene! I love it!

“Now, there’s something you don’t see everyday.”

“He slimmed me.”

“You’re right. No human being would stack books like this.”

There are many other classic quotes for this movie, but these three are some of my favs.

There was a reboot of this beloved classic a few years back, and I would have to agree with the consensus that it wasn’t up to par with this one. If you want an example, the library scene from the original is definitely the scene to really watch because it says it all.

Here it is:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kj2bF8dDNs

I could honestly talk about this movie all night and day, but I am just going to stop here.

OVERALL RATING: A (Come on, it’s a classic! Can’t beat a classic!)

Ah, a true Halloween movie, of sorts! For me, this movie is one of the better monster remakes I’ve seen from the classics.

I know it didn’t receive good reviews, but I don’t really cater to popular reviews. If a movie looks good, I give it a try, and I did with this. I’m so glad I did.

Lawrence Talbot, played by Benicio del Toro, returns home to help look for his missing brother, who was attacked by a wolf-like creature. Returning home, his father informs him that his brother has been found, dead. While assisting the local band of Gypsies, Lawrence is attacked by the same creature and bitten. Soon, he changes into a werewolf and kills a group of hunters. Lawrence is arrested and sent to a psych hospital, where he is tortured by treatments to “cure” him of his insane thoughts. Naturally, they don’t work, and Lawrence transforms in a room full of observers. He escapes. The movie ends with a confrontation with his father and finally salvation.

This movie, by all accounts, is a thrill ride. It does carry some jump-out-of-your-chair moments, but not much. The special effects are wild and really a tribute to the original black-and-white movie.

Here is a clip by the YouTube channel, Fear, giving a side-to-side, of sorts, of the transformations from the classic to the this one. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGYb3yr9rCw

There seems to be a theme with the movies I tend to review, as I’m a romantic at heart. The romance is subtle, but seems to be the theme that carries the weight over much of the story. Lawrence falls in love with his late brother’s fiancée, Gwen. It’s their love which brings a tender understory and brings the salvation for Lawrence’s werewolf side.

The chemistry between Benicio and Emily Blunt is amazing. They really have a natural flair together. I would actually love to see them in a romantic comedy or something. (I know they starred in another movie together, but I would like another.) There is a scene where Lawrence and Gwen talk by a lake and he teaches her how to skip a stone over the water. It’s intimate and yet simple.

Here is the scene: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVePokoxlOw

Despite the romance, I got to say my favorite scene has to be in the hospital. I don’t know anyone who has watched this movie and not loved that scene! I love the irony of the scene. 

“He will no more turn into a werewolf than I will sprout wings and fly out that window.”

SPOILER: He flies out the window! hahaha

Below is the scene if you want to check it out!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XGybmm514w

There is talk about another remake starring Ryan Gosling, and I’ll be willing to give it a try, but this film is the it for me. I loved the cinematography and the acting. Benicio del Toro did an amazing job portraying the tortured soul of Lawrence Talbot. I can’t see anyone playing Lawrence than him.

This was a wonderful tribute to the classic Wolfman, but can’t beat the classic completely.

OVERALL: B+ (As much as I love this film, I believe it could have been a bit better with the storyline.)

Death is only the beginning. (Imhotep)

A fun and wild ride is what I’ve chosen for today’s review. Another one of my favorites, it’s absolutely the best ride for anyone who wants an adventure tale mixed with history and romance.

Now, I’m going on the premise that some have not watched this, so here we go!

It begins with the High Priest Imhotep and the Pharaoh’s mistress falling in love and through their love, kill the Pharaoh. As punishment, Anck-su-namun kills herself believing he will resurrect her. Unfortunately, he is stopped by the Pharaoh’s body guards and mummified alive. Centuries later, he is resurrected, so to speak, by Evelyn Carnahan, a librarian. Because of his resurrection, he brings with him the 10 plagues of Egypt. Now, it is up to Evie, her brother Jonathan, Rick O’Connell, and the head Medjai, Ardeth Bay to find the Book of Ra to send Imhotep back to the Underworld.

There is a lot going on in this movie, but, unlike the 2017 movie, this one was so much better. (You can find my review of that movie on a past post.)

Stephen Sommers did an amazing job bringing this story to life and stayed somewhat true to the original Mummy. (From what I remember of that film.) The special effects are a bit outdated, in some respect, but what can you expect, it was the 90s.

The adventure is well paced and the characters are perfectly in sync. For me, as I’ve said in previous posts, it’s rare to find a movie with characters in perfect chemistry. The thing that really gets me is the chemistry. If the actors don’t have it, I can’t fully enjoy the movie. It may sound strange, but chemistry is everything for me. Not to mention the portrayal of the characters by the actors. If I see or get the hint the actors are having a good time with their characters, I enjoy the film even more. That’s what this movie has for me. The actors enjoyed themselves and the chemistry between them, even the villains' and the good guys had amazing chemistry.

One of the aspects of this movie, is the romance. There are two love stories unfolding in this flick. One between Imhotep and Anck-su-namun. The other between Rick and Evie. Now both have amazing chemistry, and beautiful love stories. I think what got me was the passion and drive Imhotep had to reunite with his love. You couldn’t really fault him for trying to resurrect his love, but the path to getting her back was on the dark side.

Rick and Evie’s story is charming and funny. I love how they meet.

Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz had such amazing chemistry that they quickly became one of my favorite onscreen pairings. There are several videos dedicated to them on YouTube, if you want to check them out, btw.

Anyway, the comedy in this movie is what sells it. It’s subtle and evenly balanced with the rest of the film. I loved it, personally. They didn’t focus on the romance. They didn’t make the biggest story. They didn’t focus on the mission or the horror. They focused on everything in an even pace and with each minute you are drawn into the story.

I will say the first time it came out, it terrified me. (Hey, I was only 9! There I dated myself...hahaha.) This scene is only one of many that had me running! Check it out on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKpNfOR9vF4

Only by a request from a dear friend did I re-watch and give it another try, a few years later. By that time, I fell in love with it. It quickly became one of my top 10 favorite flicks. I try to watch it at least once a month. That should tell you something.

Overall, the story is what drags you in and if you enjoy adventure, not over the top romance, a bit of horror, like literal jumping out of your seat kind, then this movie is perfect for you!

“You must not read from the book!”

“What do you mean bugs?! I hate bugs!”

“I am proud of what I am...I am a Librarian!”

“You better think of something fast, because if he turns me into a mummy, you’re the first one I’m coming after.”

Overall Rating: A+ (Because it’s a classic!)

Since the first day was a more serious Halloween film, I thought a fun one was in order. I honestly don’t know anyone who has not watched this film or any rendition of it, but this film is a classic in its own right. (Not to mention, everyone knows the song or some of it! LOL!)

Actually, it’s one of my favorites and will remain one of them for years to come.

The cast are absolutely perfect and full of such chemistry it’s hard not to love each one of them. The cinematography is one of the best with the dark sets mixed perfectly with the light to showcase the Gothic feel of the film.

The premise was unique and different from the beloved 1960s sitcom. With Uncle Fester being the brother of Gomez rather than the family’s uncle. That seemed to be the only drastic change, but I didn’t mind as it brought an intriguing story to the screen.

Back to the chemistry, you cannot talk chemistry from this movie without talking about the most famous couple...Gomez and Morticia. I mean... Raul Julia and Anjelica Huston made this couple and their chemistry was OFF THE CHARTS!! I mean seriously! You can’t create better chemistry if you tried with these two.

I mean get these lines...

“Don’t torture yourself, Gomez. That’s my job.”

“Look at her...I would kill for her. I would die for her. Either way what bliss.”

“Tish, how long since we waltzed.” “Oh, Gomez...hours.”

For some reason, their love speaks volumes to me. While everyone I know wants a Jane and Mr. Darcy kind of love or even a Romeo and Juliet, I wanted (and still do) a Gomez and Morticia kind of love.

For goodness sake, look at them...

Anyway, moving on. I loved the way the villains were delivered and how Uncle Fester was on the other side, but grew to love this family as they were weird like him. *Spoiler!* (For those who don’t know, he lost his memory.) They loved him and accepted him, despite his weirdness.

I loved the dark comedy in this film. The vague hints of torture and the sibling games between Wednesday and Pugsley. (”Is there a God?” game is a fun moment.) The way they portray the darkest moments as such a norm for this family is amazing and real. I loved it!

To me, this seemed to be the perfect movie for these times. It gives the message that being weird or different from the main caste you are special. You are loved. Family doesn’t have to be blood. It can be with anyone you chose and who accepts you for you are.

That’s exactly what the Addams family means to me. You can be weird as anything or even different from society, but you are still special. And don’t let anyone tell you any different.

Overall Rating: A+

When I was deciding which movies to review for this weeks celebration of Halloween, I realized I just had to review this movie. It’s one of my favorites and honestly, it’s the best one of the series.

I’m sure everyone knows the story of this movie, but I’ll give a quick premise.

Rock star, Eric Draven and his fiancée are attacked in their apartment on Devil’s Night, October 30. Tragically, they were killed that night. One year later, Eric rises from his grave with the aide of a mystic crow and seeks justice on the gang who destroyed his life.

It’s a powerful movie with wonderful special effects and emotion. There is fear, hatred, love, and anger. What makes this a wonderful movie is the fact that you feel everything the characters feel. When Eric cries, you feel his pain too. For me, it’s rare when you feel everything a character feels, at least for me.

Eric is driven by justice and retribution against those who destroy. The cop,  Sergeant Albrecht, is trying to help by getting evidence to bring down the organization behind Devil’s Night; unfortunately, he’s rarely taken seriously. There is also Sarah, a young girl who befriended Eric and Shelly when they were alive. She plays a key part in helping him and the Sergeant. Though, there are some who would probably find her annoying (especially when she is the focus for the second movie).

Though this movie could be seen as a tragedy. I look at it as a good spooky movie to watch any time of the year, but specifically on the night before Halloween aka Devil’s Night. LOL. It has romance and suspense, but in all honesty, it carries good Gothic themes: supernatural, atmosphere, fear, and all the other descriptions of a good Gothic story.

Though Eric is not one I would call a Byronic character, he is a good Gothic led who carries his vendetta to the end.

I should warn you, this is rated R, and for good reason. It has some explicit scenes and even harsher language, but given today’s standards, I’m sure you will enjoy it.

This movie does have some tragic telling as it was the first and last lead role for Brandon Lee, son of Bruce Lee. I say tragic because he died in the middle of filming due to a misfire on set. The film is dedicated in his memory and it’s a dedication well deserved.

If you get the chance, check it out. Brandon Lee was amazing as Eric Draven. In my mind, very few actors could even compare to him in this role.

Overall Rating: A (Good solid rating because it’s just that awesome.)

Hey there! I’m taking requests on movies to watch and review! The only thing is I really prefer not to watch horror, lol! Just kidding!! Actually, the classic horrors I don’t mind, but some of the newer ones I’m a bit hesitant. :)

If you want me to review a movie, send me a request! Through this post or message me!

I’ll be waiting!

I have to say I was disappointed.

Disappointed in the fact that it took me 30 years to watch this masterpiece! I still can’t believe it! I grew up watching Disney’s “Robin Hood” and then later Kevin Costner’s version followed by Cary Elwes’ take on the lovable rogue, but never watched Errol Flynn’s and I can’t tell you why I never watched it. Because, honestly, I’m still trying to figure it out. LOL.

Robin Hood is one of my favorite characters in literature and movies. So, like I said, I was disappointed that it took me so long to watch this masterpiece with Errol Flynn!

This movie has all you want in a feel good, smile all the way kind of movie. Fencing. Fighting. Torture. Revenge. Chases. Escapes. True Love. (See what I did there...LOL) There are moments when you frown, but the frown is quickly erased with another smile.

I won’t give the plot away, because I’m sure many of you have seen it. (The Normans i.e. the rich, are torturing and stealing from the poor Saxons. Robin stands up to them and becomes an outlaw, and also takes care of the Saxons because King Richard is kidnapped and held for ransom. Ransom Prince John doesn’t want to pay, because he wants to be king.) Timeless story, everyone has seen it, but I will say this movie seemed to have done a slightly better job at creating it.

So, in light of this, I’ll just say what I really enjoyed about it.

This was honestly the first movie I watched with Errol Flynn and I must say, it was a charming introduction. His chemistry with the late great Olivia de Havilland was wonderful and even got me shivering with delight. (Also, Basil Rathbone, i.e. Sherlock Holmes, as Guy of Gisburne is a must see!)

One of my favorite scenes was the part where they declare their love for each other. If you know me, you know I’m a romantic all the way. So, their love scene had me squealing in delight. Also, I tried so hard not to melt. haha

Here is the link to the best version of the clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHyI09VjClE

The lines said throughout are also memorable.

“You speak treason.” “Fluently.”

“Normans or Saxons what does it matter? It’s injustice I hate not the Normans.”

I will say how much I love Maid Marian. Besides Robin, she is my favorite, and I love the way they portrayed her in this movie. At first, she’s got more of a tunnel vision because she’s been taught a certain way of life. A privileged, Norman life. She believes the Saxons should be beholden to the Normans, but doesn’t truly understand what that really entails. Robin, being the kind person he is, shows her the truth. She witnesses the brutality her fellow Normans treat the Saxons and is ashamed. She also sees Robin in a new light. It’s because of this light, she falls in love with him. Because of the injustice and her love for Robin, she decides to join the crusade.

She’s a strong character. Not a damsel in distress. She plots to rescue Robin from death. She risks her life to send a message to him and his men about an assassination attempt. She stands strong in the face of death. She is a seriously strong woman.

This is the clip of the speech she tells Prince John and the others after being caught: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4c_pbp8Hvw

There is so much to say about this film. I could literally go on and on, but I will stop here. Only to say, this movie, even though it was released in 1938, is still an amazing film. Not to mention good fun and doesn’t seem to have aged at all.

Recommended: OH HECK YES!!

First off, I’m sorry for taking a sabbatical of sorts, but during the time I’ve been away, I completed my masters and been working on other things. Anyway, I hope you guys will enjoy this next movie review.

I absolutely love the 80s! Even though I was born in the late part of it and didn’t get to enjoy it during the time it was here. But thankfully, I have DVDs and digital bits to help me along. So, when I discovered this movie, I could not resist it. I love two things about this movie: Cyndi Lauper and Jeff Goldblum.

Granted, this movie is not the best one in the world, I’ll start off by saying that, but it kept me smiling all the way through.

Lauper and Goldblum portray two psychics. One (Lauper) has a spirit guide, aka talks to the other side. The other (Goldblum) can sense things by touching objects. They are two characters that really go for the opposites attract, and I’m not kidding. They become entangled with another character who requests they help him find his lost son. (Ten to one that he’s lying.) Yep, he is, but still, they follow him because, well, he’s Peter Falk, and they are very curious.

If you’ve have heard anything about this movie, you would know that it wasn’t the best at the box office and to this day it has a kind of love-hate thing going on with fans. It was Cyndi Lauper’s acting debut and to be cast alongside Jeff Goldblum was...probably risky, but their scenes, to me, stole the show. I mean the dance scene (which you can find on Youtube) is sensational. Their banter is off the charts.

I mean...look at that smooth gait on the dance floor. (The link is at the bottom.)  Not to mention this screenshot...

Not to mention this moment...

Wonderful, unexpected chemistry between the two.

Though the special effects are in a typical 80s fashion, the plot is unique. I will have to you guys, the movie is a little cheesy, but I believe the chemistry between Lauper and Goldblum is worth it.

I will say when we first meet Goldblum’s character, Nick is one of the funniest moments. Probably because Jeff Goldblum has a natural way of delivering lines in a comical, subtle way. (One of the many reasons he’s one of my favorite actors!)

Here is the dance scene on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fL5Ki1ftw74

Overall: B+ (Because of cheesiness, but also because of the chemistry and my love for both leading actors!)

To say I was excited would be pushing it. I have a great love for the marvel that was/is the Stephen Sommers movie/trilogy so when I heard about this one...I was hesitant. (Even though I love a good monster flick)

The whole idea of a female mummy was intriguing, and Tom Cruise (who has his moments in certain films) is one that I tend to sway towards watching from time to time. I waited until the DVD to watch it, and somehow, it kept me entertained.

The curse of the mummy could be...I’m not sure how to say it, but they could have made it better. *spoiler* All I could gather was she hated the way the world was, so she called upon the god of Death, Set, to make it better or to exact revenge on her getting her throne taken away by the birth of her baby brother. It was a little ridiculous, and didn’t make as much sense, but I did enjoy the adventure that played out in the movie. The mummy minions were a bit much, and at times it felt as if they were trying too hard, but somehow it worked out.

At times, it seemed to me they put too much into it, with the introduction of the monsters, like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (played amazingly by Russell Crowe), and little glimpses of other monsters. They rolled all of the information into one movie, and it seemed that it would be better served as a series if they wanted to go that route. Though, they have stated that the movie is the first in a series of monster flicks to reboot the monster craze, but we’ll see.

The ending, I’ll admit, was the best part with Nick (Tom Cruise) showing emotion, and learning to control his newly formed powers.

All in all, it could have been better, as they could have fleshed out a few more details, and added a few more things to it, but it’s not that bad for a monster flick.

I finally got to go see this in theater, and I will say before I go on that it was magical, and worth the wait.

Thanks to the reveal of the soundtrack, I could tell it was going to be amazing, yet different from the animated classic. The music is fun and full of emotion. Like so many others who have seen this, my favorite piece has to be “Evermore” by Dan Stevens. It’s a magical song, and portrayed in the movie with such a brilliance, I literally shed a tear from the emotion displayed.

The cinematography was brilliantly captured, and made the magic of the enchanted castle come to life. Some have said that the movie had too much CGI, but I found it enhanced the movie, for I, personally could not have imagined this movie without it, especially the Be Our Guest moment.

The acting was amazing. There were moments where Emma Watson seemed a little unsure in her portrayal of Belle, but it was understandable considering she was playing such a beloved character. The rest of the cast were amazing and brilliant. The side characters and stories were beautifully laid in throughout the movie. I will say the gay moment that received so much attention, was not that big of a deal. If it was the same moment I saw, it only lasted two seconds, not a big thing for such a large outrage.

I laughed. I cried. It was a beautiful movie that I would want to see again and a again.

Overall: A (Brilliantly captured, though can’t compare with the original, but it’s really worth it with the “Evermore” piece.)

I missed the chance to see this in theaters (mainly because studying for my master’s has overtaken my life), but I digress. When it was released on DVD, I couldn’t wait to see it. I became a fan of Benedict Cumberbatch through various projects he was in, and his talent never ceases to amaze me, this work included. At first I was kind of skeptical, because well, who could not be with Marvel’s record as of late, but I gave it a chance.

Doctor Strange was a ride from the beginning when the antagonists (the zealots) made their appearance on the screen, and from there the scenes were unbelievable, and I caught myself wishing this was in IMAX just so the ride would be even more awesome, but I digress. Doctor Strange made his appearance, and I was reminded a little of Tony Stark, but then I caught a little hint of Hawkeye and Winchester from the classic show  MASH, intertwined in the character. The rest of the movie was enjoyable, and didn’t slow down. I will give a huge amount of credit to Ben as he made the character so relatable, and made you sympathize with his struggle.

There were some funny moments, and moments that made you want to cry. Ben’s accent in this film was amazing, and you could tell he worked hard in getting the American accent down pat, though sometimes I could tell his British came through, as some words seemed to be hard for him to say, but I’ll give him credit for trying, and his comedy was...loved his sarcastic lines! (Can’t wait to see him interact with Loki and Tony Stark!)

I got to say that my favorite character was not an actual character as it was the Cloak of Levitation. I swear that cloak made the movie! It was so wonderful to watch it’s interaction with Strange, and acted as if it had a soul itself.

I could go on with the critic, but this would be a long post. I will say that the visuals were amazing and beyond, and would be so awesome to see this in IMAX, which I’m sure it was, but alas I missed it.

Overall Rating: A- (Visuals were amazing. Actors were brilliant. The mid-credit was good, and made me wishing for the next installment!)

I’m a semi-fan of Dwayne Johnson, so when this movie came out, naturally, I wanted to see it. I waited until it arrived on DVD, and hoped it was as good as the trailer. FYI: It wasn’t. I wanted to enjoy it. Truly I did, but it’s hard to enjoy a movie when most of the time you want to cover your face, and hide from embarrassment.  I admit, some parts had me chuckling and rooting for the bullied man, but overall, I just couldn’t truly enjoy it. It was hard for me to see Dwayne Johnson in a role such as this, as I’m used to seeing him in action and some family oriented films. (Who can forget The Game Plan). I hate to say I cringed, but I did. The chemistry wasn’t that great, and though Kevin Hart carried some of the weight, it seemed he was carrying it all. Not a good tactic when you have a heavyweight like Dwayne Johnson included, and supposed to be the main character who overcomes a bullied past.