Retro Review: Fists of Fury AKA The Big Boss (1971) - The first major film of Bruce Lee

So I’ve probably mentioned this before, but anyone who knows me knows that I love to go DVD shopping. Snooping in and around places trying to find the best deals for rare or hard to find movies. Today, I struck gold at the local Salvation Army when I stumbled across the DVD Fists of Fury, which labelled itself as the first film of the legend himself Bruce Lee. Now, anybody reading this might be wondering why I put an AKA in the title. I did some reading and it turns out this was originally called The Big Boss in China, but this and and the title Bruce Lee’s second film Fist of Fury (which was renamed to The Chinese Connection) got mixed up when they were sent over to the states. Now the DVD I have referred to it as Fists of Fury, but probably because the one I found is an older DVD copy before all the proper titles of Bruce Lee’s films were restored to their correct names. But enough about that let’s talk about the movie.

Plot Summary - Cheng Chao-an (Bruce Lee) is a young man from China who moves to Thailand to stay with his cousins and try to start life out on his own. He gets a job working with his cousins at an Ice Factory. When a block of ice breaks during a shift, a bag of white powder falls out that two of his cousins find. When the boss asks to see them and they never come home, Cheng and the rest of his family set out to find out what happened to them.

Pros - First off, the Kung Fu scenes are awesome. Bruce Lee in this movie straight up just kills people, something I haven’t really seen too much of, although apparently the film was originally a lot more gory before the great Hong Kong film crackdown of 1972, but that’s a whole different thing I don’t know much about. The film is still paces really well despite the edits, and the plot is actually engaging and sometimes even aware of its own silliness, especially in one scene when what the characters were supposed to be doing gets forgotten after a long fight and they get reminded of it later on in. The music is fascinating too, if there was ever a thing of chinese psychedelic music this would be it.

Cons - The biggest comment would be on the editing, as there are a few noticeable jumps and scene skips, but it doesn’t affect the pacing at all. Also the version of the film I have is non HD so there’s some slight noticeable damage and the tops of scenes being cut off as some cut offs of characters. Also, and this is a minor complaint, but Bruce Lee doesn’t get his own fight scene until I think almost half way through the movie.

Final Score - 9/10

Overall, it’s a pretty solid Hong Kong Martial Arts film and a pretty good Bruce Lee movie. It was cool to see the movie that launched his career and I’m curious to see more now.

So, I have five other Retro movies sitting on my shelf, so we might be seeing a few more of these soon.

Until then, I’ll see you folks at the movies.

Movie Review: Kung Fury (2015) - Well, it certainly isn't boring

So I’ve ended up skipping tomorrowland for now, mostly because I’m most likely not going to see San Andreas or Aloha. So in the mean time I’m taking a quick look at the latest short film to blow up the internet, Kung Fury.

Plot Summary - I’m not going to lie, there’s no way to explain the plot without basically telling you half the movie, so I’m going to take the easier method and simply tell you to click here to go to it directly on youtube.

Pros - The film looks like the kind of 80’s films that they’re clearly homaging to in the film. basically giving off a grindhouse slash sci fi type look to it and honestly it’s pretty awesome. The plot manages to move a steady pace and for the most part is really damn funny, even if it does feel a bit stuffed plot wise.. Even the Kung Fu is really good, managing to keep itself in that weird 80’s style of movie Kung Fu.

Cons - If I have any complaints, it’s that in the beginning they kind of beat the homages and jokes over your head just non stop. I’m not a big fan of having something get beaten into me whether it’s drama or comedy, it just makes think I get the point just get on with it (my dramatic example being Interstellar.)

Final Score - 9/10

I’m gonna go ahead and say that I technically have to disqualify it from the end of the year best list because of the short film length, and I’d prefer to keep the year end list to theatrically released films, that being said, it’s going to be on the honourable mentions list. So if you have thirty minutes to kill, I suggest Kung Fury.

I have absolutely no idea what the next review will be or when. I may have to resort to something a bit more retro…….

But until then, I’ll see you folks at the movies.

Movie Review: Poltergeist (2015) - I got nothing.....

You know, I sometimes wonder how the future will look movie wise. Endless remakes, sequels, mindless garbage that the masses will consume wholeheartedly while films that actually want and try and succeed in doing original ideas and concepts will be swept under the rug because *duh I don’t wanna think when I go to the movies.* But then I usually remind myself to lighten the fuck up and stay positive and not to be such a snob (for the most part (furious 7 still sucks I’m not going to budge on that)). But then, something like this comes along that makes me think maybe the inner snob has a point. Let’s go beat a dead horse folks, it’s the Poltergeist remake.

Plot Summary - The Bowen Family, which consists of Father Eric (Sam Rockwell), Mother Amy (Rosemarie Dewitt), Son Griffin (Kyle Catlett), Oldest Daughter Kendra (Saxon Sharbino), and youngest Madison (Kennedi Clements), move into to a foreclosed house due to recent financial hardships. After a series of strange incidents that ends with Madi being taken by spirits, it is revealed to the family that the house is being plagued by a poltergeist.

Pros - I will admit that the cinematography is decent for the most part, but the thing I got out of the film the most was the unintentional hilarity of it all. I was so bored by the last 45 minutes I found myself laughing at the weirdest things just to express a reaction.

Cons - First and foremost, it’s a lame rehashing of the original, albeit they change up the order of events slightly and even attempt to fill in some of the minor gaps in logic of the first film. Yet as much as the rehash the first one they also at one point in the film basically say that the secret of the original film was plain silly and stupid in a dumb attempt to try and be “witty and clever.” Secondly, most of the actors seem bored to death or hardly trying, with Sam Rockwell in particular looking like he wants to go home by act three. Third, and this is probably the thing that annoyed me the most, instead of focusing on the whole family, they mainly focus on Griffin, the fucking annoying middle child. They basically  turned the film into a story of a fucking kid conquering his fucking fears…..THAT’S NOT WHAT FUCKING POLTERGEIST IS FUCKING ABOUT!!!! I don’t mind the idea of it don’t get me wrong plenty of films have dealt with that subject, but why the fuck did they do that with the goddamn Poltergeist remake?! What, the idea of a family being tortured by evil spirits who kidnap their daughter wasn’t fucking scary enough? do you honestly think people are going to be dumb enough to takes kids who are Griffin’s age to go see this film so the film can say “You don’t have to be afraid” in a FUCKING HORROR MOVIE? What fucking sense does that even make? Finally, the film isn’t even fucking scary! I think there was like one jump scare the whole goddamn movie and the rest of the time you basically see the spirits and everything going on so fucking out in the open that the whole thing just doesn’t even amount to any level of fear what so goddamn ever.

Final Score - 2/10

Aside from the unintentional hilarity near the end of the film I honestly can’t recommend this to anyone. If someone offers to buy your ticket for you then go for the cheap laughs, otherwise it’s not worth it.

The next one will probably Tomorrowland either Saturday or Sunday.

Until then, I’ll see you folks at the movies.

Double Movie Review: Good Kill (2015) and Mad Max:Fury Road (2015) - Fun Fact Zoe Kravitz is in both of these

Forgive the lateness of these reviews, I’ve been off my game for the most part, the post avengers drought left me feeling hollow, as I wasn’t really sure what to do with myself after it. Luckily, I managed to squeeze in a double feature after work on Sunday, and after some time to process, I find myself ready to get back into the reviewing routine.

Good Kill Review

Plot Summary -  Major Thomas Egan (Ethan Hawke) is a grounded pilot who now does drone strikes for the US army. Already disillusioned with the job, when he is tasked with running missions for the CIA, he finds himself trouble more and more everyday.

Pros - Ethan Hawke basically steals the show here. He plays the whole troubled good man thing very well and he was the thing keeping me engaged in the movie. The cinematography is nice too, especially the way they show the brutality of some of the drone strikes in the film. There’s also a pretty intense subplot about one of the locals they see everyday being attacked by a militant, especially in the way that it ends.

Cons - While nobody’s acting is bad, see if these list of characters seem familiar to you.

The liberal questioning what they’re doing

The flag waving patriot who believes the USA can do no wrong

The understanding commander who still follows orders

The wife who doesn’t understand because he doesn’t to tell her

Yeah, there’s not a lot of originality here, and while it isn’t done badly, it just seems familiar so you can kind of see what’s coming.

Final Score - 6/10

While it isn’t bad, it doesn’t bring much to the table, but it’s a least worth it for Ethan Hawke.

Mad Max: Fury Road Review

Plot Summary: Mad Max (Tom Hardy) is captured by a group known as the war boys, who keep him as a prisoner and designate him as a human blood bag. Meanwhile Imperator Furiosa (Charlize Theron) drives a truck known as the war rig that, originally tasked with going to the nearby gas town, she instead uses to smuggle out  the war boys Warlord Immortan Joe’s prized group of breeders. Max is strapped to the hood of a car driven by a warboy named Nux (Nicholas Hoult) who goes after Furiosa but when she takes out his car, Max escapes and makes a deal to help Furiosa and the girls.

Pros - I’m not gonna lie, I like pretty much everything about this movie. The look, the way the story plays out, the acting, and the massive production design and the awesome use of practical effects. There was not a single moment of this that I did not enjoy. I even enjoyed the 3D in this and I rarely if ever say that.

Cons - I got nothing for this.

Final Score - 10/10

Honestly, this is definitely going at least in the top five for the end of the year. This is my kind of dumb action movie because they actually show consequences. People die, stuff gets destroyed, not everyone gets out alive *cough* furious seven *cough cough.* Mad Max is just pure insane carnage and a good time for all.

Next week…...is the poltergeist remake…..god help us all.

Until then, I’ll see you folks at the movies.

2000th View! Double Movie Review: Age of Adaline & Kurt Cobain:Montage of Heck (2015) - If anyone's ever wanted to see a side by side of the kind of films I really like and the kind of films I really hate, here's your case study.

So, today turned out to be more interesting than I had originally had intended. I ended up picking up a shift at work which ended at 3:30pm, and Montage of Heck was at 7, so I found myself with a few hours to kill…...boy do I wish I could’ve spent those hours better, because fuck age of adaline.

Age of Adaline

Plot Summary: On her 29th birthday, Adaline Bowman (Blake Lively) gets into a car accident, and through that, finds herself unable to age beyond that point. Mostly living her life in solidarity, one she meets a man and that’s about it.

Pros - It’s a .5 for the scene when she has to put down her dog, and .5 for the woman who plays her daughter (who ages normally) being awesome despite not being in the movie enough.

Cons - Boy where do I start? The ironically named Blake Lively gives a performance so stiff I had to keep reminding myself she was supposed to be in love with nameless chick flick guy #167789. The first half of the film is aimless and scatter brained, and the second half is the dumbest soap opera ever written, and the ending is so fucking bad I’m convinced it was written by a committee of studio heads so scared of trying something new that they haven’t updated their houses since the sixties. Not only is it the most soapy, dull, unoriginal ending, it also manages to somehow drag in a comet into the mix and leaves so many unanswered questions that I actually wanted to start screaming. You know I actually had people say to me “oh it’s a chick flick what do you expect?”. I’m convinced films like this contribute in some way to sexist assholes thinking are stupid. They get dragged to these one too many times and then they see people liking it because “oh it’s just a chick flick” and then it just spirals from there. It the same thing I say about kids films, that they should be challenging, not simply fucking checking off a list and shoving it out the door. They had such a better ending sitting in right there in their lap and they shat all over it.

Final Score - 1/10

A load of wasted potential. Expect it in the top three of the worst for this year at MINIMUM!

Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck

Plot Summary - Part Documentary Part Arthouse film, Montage of Heck digs up both home movies, as well as both the written and recorded words of Kurt Cobain as the film tells the story of his life while also getting perspective from those who were close to him at the time.

Pros - I think the simplest way to describe how I feel about this film, is that I have so much more respect for the man and his music than I did going in, as it manages to tell the story of Kurt Cobain with a ton of heart and honesty.

Cons - No Dave Grohl, but Courtney Love was involved heavily with the film and I think they don’t get along very well so that might be well.

Final Score - 10/10

A must see for Nirvana fans even just regular Music Fans, I’m sure as shit buying it on DVD.

So, Hot Pursuit is coming out next week……...maybe I’ll do a DVD review instead.

Until then I’ll see you folks at the movies.

Movie Review: Avengers Age of Ultron (2015) - Avengers Assemble!

You know, I’ve been telling people that this is the movie I’ve been the most hyped for all year, and it’s kind of weird that now that I’ve seen it that I have to find out what’s the next film that I’ll have to eagerly await the arrival of (Hint it’s Mad Max.) But in the mean time, I’ll guess I’ll just have to live with the fact that Avengers Age of Ultron was pretty much fucking amazing!

Plot Summary - Our story begins with our heroic team raiding a Hydra base looking for Loki’s scepter from the first Avengers film. When they do manage to get a hold of it, Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr) and Dr. Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo) realize that they can use it to power a project they’ve been working on: a guardian of earth by the name of Ultron (James Spader). And that’s all I’m going to say, the rest you’ll just have to see for yourself.

Pros - The cast is in full force here, but the biggest improvements by far are Hawkeye and Black Widow, as not only do both of them get there own side plots but we get to learn more about them and get to see more of their character and personality. James Spader as Ultron practically steals every scene he’s in, and I think can easily challenge Loki as the most memorable villain the marvel movies have produced so far. Aaron Taylor - Johnson and Elizabeth Olsen both give terrific goes as Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch, although they never get referred to by those names. We also have plenty of cameos from the other heroes of our universe as well, although some get more screen time than others. The writing is as sharp as ever as there are Joss Whedon’s trademark moments of both joy and sadness throughout the film, with every character getting their fair share of great lines.

Cons - I have two complaints. The introduction of both The Vision (Paul Bettany) and Ultron feel very rushed, Ultron especially. They’re both still great characters but it’s such a quick flash of an intro for the both of them they almost feels like blink and you’ll miss them moments. Also while there is a mid credit scene, there is NOT an end credit scene, which is a bit of a bummer.

Final Score - 9/10

Aside from some quick introduction scenes, the film is phenomenally solid, and while i’d give the first film a solid 10/10, Age of Ultron is a solid follow up that left me wanting more, and I can’t wait for Phase 3 to start.

I have to make a slight addendum to my last review. Kurt Cobain Montage of Heck did not play last monday, it’s playing next Monday, so expect that as my next review.

Until then, I’ll see you folks at the movies.