What was the last movie you watched? Part 2

[MilkmanDan]

Draft Day

 

[Frodo]

TRAP (2024)

 

[Lobo]

Conclave

 

[Milk Tray Guy]

The Iguana with the Tongue of Fire (1971)

Italian/French/West German co-production, directed by Riccardo Freda, and starring Anton Diffring, Luigi Pistilli, and Dagmar Lassander. When two women connected with the Swiss Ambassador to Ireland (Diffring) are found murdered in Dublin, the police investigation is hampered by the Ambassador invoking his right of Diplomatic Immunity. To try to get round this the senior investigating officer unofficially recruits the services of retired 'loose cannon' cop John Norton (Pistilli). But as Norton attempts to unravel the truth (including forming a romantic relationship with the Ambassador's daughter (Lassander)) there are further murders which hint at the possibility of more than one killer and more than one hidden agenda.

Unusually, this giallo is largely set in Dublin. Even more unusually, it was actually filmed there. Anyone who's visited the Republic of Ireland knows it has spectacular coastal scenery, and the movie certainly makes use of that. The cast are pretty good (Diffring is his usual excellent, cold, condescending b@stard) and the basic idea is okay. The drawback is that the finer details are confusing as hell (I watched a video essay on the film afterwards and was relieved to see I'm not the only one who thinks so). It really is a tangled mess. Even when all is revealed at the end (largely by way of an exposition dump from Diffring), it's still a muddle. In fact Freda was so unhappy with the finished film he had his name replaced with the pseudonym 'Willy Pareto' (Freda also apparently wanted Roger Moore for the detective role; I really don't see any way Moore would have taken this).

The unusual setting and Diffring make this worth at least one watch (I don't see me ever revisiting it). There's a fair bit of blood and gore, violence and nudity. 5.5/10

 

[Ash J. Williams]

 

[Brutikus]

 

[psylockolussus]

Joker 2

Beetlejuice 2

 

[Ghostrider87]

The Wild Robot

8/10

This animated movie is based on the 2016 novel of the same name, also it is a Science Fiction Adventure that stands out even though it uses that familiar style story of an outsider in an unfamiliar area aka a fish out of water having to deal with struggles to adjust much like Crocodile Dundee, Beverly Hills Cop, (2011) Thor, Enchanted, etc.
This great Science Fiction animated movie deals with dark topics much like other Science Fiction movies including (1987) Robocop and The Running Man, except it succeeds at being the glass is half full because I felt great when the movie ended with its well-earned happy ending.

An impressive original movie soundtrack with songs that fit the tone of the scenes including suspenseful scenes, solid world building including what Roz can do and can't do, details about the fictional Tech Company Universal Dynamics, why humans have the motivation created All Purpose programmed Robots to achieve a stated objective, good dialogue, memorable lines, stated high stakes, flaws that don't have easy solutions, terrifying formidable main antagonists, memorable distinguishable protagonists including Fink the Red Fox and LongNeck the elderly Canada goose that is BrightBill's Ben Kenobi for teaching him how to fly, high stakes, a strong main conflict that can't be easily resolved, impressive action scenes, and a well earned happy ending.

Sad scenes did succeed making me cry because I felt sadness.


The movie has great messages about persistence and bravery, kindness, getting to brag when proven right to the naysayers, acceptance of an outsider, unintentional consequences, dealing with a dark truth, etc.

Strong writing because BrightBill is a smooth sensible name which Roz gives an orphaned runt Canada Goose.
BrightBill is a likable underdog who has to deal with struggles including he's a runt, and he is an orphan which the movie provides a strong explanation for why he is an orphan.

Anything that should get explained does get explained including a solid explanation that removes what would be an unmistakable plot hole.

The movie does have a protagonist viewing the upside of something unmistakably depressing and dreadful without it communicating to use a rose-colored glasses view.

Mark Hamil aka Luke SkyWalker is Thorn that is a badass Grizzly Bear because that is the Island's most feared predator.
The movie succeeds at using that common trope of surprising you before something different happens than what you thought which was used in The Fugitive, (1984) A NightMare On Elm Street, etc.

The movie earned the changes that happened in this movie universe because of great writing.

The movie shows no doubt that 1 character is unmistakably good-hearted because of saying valuable words to use as a solution during a suspenseful scene set during Winter.

This movie does have more than 4 distinguishable animal characters, however similar to Young Guns, Young Guns 2, X-Men, Deadpool, And Wolverine, Zack Synder's Justice League, (2003) The Italian Job, because Thorn, Paddler, and others all get chances to shine.
All the actors fit smoothly with the characters they are voicing including Bill Nighy as the Elderly Canada Goose who is very much BrightBill's Ben Kenobi since he is teaching him how to fly.


No wolf or wolves are on the Island which I'm not unhappy with because foxes are also in the Canine animal group, and Fink is a likable protagonist that is a red fox.

Roz does have impressive abilities although with limitations much like Robocop, and the reprogrammed T-800 so she won't be in the poorly written Mary Sue category protagonist since the protagonist has no struggles or flaws, also the protagonist can mostly do anything which is what makes the movie very boring to watch.
The movie does justify why Roz is known as The Wild Robot which is not shoe-horned in.

 

[Batgirl0202]

7/10

 

[Lobo]

About to see Red One

 

[Ghostrider87]

Transformers One
10/10





Transformers One is a great fast-moving prequel.
The main focus of this prequel is how Megatron becomes a sworn enemy of Optimus Prime, also showing their relationship progress from being close friends that are united to becoming sworn enemies because of tactics differences similar to Black Panther-Killmonger, Sinestro-Green Lantern (Hal Jordan), Jake and Alonzo of the great movie Training Day, Batman and Ras Al Ghul, Magneto and Professor Xavier, etc.

The animation is as incredible and beautiful as Green Lantern First Flight and other DC Animated Movies.
It's an open-world prequel science fiction movie since the movie shows off the diverse areas in the animated movie, the movie does a solid job of show don't tell along with explaining what should be explained so it is a very solid world-built movie similar to Man of Steel, Batman Begins, (1987) Robocop, (1990) Total Recall, The Matrix, etc.

A stunning scene that stands out is the Race scene which was mostly open-world futuristic NASCAR although more chaotic and dangerous because of a more challenging longer track area, along with the Robots using their bodies not RaceCars.

I greatly enjoyed Bumblebee as a comic relief character except he is also shown to be a competent badass protagonist including multiple action scenes showing him using the short-length blades that appear quickly above his fists

This science fiction prequel movie has good dialogue, memorable lines, a beautiful original soundtrack with songs that fit the scenes, distinguishable protagonists that have believable motivations for their achievable goals, a charismatic main antagonist that has an understandable motivation for his main goal, a group of main antagonists that also have a believable motivation for their goal, an open world that gets explored a lot for multiple diverse locations, very high stakes in this prequel, well-done comedy, consistent serious tone, impressive memorable action scenes, a very suspenseful climax, great messages including about hope and being proactive to improve the world, solid twists because of great screenwriting, a memorable terrific scene that leaves no doubt Megatron is a bitter sworn enemy of Optimus Prime, and the glass is half-full ending that was earned.

One charismatic main antagonist succeeds at being a magnificent bastard which is why it's highly enjoyable to see that main antagonist get defeated much like the main antagonist in The Running Man, (2000) Gladiator, Marked For Death, (2004) The Punisher, Blade, Cobra, etc.

Similar to X-Men, (2012) The Avengers, Deadpool and Wolverine, Star Wars Return Of The Jedi, (1990) TMNT, Young Guns, Young Guns 2, etc this is a movie where more than 3 distinguishable protagonists get chances to shine including in Action Scenes.


From start to finish, this was a fast-pace very entertaining science fiction movie similar to (1987) Robocop, The Terminator, Terminator 2, and (1990) Total Recall.
This prequel has a coherent plot with twists that make sense because of solid screenwriting.

Optimus Prime having the same colors as Superman isn't a coincidence because he was made to be very similar to that pure good super-hero that will do what's right without wanting anything in return.

 

[Milk Tray Guy]

Dead Silence (2007)

 

[emielaen]

Yearning (1964)

A ★★★★ review of Alps (2011)

Tonally detached and visually restrained until the handheld loudly creeps its way in, Alps offers next to nothing in regards to traditional setup, though it eventually explains its premise; a small group of people offer grief counseling to mourners by impersonating their deceased loved ones...

boxd.it

 

[KaijuDude1992]

 

[Ghostrider87]

Terrifier 3
9/10


Terrifier 3 is a very well written high-stakes Horror Slasher movie that focuses on Christmas, has savage violence, fast pacing, a likable valiant hero protagonist with limits, likable supporting characters that get fleshed out, memorable action scenes, a charismatic nefarious main antagonist, memorable main antagonist that is distinguishable from Art the Clown, memorable great lines, good dialogue, an entertaining unforgettable high stakes climax, variety of locations, smooth original soundtrack with songs that fit the scenes including the Horror scenes, well-done comedy, solid world building with explaining what should be explained including about an extraordinary weapon, consistent serious tone, and the ending which succeeds at leaving the door open for a sequel much like John Wick 2 did, John Wick 3, Batman Begins, The Dark Knight, Spider-Man, National Treasure, John Wick, The Terminator, Iron Man, etc.

Art the Clown is more terrifying than the Joker, Freddy Krueger, Hannibal Lector, Viggo The Carpathian, Two-Face, Sinestro, the Night Slasher Darth Vader, Dormammu, and other evil antagonists because he doesn't talk.
He is also similar to Freddy Krueger because he can't intimidated, and he is a calculating savage remorseless monster that enjoys destruction and savage violence being used on victims.




The nefarious iconic Art the Clown is the main antagonist much like the past 2 Terrifier movies, and he is a standout Evil Clown Antagonist mainly because he has supernatural abilities, also he is a Horror Movie antagonist that shows in the 2000s Hollywood can create iconic New Horror Antagonists instead of reusing GhostFace, Leatherface, Michael Myers aka The Shape, Freddy Krueger, etc.

Terrifier 3 is similar to The Dark Knight Rises, John Wick 3, and other direct sequel movies because it has continuity from the second movie, including the events discussed.

This Supernatural Horror Slasher movie stands out mainly because it isn't just set during Christmas it focuses on Christmas, along with intentional Biblical undertones between good and evil that succeed without being spelled out to the audience because the screenwriter respects the audience to understand what is very visible, along with the recreation of suffering on the Cross and the whole sharp item on the protagonist's head much like Jesus Christ had is unmistakable Bible inspired.

The badass protagonist, Sienna Shaw, has to deal with struggles after winning the second movie, with an unmistakable undesirable heavy cost similar to the aftermath Rocky had after he defeated Ivan Drago in Rocky 4 and multiple other movies.
Characters consistently react realistically in this movie including the savage violence.

While it's unmistakable Art the Clown enjoys destruction and uses savage violence, however, the movie implies he wants to have fun since multiple scenes show him not being destructive and savage.
He remains a perfect enigma antagonist because why he is nefarious and remorseless hasn't been explained. So it makes him similar to the mainstream continuity Joker that hasn't had his exact past and real name defensively stated the way it has been for Poison Ivy, Two-Face, Mr.Freeze, etc.

I greatly enjoy that Sienna Shaw is a well-written strong female character who has limits so she can't accomplish anything easily to win since she is not an Alice from the Resident Evil movie series, and other Mary Sue protagonists are very boring to watch because they have no flaws or struggles, and they can do mostly anything to win so no suspense watching repeated cake walks or pieces of cake.
She is in the same category as Ripley of the Alien movie series, Sarah Connor of the Terminator movie series, and other well-written strong female hero protagonists who have limits and struggles.

Also, she does have a cool hero name similar to Sarah Connor, Buffy Summers, any of the Charmed Sisters from the original Charmed tv shows, and other female heroes that use human names instead of super-hero names such as Wonder Woman, SuperGirl, Invisible Woman, Storm, Phoenix (Jean Grey), Black Canary, X-23, etc.

The movie makes it unmistakable without directly stating that 3 main characters are supernatural which I enjoyed because this is a movie that respects the audience.

The high stakes suspenseful climax had a high amount of unforgettable action scenes, savage violence, also a huge struggle for Sienna, although I knew what exactly would happen for the rising action used by the likable hero except still very entertaining much like Jaws, Blade, A Few Good Men, The Untouchables, Under Siege 2, Marked For Death, (1991) Point Break, (1989) The Punisher, (1991) Born To Ride, Terminator 2, (1987) Robocop, (2000) Gladiator, Man Of Steel, Superman, Batman Begins, and vast other movies.

 

[Ash J. Williams]

 

[blueharvest]

 

[Ghostrider87]

(2024) The Girl That Wasn't Dead
8/10

A ripped from the Headlines True Crime Lifetime movie that is a great drama movie inspired by true events.
Erica is a 15 year old teenager that decided to live in seclusion with her 21 year old boyfriend Andrew after she ran away from home. The movie provides a believable reason why she delayed a long time to appear in a Public Courtroom which ended Public concern that she was killed by a local serial killer.
It is a responsible drama movie that addresses the age flaw of the teenager and adult relationship even though Erica outright communicates that she wants to be in a serious relationship with Andrew which isn't shoe horned in.

The main Detective is mostly likable, however 1 scene she is very unlikable much like Clarence from (1987) Robocop so I would not have been sad if a character had clotheslined her, and choke slammed her.

Andrew is a likable character along with Erica who both have struggles with living in seclusion before it ends.
Good dialogue, memorable lines, great messages including being tenacious and unshakable love for a healthy relationship, 3 dimensional relatable characters similar to Black Panther, Training Day, The Departed, POTC Curse Of The Black Pearl, (2011) The Lincoln Lawyer, etc.
The stakes are high, suspense, drama, a main conflict that can't be easily resolved, an entertaining suspenseful climax, and an open ending that satisfied me.

The movie does provide believable reasons for why Andrew decides to stop seeing Erica, why a Detective would suspect that Andrew is responsible for Erica's disappearance because of unmistakable factual details, etc.
As a result, nothing happens in this Drama movie that I didn't understand, none of the drama is contrived because of great writing, and I was always able to understand why drama was happen instead of it only happening because of terrible writing or being contrived because a believable reason is absent.

Carrie is Erica's mother, and she refuses to believe the worst which isn't her using rose-colored glasses since she is determined to find her missing daughter. She is shown to be a likable character with flaws, along with Erica's friend who said an unwise statement while in a bowling alley which falls in the teenager's not having their brains fully developed for understanding long-term consequences.

 

[squeekness]

Twisters

 

[MilkmanDan]

Stranger Than Fiction
The Double (2013)

 

[Milk Tray Guy]

Countess Dracula

 

[KaijuDude1992]

 

[Brutikus]

 

[Broseph44]

Two weeks away so had to do this one to get in the spirit.

Thanksgiving (2023)

 

[Immortalfire]

Back to The Future

Back to The Future II

Back to The Future III