Welcome back to another Catching Up, where I go over all of the films I've watched during the past week. We only had one film to watch for the podcast this week, and included are the usual smattering of others. This week, I tried to get to the films that I don't have to re-watch again to score, since plans this week will interfere with my usual "one movie a day" goal. So let's jump into the film we watched for the show this week.
Your Name. (2016) REVIEWED ON PODCAST
SCORE: 95/100 (MUST WATCH)
Directed By: Makoto Shinkai
Starring: Ryunosuke Kamiki, Mone Kamishiraishi, Ryo Narita
Synopsis: Two strangers find themselves linked in a bizarre way. When a connection forms, will distance be the only thing to keep them apart?
Quick Review: Your Name. is a beautiful work of animation that centers on two realistic and likable characters, and is only let down by the insistent pop music interruptions.
If you'd like to watch it, it's available to rent only.
Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
SCORE: 100/100 (MUST WATCH)
Directed By: Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones
Starring: Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Eric Idle, Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones, Michael Palin
Synopsis: King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table embark on a surreal, low-budget search for the Holy Grail, encountering many, very silly obstacles.
Quick Review: Monty Python and the Holy Grail ties with Blazing Saddles for my favorite comedy of all time. Almost 50 years later, the ridiculous situations, characters, and moments maintain the reputation that the Pythons have built. Every joke lands with the six Pythons at their absolute and consistent best, and the moments we all know and love remain iconic to this day. The white rabbit, the black knight, the knights who say "ni", it's all still side-splittingly hilarious. I really don't have any complaints about the film, and it's not because of my heavy nostalgia. It's one of those films you HAVE to watch if you're on the film journey like I and my co-host Adrian are one because of its iconic status. It's only an hour and a half, and you should go in without any expectation if you haven't seen it. A true iconic classic and a masterpiece of the comedy genre.
If you'd like to watch it, it's available on Netflix.
Team America: World Police (2004)
SCORE: 72/100
Directed By: Trey Parker
Starring: Trey Parker, Matt Stone, Pam Brady
Synopsis: Popular Broadway actor Gary Johnston is recruited by the elite counter-terrorism organization Team America: World Police. As the world begins to crumble around him, he must battle with terrorists, celebrities and falling in love.
Quick Review: Team America comes to us from the creators of South Park, and the humor reflects that. There's so much they're able to get away with since the actors are puppets, it's really quite shocking. It tackles politics, but in a way that skewers everyone equally (except a lot of hate directed at Matt Damon specifically, which is hilarious). The music is consistently funny, and while it may be a little annoying to some, adds character to the movie. However, the real star here is the craftsmanship. The sets, characters, props, and everything in-between is so exquisitely made that its astounding. There's a real love here for the original Thunderbirds puppet show. My biggest criticism is that the humor may not find purchase with everyone, so this is a hesitant recommendation. If you like South Park, you've seen this already, but I'd recommend watching a trailer before viewing to see if it will be something you'll like.
If you'd like to watch it, it's available on Netflix.
Repo! The Genetic Opera (2008)
SCORE: 10/100
Directed By: Darren Lynn Bousman
Starring: Paul Sorvino, Anthony Head, Alexa PenaVega
Synopsis: A worldwide epidemic encourages a biotech company to launch an organ-financing program similar in nature to a standard car loan. However, the repossession clause is killer.
Quick Review: I've been wanting to watch this movie ever since I saw the poster in theaters when I was younger. I wish I could've told myself then that I should use the time elsewhere. Repo! is awful, from its cast to its music, and everything in-between. Before I dig too deep into criticism, I will admit that this movie does at least feel like its trying. It's really attempting to build on the type of macabre musical that Sweeny Todd really nailed, but all that trying gets it nowhere. The singing is awful, with most (if not all) of the cast sounding like they'd never sung once in their life. The lyrics are horrendous, sounding like they were written by a 15 year old goth kid. The film also has this terrible looking bloomy filter over the whole thing, similar to the Bousman Saw films. It's just an incredibly bad film, but I can't look away. It's like watching a trash fire, sure there's something cool every once in a while, but you end up disgusted and feeling like your time is gone. Don't get me wrong though, it's not so bad that its good, it's just bad.
If you'd like to watch it, it's available on Prime Video.
The Phantom of the Opera (2004)
SCORE: 74/100
Directed By: Joel Schumacher
Starring: Gerard Butler, Emmy Rossum, Patrick Wilson
Synopsis: A young soprano becomes the obsession of a disfigured and murderous musical genius who lives beneath the Paris Opéra House.
Quick Review: This used to be my favorite musical of all time, until I rediscovered Singin' in the Rain. It's the only film by Joel Schumacher that I can watch without any discomfort, and that's saying a lot for the director of Batman and Robin. Gerard Butler and Emmy Rossum can both sing (in my opinion, I know theater purists will disagree), and their work here is great. The cast is great, the only exception is Minnie Driver. I think her performance is fine, it's just the way the character is written that I disagree with. It's intentionally annoying, but that's the point. Other than that the film is a tad too long, but I don't know what I would've cut except for Minnie Driver's solo song. The sets are beautiful, the costumes are incredible, and I shouldn't have to call out how good the music is. It's Phantom, so it's awesome! It's the musical that got me into musicals, and so I feel I can heartily recommend it.
If you'd like to watch it, it's available on .
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