Welcome to another Catching Up, where we looked at all of the movies I watched in a given week. This week had a mammoth eleven films to watch for the podcast, and my usual smattering of others. Due to me being sick this week, and spending more time asleep than in front of my TV, I caught up on a lot of movie re-watches and reviews I never posted here. Let's not waste any time and jump right in with the movies for the podcast this week!
Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope (1977) REVIEWED ON PODCAST
SCORE: 95/100 (MUST WATCH)
Directed By: George Lucas
Starring: Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford
Synopsis: Luke Skywalker joins forces with a Jedi Knight, a cocky pilot, a Wookiee, and two droids to save the galaxy from the Empire's world-destroying battle station, while also attempting to rescue Princess Leia from the mysterious Darth Vader.
Quick Review: The original Star Wars is a landmark moment in film history, and it continues to inspire young filmmakers and fans alike.
If you'd like to watch it, it's available on Disney+.
Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980) REVIEWED ON PODCAST
SCORE: 99/100 (MUST WATCH)
Directed By: Irvin Kershner
Starring: Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford
Synopsis: After the Rebels are brutally overpowered by the Empire on the ice planet Hoth, Luke Skywalker begins Jedi training with Yoda, while his friends are pursued across the galaxy by Darth Vader and bounty hunter Boba Fett.
Quick Review: Empire is the quintessential Star Wars movie. It's writing, cast, and music are all on point to deliver a gut-punch story that makes it the best in the series.
If you'd like to watch it, it's available on Disney+.
Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (1983) REVIEWED ON PODCAST
SCORE: 79/100
Directed By: Richard Marquand
Starring: Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford
Synopsis: After a daring mission to rescue Han Solo from Jabba the Hutt, the Rebels dispatch to Endor to destroy the second Death Star. Meanwhile, Luke struggles to help Darth Vader back from the dark side without falling into the Emperor's trap.
Quick Review: While it's not as well done as the previous two in the trilogy, Return of the Jedi still has impactful moments and a massive level of fun to be had.
If you'd like to watch it, it's available on Disney+.
Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999) REVIEWED ON PODCAST
SCORE: 45/100
Directed By: George Lucas
Starring: Liam Neeson, Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman
Synopsis: Two Jedi escape a hostile blockade to find allies and come across a young boy who may bring balance to the Force, but the long dormant Sith resurface to claim their original glory.
Quick Review: It's not nearly as bad as you remember, and there are great practical effects, but the film feels so mediocre compared to the others.
If you'd like to watch it, it's available on Disney+.
Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002) REVIEWED ON PODCAST
SCORE: 28/100
Directed By: George Lucas
Starring: Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman, Hayden Christensen
Synopsis: Ten years after initially meeting, Anakin Skywalker shares a forbidden romance with Padmé Amidala, while Obi-Wan Kenobi investigates an assassination attempt on the senator and discovers a secret clone army crafted for the Jedi.
Quick Review: Attack of the Clones is poorly written, acted, and way too reliant on VFX. However, it's still important, so it has to be viewed as a part of the saga.
If you'd like to watch it, it's available on Disney+.
Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (2005) REVIEWED ON PODCAST
SCORE: 63/100
Directed By: George Lucas
Starring: Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman, Hayden Christensen
Synopsis: Three years into the Clone Wars, the Jedi rescue Palpatine from Count Dooku. As Obi-Wan pursues a new threat, Anakin acts as a double agent between the Jedi Council and Palpatine and is lured into a sinister plan to rule the galaxy.
Quick Review: While it's stronger than the previous two, and crucially important to the story, some of the remaining criticisms carry forward from the last.
If you'd like to watch it, it's available on Disney+.
Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens (2015) REVIEWED ON PODCAST
SCORE: 82/100
Directed By: J.J. Abrams
Starring: Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac
Synopsis: As a new threat to the galaxy rises, Rey, a desert scavenger, and Finn, an ex-stormtrooper, must join Han Solo and Chewbacca to search for the one hope of restoring peace.
Quick Review: While it has similarities to the original, The Force Awakens is still a blast and brings the franchise to a new generation.
If you'd like to watch it, it's available on Disney+.
Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi (2017) REVIEWED ON PODCAST
SCORE: 85/100
Directed By: Rian Johnson
Starring: Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac
Synopsis: The Star Wars saga continues as new heroes and galactic legends go on an epic adventure, unlocking mysteries of the Force and shocking revelations of the past.
Quick Review: Whether or not Last Jedi is a good Star Wars film is up for debate, but as a film by itself it's far superior than one would typically give it credit for.
If you'd like to watch it, it's available on Disney+.
Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker (2019) REVIEWED ON PODCAST
SCORE: 52/100
Directed By: J.J. Abrams
Starring: Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac
Synopsis: In the riveting conclusion of the landmark Skywalker saga, new legends will be born-and the final battle for freedom is yet to come.
Quick Review: As a conclusion to the Skywalker Saga it feels rushed and poorly written, but still retains the necessary beats that makes it Star Wars.
If you'd like to watch it, it's available on Disney+.
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016) REVIEWED ON PODCAST
SCORE: 90/100
Directed By: Gareth Edwards
Starring: Felicity Jones, Ben Mendehlson, Diego Luna
Synopsis: In a time of conflict, a group of unlikely heroes band together on a mission to steal the plans to the Death Star, the Empire's ultimate weapon of destruction.
Quick Review: Rogue One is an incredible prequel to A New Hope, and really sets that stage for the events that follow it through great characters and awesome visuals.
If you'd like to watch it, it's available on Disney+.
Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018) REVIEWED ON PODCAST
SCORE: 65/100
Directed By: Ron Howard
Starring: Alden Ehrenreich, Donald Glover, Emilia Clarke
Synopsis: Board the Millennium Falcon and journey to a galaxy far, far away in an epic action-adventure that will set the course of one of the Star Wars saga's most unlikely heroes.
Quick Review: Fun, bombastic, and bursting with memorable moments, it's let down by odd choices and a feeling that it doesn't really need to exist.
If you'd like to watch it, it's available on Disney+.
Hellboy (2019)
SCORE: 49/100
Directed By: Neill Marshall
Starring: David Harbour, Milla Jovovich, Ian McShane
Synopsis: Based on the graphic novels by Mike Mignola, Hellboy, caught between the worlds of the supernatural and human, battles an ancient sorceress bent on revenge.
Quick Review: I was excited when this film first came out, as it was supposed to be a comic-accurate Hellboy film. When the film first came out, I enjoyed it, and didn't notice any bad reviews until after I initially saw it. Now, after two years, I finally re-watched it. I still enjoyed it, but the film still has its many flaws. David Harbour does his best in the role, but still isn't able to overcome the lineage of Ron Perlman. He plays the role more teenager-like, which works in some moments and not others. Milla Jovovich is not good as the villain, and ends up being more flat that a piece of paper. The visual effects really suffer, especially in the sequence with the giants. It can look comically bad. However, I still stand by the final sequence with the demons slaughtering innocents in London. To me, it shows consequence in a way that most other comic book movies don't show. While it may be over the top, it goes a long way in proving to the audience the dire nature of the situation. Beyond that, the film never really rises above mediocre, and can squanders any potential in favor of being edgy. This film is a guilty pleasure of mine, so I would usually recommend it, but it's gory nature and violence may be too over the top for some.
If you'd like to watch it, it's available on Peacock.
Tom Clancy's Without Remorse (2021)
SCORE: 53/100
Directed By: Stefano Sollima
Starring: Michael B. Jordan, Jodie Turner-Smith, Jamie Bell
Synopsis: An elite Navy SEAL, goes on a path to avenge his wife's murder only to find himself inside of a larger conspiracy.
Quick Review: I watched this film back when it came out and before the blog was up and running, and I still feel the same now as I did when I initially watched it. It's a pretty standard action-thriller that's kept from mediocrity by a great performance from Michael B. Jordan. It's action is decent for a steaming film, but the plot is what really didn't do it for me. Full of double-crosses, betrayals, and a typical revenge vibe, the film really doesn't justify its existence beyond giving Jordan a Clancy character to portray. I would've preferred a set-up for a Rainbow Six movie, perhaps by introducing characters from the Siege game or other characters from the Rainbow Six book. Jordan's character ends up being a leader within the organization, so it's a little disappointing to not even get a mention here. There really isn't much else to say, it's a serviceable thriller that some will enjoy, but most will probably pass up.
If you'd like to watch it, it's available on Prime Video.
Hall Pass (2011)
SCORE: 38/100
Directed By: Bobby Farrelly, Peter Farrelly
Starring: Owen Wilson, Jenna Fischer, Jason Sudeikis
Synopsis: Rick and Fred, two husbands who are having difficulty in their marriages, are given a Hall Pass by their wives: for one week, they can do whatever they want.
Quick Review: I didn't think I was going to be able to fit in another movie this week, but I ended up watching this one with my brother (Shout out to Ryan). I don't know what I was expecting with this film, maybe a few laughs and gross-outs, but nothing exemplary. And that's about what I got. The only thing I can really commend this movie for going for is having the main character played by Wilson have a change of heart and realize the power of his marriage. That's about it. There's a few funny jokes, and J.B. Smoove is one of my favorite comedians out there, but it never really stands out among any comedy peers. I guess it's not saying much since this came out during the 2010's obsession with creating comedies based on guy's night discussion ideas. That and the era of sexual/taboo themed comedies, which is thankfully gone. While there may be a laugh or two within, it's ultimately a waste of time, and the cast's talents.
If you'd like to watch it, it's available on Netflix.
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