Long time, no see! I'm back after a longer period of time off than I wanted to have, but between the Holidays and getting sick it's been a heck of a two months. I wanted to do one mega-sized post that covered all of the movies I watched during the last two months, excluding theatrical releases. As I normally do, I'll start with the movies from the podcast, before diving into the movies I watched outside of the show. I've kept you waiting long enough, so here are the movies I watched during the last two months!
Oz the Great and Powerful (2013) REVIEWED ON THE PODCAST
SCORE: 39/100
Directed By: Sam Raimi
Starring: James Franco, Mila Kunis, Rachel Weisz
Synopsis: A small-time magician is swept away to an enchanted land and is forced into a power struggle between three witches.
Quick Review: While there are some fun visuals and decent effects for the time, Oz feels like an unnecessary attempt to breath more life into a landmark film that doesn’t need more story.
If you'd like to watch it, it's available for rent only.
The Signal (2014) REVIEWED ON THE PODCAST
SCORE: 55/100
Directed By: William Eubank
Starring: Brenton Thwaites, Olivia Cooke, Beau Knapp
Synopsis: On a road trip, Nic and two friends are drawn to an isolated area by a computer genius. When everything suddenly goes dark, Nic regains consciousness - only to find himself in a waking nightmare.
Quick Review: While it has an interesting premise and a solid use of a small budget, the film gets a little too boring and its ending is definitely subpar.
If you'd like to watch it, it's available for rent only.
Modern Times (1936) REVIEWED ON THE PODCAST
SCORE: 95/100 (MUST WATCH)
Directed By: Charlie Chaplin
Starring: Charlie Chaplin, Paulette Goddard, Henry Bergman
Synopsis: The Tramp struggles to live in modern industrial society with the help of a young homeless woman.
Quick Review: To this day, the film’s symbolism, effects, and beauty in the face of tragedy continues to astound, as well as its brilliant use of audio during the time period.
If you'd like to watch it, it's available on HBO Max.
Deck the Halls (2006) REVIEWED ON THE PODCAST
SCORE: 1/100
Directed By: John Whitesell
Starring: Matthew Broderick, Danny DeVito, Kristen Chenoweth
Synopsis: Two neighbors have it out after one of them decorates his house for the holidays so brightly that it can be seen from space.
Quick Review: Deck the Halls is abysmal, unfunny, and outright painful. Instead of coal in your stocking, you receive this piece of cinematic excrement.
If you'd like to watch it (DON'T), it's available on Hulu and HBO MAX.
New Year's Eve (2011) REVIEWED ON THE PODCAST
SCORE: 15/100
Directed By: Garry Marshall
Starring: Sarah Jessica Parker, Ashton Kutcher, Halle Barry
Synopsis: The lives of several couples and singles in New York City intertwine over the course of New Year's Eve.
Quick Review: New Year’s Eve is so superficial, dumb, and childish that it eliminates the possibility of having fun as A-List stars make their way through F-List stories.
If you'd like to watch it, it's available on Hulu.
Poseidon (2006) REVIEWED ON THE PODCAST
SCORE: 46/100
Directed By: Wolfgang Petersen
Starring: Josh Lucas, Kurt Russell, Emmy Rossum
Synopsis: On New Year's Eve, the luxury ocean liner Poseidon capsizes after being swamped by a rogue wave. The survivors are left to fight for their lives as they attempt to escape the sinking ship.
Quick Review: While it has spectacle, it’s not always good, as the mediocre remake plods its way through unlikeable characters and completely unrealistic situations.
If you'd like to watch it, it's available on Netflix.
Land of the Lost (2009) REVIEWED ON THE PODCAST
SCORE: 7/100
Directed By: Brad Silberling
Starring: Will Ferrell, Anna Friel, Danny McBride
Synopsis: A space-time vortex sucks scientist Rick Marshall, his assistant Holly and a survivalist Will into a world populated by dinosaurs and painfully slow creatures called Sleestaks.
Quick Review: Thankfully this hot mess of a film is short enough that it dulls the pain and has some cool camerawork, but Land of the Lost certainly gets lost in its own stupidity.
If you'd like to watch it, it's available for rent only.
Ip Man (2008)
SCORE: 74/100
Directed By: Wilson Yip
Starring: Donnie Yen, Simon Yam, Siu-Wong Fan
Synopsis: During the Japanese invasion of China, a wealthy martial artist is forced to leave his home when his city is occupied. With little means of providing for themselves, Ip Man and the remaining members of the city must find a way to survive.
Quick Review: An incredible martial arts film that's surrounded by mediocre historical drama, Ip Man is a success due to Donnie Yen and his impeccable fighting.
If you'd like to watch it, it's available on Netflix.
Ron's Gone Wrong (2021)
SCORE: 78/100
Directed By: Sarah Smith, Jean-Phillipe Vine
Starring: Zach Galifianakis, Jack Dylan Grazer, Ed Helms
Synopsis: The story of Barney, an awkward middle-schooler and Ron, his new walking, talking, digitally-connected device. Ron's malfunctions set against the backdrop of the social media age launch them on a journey to learn about true friendship.
Quick Review: Funny and emotional, Ron's Gone Wrong is a great time regardless of your age, but doesn't quite hit enough high notes to truly stand out.
If you'd like to watch it, it's available on Disney+ and HBO Max.
Nobody (2021)
SCORE: 80/100
Directed By: Ilya Naishuller
Starring: Bob Odenkirk, Connie Nielsen, Christopher Lloyd
Synopsis: A docile family man slowly reveals his true character after his house gets burgled by two petty thieves, which, coincidentally, leads him going to a bloody war with a Russian crime boss.
Quick Review: Bob Odenkirk shines in this awesome action film. While it's short and a little too similar in plot and tone to other action movies, it's well paced, and a hell of a lot of fun.
If you'd like to watch it, it's available on HBO Max.
Ghostbusters (1984)
SCORE: 97/100 (MUST WATCH)
Directed By: Ivan Reitman
Starring: Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis
Synopsis: Three parapsychologists forced out of their university funding set up shop as a unique ghost removal service in New York City, attracting frightened yet skeptical customers.
Quick Review: Ghostbusters is a classic that transcends the time it was made in with superb writing, incredible comedic performances, and a lightheartedness that's infectious.
If you'd like to watch it, it's available for rent only.
Hostel (2005)
SCORE: 60/100
Directed By: Eli Roth
Starring: Jay Hernandez, Derek Richardson, Eythor Gudjonsson
Synopsis: Three backpackers head to a Slovak city that promises to meet their hedonistic expectations, with no idea of the hell that awaits them.
Quick Review: Hostel only gets good in its back half as the violent urges of the rich make themselves present, it's just too bad that the first half is pretty much just misogynist and bad.
If you'd like to watch it, it's available on Netflix.
Venom (2018)
SCORE: 29/100
Directed By: Ruben Fleischer
Starring: Tom Hardy, Michelle Williams, Riz Ahmed
Synopsis: A failed reporter is bonded to an alien entity, one of many symbiotes who have invaded Earth. But the being takes a liking to Earth and decides to protect it.
Quick Review: Aside from Tom Hardy, this film is plain bad from start to finish and a PG-13 rating holds it back, but it would've been awesome in the 80's!
If you'd like to watch it, it's available for rent only.
The LEGO Movie (2014)
SCORE: 96/100 (MUST WATCH)
Directed By: Christopher Miller, Phil Lord
Starring: Chris Pratt, Elizabeth Banks, Will Arnett
Synopsis: An ordinary LEGO construction worker, thought to be the prophesied as "special", is recruited to join a quest to stop an evil tyrant from gluing the LEGO universe into eternal stasis.
Quick Review: What should have been an advertisement turns out to be an "awesome" film about creativity and belonging, and transcends its peers in the decade of its release.
If you'd like to watch it, it's available for rent only.
1917 (2019)
SCORE: 97/100 (MUST WATCH)
Directed By: Sam Mendes
Starring: Dean-Charles Chapman, George MacKay, Daniel Mays
Synopsis: April 6th, 1917. As an infantry battalion assembles to wage war deep in enemy territory, two soldiers are assigned to race against time and deliver a message that will stop 1,600 men from walking straight into a deadly trap.
Quick Review: There's beauty in travesty, and 1917 exemplifies this. It's an incredible achievement technically and emotionally, and one of the best war films I've seen.
If you'd like to watch it, it's available for rent only.
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