Backlog: Watchlist July 2017
UPDATE:
So July is officially over. Best watch of the month was definitely "The Founder" and at the other end of the spectrum there was little else than the crappy "Manson Family Vacation".
Basically, I list some films I've missed out on before and really want to see. Then I see them and later rate them. Rated films are listed in the order they've been seen. If you somehow ended up here, feel free to drop any suggestions of titles you think I might like.
I rate as follows
1-3 = Essentially... Don't bother watching
4 = Fail... it's not all bad... but it's definitely far from good
5 = Mediocre... Something that is passable but not good
6 = Okay... Just what it sounds like, an alright picture
7 = Good... A good film, that lacks "that"
8 = Very Good... A good film, that has "that"
9 = Fantastic... But not a...
10 = Masterpiece...
So July is officially over. Best watch of the month was definitely "The Founder" and at the other end of the spectrum there was little else than the crappy "Manson Family Vacation".
Basically, I list some films I've missed out on before and really want to see. Then I see them and later rate them. Rated films are listed in the order they've been seen. If you somehow ended up here, feel free to drop any suggestions of titles you think I might like.
I rate as follows
1-3 = Essentially... Don't bother watching
4 = Fail... it's not all bad... but it's definitely far from good
5 = Mediocre... Something that is passable but not good
6 = Okay... Just what it sounds like, an alright picture
7 = Good... A good film, that lacks "that"
8 = Very Good... A good film, that has "that"
9 = Fantastic... But not a...
10 = Masterpiece...
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11 titles
- DirectorJon WattsStarsTom HollandMichael KeatonRobert Downey Jr.Peter Parker balances his life as an ordinary high school student in Queens with his superhero alter-ego Spider-Man, and finds himself on the trail of a new menace prowling the skies of New York City.8.
Didn't quite know what to expect from this one, seeing I'm not a huge fan of how stale the MCU has been and how often Spidey gotten rebooted since the 2002 feature film debut .. with the Marc Webb-years being straight out bad. But this really caught me by surprise, it's a lot of fun, and it managed to revive my interest for future Marvel films at large. Tom Holland makes a great Peter Parker and the high school setting keeps things fresh and makes for an interesting contrast with Michael Keaton's terrifying antagonist. I'm not sure the humor and tone of this can be kept going for a lot of movies, so much of it is based upon his first naive and foolish attempt of being a super hero. Nevertheless, Homecoming on it's own, right now, is a very entertaining film. - DirectorAlex KurtzmanStarsTom CruiseSofia BoutellaAnnabelle WallisAn ancient Egyptian princess is awakened from her crypt beneath the desert, bringing with her malevolence grown over millennia and terrors that defy human comprehension.5.
Although not being the best film ever, I enjoyed Dracula Untold despite my lack of love for Luke Evans as an actor. Universal Pictures, however, decided to ignore it's existence and try again when setting up their so called "Dark Universe", hoping for better box-office results. That didn't go particularly well. The Mummy is noted as a return to the horror origin of the franchise but is obviously very inspired by the later Stephen Sommers re-imagining with it's matiné adventure look and feel, which is probably for the better considering they have failed miserably at making it scary, with a witty Tom Cruise, a comic relief ghost, Michael Bay-like objectification of the female lead, bad design and effects and a mummy i'd rather sleep with than run away from. However, the film is still somewhat entertaining despite what's mentioned above and it's lackluster screenplay, probably just because it is as easy going and fast forward as it is. Bill Condon will likely take a different route with the upcoming sequel, Bride of Frankenstein, which I'm still looking forward to. - DirectorDaniel EspinosaStarsJake GyllenhaalRebecca FergusonRyan ReynoldsA team of scientists aboard the International Space Station discover a rapidly evolving life form that caused extinction on Mars and now threatens all life on Earth.6.
When done right, there is nothing better than a film set in space. Unfortunately, despite the endless possibilities with this setting, it seems to be one of the most challenging things to succeed with in "Hollywood" with there being as many worth seeing as there is great performances by Adam Sandler. Certainly a few, but not many. Life does it's best at not failing by simply avoiding to take any chances of its own and instead combines two films that managed well before it, "Alien" and "Gravity". The result is a good looking and watchable thrill-ride that in the end mainly disappoint because the lack of character development. You simply don't care about the people in danger. Especially not when they are dangerously close to being "Prometheus"-dumb. But still, a fun movie, it is what it is. - DirectorDenis VilleneuveStarsAmy AdamsJeremy RennerForest WhitakerA linguist works with the military to communicate with alien lifeforms after twelve mysterious spacecraft appear around the world.8.
Although I've gotta admit that I have only seen some of his American films, Denis Villeneuve has quickly become a director that I just can't get enough of. "Enemy", for me, established him as one of the most interesting filmmakers out there - so for him to approach space, although earth based, was naturally exciting. At times I feel like Arrival tries very hard to be "Interstellar", honestly, and not only because of the Nolan-esque soundscape, but for how it also intertwines the plot and dramaturgy as one. That isn't really a problem, just an observation, as the similarities are too obvious and somewhat noteworthy as I really do consider Villeneuve to be one of those filmmakers that otherwise has his own mark. The film does an impressive job to build and deliver a thrilling nerve despite the "realistic" take on a extra terrestrial invasion, focusing on communication and politics. Something that could have gotten really boring to watch if not done right. But as said, Arrival does the trick. - DirectorRidley ScottStarsMatt DamonJessica ChastainKristen WiigAn astronaut becomes stranded on Mars after his team assume him dead, and must rely on his ingenuity to find a way to signal to Earth that he is alive and can survive until a potential rescue.8.
Matt Damon fascinates me. He is one of those actors that really are just your everyday joe but that somehow still is one of the most popular leading men on the planet. So, of course it's interesting to see what happens when you put him on Mars. The Martian was nominated as a comedy during it's award-season and after seeing it I can see why that is. For being a film about a stranded astronaut on a distant and dangerous planet, it is surprisingly fun, charming, and not least cozy. Matt Damon sings, dances and smiles from beginning to end and the only person in the film that doesn't seem to have a good time is Sean Bean who just cares to much. I gotta say, I enjoyed seeing this, I also think it can be one of those films that will become better over time, because it really is rather unique and Matt Damon brings it together well. - DirectorRon HowardStarsTom HanksFelicity JonesIrrfan KhanWhen Robert Langdon wakes up in an Italian hospital with amnesia, he teams up with Dr. Sienna Brooks and they race across Europe together against the clock to foil a deadly global plot.4.
I didn't have high expectations for this, having seen both of the two previous adaptions of Dan Browns novels in the past. Ron Howard somehow managed to stay at the helm for all of them, despite that non of them have turned out especially good. Inferno is the worst one yet, being completely uninspired and even untrue to the source material, becoming even more anonymous through stupefying rewrites. It's not that it's unwatchable, because it's not, it's entertaining in a kind of nostalgic "Ohhey, look it's like a action film from 1998" way and Tom Hanks gives some kind of credibility to an otherwise very "TV-movie" production. Although mostly through his presence, not so much because of any actual performance. - DirectorKevin SmithStarsLily-Rose DeppHarley Quinn SmithJohnny DeppTwo teenage yoga enthusiasts must do battle with an evil presence that is threatening to rise from its underground lair and endanger their major party plans.6.
A film joking aboot (sorry) killing critics getting utterly slammed by critics, who would have guessed. Sure, Yoga Hosers is not a serious movie, but that is also what makes it entertaining. Where the first film, Tusk, got way to creepy to be funny, I found this film to be a colorful riot. Depp and Smith are charismatic enough to have hold up this film even without the many noteworthy cameos and supporting roles, but the family affair to be seen in the casting is also something that adds to the film identity. I'm not saying that this Bratwurst-kicking comedy is one for the books, all I'm saying is that it does what it set out to do very well and if you approach it with the right mindset, you will be entertained. - StarsRob SchneiderPatricia Maya SchneiderJamie LissowCenters around comedian Rob Schneider's real life while living in Hollywood.6.
I.E. The first season of the series. I do enjoy the early 90's SNL comedians more than I would like to admit. I don't know if it's nostalgia or that they are simply good people that too often end up in bad projects. Rob Schneider has, for sure, starred in a lot of garbage but as a performer I do like him. So I was glad to find this on Netflix. Not that the series was great by any means. But it's just Rob, without much else to stand in the way. Enjoyable for what it is. Will watch the 2nd season when it hits as well. - DirectorJohn Lee HancockStarsMichael KeatonNick OffermanJohn Carroll LynchThe story of Ray Kroc, a salesman who turned two brothers' innovative fast food eatery, McDonald's, into the biggest restaurant business in the world, with a combination of ambition, persistence, and ruthlessness.9.
The story of how McDonalds got to be McDonalds is as interesting as it's sad and downright outrageous. The story itself would make the film worthwhile, but with the love and passion that have went into making this into a feature film, both in terms of story telling and acting performances, it's just a smash out film that I'm alarmingly close to wanting to call a masterpiece. - DirectorMark CullenStarsBruce WillisJohn GoodmanJason MomoaA Los Angeles detective seeks out the ruthless gang that stole his dog.7.
The easiest way to sum this movie up would probably be to say that it is Bruce Willis trying again. Some twenty-twentyfive years ago he was the biggest star on the planet and it was really because he was edgy as *beep* and did interesting films. So here, in the first time in like forever, he stars in something that is remotely badass again. And it's... enjoyable. It doesn't fully reach the potential that is, mostly in terms of humor, but it's surprisingly good. - DirectorJ. DavisStarsJay DuplassLinas PhillipsLeonora PittsTwo brothers tour Charles Manson murder sites. One is a devoted family man. One is devoted to The Family.3.
True Crime, especially when rooted in American culture, is a sweet spot for sure. Which is also why I wanted to see this. Unfortunately this "road trip" take on the Manson Family isn't very good. The idea itself is interesting but that doesn't really help with a lackluster screenplay and just as uninteresting actors taking on the leading roles. Sure, it isn't without it's moments, but they really are just that... moments.