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AKB48Fan added 1 item to A New Decade! A New Year! Movies Watched In 2020 list

Orphaned by war, Xin is sold as a slave to a small village, where he befriends Piao, another slave. Growing up, Xin and Piao train together, dreaming of escaping their low statuses and eventually becoming great generals. One day Piao is offered a position with King Eisei and accepts. A few days later, a mortally wounded Piao appears at Xin's house and says that the King's brother has taken over. Xin vows revenge. Director Shinsuke Sato's Kingdom is a live-action movie adaptation of Yasuhisa Hara's manga series that is part history lesson, but mostly a pulpy historical action-adventure more concerned with bloody, yet elegant swordplay than cold hard facts. Often melodramatic and unapologetically goofy, Kingdom combines it's manga leanings with stylised OTT combat scenes to make the story more entertaining. The cast all perform well with the standout being Masami Nagasawa's Mountain Chief Yang Duan He. The plucky heroes' fight against an army that far outnumber them will make the viewer lean on their side. I did feel it went far too long in being over 2 hours long. A good 30 min cut in the running time would have made the pacing better. In the end, it's an enjoyable exploration of ancient Chinese history.

4 years, 1 month ago

AKB48Fan added 1 item to A New Decade! A New Year! Movies Watched In 2020 list

A high ranking Roman named Marcus Numidius takes a job in Armenia. Once entering the territory, Marcus discovers a revolt by the Armenian people, who are slaves to the Scythians and used as gladiators. Marcus becomes infatuated with Queen Amira and also attracts the attentions of a feisty slave girl named Zahar who is proficient in poisons. Despite some decent set-pieces and good characterisation, this Italian movie is pretty dull and routine. The problem with this movie is it plods to a joyless climax without making much effort to intrigue or indeed excite the viewer. Seasoned cast members in Gianna Maria Canale and Ettore Manni do their best, and the production values are fine whilst the scenes of spectacle are a lot of fun yet it's not that good to come across as a classic nor cheesy or even bad enough to laugh at. It's just one of those productions that come across as forgettable. Not really worth bothering with really.

4 years, 1 month ago

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4 years, 1 month ago

AKB48Fan added 2 items to their collection

4 years, 1 month ago

AKB48Fan added 1 item to A New Decade! A New Year! Movies Watched In 2020 list

An American widow is kidnapped by a rebellious Arab chieftain, Mulai Ahmed er Raisuli to embarrass the Sultan of Morocco. As she falls for her captor, the abduction sparks the threat of armed intervention by the U.S This historical adventure is loosely based on real events. The movie is partly about an American war against Middle Eastern extremists who kidnap people and demand a ransom. It has parallels to what's happening right now in the real world. The characters are well written and likable. It's odd to see Sean Connery play an Arab Sultan but he has great charisma and screen presence although it's rather inevitable that the lead female character will fall for his roguish behaviour, sense of honour and conviction in his beliefs. The movie has an uneven pace and tone as it flips between Raisuli, President Roosevelt in America, lots of political wrangling and some good old fashioned fighting without a totally clear direction. The movie is a visual treat for anyone who likes their movies set in the past, it looks great throughout and there are some nice action scenes but the story doesn't hold up that well and it's far too long for my liking. Good but not great.

4 years, 1 month ago

AKB48Fan added 1 item to A New Decade! A New Year! Movies Watched In 2020 list

A veteran worker nicknamed Mick Mack by his colleagues at a factory is forced to retire having come to a pensionable age. He is left embittered and now regarded as a burden on his family, he has to swallow his pride and claim his pension from the post office. He reluctantly takes on a job as a nightwatchman but loses it when he leaves his post, with his son and wife arguing he is heading for a nervous breakdown, but at least his knowledge and skill comes to the aid of the factory owners. A great movie about how society looks on people that have retired plus loneliness and boredom of old age. In some ways this is the precursor to the provocative British kitchen sink dramas that would emerge in the late 1950's. Finlay Currie gives a skillful portrayal of a proud working class man who has reached the end of his tether with his family contemplating putting him in a home. Mick Mack can come across as being a bit of annoying character at times but his heart is in the right place. Worth a watch.

4 years, 1 month ago

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4 years, 1 month ago

AKB48Fan added 1 item to A New Decade! A New Year! Movies Watched In 2020 list

A string of murders in Tokyo all connect to a ghoul known as 'The Gourmet'. Ken Kaneki continues to be trained in martial arts by Touka. He is befriended by a young man named Shuu Tsukiyama who invites him to dinner at a special location. What Kaneki doesn't know is that he himself is on the menu for Tsukiyama. The 2nd live action Tokyo Ghoul movie carries on from the first and follows half human half ghoul Ken Kaneki as he struggles to adjust to his new way of life. This movie is basically more of the same with effects-driven battles with the ghouls showing off their superhuman powers and flashing their 'kagune', weapons that look like dissected body organs that erupt from their backs like angry serpents. All of the regular cast return with one new exception - Maika Yamamoto replaces Fumiko Shimizu as Touka. Shimizu quit acting in 2017 to join the controversial Happy Science cult. Shota Matsuda makes for an interesting villain as the preening, well dressed Tsukiyama. There's no point in watching this if you haven't seen the first as you'll be completely lost with the characters and storyline. If you enjoyed the first movie, you'll want to see this but don't expect anything memorable as it's all very predictable but I still enjoyed it.

4 years, 1 month ago

AKB48Fan added 2 items to their collection

4 years, 1 month ago

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4 years, 1 month ago

AKB48Fan rated Give My Regards to Broad Street (1984)

 Give My Regards to Broad Street (1984) 5/10

4 years, 1 month ago

AKB48Fan added 1 item to A New Decade! A New Year! Movies Watched In 2020 list

When the mastertape of Paul McCartney’s latest album is misplaced, he must discover its whereabouts in less than 24 hours or else risk losing his recording company to the lowlife Mr. Rath. Even after all these years, I'm not sure why McCartney wanted to make this movie. It hasn't aged better with time, in fact it's probably worse. If you're in it for the music then yes it does deliver with some fine songs on show. McCartney is clearly not an actor and it's plain to see why in this movie but it doesn't matter as his music speaks for him. He's not the worst performer though. Ringo Starr and his wife Barbara Bach's exchanges are really cringeworthy. I didn't expect to see the wrestler Giant Haystacks (better known as Loch Ness from his WCW days in America) in this movie. Beatles, Wings and McCartney fans will enjoy this movie but don't expect it to be a masterpiece. Just watch it for the music only.

4 years, 1 month ago

AKB48Fan added 1 item to A New Decade! A New Year! Movies Watched In 2020 list

In 1821, British settler Phillip Wayne and assistant Paddy Clarke arrive in New Zealand. While scouting, the pair accidentally enters an area sacred to the native Maori people, but Phillip's courage wins them over, sparing the duo from death. Phillip then heads home and convinces his fiancée, Marion, to start a new life with him in New Zealand. Upon their return, Phillip introduces the Maori to Christianity while falling for the tribe leader's wife. This movie that depicts early European settlers clashing with the original inhabitants is an interesting one to watch. It starts out quite light but ends on a very dark tone. Although much of it was apparently shot in New Zealand, the movie is surprisingly stagey and studio bound. Jack Hawkins plays it pretty straight throughout, but it is Glynis Johns who stands out by effectively underplaying her role. What will surprise many viewers is Kenneth Williams appearing in a pre-"Carry On" role as the settler who triggers the final confrontation with the Maori. I've never seen him play a "straight" role before but this was at a stage in his career where he wanted to be taken seriously. Overall, this is a movie that starts slowly but builds power and delivers a strong punch at the end.

4 years, 1 month ago

AKB48Fan rated The Seekers

 The Seekers 6/10

4 years, 1 month ago

AKB48Fan added 1 item to A New Decade! A New Year! Movies Watched In 2020 list

Three women of widely differing backgrounds walk out of the gates of London's Holloway Prison together at the end of their respective sentences. Monica Marsden is a well-bred young woman, led into the world of crime by her smooth-talking but crooked lover David; Monica martyred herself by taking the fall for a crime he masterminded. Stella Jarvis is a beautiful working-class girl who found her attractive appearance made West End prostitution a source of easy money, and was imprisoned after disregarding numerous cautions for soliciting. Mrs. Quilliam is a kindly elderly widow, who lived in poverty and was jailed for repeat shoplifting offences. Monica proposes that the three should meet up later for a fancy dinner, for which she will pay, to discuss how their first day of freedom has gone. This is a wonderful and melancholic movie with lovely photography of post-war London which has long since vanished. Each of the women in the movie have their own plans for moving on with life. One plans to marry her bus conductor boyfriend, the other tries to escape from her ex-boyfriend and finally and the most tragic of them all is about is a sweet little old lady who is reunited with the dog she adores. There are complications, lots of drama, and a heart breaking ending. The 3 actresses playing the leading roles are all brilliant from the young Joan Collins, Yvonne Mitchell and the scene stealing Kathleen Harrison. I was very much entertained by this movie. A simple story told with warmth and empathy.

4 years, 1 month ago

AKB48Fan added 1 item to A New Decade! A New Year! Movies Watched In 2020 list

A freak tsunami traps shoppers at a coastal Australian supermarket inside the building. The shoppers have to deal with a deadly and unwanted visitor, which is a 12-foot Great White Shark. This movie turned out to be quite entertaining and not at all as cheesy and stupid as I had initially anticipated it to be. There is a good amount of action and thrills in the movie, which turned out to be a great combination. The movie, despite being predictable, does keep you thrilled and almost at the edge of your seat. The concept idea is a bit far out there, but oddly enough it did work out well enough, because the movie was entertaining and interesting from start till end. The CGI effects doesn't look all that great at times I have to admit. The cast were OK. Nobody really stood out for me. All in all, it's by no means a fantastic movie but passes the time well.

4 years, 1 month ago

AKB48Fan added 2 items to their collection

4 years, 1 month ago

AKB48Fan added 1 item to A New Decade! A New Year! Movies Watched In 2020 list

An ex-serviceman moves to London and starts working as a truck driver, soon he becomes involved in a smuggling operation and begins a relationship with the girlfriend of a major crime figure. This is a good and tough little British thriller that benefits from a tight script and decent casting. Victor Mature gives a good performance and he's given fine support from femme fatale Diana Dors at her sultriest. The story itself, of conspiracy and smuggling is similar to that of the later Hell Drivers, and inevitably not as good. Patrick Allen makes for a tough opponent and the cinematography is lively and action-packed, building to a fraught climax. Definitely worth checking out.

4 years, 1 month ago

AKB48Fan added 2 items to their collection

4 years, 1 month ago

AKB48Fan added 1 item to A New Decade! A New Year! Movies Watched In 2020 list

In a turbulent eastern European nation, well-armed insurgents besiege the American embassy and kill the US ambassador. It falls upon Commander Sam Keenan and a group of marines to save the day. This Van Damme actioner is a low-budget riff on Black Hawk Down complete with a foreign locale and lots of scenes of arms-waving militia walking the streets and engaging in shoot-outs with the defending Americans. Essentially this is yet another siege movie, as the heroes protect innocent people holed up in a single location and attempt to hold out against overwhelming numbers until help arrives. Van Damme gives a decent performance and plays a likable, friendly type of guy throughout, and you find yourself rooting for him from the beginning. There is less action than you'd imagine, and Van Damme only gets to engage in a couple of fist fights. Still, it's a watchable movie if you're a fan of Van Damme.

4 years, 1 month ago

AKB48Fan added 1 item to A New Decade! A New Year! Movies Watched In 2020 list

After staging his own suicide, a crazed scientist uses his power to become invisible to stalk and terrorise his ex-girlfriend. When the police refuse to believe her story, she decides to take matters into her own hands and fight back. The classic old story gets an upscale reinvention in this movie while also shedding light into the social menace of sadistic men who manipulate the women who love them through physical and mental abuse with the plot focusing more on the psychological effects of such a relationship. Elisabeth Moss acts like she's living the character and single-handedly shoulders the movie into a solid entertainer with some great CGI-induced mind-blowing action sequences as well as a haunting score that overall enhances the appeal of the movie. A great twist at the end as well. Predictable it may be but I really enjoyed it.

4 years, 1 month ago

AKB48Fan rated The Invisible Man

 The Invisible Man 7/10

4 years, 1 month ago

AKB48Fan added 1 item to A New Decade! A New Year! Movies Watched In 2020 list

When their mother descends into madness, siblings Gretel and Hansel must fend for themselves in the dark and unforgiving woods. Hungry and scared, they stumble upon a bounty of food left outside an isolated home. Invited inside by the seemingly friendly old lady, the children soon suspect that her generous but mysterious behaviour is part of a sinister plan to do them harm. This movie starts out promisingly, but soon falls into the recent tradition of having to over-explain its villain's evil to the point where they stop being frightening. The idea of a hungry, child-eating witch lurking deep in the woods who lures two children into her den of terror is an effective premise and has been since the original story was told hundreds of years ago. What really stands out in this movie is the cinematography. Every frame is gorgeously composed and dread drips from every single second of the story but the script is what really disappoints, never really frightening the viewer. Overall, Gretel & Hansel is far from perfect, but the beautiful cinematography, pulsating synth score, dread, and the performance of Alice Krige as the witch should keep your interest throughout.

4 years, 1 month ago

AKB48Fan rated Gretel & Hansel

 Gretel & Hansel 6/10

4 years, 1 month ago

AKB48Fan rated Neighbors

 Neighbors 5/10

4 years, 1 month ago

AKB48Fan added 1 item to A New Decade! A New Year! Movies Watched In 2020 list

Earl Keese lives in an orderly house with his wife and daughter, Elaine. His routine is disrupted when loudmouthed Vic and his oversexed wife, Ramona, move in next door. Ramona and Vic subject Earl and his family to a bizarre dinner date and a near-death encounter in the front yard. Soon, Earl is ready to take drastic action to get rid of Vic and Ramona but he might lose everything in the process. John Belushi's last movie is a dark loopy comedy in which he and his co-star Dan Aykroyd switch roles. Here, Belushi is the straight man and Aykroyd the zany one. It's not exactly a laugh out loud comedy. Moments of real wit and cleverness are not that frequent although some lines might make you smile. Aykroyd clearly has fun in his part and Belushi shows a different side to his comedic talent by doing an impressive job here. It's a shame that Belushi's last role had to be in this average comedy. He deserved better.

4 years, 1 month ago

AKB48Fan rated The Giants of Thessaly

 The Giants of Thessaly 4/10

4 years, 1 month ago

AKB48Fan added 1 item to A New Decade! A New Year! Movies Watched In 2020 list

Thessaly, overrun with barbarian invaders and beset with natural disasters, sends King Jason and his Argonauts on a search for the fabled Golden Fleece. Meanwhile, back home, his scheming cohort is plotting to get his hands on the kingdom and the queen. This Italian sword and sandals movie is not a patch on the Jason And The Argonauts Hollywood epic. Just to be clear: the giants here are metaphorical; they are giants in the heroic sense, being the perfectly ordinary-sized Jason and his Argonauts. I found the movie to be quite boring. Even the battle with the badly costumed Cyclops was poor and not at all exciting. The characters never really come to life, and there’s too much dull dialogue to slow things down. Watch the 1963 movie with Ray Harryhausen effects to see this story given a proper treatment.

4 years, 1 month ago

AKB48Fan rated Jumping for Joy

 Jumping for Joy 6/10

4 years, 1 month ago

AKB48Fan added 1 item to A New Decade! A New Year! Movies Watched In 2020 list

Willie Joy is unceremoniously fired from his job as a trackboy at a dog racing stadium. Teaming up with con artist Jack, Willie decides to get even by raising his own greyhound racer. Unfortunately, the dog Willie and Jack purchase has one paw in the grave. As our heroes nurse the pooch back to health, they are forced to spend their spare time keeping a narcotics gang at bay. This is a charming British comedy led by Frankie Howerd. This was his movie debut. There is plenty of fun in this farce. Although some of the routines are staged a little clumsily, sharp film editing improves the laughs. The script provides some wonderfully amusing moments, thanks not only to slapstick and verbal repartee but to some entertainingly batty characters. The plot of course is thoroughly predictable - even the identity of the mystery dog doper will come as no surprise but it is worked out with gusto and enthusiasm. Frankie Howerd is great as the main character. If you enjoy Frankie’s unique brand of naughty but nice jokes you're bound to like this movie.

4 years, 1 month ago