My feed

AKB48Fan added 2 items to their collection

4 years, 9 months 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, 9 months 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, 9 months ago

AKB48Fan rated The Invisible Man

 The Invisible Man 7/10

4 years, 9 months 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, 9 months ago

AKB48Fan rated Gretel & Hansel

 Gretel & Hansel 6/10

4 years, 9 months ago

AKB48Fan rated Neighbors

 Neighbors 5/10

4 years, 9 months 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, 9 months ago

AKB48Fan rated The Giants of Thessaly

 The Giants of Thessaly 4/10

4 years, 9 months 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, 9 months ago

AKB48Fan rated Jumping for Joy

 Jumping for Joy 6/10

4 years, 9 months 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, 9 months ago

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

Rich playboy Barnabas Collins earns the wrath of Angelique, a witch, when he breaks her heart. She turns him into a vampire and buries him alive. Two centuries later, Barnabas escapes to settle scores. This is yet another Burton/Depp collaboration that is based on the classic 60's/70's TV gothic soap opera. And you'd think that being based on a whole TV series it would give the writers plenty of story to utilise, yet, this movie has what barely could be considered a plot. It's also all over the show: one minute it is a fish out of water comedy and the next it's a horror movie and next it's a drama. Is it spoofing the original show or or is it a serious retelling like the brief run revival in 1991? The filmmakers don't seem to know. Johnny Depp is very good at portraying Barnabas Collins and handles the character's script driven changes of tone very well. Michelle Pfeiffer is also good but it is Eva Green that's the best thing in this movie. She has a field day as the villainous witch, Angelique and has a great time with it and it translates to the screen as I had loved watching her chew the scenery and sex it up. Dark Shadows didn't bore but, could have been so much more fun had a tone been decided on and the writers had taken better advantage of the 5 years of available story from the original show.

4 years, 9 months ago

AKB48Fan rated Firewall

 Firewall 6/10

4 years, 10 months ago

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

With his family held for ransom, Jack, a security executive for a global bank, is commanded to loot his own business. He then faces the demanding task of thwarting the kidnapper's scheme. This is an edgy and enjoyable piece of recycled cinema. The basic plot is the stuff of old capers and thriller clichés, yet it was more than renewed through its use of advance technology and new attempts that the entire movie almost looks new. Director Richard Loncraine gives the movie a sufficient amount of pacing and creativity and with Harrison Ford as the lead actor who gives the same amount of grit and charm it was bound to be good. Nice to see Nikolaj Coster-Waldau pre-Game of Thrones as one of the baddies. I more than enjoyed this movie and never found it dragging. Worthy of taking a look.

4 years, 10 months ago

AKB48Fan rated Flatliners

 Flatliners 6/10

4 years, 10 months ago

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

Five medical students decide to embark on a dangerous experiment to attempt to learn more about the afterlife. However, their experiment begins to go awry and they almost bring themselves near death. Having watched the 2017 movie, I wanted to see the original. This is definitely better than the weak remake. I can't say it's a perfect movie though especially some of the things that Joel Schumacher does. The editing is too jarring with several quick cuts between the five students and the illusory imagery that didn't necessarily suit the dark aesthetics of reality. There's a few spine tingling scenes including the gloomy subway where a super talented crawling dog traverses the floor and the father relationship depicted for Julia Roberts' character. The cast is great with Kiefer Sutherland as quite an unlikable character. Julia Roberts and Kevin Bacon are also good in their roles. Not a classic by any means, this was still an interesting experience.

4 years, 10 months ago

AKB48Fan rated Beach Babes from Beyond

 Beach Babes from Beyond 2/10

4 years, 10 months ago

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

Three intergalactic beauties steal a spaceship and crash land in California where they have close encounters with three local beach boys. Swayze, Stallone, Travolta and Estevez. Sounds like a 90's Expendables party except it's not. They share the same bloodline, but these aren’t A-listers. They’re the siblings and relatives of very famous people who appeared in a lot of early 90's B-movies to capitalise on their celebrity last name. This is one of those movies and a total stinker. The plot is non-existent but at least the so-called 3 beach babes are easy on the eye even if they can't act to save their lives. Joe Estevez gives a surprisingly charming performance. There are a few small laughs but this movie is very bad overall. Only take a look if you're really desperate to watch something and there's nothing better for you.

4 years, 10 months ago

AKB48Fan added 3 items to A New Decade! A New Year! Movies Watched In 2020 list

4 years, 10 months ago

AKB48Fan added 2 items to their collection

4 years, 10 months ago

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

All unemployed, Ki-taek’s family takes peculiar interest in the wealthy and glamorous Parks for their livelihood until they get entangled in an unexpected incident. Another brilliant movie from director Bong Joon-ho. It's a dark comedy-drama which takes a stab at Korean society and the growing class gap between the rich and the poor. It definitely deserved to win the Best Picture at the Oscars. The first hour of the movie is taut, engaging, and slyly amusing as the ne’er-do-well family slowly but surely work their way into the lives of their rich counterparts, taking over step by step while dealing with their own issues and insecurities. Then during the second hour things take a turn for the worst for Ki-taek and his family as their perfect plan starts to crumble with the visit during a rainstorm of the Parks' former housekeeper and then the unscheduled return of the Parks from their camping trip. The movie has an incredibly well-constructed story which packs a real punch and the acting by the whole cast is superb. Some might quibble at the long running time but I thought it went by quickly as I was so engrossed in the story. If you want to see what the fuss is all about and why this movie did so well at the Oscars, I definitely urge to see this highly recommended movie. I can't state enough how fantastic it really is.

4 years, 10 months ago

AKB48Fan rated Man in the Attic (1953)

 Man in the Attic (1953) 6/10

4 years, 10 months ago

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

Jack the Ripper's rampage has all of London gripped in fear - no matter how many constables patrol the streets, streetwalkers continue to turn up dead. On the night that a fourth woman is killed, the mysterious Slade rents out the attic of William and Helen Harley. Later, he meets their niece, Lily Bonner, an actress. While he intrigues her, his behaviour and obsessions arouse suspicion that Slade could be Jack the Ripper and Lily his next victim. This is a remake of the 1944 movie "The Lodger", which was a remake of the early Hitchcock silent with the same name. Jack Palance gives an excellent portrayal of the lodger who may or may not be Jack the Ripper. Palance has a certain menace here but yet you feel some sympathy for him. Since much of the movie's impact depends on the viewer not knowing for certain whether Palance is the Ripper, we can't see him committing any crimes. That's just as well, considering the nature of the crimes. The near absence of violence leaves the weight of the movie on the increasing number of incidents suggesting that Palance is in fact the man that his landlady suspects him of being. It all leads to a great climax in which the police chase Slade and he mysteriously disappears into the Thames. A moody and suspenseful movie, this is a great Ripper tale.

4 years, 10 months ago

AKB48Fan rated Beyond Atlantis (1973)

 Beyond Atlantis (1973) 2/10

4 years, 10 months ago

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

A band of adventurers invade a native island determined to grab a reported fortune in pearls. The islanders are just as determined to keep their sacred treasure. This movie should have been called Beyond Poor as it's that crap! The story moves ponderously, lavishing attention on droll underwater footage, notable only for leering at actress Leigh Christian’s fur bikini-clad ass. Don't expect any monsters of any kind in this movie either - you do get to see some islanders with weird bug eyes though. The best thing about the movie is Sid Haig (Dragos from Jason of Star Command) as a cigar chomping villain and hearing the theme tune of Britain's The News At Ten in full. The ending in which the islanders drown themselves by walking into the sea thanks to the villains is totally unsatisfying. A total waste of 90 mins.

4 years, 10 months ago

AKB48Fan rated The Bamboo Saucer

 The Bamboo Saucer 4/10

4 years, 10 months ago

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

Government teams from the US and Russia parachute into China after reports of a crashed UFO in a peasant village. The two teams co-operate together to fight off the Chinese army. What could have been a good sci-fi actioner turns out to be a dull movie in the end. There's far too much talking and not enough action. The special effects are poor to say the least and as for the acting and dialogue, I have to say they're not much better either. The movie looks pretty dated. This was actor Dan Dureya's last movie - a pity he had to bow out on such a clunker as this one. Overall a movie that sci-fi fans should skip. Nothing here to recommend.

4 years, 10 months ago

AKB48Fan rated Black Belt Jones 2: The Tattoo Connection

 Black Belt Jones 2: The Tattoo Connection 6/10

4 years, 10 months ago

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

When a diamond is stolen in Hong Kong, the company insuring the diamond sends a former CIA agent to Hong Kong to retrieve it. Meanwhile, one of the thieves begins to have a change of heart because his girlfriend wants him to leave his criminal organisation. Some have called this a blaxploitation movie but I can't say that it is. It's hypothetically a sequel to Black Belt Jones, but it's not but since it has Jim Kelly kicking ass maybe that's enough to get it just over the line. The movie is unintentionally funny at times due to the dubbed soundtrack. There's actually very little comedy going on in this movie, but the strange accents and odd choices kept me amused. It takes a while for the movie to really get going, coming together for an epic martial arts fight at the end. Even though he's the main star, Jim Kelly disappears for vast lengths of time, while the criminals try to find some way to sell their ill-gotten gains. Bolo Yeung gets a small role. An average martial arts movie - nothing more nothing less.

4 years, 10 months ago