Is this the best sequel of all time? I would say Yes, certainly better than the overrated Godfather Part II.
After the Death Star is no more, Luke Skywalker is a bit lost after the death of Obi-Wan Kenobi. He seeks out the new Jedi Master, who is Yoda. Cue the training academy sequence, when he learns the power of the Force. Just in time for a climactic battle with Darth Vader, who reveals the most famous movie line ever: "Luke, I am you father!"
I heard a funny statement on Generation X: "Ultimately everything comes back to Star Wars".
And yes, Star Wars (1977) is the best of the series.
* * * * *
Vertigo (1958)
Does this deserve its American Film Institute Top 10 rating? Another film that might have been slightly ahead of its time. Which is not always a compliment.
James Stewart plays Scottie, a San Francisco detective who is forced into retirement after witnessing an accident that causes fear of open spaces and vertigo. He is hired as a private detective to follow Madeline (Kim Novak) whose husband suspects her of being in danger. Scottie falls for her, but in a complicated plot twist, Madeline may not be who Scottie thinks she is.
A twist on the Hitchcock "Wrong Man" theme - some of the ideas may have been adapted by Christopher Nolan in his time travelling/parallel worlds.
Interesting themes of male domination and female submission. Also classic cinematography with the San Francisco scenery and the quick zoom/camera spin that have become common in the handheld era.
**** of 5
James Stewart plays Scottie, a San Francisco detective who is forced into retirement after witnessing an accident that causes fear of open spaces and vertigo. He is hired as a private detective to follow Madeline (Kim Novak) whose husband suspects her of being in danger. Scottie falls for her, but in a complicated plot twist, Madeline may not be who Scottie thinks she is.
A twist on the Hitchcock "Wrong Man" theme - some of the ideas may have been adapted by Christopher Nolan in his time travelling/parallel worlds.
Interesting themes of male domination and female submission. Also classic cinematography with the San Francisco scenery and the quick zoom/camera spin that have become common in the handheld era.
**** of 5
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
Instead of Volume 2, I would have called this "B Side". For those too young to know, a B side is the flip side of a 45 single record. It was a "OK" song, but it was packaged with the better song, because you probably would not buy it otherwise.
I'd also call this a B Movie, with somewhat second rate stories and effects. It certainly hearkens to it 80s vibe, with the soundtrack (Brandy/You're a Fine Girl, ELO, Fleetwood Mac) and the color effects of the universe.
We return with the same cast of Guardians of the Galaxy characters, Peter/Star-Lord (Chris Pratt), Gamora (Zoe Saldana) Rocket (Bradley Cooper) , Drax (Dave Bautista) , and now we have Baby Groot (Vin Diesel ?). The perfect baby character. Of course he steals the show. Continuing the story, we have a new type of villain, this time an entire planet (Ego) played in the flesh by Kurt Russell. Mr. B Movie himself. Ego reveals himself to be the father of Peter (sound familiar?) and entices him to join him. Will Peter join the Dark Side?
The most interesting characters (Yondu, Nebula) and the Ravagers (headed by Sly Stallone) are only small parts. Too bad. But they are setting up Vol. 3 which will likely be at least more original than this Empire Strikes Back copy.
Check out Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back for a more interesting take on the Star Wars parody. And it includes Mark Hamill as well.
I'd also call this a B Movie, with somewhat second rate stories and effects. It certainly hearkens to it 80s vibe, with the soundtrack (Brandy/You're a Fine Girl, ELO, Fleetwood Mac) and the color effects of the universe.
We return with the same cast of Guardians of the Galaxy characters, Peter/Star-Lord (Chris Pratt), Gamora (Zoe Saldana) Rocket (Bradley Cooper) , Drax (Dave Bautista) , and now we have Baby Groot (Vin Diesel ?). The perfect baby character. Of course he steals the show. Continuing the story, we have a new type of villain, this time an entire planet (Ego) played in the flesh by Kurt Russell. Mr. B Movie himself. Ego reveals himself to be the father of Peter (sound familiar?) and entices him to join him. Will Peter join the Dark Side?
The most interesting characters (Yondu, Nebula) and the Ravagers (headed by Sly Stallone) are only small parts. Too bad. But they are setting up Vol. 3 which will likely be at least more original than this Empire Strikes Back copy.
Check out Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back for a more interesting take on the Star Wars parody. And it includes Mark Hamill as well.
Big Trouble in Little China (1985)
Advertised on Netflix as a Cult Classic, this Kung-Fu/Time Travelling story is just crazy enough to take somewhat seriously.
Starring Kurt Russell, it's biggest strength is its showcasing of martial arts in a somewhat respectful and interesting way. Directed by John Carpenter (Halloween, Escape from New York - B movie director). Also starring Kim Cattrell, before she hit it big with Sex and the City.
Worth a look for free. Otherwise, its a classic.. 80s B movie.
Starring Kurt Russell, it's biggest strength is its showcasing of martial arts in a somewhat respectful and interesting way. Directed by John Carpenter (Halloween, Escape from New York - B movie director). Also starring Kim Cattrell, before she hit it big with Sex and the City.
Worth a look for free. Otherwise, its a classic.. 80s B movie.
The Circle
Emma Watson is Mae, a new (Guppy) employee at the high tech company, The Circle. As an information/surveillance company, the Circle is always watching its Circlers. When Mae gets into a tight spot, the Circle helps her out. As a result, she agrees with Eamon (Tom Hanks), Circle's founder, to be a guinea pig for a new experiment.
While billed as a thriller, with a harbinger of doom from Ty (John Boyega), it falls a bit flat. We know there is something at the center of the Circle, but it's hard to find out. As a result, the drama never quite gets there.
Maybe we'd need to read the book first. But the movie didn't make me want to rush to get it.
Good cinematography with the campus setting of the Circle. Reminded me of Epic. Maybe all that medical info that Epic is gathering will make it the next Circle. It could happen!
* * of 5
While billed as a thriller, with a harbinger of doom from Ty (John Boyega), it falls a bit flat. We know there is something at the center of the Circle, but it's hard to find out. As a result, the drama never quite gets there.
Maybe we'd need to read the book first. But the movie didn't make me want to rush to get it.
Good cinematography with the campus setting of the Circle. Reminded me of Epic. Maybe all that medical info that Epic is gathering will make it the next Circle. It could happen!
* * of 5
Summer movie preview
A goal for last summer was to see 12 movies. Other than ones I have already previewed, here is a list of some I hope to see.
Baywatch - starring Dwayne Johnson, Zac Efron - May 25- directed by Seth Gordon (Horrible Bosses)
War Machine - starring Brad Pitt - May 26
Snatched - starring Amy Schumer, Goldie Hawn - May 12
The Mummy - starring Tom Cruise - June 9
All Eyez On Me - biopic of Tupac Shakur - June 16
Rough Night - bachelorette version of The Hangover - June 16
Beguiled - Civil War drama starring Colin Farrell, Elle Fanning - June 23
Atomic Blonde - starring Charlize Theron - July 28
Dunkirk - directed by Christopher Nolan - July 21
Spider Man: Homecoming - July 7
An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power - July 28
The Bad Batch - Keanu Reeves - June 28
That's 12! But check out my other info for Wonder Woman, Alien: Convent, etc.
Baywatch - starring Dwayne Johnson, Zac Efron - May 25- directed by Seth Gordon (Horrible Bosses)
War Machine - starring Brad Pitt - May 26
Snatched - starring Amy Schumer, Goldie Hawn - May 12
The Mummy - starring Tom Cruise - June 9
All Eyez On Me - biopic of Tupac Shakur - June 16
Rough Night - bachelorette version of The Hangover - June 16
Beguiled - Civil War drama starring Colin Farrell, Elle Fanning - June 23
Atomic Blonde - starring Charlize Theron - July 28
Dunkirk - directed by Christopher Nolan - July 21
Spider Man: Homecoming - July 7
An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power - July 28
The Bad Batch - Keanu Reeves - June 28
That's 12! But check out my other info for Wonder Woman, Alien: Convent, etc.
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