Be Excellent To Each Other

I never watch trailers but that was on when I saw TF1 and it was inescapable given it was in the cinema and yeah it looked like a lot of fun. I'm always up for a Christmas movie.

@blucey You may enjoy this: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t ... 0652460306

I listened to it earlier this week, as it happens.

Ta, Grim. I'll give it a listen.

I actually got to interview James O'Barr (the guy who wrote the comic) a few years back when the remake was first mooted. He was a nice guy. We had a good chat about music.

That's cool!

Speak No Evil is quite anxiety inducing.

I don’t know if anyone here has a library service that connects with Kanopy (I think it’s part of either Libby or BorrowBox) but they have a load of classic films, world cinema and documentaries, as well as The Great Courses, etc, there available to watch for free.

It’s a standalone app for phone/tablet/laptop, and there is an app for the TV or you can cast it to your tv if you prefer.

I just checked, and it seems that Worcester public library does offer Kanopy. I then glanced at the map which showed their library locations and noted the one next to the international airport, before realising that this was Worcester Massachusetts.....

79 - Knights of Badassdom. A silly horror comedy about a bunch of LARPers who unleash a demon during a live role play session. Full of actors you'll recognise from various US TV shows. I enjoyed it. The pacing wasn't great but the film's only 85 mins (with credits) so it wasn't a problem. Budget was low too and that showed in some of the effects work. But yeah, it was alright. 3/5

Azreal (on Shudder) Starring the lead from 'Ready or Not'...post apocalyptic, gnarly horror with no dialogue, splendid fun, not a classic by any means but a fun use of 83 minutes.

There potentially a huge spoiler in the guardian review of the new Hugh Grant film.

Is there a twist right at the end where it's revealed that his character is actually the Prime Minister from Love, Actually and that he has descended into psychopathy due to being disgraced in office over his frankly outrageous abuse of his position of authority to get in Martine McCutcheon's pants?

I think you'll find that he didn't abuse his position to get into her pants at all. He abused his position in an attempt not to get into her pants when he fired her, which ultimately didn't work.

Spoilers.

Last night's Halloween film was Strangeland (on Prime). I only found out about it yesterday from a podcast...A Dee Snider (lead singer of Twisted Sister) penned body horror, with starring as the antagonist, Dee Snider! Now my opinion is coloured by my teenage fandom of Twisted Sister but while in no way good, it was immensely entertaining and features one of my favourite tropes in films...the Punk / Industrial Night Club. 80minutes of gory fun.

We watched Dungeons & Dragons, honour amongst thieves.

It started off quite badly and I really wasn't getting into it, in fact I was tempted to turn it off within the first 10 or 15 minutes, and then I fell asleep for a few moments.

However, by about the halfway mark it really seemed to start to pick up, and by the end I was somewhat invested in the characters and their story, I actually cared about it. It was quite formulaic, at the same time it seemed competently done.

I like a light hearted approach but playing it for laughs straight from the get go is risky, and at first I found it a bit too grating. It worked in, say, Thor Ragnarok, as we had already got to know the characters and it was a fun diversion. I'm glad I stuck with it as I really dont like giving up on a film once I've started it, but the beginning really made me worry that I'd made a duff choice.

Conversely, I watched Napoleon, and while it started off strong, it rapidly goes downhill. It wanted to be epic so badly but executed it so poorly. I’m not entirely sure why it’s quite so bad as a film, hell, some of the battles are decent, but it was just missing some heart and soul that should have been there. I’ve really got to have a think why this misses the mark but it just feels ‘off’ for some reason. The ending is hilariously bad as well. He falls off a chair. Crackers…

It was fucking Napoleon wasn’t it? Why’s he such a drip?

Which is (generally speaking) worse? A bad start that picks up, or a strong start that leads to an unsatisfying ending?

Personally, i think while a bad start may make people switch over/walk out, a weak finish is worse as there's that feeling of missed potential.

Deffo worse to end poorly.

Per example, Predators. Comes out strongly, sets up an interesting group of characters and an interesting premise, sags a bit in the middle when Laurence Morpheus shows up and then just bails on having an ending at all. Awful.

Or Terminator: Genisys which starts about as good as a Terminator film can start and ends as badly as is possible to do without literally doing it on purpose to tank the movie.

I love Alien3 but the whole final quarter of that movie is rubbish (until then it's a 10/10) and that's why people have such a poor impression of it I guess.

Whereas there are some films that redeem themselves by ending strongly.

One Cut of the Dead is literally a film of three thirds. The first third is as rubbish as you'll ever see anything. Get through that and the rest will blow your mind.

Also, I watched a film yesterday, Against the Night, which totally redeemed itself by where the ending went. Until then it was pretty poor.


81 - Animal House. Well you couldn't make this today. Classic US college comedy with all manner of social issues dealt with in a way that'd get you cancelled off of the planet. 4/5

82 - The Beekeeper. It's not the stupidest film ever (that'd be The Transporter 3) but fuck me it's close. Woman gets scammed by a call centre that's being ran by a sort of dickhead Logan Paul type. Commits suicide. Her gardener then turns out to be some sort of above top secret operative who then rampages through the film on god mode. It's so fucking dumb. It gets two points for the action and loses the rest because of the writing and for the supporting actress (the girl from Umbrella Academy) who is wildly shit throughout. 2/5

83 - Against the Night. This is a horror film set in an abandoned prison and it might be shit but it redeems itself along the way and in the end I was left kind of surprised by where it all went. A generous 3/5.

84 - High Fidelity. He may be playing an insufferable dickhead but John Cusack is always likeable and he's great in this. Loses a point for overusing rain every time he's vulnerable and for introducing the world to Jack Black. 4/5

It's much worse to end badly. It leaves a bad taste in the mouth. I reckon people give bad starts a pass, especially in the cinema where the sunk cost will keep them in their seats longer.

Slightly related anecdote: in 1999, my mum decided to go to the movies for the first time in forever and took me with her. She let me choose the movie and as an 18 year old wannabe movie buff, I chose The Red Line. Anyone who has seen that film will know it is a very slow paced nearly 3 hour movie with some very long shots of not much happening. What it is not, is a Saving Private Ryan style gung-ho action fest. It's slow, philosophical and dry.

After about an hour, a guy at the back of the cinema, seemingly damaged by another long shot of sky, shouted "fuck this!" and walked out of the room. Over the next 15 minutes or so, the cinema basically went from full to maybe 10% full as people agreed with the first dissenter.

I'm sorry to say, we left soon after as my Mum, bless her, didn't understand the movie at all and was only staying quiet because I'd chosen the film.

As we left, the manager offered us a refund as basically everyone who walked out had asked for one As memory serves, we decided to use our credit to see Plunkett and Macleane, which was a worthy substitute.

I have never seen the end of The Thin Red Line. And now my mum has gone, I don't think I ever will

Ha! Genuinely funny!

I hate films that don't respect your time.

If this was a joke, it was a very good one.

I was given The Thin Red Line on VHS/DVD (I think it was DVD but I am not sure I had a DVD player that early, so maybe it was VHS) as a present shortly after it came out.

I started watching it, and just gave up, it was so boring. I've never tried to revisit it.

Watched a few films with the lad..

Transformers one. I have to say I was impressed. It is an origin story of Megatron and Prime. It is well paced and funny. After bumble bee this is my 2nd fav transformers film.

The flash…. Well I won’t get that time back. It was terrible. A few minor funny bits… but that was it.

85 - From Black. Solid horror film about a useless drug addict mother whose child goes missing and she's offered a chance to get him back using a ritual. It's really well shot and while the scares are pretty mild, it was engaging. 4/5

86 - Deadstream. A streamer goes to a haunted house and everything kicks off. Has a sort of budget-y, modern Evil Dead kind of feel to it, albeit toned down. Actually, I probably enjoyed it more than Evil Dead 2013 and Evil Dead Rise. 3.5/5

I found the lead in Deadstream too annoying, which I guess is realistic.

It’s a fine Christmas film. Good silly fun and special effects that will have traumatised some of the younger audience members.

Did you see it at the cinema? I want to watch it, but I feel I need to have the tree up to feel Christmassy first.

Yep, just got back.

They've gone early with it - looks like it disappears from Cineworld after this week, but maybe it'll be back nearer the time.

Watched Alien: Romulus at the weekend and was pleasantly surprised. Solid Alien flick that's not particularly interested in expanding the mythology and all the better for it (although the final alien looked a bit silly).

87 - The Host. Korean monster flick that is highly rated but had serious issues. The monster stuff was okay, albeit the CGI had definitely aged out. But it does all the fun stuff up front and then gives you an overdose of family drama with the usual Korean acting that makes you think that they've never met real people in their lives. Absolutely awful acting. There's a bit where four of them are mourning the death of a girl and it's literally the worst scene from any film. One of them is trying to pull his hair out. Another guy dropkicks him for no reason. Terrible. But it had some good ideas along the way. 2.5

88 - The Cabin in the Woods. I love it so much. Funny, original, effective horror that goes batshit mental when it finally reveals what it is really about. 5/5

89 - Braindead. Peter Jackson's best film. Had been quite a few years so I was surprised at how great it still is. The effects haven't aged out at all. It might still be the best practical effects gore film ever made. And it's funny too. 5/5

90 - There's Something in the Barn. Xmas horror that doesn't deliver. Yet another hateable teen girl character (a near constant modern trope), a dumb as shit dad and a weird elf as the antagonist. 2/5

Attempted Rumours (2024) which is the leaders of the G7 (Cate Blanchett as German PM, Charles Dance as the US President) get lost in the woods with some weird zombies/bog-people attacking them. Gave up after 20 minutes. Absolute rubbish!

When you describe it like that it sounds funny and cool.

Lady T chose the film this time and she picked Plane. She rather likes Gerard Butler films.

The premise of the film is basic and a little silly, but it was more entertaining than I expected and overall was a solid if predictable and corny find of action film that doesn't bear thinking about too deeply... if it all.....

Basically, a pilot has to do an emergency landing after a storm but the place he lands is full of Bad Guys. Luckily, after some FIGHTING and some SHOOTING (and a bit about a prisoner on board that everyone is suspicious of but turns out to be, of course, a Good Guy who can also SHOOT and FIGHT) the day is saved through some improbable action. One or two passengers do die but not the most attractive ones so that's all OK then.

The CGI of the plane in the storm was a bit off, it was like the plane and the camera view were all over the place and it seemed awkward, but apart from that it was a pretty enjoyable film.

That's the thing. I'm not sure if they are going for funny. I think they just think that people mourn like that when their daughter is killed. They might be playing it for laughs but you can't tell with Korean films.

91 - The Terminator. It's still great. The story is perfect, the performances are excellent and there's just no fat on it at all. It's such a raw film. The effects are ageing a bit but not enough to spoil anything. It's definitely the best in the series and it's not even close. 5/5

This is correct. How the fella who plays Lionel never became a big star is beyond me, his physical comedy is brilliant...and the fact we have not had the further adventures of Selwyn is a crime.

I can live with this opinion.


This one, however, is wrong.

I never, ever, tire of watching The Terminator. It is one of my absolute favourites.

You're a clever guy so I'm assuming you're not talking about Salvation, Genisys or Dark Fate here. I've got a soft spot for T3 but also probably not that.

My issue with Terminator 2 stems from seeing it back then in the cinema. I came out of there disappointed. It just felt so lame.

Terminator is so raw, scary and hardcore. T2 added a lot of unnecessary faff. I don't need to see Arniebot saying 'I know now why you cry' and I certainly don't need all that Guns n Roses shit. The thing back then was that the big twist of Arnie being good was spoiled by EVERY MEDIA OUTLET IN THE WORLD which was a shame also.

It's a good film though. Lots of fun action sequences and the T-1000 stuff is all superb. But it feels like a flabby family-friendly entry into the series and one that set the tone for all the films to come as they all had to add stupid humour. In Terminator the only potentially funny bit is Arnie saying 'Fuck you, Asshole' which is delivered entirely deadpan where as T2 has all that standing on one leg nonsense and learning to smile/be sassy. Also, think about the police station scene in Terminator. Absolutely brutal. Then in T2 he's not allowed to kill anyone. I mean it still works but it's so unnecessarily twee.



Same. I've seen it so many times now. I did actually download a fan edit that reintroduces all the deleted scenes and apparently fixes some effects but the audio was out of sync so I went back to the 4K version and it's still GREAT.

I’ve never seen The Terminator. Everyone says it’s aces, so I feel like I SHOULD watch it, but I’m worried that it will be like when everyone said I should watch Star Wars, and how amazing it was, so I watched the first one (the original 70s one) and it was rubbish.

Hot(ish) take - Star Wars is a middling film that started an excellent franchise.

Terminator is an excellent film that started a (mostly) middling franchise.

(T2 is really good though, and that GnR track rules)

this...

The only Terminator film I don't like is Genysis. Oh and T3.

T2 is AWESOME. Ground breaking, never bettered as a contemporary Action Sci-Fi.

BUT "The Terminator" is just sublime. Nightmarish, atmospheric and exciting. The night club scene where Kyle is waiting for the Terminator to reveal himself is amazing.

The Terminator anime thing on Netflix was decent I thought.

T3 gets brownie points for the ending, IMO.

I stopped watching half way through the first episode, I was not keen.

THIS. It also has some excellent set pieces.



Genisys does at least have a great opening 10-15 minutes. But then it becomes the worst film in the series. From the terrible casting, the shitty plot and the utterly unexciting ending. It's just such a mess.

I hate Salvation. It just doesn't feel like a Terminator movie. In fact there's hardly any Terminators in it. Just shitty Terminator Fish and a few T-600s. The Arnie bit was sort of cool but then he insists on just flinging John around for no reason. Grab his throat and squeeze. Who programmed you?!

Also, the ending is beyond shit. John gets heart surgery IN A DESERT with presumably no in date drugs and they give him someone else's heart that was, just an hour before, punched to DEATH by fake Arnie. And this was all done by a VET?! Shite!

Dark Fate's the weirdest one. It commits actual crimes. Arnie becomes a nappy changing drapes repair robot for NO REASON? Linda Hamilton now looks like Katie Hopkins? Awful. But I did quite like the Grace character.

T1 is better than the rest combined.

My second favourite Terminator movie isn't a Terminator movie at all. It's a film called Annihilator from 1986 and it basically feels like a Terminator movie. It's got the guy who plays Doctor Silberman in it as well. And it's absolutely glorious. In a made-for-TV kind of way.

Yep, the shots of the missiles and the radio comms are properly chilling. It really wouldn't have needed many changes to make it great film.

A better actress playing the TX (or at least an actress with better direction) would have helped. Terminators shouldn't need to pout.

Agree, the ending was impactful. The rest of the film, not so much.

My eldest turns 12 in Jan and I'm wondering at what point I can start introducing him to excellent films such as Terminator, RoboCop, Predator and Commando.

I feel like it's soon, really soon... But just not quite yet. He's almost ready.