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The Nun II (2023)
Is it Me, Or has The Nun's Apperance Lost Its Shock Factor
Knowing that Ed is present for the exorcism of frenchie and that's technically a pivotal moment in the relationship of Ed and Loraine (according to the films), and the look Irene gives Frenchy at the end of the film makes me certain we're due for a 3rd Nun film. I had a feeling this movie was going to be a bit stale. The design and appearance of the Nun creeping in dark shadowy halls in the film has lost its shock factor. And the increased exposure of the creature has decreased the menacing creepiness of the Nun. It always was more terrifying when all you were able to see was a silhouette of the Nun and the pale face. I give them credit as they've built a pretty solid story building to the exorcism of Frenchy. They've also found creative ways of adding these religious relics to the storyline as weapons against the demon. When they first released Annabelle people were really creeped out by the dolls lore. In 2023 it's looked at as a new age Chucky doll attached to a major film franchise. It feels like the Conjuring Universe is building to something huge. I have said for years it's building to a Amityville Film as a grand finale. But after this film and the inevitable third film, it's clear that the franchise might want to find a new horrific creature from the cases of the Warren's to add to the library of horror.
Dredd (2012)
Fun Action Remake
The movie is such a fun film. It's only around 90 minutes so it's not long to sit through. There's a lot that happens in that small time. Judge Dredd is such a violent force with probably on of the best Science Fiction weapons of all time. It's cheap effects so it looks like a gun at a laser tag place. But it's so much fun to watch him mow people down. The cast of this film is awesome. The evil drug lord is player Lena Hedley from Game of Thrones and Judge Dredd is played by Karl Urban from the Boys. This movie is a remake from the Sylvester Stallone 90's cult classic. The rookie psychic was played by Olivia Thirlby who's played small parts in some large films. She's a really talented actress and I thought she did great in this film. And NIU legend Wood Harris played a small part in this film, but was awesome as the evil murderous drug dealer. I love the setting of the film, and the design of the block that they're in. The acting in this film for a lower budget is spectacular as they got a lot of actors who became some really popular stars who've played really culturally significant roles. The film had 14 nominations. If you're looking for a quick action packed film, this is a really good film to check out.
Alien (1979)
Imagine you're watching this in 1979
This film is potentially one of the most pioneering films of all time. The scene where the alien pops out of the mans chest had never been scene in a film before. This movie is so terrifying if you put yourself in 1979. If you thought Jaws was horrifying, the Alien created in this film had design ahead of its time. This film would set off a franchise of movies that would leave a legacy like only few films have. The movie established Ridley Scott and Sigourney Weaver as legends in the world of science fiction. What Alien does so well is it builds anticipation. Like the second crew member to die, trying to get the cat out of the engine room when the alien comes down from the chain and we see it's fun form for the first time. Or when the captain is traveling through the air ducts trying to corner the alien with a flame thrower. There most likely will never be a movie like Alien, whose significance is felt in horror/monster movie drama and science fiction. This movie holds up as you can go back and watch this film in 2023, and it's just as good watching this in 1979.
Gojira (1954)
Great introduction to one of the most iconic monsters
This film excels in what a lot of the Godzilla movies fail at. It displays the impact on the humans from the destruction of the monster very well. From the girls singing in the church to the broken scientist dealing with the decision to release his weapon of mass destruction. It is a true origin story explaining the radioactive element to the monster well, during a time nuclear weapons held a significant amount of trauma and interest in Japanese culture.
Black Summer (2019)
The Zombies!
The one interesting thing about this show is it actually makes the zombies terrifying by making them incredibly difficult to kill. It is a realistic twist on a monster/genre that has become boring due to the weakness they display in other shows/films (the walking dead).
Uncut Gems (2019)
Adam Sandler's best work
This film is nothing like any of the other movies Adam Sandler has done before. It was edge of your seat action packed and has a wild plot twist in the end of the movie. It is one of the movies that you only need to watch it once to remember every moment and detail of the film.
Just Mercy (2019)
I just stopped crying
I just stopped crying right now. In fact I have chills all over my body from watching this film. It was so impactful and powerful. I truly loved every second. I felt like this might have been the best performance of Jamie Fox's career. And to come out when it did, with all the riots going on around George Floyd's murder, is absolutely impactful to the fight for justice going on in America right now. After watching this film, how can you not see it is time for a change. As white people, we need to find empathy for what the African American community has gone through in this country, and aid in their healing together as neighbors should.
Enter the Dragon (1973)
Trail Blazing and ahead of its time
This movie set so many ground rules for making a kung fu film. Bruce Lee is so dynamic on the screen, and his intensity is felt through the film. If you like a great revenge storyline, this is the perfect film for you as Lee starts from the bottom to topple a massive crime lord. Below is my synopsis:
Bruce Lee plays an elite martial artist in this film who agrees to be hired on as a spy to enter a martial arts tournament on a remote island of a heroin dealing crime lord. Lee uses his invitation as cover against the eyes of Han, his henchman Bolo, and the army of fighters. Lee is accompanied by two Americans Roper, and Williams, all of who have their own personal back story that raised initial interest of Han. Lee uses his concentration and fighting to take down Han and release the hundreds are held captive on the island.
Be Water (2020)
Need a little bit more *SPOILERS*
I would have enjoyed a deeper dive into the death of Bruce Lee. I felt as though they briefly touched on it and moved on. There really was nothing new learned about Bruce here which was a little disappointing. Here is my synopsis on the film:
Bruce Lee had come home from 12 years in America in hope to graduate school and become a success. He moved back to Hong Kong where he used to get in a lot of trouble to do Martial Arts or Gung Fu films. He struggled adapting to a very white and racist America.
He becomes adopted to the young American life when he begins teaching his Gung Fu class. His students tough him a lot about handling himself in America.
America brings in the Chinese to help build the West. They kick them out to restore America by passing laws against the Chinese. This became even worse when WW2 against the Japanese and the Vietnam War caused racial tension against Asian countries in America.
Bruce Lee is born in San Francisco, and his dad who is part of the Chinese Oprah introduces and raises Bruce into show business. Shortly after his birth, his family goes to Hong Kong. Grows up with a wealthy family.
In Hong Kong, Bruce Lee becomes very famous child actor. And his study's under Y-I-P Man where he becomes his very best student.
The world of acting and martial arts begins to get him in a lot of fights and trouble. Bruce Lee was very offended by how Chinese people were portrayed in American and Hollywood. A lot of white people would play them in a monstrous and racist ways,, and the popular roles were played by white people. He came up with the idea of your movements being soft like water but sharp at the same time like a harsh wave. During the time he is studying all the arts he marry's Linda, his white wife.
Bruce Lee opened the door for a lot of Asian American's in the country during a time of uprising in America. As everyone was going against the African American Community, the white society starting respecting the mostly silent Asian Community. During Green Hornet, Brandon is born. He did writing and reading while the Green Hornet got canceled he began side work as a stunt coordinator. During the family time while he was studying, he had his daughter Shannon who he absolutely loved and was crazy for. Although money was tight, they were happy. Bruce Lee begins to teach a lot of the famous celebrities and is known as a wise and cool friend to many.
Bruce Lee was influenced by the experiments of the 1960's and the challenging of the establishment and styles that make people different and not combining them together. The protest's and American sports was a huge inspiration, including boxing (more so Muhammad Ali).
Faced rejection again because Warner Bro's were afraid that the American Audience weren't going to accept his accent as a leading role. He took on Hong Kong as a minor league after constantly only being able to land minor roles. He was recognized by Hollywood for his teachings, but he was a huge star in Hong Kong so he threw all that away to pursue his dream of being a lead. He was viewed as the prodigal son that had returned.
Eventually partnered with Hollywood but was very strict and kind of an ass to his American partners to be given creative freedom. Anything spiritual and philosophical in his films was his writing.
In 1973 Bruce began collapsing and having severe migraines. He was a strong 32 year old man, they said the painkillers mixed with his heart condition caused him to pass away. It was extreme madness around his death as people mourned his death. Enter the dragon grosses 91 million, and it was saved as culturally significant and stored in the library of world history.