tommy-john-watson Reviews

Frankenstein Meets the Spacemonster (1965)

What, you want more generic Hollywood blockbusters?

[8/10 · 31 December 2021]

This was either a worthy attempt at a film, or James Karen wanted a chance to cart around his attractive costar on a moped. Either way, it's mildly charming.

Take a bit of "Mars Needs Women", "Invaders From Mars", the Qustor Tapes, any Rubber Monster Movie from the 60's, and top it off with a little "From Justin to Kelly", and you will come up with FMTSM. It's an earnest movie where everyone seemingly did their best with a limited budget. I gotta admit - faced with seeing this again or "Matrix: Resurrections", I'd choose this one in a second - because at least it has a heart.

If you had the US military at your disposal, and were going to try to salvage a multi-million dollar space mission that had consumed seven years of your professional life, wouldn't you choose to go on a moped?

Check out of the Hollywood carousel of overblown, overlong, rehashed garbage and take a trip to the 60's, when the world was young and the industry still made movies because they wanted to tell a story. It's probably free. Give it a try and you won't be sorry!

Dean (2016)

Brilliant and Out - of - the - Box

[10/10 · 19 September 2018]

This is an excellent movie. If you want to watch the same thing over and over again, then don't bother with Dean. You might want to watch a few episodes of Demetri Martin's Show, Important Things. This movie is an excellent complement to his extremely intelligent and offbeat sense of humor.

The entire cast is strong, but Demetri Gillian Jacobs are especially charming. Their silly love story is satisfying without being a cliche.

More, please!

Jug Face (2013)

Better than 90% of Hollywood junk

[7/10 · 12 April 2014]

While it clearly suffers from a low budget, this movie works harder and is more interesting than most of the product that comes out of Hollywood these days.

You will enjoy the twist and turns in the plot. The writers obviously put more effort into the storyline than their big-budget counterparts in the film industry.

The lead actress is impressive as a victim of circumstance who yearns to break free of her world.

It's an intimate look into a slimy dirty mini-society... decent acting, believable dialog and passable set design. Give these folks some real funding and I bet they hit a home run.