|
Post by lostinlimbo on Sept 15, 2021 15:56:44 GMT
Wow, Judge Reinhold as a leading no-nonsense action man. That’s a first. When I saw his name, and (serious) face on the poster I was expecting maybe a villain role and a nobody playing the action heroine going by the other names on the poster. Though the question, is he convincing in the role? I guess it depends on what tone the film is going for. How was the original film, as I got it on my Tubi watchlist... I think the sequel is also listed on the site. Have not yet seen the original (with Ian Griffith), but I will try to check it out, before October begins, as it might be a while until I will watch something action related, where my focus is probably more directed at horror/thrillers for a few weeks. The one with Reinhold was, meh, kind of movie. Silly and at times rather fast paced, but not something that I feel is worthy of "recommendation". But since it is most likely the one and only starring role, with Judge as a "serious" action hero, it might be something for those interested in witnessing that. The third film, I might have to hold off onto much later this year. Still, it comes with a few familiar action names, like Bo Svensson and Olivier Gruner, but looking at some of the reviews (on Letterboxd that is), I guess this one might be a complete disaster zone. A third Crackerjack film?! Mmmm decent cast. The novelty of a Die Hard knock-off spawning low-hanging sequels with an ever-changing cast in the twilight of their careers. Obviously someone out there (or quite possibly a fan club of one?) were demanding Crackerjack sequels.
|
|
|
Post by lostinlimbo on Sept 15, 2021 16:12:23 GMT
Likewise. Way more fun sequel. And of course Billy Drago chewing up the scenery. I should probably get to catch up with a few of the unseen 90s Norris films, like Hellbound and Sidekick, and I am also interested in a few of his earlier ones, such as Armed Force (I think the title is called). However, I have also season 1-5 on DVD, of Texas Walker Ranger on wait, and that is a show I would really love to get back to. Do you mean ‘Forced Vengeance’? Definitely one of my favourites. Very similar in style to “An Eye for an Eye”, but set in the bustle of Hong Kong. Brutal beat ‘em ups and hand-to-hand, like some sort of live-action video game... streets of rage/double dragon style. Played to his strengths too. Forget about emoting. Streamlined story squarely focused on the escalating action. Danger around every corner. ‘Sidekicks’ surprised me. This was definitely a fun Chuck Norris outing. I was expecting the worse, but there was a playful and goofy charm to it all. Kinda had a Karate Kid meets Last Action Hero vibe. The day dreams dreamt up of the boy teaming up with Norris fighting all different kinds of foes were so ridiculously self-aware, and happened more often than I was expecting. Honestly i went into this thinking Norris might only show up at the end, for the tournament. But yeah, it was a pleasant surprise. Hellbound, on the other hand, was a dud of an action-horror.
|
|
|
Post by mikef6 on Sept 15, 2021 16:23:12 GMT
I wonder if "Blade Runner" counts. It is a great action film by 1980s standards but slow by 21st century reckonings.
For "action movie" in the modern sense, my reply would be "Gunpowder Milkshake" which I watched for Karen Gillan but came away loving the entire female cast of Lena Headey, Angela Basset, Michelle Yeoh, and Carla Gugino.
|
|
|
Post by lostinlimbo on Sept 15, 2021 16:29:01 GMT
Dollar for the Dead (1998)A made-for-TV feature that is paying homage (sometimes generic throwaway visual, or dialogue references) or could feel mock serious in tone, is it parodying(?) all things spaghetti westerns (right down to union soldiers, Mexican soldiers, preacher, poor Mexican town and hidden gold). However for good measure during (most) shootouts it can become an out-of-place John Woo hybrid with flashy framing, dramatic flailing and slow-mo set-pieces. Very staged and low-budget in execution, but ridiculously daft when it escalates into the trampolining gun-fu moments to enliven the formula. Emilio Estevez is doing his best ‘man with no name’ impression. Steely eyed and all, but the hard boiled act isn’t very convincing. While the likes of William Forsythe, Howie Long, Jonathan Banks and Ed Lauter fair much better, especially when delivering their no-nonsense dialogues. Watched on Tubi.
|
|
mgmarshall
Junior Member
@mgmarshall
Posts: 2,052
Likes: 3,300
|
Post by mgmarshall on Sept 15, 2021 16:29:24 GMT
Wow, Judge Reinhold as a leading no-nonsense action man. That’s a first. When I saw his name, and (serious) face on the poster I was expecting maybe a villain role and a nobody playing the action heroine going by the other names on the poster. Though the question, is he convincing in the role? I guess it depends on what tone the film is going for. How was the original film, as I got it on my Tubi watchlist... I think the sequel is also listed on the site. Have not yet seen the original (with Ian Griffith) Interesting thing about the original Crackerjack is it's basically Die Hard at a ski resort with Christopher Plummer as Hans Gruber.
|
|
mgmarshall
Junior Member
@mgmarshall
Posts: 2,052
Likes: 3,300
|
Post by mgmarshall on Sept 15, 2021 22:04:36 GMT
The EnforcerOn previous viewings, this was always my favorite of the Dirty Harry sequels, and I think it still holds up in that spot for me. For lack of a better comparison, I sorta see it as the Rocky III of the series- it manages to hit that exact sweet spot balance between the seriousness of the first two entries and the more cartoonish, over-the-top qualities of the latter two. And that's how I like it. The fake-hippie villains are ridiculous caricatures, the black power stuff is hamfisted and insulting, the action is beyond excess (hell, we have Harry ramming a car through a storefront within the first ten minutes); and yet the film is still willing to be dark and harsh in spots- the gruesome-yet-entirely-bloodless autopsy scene, Robert Mitchum's poor fat brother just straight up getting stabbed in the back (and after he'd managed to actually survive two movies as Harry's sometime-partner!), Eastwood strangling the shit out of a prostitute to get information, and of course the utter downer of an ending. I respect a movie that can hit both of those tones and not feel inconsistent. And with the leanest, most fast-paced runtime of the entire series, it's an amazing feat that none of it gives the viewer whiplash. Eastwood is, of course, still right at home in the role; and this time Harry seems even more pissed off than usual. There are some moments where Harry really crosses the line in ways you wouldn't expect even him to do in this one (like the aforementioned hooker-strangling). I suppose Mitchum's character getting offed makes this one the "this time it's personal" entry of the series. And along for the ride as Harry's new partner (Gasp! She's a woman!) is the wonderful Tyne Daly. The movie makes a big deal of Harry's discomfort with having a lady partner, but Daly really holds her own, bringing a great deal of dimension to the character and working as a very solid comic foil to the stone-faced Harry. She and Eastwood have absolutely dynamite chemistry, it's honestly really a shame she bites it in the end. I would absolutely watch another movie with the two of them. Ah, I suppose it's just the curse of working with Harry Callahan. You've also got a beleaguered Harry Guardino reprising his role from the original, the deliciously smarmy, hateable Bradford Dillman, and a larger-than-usual role for series regular Albert Popwell, who brings a lot of laidback badassery to his role as a two-faced revolutionary leader. I do have a couple minor dislikes. I really don't love the windbreaker look Harry is rocking for most of the movie. Somehow the character just doesn't look right unless he's in a three-piece suit. I do love the trucker cap he puts on during his whorehouse rampage, though. It's a pretty fun little touch. Also, while Jerry Fielding's score is certainly jazzy and funky, it really lacks the personality of Lalo Schifrin, and kinda has a made-for-TV quality about it. (Although, as I recall, Schifrin's attempts to 80's-up his scores for the next two movies didn't impress me too much, either. Guess I'll remember better on my re-watch.) Overall, barring the original, it's probably the best Dirty Harry there is, and it certainly gives you the most bang for your buck.
|
|
|
Post by lostinlimbo on Sept 16, 2021 6:56:34 GMT
The EnforcerOn previous viewings, this was always my favorite of the Dirty Harry sequels, and I think it still holds up in that spot for me. For lack of a better comparison, I sorta see it as the Rocky III of the series- it manages to hit that exact sweet spot balance between the seriousness of the first two entries and the more cartoonish, over-the-top qualities of the latter two. And that's how I like it. The fake-hippie villains are ridiculous caricatures, the black power stuff is hamfisted and insulting, the action is beyond excess (hell, we have Harry ramming a car through a storefront within the first ten minutes); and yet the film is still willing to be dark and harsh in spots- the gruesome-yet-entirely-bloodless autopsy scene, Robert Mitchum's poor fat brother just straight up getting stabbed in the back (and after he'd managed to actually survive two movies as Harry's sometime-partner!), Eastwood strangling the shit out of a prostitute to get information, and of course the utter downer of an ending. I respect a movie that can hit both of those tones and not feel inconsistent. And with the leanest, most fast-paced runtime of the entire series, it's an amazing feat that none of it gives the viewer whiplash. Eastwood is, of course, still right at home in the role; and this time Harry seems even more pissed off than usual. There are some moments where Harry really crosses the line in ways you wouldn't expect even him to do in this one (like the aforementioned hooker-strangling). I suppose Mitchum's character getting offed makes this one the "this time it's personal" entry of the series. And along for the ride as Harry's new partner (Gasp! She's a woman!) is the wonderful Tyne Daly. The movie makes a big deal of Harry's discomfort with having a lady partner, but Daly really holds her own, bringing a great deal of dimension to the character and working as a very solid comic foil to the stone-faced Harry. She and Eastwood have absolutely dynamite chemistry, it's honestly really a shame she bites it in the end. I would absolutely watch another movie with the two of them. Ah, I suppose it's just the curse of working with Harry Callahan. You've also got a beleaguered Harry Guardino reprising his role from the original, the deliciously smarmy, hateable Bradford Dillman, and a larger-than-usual role for series regular Albert Popwell, who brings a lot of laidback badassery to his role as a two-faced revolutionary leader. I do have a couple minor dislikes. I really don't love the windbreaker look Harry is rocking for most of the movie. Somehow the character just doesn't look right unless he's in a three-piece suit. I do love the trucker cap he puts on during his whorehouse rampage, though. It's a pretty fun little touch. Also, while Jerry Fielding's score is certainly jazzy and funky, it really lacks the personality of Lalo Schifrin, and kinda has a made-for-TV quality about it. (Although, as I recall, Schifrin's attempts to 80's-up his scores for the next two movies didn't impress me too much, either. Guess I'll remember better on my re-watch.) Overall, barring the original, it's probably the best Dirty Harry there is, and it certainly gives you the most bang for your buck. If I was going to throw on a Dirty Harry film, and if not the original. I usually put this on, even though I wouldn’t call it my favourite of the sequels (that goes to ‘Sudden Impact’). As you said it’s a lean and mean outing. Breezes by. And I think it can be it’s fault too. But if I’m in a lazy mood, I like watching this entry. Eastwood and Daly had good chemistry. And the sparring scenes between Eastwood and Bradford Dillman were always amusing. Always loved how the first three films pretty much end of the same shot of Harry walking away as the camera pans out and the wonderful music score creeps in. One thing though, I thought the villains could’ve used a character actor in the shape of Don Stroud or Paul Kolso. I just found this group a bit on the bland side. No one really standing out from each other in spite of a few psychotic tendencies (namely the handiwork of DeVeren Bookwalter).
|
|
mgmarshall
Junior Member
@mgmarshall
Posts: 2,052
Likes: 3,300
|
Post by mgmarshall on Sept 16, 2021 9:46:35 GMT
The EnforcerOn previous viewings, this was always my favorite of the Dirty Harry sequels, and I think it still holds up in that spot for me. For lack of a better comparison, I sorta see it as the Rocky III of the series- it manages to hit that exact sweet spot balance between the seriousness of the first two entries and the more cartoonish, over-the-top qualities of the latter two. And that's how I like it. The fake-hippie villains are ridiculous caricatures, the black power stuff is hamfisted and insulting, the action is beyond excess (hell, we have Harry ramming a car through a storefront within the first ten minutes); and yet the film is still willing to be dark and harsh in spots- the gruesome-yet-entirely-bloodless autopsy scene, Robert Mitchum's poor fat brother just straight up getting stabbed in the back (and after he'd managed to actually survive two movies as Harry's sometime-partner!), Eastwood strangling the shit out of a prostitute to get information, and of course the utter downer of an ending. I respect a movie that can hit both of those tones and not feel inconsistent. And with the leanest, most fast-paced runtime of the entire series, it's an amazing feat that none of it gives the viewer whiplash. Eastwood is, of course, still right at home in the role; and this time Harry seems even more pissed off than usual. There are some moments where Harry really crosses the line in ways you wouldn't expect even him to do in this one (like the aforementioned hooker-strangling). I suppose Mitchum's character getting offed makes this one the "this time it's personal" entry of the series. And along for the ride as Harry's new partner (Gasp! She's a woman!) is the wonderful Tyne Daly. The movie makes a big deal of Harry's discomfort with having a lady partner, but Daly really holds her own, bringing a great deal of dimension to the character and working as a very solid comic foil to the stone-faced Harry. She and Eastwood have absolutely dynamite chemistry, it's honestly really a shame she bites it in the end. I would absolutely watch another movie with the two of them. Ah, I suppose it's just the curse of working with Harry Callahan. You've also got a beleaguered Harry Guardino reprising his role from the original, the deliciously smarmy, hateable Bradford Dillman, and a larger-than-usual role for series regular Albert Popwell, who brings a lot of laidback badassery to his role as a two-faced revolutionary leader. I do have a couple minor dislikes. I really don't love the windbreaker look Harry is rocking for most of the movie. Somehow the character just doesn't look right unless he's in a three-piece suit. I do love the trucker cap he puts on during his whorehouse rampage, though. It's a pretty fun little touch. Also, while Jerry Fielding's score is certainly jazzy and funky, it really lacks the personality of Lalo Schifrin, and kinda has a made-for-TV quality about it. (Although, as I recall, Schifrin's attempts to 80's-up his scores for the next two movies didn't impress me too much, either. Guess I'll remember better on my re-watch.) Overall, barring the original, it's probably the best Dirty Harry there is, and it certainly gives you the most bang for your buck. If I was going to throw on a Dirty Harry film, and if not the original. I usually put this on, even though I wouldn’t call it my favourite of the sequels (that goes to ‘Sudden Impact’). As you said it’s a lean and mean outing. Breezes by. And I think it can be it’s fault too. But if I’m in a lazy mood, I like watching this entry. Eastwood and Daly had good chemistry. And the sparring scenes between Eastwood and Bradford Dillman were always amusing. Always loved how the first three films pretty much end of the same shot of Harry walking away as the camera pans out and the wonderful music score creeps in. One thing though, I thought the villains could’ve used a character actor in the shape of Don Stroud or Paul Kolso. I just found this group a bit on the bland side. No one really standing out from each other in spite of a few psychotic tendencies (namely the handiwork of DeVeren Bookwalter). Oh, I agree. Bookwalter is the only one who stands out. Still, he's no Andy Robinson. Although I did always find his death-by-rocket-launcher to be the ultimate high of the series. It's like Scorpio's .45-blasting demise taken to the nth degree.
|
|
|
Post by stefancrosscoe on Sept 17, 2021 11:12:34 GMT
Do you mean ‘Forced Vengeance’? Definitely one of my favourites. Very similar in style to “An Eye for an Eye”, but set in the bustle of Hong Kong. Brutal beat ‘em ups and hand-to-hand, like some sort of live-action video game... streets of rage/double dragon style. Played to his strengths too. Forget about emoting. Streamlined story squarely focused on the escalating action. Danger around every corner. ‘Sidekicks’ surprised me. This was definitely a fun Chuck Norris outing. I was expecting the worse, but there was a playful and goofy charm to it all. Kinda had a Karate Kid meets Last Action Hero vibe. The day dreams dreamt up of the boy teaming up with Norris fighting all different kinds of foes were so ridiculously self-aware, and happened more often than I was expecting. Honestly i went into this thinking Norris might only show up at the end, for the tournament. But yeah, it was a pleasant surprise. Hellbound, on the other hand, was a dud of an action-horror. Forced Vengeance it is. I knew it was something about the word Force, but yeah, not the much more it seems. Thanks for putting it right. From what you say, it sure sounds like one I should probably head for, before his 90s movies, as I guess by then, he had settled in for more made for tv films and of course, Walker Texas Ranger. But then again, The Hitman was a pleasant and hard hitting surprise. Hellbound was probalbly the one I had most "hopes" for, as of his later 90s releases, but yeah, I should probably start up with finishing his earlier efforts first, then work my up to his later stuff, at least of the unseen that is. The plot to Sidekicks does have bit of the similar No Retreat, No Surrender (1986) feel to it, but probably not that cheesy or ridiculous.
|
|
|
Post by stefancrosscoe on Sept 17, 2021 11:26:26 GMT
Dollar for the Dead (1998)A made-for-TV feature that is paying homage (sometimes generic throwaway visual, or dialogue references) or could feel mock serious in tone, is it parodying(?) all things spaghetti westerns (right down to union soldiers, Mexican soldiers, preacher, poor Mexican town and hidden gold). However for good measure during (most) shootouts it can become an out-of-place John Woo hybrid with flashy framing, dramatic flailing and slow-mo set-pieces. Very staged and low-budget in execution, but ridiculously daft when it escalates into the trampolining gun-fu moments to enliven the formula. Emilio Estevez is doing his best ‘man with no name’ impression. Steely eyed and all, but the hard boiled act isn’t very convincing. While the likes of William Forsythe, Howie Long, Jonathan Banks and Ed Lauter fair much better, especially when delivering their no-nonsense dialogues. Watched on Tubi. Always enjoyed most of the leading man or shared bills leads he did back in the 80s and ealry 90s, specially within the action genre, even if he probably were not the most "ideal" action hero of that time, he put in a good shift, and lots of fun movies. I guess by the later 90s, he either tired or wanted to focus on doing more family friendly films, and sure seemed to hit off well, with the Mighty Ducks franchise. However, I just never became a fan of the Young Boys movies, even though they came with quite a lively cast, but yeah, I do not longer own any of them, and that is pretty much how I felt about them, through my last unsuccessful re-watch, years ago. Might try Dollar for the Dead, if the feeling for some late 90s western DTV movie, is there. Anyway, thanks for the review, and I do not believe I have seen William Forsythe in a western release before, and knowing how lively he could get, I guess that is another reason to check it out, sooner or later.
|
|
mgmarshall
Junior Member
@mgmarshall
Posts: 2,052
Likes: 3,300
|
Post by mgmarshall on Sept 18, 2021 17:33:28 GMT
Sudden ImpactWell, Harry is back in a new decade, with a new gun, some new sunglasses, a farting dog, and a new hairline. My god, what a ridiculous movie this is. It is just so jam-packed with action scene after action scene, I'm pretty sure Harry's already killed like twelve people before the main plot has even gotten going. And as for that plot, it is kind of interesting to see how this franchise- and Eastwood himself- handle what's basically a rape-revenge film. It's a nice spin to have Harry sympathizing with a suspect for once- though, granted, she's a suspect who's gunning people down extrajudicially, so I guess it's not too out of character for him. I was never wild about Sondra Locke as an actress, but she's pretty good in this one. There's a real intensity and pain behind her eyes. One wonders what the movie would've been like if the original Harry-less version of the script had been produced with her instead. Pat Hingle is a solid, believable hardass as Harry's new chief. Albert Popwell makes his last appearance in the series, and hey, he's been promoted to Harry's partner this time around! Of course, that means he's pretty much dead meat from the word go, and he still gets a pretty negligible amount of screen time; but the fakeout they pull in his first scene where it looks like he's about to try and kill Harry is pretty fun. As the eventual main villain of the piece, Paul Drake's Mick the rapist is appropriately slimy and reprehensible. He has the uncanny ability to deliver every single one of his lines as if he's in the middle of making an obscene phone call. And, of course, we have Audrie J. Neenan as Ray, the most pathologically hateful, cartoonishly bigoted portrayal of a lesbian I think I've ever seen on film. It'd probably be staggeringly offensive if she weren't so much fun to watch in the role. Also, Bradford Dillman is back again from the previous movie (for all of about two minutes) and he might as well be playing the same character; and Michael V. Gazzo pops up in a little cameo as a mob boss. I love that guy. Eastwood brings his usual straightforward, grim style to his only Dirty Harry as director, and it's certainly dark and visually memorable. I particularly like the bit of Harry getting viciously beaten up, losing his Magnum, getting tossed in the ocean, and then returning, cloaked in shadow and carrying an even bigger gun. It's almost ghostly and reminds me a lot of something like High Plains Drifter. Lalo Schifrin also returns to do the music once again, but is clearly having some trouble finding his footing in the 80's. I do like the brief bits where he reprises the theme from the original Dirty Harry though. It's a nice touch. Ultimately, this is really not my favorite entry in the series. Like Magnum Force, there's just maybe a little too much going on; but all the pieces that are there are pretty solidly entertaining, I must admit. Plus, for better or worse, it gave us Harry's most enduring catchphrase...
|
|
|
Post by lostinlimbo on Sept 24, 2021 10:32:54 GMT
Dollar for the Dead (1998)A made-for-TV feature that is paying homage (sometimes generic throwaway visual, or dialogue references) or could feel mock serious in tone, is it parodying(?) all things spaghetti westerns (right down to union soldiers, Mexican soldiers, preacher, poor Mexican town and hidden gold). However for good measure during (most) shootouts it can become an out-of-place John Woo hybrid with flashy framing, dramatic flailing and slow-mo set-pieces. Very staged and low-budget in execution, but ridiculously daft when it escalates into the trampolining gun-fu moments to enliven the formula. Emilio Estevez is doing his best ‘man with no name’ impression. Steely eyed and all, but the hard boiled act isn’t very convincing. While the likes of William Forsythe, Howie Long, Jonathan Banks and Ed Lauter fair much better, especially when delivering their no-nonsense dialogues. Watched on Tubi. Always enjoyed most of the leading man or shared bills leads he did back in the 80s and ealry 90s, specially within the action genre, even if he probably were not the most "ideal" action hero of that time, he put in a good shift, and lots of fun movies. I guess by the later 90s, he either tired or wanted to focus on doing more family friendly films, and sure seemed to hit off well, with the Mighty Ducks franchise. However, I just never became a fan of the Young Boys movies, even though they came with quite a lively cast, but yeah, I do not longer own any of them, and that is pretty much how I felt about them, through my last unsuccessful re-watch, years ago. Might try Dollar for the Dead, if the feeling for some late 90s western DTV movie, is there. Anyway, thanks for the review, and I do not believe I have seen William Forsythe in a western release before, and knowing how lively he could get, I guess that is another reason to check it out, sooner or later. I think he’s fine in some action films. Depending on the character he’s playing. I don’t mind those cheesy westerns, ‘Young Guns’. Actually preferred the sequel. Which I think is even more overblown compared to the original. But I mainly like it for William Petersen. ‘Dollar for the Dead’ had some novelty, but so-so overall. Just some else other then Estevez would’ve been better. He felt like the odd man out.
|
|
|
Post by lostinlimbo on Sept 24, 2021 10:43:40 GMT
An entertaining, and absurdly plotted low-budget NYC action hybrid. Martial arts/blaxploitation/urban exploitation/revenge. Goofy laughs and gritty action. Also there’s an insane fight scene. Ridiculously funny thanks to the constant screaming throughout. As in the video below.
|
|
mgmarshall
Junior Member
@mgmarshall
Posts: 2,052
Likes: 3,300
|
Post by mgmarshall on Sept 29, 2021 20:30:11 GMT
The Dead PoolNearly forgot about doing a write-up on this one. And thus, we finally arrive at the point the series has been hurtling towards probably since Magnum Force- Dirty Harry as a cartoon. The attitude on display here generally seems to be "Sure, why not?" Why not do a Dirty Harry meta-slasher flick? Why not have Jim Carrey prancing around as a junkie rock star, lip syncing to Guns N' Roses? Why not give the actual Guns N' Roses a cameo and let Slash dick around with a harpoon gun? Why not have that harpoon gun adhere to Chekhov's law of harpoon guns and use it (instead of a .45) to dispatch the main baddie? Why not plant a bomb in a remote control car? Why not give Harry a new partner who knows Kung Fu? Ridiculous self-parody reigns. Director Buddy Van Horn (Eastwood's stunt double, which likely means Clint actually directed this thing) attempts some giallo-ish slasher trappings; and for a movie that makes a point to take a shot at the horror genre for perceived unoriginality, its own scares are pretty rote and uninspired. It's the same black leather gloves and POV shots you've seen like 45 times before. Although, the aforementioned toy car bomb is a pretty ingeniously batsh*t idea, and of course leads to maybe the single dumbest car chase ever committed to film. Gotta love how a sh*tty RC car is apparently capable of keeping pace with a speeding automobile. I guess toys really were just better in the 80's... In his final turn as Harry Callahan, Clint Eastwood seems a little bored of the character, but he's still running it up the flagpole and even at 58 he still cut a pretty imposing tough guy figure. Patricia Clarkson is remarkably assured and charismatic for what's only her second onscreen role. She's maybe a little too good for this movie, honestly. Evan C. Kim is likeable and goofy as Harry's latest partner; he's not the most memorable of the bunch, but he's satisfactory and hey, he actually survives! Liam Neeson brings some smarmy presence to a role that mainly requires him to be an obvious red herring; and of course Jim Carrey is pretty fun in his brief supporting role, rubberfaced even at this early stage of his career. Also, I guess I was wrong when I said The Enforcer had the shortest running time of the series, because apparently that honor goes to this one, and it wastes none of that time. There are already mafia goons trying to kill Harry one minute into the movie. It's a pretty fast-paced, lunatic energy ride.
|
|
|
Post by stefancrosscoe on Sept 29, 2021 20:47:04 GMT
The Dead PoolNearly forgot about doing a write-up on this one. I kind of felt a bit "bad", for not replying about Sudden Impact, as it is my favorite of the franchise, not saying the "best", but the one I have seen most times, and I believe reviewed and re-watched last summer, so I might have to add a few lines, here and there later on this week. The Dead Pool (I actually think that movie poster, might be among the coolest ones) sadly the film itself, never has grown on me, no matter how many times I try to love it as much as the other films. Again, I will try to come back stronger tomorrow, but now I am gonna watch the rest (try to finish, my third attempt) some crappy disaster flick (almost 3 hours long) and see if I can finally be done with it. Anyway, thanks for your fine reviews. When I am done with the upcoming horror films only month, I might just give good old Dirty Harry another visit, along with a few other Clint Eastwood action-thrillers of the 80s and 90s.
|
|
|
Post by lostinlimbo on Sept 30, 2021 1:05:38 GMT
The Dead PoolNearly forgot about doing a write-up on this one. And thus, we finally arrive at the point the series has been hurtling towards probably since Magnum Force- Dirty Harry as a cartoon. The attitude on display here generally seems to be "Sure, why not?" Why not do a Dirty Harry meta-slasher flick? Why not have Jim Carrey prancing around as a junkie rock star, lip syncing to Guns N' Roses? Why not give the actual Guns N' Roses a cameo and let Slash dick around with a harpoon gun? Why not have that harpoon gun adhere to Chekhov's law of harpoon guns and use it (instead of a .45) to dispatch the main baddie? Why not plant a bomb in a remote control car? Why not give Harry a new partner who knows Kung Fu? Ridiculous self-parody reigns. Director Buddy Van Horn (Eastwood's stunt double, which likely means Clint actually directed this thing) attempts some giallo-ish slasher trappings; and for a movie that makes a point to take a shot at the horror genre for perceived unoriginality, its own scares are pretty rote and uninspired. It's the same black leather gloves and POV shots you've seen like 45 times before. Although, the aforementioned toy car bomb is a pretty ingeniously batsh*t idea, and of course leads to maybe the single dumbest car chase ever committed to film. Gotta love how a sh*tty RC car is apparently capable of keeping pace with a speeding automobile. I guess toys really were just better in the 80's... In his final turn as Harry Callahan, Clint Eastwood seems a little bored of the character, but he's still running it up the flagpole and even at 58 he still cut a pretty imposing tough guy figure. Patricia Clarkson is remarkably assured and charismatic for what's only her second onscreen role. She's maybe a little too good for this movie, honestly. Evan C. Kim is likeable and goofy as Harry's latest partner; he's not the most memorable of the bunch, but he's satisfactory and hey, he actually survives! Liam Neeson brings some smarmy presence to a role that mainly requires him to be an obvious red herring; and of course Jim Carrey is pretty fun in his brief supporting role, rubberfaced even at this early stage of his career. Also, I guess I was wrong when I said The Enforcer had the shortest running time of the series, because apparently that honor goes to this one, and it wastes none of that time. There are already mafia goons trying to kill Harry one minute into the movie. It's a pretty fast-paced, lunatic energy ride. Utter self-parody. Along the lines of how I find Death Wish 3. Still amusing though. “This movie came about when Warner Brothers greenlit and financed Clint Eastwood's pet project, the biopic of musician Charles "Yardbird" Parker, Jr. called Bird (1988). Eastwood, returning the favor to the studio, agreed to make a movie for them that would be commercial and carry box-office weight. Warner Brothers suggested another Dirty Harry movie.”IMDb. Probably explains Eastwood’s approach to this entry. Less personal. Disappointing Albert Popwell couldn’t make his signature appearance.
|
|
|
Post by Captain Spencer on Sept 30, 2021 2:33:53 GMT
The Dead PoolNearly forgot about doing a write-up on this one. And thus, we finally arrive at the point the series has been hurtling towards probably since Magnum Force- Dirty Harry as a cartoon. The attitude on display here generally seems to be "Sure, why not?" Why not do a Dirty Harry meta-slasher flick? Why not have Jim Carrey prancing around as a junkie rock star, lip syncing to Guns N' Roses? Why not give the actual Guns N' Roses a cameo and let Slash dick around with a harpoon gun? Why not have that harpoon gun adhere to Chekhov's law of harpoon guns and use it (instead of a .45) to dispatch the main baddie? Why not plant a bomb in a remote control car? Why not give Harry a new partner who knows Kung Fu? Ridiculous self-parody reigns. Director Buddy Van Horn (Eastwood's stunt double, which likely means Clint actually directed this thing) attempts some giallo-ish slasher trappings; and for a movie that makes a point to take a shot at the horror genre for perceived unoriginality, its own scares are pretty rote and uninspired. It's the same black leather gloves and POV shots you've seen like 45 times before. Although, the aforementioned toy car bomb is a pretty ingeniously batsh*t idea, and of course leads to maybe the single dumbest car chase ever committed to film. Gotta love how a sh*tty RC car is apparently capable of keeping pace with a speeding automobile. I guess toys really were just better in the 80's... In his final turn as Harry Callahan, Clint Eastwood seems a little bored of the character, but he's still running it up the flagpole and even at 58 he still cut a pretty imposing tough guy figure. Patricia Clarkson is remarkably assured and charismatic for what's only her second onscreen role. She's maybe a little too good for this movie, honestly. Evan C. Kim is likeable and goofy as Harry's latest partner; he's not the most memorable of the bunch, but he's satisfactory and hey, he actually survives! Liam Neeson brings some smarmy presence to a role that mainly requires him to be an obvious red herring; and of course Jim Carrey is pretty fun in his brief supporting role, rubberfaced even at this early stage of his career. Also, I guess I was wrong when I said The Enforcer had the shortest running time of the series, because apparently that honor goes to this one, and it wastes none of that time. There are already mafia goons trying to kill Harry one minute into the movie. It's a pretty fast-paced, lunatic energy ride. Your review is spot-on. The Dead Pool is indeed cartoonish and full of self-parody. I find it to be the least of the franchise, but it's not without its fair share of fun. And as lostinlimbo pointed out, the only reason Eastwood agreed to do this was so that Warner Bros. would allow him to make Bird, another one of his personal projects.
|
|
|
Post by Captain Spencer on Oct 1, 2021 4:02:36 GMT
Lethal Weapon 3 (1992) Riggs and Murtaugh are on the trail of a crooked ex-cop using a construction project as a front for his arms-dealing operation. This is my favorite sequel in the Lethal Weapon franchise. Fast-paced and brimming with humor that is funnier than ever, all the while maintaining the high octane, brutal action. It also has a lot of heart and soul, with a particularly touching moment between Riggs and Murtaugh. Stuart Wilson is amazing as villain Jack Travis, making him charismatic and yet completely nutty at the same time. And Rene Russo shines as the tough-as-nails Internal Affairs agent who becomes Riggs' love interest.
|
|
mgmarshall
Junior Member
@mgmarshall
Posts: 2,052
Likes: 3,300
|
Post by mgmarshall on Nov 19, 2021 1:34:43 GMT
Well, I'm getting a late start in on this, but this month is Charles Bronson's centenary, and damn it, I will pay my respects. My love for the man's body of work deepens with every passing year. And I started out my Bronson kick with two of the very best! Once Upon a Time in the West
Easily for me the greatest movie Bronson was ever featured in; but hell, it's one of the greatest movies ever made flat out. Nobody tops Leone, man. This is a pure, rollicking, adventurous masterpiece, and it's probably still only his third best movie! And likewise, I think it's probably Bronson's greatest role. Fourth billing be damned, this is his movie for me! And he doesn't even talk much, is the crazy thing. His eyes and that sick harmonica sting do all the talking he needs to do for him. Say what you will about Charlie, but he was never the most... animated actor in the world. But when he nails and holds and expression, he makes you feel it. And that's all he does throughout movie. I have to believe a large part of that is Leone's directorial influence on his performance, but Bronson's face really can tell a story of loss and revenge all its own. It makes me kinda glad he passed on playing The Man with No Name. Harmonica is iconic in his own right. Bronson's stoic, vengeance-driven stranger is equally backed up by Jason Robards' chatty, sardonic, infinitely charming outlaw. Leone may not have invented the buddy picture, but between this, For a Few Dollars More, and Duck You Sucker!, I truly believe he perfected it. And matching both men step by step is Claudia Cardinale, giving a brilliant, beautiful, career-defining performance. She's the glowing, sincere heart of the movie. Rounding out the leading cast are the villains, and this movie has two phenomenal ones. Henry Fonda completely eschews his clean-cut image to play one sick, child-murdering, torturing bastard, and damn is he ever great at it. Those gorgeous blue eyes look utterly empty in this movie. The performance is a testament to his range and magnetic talent as an actor. Less central, but still excellently played and compellingly written, is Gabriele Ferzetti's sickly, despairing railroad magnate. It's a fascinating choice to humanize what would otherwise be the main villain in a Western, but man does it ever add a lot to the story. Morton is a sad, broken little man- willing to kill for his dream. And it's a dream he knows on some level cannot be for him. It's a heartbreaking little subplot. The movie, as should be expected with Leone, is just breathtakingly pretty to look at, and overlaid with a masterful, lyrical score from Ennio Morricone. (Again, how truly amazing that I wouldn't call the ecstasy of this score his greatest work...) To say more would be to damn with overpraise. Just see the thing, it's amazing. The Mechanic
This is a slick, cold-hearted, mean little movie, and another pivotal role for Bronson. It's probably the best thing Michael Winner ever directed (though the original Death Wish certainly comes close to it)- a compelling, occasionally disturbing portrait of alienation and quiet psychopathy. Again, Bronson doesn't do a whole lot of talking, but his impenetrable silence and his odd ticks- the vacant stare, the wax ball squeezing, the fixation on The Garden of Earthly Delights- tell of a deeply tortured inner life. He's a man who does one thing- murder- exceptionally, brilliantly well. In all other areas of life, he fails. Incapable of intimacy or empathy, he can smile at a friend's face one day and casually plan his execution the next. And outwardly, he shows nothing, remaining an enigma to Keenan Wynn's furtive gangster buddy, or Jan-Michael Vincent's budding young sociopath. The movie's a lean, fun, dark little ride, and though I won't dare spoil it here it possesses one of the greatest abrupt stinger endings ever. Well worth the watch.
|
|
|
Post by Captain Spencer on Nov 20, 2021 5:00:05 GMT
I also decided to do my due diligence and celebrate Charles Bronson's centenary by watching one of his most iconic movies and its less-than-stellar but still entertaining sequel. Death Wish (1974) After his wife is killed and daughter raped by thugs, a mild-mannered New Yorker becomes a prolific vigilante, eliminating any mugger that crosses his path. This thought-provoking actioner makes keen observations on the haves and have-nots, urban decay, and the tribulations of living in a big city. It also asks us to sympathize with the vigilante and accept his actions as justifiable. Best of all, Death Wish makes great use of police procedural by way of the investigative techniques used by the police to take down the lone vigilante. One of Bronson's best. Death Wish II (1982) Paul Kersey is now living in Los Angeles and back in vigilante mode as he tracks down the punks who raped and killed his daughter. This rather scuzzy sequel takes on a more grim and darker tone and often gets downright nasty. Gone are the thought-provoking aspects that made the first one so great, and the lazy writing prevents it from having any convincing detective work, both on Kersey's part in trying to track down the muggers and the L.A. police department's part in tracking down Kersey. Bottom line, this is pure exploitation. But having said all this, I didn't think Death Wish II was all that bad, it's certainly not without some entertainment value. It's fast-paced with some great action scenes, and has one of the best tough guy lines of all time; "You believe in Jesus? Well you're gonna meet him."
|
|