Goes a bit longer than it should but love the concept of high school seven samurai where the samurai are girls. Is both silly fun and nasty violent.
source https://letterboxd.com/jballison/film/go-for-broke-1985/
Hercules, 1983 – ★★★
Pretty cheesy and fun in its own quirky way but also pretty bad. Most important question is why does Hercules throw things into space after winning a fight.
The Great Silence, 1968 – ★★★★
Wish I didn’t know going in about it. This would have been amazing as a blind watch.
source https://letterboxd.com/jballison/film/the-great-silence/
The Apple, 1980 – ★★★½
Has all the makings of true cult classic if only some of the songs were better or shorter and if it would have ended better than it did. It’s still definitely a spectacle.
If You Meet Sartana Pray for Your Death, 1968 – ★★★
Pretty straight forward double crossing spaghetti western. A bit of fun but nothing consequential. I am curious about the rest of the Sartana films.
source https://letterboxd.com/jballison/film/if-you-meet-sartana-pray-for-your-death/
From Beijing with Love, 1994 – ★★★½
A James Bond spoof that says it’s not a James Bond spoof with lots of silly humour plus some over the top violence. I really should watch more classic Stephen Chow movies.
source https://letterboxd.com/jballison/film/from-beijing-with-love/
Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, 2023 – ★★★½
Too much focus on the humans for the beginning but once it got going I actually enjoyed this a fair amount. I am very curious if they do make a cross over movie that the ending hints strongly at.
source https://letterboxd.com/jballison/film/transformers-rise-of-the-beasts/
They Call Me Trinity, 1970 – ★★★
For what should be a silly fun western it drags more than I like.
source https://letterboxd.com/jballison/film/they-call-me-trinity/
Singham Again, 2024 – ★★½
Cheesy acting and plotting that makes the Fast and the Furious movies seem smart should keep me from liking it but I was never bored or annoyed at it. It just sure is dumb.
The Man from Hong Kong, 1975 – ★★★½
I went in with too high of expectations but it is still a fun James Bond martial arts riff. The dialogue has not ages well.
source https://letterboxd.com/jballison/film/the-man-from-hong-kong/
Humanoids from the Deep, 1980 – ★★★½
Bleak and grimy with lots of men in fish suits and a women in bikinis that come off in the attacks. I would have preferred it if it was more campy.
source https://letterboxd.com/jballison/film/humanoids-from-the-deep/
Terrifier 3, 2024 – ★★★
Didn’t do much for me this time. It has a few moments that are really good but it was less risky and there for less interesting than the second and didn’t feel like it was swinging for a home run this time.
Don 2, 2011 – ★★★
So much of this doesn’t make sense. I get trying to combine Oceans 11, Die Hard, and Misssion Impossible but this just fails with the twists and who is and isn’t a hero.
The Shadow Strays, 2024 – ★★★½
Excellent ultra-violent fight scenes but the movie puts the lead in spots that she should not have survived. I’d probably be more forgiving if I watched this with a crowd as the action would play really well but by myself I kept getting frustrated with the story.
source https://letterboxd.com/jballison/film/the-shadow-strays/
The Train, 1964 – ★★★★½
How have I never seen this powerful, sad, action packed war movie.
Kwaidan, 1964 – ★★★★½
Didn’t know what to expect going in. For some reason I even thought it was in black and white. Such a beautiful looking movie. Much more fable based than horror based and that is okay. Not every ghost story has to be scare.
Feels like a cross between a play and epic movie. It is a cinematic achievment with an otherworldly feel to it.
Big Trouble in Little China, 1986 – ★★★★★
Theatrical rewatch. Good way to take a break from festival work.
source https://letterboxd.com/jballison/film/big-trouble-in-little-china/2/
Borderlands, 2024 – ★
Bad script, bad action, obvious story beats, terrible tweaks of the characters. If it was just a bad movie I could give it somewhat of a pass but Borderlands 2 is probably my favourite video game ever and the other games rank up there also. Borderlands 2 has one of the best villains in any video game and Roth decides to go with generic boring bad guys.
source https://letterboxd.com/jballison/film/borderlands-2024/
The Substance, 2024 – ★★★★½
Seriously out Cronenbergs Cronenberg and out Yuznas Yuzna.
Not for the faint of heart who aren’t willing to experience something different that will challenge you. It’s not a complex movie but it has so much to say about the entertainment industry, the way men see women, and the way women see themselves.
Transformers One, 2024 – ★★★½
Better than any of the live action movies but I had a hard time getting past the voices. Best part of the movie though was sitting near the teen who was cheering and bouncing in their seat at the big moments. They were so into it.
source https://letterboxd.com/jballison/film/transformers-one/
Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan, 1989 – ★★½
I do feel this is one of the worst in the series but it still has its charms. I’m not a fan of most of the kills and I get why the kept it on the boat so much but damn we need more time in New York with people around.
source https://letterboxd.com/jballison/film/friday-the-13th-part-viii-jason-takes-manhattan/1/
Caligula: The Ultimate Cut, 2023 – ★★★★
It’s been years since watching this last and what I remember from the previous versions is the extreme moments. This still feels extreme but in a more mainstream way which is funny as I don’t think it’s mainstream at all. I really appreciate what they have done with this recreation based more on the original screenplay and was really happy to catch it on the big screen.
source https://letterboxd.com/jballison/film/caligula-the-ultimate-cut-2023/
Deadpool & Wolverine, 2024 – ★★★★
Rewatch with Gavin. I find I am sentimental when it comes to movies that reference and do paybacks to other movies both good and bad. Still not as good as the first two but the references get me.
source https://letterboxd.com/jballison/film/deadpool-wolverine/1/
Southern Comfort, 1981 – ★★★★
Up there with the other classic Vietnam war flicks even though it takes place in the Louisiana bayou.
source https://letterboxd.com/jballison/film/southern-comfort/
Heavens: The Boy and His Robot, 2023
Watched on Saturday July 27, 2024.
source https://letterboxd.com/jballison/film/heavens-the-boy-and-his-robot/
Killer Constable, 1980 – ★★★★
In stark contrast to AVENGING EAGLE, this one nails down a darker vibe with grittier action. It’s nice to see it receive the recognition now that it deserves.
source https://letterboxd.com/jballison/film/killer-constable/
Evol, 2023
Watched the first three episode at Fantasia. Might watch the rest when I get the chance.
Don’t Call it Mystery, 2023
Watched on Friday July 26, 2024.
source https://letterboxd.com/jballison/film/dont-call-it-mystery-2023/
Deadpool & Wolverine, 2024 – ★★★★
Almost as fun as the previous movies. The cameos are pretty smart and add to the fun. High point is the end credits and what they highlight for me.
source https://letterboxd.com/jballison/film/deadpool-wolverine/
Darkest Miriam, 2024
Watched on Thursday July 25, 2024.
source https://letterboxd.com/jballison/film/darkest-miriam-2024/
Chainsaws Were Singing, 2024
Watched on Wednesday July 24, 2024.
source https://letterboxd.com/jballison/film/chainsaws-were-singing/
The Beast Within, 2024
Watched on Monday July 22, 2024.
source https://letterboxd.com/jballison/film/the-beast-within-2024/
Meanwhile on Earth, 2024
Watched on Monday July 22, 2024.
source https://letterboxd.com/jballison/film/meanwhile-on-earth-2024/
A Chinese Ghost Story II, 1990 – ★★★★
Wow. So much stuff in here. Did not see the giant centipede coming. Lots of fun.
source https://letterboxd.com/jballison/film/a-chinese-ghost-story-ii/
The Count of Monte-Cristo, 2024
Watched on Friday July 19, 2024.
source https://letterboxd.com/jballison/film/the-count-of-monte-cristo-2024/
Longlegs, 2024 – ★★★★
Love the atmosphere and the mystery of it all. My only gripe which lowers it down is that they say how no one was there when the murders happened but that obviously was not the case. That story problem is still not enough to make me really enjoy it.
Jackson County Jail, 1976 – ★★★★
Watched at the New Beverly as a double bill with THE HOLY ROLLERS
Much less the women in prison movie than I thought it would be. Strong performances and a tale of how women are treated. The only man who shows any kindness and respect is Tommy Lee Jones’s criminal character. A great takedown of the culture at the time. Yvette Mimieux turns in an amazing performance.
Definitely not a movie for everyone as the rape scene is a powerful dark scene.
source https://letterboxd.com/jballison/film/jackson-county-jail/
The Unholy Rollers, 1972 – ★★★★
Watched at the New Beverly as a double bill with Jackson County Jail.
We need more roller derby movies and I love the protagonist is a touch female asshole.
source https://letterboxd.com/jballison/film/the-unholy-rollers/
MaXXXine, 2024 – ★★★½
Started out strong and has some good moments but struggles a bit with the ending.
Kill, 2023 – ★★★★½
We need more movies where the good guy makes the bad guys cry. I heard comparisons of it with THE RAID. I can see why people are making the comparison but this is its own beast. The action in the RAID is draw dropping. The violence in KILL is jaw dropping.
A Chinese Ghost Story, 1987 – ★★★★
So much going on in this romantic comedy wuxia horror ghost story. Never thought I would ever see a live action battle against a giant tongue. Looking forward to part 2 at Fantasia.
source https://letterboxd.com/jballison/film/a-chinese-ghost-story/
Hellboy II: The Golden Army, 2008 – ★★★
A rewatch after revisiting the original HELLBOY. Didn’t have too much to say about the original. The first is fun and other than one character that isn’t needed it is a movie I really enjoy. The sequel though, has so much going for it but goes for a bunch of MEN IN BLACK style scenes and silly humour which takes away from the creativeness as well as the relationships.
It was probably a blast to make but it left me not really caring as much as I wanted too. Not a bad movie but not as good as the original.
source https://letterboxd.com/jballison/film/hellboy-ii-the-golden-army/
Return of Sabata, 1971 – ★★★½
Even more silly and over the top. It’s like a Roger Moore silly bond western and I’m there for it.
No way should it be on Harry & Michael Medved’s infamous list of The Fifty Worst Films of All Time.
source https://letterboxd.com/jballison/film/return-of-sabata/
Adiós, Sabata, 1970 – ★★★
Not as fun as the original Sabata, this one steals actors in different roles and has lots of similarities in theme. I may have preferred it to be its own movie and not have been rechristened as a Sabata movie but then it might just feel like a ripoff. I also prefer Lee Van Cleefe over Yul Bruner.
eXistenZ, 1999 – ★★★★½
Would love to watch this for the first time again to really experience the twists and turns. Still a tonne of fun on rewards.
Kalki 2898 – AD, 2024 – ★★★★
Took a bit of time to find its footing as there are a bunch of characters but once it going it really got going and I’m looking forward to the sequel(s).
Day of Anger, 1967 – ★★★★
Watched the full version. Some really cheesy dialogue doesn’t really take away from this really fun mentor story.
Sabata, 1969 – ★★★½
Fun movie with fun over the top characters and lots of twists but also a bit too silly at times.
The Bikeriders, 2023 – ★★★½
It is more of a character study than a crime story but it does also feel like we’ve seen similiar stories before that are told much better. Still dug the story but I can’t see it being something that gets revisted much. Having the main lead be a kind of a blank slate character does take away a bit from the overall but the side characters are fun to watch.
source https://letterboxd.com/jballison/film/the-bikeriders/
The Junkman, 1982 – ★★★½
Paper thin paper plot and very hokey but so many car crashes.
Six-String Samurai, 1998 – ★★★★
Watched on Wednesday June 19, 2024.
source https://letterboxd.com/jballison/film/six-string-samurai/
Butcher, Baker, Nightmare Maker, 1981 – ★★★½
Watched on Monday June 10, 2024.
source https://letterboxd.com/jballison/film/butcher-baker-nightmare-maker/
Lumberjack the Monster, 2023 – ★★★½
Watched on Thursday June 6, 2024.
source https://letterboxd.com/jballison/film/lumberjack-the-monster/
Quatermass and the Pit, 1967 – ★★★★
Watched on Monday June 3, 2024.
source https://letterboxd.com/jballison/film/quatermass-and-the-pit/
Basket Case 3: The Progeny, 1991 – ★★★
Too cute and silly for the first half, second half is better.
source https://letterboxd.com/jballison/film/basket-case-3-the-progeny/
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, 2024 – ★★★★½
Watched on Friday May 24, 2024.
source https://letterboxd.com/jballison/film/furiosa-a-mad-max-saga/
Slumber Party Massacre II, 1987 – ★★★½
Watched on Sunday May 19, 2024.
source https://letterboxd.com/jballison/film/slumber-party-massacre-ii/
Rambo: First Blood Part II, 1985 – ★★★½
Watched on Saturday May 18, 2024.
source https://letterboxd.com/jballison/film/rambo-first-blood-part-ii/
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, 2024 – ★★★½
Watched on Friday May 17, 2024.
source https://letterboxd.com/jballison/film/kingdom-of-the-planet-of-the-apes/