Watched on Saturday July 20, 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/
