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JerryCantrell
Reviews
Terminator: Dark Fate (2019)
Did people give this an honest chance?
Title says it all. Much like a band such as Radiohead taking a different direction with Kid A, this movie brings exciting new things to the table while remaining true to it's sources feel.
I'm easy to please though, other than Terminator 3, I've been a pretty big fan of the series through and through. Still, I really marvel at how well they integrated two of our favorite heroes with new depths and storylines amongst newbies who admittedly took to the roles very well.
Something I noticed on this feeling that kind of escaped me last time when the lead three female roles are on the road, I'm not sure I ever saw a collection of more feminine badasses on screen in my entire life. It felt natural, and not force fed either, all believable in their roles.
Linda Hamilton absolutely slayed it in this. I loved how both her and Arnold had important parts in the movie, but that the other actor is held their ground and didn't require them to completely steal the show to make it work.
Say what you will, but if you didn't find the action scenes in this impressive and creative than, well I'm not sure what to say to change your mind.
While this may fall just short of being a classic, the ridiculous three-star ratings in the like, are just irritating and a part of a bigger problem where people either overate or underrate movies severely these days.
I'd rate this a very very solid 8.5/10. Just finished rewatching it today, and it's probably the most modern movie that I've actually taken the time to rewatch and enjoy thoroughly the second way through in a long time.
Of note, Mackenzie Davis absolutely pulled off the badass roll fantastically.
Spring Forward (1999)
If you like Raymond Carver or Russell Banks, this is for you
Wow, what a delight after many, many years finding this pop up on Hulu recently. I vaguely remembered seeing this film back in the mid 2000s, hung over and depressed one morning as a young alcoholic. This movie was really a beacon of light, that it's never too late to try to start over, and that if my life amounted to simple living, that I didn't need to be a "mega success" to be a success.
I'm not sure I could do this film justice, trying to describe it, but my hope is that people will continue to discover this little gem throughout the years and maybe give it some semblance of appreciation.
While most of this was filmed in Jersey, it still passes for parts of Connecticut. I also liked the random scenes that would represent the passing of time and the changing seasons. The pacing is perfect, an excellent representation of how we need sometimes slow down and absorb the moments. Trade excitement for serenity. Again a very simple movie but wonderfully done.
Props to both Ned and Liev. Bravo. This one truly deserves a 10 considering it's budget and what they made here. Probably in my top 20 movies all time.
Go with Me (2015)
Giving an eight, but more like a 6.5
How is this rated so low? I've been noticing far more often that ratings are skewed either way too high or too low on many solid yet unspectacular movies.
Very purposeful cinematography, wonderfully understated acting by Anthony Hopkins, just a treat all around. Straight forward but done well in it's approach. Like another reviewer stated, I like gritty small town dramas that are well executed.
Solid way to spend some time.
Population 436 (2006)
Worth leaving a review for.
While certainly not apt to blow your mind, I was incredibly impressed with what this movie did within it's constraints. Some parts even managed to feel down right creepy, and borderline tragic.
Minor cliches here and there, in particular with the main character, but they avoided making anyone too vanilla. As a guy who has serious problems sitting through most movies, as he gets older, I was happily surprised that this helped me waste an altogether way too hot day in the middle of the summer.
More than anything, well obviously I would never believe anything like this to be true, it somehow managed to not be so contrived as to make me suspend all belief.
Lastly, I have to give it to him, Fred Durst actually has some chops as an actor. He didn't try to "play himself" like many celebrities do. Not oscar worthy, but give the man some credit, I really feel he could be a good bit actor.
Pleasant surprise. Probably closer to a 6, and almost wanted to give an eight to balance some of the tulo reviews, but settled on a 7 here. Really solid for what it is.
Mr Inbetween (2018)
Excellent dark humor, with a shine of light throughout
Absolutely love this show. Haven't written an actual review in many years, but noticing the low number of people who have rated this show, I want to make sure that I do my part that it doesn't slip through the cracks.
The plot as explained on the IMDb page here, sums it up. Yes, it's a broad summation and the charm is found in the little things of the show, but give it a whirl. Throughout all the grit and macho moments, there's a real glimpse of humanity and life on life's terms, while trying to be decent despite crossing moral boundaries.
Hope they continue this.
Over There (2005)
This could be so much more, it has potential
Over There has a shot at being a good show. Really. But at the time it's lacking and badly at that.
It's unfortunate. They have badly clichéd characters, and rather unbelievable situations. The soldiers we have in our Army are trained a lot more than what they portray them. The military adviser to the show probably doesn't know as much as he should.
I also wish the show would stay away from the politics. A little to cause tension between the characters wouldn't really bother me, but ew, the guy questioning what happened at a roadblock bothered me. In the military, you really don't ask such questions. They don't need to shove the fact that war sometimes kills innocent people, but they were given clear warning to stop, and other than Mai Li 4, we really haven't had many incidents of soldiers killing for fun.
On the plus side, the show is tense, your really not sure what could happen at any moment. The story line may be linear, but the action is unpredictable. A main character could be offed from the show at any time, and that may cause some really good television. Hard to watch at times because of it's potential to disturb you even.
The same goes for the scene with the guy's lady back home banging another guy within a week of his leaving. It's sad but it happens. A buddy of mine left for Iraq and within a month, I saw his fiancé screwing around with some dude at the mall. A sad story, but it happens.
Overall, this show could become more, and may, but it's off to a so-so start and needs to pick it up a little before it gets lost.
Seinfeld (1989)
Possibly the best sitcom ever---for those who "get" it
Really. What can be said that hasn't been already? Larry David is absolutely brilliant, and what Seinfield does better than any other show that has hit it big, is focus on the little things.
"It's about nothing." Never have truer words been spoken. The show doesn't have an ongoing story line (other than maybe Kramer's "make your own pie" idea), and it's not always laugh out loud funny. Instead, the show takes subtle things, such as parking spaces, and pez dispensers and turns them into cleverly written story lines. It's brilliant, and hard to shove away from once you start to understand the humor under it all.
That said, the casting is superb. Michael Richards as Kramer may just be the best physical comedian of all time. Not once did he ever use any of his trademark antics to fall back upon for a laugh. Instead, he continually came up with new, innovative ideas and molded the character into his own. Pay attention and you'll even notice how he plays the character as intellectually superior to those around him. Kudos go to Michael Richards for bringing many a laughs.
Jason Alexander as the self hating insecure Jew George Castanza was nearly flawless. My favorite scene of his has to be in "The Stock Tip" where after coming into a lot of money from a stock tip he received, he treats Jerry and Elanie to dinner, and insists on them eating desert. Even if they can't finish it. The clincher though, is when after tipping the waitress, he reviews the bill and decides he tipped her one dollar too much and has a tug of war for the dollar back. Classic Larry David material there. I can't imagine him being that self loathing as to have actually done that before though.
Jerry and Elanie are both great. Jerry brought stability to the group of characters, while Elanie brought spunk and fire to the cast. Both had some of their best moments while working together on screen.
This show is not to be missed. You may not like it right away, but give it a chance and I'm sure that after a while, it will hit you and you won't be able to stop watching it. What a wonderful show this was, and it's a shame that it is gone.
Walker, Texas Ranger (1993)
This shows rules! (In a bad sort of way)
Bad guys taking nuns hostage only to have one of them start to show regret and finish a bible verse a nun is quoting! Jump kicks to the face while being shot at with an AK-47! Bulletproof Monks (errr Chuck) and absolutely ridiculous sentimental moments make this the best show to watch..... with a beer in your hand.
Oh boy, like everything Chuck Norris is in, violence is only resorted to when he's been shot at it and his wife's been raped or his partner has been sent to the ER in critical condition. Well..... that's the only time he draws his gun, otherwise, it's a jump kick to the face, NORRIS style! Absolutle best line ever is the now clichéd line of "Your right Walker, THIS IS WHAT Christmas IS REALLY ABOUT" as Walker and his partner hand out Christmas presents to little kids, followed by everybody in the scene to turn to the camera and say have a SAFE and happy holiday.
Man o man. I thought this moralistic crap died with TJ Hooker.
28 Days Later... (2002)
An excellent horror film, should not be forgotten
Danny Boyle (director of Trainspotting) was the last person I would expect to see directing a horror movie. Especially a good one. Scratch that. A great one.
Shot primarily in digital camera, the movie follows a man (Jim) as he struggles to figure out just what in the world is going on after he wakes up in a Hospital and finds the world apparently devoid of all life. Stumbling around he finds his way into a church where he finally finds signs of life. Unfortunely those people he does run into in the church are infected with "rage" a virus released on accident by Animal Activists who did not heed the pleas of a scientist to not release a batch of chimps from their cages due to a highly infectious disease they carry.
From there we see Jim meet up with a few other survivors and as the film goes on, we find that the infected are not the only problem Jim and his acquaintances have.
Shot like a documentary the film works on many levels. It scares and at times flat out disturbs the viewer. It's not a horror movie with a "zombie" like theme used for an action platform. Instead it's a gritty account of survival, at times in it's most primitive form.
The scene where Jim is shown walking around the vacant city is brilliant. The music for the scene really sets a tone of emptiness and curiosity. One of my favorite scenes of all cinema. Ever.
What this film does, is show a tale of survival. The gore is not too intense, and is instead left to your imagination (i.e: Psycho, Halloween). It works that way, and Alex Garland manages to work fear, wit, and humor into his script in almost perfect harmony of each other.
28 Days Later is no "zombie" flick. Yes, the infected act like Zombies, but the movie really aims to show that when no rules are in place, we can be our own worst enemy. Great film. Do not miss it.
5/5. Perfect.
NYPD Blue (1993)
The BEST show... or at least it WAS
Oh boy.
I guess I'll just review Season 1 in this review, hopefully in the future I'll have time to review each season on a one by one basis.
We all know the history of how NYPD Blue stirred an uproar when it first came out in 93, but forgotten by some is just how well done the show was.
Very minor spoilers may appear throughout the rest of this review.
Season 1 absolutely blew anything that had and has been on TV since away. Following the life of Detectives from the 15th precinct, the show opened with what may be the finest episode of any TV show ever.
In season one we're introduced mainly to two detectives, John Kelly (oh how I miss Caruso) and Andy Sipowitz (played by the amazing Dennis Franz). Kelly is an Irish-American Cop whose father was killed in the line of duty when he was but a child. Caurso plays Kelly flawlessly, and really portrays an honest man whose word is his life, but will step over other boundaries should the situation call for it. Kelly isn't without a few flaws though, and they end up causing him some trouble as time goes on.
Sipowitz starts the series as a man with a heavy drinking problem, an insatiable hatred for a member of the mob (Alfronse Geordello), problems at work stemming from his addiction to the bottle, and a slight bit of racism that seeps through from time to time. As the season goes on we see that he really isn't a bad person after all and the bond that is shown between the two partners even in their most trying times is moving to say the very least.
Other characters on the show include an African-American boss- Lieutenant Arthur Fancy (done well by James McDaniel), a troubled cop Janice Licasli (Amy Brenneman in probably the only good role in her life), Kelly's ex wife, Laurie (played by Sherry Stringfield), whom both share mutual feelings for each other but can't seem to get things to work out, and others.
To note, though he came in a couple episodes after the beginning, Greg Medavoy (played by a highly underrated Gordon Clapp) is the only detective other then Sipowitz who has been with the show since Season 1.
Season 1 unlike later seasons (starting mainly around season 6) had ongoing story lines that were spread throughout the entire season, and weren't forgotten after an episode or two. It's sad that the show started going downhill in later years (though still better than the majority of shows on TV). It's also a shame that Caruso left the show so soon. While Jimmy Smits did an excellent job playing Detective Simone for his run, it would have been wonderful to see Caruso in some more episodes. The producers of the show should really set aside their differences and attempt with everything they can to at least get him in on the finale.
A darned good show. A must see if there ever was one. Season 1 of NYPD Blue should not be missed and is well worth the money to pickup on DVD. I would recommend picking it up on DVD as I believe the show is much better uncut as it was meant to be.
Blade: Trinity (2004)
Horrible. A ploy for advertising - Spoilers
Blade. One of the lesser known comic book heroes comes back to the big screen for the third time in this awful installment in the trilogy of Blade.
Wow. Where to begin? I guess I won't really divulge into too great of detail but can we say laughable? Seeing this movie stoned may not have helped, but the unexplained plot holes and constant in your face advertising made the movie stink.
My biggest gripe probably had to be the 7th heaven chick who had to listen to mp3's while she killed vampires. Of course, we're shown the device she uses two or three times, and while we are never told how she is able to hear people approaching her from behind while listening to her music, she absolutely kicks the crap out of the Vampires who are silly enough to attack her.
Minor spoilers ahead There was a funny part when a vampire hybrid dog attacks one of the characters and goes out the window yelping. Sick, but rather funny.
Don't waste your time. The weakest of the series. Not even enjoyable.
0.5/5
MTV Unplugged: Alice in Chains (1996)
By far the best Unplugged video.
Alice in Chains. A highly overlooked and amazingly talented band lost in the shadows of the overrated Nirvana.
This video shows a band with true emotion behind their music. The harmonzing between Layne Staley and Jerry Cantrell is amazing. Every word, every chord strikes you and leaves you thirsting for more.
Kind of like a glass of hard liquor this performance starts out slow with the hauntingly beautiful "Nutshell" and as it continues the burn comes on with later performances of such songs "Would?" and "Down in a Hole"
A truly amazing performance, this is one not to be missed. 10/10
The Delta Force (1986)
Amazingly silly
Wow. Very fun. But not intentionally. In fact, to be honest, some of the movie is downright annoying.
*Spoilers*
Amongst things that were annoying in the movie was the silly plot, the disregard of authority by the soldiers, and the little girl on the plane ("Mommy, their taking daddy").
Redemming moments come in Chuck's one liner's and his goofy motorcycle that shoots rockets and straightforward machine guns with bullets that magically go to the side and hit targets after being shot.
Ugh, even Lee Marvin is hard to watch in this. Watch with a beer in your hand.
Lo sbarco di Anzio (1968)
All right I guess.
Dull at times, but it get's the job done. Over acting done on Peter Falk's part.
I had the opportunity to watch this film on Digital Cable this morning. I took the chance as it was a war film I had not gotten to see yet. It has some decent action, but was rather dull at times. I may be mistaken, but it also appeared that during the ambush scene, the German's were using Bren light machine guns (wth). Perhaps I am wrong, but it I don't believe the MG-42 or 34 or had top loaded clips.
Still worth a watch if you got time to kill though. Just don't expect a masterpiece.
The Lost Battalion (2001)
Breathtaking, break neck pace
I've had the chance to see this movie a few times on A&E. While it was a made for TV movie, don't let it fool you. The budget constraints never leak through in this movie.
Beyond a job well done with the limited budget, the action sequences are amazing. Very intense and graphic (for a made for TV movie, but rather depictive overall).
All in all the movie was excellent. I enjoyed it immensely and really found myself sucked in. If I were to post up one complaint, I guess it would have to be the length. On a final positive note, the acting was believable, a major plus.