Movie Monday with Fred!-Die Hard with a Vengeance (1995)

 

This Monday Fred recommends: Die Hard with a Vengeance (1995)

I had sat down the other day for the annual Christmas viewing of Die Hard. And while I think it's one of the greatest actions movies ever made, it got me thinking about the rest of the franchise. And I think it's save to say that the first one is the best, and the fifth one is by far the worst, there's those middle three movies that tend to shift and movie for everyone on how good they are. 

Die Hard 2 (1990) while fun feels a little cartoony to me at times; nothing crazy, but the one-liners and quips are a little more goofy. But overall it's a fun movie, it just has a little too much repetition from the first movie for its own good. 

Then there's Live Free or Die Hard (2007) that could have an argument made for being possibly underrated. I think it's a really fun movie (and maybe I might do a post about at some point). but there are some things that hold it back. Firstly, it being PG-13 was a massive mistake. This franchise should always be R rated, and while they released that version on DVD, it's theatrical release was the watered down version. Secondly, while the action set pieces are a lot of fun, they do tend to be a little over the top and outlandish. And the third thing is the villain isn't the most memorable; though I remember them more that the ones from A Good Day to Die Hard (2013).

But between those films is Die Hard With a Vengeance, and I maybe crazy here, but it feels like this movie isn't as highly regarded as I feel like it should be. At least it doesn't get as talked about as much.

After a bomb is set off in New York, the terrorist makes a demand; to play a game of "Simon Says" with John McClane (Bruce Willis). Pulled from his suspension, while hung over, he must team up with a local store own, Zeus (Samuel L. Jackson), to play the deadly game Simon (Jeremy Irons) has laid out for them. If they fail, he will detonate more bombs around the city.

I gotta say, this has to up there with one of my favorite action movies. The pacing hits the ground running and never lets up until the credits are rolling! Though, unfortunately, that comes at a slight cost; the character development. Where the first film had a better balance of action scenes and good character beats for most of its major players, this one is a little more focused on the action.

But that action is some of the very best in the series. Frantic car chases through crowded New York streets, a brutal (and bloody) shootout in a closed elevator and a bomb on a subway train are just some of the highlights for me. 

On top of that, I enjoy the riddles McClane and Zeus have to work together in order to solve along the way. They may not be deep head-scratchers, but I like when movies give out riddles you can try and solve along with the characters. Though, I must admit, the water jug puzzle still loses me every time I see it. Good thing, I'm not the one that had to solve it!

The cast here are all good! Bruce Willis brings McClane back to that every-man vision (with every-man problems) we watched at the start of the first movie. And that's what the other sequels seemed to forget about the character: he's not supposed to be an over-the-top action hero; he's just supposed to be a normal guy caught in an extraordinary situation.

Samuel L. Jackson is good as Zeus, the reluctant store owner forced to team up with McClane. He just doesn't have a lot going on beyond that. Again, the pacing doesn't allow enough time for some of the characters to grow. But he still gets quite a few memorable scenes with Willis, and they play off each other well enough, that you kind of overlook that fault.

And Jeremy Irons as Simon has a menacing presence over the film from the start, and he doesn't show up physically until around an hour in! He is, by far, my second favorite franchise villain after Hans Gruber. Which is fitting given the connection those two characters have. 

Then behind the camera you have John McTiernan returning to direct this sequel. And once again proves that when he is on his game, he can direct the hell out of a movie. He is responsible for some of the best action movies of the 80s and 90s. Every thing from Predator (1987) to Die Hard (1988) in the 80s. And then The Hunt for Red October(1990), Die Hard With a Vengeance(1995) and Last Action Hero(1993) (that is a very underrated movie and I will die on that hill!) and The 13th Warrior (1999) in the 90s. 

 

Simon Says, go give this movie another chance if you haven't seen it in a while. And let me know in the comments what you thought of Die Hard With a Vengeance (1995)!

And we'll be back next time with another Movie Monday with Fred! Until then I hope everyone is having a great day!

My Top 5 Christmas Movies/Specials! And 5 Bonus Ones Too!

Christmas frequently switches places with Halloween for me  which is my favorite holiday. And while the latter objectively has the better movies to watch, the former offers up a nice selection as well!  

Every year these are the movies I most look forward to. I enjoy many Christmas movies/specials, but these stand out among the rest.

So, light up that Christmas tree, get cozy in front of a nice fire and check out these holiday films!

5. Jingle All the Way (1996)

What is a father supposed to do when the toy he forgot to get his son has been bought up at every store in town? Well, if you're Arnold Schwarzenegger, then shenanigans ensue! 

I've always enjoyed this movie since the first time I saw it as a kid. Yeah, it's a little corny in places and any of the "drama" here doesn't really ring true (not to mention it's short lived), but that's okay. It's just supposed to be a fun flick for the family to watch for the holidays. Most of the cast is great in this: Arnold Schwarzenegger, as Howard gets quite a few laughs from just some of his line deliveries alone; the late great Phil Hartman shows up as Howard's goody-goody nosy neighbor Ted and has a couple of memorable moments; but I think it's Sinbad, as Myron, that is the standout. He chews through all his scenes as an over-the-top deranged mailman with the same goal as Howard.

It's a cheesy, but ultimately charming flick for the family.

4. Home Alone (1990)

What is there to same about this one? It's a Christmas classic through and through. 

Kevin McCallister gets left behind as his family travels for Christmas, leaving him home alone while two burglars, known as The Wet Bandits, attempt to break in.

What's not to like about this one. Everything works here, even the slightly implausible concept that a kid would get let behind before his family realizes it as they're traveling to Paris. But everything from the slapstick, to the most of the jokes and even the quieter character moments, sticks their respective landings. Macauly Culkin plays Kevin and he definitely gives a good performance, but it's Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern as Harry and Marv, respectively, that steal the show (we got puns here, people). These two characters are one of the biggest reasons to stay for this film. It is always a fun time watching them try and run the gauntlet of a trapped McCallister house, but the verbal barbs they tend to trade to, not only to Kevin, but between themselves. If you added a third person to their group it would've been the 90's equivalent of The Three Stooges.

And I still wish for a real version of "Angels With Filthy Souls" to exist!

3. A Christmas Carol (1984)

I won't take a long time on this one as everyone knows the story of Ebenezer Scrooge being visited by three spirits on Christmas Eve. But this is hands down my favorite version of the story.

And a lot of that boils down to the cast. George C. Scott plays Scrooge here and gives the character an extra sense of authenticity and authority, along with and extra sense of callousness. Though, he has a reply early on that gets a laugh and satisfies the introvert in me. Then there's David Warner as Bob

2. A Christmas Story (1983)

Despite this movie being heavily merchandised now, I still love it! You all know this simple story of a boy who wants nothing more than a Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas. 

But, I think for me, it's a movie that works best with all the pieces moving. Ralphie waiting for the day his decoder ring comes in, him and his friends trying to evade the local bully, The Old Man's excitement for winning his Major Award, triple dog dares and an unfortunate visit to Santa. Not to mention Ralphie's, not so, subtle attempts to let his parents know the one gift he wants for Christmas. 

And a special mention has to go out to Darren McGavin as The Old Man. He is easily the best character of the whole show! His nonsensical rants and swearing will always be enjoyable to watch!

1. Christmas Vacation (1989)

This is it. This is my absolute favorite Christmas movie of all time and probably will be until the day I die!

Clark Griswold just wants to have a big old fashioned family Christmas, but one thing after another starts turning it into a disaster.

I wait with excited anticipation every December for the day to come so I can watch this. Usually it ends up being in a double-feature with A Christmas Carol on Christmas Eve (and in that order as well!). And every year, for many years now, this movie never fails to make me laugh at all the same jokes that I know are coming. The pratfalls are all solid, along with the witty dialogue. The cast, from Chevy Chase as Clark to Mae Questel as Aunt Bethany, all have some pretty good standout moments!

For me, this is my Christmas comfort movie! Even if I'm having a slightly Blue Christmas season, this movie always picks me right up for the finale. And it's one I can't recommend enough for everyone to experience just once for the holiday! 

 

And now for some recommendation! This are all great and are in no particular order!

How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966)

I think it's safe to say this classic is in everyone's rotation at least once every year!

Home alone 2 (1992)

It might do a lot of the same things as the first, but it is still a fun followup! Plus, Tim Curry and "Angels with Even Filthier Souls"!

Die Hard (1988)

Want something a little more bloody and action packed for Christmas? This is the one for you! Plus, Alan Rickman is always fun to watch as Hans Gruber!

Batman Returns (1992)

Bet this one didn't come to mind before! Not only is it set during the Christmas season, but there's a tree lighting ceremony and mistletoe plays a part here!

Elf (2003)

Just a fun family movie! Just easy watching for the season with a few good laughs! And I'd be a Cotton-Headed Ninnymuggins if I didn't give this one a mention!

Gremlins (1984)

Gotta have at least one Christmas Creature-Feature! And none are as fun as this classic!

And those are my picks! I hope everyone is having a great Christmas season! And I hope you check some of these films/specials out! Let me know in the comments!

Movie Monday with Fred!-Krampus (2015)

 It's been a while since one of these has been posted and what better way to restart the series than by having it in its new home.

This Monday Fred recommends: Krampus (2015)

 

Let's start off the Christmas season with a movie that has quickly earned a spot in my yearly holiday movie rotation.

 

A boy accidentally summons an evil Yuletide presence that begins terrorizing his family just before Christmas.

 

I must admit, the first time I watched this I was expecting more than what I got. Being the follow-up to Michael Dougherty's Trick 'r Treat (2007), a movie that I instantly loved, I think I was expecting to have the same reaction. But that wasn't the case. It actually took me an extra viewing, and it being really cheap at one of my local shops, before I truly came around on it. It's still got it's problems, but there is quite a lot to like here! 

There's a lot of striking visuals peppered throughout this film; particularly a scene towards the end looking like a hellish Pagan ritual that looks like its just getting ramped up! And the creature designs range from great to, maybe, a little goofy (in a good way!). Krampus can be pretty imposing (when he actually shows up), but I'm still not a fan of the choice to cover his face with a mask; it's a little odd and it took me a moment to realize that's what it was while I was watching it. But his minions are all fun and menacing in their own ways as well; an evil angel tree-topper, gnarly teddy bear, a jack-in-the-box that has an extra surprise and gingerbread men (yup, you read that right).

The cast here are all pretty good for what is asked of them. Toni Collete (Hereditary and The Sixth Sense) has some stand out moments and Adam Scott’s (Step-Brothers and many other things) reaction to a sudden realization early in the film gets me every time. David Koechner (Anchor Man, The Office and many other things), Allison Tolman (why Women Kill and The Gift) and Conchata Ferrell (Edward ScissorHands and Two & a Half Men) do well as the obnoxious relatives that come to visit on the fateful night!

As previously mentioned, Michael Dougherty is the director here; he went on to not only write, but direct Godzilla: King of the Monsters and wrote the story for Godzilla vs. King Kong. And while Krampus isn’t as tightly written as his previous film he still brings enough of the holiday aesthetic with this as he did with Trick ‘r Treat. And here’s to hoping the proposed sequel to that film can capture the same magic—or at the very least, a different type of magic!

So, if you haven’t seen Krampus (2015) I highly recommend mend it! And if you have, maybe give it another shot if you didn’t care for. And what better way to do so than on December 5th, otherwise known as krampusnacht!

Tell me in the comments what you thought of Krampus (2015)! And we’ll be back next time for another Movie Monday with Fred!