Movie Monday with Fred- Evil Dead Rise (2023)

 This Monday Fred recommends: Evil Dead Rise (2023)

Even though I think it may be the weakest, this series doesn't have a single bad entry!

A family reunion is cut short when demons are unleashed in their dilapidated apartment building

 

As I said before this is by no means a bad movie. It's was actually quite a bit of fun! It's just that I feel this is the weakest entry we've gotten so far. The movie feels at odds with itself when it comes to its tone. For a while it felt like they were going to play it pretty serious but after things get going, there are a few gags thrown in that make it more tongue-in-cheek. Never hitting the serious, grim tone of the 2013 remake; but also not hitting the campy, over-the-top nature of  Evil Dead II (1987). And with the story involving kids, it felt like they were slightly pulling their punches with how far they took the carnage-candy. That being said though, there's still quite a bit of the red stuff being splattered on screen! And I love the change of location from a cabin in the woods to a rundown apartment building! It really helps this one standout from the rest of the series. Though, I do wish they did a little more with it; they mention Room 82 and the state that it's in, but it's never seen or used. And lastly, I love the design of the lead Deadite here, probably one of the more unsettling designs for the franchise!

 

The cast is mostly unknowns, but they all do a pretty good job with their characters. With the standout being Alyssa Sutherland, as Ellie. She plays the mom turned lead Deadite and her performance was a blast to watch! And behind the camera you have both Bruce Campbell, Sam Raimi and Robert Tapert as producers. And they help to give the film a little more authenticity!

All-in-all it's still a fun movie and I can't wait to re-watch it and add it into my Halloween rotation!

But what do you think? Have you seen Evil Dead Rise (2023)? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!

Until next time I hope everyone has a great day!

Movie Monday with Fred- Five Nights at Freddy’s (2023)

 This Monday Fred recommends- Five Nights at Freddy’s (2023)

Definitely not a movie that would’ve been expected to be recommended here, but there’s no denying this movie has a certain charm to it!

A security guard begins work at the abandoned Freddy Fazbear's Pizza. And he soon realizes there's something sinister going on there.

As someone who doesn't really know all that much about the games this is based on, I was still pretty entertained by this movie! I knew a few things going in, but not much else. This definitely feels like a film made as lovingly close to the source material for the fans as possible. And while I think that group with get more out of the experience, just about anyone can enjoy it. In fact, as I watched it, all I could think of was that this makes for a good gateway horror movie. If you're looking for something to watch with the whole family, or you know someone who isn't into the genre that much, FNaF is a good place to start! Although, if you looking for a scary good timing with lots of carnage-candy, you'll have to look else where. While there's some gore to push its PG-13 rating, it's not a lot, and it's not a scary movie in the slightest. Unless you have a phobia of animatronics! No, this is a movie more concerned with giving our protagonist a story and setting a mood. And it does both of those things pretty well!

The cast here all do a pretty good job! Josh Hutcherson (The Hunger Games, Zathura) is really good here as our protagonist, Mike. They really give his character a strong sense of motivation as to why he does the things that he does through out the course of the movie. And Matthew Lillard (Scream, Scooby Doo) is always fun to see! His role is short, but memorable!

If you're looking for a fun horror movie the whole family can sit down to, this is a good one! And just in time to send the Spooky Season off with a bang!

So, have you seen Five Nights at Freddy's (2023) yet? If so, what did you think? Does it do the games justice? Let me know in the comments below!

Until next time I hope every one has a great day! And I hope everyone has a great and safe Halloween!

Movie Monday With Fred!- Haunt (2019)

 This Monday Fred recommends: Haunt (2019)

It's been some time since we've posted on here and what better time than the Spooky Season to get back into the swing of things! And what better way than to suggest a slasher movie that is/has been under some radars for far too long!

A group of friends end up at an extreme haunted house on Halloween night. And soon after their night turns deadly.

 

Not the most original premise, I know. But what it lacks in originality, it more than makes up for it with its setting, decent characters and a sense of dread that quickly gets under your skin, not letting go until the credits begin to roll. And the villains all stand out not only for their simplistic costumes but beyond that. And to say anymore would ruin some of the extra fun! And the standout for me for the villains has to be credited only as Ghost. Just a fun character and part of one of the most standout moments of the film for me! And this film very much earns its "R" rating; the violence on display can be pretty brutal 

 

 The cast is filled with relatively unknowns, but all do a decent job for their characters. Most notably is Katie Stevens as Harper. She's the main protagonist and very much the anchor to this film. The rest of the cast of friends all do a fine job as well. Again, none of this is wholly original, just executed very competently. Scott Beck and Bryan Woods are the duo directing from behind the camera, and if those names don't ring a bell immediately, they wrote the screenplay for A Quiet Place while writing this film. And you have Eli Roth as a producer, and I don't need to say much more than that--other than the fact that I'm looking forward to him finally making that full length film from the fake trailer for Thanksgiving!

 

It's rare for me to come across a forgotten a movie and get the feeling that it's a hidden gem but by the end I was completely won over by the film. And it's such a shame that this movie didn't really get much of a marketing push or was just ignored by the general public as I feel this should be in everyone's Halloween movie rotation.

Needless to say if you're looking for a fun way to spend an hour and a half, you really can't go wrong with this one!

So, have you seen Haunt (2019)? Have you always been in the know for this film? And if you haven't until know, let me know what you think in the comments below!

Until next time I hope everyone has a great day!

Ranking The Scream Franchise!

Having just recently watched Scream VI (2023), it got me thinking about the series again. I love the original three movies and number four quickly joined them (I think it's the most underrated of all the movies), but with these two new ones, I'm not as impressed with them. Don't get me wrong they have their moments, they just feel off to me. Maybe as I rank them it'll be more clear as to why that is. But for now let's get into the ranking!

 

Be warned, there will be spoilers from here on out!

6. Scream (2022)

For me this is worst one of the entire franchise thus far.

 I didn't like most of, if not all, of the new characters in this entry. Hardly any of them felt like actual characters to me. Pretty much all of them spoke in nothing but movie-meta dialogue. And it got real annoying, real quick. It felt like it couldn't trust it's audience anymore to pick up on the, more than well, established rules; and when every character chimes in on them it just becomes static at that point. And I know the other movies had the characters have movie-meta dialogue, but here it felt overblown and tedious.

The only character I liked was Dewey. And they killed him! Look, I'm all for killing off characters in a story. It's a great way to get some extra emotional pay offs and can be used to motivate the audience to rally behind the remaining characters to survive and get justice for the one who has fallen. But not only was there no real weight (besides shock value) behind his death (The audience probably grieved more at his passing than any of the characters in the movie!), but they handled his character poorly. I think David Arquette did well with how the character was written. I'm all for trying to explore different aspects of a character, I just wasn't sold that this was the correct way to go.

But, I think for me, my main issue has to deal with the killers and their motivation--mostly their motivation. Richie and Amber were just bland retreads of Billy and Stu. But their motive is the most eye-roll inducing one of the whole franchise; and considering most of the films it's just about some sort of revenge, that's saying a lot. Listen, you can have a social commentary in a slasher movie, I think it can be fine. Scream 4 had one, so it's nothing new to the series. However, I think the whole "toxic fandom" angle is weak, and already feels dated. Not everyone spends all their time online or in subreddits, so their motive feels like it only speaks too a certain demographic as opposed to more universal ideas.  And it brings in the question: "what exactly is a 'toxic fan'?". Is it just someone who doesn't like where their favorite franchise is heading? Or is it just for the ones that say vile things from behind the safety of their keyboards? But what about the people who just like to troll others? How do you separate unhappy fans with genuine criticisms from the ones that are being truly nasty, from the ones that just want to watch the world burn? Because I've seen people argue with fans that might have genuine concerns or criticisms; calling them toxic for their opinions.

Don't even get me started on Force ghost Billy Loomis.

I  just re-watched the movie for a second time as of writing this portion of my ranking. And while I still stand by my comments above, I will say that I wasn't bored while watching it. So it's got that going for it. And Ghostface will never not be a fun slasher villain.

 

5. Scream VI (2023)

Where to start with this? I guess I'll start with the positives and go from there.

Ghostface is at his most brutal here and I'm all for it. Other films in the series toyed with it a little, but here he definitely felt more menacing. That scene in the convenience store was great as well as the subway scene(though I wish it hadn't been spoiled in the trailers)! Roger Jackson delivered, what I think, is his best performance as The Voice to date. I like the New York setting for the most part. And I was pleasantly surprised that I liked the returning characters. It was nice that they weren't all speaking as much movie-meta dialogue and that they felt a little closer to real characters. And I'm definitely intrigued to see where they go with Sam in the next one as they keep giving her a little more of an edge as a final girl with her more violent tendencies. And the cold opening was really fun. Seeing all the nods to the previous films in the shrine room was a blast. As well as seeing two Ghostfaces on screen at the same time was fun. And who doesn't like seeing Kirby again?

However, the rest of the movie is a bit of a mess. 

Let's get this out of the way; I know it's a movie and characters can survive a lot if the writers want them to, but I think this movie takes it to a new level! Pretty much all the characters get torn up in one fashion or another and NONE of the main characters die; I'm looking at you Gale and Chad. And it goes against this being a more brutal Ghostface. Not to mention it was okay to kill Dewey in the last one to raise the stakes, but the other legacy character in this movie is allowed to live. It makes his death feel even more cheap here. 

 But the story is just a rehash. If Scream (2022) was retreading certain plot points from the first Scream, then this movie is just taking certain things from Scream 2. Mainly with the plot line with having a family member seeking revenge for the death of another that was the previous Ghostface. Scream 2 it was Billy's mother; here all they did was ramp it up to Richie's dad, brother and sister. And the finale of both films take place in some sort of theater. On one hand, it's fine if that's part of the commentary they are trying to make on the state of current horror films. But on the other, it's very tired to see as a fan of the series. It starts to make you question whether, or not, the writers can deliver a truly fresh take on the material.

Finally, besides all that, this is probably the sloppiest movie in the franchise in terms of writing. There are two to three scenes that are strictly for the audience that make no sense if you re-watch. Who is the scene for when Ghostface is standing over Quinn--who's taking to her dad--and Danny is the only to see it? Two of the three killers are in the same room, with one on the phone with the last, for no reason. None of the other characters are here, so why the big charade? It's simply for the first time viewing and nothing more. Or how about Gale being an investigative journalist, who wrote a book about the previous events within a year of it happening, and doesn't know what Richie's family look like. At least in Scream 2 there's a throw away line to sort of explain why Gale didn't recognize Nancy Loomis. But in Scream VI there's nothing.

All in all, just as with the last one, I wasn't bored watching this movie. I felt like I was reasonably entertained. And at the end of the day, while I'm still not the biggest fan of these newer films, I'm entertained enough that I am curious to see what's in store for the next installment.

 

4. Scream 3 (2000)

I'm sure some of you are losing your mind that I put this one higher than the last two. And while I'm very aware of the many faults this movie has, it has a certain cheesy, Scooby-Doo charm to it that I still enjoy. Except for that Jay and Silent Bob scene. Nothing against the characters, but they did not need to be in this movie.

The killer being Sydney's long-lost half-brother is both a fun idea and kinda goofy at the same time. On on hand it helps deepen the lore a little bit without being too absurd. But, then again, we're just expected to believe that this one person is solely responsible for all of the events up to this point; it's sort of an odd choice. Though, I like that he's the only solo Ghostface at this time.

I will say I'm not a fan of the new voice changer. That idea truly does take a lot of willingness from the audience to go along with it. One paper, it's a neat idea but in practice it falls kinda flat. Roger Jackson's work is always good, but the voice changer having the ability to mimic other voices is silly and a wasted potential. It's only used a handful of times and every time you know that it's the killer talking. Imagine how tense the scenes would be if you really didn't know!

And while this movie doesn't have the strongest characters out of the whole franchise--in fact most of them are just either poorly written or borderline parodies--it does alright by the core three for the most part. Sydney gets her happy ending, and Dewey and Gale try again to make things work. Honestly if you only watched the first three movies, you'd get a reasonably satisfying ending to their story. And I think that's why it ranks higher for me than the other two.

 

3. Scream 4 (2011)

To this day I still think this is the most underrated of the series! Though I'd like to think many more people have the same mindset.

I think one of the biggest problems this film has is that it feels a little too similar to the first one. Though, that "been there, done that" feel does feel like it's on purpose since it was commenting on the state of horror remakes at the time. But beyond that, I do think this one was a little ahead of its time when it released. Not only do you have a character live streaming many moments in his life trying to get those ever important clicks and views, but I think the killer's motive was a little ahead of the times as well. Fame through being a victim is something that is nothing new but with the rise of online social media, influencers, and that constant need for attention, I think this motive is way more interesting than what Scream 5 was trying to do. And has a broader appeal.

But beyond that I think the characters are decent enough here. They're mostly likeable, with Kirby obviously being the standout favorite. But the returning core three are always the best parts of these movies (outside of Ghostface of course), and something that I wanted to mention somewhere on this list. To me, they are what helps further separate these movies from other in the genre. Because it was never a solo survivor story, it was about a trio of survivors and I really enjoyed that aspect of the series. 

And Ghostface making a return to form and being brutal in his methods was good to see again after having his claws trimmed for the past two movies.

2. Scream 2 (1997)

I debated on either this one or Scream 4 in this spot, but ultimately decided Scream 2 should take it. While it's got some problems, I still think it's a solid follow-up to the first film. And I think a lot boils down to how they handle Sydney in this one. She grew in this film, not unlike Ellen Ripley from Alien to Aliens or Sarah Connor from The Terminator to T2. Maybe not in a battle-hardened sense but she's more savvy to what's going on and is more willing to confront her fears. Which carries over to the rest of the sequels. And the cold opening is good; showing Ghostface claiming a victim surrounded by a ton of potential witnesses. My main gripe with the movie is that it doesn't ramp up the carnage candy, like Randy says is supposed to happen. It feels a little tame; Scream 3 would suffer even more from this as well. And at times the "teen" drama takes a little too much center stage.

I do wonder what this film would've been like if the script hadn't leaked.

1. Scream (1996)

Was there any doubt that this would take the top spot? 

What is there to say about this that hasn't already been said? Well known that it helped revive the slasher genre; and it still holds up well today--minus some of the technology. And that cold opening has gone down as one of the best shocks in, not only in this series, but in the broader slasher genre as a whole. 

And really, there's not much more to say. You all know what a classic horror movie this is!

But that's my ranking of the Scream franchise! What do you think? Do you agree with it or no? How would you rank the series? Let me know in the comments! I hope everyone has a great day!

Movie Monday With Fred!- Deep Rising (1998)

 

This Monday Fred recommends: Deep Rising (1998)

 

It's been a little while since we've had a creature-feature on here. And what better one to come back to the genre than this film here!

Hijackers board a luxury ocean liner, but discover that the entire passengers and crew have mysteriously vanished. What caused their disappearance? But, more importantly, can the hijackers make it off the ship alive?

Much like Broken Arrow (1996) last time, this is just a solid movie for a good time! It's not a hidden classic of the genre, but if you're looking for a fun flick, look no further. This is a movie that knows exactly what it is and knows exactly how much tongue-in-cheek it should be, while also taking itself just seriously enough to solidify the threat. 

And on that last point, this movie can be surprisingly gory in some spots. Nothing too gruesome, but just enough to earn itself that "R" rating. You have gooey dead bodies, an axe to the head and a quick scene of a guy having been partially digested! And the creature that does most of these things is great in terms of design, but unfortunately lacks in execution. They used CGI for the whole thing (as far as I'm aware) and...well, it didn't look great then and looks worse for wear now. Though, I suppose there's a charm to that; kind of like a homage to the 50s creature-features that came before. And no, I'm not going to spoil the creature here. Much like Tremors (1990), part of the fun is discovering that along with the characters! Though, I suppose the new cover art gives it away now, which is a shame. But since the original art (pictured above) tells you absolutely nothing about what the film is, I guess is why they changed it up.

The cast here is all pretty good as well! Treat Williams has a good unexpected every-man charm as the main hero, Finnegan. Kevin J. O'Connor adds a little more fun as Finnegan's right-hand man. Famke Janssen is good as a thief that managed to survive. And Wes Studi is always great to see and adds a little acting weight to the cast!

Behind the camera you have Stephen Sommers. And if you take nothing else away from this film, just view it as a template he would later use on The Mummy (1999)! It's all there: the likable characters, the menacing threat, the spotty CGI in some places (LOL!). 

Needless to say, if you enjoy Tremors (1990) or The Mummy (1999), you're going to have a good time here. 

Have you seen Deep Rising (1998)? Has it been awhile since you did? If you haven't, did you like it? Let me know in the comments below!

Until next time I hope everyone has a great day!

My Top 5 Favorite Westerns

What happened to this once great, and prevalent, genre of movies? Between the 1950s to 1980s the Western genre was very abundant; though they were starting to lose their appeal by the 80s. After that time, they all but dried up and blew away with the cliched tumbleweed never to have been really seen again. There were a couple in the early to mid-90s, then again in the early 2000s and 2010s, but they've never stayed around for longer than one or two fleeting movies at a time. 

Now, you can argue that they genre just evolved to be included in, and melded with, others; such as SciFi (i.e. Firefly), Horror (i.e. Bone Tomahawk), Comic Book (i.e. Logan or Jonah Hex) or Modern Day (i.e. Justified). But a standard western needs to make a return, and soon. And I'm talking good guy vs. bad guys (or at least morally grey characters fighting each other), saloons, shootouts, quick-draw duels on main street at the stroke of high noon, large sweeping vistas and little to no CGI, and characters riding off into the sunset! Whether it's throwback to the romanticized cowboy or a revisionist take on an old, retired gunslinger; these are stories that could use a resurgence! And if for no other reason than for Hollywood to produce something other than mostly Comic Book adaptations (don't get me wrong, I enjoy Batman and Spider-Man movies, but a variety would be nice)!    

And with all that out of the way, here are some of my favorite Westerns of all time!

 

 

5. Django Unchained (2012)

This is the newest movie on this list, but that doesn't make it any less of a modern classic of the genre!

Bounty-hunter Dr. King Schultz frees Django--a slave--and enlists him into his profession to track down wanted men. But soon after Django needs his help to find his wife that was sold to a ruthless plantation owner.

If you've ever wanted to see Quentin Tarantino tackle the western genre, this is it! A highly stylized revenge flick with all the Tarantino dialogue you can handle! And while the story is rather simple (like many stories of the genre) it's his characters, dialogue and style that help this one stand out!

And this film is chock-full of great actors! Christoph Waltz is a treat as Schultz, employer and mentor to Django; Jaime Foxx gives the right amount of style and determination to Django; and Leonardo DiCaprio is mesmerizing as the sadistic Calvin Candie! And that's not to forget the rest of the cast comprised of Samuel L. Jackson, Walton Goggins, James Remar, Jonah Hill, Don Johnson and many more!

And what more is there to say here? If a Tarantino directed western is something you've been looking for, then it's there waiting for you to enjoy! Then go check out The Hateful Eight as well! 

4. High Plains Drifter (1973)

Looking for something that might have a slight supernatural bent? Then look no further than High Plains Drifter!

When a gun-slinging stranger rides into the town of Lago the townspeople quickly plead for his aid to protect them from returning outlaws. But little do they realize the stranger not only has a high cost for his services, but also have his own motives for being in the town.

Clint Eastwood decided to continue his Man With No Name persona (though this is not related) that he had been widely known for, and made this as his first western he directed. And what a film it is too! There's something to be said about a movie whose protagonist could be just as dangerous as the men he's supposed to be defending the town from. And I think that's why it's one of my favorite westerns. Watching the stranger wreak his own havoc on the town as his motives become more clear throughout the runtime is one of the best aspects of the film. It gives the story an extra sense on danger and dread until its ambiguous final shot.

Performances are good all around as well! Clint Eastwood, as The Stranger, had all but perfected this type of role by this point, and is just as good here. But I think one of the standouts is Billy Curtis, as Mordecai, one of the few townsfolk that are decent and try to do the right thing.

Go check this one out as soon as possible! If you like The Man With No Name Trilogy, you'll like this one as a spiritual successor!  

3. Deadwood Series/Movie (2004-2006/2019)

It might be a slight cheat to have both the show and the movie in this spot. But the movie concludes the story that the show started, so I'll allow it. Plus it's my list and there's nothing you can do to stop me!

Set in Deadwood, South Dakota during late 1800s in a rough mining camp. The show follows the lives of Al Swearengen, the local brothel and saloon owner; Seth Bullock, a former lawman trying to start a new life; and Wild Bill Hickok--along with many others. Their lives begin to intertwine as more and more outside disturbances--such as a new saloon owner, a wealthy tycoon and the U.S. Government--begin to move into the camp.

And that's about the best, and shortest, description of the show I can get across as it's a show packed with side-characters and subplots for it's 3 season (and movie) run. And that's the best thing about this show, it's so rich with a diverse cast of characters that you get a pretty good sense of pretty much everyone's wants and motivations throughout it runtime. Now, there are standouts, of course; Al Swearengen, played by Ian McShane, is hands down the best (and most prominent) character as you watch him do everything he can to scheme to keep control of what power his has on the camp. Then you have Seth Bullock, played by Timothy Olyphant, a retired lawman just wanting to start a new life by opening a hardware shop to sell goods to would-be miners hoping to strike gold, but as time goes by he once again has to put on the badge.

And make no mistake, while there are some villainous characters here, the good ones are just as likely to do something questionable as well. Every one of these characters tend to do things that will suit their own interests, and they tend to help others if it will benefit them in some way. That's not to say they're all cutthroats or anything, they just feel like they make more human choices in the end.  

So, if you're looking for a different type of western, look no further than Deadwood!

2. Tombstone (1993)

What a fun, almost perfect, movie this is! If you know someone who's never seen a western before, this is the best one you could possibly show them!

Wyatt Earp and his brothers, Morgan and Virgil, arrive in the town of Tombstone looking to make their fortune and become reacquainted with an old friend, Doc Holiday. But soon after they are thrust into the roles of lawmen, when a group of outlaws calling themselves, The Cowboys, begin to terrorize the town, leading to the historic shoot-out at the O.K. Corral.

Easily the most re-watchable film on this list! And for good reason! The cast here are all excellent, bringing the right performance to all their characters. Sam Elliot and Bill Paxton, as Virgil and Morgan respectively, while not having a ton of screen time, make their presence felt both on and off screen. Powers Boothe looks like he's having a ball playing the villainous leader of The Cowboys and Michael Biehn stands out as his right hand man.

And, of course, there's Val Kilmer as Doc Holiday. And what else is there to say that hasn't already been said about this performance? The movie becomes even more electric every time he is on screen and any actor that plays Doc Holiday will forever be in the shadow of that legendary performance!

Wondering where Kurt Russell is for my praise of this film? I wanted to give him his own solo spot. I feel when people talk about this movie they always bring up Doc Holiday first, and for good reason. But it always feels like Kurt Russell's turn as Wyatt Earp gets almost pushed back to a secondary character, like Virgil and Morgan, when he is quite literally the glue that holds this film together. Not only did he bring the right type of stoicism to the role, but rumors have it (and Val Kilmer later confirmed it) that he stepped in behind the camera to ensure the film stayed on track and they got the shots they needed; basically doing some ghost directing. And I think that's worthy of some praise!

So, if you, or someone you know, are looking for an all-around great western, look no further than Tombstone!

1. Unforgiven (1992)

God. Damn. For me, this is the best western ever made. While the others helped solidify my growing interest and appreciation for the genre, this one got me through the door! Before I was introduced to this masterpiece (not a word I throw around a lot, mind you) I never really cared much for western movies. I always saw them as the typical "good guys in white hats fighting bad guys in black hats" or more like "John Wayne" type of westerns. The characters never seemed particularly interesting to me as most of them were good guys out to win the day. And before you ask, I wasn't introduced, or cared about, the Spaghetti Westerns that came out before. It wasn't until my dad bought this movie on DVD and suggested I might like it as it wasn't what I considered a typical western; and he was absolutely right!

Unforgiven follows William Munny(Clint Eastwood), a retired gunslinger, as he and his old friend Ned Logan (Morgan Freeman) take on one last job to help a young bounty hunter known as "The Schofield Kid"(Jaimz Woolvett).

And while that doesn't sound like much of a story--or at least a worn out one--it's how it's told that keeps you engaged until the end.

This is a dark film, filled with characters with dark pasts. It's a very grounded film giving off a more authentic feel to how the west might have been in some ways. This is not a good guys vs bad guys film; these are morally bankrupt people trying to make a living or maybe just trying to redeem their past sins.

This movie is downright perfection for me. Everything from the performances--I dare you to take your eyes from the screen whenever the characters are present; to the cinematography with its gorgeous color pallet and wide expansive shots. Even the editing is exactly how it needs to be, allowing the characters time to breathe; for you to get to know them and in turn allow them to grow. Make no mistake, this is not a fast paced, action packed movie, its a slower character driven piece. But when the violence does start it has the the right amount of weight to it that this story should.

Let's backtrack to those performances for a moment. Clint Eastwood gives one of, if not the, best performance of his career as William Munny; bringing us a world-weary man who never really reconciled with his past, thrust back into it once more. Morgan Freeman brings the smallest of levity as William's friend and old partner. Gene Hackman is great as the antagonist, giving the right amount of menace, but also humanity. And Richard Harris has a memorable role as an aged gunfighter, who may not be as true to that persona as he lets on; tying him into one of the revisionist themes here.

God, I miss movies like this!

And I could continue to gush about this film all day if I could, but I think I'll leave it at where it is. I cannot recommend this movie enough. If you like westerns, or just slower character driven movies, you can do any better than Unforgiven! 

And that's my list! Let me know what you think in the comments! And what are some of your favorite western?

 

And before we go, here a few quick bonus recommendations!

Open Range (2003)

Kevin Costner stars as a former gunslinger forced to take up arms when a corrupt lawman threatens him and his cattle crew.

The Hateful Eight (2015)

A bounty-hunter and his prisoner take refuge from a winter storm in a cabin full of other shady characters!

The Quick and the Dead (1995)

A woman enters a dueling contest to seek justice for her father's death.

3:10 to Yuma (2007)

A rancher agrees to watch over an captured outlaw before being put on a train to Yuma for his trial.

The Shootist (1976)

 A terminally-ill gunfighter looks for a way out on his own terms while still holding on to his dignity.

True Grit (2010)

A farm girl hires a tough U. S. Marshall to track down the man who killed her father.

Blazing Saddles (1974)

 

In this western spoof, a corrupt politician hires a black sheriff to try to ruin the town. But he soon finds out the sheriff is a formidable adversary to his plot!

Movie Monday With Fred!- Broken Arrow (1996)

 

 

This Monday Fred recommends: Broken Arrow (1996)

 

Does anyone remember this movie? I feel like this one that gets lost in the discussion of decent action flicks from the 90s.

A rogue U. S. pilot steals two nuclear missiles and threatens the country. Now his former co-pilot, with the help of a local park ranger, are the only ones that can stop him. 

This really is a solid little action movie. It's nothing too flashy, but it is a fun way to spend a couple of hours. And sometimes that's all you need. Not every action movie has to be a classic or defining film of the genre, sometimes its nice to just watch a movie that knows exactly what it is. And all it wants to do is entertain you. 

 

 And entertain it does. You have many different shootouts in different locations, like a mine and train, along with a few hand-to-hand fights. And you have a little cat-and-mouse moments as our protagonists try to survive groups of armed men, while our villain puts his plan into action. Unfortunately, one of the major problems with a movie like this is that it's simple and not much to it. And to keep it an unspoiled experience for first time there's not much to really talk about without getting into the details of the set-pieces, and I don't like spoiling that anymore than actual plot details.

 

The cast here are all pretty good. Christian Slater, as Riley, does a good job as the betrayed co-pilot, and friend, trying to stop the nefarious plans from taking hold. Samantha Mathis, as Terry, is a pretty good side-kick to Riley as she is given a bit to do and isn't too much of a damsel in distress. But, it's John Travolta, as Deakins, that is the absolute standout! He chews every bit of scenery he's in. It might be a little over-the-top, but it is fun to watch him as he looks like he's having a blast playing the villain. Something he'd lean into a a little more the following year with Face/Off (1997).

 

Behind the camera you have the legendary John Woo directing here! This is his second American film, and while his harder edges from his more violent Hong Kong films have been a little sanded down, his still delivers some really well directed action scenes! Not as balletic as something like Hard Boiled (1992) or The Killer (1989), but a slightly more grounded take on the gunfights he's known for.

Overall, I think this is a movie that is worth at least one viewing. Just a good competent action movie that will surely entertain you until the very end! Besides, you know that twangy guitar musical cue they used for Dewey's theme in Scream 2 (1997)? Well, they lifted it from this film! The first time I heard it in Scream 2 I was like, "I know this song!".

Have you seen Broken Arrow (1996)? Let me know in the comments below!

We'll be back soon with another recommendation! So, don't forget to give me a follow to stay up to date! Until then, I hope everyone has a great day!

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!