Variable NetFlix Reviews #22
Q: THE WINGED SERPENT: * * *
I never saw this in the 80s but was always fascinated by the idea of it: the draconic god of the Aztecs is preying on Manhattan, a flat-out stop-motion animated pterosaur monster movie starring a frickin' Carradine. Well, guess what? This film is absolutely atrocious. What a surprise. But it has a stop-motion pterosaur so I didn't completely kick it out of bed.
THE MIGHTY BOOSH: SEASON 1: * *
I guess I was hoping for another FLIGHT OF THE CONCHORDS (* * * *) the way so many people were talking this show up but, eh, watched the first disc of episodes and it just didn't grab me.
A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS: * * * *
Another fine period piece about how it's a bad idea to be a friend and advisor to the King of England if your name is Thomas. Robert Shaw is a fun Henry VIII.
MISSION IMPOSSIBLE 3: * * * *
I really dug this, more even than the first and far more than the second - mostly because it was a lot more visceral. The extraction operation where they just set up giant suppressive fire guns all around the factory and the whole job happens under heavy weapons fire alone was all joy.
CHRIS ROCK: BRING THE PAIN: * * *
This is a sort of legendary stand-up set but coming to it years later, it didn't feel like it really Brought It the way it always sounded like it did. Perhaps the intervening years (and, frankly, the career of Dave Chappelle) have blunted what was maybe a pretty edgy routine for its time.
KISS KISS BANG BANG: * * * * *
Even though it overuses a few of its meta-narrative tricks, a thoroughly enjoyable Fiasco, in the true vein of gameplay, from start to finish.
THE GETAWAY: * * *
When I think of a getaway, I think of something fast and frenetic. This was a surprisingly long and slow movie, for a getaway. Also, the really weird subplot with the killer coming after them and cuckolding the doctor who treats his bullet wounds just seemed out of place. The main thing about this movie that stuck with me is how totally, completely 1970s all the interiors look. Fake wood-paneling walls!
OUTLANDER: * * *
If I said to you "Vikings vs. a giant alien dragon-beast with the help of an alien cop" and you closed your eyes to imagine what that would be like, exactly this movie would happen in your imagination.
HANNA: * * * *
You had me at "Cate Blanchett is the spookshow executive who oversaw the creation and eventual destruction of all these super-assassin babies".
MULAN: * * *
While I like the core ideal of this Disney movie - the self-reliant female protagonist going against gender roles - the execution was only okay. Not particularly any exceptional songs and Eddie Murphy as Eddie Murphy The Sidekick Voice Actor.
------
For consideration: more Fiascos, found footage, indie stuff, Jet Li, and Mel Gibson is Crazy