I was able to get to the theater twice in February and I had
a blast both times.
First up was the expensive science fiction adventure epic
JUPITER ASCENDING from the Wachowskis. Delayed from a release last year I had
fears about this one but I found my fears to be unnecessary as the siblings
seem to still have their skills intact. Of course, I'm a defender of the Matrix
sequels and I loved SPEED RACER so understand that I did not enter the
screening imagining the worst and what I got was a grand pulp inspired space
opera - awesome!
The main inspirations for the film seem to have been the mad,
galaxy-spanning SF stories of the pulp magazine era, the covers of those same
magazines, the book and film of The Wizard of Oz and the entire cinematic output
of Terry Gilliam. The storyline is straightforward to the point of simplicity and
the characters are basic types that gain depth and nobility as the film zips
along. The story is similar to the classic myths of a young peasant who learns
of their special birthright and eminence in the ruling hierarchy. This elevates
the young person (girl, in this case) to a place of importance but also puts
them in mortal danger from which they are protested by skilled warriors and
wise advisors. You know - the same tales ripped off by Star Wars!
The film is being slagged by most people as 'at best' eye
candy and 'at worst' sci-fi silliness. I would claim that it is both of these
things and more- an audacious attempt to craft a new science fiction universe
that seems truly alive. It is rare these day that filmmakers are given the
latitude to make a movie that builds a crazy futuristic vision wholly out of
new (if very familiar) material. JUPITER ASCENDING isn't based on a series of YA
novels, connected to the Marvel Universe or part of any previously known
property - it is its own rough beast stalking the theater screen, wanting to be
seen. It is pure fun from the top of its gorgeously designed visuals all the
way down to its SF/fantasy trope bones. It is the kind of movie I am glad can
still be made even as I know it will take years before there is a chance the
sneering masses will think of it as anything other than some silly crap they
were smart to avoid.
My second trip to the theater was even more impressive. I
have been a huge fan of director Matthew Vaughn since his debut LAYER CAKE
(2004). That film was a razor sharp British crime tale with the future James
Bond Daniel Craig proving his ability to carry a movie. In many ways KINGSMAN:
THE SECRET SERVICE is a follow up to that film but amped up to a scale that
makes the first movie seem reserved by comparison.
As was Vaughn's 2010 graphically violent super-hero movie
KICK ASS, this is adapted from a Mark Millar comic book making this his third
comic book to screen translation in a row. To my eyes he is getting better and
better at this form of filmmaking. His X-MEN: FIRST CLASS (2011) saved that
franchise from near death after the mess of the previous Wolverine film but
this movie proves that he can bring an entire new franchise to the public
successfully. Make no mistake- there will be sequels to this film and I could
not be more thrilled by the prospect.
KINGSMAN is a modern spy film about a group of
extra-governmental agents that work to destroy threats to the world. Very much
a British organization, the group maintains a small unit of spies with
Arthurian code names, impeccable dress requirements and unfailing good manners.
Although the film hinges on a disturbing worldwide threat from Valentine (a
lisping Sam L. Jackson having a ball) the real joys of the movie are our
introduction to this world as we watch a young man recruited and trained to join
the organization. Colin Firth is excellent as the older spy bringing the
younger man into the secrets of spycraft and trying to point him toward a more
constructive, positive life. Mark Strong is also wonderful as one of the other
members of Kingsman and Michael Caine is given a great supporting role as the
head of the group as well.
THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL
(2014)- 8 (wonderful)
LONDON BY NIGHT (1937)- 6
(fog bound mystery with some shaky British accents)
JUPITER ASCENDING (2015)- 8
STONEHERST ASYLUM (2014)- 9 (beautiful
gothic horror romance)
VIGILANTE (1983)- 7 (well
done Death Wish variant with an abrupt ending)
DEMONIC TOYS (1992)- 4 (not
very good Charles Band production)
KINGSMAN: THE SECRET SERVICE
(2015)- 10 (loved it!)
DOLLMAN (1991)- 4 (another
crappy Band production)
COMMAND PERFORMANCE (2009)-
7 (solid Dolph Lundgren action movie)
THE HOUSE THE VANISHED
(1974)- 7 (a.k.a. Scream and...Die - solid Jose Larraz thriller)
79 A.D. (1962)- 8 (excellent
sword & sandal story - full length version)
INNOCENT BYSTANDERS (1972)-
7 (well done spy thriller)
COLD IN JULY (2014)- 8
THE WILD NORTH (1952)- 8
(rewatch)
JADE (1995)- 3 (slick and
stupid)
JOHN WICK (2014) - 8
LUCY (2014)- 5 (based on
junk science and dumb as a bag of hammers but kind of entertaining)
THE RUNAWAY BUS (1954)- 6
(fun little British mystery)
5 comments:
I always enjoy your monthly what I watched lists. Which Charles Band movies do you like? I think Dolls counts, so I would say that's his best. Out of his Puppet Master movies I've only made it through the first three. The first one is a film that didn't warrant sequels, but I enjoyed the second and third more. The second suffered from being shot on film. However, the third was the funnest. Speaking of Death Wish variations, which ones do you think are the best and worst?
Yes! The House That Vanished. That is indeed a solid Larraz thriller. Good work.
This two movie reviews was really a great movie of this year. I watch the Kingsman it was a hilarious and action movie and based on the review the other movie was romance action movie. I hope I can watch that movie.
Love your comments on both movies,and also loved both movies (too bad there won't be a sequel to Jupiter Ascending though-I'd love to know what Jupiter will do to protect Earth from her extraterrestrial siblings.) I'd love to see some toys/merchandise based on Jupiter Ascending, as well as Kingsman, just for the lulz.
I have only seen the first Puppet Master film and thought it was only OK- I plan to watch the others but I'm in no hurry. And DOLLS is much more of a Stuart Gordon film than a Charles Band to my eyes - but to each his own.
As for DEATH WISH variations- that's a tough one. I will recommend VIGILANTE FORCE (1976) and STREET LAW (1974) as good ones.
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