Category: Movie Review

The Karate Kid (1984)

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The karate kid, a movie that sent an generation to learn martial arts and probably made their tournaments far more popular than ever before. It is a timeless classic of Daniel taking on bullies with the help of the local handy man. Learning the meaning of wax on, wax off and not in his bedroom. It would also spawn multiple sequels all of which can be found on Hulu right now.

It is a classic for a reason, it was much loved by many and even now people born in the 80’s still  only know Ralph Maccio as Danial and Pat Morita as Mr. Miyagi. Tho in recently years there has been some conspiracy surrounding the movie. Was danny boy the bad guy the entire time? Well watch this video and you decide. Best wishes and may the gaming gods bring you glory.

The Strangers

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There are few movies that ever really freaked me out. Strangers is one of those movies that kept me up at night and made me watch the shadows carefully, because you don’t know who maybe staring back at you.

Strangers is a simple story of a troubled couple going to a cabin in the woods. The guy proposed to his girlfriend at a friend’s wedding and she declined him, so well, there romantic getaway is screwed. Suddenly, late at night in the middle of nowhere, there’s a knock at the door. A young woman stands there in shadow and asks “Is Tamera home?”. Confused, they tell her no and close the door. Later, the couple argues and the dude walks out for air and not long after, the same woman returns, knocking. Only this time she doesn’t go away. Then the woman of the couple quickly discovers that she ain’t alone and calls her man back. Rushing home, it doesn’t take long before the three Strangers make themselves known and trap them there, playing with them, well, because they were home…

The movie is simple but effective as hell. The music and atmosphere adds a lot of tension to the loneliness but the Strangers themselves are eerie enough. They wear such simple masks but what freaks me out is that this movie isn’t about the couple being hunted, but being toyed with. The Strangers don’t attack until the very end, but they cut every chance they have to get away, knowing every route, always there. I highly recommend it with the lights off in a house alone. May the gaming gods bring you glory…and is Tamera home?

 

Strangers 2, trailer 1

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One of my favorite horror films of all time, and one of the most underrated of last decade was The Strangers. Emphasis on the last decade part. Strangers came out in 2008, and a decade later we get a sequel, or rather a prequel? What the hell is with this decade in horror where sequels are prequels but still named 2? Anyway, there is a family, a mobile home, and those creepy, simple bastards in masks that just freak the hell out of me. Immediately I have to say this is a much brighter, colorful movie than the first.

So far, I’m conflicted by the trailer as well as by the movie itself. I think Strangers should have been left alone personally but as far as sequels goes, this doesn’t look bad. There is enough to feel like the first but there is a different flavor too. My biggest fear is that the sequel will try pushing it into slasher territory instead of keeping psychological horror. We don’t have long to wait, so I am curious. May the gaming gods bring you glory.

Ghost House (2017)

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Ghost House is basically the the stereotypical Asian ghost story. You know most American ones involve some sort of Indian cemetery or burial mound and a pissed spirit. Well prepare for that from our Asian brethren.

On vacation before being married a couple meets a nice European couple and decide to go site seeing. This of course leads to seeing some land marks, a strip club and an old abandoned shrine with a bunch of mini houses, sort of like doll houses. When one woman attempts to retrieve a piece of cloth at the behest of their new European friends whom now decides to run away and abandon them to be possessed by an evil spirit.

Turns out this evil spirit gets really pissed off when a young attractive woman messes with these houses. It sounds good in theory but sadly the movie is actually kind of boring. It is slow, comes off pretty stereotypical to a degree that actually spoils the movie at times and the acting isn’t all that great either. I wouldn’t suggest watching this one except for morbid curiosity. Best wishes and may the gaming gods bring you glory.

Metropolis Restored (1927)

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First despite the title the actual name of the movie is simply Metropolis, I was watching a restored version. After doing some research apparently much of the original film was lost even when a complete version was actually found much of it was damaged beyond repair or use. It was actually pretty cool seeing what is considered the first true full feature science fiction movie tho “A Trip to The moon” by Georges Melies is also arguably the first. Regardless of that, on to Metropolis.

This movie is basically a silent film of the haves vs the have nots. The rich people living upstairs and the workers living underground keeping the machines working. I would say its a classic tale but really it is one of the first tales, about a robot used to take over someones life in order stop the revolution of the working class that the rich wanted to stop by any means necessary. This tale has been told many times over and over again and will be told probably until the end of time. If you are a fan of movie history, this one is on Netflix and you should really take the time to watch it. If you aren’t but just enjoy a movie with social commentary you should still check it out. Most people however won’t enjoy it. Best wishes and may the gaming gods bring you glory.

Seeking a Friend for the End of the World (2012)

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This may be the longest title I have ever reviewed. Like the actual title not the movie length. The movie is a weird sort of romantic comedy. Steve Carrell plays a guy trying to find the one that got away, his high school sweetheart. keira knightley plays a woman just trying to get home to her family.  And why are they doing this? Well in about three weeks the world is ending because a huge rock from space is going to wipe out all life on Earth.

For once in a rare twist a movie about armageddon handles it in a realistic but fun way. For example early on there is a family and friends party, but weirdly this normally classy and uptight group is now swingers doing heroin teaching small children to chug booze. I mean I get it, the world is ending, have a good time. Another man they run into doesn’t want to go to hell so he hires a hit man, to kill him.

All in all the movie is fun if not a bit odd, but worth a watch. Best wishes and may the gaming gods bring you glory.

John Wick: Chapter 2

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When are people going to leave poor John Wick alone and let the man be? Seriously, pissing John Wick off is bad for your health.

Picking up pretty much where the first left off, the epic assassin gets his car back in a badass display of awesomeness. Finally, with his new dog and his car back, he can pack away his guns and black suit once and for all. But alas, someone from Wick’s past returns, demanding a favor Wick owes him. Wick politely refuses and this dude blows his house up, destroying the last things he had to remember his wife. Mr. Wick doesn’t take take kindly to this but has no choice to do the favor, so after he can kill this jackass. But suddenly Wick finds the underworld of assassins becoming a enemy of itself as he finds a massive bounty on his head. Can John Wick take on the underworld and a huge crimelord at the same time?

John Wick 2 is freaking awesome, but like may sequels isn’t as good as the first. The movie continues with great performances, choreography, music, and effects while actually exceeding the first in the setting and cinematography. The story is a bit more complicated but rightfully so. My issue that keeps it from being on par with the first is the extent of the amount of assassins there are. Like hundreds of these bastards, and while it adds to the suspense it does jump the bullshit meter a bit. It’s not a huge grip though. I highly recommend this if you loved the first or you just like good action movies. May the gaming gods bring you glory and for the love of god don’t piss off John Wick.

John Wick

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John Wick was one of those movies I always heard about but never really had inclination to see. Everyone I knew that saw it praised the hell out of it, many said it’s one of the best action movies of our time and after watching it, I can can tell you much of the praise and acclaim is well earned.

John Wick is a retired assassin who just lost his wife to a terminal illness. He receives a beagle puppy from his wife as a last gift to help him cope. Still hurting, John and his puppy get along and nothing seems so bad…until the son of an old employer, a high stakes Russian mobster, stupidly decides to kill Wick’s dog and steal his car. John decides to come out of retirement and kill every single person in his way until he gets revenge…

Despite the plot sounding blah on paper, it’s executed wonderfully. Keanu Reeves gives the best performance I’ve ever seen from him, being menacing, stalwart, and heartbroken all at once. The action scenes are insane but are predominately practical which is a huge breath of fresh air over many modern movies that relay too much on CGI. The choreography is utterly immaculate, but what I really appreciate is that for how much ass John Wick kicks, he gets the shit beat out of him just as much. The music is pretty cool and the cinematography is interesting and thank god no damn shaky cam during the fights. I found the characters and underworld of assassins intriguing ass. I highly recommend John Wick to anyone who is fed up with modern action movies and wants something old school with real heart and some sweet laughs. May the gaming gods bring you glory, and please no drinking games while watching this movie, you will likely die.

The New Daughter (2009)

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The New Daughter proves you can take a premise that has been done to death, add another idea that has also been done to death combine it with more stuff that is highly cliche and still make a pretty good movie. Stop me if you heard this one before. A writer movies his kids to the country after mom leaves/dies ( in this case leaves) only for his kid ( in this case his daughter) to be possessed by an evil spirit because of an ancient Indian burial mound.

Yes that is the story of this movie. That being said the slow progressive change with the daughter is well done and her ever changing relationship with her dad and brother, both of which change differently is nice. The duel twist ending is also a pretty nice change of pace. The acting is great which isn’t a surprise from Kevin Costner. The problem with the movie however and the reason a lot of people dislike it however is understandable. There is nothing in this movie you have never seen before. From beginning to end it is a series of events that other movies have done, The New Daughter simply does them all well. Best wishes and may the gaming gods bring you glory.

Goon (2011)

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Goon is the story of a bouncer that has a gay brother and a friend with a big mouth at a local hockey game. When a guy from the opposing team gets tossed in the box for fighting in typical fan fashion his friend lets fly with some nasty obscenities and hand gestures only for the player to jump out of the box to attack and calling him a fag. Our man Doug doesn’t like this and demands he takes the word back, and when this demand is denied he beats the ever loving crap out of him. He also discovers a new job as a hockey player.

Good you see is the movie of Doug “The Thug” Glatt, bouncer turned hockey player. His job? Take out those that would get a little rough with his fellow players. and he is damn good at it. He also happens to be one of the nicest guys on Earth, to the point that he at a few points apologizes to a few guys or even a hey nice fight. It was actually nice to see Seann William Scott play someone besides Stiffler and he did it very well. The movie isn’t perfect and honestly being a hockey fan really helps. In fact if you aren’t a hockey fan you should probably skip it since much of the fun comes from being a hockey fan. Best wishes and may the gaming gods bring you glory.