It takes approx 20 minutes before the story kicks in. And when you play the movies back-to-back, you notice one thing; the story build-up is almost exactly the same as in Lethal Weapon 2. But this time, everyone is FUNNY. Leo Getz are unleashed on us, while Donner has decided that Riggs should have oneliners in every scene, while Murtaugh scrambles by with "Riggs, you crazy sonofabitch" at least 10 times. Luckily, we are introdused to the asskicking Lorna Cole, played by no nonsense Rene Russo, who keeps the craziness somewhat under the lid, holding the wacky boys from going to the Apollo with they're standup material. The movie is far from bad, but the tone is like a rollercoaster, with so many stupid oneliners in the middle of action scenes. On the flipside, the action sequenses are the real deal, and dangerous as hell.
Reviews
226 Reviews
Lethal Weapon 2
(1989)
The better sequel
15 September 2023
I have my big reservations regarding Lethal 3 & specially 4, which took the franchise from actionthrillers to... action oneliners. In particular Leo Getz, played like a cartoon character by Joe Pesci. Luckily, his trademark "ok-ok-ok" was kept more or less under a lid on in Lethal 2, so the real stars, Glover and Gibson, could shine. It's looser in tone than the first movie, were Riggs has found his 'second family' with the Murtaughs. It's bigger, funnier & the story is tighter and more intriguing, this time written all the way by Shane Black (he only wrote the character arcs in Lethal 1). One specially remembers the encounters between Riggs, Murtaugh and the new bad boys, rascists South African diplomats. Both Glover and Gibson gets to shine with scenes against the South Africans. The only thing that stands out like a sour thumb is Patsy Kensit as Riggs new girlfriend. Kensit is simply put a poor and boring actress, specially when you see Rene Russo in Lethal Weapon 3.
Lethal Weapon
(1987)
They don't make em like that anymore
15 September 2023
There was buddy movies before Lethal, like the underrated gem Thunderbolt & Lightfoot, but this kickstarted a typhoon of copycats. Made with a very modest budget, Lethal 1 was a very grim and real movie compared to the 3 sequels. Groundbreakingly focusing on suicidal tendensies, seen trough Riggs, a manic, depressed cop, who is a menace to himself and everyone else. The big reason Lethal 1 became a classic isnt the story, but the chemistry between Danny Glover and Mel Gibson. The latter creating intense situations, tormenting the former. Too often Gibson gets the credit for Lethal Weapon's success, but it's a team effort. Glover grounds it in reallity, giving us a normal family man to keep Gibsons gung-ho somewhat in check. Not to mention Richard Donner, who used all his tricks to get the best out of a tiny budget. They don't make em like that anymore. Litterarly... they would be sued for some of the crazy stunts.
Young Sheldon
(2017–2024)
Wait... isnt that...
14 September 2023
There's a GAPING plot hole here, according to Big Bang nerds. I noticed it immidiately, since I'm smart. The conspiracy theory is that dad George is in fact Leonard's bully in an episode of BBT... which would be fun. My own theory is that the actor was picked for Young Sheldon with the producers beinh unaware that he played in an episode of BBT. It actually happens, people. In The Office, Everybody Loves Raymond, Curb Your Enthusiasm, etc. Recycled actors which makes your head spin when you binge seasons. Oh, and that kid playing Sheldon sounds like the kid playing Forrest Gump when he have problems with lines. Tbf, I probably would sound the same if I was supposed to deliver lines.
The Big Bang Theory
(2007–2019)
WHY, Chuck Lorre?
29 August 2023
Chuck Lorre is NOT a genious, which we learned when he didn't stop Two and a half men, after he and Charlie Sheen wanted to kill eachother. In Big Bang, Lorre's most notorious crime is the start of season 3, were we are introduced for a new regular. Bernadette, who talks NORMAL on a doubledate with Howard, Penny and Leonhard. So just tell me why in hell Lorre found out it was more "fun" that Bernie talks like a mouse on helium? As fun as a poke in the eye. As fun as doing taxes. As FUN as a Brazilian wax. It's incredible that a guy with such credentials does something so obnoxious.... besides that, Big Bang is pretty, pretty good. Even though I deteste laughter in a can.
The Flash
(I) (2023)
About 4 movies in one.....
27 August 2023
To be honest, it was better than my very low expectations. Warner has done they're best to spoil the plot with all they're promo shots, so there's no news in a new Supergirl and a second Flash. It all happens because DC cant do a single move without copying the boring Marvel formula. This time the disorienting multiverse (which Marvel stole from Back To The Future, which also is referenced here). The fun part is the very meta moment with seeing Nicolas Cage as Superman, since he actually screentested for it. The not so fun is that the movie never can decide if it wants to be funny or serious; the tone shifts every 5th minute. And Ezra Miller's stunts outside, makes some of his lines cringeworthy. The guy is just not very likable. The big thing is of course one Michael Keaton back as The Bat, which is a true joy. If you don't like Keaton back, there's something wrong with you. Watch out for one very great cameo right at the end. Very inspired anf very ironic.
The Haunting of Bly Manor
(2020)
Not a sequel...
12 August 2023
It should be obvious, but some don't get it. Bly Manor is not a sequel to Hill House, apart from Mike Flanagan directing and 3 actors shared. It it a haunted house story, as we see ghosts, but it's more a love story between several couples. I liked it's slow pace to a degree... and here's were my reservation against it comes. The show feels that it has to overexplain every characters story, to the point it reserves full episodes to each. Specially the origin story, ep8, dragged. The narrator got on my nerves (btw, how could she know it?) with "she awakes, she walkes, she sleeps". Yes, we get it! In the end, Bly Manor's story arc is a good ghost/love story, but it takes it's good time. This will and have throwed of viewers, and I get it. There's hardly any jump scares or explosions, and a bald move from Flanagan, who's next show, Midnight Club, had a record 60+ jump scares in the first episode...
The Sandman
(2022– )
Bold and beautiful
28 July 2023
I still remember seeing the first trailer. I just thought... no. Netflix can never do Sandman justice, and even if they do, it will be canselled. But a friend enlightened me; "I think you underestimate just how many devotees Neil Gaiman have". And for my part, I absolutely love it. Smart enough, they spend the 3 first episodes to ease us into what Morpheus is. Not everything will make sense, but it's all so beautiful laid out. My favorite was episode 6, were they both used the old tale of the devil and the traveller, and showed the relationship between sibling Dream and Death. I remember in the graphic novels that Death was ironicly very shirpy and playful. They have toned her down a bit, but it's still funny to see that Death has more life in her than the always moody and serious Dream. The episode is brilliant, balancing the philosophical heavy topic death in two acts. With so much material from Gaiman, it will be interesting to see were they go for season 2.
Take me back to 1666
23 July 2023
I'll be the first to admit that the other "chapters" really wasnt my horror gravy. Never been a fan of the obvious influences; Scream, Stranger Things and Friday The 13th. But they were enough to keep me in. My expectations to 1666 wasnt all there, but then again, I'm a sucker for period horror. 1866 is, IMO, the better of the three, for the first part of it. The atmosphere is much better. It's NOT in the same league as The Witch. Then again, it's for a younger, more impatient audience. It's very creepy to see how the whole village turn on a dime against "the witches" after horrible events. But I had some problems with the reccuring, young actors, who "forgot" the Irish accent several times. But it's a decent origin story (although I could smell the "twist" a mile away). TOO BAD THEN that the best story ends halfway in, and we jump back to 1994, and Stranger Things again take the front seat. Including lame solutions like attracting the walking dead serial killers with... water guns. And a bunch of cliches are coming. Like the grate that wont go down. The ending makes very little sense, and feels like Stephen King back in his cocaine days. I get that the makers want to acknowledge they're influences, but it's ok NOT to copy direct lines from other movies.
Elvis
(2022)
El-viZ ate America: The Biopic
23 July 2023
You want proof that the Oscars don't mean anything anymore? Look no further. Because this is mediocre. Tom Hanks, phoning in his worst performance since Bachelor Party, looking like Fat Basterd from Austin Powers. With a silly accent. Baz Luhrman fluffing up the movie with both rap(?!?) and overstylish camera effects, just to show of. Priscilla was 14 when Elvis started a relationship, but the actress is at least 21, because the movie doesnt want to remind us that Priscilla was a kid. At least she wasnt his cousin, Jerry Lee Lewis. But the worst sin is that it is plain boring. The music is awesome, but when you know the story, you feel the movie plays it too safe. The controversies are barerly mentioned. Or they have adjusted the truth for "dramatic purposes". Elvis wasnt just a victim of Parker and his own, great success. He was a victim of his own ego. And the movie seems to be affraid of going down a road were we see humanity in Elvis Aaron Presley. Missed opportunity.
Evil Dead Rise
(2023)
Two and a half deadities in Evil Dead and The City
13 July 2023
Gone are the days of Ashley Williams. But there's still life in Evil Dead. Finally someone had balls to park the cabin in the woods. Evil Dead and The City. And this might just be the most gruesome entry in the franchise. Not least because we have kids in this. It puts the stake up, and doesnt squirm away from pouring gallions of blood in the poor face of a ten year old girl. One scene in particular was both smart and genuine scary. Filmed trough the looking hole of the door, we can't see everything. We see the demon sprinting past it, hear sounds, and then see a boy flying across the hall. The only thing I thought was pretty dumb was the opening, which was "explained" by one of the tennets getting possessed AFTER everything was over. So she completely missed that all hell breaked lose? Nope, don't buy it at all. And we had the strange issue with the pregnancy, which hardly was mentioned again. Why?
Evil Dead
(2013)
Ok, flawed remake
13 July 2023
The Evil Dead scared the hell out of me back when I was 13-14. It was intense in the 80s, were we never had seen anything like it. 30 odd years later, the likes of Saw and Hostel has changed horror forever with the "torture porn" concept. So for the new Evil Dead, they went completely gung ho with splatter. The story is thinner than a sheet of paper. Mia is a heroin addict. People goes up to a cabin to help her get clean. A book in the cellar... witch clearly says DON'T OPEN, trapped in barb wire! Not only does the idiot open it, he starts chanting every word he find. On the plus side, you don't get the cliche of people looking for a cell phone signal. In fact, you never see a phone, making the setting timeless. And these people are just... people. No stereotypes to get annoyed over. They are just there. Dead by dawn, one by one. But it's so much blood and gore, you have to laugh in the end. Not just buckets of blood, in the end, it's raining blood. For... reasons. I btw never understood the concept from the Necronomicon to "free someone from the demon" (why would that even be in the book). The last 15 minutes makes very little sense, were the director/screenwriter goes overboard with the story. How exactly was Mia transformed back from a demon? Because of a car battery? Or the burrial. Or both?
I got a bad feeling about this...
6 July 2023
So this is the next step for Marvel? They are really going all out Transformers CGI now. Oh, the multiverse, endless opportunities to make endless movies that don't make sense. For the record; I liked Ant-Man 1. But this... I cant remember being so bored for awhile. It must have been a joy being actors, responding to absolutely nothing, since everything is animated. And not in a good way. Like that giant headman lobbing around. BUT at least we get to know what Janet Pym has been doing in Tinyworld for 30 years. The big revelation is that she has been having some fun. A girl has needs. Oh well... at least Paul Rudd still puts on his comedic sharm to save some of this mess. But he can't save the story, for those who actually could follow what the hell was going on here.
Metal Lords
(2022)
High School Metalmusical
6 July 2023
Metal Lords is an OK movie about outsiders in high school. It doesnt do anything new, and the filmmakers keeps it pretty safe. There is a real missed opportunity here, though. Our third member, Emily, suffers from "something". It becomes pretty lame when there's a scene were she explains that "that's my happy pills, but I don't need them now. You're my happy pill". That's were I jumped ship for a moment. My guess is that Emily is bipolar, since I'm very familiar with it. But the filmmakers treat it like a footnote. Move on, nothing to see here. See what I'm saying? What's the point of bringing up a mental illness, just to leave it in the air? It smells of bad writing. On the positive side, this is clearly made by people who grew up with heavy metal, and with love for it (just look at those cameos!), and they have put in some kickass tracks. In the end a joyable movie, were I could see the ending a mile away. Last a bit of nitpicking. Tom Morello might brag all he wants about the musical choreography, but you can easily see that the kids are not playing the instruments right; this is playback. And which band has ever played a song together on stage without rehearsal?
The Kominsky Method
(2018–2021)
When life gives you lemons....
2 July 2023
Seeing that Chuck Lorre wrote this, is a big surprise. Since his "big business" is Two and a Half Men, which they make fun of 3 times in Komensky. "A mediocre take on The Odd Couple", as Sandy says. Which means Chuck Lorre takes the piss out of his own success. Komensky is not a sitcom. It's a toughtful drama about facing the fact most will arrive to. Life didn't turn out quite like we dreamed. It's bittersweet, but full of genious, fun dialogue, specially Michael Douglas and Alan Arkin. And unlike most shows, it has a continious tone; were one chapter ends, the next picks up the tread. And it has a stellar arrival of cameos. From Morgan Freeman as himself to a true reuinion of Danny De Vito and Kathleen Turner (whom of course plays Michael Douglas ex-wife in a lovely performance). But foremost this is Michael Douglas proving that he is an excellent actor. Maybe it's a bit of a wink, since he long struggled with his dad's big shadow.
WandaVision
(2021)
Comfortably Numb
28 June 2023
Warning: Spoilers
I was surprised by WandaVision. Quite simple the best of Disneys Marvels new shows, wreaking havoc with everything superhero. It's damn bold, making a show about probably the mightiest of all MCU characters dealing with grief. Then again, Wanda is one of the most interesting. Bordering between a hero and villain, the chaotic character is far from "with great powers". Allready in episode 1 we see that she doesnt have control of what she's doing, when she makes one of her puppet neighbours choke, and his wife, we understand, is adressing Wanda to stop it. It's full of small, genious moves. Like the return of old brother, but now a new actor (which they announce in the show). And in episode 6, Wanda herself breaks the fourth wall with saying "Kick-Ass" to Evan Peters Pietro/Quicksilver, which is a referance to old Pietro, Aaron Johnsons breaktrough movie. The disturbing part is that we really don't know how much Wanda is aware of what she is actually doing, creating a "paradise sit-com life" while being extremely cruel to 3000 people.
The Punisher
(2017–2019)
Nihilistic... but what did you expect?
26 June 2023
This 4th reincarnation of The Punisher they finally got the character right. With John Bernthal shouting in they're ears that he wont do the role if it doesnt get an hard R rating. His cameo in Daredevil demanded more, after THAT spectacular choreographed prison scene. And we will never see Frank Castle in any MCU show or movie, so this is it. My problem is that Punisher feels like a republicans dream show. They sniff around PTSD with veterans, but never dives in. IMO the show would have benefitted from a deeper nosedive into the psychosis of Castle. Instead of just scratching the walls, with repetitive visions of his family getting killed. As of now, he seems more like a very psychotic Batman, growling like a wounded wolf. Not that I blame Bernthal, he is indeed the best Castle. But over 20 episodes, some character arc beyond killing, torture and growling would be great. Still the show was head over heals above Luke Cage and Iron Fist, on par with underrated Jessica Jones.... but still way below the fantastic Daredevil.
Paranormal Activity
(2007)
This guy is a genious
23 June 2023
Holy crap, someone hit paydirt here. A movie made so cheapo, the house we see belongs to the director. Making a franchise about nothing happens in 95 % of the movie. That's brilliant. And beyond that, we get improvised (I hope) dialogue about incredible boring things with bland, boring people. I actually saw this in cinema, and frankly was bored out of my mind for the "nothing happens". I did NOT get why there were people staring up at the screen like a deer caught in front of a car, they're eyes waiting to pop. For the positives, at least it's kind of inventive, even if I never bought that wifey would say yes to constant survelance of the house. But then again, that's the premise, and they made more money than Lionel Messi in a year.
Kautokeino-opprøret
(2008)
Important and sad
3 June 2023
I wont even try to remember all the names here. But it's set in Lappland about 1850, and the lapps is spending they're cash drinking... litterarly breaking apart families. And one man makes a lot of money. Sounds familiar? Yup, it's close to another native tribe far west. Oh, how I learn to despise Bjørn Sundquists priest when he arrives to learn these primitive lapps the respect of Christianity. It's so close to how the Indians were treathed at the same time. And sad. It's a true story, and not shocking. The big authorithies can do anything they want, including taking "tax" on reindeers, meaningless arrests and brutal force against "unchristian meetings". The actors are top notch, including Jamie Lannister as a... bishop! But the important thing is how thing can and will escallate when you take away peoples hope and reason to live. It's not an excuse, but sometimes... wrong is right.
Pathfinder
(1987)
So many fond memories
3 June 2023
Were to start? I've known both Nils Gaup and Mikkel Gaup for years, so it's so strange going back to see a movie I watched at cinema with my class 35+ years ago. I don't speak Sapmi, so it's really a "foreign" movie, even if I'm Norwegian. Based on a myth about a young boy, Augin, who witness his sapmi tribe getting slaugthered by Tsjuds, Russian invaders. He barerly gets away, and meet another tribe. I don't think Ofelas (it's real name) will entrap audiences the way it did 35 years ago. It just is a product of the 80s. It is still a really good movie, and set to the Northern wilderness, it looks naturalistic and beautiful. But by todays standards, the story moves a bit slow, and Nils Gaup have for some strange reason included a "funnyman" for some slapstick comedy. It's actually his cousin, and Nils put him in "because he is fun". But still a Norwegian classic... just not so exciting as when I was 15.
Next Door
(2005)
Dark to the extreme
3 June 2023
I happen to know a bit about the production, since a good friend of mine plays his first role as Peter. To "get in the mood", director Pål Sletaune pumped up Rammstein between takes. And... it's something else. A bit Basic Instinct in the starting score. And starting with Jon meeting his new neighbours. Anna asks him if he can carry something up. Jon says maybe later. Anna says... why not now? Let the game begin. Anna and Kim, sisters (or not?). Two women who immidiately toys with him, living in a garbage dump of an appartment. With very interesting, claustrophopic shots of impossible hallways, makes you think what the hell is happening here. This being my 4th watch, I was more interested to follow the bread crumbs Sletaune left for me. The weak spot is that the film is pretty short, and it makes a candid viewer realise (sort of) what the hell is really going on. But beyond that, this is a really well crafted thriller, specially the cinematography, which reminded me of Hitchcock. And kudos to all actors for making a very menacing, strange atmosphere. I know for a fact it was a demanding production, specially the notorious "sex scene", which gave it an hard R in Norway. And it's pretty disturbing.
The Raid: Redemption
(2011)
Testosterone galore
25 May 2023
By some cosmic incidence, there was actually 2 movies the same year about cop trapped in building with bad guys. This and Dredd. And I happen to like both of them alot. Specially since I was a fan of both Bruce Lee and Judge Dredd back in the 80s. Story doesnt matter. It's guy against a horde. And it works. Style over substance works when the right guys are in control. The massively coreographed fight scenes are immense, so intense that when you arrive to the finish line, you feel exausted. Kids today will probably compare it to some stupid video game. I watch it, and it resemblance to Jackie Chan is overwhelming. Just way more violent. The closest thing is the first Ong-Bak. And comparisons to such movies are always a good thing.
Suspiria
(I) (2018)
When a remake is not a remake
24 May 2023
This is so different from Argentos, it's almost impossible to draw comparisons. Set back in Berlin, with the very real Baader Meinhoff backdrop, we get a "7-act" movie that's... something else. It's a dance academy which just happens to be governed by a coven of witches! No real "horror", besides some awful images of a girl being punished in a shocking way. Were the original from the get-go soon became dreamlike in images, colors and the soundtrack by Goblin, this one is played out bleak 70'ish and very straight. I was extremely impressed specially by Tilda Swinton, who act at least 4 characters (one specially I was dumbfounded by). And the ending.... some love it, some hate it. I didn't get it at first, but on a second viewing the pieces in the puzzle was allready there. And do look out for a very special cameo that ties this Susperia with the first.
Kill Bill: Vol. 1
(2003)
Not my favorite Tarantino....
23 May 2023
It says alot giving "a half of a movie" 8/10, and it still are far from my favorite Tarantino. The Kill Bills proves one thing; in the right hands style trumps substance. And Tarantino is aware, making this a very stylish, simplistic tale with two handfuls of ingredients, like the manga style origin story of Lucy Lues character. Uma Thurmans The Bride will go into film history as one of the icons, because she is just way too cool. The fightscene with Fox is insanly good choreographed, with QTs usual style of fun factor when the daughter arrives with 2 bloodsoaked women. His love for Asian cinema has never been more on display, even getting Sonny Chiba to guest star. The problem for me is the dialogue. It's so "I'm telling you this, because you are watching a movie". It feels so far from organic, that the movie lost me several times. Specially Michael Madson and his very strange monolouges. So nothing is perfect, even from Tarantino. And it's almost impossible to rate a movie that's half a story. AND I still wonder if/how vol 3 can be made, since Bill (and David Carradine) is dead.
Die Another Day
(2002)
The pinacle of 007 dumbness
23 May 2023
I've seen every Bond movie made. Some are terrific... some mediocre... some just plain bad. Like Moonraker, rushed out on the Star Wars hysteria. Die Another Day stands alone as the worst 007 ever made. And that takes some, considering Diamonds are Forever and Octopussy. The title song from Madonna makes my ears bleed. The story is cliched, and recycles ideas from other Bond movies. The villain is so boring, they put prostethic on him just to give him an arc. Pierce Brosnan seems tired, confused and uninspired. With John Cleese, they finally has gone completely Monty Python on Q branch now. And the visuals.... invisible car and Bond surfing on ice. Havent seen the last since Roger Moores last outings. Did not miss it. Summed up: the worst Bond movie ever made. Even worse than Never Say Never.
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