Finally got around to seeing the movie that right wing website freaked the fuck out about, How to Blow Up A Pipeline. It is the new film by the director that did Cam about ecoterrorism, and it is a pretty realistic about a DIY low budget, anarchist cookbook style strike and why people would join a group to do a strike like this.

Research was the book by the same name about the need for violent activism, anarchist activism lit and the DIY explosives scene. Gives the film a VERY non-Hollywood feel.

Fun film. Director has a great sense of style. And like Cam, director really has his finger on the pulse of modern culture. I am sure these days many will consider it too woke, but rare to get a story from the eyes of the terrorists. And it is a story we not seen with themes not really done either.

Should not after watching the film, I have no greater desire to blow up a pipeline  than I did beforehand so the liberal indoctrination this movie is said to cause to promote environmental terrorism did not seem to work.  Maybe need to rewatch it a few more times to get the full brainwashing experience to turn into an anarch.

Rewatched Cam after watching How to Blow Up a Pipeline.

Think this is one of my favorite horror films. So utterly disturbing. Moreso if you are at all into streaming culture. 

Really need to read the screenwriter's book Camgirl which the movie was heavily based on.

Murder Mystery 2: The first Murder Mystery movie was good for what it was, however, I thought this one was definitely the better of the two. Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston have great chemistry with one another, which isn’t surprising considering this is their third film together.

Peter Pan & Wendy: Meh. That's it, just meh. You'd be better off watching Hook instead.

2023 Films Seen

SPOILER: Click to show

Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania
Cocaine Bear
Creed III
Evil Dead Rise
Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves
John Wick: Chapter 4
Knock at the Cabin
M3GAN
Missing
Murder Mystery 2
Peter Pan & Wendy
Plane
Scream VI
Shazam! Fury of the Gods
Shotgun Wedding
The Magician’s Elephant
The Super Mario Bros. Movie

Hypnotic (2023):

I don’t know how this has been marketed in the US but nothing here at all, only knew it was coming out just scrolling through the cinema website. Sandwiched between GOTG3 and FastX I’d be very surprised if this doesn’t bomb completely (especially with its $65 million budget)

Anyway as for the actual film it had a lot of potential, it frustrated me incredibly at the start and I was ready to say it was one of the worst films I’ve ever seen. Then the film taught me a lesson and pulled the rug out from me and it ended up being a fun enjoyable film with an interesting premise for those who like out there concepts (not for people who love realism). It looks a made for streaming film but if Nolan or someone of that calibre had their hands on this it could have been an amazing film

As it stands it’s just a good ambitious film with a fun premise.

6/10

Super Mario Bros. Movie: Really fun, pretty much as best as could be expected, my only issue was Cranky Kong, just imagined something more cantankerous...like Larry David or Brian Cox.

I did not like Pratt but otherwise that movie was actually a damn good film. I can see it being a cult classic in the future and a great kids film.

I'm waiting for stream, which they seem to be dragging their feet around. Just as well because I probably won't touch it until the 3rd movie is out with my viewing schedule.

The Ghost and Mr Chicken is currently on Svengoolie. As a kid it was scary and funny at the same time. Now much like Shawshank when ever its on I can't help but watch it. Highly recommended for anyone wanting a family friendly good time.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3: Unsurprisingly, I absolutely loved it. Rocket’s origin story is so heartbreaking, it definitely hit me in the feels. So far, this is the best comic book movie of 2023 and a great conclusion to the GOTG trilogy of films.

2023 Films Seen

SPOILER: Click to show

Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania
Batman: The Doom That Came to Gotham
Cocaine Bear
Creed III
Evil Dead Rise
Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
John Wick: Chapter 4
Knock at the Cabin
M3GAN
Missing
Murder Mystery 2
Peter Pan & Wendy
Plane
Scream VI
Shazam! Fury of the Gods
Shotgun Wedding
The Magician’s Elephant
The Super Mario Bros. Movie

Was mixed for me. I loved Rocket's story, and that was 10/10. But outside of Nebula and Mantis, I did not give a crap about any of the other characters. Also was kind of not happy about himbo Warlock.

The good was so damn good though, it made the bad so much more bearable. Really glad Gunn did the Rocket story as his swansong. This was also the first time Gunn really did something like this too, going super sappy and being serious.

Gives me hope for Superman, as he is handling Superman Legacy personally. His script, his direction it seems.

Rewatched Red State after all the religion talk in OT. Still hate the start of the movie, but as soon as John Goodman appears this movie is amazing and holds up. And is insanely prophetic. Wish he expanded the siege and cut the lame start of the boys going to fuck the lady.  I so wish Smith had the balls to end the films with the trumpets sounding.  Could see he was considering it with how the film was cut.  People would have lost their goddamn minds.  I assume too few got what was happening in test showings.

Really surprised no one really revisited this theme and went more into the Waco stuff than the Christian stuff.

May 15, 2023 3:36:58 GMT c said:

Rewatched Red State after all the religion talk in OT. Still hate the start of the movie, but as soon as John Goodman appears this movie is amazing and holds up. And is insanely prophetic. Wish he expanded the siege and cut the lame start of the boys going to fuck the lady.  I so wish Smith had the balls to end the films with the trumpets sounding.  Could see he was considering it with how the film was cut.  People would have lost their goddamn minds.  I assume too few got what was happening in test showings.

Really surprised no one really revisited this theme and went more into the Waco stuff than the Christian stuff.

Red State would have been epic if he ended with the actual rapture, it's like Rambo dying at the end of First Blood, should have happened.

Unseen: So this was a pretty interesting suspenseful horror flick. Admittedly though, some of the scenes in the gas station seemed kinda silly, however, everything that took place in the woods was some good shit.

c, you're PW's resident horror guy, have you seen this yet?

Your Place or Mine: I'm not really a fan of romantic comedies, however, I rather liked this one. I chalk that up to the cast, as both Ashton Kutcher and Reese Witherspoon, are extremely likable people, I just wish that they got more screen time together.

2023 Films Seen

SPOILER: Click to show

Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania
Batman: The Doom That Came to Gotham
Cocaine Bear
Creed III
Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves
Evil Dead Rise
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
John Wick: Chapter 4
Knock at the Cabin
M3GAN
Missing
Murder Mystery 2
Peter Pan & Wendy
Plane
Scream VI
Shazam! Fury of the Gods
Shotgun Wedding
The Magician’s Elephant
The Super Mario Bros. Movie
Unseen
Your Place or Mine

May 18, 2023 3:54:23 GMT Lony said:

Your Place or Mine: I'm not really a fan of romantic comedies, however, I rather liked this one. I chalk that up to the cast, as both Ashton Kutcher and Reese Witherspoon, are extremely likable people, I just wish that they got more screen time together.

Can't remember if posted about this when it was released but NAH MAN this was terrible. A romcom with NO ROM and ZERO COM. Ashton and Reese had negative chemistry.

Fast X:

Who needs logic or physics when you have family?

This is like Florida man attempted to make a James Bond film, it’s loud, in your face and hilariously dumb at times. I really enjoyed it for that but sandylea made jokes on the way there about incredibly far fetched plot points that could happen…and we predicted two correctly :lol:

Jason Momoa was fun as a flamboyant villain and John Cena had some cool moments but as fun as this film is there is no way to pretend a lot it doesn’t make sense in any realm of reality :lol:

May 18, 2023 7:48:44 GMT System said:

Fast X:

Who needs logic or physics when you have family?

This is like Florida man attempted to make a James Bond film, it’s loud, in your face and hilariously dumb at times. I really enjoyed it for that but sandylea made jokes on the way there about incredibly far fetched plot points that could happen…and we predicted two correctly

Jason Momoa was fun as a flamboyant villain and John Cena had some cool moments but as fun as this film is there is no way to pretend a lot it doesn’t make sense in any realm of reality

Honestly, that's what made me start loving the Fast franchise. The first was okay as Point Break with cars, the second was kinda meh but still enjoyable, then Tokyo Drift sucked and I was pretty much done with the franchise, I still haven't watched part 4. But then with part 5 shit just started getting stupid...but in the best of ways. Became mindless action extravaganzas, and were just a ton of fun. Just great, "turn your brain off and enjoy the ride" movies. They're ridiculous, just this side of Looney Tunes, but that's perfect, and I love the franchise for it. Now...it's like Family.

Caught Evil Dead Rise, it was a good time, but really didn't need to be Evil Dead (just like the last movie), guess I'm just always gonna be disappointed Ash vs the Evil Dead didn't get a proper final season...stupid STARZ. I hope Nemesis gets them. Still, the movie itself was a decent watch.

That reminds me I don’t think I put my review in for Evil Dead Rise which was a general thumbs down. Had some high spots (most of which were in the trailer) but for a movie so comedically gory I was surprised by how not fun it was. They really needed someone to punch up a little humor in there or something. The highlight of the movie was the first ten minutes.

I liked the Evil Dead remake a few years ago, but this one just wasn’t good enough for me.

May 18, 2023 4:57:08 GMT @admin said:

May 18, 2023 3:54:23 GMT Lony said:

Your Place or Mine: I'm not really a fan of romantic comedies, however, I rather liked this one. I chalk that up to the cast, as both Ashton Kutcher and Reese Witherspoon, are extremely likable people, I just wish that they got more screen time together.

Can't remember if posted about this when it was released but NAH MAN this was terrible. A romcom with NO ROM and ZERO COM. Ashton and Reese had negative chemistry.

Like I said, I'm not super big into rom-coms, so the fact this wasn't your typical over the top Hollywood rom-com, is probably why I liked it. With that said, I can totally see why people would hate the movie, especially if you like Hollywood's unrealistic take on romance.

Also admittedly, Reese had better chemistry with Jesse Williams' character more than she did with Ashton's.

To be perfectly honest, I would be fine never watching another rom-com again. Unfortunately though, being married sometimes means watching movies, I otherwise wouldn't, just to spend some kid-free time with the Wife (and vice versa).

May 18, 2023 3:54:23 GMT Lony said:

Unseen: So this was a pretty interesting suspenseful horror flick. Admittedly though, some of the scenes in the gas station seemed kinda silly, however, everything that took place in the woods was some good shit.

c , you're PW's resident horror guy, have you seen this yet?

Your Place or Mine: I'm not really a fan of romantic comedies, however, I rather liked this one. I chalk that up to the cast, as both Ashton Kutcher and Reese Witherspoon, are extremely likable people, I just wish that they got more screen time together.

2023 Films Seen

SPOILER: Click to show

Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania
Batman: The Doom That Came to Gotham
Cocaine Bear
Creed III
Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves
Evil Dead Rise
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
John Wick: Chapter 4
Knock at the Cabin
M3GAN
Missing
Murder Mystery 2
Peter Pan & Wendy
Plane
Scream VI
Shazam! Fury of the Gods
Shotgun Wedding
The Magician’s Elephant
The Super Mario Bros. Movie
Unseen
Your Place or Mine

Negative on the Unseen.  Just did not look like something I would like.  Been really bored with a lot modern horror movies.  Hoping Last Voyage of the Demeter breaks this trend.

Also saw Rise and agree with Mike, it was not good.

And Fast and the Furious is that super rare series that just gets better the more films they make. I remember everyone memeing on it for years, but like the last 5 films have been stupid fun. Pretty much once Vin Diesel was added as a producer they been just great.

Fast X was unreal. Just a next level action film.

Sounds like XI is the end of the series so curious how they top things. I know they were trying for Robert Downey Jr and Matt Damon. Looks like Rock will be back as well for the end.

Curious if they do let the series die, or restart with a new crew. Do not see Universal Pictures allowing their cash cow to just end and the copyright to be released from them.

Sonic 2:  It was okay, the Kid Cudi song used in the credits the best bit for me personally....

May 19, 2023 6:19:20 GMT c said:

And Fast and the Furious is that super rare series that just gets better the more films they make. I remember everyone memeing on it for years, but like the last 5 films have been stupid fun. Pretty much once Vin Diesel was added as a producer they been just great.

I LOVE the Fast and Furious franchise (minus 2 and Toyko Drift), but come on 9 was over the top (not in a good way) at times.  I dug the storyline with Jakob, but they threw so much into it and then the space thing...I get it's a franchise of  over the top ridiculousness, but we're at Moonraker levels here.  Plus they keep doubling down on the cameos and I find it can really take away from things. 

Of course I'll see X, but my excitement is a bit lessened after 9, plus I thought they were ending with X and now it sounds like it's XI. Soon it will be XX and we'll all be wondering if this is the one the Undertaker finally retires.  

How can you hate 2F2F and TD? Those two are amazing.

After 5, the series got stupid. Stupid fun, but still stupid. But as a someone who was part of that culture in the early 2000s, I can't get over the first one, the original. It will always be the best.

Rewatched John Wick 4 now it released to video. Just an amazing film. Some in the start I still say could have been cut, but rest is absolutely amazing.

Still believe despite the end, we will get another film in the future.

Renfield

This only just opened in Australia today but it was a fun comedy, the few times Cage is on screen he delivers and was some good laughs and gore.
Admittedly you could have made this film without Dracula/Renfield as the organised crime and self-help stuff is much more of the story than anything vampiric.

May 23, 2023 12:55:42 GMT nath45.47 said:

How can you hate 2F2F and TD? Those two are amazing.

After 5, the series got stupid. Stupid fun, but still stupid. But as a someone who was part of that culture in the early 2000s, I can't get over the first one, the original. It will always be the best.

Tokyo Drift is easily the worst one to date, still stupid, but without the fun.  Han is the only redeeming element of Tokyo Drift. 

2F2F I neither love nor hate...it was just there. 

Point Break with Cars is definitely one of the better films of the franchise.

May 25, 2023 7:50:53 GMT RagnarokMike said:

May 23, 2023 12:55:42 GMT nath45.47 said:

How can you hate 2F2F and TD? Those two are amazing.

After 5, the series got stupid. Stupid fun, but still stupid. But as a someone who was part of that culture in the early 2000s, I can't get over the first one, the original. It will always be the best.

Tokyo Drift is easily the worst one to date, still stupid, but without the fun.  Han is the only redeeming element of Tokyo Drift. 

2F2F I neither love nor hate...it was just there. 

Point Break with Cars is definitely one of the better films of the franchise.

I think what I like about them, is they captured that early 2000s tuner scene (maybe inspired it too)

The cars were ridiculous at the time. The graphics, and shopping list stickers, neon lights and over the top stereos - that was my life 2002 - 2006, meeting in car parks at night with a hundred other people and breaking traffic laws.

Never been remotely interested in fast and furious franchise. Something about Vin Diesel I just never liked I can't put my thumb down on why, maybe it's the too cool for school walk around with your ass cheeks clinched too tight in case anybody is looking persona he plays in the movie idk, he always came off as pretty cringe to me. I never accepted him as an action movie star in my reality. Also was just never into cars I guess.

Ever since I put on the Ewok movie to see if it would catch my little man's attention we have been neck deep in some fucking Star Wars in my house. He's enamored by it. We have been watching the original trilogy weekly, have been through Mandalorian all 3 seasons a few times, dabbled in the prequel trilogy. Tonight though I finally put on Rogue One and it passed his test, he loved it. And jesus I loved it so much. This was the first time I watched it since I went to the theaters and I guess because the rest of the trilogy is so fresh on my mind(from watching it so much recently) I really fucking enjoyed it. Absolutely marvelous and truly spectacular epic of the cinema.

Rogue One doesn't getthe love it deserves.