COVID-19 Isolation Movie Round-Up: For Grown-Up Eyes Only! - Part Two
I waited a bit to write this rundown, so this one is going to include a good few movies. I have been busy watching all sorts of movies since I'm stuck in the house. Any time I am taking a treatment I'm watching something. Read up!
Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
Dir. Terry Gilliam and Terry Jones
The clip-clop of coconuts. Nobody forgets that! This is a classic comedy and one that, for most, won't require an introduction. For others, they are actively turned off by the humor. Somewhere in between those sub-sets of the population would sit the person that has never seen Holy Grail. I guess that might be you! Holy Grail follows King Arthur as he gathers knights to sit around his round table and their quest for the Holy Grail. Lots of hilarious scenes on display. My personal favorite is with some free serfs with no lord, and the explanation of their system of government. Monty Python and the Holy Grail is a must-watch comedy for these quarantined times. If you aren't a fan *blows raspberry*. Watch it tonight!
Viewed on Netflix.
The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (1982)
Dir. Colin Higgins
This one surprised me! I had never seen it before, but a few nights ago Storm convinced me to check it out with her. This is a musical based on a Broadway musical that is based on a place in La Grange, Texas. Some of the songs go on for too long (the Aggies song), but for the most part they are fun and catchy. The story is pretty flimsy, but there are genuinely funny parts, and it is entertaining as a whole. I had fun watching and would probably do so again.
Viewed on iTunes.
The Thin Blue Line (1988)
Dir. Errol Morris
This is a classic documentary about the case of Randall Adams, who was convicted of murdering a Dallas police officer and sentenced to death, despite his innocence. The film uses interviews and re-enactment footage to show the details of the case, and introduce the various people involved. We never hear from the prosecuting attorney, but many of the judges, defense attorneys, suspects, and family members are featured. The evidence gathered and pieced together during the filming process was enough to get Adams' case dismissed and he was released from prison. Check this one out if you haven't seen it before, it is well worth your time.
Viewed on The Criterion Channel (it has been removed as of April 1).
The Draughtsman's Contract (1982)
Dir. Peter Greenaway
The Draughtsman's Contract is a period piece based in England in 1694. The film is a murder mystery tale, in away. It follows a young man named Mr. Neville who is an arrogant landscape artist after he is contracted by Mrs. Herbert to draw a series of twelve drawings of her estate. These are to be a gift for her husband to win him back. The contract has some special stipulations that are revisited in a second contract by Mrs. Herbert's married daughter. The landscape, much like Greenaway's earlier short films, plays a prominent role in the film. Indeed, the English landscape on offer here is quite beautiful. Additionally, the dialogue is incredibly fun and very well done, if that sort of thing floats your boat. If you are a fan of period dramas or mysteries, I would encourage you to check this one out.
Viewed on The Criterion Channel (it will leave the service May 1.)
Joker (2019)
Dir. Todd Phillips
Joker is the origin story of one of the most well known comic book villains of all time. This plays out in what is largely a drama, not so far off from something like Taxi Driver. That is intentional here, as it clearly takes inspiration from that style of film. Arthur Fleck is a party clown and part-time comedian that lives with his nagging mother in Gotham. After a series of ever-worsening events takes place, Arthur gets a big break. We are shown Joker's life before becoming a villain and the events that took him to the top of the chaotic food chain. I quite liked this flick, but my wife was not so impressed. She found it rather boring. I liked the take on Joker here, loosely based on The Killing Joke. I would check this out if you have any interest in Batman.
Viewed on iTunes.
John Wick 3: Parabellum (2019)
Dir. Chad Stahelski
I love the John Wick movies. Three is no exception. I liked this one more than the second flick, and about as much as the first. There are some incredible fight sequences here. Specifically, there is a scene that takes place amidst a large knife display. It is one of my favorite scenes across all three movies. Parabellum takes place less than an hour after the second film ends. John has been labeled "excommunicado" for killing D'Antonio. What transpires is a series of wonderful fight scenes. The fight scenes are really well done and I can't say enough about them. The filming makes it easy to keep up with the fast-paced action, and the scenes are varied in their contents. This keeps you on the edge of your seat, as opposed to boring you with rehash after rehash. If you enjoy these films, you need to see the third. If you have not seen any of these, you need to marathon them one day soon!
Viewed on HBO Go.
American Factory (2019)
Dir. Steven Bognar and Julia Reichert
The second feature-length documentary I have watched in the past couple of weeks. American Factory focuses on an Ohio town where a GM plant recently closed down operations and a Chinese billionaire opens a new factory. While the people of the small town were initially hopeful, cultures begin to clash as the factory modernizes. This is a documentary featuring working-class Americans and Chinese maneuvering through modernization and the labor movement. The workers want to unionize, but the plant owners don't. Who wins? Some real issues are highlighted by the film including, wages, benefits, treatment of workers, and more. The wages at the new plant are significantly diminished, expected work schedule higher, and care for the employee less than in the past. There is some wonderful cinematography involving the machinery at the plant. Mesmerizing is a good word for what you will see. I would encourage you to check this one out!
Viewed on Netflix.
Centipede Horror (1982)
Dir. Keith Li
Whew. What to say on this one... I'll keep this description brief. The name pretty much explains the premise of Centipede Horror. An evil wizard uses a centipede spell to murder young women. When a young girl is murdered in SE Asia (more on this later), her brother attempts to figure out how she died. They meet the King of Centipedes and he checks her out and tells them about the centipede spell. Some other sorcerer gets involved and tries to help. Hilarity and centipedes ensue! If you hate centipedes, stay away. Otherwise, watch for the centipedes. The penultimate scene is really something to behold. Yes, live centipedes were used to film this movie. I suppose I should also warn you that there is a live chicken killed off-screen. I had wanted to see this for a while, and I'm glad I finally got around to watching.
Viewed on Vimeo.
Get ready, there will be a couple of other volumes shortly as my wife and I have started watching all of the Marvel movies in storyline order! The "phase one" films will be ranked next time!
Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
Dir. Terry Gilliam and Terry Jones
The clip-clop of coconuts. Nobody forgets that! This is a classic comedy and one that, for most, won't require an introduction. For others, they are actively turned off by the humor. Somewhere in between those sub-sets of the population would sit the person that has never seen Holy Grail. I guess that might be you! Holy Grail follows King Arthur as he gathers knights to sit around his round table and their quest for the Holy Grail. Lots of hilarious scenes on display. My personal favorite is with some free serfs with no lord, and the explanation of their system of government. Monty Python and the Holy Grail is a must-watch comedy for these quarantined times. If you aren't a fan *blows raspberry*. Watch it tonight!
Viewed on Netflix.
The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (1982)
Dir. Colin Higgins
This one surprised me! I had never seen it before, but a few nights ago Storm convinced me to check it out with her. This is a musical based on a Broadway musical that is based on a place in La Grange, Texas. Some of the songs go on for too long (the Aggies song), but for the most part they are fun and catchy. The story is pretty flimsy, but there are genuinely funny parts, and it is entertaining as a whole. I had fun watching and would probably do so again.
Viewed on iTunes.
The Thin Blue Line (1988)
Dir. Errol Morris
This is a classic documentary about the case of Randall Adams, who was convicted of murdering a Dallas police officer and sentenced to death, despite his innocence. The film uses interviews and re-enactment footage to show the details of the case, and introduce the various people involved. We never hear from the prosecuting attorney, but many of the judges, defense attorneys, suspects, and family members are featured. The evidence gathered and pieced together during the filming process was enough to get Adams' case dismissed and he was released from prison. Check this one out if you haven't seen it before, it is well worth your time.
Viewed on The Criterion Channel (it has been removed as of April 1).
The Draughtsman's Contract (1982)
Dir. Peter Greenaway
The Draughtsman's Contract is a period piece based in England in 1694. The film is a murder mystery tale, in away. It follows a young man named Mr. Neville who is an arrogant landscape artist after he is contracted by Mrs. Herbert to draw a series of twelve drawings of her estate. These are to be a gift for her husband to win him back. The contract has some special stipulations that are revisited in a second contract by Mrs. Herbert's married daughter. The landscape, much like Greenaway's earlier short films, plays a prominent role in the film. Indeed, the English landscape on offer here is quite beautiful. Additionally, the dialogue is incredibly fun and very well done, if that sort of thing floats your boat. If you are a fan of period dramas or mysteries, I would encourage you to check this one out.
Viewed on The Criterion Channel (it will leave the service May 1.)
Joker (2019)
Dir. Todd Phillips
Joker is the origin story of one of the most well known comic book villains of all time. This plays out in what is largely a drama, not so far off from something like Taxi Driver. That is intentional here, as it clearly takes inspiration from that style of film. Arthur Fleck is a party clown and part-time comedian that lives with his nagging mother in Gotham. After a series of ever-worsening events takes place, Arthur gets a big break. We are shown Joker's life before becoming a villain and the events that took him to the top of the chaotic food chain. I quite liked this flick, but my wife was not so impressed. She found it rather boring. I liked the take on Joker here, loosely based on The Killing Joke. I would check this out if you have any interest in Batman.
Viewed on iTunes.
John Wick 3: Parabellum (2019)
Dir. Chad Stahelski
I love the John Wick movies. Three is no exception. I liked this one more than the second flick, and about as much as the first. There are some incredible fight sequences here. Specifically, there is a scene that takes place amidst a large knife display. It is one of my favorite scenes across all three movies. Parabellum takes place less than an hour after the second film ends. John has been labeled "excommunicado" for killing D'Antonio. What transpires is a series of wonderful fight scenes. The fight scenes are really well done and I can't say enough about them. The filming makes it easy to keep up with the fast-paced action, and the scenes are varied in their contents. This keeps you on the edge of your seat, as opposed to boring you with rehash after rehash. If you enjoy these films, you need to see the third. If you have not seen any of these, you need to marathon them one day soon!
Viewed on HBO Go.
American Factory (2019)
Dir. Steven Bognar and Julia Reichert
The second feature-length documentary I have watched in the past couple of weeks. American Factory focuses on an Ohio town where a GM plant recently closed down operations and a Chinese billionaire opens a new factory. While the people of the small town were initially hopeful, cultures begin to clash as the factory modernizes. This is a documentary featuring working-class Americans and Chinese maneuvering through modernization and the labor movement. The workers want to unionize, but the plant owners don't. Who wins? Some real issues are highlighted by the film including, wages, benefits, treatment of workers, and more. The wages at the new plant are significantly diminished, expected work schedule higher, and care for the employee less than in the past. There is some wonderful cinematography involving the machinery at the plant. Mesmerizing is a good word for what you will see. I would encourage you to check this one out!
Viewed on Netflix.
Centipede Horror (1982)
Dir. Keith Li
Whew. What to say on this one... I'll keep this description brief. The name pretty much explains the premise of Centipede Horror. An evil wizard uses a centipede spell to murder young women. When a young girl is murdered in SE Asia (more on this later), her brother attempts to figure out how she died. They meet the King of Centipedes and he checks her out and tells them about the centipede spell. Some other sorcerer gets involved and tries to help. Hilarity and centipedes ensue! If you hate centipedes, stay away. Otherwise, watch for the centipedes. The penultimate scene is really something to behold. Yes, live centipedes were used to film this movie. I suppose I should also warn you that there is a live chicken killed off-screen. I had wanted to see this for a while, and I'm glad I finally got around to watching.
Viewed on Vimeo.
Get ready, there will be a couple of other volumes shortly as my wife and I have started watching all of the Marvel movies in storyline order! The "phase one" films will be ranked next time!
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