Ballerina - A Brutal Film Review!

Well, well, well, what do we have here? 

A strong female led assassin film set in the John Wick Universe. 🔫

How is it?

Well just like any stay at the continental, it's lovely and action packed. 💯

Ana was amazing and beautiful as always, may I say. Lance, we love you and miss you bro. Anjelica & McShane were great as always. Keanu was groovy as ever.

Explosive action that felt so much more brutal, and I'll say the only reason that is, because of a female character. Ana's character Eve is taught and told she has to bring the fight on her terms, or she'll always lose. Every punch, shot and explosion feels so much more impactful in this film. Eve adapts and overcomes power and height through the film and even big numbers of enemies. At one point the film felt like a snowy Resident Evil 4 as you had one outsider Vs a whole village of evil do'ers. 💥

The whole grenade scene was epic BUT unrealistic and yes I know, "how silly is it to nitpick a make believe film" granted but come on, there should have been more flak and damage done around the area😅

The John Wick aka Continental universe is still alive and thriving and let's hope before a John Wick 5 we get more stories set on different characters of the universe. Maybe one day then we can bring them all together and have an Avengers style John Wick film. 🤘😊

8/10

Karate Kid Legends - A Wax Off Review

Karate Kid Legends hosts a great cast but it's premise under delivers.

Ben has a bright future ahead, he was fantastic. Ralph felt like he came along for the quick paycheck during cobra Kai filming. Jackie Chan's, Han character felt so different from his last appearance in Smiths Karate Kid reboot. It would have been nice to have acknowledged Jayden Smiths character in some way.

This film is very much a homage to the first film yet sped up 5 times.

There's a part of the film our protagonist has a side quest and to train a former Boxer to get better and fight again and he does a good job and it was a different yet touching story, however once this arc is done we get back to speeding up the story of the next Karate Kid or rather Kung Fu kid since Mr Han teaches Kung Fu more than Karate ala Miyagi/Daniel-San.

They needed to make this film a 2 hour bout to build up more of the characters and story. Have the tournament play out in full not let's just cut to the end of the tournament where the bully fights our guy and that's it.

After credits scene was fantastic and fun. Hopefully this leads to more in future. 

As it stands now with this film coming off the back of the massive success of Cobra Kai, KKL is poor in quality and is one of the weakest in the long running series.

3 wax ons out of 5 Daniel-san!

The Wild Robot - Review

After a shipwreck, an intelligent robot called Roz is stranded on an uninhabited island. To survive the harsh environment, Roz bonds with the island’s animals and cares for an orphaned baby goose.

THE WILD ROBOT represents the pinnacle of DreamWorks Animation. A wondrous tale of parenthood, survival, kindness & coexistence in our natural living world. With big-hearted storytelling, plenty of laughs, phenomenal voice acting, and a beautifully epic score that captures the grandeur of Chris Sanders’ vision, it’s a crowd-pleasing & emotionally stirring story that not only deserves to win Best Animated Feature but also to be nominated for Best Picture.

I loved it, the animation was great. I cried at the end. Furthermore, I want another one, please DreamWorks.

10/10

Transformers One - Review

The untold origin story of Optimus Prime and Megatron, better known as sworn enemies, but once were friends bonded like brothers who changed the fate of Cybertron forever.

At first glance the faces and animation looked weird, and the trailer looked to be some mediocre kids, fun house BUT then when you sit down and take the movie in, you feel and see how good this really is. 

You know straight away how bad the marketing team did and that they should be ashamed of themselves for showing the wrong things in the trailers and the general audience should feel ashamed for letting this underperform at the box office. 

I watched this twice in 24 hours in two different cinemas and I loved it. I could have done with less Bumblebee's quipping and "Badassatron" but other than that. Megatron and Optimus rise and downfall was so captivating. The music which accompanied this scene was also beautiful, poetic and moving. 

I agreed and rooted for Megatron and then I cheered when Optimus was born and put metal to metal as he took on all the bad bots. We really need another one, there's so much we need to find out of what happens next. The Quintessans have been set up so we could have them face off along with the decepticons and also Unicron.

Transformers fans of all ages and non transformers fans, please give it a chance! 

This is one of my fave movies of the year!

9/10

MHA: You're Next Movie - Review!

Alright, it's finally time to sit back and kick butt as our beloved heroes of Class 1A return to the big screen. In the film, taking place after the U.A. Traitor arc of the manga, Izuku Midoriya faces a villain who tries to imitate the hero that Izuku has long admired the most.

For me, this is the weakest film in the series. It really should have released before the final season.

It's really good don't get me wrong, it's a love letter to class 1A, and it's lovely to see everyone get some spotlight.

Seeing the 3 musketeers fight side by side was hype, and I feel that's something that was cut from the last film. Should have ended the fight with "We are Here".

Animation and music was class. English dub cast do a fantastic job as ever. Dark Might and his family of goons was pretty cool. The mixture of quirks and alchemy was neat.

Pretty funny film and great side characters with Julio and Anna being the integral part of the story.

Before the final fight we do have a stand-off, and it left me in awe but also thinking "oh this isn't Dekus most powerful smash" then we have a bonus fight, and I was like "Jesus Christ that was Dekus powerful smash yet" as he broke a frigging island in half.

For me, nothing has topped the second film, I love that one so much. I do hope we get one more film, but I'm not quite sure where they will fit it in the timeline of events.

8/10

Joker Folie A Deux Review

The World Is A Stage. 

Joker folie a duex aka Joker: Madness For Two, it really should have been titled "

Joker 2: The Jokes On You".

5 years ago we were gifted the highest grossing R rated film in cinema history which was based upon a DC Comics character with a brand-new spin on things but also a film documenting mental health and the struggles of one with such disorders. It was a social study, a character study. It's absolutely amazing and gripping and ended with a smile.

Although we were told "Arthur is not THE JOKER" he is the predecessor, a mentally sick man who has a bad day and things get tipped on their head and the man who's seen as a joke gets dubbed live on TV as a JOKER so he takes it upon himself with pride to embrace and show to the world all the corruption and wrong doings of the world and the abuse that has rotten his mind and the mental conditions he suffers including his inappropriate timed infectious laughs. Keep in mind we were told he's not the one who's going to be the clown prince of crime, we were set up with the fact of there's a guy out there in Gotham who has inadvertently inspired someone to take the mantle up in the future and be the worst thing to happen to Gotham.

Yes Arthur Fleck story is very similar to Jack Napier's aka The Real DC Joker but with changes, this too is the same for one Harleen Quinsel. Oops, sorry, she's just Lee Quinsel in this. This film is taken from Arthur's mind as we switch in-between realities of him being a prisoner, him facing trial and finding love and then eventually coming out and admitting to his wrong doings and telling people he's not The Joker, and they shouldn't idolize him, he's not the symbol that the manic mob is seeking out, which does deter some of his fans. Although he still has a small loyal following, but I'm sure after this film ends they will disperse and wait until THE REAL JOKER appears.

Todd Phillips captured gold in the first story and logically thinking you could argue this film was made as a statement to fans of Arthur and the first Joker as a deterrent to say "Don't idolize this person. Don't be like this person. What you may relate to in that film I will make sure to tell you in the sequel how that's terrible and something you should not be doing and looking up to" and I will applaud him for that. I have questions about the ending, but I'm not sure if we will ever get answers.

Music, acting and cinematography is brilliant. The haunting score of the first does appear at times, but the new musical parts take over, and I feel personally that they should have mapped the musical elements out a lot better. I would have personally taken the direction differently.

The court scenes with The Joker were a highlight. Any scenes Arthur embraces that Joker stood out best to me. It did at times slow down a lot, and I was falling asleep, but I can also blame it on a late night and early morning I had.

Overall, Joker 2 is a whopping disappointment. It's not as bad as I had heard, but it's also not anywhere near as good as the first one. Go into it expecting it's bad, and you'll either hate it some more or you'll see the same as me.

Thanks for reading!

Deadpool & Wolverine - Fox Swan Song (FILM REVIEW)

Alright so after an agonising long wait, we finally got Deadpool & Wolverine on the big screen and our fave honey badger Australian in his iconic yellow suit. Joygasm!!!!🥵 Anyway time to explain the film's story and then touch upon my thoughts, LETS FUCKING GO!❤️💛❤️

Deadpool & Wolverine picks up few years after Deadpool 2 and Wade is retired and trying to live a normal life. However, Wades abuse of the time jumping and fixing has caught the attention of the TVA (some time line police agency for marvel) and so TVA tell Wade his universe is dying so Deadpool is forced to put on his big boy pants and has to save his world BUT we all know Deadpool only stops mini events at world domination and nothing as big as a world saver so Wade goes on a journey to recruit a Wolverine with attitude. Is it a good wolverine or a bad one he finds?🤔 

On his time jumping journey we bump into familiar faces aswell as new and unexpected ones which is sure to get fans of all ages of all backgrounds excited and minds blown and their pants full so to speak😂 While trying to save his world our buddy's Wolverine and Deadpool scrap a few times and also run into Cassandra Nova and her band of mutant villains from all across the fox Xmen universe! Ooooh scary. Cassandra Nova is a pretty scary villain, she's an omega level mutant and she is the twin sister of a famous X-man. (I won't say more incase people don't know).🧐 

 So it's up to Deadpool and Wolverine to work together to save our "sacred timeline" but they are going to need a whole army to take down the likes of Cassandra Nova and her villainous mutants but who are they going to recruit? Find out by watching😊

So, the film I thought was great and basically fox's last stand or swan song essentially as we say hello and goodbye to their universes as Disney/Marvel owns the majority of them now. We have fabulous music choices and exciting over the top and hectic action sequences in between all the jokes and 4th wall breaks. The opening sequence was beautiful.

The action I felt was way too fast and I couldn't keep up at the best of times so another viewing is worth it to keep my eyes on someone else moving and killing in these action packed scenes. Cameos are good and in abundance, they should have not spoiled any of them in the trailers and some they did keep under wraps, thankfully. The action Choreography was incredible even if it was hard to keep up with watching. Shawn Levy did an incredible job with this film.

Wade and Logan are great and funny as always and as we could have ever imagined. The mouthy quippy whippy Deadpool meets our no nonsense stoic Wolverine and the characters are exactly as you expect. I wish we had some more time with our DEADPOOL friends from past two movies.

Lots of swearing and blood and gore. Here's hoping Deadpool is marvel jesus and ressurects the MCU otherwise I think MCU needs to do some more trimming and kill characters and films and things off to do a reset and hopefully focus on better stories and characters and overarching story telling.

Deadpool & Wolverine is the Spider-Man no way home of Deadpool and Wolverine's big screen outtings. A final send off to Fox's era of superheroes and an overall great movie.

9/10

Go enjoy it BUB!

Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire FILM REVIEW

Kong: The Hollow Earth

The film heavily follows Kong as he is looking for a place to belong in Hollow Earth. We see Godzilla every now and again and same for the humans. Godzilla awesome as always. Kong well he's great as always too. Interesting dynamics and brilliant big monster fights in this.

So cool to learn Godzilla pink was inspired by Goku.

Music was weird in this film besides the licensed songs. Bernie and Trapper were great comic reliefs. Actually seen this in 3D and it was really good. Also shout-out to Doug (if you know, you know).

I almost cried seeing one Kaiju and I'm not gonna say who but thank god it wasn't spoiled in the trailer. Shame no after credits but we shall see where we go from here. I think we may have Space Godzilla appear or maybe a Destroyah with a twist, when our fave titans return.

8/10

Roadhouse? SCHMOADHOUSE

Roadhouse 2024 is the remake of the cult classic Patrick Swayze 1989 hit film. We have a modern take on the film with Jake's character Dalton being a ex UFC fighter and something happens that puts him on a different part of life as he drifts town to town taking on underground fights for cash. Dalton gets hired to become a bouncer of this run down rough seaside bar but he pisses off the wrong people and carnage comes after Dalton but what the bad guys don't know is that pure carnage is heading towards them. Anyway I won't give much spoilers away but this is a straight to streaming film so my spoils will be limited.

I am so disappointed with this one.

The best part is Connor Vs Jake. Jakes character Dalton, is a strange one but when the pieces fit of him you are like "Wow okay so this guy is a stone cold psychopath" the switch up was crazy and I didn't see the murder spree coming.

The love story was so bleh, I couldn't care. Forgive me for not remembering Connor McGregors characters name either it's just because I felt he was basically playing his UFC self but tuned up to 11 haha.

They should have done more building up to the film and in the film as a whole with Connor being the bad guy and marketed the film around Connor and Jake cutting promos and fighting.

The fight scenes besides Connor Vs Jake was just urgh like what was I watching? CGI fights? It was just messy.

Anyway it's ok, I just expected much better.

4/10

IMAGINARY (2024 Film Review) - Imagine A Better Film

MEET CHAUNCEY. HE’S NOT IMAGINARY. AND HE’S NOT YOUR FRIEND.

When Jessica moves back into her childhood home with her family, her youngest stepdaughter Alice develops an eerie attachment to a stuffed bear named Chauncey she finds in the basement. Alice starts playing games with Chauncey that begin playful and become increasingly sinister. As Alice’s behaviour becomes more and more concerning, Jessica intervenes, only to realize Chauncey is much more than the stuffed toy bear she believed him to be.

Chauncey monster form was awesome in its design and looked scary. This film however was trying to be a mix match of different films, it felt like. Jump scares are lame. Nothing terrifying here besides Chauncey monster form and big bear form.

Interesting ideas, but it couldn't make it mind up on what it wanted to do. Blumhouse needs more time and effort to their projects, they are a missing way too much by taking on and making so many horrors.

This film mentioned Pixar and Disney's inside out, More than it needed to.

The cast was good, and the story was alright. First half totally different to the second half. Didn't see the twist coming near the end, so that was a surprise. The people with the weird bulging black eyes were freaky, sure. Once they entered Chauncey world it felt like Pennywise and his domain, maybe that's where they were inspired from.

Hey maybe I am being really picky but if they are in an imaginary world then couldn't they just fight back imaging good stuff. Kinda like fighting back against Freddy Kruger. It ends like another Blumhouse film where some fire scares the monster off and everyone's happy and free again and of course we have the typical really fast response from firefighters which is just ridiculous, come on like the house fire literally just started😂 Another twisty end if they feel like doing a sequel.

Overall, a meh film.

3/10

Night Swim - (Film Review) - Yawn Drown

Forced into early retirement by a degenerative illness, former baseball player Ray Waller moves into a new house with his wife and two children. He hopes that the backyard swimming pool will be fun for the kids and provide physical therapy for himself. However, a dark secret from the home’s past soon unleashes a malevolent force that drags the family into the depths of inescapable terror.

Wyatt Russell was great and so was his character. This film is based on a short YouTube film and yet the short film is much better. The imagery and "creature" was scary sure but other than that this was bad. Horrors released in January almost always tend to bomb.

Overall

1/10

The Iron Claw (Film Review)

SONS. BROTHERS. CHAMPIONS.

The true story of the inseparable Von Erich brothers, who made history in the intensely competitive world of professional wrestling in the early 1980s. Through tragedy and triumph, under the shadow of their domineering father and coach, the brothers seek larger-than-life immortality on the biggest stage in sports.

Zac Effron and all the cast and crew were fantastic and this film will have you go through so many emotions. Mostly gut wrenching sadness and anger. The dad is a real piece of work and the brothers are so sweet and hard working and you can't help but to think how different things would be if their dad was easier on them. Great songs here also. Lilly James was good as always and she's always a fave actress of mine. 

In summary The Iron Claw is abso-fucking-lutely heartbreaking true story of one of the world's most famous wrestling families and their curse. Excellent all round film. I enjoyed and I cried.

10/10

Aquaman 2: The Lost Kingdom (DCEU)

I have finally seen THE LAST DCEU film Aquaman & The Lost Kingdom and here are my thoughts but first, I will tell you a lil bit about this film. Black Manta seeks revenge on Aquaman for his father’s death. Wielding the Black Trident’s power, he becomes a formidable foe. To defend Atlantis, Aquaman forges an alliance with his imprisoned brother. They must protect the kingdom. So it's a buddy cop superhero type movie at best, but its humour is its weakest point. 

The "forced" humour in Aquaman 2 is just urgh. It's not an MCU movie it shouldn't have that stuff. It's not funny and not needed. I'd rather something actually funny than a cheesy cringey line. "Oh Aquaman you took your brother's throne and his wife? Oh, shame. Shame on you" - Black Manta. "Brother, you're an asshole. A super tight one. Like really tight." - Aquaman. The part about Orm being taught how to run fast like Arthur. 

There are parts I liked about this film, but the "comedy" I've not laughed at. I've laughed at how bad it is and how cringe the lines are, but other than that it's embarrassing and such a step-down from the first. 

James Wan has made an incredible world for Aquaman on screen. The visuals, world building and creature design is incredible. The action scenes were great.

I think all the actors involved did a great job, regardless of the issues on and off-screen. The Amber Heard issue and then the Warner Bros and DCEU screw-ups have torn the promising Billion dollar DC film sequel into a shadow of its former self. 

The film does go back to Arthur Currys character from the first film, and also I thought the world knew about Atlantis after Aquaman and justice league but oh well. Its reveal to the world at the end is like Wakanda reveal in MCU. Stupidest post credits scene ever.

So AQUAMAN 2 is a weak sequel and may aswell be a fish out of water with its mess that it was to make and then to have the final product shown. It's unfortunate for how this turned out after the first was so good. 

6/10

Anime Films Recommendations

Many ask me for anime film recommendations and so here I am to deliver them to you all my dear readers😊 These are films I recommend for anyone interested in a good story or entry into Anime and so this is not a ranked or a rating list.

Your Name

Two teenagers share a profound, magical connection upon discovering they are swapping bodies. Things manage to become even more complicated when the boy and girl decide to meet in person. An absolutely beautiful film. I have seen so many times and it's just so good and hard hitting every single time. 

I Want To Eat Your Pancreas

A high school student discovers one of his classmates, Sakura Yamauchi, is suffering from a terminal illness. This secret brings the two together, as she lives out her final moments. I only seen this once but oh my god there's a part of the film which hit me so hard out of nowhere and I felt that for weeks. Heartbreaking but beautiful.

Weathering With You

In Tokyo, a runaway high school student facing financial struggles ends up with a job at a small-time publisher. One day, he meets a young girl who has the ability to control the weather. Another Makoto Shinkai film on my list and be prepared there's a few on here hehe. Beautiful animation and a lovely story. 

Porco Rosso

The plot revolves around an Italian World War I ex-fighter ace, now living as a freelance bounty hunter chasing "air pirates" in the Adriatic Sea. However, an unusual curse has transformed him into an anthropomorphic pig. Once called Marco Pagot (Marco Rossolini in the American version), he is now known to the world as "Porco Rosso", Italian for "Red Pig". A great animated comedy film that in Studio Ghibli catalogue is underrated, the English voice cast and Marco is voiced by Michael Keaton who is just brilliant in the roll. 

Dragonball Super: Broly

The film follows Goku and Vegeta as they encounter a powerful Saiyan named Broly. The film also chronicles the history of the Saiyans and the background story of these three Saiyans with different destinies connected to the turbulent period of their race, and later culminating in a massive battle between them. By now you all know how much of a big fan of DragonBall franchise I am and well if you want a quick summary of the dragon ball series start with Battle Of The Gods, then Resurrection F and finally get your bum down to watch this epic brawling animated film. Yes, I guess I just recommended two other films too in one but honestly the action and music in Broly is top notch!

One Piece: Red

The story is set on the "Island of Music" Elegia, where Uta, the world's greatest diva, holds her first ever live concert and reveals herself to the public. The Straw Hats, pirates, Marines and fans from across the world gather to enjoy Uta's voice, which has been described as "otherworldly". However, the event begins with the shocking revelation that Uta is the daughter of Shanks who is one of the most powerful pirates. Music, Pirates, Hard hitting action, stunning animation, this film was my massive dive into One Piece. Literally this film was like some narcotics, my system was blown and I needed more and I was so obsessed with the music. 

Howls Moving Castle

When an unconfident young woman is cursed with an old body by a spiteful witch, her only chance of breaking the spell lies with a self-indulgent yet insecure young wizard and his companions in his legged, walking castle. This is my personal favourite Ghibli film and the English dub is superb with Christian Bale voicing the lead and titular character of Howl.

A Silent Voice

A grade-school student with a hearing impairment is bullied and transfers to another school. Years later, the former bully is tormented by his behaviour and sets out to make amends. You go through the film hating the male protagonist, however you feel for him and his pain as the story unfolds. 

Suzume

As the skies turn red and the planet trembles, Japan stands on the brink of disaster. However, a determined teenager named Suzume sets out on a mission to save her country. Able to see supernatural forces that others cannot, it's up to her to close the mysterious doors that are spreading chaos across the land. A perilous journey awaits as the fate of Japan rests on her shoulders. The scenery, music, characters and animation were beautiful! A lot of laughs and gripping story too! I loved it. 

Let me know how you get on with these amazing films, and I hope you enjoy them all. I may do another list like this in the near future, so stay shiny and stick around! :)

THE TOP 10 FILM DECADES POSTS!

To make it easier to find and access this series of film decade top ten's feel free to visit the links here!

CLICK ON THE YEAR'S, TO GO STRAIGHT TO THE LISTS!

1970's

1980's

1990's

2000's

2010's

My Top 10 Highest Rated Films - 2010's Edition

Hello there, So we have reached the end of my top 10 Highest rated films decades series with this post. I will be covering my top 10 films of different decades. This is written as of 9/11/2023, so I could update in the future but who knows. To make things fun and interesting, I will try to post a random fact about the film which you may not know. We all will know why I will love these films and I don't want to repeat myself saying the same sorta things over and over so random fact would be more fun and interesting, is my thought process.

I have lots of 5 star films in many decades BUT I will limit these posts to 1 per franchise rule. I am taking my rankings from the 5 star system of LETTERBOXD. Buckle up, strap in or strap on for the last decade of cinematic universe is upon us today!

Your Name

"Your Name" is a Japanese-animated film directed by Makoto Shinkai. It became a massive success in Japan and internationally, surpassing Studio Ghibli's "Spirited Away" as the highest-grossing anime film.

Guardians Of The Galaxy

The character Groot, voiced by Vin Diesel, has only one line throughout most of the film: "I am Groot." However, Diesel recorded the line in multiple languages to convey various emotions.

Django

In one of the film's intense scenes, Leonardo DiCaprio's character, Calvin Candie, smashes a glass on the dinner table. DiCaprio actually cut his hand during the take but continued with the scene, and his real blood was used in the final cut.

Drive

The film's director, Nicolas Winding Refn, wanted a "real hero" for the lead role, and Ryan Gosling's character rarely blinks in the film to project an image of coolness and confidence.

Whiplash

"Whiplash" was originally a short film, also written and directed by Damien Chazelle. The short film was used to attract investors and secure funding for the feature-length version. "Whiplash" was made on a relatively low budget, but its impact was significant. The film's focus on music and the intense student-teacher dynamic resonated with audiences and critics.

Spider-Man: Across The Spiderverse

"Spider-Verse" employed a unique animation style that combined traditional 2D animation with computer-generated imagery (CGI), resulting in a visually stunning and dynamic look.

Scott Pilgrim Vs The World

The film's pacing is intentionally fast, with rapid editing and snappy dialogue. It mirrors the frenetic pace of the graphic novels and adds to the film's overall energy.

The Wolf Of Wall Street

The film holds the record for the most uses of the F-word in a mainstream, non-documentary film. It uses the word over 500 times.

Joker

Joaquin Phoenix prepared extensively for his role as Arthur Fleck, the man who becomes the Joker. He lost a significant amount of weight to portray the character's emaciated appearance and even kept a journal in character throughout the filming process to explore his character's psyche.

Baby Driver

 Edgar Wright had the idea for "Baby Driver" over two decades before making the film. He first pitched the idea in the 1990s but was only able to bring it to fruition in 2017.

All of these films are iconic and classic, and I have seen so many times. Do you love or like any of these films? Comment and let me know and hit me up on letterboxd @Scotty2Jonesy. 

My Top 10 Highest Rated Films - 00's Edition

Hello there, So I thought I would do something different and interesting today and for the next few blog posts. I will be covering my top 10 films of different decades. This is written as of 9/11/2023, so I could update in the future but who knows. To make things fun and interesting, I will try to post a random fact about the film which you may not know. We all will know why I will love these films and I don't want to repeat myself saying the same sorta things over and over so random fact would be more fun and interesting, is my thought process.

I have lots of 5 star films in many decades BUT I will limit these posts to 1 per franchise rule. I am taking my rankings from the 5 star system of LETTERBOXD. Strap yourself in for a ride through the millennium!

Inglourious Basterds

Quentin Tarantino wrote the role of Colonel Hans Landa specifically for Christoph Waltz. Waltz's performance earned him an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.

Donnie Darko

"Donnie Darko" was a commercial failure upon its initial release but gained a cult following on home video. Its enigmatic plot and complex themes have been a subject of analysis and discussion.

Shrek 2

"Shrek 2" was the highest-grossing animated film of its time. It is known for its clever pop culture references and humour.

V For Vendetta

 In the film, the character Evey, played by Natalie Portman, has her head shaved. Portman actually shaved her head on screen, a scene that had a profound impact on her and the character.

Saw

"Saw" was made on a modest budget, but its success spawned a long-running horror franchise. The film's unique premise and plot twists contributed to its popularity.

Star Wars Episode 3

The lightsaber duel between Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi was one of the most complex and choreographed fights in the "Star Wars" series, taking months to plan and rehearse.

Spider-Man 2

Alfred Molina's portrayal of Doctor Octopus received praise for its depth and complexity. The character's mechanical tentacles were controlled by a team of puppeteers.

Lotr Return Of The King

The film won 11 Academy Awards, tying with "Ben-Hur" and "Titanic" for the most Oscar wins by a single film. It is a record that still stands.

Kill Bill Vol 1

Quentin Tarantino and Uma Thurman developed the character of The Bride, also known as Beatrix Kiddo, specifically for her. The film is known for its stylized violence and homage to martial arts films.

The Dark Knight

 "The Dark Knight" was one of the first major Hollywood films to use IMAX cameras for several key action sequences. The use of IMAX technology provided a more immersive cinematic experience.

All of these films are iconic and classic, and I have seen so many times. Do you love or like any of these films? Comment and let me know and hit me up on letterboxd @Scotty2Jonesy. 

My Top 10 Highest Rated Films - 90's Edition

Hello there, So I thought I would do something different and interesting today and for the next few blog posts. I will be covering my top 10 films of different decades. This is written as of 9/11/2023, so I could update in the future but who knows. To make things fun and interesting, I will try to post a random fact about the film which you may not know. We all will know why I will love these films and I don't want to repeat myself saying the same sorta things over and over so random fact would be more fun and interesting, is my thought process.

I have lots of 5 star films in many decades BUT I will limit these posts to 1 per franchise rule. I am taking my rankings from the 5 star system of LETTERBOXD. Buckle up as it's time to smell that teen spirit and go to the raving 90s!

The Mummy

 "The Mummy" marked Brendan Fraser's breakthrough role, leading to his status as an action-adventure star in the late 1990s and early 2000s. 

The Mask

Jim Carrey's character, Stanley Ipkiss, wears a green mask. Due to the green colour of the mask, a blue mask was used during filming to allow for better special effects.

Starship Troopers

The film's mobile infantry suits were so heavy that the actors needed assistance to stand up after falling down while wearing them. They weighed around 40 pounds each.

Home Alone 2

The cameo appearance of Donald Trump in the film was due to the fact that the Plaza Hotel, where the scene was shot, was owned by Trump at the time.

Terminator 2

"Terminator 2" was the most expensive film ever made at the time of its release. The budget was approximately $100 million, a significant amount in the early 1990s.

Mulan

To create the character of Mushu, the filmmakers hired comedian Eddie Murphy to provide the voice. Murphy's improvisational humour added depth to the character.

The Green Mile

Michael Clarke Duncan, who played John Coffey, had never acted in a feature film before. His remarkable performance earned him an Academy Award nomination.

Dumb & Dumber

The infamous "most annoying sound in the world" scene was mostly improvised by Jim Carrey. The reaction of his co-star, Jeff Daniels, was genuine.

Toy Story

"Toy Story" was the first feature-length film created entirely using computer-generated animation. It marked a significant milestone in the history of animation.

The Truman Show

The name "Truman" is a play on the words "true man," reflecting the theme of authenticity and reality in the film. Jim Carrey's character, Truman Burbank, lives his life unknowingly on a reality TV show.

All of these films are iconic and classic, and I have seen so many times. Do you love or like any of these films? Comment and let me know and hit me up on letterboxd @Scotty2Jonesy. 

My Top 10 Highest Rated Films - 80's Edition

Hello there, So I thought I would do something different and interesting today and for the next few blog posts. I will be covering my top 10 films of different decades. This is written as of 9/11/2023, so I could update in the future but who knows. I have lots of 5 star films in many decades BUT I will limit these posts to 1 per franchise rule.

To make things fun and interesting, I will try to post a random fact about the film which you may not know. We all will know why I will love these films and I don't want to repeat myself saying the same sorta things over and over so random fact would be more fun and interesting, is my thought process.

 I am taking my rankings from the 5 star system of LETTERBOXD. Buckle up for a ride down sunny film lane and this time get your neons on as we go to the 1980's!

ROBOCOP

Peter Weller, who played the titular character, had to endure long hours in the RoboCop suit, which was extremely uncomfortable and caused him to lose three pounds a day from sweating.

PREDATOR

The original design for the Predator's face was quite different from the one in the final film. Jean-Claude Van Damme was initially cast as the Predator, but his design didn't work out, leading to the iconic creature we know today.

GREMLINS

"Gremlins" was originally conceived as a much darker and scarier film. However, it was later developed as a horror-comedy, striking a balance between humour and horror.

SEE NO EVIL, HEAR NO EVIL

"See No Evil, Hear No Evil" is loosely based on the novel "Two for the Seesaw" by William Gibson, but it takes a comedic and farcical approach to the material. 

BILL & TED'S EXCELLENT ADVENTURE

The roles of Bill and Ted were originally offered to other actors, including Pauly Shore and Sean Penn. However, Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter ultimately landed the roles and became synonymous with the characters. The phone booth was originally supposed to be a van, but they opted for a Dr Who nod. 

ROCKY IV

The training montage featuring Sylvester Stallone as Rocky and Dolph Lundgren as Ivan Drago is famous. The sequence was filmed in Wyoming, and Stallone had to be airlifted to a hospital after being punched in the chest by Lundgren to maintain authenticity in the fight scenes.

INDIANA JONES: RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK

In the famous boulder scene, Harrison Ford outran a real boulder, which was a fibreglass prop. The stunt was extremely dangerous, but it resulted in an iconic film moment.

BEETLEJUICE

The title character, Beetlejuice, was originally envisioned as a winged, reptilian demon. However, the final design for the character was more whimsical and unique.

STAR WARS: THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK

The big reveal of Darth Vader being Luke Skywalker's father was kept a well-guarded secret. Mark Hamill, who played Luke, was only informed of this twist moments before filming the scene to preserve the surprise.

BACK TO THE FUTURE

The original choice to play Marty McFly was Eric Stoltz. He filmed several scenes but was later replaced by Michael J. Fox, leading to the iconic casting that we know today.

All of these films are iconic and classic, and I have seen so many times. Do you love or like any of these films? Comment and let me know and hit me up on letterboxd @Scotty2Jonesy. 

My Top 10 Highest Rated Films - 70's Edition

Hello there, So I thought I would do something different and interesting today and for the next few blog posts. I will be covering my top 10 films of different decades. This is written as of 9/11/2023, so I could update in the future but who knows.

I have lots of 5 star films in many decades BUT I will limit these posts to 1 per franchise rule. I am taking my rankings from the 5 star system of LETTERBOXD. To make things fun and interesting, I will try to post a random fact about the film which you may not know. We all will know why I will love these films and I don't want to repeat myself saying the same sorta things over and over so random fact would be more fun and interesting, is my thought process.

Strap in for a ride back to the soulful 70s!

The Exorcist

"The Exorcist" is known for its shocking scenes, but did you know that the sound of Regan's neck cracking during her infamous head-spinning scene was created by twisting a leather wallet inside an old leather jacket?

Jaws

While the animatronic shark used in "Jaws" was named Bruce by the production crew, it often malfunctioned during filming, leading to Spielberg creatively using suspenseful music and camera angles to build tension without showing the shark.

Blazing Saddles

"Blazing Saddles" features an iconic scene where cowboys enjoy a hearty campfire meal. The sound of their breaking wind during this scene was created using the recordings of actual cowboys and cowgirls.

Alien

The chestburster scene in "Alien" was a surprise to most of the actors. The only one who knew what would happen was John Hurt, whose reaction was genuine, creating a more authentic shock on screen.

The Godfather

The famous cat in the opening scene of "The Godfather" was not originally in the script. It was a stray cat that Marlon Brando found on the set and decided to include in the scene.

Grease

In the final scene of "Grease" when the car takes off into the sky, the car was actually a full-scale mechanical replica with wheels that retracted, making it appear as though it was flying.

One Who Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest

"One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" was one of the few films to win all five major Academy Awards: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Adapted Screenplay.

Life Of Brian

Monty Python's "Life of Brian" was met with controversy upon its release but has since become a cult classic. The film was banned in several countries for its religious satire, but John Cleese's mother defended it publicly.

Star Wars

The iconic opening crawl of "Star Wars" was created using practical effects. The text was physically printed on a 6-foot-long camera bed and filmed against a starry background to achieve the famous scrolling effect.

HALLOWEEN

The original "Halloween" (1978) had a limited budget, so the famous Michael Myers mask was a William Shatner mask painted white and altered to create a more haunting appearance.

All of these films are iconic and classic, and I have seen so many times. Do you love or like any of these films? Comment and let me know and hit me up on letterboxd @Scotty2Jonesy.