What to Watch Mar '24 Edition

This is not for everyone mind, but it was a bloody good laugh

This is a really cool movie if you’re looking for something a bit out of the ordinary, although it won’t be for everyone but I loved the deviousness of it all and it’s quirky unexpected twists.

Is this a classic yet?

Not 💯 if this has reached classic or cult status as yet, but it’s a good evening movie, one where your engaged from start to finish. Some great performances from a great ensemble cast. The headliner Tom Hanks plays Paul Edgecomb head prison guard on the ‘Mile’, and Michael Clarke Duncan as John Coffey an inmate sentenced to death for the murder of two little girls. With movies such as these you can watch from a critical perspective or let the story unfold uncritically. If I wanted to be critical, I’d maybe question the accuracy the portrayal of death row guards, being that all but one were sympathetic characters. Special shout out to Doug Hutchinson who played the outlier, Percy Wetmore, a weasy little man hell bent on showing his power and dominance over the prisoners.

Definitely a classic

Who hasn’t uttered the immortal words ‘You can’t handle the truth!’. A Few Good Men follows second generation Lawyer Daniel Kaffee as he get’s guilted out of his usual plea bargaining ways, opting to take a case and advocate on behalf of his clients in front of a Judge.

He must use his cunning and intellect alongide his co-counsel to right the injustice of the falsely accused, but can he win out against the might of the US Marine Colonel (play by the excellent Jack Nicholson) Nathan R. Jessop who is adamant the men must pay for the crime.

If you like legal dramas, this one is for you. Throw in the military aspect and you’re bound to be entertained. There’s light humour as well as a David vs Goliath perspective that is always good for a story arc.

Fun romp of a murder mystery

The Knives Out mysteries starring Daniel Craig as the main character has all the hallmarks of a great series and indeed since this first offering a further two movies have been made telling the stories of reknowned detective Benoit Blanc, as he takes on nepherious plotters hell bent on getting away with their fiendish plots involving murder most foul.

The over the top characters in this movie are fun to watch and the intricate nature of the plots take some unwinding. Great for a sunday afternoon movie, Knives Out has become a firm favourite of mine.

Getting a bit past it’s best before date

As RomComs go, this is a bit saccharin and a bit uncomplicated. I think that it will probably not live too long in my watch list. I liked it because I really like Matthew McConaughey, but the tropes are largely passe now and a little bit offensive.

Light Hearted Frivolity

The story of Elle Woods, triumph against the odds continues to delight. I love the sillyness of this movie. Elle is fighting against the stereotype that she’s been labelled with to prove that she’s just as good anyone, not just in looks but in brains as well.

Back in the day, this rocked

But it hasn’t aged well.

Carell’s comedy chops shines through

The second Almighty movie is so much better than the first and it’s due to the shear quality of Steve Carell’s performance in the lead roll. It never ceases to amaze me how much this actor can make the difference between a good show and a great one (case in point check season 3 of the Morning Show in comparison to seasons 1 & 2, season 2 in particular)

Great film, lots of belly laughs and a lovely ending.

The importance of family bonds are clear

I’ve probably watched Lawless 3-4 times over the years and it’s fast becoming a firm favourite and is definitely going into my list of top 100 movies. A list I haven’t not compiled, but now that I’ve mentioned it, look out for it coming to a blog near you, not too much long from now.

For starters, check that cast list. Five of the top six billing are considered method actors. The one that isn’t Guy Pearce is such a versatile and quality actor that he may as well be (not saying if you’re no method, you’re not quality).

Set in the prohibition era, the Bouderants just want to be left alone to sell their bootleg liquor and run their service station / guest house. Along comes crooked Chicago lawman Rakes to ruin the fun, and the brothers now find themselves embroiled in all out war with the law.

Just so good

I am almost sure I have yet to come across a vietnam movie that I haven’t like. I’m not at all sure why. It’s possible that it is because the war in Vietnam was such a disaster for the USA and all the movies I’ve seen don’t hide/gloss over that fact.

There’s so much for me to unpack about this movie (and the others), that I’ll leave the detail until a longer review. Save to say, brilliant movie, fantastic soundtrack, quality, watch it.

It’s ok but not sure I prefer it over the original

This is funnier that the original Swayze version, and even though I’m not sure I like it more than the original, I did enjoy switching off my brain for this one and just enjoyed the fighting and the scenery.