Two films where lonesome protagonists use excessive amounts of hand grenades to deal with their past, both on the action spectrum but at opposite ends:
The Phoenician Scheme
From the World of John Wick: Ballerina
Compared to his recent work, Wes Anderson comes up with an unusually eventful (and surprisingly serious) plot and unusually active characters; anything can, and does, happen, including grotesque and goofy violence. Good acting, except for minor characters that don't have the opportunity to shine. Hand grenades are distributed as symbolic gifts.
In the John Wick spinoff hand grenades are, of course, used to great effect; there's a dedicated hand grenade fight, one of many specialty fights (on ice, with flamethrowers, in a kitchen, with a Japanese-style sword, nonlethal inside the Continental Hotel, etc.) that, compared to the last two John Wick films, curb some excesses (for example, a smaller number of more durable goons and less shooting) but still manage to be grotesque in fun and varied ways.
The story seems to have shifted focus from a serious portrayal of the tragic past (and present) of a sad assassin and her family to relentless revenge action: some characters, like Winston and Nogi, seem set up to do much more than they actually do, while the involvement of John Wick himself is "detachable" and entirely unnecessary. Nothing comparable to the reshooting hell of Snow White or typical superhero films, but still a problem.
Movies you've just watched
Re: Movies you've just watched
Last edited by Ixmucane2 on Thu Jun 19, 2025 7:22 am, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Movies you've just watched
Teen Witch: **
An incredibly bizarre 1989 teen comedy which bombed hard in the theaters (a total box office gross of only $27,843 on a $2.5 million budget) but which ultimately managed to attain cult classic "So Bad It's Good" status as a result of regular airings on cable TV, which eventually made it a regular fixture on the Midnight Movie circuit. Louise Miller is a 15-year old nobody dealing with all the standard high school cliches, until at the age of 16 she discovers that she has magical powers, which she uses in exactly the ways you'd expect of a 16 year old with magical powers, hitting every single teen movie (and subsequently every 80s movie) cliche you can think of along the way. Also featured are a number of musical numbers and rap songs which have basically nothing to do with the film's plot, but were apparently requested by a distributor to pad the rather short runtime of the film. Film all that on the graniest film I've seen in ages, and the result is a fever dream of a movie.
An incredibly bizarre 1989 teen comedy which bombed hard in the theaters (a total box office gross of only $27,843 on a $2.5 million budget) but which ultimately managed to attain cult classic "So Bad It's Good" status as a result of regular airings on cable TV, which eventually made it a regular fixture on the Midnight Movie circuit. Louise Miller is a 15-year old nobody dealing with all the standard high school cliches, until at the age of 16 she discovers that she has magical powers, which she uses in exactly the ways you'd expect of a 16 year old with magical powers, hitting every single teen movie (and subsequently every 80s movie) cliche you can think of along the way. Also featured are a number of musical numbers and rap songs which have basically nothing to do with the film's plot, but were apparently requested by a distributor to pad the rather short runtime of the film. Film all that on the graniest film I've seen in ages, and the result is a fever dream of a movie.
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PC Engine Fan X!
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Re: Movies you've just watched
Ixmucane2 wrote: ↑Sat Jun 14, 2025 5:03 pm Two films where lonesome protagonists use excessive amounts of hand grenades to deal with their past, both on the action spectrum but at opposite ends:
The Phoenician Scheme
From the World of John Wick: Ballerina
Compared to his recent work, Wes Anderson comes up with an unusually eventful (and surprisingly serious) plot and unusually active characters; anything can, and does, happen, including grotesque and goofy violence. Good acting, except for minor characters that don't have the opportunity to shine. Hand grenades are distributed as symbolic gifts.
In the John Wick spinoff hand grenades are, of course, used to great effect; there's a dedicated hand grenade fight, one of many specialty fights (on ice, with flamethrowers, in a kitchen, with a Japanese-style sword, nonlethal inside the Continental hotel, etc.) that, compared to the last two John Wick films, curb some excesses (for example, a smaller number of more durable goons and less shooting) but still manage to be grotesque in fun and varied ways.
The story seems to have shifted focus from a serious portrayal of the tragic past (and present) of a sad assassin and her family to relentless revenge action: some characters, like Winston and Nogi, seem set up to do much more than they actually do, while the involvement of John Wick himself is "detachable" and entirely unnecessary. Nothing comparable to the reshooting hell of Snow White or typical superhero films, but still a problem.
The fact that the "From the World of John Wick: Ballerina" movie was delayed an entire year with some extensive reshoots done to fit in within the John Wick universe (with it being an "interquel" taking place in John Wick 3: Parabellum but before the events that unfold in John Wick: Chapter 4).
The movie studio, Lionsgate, has said that a "John Wick 5" sequel is slated to be done "down the road" but won't be connected to the 2023 John Wick: Chapter 4 sequel whatsoever.
PC Engine Fan X! ^_~
Re: Movies you've just watched
Dragon Trainer (2025)
An exceptionally faithful live-action remake of a very good cartoon; no clever new ideas, just the same film done better from beginning to end, one sequence at a time. I suspect humiliating Disney and their headless chicken approach to planning was one of the purposes of doing this instead of a sequel.
Many little improvements can be attributed to hindsight and experience; actual actors and scenery are better than the rather whimsical cartoonish style of the original, but CGI dragons remain not serious enough.
An exceptionally faithful live-action remake of a very good cartoon; no clever new ideas, just the same film done better from beginning to end, one sequence at a time. I suspect humiliating Disney and their headless chicken approach to planning was one of the purposes of doing this instead of a sequel.
Many little improvements can be attributed to hindsight and experience; actual actors and scenery are better than the rather whimsical cartoonish style of the original, but CGI dragons remain not serious enough.
Re: Movies you've just watched
If this is indeed the last one, then I think it’s a worthy sendoff for Ethan Hunt and the IMF.PC Engine Fan X! wrote: ↑Tue May 27, 2025 2:52 pmneorichieb1971 wrote: ↑Tue May 27, 2025 1:36 pm Mission impossible (last reckoning or whatever it is at the movie theater). 7/10.
There's talk/chatter about that "Mission Impossible: The Last Reckoning" might not be "the final MI movie" for the film franchise when Tom Cruise was asked about it -- his answer was, "We'll just have to wait & see."
PC Engine Fan X! ^_~
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GaijinPunch
- Posts: 15847
- Joined: Mon Jan 31, 2005 11:22 pm
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Re: Movies you've just watched
The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the Eight Dimension
This was always on my list as a kid, mainly b/c of the advertisement in the papers. Not sure if I even saw a trailer until recently. Definitely a product of the 80s, in the spirit of B-movies from decades prior. Despite the main character being "half Japanese", his crew is the Hong Kong Cavaliers. I mean, wouldn't the Tokyo Cavaliers work? Anyway, ludicrous story of course, and an absolute banging cast - this would have cost a fortune 3-4 years later. Even has some random familiar faces - like the black dude from Alias doing a REALLY bad rastafarian accent. Hard to love seeing it now for the first time, but still good fun.
Traffic
I had seen this on home rental when it came out, but forgot about quite a bit of it. Solid performances that still hold up, as does the narrative. This does feel a bit like a relic now, as drugs have clearly won the war on drugs, but Soderberg seemed to know it at the time. What I don't think has stood up is the different color grading / processing done on the different film stocks, depending on which part of the story was being told. It might just be a shitty transfer but it did not look amazing on Prime - even watching on a tablet. And this is coming from someone that appreciates trying such things on film. Anyway, not too distracting in the end, and definitely a fun rewatch.
Pacific Heights
Another one that I had always meant to watch but never did. This was a new release when I worked in a video store, but I never got around to watching it. This is an SF based movie so finally took the plunge. The truly horrifying part is these people paid $750k for a home with two rental units in San Francisco. Had they stuck through it they could have sold it 20 years later and retired. Idiots. Anyway, Michael Keaton is the tenant from hell, playing his landlords like a fiddle. It reminds anyone in California, especially the Bay Area, about how shitty being a landlord is with the wrong tenant. I think the speeds a few things up for dramatic effect, as I'm quite sure you can't get resident rights in a few days, but squatters exist here. As an added bonus, the black dude from Alias showed up again! But with just a normal accent.
This was always on my list as a kid, mainly b/c of the advertisement in the papers. Not sure if I even saw a trailer until recently. Definitely a product of the 80s, in the spirit of B-movies from decades prior. Despite the main character being "half Japanese", his crew is the Hong Kong Cavaliers. I mean, wouldn't the Tokyo Cavaliers work? Anyway, ludicrous story of course, and an absolute banging cast - this would have cost a fortune 3-4 years later. Even has some random familiar faces - like the black dude from Alias doing a REALLY bad rastafarian accent. Hard to love seeing it now for the first time, but still good fun.
Traffic
I had seen this on home rental when it came out, but forgot about quite a bit of it. Solid performances that still hold up, as does the narrative. This does feel a bit like a relic now, as drugs have clearly won the war on drugs, but Soderberg seemed to know it at the time. What I don't think has stood up is the different color grading / processing done on the different film stocks, depending on which part of the story was being told. It might just be a shitty transfer but it did not look amazing on Prime - even watching on a tablet. And this is coming from someone that appreciates trying such things on film. Anyway, not too distracting in the end, and definitely a fun rewatch.
Pacific Heights
Another one that I had always meant to watch but never did. This was a new release when I worked in a video store, but I never got around to watching it. This is an SF based movie so finally took the plunge. The truly horrifying part is these people paid $750k for a home with two rental units in San Francisco. Had they stuck through it they could have sold it 20 years later and retired. Idiots. Anyway, Michael Keaton is the tenant from hell, playing his landlords like a fiddle. It reminds anyone in California, especially the Bay Area, about how shitty being a landlord is with the wrong tenant. I think the speeds a few things up for dramatic effect, as I'm quite sure you can't get resident rights in a few days, but squatters exist here. As an added bonus, the black dude from Alias showed up again! But with just a normal accent.
RegalSin wrote:New PowerPuff Girls. They all have evil pornstart eyelashes.
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AGermanArtist
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Re: Movies you've just watched
28 Years Later employs techniques I'd first seen in Chris Cunningham's work, which dates it somewhat.
That aside, I enjoyed it and my only gripe really is that it ends quite abruptly. The general sentiment in the cinema was "is that it?"
I suppose we'll just have to wait for the next one.
That aside, I enjoyed it and my only gripe really is that it ends quite abruptly. The general sentiment in the cinema was "is that it?"
I suppose we'll just have to wait for the next one.
Spoiler
the infected are fucking each other now 
Spoiler
I'm guessing the gang at the end are somehow influenced by pre-Apocalypse media they've been exposed to (Power Rangers) and since a certain individual who's seemingly influenced them didn't die IRL until after the events of the first film, they didn't experience his post-death legacy
Re: Movies you've just watched
KPop Demon Hunters on Netflix. Pretty fun watch. But the Star Wars reference during the climax turned me off a bit.
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GaijinPunch
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Re: Movies you've just watched
28 Years Later
Some pretty amazing stuff done in this one. it's very wild looking at the rigs they used to achieve some of the effects. Mad props for doing it all "in camera" (or should I say "in cameras". However, there is one massive fucking problem, and that is shooting in digital simply ages like a turd. But, this is meant to be seen now and in the theaters, and that's what I did. A fine installment that doesn't really retell anything. The cinematography and editing is, as expected, amazing. Also unsurprisingly the soundtrack is fantastic. I am looking forward to seeing how the the next installment works, even if Boyle isn't directing.
This one seems to be getting mixed reviews from audience scores. I can say the story didn't exactly plan out as I thought it might, and that's totally fine.I feel like the average movie-goer doesn't like being surprised though. Most sources I trust are praising it though, so take that as you will. I quite enjoyed it.
Some pretty amazing stuff done in this one. it's very wild looking at the rigs they used to achieve some of the effects. Mad props for doing it all "in camera" (or should I say "in cameras". However, there is one massive fucking problem, and that is shooting in digital simply ages like a turd. But, this is meant to be seen now and in the theaters, and that's what I did. A fine installment that doesn't really retell anything. The cinematography and editing is, as expected, amazing. Also unsurprisingly the soundtrack is fantastic. I am looking forward to seeing how the the next installment works, even if Boyle isn't directing.
This one seems to be getting mixed reviews from audience scores. I can say the story didn't exactly plan out as I thought it might, and that's totally fine.I feel like the average movie-goer doesn't like being surprised though. Most sources I trust are praising it though, so take that as you will. I quite enjoyed it.
RegalSin wrote:New PowerPuff Girls. They all have evil pornstart eyelashes.
Re: Movies you've just watched
28 Years Later was… average. But now I have to see the sequel next year.
Re: Movies you've just watched
Definitely going to catch 28 Years before it leaves the local theater. Looking forward to it.
I saw The Phoenician Scheme (Wes Anderson 2025) last week. 7/10
Even though I grew tired of Anderson's "brand," many years ago, I still found this one to be a lot of fun. I think this is his best movie since The Grand Budapest, and it's on my shortlist of good Anderson films.
The main detraction from Phoenician is that it lacks the spontaneity present in some of Anderson's films. It's almost as if he can't seem to play to all of his strengths at once since Rushmore. Some of his films really strike the balance between spontaneous and contrived in a almost perfect comedic fashion, but then they generally don't hold together all that well as whole. And then you get films like Phoenician and French Dispatch that are extremely tight, but he can't seem to impose that structure without yeeting all the whimsy.
In certain films like Budapest, that doesn't matter as the seriousness of the script doesn't really call for it, but that film is somewhat anomalous in his catalog; that tension between whimsy and structure is fairly central to the guts of the aesthetic he has cultivated over the past 30 years.
With Phoenician, I felt that Anderson really fell into a pattern and produced something a bit predictable that delivers both what it sets out to do and what it promises the audience. And in this case, I actually think it works pretty well. Benicio Del Toro is funny and carries the movie well. The supporting cast is at least as good. The art design in the film is excellent and helps tell the story.
Lastly, there is some rare, overt art-film content in Phoenician that is best described as Anderson's take on Ingmar Bergman. It was a kind of Woody Allen type thing that he used to do in the 70s in movies like Stardust Memories and Annie Hall. Very interesting and psychological, but not nearly up to the standards of the best. It's clearly not his strong suit, but very much appreciated that he's trying new things, and it works okay.
IMHO, this is his third best film. It beats out Tenenbaums because that film is a complete mess, even if it does have "lightning in a bottle" energy. But it's close enough that I could change my mind about it.
I saw The Phoenician Scheme (Wes Anderson 2025) last week. 7/10
Even though I grew tired of Anderson's "brand," many years ago, I still found this one to be a lot of fun. I think this is his best movie since The Grand Budapest, and it's on my shortlist of good Anderson films.
The main detraction from Phoenician is that it lacks the spontaneity present in some of Anderson's films. It's almost as if he can't seem to play to all of his strengths at once since Rushmore. Some of his films really strike the balance between spontaneous and contrived in a almost perfect comedic fashion, but then they generally don't hold together all that well as whole. And then you get films like Phoenician and French Dispatch that are extremely tight, but he can't seem to impose that structure without yeeting all the whimsy.
In certain films like Budapest, that doesn't matter as the seriousness of the script doesn't really call for it, but that film is somewhat anomalous in his catalog; that tension between whimsy and structure is fairly central to the guts of the aesthetic he has cultivated over the past 30 years.
With Phoenician, I felt that Anderson really fell into a pattern and produced something a bit predictable that delivers both what it sets out to do and what it promises the audience. And in this case, I actually think it works pretty well. Benicio Del Toro is funny and carries the movie well. The supporting cast is at least as good. The art design in the film is excellent and helps tell the story.
Lastly, there is some rare, overt art-film content in Phoenician that is best described as Anderson's take on Ingmar Bergman. It was a kind of Woody Allen type thing that he used to do in the 70s in movies like Stardust Memories and Annie Hall. Very interesting and psychological, but not nearly up to the standards of the best. It's clearly not his strong suit, but very much appreciated that he's trying new things, and it works okay.
IMHO, this is his third best film. It beats out Tenenbaums because that film is a complete mess, even if it does have "lightning in a bottle" energy. But it's close enough that I could change my mind about it.
Re: Movies you've just watched
F1
Amazingly predictable Hollywood storytelling, embracing a particularly constrained specialty (racing) of a very standardized genre (sports).
The unavoidable plot of a season of races and character arcs is exaggerated with a ridiculous premise: a semi-retired pilot in his sixties, like the actual Brad Pitt, arriving mid-season and performing quite well.
The good side is the attention to realism, not only in the excellent car shots that seem to be the main point but also in the details of racing behaviour and atmosphere; it looks like actual Formula 1 on TV, plus a look behind the scenes. There are significant artistic licenses with rules and regulations and many sad simplifications, but many aspects are much more reasonable, low-key and "naturalistic" than could be feared.
Clearly, more developed characters with a more interesting life would have stolen screen time from thrilling and exquisitely photographed racing scenes.
Amazingly predictable Hollywood storytelling, embracing a particularly constrained specialty (racing) of a very standardized genre (sports).
The unavoidable plot of a season of races and character arcs is exaggerated with a ridiculous premise: a semi-retired pilot in his sixties, like the actual Brad Pitt, arriving mid-season and performing quite well.
The good side is the attention to realism, not only in the excellent car shots that seem to be the main point but also in the details of racing behaviour and atmosphere; it looks like actual Formula 1 on TV, plus a look behind the scenes. There are significant artistic licenses with rules and regulations and many sad simplifications, but many aspects are much more reasonable, low-key and "naturalistic" than could be feared.
Clearly, more developed characters with a more interesting life would have stolen screen time from thrilling and exquisitely photographed racing scenes.
Re: Movies you've just watched
I never post here, otherwise I would clog everything up since I watch at least 1 movie a day (or rewatch).
So I'll make a short, no-frills list of the latest interesting things I've seen.
Strange Darling (2023) [/b]
Particular photography especially for the saturated colors, the film has few characters and initially seems like a terrible piece of shit... which slowly unravels, I'm not saying it's exceptional as critics say, but not even the average streaming crap that exists today.
Challengers (2024)
Smooth, stylish, especially in the music by Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross (the last match is crazy). It could be boring at times for some. It is a case of a film where style wins over substance though.
The Heretic (2024).
Hugh Grant has never acted so well in his life! Psychological thriller with vaguely horror hues, without supernatural entities or similar bullshit. It's been a long time since I've seen something nice in this genre.
Deep Cover (2025)
I didn't think Orlando Bloom could make me laugh so much, and it's been a while since I've seen a comedy that's funny and keeps the pace and jokes high from start to finish.
Conan the Barbarian (1982).
I love the setting, even if the film itself is a very simple dark fantasy, but the thing that impressed me the most are the soundtracks o_o
Plane! and Airplane! 2 (1980/1982)
How did I not see these before? LOOL
L'armata Brancaleone (or "For Love and Gold" or "The Incredible Army of Brancaleone") (1966) and Brancaleone at the Crusades (1970)
I never thought I would witness such an absurd and surreal show.
It's a kind of "fantasy" set in the 11th century, where there is the classic idiot knight who assembles a gang more ramshackle than him and they try feats after feats, from obtaining a fiefdom to liberating the holy land, all in a comical and demented way, including the language which is partially invented.
I only know that my Elden Ring campaign will never be the same again!
So I'll make a short, no-frills list of the latest interesting things I've seen.
Strange Darling (2023) [/b]
Particular photography especially for the saturated colors, the film has few characters and initially seems like a terrible piece of shit... which slowly unravels, I'm not saying it's exceptional as critics say, but not even the average streaming crap that exists today.
Challengers (2024)
Smooth, stylish, especially in the music by Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross (the last match is crazy). It could be boring at times for some. It is a case of a film where style wins over substance though.
The Heretic (2024).
Hugh Grant has never acted so well in his life! Psychological thriller with vaguely horror hues, without supernatural entities or similar bullshit. It's been a long time since I've seen something nice in this genre.
Deep Cover (2025)
I didn't think Orlando Bloom could make me laugh so much, and it's been a while since I've seen a comedy that's funny and keeps the pace and jokes high from start to finish.
Conan the Barbarian (1982).
I love the setting, even if the film itself is a very simple dark fantasy, but the thing that impressed me the most are the soundtracks o_o
Plane! and Airplane! 2 (1980/1982)
How did I not see these before? LOOL
L'armata Brancaleone (or "For Love and Gold" or "The Incredible Army of Brancaleone") (1966) and Brancaleone at the Crusades (1970)
I never thought I would witness such an absurd and surreal show.
It's a kind of "fantasy" set in the 11th century, where there is the classic idiot knight who assembles a gang more ramshackle than him and they try feats after feats, from obtaining a fiefdom to liberating the holy land, all in a comical and demented way, including the language which is partially invented.
I only know that my Elden Ring campaign will never be the same again!
Last edited by Lemnear on Mon Jun 30, 2025 4:51 pm, edited 2 times in total.
ASCENDING
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ChurchOfSolipsism
- Posts: 1207
- Joined: Thu Sep 25, 2008 12:12 am
Re: Movies you've just watched
Nah man post away, I always love reading film reviews from very personal perspectives.
Heretic was incredibly entertaining, but what I enjoyed most was its discussion of theology, which, for a horror movie, was excellently done IMO.
Anyway, have you watched Ari Aster's films? He wrote and directed his first film, Hereditary, when he was 32, which is incredible since the film has plenty of very mature themes, like different types of loss and the complicated relationship between family members. The film also looks really good, has fantastic character actors (Toni Collette!), and works well as a horror film. Midsommar, his second film, was also a great horror flick. Watch it high for that certain extra punch.
Agree, I bought the soundtrack on CD after watching Conan for the first time. The film is also quite remarkable, it's pulp fantasy treated like arthouse material.
waaaat haha, how is that possible? Have you seen Top Secret?
Re: Movies you've just watched
Just watched The Phoenician Scheme. Pretty funny.
Re: Movies you've just watched
Re: Movies you've just watched
Aster's Beau Is Afraid is literally one of my absolute favourite movies of the last decade. A lot of people thought it was bloated and self indulgent and lacked any coherent themes. And all of those are correct, but that doesn't keep it from being entertaining as hell. It feels like a movie made specifically for me, it's so fucking good.ChurchOfSolipsism wrote: ↑Mon Jun 30, 2025 1:00 pm Anyway, have you watched Ari Aster's films? He wrote and directed his first film, Hereditary, when he was 32, which is incredible since the film has plenty of very mature themes, like different types of loss and the complicated relationship between family members. The film also looks really good, has fantastic character actors (Toni Collette!), and works well as a horror film. Midsommar, his second film, was also a great horror flick. Watch it high for that certain extra punch.
Re: Movies you've just watched
One thing I can admit is that the final fight scene was actually pretty hilarious to watch.vol.2 wrote: ↑Mon Jun 30, 2025 7:51 pmxxx1993!
Be curious to hear your thoughts about my take on the movie.
Re: Movies you've just watched
Netflix just added Tár, a critically acclaimed movie I've really been wanting to watch.
They also added the Super Mario Movie, a formulaic kids cartoon based on a video game.
Curiosity got the better of me and I ended up watching the latter. And honestly, for what it is I was really positively surprised. It's decently clever and generally funny most of the way. Outside of the nostalgia pandering I'm not the target audience for this, but it is incredibly well made and deserves recognition for that. Has all the typical trappings of a big commercial licensed product with the tired old superhero formula and third act big showdown, but since that was to be expected I can look past that. Definitely infinitely better than that horrible Sonic movie which I also watched for no good reason.
They also added the Super Mario Movie, a formulaic kids cartoon based on a video game.
Curiosity got the better of me and I ended up watching the latter. And honestly, for what it is I was really positively surprised. It's decently clever and generally funny most of the way. Outside of the nostalgia pandering I'm not the target audience for this, but it is incredibly well made and deserves recognition for that. Has all the typical trappings of a big commercial licensed product with the tired old superhero formula and third act big showdown, but since that was to be expected I can look past that. Definitely infinitely better than that horrible Sonic movie which I also watched for no good reason.
Re: Movies you've just watched
I'm usually not too big on Wes Anderson, but I didn't mind The Phoenician Scheme and Isle of Dogs overall. Especially considering the latter felt more like an anime.