Running on 2bi: Film Review

So I've watched more movies.

 

He sure is! 

Argoman the Fantastic Superman

The first time they mention that Argoman has superpowers, it is to inform the audience that he loses his superpowers when he has sex. Somehow, despite that being pivotal to the plot, I'd say this movie was less sexual than your average Bond film. The clothes, music, special effects, and plot were all 60s in the fun way ~ and it is nice to finally see what the Western take on the superhero genre is like. I liked this movie.

Godzilla 64

Mothra Vs. Godzilla

I haven't seen Mothra yet. Nonetheless I'm glad we didn't get a Godzilla Raids Again-esque scene where characters watch the first movie to catch the audience up on what they might have missed. That was funny the first time, I don't need it again.

This is definitely the best looking of the first four Godzilla movies. I mean it's the most recent, sure, but 2 and 3 both looked significantly worse than 1, in my opinion. However, when it comes to specifically the giant monster fights, I'd have to give the crown to King Kong Vs. Godzilla.

I also find it interesting how much more of an oaf Godzilla feels in this one. Like, a dangerous, destructive oaf, but much of the destruction involves him tripping, or getting his tail caught. Mothra at one point starts dragging Godzilla around by the tail and that feels considerably less composed than anything that would have happened in the first three movies. An interesting shift, curious where it goes from here.

I suppose I'm watching all the Godzilla movies in release order now. I liked this movie.

When 35 Chambers Aren't Enough

The 36th Chamber of Shaolin

There's a lot of kung fu movies. There's a lot of kung fu movies about kung fu. This kung fu movie is the most about kung fu out of all the kung fu movies I've seen. San Te spends probably 2/3rds of the movie learning kung fu, to the point that I almost forgot why he wanted to learn it in the first place. And that's fine! Because it was compelling just watching him learn! And the moments where he's shadow sparring and trying to figure out how to win are absolutely genius ~ both in how they're presented, and how they fit into his journey. I liked this movie.

This is an absolutely wild poster and does not evoke the movie at all to me 

Stalker

I've seen this movie 4 times now, but I'm reviewing it here anyways. Every time I feel like I get more out of it than the last. One of my favorite movies for sure. As a film, it feels like poetry ~ and not just because the movie contains segments with actual poetry. As a born and raised atheist I often approach art dealing with religion as an outside observer looking in ~ somewhat analytically, I suppose ~ but with this I almost feel the ways it's interacting with faith more than I think about it. There's a line the Stalker says about music, how it is ~ among the art forms ~ the most without concept and yet it can touch and shake your soul. "Why and for who? And you will say no one and no reason, but I do not believe that." It's a question that I've thought about before ~ it's certainly a question that I've felt about before. I liked this movie.

Godzilla 64 Part 2: Majora's Mask

Ghidora the Three Headed Monster

Godzilla Part 5. This one is much more on the lighthearted end, though not as comedic as King Kong Vs. Godzilla. Godzilla also felt very human in this one, both in how he moved and how he acted ~ Mothra having a straight up conversation with him at one point. Sadly a slight downgrade in how good it looks compared to Mothra Vs. Godzilla ~ I honestly think that's just saying that Mothra Vs. looked really friggin' good. The scenes where Rodan was fighting Godzilla were great. I don't know much about Rodan but his costume was used in episode one of Ultra Q, I believe, so he is OK in my book, and watching him knock Godzilla over was very entertaining.

This movie continues the trend of Godzilla being treated without any dignity. He get picked up and dropped, Rodan knocks him over, Ghidora blasts him in the belly with a beam and makes Godzilla wiggle around like a Teletubby, Rodan knocks him over again, and he acts like an unruly brat fighting with his little brother Rodan until big sis Mothra breaks it up. I liked this movie.

 

It's more based on a true story than Bloodsport

 

The Warriors

This movie is more over the top goofy in parts than I was expecting ~ but also much more "serious" and noir than I was expecting. Very interesting. Very good editing ~ very *very* good audio. Definitely a bit dated ~ they drop the f-slur a few times, but honestly the ways in which the movie is potentially offensive aren't really about its time period so much as its subject matter. The Warriors would still be saying slurs and assaulting women today ~ they are not moral paragons, they are just interesting individuals in a bad situation. And, of course, they still have admirable traits. The lighting in this movie is also a major high point. The way the light glistens off Cyrus' eyes as he makes his speech at the start makes him feel like he really is "the real deal", almost like he's more alive than the other characters.

Near the end, there's a scene that goes on for an beautifully, excruciatingly awkward amount of time ~ a quiet moment where things are almost over and we and the characters are reminded there is a world outside of the gangs. And both the Warriors and the outside world just sit there in that agonizing moment of rest. I liked this movie.