Category Archives: General Reviews

Film reviews on things I have been watching (old and new)

Recently Watched: Motel Hell/Good Hair/The Descendants

Posted on July 15, 2013 by Batesy

I had not seen the kooky “Motel Hell” (1980) since the late 80’s and was pleasantly surprised at how it holds up. Made on a modest budget, directed rather blandly and with an unevenly talented cast, the film still manages … Continue reading →

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Epic Battle of Sensibilities: Pacific Rim

Posted on July 12, 2013 by Batesy

You take one very talented, Mexican director. You give him a big, American budget courtesy of a big, American studio (Warner Bros.) to make a Japanese monster movie. What do you get? You get director Guillermo del Toro’s signature elements … Continue reading →

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Super Somber: Man of Steel

Posted on June 13, 2013 by Batesy

It’s hard not to have preconceived notions about what you think a Superman movie should be. The story of Superman is ingrained in our collective pop culture subconscious.  But I was optimistic and open to any and all things new. … Continue reading →

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Trekking Back To 1982: Star Trek Into Darkness

Posted on May 15, 2013 by Batesy

J.J. Abrams’ s original re-boot of “Star Trek” in 2009 was an inspired, highly entertaining take on Gene Roddenberry’s “Wagon Train” to the stars. Its main priority was to show the viewer a good time and make the “Trek” world … Continue reading →

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The Future of Superhero Movies: Iron Man 3

Posted on May 2, 2013 by Batesy

After “Die Hard (1988)” was released, the bar was set. Action films from that point foreword had to get to that level of intensity or people would say “Well, it wasn’t no Die Hard”. Last summer, “The Avengers (2012)” kinda … Continue reading →

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Love, Anger & Meds:Silver Linings Playbook

Posted on December 30, 2012 by Batesy

There is genuine joy in seeing dysfunctional characters fight their way through this messy thing called life and ascertain their fair share of happiness in spite of their own efforts to sabotage it. David O. Russell’s Silver Linings Playbook is … Continue reading →

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QT Goes West: Django Unchained

Posted on December 29, 2012 by Batesy

Between 1992 and 1997 there were three terrific films released that would solidify a director as a force to be reckoned with:Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction and Jackie Brown. During this breakout, critically and commercially successful phase of director Quentin Tarantino’s … Continue reading →

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Lincoln and This is 40

Posted on December 25, 2012 by Batesy

Like Lincoln himself, Steven Spielberg’s film of the same name is modest and measured throughout its lengthy running time. Spielberg forgoes (not completely but more than one would expect) his penchant to over-sentimentalize. One gets a palpable sense of a … Continue reading →

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Business as Usual: Killing Them Softly

Posted on December 5, 2012 by Batesy

Ever since the controversial days of Bonnie and Clyde (1967) and the Wild Bunch (1969), American movies moved from showing us violence to savoring it, reveling in it; making it a thing of horrific beauty. It was shocking in those … Continue reading →

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Bond, 50 year old Bond: Skyfall

Posted on November 10, 2012 by Batesy

Bond films have a specific checklist that they must abide by. It’s why we go see them. Good looking actor in place- check. Action scenes- check. Beautiful locales- check. Etc. Etc. Bond has been with us on movie screens for … Continue reading →

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