Media Notes: Roundup for May 2023

 

  

 

This is a somewhat random selection of the movies and series on DVD and/or online I watched during May 2023.

Movies and films (links to IMDB.com for basic information unless noted otherwise). Some of these I watched via TubiTv.com or other online source. The DVDs come from the public library (unless noted otherwise). In addition, I will try to add other trivia notes, such as when a film is based on a book adding the information about the book (at least the WorldCat record if available):

• Downfall (2004. Biography. Drama. History. German film). Plot description: "Traudl Junge, the final secretary for Adolf Hitler, tells of the Nazi dictator's final days in his Berlin bunker at the end of WWII." This movie has become infamous mostly due to the memes people make of that one scene of Hitler in the bunker. I saw Tubi brought it in, so I decided to actually watch it. This is the British release of the film, where the secretary, in her older days now, gives a statement feeling guilty and responsible for her part in those days in the opening of the film; she speaks a bit more on her loss of innocence after the film. In the German release, the scene takes place after the end credits.The film focuses mainly on Hitler, but we also get the point of view of other characters. Film has some interesting scenes, such as the irony of Hitler looking at a model of the Berlin capital he wants Speer to build while the Soviets are closing in and the city is about to fall. This is just before he enters the bunker. Outside, a man pleads with his son, a young boy of 12 or so, to leave the army before the Soviets arrive. The kids, and they are kids, all swear to fight to the end as they stand next to an anti-aircraft gun. I found it moving. The film balances between time in the bunker with those in it, and what is going on outside as the city falls to the approaching Red Army. Overall, the film is powerful, and it has some moving moments. The performances are excellent, especially Bruno Ganz as Adolf Hitler. The man should have gotten an award for that performance. He not only embodied the evil and delusions of Hitler, but even the small details such as the Parkison's tremors and his attempts to hide them, initially at least. We see Hitler as an evil man, but also as a human being rather than the often common stereotypes we get about Hitler. Speaking of details, the film did pretty well also in showing the contrast between the Germans who were hardcore into the Nazi ideology, the zealots if you will, and those who had doubts or just were more doing their jobs but not true believers. Add to this the glimpses at the suffering civilians, and you get a pretty good picture of those final days. Film was nominated in 2005 for an Oscar for Best Foreign Language film. This is an excellent and well made film, and more people should probably watch it for more than just the memes. I will warn it does have some scenes that may not be easy to watch, but it is well worth watching this film. 5 out of 5 stars. Watched 5/1.
• Film is based on the books Inside Hitler's Bunker: the Last Days of the Third Reich by Joachim Fest and Until the Final Hour: Hitler's Last Secretary by Traudl Junge and Melissa Muller.  
• GoodFellas (1990. Crime. Biography. Drama). Plot description: "The story of Henry Hill and his life in the mob, covering his relationship with his wife Karen Hill and his mob partners Jimmy Conway and Tommy DeVito in the Italian-American crime syndicate." I have seen this multiple times, then realized I have not reviewed it here, so when Tubi brought it in this month, I figured I'd finally make a note of it on the blog. This is a classic mobster movie. It is well made. Good drama. Good performances, and at the time it presented the mob in a way that was not romanticized, unlike The Godfather. Film takes us from the 50s into the early 80s when Henry Hill is finally busted for drug trafficking and eventually becomes a government witness to save his own life. The movie does pay a lot of attention to details, making it as authentic as possible. They even got the actual federal prosecutor to play himself in the film. Joe Pesci won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor in 1991 for his role, and the movie was nominated for other Oscars including Best Picture. If you like mobster films, and you have not seen this one, you need to see it. 5 out of 5 stars. Via TubiTv. Watched 5/5.
  
• The film is based on Nicholas Pileggi's book Wiseguy, which I have read and reviewed. I can tell you the film is pretty faithful to the book, taking many scenes from the book and directly putting them in the film. However, there are other things from the book not in the film, so if you enjoy the film, I'd recommend reading the book. 
• A nice detail I like about the film is the soundtrack. They selected songs that not only tell us a bit of the time periods the movie presents but also catch the mood of a moment well. 
• Hatchet (2006. Horror. Thriller). Plot description: "A motley crew of tourists embark on a boat ride of the haunted Louisiana bayous where they learn the terrifying tale of local legend 'Victor Crowley,' a horribly disfigured man who was accidentally killed with a hatchet by the hands of his own father. But when the boat sinks and the ghost story turns out to be real, the group tries desperately to escape the swamp with their lives . . . and all of their pieces." One of the movie taglines was "old school American horror," so I figured why not and took a chance. The opening right away establishes this is not going to be light horror; it's gruesome, gory, and blood galore. However, the movie does slow down seriously when the tour gets going. The guide is barely competent, and the tourists vary from bored to uninterested. In the fine tradition of a slasher film, you can't wait for the slasher to start killing them since they are all pretty much disposable. The basic story of Victor Crowley is pretty good, simple but good. Still, it is about 45 minutes in before anything really happens. Once the action kicks in, well, Victor Crowley is not messing around. People are going to get killed. This is as old school as it gets: dumb victims, bimbos, assorted less than bright guys meandering a location, a swamp in this case, waiting to get killed. The movie is a good effort at recalling slasher films of the 1980s, but it seriously drags. It has the basics of the common formulas of the time, but again, just not that good otherwise. The ending is pretty abrupt, which does not help the film either. The deaths are pretty good, just a bit far in between. Still, it lacks the dark humor of the classic slashers and that certain charm. Kane Hodder, known for his role as Jason in the latter Friday the 13th films, portrays Victor Crowley. We also get appearances by Tony Todd and Robert Englund. Film is OK for maybe a Halloween movie marathon late at night or just some light night watching, but not terribly memorable. 2 out of 5 stars. Via TubiTv. Watched 5/19. 
• Hatchet II (2010. Horror. Thriller). Plot description: "Marybeth escapes the clutches of the bayou-butcher Victor Crowley and returns to the swamp with an army of hunters and gunmen, determined to end Crowley's reign of horror once and for all." Given the hype the original movie got I suppose a sequel had to happen; the series has four films so far, and Tubi has them, so I am going to watch the series (or at least try to watch it). Given the first film, I went into this one with low expectations. This film starts right where the first film ends, and we see that Marybeth manages to escape. The film does keep the over the top kills, blood, gore, and stretched guts. Tony Todd returns to his role as Reverend Zombie with a bit more prominent role. He retells the story of Victor Crowley, adding details new to this film and again explaining the curse that keeps Crowley alive. The story telling is a pretty good part of the film; Todd has a good voice with just enough creepiness. Kane Hodder returns as Victor Crowley. As the previous movie, the cast is mostly disposable, and as before, it takes about 50 minutes (out of an hour and 23 minutes) into the movie to have much of anything happen after the opening scene. Much like the previous film, it is pretty much formulaic like any other average slasher. The hunting party is just an excuse to give Crowley stupid people to kill. As in the first one, it ends somewhat abruptly. Overall, a very slight improvement from the first, but not by much. So it was OK. 2 out of 5 stars.  Via TubiTV. Watched 5/20. 
• Hatchet III (2013. Horror. Thriller). Plot description: "A search and recovery team heads into the haunted swamp to pick up the pieces, and Marybeth learns the secret to ending the voodoo curse that has left Victor Crowley haunting and terrorizing Honey Island Swamp for decades." Because apparently people do not learn their lessons about leaving things be, so another team, this time professionals, go into the swamp to recover the dead, because that worked so well in the second installment. Marybeth, who survived yet again, is along for this ride. So it's time for Crowley to kill yet another group of dumbasses who should have stayed out of the swamp. Again, as in the second film, this one starts right where the previous one ended. After the opening, Marybeth proceeds, for some reason, to walk into the local police station in shock, claiming she "killed him." We know she means Crowley, the cops do not. So the cops go off to the swamp to see who and how many got killed. They think she may have done it, somehow. She tells them the story, but of course, the cops do not believe her because it is a horror film. So basically the search and rescue cops, paramedics, so on are the latest group of dumbasses to go into the swamp, including an overeager hick reporter obsessed with Crowley. She posts Marybeth's bail, and that is how she ends up on this ride. . . again. The journalist does her best to be so obnoxious we can't wait for her to get killed. This time the kills start sooner as Crowley gets the first kill in at about 25 minutes into the film, a bit of an improvement from the last two films for fans of the gore, briefly, then we slow down again as the search continues. Every movie they come up with a different theory to finally end Crowley and his curse, will they succeed this time? Also in typical slasher movie fashion the cops, especially the state SWAT leader and his ego, make all kinds of dumb mistakes. As before, the cast is mostly disposable fodder. The deaths get more gruesome, but otherwise, as before, it's the same formula. In this one get an appearance by Sid Haig. Other than more gore and guns, not much of an improvement here. If you saw the other two, then you already know what you are getting.  Again, we get another abrupt ending, which by now is part of the series' style. Remains at the OK level, so still 2 out of 5 stars. Overall, another easy to watch movie that you watch mainly for the kills and the gore. There are attempts at humor, but humor is not that good. Via TubiTv. Watched 5/20. 
• Victor Crowley (2017. Horror. Thriller). Plot description: "Ten years after the events of the original movie, Victor Crowley is mistakenly resurrected and proceeds to kill once more." To be honest, the series could have ended after the third installment, and it would have made an average trilogy that while not great makes for decent watching on a slow weekend or during Halloween season. As often happens, some folks don't know when to stop, so here we go again. Tubi had it, and since it is a short movie as the previous I figured I may as well finish the series. Naturally it includes that one actor that keeps coming back, and by now is an inside joke in the series. Again, I am going in with low expectations of basically brainless horror, some gore, and hopefully a smart line or two. It is ten years later, and Andrew Yong, the only survivor (the medic), and has written a book about the events. He is doing the talk show tour to promote the book. He is not very popular as many people blame him for the murders (rather than believe that Crowley did it). His publicist books him to a true crime show to do an interview on site and do a flyby in a private jet. He initially refuses, but the studio's big money offer lures him to do it. So he flies with the show's hostess and small production crew. Meanwhile, some young lady is making a low budget movie about the events and heads for the swamp with a cheap guide. The plane suffers a malfunction, crashes in the swamp near the other group, and soon we get them all together in the swamp. This is the cast of disposables for the resurrected Crowley. Crowley is resurrected when the old curse is accidentally uttered. By the way, Tony Todd makes a very brief appearance, on a cell phone. As before, the movie drags some more. It is 40 minutes in, and the suspense is fairly minimal. It is hinted at, but minimal otherwise. At 45 minutes in, the killings finally start. I am not saying there have to be killings back to back, but these movies really have a slow pace in the first half or so. The movie works a bit more on the humor, but the pace overall drags more, in part because for a large part of the movie the crash survivors are stuck in the plane wreck with Crowley outside. It's a slow waiting game. Again, the movie ends abruptly. There is a brief news report scene in the credits sort of hinting at a sequel, but to be honest I hope the makers smarten up and stop. This movie is an example of a very unnecessary sequel. As I said before, they could have stopped at the trilogy. No amount of self references to the previous films, or some updated jokes were going to save this slow less than average slasher. The writing is pretty bad, and the pace is even slower than previous films. Enough gore for the fans, but to be honest, even that is done better in the previous films. This is one that only die hard fans may want to watch. For others, I would say to skip it. 1.5 out of 5 stars. Via TubiTv. Watched 5/20. 
• Cocaine Shark (2023. Horror. Thriller). Plot description: "A mafia drug lord has unleashed a new, highly addictive stimulant on the streets called HT25, derived from sharks held captive in a secret lab, and which causes monstrous side effects. After an explosion and leak at the lab, an army of mutated, bloodthirsty sharks and other creatures are set loose on the world as a small band of people try to stop the carnage." When I saw Tubi announcing this on social media, I thought it was either a joke or a mock up poster. Turns out it is one of their new original movies, and it comes hot on the trail of Cocaine Bear, which I watched last month. Yes, it sounds like awful schlock, but I am curious enough to give it a chance. So here we go. Up front, the opening establishes the acting is not going to be great. We are talking seriously cheap acting talent and not very good. The special effects are OK at best, very cheesy. At moments, you may be reminded of Harryhausen effects, but his stuff is much better than what we get here. The soundtrack, some of it at least, sounds like 1970s porn music. The pseudoscience stuff about the drug and mutants is silly as heck, but perfect for this kind of movie. This is definitely serious government cheese here. By the way, then a couple of characters take some of the HT25 drug, which is supposed to be a hallucinogen, well, their trip is seriously laughable. Part of the issue is there are sort of two plots going, if you can call them plot. One is the undercover cop trying to take the drug lord down while the drug lord is eliminating the competition. Two are the mutants that are out on the loose and randomly killing some people, but you see very little of that. The plots do not really come together. Heck, there is not really much of a plot; the movie just meanders with no apparent purpose. We barely see the sharks, which are about the only laughable thing in the movie. This had potential to be a fun cheesy monster movie, but they barely did a minimal effort. I am not rating it, a 0 out of 5 stars is generous. Via TubiTv. Watched 5/28.

Television and other series (basic show information links via Wikipedia unless noted otherwise). Some of these come in DVD from the public library. Others may be via YouTube, which, as noted before, I keep finding all sorts of other old shows in it, often full episodes:

• C.O.P.S. (1988-1989. Animated series. Police. Action. Humor. Children and Young Adult).  See my comment on this in the May 2019 roundup. I've been watching this in and out. I start this month on episode 54 (out of 65) as I continue catching up on watching the series this month. 
• Later in the series, some new cops get introduced such as Taser, a cop with a flying jet pack in episode 52.
  
• George Carlin: Jammin' in New York (1992. Stand up comedy. Television special). Description: ""The show, taped at the Paramount Theater in Madison Square Garden and winner of the 1992 CableACE Award, is a perfect blend of biting social commentary and more gently-observed observational pieces." He opens with references to the Gulf War, which was also a war that was televised 24 hours a day, and it got good ratings. It shows the date and time the special was made. However, the humor he draws out of it and his broader observations on American warfare are still very relevant, even now. Also still relevant is his Big Dick Foreign Policy. I find this interesting to watch, much of what he was saying in the 1990s, such as his observations of things that make society divided and that make us the same, is relevant and spot on. If you took out any references to the 1990s and kept the rest, he could be delivering this routine today, and it would be flawlessly applicable. The man truly had universal humor and wisdom. Another great bit is the routine on homelessness. Again, relevant now as it was then. This special also has his routine on nature and endangered species, one of my favorites and oh so true. Definitely a segment to watch on Earth Day. Overall, he is in prime shape in this special, and it is still worth watching. I am willing to give it the full 5 out of 5 stars. Via TubiTv. Watched 5/2.
  
• Third Watch (1999-2005. Crime Drama. Medical Drama. Police Procedural).  Description: "The series followed the exploits of a group of police officers, firefighters, and paramedics in the fictional NYPD 55th Precinct and the fictional FDNY Squad 55/Ladder 100/Battalion 24 firehouse, whose shifts fell between 3 pm and 11 pm, the 'third watch.'" Series has 6 seasons. I watched this at the time it was on television, well, a lot of it. The series is episodic, no real stand alone episodes. Well written, very humane overall, but also for the drama apparently having very messed up characters is part of the deal. From codependents to cynics to hot heads to bleeding hearts, you find just about every flaw. After a while, even if the show is good otherwise, for the drama you do wonder if anyone is remotely stable. The episodes with a bit more action tend to be better than the retrospective ones; the latter often drag (and often just reinforce how dysfunctional the group can be, maybe more so than nonfictional folks). Also episodes that are a bit more stand on their own, say solving a mystery or a specific situation tend to be better than some of the longer story arcs in the later seasons. To be honest, after 9/11 happens in the series, things get darker. The plots get darker, and more depressing to be honest as they kill one or two more key characters then the writers keep just making the remaining characters suffer more as if it was a competition who can get fucked more. The police do not look good given corruption and shortcuts some of them take (Sergeant Cruz is particularly odious; a fine performance by Tia Texada). After watching the whole series during May, I get the feeling it jumped the shark somewhere around Doc's incident. It starts out as somewhat humane drama and just goes off the rails into tragedy, extreme violence (more than usual), and basically showing the worst of humanity. To be honest, I am a bit amazed it made it to six seasons. Via TubiTv. 
• Season 1, Episode 1: "Welcome to Camelot." This sets up the series as we get to see the various characters from the different units. Series moves fast from incident to incident. The old timers are training rookies. This first episode ends in a bit of a cliffhanger. 
• Season 1, Episode 17: "Ohio." In this episode, it was the year Guiliani and Hillary Clinton were facing off for the U.S. Senate, and the cops are debating the merits of each. Like most political discussions in the U.S., this one gets obnoxious too. However, the episode is an example also how the show played closely to the current events of its time. The teams are assigned as part of protective duty for Giuliani and Clinton debate event. So they are sitting around, and talking politics is part of it. This is not one of the better episodes. 
• Series also had some surreal moments. For example, Season 2, Episode 6, "The Tys That Bind", Ty at moments sees the ghost of his dead father, and in Season 2, Episode 7, "After Hours," the team is dealing with loss after an accident where they could not save the victims, but they then meet various young people along the night (likely the ghosts of those they could not save but of course they have no idea). Once we get the revelation at the end (although we get hints throughout), makes for a powerful episode. This was one of the better episodes overall.
  
• The series is also a bit dated at times. Remember the days when you could not be on the phone and the computer at the same time? In Season 2, Episode 15, "Requiem for a Bantamweight," we see just that as Bobby is trying to get his mom to get a second line for the home so they can use the computer and phone at same time. Mom is even fretting over things like logging on. Those were the days. 
• Season 2, Episode 17, "The Importance of Being Carlos" is focused on Carlos the narcissistic paramedic. This is right after the very moving episode where Bobby gets killed. Given how insensitive he is in addition to egotistical and misogynist, again, not one of their best episodes. It was a bit of a cringe episode since they do a lot of the story from his point of view and internal thinking. Semi-amusing in the episode is Bosco and Carlos get sent to sensitivity training. Bosco due to some minor civilian complaints, and Carlos because he failed a recent evaluation showing he is insensitive (surprise, surprise). The later part of the episode gets interesting. Carlos needs to learn about compassion, and he ends up asking the others about it, how they define it, why they do their jobs. The answers can be amusing as it often turns out they do their work for reasons other than wanting to do the job.  
• Third season is the 9/11 season. It starts with a longer episode featuring real life first responders on the experience. Next two episodes deal with the before and right after of the event. After that, much like the country, things change, and every so often a reference to 9/11 happens. 
• As often with these shows, you keep an eye for guest stars, the actors you may know from other more famous things, such as Gerald McRaney (from Major Dad and Simon and Simon) and Peter Dinklage (who many now I am sure know from Game of Thrones). They both appear in Season 3. Roy Scheider (from Jaws) also appears in the third season, as a very cold and ruthless Russian mobster. So does Dean Winters (known from various roles, but often recognized from the Allstate Insurance Mayhem commercials); he plays a bounty hunter in the third season.
• A few more guest appearances: Susan Dey as police psychiatrist (known from among other things L.A. Law) and Tom Berenger, as a shady reporter. Gene Simmons (from rock group KISS) appears as a crime lord who is also a vengeful parent. Watching for the guest stars is a small fun detail in this series.