A24 TV Show @ Netflix

The Grifters (1990)

Annette Bening braless tities are just a thing of beauty and Anjelica Huston is an amazing actress. Other than that, it's a waste of time, a script that looses itself along the way to several brainless and random acts of every character, even the secondary ones. The ending is so abrupt and pointless that i wonder if they had even finished the script before shooting began - i know they did, it's based on a book, but anyway. John Cusack doesn't rhyme with film noir, nor does Stephen Frears.

Scream VI (2023)

"Sidney deserved a happy ending"? Jesus, they must regret so much not killing her in the last movie now that they obviously were not able to get her back to the franchise. Loved the Letterboxd reference, the subway chaos, the Wes Carpenter homage and cutie cutie Jenna Ortega. Everything else was so dumb and beyond disbelief that for the first time since his death I was happy Wes Craven was not here among the living. Imagine him having to witness his slasher saga having more murderers killed than actual victims. Hey, you freaking punks Olpin and Gillett - the first one actually founded a punk band -, just get the balls to f**king kill an established character, especially when he/she gets stabbed multiple times all around. Poor Dewey, if only he made to this sixth movie, he would have been just fine!

One Trip, no Luck

Red State (2011)

It's an unexpected crude and violent depiction of religious fanaticism by a director not used to this kind of darkness. It starts as a horror movie and ends up as an action one; Not sure if the change of genre did that good to the impact and cohesion of the moral cannonball Kevin Smith wanted to throw at us but was unquestionably impressed by his guts and talent to make so much with so little - four million dollar budget and less than a month of shooting. No soundtrack, Michael Parks nailing it as a fanatical preacher, Goodman proving he is not only a great comedic actor, but a great actor in general and an exquisite final twist that pushed the plot to an almost inconceivable level... just to deliver a ludicrous reason for that a couple of moments later. Sex, religion and politics all together, in a movie that deserved more love than it got from Smith's fanbase.

Stone Cold (1991)

I wasn't expecting this to be so good. Most original protein shake ever - Snickers, eggs, potato chips and bananas -, Lance Henriksen being awesome and writing his own lines for every scene - hard to choose the best between "You know, it's in moments like this that I think of my father's last words. Which were: "Don't son, that gun is loaded!" or "It's better to be first in Hell than last in Heaven!" -, William Forsyhte partying and fighting like an animal and Brian "The Boz" Bosworth and his logic defying hair in his film debut after a short but memorable and belligerent football career. God forgives, the Brotherhood doesn't, a total crazy blast with gutsy action, considerable violence and a lot of over the top scenes of B-movie awesomeness. Helicopters blowing up, nudity and senators being ruthlessly wasted in a macho movie that should be more cherished by genre geeks.

Nas Nalgas do Mandarim - S09E19

Lone Wolf McQuade (1983)

Ginger dyed bearded Norris is as wooden as ever here, except when he was forced to do a love scene with Bond girl Barbara Carrera. In this particular scene, he lacked a fine and, let's say, acceptable morning, evening and night wood. Not a surprise, he was later on honestly more furious when his wolf died than when sexy Barbara gave her life to save him. It's Lone Wolf Lawman vs. Mad Dog Criminal in a dull movie with a lazy script that made a Dodge Ramcharger a bigger star than Norris and Carradine together. Legend goes that they couldn't support each other, that they even had real fights during some scenes - both denied to use stunt doubles in scenes between them - and, as Carradine's contract demanded that he could not be defeated in "hand to hand" combat, Norris had no chance but to split the "stardom" stage with Carradine. Myth or not, some years later Chuck Norris stated in an interview that "David Carradine is every bit as good a martial artist as I am an actor". And nope, that was not a compliment. For neither of them.

Blitz (2011)

Hold onto your hats folks, because "Blitz" is a wild ride - and by wild, I mean wildly mediocre. This movie has everything you'd expect from a Jason Statham film: gratuitous violence, one-liners that would make Schwarzenegger cringe, and a plot so thin you could use it as a napkin. Homoerotic King Viserys vs. prick Petyr Baelish with Statham playing the wrong arm of the law. Irritating music running over scenes and dialogues for ninety minutes, cool poster, awesome tagline - cop killer vs killer cop - in one totally forgettable flick.

Cage Dracula

Knock Off (1998)

Surely it was a Tsui Hark knock off who made this terrible wreck of atrocious acting - Paul Sorvino looked like Marlon Brando next to Van Damme and Rob Schneider - and dreadful cinematography - all kinds of camera angles, from feet to gun barrels, superfast blurred zooms and split screens through small rectangles out of nowhere. Pumma sneakers - yap, double m -, midgets, Rob Schneider being the usual Rob Schneider even with a serious CIA badge and goofy fashion counterfeiter Van Damme suddenly transformed into a martial arts war machine without any kind of justification. Tried to be funny for most of the time... but failed miserably.

The Steal (1995)

I don't know what was worse: Heathcote Williams hair or his acting. Supergirl supercute playing a premature Angela Bennett looking like prime Linda Hamilton, Alfred Molina in his early kind of sexy forties being a tech illiterate with fake Fidel Castro beard over his real beard and Stephen Fry in a small role as an investment manager. Almost sure you couldn't eat in a Michelin star restaurant with this movie's budget, and maybe that's why the promised british bondage parties were never delivered!

Nas Nalgas do Mandarim - S09E18

The Banshees of Inisherin (2022)

Idiosyncratic blend of humor, loneliness, and despair. Isolation and existentialism, friendship and loss in that classic seemingly effortless Martin McDonagh way, managing to make us laugh even when we're supposed to cry and be shocked. McDonagh is a master of his craft and here cinematography and music are just as impressive as the acting. Nothing prepares us for so many unforgettable twists and surprises that keep us constantly on the edge of our seat, so just grab a feckin pint of Guinness, sit back, and enjoy one of the cheekiest movies of the past few years. Sláinte!

The Nice Guys (2016)

It's Boogie Nights Redux, a terrible mess during the first two acts - setup and confrontation - with Shane Black's usual rapid-fire wisecracks not being good enough to save this Shitty Shitty Bang Bang from intermittent dullness and its convoluted plot. Didn't buy Gosling and Crowe's chemistry - unlike Downey Jr. with Val Kilmer or Gibson with Glover in Black's similar tone masterpieces - and let's please do not talk about how stupid were most of the secondary roles - especially Kim Basinger. And how on earth was Gosling's drunk private eye able to get custody of his thirteen year old daughter?

Now do the one about Nokia 3310!

Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022)

"Everything Everywhere All at Once" is a mind-bending, genre-bending, reality-bending cinematic experience, a rare gem that comes along only once every few years. It is an audacious, ridiculous and original film that showcases technical brilliance in every scene, a unique and immersive feature that nails multiverse with confidence and admirable absurdity. It's funnier than any comedy from the past few years and finds heart, creativity and energy in everything - and everywhere, all at once -, from plain rocks to a freaking Ratatouille look-alike. Thrilling, existential, heartfelt. Let me just disagree a little bit with most of you: though Michelle Yeoh is nothing short of tremendous, it's "Short Round" that really stole the show for me; he goes effortlessly from a cheesy dad to a cool action hero in the blink of an eye. Love James Hong, what a remarkable performance to remember him for ages!

She’s All That (1999)

I had to figure out why my podcast fellow Miguel Ferreira remembered this so fondly. I didn't, and the only explanation I can assume is his long lasting fetish for three name actresses. Yap, Rachael Leigh Cook manages to play both the grumpy and the sweet girl, and she's just so darn cute doing it that you can't help but to fall in love with her. As for the movie, it's as cliched as it gets, full of cringey dialogues and misogynistic moments. Lovely secondary roles from Kevin Pollak and Kieran Culkin. As for Matthew Lillard, did he ever played a character that wasn't a dork? Random trivia: M. Night Shyamalan supposedly ghostwrote the script.

Ryan Reynolds Netflix movie @ Apple

Drop Dead Gorgeous (1999)

"Drop Dead Gorgeous" is a witty and biting satire that takes a critical look at the beauty pageant industry. Presented as a fake MTV-like documentary, we dive in the shallow and stereotypical nature of the pageant contestants and judges... until the dark and twisted plot kicks off with one of the girls being blown up in a tractor. Had a lot of belly laughs, whether from the "I'm not a pervert" pervert judge or from the alcoholic mother with a beer can melted into her hand after a fire. A lot of colorful, absurd and amusing characters and dialogues in a movie that is certainly often overlooked for looking like just another regular teen comedy. Worth a watch!

Murder by Death (1976)

"Murder by Death" is a comedic gem written by the legendary Neil Simon, a true cinematic spoof of literary whodunits that will leave you chuckling long after the credits roll. The plot is deliciously exaggerated, the set is beautifully designed - the furnishings for the mansion, according to set decorator Marvin March, were valued at more than twenty five million dollars - and it's just a pity that the entire mystery behind the exquisite jokes and laughs get too messy and confusing in the third and final act; so many false identities that it became a Scooby-Doo episode. Three Oscar winners (Guinness, Niven and Maggie Smith) and six Oscar nominees led by the magnanimous Peter Sellers in a super all-star cast that introduced the literary legend Truman Capote to the world as an actor.

Ice Merchants @ VHS

Wind River (2017)

"Wind River" is an impeccably made, highly atmospheric, and well-balanced film, with a stunning yet desolate scenery and beautiful cinematography. Debutant director Taylor Sheridan proves himself to be as good a director as he is a writer, handling tension and pathos with a near-perfect balance. The film is based on actual events, and the grueling location shoot was filmed in real blizzardy conditions, which adds to its authenticity. An American Scandi-noir that ends up as a visceral and violent revenge movie. Made me want to revisit Nolan's "Insomnia".

Biloxi Blues (1988)

"Biloxi Blues" is a captivating movie that draws the viewer into the lives of a group of young men who find themselves thrust into military life during World War II. Neil Simon's writing is sharp and poignant, with keen observations about life, love and war. Despite being classified by many as a comedy, i found the film to work better as a serious drama, as it dealt with important themes like racism, anti-Semitism and homophobia. The cast is great, the chemistry between the actors is palpable, but I have to highlight Christopher Walken as he shines above all others - Broderick included - in his role as a sergeant. A must-watch that is much better than it's often given credit for and, while it may not break new ground, it's easily one of the most interesting lighthearted looks into mid-century military life. And that scene near the end where Walken is drunk with a gun... phenomenal.

Dad Niro

Carlito’s Way (1993)

What a masterpiece. A thrilling and compelling story that is flawlessly executed, one of De Palma's most undervalued works as a director. Incredible set pieces, notably the snooker sequence and the entire Grand Central Station chase, which are among the best in any of his films. Spot on pacing and top-notch acting from Pacino and Penn. The blaring music, terrific camera moves and the way the story plays out are pure magic. In the "De Palma" documentary, he claimed that he could not make a better film than "Carlito's Way"; i can see why he feels that way. An unforgettable cinematic experience that deserves to be celebrated as one of the greatest gangster films of all time. Just say hello to my lawyer's friend!

Sorcerer (1977)

"Sorcerer" is ambitious as hell but rarely finds its footing. Friedkin is a skilled director who knows how to build tension, and the treacherous drive over the bridge during a storm is a standout sequence that alone cost two million dollars and took three months to shoot. While the title and trailer suggest a supernatural theme, it is actually a mob movie and a kind of action thriller rolled into one big overwhelming mess. Good luck not getting lost or bored with it at some point even if, ultimately, it does indeed deliver a tense and exciting ride.

They can't all die first...

Rolling Thunder (1977)

John Flynn emphasizes realism above all else with a script that keeps us engaged. What makes Rolling Thunder so effective is its portrayal of Vietnam veterans trying to adjust to a world that is no longer familiar to them, making it more than just a simple revenge plot. William Devane's performance as Major Charles Rane is particularly noteworthy, as he brings subtlety to the role, conveying emotions through small gestures and facial expressions, saying a lot without speaking a word most of the times. The revenge plot is also portrayed in a minimalist style, with an excellent screenplay from Paul Schrader that builds up suspense and drama to a climactic and violent finale. Intense, brutal, with Linda Haynes providing a welcome distraction between all the darkness. One of Tarantino's favorites, an absolute powerhouse that shouldn't be missed.

The Fabelmans (2022)

Almost everyone treating this as a semi-autobiographical movie about the magic of movies. I felt it differently, with the constant impression that the most important thing that Spielberg wanted to show us was how he grew up in a broken and complex family dynamic, manifesting regrets the way he dealt with it. It works beautifully everytime it escapes from that dynamic - the trains, the Christian girlfriend, the bullies, his homemade movies, the majestic final scene with the best cameo ever -, but looked pretty much artificial and weird inside of it. Maybe because i couldn't buy Paul Dano and Michelle Williams playing a middle-aged couple, maybe because Seth Rogen was awful as usual or maybe just because i couldn't buy Spielberg's Sam having abs instead of being an awkward nerd as old photographs of Spielberg show. Either way, wonderful score from John Williams and you can really feel how much this movie meant to Spielberg. And that's enough to love it. By the way, can we now have a movie about Uncle Boris? Judd Hirsch is prodigious.

Punk Rock & Vietnam