Posts by Phantomstranger

"The Dark Tower"
-Idris Elba

Plot: IMDB
Roland Deschain (Idris Elba), the last Gunslinger, is locked in an eternal battle with Walter O'Dim (Matthew McConaughey), also known as the Man in Black. The Gunslinger must prevent the Man in Black from toppling the Dark Tower, the key that holds the universe together. With the fate of worlds at stake, two men collide in the ultimate battle between good and evil.

Phantom's Review:
If your a Stephen King fan, a "Purist" of his work, then I highly recommend that you skip this film, save yourself the headache. If you have never read the books or your the type of fan who just accepts the fact that Hollywood will rarely ever do King right, then maybe you'll get some enjoyment out of this short (95 minutes) , somewhat standard Hollywood film. For me, the film was a disappointment. I enjoyed 'The Dark Tower' novels and was looking forward to seeing them on the big screen, but this is definitely not was I was hoping for. The filmmakers took bits and pieces from a massive 8 volume series, threw most of the books away and put together this hodge podge sci-fi western. Idris Elba does his best as 'Roland, The Last Gunslinger' but he doesn't have a whole lot to work with. Mathew McConaughey fares slightly better as the villain 'Walter, The Man In Black' , but again there is just not a whole lot to work from. Overall, a huge disappointment.

'The Magnificent Seven' (2016)
Denzel Washington, Chris Pratt

Plot: IMDB
With the town of Rose Creek under the deadly control of industrialist Bartholomew Bogue, the desperate townspeople employ protection from seven outlaws, bounty hunters, gamblers and hired guns. As they prepare the town for the violent showdown that they know is coming, these seven mercenaries find themselves fighting for more than money.

Phantom's Review:
First let me say, I love the 1960 film staring Yul Brynner and Steve McQueen. It's one of my favorites. Now, having said that let me say..I LOVE THE NEW MOVIE! This is the most entertaining movie I have seen all year. Plenty of action, great acting and a good story and the nice thing is, while the bones of the story are the same as the 1960 film, it's mostly an original film. The actors all play different characters and the setting and villain are different. It's almost more of a companion piece to the 1960 film than a remake. If your a western fan , GO SEE THIS, you will love it. (and yes the classic M7 Theme music is heard over the ending credits).

To celebrate Clint Eastwood's birthday (May 31) I watched:
'High Plains Drifter'
'Fistful Of Dollars'
'Pale Rider'

Evening everyone,
Sorry, I haven't been around much of late, but I recently started a western Facebook page (along with a horror /mystery Facebook page) and between those projects, family, work and just life in general, I haven't been able to drop by as much as I would like. I still consider myself a proud member of this group and I'll try and stop by more often.
Talk to you later

'Forsaken' (2016)
-Kiefer Sutherland, Donald Sutherland, Demi Moore

Phantom's Review :
This is a terrific film. Yes, the plot is unoriginal and full of cliches. Yes, you know exactly what's going to happen, but that's ok. The film is so beautifully filmed and wonderfully acted that the plot works well. Donald Sutherland is a joy to watch as the bitter Pastor who's gunslinging son has returned home after ten years away. Kiefer Sutherland also does a great job as the gunfighter son. Demi Moore appears as Kiefers former love, who has moved on with life but still carries a torch for Kiefer. The end of the film is action packed and bittersweet. I loved this movie. See it if you can.

'Bone Tomahawk' (2015)
-Kurt Russell

Plot: Rotten Tomatoes

In the Old West, a sheriff (Kurt Russell), his deputy (Richard Jenkins), a gunslinger (Matthew Fox),and a cowboy (Patrick Wilson) embark on a mission to rescue three people from a savage group of cave dwellers.

Phantom's Review: This is a wonderful movie, but it's definitely NOT for everyone. This is a slow burn, dialogue driven character piece. The action is all but non existent, and the horror aspects only happen towards the end. Instead you get a superbly acted movie with some of the best written dialogue that I have ever heard. In fact , there's barely even music. Kurt Russell is excellent as always, but to honest the whole cast is great.. If you want an action packed, blood soaked western , then look somewhere else. If you want to enjoy some great acting, then try to catch 'Bone Tomahawk'

'Mr. Holmes' (2015)
-Ian McKellen

Plot: IMDB
The story is set in 1947, following a long-retired Holmes living in a Sussex village with his housekeeper and rising detective son. But then he finds himself haunted by an unsolved 30-year old case. Holmes memory isn't what it used to be, so he only remembers fragments of the case: a confrontation with an angry husband, a secret bond with his beautiful but unstable wife.

Phantom's Review:
If your a fan of big budget,action packed special FX blockbusters, then do yourself a favor and don't watch this. If you like, smaller, brilliantly acted dramas, an intriguing mystery and good story, then settle in and watch 'Mr. Holmes'.
Ian McKellen is marvelous as the aged Sherlock Holmes living out his twilight years in the English countryside. The film deals with many concepts. What it's like to old,memories fading, regrets and how one deals with loss as you get older. The film also has an interesting mystery at it's core, that is told in flashbacks. In fact, there several flashbacks that tell different points in the story. This is a character piece and it's told at it's own speed. I enjoyed this film tremendously and I am a life long Holmes fan. If you are too, then watch it. you'll enjoy it.

"Turbo Kid" (2015)
Plot: IMDB
In a post-apocalyptic future, THE KID, a young solitary scavenger obsessed with comic books must face his fears and become a reluctant hero when he meets a mysterious girl named APPLE. Despite their efforts to keep to themselves, ZEUS, the sadistic and self-proclaimed leader of the Wasteland, plagues THE KID and APPLE. Armed with little more than blind faith and an ancient turbocharged weapon, THE KID learns of justice and friendship and embarks on an incredible journey to rid the Wasteland of evil and save the girl of his dreams.

Phantom's Review:
There are some movie's that are bad, but fun and there are some movies that are just plain bad..and then there's "Turbo Kid" . A film that is absolutely amazing in it's awfulness. It's the kind of film, that after it's over. you get up and open a window to let the stink out. Bad on every level, but not even funny bad, just BAD. A waste of time.

"Iron Sky" (2012)
Plot: IMDB
In the last moments of World War II, a secret Nazi space program evaded destruction by fleeing to the Dark Side of the Moon. During 70 years of utter secrecy, the Nazis construct a gigantic space fortress with a massive armada of flying saucers.

Phantom's Review: This has got to be one of the most ridiculous movies ever made, yet it's surprisingly entertaining.. some good acting, decent FX ,plenty of humor and some sexy girls. It's a real "Leave Your Brain At The Door' movie, but it's plenty of fun.
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"Ant-Man" (2015)
-Paul Rudd, Micheal Douglas, Evangeline Lilly
Plot: IMDB
Armed with a super-suit with the astonishing ability to shrink in scale but increase in strength, cat burglar Scott Lang must embrace his inner hero and help his mentor, Dr. Hank Pym, plan and pull off a heist that will save the world.

Phantom's Review: In all the years that i have collected comics ( almost 50) I have never really paid much attention to "Ant-Man'. I knew he was around, had seen him in crossovers with comics i did collect, but he just never did much for me, so I went into the movie with just a basic knowledge of him and with just this, I have to say I enjoyed the movie much. I liked how it was very firmly centered in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but had a very different tone and feel than say 'The Avengers' or 'Captain America'. The plot is a bit similar to the first 'Iron Man' but not enough to distract from the story. Good special FX, good acting and plenty of humor. I had a great time . Can't wait for his next appearance.

'Frogs' (1972)
-Sam Elliot, Ray Milliand, Joan Van Ark

Plot: IMDB
Jason Crockett is an aging, grumpy, physically disabled millionaire who invites his family to his island estate for his birthday celebration. Pickett Smith is a free-lance photographer who is doing a pollution layout for an ecology magazine. Jason Crockett hates nature, poisoning anything that crawls on his property. On the night of his birthday the frogs and other members of nature begin to pay Crockett back.

Phantom's Review: One of many "Nature Strikes Back" films that came out in the '70's. The acting is quite good, considering what the plot is and what the actors had to work with. The film is wonderfully shot, but ultimately it's just a schlocky, low budget horror film that isn't the least bit scary. The film can be entertaining if your in the right frame of mind or just want to revisit the glory days of the '70's.

'Rider Of The Skull' (1965)

Plot:
A masked rider and two companions travel thru old Mexico fighting supernatural creatures such as a werewolf, A vampire and a headless Horseman.

Phantom's Review: Definitely falling into the catagory of 'Weird Western' this is one of the most hysterically bad movies I have ever seen. God awful FX, terrible acting, a toatally inept hero, and i awear the masked hero must have changed actors in the second part of the film, because he looks taller and thinner. Wonderfully bad Mexican made film. Perfect for a Bad Movie Night.
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'The Smiling Ghost' (1941)
-Wayne Morris

Plot: IMDB
Elinor Bentley Fairchild's previous three grooms-to-be have either died or been maimed. Her aunt hires Lucky Downing to become engaged to her for a month to break the curse. But Lucky becomes a target of what appears to be the ghost of one of the former fiances.
Phantom's Review: Goofy, but entertaining "Old Dark House" style mystery/comedy.
Plenty of slapstick humor,some nice atmospheric scenes, and a couple of decent attempts at actual scares. The plots not very original, but the acting is fine and it moves at a brisk pace. Not a classic, but I enjoyed it.

One of my all time favorite series. Linda Crystal was absolutely gorgeous and the acting, action and stories were fine. Great show

'Mystery Street' (1950)
-Ricardo Montalban, Marshall Thompsan, Elsa Lancaster

Plot: IMDB
Vivian, a B-girl working at "The Grass Skirt," is being brushed off by her rich, married boyfriend. To confront him, she hijacks drunken customer Henry Shanway and his car from Boston to Cape Cod, where she strands Henry...and is never seen again. Months later, a skeleton is found (sans clothes or clues) on a lonely Cape Cod beach. Using the macabre expertise of Harvard forensic specialist Dr. McAdoo, Lt. Pete Morales must work back from bones to the victim's identity, history, and killer. Will he succeed in time to save an innocent suspect?

Phantom's Review: Solid , well made "Noir" murder mystery. One of the first films to use Forensic science as a tool to solve the crime. (Fans of CSI might enjoy it) Montalban is terrific as the young detective assigned to solve a murder. Elsa Lancaster is also great as a scheming landlady out to blackmail the murderer. If you enjoy classic murder mystery's, you should enjoy this film.
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'Mad Max: Fury Road' (2015)
-Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron

Plot:
Plot? What plot? Who needs a plot.

Phantom's Review: Absolutely INSANE! The most intense, ball breaking, ass kicking action film I think I have ever seen. The plot is virtually non existent, but who cares! The acting is good, the lines of dialog (what little there is) aren't laughable and the film delivers exactly what it promises, two solid hours of non stop action. Loved it.
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'Mystery At The Wax Museum" (1933)
-Lionel Atwill, Fay Wray

Plot: IMDB
In London, sculptor Ivan Igor struggles in vain to prevent his partner Worth from burning his wax museum...and his 'children.' Years later, Igor starts a new museum in New York, but his maimed hands confine him to directing lesser artists. People begin disappearing (including a corpse from the morgue); Igor takes a sinister interest in Charlotte Duncan, fiancée of his assistant Ralph, but arouses the suspicions of Charlotte's roommate, wisecracking reporter Florence.

Phantoms Review: Fun, but minor horror classic. One of the few times , that the Remake (House Of Wax with Vincent Price) was better. (in my opinion), But this is still an enjoyable film. Lionel Atwill is wonderfully mad, Fay Wray is as gorgeous as ever and actress Glenda Farrell is a blast as the tough talking female reporter trying to break a big story. Snappy 1930's dialogue, gothic atmosphere and an entertaining story.

" A Million Ways To Die In The West" (2014)
-Seth McFarland
Plot: IMDB
As a cowardly farmer begins to fall for the mysterious new woman in town, he must put his new-found courage to the test when her husband, a notorious gun-slinger, announces his arrival.

Phantom's Review: Crude, foul mouthed and very R rated. It's not a bad movie, it has a couple of very funny moments but almost all of the jokes deal with sex, and bowel movements and that gets old after awhile. My one bit of praise for the film is, it's beautifully filmed. I don't know if director Seth McFarland is a western fan or he went out and watched all of John Ford's movies, but either way he got the look of the film right.

'Silverado'(1985)
-Scott Glenn, Kevin Kline, Kevin Costner, Danny Glover

Plot: Four likable cowboys band together against a corrupt sheriff and his gang of deputies in the town of Silverado.

Phantoms Review: One of my all time favorite films. Four terrific lead actors with great chemistry, plenty of western action, humor and damn near every western cliche, but put together in a loving homage to the American western. I could watch this film every week and never tire of it.

'Hang 'Em High' (1968)
-Clint Eastwood

Plot: A marshal wrongly accused of cattle rustling is hanged, but survives and goes after the men who hung him.

Phantoms Review: Love this movie. Plenty of action, good story and acting. Very enjoyable.