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JoeMcDonald
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Papillon (2017)
I liked it.
I saw the original and thought it was quite good. I also enjoyed this because it captured the critical parts but wasn't a carbon copy. Who wants to see the exact same movie and lines but with different characters? A lot of the negative reviews I believe are due to comparisons to the original. If one saw this version first I believe it would have a lot of appeal.
I never saw any of the stars in this movie before so it was fresh in that respect. It was also fresh because things I expected to happen didn't while the occasional surprise crept up once in a while. The ending was completely unexpected and the movie is worth watching just to get to it.
Coffins on Wheels (1941)
Who is Ray the Lab Tech?
Raymond Bailey is credited as "Ray the Lab Tech" but the actor in this short is definitely not the Raymond Bailey we all know as Mr. Drysdale.
During the scene where the faulty brakes are being examined in the garage there is a policeman standing behind the car that may possibly be Mr. Bailey but it is very difficult to tell.
Other parts of this short are quite interesting such as the older vehicles shown in the street scenes and the prices discussed as well as the dialog between the characters.
Seeing actors like Walter Baldwin, the original Barber on the Any Griffith Show, in his early days is also quite interesting.
The Last House on the Left (2009)
What I expected
I saw the original. A bit campy, very gory, Wes Craven. Oftentimes remakes are done with better production and bigger budgets, of course. That's the case here.
There's plenty of action and violence. I'm not looking for deep stories or complex plots, I want to be entertained. This one delivered.
Branded: Yellow for Courage (1966)
Plenty of drama but a little short on action
As a Chuck Connors fan I try to see all of his work.
This episode is quite heavy with drama and less so with Wild West action. I enjoyed watching the actors and the period scenery but some good fist fights and a little more "shoot 'em up action" would have improved this episode that was set in the old west, I believe.
The Rifleman: Which Way'd They Go? (1963)
Where's Lucas and Mark
The other reviewers here have covered this episode pretty good but I would add that if this episode runs 22 minutes long, we only see Lucas and/or Mark for about 3 minutes. I'm watching and wondering where the main characters are?
Most series' start out on a certain theme and then for various reasons they slowly drift away from the subject that made them initially popular, causing viewer's interest to drift away as well. If this and other late 5th season episodes ran back in 1958, it would have flopped early and nobody would today would know of "The Rifleman".
Metalheads: The Good, the Bad, and the Evil (2008)
Another waste of time
After watching a few of Zebub's movies I can only say if you enjoyed the others you'll like this one too. I thought it was a complete waste of time.
The characters act like they were rounded up at the local bar or from around the neighborhood. The lines were trite and rehearsed and the story was shallow. I give it three stars because of the music used during the film and some of the girls were actually quite hot.
I love bad "B" movies in general and thoroughly enjoy watching material from Ed Wood and John Waters. But this one here? Not worth the 30 cent disc to copy it to. Rent it from Netflix. You'll see.
Bangkok Dangerous (2008)
I enjoyed it
I've read many of the reviews here about this movie and I must disagree with most of them.
While the original was definitely grittier and more native, due in part to the lower budget I'd guess, this production was more polished and even a bit "Hollywood like". Cage's acting was exactly what I expected and the location filming lent a very accurate air of realism.
There is a story being told here so the movie does move between intense action and quieter moments.
If you dislike remakes of films in general then I suppose this may not appeal to you. But if you are a fan of Nicholas Cage, or have ever visited Thailand for that matter, then I can wholeheartedly recommend this film to you.