Captain's Log: Year 7

Stardate 75696.3, we have reached our 7th year in the continuing encounter of countless types of cinema and visual media. Databanks show a current number of 920 reviews and still going. Yet I wonder if we'll reach #1000 before the end of the year or even next year's anniversary, I don't believe in the no win scenario. I don't like to lose. There are always possibilities Spock said, and come what may I am happy to still be doing this. I also have much to be thankful for, least of all my readers regardless of volume or nationality for their interest in my humble and unprofessional opinions and ramblings. I do not feel this endeavor to be a vain or empty one and of my friends who continue to read and explore with me I can only say this, of all the memories I have made in my life these are the most gratifying. I hope to continue for some years more, and still contribute good entertaining recommendations for all. By my calculations in the coming weeks we'll be visiting comic book movies, video game movies, magical movies and movies that defy genre, needless to mention another personal event that prompts one to somewhat feel old...worn out. But I'd rather be speaking my opinions, speaking them before I turn into a part of my collection, before I really do grow old. Cheers to the site and all those who attend, and tomorrow we'll knock out this kaiju series. Live long and rock on.

Humbug!

Well bollocks, here we are again. Luckily I will be doing better things with my life, like throwing cold water on carolers so they get hypothermia and reviewing non X-Mas material. But here comes the interesting part, I've heard tale of several films debuting so close to the most dreaded day of the year so what should I do? Stick around and attempt to get them done or simply pick up next year with several new films? I suppose it entirely depends on the familial schedule, as since I'm the only logical member of the family. Regardless we have at least two weeks of reviews which I am happy to do, talking about an excellent piece of british comedy and touching on my favorite series once more before the end. And you know what the true kick in the groin is? I actually made a Christmas list, God help me I'm going native. I haven't had one in about a decade. But anyway, I'm quite curious to look at the list of upcoming movies because I forget what's literaly about to come out, what has already been out, and what do I have to wait for until next year. I know Wonder Woman 1984 is heading to streaming and possibly theaters, I haven't heard a damn thing about Soul, and no doubt there are sevral releases on the Redbox to look into. So much work to do, and no doubt next year will be easier for us all, but not yet. The trick now is trying to survive but as my favorite band once said, "The future's uncertain and the end is always near.".

Bogus!

Well this sucks.

A sudden turn of events has ensured my missing of Bill & Ted 3. Turns out I'm not just moving to a new place, I'm moving from south Texas to east Texas. I'm almost packed for the big trip but it will mean not a single review will come out this week. I don't want to do the first 2 Bill & Ted movies then not do the third and have to pick it up later. It sort of defies the purpose. And I've been so busy I hardly have time to even just plan what reviews will hit for the rest of the year. Except for those big events I keep alluding to, and it's high time I reveal at least one of the big ones. It's like I knew this was going to be a rough year so I took precautions and have had this sitting on my shelf for...5 months roughly. So I'm just gonna say it. Next month, Marvel. All of them. From Iron Man to Endgame. Spoiler alert, my opinion has not changed much about the MCU now that I have watched them all. So from the first of September, one a day every day, until we hit Endgame. By my count about, 22 movies in a row. The longest marathon I've ever done. No doubt will hit 700 reviews during then. And after that monstrosity, business as usual come October, another big project that believe it or not I've been holding onto since January of this year, then some Christmas gifts to me and once again to hell with your cheer and merriment. Goodie. Yeah I'm totally not going to be shanked in the streets after next month. What?? Noooo. Everyone's gonna love it. Fuget'abou it! Let the good times roll. Don't crucify me, I (sorta) like living.

A Surprise To Be Sure But A Necessary One.

Now this took a bit of time to work out, and I can strongly say I feel this is the right decision. With the huge impact this month is taking on me, several films being pushed months back, work hours being cut, this whole social distancing thing closing what little time I actually get out of the house, I do truly feel I need to take some time off. Now I'm perfectly fine, healthy as possible, nothing bad has happened. But I am thinking logically of this, usually I take my break in September when no new movies have come out and I can plan for the only constant in this ever shifting review schedule, October, and square away a schedule leading into the new year, but with this utter and complete train wreck of a month I feel some time needs to be taken off to plan a solid form of action. Now I'm not taking the whole month off, I'll be gone for about 3 weeks and be right back at it on my birthday week showcasing the movies of my favorite childhood actor Jim Carrey. That gives me time to figure out new release schedules for movies, plan a schedule for the reviews, and review some backlog material that can be posted for months to come. In fact, with this course of action I will have not one but two big surprises for you coming this fall which will more than make up for this lost upcoming month. So I'm sorry I couldn't wheel and deal for a full month but new shit has come to light and steps have to be taken to help keep this going. 3 odd weeks and I'll have schedules for May and June, probably even July, plus the off time to square away stuff and get some reviews said and done just waiting to be posted. Which gives me more time to plan later on for the big events coming before and after October and I can't wait to share it with you. I definitely appreciate you and hope this won't bum you out but just know I'll be working regardless and getting out more stuff for the rest of the year. With a heavy heart I step away from this as I normally do every year. And on that bombshell it is time to leave, thank you so much for joining me, good night.

Damage Report!

Well....shit.

You know this absolute bollocks going on with this virus I was ready to deal with long term. I didn't care about what I had to do to stay healthy but I was gonna go to the movies opening day and take that risk every damn time. Because while I have significant caution and self-preservation qualities, I wouldn't let it impede my work. And then the theaters shut down. Indefinitely. How the hell am I supposed to review Mulan now? I was gonna do a compare and contrast on two fronts, I was going to tell you how much Beauty & The Beast is a wonderful piece of cinema and tell you how the bullf*** remake was completely unnecessary and beyond terrible, quickly followed by doing the same for Mulan except with hopefully better outcomes in the remake department. Not anymore. I got nothing for this week and I have a plan for April but I feel it will be an almost impossible task with the time I have and the resources I have, meaning I need to scrap it (for now) and desperately try to garner material for the majority of next month. I'm not saying if the theaters didn't close in my town it would have fixed everything like the wave of a magic wand, but it would have made at least this week easier. Thankfully there's probably quite a few movies out on Redbox that I actually haven't watched and could easily get me through this week, but April is looking f***ing grim and I need a miracle to get that project going so I can give you a plethora of content for just one month. And I'm not trying to over exert myself, this was the plan all along, and it's certainly not impossible to put it on hold and do it later this year so I can plan more carefully for the coming weeks but I hate that such a severe setback has occured. So I'll sift through the Redbox and grab a few things for this week but after that it's just up in the air. Not unless the space gods are kind and get my theater opened back up before Friday, then I'll have one more week to plan and act accordingly. Stay tuned to find out, same time same channel, with this warning: the wildest is yet to come!

Staus Report!

Alright guys it's time I level with you, I just got a new job and started this Monday and the financial side of the old Duder's life has been less than great. Nothing serious or show breaking or at least God I hope not, but it has put a dent in the schedule. I wanted to review The Gentlemen but my bank account and work schedule are very against that idea, so until I can scrounge up some loose cash I can't get a brand new theater movie review out for a bit. Maybe this weekend I can catch it but unfortunately there will be no opening day review. I'm thinking of installing a PayPal donate button so if people want to send me films to review or just spare change out of the goodness of their hearts it will keep the show running at a very healthy pace. Trust me, even two bucks can get a review done and I'd only use it for review purposes. It drives me up the wall that I can't see new movies whether good or bad because at the end of the day I love doing this. I would never ever get over the fact that if I had to even momentarily stop reviews before the 5th anniversary or any time at all period, and that tells you how much I love doing this. Almost 600 reviews have been done and all just for the sake of a bit of quick entertainment and informative decisions to spend your money and let's be honest even mine on something worth it. I'm not reviewing Cats, we all knew what was going to become of Cats. Some films can't be saved or salvaged, so it's important to see the films with potential even if they don't turn out too good. But it's also important not just to see the big blockbusters, films like Mother or The Dead Don't Die didn't exactly have spectacular budgets or even a lot of marketing but it caught my attention. If a day ever came where I could see every single new movie that came out in a year, I would do it! If I got a damn good paying job with even a smidge of down time, I'd try to review every new movie. Why? Because I love doing this. You don't exactly sit down and write nearly 600 reviews over the course of 5 years just for the hell of it. Though I will say I've just about reviewed every single movie that I physically own, and by the end of this year I'll probably have reviewed them all but thank the celestial beings for streaming services and the internet, cause it has saved my ass so much. I've been putting serious thought into making video reviews on my YouTube channel, if only just to broaden my original reviews and get all of my opinions out with nothing lost in translation from mind to screen (though if I could make a living just doing that I wouldn't complain just saying). I desperately wanted to review The Lighthouse because it hooked me on one trailer that didn't tell you a damn thing, and believe me we're finally doing it next week. I do truly apologize for not being able to get new movie reviews out until this financial situation gets settled and I'll try to keep up my 3 reviews a week. Though I did severely screw up this week, with only 2 reviews but if it means that much to me (Spoilers, it does.) I'll try to throw a third review your way before the day is out. February is looking good with three new theater movie reviews, and God dang it I'm gonna try to make it happen! I'll let you know when the situation changes but I just wanted to give an update on why there has been little movie going experiences so far and why it was only two reviews this week. Thankfully I have a tiny bit of pocket cash that will get me through next week and after that I suspect things will go a lot smoother. Stay tuned for more peoples. I will see you next time, and this is The Dude saying goodnight.

Back Again.

Guess I didn't miss much. Literally one movie I wanted to see came out and that review will be posted tomorrow. Big news though, a change of scenery you might say but no doubt it will help me be able to ingest more good movies and even more shows for the future. In fact I am so confident on that fact that you will see my longest and most likely only TV review marathon at the later half of this month. But the moving process will be no doubt completed by next week so back to the regular schedule from there on. I have a few movies that hit video which I need to see again and re-evaluate and add on to my original reviews. And I no doubt will have plenty to praise and rant about before the month is over starting with this piece: why in the hell are there so many horror movies coming out before October? Like seriously, two Chucky movies, Scary Stories, fricking IT Chapter Two, and more I can throw out there. When there are only two new movies to see in October for me and one of them is a comic book movie, you kinda have to ask what the heck. I mean could you imagine if all the anticipated and hyped horror movies came out in late September through October? It would be an incredible horror stint! Like nearly to my first year where there was almost a review per day, I really would like to do that again but for the time being it will be the usual 3 reviews per week in October. Need to fill in some gaps on my schedule but I'm ready to get back to it. The break was nice, but the show must go on! So tune in tomorrow for Quentin Tarantino's 10th film, Once Upon A Time In Hollywood.

Everybody Look What's Going Down...

Well good evening to you all. Just wanted to let you know what's happening here in the next month or 2 before we start our next week of reviews. I am taking some study time into my next review, it's based off a book by one of my favorite authors and I wanted to take notes and see how faithful it is. After that though...the rest of this month is a trainwreck. Too much stuff is coming out this month so I really had to pick and choose what I wanted to do cause when you have a job that starts around lunchtime and ends when the sun has gone down, time is not a major luxury! And sadly I really wanted to check out The Dead Don't Die because Adam Driver and Bill Murray versus zombies sounds a little too good to be true but I can't see it opening day, so I'll have to do it on Saturday instead. After that though it's a fairly stable week, and the last week drove me so insane that after constantly shifting from potential movie to potential movie, I'm taking my monthly break in July. There's stuff I want to see in August and September so July is the only option left. And can I just rant for a brief moment in time, there is way waaaaay too much horror stuff coming out before October, more Chucky movies, Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark, IT: Chapter Two, if all this got pushed until October it would be the best October we have ever had on this show! And I think we have had some pretty good years, so that bugs me a bit but I can live. After that though, same old schedule. Just pray for me that I live to see August because the deep south in summer time might as well be one of the levels of Hell, and I am not a creature of light or warmth I mean I'm already hot enough, and the more I stay in my cave the better so consider July my hibernation period. So I will see you Monday, bye bye for now and goodnight all!

Another Year, Another Event

Hello there! That time again huh? Honestly I'm losing track at this rate, 4 years in and still going strong. Withered, and slightly weary but strong. We'll see how this final week bodes for me before we jump back in with new releases, old favorites, and plenty more content till the end of the year. And of course I thank every person who takes time out of their day to hear me ramble and rant and more often than not praise. Yeah kinda weird how more than 85 if not 90% of my reviews have all been favorable, even adding more so to why I decided to have an entire month dedicated to bad movies. Not just to get them done and over with but to bring a bit of balance. I think anybody and most everybody would agree you read and watch critics to relish in the bashing of a movie. Hell I watch plenty who review only bad things, but I like to see a silver lining even in the darkest of clouds if only just to preserve my sanity and not to be a grumpy old man all the time. I save the grumpiness for everyday people. But regardless I love what I do, I do what I love, thank you all for the interest of a very humble critic and I will see you tomorrow for the best worst movie ever made. Goodnight everybody!

There I Go Again!

I'm sorry, I forgot to write this yesterday. And the reason is, along with the current movie schedule situation is, I got a good job. It used to just be weekends, so if a new movie came out on the weekend it would have to wait until next week because I would have to be in bed so early just to get to work on time for Saturday and thusly Sunday as well, I would have no time to even catch a evening showtime before the movie came out. I must admit though I severely screwed up cause turns out The Predator hit theaters last Friday. I could have done the Predator movies first and then done the anime films next, hell it might have even worked better that way to segueway from Perfect Blue to what I have planned next week in some respects. So yeah, I'm getting back in the groove of reviews, this happens every year for me man. It's a very complicated life, a lot of ins, a lot of outs, a lot of what have yous, there's a lot of strands in the old Duder's head. But I'll do my best, and the sad part is I don't have the same freedom I did last year or even about 4 months ago, cause now if a new movie comes out anyday besides Monday through Friday, it will have to wait. That sucks. I always want to see a movie the day it comes out if it's something I'm looking forward to, plus to get a brand new review out for the masses. I feel like I'm failing at my job to keep people updated on new films and what they should go see. Thankfully though, most of the newer movies I have on my calendar are not on weekends so it should run smoothly I just need to double check on release dates. So that's the current standing on reviews, and by my count we got at least 10 more new movies to see before the year ends. Predator 2 will be up by about noon, just wanted to clear some things up real quick so I'll see you in a bit.

It's Our 3rd Year!!!

You thought I forgot huh? 3rd year friends!! I'm kinda speechless I've been going for this long and have barely lost any steam. And we got oh so many movies to see and talk about, good and (unfortunately) bad. In fact....I sense a month of bad movies in the not too distant future. Because the sooner you talk about Twilight, the better life will be for everyone. I'm not ready though. I never will be. It would be interesting to do a series of drunk reviews! But we will cross and burn that bridge in due time. This week it's all about the video game movies. GOOD video game movies!! And after that, we have some movies to look back at and some unfinished business concerning my first reviewed shows. So always something new to talk about, and I'm happy I can do this every week. It really does bring me joy and hopefully brings good and underrated movies to light. Some people have asked me, why be a film critic? Everybody is a film critic, what makes you so special? And I have discovered a very long time ago the best movie critics don't push their opinions out because oh, I'm right and you are wrong and that's it. The very best movie critics have such passion and love for movies and not only want to recommend but just love to talk about movies. I love movies, I love talking about movies, I couldn't ask for a better dream job. Film in general is a gamble. From making a movie to watching a movie it requires a bit of risk. I watch movies so I can say oh hey, this is a great movie and you should totally go check it out! You gamble your free time on seeing a movie, that is where we come in. Of course no critic is correct, art and opinions are subjective, I saw Leap as a disappointing rehash of a story with some unique elements. Others can see it, accept what it is, and enjoy it. I know I'm talking out of my ass and no opinion really matters, but the opinion is just part of it. The love for movies is what drives me, but regardless I am thrilled I have a diverse audience. You know I got like 12 people in Russia who read my stuff? That is the coolest thing ever to me! I just try to write my best, say what I feel, and try not to write 50 pages worth of a simple review. Honesty is key, you gotta be blunt when it comes to a movie's faults and accomplishments, so I try to do that. I of course love doing this, thank all that read, and hopefully entertain as well as inform. 3 years and still going, what more could I ask for? And here is to soooo many years to come!

Here We Go Again.

Another year, another break. Not quite for a month this time around. In fact, this year couldn't be described as anything but usual as the previous. So only two weeks this time, I'll be back in time to review IT with a criminal lack of Tim Curry, so hopefully it will excel beyond the first which is....something. So it won't be long. Plenty of time to plan ahead for October, catch up on some shows, it will do me much good both in terms of reviews and personal life. Ah, October how do I miss thee? The month that has been solely devoted to monsters, aliens, and horror most foul will be taking a different turn this year. But it will still hold the love and excitement of the fall season from me. Until next time, just remember....40 more days until October!

So Many Things To Review, So Little Money....

It sucks having no cash. But guess what I got today? So expect more reviews next week. I thought about summer, which lead me to summer movies. You got your blockbusters, your action movies, and your sports movies. Right? Well, I don't like sports so therefore I'm not a big fan of sports movies although there is at least 3 or 4 I could talk about, The Sandlot is the first movie that comes to mind so why not do that next week? Blockbusters have been huge for about 40 years but it all started with a big hollywood budget for a b-movie plot, Jaws. That screams summer, and in many cases just screams and it's high time I do that movie! And the sci-fi's have been on my mind a lot lately, mainly Star Wars and recently Star Trek. Why not review more of the Star Trek movies? I only did 3 consecutive movies with the original crew, and 3 with the updated new crew. So there's definitely more to talk about wouldn't you agree? I mean it predates Star Wars by 11 years if I remember correctly, I do need to watch more Star Trek so I would like to talk about the shows but that will come much, much later in the future. And lastly, Atomic Blonde hits theaters next week so you better believe I'm in. I was ready to see that movie 3 months before it hit nationwide theaters. So at the very least, expect Jaws, The Sandlot, and Atomic Blonde next week. Catch you later on down the road, for there is always something in the works in the old duder's head.

And The Updates Keep Coming...

The weirdest stuff is happening at work, to the point where I don't even know my schedule anymore. The good news is I literally have a month left of this before I go back to school. Then...you know it's on. Cause I know when my classes start and more importantly when they end. Alright, so I got one more day of work then two days off so I know I can at the very least get two movies in this week, and even better they are the movies I wanted to review about two weeks ago. All those new Redbox movies. So we got a good thing going on, and I hope to God they fix all their nonsense with my work schedule so I can do more than two reviews a week. But enough of that, just hang tight and we'll get those reviews coming out soon.