Joker
R


(not yet seen)


(My comment made to Jeremy Jahns video posted 10/06/2019 concerning Joker Theories)

The discussion of did this really happen concerning events/memories in Joker give me headaches (as do discussion about paradoxes in time travel). I have not seen this film, but have deliberately ventured into spoilers. I will see this film when the static dies down for its craft, acting, cinematography and writing. Events like those in this movie require me "to immunize" myself with tiny spoiler-ific doses of violence and despair so that I can go the movie and come out without needing any drugs more potent than caffeine.



This is one of the best, most coherent discussions on this movie that I have seen or heard as of this comment. Panel does its part to distribute some sanity and thought into a world with some clueless people who are angry at a movie that they may not have even seen and who are also ignorant of the nature of movies, Movies reflect, not create, reality.



The violence (aside from the puppy in John Wick 1 and the eye of an opponent in John Wick 3) in the John Wick series is at comic book level. I cannot understand how anyone who has seen Joker could posit that the film glorifies violence. Perhaps these people are afraid that this movie excuses violence. Actually with Arthur Fleck being so unlikeable and repellant no matter what his mental condition may be, glorification seems doubtful. I have heard some reviewers hypothesize that Arthur Fleck is hallucinating much of the "Joker"scenes. I think Joker will require multiple viewings where I can pause, ff and rerun scenes before I go along with that theory.


I have not yet seen Joker. I agree that I would like to see more of an arc (or descent) for the main character of a movie. Whether Joker is a canonical prequel to the DC character of the Joker or just a living symbol for the director's viewpoint of society, it does not matter. What is the point of seeing the early life of a character without some sort of an evolution. Internet talk (always a source both for imagination and negativity) indicates that there may be a Joker 2 in development.

Ad Astra
PG-13  --   2 hrs. 04 min.
(2019)

Watched in the theater 09/22/2019


This movie is paced quite slowly, I liked (not loved) it. I agree with the panel, many interesting plot threads were shown and quickly dropped.Ruth Negga played a character that should have gotten her own movie. Donald Sutherland was great, but they wrote him out way too soon. The lawlessness on the moon was intriguing, but never explained.  Brad Pitt's character had a decent arc.  As for any message to take away from this film, maybe it is just a simple one. What we are here and now is what we will be there and then? Just find a big screen in a theater with a superior sound system, settle back and enjoy the 2 hours and a few minutes while comfortably in your seat munching your popcorn.



I liked the movie. However, my friend in I were part of an audience of 6 in a theater with a 260 seat capacity. I am guessing no box office records for this movie. Actually it is too bad, this movie should be seen on a theater screen with high quality sound.



AD ASTRA is latin for "to the stars"

Rambo Last Blood (2019)

Did NOT see that movie




My opinion posted to Double Toasted 09/20/19 review:



How about rescuing 2 tired franchises and making: RoboRambo: Rebooting Revenge His Way. Of course there would have to be a deal between Lionsgate and...SONY.

The Fanatic - Hilariocity Review - Chris Stuckmann----09/06/2019






this movie offends on so many levels, with its pointless violence, ridiculous acting, shameless (music video) plug, crude portrait of mental illness, incoherent plot structure and  incompetent direction. However its biggest failure is masquerading as a movie. And that rant is from someone who has only seen a trailer and this video.  I am going to have to find and watch The Room (not ROOM) to cleanse my film palate. Chris Stuckmann's talent alone kept me watching this entire video. Thanks?❤️



So sad, Travolta, Durst (and Redbox?) could not even make a movie that is laughably bad. Actually the only way to save this movie, would be to edit it down to maybe 15-20 minutes and make this an anthology film with different segments about the levels/kinds of fandom. Not sure if Travolta should be the "fan" in each segment, maybe trade off among all the actors (depending on their skill level) each getting a chance to be a fan in a particular scenario.

What We Did On Our Holiday

Watched on Amazon Prime on 09/05/2019





What starts out as a comedy, with superior acting by the very young to mature, a great script and brilliant cinematography does change into a quirky black comedy. There is a decent message concerning life and love. While the ending does wrap up rather neatly and quickly, it still feels honest. Just a disclaimer, this is not a movie that I would show to children under 12 unless they were as wise as the 3 young children portrayed in this film.

Shadows In The Sun (2005)
1 hr 40 min

Watched film on Amazon Prime 09/05/19



REVIEW TITLE:   Comfortably Romantic

This film while predictable, is beautifully shot and well-acted. It is almost like short video vacation in Italy, but without the heat, stress of travel or expensive plane trips. The characters have as much warmth as their environment. This film is a no frills and satisfying vacation from superhero films and over-emotional aliens (as in interplanetary).

Find Me (2018) 1 hr. 44 min.

I saw film on Amazon Prime -- 09/04/2019


I had not heard of this movie. I stumbled onto it through Amazon Prime's maze of movies. It was a happy surprise. The lead (Tom Huang as "Joe") was also the director, producer and writer. None of those areas suffered from a lack of attention. Due to plot necessities, there was considerable narration by a main character (Sara Amini as "Amelia"). Usually too much narration or exposition is annoying, but in this case, by this performer, it fit. I was never taken out of the story. This movie was funny, sad, beautiful, heartbreaking and ultimately satisfying. The sound track was a bit "crunchy granola" so I do admit to a little fast forwarding to get to the dialogue. A very inexpensive storage device made cell phones a secondary character in the story. The cinematography (done by Kyle Crowell) breathtakingly imaged areas of California (such as Yosemite). The conclusion of this movie is downbeat, but quite satisfying.