BloodRayne: The Third Reich (2011)

Rayne, a dhampir (half human and half vampire), is out to stop a plot by a Doctor Mangler to make Hitler immortal.

Rayne (Natassia Malthe) hides weapons on the roof.

20131031:
This movie is as bad as its rated. One reason I don't like it is because the acting was bad. Another reason I don't like it is because it didn't have as much action as I expected a vampire, action film to have. In fact, perhaps the only reason to watch the film is for the sexuality and nudity.

Commandant Ekart Brand (Michael Paré) prepares to bite.

Out of all the nudity, there are two main scenes: the first shows Rayne (Natassia Malthe) having lesbian sex and the second scene shows Rayne having sex with the resistance leader, Nathaniel Gergor (Brendan Fletcher). Oh, and by the way, the first is with a prostitute in a brothel, the second is in the back of a Nazi truck, and neither are crucial to the plot of the film. With that being said, those scenes are among the best scenes in the film.

Rayne gets a massage... at a bordello.

Overall, I would not recommend this film to anyone looking for a solid action movie. If, however, you're looking for cleavage, topless woman, or unwarranted sex scenes, then look no further!

*Upon writing this post I learned that director Uwe Boll has a knack for making horrible movies and concurrently filmed a parody of BloodRayne: The Third Reich titled Blubberella (2011) with the same cast and crew (replacing Natassia Malthe as Rayne with Lindsay Hillister as Blubberella).

Rayne (left) and Nathaniel (Brendan Fletcher) (right).

Instant Comments:
This line, among many, is read so poorly: "You wont get anything else from him if he's dead."
Ha. Rock smash. "Motherfucker!"
What? What kind of ending is that?

Rayne and Nathaniel kissing... in the back of a Nazi truck... and more.

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Watched 20131031 (Netflix, Instant) (Streaming until 20131101). 79 min.
BloodRayne: The Third Reich (2011) Uwe Boll. 79 min

Relevant Links:
Bloodrayne: The Third Reich (IMDb.com)
BloodRayne: The Third Reich (Wikipedia.org)
Bloodrayne: The Third Reich (2010)

Days of Thunder (1990)

Watched 20131030 (Netflix, Instant, HD)(Streaming until 20131101)
Days of Thunder (1990) Tony Scott. 107 min

Cole Trickle (Tom Cruise)

Relevant Links:
Days of Thunder (IMDb.com)
Days of Thunder (Wikipedia.org)
Days of Thunder (RottenTomatoes.com)

20131030:
While this movie felted a little dated, it was still decently entertaining.

Cole and Buck Bretherton (John C. Reilly)

[20131218]

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Instant Comments:
"I've seen it on TV of course."
It's John C. Reilly! Haha. Shake and Bake. :p [20131218: It turns out that there is a reference to Days of Thunder in Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (2006). After he crashes, Ricky Bobby thinks he's on fire, starts running around, and starts yelling, "Help me Jesus! Help me Jewish God! Help me Allah! Aaaahhhh! Help me Tom Cruise! Tom Cruise, use your witchcraft on me to get the fire off me!"]

Cole and his rival Rowdy Burns (Michael Rooker) racing
through the hospital hallway in their wheelchairs.

Ha, everybody's roughin' him up.
"Hit the Pace car!"
"Well how 'bout that? A side we don't have to fix."
"I see it." I didn't see that coming.
Ha! They're finishing their race.
Oh man, these two are crazy.

Dr. Claire Lewicki (Nicole Kidman) is Cole's hospital doctor and his eventual love interest.

For Whom the Bell Tolls (1943)

Watched 20131028 (Netflix, Instant, HD) (Streaming until 20131101)
For Whom the Bell Tolls (1943) Sam Wood. 170 min [botnotsn (1940) by Ernest Hemingway]

María (Ingrid Bergman)

Relevant Links:
For Whom the Bell Tolls (IMDb.com)
For Whom the Bell Tolls (film) (Wikipedia.org)
For Whom the Bell Tolls (Wikipedia.org)
For Whom the Bell Tolls (RottenTomatoes.com)

Robert Jordan (Gary Cooper) and Pablo (Akim Tamiroff)

20131028:
As I prepared to draft this blog post (20131218), one of the first thoughts that entered my mind was that the movie reminded me of Casablanca (1942). Then I thought perhaps it was only because both movies were romantic dramas taking place within the setting of a war. I was then surprised to learn that the leading actress of this movie, Ingrid Bergman, was also the leading actress in Casablanca!

Pilar (Katina Paxinou)

In any case, like with Casablanca, I enjoyed watching For Whom the Bell Tolls. While close to three hours long, the film puts time into character development and solid story telling. In particular, expect to feel a range of emotions throughout the entire story.

If you've seen and like Casablanca, then I would definitely recommend For Whom the Bell Tolls. If you just, in general, like romantic dramas, then I would simply recommend it.

María and Robert

[20131218]

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Instant Comments:
The first four and a half minutes is just music played over a blank screen. Then you hears bells being rung and the credits begin. After a couple seconds, the music picks back up.
"You promised." "Adios muchacho."
"Did I muss it?" "All day I wanted you to do that." "I, too, Maria."

Robert and Anselmo (Vladimir Sokoloff)

"Where do the noses go? Always I wondered where the noses go."
At about 1 hour and 30 minutes there's a four-minute long intermission. I decided to pause the movie here. So far, I'm drawn in by the plot and the acting is good too.
So nice to have the high ground.
"Kill me, shoot me." They succeeded in they're little game.

The bridge which Robert has come to destroy.

Clear and Present Danger (1994)

Watched 20131027 (Netflix, Instant) (Streaming until 20131101)
Clear and Present Danger (1994) Phillip Noyce. 141 min [botnotsn (1989) by Tom Clancy]

Admiral Greer (James Earl Jones) and Jack Ryan (Harrison Ford)

Relevant Links:
Clear and Present Danger (IMDb.com)
Clear and Present Danger (film) (Wikipedia.org)
Clear and Present Danger (Wikipedia.org)
Clear and Present Danger (RottenTomatoes.com)

John Clark (Willem Dafoe)

20131027:
Failing to take any notes immediately after watching the movie (20131027), I am left to say the movie had no memorable parts (20131218). Consequently, perhaps the proper implication is that the movie was neither excellent nor terrible.

Furthermore, I vaguely remember feeling confused by a couple of plot points. This, however, may have been my fault and not the movie's.

Ernesto Escobedo (Miguel Sandoval) (center)

In conclusion, I'll give the movie the benefit of the doubt and suggest it to anyone who likes Harrison Ford. Though between this movie and The Hunt for Red October (1990), I'd surely prefer watching the latter. Then between Willem Dafoe's performance in this movie and in The Boondock Saints (1999), which I watched again after this movie, I'd surely prefer watching the latter as well.

Jack Ryan and his wife, Cathy Ryan (Anne Archer)

[20131218]

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Instant Comments:
"Who me?" Haha.
This president has a strange personality. Ha.
Oh... snaps.
"How sure?" Waits for the machine. "90%" Hahaha!
Haha. "She's a big son of a bitch isn't she?" "You have any time in this type?" "Nine o'clock."

Using technology.

Street Fighter Alpha (1999)

Watched first two-thirds 20131027 (Netflix, Instant) (Streaming until 20131101)
Watched last third 20131027 (Netflix, Instant) (Streaming until 20131101)
Street Fighter Alpha (1999) Shigeyasu Yamauchi, Joe Romersa.
also known as Street Fighter Zero

Ken and Ryu

Relevant Links:
Street Fighter Alpha (IMDb.com)
Street Fighter Alpha: The Animation (Wikipedia.org)
Street Fighter Zero (Street Fighter Alpha) (RottenTomatoes.com)

Chun-Li

This movie centers around Ryu, whose fears becoming consumed by a power called "Dark Hadou." Two other central characters are Ryu's friend Ken and Interpol officer Chun-Li. Many other characters in the Street Fighter series also make an appearance in the film.

Vega

20131027:
I never played much Street Fighter growing up, but I think I had enough knowledge of the characters to enjoy the film.

Having finished the movie, I think the movie does a good job of giving the viewer sufficient information, and prior knowledge of the video game is unnecessary.

Zangief

Overall, the movie is entertaining, but can sometimes feel cheesy.

[20131216]

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Instant Comments:
Dang. The kid's ability to fight becomes uncanny.
He even joins the street fighter tournament!?!
Whoa. He literally blew his opponent away.

Akuma and Ryu

[Getting sleepy. Paused the film]
[Resumed the film at the 1 hour mark, about seven minutes before I paused it]
"Why does he fight?" pause "You keep fighting, to find that answer."

Ryu and Chun-Li

Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987)

Watched 20131026 (Netflix, Instant) (Streaming until 20131101)
Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987) John Hughes. 93 min

Neal Page (Steve Martin) makes impatient faces while waiting for his boss.

Relevant Links:
Planes, Trains & Automobiles (IMDb.com)
Planes, Trains and Automobiles (RottenTomatoes.com)
Planes, Trains and Automobiles (Wikipedia.org)

The movie starts off  with a businessman named Neal Page (Steve Martin) looking to catch a plane home to Chicago from New York. When the plane gets delayed, Neal tries to book a hotel but is unsuccessful. Luckily, a salesman named Del Griffith (John Candy) who Neal met earlier knows a place where they can stay. From there, the two make their way home to Chicago taking one form of transportation after another and encountering misfortunes of every kind.

Del Griffith (John Candy) sells some curtain rings for money.

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20131026:
This was unexpectedly a fun movie to watch. If you're looking for a simple and fun comedy, then you should definitely check out Planes, Trains and Automobiles.

[20131216]
Instant Comments:
Haha. OMG, the wait.
"You'll never make the 6."
Kevin Bacon!
Ha. There was an empty cab right behind the one he was chasing!

Kevin Bacon has a cameo. 

Hahaha. The old man's cough.
Strange having to work in New York and live in Chicago.
The motel manager returns Del's discount card to Neal instead of Neal's credit card. They look similar. It is implied but not confirmed until later that Neal's credit card was returned to Del.
Ha, what's he doing in the dark.
Lol. "I even let you pay for it so you wouldn't feel like an intruder."

Del and Neal hitch a ride with a truck driver, but they have to sit in the back.

Oh snaps! "They're not even amusing accidentally!"
"Del, why did you kiss my ear?" "Why are you holding my hand?" "Where's your other hand." "Between two pillows." "Those aren't pillows."
Hahahahahaha. "Her first baby, came out sideways. She didn't scream or nothing."
They sing the Flintstones theme.
He's swindling his shower hooks as earrings, and doing it successfully too!
Of all the cars in the lot, it seems as if his is the only one missing.

Why... good morning.

Hehe. "You can start by wiping that fucking dumb-ass smile off your rosy, fucking, cheeks! And you can give me a fucking automobile: a fucking Datsun, a fucking Toyota, a fucking Mustang, a fucking Buick! Four fucking wheels and a seat!" "I really don't care for the way you're speaking to me." "And I really don't care for the way your company left me in the middle of fucking nowhere with fucking keys to a fucking car that isn't fucking there. And I really didn't care to fucking walk, down a fucking highway, and across a fucking runway to get back here to have you smile in my fucking face. I want a fucking car RIGHT FUCKING NOW!" [...]

Neal waits furiously in a car rental line.

Ha. Ha. Ha. His voice from having his testicles grabbed. I wonder if it was dubbed.
Oh wow. What a tear jerking moment. "I haven't been home in years." + Neal's return to the stop. I never expected such a comedy to end in such a beautiful way.

Credits:
After the credits roll, we comically see Neal's boss sitting and choosing between two of the covers. He also has a Thanksgiving meal beside him.

Neal's boss is still deciding.

Shinjuku Incident (2009)

Watched once before
Watched 20131025 (Netflix, Instant) (English audio)
Shinjuku Incident (2009) Tung-Shing Yee. 119 min
also known as San suk si gin

Steelhead (Jackie Chan)

Relevant Links:
Shinjuku Incident (Wikipedia.org)
Shinjuku Incident (IMDb.com)
San suk si gin (The Shinjuku Incident) (RottenTomatoes.com)

Inspector Kitano (right, Naoto Takenaka)

20131026:
At fifteen minutes into the movie, I started feeling that I had seen it before. I began to recognize various plot elements and characters. It was, however, upon seeing Detective Kitano and hearing about illegal immigrants work the sewer line that I was sure I had already seen the movie. For some reason, I don't recall seeing any part of the movie prior to 17 minute mark.

Jie (Daniel Wu)

In general, I had trouble following parts of the movie and didn't like the overall theme. I also disliked the ending of the movie, but I would have to admit that it's an appropriate one.

[20131216]

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Instant Comments:
"Maybe... I should have killed him." Indeed.
"Another... ruled by ambition. What a foolish boy. I think its time to let him go."
Ha, the fake blood they used at the 1 hour 50 minute mark is funny looking.
Oh wow, I didn't remember the movie ending that way. How dramatic.

Credits:
Chinese and English

Not the Messiah (He's a Very Naughty Boy) (2010)

20131023:
Overall, I found the story interesting, but I wish I had the opportunity to watch Monty Python's Life of Brian (1979) beforehand.

Eric Idle and the four soloists (left to right): Rosalind Plowright (mezzo), William Ferguson (tenor), Shannon Mercer (soprano), Christopher Purves (bass)

As such, I would recommend the potential viewer to go check out Monty Python's Life of Brian, and then come back and enjoy Not the Messiah.

[20131026][20181023 Edit]

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Having watched Life of Brian yesterday, I still recommend watching it before watching Not the Messiah, but would consider that watching Not the Messiah independently of Life of Brian is reasonable.

A view of the audience, orchestra, and choir.

[20181023]

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Instant Comments:
When the oratorio started, I had to turn on the subtitles, because I had a bit of trouble following. Then I turned it off. Then I turned it on again.
I occasionally get lost in the plot. I wonder if it would have been better if I had seen Monty Python's Life of Brian.

Idle starts off "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life."

Ha. "I want to be one."
That's an interesting song: "I want to be a girl."
Haha: Amourdeus. And the punchline! Hahaha. "But enough opera. Let's have some sex!"
"Are you a virgin?" "How dare you?" "She must be."

Michael Palin is Bevis and sings "The Lumberjack Song."

Hahaha. "Now you can shut up." "Or what? I'll have to sacrifice being crucified in the afternoons?"
"Always look on the bright side of life."

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Watched 20131023 (Netflix, Instant)
Not the Messiah (He's a Very Naughty Boy) (2010) Aubrey Powell. 92 min [based on Monty Python's Life of Brian (1979)]

Eric Idle

Relevant Links:
Not the Messiah: He's a Very Naughty Boy (IMDb.com)
Not the Messiah (He's a Very Naughty Boy) (RottenTomatoes.com)
Not the Messiah (He's a Very Naughty Boy) (Wikipedia.org)

Midnight Cowboy (1969)

20131023 (Netflix, Instant, HD) (Streaming until 20131101)
Midnight Cowboy (1969) John Schlesinger. 113 min

Joe Buck (Jon Voight)

Relevant Links:
Midnight Cowboy (IMDb.com)
Midnight Cowboy (RottenTomatoes.com)
Midnight Cowboy (Wikipedia.org)

Ratso (Dustin Hoffman)

20131023:
After finishing this movie, I had to really sit and let it all sink in. Initially, the only word which came to my mind and which I used twice in my instant comments below is "intense." After some moments, I concluded that this was a great movie which I really enjoyed.

"Hey, I'm walking here, I'm walking here." - Ratso

Prior to watching the movie, I had no idea what it was going to be about. Imagine my surprise to learn that the protagonist, Joe Buck, intends to head to New York and become a male prostitute. That is, of course, only the first of many surprising elements the movie has to offer.

Ratso cooks a meal for Joe.

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Instant Comments:
The hustler gets hustled.
Ha. The famous (supposedly unscripted) line: "Hey, I'm walking here, I'm walking here."
Oh man. He's doing so terrible (he should ask for the money up front)
This movie gets real intense at times.

Joe finds himself unable to perform for Shirley (Brenda Vaccaro).

Haha. Sunshine and coconut milk.
That was fancy, he lit his cigarette off the taxi cab.
What an interesting friendship they have.
Oh the scratching...

Ratso shines Joe's shoes.

That's intense: what Joe went through to get Rizzo to Florida.
While Joe beat up a self-hating gay man, I think it was purely for the sake of Rizzo and not because he hates homosexuals.

Blood: The Last Vampire (2009)

Watched 20131021 (Netflix, Instant) (Streaming until 20131101)
Blood: The Last Vampire (2009) Chris Nahon. 91 min [remake ot anime otsn (2009)]

Saya (Gianna)

Relevant Links:
Blood: The Last Vampire (IMDb.com)
Blood: The Last Vampire (RottenTomatoes.com)
Blood: The Last Vampire (2009 film) (Wikipedia.org)

Alice McKee (Allison Miller)

20131021:
While I enjoyed the beginning of the film, I was confused about where it was headed. In particular, I thought the ending was executed poorly.

Moreover, the action and gore was fun to watch at first, but it got a little repetitive and near the end it seemed to rely too heavily on special effects.

Overall, I recall liking the anime movie and unfortunately this live action remake didn't seem as good.

Instant Comments:
Ouch, that sword cut at 53 minutes.
That's a sad moment: "And I woke up, and it was not a dream."

Kato Takatora (Yasuaki Kurata)

Kato's fight sequence was fun, especially because it's in the daylight and the action is more clearcut.
Holy shit. Haha. What an interesting attack.
Ha. I guess they had to make a truck stop.

Onigen (Koyuki)

"This isn't really happening, any of it." How does she know?
What's the point of the trickery, if only to reveal it?