Beverly Hills Cop (1984)

20170217:
This is one of those movies which I've wanted to watch because of its familiar name, but lack any incentive to watch.

Axel Foley (Eddie Murphy)

The movie was refreshing to watch, because most films I've seen in the action crime genre are buddy cop movies (e.g., Rush Hour, Lethal Weapon, The Other Guys). In addition, I also liked the film's dialogue. On the other hand, there were one or two moments where the protagonist's ability to talk his way out of trouble would feel repetitive.

Overall, Beverly Hills Cop was an entertaining action movie. I would, however, be more reserved with my recommendation of it to others.

Sgt. Taggart (John Ashton) and Det. Billy Rosewood (Judge Reinhold)

Rated by Netflix at 4 stars. I'd also rate it as 4 stars even. I'd give it a 7.6 on IMDb.com, but since I can only use integers, I'll give it a 7; it's currently 7.3 on IMDb.com over 131,626 user ratings.

[20170217]

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Instant Comments:
Holy. I didn't see that coming. (Axel's friend Mikey is killed)

Jenny Summers (Lisa Eilbacher)

Lol. About four or so men come out at a push of the button, carry him downstairs, and then throw him out the window.
"Foul-mouth, fuck you, man."
Judge Reinhold (plays Rosewood) looks familiar, but I don't know what I've seen him in
"crappy blue Chevy Nova"

Taggart, Rosewood, and Lt. Bogomil (Ronny Cox)

Haha, that intimidation tactic after being asked if he has a warrant
Lol. "Fuck up a perfectly good lie..."
Hahaha. Rosewood stands and yells into enemy fire, "Police, you're under arrest."
Rosewood tells Taggart that the moment reminds him of the ending of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969).

Victor Maitland (Steven Berkoff)

Happened just like the Lieutenant said Chief.
Haha. Adds two robes to the bill and gives it to them.
"I already have three of them in my bag."

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Watched 20170217 (Netflix, Instant)
Beverly Hills Cop (1984) Martin Brest. 105 min

Relevant Links:
Beverly Hills Cop (IMDb.com)
Beverly Hills Cop (RottenTomatoes.com)
Beverly Hills Cop (Wikipedia.org)

O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000)

20170213:
Watching this movie today was satisfying because I once started watching it* and never had the opportunity to finish it.

Everett (George Clooney, center)

Unfortunately, I didn't give the movie my full attention, especially towards the end, and some of what happened towards the end confused me. Furthermore, while I've read Homer's The Odyssey, I failed to fully grasp all of the connections.

Thus, at the end of the day, I definitely enjoyed the parts I watched, but I didn't understand the movie as a whole due to my own attempt at multitasking. In the case that I had given the movie my full attention, it's highly likely I would recommend the film to others.

Pete Hogwallop (John Turturro, left)

*Probably in 2004 or 2005. Probably either myself or a friend of mine was reading Homer's The Odyssey.

[20170213][20170616]

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Instant Comments:
Lol. Pulled off the train.
Oh I see. This is man is the prophet Tiresias

Delmar O'Donnell (Tim Blake Nelson, right)

"How's my hair."
"Damn, we're in a tight spot." x 4
That gopher conversation...
"Down in the river to pray..." [We danced to this song in modern dance, and this is the first time I got to here it in the film]

Sirens

Remark: I never watch this far during my first viewing. In fact, I probably only watched to the part where they got pulled off the train.
Tommy Johnson. Sold his soul to the devil at the crossroads. References the musician of the same name.
George Nelson.

Penny (Holly Hunter)

Though I still think I didn't watch more than a couple minutes into the movie, I somehow recognize the men meeting George Nelson and riding into town.
George Nelson, Babyface. References the bank robber Baby Face Nelson.
The newspaper has an article on their recording.
Sirens.

Big Dan Teague (John Goodman)

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Watched the first several minutes once before.
Watched 20170213 (Netflix, Instant)
O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000) Joel Coen, Ethan Coen. 107 min [based on "The Odyssey" by Homer]

Relevant Links:
O Brother, Where Art Thou? (IMDb.com)
O Brother, Where Art Thou? (RottenTomatoes.com)
O Brother, Where Art Thou? (Wikipedia.org)

Hero (2002)

20170212:
Overall, both the action and story of this film was great. I also enjoyed the details in the audio. However, the pace of the movie occasionally felt slow. In the end, I would still highly recommend this movie to those who enjoy martial arts films.

Nameless (Jet Li)

[20170212]

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Instant Comments:
I vaguely remember what happens. But I'll have to wait and see.

Sky (Donnie Yen)

Oh, Donnie Yen is Sky. This movie was six years before Ip Man.
The use of water sounds is great.

Broken Sword (Tony Leung Chiu-Wai, center)

"We are both very foolish."
Color shift to blue (from the previous red)

Flying Snow (Maggie Cheung)

Color shift to white
Color shift to green

Moon (Ziyi Zhang)

"Our land."*
What did she puncture for which she would die so quickly?

Flying Snow (left) and Broken Sword (right)

1=20170212

*The Wikipedia page discusses criticism surrounding this translation. In short, it should be more all-encompassing: "all under heaven"

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Watched once before, probably in theatres
Watched 20170212 (Netflix, Instant) (Mandarin audio, English subtitles)
Hero (2002) Yimou Zhang. 99 min

Relevant Links:
Hero (IMDb.com)
Hero (RottenTomatoes.com)
Hero (2002 film) (Wikipedia.org)

Balto (1995)

20170211:
Having grown up watching several animated films, I decided to watch Balto, an 1995 animated film which I had never seen before.

Jenna (Bridget Fonda) and Balto (Kevin Bacon)

While the movie had some interesting moments, certain scenes were too long while others were too short. In other words, there was a lack of balance on which points of the story to focus on.

With that being said, I would approve with spending time to watch the movie once.

Netflix Rating:
Rated for me at 4.5
I gave it 4

Steele (left, Jim Cummings)

[20170212]

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Instant Comments:
Movie starts with live action
Animation starts when the grandmother begins telling the story
Ah, how sad, little coffins.

Boris (Bob Hoskins) and Balto

Haha the polar bears courageously jump in and then Boris tells Jenna they can't swim. Jenna exlaims, "What polar bears who can't swim!?"
"I got people bumps." - Boris
What an asshole... marking all the trees to throw Balto off...
Lol. She saw right through Steele's lies.
"The feet of a wolf"
ET reference*

Jenna

"Grandma Rosy!"
Based on a true story. Oh.**

*This movie was produced by Amblimation
**Apparently the real Balto is a black and white Siberian husky.

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Watched 20170211 (Netflix, Instant)
Balto (1995) Simon Wells. 78 min

Relevant Links:
Balto (IMDb.com)
Balto (RottenTomatoes.com)
Balto (film) (Wikipedia.org)
Balto (Wikipedia.org)