Topic: Movie thread.

Deadpool & Wolverine (Cinema/3D) - Absolutely hilarious with lots of visceral gory action that really pops in 3D. Trades in plot in favor of being a multiverse cameos & reference fest, but being that it's a Deadpool flick, I don't think that hurts it as much as it would otherwise.

Constantine (Blu-Ray) - Picked this up in a triple pack with Watchmen: Director's Cut & V for Vendetta while thrifting. Don't know much about the comic it's based on, but I thought it was pretty good, albeit it's a genre I'm not personally huge on.

the Last Samurai (Blu-Ray) - One of my favorite films of all time, but I only had it on DVD until now, so when I saw the BD while thrifting I had to grab it. Absolutely still holds up, IMO. I just love a huge epic (whether it be historical fiction like this or the Patriot, or Sci-Fi like the new Dune flicks), and this really hits the spot.

Deadpool & Wolverine.... a really really enjoyable couple of hours.

I've admittedly bounced off Marvel since Endgame, only jumping back in for the more 'premium' entries (Loki TV show, Spiderman No Way Home etc). Genuinely saddens me that the overall quality seems to have taken a nosedive post-Endgame, with the focus being moreso on 'quantity' and pumping out as much volume as possible... whilst also trying to make everything interlink/setup the next installment.

DP & Wolverine was a lot of fun though. I understand critic standpoints that the plot is a hot mess (which it kind of is).... but as a piece of entertainment, I was pretty enthralled throughout. The opening title sequence was maybe one of the best I've seen, and the chemistry between Ryan and Hugh (both on and off screen!) is quite something.

Definitely a movie for the fans, and it does bank a lot of its punchlines landing on the premise that the viewer has some knowledge of fox/disney nuances. Being 37yrs though, and growing up as a kid with the original XMen/F4/Blade movies, it definitely took advantage of my nostalgia goggles.

If you enjoyed DP1 and DP2, have the slightest interest in Marvel, and just want to watch a proper 'popcorn movie' then I would highly recommend. Citizen Kane it aint.... but it isn't trying to be, nor does it need to!

The general low quality of the MCU (and Disney fare in general) in the past half decade (especially compared to its previous bulletproof string of hits) is down to the horrible leadership of Disney CEO Bob Chapek. He took over in 2020 and ordered that projects company-wide would be determined by data (so all ideas were focus-grouped based on surveys etc. instead of storytelling, and creative employees left in droves). And that all IPs would be leveraged to the hilt. That's why they flooded theatres and D+ with so many shows. To the point that to make deadlines, they would actually choose to cut scenes from blockbuster-budget films (Ant-Man 3 in particular) based on how much CGI was already done in unfinished scenes! And that Black Panther 2 had priority, so CGI workers were spread thin on Ant-Man 3, etc.etc. Also, executives (like Feige) were spread thin on all the many, many projects, so oversight wasn't the same that it used to be.

Anyway, Bob Iger ended up taking back the reigns as CEO in late 2022. He immediately ordered a "pumping of the brakes" on # of releases, both movies and shows. That's why 2024 only has Deadpool & Wolverine in theatres. They needed time to get their ***** together.

So that's why I'm still excited and optimistic about the future of the MCU and Disney.

@MontyCircus thanks for the context there, a lot of that information was definitely news to me.

Nice to hear that there can now be a view of optimism, in light of management structure changes, and I genuinely hope things pull back around.

I grew up as a kid reading XMen, FF, Spiderman… and am excited for what the MCU can do with the ex-Fox properties.

The recent RDJ casting decision seems absolutely bizarre to me though, cannot understand why this would be a good idea? I think I would have almost rather they raise Iron Man from the grave if they’re going to all the trouble of pulling RDJ back!

I would have loved to have seen the original Doom actor, Julian McMahon from the 00s movies, reprise his role… he was great casting (in fairness all the casting choices for the 00s FF films were amazing)

The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare
Great film, done well by Guy Richie with the Jersey Nerd Henry Carvil playing the main role.
"Based" on a true story, supposedly the main character inspired Ian Flemming (who is in the film, obviously not the real one, but thought I would just explain that) to create James Bond.
Very Inglorious B*sterds if you had a UK cast.
Good fight scenes, a lot of explosions and some really badly strong English accents.
Wife also loved it, but anything second world war based is great in her book.
Available on Amazon, but I might have to get a DVD as liked it that much (if they release one, sigh)

I've seen polls for: "Do you think this is a good casting idea?"

And I honestly have no idea! I'm not sold. But I can't say it's bad either. I would say: unconvinced, and need to see him perform as Doom first before I can wrap my head around it.

I think because we're all locked in to him being Tony Stark, that it's just bizarre he could be anything else in the MCU.

I guess we'll all see one way or another in 2 years...

@MontyCircus In one version of the comics Tony Stark does become Doctor Doom and as we are talking Multiverse, they can do whatever they want and it doesn't have to make any sense.
People will still flock to see the THIRD/FOURTH (can't remember now) Fantastic four re-boot just because its Marvel

@MontyCircus Yeh its weird though right?

My issue isn't with RDJ as an actor - I think he excels as Tony Stark, and also has decent enough 'acting chops' in more serious roles (Oppenheimer is a real showcase for him, and a well deserved Oscar).

I think he would/could have made an excellent Doom.... but his MCU legacy as Iron Man will really inhibit his capability to undertake this role with conviction. Maybe it could have worked better if he was a Tony Stark variant that has gone down 'a dark path'.... but my understanding is that basically he will indeed play Victor Von Doom - a totally independant character (similar to Chris Evans, playing both Human Torch and Captain America.. same actor but completely different characters).

Also, would other characters even reference that Dr Doom is the spitting image of Tony Stark? Without a Deadpool-style '4th wall break' it seems unlikely? The whole thing is just very muddled, confusing and will require the most dedicated execution to even have a prayer of making it work. Also, with all the trouble of bringing RDJ back - why not just have him back as Iron Man?

I think Marvel missed a trick by grabbing any number of great actors. Cilian Murphy would have been awesome, or the guy that plays Jaime Lannister in Thrones. Even the original FF actos Julian McMahon would have been awesome!

Pretty randomly had an urge to watch Lilo & Stitch, for the first time, the other night, so I just did.

And boy did I enjoy it. It's gorgeous to look at and I was constantly taking screengrabs. Just a really good time had.

Saw Shrek The Third for the first time as Peacock was showing it. Sorry Internet, I disagree, this was not one of the worst movies I've ever seen. Honestly, I liked it as much as the other Shrek movies. Enjoyed my time with it. Consider that an unpopular opinion too.

Man, I couldn't stop watching Abigail for the past 4 days, it's really that good. And I'm not even into horror like that. Exceptions are Sleep Hollow & The Haunting. Also you wouldn't believe I've never owned a Blu-ray from Universal.

@Sunsy I've never really thought of Shrek the 3rd to be bad since my mom loves that movie. I thought pretty okey-dokey (as in pretty good). Though the last I watched it was when i was still in highschool. But Shrek Forever After is rather so-so imo...for me, that is.

I saw Deadpool and Wolverine yesterday and as a massive Deadpool fan I have to say, it was amazing! It was nothing short of fantastic and jackman just killed it as Wolverine, it was just so..so good! 10/10 chimichangas.

Finally ordered the Return of Jafar & The King of Thieves Blu-ray/DVD combo. Return of Jafar is most personal fav of mine. Granted the animation is much lower quality than the 1st movie & 3rd but it's still decent for what it is. And I think Dan Castellaneta does a good job voicing Genie in Robin Williams absence.

Call me Edward, Lord of Edge, but I don't have a particularly high opinion of the Shrek franchise generally. Been quite some time since I watched any of them, so maybe I'm overlooking something, but it's just stuck in my head that I'm not much of a fan, and they seemed to deteriorate from one film to the next. Donkey is the only reason I'd bother to give it another chance.

@DanijoEX-the-Pierrot Great, now you've got me adding those films to my backlog. Think I might have seen 2 a long time ago, but don't remember. What did you make of the of live action Aladdin a few years back?

@DanijoEX-the-Pierrot Yeah, I see others over the years mention it's one of the worst movies, or worst Shrek movie. I don't know, I just disagree after having watched it the other day.

Harold and Purple Crayon live action movie due to 2 August 2024 ??
I watched the trailer and it was something that might be pretty cringey to watch. 😶

@gcunit I haven't seen it yet. But I think it's a competent film on it's own. Will Smith does the role of Genie very well.

@Sunsy No harm in that, I understand. I think my main problem is that I'm just too darn picky. I wish I was that flexible in appreciating films I don't normally watch...

Just came back from Deadpool & Wolverine ... that was a masterpiece!

I enjoyed the **** out of this movie!!!

It is better than 1 and 2!

I can't find a single bad thing to say about the movie!

@Zuljaras D&W is great fun right? An absolutely chaotic mess of a film, stuffed with fan-service & cameos... but it just seems to 'work'.

The chemistry between RR and HJ (on and off screen) is magic. I genuinely had a really fun couple of hours, and a 90% of the jokes landed well with the audience at my screening.

"...and you can quote me!"