Coen Brothers, Hitchcock, and More

I promise I'm not neglecting this blog on purpose! We've been busy re-watching favorite films and also movies by the Coen Brothers, Alfred Hitchcock, and more. Look forward to special posts on these filmmakers in the coming year when we've finished viewing them all (or most of them, anyway).

--Don't understand the ratings? Click here

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (Tim Burton, 2024)

Click here for the basics

Rating: Q=6, P=6 / Average OJ

Scale 1=3, Scale 2=3, Scale 3=3, Scale 4=3

Fantasy, Horror, Comedy

As a fan of the original Beetlejuice movie (I grew up watching it every year!) I had some expectations for this sequel-- I hoped it would be just as zany and crazy, not trying too hard to do something special or meaningful. After all, the best part of Tim Burton's classic was that it was just strange and unusual. It didn't try to do anything too deep. It was about entertaining. Well, in my opinion, the new movie succeeded. It is a fun re-entry to Burton's weird world for a new generation. I liked it quite a bit. It's not better than the first film, but it does stand on its own to a certain degree (but it is best with prior knowledge). A fun escape!

The Acolyte

The Acolyte Season 1 (Leslye Headland, 2024)

Click here for the basics

Season 1 Rating: DSQ=4, SP=2 / Worst of the Worst

Scale A=3, Scale B=0, Scale C=1, Scale D=1, Scale E=1

Science Fiction, Action, Adventure

Oh how very, very sad. This was such a disappointing show. What I thought would be an interesting pre-Empire story with stimulating characters, settings, and themes, turned out to be an enormous FLOP. The Acolyte gives us the not-so-good Star Wars over-used troupes and gimmicks with little else. The acting is poor and the script is even worse. How did it get approved? None of the character motivations and decisions made make sense, to me, which just doesn't work. And overall, the show paints the Jedi in a pretty dark light. I get it, we are meant to question the so-called heroes, meant to see that everyone has dark and light in them...I guess? But we only one story from multiple angles. No other stories and no real depth. Honestly, the only characters I liked were killed. The main characters are annoying and confusing. Who wants to watch that? I gave the show a chance by continuing to watch, but each episode got worse. Sigh. Not worth it.

--Don't understand the ratings? Click here

Superman

Superman (Richard Donner, 1978)

Click here for the basics

Rating: Q=6, P=6 / Average OJ

Scale 1=3, Scale 2=3, Scale 3=3, Scale 4=3

Superhero, Action, Adventure, Comics

I've seen so many action and superhero films in the last eight years, but surprisingly I hadn't watched one of the first. Superman is fun and enjoyable, a somehow nostalgic film (even though I hadn't seen it before) that has aged but only a little. I liked the structure of the film--begin on Krypton (with Marlon Brando!), show his childhood on Earth, move on to his adult life with a mission, etc. There isn't anything special about this plot--it is straightforward but that is comforting and works. There are some silly, zany moments and fun effects. A good, old-standard comic book movie. 

--Don't understand the ratings? Click here