Favorite First Time Viewing
Black Dynamite (2009) - 8/10
I've had several friends urge me to see Black Dynamite ever since it was first released back in 2009. For whatever reason, I didn't get around to until last month, but it was worth the wait. It's hilarious from start to finish, especially if you have any knowledge of the types of movies it is satirizing. The lead - Michael Jai White - is a wonderful martial artist and successfully kicks everybody's asses throughout the film. He's maybe a little too in shape compared to most of the Blaxploitation stars of the 70's, but that's a small nitpick. The story, on-the-nose dialogue, ridiculous stunts (including cars that blow up after the slightest collision), and over-the-top fight scenes all contribute to one of the more original first time viewings of my year so far. The soundtrack features several songs that explicitly describe what's happening on screen and add yet another layer of laughs. Each time it happened, my wife and I were chuckling. Black Dynamite would actually make an excellent double feature partner with my favorite viewing of July, Dolemite is My Name.
Worst First Time Viewing
Daniel Isn't Real (2019) - 2/10
Or Nepotism: The Movie. This dreadful turd of a movie stars Miles Robbins (son of Tim Robbins and Susan Sarandon) and Patrick Schwarzenegger (son of Arnold) and, based solely on their performances here, I can't imagine they got the parts due to their talented auditions. Both Robbins and Schwarzenegger are lifeless performers and lack the charisma of their famous parents. The story - about a troubled young man who conjures an evil imaginary friend - is actually kind of intriguing and it's why the movie was even on my watchlist to begin with. But between the bad performances, mediocre dialogue, and awful, awful direction, the story is overwhelmed. It's only 100 minutes long, but it felt much longer. Stay far away from this one, unless you really want to test your resolve.
Favorite Rewatch
Evil Dead (2013) - 8/10
My son picked this one out of a handful of horror movies to watch the other day. I warned him that it was exceptionally gory and gruesome, but that didn't deter him. I had seen it only once, back in the theater, so I didn't remember a whole lot of specific moments. Back then, I must not have been in the right mood because I originally rated it a 3/10. I couldn't believe it when I opened up IMDb to check something after finishing it this time! It's not original - obviously, it's a remake - but that's hardly a requirement for a good horror movie. It does everything it's supposed to do quite well, though. The characters are fine and the performances are solid, the production design is great, and the practical/special effects are amazing. There are jump scares, scares based on tension, and scares due to imagining yourself in such a horrendous circumstance. After it was over, my son stated that it was easily the goriest movie he's seen - and he's seen a few, especially considering his age - and "probably the goriest movie I'll ever see". He's a horror fan, though, and if he keeps letting me suggest titles for him, I can think of a couple that might give Evil Dead a run for it's money in that department. I'm not really a fan of the Evil Dead series - I respect more than like the original and pretty much hated the sequel - so this is an easy pick for "Best of the Series" for me. I imagine most fans won't agree and that's fine by me.
Worst Rewatch
Step Brothers (2008) - 7/10
So, I didn't rewatch a lot of movies in August. Only four of them and all four were pretty good. Not a bad problem to have until you have to pick one as the "Worst". I don't find Step Brothers nearly as funny as a lot of people do, but it's still a very enjoyable flick, mostly because I love Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly together. Throw in Richard Jenkins as their exasperated step father/father and you've got a comedy that delivers mostly solid laughs from start to finish. Some of my favorite moments are just reaction shots from Reilly. I swear, he can make me laugh with just a look. I don't know what it is about his face, but it just works for me. This was only my second viewing of the movie - I know some people who've probably seen it two dozen times, if not more - and I liked it more this time than I did back in 2008. If I watch it again in another decade or two, will it be even better? I guess time will tell!
My month, in watch order:
* = rewatch
Behind the Candelabra (2013) - 7.5/10
Licorice Pizza (2021) - 4.5/10
Prey (2022) - 7/10
Those Who Wish Me Dead (2021) - 5/10
Fear Street: 1994 (2021) - 4.5/10
Fear Street: 1978 (2021) - 6/10
Fear Street: 1666 (2021) - 6.5/10
* Step Brothers (2008) - 7/10
Black Dynamite (2009) - 8/10
* Intolerable Cruelty (2003) - 7/10
Daniel Isn't Real (2019) - 2/10
I Think We're Alone Now (2018) - 6/10
* Evil Dead (2013) - 8/10
* Office Space (1999) - 7/10
What about you guys? Have you seen any of these movies? If so, what did you think? Did you watch anything great or really disappointing in August?
Thanks for reading and commenting!