Treasure Island (2012) – Now I appreciate that this version of Treasure plays remarkably fast and loose with the book, but I’d have to say, having watched it several times, that this is what gives the particular rendition of Treasure its charm. It is in many ways what I would call an historic masterpiece. For the folks that think Pirates of the Caribbean is realistic, it is so not. No to knock Pirates. They’re entertaining films, but historic pirates weren’t pretty people, nor were they ‘scoundrels who earn the approval of others,’ yet another used and literally abused movie theme. I mean I love a good swashbuckler movie as well as anybody, and we own several of them, including Yellowbeard, Sea Hawk, Captain Blood, Cutthroat Island, Don Juan (Errol Flynn), mot to mention several more we have yet to own such as Black Swan (Tyrone Power; 1942). But what makes Treasure Island unique, among such others in its genre, is its realism. The pirates in treasure are despicable, murderous criminals, led by the disabled swindler John Silver, played to the hilt by Eddie Izzard. Fantastic film. Really. Check it out!
The Devil Rides Out (1968) – Most of my followers probably hate old horror films like this Hammer Studios cult classic, but ever since I started taking electives at Flo Valley (St. Louis Community College: Florissant Valley campus), I developed a love for these vintage and chiefly British productions with such renowned actors as Christopher Lee, Peter Cushing and Charles Gray (it’s just a jump to the left). My love for these films is of course thanks to a certain professor who ran them in class. They’re wonderful films and I already own many of them, but they’re not anything like today’s horror films, where everything seems to revolve around how much blood, violence, torture and nudity will fit into a 2.5 hour film. Not to knock new horror, I’m sure plenty of people prefer it nowadays, but I’ve long since outgrown Slashers, and I never was into ‘torture porn,’ as Stephen King coined it. I think I’ll stick with old horror and slow burners like The Witch (2015). But what really gets me in Devil Rides Out is the eerie appearance of Baphomet! That was strictly practical effects, and probably something many would consider campy, by today’s standards. Sure, it’s not CGI, but what great theater. Chilling entertainment!
Mad Monkey Kung Fu (1979) – Thanks to director and storyteller Robert Rodriguez, and his television channel El Rey, I have a newfound love and appreciation for martial arts films, exclusively Shaw Brothers Kung Fu films. Mad Monkey Kung Fu is a Chinese late ‘70’s work of art, and director and actor Lau Kar-leung is incredible as the youthful braggart framed for murder, beaten, crippled, and turned into a vengeful teacher of Monkey Kung Fu. Man, what a great movie! Kar-leung and actor Hsiao Ho are a wicked pair, together! And as always, there is that patented Shaw Brothers training sequence! What moves! That combined with Shaw Brothers choreography makes this film a jewel in the Shaw Brothers crown! Well, to me it does. Damn, I’m going to have to watch this again!! It’s a great, fun, popcorn-binging Kung Fu revenge film! Never misses a beat...or a beatdown!
The Shaolin Drunken Monk (1982) – Gordon Liu!!!!!!!! What a fantastic martial artist and actor. Admittedly, this film is typically considered a bust, but thanks to my appreciation of Jackie Chan’s portrayal of the intoxicated immortal throwback Lu Yan, in The Forbidden Kingdom (2008), I am now a Drunken Fist addict!!! For me, this film is all about actor Gordon Liu’s work as the title character! Great film, plenty of wicked fighting sequences and my personal fave, the awesome Drunken Monk training sequence! I just really dig this film!
Outlaw King (2018) – Like many Gen X-ers I discovered my love for thematic war dramas through films like Braveheart (1995). Outlaw King is a sweeping epic film about the rise of Scottish king Robert I, popularly known as Robert the Bruce, who was crowned King of Scotland from 1306 until his death in 1329. Though this film is probably not very historically accurate, it makes up for it through the beautifully told saga of the recently married Robert and Elizabeth Bruce, both of whom fight very different battles against English tyranny, for Scottish independence. Long story short, if you like movies like Braveheart, were people get decapitated and run though often, you’ll like this one just as much. I think.
Voltron: Legendary Defender (the Complete Series) – I admit it. At first, I really didn’t want this semi-reboot series to exist! As is often the case among we Gen X-ers, I too grew up with what is best described as the patented 80s ‘made-for-children’ version of Voltron. That would be Voltron: Defender of the Universe, to be specific. Granted, it had been a long time since I had seen Defender of the Universe, and was largely relying on my childhood memories. When I found and purchased Defender of the Universe again, I came away still loving it, though the experience was a trifle bittersweet. When Netflix came into my life, I gave Legendary Defender a whirl, and...while I didn’t agree with every change they made, I can honestly say Legendary Defender is by far the best ‘westernized version’ of Beast King GoLion to this date! It is an extraordinary reboot, and one that was masterfully done, keeping true (mostly) to the original storyline and character archetypes, while adding all sorts of newly designed eye-candy gems for today’s Anime loving audience. I can’t wait to own the entire series!!
Now, if only I had a magic wand or an indispensable Genie that can fetch me all of these! Kidding! Kidding. 😂 Thanks for reading, stay safe and be well!! Later!
SLiM
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