Day: September 30, 2022

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Movie Review

Rooster Cogburn (1975) Movie Review

Rooster Cogburn is an easy to watch, enjoyable western.

Rooster Cogburn Poster

Director: Stuart Millar

Writer: Martha Hyer (Screenplay)

Starring: John Wayne, Katharine Hepburn, Anthony Zerbe, Richard Jordan, John McIntire, Paul Koslo

Plot: Marshal Rooster Cogburn unwillingly teams up with Eula Goodnight to track down her father’s murderers.

Runtime: 1 Hour 48 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Rooster Cogburn starts as US Marshal Rooster Cogburn (Wayne) finds himself being sent away because of his actions. On Rooster’s journey he comes across Eula (Hepburn) and her community. That have come under attack from Hawk (Jordan) and his men.

Rooster teams up with Eula, as they go on the hunter for the killers. In what becomes a deadly cat-n-mouse battle across the landscape that isn’t forgiving on anybody.

Thoughts on Rooster Cogburn

Rooster Cogburn is a sequel to True Grit, where we get to see another adventure in Rooster Cogburn’s career. Doing the right thing for someone in need against a larger group of outlaws. This will play out like most westerns. The journey not being easy and plenty of stand offs and shootouts going on. Without the peril being placed into them, as we know the main characters are always going to make it through. As it is more about the relationship between the two from opposite worlds.

John Wayne is everything you would expect to see and Katharine Hepburn brings the class to the film. Which is needed to step ahead of the typical westerns. It might not add anything new to the genre, it is still an enjoyable western from start to finish.

Rooster Cogburn Rating
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Movie Review

Rainbow (2022) Movie Review

Rainbow – Movie Review

Rainbow

Director: Pace Leon

Writer: Javier Gullon, Paco Leon (Screenplay)

Cast

  • Dora Postigo
  • Rossy de Palma
  • Hovik Keuchkerian
  • Carmen Maura
  • Carmen Machi

Plot: Modern-day Dorothy (Wizard of Oz inspiration) faces the challenges of being a teenager nowadays.

Runtime: 1 Hour 57 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Rainbow starts when Dora (Postigo) wants to know more about her mother, but her father doesn’t want to give her the truth. Dora runs away with her beloved dog Toto. Dora goes in search of her mother, which sends her down a disturbing journey of self-discovery.

This journey sees Dora meet a host of new people along the way. each with their own flaw and each searching for something for themselves.

Verdict on Rainbow

Rainbow is a fantasy drama journey that follows in the footsteps of the Wizard of Oz. It shows a lost teenager going on a journey where she meets three different people who all have their own problems. One isn’t the brightest, another is broken-hearted, while the third is hiding his true self from the world.

By taken versions of the previously created iconic characters in a modern world, works very well. It brings the real problems of the modern world to life, which helps make this journey even more enjoyable to watch. Despite some of it looking bleak, the two sides blend together perfectly for a unique movie.

Dora Postigo in the leading role is wonderful to watch, taking to modern Dorothy to the levels we needed. The supporting cast is great too, helping the story flow so nicely.

Where to Watch: Rainbow is available now on Netflix.

Final Thoughts – Rainbow is a fascinating spin on the Wizard of Oz.

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Movie Review

Mystery Spot (2021) Movie Review

Mystery Spot – Movie Review

Mystery Spot

Director: Mel House

Writer: Mel House (Screenplay)

Cast

Plot: A number of people find refuge in a small motel in the middle of nowhere, its only distinguishing characteristic being the ruins of an old Mystery Spot-a long-dead roadside attraction with strange metaphysical powers.

Runtime: 1 Hour 51 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Mystery Spot starts as we meet the three main guests at Max (Kanouse) motel. Casting director Nathan (Skipper) is having potential actors turn up for auditions. Rachel (Wilcox) who seems to be having her own problems, wants to explore the area. While Leon (Simpson II) lurks in his car watching over the motel, having a connection he won’t explain.

As the time in the motel rolls by, Nathan learns more about Rachel as the two people in trouble in life look to address their problems. While Leon isn’t opening up as much, he believes something isn’t right with everything going on there.

Verdict on Mystery Spot

Characters

Nathan is a casting director conducting auditions from the motel room. Each audition offers up a different series of events, which can make him uncomfortable. Nathan has been struggling with being apart from his daughter and has seen his career starting to spiral out of control, with only this job keeping him afloat.

Rachel has her own problems after checking into the motel. She is learning about the residents while facing her own problems with what the motel has to offer.

Leon is lurking in his car in the car park, he believes something strange is going on with the residents in the motel. He doesn’t want to check in and doesn’t want to move until he can unlock the truth.

Performances

Graham Skipper, Lisa Wilcox and Booby Simpson II are all wonderful in the movie. They each show the problems their character has been through and how unaware of what is going on.  They feel like three lost souls that have come together to be alone.

Story

The story follows three strangers that are staying in and around a mysterious motel. A place which seems to have drawn them toward it as they look to deal with their personal problems.

This is a unique idea for a story, it doesn’t give too much away about why the three are there. But once things start to unfold, it goes in a way that creates a mystery and peace all at once. It is a story that makes you think and leaves you wanting to learn more stories from the motel. The story will dive into the personal problems people can have and explores how people look to fix them.

Themes

Mystery Spot is a mystery horror that uses the remote location to keep the three in a remote location. It shows that they want to stay and the reasons are kept a mystery, one that they are trying to solve. There isn’t much horror involved, it is more about the mystery and the uncomfortable situation that can be created.

Final Thoughts –Mystery Spot is an ultra-interesting mystery horror with plenty to discuss after the film.

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Movie Review

Anikulapo (2022) Movie Review

Anikulapo – Movie Review

Anikulapo

Director: Kunle Afolayan

Writer: Kunle Afolayan, Shola Dada (Screenplay)

Cast

  • Kunle Remi
  • Sola Sobowale
  • Bimbo Ademoye
  • Hakeem Kae-Kazim
  • Dele Odule

Plot: It tells the story of Saro, a man seeking for greener pasture, but unfolding events and his affair with the king’s wife, he encounters his untimely death and with Akala, a mystical bird believed to give and take life.

Runtime: 2 Hours 22 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Anikulapo starts when a craftsman Saro (Remi) arrives in the Oyo kingdom. He is looking to start his own craft when he gets welcomed in by one of the King’s wives Arolake. As the two get close, Saro finds himself in a difficult position, one which goes against the king.

When the King learns of the betrayal, he orders the execution of Saro. This is until Akala a mystical bird gives him life again. Saro goes on the run with Arolake, hoping they can start a life together.

Verdict on Anikulapo

Anikulapo is a fantasy drama that dives into Nigerian folklore about the mystical Akala bird. The bird can give or take life depending on whether it sees you need another chance in life. It shows what happens to a man that is selected by Akala to get another chance after he was condemned to death.

This takes its time leading up to the mystical side of everything. This is easily the most interesting side of the film, as it offers up the change in Saro. The build-up to the betrayal takes way too long. Once things start getting into the deeper side of what Saro can now do, we see the change in mindsets welcoming the once outed man.

The performances in the film are strong, with Kunle Remi in the leading role shining the most.

Where to Watch: Anikulapo is available on Netflix

Final Thoughts –Anikulapo is a very ambitious movie with a fascinating story.