Tag: 1992

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Movie Review

Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth (1992) Movie Review

Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth – Movie Review

Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth keeps up the gory concept and spends more time on making the leader iconic.

First Reaction – Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth keeps up the gory concept and spends more time on making the leader iconic.

Director: Anthony Hickox

Writer: Peter Atkins (Screenplay)

Writer: Clive Barker (Characters)

Cast

Plot: An investigative reporter must send the newly unbound Pinhead and his legions back to Hell.

Runtime: 1 Hour 37 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth starts when investigative reporter Joey Summerskill (Farrell) begins investigating the story of the previous films. She finds herself getting an unlikely connection to Pinhead and his legion of the undead.

Joey works with Terri (Marshall) to look into her ex-boyfriend J.P. (Bernhardt), who has a connection to the occult items. However, they are not prepared for what they discover, which causes the evil to be unleashed on the world again.

Verdict on Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth

Recap

The movie follows an investigative journalist explores the secrets the Pinhead and the mysterious box. She makes connections who might not be more, but is not prepared for what they are about to unleash.

Best Parts

Once again, the franchise excels in the practical effects and keeps everything feeling uncomfortable, bloody and gory throughout. There is a bigger story behind the figures from the underworld and how people are using them

Worst Parts

This might well dive into the deeper origin of the characters, but it doesn’t do much to establish the ones we are following trying to solve things. It feels more like a slower quick spin franchise release, less of what made the original better, but making the leader more iconic.

Final Thoughts –Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth maintains the biggest gore effects but lacks a story.

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Movie Review

Mikey (1992) Movie Review

Mikey – Movie Review

Mikey is a horror film about a seemingly innocent boy, revealing his violent past and disturbing nature as he settles in.

First Reaction – Mikey is a chilling horror.

Watch Mikey on Tubi.

ABC Film Challenge – Horror – J (Josie Bissett)

Director: Dennis Dimster

Writer: Jonathan Glassner (Screenplay)

Cast

Plot: A seemingly sweet and innocent little boy causes murder and mayhem in his new neighborhood and falls for the teenage girl next door.

Runtime: 1 Hour 32 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Mikey starts when sweet innocent little boy Mikey (Bonsall) murders his family, but is seen as an innocent survivor. He gets adopted by Rachel (Craven) and Neil (Diehl) as he looks to start a new life. He gets a crush on his neighbour Jessie (Bissett) which brings out his psychotic side.

His new family learn more about his past, leaning towards him becoming dangerous to a new family. However, they are not prepared for the darker side of his personality as the therapist learns the disturbing truth.

Verdict on Mikey

Recap

The movie follows a young boy who murders his family but gets away with it. He gets adopted by a new family who try to give him a new life. However, his darker side comes out and he returns to his dangerous ways.

Best Parts

The movie plays into the disturbing nature of how an innocent-looking young boy can cause so much destruction. There is a chilling side to the movie, as we know what Mikey did and how he doesn’t see bad in what he does. Young star Brian Bonsall gives a chilling performance as the psychotic young boy.

Worst Parts

It does feel like more should have been investigated after the first crime instead of assuming he had nothing to do with it. As well as more preparation for the parents after what he had been through.

Final Thoughts –Mikey is a chilling, disturbing movie.

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Movie Review

Trespass (1992) Movie Review

Trespass – Movie Review

Get insights into Trespass, an action-packed movie featuring Bill Paxton and Ice-T. Join firefighters on a thrilling adventure as they uncover a treasure map.

ABC Film Challenge – Action – T

Director: Walter Hill

Writer: Bob Gale, Robert Zemeckis (Screenplay)

Cast

Plot: Two firemen in a burning building get a treasure map – stolen gold church items are hidden in a closed down factory in St. Louis. Once there, they’re trapped in by a black gang considering it their territory.

Runtime: 1 Hour 41 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Trespass starts when firefighters Vince (Paxton) and Don (Sadler) discover a treasure map to stolen gold. They decide to investigate the abandoned factory in St Louis. However, they learn the area is run by King James (Ice-T) and his gang who don’t like strangers coming into their territory.

The two sides clash as Vince and Don try to find a way out. However, the gang uses their numbers to keep them contained and they are left to decide if their life is worth all the money in the world.

Verdict on Trespass

Trespass is an action thriller following two firefighters searching for lost gold. However, they discover they have entered a ruthless gang territory, and they don’t want to let them leave.

This movie takes us into a world where normal people turn to crime to make ends meet. It teases with how far they would go for the treasure. Even if it makes the gang unfairly brutal, except for the leader who doesn’t want bloodshed. It draws the lines well and creates a standoff situation. You can see the heavily used political messages but outside of the tramp character of Bradlee, it is hard to have sympathy for any of the characters involved. The firefighters are searching for a quick fix to their lives, while the gangs are portrayed more as brutes, than people who are struggling to survive.

Where to Watch

JustWatch

Final Thoughts –Trespass is everything you expect from a 90s action movie.

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Movie Review

Under Siege (1992) Movie Review

Under Siege – Movie Review

Under Siege features an ex-Navy Seal chef battling terrorists on a battleship, delivering thrilling action and engaging performances.

First Reaction – Under Siege is a great late-night action movie.

Watch Under Siege here.

a
JustWatch

ABC Film Challenge – Favourites – U

Director: Andrew Davis

Writer: J.F. Lawton (Screenplay)

Cast

Plot: An ex-Navy Seal turned cook is the only person who can stop a group of terrorists when they seize control of a U.S. battleship.

Runtime: 1 Hour 43 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Under Siege starts when military chef Casey Ryback (Seagal) has his battleship captured by Commander Krill (Busey) and William Strannix (Jones). They capture everyone else and hold the deadliest weapons at their fingertips. Casey must use his skills to stay alive and save the other hostage.

However, William and Krill have other plans and are happy to send countless soldiers to stop them and maintain control. Even if their plan is for something much bigger, they need to remain in control and Casey isn’t going to let that happen.

Verdict on Under Siege

Recap

The movie follows an unlikely military chef fighting back against a group of terrorists who have taken over a naval battleship. He must use his skills to stop them before it is too late.

Best Parts

The concept of Die Hard on a battleship gives us a contained story with a one-man battle to save the ship and hostages. We get good action throughout the movie and Steven Seagal is at his best in this movie. Tommy Lee Jones is hilarious as the deranged terrorist and the rest of the cast fit the world created.

Worst Parts

It does show a big flaw in the military defence system and how easily people world get into the most secure areas involved.

Final Thoughts –Under Siege is an entertaining action thriller.

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Movie Review

Hoffa (1992) Movie Review

Hoffa – ABC Film Challenge – Oscar Nomination – H – Hoffa – Movie Review 

Hoffa

Director: Danny DeVito

Writer: David Mamet (Screenplay)

Cast

 

Plot: The story of the notorious American labor union figure Jimmy Hoffa, who organizes a bitter strike, makes deals with members of the organized crime syndicate and mysteriously disappears in 1975.  

Runtime: 2 Hours 20 Minutes  

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review 

Story: Hoffa starts when driver Bobby Ciaro (DeVito) meets James R Hoffa (Nicholson). James wants to change the labour laws by creating a union for the drivers. At the same time, this movement gained a lot of followers quickly. It sees the country coming to a standstill.

As the movement continues to grow, James finds himself dealing with the local crime boss who wants everything to end. This forces him down a path where he must work with both sides to get the workers back on the road.  

Verdict on Hoffa

Hoffa is a crime drama following the rise of James R Hoffa as he looks to put a union in place. However, it sees him working with the workers as well as organised crime units. This ends up seeing him getting caught up in a criminal investigation that could ruin the whole operation.

Recently we saw The Irishman that dives a lot deeper into the life of James Hoffa. While this does get to touch on what he wanted to change, it never really goes as deep as it could. It is one of the more famous stories of someone wanting to bring a change to the world and shows how things can get in their way. We still get strong performances that help guide us through the disturbing reality of his world. 

Final Thoughts –Hoffa is an interesting dive into the notorious life.

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Movie Review

Batman Returns (1992) Movie Review

Batman Returns – ABC Film Challenge – Comic Book Movies – P (Penguin) – Batman Returns – Movie Review

Batman Returns

Director: Tim Burton

Writer: Daniel Waters, Sam Hamm (Screenplay)

Writer: Bob Kane (Characters)

Cast

Plot: While Batman deals with a deformed man calling himself the Penguin wreaking havoc across Gotham with the help of a cruel businessman, a female employee of the latter becomes the Catwoman with her own vendetta.

Runtime: 2 Hours 6 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Batman Returns starts when businessman Max Shreck (Walken) is looking to make an impact. However, Penguin (DeVito) has been raising an army beneath the surface ready to take back the city that abandoned him. Batman (Keaton) comes to stop the chaos getting out of hand.

Max ends up meeting the Penguin and together they create a partnership. But first Max must tie up loose ends, including his assistant Selina Kyle (Pfeiffer). Batman must figure out how to overcome the numbers and stop Selina from falling down a deadly path as Catwoman.

Verdict on Batman Returns

Batman Returns is the action-adventure sequel following Batman in his latest battle against a threat to Gotham City. This time he goes up against Penguin a once-abandoned baby who was raised in the sewers looking to gain power. He finds himself becoming a hero, but the power gets to him. While Batman tries to help the lost soul Selina Kyle who could fall on either side of the law.

This is a great sequel to the already great first movie. It gets to take us to a place with another villain that is greedy for power and willing to do anything to get it. Bruce must go into battle with his own feelings as he looks to understand Catwoman’s motivation. This brings us a larger pool of villains for Batman to deal with, something we would go on to see a lot more of. The performances are great from the whole cast, with newcomers Danny DeVito and Michelle Pfeiffer shining throughout.

Where to Watch

JustWatch

Final Thoughts – Batman Returns is an excellent sequel, being bigger than the original.

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Movie Review

Sister Act (1992) Movie Review

Sister Act – ABC Film Challenge – Comedy – S – Sister Act – Movie Review

Sister Act

Director: Emile Ardolino

Writer: Paul Rudnick (Screenplay)

Cast

  • Whoopi Goldberg (The Colour Purple)
  • Maggie Smith (The Lady in the Van)
  • Kathy Najimy (Hocus Pocus)
  • Wendy Makkena (State of Play)
  • Harvey Keitel (From Dusk till Dawn)

Plot: When a nightclub singer is forced to take refuge from the mob in a convent, she ends up turning the convent choir into a soulful chorus complete with a Motown repertoire, until the sudden celebrity of the choir jeopardizes her identity.

Runtime: 1 Hour 40 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Sister Act starts when a nightclub singer Deloris (Goldberg) witnesses her gangster boyfriend Vince LaRocca (Keitel) murder, somebody. Deloris is set up in an undercover role by detective Southern (Nunn) in a convent.

Mother Superior (Smith) isn’t impressed with Deloris’s addition to her convent. This leads to tension between the two sides, but Deloris starts to adapt to life in the convent, helping them find their voices in a difficult neighbourhood.

Verdict on Sister Act

Sister Act is a comedy following a nightclub singer that goes undercover as a nun in a former of witness protection. Here she continues to show her infectious personality to help the nuns have a good time improving morale.

The movie brings plenty of comedy, with Whoopi Goldberg bringing so much energy to the role. It does bring an interesting idea to put a witness in a convent until the case comes to court. This shows how somebody from the outside world can help change people’s outlook on life. While still respecting the decisions they have made. This is a feel-good movie, with laughs and quality performances throughout.

Final Thoughts – Sister Act is a feel-good fun movie where Whoopi Goldberg shines.

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Movie Review

ABC Film Challenge – 90s Movies – R – Rapid Fire (1992) Movie Review

Director: Dwight H Little

Writer: Alan B McElroy (Screenplay) Cindy Cirile, Alan B McElroy (Story)

Starring: Brandon Lee, Powers Boothe, Nick Mancuso, Raymond J Barry, Kate Hodge, Tzi Ma

Plot: When student Jake Lo witnesses a killing, he finds himself caught between two feuding drug lords. Betrayed and set up by the federal agents, the only person he can trust is Ryan, a Chicago cop who reminds Jake of his deceased father.


Tagline – Unarmed and extremely dangerous.

Runtime: 1 Hour 35 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Verdict: By the Book

Story: Rapid Fire starts when Jake Lo (Lee) finds himself being the only witness in a gang war which sees Antonio Serrano (Mancuso) murder his competition and him wanting to clean up the mess. Jake is helped by Mace Ryan (Boothe) who has been investigating the gangs for a decade now.

Jake must face his own past if he is going get out of this alive, with the whole police force thinking he is a cop killer, Serrano and his men hunting him down, as well as Tau (Ma) the leader of the rival gang.

Thoughts on Rapid Fire

Characters – Jake Lo is an art student from China, where he saw his father killed, he is the traditional bad boy figure, riding his bike, staying out of the way of people, when he witnesses the murder, he shows the combat skills, as he fights his way out of trouble, though his hot headed nature will see him getting into fights he doesn’t need to be involved in, as he looks to clear his name. Mace Ryan has been investigating Serrano for a decade, giving up his personal life in his pursuit of this gang leader, he wants Jake to help him finally get his man, where he will do things the right way. Antonio Serrano funds one of the biggest drug rings in the country, he wants to continue to grow, which sees him start a war with a rival gang, only he needs to clean up the witnesses that could expose his true identity.

Performances – Brandon Lee showed he was excellent at the combat scenes, never looking out of place, while he might not have been the best in the more serious scenes. Powers Boothe is the star of the show here, he brings the heavyweight performance as the desperate cop. Nick Mancuso as the villain is great, showing he won’t stop for anyone who gets in his way, always looking like he would be a danger.

Story – The story here follows an art student from China that joins forces with a determined cop to eliminate both sides of a drug war, after he finds himself being a target from both sides. This does fit the 80s and 90s action story, where an unlikely pairing will take down a drug war, it gives us the increased stakes per fight and shows how both need to learn a lesson to succeed. It might well be by the book, but it does everything right to achieve this.

Action – The action turns to Brandon Lee’s strengths of combat, he gets to show all his best fighting skills even with bullets flying around.

Settings – The film uses the settings to show us how the criminal world would operate, with massive warehouses being the locations for most fight sequences.


Scene of the Movie – Lee vs Ma.

That Moment That Annoyed Me – The musical montage.

Final Thoughts – This is completely by the book action film that does everything right, without being as ground breaking as it could have been.

Overall: Action 101.

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Movie Review

ABC Film Challenge – 90s Movie – H – Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992) Movie Review

Director: Chris Columbus

Writer: John Hughes (Screenplay)

Starring: Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, Catherine O’Hara, John Heard, Devin Ratray

Plot: One year after Kevin McCallister was left home alone and had to defeat a pair of bumbling burglars, he accidentally finds himself stranded in New York City – and the same criminals are not far behind.


Tagline – Yikes! I did it again!

Runtime: 2 Hours

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Home Alone 2: Lost in New York starts as the McCallister family are preparing for another holiday away in Florida, Kevin (Culkin) who was forgotten last year, is being extra prepared for the trip, even though he doesn’t want to go even after having yet another clash with his older brother Buzz (Ratray).

When the family is at the airport, Kevin ends up getting the wrong flight, taking him to New York, where he finds himself alone, while his family in Florida is praying he is ok, but Kevin will come into contact with a pair of old foes, Harry (Pesci) and Marv (Stern) who has escaped prison.

Thoughts on Home Alone 2: Lost in New York

Thoughts – Home Alone 2: Lost in New York takes us back to the McCalister family as they look for another trip for Christmas, with the full chaos of the 14-person vacation, which will see them lose Kevin again, only this time he isn’t Home Alone, he is Alone in New York. This does make a major change to the concept of Kevin needing to operate alone to protect his home, to him seemingly just avoiding the law, and old foes. Everything in the story comes off like it could have been prevented with responsible adults around. The comedy for the most part works giving us the laughs when we need, while still managing to have the heart when Kevin gets to talk to the strangers in the neighbourhood. Macaulay Culkin did continue to prove he was one of the best child stars of all time standing out from the rest of the cast. This is still just as enjoyable for the wackiness, but does take too long to get to the best parts of the film.

Final Thoughts – Home Alone 2: Lost in New York is an enjoyable but overlong sequel that does get the vital factors right.