Walters Week That Was

So while while the podcast may be on summer break, the three of us are still going to be watching movies, and for those who have a penchant for the kind of show we run, I figure what better way to keep in touch with you, our listeners, through some blog posts about what Ive been watching this past week.

I figure that it helps us both out, it gives you something to throw up onto the screen so as to not be caught watching porn, and it gives me a chance to get more writing done that isnt a InSession Film promo script (I mean, I DO love writing those, but thats a different kind of mindset)

Anyway

Now that Ive set the stage for what these posts are going to be about, without further ado, lets get into it shall we?

UPGRADE
Directed by: Leigh Whannell

So when I first saw this trailer, with the BH lead as the opener I was like "Ok its another Blumhouse run of the mill movie, yawn" but then when the trailer got going I was more like "Whaaaat? Show me morrrrre!"
I missed its initial run at the big theatre but luckily for me theres a discount theatre (which I really think HAD to been a porn theatre at one point given the size, number and lay out of the rooms, but thats a digression) so for 3 bucks I sat down and finally got to catch it.
And overall...ITS GOOD.
Its not great or a masterpiece by any stretch of the imagination but its pretty well thought out and makes for a good piece of fun sci-fi horror.
What initially drew me to it is the prosthetic guns in the trailer.
This is something Ive talked about with friends and family and have always loved the idea of.
Ive said in a number of conversations that if I ever (god forbid) lost an arm or something Id want to mod my fake arm with a grappling hook or rocket punch or gun for self defense.
Havent seen this concept since DARKMAN when one of Durant's henchmen concealed a submachine gun in a fake leg to take out a rival gang.
Anyway, the villain is a bit telegraphed at the beginning but there is a secondary reveal that really ties it together, and though the ending isnt what would satisfy an audience it makes perfect sense.

Verdict: YAY!

WON'T YOU BE MY NEIGHBOR?
Directed by: Morgan Neville

Once the news broke that there was going to be a Mister Rogers documentary, I was ALL IN from the start. I grew up watching this show and wanted so bad to have a trolley car go through my house.
If you're an emotional type, then buckle up buttercup because I can pretty much guarantee youre going to cry within the first like half hour of this film.
I dont cry or get emotional at movies but they make a connection early on between Fred Rogers and my favorite character of The Land of Make Believe (to this day!) Daniel Tiger and I will willingly admit I got little tight in the chest over it.
Theres a lot of archival footage of Fred Rogers at home (with a 5 OClock Shadow, which looks REALLY ODD on him given most have only seen him clean shaven) and of the early episodes of the show.
Really the man put his whole heart and soul into Mister Rogers Neighborhood and his message.
Which was never about educating children in the traditional sense.
Mister Rogers EMPOWERED children, and aimed to provide them with the knowledge that even though their parents are in charge that they have a voice, and self direction.
Just youre being you.
Its you I like.
And in the case of a post September 11 promo, that when you see scary things on TV you can turn the TV OFF.
This documentary is both a wonderful memory trip and getting to know more about the man behind the iconic childrens show.

Verdict: YAY ALL THE WAY!

READY PLAYER ONE
Directed by: Steven Spielberg

I remember there being quite a bit of division about this particular film when it was released but cant recall the exact details as to what the issue was.
Anyway, I had no idea what to expect going into this movie outside of the fact that there was going to be a lot of pop culture and movie references and it was based in a virtual world.
Ok.
I want to preface this by saying something in hopes that someone who has a Hollywood connection...

CAN WE PLEASE STOP MAKING EVERYONE WHOS BRILLIANT ON THE SPECTRUM?

I worked with autistic children and have a nephew on the spectrum, but if this trend continues (Upgrade, RP1, etc) with a super brilliant but obviously spectrum person, its going to become a trope and that is going to do more harm than good to those who are on the spectrum.

Moving on.
Overall this movie is fun, theres a bunch of easter egg characters throughout the movie if youre watching (Robocop, Ripleys Exo Suit) but one of the things I found really odd was that these kids who Im guessing are supposed be be early 20s are really collectively obsessed with shit that their grandparents wouldve had.
Like someone will make a reference to a game and then immediately a character will blurt out a string of minutiae factoids about this thing and everyones like FUCK YEAH!
I couldnt help but think though throughout the movie and the underlying theme that if it wasnt Spielberg directing this, Paul Veerhoven wouldve been a great choice too.
At one point at the very end of the movie, despite all of the other bananas stuff that goes on, THE POLICE FINALLY SHOW UP.
My wife: "OH! Theres the municipal response, I was wondering if that was even a thing in this world"
And shes right.
There are posters for the antagonist group IOI like theyre the military or something so its confusing as to what exactly the real world is like.
Tye Sheridans character lives in a community of stacked mobile homes, while Olivia Cooke lives in a tent, in a building...near a farmers market?
Anyway overall this movie is okay.
It has its fun moments but its pretty by the numbers.

Verdict: YAY

And now...dessert!

JURASSIC WORLD: FALLEN KINGDOM
Directed by: JA Bayona

I was not a fan of the first JURASSIC WORLD entry when it hit theatres in 2015. I think though the biggest issue was my mindset toward what I was EXPECTING, and what I GOT.
Because seeing the trailers for this movie early on, I was like, YUP. ALL IN. GIMME.
Now this was the same feeling I got toward the 2015 release but in this case the marketing team is SHOWING me what to expect.
Dinosaurs
Explosions
A Super Deadly Dinousaur (because NOONE HAS LEARNED ANYTHING SINCE THE PARK FIRST OPENED IN 1993!!!!)
But going into this I expected only one thing out of it.
FUN
Give me a good time, give me something to enjoy, Im buckled in for terrible decisions and dino-nonsense.
And I got...most of that.
Its interesting, for the most part the characters are actually thinking clearly.
Yes.
The dinosaurs should be left to die on the island.
HOWEVER we wouldnt have a movie if we didnt try and so off we go with dinoactivist Claire Dearing and her band of rogues as they go off to get the creatures off the island and to a sanctuary where no humans will go.
LIFE (or in this case the villain) FINDS A WAY
From there we are treated to what breaks down to a haunted house movie
Except the house is Wayne Manor
And the ghost is a super deadly dinosaur (because NOONE HAS LEARNED ANYTHING SINCE THE PARK FIRST OPENED IN 1993!!!!)
But you know what?
I had a great time with this one.
Its fun.
Its kind of like a more advanced version of SHARKNADO.
And thats a good thing.
(by the way, this poster totally fucks.)

Verdict: YAY ALL THE WAY!