FILMS I OWN BUT HAVEN'T WATCHED (YET)

In the latest episode of the FILMS I OWN BUT HAVEN'T WATCHED YET podcast, a special spin-off from WN MOVIE TALK PODCAST, I dive into another film from my ever-expanding DVD collection. Tonight, it's the card-counting thriller "21." Join me as I watch it for the first time and share my review!21 (2008): Directed by Robert Luketic, "21" is a high-stakes thriller inspired by the true story of a group of MIT students who mastered the art of card counting and took Las Vegas casinos for millions. The film stars Jim Sturgess as Ben Campbell, a brilliant but financially struggling student who is recruited by his math professor, Micky Rosa (Kevin Spacey), to join a secret blackjack team. Alongside fellow students Jill (Kate Bosworth), Choi (Aaron Yoo), Kianna (Liza Lapira), and Fisher (Jacob Pitts), Ben learns to count cards and outsmart the casinos. However, as their success grows, so do the risks, leading to a dangerous game of cat-and-mouse with casino enforcer Cole Williams (Laurence Fishburne). "21" combines tension, excitement, and moral dilemmas, offering a gripping look at how intelligence and greed collide in the world of gambling.

In my most recent episode of the Films I Own That I Haven't Watched (Yet), I'm sifting through my ever-growing DVD collection, exploring the early works of Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson. And film number three is "Braindead," also known as "Dead Alive." Join me as I delve into this horror-comedy classic for the first time and share my thoughts!Braindead (1992): Directed by Peter Jackson, "Braindead" (released as "Dead Alive" in some regions) is a gory horror-comedy film that follows the misadventures of Lionel Cosgrove (played by Timothy Balme), a young man living in 1950s New Zealand. After his overbearing mother Vera (Elizabeth Moody) is bitten by a Sumatran rat-monkey, she transforms into a ravenous zombie, leading to a chain of events that unleash a zombie outbreak in Lionel's town.As the zombie population grows, Lionel struggles to contain the outbreak while dealing with his domineering mother and navigating a budding romance with Paquita (Diana Peñalver), the woman of his dreams. Filled with outrageous gore, over-the-top violence, and dark humor, "Braindead" is a cult classic known for its inventive special effects and inventive kills.Despite its initial reception as a low-budget splatter film, "Braindead" has since gained a cult following and is celebrated for its absurdity and innovative approach to the zombie genre. Join me as I experience "Braindead" for the first time and share my impressions!

In my most recent episode of the Films I Own That I Haven't Watched (Yet), I'm sifting through my ever-growing DVD collection, exploring the early works of Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson. And film number two is the low-budget Muppets movie for adults, "Meet The Feebles." Join me as I delve into this unique and offbeat film for the first time and share my thoughts!Meet The Feebles (1989): Directed by Peter Jackson, "Meet The Feebles" is a darkly comedic and bizarre puppet film that follows the behind-the-scenes shenanigans of a dysfunctional puppet cast working on a seedy variety show. As they prepare for their big live performance, the lives of the Feebles characters are filled with scandal, betrayal, and debauchery.The film features a colorful cast of characters, including Heidi, the star of the show; Bletch, the sleazy walrus producer; and Robert, the lovelorn hedgehog. As their personal dramas unfold, the Feebles must navigate through a series of outrageous and often grotesque situations."Meet The Feebles" is known for its irreverent humor, over-the-top puppetry, and biting satire of the entertainment industry. Despite its unconventional approach, the film has garnered a cult following for its audacious and boundary-pushing style. Join me as I experience "Meet The Feebles" for the first time and share my impressions!

In my most recent episode of the Films I Own That I Haven't Watched (Yet), I'm sifting through my ever-growing DVD collection, exploring the early works of Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson. And film number one is the alien gore fest "Bad Taste." Join me as I delve into this cult classic for the first time and share my thoughts!Bad Taste (1987): Directed by Peter Jackson, "Bad Taste" is a low-budget sci-fi horror comedy that follows a group of government agents tasked with defending Earth from an invasion by extraterrestrial aliens. The film is notable for its DIY aesthetic, with Jackson handling many aspects of production, including directing, writing, producing, and even starring in multiple roles.Set in the small New Zealand town of Kaihoro, the plot revolves around a group of eccentric individuals, known as the Astro Investigation and Defence Service (A.I.D.S.), led by Derek (played by Peter Jackson). When a race of aliens arrives on Earth with the intention of turning humans into fast food, Derek and his team embark on a mission to thwart their plans and save humanity."Bad Taste" is characterized by its over-the-top gore, absurd humor, and creative special effects, all of which reflect Jackson's early filmmaking style. Despite its limited resources, the film has gained a cult following for its innovative approach to genre filmmaking and Jackson's ingenuity in bringing his vision to life on screen. Join me as I experience "Bad Taste" for the first time and share my impressions!

In the latest episode of the FILMS I OWN BUT HAVEN'T WATCHED YET podcast, a special spin-off from WN MOVIE TALK PODCAST, I dive into another film from my ever-expanding DVD collection. Tonight, it's the modern western "The Sisters Brothers." Join me as I watch it for the first time and share my review!The Sisters Brothers (2018): Directed by Jacques Audiard, "The Sisters Brothers" is a darkly comedic western based on the novel by Patrick deWitt. The film stars John C. Reilly and Joaquin Phoenix as Eli and Charlie Sisters, a pair of infamous assassin brothers in 1850s Oregon. The Sisters are hired by a wealthy businessman, known as the Commodore, to track down and kill a prospector named Hermann Kermit Warm (Riz Ahmed), who has developed a chemical formula that reveals gold in rivers. As they pursue Warm, they are also trailed by a detective named John Morris (Jake Gyllenhaal), who has befriended Warm. As the journey progresses, the brothers confront their own personal struggles and moral dilemmas, leading to unexpected consequences. "The Sisters Brothers" is praised for its unique blend of humor, action, and introspective moments, with standout performances from the cast and stunning cinematography.

In the latest episode of the FILMS I OWN BUT HAVEN'T WATCHED YET podcast, a special spin-off from WN MOVIE TALK PODCAST, I dive into another film from my ever-expanding DVD collection. Tonight, it's "Jerry Maguire." Join me as I watch it for the first time and share my review!Jerry Maguire (1996): Directed by Cameron Crowe, "Jerry Maguire" is a romantic comedy-drama that stars Tom Cruise as the titular character, a high-powered sports agent who experiences a crisis of conscience. After writing a heartfelt mission statement about the importance of personal relationships in the business world, Jerry finds himself fired from his prestigious firm. With only one client, the outspoken football player Rod Tidwell (Cuba Gooding Jr.), and his loyal assistant Dorothy Boyd (Renée Zellweger), Jerry sets out to rebuild his career and rediscover his passion for the job. The film explores themes of integrity, love, and redemption, and features the famous line, "You complete me." "Jerry Maguire" received critical acclaim, with standout performances by Cruise, Gooding (who won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor), and Zellweger.