Adnerb the Movie Nerd

Movie reviews from a middle school teacher's perspective

Snowpiercer

By Leave a Comment

Apple Rating:

I haven’t been very inspired to create blog posts lately due to the fact that I haven’t seen the inside of a theatre since March. I know, I know, you can see quality movies on various streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu or Disney Plus; but it really isn’t the same. In these strange days of COVID-19 and social distancing, it just isn’t possible to see a newly released movie in an actual theatre. So instead, I thought I would talk about shows I have recently seen on the small screen that surprised me. This week, let’s talk about ‘Snowpiercer.’ The premise of this dystopian show is that the Earth is suffering from a seemingly irreversable ice age caused by man-made global warming. Temperatures are so extreme, people can not survive outside. The humans that remain live on a 1000 car super train that circles the globe and can never stop. The train is self-sustaining, with cars devoted to raising cattle and growing food, as well as schools, museums and even brothels. Most of the people on the train have paid to live in first or second class accomodations or were hired to live in third class and do most of the labor on the train. The hair in the ointment is a group of squatters who stormed the train right before it took off and eek out a grim living in the tail end of the train. It turns out one of these “tailies” use to be a police detective (Daveed Diggs from ‘Hamilton’), who is given unprecedented access to the first class world when one of their passengers is gruesomely murdered. This show is a fascinating look at how we humans can create a world and home for ourselves anywhere, and how we sometimes bring our prejudices and failings with us. There are several mysteries that are uncovered as the series evolves, and a big cliff hanger that makes me look forward to the next season. If you like dystopian movies, Daveed Diggs, Jennifer Connolly, or even trains, you will probably enjoy this one.

Fear of Clowns

By Leave a Comment

Apple Rating:

We all have them. That one movie that is so terrible, we have no idea why we watched it. Not only that, but we have seen it more than once! I am going to talk about one of mine, a movie that is so bad, I think you should see it! “Fear of Clowns” was made in 2004 right here in Maryland, in the middle of Hurricane Isabel. The auditions were held in a hotel in Glen Burnie, and many scenes were shot there, in Baltimore or in the surrounding areas. Kevin Kangas is the prime mover in the making of this movie, a guy who definitely was channeling Ed Wood. Kangas wrote, directed and has a cameo in this extravanganza. The back story is more interesting than the film itself. Kangas had such a small budget that he often didn’t have permits or permissions to film in his chosen locales. In one case, he had permission to film in a yard, but liked the house better a few doors down. So while the inhabitants were at work, Kangas set up the whole scene and got it filmed before they ever knew what happened. In another case, while filming at a mall (possibly the Columbia Mall) Kangas and his crew had to dodge the police. If you look carefully, you might recognize some of the local settings. Because of the low budget, the special effects are crude, obvious and laughable; but that is what makes this movie so much fun. It’s amazing what creative short cuts and trade-offs you have to make to come up with any effects when your budget is practicaly nil, and computer graphics are not even in the realm of possiblities (even ones as poor in the equally awful “Birdemic”). The plot doesn’t really matter, something to do with an artist who has coulrophobia (fear of you-know-what) who is stalked by a murderous funny man. If you decide to watch, good luck finding it showing anywhere, even though for some reason, the equally awful “Fear of Clowns II” is offered on Prime. While you are at it though, Prime also offers “Making of The Fear of Clowns” though I hear Pennywise walked out half way through. There you go, my take on a terrible movie that I can’t resist watching. What’s yours?

Casablanca

By 2 Comments

Apple Rating:

Some movies stay with you for your entire life. It might be a movie that resonates with you and something happening in your life. It could be a movie that helps you get through a tough time, or one that brings you unbridled joy, or one that was so intriguing you are still thinking about it. One of my favorites, one that I’ve seen too many times to possibly count, is the Academy Award Best Picture of 1943 – “Casablanca.” I know what you are thinking! How can you enjoy a movie made before you were born during the height of WWII, not to mention in black and white? Well, believe me, it isn’t a classic for no reason. “Casablanca” on the surface is the story of cynical American Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart) who for reasons never explained (who cares?) owns a nightclub in Nazi occupied Casablanca. The plot, a trifle to hang the emotions on, involves letters of passage that will allow two people to leave Casablanca for Portugal, and freedom. Those people are Ilsa, love of his life, whom he thought jilted him (think again), now married to the heroic Victor Laslo, a key Resistance fighter. The upshot of this romantic, exciting movie is that Rick and Ilsa re-discover, yet then unselfishly renounce their love, as a contribution to the greater cause of defeating the Nazis. This is just the tip of the iceberg though. The supporting cast is a virtual who’s who of classic old actors. And that dialogue! Heard the expression “round up the usual suspects?” Chief of Police Louis Reynard (Claude Rains) from this movie! How about “Play it again, Sam?” (From this movie but not phrased exactly that way “Play it, Sam. You played it for her, you can play it for me.” Play what? Why just superbly memorable “As Time Goes By!”). How about “Here’s Looking at you, Kid?” or “we’ll always have Paris.” Roger Ebert, the late great reviewer, had this to say about the opening, “The opening scenes dance with comedy; the dialogue combines the cynical with the weary; wisecracks with epigrams. We see that Rick moves easily in a corrupt world. “What is your nationality?” the Nazi officer Strasser asks him, and he replies, “I’m a drunkard.” His personal code: “I stick my neck out for nobody.” This a movie that will entertain you without violence (people are shot, but you never see the blood) or sex (except for some genteely romantic shananigans) or being ultimately pessimistic. This is, in the final moment, an optimistic movie that lets us know that we little people, whether fighting Nazis or Covid-19, will prevail when all is said and done. As Rick and Louis fade into the mists of legend, Rick utters the classic “Louis, I think this is going to be the beginning of a beautiful friendship.”

I would love to hear about your favorite movie. Come on, you are sitting around at home right now any way, correct? Why not drop us a line or too?

Tiger King:Murder, Mayhem and Madness

By Leave a Comment

Apple Rating:

I had been hearing about this show for the last couple of weeks, and decided to give it a try. After all, in these pandemic times, I had no where better to be. What I was expecting was a fictional movie with cheap special effects and bad acting, a Sharknado if you will. If only! What I got instead was a documentary about some sleazy people who have no redeeming qualities. The story follows Joe Exotic (you will not be surprised to hear that is not his real name) who owns, well, owned, a big cat park in Oklahoma. You might describe him as a mullett wearing, gun toting, gay polygamist. He exploits these big cats shamelessly. Since people love to be photographed with the cats’ babies (you can pay 100’s of dollars to get your picture taken with one), I wondered almost immediately what happens to the cats as they get older and are no longer able to “pull their weight,” so to speak. He is surrounded by a gang of the most skeevy people you’d never want to associate with, including a pervert child sex abuser. And the people visiting his ‘park,’ and attending his shows are nearly as bad. Low lifes is too kind a description of the whole bunch. On the other side of the coin, we find Carol Baskin. She purports to be an animal activist who wants to shut down Joe Exotic and keep him from exploting the tigers. Good intentions; but as the documentary progresses, it is easy to put her in the same unscrupulous category as Joe himself. Not only that, but it is more than likely that she had something to do with the murder of her first husband (the millionaire whose estate left her the money to carry on her crusade). These are both evil and reprehensible people. So you may be wondering, why did I watch all 7 episodes? Partly out of boredom, but mainly because I was hoping that somewhere in this mess were good people. I am a hopeful kind of person. I honestly believe most people are truly good at heart. Despite the people depicted in this series, I would like to believe that most animal sanctuaries are indeed just that. Next up, good people who rescue tigers. It might not get stellar ratings – but I will be there watching!!

Whatcha Watching?

By Leave a Comment

Apple Rating:

We are living in some strange times, aren’t we? People are practicing social distancing, schools are closed, and many are working from home. I thought this might be a good time to discuss some good shows, movies, or series that we could watch. I am going to tell you some of my favorites and why. If you feel like it, add yours or give me your opinion.

LOCKE AND KEY: **Netflix** This is the most recent series I have binge-watched. It is a supernatural/horror program based on a series on comic books. After her husband is murdered, Mrs. Locke moves her family to her husband’s giant (and of course extremely creepy and very remote and lonely) ancestral home which hasn’t been used in years! Here they discover that the house is full of mysterious keys that all have strange properties, and can readily be used (but should they?) The story unfolds as the kids slowly discover the secret of the keys and try to keep them away from a sinister demon named Dodge. The story is compelling and entertaining.

MIRACLE WORKERS: **Hulu** This is probably one of my favorite limited series. It purposefully had one season so the complete story is neatly tied up at the end. Imagine Steve Buscemi playing God as a kind of surfer-dude underachiever and Daniel Radcliffe as a hapless angel. The premise of the show is God wants to destroy the world and start again. Daniel makes a bet with God. If he can get two particular people on Earth to fall in love, mankind will be saved. However, time is limited and the two antisocial nerds are not cooperating. What follows is too funny to describe. There is a second season of Miracle Workers called Dark Ages, but it is a completely different story with Steve Buscemi playing a manure shoveler while Daniel Radcliffe plays a kind of doofy prince. Dark Ages isn’t as funny, but still worth a look.

BETTER CALL SAUL: **Netflix** (current season on AMC) If you were a fan of Breaking Bad, you will appreciate this series. I think you could watch it even without having seen the previous series. Saul Goodman, the ace attorney with the shady clientele, started his life as Jimmy McGill, a small-time lawyer who lives in the shadow of his once-brilliant brother. This series shows us how through a series of bad luck, ill fortune (exacerbated by his brother’s ill will) and his own sketchy choices, Jimmy McGill slowly morphs into Saul Goodman. Bob Odenkirk delivers an acting tour-de-force as the hustling lawyer who may do some “shady” deals, but always tries to help the underdog.

So what are you all watching? By the Way – if you sign up on the provided link, you will get Adnerb updates so you will know everytime I publish a new review.