As a film, it's a bunch of talented people being hamstrung by a studio checklist. It's trying so hard to be safe that it lost the magic that made the first one a classic.
There's charm here, but only if you were very young when you first saw it.
The fight sequences by Pat Johnson are actually quite good, but are ruined by cartoon sound effects.
Paige Turco does a nice job as April O'Neil, but they hammer home that this is literally hours after the end of the last film to try and connect things, so the recasting seems off.
It's not all bad though. Jim Henson's shop once again did the superb animatronics, and some of the sets are nice.
This is all let down by some chronic over-lighting, as they were desperate to avoid anything "dark", and this really gives the film a flat look which shows up any imperfections.
Secret of the Ooze is a film desperate to be attached to it's prequel, yet too scared to replicate anything that made it great.
Gone were the moody shadows and serious tone, replaced with TV-movie cinematography and childish humour in order to appease angry, entitled parents.
#FilmSky #TMNT
Fun Fact: The city sets used in this film later re-appeared in The Crow (1994). April's Antique shop is the same building as Gideon's Pawn shop. Both end up in flames.
Top Dollar's club is also the same location as Shredder's Warehouse.
Both films have a similar vibe and cinematography.
The film does take some elements from the cartoon, but the levity is welcome and never overrides the serious tone.
The missing "Dark Mikey" sequence from the farm is much sought after, and would have added much to the character.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 1990 is one of the few films that not only met my expectations, but vastly surpassed them!
The film plays out like a mini-version of The Warriors with its moody lighting, dark tone, and great trashy NYC sets.
John Du Prez's score is also phenomenal!
#FilmSky #TMNT
I think it's a little more than that. The stupid people were always there, but in the past they were kept in place.
Now, they are validated and can stupid as much as they want without consequence. The hate-grifters are making a fortune off of them by saying "Your shitty bigoted views are fine".
Many people discovered the work of Bruce Lee through this film, and as a stepping stone/entry point into a larger world it not only has that in its favour, but it's a really good film in its own right.
Look out for a cameo from Bruce's daughter, Shannon Lee.
Many of the "inaccuracies" were simply down to a lot of people not giving permission for names/events to be used, and one must remember that, like Braveheart, a feature film is not a documentary.
As a big Bruce fan myself, the fact that Linda Lee personally endorsed the film is plenty.
Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story may be divisive, but I've always found it an exceptionally well made movie with beautiful photography and an incredible score.
The action is fun, but the drama between Bruce & Linda is where the film shines, and it doesn't shy away from the racism of 1960s USA. #FilmSky
Not just another martial arts film. Kickboxer showcased Van Damme's skill as an action choreographer, and the film has great support from Xian, Winston, and a memorable bad guy in Tong Po.
Paul Hertzog's atmospheric music further elevates the film.
A true classic of the VHS rental days! #FilmSky
I don't think that Governments can keep citing "Duty" in order to keep people in low paid drudge work.
If it's about taxes, then that money needs to be seen being spent on worthwhile things which benefit everyone.
If it's about character, then good people need to eat too.
Jobs must be worthwhile.
For me, this film has a similar vibe to the 1989 computer game Shadow of the Beast, and it's 1990 sequel. Particularly the Landstriders, which look similar to the creatures on Roger Dean's box art for the games.
A criminally misunderstood masterpiece of atmosphere and adventure!
The Dark Crystal is on my list of "perfect films" along with Who Framed Roger Rabbit and Terminator 2.
It's the epitome of 80s Dark Fantasy. A world so unique and bizarre that it's tangible.
Jim Henson said that being slightly scared was a healthy emotion for children, and he was right.
#FilmSky
Christmas 1990 in the UK was a special time for me. The TV was showing three significant movies,
Innerspace (22nd December)
Masters of The Universe (24th December)
The Dark Crystal (27th December)
All three are my non-Christmas Christmas films, and I watch them every year.
#FilmSky
Double Dragon (1994) was the second game to film adaptation.
I avoided it at the time as I was such a HUGE fan of the arcade game, and while it does significantly change the story, it's cheesy 90s fun.
Special mention for the amazing dystopian matte paintings in the movie. #FilmSky #DoubleDragon
Everything feels stark and barren in this cold, mountain-edge town, and the fact that the preacher is never fully explained adds to the mystery.
I saw this trailer on a VHS rental tape long before Channel 4 news, so the music is will always be the Pale Rider score to me.
My Christmas film is an oddly stoic choice.
Pale Rider is my favourite Western. I love its harsh bleakness due to the stunning photography of the mountains, and the menacing score/supernatural vibe is almost horror like. #FilmSky #Western
I'm a big retro gamer as well as a film guy, so the 90s were fun.
Super Mario Bros isn't a good film, but I have a lot of affection for it. Bob Hoskins' gruff American Mario is great, and I love Alan Silvestri's score.
It has little to do with the game, but I find it more than watchable. #FilmSky
I can't stress just how much I love this trilogy. Even though the films are not connected, it's an amazing collection of works.
It's easy to see why Quentin Tarantino cites The Good, The Bad, and The ugly as the best film ever.
I even convinced my Dad to buy me a replica Colt Peacemaker, and I practised quickdraw in order to go to local Western nights. Sadly, I was too young to attend.
My favourite scene in the trilogy is Mortimer and the Hunchback at the El Paso bar. No dialogue, just sheer tension through looks.
I can't say more about The Dollars trilogy than what's already been said, so I can only give personal thoughts.
I knew every line from The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly when I was 11 in the late 80s. It was my favourite film, and this was before I knew about the Cinephile gush.
#FilmSky #Western
I'm not thrilled at Jared Leto being #Skeletor. He's a decent actor when he tries, and I like his music, but after the high of Elba being cast, this feels like a step down.
Hope I'm wrong, but I feel that someone else may be better suited, and let's face it - Frank Langella is a hard act to top!
I was lucky in that the director didn't care what I did, and so gave me complete control. Others try to write the music through you by obtuse micro-managing, which is not pleasant.
Good solid notes and clear feedback/encouragement from the director is the best. Actors will likely say the same.
I remember working on a score for a short film about 12 years ago. The movie was garbage, badly edited, and the dialogue audio (recorded by someone else) was crap and hissy.
It was demotivating, but an old mentor friend said "Do your best work anyway".
I did, and it led to some other jobs.
My response was the same. A perky, "Yeah, pretty good!".
Wasn't blown away though, and I dislike that suit. Didn't like that he flinched by having a tin of beans bounce off his head either.
The trunks' return is welcome, and doggo is a good boy. I'm optimistic, but will it dethrone Superman II?
Grease 2 is a somewhat overlooked gem.
It's not as iconic as the original, but it's the one I tend to watch the most. The songs are great, Pfeiffer's sass is sparkling, and it has motorbikes - always a plus!
"Cool Rider" may even be the reason I like rock music and play guitar. #FilmSky #Musical
I will say though, the Man of Steel trailer is still the best I have ever seen, but it felt like it was promising a different film to the one we got.
I remember watching Man of Steel for the first time, and coming away feeling numb.
The one thing that stood out was Henry Cavil. His warmth & sincerity was there, but the flat script, dour direction, and back-ended pacing murdered it. There were glimpses, but for me it wasn't Superman.