I should just listen to my gut. Just because my brain isn’t initially sure I’ll enjoy a Stephen King book that doesn’t fall into what I think is my ‘usual fare’ doesn’t mean I won’t enjoy it. In fact, my gut constantly reminds me of titles that have surprised me, and we can add Joyland…
Tag: theme park
Godzilla vs. Gigan (1972) – Jun Fukuda
There are more alien problems in Godzilla vs. Gigan, which, like the previous films, combines some of the monster destruction, and kaiju shots from previous films (which causes a couple of continuity errors, but nothing to detract from one’s enjoyment of the monster mash). This time out, we join a manga artist (and honestly what…
Jungle Cruise (2021) – Jaume Collet-Serra
Disney’s latest film, is definitely an E-ticket ride to joy! Owing as much to the 1999 update of The Mummy and 1951’s The African Queen as it does the adventure serials of yesteryear, not to mention the ride that preceded it to the theatre, The Pirates of the Caribbean, Jungle Cruise is a capital ‘S’…
Star Wars: Queen of the Empire (1993) – Paul Davids and Hollace Davids
The young adult Star Wars series, christened the Jedi Prince Saga, continues this week in a galaxy far, far away with book five, Queen of the Empire. Not quite as silly as some of the previous entries, this one still has its moments, as well as a bit of an environmental message as Han Solo…
Beverly Hills Cop III (1994) – John Landis
Seven years after Axel Foley (Eddie Murphy) went to Beverly Hills, he headed back one last time when his boss, Todd (Gilbert R. Hill) is killed, and the evidence leads to a theme park in California, WonderWorld. John Landis takes over directorial duties, having worked with Murphy before, and puts him up against Timothy Carhart,…
Dumbo (2019) – Tim Burton
I’m not sure how I feel yet about Disney’s apparent need to revisit their classic animated films and turn them into live-action films with computer-generated animation. Are they worried that the relevance of their classic films has reached an end and want to revitalize what they see as diminishing returns on them? I’m not sure….
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003) – Gore Verbinski
Who would have thought that Disney could turn one of their oldest theme park attractions into a tentpole franchise back in 2003? Sure the series has floundered, and perhaps overstayed its welcome since, but that first film, directed ably by Verbinski, with a definitive score by Klaus Badelt, and featuring an A-list cast delighted audiences…
South Park: The Complete Fifth Season
Swear words on prime time, religions, cults, environmentalism, more religion, revenge and eating your parents (so gross and yet so funny)… Over the course of fourteen episodes the small Colorado town of South Park, Stan, Kyle, Cartman and Kenny deal with fourth grade and all the strange things that go with it. Featuring individual commentary…
Futureworld (1976) – Richard T. Heffron
This sequel to Westworld is the next stop on the Sci-Fi Chronicles book. It sees Yul Brynner returning, ever so briefly, and in the oddest way possible, as the Gunslinger, while two reporters, Chuck (Peter Fonda) and Tracy (Blythe Danner)investigate the strange theme park, Futureworld, after another reporter is killed while trying to get…
Supergirl (1984) – Jeannot Szwarc
As my time with those denizens of the destroyed planet of Krypton continue with my exploration of the fantastic Sci-fi Chronicles book, I leave Kal-El for a film (apparently he’s travelling to a distant galaxy according to a radio announcer), and join his cousin, the lovely Kara (Helen Slater). Let’s be clear, the Salkinds screwed…
The Mind Reels 