Recently Watched Films

This could very easily have been fucked up, but it wasn't. Also amazing.

Meh. I've done better with first time viewings of Tarkovsky films with the last couple I've watched, including The Sacrifice the other day, but this one is just dreary, boring and depressing, with not one moment that lets me actually get invested in it. Tarkovsky films can go better on a second watch, which happened for me with both Stalker and Solaris, but it's going to be a long time before I want to give this one a second chance. If ever. 

Then you also get the odd actor who has played more than one role in the MCU, just to complicate it further. 

The MCU is pretty much the MCM now, so know knows which older movies will eventually be made canon to the MCU.

One thing with the MCU to remember is that if you're sticking it out all the way to the current Phase Four, then the TV shows on Disney+ become essential viewing in between the movies. 

Klaus Kinski is a man fresh out of ten years in prison for a crime he didn't do. In true western style, he immediately sets out for revenge on those who wronged him. Making his move during a tornado, the film takes on the stylings of a horror movie with Kinski as a bogeyman figure. If, you know, the bogeyman was the hero. All in all, quite solid if never spectacular. 

It always takes me a few scenes to get into this film's style, but once I do I always love it. 

Another case where I had seen the character in other movies before (Avengers and Winter Soldier) but hadn't actually seen his origin story. In fact, while I already knew a bit about Hulk from outside sources and knew about Thor from Norse mythology (which, to be fair, the Marvel version doesn't exactly follow too strictly, lol) I knew next to nothing about Captain America, aside from the fact he fights with a shield and fell asleep in the 1940's, then woke up in the 2000's. I had no clue he had such a big underdog story to him, and I found this quite charming, interesting and a lot of fun.

I likely won't watch any more for a few days, since I'll be busy doing other stuff, but either this weekend or early next week I'll start the cycle of 5 movies in a row I already seen before (which ironically is also as far as I've seen), starting with the big event that ends phase 1. I had meh feelings on it before, but I have a feeling it'll go better now, having seen all previous movies beforehand. I think for now I'll just focus on getting through to the end of Phase 3, since that seems straight-forward, and then if I'm still feeling it, I'll try and figure out the epic mess that is how to tackle Phase 4 

It's not as complex as it might look.

The only series you will need to have seen to keep up with the movies at this point is WandaVision, since that ties directly into the new Doctor Strange. A while ago they said you would need to see Loki season 1 as well, but that doesn't look like its actually the case. You can watch all other Phase 4 movies without worrying about the shows.

Obviously when they eventually do Captain America 4, you will need to have seen The Falcon and the Winter Soldier first.

Those two plus Loki and Hawkeye all follow on from characters established in Phases 1-3. But so far WandaVision is the only one that's essential for watching a movie. Moon Knight can be enjoyed at any time, even with no prior MCU knowledge, though he is supposed to at some point make the jump to the movies, at which time you will need to have seen it. You will also need to have seen Ms. Marvel, the next show coming out, prior to the release of The Marvels, but on the current slate that's still five movies away. 

Really solid spy noir based around fact (actually from writings of J Edgar Hoover). 

Three Stooges:

This is actually just a near total rehash of footage from the short Dunked in the Deep, which unideally was the short on Columbia Noir 4 disc 1. It only exists because of contractual obligations that Columbia said stood in spite of the death of Shemp. 

I don't normally go in for boxing pictures but this was good. Directed by John Huston who made quite a few all time favourites of mine and on whose strength I decided to check it out. Glad I did. 

Strong shades of Double Indemnity here, not just from its casting of the same male lead. But the best one of set 4 so far.

Three Stooges:

One of the few where the lads don't play themselves and structured a bit differently than all other Stooges shorts I've watched. Solid but not one of their best. It was the last to feature Shemp before his death.

My friend's mother would tell us off for swearing (not very seriously) and say "I hope you aren't using any of those Foley words". Because yeah, this is a bit sweary.