What’s Been Watched This Month – March 2019

Here’s what the Wolfman has watched in March 2019.

I loved Marvel’s The Punisher first season on Netflix so much a few years back. Jon Bernthal was formidable. He was made for the part, perfect. Excited about the second season but then when I started it I just wasn’t feeling it. Dare I say I didn’t like the inclusion of the young girl or even the preacher that much. Then the news that it had been cancelled and I lost interest mid season. A few weeks later I returned, I had to finish it. I couldn’t leave it like that. You know what I got back into it. The preacher arc got better but I didn’t dig Billy Russo or the shrink at all. Even Dinah Madani got annoying. All in all it was ok. Netflix has to drop these series down to 10 episodes. 13 adds too much unnecessary filler. They become a drag. Hence why The Umbrella Academy flowed so well.

Another 10 parter and one incredible series. It’s title DARK sums it up in mood but doesn’t portray what lies beneath. What you will find is a dark, twisting tale of the supernatural and time travel. It’s like an adult version of Stranger Things on steroids, mixed with gothic noir. It’s intelligent sci-fi with a compelling, confusing narrative. And when the story slowly reveals itself, it is one of the most beautiful edited piece of storytelling out there. It’s truly awesome.

Right on to the films

Wolfman’s Rating System Explained – We All Have A System Don’t We?

18 films this month and a total of 72 this year
564 since the start of the blog in January 2017.

Woman on the Run (1950) – Wolfman Rating 8 – IMDB Rating 7.4
Ann Sheridan and Dennis O’Keefe exchange banter and run around San Francisco. Check out my Wolfie Write Up Here

A Streetcar Named Desire (1951) – Wolfman Rating 8.5 – IMDB Rating 8
My daughter Nyah is studying the Tennessee Williams play for her A-Levels. So I joined her, Vivien Leigh, Marlon Brando and Kim Hunter in the classic drama which I hadn’t seen before. Was so good discussing it after and hearing all the differences between the film and the play. STEELLLLLAAAA

First Man (2018) – Wolfman Rating 8.5 – IMDB Rating 7.4
A look at astronaut Neil Armstrong and the Apollo Moon program. Ryan Gosling fitted into the Moon boots well. I love all things space and enjoyed the historical side of this drama.

Hangover Square (1945) – Wolfman Rating 9 – IMDB Rating 7.4
I was taken aback by this dark film noir drama with Laird Cregar and Linda Darnell. You can find out why on my Wolfie Write Up Here

Forbidden World (1982) – Wolfman Rating 5.5 – IMDB Rating 5.2
I may of only given this Roger Corman produced sci-fi horror 5.5 but man it’s so much fun. Check my post if you wish to find out more on Wolfie Write Up Here

Le Cercle Rouge (1970) – Wolfman Rating 9 – IMDB Rating 8.1
I’ve been holding on to this one for sometime as I desperately wanted to do a post on this wonderful French film starring Alain Delon. Unfortunately I can’t find time to do them all. It’s a really recommended Jean-Pierre Melville directed movie. Yep like his other stuff, super stylish and a darn cool, crime drama thriller. Track it down if you haven’t seen it.

Spy (2015) – Wolfman Rating 6.5 – IMDB Rating 7
A shut off the brain weekend film that was pretty manic. Melissa McCarthy stars with a scene stealing performance from Jason Statham riffing on his persona.

Lawman (1971) – Wolfman Rating 7.5 – IMDB Rating 7
Michael Winner directs this superb western about aging cowboys and lawmen. Burt Lancaster, Robert Ryan and Lee J Cobb star with lots of familiar faces. Sure you want to know more? Well pop on over to Mike’s Take On The Movies for his excellent review.

Murder She Said (1961) – Wolfman Rating 7 – IMDB Rating 7.4
Margaret Rutherford made me smile as Miss Marple in this Agatha Christie murder mystery.

Get Out (2017) – Wolfman Rating 8.5 – IMDB Rating 7.7
Daniel Kaluuya stars in Jordan Peele’s horror thriller. I’d somehow managed to have stayed away from any spoilers! Plays like a Black Mirror film. It’s really very good and lucky for me, hehe, it wasn’t as scary as I was expecting.

Babylon (1980) – Wolfman Rating 10 – IMDB Rating 7.2
Yeah of course this isn’t a straight TEN to all but for me, well you can see why it is on my Wolfie Write Up Here

The Way to the Stars (1945) – Wolfman Rating 8.5 – IMDB Rating 7.5
Also known as Johnny in the Clouds. This is a story about life in a small village taken over by British and American bomber squadrons. You can read about it here if you wish. Wolfie Write Up Here

Alien 3 (1992) – Wolfman Rating 8 – IMDB Rating 6.4
David Fincher directs Sigourney Weaver and a whole gaggle of British convicts effing and blinding their way around tunnels trying not to be Alien fodder. It gets a bad rap this one but I’ve always enjoyed it. I think because of the cast. Ralph Brown and Paul McGann from Withnail and I and Brian Glover from An American Werewolf In London. Even Pete Postlethwaite gets in carnage to follow. So many familiar faces. It’s claustrophobic, dark and really tense. Of course it’s not as good as the first two but number 3, imho easily comes in third place.

What We Do In The Shadows (2014) – Wolfman Rating 8 – IMDB Rating 7.7
Jemaine Clement, Taika Waititi and friends bring this silly and really good fun mockumentary filled with charm. Been wanting to too see it since it’s release but the supernatural planets never aligned. If I’m honest it’s a little clunky to start off with but as soon as you gel with the characters it’s hilarious. Of course I related to Rhys Darby’s werewolf the most. Even though I’m a massive Matt Berry fan, I not sure about the series. Was gutted when I realised none of this crew is in it.

Death on the Nile (1978) – Wolfman Rating 8 – IMDB Rating 7.3
Sir Peter Ustinov is most excellent as Hercule Poirot. I’m sure you want to read more about this film? Well you are in luck, pop on over to Jay’s Cinema Essentials. It’s a top read.

Twelve O’Clock High (1949) – Wolfman Rating 10 – IMDB Rating 7.8
Gregory Peck, Hugh Marlowe, Gary Merrill and Dean Jagger turn out a perfect movie filled with tension and drama. You’re welcome to have a read of what I thought on my Wolfie Write Up Here

The Wrong Man (1956) – Wolfman Rating 8 – IMDB Rating 7.5
Another film I had been holding on to with the intention of doing a movie post. Just not going to get to it now unfortunately. Bass player, Henry Fonda gets mistaken for an innocent man in this Alfred Hitchcock film loosely based on true events.

The Whisperers (1967) – Wolfman Rating 7.5 – IMDB Rating 7.2
Edith Evans delivers an incredible performance in this bleak kitchen sink drama set in the north of England. Curious? I did a post on it at Wolfie Write Up Here

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It was yet another fun month though some of the movies did indeed have some deep story lines. Any goodies in there you have seen and liked? Thoughts, recommends etc always welcome if you fancy too.

Keep watching the screens. Thanks for having a gander. Michael Wolfster