Here’s what the ole Wolfensteiner had been watching in November 2019.
I watched Pennyworth the origin story of Batman’s butler Alfred. I wasn’t expecting it to be so good. Jack Bannon plays a young Michael Caine version of Alfred set in an alternative 60s London. However it warps timelines together. It effectively molds Victorian and World War Two into the 60s. This is not the CW television universe of PG superhero series. No this is pure adult in nature and is extremely gruesome and dark. Shock standout of the series is, would you believe it?, singer Paloma Faith. Like a northern terminator “fancy a brew love?“. It’s really very good indeed.
Some proper Star Wars has hit our screens at last in the shape of The Mandalorian. The short run-times were off putting at first but when you get used to it you realise you can watch the episode again straight away. Pedro Pascal is the man under the mask in the Jon Favreau created series. So far a few big names have popped up like Nick Nolte’s voice, Werner Herzog looking dodgy and who wouldn’t love seeing Carl Weathers as a bad ass bounty hunter? The first 3 episodes are excellent but be warned episode 4 is a real stinker! Fingers crossed it was just a wobble. Perfect family time and everyone loves the little baby Y…
That’s it for the TV.
Wolfman’s Rating System Explained – We All Have A System Don’t We?
17 films this month and a total of 205 this year
697 since the start of the blog in January 2017.
Born to Kill (1947) – Wolfman Rating 8.5 – IMDB Rating 7.2
Cold murderous film noir film. Ooooo it’s so brutal. Have a look what I thought over at my Wolfy Write Up
Angel Has Fallen (2019) – Wolfman Rating 6 – IMDB Rating 6.5
Third part in the Gerard Butler action series. I really liked Olympus Has Fallen but London Has Fallen was total crap. Angel is better than that and a pretty good action fun. Made better with an old man Nick Nolte.
Apache Warrior (2017) – Wolfman Rating 6.5 – IMDB Rating 6.8
Also known as The Veil. A documentary about a squadron of Apache Attack Helicopters involved in a massive cluster fuck of a mission. It’s OK but ultimately shows some real inept planning up the command chain. Best bits, “there aint no birds out here“. The city lights going out and seeing the state of the Apaches at the end. I bet Boeing was rubbing their hands for new contracts after. On Netflix.
Shaun of the Dead (2004) – Wolfman Rating 10 – IMDB Rating 7.9
Edgar Wright, Simon Pegg and Nick Frost created a perfect zombie comedy. Lots of copycat zom-coms came after but this is the daddy. Watched it so many times and I still love it. I’d introduced it to Nyah a few years ago and she joined us for Kofi’s turn. Brilliant.
Sherlock Holmes Dressed To Kill (1946) – Wolfman Rating 7.5 – IMDB Rating 6.9
Back for two more Sherlock and Dr Watson’s.
Sherlock Holmes The Spider Woman (1943) – Wolfman Rating 8 – IMDB Rating 7.1
This one was most excellent. Really enjoyed them all but this one is higher up the rankings for me.
Jane Eyre (1943) – Wolfman Rating 7.5 – IMDB Rating 7.5
A rare film for just me and Mrs Wolf to watch just together. She’s a Charlotte Brontë mega fan but hadn’t seen this version before. I was surprised to see it have film noir styles in it’s execution. We both enjoyed it and Orson Welles was his usual bit moody self but it was pointed out to me that Joan Fontaine is way to pretty for the Jane Eyre. Plus I learnt they missed out a whole section of the book. Still, hopefully we will be watching more films together! We’ll see? hehe
Parasite (2019) – Wolfman Rating 10 – IMDB Rating 8.6
Masterful storytelling and direction from South Korean filmmaker Bong Joon Ho. Very recommended, check it out. It’s perfect.
The Devil Thumbs a Ride (1947) – Wolfman Rating 7 – IMDB Rating 6.9
A dangerous road trip with Lawrence Tierney. Check my write up for details here if you wish.
Bodyguard (1948 ) – Wolfman Rating 7 – IMDB Rating 6.5
Really enjoyable Lawrence Tierney in good guy role drama. Check it out here on my wolfy write up
The Ghost Ship (1943) – Wolfman Rating 6.5 – IMDB Rating 6.7
After doing three posts featuring Lawrence Tierney I was surprised to see him pop up in this murder on the seas film. I had no idea he was in it. He’s a good guy again too? Really! The film is ok but elevated by a strange looking mute guy called Finn played by Skelton Knaggs. He was most excellent.
Murder, My Sweet (1944) – Wolfman Rating 9 – IMDB Rating 7.6
I got there in the end. Classy noir from director Edward Dmytryk starring Dick Powell and Claire Trevor to name a few. A complex web of mystery and deceit around every corner. I will be watching this again.
Fight Club (1999) – Wolfman Rating 10 – IMDB Rating8.8
Perfection in this classic from David Fincher. I introduced it to my daughter, she loved it too. So good to see again it after so long. It’s so good it’s been imprinted on the mind. Even after 20 years it felt like yesterday I had seen it. Every scene and detail incredible to just watch it unfold.
L.A. Confidential (1997) – Wolfman Rating 10 – IMDB Rating 8.2
Same as above. Introducing a classic to my daughter Nyah and getting to re-watch a film I loved so much again after such a very long break. Kevin Spacey, Russell Crowe and Guy Pearce were all top of their game here. Surrounded by superb performances from all corners. Another incredible film.
Desperate (1947) – Wolfman Rating 7 – IMDB Rating 6.8
You can read some stuff on this one on my wolfy write up here.
The Peanut Butter Falcon (2019) – Wolfman Rating 8 – IMDB Rating 7.7
This is a wonderful little beautifully told story. Shia LaBeouf is back on form but this is the Zack Gottsagen show. Zak runs away from his care home to make his dream of becoming a wrestler come true. It’s has a great vibe in this nice natured film. Recommended.
King Kong (1933) – Wolfman Rating 9 – IMDB Rating 7.9
I haven’t seen this since being a kid. It’s just so awesome. The effects are out of this world, still. What an inventive story too. Fay Wray is just so divine and the perfect scream queen. If you wanna know more about her then you will be in the right place if you pop on over to Mike’s Take On The Movie’s and read his amazing interview with Fay’s daughter Victoria Riskin. 10 Questions with Victoria Riskin.
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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 look to see what’s been watched. All the best……… The howling one, Mikey
