Predators, by Albert W. Vogt III
The Predator franchise is the one set of movies where I feel it is okay to do them out of order. After the first two, anyway, there really is not an order to them. They are, along with the Alien series, two of the most recognizable science fiction/horror films around. Because of this name recognition, the studio that holds the rights to… Read more “Predators, by Albert W. Vogt III”
Predator 2, by Albert W. Vogt III
Get ready for another slog through a motion picture franchise! Since I have already reviewed the original Predator (1987), a cinematic masterpiece of the highest order (and I mean no sarcasm with that sentiment), I have been thinking that I should do the rest of the films in this series. I have seen them all, and they range… Read more “Predator 2, by Albert W. Vogt III”
The Perfect Score, by Albert W. Vogt III
When I was in high school, I prepared for the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) by reading a book called Up Your Score: The Underground Guide to the SAT. I was an idiot back in those days, though such is the foolishness of youth. I was aware of the myriad of other preparation materials, but my perusal of them… Read more “The Perfect Score, by Albert W. Vogt III”
Don’t Worry Darling, by Albert W. Vogt III
Don’t Worry Darling should be my prayer right now. This has only to do with the words of the title, not the actual content. Briefly, we should all be worried about this psychological thriller, but that is for a conversation later in this review. As I write, I have a lot on my plate. Over the past almost two months,… Read more “Don’t Worry Darling, by Albert W. Vogt III”
Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous, by Albert W. Vogt III
Here we go with another Sandra Bullock film with Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous (2005). That sounds more uncharitable than is intended. As I have said in other reviews of her films, I enjoy her work. Still, they are kind of redundant. Her sense of humor shines through, but the plots are usually similar. That is why I appreciate a film… Read more “Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous, by Albert W. Vogt III”
The Woman King, by Albert W. Vogt III
Honestly, I completely forgot about See How They Run. I know I saw the trailer for it a couple times, and my interest was piqued. You will have to forgive a trained historian, though, for getting excited about a film dealing with the past. That is the case for The Woman King. I have no idea as to the quality of See… Read more “The Woman King, by Albert W. Vogt III”
The Italian Job (2003), by Albert W. Vogt III
I am aware that there are two versions of The Italian Job, one made in 1969 and the other in 2003. I have seen bits and pieces of the original, mainly the end, and I can also tell you that cars are involved. This is important because I have no idea as to how they compare, though I… Read more “The Italian Job (2003), by Albert W. Vogt III”
Mr. Right, by Albert W. Vogt III
Rumor has it that Netflix is on its way out. If so, that will save me $20 a month, which I gladly pay for the people who also use my account. Until then, it is a useful thing to have to peruse when inspiration is not striking me as readily as it does at other times. While scrolling… Read more “Mr. Right, by Albert W. Vogt III”
Medieval, by Albert W. Vogt III
History will always trump horror, even if it is largely a load of crap like Medieval. I will explain more about that later. For now, know that I went to my movie app this weekend to see what was playing, and the choices were Medieval and Barbarian. I could not remember what the latter was about, so I refreshed my memory with… Read more “Medieval, by Albert W. Vogt III”
1944, by Albert W. Vogt III
War sucks. That is a revealing statement for a historian who came to be interested in the subject because of military history. I am not sure what other fathers talked to their sons about, but mine regaled me with tales of the campaigns of Napoleon. There was a romance to this past, which my young mind absorbed in… Read more “1944, by Albert W. Vogt III”
Bram Stoker’s Dracula, by Albert W. Vogt III
If there is one movie that I feel best encapsulates my distaste for certain films as a practicing Catholic, it is Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992). Though tales of vampires predate the Irish author Bram Stoker’s most well-known work, simply titled Dracula (1897), it is the one most often credited for kick starting the Western craze for these monsters. And I do… Read more “Bram Stoker’s Dracula, by Albert W. Vogt III”
Wild Wild West, by Albert W. Vogt III
Believe it or not, I can remember a time before streaming services, and before cable television even, when the choices for your evening entertainment were limited to the few channels your antenna could receive. I have most of the modern conveniences today, and yet I live in a house that still relies on an antenna. But that… Read more “Wild Wild West, by Albert W. Vogt III”
28 Days Later, by Albert W. Vogt III
My distaste for the majority of horror films is well documented. In short, they are among the most formulaic of movie genres. In other words, predictable. On the other hand, I do not totally mind predictability. One thing I cannot do while watching any piece of cinema is turn off my brain. Rightly or wrongly, I will find a logic… Read more “28 Days Later, by Albert W. Vogt III”
Beast, by Albert W. Vogt III
My Catholic sensibilities had a bit of trepidation reviewing a movie titled Beast. After all, that is one of the names given to the devil. If you knew nothing else about the film and stopped thinking about it at the name, then you would be misled. It is about a man-killing lion, albeit one with a devilish disposition. It also… Read more “Beast, by Albert W. Vogt III”
Rambo: Last Blood, by Albert W. Vogt III
Draw your own conclusions as to whether or not Rambo: Last Blood’s (2019) title makes sense. Given the things that happen over the course of these five films, I gave up trying to figure them out after the first. That does not mean that I will avoid noting the inanities contained therein. Separately, I am not sure why this… Read more “Rambo: Last Blood, by Albert W. Vogt III”
Rambo, by Albert W. Vogt III
Logic would say that the first film in a franchise focused on one character would just have that character’s name as the title. If you knew nothing of the series of movies about Vietnam veteran and former Green Beret John Rambo (Sylvester Stallone), you might assume that Rambo (2008) is the first. Here is where logic gets tossed out… Read more “Rambo, by Albert W. Vogt III”
Rambo III, by Albert W. Vogt III
This might seem strange now, particularly if you are thirty years old or younger, but there was a time when the United States looked upon Afghanistan as a close friend. I give you the heady days of the 1980s, when the Soviet Union was in its last years, yet still trying to expand its influence. Sound familiar? Anyway,… Read more “Rambo III, by Albert W. Vogt III”
Rambo: First Blood, Part II, by Albert W. Vogt III
When I was in elementary school, I had a copy of Rambo: First Blood, Part II (1985) on tape. If memory serves, it had been recorded from broadcast television, which tells you something about the kinds of movies they used to put out over the airwaves in the 1980s. I used to watch it almost every day when I… Read more “Rambo: First Blood, Part II, by Albert W. Vogt III”
First Blood, by Albert W. Vogt III
You might be confused by the title, First Blood (1982). It is a movie about America’s favorite Vietnam veteran, John Rambo (Sylvester Stallone), and it is the first in a franchise of films that feature the character. Strangely enough, the second one is titled Rambo: First Blood, Part II (1985), even though the subtitle was the main title in the first… Read more “First Blood, by Albert W. Vogt III”
Warm Bodies, by Albert W. Vogt III
With Shaun of the Dead (2004), you have a great movie that spoofs the zombie sub-genre of horror. It is that good because not only does it send up many of the classic tropes you expect from such movies, but there is also British wit and a plot. Zombieland (2009) is on the same level. In fact, outside of the original Night… Read more “Warm Bodies, by Albert W. Vogt III”
Training Day, by Albert W. Vogt III
Is it too soon to say nice things about Will Smith? When it came time for the 2002 Academy Awards to be chosen, I was all set for the recently fallen from grace and former Fresh Prince to be handed the Oscar for best actor for his portrayal of Muhammad Ali in Ali (2001). Instead, it went to Denzel… Read more “Training Day, by Albert W. Vogt III”
Bullet Train, by Albert W. Vogt III
Previews are a double-edged sword. I never skip them when I go to the movies, and I get annoyed with myself when I get to the theater after they have completed. Luckily, this has happened only a few times as I routinely arrive at least a half hour before start time. As somebody who goes every weekend, I… Read more “Bullet Train, by Albert W. Vogt III”
The Dirty Dozen, by Albert W. Vogt III
My favorite toys growing up were Legos. I do not know how other kids played with them, but for me it was all about building the sets and keeping them built. I had a bin full of loose parts, but mainly I liked to make things and keep them that way. I am sure there are some of… Read more “The Dirty Dozen, by Albert W. Vogt III”
Where Eagles Dare, by Albert W. Vogt III
When we think of Clint Eastwood’s early career, we usually associate it with the subgenre of films known as “Spaghetti Westerns,” so named for the productions that went overseas to Italy to produce films about the Old West. Today’s film, Where Eagles Dare (1968), is not one of them, and for me it was the one that I… Read more “Where Eagles Dare, by Albert W. Vogt III”
Rosewood, by Albert W. Vogt III
Somewhere in the dim reaches of the collected movies in existence are some extremely low budget films that contain yours truly. During my days as a Civil War reenactor, which was high school up through to my entrance into graduate school, a small-time moviemaker came around our events to shoot his productions. When you are at this… Read more “Rosewood, by Albert W. Vogt III”
The Outlaw Josey Wales, by Albert W. Vogt III
Before the dawn of the end of civilization (my hyperbolic way of referring to the advent of streaming services), people like me used to consume films at home on cable television. Commercials were moments to get up and get something to eat, or use the facilities, rather than something that, if present, can be skipped. If you… Read more “The Outlaw Josey Wales, by Albert W. Vogt III”
Demolition Man, by Albert W. Vogt III
My recent review of the original Blade trilogy got me thinking about Wesley Snipes, or at least slightly more than what I would normally, which is to say never. Why is this the case? During the 1990s, he was as big of an actor as there was going. He did a number of successful movies other than the sometimes ridiculous… Read more “Demolition Man, by Albert W. Vogt III”
DC League of Super-Pets, by Albert W. Vogt III
The summer is coming to a close. Who am I kidding? I live in Florida. Summer will be with us well into October, meteorologically speaking. There is a sobering thought as I sit here on a sweltering Friday evening doing my best to ignore the need for air conditioning. At least it is quiet, relatively speaking. The old man I live… Read more “DC League of Super-Pets, by Albert W. Vogt III”
Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!, by Albert W. Vogt III
Believe it or not, there was a time when Orenthal James “O.J.” Simpson was not known for allegedly killing Nicole Brown and Ron Goldman. I say “allegedly” because while he was acquitted of those charges, public opinion begs to differ. He later went to jail for other reasons. Yet, before his legal troubles began, he turned a hall… Read more “Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!, by Albert W. Vogt III”
This Means War, by Albert W. Vogt III
Offhand, I cannot think of too many films in which Reese Witherspoon appears that I do not enjoy. There has always been something genuine about her that I appreciate. I have seen Sweet Home Alabama (2002) dozens of times, and I love Legally Blonde (2001) as much as the next person. I have also already reviewed both of those movies. One of… Read more “This Means War, by Albert W. Vogt III”
Zero Dark Thirty, by Albert W. Vogt III
When you have seen every World War II film worth watching and it is Memorial Day, you start trying to find different titles. More importantly to my financial bottom line, I was sticking to whatever I could find on my various streaming services. In skimming through them before, I had glanced at, and skipped over, Zero Dark Thirty (2012)… Read more “Zero Dark Thirty, by Albert W. Vogt III”
Memphis Belle, by Albert W. Vogt III
Once more unto the breach of history and film with Memphis Belle (1990). It is one of the first modern movies I can remember that I saw as a young ‘un and enjoyed. I was naïve. Outside of the name of the B-17 Flying Fortress aircraft and the fact that it flew twenty-five successful missions, the first to do so,… Read more “Memphis Belle, by Albert W. Vogt III”
Bonnie and Clyde, by Albert W. Vogt III
My favorite class to teach is a course on Film and Twentieth Century America. I patterned it after the one I had taken with one of my mentors at Loyola University Chicago, Lewis Erenberg. In his version, we watched Bonnie and Clyde (1967). When it came time for me to offer it, I decided not to include it. I understood… Read more “Bonnie and Clyde, by Albert W. Vogt III”
The Love Bug, by Albert W. Vogt III
On Disney+, at least on my version of the home screen, there is often a section titled “Nostalgic movies.” Sometimes it is there, sometimes it is not, and I have no idea when it will display. The artificial intelligence controlling these things is a fickle creature. When it does come up, it speaks to an old fuddy-duddy like… Read more “The Love Bug, by Albert W. Vogt III”
From Hell, by Albert W. Vogt III
Sometimes you remember a movie one way, watch it again, and find that it does not quite fit the image in your brain. I have probably said this in other reviews, but it bears repeating for a movie such as From Hell (2001). Given my current devotion, something I did not have back then, it might come as a… Read more “From Hell, by Albert W. Vogt III”
Grosse Pointe Blank, by Albert W. Vogt III
They say there is no going home. I am not on board with this philosophy. For me, home is a suburb of Chicago, though I include the entire metropolitan area in this construction. I try to go home as often as possible. A visit up there means a return to our favorite hot dog stand (in reality, it is… Read more “Grosse Pointe Blank, by Albert W. Vogt III”
Thor: Love and Thunder, by Albert W. Vogt III
Like many people, Thor: Ragnarok (2017) was my first exposure to Taika Waititi, who directed it and provided the voice for the rock creature known as Korg. I guess there were some who knew him from What We Do in the Shadows (2014), but it was only after the former came out that I saw the latter. Whenever someone comes along… Read more “Thor: Love and Thunder, by Albert W. Vogt III”
Hook, by Albert W. Vogt III
If you want a telling of J. M. Barrie’s Peter Pan without the offhand racism Disney (unwittingly, I suppose) injected into the story in 1953, watch Hook (1991). Granted, it is more of a modern telling of the tale. The original is about the thrill of getting to be young forever, and to carry on in a commiserate manner. Peter is “the… Read more “Hook, by Albert W. Vogt III”
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, by Albert W. Vogt III
Finally. Did you know that every film in the current five movie series that is Pirates of the Caribbean is at least two hours in length, on average close to two and a half hours, with the third being nearly three? That is almost fifteen hours of your entire life that you would have to devote to watching them… Read more “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, by Albert W. Vogt III”
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, by Albert W. Vogt III
Going into watching Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (2011), I kept telling myself, “Just one more after this one.” That will be a true statement until they release the sixth installment of this idiotic franchise. Who knows when that will be, and that ambiguity offers small comfort. Based on the limited rumors that I have gleaned from the… Read more “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, by Albert W. Vogt III”
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End, by Albert W. Vogt III
If only the subtitle in Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End (2007) meant the final entry in the cinematic universe that is this franchise. Actually, it could have been, but they decided to mush on with two more after this one. For those of you who think filmmaking is simply about producing quality movies, I give you this… Read more “Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End, by Albert W. Vogt III”
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest, by Albert W. Vogt III
Why could they not have just stopped Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Pearl (2003)? Oh yeah, because the movie took in over $500 million above its cost to produce. Sigh. If I may rail for one more moment against this film, why is its subtitle The Curse of the Black Pearl? The only hex placed on anyone is for… Read more “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest, by Albert W. Vogt III”
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, by Albert W. Vogt III
Get ready for The Legionnaire tackling the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise! Hooray! At least, I hope you are more thrilled about it than I am. I hate these movies. I try to avoid using that word, but there it is. Among the many stories from history that fascinated me as a youngster, tales of piracy made up a portion of them. I even had… Read more “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, by Albert W. Vogt III”
The Patriot, by Albert W. Vogt III
As I get more reviews on The Legionnaire, I begin to forget which movies I covered. Most of the time, I can tell you whether or not there is an article about a title. As I approach 1,000 reviews, though, I am beginning to forget. For example, if you had told me before last week that I had not… Read more “The Patriot, by Albert W. Vogt III”
Blade: Trinity, by Albert W. Vogt III
Did you know that there are actually three different Marvel cinematic franchises in which Ryan Reynolds appears? Before he donned the famous red body suit of Deadpool (2016), before he was an early version of Wade Wilson in X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009), he was Hannibal King in Blade: Trinity (2004). Please do not take that as a recommendation to see Blade: Trinity. If it… Read more “Blade: Trinity, by Albert W. Vogt III”
Blade II, by Albert W. Vogt III
Since they decided to make a trilogy out of the rather obscure Marvel vampire character known as Blade (Wesley Snipes), why not review all of them? I mean, what else does one have to do on a week night? Sometimes, I think, well, I have a privileged position that allows me to scrape the cinematic depths. Occasionally, it… Read more “Blade II, by Albert W. Vogt III”
Blade, by Albert W. Vogt III
Among the uncountable things that Marvel Studios is up to these days, backed by the seemingly limitless money of Disney, is to bring their vampire hunting superhero Blade into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Or at least that is the rumor. You can see the day-walking bloodsucker’s hero amongst the titles in whatever future phase is next… Read more “Blade, by Albert W. Vogt III”
Children of Men, by Albert W. Vogt III
There was a year that I went to the movies every weekend and kept a diary of all the films I saw. It was a New Year’s Resolution I made, and they are promises that I do not take lightly. One might look at what I do now with The Legionnaire and say to this revelation, so what? You do… Read more “Children of Men, by Albert W. Vogt III”
Full Metal Jacket, by Albert W. Vogt III
The only Stanley Kubrick films I reviewed are A Clockwork Orange (1971) and The Shining (1980). If you are at all familiar with these films, you will understand the tone of most of the famous director’s work. In short, he seems to have had a penchant for violence. It is not the random kind, either, which in many respects is scarier. Though I… Read more “Full Metal Jacket, by Albert W. Vogt III”
Lightyear, by Albert W. Vogt III
Unlike the rest of humanity, I guess, I do not get excited for the next Pixar movie. Because I look at my reviews as a ministry, I go to the theater to see them more out of a sense of duty than anticipation for the next Disney production. I am willing to be pleasantly surprised. Though not Pixar,… Read more “Lightyear, by Albert W. Vogt III”
The Quick and the Dead, by Albert W. Vogt III
Whatever happened to Sharon Stone? Given some of the movies she became famous for in the 1990s, it is probably a good thing that we have not heard much from her in recent years. A look at her filmography on the International Movie Database (IMDb) will show you that she has been working since the 1990s, quite… Read more “The Quick and the Dead, by Albert W. Vogt III”
The Lost City of Z, by Albert W. Vogt III
For years now, I have been avoiding The Lost City of Z (2016). I had noticed it a couple of times while scrolling through the offerings on Amazon Prime, but knew nothing about it and dismissed it out of hand. Given the last letter of the title, I assumed that it was some kind of zombie film. I do not… Read more “The Lost City of Z, by Albert W. Vogt III”
The Colony, by Albert W. Vogt III
Sometimes, picking an unknown movie off of Netflix is like playing roulette: you spin the wheel and hope it lands on something good. The main hope is that it does not become the Russian variety, or make you feel like playing it. As the opening credits rolled for The Colony (2021), alternatively titled Tides (which makes more sense), my first thought… Read more “The Colony, by Albert W. Vogt III”
The Guns of Navarone, by Albert W. Vogt III
Not all World War II movies are created equal. Then again, such a blanket statement could be applied in so many different ways as to be meaningless. Not all toasters are created equal. Not all chinchillas are created equal. The only things in creation that are equal before God are us humans, and He loves us all the same. With… Read more “The Guns of Navarone, by Albert W. Vogt III”
The Pacifier, by Albert W. Vogt III
The reason I chose The Pacifier (2005) is because I wanted to see Vin Diesel, who plays Navy Sea Air and Land (SEAL) officer Lieutenant Shane Wolfe, in a comedic role. Here is the list of Vin Diesel comedies: The Pacifier. That was the list of Vin Diesel comedies. That alone should tell you how bad of a film it is,… Read more “The Pacifier, by Albert W. Vogt III”
Jurassic World Dominion, by Albert W. Vogt III
Go ahead, ask me if I have seen Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018). The answer to this query, spoken aloud or not, is no. Or at least I do not think I have seen it. If you have seen one dinosaur movie, you have seen them all. I like the original, Jurassic Park (1993). The same can be said for millions of others, so… Read more “Jurassic World Dominion, by Albert W. Vogt III”
Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi
The only Star Wars films I have left to review after Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi (2017) are the prequels. At least this will be the last one of the franchise that I will cover that I truly enjoyed. And yes, I did mean “enjoyed.” As I mentioned in my review of Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens (2015),… Read more “Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi”
Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens, by Albert W. Vogt III
In going through my reviews recently, I was surprised to find that this Catholic reviewer, huge Star Wars fan to boot, has not covered Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens (2015). Perhaps some of this has to do with the fact that I seem to be part of the minority that likes the new films. Because of this, I… Read more “Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens, by Albert W. Vogt III”
Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith
There are those who, like me, are Star Wars fans but do not like the prequels. Within this subset slice of humanity, there are some who believe Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005) is good. I can understand some of the reasoning behind this flawed notion. After all, for all their warts, the prequels are still Star Wars. While I… Read more “Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith”
Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones, by Albert W. Vogt III
For those of you who wanted a better follow up to Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999) with Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones (2002), I am so sorry. It was a reasonable expectation. People loved the original Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977) for good reason. Whether you want to talk about it in… Read more “Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones, by Albert W. Vogt III”
Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, by Albert W. Vogt III
For years, this Star Wars fan subsisted on re-watching the original trilogy. I viewed the first three movies so many times I had them memorized, shot-for-shot, word-for-word. In high school, when my know-it-all teenaged self would get bored with whatever it was the teacher was saying, I would play one of these films in my head. I got through many… Read more “Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, by Albert W. Vogt III”
Operation Dumbo Drop, by Albert W. Vogt III
Disney does a lot of things right, but never send them to do a legitimate war movie. That is not to say that Operation Dumbo Drop is a bad film. There are actually many things to like about it. I must confess, too, that I saw it under less-than-ideal circumstances. In any case, the historian in me could not help but… Read more “Operation Dumbo Drop, by Albert W. Vogt III”
The Book of Eli, by Albert W. Vogt III
It can be pretty amazing the way you look at movies differently at various points in your life. When I first saw The Book of Eli (2010), spiritually speaking I was a far cry from where I am now in my walk with God. As a result, all I could focus on at that time was how bad of… Read more “The Book of Eli, by Albert W. Vogt III”
American Gangster, by Albert W. Vogt III
Recency bias is a real thing. It is also understandable. The only time and place with which we can ever hope to come to grasp in any meaningful way is the here and now, and even then we can never know it as God does. There are some things that will always be beyond us, and coming to… Read more “American Gangster, by Albert W. Vogt III”
Riddick, by Albert W. Vogt III
Talk about a franchise chasing its tail. When Pitch Black (2000) came out, the film did little in the box office. As I briefly mentioned in my review of that film, what gained a following for the film were people who saw it after it left theaters. There is something, how should I put this, different, about the original. A group… Read more “Riddick, by Albert W. Vogt III”
The Chronicles of Riddick, by Albert W. Vogt III
Since I reviewed Pitch Black (2000), why not do the sequel, The Chronicles of Riddick (2004)? Actually, there is an animated featurette called The Chronicles of Riddick: Dark Fury (2004) that is technically the follow-up to the 2000 science fiction horror film that was star Vin Diesel’s real big break. I saw it once, a long time ago, and thought it confusing. It is… Read more “The Chronicles of Riddick, by Albert W. Vogt III”
Pitch Black, by Albert W. Vogt III
Let us take a look at the career of one Vin Diesel. Today, we know him as the mumbling voice behind Dominic Toretto, the star of the annoyingly long lasting Fast and Furious franchise. Or is just the Furious saga? Who cares? That is perhaps the series with which he is most associated, but that is not how he broke into the industry. By… Read more “Pitch Black, by Albert W. Vogt III”
Top Gun: Maverick, by Albert W. Vogt III
With countless commercials ignored (much to the ire of the person sitting two seats over), and a long parade of trailers gotten through, Top Gun: Maverick . . . does not begin. Instead, we get a sort of personal thank you from the movie’s star, Tom Cruise, who plays the legendary Captain Pete “Maverick” Mitchell. I suppose we deserve… Read more “Top Gun: Maverick, by Albert W. Vogt III”
The Hurt Locker, by Albert W. Vogt III
The first film I remember Jeremy Renner appearing in was S.W.A.T. (2003). In it, he plays Brian Gamble, a disgraced former member of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team for the city of Los Angeles, who is the film’s villain. His character is cocky and has a bit of a mouth on him. In many respects, it is similar… Read more “The Hurt Locker, by Albert W. Vogt III”
Blazing Saddles, by Albert W. Vogt III
There are movies that are so good as to be recognized among the greats by the American Film Institute (AFI), and yet seem to get little attention today. One of these is Blazing Saddles (1974). I suppose there are reasons why many do not think about it. In our hyper-sensitive society (which, by the way, is not all bad), the… Read more “Blazing Saddles, by Albert W. Vogt III”
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, by Albert W. Vogt III
Not long after I got my Disney+ subscription, one of the first movies I watched was 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954). I remembered enjoying it as a kid when it played on the old Disney Channel, one of the early big media cable outlets. When the streaming service premiered, I took it as an opportunity to revisit… Read more “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, by Albert W. Vogt III”
The Bombardment, by Albert W. Vogt III
I am confused. When I came across The Bombardment (2021), I thought, okay, an interesting military drama that I had yet to see. I even watched what Netflix hilariously refers to as a preview, which is really a clip from the movie taken out of context. Not completely out of context, though, as there was the brief description that, along… Read more “The Bombardment, by Albert W. Vogt III”
X-Men Origins: Wolverine, by Albert W. Vogt III
If you have seen Deadpool 2 (2018), and you are a veteran of Marvel films, you will have stuck around during the credits and noticed Wolverine/Logan/Jimmy Howlett (Hugh Jackman) in X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009) looking on as Deadpool/Wade Wilson (Ryan Reynolds) sidles up to the earlier cinematic version of himself and shoots him in the head. Before exiting stage right,… Read more “X-Men Origins: Wolverine, by Albert W. Vogt III”
300, by Albert W. Vogt III
There is an old, long forgotten movie called The 300 Spartans (1962). If you were like me with a dad with a love of history, one of the stories you grew up hearing was that to the eponymous band of Greek soldiers who stood up to the horde of the Persian Empire. “Horde,” if you believe the ancient sources,… Read more “300, by Albert W. Vogt III”
Valkyrie, by Albert W. Vogt III
What if I told you that World War II could have ended almost a year before it did? For those who have a passing interest in such events, you will undoubtedly understand that I am referring to the failed attempt to assassinate Adolf Hitler (David Bamber) in July of 1944. It was really a fluke that he… Read more “Valkyrie, by Albert W. Vogt III”
Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness, by Cameron J. Czaja
The Multiverse. Even though the concept of it has been thought out for a while now, I haven’t really put much thought into it. Ever since watching the Disney+ shows Loki (2021) and What if. . . ? (2021), and the more recent film Everything Everywhere All at Once, however, that idea started circling in my head and had me… Read more “Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness, by Cameron J. Czaja”
Turner & Hooch, by Albert W. Vogt III
You would not believe how many dog related films have been made. Or maybe you would believe it. I do not know. I do not know you. Or maybe I do? Who knows? Okay, let us back away from the hypothetical ledge (in more ways than one), and get back to dog films. Yes, nothing says cinematic gold like having a pooch… Read more “Turner & Hooch, by Albert W. Vogt III”
Firestarter (2022), by Albert W. Vogt III
Believe it or not, there was another movie that opened this weekend. If you follow the buzz (whatever that means), or look at theater listings, you could almost fool yourself into thinking that Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness started last Friday, not the remake of one of the string of Stephen King adaptations to haunt… Read more “Firestarter (2022), by Albert W. Vogt III”
Date Night, by Albert W. Vogt III
I have never married, though I have been in a few long-lasting relationships. There is a sort of fortune cookie saying from a movie called Hope Floats (1998) about living life that I believe can be applied to either dating situations or marriages: beginnings are scary, endings are sad, but it is what is in the middle that… Read more “Date Night, by Albert W. Vogt III”
Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, by Albert W. Vogt III
There was a time when part of Disney’s Hollywood Studios was dedicated to a little film called Honey, I Shrunk the Kids (1989). In fact, the park opened the same year as the movie, originally as Disney’s MGM Studios. In case you are wondering, MGM stands for Metro-Goldwyn Mayer. At any rate, one of the early attractions at the… Read more “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, by Albert W. Vogt III”
Gunpowder Milkshake, by Albert W. Vogt III
Whenever my broadcast partner for Down and Out Reviews, the podcast I do with Isaac (please also check out our YouTube channel Oh Man Disney), says he is going to watch a movie on Netflix, that means it is going to be our next topic of conversation. Luckily, as he was stumbling over the title about which… Read more “Gunpowder Milkshake, by Albert W. Vogt III”
National Treasure: Book of Secrets, by Albert W. Vogt III
Because I found National Treasure (2004) so ridiculous, I must not have bothered going to the theater for National Treasure: Book of Secrets (2007). That is what I am telling myself. I actually thought I had seen it when it premiered, but I have no recollection of it. After re-watching it on Disney+, all I can say is that if it did… Read more “National Treasure: Book of Secrets, by Albert W. Vogt III”
Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, by Albert W. Vogt III
You can make quite the list of people who have played Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s famous detective Sherlock Holmes. Everyone from Basil Rathbone (ever hear of him?) to Will Ferrell, there have been well known comedians and child actors of both sexes who have filled the part. The two best ones of late have been Benedict Cumberbatch… Read more “Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, by Albert W. Vogt III”
Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness, by Albert W. Vogt III
While walking out of Mass this weekend, I complimented our pastor on the use of the words “cat’s meow” and “anthropomorphic” during his homily. We had a nice chuckle, and then I asked if he wanted to go see Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness. He said he wanted to watch it, but politely declined citing not… Read more “Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness, by Albert W. Vogt III”
Dunkirk, by Albert W. Vogt III
Whenever a historically themed movie is about to come out, I am usually excited. The excitement is amplified when it deals with warfare. The old stand-by is World War II, and there are some excellent films about the events between 1939 and 1945 (let us remember that the war began before the United States entered in late… Read more “Dunkirk, by Albert W. Vogt III”
The Heat, by Albert W. Vogt III
Recently, I saw The Lost City, which starred Sandra Bullock. Seeing her in a comedy/action film reminded me of a different film of hers that I enjoy called The Heat (2013). My, how things have changed since 2013. Of course, there are a lot of comparisons between the two films, other than the presence of Sandra Bullock. As such, it is not… Read more “The Heat, by Albert W. Vogt III”
Everything Everywhere All at Once, by Albert W. Vogt III
What is to follow is yours truly attempting to describe the impossible. The first thing to say about this particular brand of impossible is that it is called Everything Everywhere All at Once. If you read that title as a sentence, this too is impossible, unless you are God. This will factor into the review later, so keep this… Read more “Everything Everywhere All at Once, by Albert W. Vogt III”
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, by Cameron J. Czaja
Whether you love or hate him, one can’t deny that Nicolas Case has made a major impact in Hollywood throughout his career. From his very eccentric acting style to internet memes that have flooded social media, he has been somewhat of a cultural icon that I’m embracing even if I’m not the biggest fan of… Read more “The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, by Cameron J. Czaja”
The Negotiator, by Albert W. Vogt III
Is it safe yet to again talk about Kevin Spacey? Before his seemingly deserved fall from grace, he was about as popular of an actor as there was in the business. I never completely shared this wide sentiment. To be fair, there were some flicks in which he appeared that I enjoyed. I am not one of the legion… Read more “The Negotiator, by Albert W. Vogt III”
The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men, by Albert W. Vogt III
I wish I had a good explanation for odd events, though I do try my best. I hope The Legionnaire is a testament to my desire to make sense of the current goings on by using my Catholic perspective. Movies are my vehicle for doing so, and my desire is that they help my fellow faithful (or anyone) to… Read more “The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men, by Albert W. Vogt III”
Shipwrecked, by Albert W. Vogt III
Memory can be a funny thing. The other day, while scrolling through the choices on Disney+, I noticed a long-forgotten film, Shipwrecked (1990). I remembered virtually nothing about the film. The title does kind of give away some of the story, though that does not happen until nearly the halfway point. I do recall the kid, and that there was a… Read more “Shipwrecked, by Albert W. Vogt III”
Incredibles 2, by Albert W. Vogt III
Since I had already done The Incredibles (2004), why not do the sequel, Incredibles 2 (2018). Why did they drop the “the,” anyway? One of my favorite online film reviewers (other than myself, of course), Red Letter Media, once surmised that the reason why Revenge of the Jedi was changed to Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi (1983) was to save money. “Return”… Read more “Incredibles 2, by Albert W. Vogt III”
The Northman, by Albert W. Vogt III
There are a strange pair of people that live in a house down the street from me. Perhaps I am not being charitable by calling them “strange.” What does the word mean? If you look it up Google, you will get a definition that says, “unusual or surprising in a way that is unsettling or hard to understand.” I… Read more “The Northman, by Albert W. Vogt III”
The Bad Guys, by Albert W. Vogt III
Be warned: much of what is about to follow in this review of The Bad Guys will involve me being an older guy and not understanding aspects of a film not aimed at my demographic. I figure I might as well get this out of the way at the beginning. Actually, my main criticism of the film can be… Read more “The Bad Guys, by Albert W. Vogt III”
Kick Ass 2, by Albert W. Vogt III
We should stop and appreciate when a sequel does well. As has been documented a number of times on The Legionnaire, this is so rarely the case. A big reason for these failures is expectations. When a follow-up, no matter how or when it is made, does not check all the boxes people want from it, people tend to… Read more “Kick Ass 2, by Albert W. Vogt III”
Kick Ass, by Albert W. Vogt III
You do not have to be an ardent cinephile to notice that we are neck-deep these days in superhero movies. This is true now, and it was true in 2010 when Kick Ass premiered. What made the movie special then was that we were not quite at the flood stage we are today. The Marvel phases were just getting cranked… Read more “Kick Ass, by Albert W. Vogt III”
Fantastic Four (2005), by Albert W. Vogt III
Before there was a Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), or phases, or any of the difficult to keep track of myriad of comic book characters flooding our collective existence, there were fun little one-off or sets of movies like Fantastic Four (2005). They made a sequel to it in 2007 called Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer. It is… Read more “Fantastic Four (2005), by Albert W. Vogt III”
The Magnificent Seven (1960), by Albert W. Vogt III
There have not been many Westerns reviewed on The Legionnaire. The only reason I can think of for this being the case is that they do not make as many of them as they used to in previous years. Decades ago, tales of cowboys, native peoples (forgive me for not using “Indians,” a word for native peoples that… Read more “The Magnificent Seven (1960), by Albert W. Vogt III”
Treasure Island (1950), by Albert W. Vogt III
There have been many motion picture versions of Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic novel Treasure Island (1883). I have already reviewed Muppet Treasure Island (1996). Of any of them I have seen, for understandable reasons it is the least true to the source material. Then again, I have never read the book, so I cannot say with any kind of real authority. Alternatively, it… Read more “Treasure Island (1950), by Albert W. Vogt III”
Against the Ice, by Albert W. Vogt III
I am fascinated by tales of survival. The viewing public is, too, since there have been many television shows featuring individuals (not counting the camera crew) placed in the middle of nowhere and demonstrating basic techniques for staying alive. My favorite was Man vs. Wild (2006-2011). I could watch Bear Grylls do things in the wild every day, and have… Read more “Against the Ice, by Albert W. Vogt III”
The Legionnaire 