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”
Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore, by Cameron J. Czaja
Unlike the previous movies that I’ve reviewed for The Legionnaire, this one is a bit different because Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore is the first movie that I’m covering that I’ve seen it two weeks in advance. One afternoon during my break from work, I discovered a link for free passes for an advance screening of the… Read more “Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore, by Cameron J. Czaja”
Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb, by Albert W. Vogt III
In my review of Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian (2009), I discussed how I had no intention of seeing it. Basically, I saw it on Disney+, shrugged my shoulders, and said, “meh,” whatever. And aside from my annoyance with Amelia Earhart (Amy Adams), it is a thoroughly “whatever” movie. Perhaps there is some jadedness on my part,… Read more “Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb, by Albert W. Vogt III”
Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian, by Albert W. Vogt III
I had no desire to see Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian (2009). The original Night at the Museum (2006), was fine. Set at the American Museum of Natural History, it had some fun with the various collections of old stuff stored at the museum. You know the kinds of things of which I speak, right? Items that are interesting usually… Read more “Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian, by Albert W. Vogt III”
The Black Hole, by Albert W. Vogt III
What a disaster. I have vague recollections of seeing The Black Hole (1979) way back when Disney first launched its cable channel. As might be obvious, my child brain did not have the same refined, cinematic sensibilities that I have today. As such, I do not recall finding the film as laughably bad as I did during my recent viewing. I… Read more “The Black Hole, by Albert W. Vogt III”
Morbius, by Albert W. Vogt III
How many more movies are left that we got previews for before COVID shut down movie theaters? The only other one I can think of is Top Gun: Maverick. I do not know whether or not I should look forward to that one. There are really only two possible outcomes with high levels of anticipation. Either something will be great,… Read more “Morbius, by Albert W. Vogt III”
Men Black II, by Albert W. Vogt III
Here we go with another sequel. By the way, I am writing this review of Men in Black II (2002) in the wake of the post-Will Smith slapping of Chris Rock incident at the Oscars, unlike when I wrote about Men in Black (1997). I am not sure that matters at all, but, you know, it is a thing that happened,… Read more “Men Black II, by Albert W. Vogt III”
Men in Black, by Albert W. Vogt III
For those who do not remember this fact, before Will Smith became the film star that he is today, he first had a successful run as a musician. He then translated that success into a role on the hit television show The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990-1996). This is when people seem to begin to remember him. It is… Read more “Men in Black, by Albert W. Vogt III”
The Lost City (2022), by Albert W. Vogt III
Before walking into the theater to see The Lost City (2022), my thought was: there is no way this is the only film that has had this title. Surely, there is another motion picture out there that has utilized this phrase. As it turns out, I was right. My first instinct was that there would be some corny, 1930s action… Read more “The Lost City (2022), by Albert W. Vogt III”
Kingsman: The Golden Circle, by Albert W. Vogt III
There are the good sequels, and there are the bad sequels. Kingsman: The Golden Circle (2017) is in the latter of those categories. This was a disappointment to me because I felt like they had fun with the first installment in the franchise. All the subsequent attempts have paled in comparison, to put it mildly. I knew I was in… Read more “Kingsman: The Golden Circle, by Albert W. Vogt III”
Kingsman: The Secret Service, by Albert W. Vogt III
When I first saw Kingsman: The Secret Service (2014), it was my introduction to star Taron Egerton. Given the material and tone of the film, I assumed he would go on to be an action star. Many of his films since have been of that variety, including the sequel, Kingsman: The Golden Circle (2017), and the hilariously bad Robin Hood (2018). I would not… Read more “Kingsman: The Secret Service, by Albert W. Vogt III”
Titanic, by Albert W. Vogt III
One of my favorite jokes about Titanic (1997) is that you could predict the ending. Then again, if you know your history, you can do the same with any movie set in the past. Yet, there is something tragically inevitable James Cameron’s billions grossing passion project that makes the laughs a little more authentic when it comes to this… Read more “Titanic, by Albert W. Vogt III”
The A-Team, by Albert W. Vogt III
As a child of the 1980s, the television show The A-Team (1983-1987) was a part of the fabric of my existence. Though he was just one of the characters, B. A. Baracus (Mr. T), the personality that is Mr. T is the figure that most people remember. This was the case, at least, for a kid like me growing… Read more “The A-Team, by Albert W. Vogt III”
Kung Pow: Enter the Fist, by Albert W. Vogt III
Raise your hand if there is a movie that most people find dumb, but you cannot help enjoying. If you did not raise your hand (other than the fact that you are reading this alone and I have no way of knowing whether or not you did so), then I might question your honesty. Or at least… Read more “Kung Pow: Enter the Fist, by Albert W. Vogt III”
The Adam Project, by Albert W. Vogt III
What do you get when you cross Back to the Future (1985) with Deadpool (2016), and sprinkle in a little Stranger Things (2016-present) flavor? You get The Adam Project. Given that I rarely watch Netflix other than to go on and find a movie that I might want to watch, I had little idea as to the content of this film. Strike that, I… Read more “The Adam Project, by Albert W. Vogt III”
Soldier, by Albert W. Vogt III
Does anyone remember Soldier (1998) other than me? Probably not. I was perhaps the only one in the world who saw it twice in the theaters. Why? I could not tell you. Who really remembers everything they were doing twenty-four years ago? The reason why I say I am likely alone in having any recollection of this film is because it tanked at… Read more “Soldier, by Albert W. Vogt III”
The Dark Knight Rises, by Albert W. Vogt III
What happened between The Dark Knight (2008) and The Dark Knight Rises (2012)? A little digging will tell you that they were going to bring back the Joker character from The Dark Knight until Heath Ledger passed away. It is said that, out of respect for Ledger’s performance, director Christopher Nolan did not want to recast the character in The Dark Knight Rises. This is… Read more “The Dark Knight Rises, by Albert W. Vogt III”
The Dark Knight, by Albert W. Vogt III
When Batman Begins premiered in 2005, it marked a departure from the hokey Caped Crusader films that had come to typify the cinematic version of one of the most famous comic book heroes of all time. When Michael Keaton stopped filling the role after 1992’s Batman Returns, the movies about the title character increasingly became cartoonish and silly. Michael Keaton’s… Read more “The Dark Knight, by Albert W. Vogt III”
The Batman, by Albert W. Vogt III
There are plusses and minuses to the fact that people are coming back to movie theaters. Before I go further, be it known that I am in favor of seeing figures in seats. When cinemas first reopened, there were many a night when I was only one of a couple seeing whatever hastily released feature happened to… Read more “The Batman, by Albert W. Vogt III”
Ghostbusters II, by Albert W. Vogt III
There are few more iconic films than Ghostbusters (1984). Still, I wonder if it would have been as much of a smash-hit if John Belushi had still been alive to fill the role of the wise-cracking Peter Venkman instead of Bill Murray. Not that it would have made a huge difference to me personally as they are both Chicago… Read more “Ghostbusters II, by Albert W. Vogt III”
Jaws, by Albert W. Vogt III
When you hear the famous “duuuun dun, duuuun dun, dun dun dun dun dun dun. . . .” you immediately know to what movie it is referring. It is, of course, the 1975 classic Jaws. Few films have such recognition. You can put it into almost anything and the audience knows immediately the tone that is being sought, comically… Read more “Jaws, by Albert W. Vogt III”
Journey 2: The Mysterious Island, by Albert W. Vogt III
What do you get when you are watching your adolescent nieces and you tell them to pick the movie for the evening? You get Journey 2: The Mysterious Island (2012). You. Get. Journey 2: The Mysterious Island. Actually, I realized something while writing the title for this movie: it can also be read as a sentence. It is not much, but it is… Read more “Journey 2: The Mysterious Island, by Albert W. Vogt III”
The Karate Kid (2010), by Albert W. Vogt III
Potentially unpopular opinion: the 2010 version of The Karate Kid is the best one of the series. Before you navigate to some other website, determined never to read another review from The Legionnaire ever again, allow me to explain. First, credit should be given to the first four. Obviously, without them, there would not have been a fifth one. Further, the latest iteration… Read more “The Karate Kid (2010), by Albert W. Vogt III”
The Next Karate Kid, by Albert W. Vogt III
I would have thought that The Next Karate Kid (1994) was Hilary Swank’s first film. The International Movie Database (IMDb) proved me wrong. Anyway, it is the earliest example of her on the big screen of which I am aware. I am also guessing they wanted another trilogy to be launched from this one, given all the millions of dollars… Read more “The Next Karate Kid, by Albert W. Vogt III”
The Karate Kid Part III, by Albert W. Vogt III
After re-watching the original Karate Kid trilogy, I am a little lost as to why anyone thought these were good enough to make four seasons of Cobra Kai (2018-present). My sneaking suspicion is that whoever it is behind the series originally made for YouTube, but now appearing on Netflix, simply thought man, I thought The Karate Kid (1984) was really cool! I am… Read more “The Karate Kid Part III, by Albert W. Vogt III”
The Karate Kid Part II, by Albert W. Vogt III
I have seen plenty of sequels. Remember what I said about The Karate Kid (1984) and its low-budget? When you have a film that surpasses its budget ten times over like the original, there is bound to be a thirst for follow up productions. What is strange about The Karate Kid Part II (1986) is that its first almost ten minutes are… Read more “The Karate Kid Part II, by Albert W. Vogt III”
The Karate Kid, by Albert W. Vogt III
Like any good child of the 1980s, I watched Cobra Kai (2018-present), the once quaintly nostalgic but now tediously repetitive spin-off from the classic Karate Kid franchise. Oddly, it seems that the more of its familiar teenagers hate each other, teenagers fight other, teenagers form new alliances formula it replays, the more people like it. Throw in the constant bickering of… Read more “The Karate Kid, by Albert W. Vogt III”
Dog, by Albert W. Vogt III
When Cameron told me he wanted to review Uncharted this past weekend, I initially thought I was getting the short end of the stick. The only other movie I knew of that was premiering was Dog. My experience with movies with animals and humans as co-stars is limited, and not good. Usually, they have a wacky premise with predictable, slapstick jokes. I… Read more “Dog, by Albert W. Vogt III”
Uncharted, by Cameron J. Czaja
Aside from watching and critiquing films, video gaming is one hobby that I have enjoyed doing on a weekly basis dating back to my youth. While I have played many consoles, one brand in particular that I have always liked playing is the PlayStation series from the first console to PlayStation 4. I am still… Read more “Uncharted, by Cameron J. Czaja”
The Abominable Bride, by Albert W. Vogt III
Some justification is in order. The Legionnaire is a movie review blog, though maybe someday I will branch out into books or television. Today is not that day. If you are at all familiar with The Abominable Bride (2016), you might be saying to yourself, “Wait, is this not an episode of Sherlock (2010-2017)?” Okay, your thoughts probably did not include the dates of… Read more “The Abominable Bride, by Albert W. Vogt III”
Easy Rider, by Albert W. Vogt III
Back when I was still teaching in-person (and this has nothing to do with COVID), my favorite class to teach was a course on Film and Twentieth Century America. It was one that I took as a Ph.D. student at Loyola University Chicago. When it was my turn to head such a course, I modeled much of… Read more “Easy Rider, by Albert W. Vogt III”
The Alamo (1960), by Albert W. Vogt III
My love of history began at a young age. As has been documented previously, the way my dad got me into the past was by telling me about the Napoleonic Wars. I have no idea what other fathers told their eight-year-old sons about, but when we were not playing catch, I was hearing about the famous Corsican. It… Read more “The Alamo (1960), by Albert W. Vogt III”
Zombieland, by Albert W. Vogt III
My quest for movies to review increasingly takes me into the archives of The Legionnaire. As the collection nears the 1,000 mark, I sometimes have difficulty remembering which films I covered. That is the main reason why I recently did Shaun of the Dead (2004). There are times when I think of movies and wonder what I thought about them, which… Read more “Zombieland, by Albert W. Vogt III”
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1, by Albert W. Vogt III
When it comes to making films out of books that so many millions of people love with a passion bordering on mania, it can make for a tricky business. So often, the cinematic product induces that tired criticism: “The book is better than the movie.” The reason for this repeated failure is easy enough to understand. Books have… Read more “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1, by Albert W. Vogt III”
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, by Albert W. Vogt III
With all the struggles Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) experiences in his early on, more kind-hearted fellows like myself might look at his life and want to see him have some semblance of normal. From being an orphan, to being the most famous person in a world he never knew existed, and then seeing his godfather die… Read more “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, by Albert W. Vogt III”
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, by Albert W. Vogt III
With Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007), we are now on the back nine, if you will excuse the golfing parlance, of the franchise. The concluding events of Harry Potter and Goblet of Fire (2005) saw the return of the much feared arch villain Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes). Naturally, the issue on the minds of everyone was how… Read more “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, by Albert W. Vogt III”
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, by Albert W. Vogt III
It may not come through in my reviews, but I am a huge sports fan. I am also a bit of an athlete. I played many sports as youngster, I had a brief cup of coffee with a semi-professional baseball team, and I currently run five miles a day. I bring these topics up only as a way… Read more “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, by Albert W. Vogt III”
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, by Albert W. Vogt III
One of the reasons why I believe so many people like Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004) is because it marks a departure from the original two. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001) and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002) set a fun and whimsical tone for the film versions of J. K. Rowling’s hugely successful… Read more “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, by Albert W. Vogt III”
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, by Albert W. Vogt III
When I read Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001), only the first four books had been published. It is a good thing for all interested parties that they continued to be literary hits. Had it not been for the movies, I would have had no interest in reading the books. This is in keeping with my semi-hipster character. Like anyone… Read more “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, by Albert W. Vogt III”
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, by Albert W. Vogt III
In typical fashion for The Legionnaire, I reviewed the last film in the Harry Potter series first. Continuing that trend, I will probably end up releasing one for each installment in the franchise in the haphazard style that has become somewhat of a hallmark for my cherished blog. If you read my review of Harry Potter and the Deathly… Read more “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, by Albert W. Vogt III”
Moonfall, by Albert W. Vogt III
Between Moonfall and Jackass Forever, I am not sure which one of us got the short end of the stick this past weekend. Probably Cameron. I cannot tell you how delighted I was when he volunteered to see and review Jackass Forever. Last week, when looking ahead to Hollywood’s offerings, I feared that I would be sitting through a painful Friday or… Read more “Moonfall, by Albert W. Vogt III”
Shaun of the Dead, by Albert W. Vogt III
Before there was The Walking Dead (2010-present), or even a Zombieland (2009), there was Shaun of the Dead (2004). It premiered in an era when zombie films and television shows still took the notion of reanimated corpses seriously. I cannot think of any other examples before 2004 with a light-hearted take on the sub-genre. Given the success of Shaun of the Dead, one can make… Read more “Shaun of the Dead, by Albert W. Vogt III”
The World’s End, by Albert W. Vogt III
With my birthday last weekend conveniently falling on a Friday, I thought it would be nice if I shared on The Legionnaire’s various social media platforms my top three movies. Hence, the day of my birthday I shared Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1980); my second favorite, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010), on Saturday; and on… Read more “The World’s End, by Albert W. Vogt III”
Bottle Rocket, by Albert W. Vogt III
Finally, I have come to the end of the Wes Anderson movie catalog. By coming to the end, I have also come to the beginning. Today’s film is his first, Bottle Rocket (1996). If you know what you are looking for, there is a great deal in it that you will see (if, for some reason, you decide to see… Read more “Bottle Rocket, by Albert W. Vogt III”
The Bourne Identity, by Albert W. Vogt III
What is it about action movies when you are young? I suppose I still like them, but they do not give me the same thrill as they once did. The price of getting older, perhaps. Do not get me wrong, I will still watch them. Another factor is that I am actually less discerning these days when it comes… Read more “The Bourne Identity, by Albert W. Vogt III”
21 Jump Street, by Albert W. Vogt III
Who among us does not have certain things we once thought funny, but do not laugh at anymore? I know I do. While I will admit to still chuckling at times to inappropriate humor, for the most part I will endure potty jokes (I am already running out of synonyms) with a stone face. In this same vein,… Read more “21 Jump Street, by Albert W. Vogt III”
Ocean’s Thirteen, by Albert W. Vogt III
If Hollywood can make a trilogy out of a movie, they will. Actually, they will make as many sequels as they feel will make money for them, no matter how dumb anyone believes a story to be. I only saw one of the Saw movies, the third one I think, but that was enough to know how ridiculous they… Read more “Ocean’s Thirteen, by Albert W. Vogt III”
Ocean’s Twelve, by Albert W. Vogt III
There are times when if you ruin the end of the movie, it will make the rest of it make sense. One could make that argument for The Sixth Sense (1999). There are those who like big reveals at the end of a film. I am one of them. Yet, if you have knowledge of the conclusion, you can go back… Read more “Ocean’s Twelve, by Albert W. Vogt III”
Ocean’s Eleven, by Albert W. Vogt III
Unwittingly, I seem to make controversial statements when it comes to films. For instance, I like all the installments in the Ocean’s franchise. Many look at the first, Ocean’s Eleven (2001), as the best, and dismiss the rest as pale imitations thereof. For me, there is enough of a difference between them all for them each to stand on their own. Granted, it… Read more “Ocean’s Eleven, by Albert W. Vogt III”
The Tourist, by Albert W. Vogt III
Each New Year’s Eve I get together with my best friend and his family to have a Harry Potter movie marathon. Because we tend to see our own kin on Christmas, this is also an opportunity for us to exchange gifts. I look forward to this day every year, not only for the opportunity to re-watch some… Read more “The Tourist, by Albert W. Vogt III”
The 355, by Albert W. Vogt III
Earlier in the evening when my girlfriend and I saw The 355, we attended a special Mass at The House of Prayer in Clearwater, Florida. Every first Friday, they host a night called Rekindle. In addition to Mass, there is Adoration and Reconciliation. That is a trifecta of Catholic goodness. Afterwards, we had some Chinese food goodness. The last item on… Read more “The 355, by Albert W. Vogt III”
Jingle All the Way, by Albert W. Vogt III
This might sound like a crazy statement to make, but Arnold Schwarzenegger is not a bad actor. Granted, the overwhelming majority of the films he has starred in have been on the action variety. I do not think he would necessarily complain about the track of his career. He has appeared in some of the most iconic action… Read more “Jingle All the Way, by Albert W. Vogt III”
The Nutcracker and the Four Realms, by Albert W. Vogt III
The only logical questions to ask after watching The Nutcracker and the Four Realms (2018) are: Huh? What? Of course, these questions are the result of some familiarity with the original story. In order to gain such familiarity, I recently watched the source material thanks to Fathom events’ airing of Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker ballet, which in turn is based on a short… Read more “The Nutcracker and the Four Realms, by Albert W. Vogt III”
The King’s Man, by Cameron J. Czaja
Much like Black Widow and No Time to Die, The King’s Man is yet another film that was originally supposed to be released in 2020, but thanks to the pandemic it got delayed again, again, and again. To be honest, I would have forgotten all about it, but almost every time I went to see a movie in a theater… Read more “The King’s Man, by Cameron J. Czaja”
The Matrix Resurrections, by Albert W. Vogt III
Obviously, I see a lot of movies. I see as many as I can, but I am only one person. This past Christmas, there were no less than five movie premiers. Between all the family festivities and the general hustle and bustle that goes along with them, it makes it difficult to see everything. One has to prioritize. By my… Read more “The Matrix Resurrections, by Albert W. Vogt III”
Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, by Albert W. Vogt III
Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992) seems to defy many conventions. Sequels are always tricky. If a film enjoys even the most modest of success, its fans start clamoring for a follow-up. For all the uproar, these usually fail to satisfy, and there are a couple reasons why this happens. First, oftentimes part two is compared, for better… Read more “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, by Albert W. Vogt III”
Home Alone, by Albert W. Vogt III
When it comes to certain movies, one has to be careful about what you say about them. With how many people I know that love this film, Home Alone (1990) is one of them. I get it, or at least I do now. The whole world gets it. The many sequels and versions of this film have been made are a… Read more “Home Alone, by Albert W. Vogt III”
Spider-Man: No Way Home, by Albert W. Vogt III
Honestly, I am running out of ways of describing the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). It is not that I do not understand it. Like any loyal fan, I consume the content as it released. I have seen all the movies (some multiple times), viewed all the shows (even the seemingly forgotten/being brought back in Netflix series), but I… Read more “Spider-Man: No Way Home, by Albert W. Vogt III”
Lethal Weapon, by Albert W. Vogt III
Like Die Hard (1988), Lethal Weapon (1987) is another one of those movies that launched a franchise, and of which I had only seen the last installment. I think. I know I only had seen Lethal Weapon 4 (1998), which I remember for it being Jet Li’s debut in American cinema. As for the Die Hard series, I am fairly certain I saw Live Free or Die… Read more “Lethal Weapon, by Albert W. Vogt III”
Die Hard, by Albert W. Vogt III
There are those that think Die Hard (1988) is a Christmas movie, and there are those who do not see it in this manner. I am in the latter of those verbally armed, and passionate camps. Okay, I am not that passionate, although the episode where I debated this matter on the podcast I co-host might suggest otherwise. It is called Down &… Read more “Die Hard, by Albert W. Vogt III”
The Rocketeer, by Albert W. Vogt III
One of the first movies I watched when I got my Disney + subscription was The Rocketeer (1991). It was a way for me to fill in a gap from my childhood when, for reasons I cannot recall, I had been prevented from seeing it. Me obtaining said subscription fell within the purview of The Legionnaire and its existence. Hence my surprise… Read more “The Rocketeer, by Albert W. Vogt III”
Independence Day, by Albert W. Vogt III
Nothing says Christmas like watching the citizens of Earth come together to spectacularly destroy an alien invasion! No? When you think about it, that first sentence kind of describes how people view Christmas these days. I sympathize with the people who have the “Keep Christ in Christmas” bumper stickers, even if I do not have one on my… Read more “Independence Day, by Albert W. Vogt III”
Shooter, by Albert W. Vogt III
Comment below if I have told the story about the five days I unofficially spent in the military, and I will apologize for repetitiveness. I am getting to the point with my reviews that I sometimes need to look up films to see whether or not Cameron or I have covered them. At any rate, I say… Read more “Shooter, by Albert W. Vogt III”
The Longest Day, by Albert W. Vogt III
Last Veteran’s Day, I wanted to watching something appropriate to the holiday. Actually, if I wanted to view something specific to the date, I would have put on a World War I film. For those of you who do not know it, the reason we celebrate our service men and women on November 11th each year is because… Read more “The Longest Day, by Albert W. Vogt III”
Snatch, by Albert W. Vogt III
There was a time when the director of Snatch (2000), Guy Ritchie, was known for gritty, semi-comedic crime films. Today’s film is one of them. However, it and Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels (1998), which also launched Jason Statham’s career, at some point transcended their cult classic status. What that meant for Guy Ritchie is that he entered the pantheon of… Read more “Snatch, by Albert W. Vogt III”
The Public Enemy, by Albert W. Vogt III
When I came up with the idea for my doctoral dissertation, “‘The Costumed Catholic’: Catholics, Whiteness, and the Movies, 1928-1973,” my only thought was to combine my Faith with my love of film. As is the case with many such endeavors, one does not always know the full extent of what they are getting into at… Read more “The Public Enemy, by Albert W. Vogt III”
Van Helsing, by Albert W. Vogt III
On Halloween night, I got a random text from one of my great friends asking what I thought of Van Helsing (2004). I confessed to having never seen it. Her and her husband were watching it that night, and one of her comments was that it is a Catholic movie. They are practicing Catholics, and I trust them implicitly. Now, I… Read more “Van Helsing, by Albert W. Vogt III”
RoboCop (1987), by Albert W. Vogt III
Annoyingly, when I look up titles on Amazon Prime on the television, I have to scroll to each letter. I use a Roku remote app that I downloaded to my phone, and every other app for which I use it brings up a keypad when searching its library. Disney +, Netflix, even the ESPN service all give… Read more “RoboCop (1987), by Albert W. Vogt III”
Be Cool, by Albert W. Vogt III
Ah, sequels. There are those who, when they see a movie they like, they immediately want a follow up to the story. Then there are others, often self-styled movie snobs, who think a part two ruins the aesthetics of its predecessor. I get it. I am not sure on which side of the fence I fall. If there is a… Read more “Be Cool, by Albert W. Vogt III”
Get Shorty, by Albert W. Vogt III
Once in a while, when in search of inspiration, I will go scrolling through the various offerings on the streaming services to which I subscribe. More often than not, doing so turns up a bunch of titles that I have zero interest in viewing, unless suggested by you, my loyal readers. Sometimes, I will notice a film… Read more “Get Shorty, by Albert W. Vogt III”
Black Dynamite, by Albert W. Vogt III
Full disclosure up front: I do not recommend Black Dynamite (2009). For starters, unless you are familiar with the 1970s so-called “blacksploitation” films it spoofs, you might be a bit lost. Related to that, it relies heavily on you understanding the racial stereotypes it underscores to make its point. If you watch this without a working knowledge of these things,… Read more “Black Dynamite, by Albert W. Vogt III”
Robin Hood (2018), by Albert W. Vogt III
Okay, look, I have done enough of these darn Robin Hood movies. Again, inexplicably, Hollywood decided to dive once more into one of the more familiar stories in the world. Why? I am guessing the simple reason is name recognition. What do people know about the Sherwood Forest bandit? Basically, that he hangs out in the woods with a colorful… Read more “Robin Hood (2018), by Albert W. Vogt III”
Ghostbusters: Afterlife, by Cameron J. Czaja
Huge confession, I actually have never seen the original Ghostbusters (1984), or the 1989 sequel, from beginning to end, which is something that I’m embarrassed to admit. That’s not to say that I have no clue as to what they are about thanks to watching bits and pieces of it via television airings and YouTube videos. I’m… Read more “Ghostbusters: Afterlife, by Cameron J. Czaja”
The Legionnaire 