‘Phil’s Quick Capsule Review’ (a nod to legendary comedian Bill Hicks who coined the phrase when he reviewed ‘Piece Of Shit’ movie Basic Instinct)… where a perfect 10 is rarer than a rain free British summer!
Written by Phil Hobden – UK based podcaster, writer and former filmmaker. Part of the All Things Film network…
Phil’s Quick Capsule Review: William Gibson’s Alien 3 is not a film. No it’s an Amazon Audible original production, which takes William Gibson’s original Alien 3 script and converts it into a fully dramatised audio drama, even bring back original cast members Michael Biehn (Hicks) and Lance Henriksen (Bishop). And it works. Really well. I’ve always loved Alien 3, watching it probably more than any other Alien film growing up and this third version (Studio Cut, ‘Assembly’ Cut as the two others) gives a fascinating ‘what if’ look at the story which shares some very similar elements with the released version. At under two hours it doesn’t outstay it’s welcome and the production values are surprisingly high. Well worth signing up to a free trial to grab a listen.
Best Bit: Biehn! Henriksen!
Buy, Stream, Avoid: Stream (Audible)
If You Liked this Try: Alien 3 – The Assembly Cut, Aliens, Alien
Phil Hobden is the former Film Editor & Writer for renowned martial arts focused COMBAT MAGAZINE in the UK. He is also a filmmaker in his own right, having produced two cult Independent action films in LEFT FOR DEAD and TEN DEAD MEN. He was the host for the award nominated Filmsploitation podcast for 4 years, currently co-hosts Ross And Phil Talk Movies and is a writer/editor for his own blog Phil’s Quick Capsule Review…
Part three of our run down of Phil’s Quick Review’s 100 Best Films as chosen by a select team of hosts, podcasters, fans and writers from Ross And Phil Talk Movies, The Smoking Lamb Podcast, Filmsploitation and the Phil’s Quick Review Facebook group.
Each week Phil, from Phil’s Quick Capsule Review, takes a look at a different movie or TV related Top Five. This time out: Movie Trilogies
For most a sequel is an unwanted thing. And rightly so, after all most can be let downs and for every Godfather 2 there is an Independence Day Resurrection. However their are also some great sequels and in fact some great threequels out their. This week I take a look at the best movie trilogies (and no the Matrix is NOT included).
Close But No Cigar:Bourne Trilogy, The Indiana Jones Trilogy, Evil Dead, The Godfather Trilogy, Die Hard, Mad Max
5. Lord Of The Rings Trilogy (The Fellowship of the Ring,The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King) It’s no mean feat, adapting a multi-tome epic source novel over nearly 5 years with a cast and crew almostly permanently relocated to New Zealand by a director best known for low budget shlock films. But man did Peter Jackson pull it off. Epic does not even come CLOSE to describing the Rings trilogy (and the multiple endings of Return Of The King for that matter) but even now, over 10 years after it all finished, they still stand out as some of the best films of the last few decades.
4. Back To The Future Trilogy There may be technically better films out their for sure, but the story of Marty McFly which spans over a hundred years, is everything that is right with how blockbuster films should be. It defined a career for Michael J Fox, allowed my fascination with Elisabeth Shue to continue and gave us the iconic Doc Brown. “What the hell’s a gigawatt?”. Indeed.
3. Aliens Trilogy (Alien, Aliens, Alien 3) It’s a testament to just how good the first two films are that you almost ignore the fact that Part 3 is considered by most to be a disappointment. Thing is… it’s not. In fact Alien 3 is probably my second favourite of the whole trilogy (just under Aliens and just above Alien). Okay yes I’m mad but still! The key point here is just how good the first two films are, with both rating as best of their genre (Sci-fi and Sci-Fi Action). And trust me… whilst it’s FX’s are dated, try alien 3 Directors cut again. You MAY be pleasantly surprised.
2. Toy Story Toy Story not only defined a genre, it also redefined how animation was done for ever. It’s groundbreaking and things would never be the same again. Yet at it’s heart of every one of the films is a great story, expertly told and brilliantly voiced. Pretty much perfect.
1. Star Wars (A New Hope, Empire Strikes Back, Return Of The Jedi) The trilogy that defined my childhood, that ignited my love with film and that left me playing in my room with 3″ plastic toys for years to come. Ageless (in it’s original form, not the horrid CGI remasters), this is epic storytelling, grandstanding action and odd plot twists at their best. Iconic.
Phil’s Quick Capsule Review: Aliens is the template for how to make a sequel. Whilst Alien was a sci-fi horror, Aliens is pure action wrapped in a sci-fi narrative. And it works. Up the Aliens, add in more cannon fodder and take Ripley from a victim to killer. A quotable script, memorable characters and some of the most tense set pieces film has ever delivered. Yup Aliens is that good. Pretty much perfect.
Best Bit: Special Edition sentry guns!
Buy, Stream, Avoid: Buy
If You Liked this Try: Alien, Terminator 2 Judgement Day, Alien 3
Phil’s Quick Capsule Review: Terminator 2: Judgement Day is a near flawless action film and one of the greatest sequels of all time. It takes the formula set out in Cameron’s original Terminator film and flips it on it’s head. It was the second time Cameron would make a sequel better than the original and in the process would revolutionise cinema forever. CGI was here to stay. Cameron has never topped Alien’s & Terminator 2 and it’s not hard to see why. T2 is pulse pounding sci-fi action from start to finish. In short: it’s bloody superb.
Best Bit: The viaduct chase
Buy, Stream, Avoid: Buy
If You Liked this Try: Terminator, Aliens, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back
Each week Phil, from Phil’s Quick Capsule Review, takes a look at a different movie or TV related Top Five… this time out: The Top 5 Summer Blockbusters Of All Time
Close but no cigar: Speed, Jurassic Park, Ghostbusters, Aliens, ET, Top Gun
5 – Die Hard (1988) Possibly the best action film ever made, Die Hard is iconic from start to finish.
4 – Back To The Future (1985) Innovate for it’s day, Back To The Future is still fantastic all this years later.
3 – Jaws (1975) The original blockbuster.
2 – Terminator 2: Judgement Day (1991) One of the best sequels ever made, James Cameron’s second Terminator film is an action epic from start to finish full of iconic moments and groundbreaking FX.
1 – Star Wars (1977) One of the best sci-fi action films of all time, Star Wars does everything right, cemented a legacy and still holds up all thee years later.
In our continuing regular feature, Phil (of Phil’s Quick Capsule Review) along with podcaster Josh Morris, Writer Mike Parkin, Grosse Point Geek’s Will Strong and Motion Picture Manic Jamie Robinson breakdown the 25 Best Films Of a particular genre…
This time out: The Best Action Films of All Time
The close but no cigar Films: The Bourne Supremacy, Men of War, Speed, Captain America: Winter Solider, Fast Five, Hardboiled, Inception, Battle Royale, Speed, The Book Of Eli
In our latest regular feature, coming out the first Friday of each month, Phil (of Phil’s Quick Capsule Review) along with podcaster Josh Morris, Writer Mike Parkin, Grosse Point Geek’s Will Strong and Motion Picture Manic Jamie Robinson breakdown the 25 Best Films Of each major film decade.
This time out: Films OF The Modern Era (1970’s – Now)
The close but no cigar Films:Apollo 13,Starship Troopers,Little Miss Sunshine,Lord Of The Rings The Fellowship of The Ring,The Descent,The Warriors,Airplane,Ghostbusters,The Thing,Top Gun,Social Network,The Cabin In The Woods, The Dark Knight Rises,Tree Of Life,Whiplash
It’s The Smoking Lamb Movie Podcast. A weekly, no-holds-baa-aa-arred, and R-rated look at the world of movies.
On this episode:
WARNING! THE FOLLOWING COMMENTARY IS BEST LISTENED TO ALONG WITH THE FILM AS THERE ARE PERIODS OF SILENCE. HOWEVER, IT IS STILL ENTERTAINING EITHER WAY!!!!
The Drinking Rules are as follows (we hope you play along). Drink Everytime: 1) Hudson Panics 2) Newt Screams 3) Bishop Looks Creepy 4) A Xenomorph Gets Killed
Down Your Drink: 1) When You Hear “Get away from her YOU BITCH!!!”
Check it out and BLEAT THE WORLD and don’t forget to follow up on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
A look at the BEST films, one from each of my years on this planet…. (Yes ’86 and ’84 was impossible to split!)
… And yes a few do differ from my Annual ‘Film of The Year’. Hindsight is a wonderful thing!!!
The 70’s
1976 – The Outlaw Josey wales 1977 – Star Wars 1978 – Dawn Of The Dead 1979 – Alien
The 80’s
1980 – Empire Strikes Back 1981 – Raiders Of The Lost Ark 1982 – The Thing 1983 – The Return Of The Jedi 1984 – Ghostbusters/ Gremlins 1985 – The Goonies 1986 – Aliens/ Ferris Bueller’s Day Off/ Top Gun 1987 – The Lost Boys 1988 – Die Hard 1989 – Tango & Cash
The 90’s
1990 – Goodfellas 1991 – Terminator 2 Judgement Day 1992 – Reservoir Dogs 1993 – The Nightmare Before Christmas 1994 – Pulp Fiction 1995 – Heat 1996 – Trainspotting 1997 – Con Air 1998 – Lock Stock & Two Smoking barells 1999 – Fight Club
The 2000’s
2000 – Snatch 2001 – Black Hawk Down 2002 – 28 days Later 2003 – Love Actually 2004 – Shaun Of The Dead 2005 – Serenity 2006 – Children of Men 2007 – Bourne Ultimatum 2008 – The Dark Knight 2009 – Slumdog Millonaire 2010 – The Social Network
The 10’s
2011 – Hugo 2012 – Skyfall 2013 – Rush 2014 – Wolf Of Wall Street 2015 – Whiplash 2016 – The Nice Guys
