Nerdy Squirrel Reviews by Pasckie Pascua

“Once Upon a Time in the West” (1968, Amazon Prime) spaghetti Western film directed by Sergio Leone , the dude who pretty much started and wallowed on the genre. My favorite when I was a boy, still is. Although this movie’s story is flimsy and stereotyped, the story was penned by Mr Leone with two other greats of Italian cinema, D ario Argento and Bernardo Bertolucci .         Lead stars are Charles Bronson as the Harmonica dude, how cool is that? Henry Fonda , cast against type as the villain, Jason Robards as a bandit with a romantic heart (but still a macho), and Claudia Cardinale as a newly widowed homesteader, sexy eyes and all. And yes, of course, Ennio Morricone supplied the music.         As expected, this is all macho stuff. Lots of staring (at each other or at the camera) and slow walks by dudes on trench coats and jackets or 3-layer shirts amidst the scorching desert heat of Flagstone, Old West. I get the kick out of Mickey Knox’s dialogues, which reminds me of action

“Horizon: An American Saga. Chapter 1.” (Max via Amazon Prime). Historical western. Directed, co-written, produced, and starring Kevin Costner, this first of three chapters is as long as Mr Costner's 1990 “Dances with Wolves” classic: 181 minutes. But “Horizon/Chapter I” may as well be Episode 1 of a regular Western drama, three hours are basically lead-up plot points to Chapter 2. The “saga” started out strongly, with 3 or 4 substories, then it lumbered on, with doors to indulge some more in the next Chapter.         Pre-theater release PR of the epic was high. But it was easily clobbered by an animated film, I think. I expect though that the monumental project that boasts of a 2-film budget of $100 million will recover in Chapter 2.  Chapter 1 worldwide gross take was a measly $27.8 million.        What is wrong with the first part of Kevin's ambition? As I noted above, it started in blazing fire (literally as well) but the moment Hayes Ellison (Costner) showed up, the develo

“It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia” (Hulu) 16 Seasons. S itcom , follows the exploits of "The Gang,” a group of narcissistic and sociopathic friends who run the Irish dive bar Paddy's Pub in South Philadelphia but spend most of their free time drinking, scheming, arguing among themselves, and plotting elaborate cons against others, and at times each other, for personal benefit, financial gain, revenge, or simply due to boredom or inebriation.        I have wallowed in the inane shenanigans of Charlie Day , Glenn Howerton, Rob McElhenney, Kaitlin Olson , and Danny DeVito for years now that I didn’t notice that I just completed 16 seasons! The jokes are frat house juvenile, the antics are high school crassness but hell I cared? LOL! These low comedic leisure programs balanced the high-handed depth and mind-boggling intellectualism of the other series in my huge watch list. Besides, the Gang’s mischief is “better” than the political humor that amuses this side and infur

“The Watchers” (2024, Max) supernatural horror film written and directed by Ishana Night Shyamalan in her directorial debut, produced by her father M. Night Shyamalan , and based on the 2021 novel by A. M. Shine. This mystery thriller proves that 25-year old Ishana can do horror, and could even compete with dad.  The plot isn’t really something that hasn’t been explored before. But the young filmmaker knows how and when to scare us. The story follows a 28-year-old artist who becomes trapped in a vast, untouched forest in the west of Ireland . Seeking shelter, she becomes trapped alongside three strangers who are stalked by mysterious creatures every night. I won’t say anymore. The ensemble performance work of Dakota Fanning , Georgina Campbell , Olwen Fouéré and Oliver Finnegan are also fun to watch. 🎥💻📽 “Bone Tomahawk” (2015, Netflix) Western action. This indie movie by first-time director S. Craig Zahler has gravitas: Kurt Russell, Richard Jenkins, Patrick Wilson and Ma

“Presumed Innocent” (Apple TV+) legal drama/thriller , based on the 1987 novel of the same name by Scott T urow and an adaptation of the 1990 film starring Harrison Ford and Brian Dennehy . Premise: A prosecutor becomes the prime suspect in the murder of his colleague with whom he was having an affair.        Another David E. Kelley courtroom battle. I discovered him in “Boston Legal” (2004-2008), and continued to enjoy him in “Big Little Lies” and “The Lincoln Lawyer.” Although I was hugely disappointed with “A Man in Full,” I am fairly entertained by “Presumed Innocent.”        The outcome of the murder mystery isn't concluded until the final Episode 8. Yet the navigation of the case from Ep1 to Ep7 wasn't plodding or anti-climactic. You just gotta hold on till it's over. Editing is brisk and sure, pacing serves the show's delicious suspense.         Credit as well goes to a well-orchestrated performance, especially J ake Gyllenhaal 's central Rusty Sabich. Insp

“Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” (2024, Max via Amazon Prime)  post-apocalyptic action film . Set 15 to 20 years before the events of “Fury Road,” the film follows the title character's life for over a decade, from her kidnapping by the forces of warlord Dementus to her ascension to the rank of Imperator.         Set 15 to 20 years before the events of “Fury Road,” this new film follows Furiosa's life for over a decade, from her kidnapping by the forces of warlord Dementus to her ascension to the rank of Imperator. This is also the first Mad Max without Max Rockatansky (previously played by Mel Gibson and Tom Hardy).        Created and directed by the tireless George Miller, this particular epic tells me I may have enough of the dystopian wasteland costume party. The title character is played, convincingly and excellently, by Anya Taylor-Joy and Alyla Browne as the young Furiosa. But Chris Hemsworth as the villainous Dementus is more of a confused clown than a sinister warlord.      

Movie: “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” (2024, Hulu) science fiction action, takes place 300 years after the events of War (and death of Caesar) and follows Noa, a young chimpanzee who embarks on a journey alongside Mae, a human woman, to determine the future for apes and humans alike. I enjoyed this movie--as I equally enjoyed other “Planet…” movies of the popular franchise since I was a little boy.        In between the 1968 movie, starring Charlton Heston and the 1974 TV series, with Roddy McDowall as Galen (he also played Caesar in other movie versions), I read the English version of the 1963 novel “La Planete des singes” by Pierre Boulle. The more that my interest heightened.        As of May 2024, there are 10 “Planet of the Apes” movies. I saw all of them. This year's “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” is a s tandalone sequel to 2017's “ War for the Planet of the Apes .”         Except with William H. Macy as the opportunistic human Trevathan, the other actors are b

“Sugar” (Apple TV+) police crime/drama, described as "a genre-bending contemporary take on the private detective story set in Los Angeles.”         Fernando Meirelles, who directed 5 of the 8 episodes of “Sugar,” also directed the 2003 movie “City of God,” which I immensely enjoyed. He also directed 2005's “The Constant Gardener” and Netflix's “The Two Popes.” I also watched with interest 2008's “Blindness,” an adaptation of Jose Saramago's novel.         So you know what is going on here.        However, the genius of Mr Meirelles is only a glimpse here. This series, starring Colin Farrell as private investigator John Sugar, is passable enough as a neo-noir fare but still a predictable mystery/thriller. For added watch pleasure, “Sugar” got excellent support performers: Amy Ryan, James Cromwell, Jason Butler Harner.         Meanwhile I will not mess the intrigue up with a spoiler. But I expect a Season 2 sometime. 🎥📺📽 GAVE UP: “The Decameron” (Netflix) medieval