What You Missed!

We recently transitioned from Boyd's Bar to Epic Screen Time for our reviews. During that time, anything that was set to be published after the new year as been updated and published here. Here is that list.

What You Missed!

These are the items that were published in the transition from Boyd's Bar to Epic Screen Time!

Movies

Arrival
First off, we have to talk about how underrated and under the radar this movie went. I really began to enjoy Denis Villeneuve’s movies after this and that is why I decided to rewatch this after watching Dune Part One.
Speak No Evil
This was a weird movie. It constantly gives you the feeling of being uncomfortable even with just the conversation that happens. There is a scene where the two ladies are fighting in front of the kids about the non-mother parenting the child and everyone knows that is just an awkward conversation.
The Lincoln Lawyer Movie
The story is very well constructed. You get a really nice presentation of the main players and the side elements that play a role. I typically do not appreciate some of the side elements that are thrown in just cause, but there isn’t a single one that doesn’t pay off.
Guess Who
What hurts the movie is that it is a little on the nose for the stereotypes. This is a remake of a movie from long ago, and that might have required them to make some changes to fit current cultures, but it was just too forced at times.
Windtalkers
The actions scenes are either epic and awesome, or predictable, over the top, and boring. This was prime you never run out of ammo timeframe. They do reload, but Nicolas Cage seems to be carrying 6000 rounds of .45 for his Thompson. It is crazy.
Dune Part One
I wish I could explain to you how many times I have watched this and am just now, in November 2024, realizing I never wrote a review for this. I have tagged it in my system as watched, but never reviewed. Let me correct that egregious mistake.
S.W.A.T
Story isn’t bad. Nothing crazy going on and honestly nothing unbelievable other than all the different gangs coming together in attempt to get him out. It looked like you had Mexican Cartel, Crips or Bloods (Maybe both), and Triads all working to save this guy. That was the crazy part.
The 355
I love Jessica Chastain. She is an outstanding actress. This movie isn’t any different from her other ones with one notable exception that plagues the entire movie and the rest of the cast. Everyone is dumb and there is no character growth that isn’t a joke.
Alien Movie Anthology
Overall, I enjoyed the story (Not you Resurrection). There is action, jump scares, a creeping feeling, and just some either outstanding effects or just abysmal effects. If you include Alien3 and Resurrection, this series is only a 6. However,…
Prisoners
The story is excellent and while I had a feeling about how it was going to end, I was thrown through the loop and had to second guess the ending. It is so well written with no real sign post that I loved. This is another of Denis Villeneuve fantastic movies.
Blade Runner
My major complain for a similar movie, Alien was that the quiet pieces were just too quiet. This movie doesn’t have that issue. The music feels and adds so much to this movie that I am 90% sure it fueled music for games like Mass Effect Legendary Edition.
Blade Runner 2049
The shots in this movie are awesome. From the desert storms, the big cities, the San Diego trash sites, and to the giant digital display of Joii is just so good. This is a masterclass of blending CGI with practical effects.
John Wick Series
This has to be the best series I have ever watched with consistency. Great music and great fight scenes that you know took a lot of time to put together. Without thinking about it, I am giving the series a 9. It is the best series I have ever watched and hope that Ballerina lives up to it
A Few Good Men
This is such a good movie. There are few movies that really get the feeling and cult like dedication the Marine Corps instills in you like this movie does. While the two young Marines are a little over the top at times…

TV Shows

Reacher
Where I think this show did a disservice to the books and character is not continuing the idea of the loner that he is. In the books, what makes him a what he is just a guy doing the Lord’s work because he is in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Agatha All Along
This was an absolutely surprising show. I am not mad at any of the acting and the setting is really good. They do this weird thing where if you really want to pay attention you can tell that it is this technique of a painted background. However, it is painted in a way that it looks far away.
The Continental
This miniseries is full of amazing fight scenes that make no sense, weapon damage that is beyond the realm of normality, and slower than the snail that has finally catching up to you.

Books

The Bone Orchard
It took me so long to figure out how the character structures were as far as the main characters that you follow that I almost put it down. I am glad that I didn’t as it was an interesting read, but it could have been so much more.
Code Talker
Without these brave men, these champions of their cause and way of life, the Marines would never have taken Guadalcanal, Peleliu, or Iwo Jima. You will get the same information from the quotes used in the book from Marine and Army leadership who served with them.
Project Hail Mary
“Project Hail Mary is a absolute fantastic book that scratches this deep nostalgia of being a kid and wanting to be an astronaut and scientist and so much more.” With a blend of anxiety, suspense, joy, and surprise, Project Hail Mary is the best science fiction book you will ever read.
Die Trying
I read this and honestly was more surprised by how plausible it could be with some notable exceptions as compared to others. There are a lot of things that would stop someone like Jack from helping with an investigation like in the first book, but not much would stop someone from trying to escape.

Games

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
It is Call of Duty game. If you watch the video above, I am just playing through some of the horror portion and the number of times that I nearly jumped out of my skin is crazy. The rest of the game is nothing different. Decent gun fighting and equipment.
Grand Theft Auto V
I played this when it first came out in 2013. I worked at GameStop part-time during the holidays while I was active duty and was able to see the rush this game had on the world. I VIVIDLY remember a mom not paying attention to what game her young son had picked up and was about to buy it…

Podcasts

Podcast Episode - Boyd’s Bar
Podcasts Episode shownotes