The Last 10 Movies – August 2024 edition. 

Both my friends and I used to be HUGE movie goers. Not going to the movies was a much rarer event than actually going. It seemed like we went every week – although we didn’t go THAT often! - but it was unusual that more than a few weeks went by without someone asking if we were going to see X, Y or (pushing the boat out) Z. We’d see action flics, sub-titled movies, Sci-Fi, Historical, Fantasy... Just about everything... And then we didn’t. Months went by and nothing (or at least not much that interested more than one or two of us). Then came Covid and EVERYTHING stopped... and we didn’t go back – at least not that often. Now it’s become pretty standard that two or three of us might see three or four movies a year at the Multiplex.  

I think part of that is that we’re all just getting old and ‘modern’ movies aren’t really made for our generation. Part is because of the domination of things like Marvel (I lost interest in Superhero movies LONG ago), sequels, re-boots, live-action versions and remakes. BORING. Originality seemed to have died. This was thrown into greater contrast when they showed ‘classic movies’ from 20, 30 and longer years ago. We saw 2001, Alien, Die Hard (at Christmas of course!), the Original Bladerunner, even Escape From New York and the cinema was PACKED. That was FUN. These days the few movies I am watching are either from Amazon Prime or BBC iPlayer. So, inspired by Stephen’s movie postings over at Reading Freely, here’s my list of the last 10 movies I’ve been watching. 

Robocop (1987) 

A cyborg cop in Old Detroit. Still watchable after all these years. Iconic SF and very much of its time. 

Robocop 2 (1990) 

The cyborg cop returns to fight drugs and evil corporations. The inevitable cash-in sequel. Still more than watchable but with some very dodgy model FX. 

The Cannonball Run (1981) 

A race across America to smash the blanket 55mph limit. Had its moments but has not aged well, at all! 

Wargames (1983) 

Teen hacker almost causes WW3. Very dated but still lots of fun. 

The Terminator (1984) 

An unstoppable robot from the future sent back to kill a waitress and destroy humanity. Another iconic movie that (mostly) stands the test of time. 

The Final Countdown (1980) 

USS Nimitz travels back to 1941 and intervenes in the Pearl Harbor attack. A fun if silly film with some really good moments. Lacked substance though. 

Outlander (2008) 

Spaceman crashes to Earth in 8th century Norway and fights an alien creature that escapes from his ship giving rise to the legend of Beowulf. A great smash-up of genres. Not exactly high art but LOTS of silly fun. 

Infinite (2021) 

A reincarnated human who wants to get off the cycle of life and death aims to kill the world to stop it. Other reincarnates aim to stop HIM. Interesting idea (kind of) but a terrible film. 

Hannah (2011) 

Teen super-agent returns to civilisation after a life of hiding from the CIA. Much carnage ensues. Reasonable if with more than a little low-budget vibe about it. 

Dial M for Murder (1954) 

Alfred Hitchcock classic. Although I’ve seen it multiple times this is still a delight to watch. VERY clever plotting. 

At the speed I’m watching movies these days it might be a while before I post my next 10. Although I am two down with another partially watched, so maybe it won’t be TOO long. I guess we’ll see.