Films That I Saw: September 2017

Well, this has been an interesting yet chaotic year as it is clear how fucked up things are as hurricanes destroyed places like South Florida and Puerto Rico while earthquakes ravaged all over Mexico. These are horrible moments as we as humanity need to do whatever we can to help but we’re also dismayed over the fact that the GWOTUS is more concerned about a bunch of athletes kneeling during the U.S. national anthem and getting rid of Obamacare than what is happening all over the world. It is so frustrating though not surprising considering that the leader of the free world is a narcissistic Nazi who only cares about himself and those who pander to his bullshit. It’s hard to sleep these days as I’ve been spending a lot of late nights watching CNN or looking at anything on what it’s going on and it’s becoming non-stop as well as overwhelming. Even to the point that I can barely wake up and watch films sometimes as it would end up taking me longer than usual to watch a film or to even finish a review.

In the month of September, I saw a total of 37 films in 23 first-timers and 14 re-watches. Slightly up by one film than in the previous month as the highlight of the month is definitely my Blind Spot assignment in A Brighter Summer Day. Here are the top 10 first-timers that I saw for September 2017:

1. Stroszek

2. Anomalisa

3. The Cove

4. Wind River

5. '71

6. Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior

7. The Confession

8. Creed

9. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

10. The Whistleblower

Monthly Mini-Reviews

Happy Birthday

This was a film I watched late one night as it was just this dumb horror comedy about a guy who travels to Mexico with his friend for a birthday trip which goes horribly wrong after meeting two young ladies who kidnap them. It’s an odd film that tries to be a lot of things but it’s never interesting while the humor is just terrible. Plus, there’s this weird appearance from Steven Tyler of all people as a shaman which is just stupid stunt-casting for a film that is real fucking waste of time.

Backstreet Boys: Show ‘Em What You’re Made of

For anyone around the late 90s definitely knew who the Backstreet Boys were as this boy-band that was selling a shitload of albums before the end of the 20th Century. Yet, this documentary which chronicles the group making preparing for their 20th Anniversary tour and a new album in 2013’s In a World Like This is actually very interesting as it follows the group members going back to their hometowns as well as reminisce about the group’s formation and massive success as well as its downside. It’s a very surprising film that shows five men who not only cope with themselves, each other, vocal issues, and aging. Yet, they all do it together and be appreciative that they still have an audience to play for who are loyal. This is a film that fans of the group should see while anyone who aren’t into the Backstreet Boys or pop music will see this as a big surprise considering that they’re just five humble guys still making music that matters.

Blade Runner 2048: Nowhere to Run


The second in a trilogy of short films that serve as a prequel to the upcoming Blade Runner 2049 revolves around the character of Sapper Morton who is portrayed with a sense of restraint by Dave Bautista. Morton is this rogue replicant on the run who would encounter a young girl where he gives her a book and tries to defend her and her mother from a bunch of thugs who were harassing them. It’s a very intriguing short that is helmed by Luke Scott who also did the previous short.

Blade Runner: Black Out 2022


The third and final short film in the trilogy of prequel shorts for Blade Runner 2049 is an anime feature directed by Shinichiro Watanabe of Cowboy Bebop and Samurai Champloo fame. Featuring a voice cameo from Edward James Olmos reprising his role as Gaff from the original film, the short revolves around a conflict between humans and replicants where the latter are on the hunt. The focus is mainly on a replicant named Trixie who tells her story to another replicant who would recall his own experience at a war just before a major blackout would occur. It is definitely the best of the three shorts due to the rich animation and complex story as it’s a must-see for anyone who loves Blade Runner and the works of Watanabe.

Top 10 Re-Watches (that isn’t Lost in Translation)

1. Ghost World

2. The Dark Knight

3. Fitzcarraldo

4. Duck, You Sucker!

5. The Spy Who Loved Me

6. Werner Herzog Eats His Shoe

7. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

8. The U Part 2

9. Wargames

10. The Man With the Golden Gun

That is it for September 2017 as next month will be devoted almost entirely to horror films as well as films that are off-the-wall as well as some suspenseful films that are dark. Much of it is based on the never-ending DVR list as well as some films I will be checking out from the local library. The only theatrical release that I’m likely to do is Blade Runner 2049 as I’m not sure if there’s other films that will be playing around October. Until then, this is thevoid99 signing off…

© thevoid99 2017