There are just too many great sequels out there to pick from. Of course I am not counting the terrible straight to video/DVD efforts, but the greats like Ghostbusters, Die Hard, Star Wars, X2, Honey I Blew Up the Kids and those films that didn't even warrent a sequel, Pitch Perfect 2, Magic Mike XXL, Ted 2, I could go on but I won't.
When I was younger, for some reason my sister and I would always get to see the sequel first. I saw Ghostbusters 2, Empire Strikes Back, Back to the Future 2, Terminator: Judgement Day first. This was a strange coincidence.
Don't forget to check out what
Wandering Through the Shelves picked, the blog that started Thursday Movie Picks.
1. Back to the Future 2
As stated above, I saw this film first and this is how I fell in love with this trilogy. I experienced the future Hill Valley before the past one. I saw flying cars and old Biff before I saw a younger version of everyone. I will always love this film more than the others, even though the first film is beyond the scope of brilliance. The Secret Cinema event, recreating Hilly Valley was epic and kept the flame of 80s nostalgia, mixed with 50s nostalgia with added hope and wonder for the future and after all some of things predicted in the film did eventually (in some way) come true. But its 2015 and still no sign of flying cars. Or that Sports Almanac.
2. Addams Family Values
Besides the first film being hilarious, quotable, riduclosly good, the sequel was just that tiny bit better. This is probably because it had the two things, Debbie the serial killer and Camp Chippewa. There are also some excellent lines in this film, a favourite is Nathan Lane's cameo police officer when he meets the family, 'Who are? What are you? Who moved the rock?'. There are also a few plots going on, Fester wanting to find love, Debbie wanting to kill Fester after marrying him, Wednesday and Pugley at camp trying break out and Gomez and Morticia's timeless romance even finding space in the time frame of the film. It's a film my friends and I always seem to quote at some point for no reason, but then again, no reason needed.
3. Day watch
Having not seen that many Russian films, I'm not sure what made me want to watch Night Watch. Forget
Timur Bekmambetov ever went to Hollywood and made a couple of bad films, remember for Night Watch and the great sequel, Day Watch. This was way back in 2005 and I was just getting into my cinephile shoes. I got the film cheap and was hooked. I bought the sequel as soon as I finished. Day Watch obviously had that 'second film with bigger budget after success of first film' vibe and the story was a bit muddled. But after a second watch, I got into it. The characters are great, plus is a fantasy based story rather than pure supernatural, which I liked. Anton, the reluctant hero continues on as a Light Other, while trying to cover upthe attacks made by his crazy son who is now a Dark Other. Underneath he is a spoilt brat who wants his father all to himself but on the surface, he is being used as weapon to start a war. All set in Moscow, an unbelievably fresh view from the constant shots of LA, New York or some other American city.
Interesting picks, I chose Back to the Future III last week for Sci-Fi week. I can see why this one would hold a special spot for you but for me it's my least favorite. The first is inimitable and then I've always loved the third but all of them are enjoyable films.
ReplyDeleteSomehow even though I've always meant to I've never seen either of the Addams Family films despite being a fan of everyone in it.
I've never heard of you third choice. It sounds interesting.
Ha! Funny that you often watched the second movie first. Thankfully, you picked some good ones. Love Back to the Future II. I've only seen pieces of Addams Family Values and I've never even heard of Day Watch. Great post.
ReplyDeleteI fell in love with Back to the Future II before I did the first one. I actually loved Ghostbusters 2 before 1 as well. So odd. Probably the timing of release for both of them. I was an infant when the originals of those came out. But was five or six when the sequels were released. I LOVE Addams Family Values. I always liked it better than the original. Great picks!
ReplyDeleteI think any one of the Back to the Future holds a special place in any cinephile or 80s movie enthusiast's heart.
ReplyDeleteI suggest the best double bill ever. Both Addams Family films with your beverage of choice. I would also suggest the another worthy double bill, Night Watch followed by Day Watch. Great movies, not seen enough outside of Russia or Europe for that matter.
Thanks! It's weird it always worked out that way. I actually saw BTTF 2 then 3 quite a lot then I saw the first BTTF at school! It was an odd choice for a group of year 6s.
ReplyDeleteThanks! I saw most of the sequels when we watched them on TV or when my parents taped them for us because they loved them too.
ReplyDeleteI saw Addams Family Values before seeing the original Addams Family, and it kicked off my love for them. I still love that movie.
ReplyDeleteIt's a great pick-me-up film :)
ReplyDeleteO.M.G. You win this week. Addams Family Values is so freakin' perfect. I haven't seen it since I was a kid, but I still remember Joan Cusack so vividly ("MALIBU. BARBIE."). That slide show! And Christina Ricci's Wednesday smiling at Camp. And when her rival jumps in the water and acts like she's drowning, and Wednesday's all "I can't swim." I STILL laugh. And I was beginning to think I was the only person outside of Russia who had seen and loved Night Watch and Day Watch. I wanted to see Night Watch from the first trailer that was the whole film sped up to about a minute. Love them both.
ReplyDeleteAnd of course, Back to the Future Part II, the perfect time travel twisted story.
For some reason I can't see any of the comments ....
ReplyDeleteThank you! My friends love the Addams family films, always quoting them. Debbie is a brilliant invention, even better that its Joan Cusack. The Camp scenes are just too good! 'I'm a Turkey, EAT ME!'
ReplyDelete