I didn't think I would have much for this post, but then the blizzard hit. What better way to spend a couple of days trapped inside than watch some movies?

Today's films are:

44. Return to the 36th Chamber
45. I Dream of Wires
46. Beneath the Planet of the Apes
47. Escape from the Planet of the Apes
48. The Fellowship of the Ring
49. The Two Towers

Return to the 36th Chamber (1980)

After I watched Disciples of the 36th Chamber, I realized that it was actually the third in the series. I thought it would be fun to watch the other ones with my boys. Halfway through this one, though, and I realized that I failed again. This one is the 2nd in the series. Oh well, it seems as if they are all barely related stories, anyway. This one was fun, but not quite as fun as Disciples. The dynamics between characters were not quite as entertaining, and it didn't have that constant bounciness that the third one has.

Standout Moment: When the main character first tries to trick the bad guys. It's a really funny set up.

I Dream of Wires (2015)

This documentary follows the rise, fall, and resurrection of the analog synthesizer. It was a fun doc that had a lot of really great info. All I wanted to do after it was over was get a hold of one of those original synths. The device really speaks to both the tech and music nerds within me. Thanks to this doc, I now know that they are still being made, and I have some money to raise.

Standout Moment: The very beginnings of the instrument were completely unknown to me. This film adequately illuminates that part of musical history.

Beneath the Planet of the Apes (1970)

Not quite as good as the first one, Beneath the Planet of the Apes is still a great follow up. The ending secures the series' place as the most nihilistic movie series in popular culture. None of these films end well, but they always have some something thought-provoking to say about human nature, war, and fate.

Standout Moment: The church service deep within the caverns of the mutants is weird in a way that is really chilling.

Escape From the Planet of the Apes (1971)

I very distinctly remember watching this film as a kid. Just as with the rest of the series, this film offers very little hope to its audience. The concepts are deeper than happy endings. It admittedly gets a little goofy near the beginning, but the last 40 minutes are a riveting march towards inevitability.

Standout Moment: The climax of the film is chilling and incredible.

The Fellowship of the Ring (2002)

The LOTR books were incredibly important to me when I was a kid. I read them before the movies came out, and then learned that there would be a huge, three part film series coming to theaters. This set me up for disappointment. The cast, art design, and music is all amazing in these films, but the direction is a little bland and boring. Moments from the books that left me breathless were merely entertaining in the films. I like to put them on as background noise, and they are a great thing to watch when stuck inside.

Standout Moment: The Bridge of Khazad Dum.

The Two Towers (2003)

This movie was one of the most disappointing theater-going experiences I ever had. I was psyched. I thought the first one was a little bland, but I knew that the second one had the promise of Shelob's lair. I waited through long stretches of badly written scenes made specifically for the films (in other words, not from the book), but by the time the credits rolled giant spiders were nowhere to be found. I was mad more than anything. I refused to watch this movie for several years after it came out because I was so angry. The audience was already primed to watch a third film, so I still don't know why they pushed back the 2nd book's most incredible scene.

Standout Moment: "Looks like meat's back on the menu, boys!"

That's it for now! Look for another post on Wednesday or Thursday.

Josh D.
5181 Productions

365 Films- Post 8