5 Reasons to Love the 90s Video Game Film Adaptations

The 1990s was the first decade to bring video games to the big screen, and it failed spectacularly.

Now hold up!  I thought this is about the reasons why I should love the 90s video game films?

Patience, I’m getting there.

There were a total of six video game film adaptations released theatrically throughout May of 1993 to March of 1999: Super Mario Bros, Double Dragon, Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat, Mortal Kombat: Annihilation, and Wing Commander.  Not only were all six films panned by critics, but three of the six ended up being box office bombs.  Fan reactions to the films were polarizing, to say the least.  Mortal Kombat received praise for keeping close to its series storyline and action yet received flak for watering down the iconic gory fatalities.  On the other hand, Super Mario Bros. was near-universally bashed for forgoing its series roots for an entirely different, bizarre experience that bears little resemblance to its source material.

Some shared faults between the films’s creations were uncertainty and half-assed efforts.  Directors were unsure of what they were making and/or who their target audience was, and actors were even more confused about what they had gotten themselves into.  Half the films were cheap cash-ins on the rising video game craze, while the other half were lazy attempts at fanservice.  Even getting the series creator of Wing Commander to direct its film adaptation ended up being a horrible decision—resulting in a generic mess of space clichés, fresh to video games yet old and worn to the cinema.

Wing Commander, however, is the black sheep of the 90s video game adaptations.  The film is everything the other 90s video game adaptations aren’t—a generic, bland trope-fest that’s competently made.  Yeah, Wing Commander is actually a decently-structured story, and here, that’s a bad thing.  For what the other five 90s adaptations share in common are how bizarrely their stories are put together, and how fascinating the results end up.  Yet that’s not all these five features share in common.  They’re comical—whether intentional or not—they each have an actor who gave way more than needed, their villains are memorable, and they are all endearingly cheesy.  No, not all of them are well-made films (some I give a thumbs down to), but flaws withstanding, there are reasons to appreciate and yes, love these five misshapen, misguided attempts at adapting video games into films.

FRJ's Top 10 Films of 2017 (Film List)

It has been a much better year.

10 Hidden Gem Films: 2017 Edition (Film List)

You there!  Tired of seeing the same old genericism within mainstream Hollywood?  Desiring films that take risks, are creative and distinct?  Well, look no further, for you’ve found what you are looking for!

FRJ's Top 5 Superhero Films of 2017 (Film List)

It’s staggering how far superhero films have come.

FRJ’s Mid-Year Top 10 Films of 2017 (Film List)

The summer blockbuster season of 2017 cinema is officially over, and with it brings the incoming hustle and bustle of the fall-winter Oscar season (just as soon as we get out of this dry month known as September).  Last year’s Oscar season was an absolute disappointment, with only two of its releases placing in my top 10.  It’s difficult to say how different 2017’s Oscar Season will be compared to 2016’s, but with the bar set so low, I’m hopeful to see some kind of improvement.

FRJ's Top 10 Films of 2016 (Film List)

2016 has, so far, been the weakest year in film of the 21^st century.

FRJ's Best of 2015 Awards (Film List)

I love making lists.

The Best in Women's Cinema 2015 Edition: Gender in Film Part 2

It’s no secret I was disappointed by 2014’s alarming lack of strong female roles (discussed in my We Are The Best! review and 2015 Mid-Year List), which, admittedly, had been heightened by a then recent binge on 70s era films: one of the weakest decades for women’s cinema.  The 70s was a very depressing chapter for women’s cinema, predominately because the 60s was quite the opposite: an explosively progressive decade filled with new and fleshed-out female roles.  The 70s took such progressive thinking and, with the exception of the occasional outlier, pushed it back around 40 years.  It’s taken another 40 years to catch back up to where the 60s were heading, and yet, 2014 gave a shiver of worry that such backtracking was once again happening—that was, until 2015 came into play.  Not only has 2015 made up for 2014’s disappointment by surpassing expectations, it's also gave, quite possibly, the most abundant, diverse and well-rounded year for women in all of cinematic history.

10 Hidden Gem Films: 2015 Edition (Film List)

Here are ten remarkable 2015 films that:

1. Are not blockbusters
2. Got completely snubbed by the Oscars
3. Are nearly, if not completely, unknown to the general public
4. And are extraordinarily unique creations

Each one deserves to be given at least a single viewing—far more so than a good deal of mainstream films.  I highly recommend checking them out.

FRJ's Top 20 Films of 2015 (Film List)

Rarely do the Oscars and I agree.

FRJ's Bottom 10 Films of 2015 (Film List)

Fun fact: both last year and this year’s bottom ten lists have six films I went to see with positive expectations.  Over half of both years’s most hated films were unexpected failures, with seven on this list having fresh ratings on Rotten Tomatoes.  These statistics emphasize how I rarely seek out “bad” films, choosing which pictures to see based on:

FRJ's Top 5 Romance Films of 2015 (Film List)

I make lists for three reasons: declaration, recommendation, and self-entertainment.  The latter reason is self-explanatory (I really enjoy making lists), the other two may need some expansion.  The first reason refers to expressing my opinions and thoughts on personal interests, such as film.  Lists provide a great way to organize my thoughts and convey them in an easy to understand format (particularly since I decline to use any rating system for film reviews).  The other reason, recommendation (or disparagement for worst-of lists), indicates my desire to open readers to new films they may enjoy, but haven’t seen due to false trailers, initial disinterest, or being under the radar.  The latter happens to the majority of low-budget, foreign, and independent films—getting swept aside by the year’s major blockbusters.  Just last week, after reaching my goal of seeing one hundred 2015 films, I discovered—by complete accident—two unique, highly acclaimed 2015 films I hadn’t even heard of: The Lobster and The Diary of a Teenage Girl (both which will be considered leftovers for 2016).  If I can miss two very intriguing films despite searching diligently all year-round for under the radar cinema, then there’s certainly a few hidden gems the average moviegoer missed too—which is where my lists can help out.

FRJ's Top 5 Horror Films of 2015 (Film List)

I make lists for three reasons: declaration, recommendation, and self-entertainment.  The latter reason is self-explanatory (I really enjoy making lists), the other two may need some expansion.  The first reason refers to expressing my opinions and thoughts on personal interests, such as film.  Lists provide a great way to organize my thoughts and convey them in an easy to understand format (particularly since I decline to use any rating system for film reviews).  The other reason, recommendation (or disparagement for worst-of lists), indicates my desire to open readers to new films they may enjoy, but haven’t seen due to false trailers, initial disinterest, or being under the radar.  The latter happens to the majority of low-budget, foreign, and independent films—getting swept aside by the year’s major blockbusters.  Just last week, after reaching my goal of seeing one hundred 2015 films, I discovered—by complete accident—two unique, highly acclaimed 2015 films I hadn’t even heard of: The Lobster and The Diary of a Teenage Girl (both which will be considered leftovers for 2016).  If I can miss two very intriguing films despite searching diligently all year-round for under the radar cinema, then there’s certainly a few hidden gems the average movie goer missed too—which is where my lists can help out.

FRJ's Top 10 Drama Films of 2015 (Film List)

I make lists for three reasons: declaration, recommendation, and self-entertainment.  The latter reason is self-explanatory (I really enjoy making lists), the other two may need some expansion.  The first reason refers to expressing my opinions and thoughts on personal interests, such as film.  Lists provide a great way to organize my thoughts and convey them in an easy to understand format (particularly since I decline to use any rating system for film reviews).  The other reason, recommendation (or disparagement for worst-of lists), indicates my desire to open readers to new films they may enjoy, but haven’t seen due to false trailers, initial disinterest, or being under the radar.  The latter happens to the majority of low-budget, foreign, and independent films—getting swept aside by the year’s major blockbusters.  Just last week, after reaching my goal of seeing one hundred 2015 films, I discovered—by complete accident—two unique, highly acclaimed 2015 films I hadn’t even heard of: The Lobster and The Diary of a Teenage Girl (both which will be considered leftovers for 2016).  If I can miss two very intriguing films despite searching diligently all year-round for under the radar cinema, then there’s certainly a few hidden gems the average movie goer missed too—which is where my lists can help out.

FRJ's Top 5 Comedy Films of 2015 (Film List)

I make lists for three reasons: declaration, recommendation, and self-entertainment.  The latter reason is self-explanatory (I really enjoy making lists), the other two may need some expansion.  The first reason refers to expressing my opinions and thoughts on personal interests, such as film.  Lists provide a great way to organize my thoughts and convey them in an easy to understand format (particularly since I decline to use any rating system for film reviews).  The other reason, recommendation (or disparagement for worst-of lists), indicates my desire to open readers to new films they may enjoy, but haven’t seen due to false trailers, initial disinterest, or being under the radar.  The latter happens to the majority of low-budget, foreign, and independent films—getting swept aside by the year’s major blockbusters.  Just last week, after reaching my goal of seeing one hundred 2015 films, I discovered—by complete accident—two unique, highly acclaimed 2015 films I hadn’t even heard of: The Lobster and The Diary of a Teenage Girl (both which will be considered leftovers for 2016).  If I can miss two very intriguing films despite searching diligently all year-round for under the radar cinema, then there’s certainly a few hidden gems the average movie goer missed too—which is where my lists can help out.

FRJ's Top 5 Action Films of 2015 (Film List)

I make lists for three reasons: declaration, recommendation, and self-entertainment.  The latter reason is self-explanatory (I really enjoy making lists), the other two may need some expansion.  The first reason refers to expressing my opinions and thoughts on personal interests, such as film.  Lists provide a great way to organize my thoughts and convey them in an easy to understand format (particularly since I decline to use any rating system for film reviews).  The other reason, recommendation (or disparagement for worst-of lists), indicates my desire to open readers to new films they may enjoy, but haven’t seen due to false trailers, initial disinterest, or being under the radar.  The latter happens to the majority of low-budget, foreign, and independent films—getting swept aside by the year’s major blockbusters.  Just last week, after reaching my goal of seeing one hundred 2015 films, I discovered—by complete accident—two unique, highly acclaimed 2015 films I hadn’t even heard of: The Lobster and The Diary of a Teenage Girl (both which will be considered leftovers for 2016).  If I can miss two very intriguing films despite searching diligently all year-round for under the radar cinema, then there’s certainly a few hidden gems the average moviegoer missed too—which is where my lists can help out.

2015 Mid-Year's Top Ten Films (Film List)

Let’s skip the formalities and get right to the meat.

Top 5 Favorite Marvel Cinematic Universe Films (Film List)

In honor of Marvel Studios releasing Avengers: Age of Ultron, I made a list of my five favorite Marvel Cinematic Universe (or MCU) films.  For clarification, only films within the Marvel Cinematic Universe can qualify; so film series such as Spider-Man (Sony) and X-Men (Fox) are ineligible.  As of now (excluding Age of Ultron) there are ten films in the MCU, from Iron Man to Guardians of the Galaxy.

So without further ado, LET’S BEGIN!!!

The Top Ten Greatest Movies OF ALL TIME!!! (APRIL FOOLS!!!)

APRIL FOOLS EVERYONE!!!!!

Film Reviewer Jr.'s Favorite Films of 2014: Part 2 (Film List)

This is Part 2 of Film Reviewer Jr.’s Favorite Films of 2014.  If you haven’t already, please check out Part 1 linked here: Film Reviewer Jr.'s Favorite Films of 2014: Part 1