My thoughts on the Death of Robin Hood Movie and My 600th Blog Celebration

My thoughts on The Death of Robin Hood film. 

So recently, the trailer for Hugh Jackman's upcoming Robin Hood film was released, and it's basically Logan, but with Robin Hood. Robin Hood has been a folk hero for centuries since the 13th century, and we've had tons of adaptations of the character. 

We've had versions he's heroic, he's funny, he's a fox, but always steals from the rich and gives to the poor.

 A character like this that's been in the public domain for a long time, and anyone can do what they want with this character. I even have my own idea for a Robin Hood story, and I hope to share it one day. 

Now we are getting a version of the character that is a sad, broken old man, as we get nowadays a great hero who inspired so many, and just like that, he's a sad, broken old man. I've talked about this trope before and would love to tell a story about a great hero who is now older but still inspiring. Now, the film basically tells us that Robin Hood was never a hero; he was a murderer, I mean, the trailer does show him killing people in order to steal from the rich to give to the poor. Some people will argue that this movie is trying to destroy the legend of Robin Hood, but you know, Robin Hood is a public-domain character. You can't really destroy a character like that, because there are other versions of the character that inspire us and doesn't end up losing everything. Now, in this film, he's a sad, broken old man, and it's likely Maid Marian is dead, and all his merry men are dead too. Although Bill Skarsgard is playing Little John, he might be playing Little John's son, who goes by his father's name. 

The film also features a female character, played by Jodie Comer, who is a mystery figure Robin Hood has to protect, and I don't know if they are going to reveal that she is his daughter or related to the Sheriff of Nottingham or Prince John. We shall see what this film does like it's a very interesting take on Robin Hood and it's likely he will die in the film because there is a book called the Death of Robin Hood so he will likely die but his legend will live on as many will be inspired by him or tell their own takes of his legend that he was a hero or he was crimainl. I can see it ending like that. We shall see what this film does. It's directed by the guy who made Nicolas Cage's Pig film, so it's promising. I'll watch it, but if this film is just to shit on a legacy character, I'll be annoyed that there are way too many stories where they deconstruct a hero and just make them sad, broken, talked down to, or fail badly in the end, and then they self-exile themselves. However, I could be wrong, and in the end, the Robin Hood legend lives on because he was a hero. This movie is not about shitting on Robin Hood; it shows that, even though he is dead, his legend will live on as he is remembered as both a hero and an outlaw.

So that's my thoughts on The Death of Robin Hood Trailer. 

And here is another thing...

This is the 600th Blog Post, and I want to say thank you to all my viewers and to everyone who has read my blog about my film reviews, fan casts, top best or worst lists, my thoughts, and ideas for how I would make this or that. I just want to say thank you to all of you. I've posted many blogs, some of which are my best work, and some of which I look back on and am kind of embarrassed about. However, despite that, I am so grateful to all my bloggers. I do have more blog posts in the works, and I am currently working on my fantasy book, which I hope to publish this year, as I did last year with Three Legged Jack.

Still, I thank you all for your support of my blog and the feedback I got on it.

So again, thank you all!

Stand By Me Review celebrating 40 years of this film.

 

Stand By Me Review: Celebrating 40 years of this film.

Stand By Me is a childhood favourite, and sadly, we lost Rob Reiner, the director of this great film. This blog is also a tribute to Rob and to how his work inspired so many. So here is my review of Stand By Me. 

Stand by Me is based on Stephen King's novel The Body. The film focuses on four boys named Corey, Chris, Teddy, and Vern, who are childhood friends, and as summer comes to an end, they learn from Vern that there is a dead body by a railroad, and it's the missing boy Ray Bower. The boys then decide to set out and find the body and become heroes for finding Ray Bower's body. Each boy in this film has there personal problems like Gordie is still mourning his older brother Denny's death and he feels like his father doesn't love him like he did with Denny, Chris is from a bad home with abusive father and a brother who is best friends with Ace the local bad boy, Teddy had half his ear burned off by his father who is WW2 soldier who suffered from shell shocked, and Vern is the funny clumsy kid who lost a large amount of pennies. 

In the film, the boys go through many adventures to find the body, like escaping a junkyard or being hit by a moving train. Which makes you think, why didn't they take a bus? We also get a lot of emotional scenes, especially when Chris talks about how he confessed to a teacher that he stole the school's milk money. She took it and bought herself a new dress, and Chris felt betrayed because, as Rob Reiner told River Phoenix, "Was there ever a time an adult let you down?"

That scene is very emotional. Chris had a bad reputation and was often seen as a thief, but he tried to do the right thing and return the money. That teacher, though, betrayed him and didn't do the right thing. This scene had me crying, and even my mom cried. 

Now the film's villain Ace, is that typical bully who's just a jerk and treats everyone badly. Many people asked why Gordie didn't ask Ace to return his hat, especially during the gun scene. As Rob Reiner, they likely threw it away after they got the hat back, which was sad because it was Denny's hat after all. Ace was a bully no one should have to deal with, and I remember Family Guy did a parody of Stand By Me, and there was a scene were Peter realizes that Ace will get a gun and come after him, and he says, "That is a hole in this story. You know what takes the body." It's actually because in the book, sadly, Ace and his gang do beat up the boys at the end of the novel, but the film didn't include it, which was good, to be honest. Although in the novel, karma does get to Ace as Gordie visits Castle Rock, he sees that Ace is now an alcoholic, working at a mill and leading a horrible life. 

Now, at the end of the film, they find the body, and they find themselves, and that scene where they see the body is a powerful moment for these boys. The scene where Gordie breaks down into tears is emotional because he feels like his father hates him, and Chris, his best friend, is there for him and tells him his father just doesn't know him. He encourages Gordie to become a writer, and in the film, he does, and he’s very successful. Chris was another brother to Gordie.

Rob Reiner said this scene made him cry, recalling his own relationship with his father. I think we all have that moment in our lives when we think our parents don't love us, but we know that's not true, because most parents love their kids and support them. 

Now, at the end of the film, they are confronted by Ace and his gang, and Ace almost kills Chris, but is stopped by Gordie with a gun. Gordie makes his stand and is willing to kill Ace. Ace backs away but tells them they will get them for this, which, as I mentioned, does happen in the novel. The boys give an anonymous call to the police, and they take the body. The boys return home on Labour Day weekend, and in the end, they all go their separate ways. It's sad, but it is true that sometimes we lose touch with our friends and we don't hear from them. But hey, we all still have those friends in our lives who are always part of it and always will be. Gordie writes what happened to his pals, like Vern got married and had four kids, Teddy tried to join the army but failed and took part-time jobs around Castle Rock, and Chris went on to become a lawyer, but the opening of the film reveals that he was stabbed to death while trying to stop a fight.

The film ends with Gordie going camping with his two sons. 

The film's cast is amazing, including Will Wheaton, the late River Phoenix, Corey Feldman, Jerry O'Connell, Kiefer Sutherland, Richard Dreyfuss (whom I met once), John Cusack, and more. This is a great coming-of-age story, and you have to watch this film once in your life. Stand By Me was an important film of my childhood, and it was also the first R-rated film I watched. I love this film, I give it a 10 out of 10. Stephen King himself said this was his favourite adaptation of his work, and he was even brought to tears by how well Rob Reiner adapted it. 

It's sad to know that River Phoenix died at 23 in 1993, but his work lives on, just as Rob Reiner's work. Rob and River are reunited, and Rob was like a father to River and all the boys in the film. 

In memory of Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner.

They will be missed forever, and I once saw Rob Reiner at a restaurant in California, and I wish I had gotten a chance to tell him I loved Stand By Me and The Princess Bride. His work inspired so many, and it will forever. 

This blog is also dedicated to River Phoenix. 

The Best and Worst Films of 2025

 

The Best and Worst Films of 2025

So here is another best and worst films of 2025 there has been great films I've seen and some crappy ones. Lets face it even though we got some good films Hollywood still isn't in a good place right now but hey here is my ten best films of 2025 and worst films of 2025. 

First Best films of 2025.

10. How to Train Your Dragon 

We actually got a good remake that wasn't done by Disney. How To Train Your Dragon is by far one of the best remakes because it made small changes not big ones. 

9. The Phoenician Scheme

I mean who doesn't love Wes Anderson but this film you have to pay attention because it is hard to follow but still a great film. Like most Wes Anderson films.  

8. Deep Cover

I love this movie it was so funny and I love the Pizza Knight scene because it's funny seeing Orlando Bloom go from elf to pirate to Pizza Knight. 

7. Caught Stealing

This was one of my favourite films because it had a lot of twist and turns and one of Darren's best films. It's well made and really good with a bitter sweet ending. 

6. Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery 

A great murder mystery film and a lot better than the second film. I can't wait to see more Knives Out Mystery films.  

5. Fantastic 4 First Steps

We finally got a good Fantastic 4 film after two bad starts they finally got it right. I know there were some issues but overall I did enjoy this film and those rumors were never true about a film. I still think they should have gone with Nova instead of Silver Surfer. Still, love the cast and we got a proper looking Galatcus. 

4. Superman 

We finally got another great Superman film and I loved it and so far the DCU is at a great start with this and I'm looking forward to Man of Tomorrow, Lanterns, Supergirl, and Brave and the Bold. I really hope the DCU is great. 

3. F1 

Who doesn't love Brad Pitt and this is great film with great action, racing, and a great story too. Also Daemon Idris that guy should be the next Black Panther. 

2. Sinners 

This movie was great and one of Ryan Coogler's best work. This is a great vampire film and it's worth rewatching every halloween. It's a great film to watch. 

Here are some honourable mentions. 

Karate Kids Legends 

A fun film and if you're a fan of the Cobra Kai series you will like this film. 

Novocaine 

Who doesn't love Jack Quaid and this film is painful to watch but it is funny to watch despite how bloody it is. 

Wicked For Good

A good conclusion to the Wicked film series but it did drag on but the film is still good. Also both actresses need to go see a doctor they are way too skinny. 

One Battle After Another 

This was a great film but its very far left and when I look at it again the character Perfidia she's a deadbeat mom, cheated on her boyfriend, ratted out her friends, and she did some horrible things. I can see why so many people hate her character and I get it because not even that letter was enough to redeem her. 

Still I did enjoy this film very much and the characters because in the end they are imperfect characters. 

Weapons 

Weapons was scary but also really good and Aunt Gladys is getting a prequel so I hope they don't make her sympathetic. Great film to watch for Halloween. 

Thunderbolts

Thunderbolts I had low expections for and it wasn't the Thunderbolts or New Avengers I wanted to see on the big screen but still I had a great time with it. 

Frankestien 

You can't go wrong with Del Toro and I love how Del Toro will not use AI to make his films and the ending of the film has a beautiful feel to it. 

Running Man 

Running Man was a great action film full of twists and turns. I had a fun time watching this film. 

Zootopia 2 

A great sequel to a great film and its funny how Disney least animated films aren't good but this one was great. 

and the number one best film of the year is....

1. The Naked Gun 

This is the best film I've seen this year like this film brought back parody in comedy. Seth MacFarlane gave us a funny parody and the whole film had me laughing so hard and I just love this film. The Naked Gun is the best film of 2025 go see it. 

He's like nah.

Now here are the worst films of 2025 and let me tell ya these were bad and hard to watch. 

6. Captain America Brave New World

I love the Captain America films but this was the weakest out of all them. This felt more like a sequel to the Incredible Hulk which made me think why isn't Hulk in this film. This film was bad and it could have been better. 

5. Lilo and Stitch 

Another Disney Remake that ruins the point of the animated film. This film just bother me and let me tell the How to Train Your Dragon remake made minor changes while this film like Snow White made major changes that just ruin this film. 

4. Fixed

Oh boy this film was hard to watch and it's basically a film that furry community will love. I wish I could remove the things I saw because this was me in the end of the film and let me tell ya there were moments that disturb the crap out of me.

Seriously, you don't want to know what these dogs are seeing and this was made by Genndy Tartakovsky the man who made Dexter's Lab, Samurai Jack, and Primal. 

3. Playdate 

This was movie was bad and not funny like I love Alan Ritchson I do hope he plays Batman in the DCU but man this film was bad. 

2. Snow White

Oh god this was awful and boring and even my girlfriend said to me "Josh I don't like this film, I'm going to refill my popcorn." and I was like. "I can't blame ya this is bad." Also this proof everyone tired of remakes and this movie almost made Disney put a hold on remakes but Lilo and Stitch made a lot of money box office so we are getting more remakes. Also the Queen's musical number was cringe and Rachel Zegler all I can say is next time you join a film don't shit the original source material it will make people not want to see your movie. 

and the number one worst film of the year is....

1. War of the Worlds

This is hands down the worst film I've seen this year. This film was poorly made and I was so bored of it like I just hated this film. I like Ice Cube but this film was just painful to watch like it is to me the worst film of 2025. 

So that's my Best and Worst films of the year let me know what you think and Happy New Year.