All the latest investigations from Movieland detectives Dick Japowski & Joey Arizona.
The Arizona Case Files
The Spanish Main (1945)
Swashbuckling a plenty when a Dutch sailor becomes a rather affable pirate after he escapes unjust imprisonment at the hands of a Spanish Viceroy, and spends the next five years stealing everything the Viceroy doesn't have bolted down.
A family friendly adventure perfect for a wet and windy afternoon.
First watch: 3 Doughnuts
The Many Views of Detective Dick Japowski
Johnny Dangerously (1984)
Playing in the tune of Merry Melodies, and an opening title track by Weird Al Yankovic, you know off the bat you are getting some madcap fun! Michael Keaton recalls his rise in Peter Boyle's 30s era mob and with all the loves and laughs thrown in for good measure.
The laughs don't come as fast as a Zucker brothers comedy but are consistently daffy fun and will leave you grinning.
First watch: 3 Doughnuts
The Many Views of Detective Dick Japowski
Happy Death Day 2U (2019)
A college guy gets a familiar groundhog day awakening and must help a past survivor solve the time looping mystery..
This sequel to the surprisingly watchable Happy death day gets bonus points for taking the story in a different direction. Horror fans may be disappointed but fans of twisty sci-fi comedies may enjoy.
First watch: 2.5 Doughnuts
The Arizona Case Files
Hardcore Henry (2015)
A cyborg wakes with no memory, and within five minutes the women claiming to be his wife is abducted by an albino terrorist with telekinetic powers. It's okay though Henry's aided by a man who seems to keep dying.
Back 2005 videogame adapt Doom was released, and while it largely sucked there was a magnificent sequence in first person, like the game it inspired. A sequence which made you wish the whole film was like that...well it only took another ten years but we finally got the movie we dreamed about.
This is definitely not a movie for everyone, not even for every action movie fan, it's absolutely bonkers, there're times when the action is so frantic you're not sure what's going on, but it's also a thrilling, intriguing, and above all a unique cinematic experience.
First watch: 4 Hardcore Doughnuts
The Many Views of Detective Dick Japowski
Slaughterhouse Rules (2018)
Old school secrets come bubbling up to the surface at a bawdy boarding school, and these secrets have extra teeth!
From Crispian Mills former Kula Shaker front man. This is a super fun eighties creature throwback that embraces its Britishness, its gore and its comedy. A nice surprise.
First watch: 4 Doughnuts
The Arizona Case Files
The Lost City of Z (2016)
Based on exploits of Col. Percival Fewcett who in the early 20th Century made several attempts to find a lost city in the heart of the Amazon rainforest.
On it's release there were many reviews calling this a real life Indiana Jones, and it's a comprise beyond lazy. Both Fewcett and Jones are vaguely archaeologists, and that's where the similarities end. It's a story that starts with a man hoping to provide a better life for his family, and an unwavering believe which ultimately consumes them.
First watch: 4 Doughnuts
Have you witnessed any of the movies we've investigated? What's the verdict? Guilty or innocent? Let us know in the comments below.