Movies Watched in January 2026
Nowhere to Run – Last year, I started rewatching all of Jean-Claude Van Damme’s movies. I know I stopped somewhere around Double Team back when the films were originally releasing. Nowhere to Run was one I didn’t recall at all, and it ended up being quite unexpected. It’s more of a drama than an action film, with JCVD really pushing himself to tell a redemption story bookended by two larger action set pieces. It’s not my favorite JCVD film, but it was a worthy watch.
Would I Watch It Again: No
Did I Enjoy It: Yes
Road House (1989) – What can I say? It’s a classic. I really love the first half of the film, before it goes completely over the top. There’s something about the calmness of Swayze that works so well. I really wish the film stayed a bit more grounded, but it’s still a fun watch anytime.
Would I Watch It Again: Yes
Did I Enjoy It: Yes
The Replacement Killers – I’ve always loved this film. It has such a fantastic sense of style, and Mira Sorvino was at her absolute hottest here. During this rewatch, I could feel the film drag a bit, but the gunplay is still great, and Chow Yun-Fat is just fantastic.
Would I Watch It Again: Yes
Did I Enjoy It: Yes
Summer School – One of my favorite ’80s films. I discovered this late one night on USA or some random cable channel and immediately fell in love with it. It had probably been twenty years since I last watched it, and it was a fun, refreshing revisit. The cast is well-rounded, leading to quite a few laugh-out-loud moments. There’s also some surprisingly amazing gore for such a lighthearted comedy.
Would I Watch It Again: Yes
Did I Enjoy It: Yes
Bloodsport – The JCVD classic. I watched this film constantly as a kid, and it still holds up rather well. It’s a simple story, and the acting isn’t anything special, but the action is great, and the soundtrack is even better.
Would I Watch It Again: Probably
Did I Enjoy It: Yes
The Perfect Weapon – I remember seeing the box for this film all the time in video stores during the ’90s, but I never went out of my way to watch it. After hearing some positive things online, I finally gave it a watch. What I found was a coherent but very by-the-numbers action film that features kenpo, which looks great on screen. I also appreciated that the film starts and ends with “The Power” by Snap.
Would I Watch It Again: No
Did I Enjoy It: Yes
The Quest – This is a JCVD film I don’t think I’ve seen before. If I had watched it previously, it left no impression. The Quest is a strange movie. It’s essentially Bloodsport, but with JCVD fighting in a more Muay Thai–influenced style and set in the 1920s. JCVD also directed the film, and… it’s not great. The action scenes are solid, and I appreciate the ambition of trying to make this feel like a huge epic, but I didn’t enjoy it overall. It’s a good forty minutes too long.
Would I Watch It Again: No
Did I Enjoy It: No
Hackers – This is a ’90s cult film I’d never seen. It’s been on my “to watch” list since the decade itself, and I finally took the plunge, something I wish I’d done sooner. It’s cheesy and over-the-top in all the ways I love. The soundtrack is great, and Matthew Lillard chews the scenery, which I’m always a fan of.
Would I Watch It Again: Yes
Did I Enjoy It: Yes
No Escape – Another ’90s film that had been on my list for a long time. Directed by Martin Campbell, it features a strong cast, with Ray Liotta starring in a rare good-guy role. It’s a fun movie with some solid action set pieces.
Would I Watch It Again: No
Did I Enjoy It: Yes
Cutthroat Island – I remember renting this as a kid and loving it. Revisiting it now, I can say it isn’t terrible, but it’s certainly not good either. It’s far too long, though the stunts are fantastic. Geena Davis feels out of her league here, which is interesting given how great she was just a couple of years earlier in A League of Their Own and how fantastic she would be the following year in The Long Kiss Goodnight. Matthew Modine is serviceable by essentially channeling Cary Elwes.
Would I Watch It Again: No
Did I Enjoy It: Yes
Go – I watched Go when it was originally released and was very underwhelmed. Despite having a great cast featuring one of my favorite actresses from the late 90s/early 2000’s Sarah Polley, I just didn’t love the film. I appreciated what it tried to do, but I just wasn’t as captivating as everyone else I knew. Having watched it again, some twenty years later, I walked away feeling the same way. It’s a fun peek into the rave scene of the late 90s, but the movie drags and just isn’t my cup of tea.
Would I Watch It Again: No
Did I Enjoy It: Meh
Movies Started but Not Finished:
Predator: Badlands – I’m sure I’ll watch this one eventually, but I couldn’t get past the heavy CGI in the first five minutes. It feels more like a video game than a movie.
Pick it Up! Ska in the ’90s – I’m actually digging this documentary, but I was interrupted by something and just haven’t gone back to finish it up. I’m sure I will soon.