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Reviews
Land of Bad (2024)
Aaannnd ACTION!
Action is the name of the game here. There's an all-star cast and yes, plenty of action. There's nothing ground-breaking or earth-shattering here, but together makes for a decent use of time.
The character development part of the movie works well with having somewhat of a care what the protagonist is going through.
There are plenty of explosions and rocket-fire and one can't be really sure who the enemy is and why we want them eliminated. Does it matter? Not in the Land of Bad, where the impossible is possible.
A good watch and while predictable, the movie hums along and before you know it, you can start breathing again.
Past Lives (2023)
I Met You in a Past Life
WOW what a movie! Movies that come out of Korea are always worth a look and Past Lives is no exception. I have no idea who the actors (Greta Lee and Teo Yoo) are and that doesn't matter here. The less we know the better. Both actors played their parts to the hilt. What wasn't said spoke volumes than what was said.
An incredible story that should resonate with everyone. A unique look at the depths of love.
For a first time writer and director, Ms. Song, to pull this off? Not bad for a rookie. Ms. Song has it.
I was enthralled with the locales and the cinematography.
A simple yet compelling love story that you won't forget anytime soon. It's that good.
The Holdovers (2023)
Best Movie of 2023
What more can I say? Alexander Payne has a gift. A gift of getting into your soul through film. Here's another gem from one of Hollywood's best directors nobody has heard of. Paul Giamatti and the not-so-popular (soon to be popular) cast deliver a heart-warming story of the ages. Sideways, The Descendants, and now The Holdovers.
A simple story that plays out at a boarding school in Massachusetts. The way Mr. Payne films his movies forces the viewer to care about each character. Every character in The Holdovers have a story to tell. The movie is stitched together by amazing performances by Mr. Giamatti and cast.
The Holdovers wins my personal Oscar for best picture/director/leading actor.
Misanthrope (2023)
This Movie Got Away
When character development is a priority for directors, I watch. The audience needs to feel for the character or characters. When the director puts the action/plot ahead of us learning about who the protagonist and/or antagonist are? You get "To Catch a Killer."
Sorry folks, this was a hard watch from the start.
Do I care about an active shooter on New Years Eve? We get to watch that in real time! Every day!
There is no originality here. Ben and Shailene look like they want to be in the movie, but they don't get to flaunt their talents. The plot is mushy and it's hard to watch mushy. Successful movies go from point A to point B in a straight line. That's how you catch my attention.
Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022)
Emotions Everywhere All at Once
As an avid movie watcher, I will say that this movie does in fact have everything, everywhere all at once. A two-hour movie that hums along and when I got to the end, I was out of breath. This movie has it all: rich characters, a solid plot and cinematography that blew my mind. On top of all this, there's a simple, yet profound message for all of us.
I can't say enough about this movie and how, after a few hours, it still resonates. I might have to watch it again as I know it will be time well spent. An absolute fascinating film that I didn't want to end. I rarely say that about a movie.
We will see these folks (everyone from director, cinematographer, producer, actors, editors) on stage come Oscar night.
The Fabelmans (2022)
A Superb Biopic
Greetings Movie Lovers-
Just got finished watching this movie on my funny cable and I will say that was the quickest 2.5 hours I have probably spent watching anything.
The movie has Mr. Spielberg's prints all over it. The movie flows like a river and there's not too many moments where it goes sideways.
What this movie does turn into is a Michelle Williams Oscar-winning performance. What an incredible actress she is. Every scene she steals it.
Who can pull off a biopic of themselves and make it work? None other than Mr. Man himself.
The characters that came in and out of Spielberg's life left a present for him. All the presents make sense. See if you can spot them.
User reviews are all over the place and it's certainly a matter of perspective. If you have watched Steven's movies over the years you will appreciate this movie like I did.
The Banshees of Inisherin (2022)
Laugh Out Loud & Cringe at the Same Time Like
My goodness...just watched this movie last night on my funny cable and I don't know what to say about his gem. How a simple premise can be transformed into an Oscar-worthy movie can only be attributed by the Oscar winner for best actor Colin Farrell and his buddy Mr. Brendon Gleeson, winner of best supporting actor.
Jenny gets a nod for the best supporting actor for having no dialogue.
The characters' dialect makes it a must to stay focused, but even if you miss a few words here and there like, it's OK like. You know like?
There are no Banshees in Inisherin, but I guarantee you there will be some Oscars.
Barbarian (2022)
Cannot Believe The Hype
Greetings From The Basement-
There was a time where I got legitimately scared watching movies. I mean there has been plenty over the last 40 years that left an indelible mark on my brain. The Shining and The Brady Bunch Movie come to mind.
This movie? I saw the hype on this site...and my goodness the first half was pretty OK (Mr. Myagi). At the second act, unfortunately fails to bring it home for me...
The movie was humming along just fine until the director took it in an entirely different direction. It's like the director drove the movie into a tree at high speed.
If this movie was locked in a basement and started to scream, would anyone hear it?
Fall (2022)
Falling into a Plot Hole
Well folks, here it is. A genuine review of the movie "Fall." No-name actors for the most part usually do their best to act their tails off and while the two main characters do this, what they have to work with is a little on the childish side. What I mean is that the plot lines are weak sauce (think watered-down ketchup). The movie "Fall" has its moments, but for the most part fails to satisfy this picky movie-goer.
This story has a few plot holes in which all the asphalt in the world cannot fill in. I won't go into detail, but they are so obvious that they make the movie a shell of itself about half-way in.
The premise has promise, and the director does a decent job putting the viewer up in the sky, but, well, um, after getting there, the story is predictable, and I felt the movie doesn't treat viewers seriously.
How many endings can there be if you really think about it?
Unfortunately for me, it wasn't the one that I would have made.
Nope (2022)
Say Yup To Nope
How does Mr. Peele do it? From the first scene until the very last second, I was tense watching his latest offering "Nope." Mr. Peele has a way about his movies that makes me feel icky. I don't know what it is; however, it works, and not too many people can do that right now.
There are very creepy scenes in this movie and they may not be tied to the plot in any way, but they make sense to help you make a connection to the characters. See the movie from Mr. Peele's POV.
Nope is a "Yup" in my book. For those kids who spent their valuable time giving this a low rating didn't watch the movie. It's an adult movie, not for children.
Resurrection (2022)
Resurrection For Adults Only
WOW what a mind *&(# of a movie! Resurrection isn't for those movie-goers who watch movies on the surface. Resurrection packs a lot of deeper emotions that are brilliantly displayed by Ms. Hall. She absolutely carries this movie.
Ms. Hall's performance should be worthy of a nod or two come award season. Some of the scenes you can feel her trauma just by her body language. You are literally watching the slow-moving disintegration of a human soul.
Add in a layer of suppressed trauma bubbling to the surface, and you have a mind-blowing movie.
Mr. Roth is brilliant as always, but this is Rebecca Hall's time.
No spoilers here.
The Black Phone (2021)
The Black Phone Works
Is that ringing in your ears? It's a blast from your past. The Black Phone is an absolute gem of a movie. Why do you ask? Look at the cast...generally no name actors (save for Mr. Hawke), and that's where the RAW acting comes in to propel the story.
The production crew did a smash-up job depicting the late 70's in Denver, before the cell phone and internet.
An original story that puts you in scene. You care about the characters. Not many movies take their time to do this.
A movie that has a plot hole or two, but at that point you don't care.
Go ahead, pick up The Black Phone, you will be glad you answered.
Ambulance (2022)
It's Michael Bay at His Best
Thank goodness I don't look at ratings from the amateurs out there. I went in knowing that Mr. Bay loves to punch audiences in the stomach and let the chips fall where they may. Ambulance is a gut punch and boy does it feel good!
There's action from start to finish. You are right in the ambulance, which makes the movie work. Camera work is flashy and that adds to the action. Some of the drone shots need to be seen to believe and I hope that we will see some of this creativity in the future.
Mr. Bay loves to push the envelope and let it fly. Plot twists? Check. Plot holes? Check! I love plot holes! It's an action movie!
I'm giving an honest review and if you go into the movie thinking it's a "Driving Miss Daisy" movie, then go right ahead and listen to those "whaaambulance" riders.
The Killing of a Sacred Deer (2017)
Talk about a Mind-blowing, Disturbing Experience
So, looking around for something to watch late Saturday night, I stumbled upon this little gem of a movie. I mean, Nicole doesn't do bad movies. My goodness...was Barry Keoghan nominated for the creepiest human on screen in 2017? What an absolutely horrifying experience this movie was...and if you think you know the ending? Even the camera angles gave me the creeps.
The Power of the Dog (2021)
Watching Grass Grow Was More Exciting
OK folks...here from my perch? There is NO way this movie deserves the awards it got. Watching paint dry was more exciting. I love the actors in an individual manner, and the set direction, costumes and dialogue deserves a second look, but overall this movie drove me to drink. I waited forever for a plot to be discovered, but ran into a small problem: there was no plot! I tried kids...I did.
Letchik (2021)
A Great Action Flick
I believe this is based on a true story, and frankly the action sequences in the air reminded me of Dunkirk. The movie has it all and if you enjoy stories of survival, this one doesn't disappoint. Heroes are everywhere and here we have a pilot who goes the distance in fighting the good fight for his country. Man do we need more Nikolai Komlev's in the world. This isn't a propaganda movie, this is a movie! From my seat in the rear-gunner's, this is a movie that cuts to the chase and delivers the kabooms.
Boîte noire (2021)
A Taut Thriller All the Way
Greetings from a CVR..."...Vector 319, come to 245...this movie is an intense a movie I have seen in a while. You know the French...they can make movies and this one is a hold-onto-your-hat one. The action lies in the camera work and tight spots the protagonist finds himself in. The supporting cast does a stand-up job and no character is wasted with unimportant dialogue...Roger that...climb to 32,000FT...Rog..." This is a movie that will pull you in and not let go. If I were to play a devil's advocate, I could say that the ending was too clean for measure, but sometimes it's all about the journey, not the destination.
Stillwater (2021)
No Ripples in Stillwater
I wanted to enjoy this flick. Matt Damon? Yeah, I'm down. However, what was the movie about? Where is the plot?
For a movie to move me, the director has to give me a reason to care about the characters. The director did not deliver. There's no tension or drama. The characters are flat. Damon absolutely nails a flat character.
The story lost its focus and instead wanted us to see how Bill settled into France. Even Bill's relationship with his newfound family is dysfunctional.
The story trudges along and at one point I had to say "when is this over?"
Sorry folks, this one is is dead in the water.
Pig (2021)
Robin Loves His Pig
Going into most movies, I get a sense of the movie from reading the comments. It's hit or miss with Pig, but I would like to say that it's a hit. Nicholas Cage has had a string of misses lately, but in Pig, he has redeemed himself and did a really nice job playing a guy who just loves his pig. The story is very easy to follow and there isn't a whole lot of nonsense inside the hour and a half. It's my belief simple characters are the ones with more layers and the protagonist does not disappoint. This is a movie that will resonate with you if you are open-minded.
The Boonies (2021)
Better Than Star Wars
Going into the theater, COVID-era theaters, I was pumped with excitement that the local AMC wrapped each individual piece of popcorn in plastic. Seeing The Boonies brings back memories of my youth, when my aunt took me to see Star Wars. The original Boonies was a masterpiece, and this movie does not disappoint. An edge-of-your-seat picture that had me riveted. The plot, the rising action and resolution did not disappoint. Throughout the movie, I was glued to my seat in anticipation of what would happen next. Go see the Boonies, I'm headed out now, mask, gloves, bubble wrap at the ready.
Promising Young Woman (2020)
Are there any good guys out there?
Whew...watching this movie takes a lot out of you. Carey Mulligan? Just hand the statue to her. What a fantastic movie and I will not give away anything for those wanting some sort of window into this gem.
If you think you have seen this play out before on screen, I promise you haven't. I appreciate the fact that it's a movie where the director shows us what they want us to see, but there is an undercurrent of so many things we want to know.
Are there any nice guys out there?
It's a brilliant movie on many levels, and the ending...
Boss Level (2020)
Will Stay in Your Head For Awhile
OH...I can't really say too much about this movie without giving the good stuff away. But from the opening scene ALL the way to the end, this movie had me in stitches.
I look at some of the Oscar contenders, and why this movie isn't there is beyond me. This is a wildly entertaining movie and every character has something to add. I can't stop thinking about Boss Level and you think you have seen all the time-travel/loop movies? Nope.
On Oscar night, don't waste your time. Watch Boss Level and feel better about yourself.
Greenland (2020)
Greenland Has a Bad Virus
I am not sure why this movie is getting all these high ratings. I mean I read many reviews and they all gush over the movie, however, I watched way too much than I should of.
There's no groundbreaking storytelling here folks. I mean there are solid actors and I suppose the story is realistic, but is it really? Most of the movie (the part I watched) was dull and not going anywhere.
The Queen's Gambit (2020)
7 Hours Well Spent
Even if you don't know how to play chess, it matters none. It's a human story.
We started watching at 3PM, ended after 10 the same night. A sprawling story with so many levels of the human character on display. Is the movie about chess or is chess a metaphor for something deeper? I couldn't turn away and I was rewarded with a rich story and a satisfying conclusion.
I don't know what to say but it was an absolute joy to watch and my guess when award season comes around we will be seeing The Queen's Gambit cast and crew up there on stage a few times.
The Midnight Sky (2020)
Slow Burn but Clooney Delivers
The first reviews you read are from those who missed out on a quality education. "Absolutely no point" and "What's the point" reviewers were on their tablet the whole time, updating their Facebook status. "Underwhelming?" I mean what do you expect when going into a movie? Why did you watch it? What was so underwhelming about it? Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but consider the source: some tablet-in-my-face all the time looking for "likes".
The movie is slow...and so what? I get it, it's 2020 and if it leads it bleeds. We can't find it within ourselves to sit down and absorb a story of any substance. We need blood, guts, nudity and we need it now.
George Clooney did a great job telling a story about a man and the missed relationship with his daughter. I love when movies leave you asking for more.
Not unlike Ad Astra, the movie takes its time and ultimately delivers.