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Silver Linings Playbook (2012)
Excelsior!
I loved the characters, each disturbed in their own unique way. I think this is the first time I've watched a movie and found the bipolar characters actually believable. There's a complexity to them, with multiple mental conditions represented among the characters. It's like a bunch of unwell people just came together, with different issues and to varying degrees. It's not sappy or overly dramatic.
It all feels authentic because it doesn't feel blown out of proportion; you see some of the characters and think "oh I might actually know a person with that disorder." It made me think about some conversations I've had before as a joke about how everything is diagnosed in the west i.e. America. Africans don't do that lol. If someone if failing in school, back home we'd just say that guy's dumb, and not even with ill-intent usually, he's just your not-so-smart friend. But in America you'd say he has a learning disability. So you have all these things, anxiety, ptsd, OCD, depression, trauma, bipolar; but you'd just say oh yeah man, he's a little odd or moody without actually labeling it lol.
I loved DeNiro's character, I haven't watched too many of his movies but the ones I have he's usually a tough old nut, gangster or something, and here he was just a dad. The family dynamic, it was a bit all over the place with all the family's problems, but it was great to watch. The way they interact with each other. The characters were well-written, and while the story was alright, I think the characters are what make the movie.
The twist in the past 30min of the movie was unexpected for me, especially the way it was casually revealed about Tiffany. The moment before Pat realized, it's revealed to us first. I didn't know whether or not I was supposed to react to it because the movie doesn't make too much of a big deal about it when first shown. I also didn't realize how much I was rooting for these guys until the dance.
I'm really impressed with the movie, because on paper it feels like it should be boring. It's about two messed up individuals finding healing through a dance competition, but it works surprisingly well.
Challengers (2024)
Her game. Her rules.
Wasn't sure if I'd enjoy this since I'm not really into tennis. I liked the time jumps, not confusing at all; you could fill in the gaps with educated guesses. I don't think I'd ever date an actress, not that I'd ever meet one lol, but throughout the movie, all I could think about was Tom Holland.
It's funny at times and I loved the dynamic between the two guys, the brotherhood essentially. At certain points, each character became unlikeable, yet I still found myself engrossed in their story. The scene with the injury was gruesome, even though I knew it was coming-the movie's free-flowing time jumps made me almost forget about it. Despite feeling longer than it actually is, it never felt dull. The use of music to heighten tension was superb, and the acting was spectacular. The movie just felt quite lively.
Essentially, it's a love triangle with layers of psychological complexity. The common thread among all three characters is their passion for tennis. Surprisingly, the film is also quite sensual; while there are more explicit scenes, I loved the subtler, innocent moments that still managed to be horny. The movie doesn't rely on graphic content for this; instead, it cleverly portrays the characters' obsession, I liked that these two guys were in completely enamored by zendaya, but at the same time the movie also shows how in love all three were with tennis as well. It's a unique way of making tennis seem horny without resorting to flooding us with a bunch of sex.
I like that it kept you guessing about the last match. But I really just wanted the action to get going at some point. Like it perfectly built tension and suspense for me, but then it kept on going. Maybe I'm just impatient lol. The 'middle of the racket' thing was nice though. It harked back to an earlier scene where Tashi said she didn't want to be a home-wrecker, hinting at deeper connections between Art and Patrick. The final scene brought everything full circle, making me realize that the movie's focus was more on the friendship between Art and Pat than on the love triangle. Tashi played a crucial role, but ultimately served as a catalyst for their bond.
It's a bit frustrating because the movie kinda feels abstract; we learn a lot about the characters, but there's still much left unseen. For example, like how did that bedroom scene impact the friendship/brotherhood between the two main characters? There are several scenes like this that leave me wanting more insight. It's like there's a facade of depth in the characters. While I liked the ease of following the time jumps, they also disrupt the tension at times. Also, clearer character motivations would have been helpful, as we're left to make educated guesses about why they act the way they do.
I have mixed feelings about the actual end though. Like the actual last shot. I feel like it's a great ending but I just can't put a finger on it. Like I'd like to see how they interacted afterwards, all three of them, without actually seeing it.
You don't have to dissect the movie to notice or feel things. It just feels like so much care was put into every scene visually, and done so in a way that it's noticeable to us watching. All the details. Reminds me of Past Lives as it's also a love triangle movie I've watched most recently.
I'm not the biggest fan of Luca Guadagnino, I've watched "Call Me By Your Name" and "Bones and All" and I didn't like them much. Both times going in with really high expectations because people loved them. As with all movies about sports I have no interest in, I was a bit unsure but some movies completely absorb you into it regardless of your interests. This movie does that.
The big thing I'd is that some stuff just aren't adequately explained. For instance, these characters clearly care about each other, yet they're so consistently mean. It's hinted at in the movie itself, and that's when I started questioning, thinking "If you love him, why do you hate him so much?" This is similar to why I've had reservations about Luca's previous films; it often feels like more emphasis is placed on visuals and direction than on exploring the characters. As I mentioned earlier regarding the bedroom scene, when stuff like that aren't followed up on, it leaves the movie feeling somewhat superficial to me, not as emotionally charged as you'd think.
But with that said, this is my favorite out of all the movies I've seen of Luca Guadagnino. It's lively and fun, horny and keeps you on the edge of your seat. I think if you just go in and watch just as a movie it's fun, but when I sat down to think about it, it's not that deep. But I'd still recommend. I once said one of my life's tragedies is that I never loved Luca Guadagnino's films the way other people do and I wish I did; and now here's one of his I enjoyed.
Boy Kills World (2023)
Over the top bloody fun
Premise reminded me of "The Hunger Games," but this film took a twisted, violent, and bloody perspective. It's a blast if you're willing to switch off your brain, as it's one of those where the main character seems almost invincible against bullets. It's just bonkers, which made me a bit wary at first because crazy movies don't always work. Essentially it follows a both blind and mute man on a revenge spree against a matriarch. And it's a bloodbath.
This was also really funny, I had plenty good laughs, like the beetle fight club or his struggle to read someone's lips. I think everyone enjoyed themselves. The story also holds up well, with clear character motivations driving the revenge plot. It made me feel like I have a twisted sense of humor, there were scenes where people audibly gasped in shock and horror and I was laughing my ass off instead, like the cheese grater scene. Like he could've picked up a knife instead lol.
While I saw the sibling twist coming, other revelations that came with it caught me off guard. Overall, the trajectory of the film is somewhat predictable, but it's a bloody good journey, literally. I loved that there is no clear cut good person; the fights were intense and gory, with each one escalating in excitement. I genuinely thought they might run out of ideas, especially during the final showdown, which had me on the edge of my seat. It could have gone either way.
It's pretty epic. I think this is the most fun I've had watching a movie since everything everywhere all at once. All I could think was wow this is bloody and it's fun. I love that it earned its R rating.
The Absence of Eden (2023)
Ends kinda abruptly
I didn't have too much to say about this, it just felt incredibly short. Looking at the themes and scenarios the movie explored, the movie does so only at surface level. I think the intro to Esmeralda raised the tension quite quickly, we're introduced to her in a pretty dicey scenario. It gave insight into her decision to leave. There wasn't too much I disliked about it. One specific thing was the pep talks by the coyote - like he's a good kind hearted coyote? But it wasn't something that bothered me too much. The story is alright, tragic but not particularly moving. I don't think the stuff about the grandma added much to the film, all the stories and narrations from her diary. The movie had pretty good and consistent atmosphere, a dark tone. The big issue is that it just ends out of nowhere, like I was in and out the theatre. Even the subplots end abruptly, logically but abruptly. Like Adria Arjona character feels like an important part of the movie then she's just no longer there. The conflicts the movie has are resolved pretty quickly, made the movie anticlimactic. A few twists and turns wouldn't have hurt the movie. Otherwise not bad, nothing special.
Shôgun (2024)
Hit the target audience
I've think the show is amazing, and I'm thoroughly enjoying it. But when it first started with only two episodes out, I couldn't help but feel the need to tell some people to pipe down a bit. Calling it next Game of Thrones already. Since GOT ended, there's been a flood of shows and movies being dubbed as the new Game of Thrones. Sometimes it's Game of Thrones with pirates like "Black Sails", or Game of Thrones in space, as seen in "Dune" and Apple TV's "Foundation." Other times, shows like "Wheel of Time" and "The Witcher" received comparisons that eventually died down. Don't get me wrong, I actually like all of those, but I'm just a bit tired of the "this is the new GOT!!" hype.
But this show is actually quite good and refreshingly different, especially since it's set in Japan. Starting to admire Anna Sawai, having seen her in Monarch Legacy and now in Shogun. Apparently, she was also in F9. The show delves into a lot of Japanese lore, like beliefs and samurai culture, although I can't vouch for its accuracy. I've learned a lot about Japanese culture, particularly their dedication to rituals and customs. Hiroyuki Sanada seems to have a penchant for playing samurai or sword fighters: 47 Ronin (2013), John wick, bullet train, mortal combat, avengers endgame.
Despite my reservations about calling it the next Game of Thrones, the show does have a strong political undertone, with different factions vying for power and the looming threat of civil war. Something small that I like was the show's title sequence.
While the show is generally well-executed, it feels a bit odd to have the Japanese characters speaking Japanese and the Portuguese speaking Portuguese, yet having Portuguese dialogue in English lol. Japanese is subtitles. There are some things I might have missed explanations for, like the peculiar condition of Regent Ohno's skin.
Many people compare it to Game of Thrones, but I find it more akin to Vikings, albeit less violent than expected. It leans more towards being a political drama at the moment, although there are hints of impending war. My only gripe is that it seems to shy away from on-screen violence, with many fights and deaths occurring off-screen. It's gory at times, but it teases so many epic battles and wars, and with one episode left, we still only get glimpses of them. Even if the last episode is just one epic battle sequence, I'll still feel the same.
Now, I absolutely adore this show. It's a rare case, akin to "Godzilla: Minus One," where the show/movie perfectly hits its target audience. "Godzilla: Minus One" was almost exclusively watched by fans of Godzilla and similar genres (myself included); everyone watching knows what to expect. I believe Shogun is predominantly being watched by its intended audience. Even though a show or movie can be amazing, it's very rare for it to receive purely positive reviews. And I think that's what's happening with Shogun - it's an amazing show mainly being watched by its target audience.
Fallout (2024)
Fun series with dark undertones
Pretty gory and gruesome, I loved that. Also liked that it began by showing the apocalyptic event that shaped this dystopian future. I haven't played the game, so I can't make comparisons to it. It seems like video game adaptations are becoming quite popular nowadays; Last of Us, Halo, and Twisted Metal. Good thing is you don't need to be familiar with the game.
I love post-apocalyptic shows so this was right up my alley. I was almost always gonna like this. I like the type of futuristic it is, it's like the cartoon The Jetsons but dystopian. I always find it ironic how futuristic dystopias sometimes incorporate really old music from the 1940s into their soundtracks.
This show is subtly, yet not-so-subtly, geared towards adults. Despite its lightheartedness, humor, and fun, it's easy to forget the gruesome aspects, like oh a decapitated head. It maintains a childlike happy vibe, largely due to the main character's naivety and optimism. She's like a ray of sunshine, too pure for the dystopian world she inhabits. Watching her character development as she learns the harsh realities is quite engaging. However, she remains fundamentally good throughout
All the main characters are compelling. Maximus, despite his duality, is a fascinating character to follow. The ghoul, initially cool, adds emotional depth to the sci-fi drama and conspiracy through his backstory. Maximus' story also adds complexity. I do wish we could have seen more of the ghoul's adventures, but it seems like we'll get that in the next season. The first season mainly focuses on Lucy and Maximus.
The premise of the show, revolving around a nuclear apocalypse and the conspiracies behind it, feels believable for a sci-fi setting. The contrast between the kind, loving nature of the vault and the violence and moral ambiguity on the surface provides an interesting balance. While I personally would've loved darker themes, the show's lighter tone isn't necessarily a flaw; it's just a matter of my personal preference. Overall, it's a fun series, and I thoroughly enjoyed watching it.
Gekijôban Spy x Family Code: White (2023)
Wasn't the target audience
I walked out the Monday mystery movie so my thoughts are based on only a fraction of the film. It simply wasn't my cup of tea, saw about 15 minutes of it before calling it quits. There were just too many silly/illogical moments for my taste. While I'm usually fine with a bit of silliness if it's entertaining, it should atleast be fun or funny. From the male spy disguising himself as a girl to the "Mr. And Mrs. Smith" vibes and the bizarre power dynamics within each family member plus the dog...the final straw came during a scene where two spies spoke "in code" and miraculously understood each other; all this surging the first 10 minutes. A lot of people walked out, mostly after like 2 min, one old lady got up and others followed.
I rarely walk out of movies myself and initially thought I could thug it out. If it was shorter I would've But I quickly realized I couldn't fathom enduring nearly two hours of this lol. Plus I have one episode of Fallout left, stopped the binge to go watch this. When I walked out some people who walked out earlier were laughing when even more people walk out. Mostly talking about how it was too late to go watch Spider-Man or the absence of eden. It's frustrating when the Monday mystery movie overlaps with other enticing options, like next week when it coincides with the early access premiere of Zendaya's "Challengers." Why??
Ex Machina (2014)
Machine-ahh.
I saw this when it was re-released in theaters not too long ago. Surprisingly, I didn't know it was pronounced "makina" instead of "machine-ahh" lol. I expected for some bonus content on Ex Machina, but it turns out the extras were for Civil War, which is still exciting. However, I was a tad bit upset because I prefer going into new movies with a blank slate, avoiding spoilers or trailers.
Knew I'd be pretty exhausted going into the screening since I'd spent all day in the hospital that day. Originally, I planned to watch it later, but the screening was limited to just one day. The theater wasn't packed, but there were a lot more people than I expected.
It has Cartoonish edits at the start, and it didn't seem tailored for IMAX. However, it did a great job of building tension, especially during moments when the power went out. I loved the Oppenheimer quote, I didn't remember it being used. The actors were good. Ex Machina is essentially a character study, delving into not just the robot Ava but also her creator and programmer. It delves into what it means to be human, a theme that resonates throughout. The film raises thought-provoking questions about consciousness and how our preconceptions about it can lead us astray. I especially enjoyed the ending for that reason; I didn't see it coming.
In some ways it's predictable, but the final resolution kept me guessing. I had a feeling Nathan wouldn't have things go his way, but what unfolded afterward wasn't as straight forward as I thought. Even though I'd seen it before, I couldn't recall all the details, which made for a refreshing viewing experience. Ex Machina also brought to mind "Morgan (2016)," although I admittedly don't remember that film very well either. While Ex Machina may not be the most groundbreaking sci-fi movie I've ever seen, upon rewatching it, I see why it didn't stick vividly in my memory, but I still found it enjoyable.
Civil War (2024)
Tough road trip.
Bonus content from ex machina re-release was from the start of the movie, I loved that. I wish studios did that more often like how avengers endgame trailer was just from the first 5min of the movie.
I loved this because a while ago I heard a comedian talk about America's always fighting wars but all of them are away games, never on home soil. So I loved the premise. The line about "sending a warning back home" resonated well, as the film serves as a cautionary tale of the potential consequences of civil unrest. Cool movie to watch in imax, I thought about 4dx but unsure if I'd have loved to be thrown around.
Loved the film's graphic depiction of war, both impactful and disturbing. It's one of those war movies that makes you actively despise war. I expected a full on scale war at first, the focus on journalists added a layer of realism, felt grounded. I also thought the movie would be following a family, turns out it's journalists. It reminded me of Russell Crowe's role in The Greatest Beer Run Ever (2022), a movie I had almost forgotten about.
Despite its lively soundtrack, the movie effectively conveys the brutality of war. It balances bleak humor with vibrant visuals, showcasing the juxtaposition between beauty and violence. However, certain scenes, like the mass grave sequence felt a bit unrealistic; I found it hard to believe that the characters wouldn't hear an SUV speeding towards them. The grave pit scene was great to see on big screens though. I also felt like Joel overreacted a little, losing a friend is tough and all but you're war journalists, he was talking about hearing bullets and missiles flying made his dick hard earlier in the movie.
Nevertheless, the film's portrayal of high-stakes situations and the palpable sense of loss were done well. While I thought/feared only the side characters would face danger, the realization that no one was safe added to the tension. The third act, in particular, was riveting, and special mention to Jesse Plemons, was the most memorable bit. Especially considering he was only put in the movie days before they shot that sequence because an actor dropped out.
Overall, I highly recommend this film. It's more than just an action movie; it's a gripping and emotional journey that leaves a lasting impact. I expected something similar to White House Down but I found this experience to be far more thrilling and immersive. I was on the edge of my seat throughout the last third of the movie.
Arcadian (2024)
Characters aren't fleshed out.
Did he just stumble upon these kids? Or did he leave them all alone to go foraging?? There's not much explanation about the cause of the apocalypse; it's more of a passing mention during a game played by two of the characters. It seems like society has fractured, and nobody in "Arcadian" can offer a clear explanation for what happened. It appears there was some kind of mutant-insect infestation. I'd have rather had no explanation than an explanation that isn't clear cut; more confusing than enigmatic.
I loved the scene with the peephole and the creature's hand reaching through it. I found the creatures to be inconsistent; at times they appeared larger, other times they seemed smaller. The jaw snapping was a nice touch. It seems like more effort was put into designing the creatures than developing the story or characters, as both felt somewhat typical and underdeveloped. Overall, it's a decent sci-fi thriller, which is what I expected, though it's also categorized as horror, despite not being particularly scary. I enjoyed it because I have a fondness for dystopian movies and shows, and I think you have to share that interest to actually like it. Or maybe be a Nick cage fan.
I should say Nick Cage isn't the main character, and the characters themselves aren't very compelling. Personally, I'm a sucker for a love story, especially in an apocalyptic setting (like in "Love and Monsters" or "Seeking a Friend for the End of the World"), so I wish they had explored that aspect more between the brother and the farm girl. It's not groundbreaking or unforgettable, but if it happened to be on TV 2yrs from now while I'm flipping through channels in a hotel room, I wouldn't mind watching it again.
The Long Game (2023)
Mildly heartwarming and plays it safe.
I had no idea what this movie was until after I left the theatre. I don't think, or don't remember the title popping up so it was the most mysterious Monday mystery movie ever lol. I looked up Dennis Quaid after. The movie's alright, very predictable sports-underdog storyline and touching on expected racial and cultural themes from its time period setting. The characters were very typical which made their actions predictable. You always know how the story's gonna end up. Visually it was pretty vibrant and colorful. The movies down to earth and lighthearted, though only mildly heartwarming. Centered around golf, a sport that never piqued my interest despite my dad's attempts, the movie still managed to entertain me, largely due to its comedic relief, this mostly came from the sarcastic groundskeeper character.
Other than that the movie doesn't reinvent the wheel and is just another underdog sports story. While it's not necessarily bad, it lacks much distinctiveness to make it feel special, doesn't have as much character depth as other movies, and high stakes. A recent underdog story that was more memorable for me was "the boys in the boat" and it kept crossing my mind. In that movie you get to know the characters a lot, while this was played it safe. Leaves a lot unexplored and to be desired. It's also not peaky, it doesn't build up to the big game so the climax feels pretty non-existent. Movie was just meh and left me feeling pretty indifferent.
Monkey Man (2024)
Managed to keep me awake even though I was sleepy.
Fighting's great and the visuals are pretty cool. Love that it starts with him wallowing. It was bloody and violent. Story's a simple revenge story and the character's basically an Indian john wick. Except someone didn't kill his dog, they killed his mom.
At some point, I began to feel bored, but considering this was the third consecutive movie I watched and it was well past midnight, fatigue might have played a role. Plus, there were people vaping in the theater, which was annoying.
It's a cool movie, it feels like they focused on making this quite cool, prioritizing style. Like Why did he take off his mask just before entering the building towards the end. Sometimes they have guns, other times they don't; whichever option was convenient for the plot or cool factor in that moment. Also that bathroom scene, that was the most slippery gun ever lol. The little heist operation was over the top, but it was a cool as hell sequence. My biggest gripe is that nobody noticed this guy staring, Because he was doing it so much.
While the action sequences were impressive, the pacing felt uneven, possibly exacerbated by my own drowsiness towards the end. There were a lot of slow scenes, not necessarily in slow motion, but featuring characters standing around, almost like dramatic hero shots.
I think the movies did great especially as a debutant director, I like it but don't love it as much as some people do. Probably because Dev Patel was a great lead, plus he directed it, it was a visual spectacle and the actions gripping. However, while I felt like the story aimed for some depth with its political undertones, trans aspect, the mother, certain moments and conversations failed to evoke a significant emotional response from me that they demanded.
Despite my reservations about the film prioritizing coolness over logic at times, I still enjoyed it due to its stylish presentation and exhilarating action scenes. Hearing what others say, possible that others' admiration for the movie stems heavily from their love for Dev Patel and the challenges he overcame to bring it to fruition. But it is still actually a pretty cool movie.
The First Omen (2024)
The devil conspiracy.
I loved the casting, I didn't know anything about the movie so I was surprised to see recognizable faces. A random thought I had while watching this is Father Gabriel is such a common priest name in movies and tv.
I liked that the nuns seemed to be having fun. Usually when a monastery of nuns is shown it's bleak, the nuns are uptight, mean and/or eerie vibes throughout. While here they're introduced as just normal people who can have a laugh or some fun.
Pretty graphic and gory at times. I wasn't such a big fan of the fingers, only the first time shown. There was a girl seated nearby and she was squeamish, it kinda made the experience more fun to hear her scream "oh no" in horror, disgust or shock at different moments during the movie.
It takes time to find its footing and for the eerie stuff to properly start; but it does have a creepy ambience to it. Certain characters were very odd and helped that. I loved the score, really helped build up the atmosphere.
My interest peaked when they mentioned the Antichrist. I went into the movie without watching any spoilers or anything so it was a pleasant surprise to see that's what the movie's centered around. I thought it was gonna be some demon possession. I didn't like that they introduced the roommate and we got to see a lot of her at the start; and then she disappears.
The movie had some pretty nice shots. Some scenes that were pretty eerie and ominous. It just that the first half of the movie felt like it was building up to something for so long. It didn't feel like it was actually progressing. I thought the twist would be Margaret turning out to being the mother of Anna or mother of the Antichrist. I don't know if that made it predictable.
I think the last 45min or so were good. The movie is better than Sydney Sweeney's Immaculate. Their premises were similar but this was done better. However the movie it reminded me of most was "The Devil Conspiracy" which has one of the wildest synopsis I've ever read. Also surprised to learn afterwards that this isn't the first Omen movie. Others made in 1976 and 2006, the latter with some recognizable faces.
The main actress, Nell Tiger Free, was very dedicated to the role, she had several moments of brilliance. I was kinda shocked at the birth scenes, they drugged the first girl but didn't drug her.
Sets up a sequel well. Not sure a sequel would bang though. I think it'd have to be very ambitious and grand, it is the antichrist after all. But "the devil conspiracy" was ambitious but it didn't do too well. But I'd still be interested in watching the sequel.
The Devil Conspiracy (2022)
Absurd premise, mid movie.
I wrote this review a while ago when the movie came out but forgot to post it, never left my notes. I remembered it because "the first Omen(2024)" premise felt so familiar. This movie wasn't spectacular, but if you can tolerate mediocrity I'd recommend just to see how absurd the story is lol: a biotech company is making a clone of Jesus as an offering for the devil lol.
This doesn't have the best ratings but is the craziest synopsis I've seen in a while, so I was genuinely excited to watch it regardless of whether it's good or not. I love that it took itself seriously, despite being ludicrous story you can tell they knew what they were trying to make and used the best of what they had at their disposal. Looked like it had a low budget but made the most of it, you can see care was taken into some of its graphics and special effects and cgi especially the wide shots of landscapes.
Combines religious horror and sci-fi and it's ludicrous until the end. It has some good quotes. Certain parts of it could've been directed better, certain music scores, certain acting scenes... but all that's somewhat expected as this didn't boast a huge studio name, big budget or big name actors for the lead roles. The only recognizable faces for me were Joe Doyle from Salem tv series and Peter Mensah from 300.
I don't mean disrespect when I say this but it does sound like it, but as I was watching this all I could think about was what could've been if this story was taken up by bigger names. Like what if someone like Nolan or David Fincher, Denis Villeneuve. Especially since I saw Nolan say recently he'd love to do a horror if a "really exceptional idea" came along.
It also had some funny moments. Some scenes needed to be longer, other scenes need to be more dramatic. One thing I'll say is the script is fantastic sometimes, it's the best thing about the film; the plot and the dialogues don't leave much to be desired. It's only in a few scenes where i thought it was iffy and could be better.
The gore aspect could've been better, especially since it was rated R. There are some scenes done in the shadow lighting or just done really quickly so we only get glimpses. Another thing was the "Beast of the ground" who isn't properly revealed.
I think it loses itself as the story progresses, hence the last 30 minutes or so are all over the place. The devil had been trapped for so long and found a way to break free, but then begins acting like a child when he's so close. The story's ending was fine on paper but could've been executed better. I was so absorbed in the movie in the first half, wondering why it had such low ratings, but then At some point along the way it just lost me. It felt like they had a brilliant idea and everything was going well and flowing, then suddenly lost their touch when writing towards the end and started trying to piece it all together.
Michael's character could've changed a little while Lucifer's character changed. Michael was shown in glimpses and I'd have loved to see a little more of that. Similar story to Salem tv series, the devil coming back as a baby, common story; except it's not witches, it's a rich biotech company run by a cult.
The story could've gone in many different directions, like the cloning wasn't explored, how many others did they clone? I think if they delved deeper into other elements and not only dedicated exploring the religious cult side, but the political or business side of the conspiracy to take over the world too with the biotech company would've improved the movie. As it stands, it felt like a really long movie towards the end and starts to drag, but if they properly explored these elements it could've easily been a 3hr movie, and still better.
Immaculate (2024)
Hail Mary full of grace
Kinda excited to see this because I think Sydney Sweeney was miscast as a sweetheart a little while in "anyone but you" and that she could do better in different roles. Plus I do love religious horrors too.
I liked the ominous start. Also if you wanna pick up keys quietly try to grab all the keys, not the key ring, otherwise all the keys bump into each other and clatter. I like jumpscares, some people don't. There were several here which i thought were well done. However I think the movie didn't really build a tense or eerie enough atmosphere. I think the cast did well. They just all seemed to be in a better movie. There were some pretty visuals as well.
The director also did The Voyeurs (2021), and I felt the same way about that one in the sense of both movies feeling like they potentially had a good film in them.
I feel like some questions about the movie linger on for too long. I don't know what exactly was going on throughout the movie. Will the old nun standing in the shadows be explained? Why they couldn't leave, who is the nuns in red were, what this place actually is. I think we find out a little too late.
I kept thinking about what she'd give birth to. Something holy, or something evil. Ending was nuts. The actors do a good job, but the movie doesn't offer too much else otherwise. I actually forgot about the movie and only remembered it now because of The First Omen.
Dream Scenario (2023)
The man of your dreams.
Starts off eerie but it's a really awkward movie. It does build tension really well. The sexual tension, when it arises, is pretty uncomfortable and funny to watch. I started losing interest after a while. The movie is just 1hr40min of just really awkward tension. It's really slow paced. I was curious as to where the story was gonna go, it was hard for me to picture a satisfactory ending for such a unique and original premise. The movie gives no clear explanation for the dreams, leaving their occurrence open to interpretation. When the movie ends, the only resolution offered is that people just simply stopped having them. This enigmatic approach, coupled with the main character's inexplicable downfall, left me feeling unsatisfied. I was really interested at the start. Perhaps if the narrative had embraced a more bizarre or surreal tone, I could have overlooked that. You could say that the story mirrors the rapid rise to fame in today's social media-driven world, where you can transition from obscurity of being a nobody to stardom almost overnight on tiktok or something, albeit in this case, through dreams.
War for the Planet of the Apes (2017)
Bad Ape.
I loved the start, the human vs ape war is basically playing out like human warfare. Like how some afghan locals would be used as translators or something, some apes were working on the human side. I still love how much emotion you can see on the apes faces. I think the characters kept getting better with every movie, and how believable their intentions were once again. You know why the bad guys are bad and same goes for the good guys. The movie is very ape focused, and continues such a long journey Caesar has been on. It's the most emotional movie of the trilogy I think. I loved the new character, "the bad ape;" this was gonna be a very serious, mellow and melancholic movie for the most part, and while his character was sad and having been through a lot, bad ape really gave some comedic relief. While the film boasts impressive action sequences and stuff, it also offers a compelling drama. It's not just focused on an all-out war for the planet. While I would have enjoyed a full-blown action movie, I still found this one quite satisfying. It's not as action-packed as I initially recalled from my first viewing.
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014)
Ape not kill ape
In my opinion, the titles of the movies are too similar, but it's a minor issue. The film begins with a captivating apocalyptic tone, which I liked. The attention to detail in the close-up shots of Caesar's face was remarkable. I like the visual style reminiscent of other movies from that era, such as Planet of the Apes, Transformers, Iron Man. The portrayal of the organized hunting and warfare tactics among the chimps was impressive. This movie effectively portrays the humanity within the ape community, showcasing both their violent and emotional sides, such as gathering to witness the birth of a new member. The casting was excellent, with the human characters having more significant roles than in the first movie. And my God, the arrival of the apes at the colony was such an epic scene, displaying an overwhelming show of force. The film delves into politics, scheming, and warfare, with the motivations and emotions driving characters like Koba and Caesar feeling believable. Many characters, including humans like Dreyfus, who has suffered significant losses, are depicted well. Like him looking at his family photo. The action sequences in the latter half of the movie were spectacular. Overall, I enjoyed it more than the first movie, which I already liked.
Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011)
Evolution becomes revolution.
I really enjoyed this, I had watched this way too long ago to remember it so it felt like I was watching it for the first time. The story is nothing mind bending, but it served as a great start for the franchise reboot, a good origin for Ceaser. It really is a movie about the apes, I mean that's obvious but the ape characters were acting spectacularly. I know they're played by people, the special effects was so good and you can tell so much care was taken into bringing these characters on to screen. The human characters weren't exactly spectacular, the story had some cliches, and it played pretty safe, but I can't complain much, it's nitpicking. It was a great start to a pretty epic trilogy. I never watched the original Planet of the Apes from the 80's or the Mark Wahlburg one.
Late Night with the Devil (2023)
I can see its appeal.
The first guy on the show reminded me of those televangelists who claim to perform miracles on TV. You know, the pastors who supposedly heal people but often end up exposed for paying actors to pretend they were blind or paralyzed lol.
Watching the performance felt like flipping through channels on a 70's talk show. Being in the theater, it was as if we were part of the actual live audience, with the added allure of "behind-the-scenes" footage giving it a documentary or found footage vibe.
I can see why a lot of people enjoy it. And if you do, great. The cinematography is good at capturing the essence of its era, and it draws you into its world. However, it's not really a scary story; but it just doesn't fit into any other genre besides horror I guess.
I can appreciate its originality and as just a regular movie. But, as a horror film, it sucks to me. Horror movies are inherently supposed to evoke fear or make you squirm in your seat, but I didn't experience a single moment of fright. In my opinion, a horror movie must deliver on the scare factor to be considered good. Even if the production quality, sets, acting, and storyline are all exceptional, if it fails to elicit any fear, to me it simply sucks ass.
I always reassure my easily frightened friends that horror movies aren't as terrifying as they used to be, aren't even scary at all. And, even those who've been hesitant to watch horror films their whole lives come away with the same verdict. It's incredibly frustrating when a horror movie is nicely crafted but lacks any genuine scares. It pisses me off.
I probably sound like a broken record if you've ever read my horror movie reviews for like Pearl for instance. But horrors should be scary.
Damsel (2024)
Pretty forgettable.
Should say I was already planning on liking this. I mean I liked movies like Malificent, Snow White and the Huntsman, hansel & gretel:witch hunters. So I expected something of that kind or caliber. I was a little disappointed. Firstly Angela Bassett: Why did they make sound like that? Lmfao.
I think the first act goes on a little too long. The build up to the wedding took a while. I was looking forward to the mystical stuff. The story felt kinda trite; The marriage, The family rituals being built on a lie, the father not calling her to come out... it's just pretty predictable and didn't feel as fun.
Some scenes were delayed. I felt like screaming at the screen, "just show her your palm and tell her she's being played!"
Also why was the dragon following her home? To visit? Or the dragon is leaving her home in the mountains, where her dead children lie and where she mourned them? Or the guys making the movie just thought it'd be super cool to end the movie showing the ship going out to sea with a dragon flying over it lol.
Not the worst thing you'll see, just tolerable. I felt like fast forwarding it for most of the time. This felt like it should've been a short film. Like 30min. Also feels like it's for kids. I like fantasy movies like this and probably why I didn't dislike this as much, but I'd recommend just going to rewatch the movies I mentioned earlier than watching this.
Imaginary (2024)
He's not imaginary, and not your friend.
Ideally a horror movie like this would actually leave you so scared that the next time your kid tells you they have an imaginary friend, you'd schedule an exorcism. I knew that probably wasn't gonna happen so so I tempered down my expectations just to avoid disappointment.
The creature was nice, although its introduction seemed premature. But the jump scare was nice. Despite some negative reviews, I personally don't mind them, as long as they're not overused.
Acting's not great, especially when the girl was conversing with thin air. Moreover, the plot lacked logical consistency, like the improbable hiding spot in the basement. It felt as if certain elements were forced just to advance the storyline, such as Taylor unnecessarily going down the stairs when she could've simply looked down, out the window.
I was interested at the start, then I found myself growing bored halfway through. Repetition, like Jessica's parental loss backstory and mentions of the ex, became tiring. I think the movie should've been much shorter. It started out tolerable but I got bored.
The twist about the bear was okay. There was too much commentating. The end was just silly and cluttered. So much was going on it felt messy. Also was the fire truck on standby lol. Anyway I didn't have any high expectations, so it was just meh.
Asphalt City (2023)
Felt authentic
Didn't know anything about this. Pretty chaotic start with high tension. The shaky camera work and heavy breathing added to that. Shocked to see Mike Tyson.
The movie did feel real. It didn't appear forced to make it more engaging; rather, it simply depicted the day-to-day life of a paramedic. While it may not be the most memorable, I appreciated its realism. Throughout the film, various elements are introduced to the plot, including events outside of work life, particularly in the first half. But really it all revolved around work.
It's like a buddy cop movie, but with paramedics. We witness tough decisions, patient losses, workplace tensions, and personal relationship dynamics. At times, it's quite graphic. The movie does pretty well at effectively portraying how the job can affect one's mental well-being.
I'm curious about the symbolism behind the wings-both the painting and the jacket. It started feeling quite lengthy, especially in the third act. Despite being super loud, the soundtrack does a pretty good job of building a tense atmosphere.
Sting (2024)
Didn't enjoy this.
The movie's not great, I wasn't surprised I'd never heard of it once it started. The asteroid scene was so bad, looked like graphics from the 90's or an old video game. I was literally in shock I wanted to laugh. The goo made it feel like you were about to watch ghostbusters, but maybe that's because I just watched that recently. Didn't feel scary at all, and didn't do great at building up tension or suspense throughout the movie. Exterminator was acting like he's the Terminator when he wasn't being funny. The movie isn't mad hilarious, the laughs aren't that memorable; but it was funnier than it was scary. It almost felt like a bad parody at times. I think there's a credit scene, I heard it start playing but I was already halfway out the theatre and the movie wasn't good enough to warrant me turning back. But some people went back, so I'm assuming they enjoyed the movie. I didn't hate it enough to regret going to see it, but it's not a movie I'd recommend.
In the Land of Saints & Sinners (2023)
A bit unremarkable but it's alright
Thought this came out last year. My first thought was what is Liam Neeson doing in 1970s Ireland. I know he's Irish but only know him from acting in American movies. Godzilla x Kong was playing in the theatre next door so the theatre was booming and shaking. Made me realize how quiet this movie is. Story feels like it could've been more interesting on paper, but the movie itself is forgettable. He's secretly an assassin for hire, there's a revolution taking place, a potential love interest, a possible protege, his friend is killed etcetera. There's wonderful landscape shown, of course it's Ireland. I think it's Liam Neeson's best movie I've seen in a while but that's not saying much when the last movie of his I saw was retribution. I didn't really have much to say walking out, just meh. The movie was basically Liam Neeson trying to change to be a better man, but that just leading into chaos for him.