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ivyvine87
Reviews
True Detective (2014)
Only watching season 4...
I understand that many people have a love hate relationship with season 4 but it must be written for audiences like me because I love it - I love that there are strong female leads, Jodie Foster is great in almost anything she does, the dark spiritual and deep cultural ties combined with the darkness of Alaska are just super interesting. I appreciate the highlight on indigenous culture of that area along with the fact that the main characters have issues that they're having to face within themselves while investigating the crazy crime. I appreciate that there really isn't any way to predict what will happen but the overall vibe of the show has me hooked. I'd watch it all on its own. I wasn't drawn to the show at all before seeing the preview of season 4 but I also like horror, dark shows, and syfy stuff so I'm really enjoying it. Interested to see where the storyline goes and how the characters develop.
Maybe I Do (2023)
Too convoluted for it's own good...
Take any normal sentence or paragraph, find the most confusing and dramatic way to reword it until it becomes something more like an overinflated monologue and you will have every scene in this movie. The odd inserts of music also makes it seem like they might break into song/dance at any given moment is super bizarre and off putting. The premise and plot is great, as is most of the casting, but the writers got so lost in trying to be innovative that they literally made every scene so incredibly verbose that it feels like watching a movie in another language without subtitles. The general ideas regarding fear of complacency and what love can become or do to a couple as it matures are great subject matter but that gets completely lost in the jumbling of words throughout the movie. It's a real shame because I really wanted so much to like it but it just fell way too flat not to mention that the main characters completely fail to sell you on any semblance of chemistry. Even Diane Keaton, who I love, was anything but natural in this which made me sad to see. Had to go rewatch The Family Stone to remind myself why I love Diane Keaton and to get this movie out of my brain.
Becky (2020)
Great movie!
Like the movie and concept a lot, but because there are a few things I think would've really improved it, that's my only reason for not scoring it higher. I think it's being seriously underrated. Although I like the actor who plays her dad in comedic roles, he just didn't bring enough emotion or depth to his character for me to connect - I feel like they wasted too much time dragging out their tumultuous relationship story and it just got weird and flat. Kevin James did a great job transitioning out of his usual type casting although if I'm honest, someone with a lot more intensity could've delivered a bigger punch but it didn't take away enough from the storyline to really take away too much. Everything this one lacks, they absolutely make up for in part 2 the wrath of Becky. In fact, watching the second one made me like the first one more. Looking forward to where they take the storyline in part 3 if they make one.
The Wrath of Becky (2023)
Mix of kill bill, home alone, and I spit on your grave...
I really enjoyed the second more than the first only because the first has too slow a start in my opinion and they didn't do enough to create a true father/daughter chemistry between the lead actors. Although I like the actor who plays her dad in comedic roles, he just didn't bring enough emotion or depth to his character for me to connect - I feel like they wasted too much time dragging out their tumultuous relationship dynamic and it just got weird meanwhile the second was so much better start to finish - it was better paced, straight to the action, and had a bit more dark comedy to break up the gory bits. If you enjoyed home alone and kill bill then you will absolutely enjoy this one. Sean Williams Scott really surprised me in a good way - he really delivered a scary performance and I didn't once think of him that way prior to seeing this movie so I really hope he explores doing more serious roles in the future. Would happily watch a third one to see where the storyline goes next!
Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story (2023)
Loved it so much and wish there were more episodes!
The best parts were the intense social dynamics, seeing Lady Danbury grow into her strength and independence, as well as very complex and deep evolving love between Charlotte and George. I didn't think I'd like the spin-off as much as the original so it took me a bit to start it but as soon as I did I binge watched the entire thing. The performances are stellar as are the costume and set design as usual but the way they told the back stories and how it connected to the other series just made you feel that much more connected and in love with the characters. I can't wait to see where they go next with the stories and what other eras of history the brilliant Shonda Rhimes will delve into next. Whatever it is, I'm definitely watching!
Smile (2022)
Creepy in the best way
Highly recommend this one! Such a great watch start to finish! Had just the right amount of everything and some scenes will stay with you for sure. Sosie Bacon was already someone I looked forward to seeing in more movies but her performance in this was stellar. The psychological aspects to this and the shocking scenes that have the main characters sanity slowly slipping take you for a ride. Can't wait to buy this when it comes out on prime streaming - last movie to creep me out as much was lights out which I also love. Bottom line if you love creepy things and want to see a well done movie to put you in the Halloween mood, this is a great one to watch.
Nope (2022)
Worth watching but...
Ok so visually this movie was really interesting - I also love the interesting black history facts Jordan adds not to mention his movies are just visually striking - acting was great - and there were also some very eerie and creepy subplots but there was a lot that I would say was either unnecessary or just felt confusing. First half of the movie was exactly what I was expecting and really good but the second half fell flat for me. If you love to overthink it and analyze and all that then you'd probably enjoy the film as it can be interpreted a number of ways but for me, if a movie is called a horror movie and the trailer makes it look like one then I expect a horror movie - if you have to go and google "xyz movie explained" then you've lost me. I will still be watching whatever Jordan does next but this one was only ok for me.
Halloween Kills (2021)
Glad I watched at home
So the Halloween collection has a special place in my heart for nostalgia if nothing else - i love the great scoring and overall Halloween feel of the movies and who doesn't love Jamie Lee Curtis? These movies just put you right into that spooky holiday mode. That being said, although I enjoy all kinds of scary movies and I enjoyed the comeback of the 2018 Halloween movie, this one I just couldn't deal with - the dialogue is painfully cliché and Anthony Michael Hall is the over the top overbearing "tough guy" this franchise never needed. The deaths were epic and are the main reason I gave this movie a 4 instead of a 1 - the special effects work was incredible BUT that was overshadowed by the awful writing and incredibly ineffective vigilante bafoonery that was their attempts to "end" Michael Myers. I realize most scary movies aren't exactly brimming with quality dialogue but this one was so bad you couldn't ignore it. I'm still always willing to give any horror movie a chance and hoping that for the next one that they correct the huge issues this one had.
The Witches (2020)
Just bad...
I love Olivia Spencer and really wanted to give this one a fighting chance but they totally messed this remake up. I for one would've done a prequel about the original grandma in Norway and how she discovered all she knew about the witches and tie in origin story of the grand high witch too - casting was not thought out as Anne Hathaways accent issues are so distracting that you can't even get past it, the daisy mouse is voiced by a middle aged lady but supposed to be a child?, and the changes they made about the witches and how you can tell which ladies are one just took more away from what made the original so great. How can they change the Erica going into a painting changed to a girl being turned into a chicken? Wtf was that? The original storyline was so much better so Idk what they were thinking - this was a huge missed opportunity to make something that added to the story not completely missed the mark. Also where was the assistant who saved the day at the end? Don't believe me? Just watch for yourself after you see the original and 5 minutes in you'll hear the accent stuff and zone out.
Army of the Dead (2021)
Not sure why all the hate...?
So I loved the zombies in this one! To be honest most zombie movie storylines lack depth and Oscar winning performances but that's not the point anyway so why expect that? That's like expecting good steak at your local drive through - the 2 dont really mix - even world war z which has Brad Pitt wasn't all about him or his acting - the zombies, how it happened, and how they fight them is where the real meat and potatoes are if you ask me and this movie delivers in that aspect. I love the ideas and creativity of the zombies having a hierarchy and actual chain of command not to mention the animals also was just a cool fresh take on the usual zombies we see in other films. I would watch this movie again in a heartbeat. Did the acting lack luster? Yes. Did it really take away from the movie? Not really. Could the movie been a 10/10 if better acting and writing for their storylines been implemented? Probably but it is still a good watch and keeps you interested. I loved the Zeus and his bride parts the best - just amazing graphics and makeup artistry.
Us (2019)
Way better than people are giving it credit for...
Great start, super creepy, with just enough funny. I'm not sure how a lot of people are reading way too far into it and trying to understand it literally when it's obviously not a literal movie. Any scary movie has unrealistic scenarios or unexplained parts but at the end of the day did it scare me? Yes. Was it action packed? Yes. Did it have me guessing what might happen? Yes. Was the acting good? Definitely. If that's not what you expect from most scary movies then perhaps the genre isn't for you. I highly recommend it as the actors did a great job and the storyline was super eery.
A Madea Family Funeral (2019)
Please do yourself a favor and wait for Redbox...
Move over Geostorm, there's a new festering turd of a movie to take the thrown for worst movie ever. Love most of Tyler Perry's movies but this one was the worst movie I've ever seen in theaters period. It had like three funny moments but was mostly just painfully awful with a splash of tasteless sexist jokes. Maybe if you're a fan of empty soap opera style acting, you can enjoy this but the acting was HORRIBLE, Madea and her elderly friends were the best part and even their jokes fell flat majority of the time. I was tempted to leave and get my money back but I kept hoping it would pick up but it never did. I wouldn't trust ANYONE who thinks this movie was good - yes it was THAT bad.
How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World (2019)
Fan of the Franchise but...
Loved both 1 and 2 but for me this one wasn't as good - it was sweet and a nice finish to the movies but I just felt it wasn't as strong as the first two. If you're a fan, I'd recommend seeing it yes, but for me it just wasn't as good. It was more of a wait for Redbox then see in theaters movie.
Aquaman (2018)
Wanted so much to like it...
After reading/hearing about it I was excited to see it but the entire thing fell flat for me. Jason Mamoa seems like such a nice guy but the acting overall was subpar at best. It was super cheesey and cliche and the underwater talking to me was just weird and made no sense. I'm a fan of sci-fi and super hero movies but this one was a big flop in my opinion. Seems like they just focused so much on the CGI stuff they forgot to entertain you in the process. Ultimately if you have the time to kill and want to see for yourself, go for it but you've been warned.
The Haunting of Hill House (2018)
Amazing acting and storyline
Most people who say they won't watch it because it's "scary" have no idea what amazing storyline they're missing. Everything about this show is captivating - it's interesting, dark, relatable, real, raw, twisted and engaging. From the first episode you're hooked and can't stop watching. You will not be sorry for seeing this show and it's easily the best thing I've ever watched on Netflix yet.
Hell Fest (2018)
More like Snooze Fest
This movie was boring and slow and never delivered. The kills were all super predictable and not inventive. I'm a huge fan of the horror genre and I wouldn't even rent this one when it comes out at Redbox, that's how bad it was. You never expect Oscar winning performance when it comes to horror but this gave me more of a badly made Netflix B title movie vibe. You keep expecting it to pick up and get more exciting or scary and it never does. The idea of it had so much potential but it fell completely flat. This was a huge missed opportunity. The only reason I didn't give it 1 star is that they had a good idea for the ending although it was poorly executed as well. To sum it up - save your money and rent it later so you won't be upset you wasted your money.
Geostorm (2017)
Don't waste your money!!! The trailer is a lie!
First let me say that I've been looking forward to this great disaster movie for months since watching the previews - I loved twister, day after tomorrow, and into the storm. I had high hopes that with this day and age with CGI technology being what it is, this movie would be amazing... WRONG!
First of all THERE WAS NO GEOSTORM AT ALL!!!!! There was an impending geostorm that you never got to see! I wanted the geostorm not a crap plot and barely any storms at all where all the best parts were in the trailer.
They focused way too much on the lack luster plot rather than the actual storms and spent too much money and time on the space stuff. Idk about you guys but when I go to see a disaster movie I want to see DISASTER not bad acting and space station junk.
The one good thing they did was that they made a strong beautiful women the action hero/badass which was nice for a change but I digress...
The CGI work on the actual disasters was pretty awful while obvious they spent the big bucks on the space station scenes which in my opinion could've been cut out entirely - they could've started the movie at NASA where the two main characters discover the weather net has been hacked and try and stop it while showing the disasters happening.
This movie was just a huge let down and I'd only buy it if it was on sale in the dollar bin. :(