themoviedoctor Reviews

Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker (2019)

Cinematic Masterpiece

[8/10 · 7 January 2020]

I have not been a huge fan of the plots of Disney's new Star Wars trilogy. This movie is no different. There are times during this movie that I felt as though the story line was way out of left field, or incongruent with the rest of the Star Wars series. If you're a huge fan of the Star Wars story, this movie is just meh.

But man is this a cinematic masterpiece!!! The use of costumes, music, volume, lighting, and angles are incredible! Props to the entire crew for resurrecting this movie with their incredible work. I would see it again just for that. These are the components that made the movie engaging, thrilling, and manipulated the mood of the audience.

Knives Out (2019)

Way better than I thought it was going to be!!

[9/10 · 10 December 2019]

I went into this movie with very few expectations, as I'm not usually a fan of the mystery genre. However, I found this movie to be excellent. The thing I enjoyed the most was that the plot was unpredictable and engaging. I spent a large part of the movie speculating what would happen next, only to be thrown for a loop. That was thrilling, and it really felt like I was a part of the film! Second, the character development was so well done (as it should be for a murder mystery). The actors did a fantastic job of portraying the depth of each individual, while simultaneously weaving a bigger picture that incorporated them all. Third, the use of light/sound/angles contributed and emphasized the mystery of the film. If you are a fan of Agatha Christie's murder mysteries or just looking for a few hours of entertainment, you will love this film! Highly recommend it!

Harriet (I) (2019)

Wish it was historically accurate.

[6/10 · 13 November 2019]

I came to see this movie because Harriet Tubman's story has always fascinated me. In a world where I can't get to the airport without my Google Maps, this incredible woman managed to navigate not only herself but tens of slaves to freedom. I was hoping to see an accurate depiction of her navigational skills and cunning, but unfortunately this movie has a more of a fictional spin than I anticipated. Still an interesting movie that pays tribute to an American hero, but not as good as it ought to have been.

The Addams Family (2019)

This is definitely a children's movie.

[5/10 · 19 October 2019]

I am an avid fan of the Addams family, and rewatch their movies each Halloween season. When I saw there was to be an animated re-make, I pictured it to be a mixture of the timelessness of their previous films and the entertainment of The Nightmare Before Christmas - fun for the whole family. However, as a young adult, I was not in the least bit entertained. The story line was definitely created for children, depicting the importance of inclusion/acceptance and family bond. Which I'm sure is very important for the younger generations. Yet I just was unable to connect with my long-standing enthusiasm for the Addams family during this movie.

Downton Abbey (2019)

Must already be a Downton fan to enjoy.

[7/10 · 19 October 2019]

I love Downton Abbey and have been an avid watcher for the last 6-7 years. The glitz, glamour, and drama of early 20th century English society has always captivated me and is splendidly depicted on both the small and large screen. The best part about Downton's transition to the big screen is the grandeur of the costumes!! It seems that no detail was spared to make our Crawley family appear larger than life to the audience. The designs of the Crawley women's gowns were spectacular, colorful, and oh so lavish.

However, as much as I personally loved this movie, it very much felt like one long episode of Downton Abbey. There was not much explanation of what had gone on in the past to arrive here in the story line, and very few introductions of characters. I could imagine if you've never seen Downton Abbey before, it would not be that enjoyable.

Hustlers (2019)

Came for the cast, stayed for the cast also.

[7/10 · 5 October 2019]

I was originally attracted to this film for its star-studded cast, and they do not disappoint!!! The energy and connection between the actors, including JLo, Constance Wu, Cardi B, Lizzo, and more, is palpable! The story line is based on true life events and is deeply disturbing but the cast is so charismatic that they make it lovable. I would recommend this film for anyone looking for a feel-good female empowerment film. Careful for anyone offended by a little nipple!

Aquaman (2018)

Star studded cast but overall terrible film.

[5/10 · 5 October 2019]

I am a huge fan of the Marvel Comics Universe, and this DC film cal highly recommended by some of my friends. Despite their praise and the star studded cast, this film is terrible. The script writing is awful, the connection between the cast is lacking, and the CGI is overwhelming. The only redeeming thing about Aquaman is a very cool fight scene towards the end. Overall, I really wanted to like this movie but found that it was poorly done in nearly every way.

Crazy Rich Asians (2018)

Fantastic

[8/10 · 14 September 2019]

I was not on board with all the hype for this film when it originally came out. But after watching it, I can honestly say I was blown away! The film was shot in Singapore and made good use of the beautiful scenery. It was also nice to see an all Asian cast, although it was clear that the actors were not all Chinese (as was described in the movie). But culturally, the film was spot on. They charmingly captured the struggle for independence that most Asian children undergo at some point to separate themselves from their over-bearing parents. The movie uses the protagonists to compare and contrast the American mentality to what I will broadly describe as the immigrant mentality, without taking sides. Overall, I think this film was entertaining while also being educational and relatable.

Good Boys (2019)

Nostalgic

[10/10 · 18 August 2019]

Great movie if you're in your late twenties - just old enough that you feel like an adult, but not old enough to actually have your life together. Very nostalgic and relatable, which makes the jokes even funnier! Honestly, a fantastic way to spend 1.5 hrs.

Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood (2019)

Fantastic

[10/10 · 14 August 2019]

This movie was fantastic. On a production level, the sets were incredible, the costumes impeccably designed, and the acting was stellar. Truly felt like it was a film that would've been put out in the 60s. On a director's level, Tarantino spends the first 2 hours getting the audience emotionally invested in the characters by integrating their background stories into their present livelihoods. And the ending, which in my opinion was the best part, will surprise you! I have a vague knowledge of the Manson murders from following along with pop culture, so I believed I knew how the movie was going to end. But Tarantino takes the audience for a spin, creating a hilarious scene out of what was a tragedy in reality. A must see!!

Brian Banks (2018)

Educational, but not entertainment.

[8/10 · 14 August 2019]

If you are looking for a movie to provide you with a few hours of entertainment and lightheartedness, this is not it. This film depicts a gut wrenching true story of a young black man who had his future rearranged by a broken system. It very much parallels the issue of racism within the justice system that young black men in America continue to face. I learned a lot about how sexual assault cases are approached in the legal system and how little true justice is involved in comparison to strategy. God bless the work that the California Innocence Project has been doing.

The Lion King (2019)

A different perspective

[7/10 · 6 August 2019]

There have been a lot of negative reviews discussing the use of CGI and inevitable lack of emotions in this movie. I think we can all agree that the original animated Lion King has stood the test of time, and the emotions that the animators invoke through their work is one of the reasons. The animated film has connected with audiences throughout generations. So if it is so beloved, what would be the point of remaking it?

I challenge you to think about this film not as a simple remake of a classic Disney movie, but as a form of art. Yes, inevitably the CGI versions of the animals do not invoke strong emotional ties, but the imagery created by the computer is amazing!! The CGI is incredibly well done and the interactions between the animals appears to be so natural, as if this all could have actually taken place. And the imagination that the concept artists and voice over actors had to utilize in order to perform their work is also a tribute to their skill. Overall, this film is a work of art for reasons entirely different than its animated sibling and should be appreciated as such.

Spider-Man: Far from Home (2019)

Tough break

[6/10 · 6 August 2019]

I think we can all agree that Avengers Endgame was not only beyond incredible to watch, but as a whole brought together multiple loose ends from the Marvel Universe. Spider-Man: Far from Home is at baseline an entertaining movie to watch and provides some big hints for what's to come in the Marvel Universe. But as the first Avengers movie to be released after Endgame, it was pretty boring in comparison. I think it would've been more popular if it had been released at another point in the Marvel timeline.

Rocketman (I) (2019)

Not as well done as Bohemian Rhapsody

[7/10 · 13 July 2019]

At baseline, I have not had much exposure to Sir Elton John's music or any knowledge of his life prior to fame and fortune. However, I am a sucker for an insider peek into celebrity life, so I thought I would enjoy this movie. The acting and singing is superb. The writing could have been better, at time it seemed very cliche. But Taron Egerton did a wonderful job bringing Sir Elton John's biography to life. It seems that despite the fame, fortune, and talent, that all he was seeking was to be loved. I left the theatre with an understanding that all humans, regardless of background or social standing, share a core set of desires.

Late Night (2019)

Too much of a political comedy

[6/10 · 9 July 2019]

I love Mindy Kaling. She was a hit character on the office, and her show the Mindy Project blasted her into comedic infamy. I had high expectations for this film, given that she wrote and starred in it. But I found that the politics of the movie outweighed the humor. The film was well done, in that it portrays the importance of minority and women's rights in a light hearted way, but I was not expecting it to be so heavily aimed at the audience. Overall I enjoyed the film, but I wish there was more humor interviewed with the political message.

Aladdin (2019)

Lives up to the hype!

[8/10 · 9 July 2019]

Aladdin provides its audience with an array of entertainment; the movie has comedy, action, romance, and adventure. The use of thematic light and music to portray emotions throughout the film really transformed Aladdin from a traditionally juvenile film into one that an adult could enjoy. However, my favorite thing about the movie was the use of an all ethnic cast. Growing up, Jasmine has always been my favorite princess, and it was awesome to see her come to live through a strong and beautiful actress like Naomi Scott. I'm sure she will go on to inspire a whole new generation of young girls.

Murder Mystery (2019)

Surprisingly entertaining

[7/10 · 27 June 2019]

I usually find Adam Sandler's sense of humor crass and aggressive, and as a result tend to stay away from movies featuring him. I was hesitant to select this movie during my perusing, but Netflix productions tend to be very engaging so I was willing to give it a try!

This movie was hilarious and a great way to spend a few hours relaxing. If you are looking for a movie that is intriguing, fun, and all around hilarious then this is for you! The film features good acting, funny jokes, forbidden romance, and best of all a murder mystery. It is like Agatha Christie's "And Then There Were None" with a comedic twist. This is definitely a must see.

Pokémon: Detective Pikachu (2019)

Bringing Pokémon into the future

[8/10 · 27 June 2019]

I grew up watching Pokémon on Cartoon Network and trading Pokémon cards with my friends on the playground. When this movie was announced, I was ecstatic for the chance to relive part of my childhood on the big screen.

This movie was fun, entertaining, and even had a moderately interesting plot. It does not feature Ash and our other Pokémon friends, but instead brings us a new narrative about Pokémon. My favorite part about the film, however, was the CGI depiction of the breeds of Pokémon and the personalities each were given. I was anticipating that it would be difficult to bring these creatures to life when the audience is so used to a cartoon depiction. But it did not disappoint!

The Secret Life of Pets 2 (2019)

Way better than the original

[9/10 · 27 June 2019]

In my experience as a movie watcher, it is very difficult for a sequel to overshadow take the place of the original movie in my heart. However, The Secret Life of Pets 2 has done just that!

I found this movie to be more engaging and relatable than the original. The distinct personality traits of the individual creatures come across throughout the film, and I frequently found myself thinking "wow that is so accurate, my cat acts just like that!"

As a full grown woman, I enjoyed this film much more than I ought to have!!

X-Men: Dark Phoenix (2019)

An okay way to end a series

[6/10 · 27 June 2019]

I have grown to love Sophie Turner from her role in Game of Thrones, so when I saw she was going to be the lead of the X-men finale I was excited. This movie was produced well and with a cast that was interesting to watch on screen. But overall, I do not feel it did the X-men series justice as the final installation. Some of the choices made for the direction of the plot deviated from the personalities of the characters we have come to know.