At first glance, A Christmas Karen feels like more of the same story you've seen multiple times a year, and in many ways it is, but the fact that it is does not take away from the charm, entertainment, and heart that it brings. Michele Simms is so delightfully terrible as Karen, so much so that it took me a little longer than usual to empathize with her, but eventually I came around. I like how all of the ghosts are unique in their characterizations and how they are all memorable in their own way. I absolutely adore A Christmas Carol, and this modern retelling does not disappoint in warming the heart and making me smile just as much as any other version of the tale.
Reviews
8 Reviews
The Mortuary Collection
(2019)
An excellent addition to any collection.
30 July 2021
This movie was a lot of fun. The stories range from bizzare, yet enjoyable, to twisted and terrifying, with enough plot twists to keep any viewer entertained. The atmosphere and setting just add extra chills to this already great film. If you like Creepshow or Tales From The Crypt, you'll like this. If you're a fan of horror, you owe it to yourself to see this movie.
The Lion King
(2019)
Success does not equal a good film.
4 July 2021
I went into this film with an open mind and I tried to give it a chance. Unfortunately, it felt like I was watching something where there was some good in there, but it was overwhelmed by a large supply of mediocrity.
On the positive side, I like how Shenzi in particular was portrayed, going from just one part of a three character comedy act to being not only the head of the pack, but also being genuinely intimidating. I also felt that the background music managed to capture the emotions their scenes were meant to convey, just like the original film.
Unfortunately, this is where my positives end. I thought most of the voice acting lacked any real energy and that the actors were either going through the motions or just seemed really tired. This problem shines most brightly during the songs, in particular "Be Prepared" which felt like it had all of its' power and terror striped away in favor of a lifeless reading of the lyrics. The animation also lacked any real expressions or personality on any of the lion's faces, as if I were watching a National Geographic documentary and someone decided to dub their voice over the lion's mouth movements.
If anyone else liked this movie or their kids liked this movie, fine, I'm not going to crush another person's enjoyment of a film, but for me, this just wasn't as good as it could have been and it feels like a lot of wasted potential.
On the positive side, I like how Shenzi in particular was portrayed, going from just one part of a three character comedy act to being not only the head of the pack, but also being genuinely intimidating. I also felt that the background music managed to capture the emotions their scenes were meant to convey, just like the original film.
Unfortunately, this is where my positives end. I thought most of the voice acting lacked any real energy and that the actors were either going through the motions or just seemed really tired. This problem shines most brightly during the songs, in particular "Be Prepared" which felt like it had all of its' power and terror striped away in favor of a lifeless reading of the lyrics. The animation also lacked any real expressions or personality on any of the lion's faces, as if I were watching a National Geographic documentary and someone decided to dub their voice over the lion's mouth movements.
If anyone else liked this movie or their kids liked this movie, fine, I'm not going to crush another person's enjoyment of a film, but for me, this just wasn't as good as it could have been and it feels like a lot of wasted potential.
Incarnate
(2016)
A far more intelligent film than it appears to be.
16 October 2017
I'll simply say this about Incarnate, if you're looking for a film that is in the vein of Insidious or some other horror film that relies on the viewer actually paying attention to the story over the typical guts and gore, then you're in luck. However, if you're looking to just kill an hour and a half with something mindless, look elsewhere. This movie, while by no means perfect, is also highly underrated and at least tries to put its' own twist on the whole possession sub-genre. Don't let the negative rating or reviews put you off, this is one film that you'll regret not viewing several years later. In this viewer's opinion, this is a future cult classic.
RoboCop
(2014)
Not as good as the original, but worthy of the name,
12 February 2014
Warning: Spoilers
While I went in to the theater with visions of the 1998 Godzilla fiasco lodged in my brain, I left cheering and refreshed.
Let me just make one thing perfectly clear, no, this isn't an exact remake of the original Robocop that I fell in love with as a child, but it certainly proves to me that just because something is PG-13, doesn't mean that it can't be gory and gritty in its own right.
To be honest, when they stripped away all of the robotic suit and showed Murphy what remained of him, I a bit shocked and kind of disgusted. However, it was not in the whiny protesting way, but rather the "oh gods, I just saw an animal get hit by a bus" shocked. That image of pulsating guts and organs was rather grisly.
The action scenes were a bit too fast for my taste, and I thought that some of the Samuel L. Jackson scenes were hit or miss, but overall, I found this movie to be as entertaining and action-packed as the original and certainly worthy of the name "Robocop".
Let me just make one thing perfectly clear, no, this isn't an exact remake of the original Robocop that I fell in love with as a child, but it certainly proves to me that just because something is PG-13, doesn't mean that it can't be gory and gritty in its own right.
To be honest, when they stripped away all of the robotic suit and showed Murphy what remained of him, I a bit shocked and kind of disgusted. However, it was not in the whiny protesting way, but rather the "oh gods, I just saw an animal get hit by a bus" shocked. That image of pulsating guts and organs was rather grisly.
The action scenes were a bit too fast for my taste, and I thought that some of the Samuel L. Jackson scenes were hit or miss, but overall, I found this movie to be as entertaining and action-packed as the original and certainly worthy of the name "Robocop".
Wolf Girl
(2001)
A wonderful film, for what it is.
11 August 2013
The first time I saw this film, it was when it premiered on the USA channel. At the time, I honestly didn't know what to expect because the trailers treated it like a horror movie.
In a somewhat similar vein as Tod Browning's "Freaks", the trailers completely mislead the viewer. This is less of a werewolf film and more of a film about being able to accept yourself for who you are, instead of trying to drastically change yourself to fit in with the rest of the world, and the argument that, in doing so, you lose what made you you.
If you are going into this movie expecting a vicious, violent horror film filled with werewolf transformation scenes and classic romance, then this film is clearly not for you.
If you're someone who goes in with a lowered expectation of this film based on the title, or no expectation whatsoever, then you might be pleasantly surprised, as I was.
Also, it should be noted that I personally despise the fact that this film was released under the title "Blood Moon" instead of "Wolf Girl". But, that's just my opinion.
If you like this film, I also recommend a film entitled "No Such Thing", a contemporary retelling of the "Beauty and The Beast" story.
In a somewhat similar vein as Tod Browning's "Freaks", the trailers completely mislead the viewer. This is less of a werewolf film and more of a film about being able to accept yourself for who you are, instead of trying to drastically change yourself to fit in with the rest of the world, and the argument that, in doing so, you lose what made you you.
If you are going into this movie expecting a vicious, violent horror film filled with werewolf transformation scenes and classic romance, then this film is clearly not for you.
If you're someone who goes in with a lowered expectation of this film based on the title, or no expectation whatsoever, then you might be pleasantly surprised, as I was.
Also, it should be noted that I personally despise the fact that this film was released under the title "Blood Moon" instead of "Wolf Girl". But, that's just my opinion.
If you like this film, I also recommend a film entitled "No Such Thing", a contemporary retelling of the "Beauty and The Beast" story.
Once again, people take things way too seriously.
11 February 2011
While this film is meant for kids, I as a 26 year old viewer, enjoyed this film all by myself. Keep in mind that I can watch intelligent, award-winning films that make me think about the future of the human race, but I don't want to do that all the time.
And personally, the film does have some good values to be found, as well as some songs that, if they were sung by anyone else, I wouldn't touch them with a 20ft pole! To those who refuse to see this film based on what others say I say this, the Chipmunks have been around for 50+ years, and are a world renowned group. This is coming from someone who grew up with the old cartoons, but I realize that the image needed a change if it was to catch on with today's audience, just like it had to in the 1980's.
This film, while not as good as the first one, is no where near as bad as it has been rated, and to me, those who give it a 2, 3, 4, or anything less than at least a 7, obviously have been brainwashed with way too much High School Musical or too many serious films and they expect everything to be a masterpiece.
To anyone who actually uses their brain, please, chill out, relax, and enjoy the film.
And personally, the film does have some good values to be found, as well as some songs that, if they were sung by anyone else, I wouldn't touch them with a 20ft pole! To those who refuse to see this film based on what others say I say this, the Chipmunks have been around for 50+ years, and are a world renowned group. This is coming from someone who grew up with the old cartoons, but I realize that the image needed a change if it was to catch on with today's audience, just like it had to in the 1980's.
This film, while not as good as the first one, is no where near as bad as it has been rated, and to me, those who give it a 2, 3, 4, or anything less than at least a 7, obviously have been brainwashed with way too much High School Musical or too many serious films and they expect everything to be a masterpiece.
To anyone who actually uses their brain, please, chill out, relax, and enjoy the film.
The Last Airbender
(2010)
An underrated gem, once all comparison is left out.
12 July 2010
Seriously, what is wrong with this film? Compared to the last few M. Night dropped out, this is golden. I can see little flaws here and there, but overall, it's not that bad.
The bending looks more realistic, and overall feel is a tad fast, but well-balanced, and if nothing else, I can look for one more positive, if this film does well, we all know that the sequels will be better.
The problem is most fans can't look at this like an AU, they have to see it as the show, and it's not. It's an AU, plain, simple, and stunning.
Sadly, I don't see this film as one that will have a sequel, but one that will follow the paths of Eragon and The Golden Compass, films primed and ready for a sequel, and yet the negative response kills it.
The bending looks more realistic, and overall feel is a tad fast, but well-balanced, and if nothing else, I can look for one more positive, if this film does well, we all know that the sequels will be better.
The problem is most fans can't look at this like an AU, they have to see it as the show, and it's not. It's an AU, plain, simple, and stunning.
Sadly, I don't see this film as one that will have a sequel, but one that will follow the paths of Eragon and The Golden Compass, films primed and ready for a sequel, and yet the negative response kills it.
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