bk753 Reviews

Long Shot (2019)

Mind-numbingly dopey... but also quite funny

[7/10 · 21 May 2024]

Okay, well this is one of those movies that you're kinda gonna have to check your brains at the door... you know, the "seal them in a bag and then you get them back after the concert" kind of thing. Because the plot is dopey and preposterous, and you really won't need them much to enjoy this movie. But it's fine, you CAN really like this movie, without them. I'm being serious. I did.

It's funny. It just is. Almost all the characters are absurd, and the situation is totally implausible... it's just a vehicle for Seth Rogen to be Seth Rogen and do Seth Rogen things. (He seems to get a lot of hate here, and I don't get it. He plays the same character in every movie, probably just himself, and he's quite often funny). He's funny here too, and Charlize Theron, as a love interest (for Seth? Really??!!) is equally funny (and perfect as ever). It just works. Without your brains.

June Diane Raphael (from "Grace and Frankie") is also a delight. We need more of her. And there are a few NSFW moments, so be warned. Leave your outrage about this with your brains. At the door.

So yeah, despite the "dopey" plot, you should check this out anyway. It's a decent watch, and funny... and we all need to laugh.

The Overnight (2015)

Quirky and odd, right to the end...

[6/10 · 20 May 2024]

This is a fascinating premise and film... right up to the end, you're convinced it's about something, then hello!! It's not what you thought, was it? While I was surprised by the ending, in many ways it made sense, and was where the film was taking us all along.

What this really isn't... is a film about sex. It's hanging in the air at every moment, but it's not what it's about. It's about the human condition, our frailties, insecurities, fascinations, and curiosities. How we approach and address our inner thoughts and selves, whether we admit it or not. The misdirection here is critical... the viewers aren't the only ones mistakenly navigating the waters of a bizarre evening... the cast is also treading cautiously, unsure of what to do and where to go next.

That said, it DOES get weird. Throughout, not just at the end... and this is going to cause some viewers discomfort. I had it as a "6.5" but rounded down, not because of where it took us, but because of how circuitously it brought us there (even though I now see it as necessary). It's worth a watch, and the short runtime means you're not committing to a lengthy evening... more a short exploration of people, who we are, and what we might want, if we let ourselves be more open.

Ma Rainey's Black Bottom (2020)

Better acting than story

[7/10 · 20 May 2024]

Ma Rainey is real, her talent and influence are real, and the fact that she made recordings in Chicago in the time period is also real. Much of everything else in here is either fictional or subjective, including the makeup of her band. I realize that "liberties" are often taken with "based on actual story" movies, but it seems like this film stepped way over the lines in order to tell a certain narrative. I don't mind that, but it influences how I view/judge a film.

The acting is incredible... Viola Davis and Chadwick Bozeman are outstanding, as is Glynn Turman (in a lesser role). The cinematography and costumes are spot on, and the film is vibrant and well directed. My only real qualms are with the fictitious story, the seething anger of Bozeman's character (Levee, who didn't exist), and the filmmaker's use of him to drive the narrative of racial hate. I don't doubt that his story is (sadly) a fair representation of this period in America, I just wonder why Levee's tale was so predominantly used here. Was Ma's actual story any less incredible? Her real life exploits and impact are amazing... I guess I'd rather just have seen a more realistic story about HER with less emphasis on fabricated characters and a stuttering nephew.

A 9 for the acting but a 5 for the Hollywood story that left me a little cold. A 7 sounds fair.

Long Story Short (2021)

Sweet, clever, and profound. Loved it.

[9/10 · 18 May 2024]

I knew nothing about this film coming in, picked it randomly, and was hugely surprised... This is an adorably fresh take on the typical rom-com, with a clever storyline, great acting, and a wonderful message about living life in the "now" and not waiting forever to do and be what you want.

Think "Groundhog Day" meets "Love Actually" with a hint of "It's a Wonderful Life." A little time-bending fun, with witty dialogue, convoluted situations, a few smiles and maybe a couple of tears too. Can't explain the 6.6 from IMDBers... I'm at a loss trying to understand someone not liking this. I thought it was a breath of fresh air. I was an 8.5, rounded up to a 9. It's a quick watch, and a sweet and beautiful movie for couples and families to enjoy. Two thumbs up.

JFK X: Solving the Crime of the Century (2023)

Laughable theory, but an amusing watch

[2/10 · 17 May 2024]

This is all pretty absurd... but so is the accepted "truth" that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone. He wasn't skilled enough to do what he was accused of doing, and he would've passed up a far easier shot to kill JFK on Houston Street before the turn onto Elm. Straight shot, car moving slower. So yeah, no.

That said, this "documentary" was incredibly poorly produced... like painfully amateurish. The first 45 minutes are a snooze-fest to watch and the last 45 minutes detail something so far-fetched that it almost comes across as a comedy "mockumentary." It would be a MONUMENTAL stretch to believe the filmmaker's contention, and even harder to believe that, if any of this was even remotely true, nobody spilled the beans in the ensuing years.

Watch at your own peril. Likely THE most bizarre JFK killing story of all time. But it's SO "out there" that it's almost worth a peek just to be able to talk about it at parties.

The Hunt (II) (2020)

Sordid and brutal dark comedy/thriller... and FAR better than the reviews...

[9/10 · 16 May 2024]

A darkly amusing take on a subject that's been done before... but never as well as this. The political twist in "humans hunting humans for sport" changed the dynamic, skewering both sides of the political spectrum, and igniting a sordid "us vs. Them" narrative that is thought-provoking at the same time as it's being wildly outrageous.

Betty Gilpin is stellar in the lead, equal parts droll and formidable. Hillary Swank is likewise excellent, albeit in a much smaller role. There's plenty of blood and gore for those inclined to like that stuff, but also enough smart dialogue to appeal to a broader audience. It's very well acted, audacious, and brilliantly sinister at times... and both the final fight scene and the lead-in to it, are wildly entertaining.

In short, I loved it. Edge of the seat action/thriller stuff, that we need more of. I'm an "8.5" rounded up to a "9" to offset the low reviews of people who let their political views cloud their takes on a movie that pokes fun at everyone (and our hideously divisive politics) equally. Highly recommend.

The Royal Hotel (2023)

Plotless, pointless mess

[2/10 · 15 May 2024]

My reviews are normally good, because I carefully choose movies to watch. Usually 6+ from reviewers here and 60 or better from Metacritic. The "critics" have this as a 77, so I gave it a shot. What a mistake.

This was a hot steaming mess right from the start. Two idiot party girls travel on a work-stay "vacation" to middle of nowhere, Australia... to tend bar for hard-drinking miners in the raucous bar of a dumpy hotel, hours from civilization. The Owner doesn't pay his bills and can't control his customers, the majority of whom are drunken sleazebags. The girls encounter trouble, gee go figger. The situation is almost as big a mess as this pointless, stupid "thriller," which has no thrills... and no plot.

Terrible on every level, except for Julia Garner and Jessica Henwick, trapped in hell and in this awful film. I gave it a "2" because they both can act, and their dynamic is the only saving grace here. Calling this movie "garbage" is an insult to actual garbage. Avoid this like the plague, which might be more enjoyable than this film.

Eye in the Sky (2015)

Riveting and startling

[9/10 · 14 May 2024]

"Never tell a soldier that he does not know the cost of war."

This is a stunning look at drone warfare, and the checks, balances, failsafes, technologies, and politics involved. It is terrifying and eye-opening in concept, and this film was expertly produced and directed.

The subject matter is distressing, and yet as its characters weigh the cost of an innocent life against the risk of dozens of others, it is also human and sympathetic at times. Helen Mirren and the late Alan Rickman are superb, as steely-eyed soldiers walking the fine line between killing and saving lives. The tension is palpable, the visuals are stunning, and the movie reaches a startling (albeit sad) conclusion. War is hell, and no matter how you judge or view the subject matter and the use of drones, it can not be argued that this isn't an exceptionally well made film. Put aside personal politics if you can, and view this alarming film for what it is, and not for what we might want the world to be. A solid "9" from me.

Jersey Boys (2014)

Dragged a bit early, then entertaining

[7/10 · 13 May 2024]

I liked this more than the critics did, although that's not unusual. I thought it was very slow in the beginning as we met the characters... the background was necessary, but I felt it was a little overdone. Once the band formed, the story flowed for a while, although it was a little choppy. These guys were churning out hits, yet never seemed to make the money that Tommy was frivolously plowing through.

The musical numbers are great, and done to perfection. And (unlike others) I didn't have a problem with characters breaking the fourth wall and talking to the camera directly. It wasn't overdone and it gave valid insight.

All in, it was a decent watch... if anything, it ran a bit long. If you grew up in the era, or in NJ (I was both) then you'll probably like and appreciate it.

Our Souls at Night (2017)

Solid acting, bland dialogue, mostly boring

[5/10 · 10 May 2024]

I appreciate the sentiment here. But sentiment only takes you so far. Same with the two fabulous leads (Fonda and Redford) who are both legends. But there's very little in the way of a story, and a promising beginning just leads to awkward dialogue, a plot that never goes anywhere, and an ending that is sorely lacking.

A certain demographic will see this movie as sweet and melancholy...many viewers will likely feel that too much was left on the table, too many opportunities missed. I'm sure this is the "fault" of the source material, and again, it's not for everyone. I just feel that this could have been more fun and a better watch than it was. Blah, sorry.

The Station Agent (2003)

Fine enough, but missed opportunities

[8/10 · 6 May 2024]

This is a quaint little film about loneliness and social stigma...it is sweet and well acted, even though it mostly goes nowhere. Upon finishing it, I couldn't help but feel the film had missed the opportunity to make statements about the way society views people, and that's where it came apart a bit for me.

Not just Fin's dwarfism, but Olivia's loss and stigma ("the mother who lost a child") and Joe's abject loneliness when his gregarious good nature should make him a popular guy. None were really explored and resolved. Fin, especially... he came to town to escape the stares and giggles, and of course found more stares and giggles... there was a great chance (the bar scene) for him to stand up and shout "I'm A PERSON, I'm your NEIGHBOR" and wake people up, but he doesn't. Instead his drunken outburst is almost sadly comical. I was sad to see this opportunity not really missed, but fouled off. Same with the school scene. Instead of heartfelt and personal, it just slips to "awkward" and stays there.

The acting is wonderful... Patricia Clarkson especially is brilliant. Peter Dinklage did as much as possible with the limited dialogue he was given, and Bobby Canavale is a joy. In the end, this is just a "slice of life" film without a major plot or revelation. Sweet and nice, but could've been more.

The Newsroom (2012–2014)

Quite simply one of the best American drama shows of all time...

[10/10 · 24 April 2024]

A brilliant concept, stellar writing, and almost flawless acting combine to make this one of the best shows to ever appear on American television. Rewinding the clock, and allowing us to see how a fictional (and very ethical) nighttime newscast might have reported some of the biggest news stories of the 20th century, warts and all, is not only a glimpse at how the news should be done... but a stark reminder of how totally messed up today's news actually is.

Aaron Sorkin, also responsible for my very favorite show of all-time ("The West Wing") absolutely knocks it out of the park, and the cast, led by Emmy Award winner Jeff Daniels, is fantastic. From the stunning opening 10 minutes through the last moments of the heartbreaking finale, it is an eye-opening look "behind the curtain" at the inner workings of a nightly news show, shedding light on the ethics and personalities involved in telling the news. Special and scintillating moments include the BP spill, the Gabby Giffords shooting, and the killing of bin-Laden, but the range of topics covered (including their own spectacular blunder on "Genoa"), and the gut-wrenching processes that doing a newscast entails, make this show an absolute must-see.

Sheer brilliance, start to finish. I wish I could rank this higher than "10." Do yourself a favor, and watch.

The Zone of Interest (2023)

Overrated by critics but still a worthwhile watch...

[7/10 · 15 April 2024]

Again, lots of "100" ratings by critics, which I believe to be societally pandering. It was a somewhat powerful statement flick, but I thought it needed to go farther and deeper to earn all the lofty praise from so-called "experts."

The juxtaposition of a "normal life" outside the walls of Auschwitz is the obvious hook here, and it's handled deftly by director Jonathan Glazer... but that was handled neatly enough in a handful of family scenes. The horror of "the other side of the wall" should have been more (and better) explored. It's not shown at all. Adding the kids and what they saw or knew, or the thoughts of local Poles would have added needed depth. I can only surmise that an extremely low budget led them to completely disregard shots of people being herded from trains, etc. Much of the film is "nothing" background stuff, which detracts from the whole... and while I applaud the sounds of screams and distant (and ignored) gunshots, the film didn't delve far enough into the horrors to truly present a view of life outside the walls. For the most part I was anxiously waiting and ultimately disappointed, not just by what was IN the movie, but what was left out. A 6.5 rounded up for trying to take an inventive look at horror being dismissed. "Conspiracy" was a better movie about the German nonchalance of the Holocaust.

Straight A's (2013)

Straight A's is a fail

[3/10 · 14 April 2024]

Yeah, this one wasn't very good.

It could have been. Well, maybe not good, but certainly better. Other than the kids, there's not a likable person (other than the gardener) in the entire film, and that's the kiss of death for most movies. And when there aren't worthwhile characters, there better be a good script and great acting to save the day. Sadly, not here. The script feels muddy and awkward and, despite the fact that there is legit onscreen talent, there's not much they can do with the pointless material.

A romantic triangle between two brothers and the girl they both loved appears inevitable. Sadly, the director chose to make one brother (Scott) too crass and buffoonish to relate to, and the other (William) too bland to care about. Stuck in a miserable middle is Katherine, sadly too frigid to warm up to. So instead we have what seems to want to be a "romantic comedy" with zero romance and absolutely no laughs.

When I quibble over IMDBers ratings, it's usually because they undervalued a film I appreciated. Not this time. The rating here is far higher than it deserves, and I'm mystified by anyone giving "Straight A's" anything higher than a D+. Pass on this.

The Artifice Girl (2022)

Startling and eye opening

[9/10 · 11 April 2024]

Released in 2022, The Artifice Girl, Is a compelling look at a subject that is growing more and more controversial as the years pass. The growing presence of AI in our lives, and the effect it could have on our futures is brilliantly explored in this little gem of a film, crafted with a minimal budget and starring a cast of virtual (no pun intended) unknowns.

The plot of the film places AI at the centerpiece of investigations into online sexual predators and traffickers, using a revolutionary new program to help root them out, so in this regard, it shows the technology in a positive light. But it also shows us a world where anything is possible and things may not always be as they seem. It is well written, capably acted (Tatum Matthews is a revelation), and spins an alarming narrative that should be seen and appreciated. For me, it's an "8.5" rounded up to a "9" to offset the bad reviews of those unimaginative IMDBers who can see neither the relevance nor the eye-opening entertainment of this smart science fiction offering.

Into the Woods (2014)

Conceptually clever, but dark and gloomy

[6/10 · 9 April 2024]

Yikes. So much to love and a lot to hate. It's a quandary. And an uneven mess. I'd almost like to tell you to watch the beginning and imagine your own "happy ending" ...because you really won't get one here.

The actors are fine and wonderfully talented. And the premise is fun and intriguing, and there are a number of very nice songs that are well staged. But somewhere along the way, it all gets dark and cynical and in the end there's a pastiche of gloom and death (with a sprinkle of hope) that really doesn't rescue this or leave you feeling satisfied. The only people who wind up truly happy are Rapunzel and her Prince who have the good sense to leave before the poop hits the fan. I wish I'd left with them.

It's not at all for kids, so just don't. Too much darkness, sadness and death. (And Johnny Depp's "Wolf" is just creepy). I really wanted to like this, but I honestly didn't. Truly, I'd give it an "8" for the immensely talented cast and a fun and witty first act, and then a "4" for where the story takes them all in Act 2. So, that averages out to a "6" and that seems about right. Disappointing. Go see the play instead.

Roma (2018)

Disappointing

[6/10 · 6 April 2024]

Artistically shot and beautifully directed, Roma is a movie with a lot of hype, but not a story that many people will relate to or care much about. And while I applaud Cuaron's vision and obvious talent, I found this film to be lacking in content and, even in its most dramatic moments, uninspiring. The main character (Cleo) is so bland and emotionless that it becomes difficult to generate any real feelings for her. In fact, all of the characters are lifeless and indifferent, except for Fermin, the biggest jerk in the film... at least he shows flashes of passion.

So many drawn out and lengthy scenes... that meant absolutely nothing to the story. Cleo's journey to confront Fermin, the New Year's party (and fire), even the "dramatic" protest scene... all beautifully shot, but really taking us basically nowhere. It's long and tedious and unrewarding, even to the very end. It's a "year in a life" film about essentially nothing, and I feel both sorry and guilty in saying I needed more. Much more.

The critics tripped over themselves in praising this film. Dare I say that it feels more like they were kissing Cuaron's ring than fairly judging this lethargic glimpse into 1970s Mexican life. Perhaps much of the drama was lost in the English translation but, in my humble opinion, there isn't enough going on here to justify the effusive praise it received. I think my "6" is fair. Sorry.

Cabaret (1972)

Ultimately disappointing...

[6/10 · 5 March 2024]

I don't know what I was expecting... I knew the time and setting for this film and I somehow imagined it would be a powerful look at pre-Hitler Germany in the crosshairs of change and would artistically deliver some hard truths about the landscape of the times. It really wasn't and it really didn't. It scratches the surface, but that's as far as it gets. Sure "Brian" despises the rise of Naziism, and "Fritz and Natalia" are star-crossed lovers, Jewish in the wrong time and place. But these are minor story arcs, while the brunt of the movie follows "Sally," a promiscuous, comically abrasive, "dreaming-of-stardom" gold-digger, who sings and dances in a Berlin burlesque club. I found her entire storyline to be annoying, and I was always waiting for it to go somewhere (sadly, it never did).

By far, the best parts of the film, are the bawdy and creative musical numbers, which do not advance the plot at all, but only serve as welcome breaks in Sally's ridiculous onscreen story. Joel Grey is stellar as the Emcee who captivates his nightly audience with raunchy performances and Liza Minelli's "Sally" is at her best here, performing, and not living her outside life. Take away the musical numbers and this movie becomes a dated and shallow look at a Germany getting ready to explode (none of which is really explored in Brian and Sally's life together).

Fosse's direction is solid, and the club and outside scenes are nicely filmed. The flaw here is Sally's character... or maybe Minelli's annoying portrayal of her... obviously this was racy and bold in 1972, but it's farcical today. I wish I had seen it 50 years ago... because seeing it now, after hearing all the praise it got... is just disappointing.

Flipped (I) (2010)

I'm NOT the demographic here...

[7/10 · 2 March 2024]

This is a difficult film for me to write about. Right out of the chute, I'm being honest... to me, it's a sappy, saccharine "6" but if you're a parent with tweens, it's probably right in your wheelhouse, so I bumped it to a "7" for you. It's cute on a very basic level and the 11-15 year old market will probably like it.

It's a cleverly done "he said, she said" flick, looking at young love from both perspectives over a series of years and experiences. It may be less relatable to kids today, because it's set in the late 50s and early 60s, and might be more relevant if it was set in a more current time frame. But it's sweet and innocent with valuable lessons for evolving young minds... so in that regard it's a nice change from the typical junk my grandkids are watching. I would recommend it for the families with tweens and maybe even for young parents who can relate to those feelings in the not-too-distant past. Even a nice movie for grandparents to enjoy with grandkids... with lots of opportunities to make valid life points to them. If you're in these groups, check it out. It's nice.

The Manchurian Candidate (2004)

Newer isn't always better...

[7/10 · 2 March 2024]

Two things right off... the "original" movie is substantially superior... and while the two versions share a name and a premise, they are vastly different, meaning this film is not at all a "remake." Apologies in advance for contrasting them in my review here.

This 2004 movie relies more heavily on diving into the tech involved, and it wasn't necessary. The previous film said "brainwashed" and we accepted it, and ran with it. We didn't need all the buried chip tech mystique. And "Manchurian" as a sinister private defense contractor lacked the impact of devious Russian and Chinese Communists. The romance between Jocelyn and. Raymond, the only thing that humanizes him at all, is completely ignored here, making what happens between them irrelevant and lacking impact. And while the first film made Rosie a nonentity, the second makes her oddly too important. Finally, the "shocking" ending of the 1962 version is better than the more convoluted finish here.

Denzel is, of course, a far superior actor than Sinatra... but Frank's Marco, (despite his uneven performance) had more depth and better material. Streep is a goddess, but Lansbury's original character was equally powerful. And the Raymond character was too different in the two films to even say who did it better. They're different people, so let's call it a draw. At the end of the day, if you loved the original, you'll like this less and if you never saw the 1962 film, this "Candidate" will entertain. Again, they are two very different settings and stories... and while the original feels somewhat dated, the modernization here doesn't make it better.

The Manchurian Candidate (1962)

An excellent Cold War thriller

[9/10 · 29 February 2024]

I'd never seen this before and finally watched it last night. Overall, it's a really good Cold War era neo-noir film. There are a few annoying little details that bothered me (Laurence Harvey's accent and overall stiffness, Janet Leigh's superfluous and underdeveloped character, Frank Sinatra's unnecessary sweat, and the instant "marry me" relationships) but they were small things when measured against the scope of the movie. People have complained about the 2:06 runtime, but I never felt the movie was slow or dragging and, while I guessed the outcome before the shocking" finale, the buildup was good and the Communist threat storyline was solid for it's time period. Looking forward to seeing the 2004 remake now, but the original is a stellar film that should be seen and appreciated by movie fans. Definitely recommend.

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023)

Disappointing. A "7" out of respect for the franchise...

[7/10 · 22 February 2024]

I saw another Reviewer label this as "Indiana Jones and the Destruction of the Franchise" and that's really not far off. Admittedly, I was excited to hear there was one final adventure for the great and charismatic archeologist... after seeing it, I almost wish they hadn't made it at all.

It's loaded with action, true... even though a lot of it is CG. It runs long, but moves at a fair pace. (I'm groping here for the things I liked). The opening train sequence was pretty cool. I'm running out of nice things to say...

The plot is terrible. I wish that finding and assembling the "Dial of Destiny" did something more realistic than open a time portal to the past... too many sci-fi writers have beaten time travel to death, and it wasn't needed here. I'd rather the Dial just unlocked a hidden archeological gem, and not gone off the rails into this area. Harrison Ford is great as always, but the supporting cast is rubbish. Total rubbish, actually. (Not you, John Rhys-Davies, you were wonderful). Even the baddies are lackluster.

All in, it was just kinda sad. Sad to see Indy as a broken down old chap, and sad to see. Disney besmirch a cinematic legend like Dr. Jones with such a lackluster and dismal sendoff. The franchise should have ended on a high note after "The Last Crusade" instead of the obvious money-grabs of the last two efforts. I've got this as a "6" but bumped it a "7" because it was a joy to see Ford again don his hat and seek thrills... sadly this film sucked all that joy out of me...

She's Funny That Way (2014)

Not funny that way...

[4/10 · 22 February 2024]

Watching this, I couldn't shake the feeling that this movie looked and felt like a film school assignment... that students were tasked to create "a Woody Allen type screwball comedy" ...and even there, as a parody project, this would get nothing more than a C+

It's not funny. It's a comic series of improbable coincidences and chance meetings that strains believability to the point of distraction. And through all these absurd connections, what's missing are the laughs. And ouch, some of the characters? Ugh. Why cast Brit Imogen Poots as a girl from Brooklyn? She's lovely, but her phony accent is an insult to Brooklynites. Couldn't find a New Yorker for this? Jennifer Anniston's therapist is so badly written that even she can't save it. The sexually obsessed judge and the Pink Panther-esque private detective were cringeworthy. I could go on, but I won't. I read somewhere that the entire original cast other than Owen Wilson (essentially playing the same role he always plays) bailed on this, and all new actors were cast... the original cast must have read the script and had an attack of lucidity.

I like so many of these actors... they're so talented, but the material here was so uninspiring that their work was wasted. Not the worst thing I've seen lately, but there are far better things to watch. A "4" and I feel like I'm being generous...

Fruitvale Station (2013)

Powerful...

[8/10 · 21 February 2024]

"Based on true stories" movies often take liberties with the truth and the story in order to paint a narrative. "Hotel Rwanda," for instance, is an amazing true story... or is it? There are debates about what really happened. All we can do is view the movie as presented.

"Fruitvale Station" is similar. While many of the facts here are indisputable, the setup to the horrifying climax is potentially filled with questions about Oscar, and the generous way he is portrayed leading up to the tragedy. For the most part, I'm choosing not to care about whether he was a good guy or a thug. I'm just looking at the film as presented. And it is a powerful, eye-opening film about "wrong place, wrong time" moments, and the decisions that put us there. I thought it was well acted, and thoughtfully put together, and I thought it was a solid movie and social statement. I leave it to others to decide if it's better told as a documentary rather than a feature film, and others to consider whether the "truth" about Oscar even matters. No matter his story, he didn't deserve what happened. As a movie, it was an engrossing and heart wrenching watch, and absolutely worth seeing.

Players (2024)

Unique route to a predictable destination...

[6/10 · 21 February 2024]

There are fun and funny sequences here... as a band of merry and manipulative friends run well orchestrated "plays" to score hookups and have fun. It starts off clever and witty, but then starts to get bogged down in some deep rom-com muck and loses its footing in the second act. Felt like it still might be salvageable, but it failed to exit the quagmire of romantic predictability and lost the edge it began with. Didn't hate it by any means (and loved the baseball angle), but what started as something vibrant ended up being more formulaic and cheesy than it shoulda been.

Love the way the friends interacted, and genuinely liked Mac (Gina Rodriguez), but her attempts to fight her way out of "oops, first date sex" zone and into an "adult" relationship using ploys and dishonesty were a bit too contrived for me. And we all saw the ending coming from a mile away... the tried and true "gee, everyone knew but me?" card. Not a bad film, but nothing special either.