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Come to Daddy (2019)
Instant Classic. The Journey is Well Worth It.
This incredible thrill ride, with Elijah Wood as the unlikely protagonist is an instant classic.
The movie suddenly changes from a loud and argumentative (and near fatal for Norval) father and son reunion with ghostly nights to a movie that gives Pulp Fiction and Kill Bill a run for their money.
Set in a bizarre house "like a 1960s spaceship", Norval Greenwood (Wood) is about to solve the mystery of his long lost father and transform from the boy who never grew up into a vicious survivor. Care to see Elijah Wood's face stabbed through with a motel receipt holder? Weaving between brash comedy and gory fight scenes, the movie slowly builds up to a dizzying frenzy amidst bad guys, Russian swingers and and a muscled dominatrix.
Great performances from Martin Donovan (Weeds,Inherent Vice), Michael Smiley and Stephen McHattie.
Knives Out (2019)
Overhyped and Plodding Pace
This was a letdown. It's at an 8.1 on this site now and I can't imagine how it got there.
So many critics raved about this, one saying something like, "So hilarious and smart it made my brain hurt." Whoever that was is easily overwhelmed. It dragged in the beginning, it took a long time to go anywhere.The pacing was very slow on and off. The acting was generally mediocre. Christopher Plummer as Harlan Thrombey, a mystery author, was very good. Daniel Craig as Benoit Blanc, a private investigator, had an awful forced accent that never, ever ended. He was trying to channel Frank Underwood and missed. It should have been a great ensemble movie, sadly it was not. It fell flat.
I love classic mysteries. An important part of a whodunnit is pacing. The actual killer wasn't a surprise, the full details of the manner of death were more boring than thrilling. This movie never got to classic mystery status. I don't think the movie knew if it wanted to be classic like Agatha Christie or quirky like Casino Royale.
If I can think of anything good it is particular parts of the house and some statues that are related to Harlan Thrombey's mysteries. A piece of furniture and action scene at the end was very well done.
I could have skipped this movie, but was drawn in by clever editing in the trailer and some over the top reviews that do not match what I saw.
Blood Clots (2018)
A Scary Good Time!
Every short film was engaging in it's own way. I was not bored for one second. From gory to funny to bizarre to...to quote one of the last lines in the movie..."What in the actual ....?"
You will get zombies and werewolves and a vampire and sea creatures all in one place!
The music and the effects and the cinematography was great. It is not a mainstream film, it is crazily off the wall and I loved it. The segment "Hellyfish", deserves a feature film, but so do a few others in the anthology. I have never seen many of the new ideas in this film!
I will leave you with the age old question, "Who let the crabs out? Who? Who?"
Apple Tree Yard (2017)
Slow Burning, Edge of Your Seat With a Twist
Though, I was in fact hoping to find a 'secret Sherlock' episode, I was happy with Apple Tree Yard as a whole.
I see some complaints it was TOO SLOW. It only has 4 episodes, give it a chance, lol. Have a bit of patience.
It had intrigue, lust, complicated family and marital relations. Humans that make poor choices and a question as to who is the villain.
I loved the sets from just the Apple Tree Yard SW1 Alley to the chapel of the Commons.
If people wanted Sherlock and didn't get it, they got a good mystery at least. On top of being a thriller and a damn good drama.
You get an insanely intense and mind blowing finale.
Emily Watson was great and the rest of the cast were certainly very good. Creepy ending...I hope for another series of this! 8/10
The Edge of Seventeen (2016)
It is So Difficult to Find a "10"
I have seen a lot of good movies in the last year. From all genres. I was hesitant about this one. I am mainly a thriller or drama fan.
I finally decided to see it after more clips with Woody Harrelson and Hailee Steinfeld.
This film captures a family tragedy, a young woman growing into adulthood and all the details in between. How many times can one laugh and have happy or sad tears all at the same time in one movie? Over and over is the answer, for this movie. I was glued to the screen and it could have been longer, I would not have minded.
The soundtrack is is just icing on a perfectly layered cake.
The ending was GREAT, have no idea why some posters were unhappy with it. I imagine there is a ton on the cutting room floor I want a peek at.
The acting and pacing is perfect. The comedy, both obvious and understated is genius. One of Woody Harrelson's best performances. Animation fans will get a little treat, as well.
Hayden Szeto is a breath of fresh air.
This movie is a perfect 10. I am sure that movies more epic in scope and historical will be up for Oscars, but it would be a great shame if this one was looked over.
It's been said by at least one critic, but John Hughes would have indeed been proud.
The Revenant (2015)
Revenant or Previously 'Untitled Leonardo DiCaprio Vehicle"
I am very surprised this is being considered for awards. This will probably be my shortest review to date.
I do love period movies. I also really like Leo DiCaprio. But, not this one. The most unlikely thing I noticed was the good performance of Will Poulter, who was Gally in "The Maze Runner".
Mainly, there were two parts to this movie. "Wake me when Glass gets to the Outpost" and "Wake me when he gets the bad guy".
The bear attack scene was good. The relationship he had with his son seemed genuine. Flashbacks to Glass and his wife did not seem genuine.
Kudos for the acting when not able to speak, but it still didn't connect emotionally. Many parts really dragged on and on.
The movie was quite a let down after all the hype. 6/10
Jurassic World (2015)
Such a Waste
Uninteresting storyline. Poor acting..though that is mainly due to the poor dialog given to them. Characters with no substance--did not care about them at all. I normally enjoy Vincent D'Nofrio, he was unconvincing as a villain and they dressed him in work clothing from Sears that was 3 sizes too small. Bryce Dallas Howard was dimwitted and couldn't act her way out of a paper bag-- they dressed her oddly too, in the beginning of the movie- very early 90s. The younger boy makes more whiny noises than speaks.
A 14 year wait and this is what they came up with? A CGI fest. Fest or test to see how much they could spend on CGI and how little on wardrobe and script writers? I would rather watch Jurassic Park 3.
Jodorowsky's Dune (2013)
The Dune We All Deserve
And we never got it. Due to Hollywood being shortsighted. I appreciate the Dune movies we have, but I know they barely scrape the surface. The Jodorowsky treatment would turn the movie world upside down.
The storyboards themselves make Star Wars look like a movie about Leggos.
I am sad that so many SciFi movies blatantly stole from it yet I am happy that portions live on in film.
It is a horrendous crime, though, that this completely planned movie was torn in pieces to make money for many, while leaving this masterpiece raped and torn and left bloody after the studios cannibalized it.
I can only hope, that, within my lifetime, I can see better Dune movies that encompass all the books. I am a Trekkie, but I know the Dune world is more vast and beats both Star Trek and Star Wars hands down.
Oculus (2013)
A Horrendous Over-Hyped Failure
A horrendous over-hyped failure. I am told it is getting a 7 on IMDb due to Karen Gillan who is a main character and who is in the newest Dr. Who series. I watched this movie at 4 in the afternoon and had difficulty staying awake. It was too long. The acting was fair, but the pacing and plot was both excruciating to go through and had no real basis or background. You will go back and forth between the present, the past, real events and things that aren't really happening-- waaaaay too many times. And WTF is an Oculus? You will get no real definition in the movie. The piece of furniture behind this word has no back story to it, no rhyme or reason. This movie is not worth watching paid or free. 2/10
Noah (2014)
Great Adaptation of Epic Proportions.
I saw Noah last night. I absolutely loved it. There is TREMENDOUS hate for it on this site, most of it Christian driven (some plot/acting driven, which is fine). The complaints I saw were that it 'did not follow the bible story perfectly'. Of course not- it is an adaptation between the bible, the Book of Enoch and a graphic novel called Noe. It really fleshed out this story that has a lot of 'whys' all by itself.
The acting was great. The special effects were incredible as the animals all look real, but were all done digitally. I do study the Bible and it gave me a new understanding of what the character, Noah, went through. It also shows a personal belief of mine that the early humans had great knowledge of plant life, their properties and, perhaps, even a little magic and closeness with 'The Creator'.
The visual of 'The Watchers' was right on point. It is what I would have imagined.
This is not a Christian story, Christians must note, nor a Jewish story. The earliest version is from the Sumerians, later peoples borrowed it. But I have always said, that doesn't mean it never happened.
I was so happy to see this epic adventure. The time had come to do it justice.
Found (2012)
You will never be prepared for what you see....
It's based on a novel and is done on a low budget, some of the actors could use polishing (maybe more than polishing), but the 2 main actors have a future, most definitely. I want to say that you should probably be at least 30 years old to watch it. There is no rating for that, I believe it is unrated. I also believe it passes the bounds of NC-17. There is a short 'movie within the movie' that even seasoned horror fans who state they have seen 'everything' will find difficult to watch. I tried, but my eyes involuntarily closed tight about 5 times and that has never happened. Advanced realism, props to the effects/prop/makeup people. It is a a psychological thriller mixed with horror and slash/gore. It is not what I would call gratuitous though. A young boy discovers that his older brother is a serial killer and it goes on from there. It is honest and portrays states of mind. I applaud Gavin Brown, who might be as old as 16, given his current IMDb photo, but he plays a 12 year old, who looks it in the movie and in film festival photos not long after. It has won many, many minor awards and was still in small release just a few months ago. If you don't have a weak stomach, I recommend it. I would mention that Marty's slightly chunky friend, who reminds me of a character in Goonies did a good job, but IMDb has no picture for me to figure out who he is. I Originally gave 7/10, I have changed my mind and given it an 8. Even with a small budget and lots of no-name actors, you will never be the same after seeing it. The ending shot is abrupt, but will stay in your mind long after. This WILL be a Horror Classic on everyone's 'to watch' lists.
7E (2013)
The Plot that Might Have Been.....
A plot really could have surfaced in this movie, but none ever did. Brendan Sexton III,the male lead of...I don't know what he is leading... overacts. Antonella Lentini,who has a very comfortable bed,underacts. John Savage the uncle/surrogate father/stepfather can't act. James Russo, the grieving neighbor, I guess is OK. Natasha Lyonne somehow wandered on set and decided to stay.
1 star is for the visual quality, which is quite good. The other star is for the trailer,which I enjoyed much more than the movie. The trailer is extremely well edited and tricks you into thinking it is for a movie.
After Earth (2013)
I Don't Understand the Scathing Reviews
It was a good movie,both in story line and effects. It was visually stunning. I see some reviewers wondering how this 'young boy' could have accomplished what he did. Well, Kitai had gone through Ranger Corps training even if the trainer didn't think he was yet ready to be given the title or on active duty. Well, he certainly is now. I could follow the story line, which separates it from the mess Oblivion was. I have noted reviewers comparing the two movies, but they are not the same. This one certainly doesn't contain Tom Cruise clones fighting each other. A lot of people don't like M. Night, but I thoroughly enjoy his work. It is a movie the entire family can see and is definitely worth the trip to the theater. I would like to see more of this and more than the graphic novel and companion books.
Henry's Crime (2010)
A Lovely Layered Romance and Dramatic Comedy
Since I didn't read very much about it before I saw this film, I was pleasantly surprised. They pulled off a play within a movie. It was dark and funny and real and unreal. I love how they played with a classic piece of drama.
What exactly is Henry's Crime? His real crime is not the obvious answer. Many of us are committing this crime every day of our lives.
The movie has not been promoted enough. I Live in Buffalo and I just kept forgetting to see it. Keanu Reeves plays his character perfectly and you do see a slow change or awakening in the 'affable' Henry. James Caan has definitely 'still got it' and was acting circles around everyone else, but he is a master. Vera Farmiga is a delight and a very real person, she reminds me of a lot of my friends. A lot of people that live here might say that Buffalo was portrayed as 'too gray', well, it is gray in the winter. If there were a word for more gray, I would use it to describe Buffalo in November.
One scene takes place in a Chinese restaurant just a few blocks from my house. It is beautiful inside, I wish they had shown more of it in the movie. I had Christmas dinner there with family just a few hours ago, maybe that's what prompted me to watch this film tonight.
The ending is different, some reviewers didn't like it, it does feel improvised, but somehow matching perfectly the non-improvised portions of the temperamental director taking down the lights.
I would definitely watch it again, it's the kind of movie where you will see things you missed the first time.
The Factory (2012)
Stunned That Cusack Would Be Part of Such a Mess
The script, the pacing the dialogue, all HORRIBLE. It has the feel of a Lifetime movie someone convinced a couple of good actors into.
First, I live in Buffalo. There was nothing Buffalo-like about it except snow. We have no Buffalo Regional Hospital, which is mentioned many times. Oddly, we do have a Sheehan Memorial, which is mentioned once. There is a newscast on a TV at one point and that is an actual Buffalo anchorman. Someone smart put that in, but that is where the similarities end.
There comes a time where you can no longer suspend belief since the storyline progresses so jaggedly and the characters are 1 dimensional, Cusack is 2 dimensional at best. The surprise ending other reviews talk about is just out of place, all of it. Not intelligent in any way, shape or form.
Cusack tries, but he wasn't exactly working overtime. He also had little to work off of as the only other actor with substance was Jennifer Carpenter and woe to be her and her place in the surprise ending.
My recommendation is that people not waste their time.