pinluh Reviews

Killing It (2022– )

Clever Writing, Interesting Premise and a Great Cast

[8/10 · 6 June 2022]

This show caught me off guard and I'm glad it did. The cast is great and Craig Robinson is a far better series lead than I had imagined (even though he's always been a hilarious and talented actor) and really does a great job of carrying the series. Claudia O'Doherty is hilarious as well and her performance offers a few touching moments to endear you to her and the story in general. It pushes boundaries, has fun sub-plots and is really, really worth a watch!!

The Requin (2022)

Opening Credits with a Student Film Attached

[2/10 · 5 June 2022]

Have you ever wondered what a movie would be like if the opening credits were the longest and most substantial part of the film? Well, here it is. Wooden acting (the Silverstone special) and a hackneyed premise make this one a must skip. Really, the *opening* credits are like 5 minutes, it's unreal.

The Deep House (2021)

Fun Ride With the Acting of a 90's Video Game

[5/10 · 20 May 2022]

This film is fun in all the ways you expect a haunted house movie to be with the added angle of being underwater as opposed to the standard setting. Unfortunately, the dialogue is worse than your average horror flick and the fact that it's delivered via essentially adr over swimming scenes makes it hard to not notice. If you can forgive acting of the caliber of cut scenes in Resident Evil 1 the game, you'll be okay with this.

Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens (2020– )

Funny, heartfelt and hilariously blunt

[9/10 · 1 May 2022]

I love this show, the cast is awesome and the writing is really spot on! Awkwafina carries the show for sure but I'm ready for the Grandma and Shu Shu spin off!! Absolutely fun and totally worth a watch!

The Beyond (2017)

A VFX Reel Without Much Else

[2/10 · 25 April 2022]

This movie looks great but, sadly, doesn't do much else. The dialogue is stilted and delivered by summer stock players; big concepts are introduced but with the nuance of an eight year old trying to describe a dream they've had. Every line is dumber than the last, here is an actual quote: "Then it disappeared, never to be seen again... until now." The solution to the big problems presented in the first act is to literally create a miracle as opposed to any kind of actual solution. Watch it stoned on mute.

Night's End (2022)

Outer Limits Episode with less charm

[3/10 · 24 April 2022]

Remember that time Michael Shannon lost a game of cards and had to show up in his nephew's zoom-made horror movie? Wow, everyone but Shannon in this cast is out of place, I feel as though the casting director was Tommy from the musical.

You Can't Kill Meme (2021)

Just Barely a Movie

[2/10 · 27 March 2022]

This film is as insightful as ripping salvia bong hits in a 17 year old Redditor's basement. The interview subjects are not experts, the narrative sounds like a high school student's poetry journal and there are so many uncited claims and the word "truth" is thrown around like a bouncy ball. The only reason I provided the second star is the use of Snapchat filters in the actual film with no sense of irony was HILARIOUS.

BlacKkKlansman (2018)

An engrossing, subtly beautiful film

[9/10 · 3 October 2019]

Spike Lee is a master filmmaker and creates films so precise that they are almost surgical in execution; but his defining trait as a visual artist is his subtle use of color, light and setting to create a livable world for his viewers. This film delivers a compelling story that will no doubt challenge you as well as entertain. A great film with an incredible story.

The Man Who Killed Hitler and Then the Bigfoot (2018)

Uncharacteristically Profound and Interesting

[9/10 · 27 September 2019]

This movie definitely comes out of left field! The subject matter does not betray the content of this interesting, well executed film. Sam Elliot delivers a performance that, to me, smacks of indelible coolness without pushing a specific archetype; a multi-faceted actor who's chops we really get to experience in this movie. As touching as it is exploratory, you owe it to yourself to check out this film!

Getting Over (2018)

Intimate Family Portrait

[9/10 · 30 June 2019]

This film, although obviously a freshman effort, is an intimate mediation on what it means to finally understand the humanity of your parents. The sometimes clunky narrative is framed by a very personal portrait of a family affected by persistent trauma. If you enjoyed the emotional content of Kulap V. 's "Origin Story", the depth of this film will appeal to you. Overall a great long form doc.

Captain Marvel (2019)

Sci-fi Action That Doesn't Let Up

[9/10 · 23 June 2019]

Captain Marvel goes further in to the cosmic phase of Marvel's cinematic universe with fun, plenty of action and loads of Easter eggs that will get die hard Marvel fans stoked. Style, cosmic mayhem and, of course, Samuel L. Jackson; you can't go wrong!

Get Shorty (2017–2019)

A Worthy Addition to the Crime Television Genre

[9/10 · 18 June 2019]

With tight writing, powerful and often times delightfully ambiguous performances this show delivers everything you've been missing since Breaking Bad. Chris O'dowd offers us a view of what makes him a versatile and very underused leading man and is accompanied by a stellar cast including tv legend Ray Romano. If you love a dark, crime tv show with biting satire this is not to be missed.

Rim of the World (2019)

A Fun and Nostalgic Romp Through Teen Tropes

[8/10 · 25 May 2019]

McG delivers a tightly styled, visually fun tour of the most treasured tropes of teenage movie-dom. With a great cast of young up and comers this movie puts fun front and center eschewing subtlety to keep a very brisk pace. If you're looking for revelatory storytelling keep moving, but if you love fun, action filled comedy this flick is for you!

Sanctum (2011)

Shambling Action and Zero Story

[4/10 · 7 April 2019]

Sanctum has all the ingredients other films have; actors, sets, cameras, special effects but it lacks one key ingredient... A script. It's unfortunate that a movie was cast, filmed and ultimately distributed without such an integral part in tow. There is some acting in the sense that people in front of a camera talk to each other; but for the most part it just sounds like vaguely Australian cursing. This movie DOES contain one of the most hilarious deaths in cinema history, that of Jude. After her death scene, skip to documentaries on YouTube about the actual expedition.

My Friend Dahmer (2017)

Surreal-y Touching and Frightening

[8/10 · 16 March 2019]

To humanize a monster like Jeffrey Dahmer is a Herculean undertaking in and of itself; but to do it in a poignant and often times relatable way is an art form. This film confuses while it delivers a familiar coming of age story while all along reminding the viewer of WHO we're sympathizing with. A well crafted film with great performances, well worth a watch.

The Informant! (2009)

Incredible Cast, Mediocre Editing

[6/10 · 14 March 2019]

The story presented in "The Informant!" is captivating in the most direct sense but poor editing and lukewarm writing keep this film from being a classic. Damon brings a nuanced performance and is complimented by a great supporting cast but overall this movie has more valleys than peaks. Worth a watch but not a knockout.

The Secret of My Success (1987)

An 80's Time Capsule

[7/10 · 13 March 2019]

Yuppies, Wall Street, feathered hair and Michael J. Fox! This movie distills every 80's trope in to a potential elixir that delivers a white-crusted nostril load of nostalgia but not much else. A spiritual successor to "How to Succeed in Business..." this film sticks to familiar notes but adds unabashed sex (a true hallmark of 80's comedy). If you want a good dose of synthesizer rock, mousse and a super hot Aunt Vera, this is your movie!!

Sunshine (2007)

Beautifully cumbersome

[7/10 · 21 February 2019]

Boyle's attempt at 2001 succeeds in atmosphere but fails in execution. The movie is stunning to watch, but the dialog and performances are blunt and stilted reducing what would have been a stellar (pun intended) movie otherwise! Chris Evans and Cillian Murphy don't particularly add to the cast but don't detract from it with their since attained star power. Worth a watch!

The Dead Lands (2014)

A film with roots (and ACTION)

[10/10 · 14 February 2019]

The Dead Lands follows in the tradition of great Samurai and Western films of the past while presenting action that is surprisingly modern and incredibly well presented. If you are a fan of the warrior's journey DO NOT sleep on this movie!!

PEN15 (2019–2021)

Unique voices = HILARIOUS show

[10/10 · 10 February 2019]

If you were ever a teenager (and it's safe to assume you were) then you can easily connect to this wonderfully crafted and absolutely hilarious show! The moments of cringe inducing teenage angst coupled with the loving and often times insightful plot movement create a very interesting take on an often explored idea! Cannot recommend enough!