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Reviews
The Fall Guy (2024)
This review is a mediocre poem
A film critic I am not. But I do criticize films a lot. I gave Monkey Man 1 star. And sasquatch was subpar
Do I consider this a masterpiece? Or even worth your time? Yes, no and yes, but please. Allow me to close this rhyme
And tell you that Fall Guy is that and nothing more. An action comedy meant to entertain you and your date. Certainly not a movie that asks "what am I living for?" And not something to ponder about religion and fate
It does not lie to you and maintains its promise. It's fun, it's action-packaged, and it's not too serious. It's straight to the point, the target it does not miss. Nothing else and I would have been furious
But just like this poem here. Whose title was very clear. If you are disappointed in my writing, the fault is yours, stop whining
Watch The Fall Guy. Cheers.
Unsung Hero (2024)
Can an atheist enjoy this film?
It was the evening of Tuesday, April 23rd. I was about to go to bed when a thought came to my mind. "Are there any good films in the theaters?" I checked on the AMC app (not a sponsored review, unfortunately), and I see this " Unsung Hero" early screening on April 24th. I read the brief description and the only thing I get from it is that it is based on a true story (or as the movie itself says IT IS a true story) about a family whose kids will then become global singers.
I am saying all this because, when I went to watch the film, I was not aware of the deep religious elements in it, I did not know the musician the music is based on, and maybe I was even the target of the film. I have to admit, at the beginning of the film I thought "What am I even watching?" I am not religious, I don't believe in God, and I am not a fan (simply because I don't know their music, not because I dislike them in any way) of the artists it talks about.
But I'm glad I stay all the way through.
Although this movie is in no way perfect (and no film should ever strive for something as abstract as the concept of perfection anyway, although LOTR comes very close, side note), and there are definitely a handful of cheesy moments that might turn off some audiences, and most of the siblings could have easily been cut from the film if not that it is based on a true story as they had almost no lines and no development, I found myself invested, entertained, moved, and satisfied once I left the theater.
This is a feel-good story And despite me not being religious and not connecting particularly with the act of praying, I can connect with what Community is, what desires are, and what needs are.
I'm glad I watched this film and I'm glad it was made.
Thanks for the flick, onto the next one.
Civil War (2024)
Looking at war in a way that does not define a good and a bad guy can be uncomfortable for those that think they have always been on the right side of history
I think there is a challenge in making a movie about a US civil war, a deeply divided country, without tilting the scale one way or another. Some people will criticize any movie just because it was made "for them, not for us," while others will worship another flick simply because it aligns exactly with their beliefs, even though the movie could be mediocre at best.
But I think Civil War succeeds at this.
In fact, it is so successful that the biggest criticism I have heard about it is that it is not tilting the scale enough, but I think that was the point of the film. When you are unsure who is who and why things are happening, war is just a mess, a mess that cannot be justified because we don't have the heroic tales of our soldiers and brutal stories from our enemies.
I though the movie had great pace and rhythm, a great balance between action scenes and slower ones, and a great cast that was entertaining and engaging.
I would rewatch it 100% and likely will sometime this week.
Sasquatch Sunset (2024)
What?
There are some beautiful things about this film. The photography is one of them. The music is also fitting. The rest is meh.
I guess one could dig deep and try to find as many meanings as one wants into this movie and that is certainly something that we should cherish. Spoon-feeding movies are not the solution. However, I'm pretty sure we can find a balance between an on-the-nose flick and this.
It is categorized as a comedy/drama/action/adventure, depending what website you check. Truthfully, if you have the sense of humor of a 12 year old, I can see the fun in it. However it becomes old quite quickly. When it comes to the drama...I don't know? When something bad happens is because the creatures are just stupid.... And when it comes to action or adventure? The most action-like moments happen off-screen and how can there be any sense of adventure when there is no sense of purpose. Meaning, direction, discovery, and desire?
There is no momentum, there is nothing going on but eating, having sex (or trying to), and pooping. I guess these are all worthy things to explore in a film, but making a feature film out of this is a bit ridiculous. I could this being a short film from some filmmakers trying to establish their style and showcase their skills, but a feature film? What for? We had at least a dozen eating scenes and none were substantially different than the others or had any particular implication.
I still give it a 5/10 because, as mentioned at the beginning, it is a movie that looks and sounds good. Too bad there is no story or rhythm or anything going on really.
Monkey Man (2024)
Why is everyone so dumb in this film?
Let's say this. If you enjoy nonsense action flicks, this is for you.
If you care about anything more than that. You will be disappointed. There is a lot that does not work in this movie, but one thing stood out the most: the characters' choices. Everyone is just dumb.
Exhibit A)
Rana, big-mean-villain-police-officer-scary-dude, once confronted by Kid in the bathroom (mind you, Kid pointed a gun straight to Rana's head and wanted to kill him) decides to fist fight for a good 5 minutes before deploying a knife he has been carrying this whole time. AND after stabbing the protagonist in the leg, Rana decides that pulling the knife out is too much of a hassle so decides to go for a choke, only for Kid to conveniently use the knife himself and run away.
Exhibit B)
When Kid begins working at this restaurant/hotel in order to avenge his mother and his people, he meets Alphonso, a lovely character. Alphonso, presumably, has been working in the area for years and knows everyone in the building. So when Kid, someone he has met days before (let's say a few weeks) goes on a killing spree and endangers everyone, what does Alphonso do? Jumps in the car with him, obviously. WHY? Nobody had anything against him, why would he make himself a number one suspect and wanted criminal for no reason? And even if the police could suspect him because he is the one that pushed Kid to be promoted, it is still a better scenario that getting in a car the police is actively shooting at and become a fugitive (whose arc was not even completed. For what we know he is still homeless somewhere).
Exhibit C)
Baba, this spiritual guru/ politician, at the very end of the film, when Kid is pretty much immortal because he punched a bag of rice for a few days, instead of leaving the hotel and finding safety somewhere else by using literally ANY mean, decides to dip his toes in some water, waiting for Kid to arrive (was he assuming everyone else would just die? Why was he waiting in the first place?) and calls Kid "THE ONE." referring to this prophecy we were introduced to at the beginning of the film that relates in almost no way to our main character, although the movie tries hard to draw parallels between the two. So the two get close and chit chat for a bit. Then, Mr. Guru stabs the protagonist. BUT Kid uses the same pointy things to stab Mr. Guru back. At that point, Mr. Guru begs for mercy and to be saved. So...since he clearly didn't want to die, why didn't he leave?
These are just some of the moments that made me want to leave the theater before the credits rolled. There is unfortunately much more that simply makes zero sense. For example:
1. When Kid gets shot by the police at night and falls into a river, how is he saved? Easy, we cut away and never explain it.
2. When Kid comes back for his revenge at the end of the film without ANY sort of plan of action but punching people in the face, he is able to get anywhere at all because apparently in this whole hotel with dozens of security guards, police officers, ...NOBODY has a gun beside one lady that shows up when about 2 million people have already been punched to death. If even half the guards had a little revolver he would have died as soon as he got in.
3. The very intense and epic fight with Mr. Police Officer Rana was just hilarious at that point. First of all, after butchering half the world, Kid enters one random room where Rana was casually waiting for him for they epic battle. Why didn't Rana try to kill Kid when he was busy fighting hundreds of people? Why doesn't he have a gun? Why is there some sort of moral code during this fight when they ask each other to get up? Is kicking a grounded opponent illegal? Geneva convention or something? What if Kid entered a different room?
Okay, I'm going to stop here. Overall, one of the worst films I have seen in a while. I kept checking the time hoping for the film to end.
Oh wait, there is one smart character. THE DOG. Cannot be easy to train a stray dog to bring you a gun exactly when you need it when the scene before he was barely listening to "sit." Big Brain Dog.
Late Night with the Devil (2023)
OKAY BUT
*spoilers*
Alright, the movie starts with a good load of pure exposition. Not a fan but I thought "if this pays off greatly at the end, I'll take it."
The movie then goes on to build a lot of interesting storylines, introduces quality characters, and builds.....to nowhere. It seems that the script was 120 pages and they decided to shoot only 100. I don't think the movie actually resolves a single questions, plot, or anything else at all. The whole wife storyline does not go anywhere. The whole secret retreat storyline doesn't go anywhere. The whole demon talking with the host and knowing him doesn't go anywhere,..
Another thing that is debatable is how the major plot actually takes place. The host invites this doctor and her demonic-adopted-client-rescued girl. After maybe 30 seconds on the show the doctor realizes that taking a girl with an actual demon inside her to a talk show is not a good idea. Her explanation? "Laps of judgment." And despite her trying to stop the whole show three times, because she knows way too well how dangerous this can be, some clapping from the audience is enough to convince her that endangering everyone for the sake of entertainment is absolutely worth it.
I could forgive and forget a lot of what seems to be lazy writing, debatable plot points, exposition, and so on, but I would if there was some awesome ending waiting for me. Instead....yeah,....