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Reviews
Halloween Ends (2022)
This isn't a Halloween movie
This is an Indie Drama-Thriller with a MM cameo. The first omen was when the trailers REFUSED to show anything but MM and Laurie finale/climax The marketing for the movie was made to look promising (go figure).
This is the most neutered Halloween film, and I'm not even 100% sure what I mean by that, but I'll try to decipher. It's like a vanilla TV Movie that is okay with being mediocre. It just seems like this story wasn't equipped to close a trilogy. There were ways to stick the landing, but we didn't even land in the right airport.
If they were going for a disjointed story, they nailed it.
Euphoria: A Thousand Little Trees of Blood (2022)
Is this even a real episode?
Is it just me or is this episode sus? It felt like Rue's life made a complete 180, which was jarring to say the least. I was entertained and intrigued, but I can't help but feel that this episode felt strange, like the entire thing was a dream.
I had a theory the entire time that Rue is in a coma and this is her coma dream in narrative form. This is what the episode felt like. Too many things went right, yet none of the relationships are progressing, which I'm not sure if it's genius writing or not.
The worst thing that happened this episode was the ludicrous way Kat dumped her bf. The Nate thing also felt bizarre, not sure where his character is even going after this. At least it's setup for a crazy final two eps.
Dave Chappelle: The Closer (2021)
This was beautiful
This was beautiful. I don't know what y'all talking about.
Pig (2021)
Don't call it a comeback
What about this is a comeback? Cage has been here and his last few well-known (keyword: well-known) movies have ranged from decent to great. I can't give this a higher score because it felt like the entire runtime was building up to something and then it just ended. The movie was great until it ended. "John Wick with a pig" people, hate to break it to ya. This is Tarkovsky with a pig kidnapping. Competently made character film with great development sprinkled beautifully throughout the minimalist plot, reminiscent of culinary art. This is a daring, bold turn here that will devastate all, but that devastation will hopefully turn into appreciation, similar to my experience.
Euphoria: Shook Ones Pt II (2019)
Great, but if you're wondering...
This episode uses every song on the face of the earth... EXCEPT Shook Ones Pt. II smh
The Dark and the Wicked (2020)
Good atmosphere - that's it
Every time this movie had the option of getting better or more stupid, it chose more stupid.
The Vigil (2019)
Been here before
Don't really want to spend much time on this review since I know people have/will address similar gripes.
It doesn't help that the previous movie I watched before this has the exact same themes of the effects from a traumatic tragedy (Daniel Isn't Real), but while that one was surprisingly fun and upbeat at times, this movie has me thinking that I'm getting slow burn Horror fatigue.
The direction, the editing, sound/music, and the acting are fine, but the script... the plot and the story just don't do it for me... at all... not even a little bit. Story always comes first to me, and this one missed in that department. The plot wasn't there either; there's only so many times you could write a guy going into different parts of a house and getting spooked before it becomes one-note redundancy ad nauseam. A groan of tedium escaped me throughout the entire 2nd and 3rd acts.
Maybe, I missed something, but the entire setup was pointless to me (the whole thing with texting the girl and meeting his friends at the beginning), literally none of them are ever heard of again after the first 10 minutes (except the the girl... I know she's supposed to represent his arc, but ehh).
If you're up for a derivative and a contrived experience, check it out, but it's a no from me, dawg.
This probably should've been a 20 minute short film.
Under the Silver Lake (2018)
Needed a few more drafts
Kinda makes me sad that this film could've been phenomenal if it was more considerate to the casual viewer. Bittersweet because it's great that filmmakers are able to make movies with little to no creative interference, but sometimes it's for the best. I'll start with what I like: this film has style for days. The lighting, production design, stilted characters were all mesmerizing. What I didn't: it felt meandering, bloated, and ultimately pointless. I know there's the "that's the point" argument to counter my "it was pointless" point, but when does "that's the point" become a cop out? I do think this film will garner an audience, but if it were just a bit more orthodox, it would've found that audience instantly.
Possessor (2020)
(Out of) Control
I can already my score is going to increase with repeat viewings. I love the increasing prominence in beautifully ominous Sci-Fi films that have come out in the past 5 years. Alex Garland, Denis Villeneuve, and now Brandon Cronenberg seem to be the auteurs that will lead the genre moving forward, and I can't wait to see what they all do next. Honorable mention to Panos Cosmatos who has dipped into the genre in the past; this movie is similar in tone to a Cosmatos film.
This is a menacing piece of provocative work by Brandon Cronenberg that rewards the viewer for their investment. It's one layered with meaning and information that requires your full attention and repeat viewings, but one that isn't a chore to watch despite its brutality. I see some commentary on homicidal tendencies and a deteriorating psyche that is just a wonder to explore through the lens of this filmmaker. Can't wait to watch this again. Definitely recommended. One of the best of 2020.
The Queen's Gambit: Exchanges (2020)
I can see it
I figure it's gonna be 10/10 from this point forward.
Between Worlds (2018)
Ghost Rider prequel? Nah. Lol
The worst sin this movie committed was attempting to be good. I could tell it was trying, maybe even the actors tried. The idea was interesting, the execution was haphazard at best. Nothing really makes sense, but just go with it lol
Rushmore (1998)
A dichotomy
It manages to be both outrageous and grounded in reality at the same time.
Teen Spirit (2018)
Off Kilter
I knew from the poster what kind of stylistic visuals this movie was going to have and I think that's probably the most it has going for it, besides the music and Elle Fanning's performance. I truly believe Elle Fanning carries this thing on her back. She's very good at playing the shy talented girl, this isn't the first time she's played that character (The Neon Demon), so I knew she could pull it off very well.
I happen to like the low key lighting with the pretty colors and stylistic editing - type of movies, so I decided to check this one out, and while I am a fan of that psychedelic style (similar to that I executed in The Neon Demon), I don't think it really enhances a movie with a ubiquitous story, such as this. I think the director should've doubled down on framing this in a more accessible and lighthearted tone. The whole thing was a little too reflective for a movie about a girl striving for greater things. By far the most energetic parts of the movie are the onstage performances and the club scene, but the rest of the movie feels a bit bleak and unpleasant. Violet is a very reserved girl and maybe the reflective tone is to match her personality, if this was the case then, the overcast landscape, in my opinion, was enough to provide that similarity, the rest of the world needed more of a pulse.
The supporting characters and interpersonal relationships could've been more fleshed out as well. I really didn't feel like I knew them well enough. Whenever two characters were in a conversation, I wanted to keep hearing what they had to say, but before I could start to really root for them, the scene would end.
Familiar stories aren't inherently a bad thing, but there are certain things that have to be assessed when constructing a story everyone knows, and really hammer down what you think will benefit and enhance the story and accentuate those positives. In this case, I would've appreciated more dimension in the supporting characters and a lighter, more welcoming tone. Near the end/climax of the film, the movie tried to mount pressure for Violet to excel at her performance, but I felt somewhat Like a lackadaisical viewer and just was content with watching it all play out as it may.
I hope it doesn't seem like I flat out didn't enjoy this movie because I did, I just felt that with this type of story, certain aspects should've been approached differently. Definitely recommend if you like pretty colors/visuals, good music, a reflective vibe and Elle Fanning, who anchors the movie.
13 Reasons Why: Winter Break (2020)
Seriously...
This show takes itself way too seriously lol. Why are there jump scares? 😂
Have a Good Trip: Adventures in Psychedelics (2020)
Worked for me
Yes, the doc might be one-note, but it's a NETFLIX documentary on acid what did you really expect? There's tons of other sources to actually educate yourself on hallucinogens. I don't think people stream Netflix primarily for education so they went the more accessible route and kept it lighthearted and entertainment with some insightful commentary.
Loved the segments with the psychiatrist commentating on the documentary while he himself is in the very same documentary he's commenting on (watch it, you'll know what I'm referring to).
13 Reasons Why (2017)
My rating is only considering the first season
One of the biggest drops in quality from season to season in recent memory. Retcons in season 2 and straight-up laughable third season storyline.
But damn, that first season was magic. I'm thinking the drop was due to running out of source material. In retrospect, this should've been a limited series with just one season.
Pet Sematary (2019)
Stop right here
Yes, it was creepy, and I don't hate it, but no iteration or amount of adaptations will do the book justice, so just stop. Worth watching once if you're curious.
Better Watch Out (2016)
The 'Ol Switcheroo!
Funny how something simple can really turn a concept on its head. I watched this on a whim. When I came back to rate it, I realized I already had it on my watchlist. Good call! Definitely check it out if you want to see a remix of a familiar concept. Pleasant surprise
Too Old to Die Young: Volume 10: The World (2019)
With only half an hour, I saw it coming...
I think what we're meant to take away with the lack of resolution is that violence, especially organized violence such as cartel doings, will never end. So why bother trying to forge a conclusion, when in real-life there's never really a conclusion?
NWR may be stylistic aesthetically, but he portrays violence in a very low-scale way that isn't aggrandizing-just bluntly and without any fancy camera movement or angles, you're just there watching it unfold as a fly on the wall, which adds a layer of realism to the archetypal characters, a good contrast.
It's not a crowd-pleasing ending, but it is the NWR ending. No deus-Ex Machina, no particularly likable character, you just pick the one you agree with most and watch things unfold as they may.
Ghost Rider (2007)
I'd be open to a remake
Didn't give it a score because I don't think that's the point of a movie like this at all. It's aim is cheesy, OTT fun, and that's exactly what we got. BUT imagine how awesome this movie would be if it was actually good and handled with care, with a cohesive plot and better character intros, and exposition. Couldn't help but think that if this movie was developed post Iron Man, it would've been awesome and I'm not even an MCU fan-or superhero genre fan, for that matter.
A Little Late with Lilly Singh (2019)
Not sure if this is real or not
I question if this is an actual structured show, or if it's satire.
The Lighthouse (2019)
I have no idea what I witnessed, but I liked it.
Here's what I like/loved about this movie:
1. It definitely reminds you a lot of The VVitch (especially the ending) which is not a bad thing for me.
2. Some of the most haunting visuals I think I might've ever seen on film, beautifully framed.
3. The cinematography is just as beautiful and atmospheric as it is gritty and maddening.
4. It is definitely ambitious and daring. A24 gets a lot of credit for this one. They've done it again. They continue to green-light uncompromising features, which I admire.
5. The lead performances, of course goes without saying.
6. The 4:3 aspect ratio adds to the cabin fever, and might even resemble a lighthouse if you look at it too closely ;)
What I didn't like (some of these might be trivial depending on how you experienced the movie)
1. The dialogue and the accents (for me, at least) took some effort to get used to. It's a little hard to keep up with.
2. It is slooooooooooow, albeit, worth it.
3. There's not much surface plot, it's mostly theater of the mind, very heady. Although, I fully expected this to be a repeat viewing kind of movie. This one could be a pro as well, because, I now realize, that's basically the point.
The pros outweigh the cons, but be aware of what kind of consumer you are (just like with all A24 releases, at this point), this is not for everyone, but it fascinates and does what a good movie should, stay with you after viewing.
Joker (2019)
Already a timeless classic...
The comparisons to Taxi Driver are more than accurate and reminds you of other loner-vigilante style noir movies (Drive), but make no mistake, this has it's own mystique. Other people have already (and will continue) to explain why this movie is already a timeless classic. The themes explored here are ubiquitous in decades of character study cinema, but it never feels dull in this movie, it feels like a mind-stimulating food-for-thought.
This movie made me FEEL, it made it's presence FELT. There was palpable tension in the theater, we knew we were witnessing something truly grandiose, but restrained enough to not push the pretentious border. It's a shame that this movie might have a stigma around it due to hyperbolic hysteria by headline/attention-seeking critics because there are far more violent films out there than this, this just happened to call out society and make the creators of a psychopath feel culpable, the truth hurts. This movie tells the truth.
Joaquin Phoenix is a master at playing the brooding/unhinged role.
If you watch movies for the purpose of wanting something to leave an impression on you, this is your movie. It does that in spades, and is one that welcomes repeat viewing.
My movie of the year for 2019. Don't think another will come close. The House That Jack Built was my movie of the year for 2018, so I guess you can say I have a certain taste :)
Hitman Hart: Wrestling with Shadows (1998)
The best documentary there ever will be
I remember as a kid, my dad and I would forge through all video rental stores including blockbuster to attempt to find WWF PPV's on home video/VHS. We ended up buying this by mistake not knowing it's a documentary (I was 5 and his primary language is Spanish), at the time it was a bummer, but it was definitely a blessing in disguise, because as I grew older I remained a wrestling fan and learned the behind the scenes jargon and distillation, and loved being part of that fandom. The original VHS has since been discarded, but I rewatched on YouTube and just had to order the VHS on Amazon, I will never open this copy, it will remain a sealed collectible. This documentary is a national treasure. A sobering look into the life of a man who has the wrestling business in his blood. I still don't know how they were able to pull this documentary off. It felt almost voyeuristic to creep into the conflict between Bret, Vince, and HBK, especially looking at it with the power of hindsight and retrospect.
Cannot recommend this enough for wrestling fans. If you're a fan of Bret's or just a fan of wrestling and the business aspect of it, this is a must watch.
10/10
Midsommar (2019)
Ari Aster back at it again
I believe that even after just his second feature Ari Aster's name will be synonymous with bizarre/polarizing/dreadful cinema; his name might even become an adjective/verb or a categorization for film altogether (Lynchian, for instance).
This movie kind of left about the same impression Hereditary left me with after the first view. After my first viewing of Hereditary I felt that it was just good, after a few more viewings and analyses, I now consider it a genius take on trauma and grief. I have a feeling this is what I'm going to come to realize from Midsommar. It was definitely insane with surreal imagery, but I honestly wish there was more backstory to Dani and her family; if there was more of a fleshed out concept about Dani and her family I feel like the movie would've have a more circular conclusion. But now knowing the kind of filmmaker Aster is shaping up to be, I don't think closure is what he aims for at all, leaving just enough to the imagination to push your buttons even further.
Florence Pugh humanizes the surreal scenes with her presence. She's a great anchor for the plot.
Definitely going to be taking another look at this.