2024 Movies Reviewed
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- DirectorSamantha JayneArturo Perez Jr.StarsAngourie RiceReneé RappAuli'i CravalhoCady Heron is a hit with the Plastics, an A-list girl clique at her new school. But everything changes when she makes the mistake of falling for Aaron Samuels, the ex-boyfriend of alpha Plastic Regina George.This film failed to justify its own existence. This remake keeps a lot of jokes from the original movie but doesn’t execute them as well. The film also gets rid a lot of the original film’s funniest jokes. It seems like most of the jokes they removed were the ones that could be seen as controversial or offensive but that’s the whole point. The characters are supposed to be dumb and mean so removing those jokes hurts the characterization. There are a couple new jokes that hit but not enough. The cast here is simply not as good as the original, especially when it comes to Regina George. Renee Rapp is fine but she’s no Rachel McAdams. Her version of the iconic character is nowhere near as interesting or memorable. The film feels like is rushes through the story unlike the original movie which had excellent pacing and a tight script. This could be due to the musical numbers which I normally wouldn’t mind but the music here isn’t anything special. The costumes here aren’t very good. They seem cheap and it doesn’t feel like the plastics would wear these outfits. The original Mean Girls is so good and the general story still follows over here so there’s a little fun to be had, but the film falls completely flat in every aspect when compared to the original masterpiece. I don’t know why they don’t just make a true sequel to the original film already because that’s what people actually want to see. 5/10
- DirectorMatthew VaughnStarsHenry CavillBryce Dallas HowardSam RockwellA reclusive author who writes espionage novels about a secret agent and a global spy syndicate realizes the plot of the new book she's writing starts to mirror real-world events, in real time.Argylle is a pretty funny movie. The humor lands most of the time. The action scenes are also solid and Matthew Vaughn did a good job directing. I also like how the film’s main concept is unique. However there are quite a few problems with the movie. The plot makes no sense and has way too many plot twists to keep track of. They were just twists for the sake of having twists and it got exhausting to watch. The film is too long and it felt dragged out. The visual effects are also pretty bad, especially that weird looking cat. I get why they couldn’t use a real cat for some of the scenes but it looked like it stepped right out of the 2004 Garfield movie. Most of this great cast isn’t given anything to do. However Bryce Dallas Howard and Sam Rockwell are very entertaining together. They definitely have great comedic chemistry. While it’s a movie I had some fun with, it’s far from good. 5/10
- DirectorZelda WilliamsStarsKathryn NewtonLiza SoberanoJenna DavisA coming of RAGE love story about a teenager and her crush, who happens to be a corpse. After a set of horrific circumstances bring him back to life, the two embark on a journey to find love, happiness - and a few missing body parts.Lisa Frankenstein is a blast. It obviously takes inspiration from Edward Scissorhands, but the story is very unique. The movie does a great job establishing the eighties setting. The costumes and makeup are fantastic. I was surprised how much I liked Kathryn Newton’s performance. I wasn’t very impressed with her work in Ant Man but she was really good here. Zelda Williams did a good job directing this messed up love story, and the movie was pretty funny. This movie is not anything groundbreaking but it doesn’t have to be. This movie will definitely be looked back on as a classic in the future. It’s an acquired taste and the story won’t work for everyone but I personally had a great time watching it. 7/10
- DirectorDenis VilleneuveStarsTimothée ChalametZendayaRebecca FergusonPaul Atreides unites with Chani and the Fremen while seeking revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family.Dune Part II is a very good sequel. The world building in this movie is great and really establishes the Fremen culture. I love how the movie dives deep into how they view culture and religion and the split that they have over their belief in Paul. Timothee Chalamet is excellent as Paul Atreides. His character arc is amazing. He starts off as someone who just wants to help and then through his time with the Fremen he starts to use them and their faith to get his own revenge. Zendaya was also great and her character’s dynamic with Paul was very fleshed out. I loved how she went from loving him to despising what he represents. Florence Pugh was a good addition here although she didn’t have much to do. Austin Butler stole the show in my opinion. He was a perfect villain and his pure psychotic nature was frightening. The costumes, visual effects, and set design all looked great. I especially love the design of the black and white planet. There were a lot of cool things they did with it, like the fireworks for example. The action scenes are pretty good. The cinematography is very good and Denis Villeneuve crushed it directing. Hans Zimmer delivers a killer score here as he always does. I only have a few minor issues with the movie. Just like the first movie I think the pacing was a little off and despite Rebecca Ferguson giving a great performance I didn’t really think her storyline was that interesting or well explained. Overall Dune Part II is a really good movie and if you liked the first one you’ll have a great time here. 8/10
- DirectorJuan Carlos FresnadilloStarsMillie Bobby BrownRay WinstoneAngela BassettA dutiful damsel agrees to marry a handsome prince, only to find the royal family has recruited her as a sacrifice to repay an ancient debt.Damsel is just not good. Some of the sets and costumes are cool but that’s all it really has going for it. Millie Bobby Brown is fine here but she didn’t have the charisma that she has in Stranger Things. I guess there is only so much she could do with what she was given. The story, script, and directing are all not very good. The talking dragon was stupid and the movie was predictable. The characters all fall flat and the movie didn’t make me feel anything but boredom. I was hoping this would be a cool little action movie but it was a snooze fest with nothing distinct or memorable. 5/10
- DirectorGil KenanStarsPaul RuddCarrie CoonFinn WolfhardWhen the discovery of an ancient artifact unleashes an evil force, Ghostbusters new and old must join forces to protect their home and save the world from a second ice age.This film is okay. It’s not nearly as good as Ghostbusters Afterlife but it’s about what you would expect from a follow up. The new ghosts and elements added to the lore are very cool and some of the visuals are very nice. Some of the jokes are very funny and some aren’t. The cast is pretty good here but nothing exceptional performance wise. The action scenes are ok but the final battle is pretty short and a little anti climactic. The original crew is just there to be there with the exception of Dan Aykroyd, who actually has quite a bit of screen time. If you’re a Ghostbusters fan you’ll probably have a good time with it but don’t expect to be blown away. 6/10
- DirectorDev PatelStarsDev PatelSharlto CopleyPitobashAn anonymous young man unleashes a campaign of vengeance against the corrupt leaders who murdered his mother and continue to systematically victimize the poor and powerless.Monkey Man has cool action but it’s not really anything that special or unique. Dev Patel is good in the lead role but it’s definitely not his best performance. This is Patel’s directing debut and honestly the directing is probably one of the strongest parts of the movie so he has that going for him. The elements of Indian culture definitely added something to the movie to make it stand out but it also felt forced into the story and messed up the pacing. The movie kind of drags. The last like thirty minutes of the movie could’ve been over in like five minutes if every single character just didn’t lose their gun before the final battle for some reason. I think the heart of the movie and the lead character’s quest to avenge his mom is solid, and I love the flashback scene with the mom. However the backstory for the main plot of the movie doesn’t even happen until like halfway through so I was already a little checked out. There’s also a bit of a romantic storyline that has absolutely no development and doesn’t really make any sense. The music choices here also felt really random and usually distracted from the scenes. I’m complaining a lot because I thought the trailer was excellent and I was really excited for the movie, but it’s not terrible. It’s totally watchable and there’s some enjoyment to be had with it. The action scenes are genuinely really impressive and cool to watch on the big screen. It’s a mix of John Wick and Kill Bill but not as exciting as either. I was just expecting more from it. 6/10
- DirectorNed BensonStarsLucy BoyntonJustin H. MinDavid CorenswetA love story centering on the connection between music and memory and how they transport us, sometimes literally.The Greatest Hits has a very creative story and I think time traveling through music is very cool. I like how the movie uses it as a way for the main girl to move on from her dead boyfriend. The performances are all really solid, the soundtrack is pretty good, and there are some cool editing techniques. I think some of the dialogue could have been better but overall I liked The Greatest Hits. 7/10
- DirectorAlex GarlandStarsKirsten DunstWagner MouraCailee SpaenyA journey across a dystopian future America, following a team of military-embedded journalists as they race against time to reach DC before rebel factions descend upon the White House.A24 took over the horror genre and at this rate they may take over the blockbuster genre. This movie is brilliant on so many levels. Telling this story through the eyes of journalists was so smart. This movie showed the horrors of war through the eyes of a hardened and desensitized journalist (Kirsten Dunst) and we watch as she goes on this terrifying road trip with newcomer (Cailee Spaeny). That dynamic is one of the things that makes this movie really interesting, as they both grow to be more like the other person. Dunst gives a great performance as to be expected and Cailee Spaeny blew me away. The fact that her character here was so different from Priscilla but her performance was just as good is absolutely wild. I think she’s definitely going to keep getting more and more work after the last couple months she’s had. Wagner Moura, Stephen McKinley Henderson, and Nick Offerman were also all good, but the other huge stand out was Jesse Plemons. What he was able to do with his one scene was actually nuts. I was on the edge of my seat during his performance and genuinely moved back in my seat multiple times. He brought so much evil and made me hate his character so fast that it was impressive. The script here is a little political and I definitely had a side I was on by the end but for the most part the film just focused on the the human response to something like this and although that might be controversial I really liked that. The film shows that a conflict like this would bring so much destruction and really acted as a warning against a Civil War in these times of high tension politics. The action scenes were fantastic and the production design really immersed me in the story and the war that was going on. The soundtrack was solid and I loved some of the unique editing choices. The cinematography was beautiful and Alex Garland knocked it out of the park directing (please stop threatening to quit). Overall Civil War was phenomenal and it’s my personal favorite movie of the year so far. 9/10
- DirectorGuy RitchieStarsHenry CavillAlan RitchsonAlex PettyferThe British military recruits a small group of highly skilled soldiers to strike against German forces behind enemy lines during World War II.This film very much feels like Guy Ritchie’s light hearted version of Inglorious Basterds. It’s a fun action movie with solid performances. It’s enjoyable watching Henry Cavill and his crew kill Nazis and the true story is pretty interesting. It’s not a masterpiece but it’s a very good time and I liked the movie quite a bit. 7/10
- DirectorMatt Bettinelli-OlpinTyler GillettStarsMelissa BarreraDan StevensAlisha WeirAfter a group of criminals kidnap the ballerina daughter of a powerful underworld figure, they retreat to an isolated mansion, unaware that they're locked inside with no normal little girl.Abigail is pretty much what you would expect it to be based on the trailers. However I think the plot line is pretty interesting and unique. It was a fun vampire flick. The first two acts were really good at both building the intrigue and the characters. I think the third act kind of let the movie down a little bit. They fall into the common horror trope of trying to shove in too many plot twists and the ending doesn’t really make much sense. The directing, cinematography, and music are all good and the action scenes are entertaining. Melissa Barrera stars here and I think this is her best performance yet so I’ll be interested to see what her career looks like post her firing from Scream. Radio Silence has made a solid horror film here and while I don’t think it’s as good as Scream 6 I think they they still have a pretty bright future in the horror genre. 7/10
- DirectorDavid LeitchStarsRyan GoslingEmily BluntAaron Taylor-JohnsonA down-and-out stuntman must find the missing star of his ex-girlfriend's blockbuster film.The Fall Guy is a great time at the movies. It’s a really funny movie with great action and a solid love story. The movie has some genuine heart to it that makes it very endearing and it also serves as a nice love letter to the stunt performers that make our favorite movies possible. Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt are obviously effortlessly charming and this is probably my favorite film from director David Leitch. I also liked the soundtrack a lot. I highly recommend this one. 8/10
- DirectorWes BallStarsOwen TeagueFreya AllanKevin DurandMany years after the reign of Caesar, a young ape goes on a journey that will lead him to question everything he's been taught about the past and make choices that will define a future for apes and humans alike.This movie takes place hundreds of years after the events of the Caesar trilogy. Those movies especially the first two are so incredible and I was really interested in how they would be able to continue the story after what seemed like a pretty definitive ending. This movie managed to be really good. I love how so many generations later Caesar has become a Jesus like figure for the apes. There are some groups who follow Caesar’s words but twist them to gain political power and help their own agenda. Then there are some who use his words and genuinely try to follow what he would have done. These movies always have really interesting commentary and I thought this religious parallel was a very unexpected but cool way to expand the story. The visuals in this movie are also flawless. The action scenes are great and I like Mae, the human character. She had a good amount of depth to her. There were many cool references to not just the trilogy but also to the original 1968 movie which I really appreciated. It’s not as amazing as Rise or Dawn but Kingdom is a very solid entry in the franchise and I’m excited to see where it goes next. 8/10
- DirectorMark DindalStarsChris PrattSamuel L. JacksonHannah WaddinghamAfter Garfield's unexpected reunion with his long-lost father, ragged alley cat Vic, he and his canine friend Odie are forced from their perfectly pampered lives to join Vic on a risky heist.I'm not going to lie, I had a great time with this movie. The film was quick paced and entertaining. The jokes were funny and there was some legitimate heart and emotion in the story. The animation looks beautiful and I think that it's about time Garfield got a movie like this. Garfield and this world just fit animation so well, especially this style. This is much better than the live action movies. Chris Pratt honestly did a great job of capturing Garfield's personality and mannerisms. I know his casting was a little controversial but it definitely seems like he went all out and gave it everything he had to give us a really good performance. I feel like Pixar and the Spider Verse movies have gotten people to judge some animated films way too harshly, because no way can every single animated movie be that incredible. It's not a masterpiece but as a lifelong Garfield fan I was satisfied with this. 7/10