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Reviews
The Book of Clarence (2023)
Better than I Expected, and I Expected this movie to be Great
Very witty movie; love the ridiculous and unexplainable events- not as Jesus' magic but the wild antics of bold fantasy characters.
Feels like an early, epic movie and a self-aware 2020s movie in the best way.
LaKeith Stanfield is a great lead; in one he is the beautiful, hopeless to hopeful hero and a regular, tired dude faking-it-until-he-makes-it.
The rest of the cast are quite lovely. Omar Sy as Baarbbas is an amazing warrior and the good friend you never hear curse.
I am not a Chrisitan and expected the ending, where everyone converts (except those bad, bad Romans), but in this film it's shown Clarence actually finding compassion. In my experience, only people who find Christianity are recovering addicts or the self-deluded-self-righteous. They like to talk and don't care about the reality around them, like people who do need help not just the pretty words of prayer.
This movie shows those people, of course, in a kind and satirical light. Those types might be offended by this movie for, like, existing but they'd feel seen too.
The production value all around is Top Notch.
I did feel old when I realized the kid actor who played Lewis in Stranger Things, is now a young man.
Do I recommend this movie for anyone?
If you can't take Christians talking for more than a minute, Nope.
If you're not Christian but appreciate the fantasy, then you'll have fun watching this film.
If you're a stoner who likes being seen in an endearing light, you'll have fun,
If you like movies with strong developments, thoughtful conversations, with a little slapstick thrown in, and before-indoor-plumbing-Period Pieces then you'll like this movie.
Genie (2023)
Very Sweet Corn
Melissa McCartney was very adorable in this happy role. She's the bestfriend everyone would want.
I wanted a new movie; usually Christmas movies are made for children which writers often think means 'stupid and lazy'. I hate the stiff dialogue in Hallmark movies but I wanted an easy watch.
This movie had a simple goal and actually did a fine getting to the happy ending. I kept waiting for the painful sad, unnecessary turn and it did not happen. Anti-climatic? I prefer that than another 'you lied to me' accusation.
The plot skips the worse cliches in a typical magical story. The acting beside McCartney is good enough. Frankly I was in the mood for a think-little, feel holiday-happy movie and this hit the spot.
Devil's Gate (2017)
Is this Scully without Mulder?
I like the small, intimate scale of this movie. The characters don't leave the space and it reminds me of '12 Angry Men' and 'The Autopsy of Jane Doe'. Honestly both movies before mentioned were richer but for a late night, soft horror flick this was creepy pleasant.
Strong 'X-Files' vibe? Oh yeah, in a good way while it missing the beloved main characters. The FBI agent reminded me a bit of Scully at first who was smart enough to consider the Mulder-side of things, also the tough but not trying too hard to be butch aspect reminded me of Agent Clarice Sterling.
Jess of 'Gilmore Girls' overacted but all other actors did well enough for me to root for their survival.
Annabelle Comes Home (2019)
Wooden
I wanted so much to like this movie. I like The Conjuring very much and recommend it to any person.
I had it on Dvd, put it on for background noise and enjoyed it again almost like it was the first time watching. Right after I went out to rent this movie because I wanted more of this universe!
This movie did not have what I was craving. I liked the Conjuring because it avoided pitfalls of clichés. This movie zombie walked through a cliché minefield and filled me with regretful, dare a say rather blue-balled.
This is a bad sequel.
It's, what, the fourth or fifth spinoff so the lack of imagination and effort had me so bored.
Annabelle Creation was better so watch that and forget about any others the crawled out after.
Tales from the Neverending Story (2001)
Disgusting... I can't stop staring
Terrible acting, production, the episode 'plots' were painfully faulty. Just plain bad.
I was asking so many friends to watch this with me for cringing fun.
Think Power Rangers meets PBS' Zoom meets high school theatre departments' reject costume designs full realized.
I hate this series. I hope you do watch it because I cannot believe it happened.
Us (2019)
Balancing Act of Good and Meh
Lupita Nyong'o has stunning talents. Said for the 300th time. She carries this movie like a linebacker.
The vauge mythology doesn't bother me because the best horror movies are about feels not facts. Why is Jack Nicholson in the old photo at the end of The Shinning? I can't say and the wow still wows me.
Nyong'o surving this very personal and same time catalysmic was a gruseome treat!
Her husband was funny more often than not so he's cool. Her kids weren't dumb so you did root for them to survive. Near the second-half the movie drags and that when I get off the couch and grab a snack.
As a kid I had pet rabbits and loved them very much. Seeing rabbits hop in this movie was strangely soothing.
Worth seeing twice. At most.
Trolls World Tour (2020)
Adorable+ Rewatchable
Karaoke fan+ Animation fan= I really liked this movie.
Everything in this movie looks hand-sewn and made in a Craft store. I mean that in the most admirable way. Every cg movies these days try to make every rock and button look magazine glamorous. I liked watching a 100% fantasy looking world; it felt cozy.
The characters' humor and designs reminded me of the Muppets so I adored this movie. I'm a sucker for juke-box musicals and thought the Rock Troll, Queen Barb/ Rachel Bloom, was fabulous!
Messages in movies are such common cliches I ride over them and try to enjoy the view.
Seeing girl-lead Poppy make mistake after mistake was a nice break from the 'strong-role-model' types. Females are people just as capable of being reckless but it's difficult for female characters because of double-standards.
I like a lot about this movie, but can admit it's silly and not for everyone. For me? It was a heck of a fun ride.