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Home Alone 3 (1997)
Underrated and fun!
When viewing this movie, you cannot view it as part of the first two movie's universe. It wasn't meant to be. It not only has different actors, but they also have different names.
Seen as its own movie, it is a load of fun for everyone. The slapstick is hilarious, you see Black Widow as a teenager, and the movie even predicted FPV camera tech!
Alex's problems are relatable too. The chicken pox are bad enough. One of the most frustrating things as a kid is when adults don't trust you. The moment where his mother says "Look through the telescope long enough you're gonna start seeing things, whether or not they're there." It felt like a more harsh "You'll shoot your eye out" to me.
Yes, this movie is a childhood favorite. I still swear by it. 7/10 because sure, it's not better than the first two. Why the comparison though? It may have the Home Alone branding, but it is its own movie. Go watch it this winter. At the very least, it'll surprise you with its charm, humor, and fun.
Uncut Gems (2019)
Absolutely amazing film that too many are misunderstanding.
I was really taken aback by this movie. The pacing was non-stop, in your face, and uncomfortable. That describes something else. What am I thinking of? Oh yeah. Life... Yeah. Life. Well, the life of a hustler, good and bad. In this case, it's VEEEERY bad. Check it out!
Blazing Saddles (1974)
Laugh more, hate less.
This movie is a classic in humor, meta-humor, and satire. The actors and actesses seem to be having the time of their lives. The writing is genius, but what more would you expect from Mel Brooks?
I recommend you get a hard copy of this movie before it gets taken out of circulation. It WILL get canceled, and that's a shame. Movies like this are needed in today's climate. Laugh more, hate less.
Triple Frontier (2019)
Cheezy, but better than I expected
The opening of the movie really lowered my expectations. The soundtrack they used is so corny and on the nose, it hurts. However, this movie ended up being kinda fun and exciting. It subverted expectations enough to make it compelling. The acting talent carried it overall. Other than that, it's a typical, cheezy heist movie. But that's okay with me. I liked it!
Family Guy: Road to the Multiverse (2009)
Long live animation!
This episode is a lot of people's favorites and for good reason. It's a fantastic and fun multiverse adventure that will make you laugh hysterically and maybe even think a bit.
Also, I WANT A PLUSH OF DISNEY BRIAN HE'S SO CUTE!!!
Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
The top of the MCU heap for me.
This will always be my favorite MCU film for reasons highlighted in many other reviews. The top reason: it's grounded and real. It doesn't rely on fantastical elements and heavy CGI. The action is well-choreographed and tense. It's also very well-acted by everyone.
When I feel like watching a superhero movie, I'll usually think to turn this one on first. I'm giving it 10/10 for that reason.
Black Widow (2021)
Solid MCU movie.
I enjoyed this movie. The action scenes were some of the best since Winter Soldier. Great performances by Pugh and Johansson. The film score is also one of the best out of all MCU films. Classical music enthusiasts will recognize Shostakovich inspiration in it as they listen.
My biggest hang ups are that the writing of the movies continue to 1) shoehorn comedy in when it isn't necessary, and 2) weaken villains and make them less commanding. Red Raider was annoying as the attempted comic relief to no fault of the actor. I found his character irredeemable based on just how annoying and tone deaf he was written. Also, Taskmaster (while very intimidating at first) ended up being a shell of its comic counterpart. Comic book buffs are likely not gonna be very happy with it.
All said, this movie exceeded my expectations. However, those were kinda low to begin with. Giving it a solid 7/10.
Hook (1991)
My favorite movie of all.
The title of this review is no reach in my mind. "Hook" is my favorite movie, and I don't see any others surpassing it anytime soon. I remember seeing it as a child not long after I saw the original Disney classic Peter Pan. I liked it then. Watching it as an adult, I find it to be a fantastic, fun, deep and profound story.
The story covers pretty much all the bases when you ask the question "What would happen if Peter Pan did grow up?" The story tugs on your heartstrings as an adult, especially if you have kids. Often times, life can do such a number on us that it can seem like an overwhelming burden. That angst that builds up can affect your work life as well as your family life. If you let that angst boil over, it can leave your kids scarred in one way or another. They will come to resent their coming adulthood, refuse to grow up, and mentally and sometimes physically run off and become a "lost boy." That's what Peter Pan was for a long time before deciding to become an adult. However, he tragically became the very person he once resented; a Captain Hook type figure. A scared, scatter-brained tyrant. The irony is... heartbreaking as you see him struggle against the real Captain Hook to get his children back.
Then, we meet the gang of the Lost Boys. There is a new leader, and a new cast of characters. This gang embodies how times have changed. They are a diverse bunch now. The casting choices were no coincidence. While the original Peter Pan as told by Disney has a lot of good, it also, to put it lightly, was very culturally insensitive. This movie was made to reach a much wider audience, and it seemed to have succeeded. After all, the lessons of this movie apply to all of us equally regardless of race.
Author, clinical psychologist and lecturer Jordan Peterson once suggested in his talks, "Find what you lost as a child and regain it." That's what this story is about. We have our responsibilities as adults, but we should never lose sight of what gave our individual lives purpose. This is our "happy thought." For parents, it's their children. For a single adult, it can be an appreciation for what you have, the work you're putting in, etc. If you're a child, maybe it's dreams of your future, your hero whether it's a parent or even a sports legend or superhero. Peter, upon deep reflection, remembered why he wanted to grow up after all: to be a father. Upon regaining his inner child and appreciation for his life, he discovers he can fly again! A very earned and inspiring moment.
A great tragedy of "Lost Boys" is that they don't physically stay boys. We all are familiar with people who refuse to grow up, be mature, and accept responsibilities for at least themselves. It can be a very ugly sight. Tragically, many "lost boys" don't get a chance to mature before it's too late. Rufio, the new gang leader, takes on Captain Hook and, to the astonishment of the audience, loses and dies as a result. When I see this, as a teacher, I think about young children who grow up physically, but end up growing down the wrong paths in life. They get involved in gangs, drugs, alcohol, etc. Some of them end up in jail, or worse, dead from drugs or guns.
Captain Hook's persona can take the form of physical beings like tyrannical parents, teachers, and law enforcement officers. Maybe they're snake-oil salesmen you encounter throughout your adult life. It could be your own inner demons. Perhaps he's the embodiment of the Devil himself. This movie ultimately teaches us not to allow those tendencies to take our eyes off of what makes our life whole. It inspires us to embrace life and all of its suffering and unpredictability, but also its wonder and adventure. It certainly doesn't do us any good to finger-wag and talk down condescendingly to our youth. When you encounter Peter Pans in your life, don't be a Captain Hook.
10/10.
Miracle on 34th Street (1994)
The Version I Grew Up With
I always adored this movie since childhood. I definitely have an appreciation for the original, but this version holds up just as much. I love the way they prove Santa Claus' existence in this one. I recommend this movie specifically as a child's first "serious" Christmas movie, especially if they have doubts about Santa or have just found out the "truth about Santa." It has fun, wondrous moments to keep them engaged while addressing serious messages like the meaning of Santa Claus', God's role in and acknowledgement by our government, personal integrity, and faith in general.
Logan Lucky (2017)
More NASCAR fans need to see this!
I went into this movie mostly because it involved one of my favorite sports and featured many driver cameos. It seemed a bit suspicious that the sport and its fans aren't still talking about it as much as movies like Talladega Nights or Days of Thunder. However, after watching it, I can understand why, but it's not what you think.
Logan Lucky is a heist movie. A lot of reviewers chalk it up as "Ocean's Eleven" meets "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" Unlike the aforementioned NASCAR movies, the sport isn't the focal point of the movie. It merely provides the setting. The movie also treats the sport with a lot of dignity and respect which I love. The cameos are absolutely amazing, and will catch you by surprise if you're a fan.
The main characters are quirky, but surprisingly relatable. The humor may not be for everyone, but there's many LOL moments that everyone can appreciate. The writing is very smart. The soundtrack is masterfully put together. The filmography is up there with some of the best.
This movie will become a cult classic in a similar vein that "The Big Lebowski" has. Whether you're a NASCAR fan or not, I think you'll love this movie. That said, if you are a fan of the sport, all I can say is where have you been?? Go watch it!
Mayans M.C.: Tohil (2019)
Was hooked. Now obsessed.
This series has taken a very different approach overall to story-telling versus the original. There's a tangled web of connections between the Mayans, the Cartel, SOA, individual characters, etc. At times, it's been hard to follow. For some SOA fans, there hasn't been enough biker gang action. Even I'll admit that while I've watched through this show, in the back of my mind I was always looking forward to seeing the Reaper Crew again. This episode changed all of that. It is a very thrilling and emotional ride. It left me even more invested in not just the show, but the Mayans MC itself. 10/10.
Mayans M.C.: Kukulkan (2019)
Long live the scot.
This series has done a masterful job of expanding the Motorcycle Club universe, laying out deep and twisted connections. This makes the appearances of SOA members and characters from the original show earned and satisfying rather than must obligatory fan service. SAMCRO's entrance, coupled with the song choice, gave me chills. Tommy Flanagan steals the show and absolutely kills it. We also see a new patch on SOA's Montez that we haven't seen before. A new office. It shows how the game has changed drastically for these clubs. Altogether a very on-point story. Acting is stellar. Action is excellent. 10/10 Ready for more.