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Reviews
Alita: Battle Angel (2019)
Crazy good
This movie is amazing. The cgi isn't bad at all. Too much cgi usually feels like eating a ton of candy and getting really sick. It's gross to look at. This movie, with basically all sets computer generated, is surprisingly not. James Cameron would have been amazing to direct, but Robert Rodriguez does so well, it's hard to imagine anyone else doing it better. There is criticism aimed at the screenplay, I personally didn't find it that bad. Maybe because I was so fascinated with every other aspect. My one gripe is the actor who played the male love interest. I feel another actor would have suited the role better. I'm sure he's a good actor, just not in that role. He kind of lessened the impact of his scenes. Besides that, every other actor did amazing.
Oh yeah, the Edward Norton reveal is crazy.
Alita two will go nuts.
The Godfather Part III (1990)
Tone shifts, as does Michael's personality
Before I get started, let me clarify this a a review of Coda: the death of Michael corleone.
I can think of four reasons people bad mouthed this movie:
1. It's simply not as good as the first two. This is obvious, and clearly true. Simply put, the bar was set VERY high
2. It's a different movie than the first two. Someone pointed this out to me, it doesn't feel like the first two at all, It is shot like a 80s picture. It just doesn't feel like the previous godfathers, which seemed to slowly creep through their highly engaging and emotionally filled plots. Note: the first two films were visually dark. This one is not. Maybe subconsciously people were turned off to this film by that.
3. This isn't Michael Corleone. Like, at all. He is a seemingly different man completely than where we last saw him at the end of part ii. People seem to sum up his character in this film as one word: regret. Regret for ordering fredo killed and for ever joining the family. This was a highly controversial decision by Puzo and Coppola, and even Pacino stated that he doesn't think Michael would ever feel regret for killing Fredo.
4. Do I need to even say it? The last second casting of his daughter and her performance. When surrounded by these experienced actors, she really sticks out like a sore thumb.
There are some other things I would critique, such as the whole third act Really having no emotional impact. It really tries to, and i think the last 5 minutes are beautifully shot, but no one cares too much about Mary. Also when compared to first two which had legendary endings that were related to the film's plot, this just sucks. Besides this, I think lots of people were still confused about the whole Vatican bank and Immobiliare thing. But in the end, that didn't really matter.
Now for the good: Pacinos performance, along with Diane keaton and talia shire. Andy Garcia is pretty good too. I liked that this wasn't really a sequel, but as the total suggests, an epilogue. I think it fits way better than any attempt at a sequel would. I didn't mind the writing and dialogue, wasn't as convincing as the first two but still good. And the shot locations were marvelous too, more diverse than the previous films.
In the end, this would be looked on way more favorably if it was its own film, independent from any predecessors but it's just too different from the previous two, and clearly not as good.
8/10.
Babylon (2022)
Chazelle tries an epic
I thought the film was pretty good, even if it dragged on at the end. It felt disjointed at times, and maybe had one too many sub plots. Damien chazelle, Coming off whiplash, la la land, and first man (two very good movies and the third Really a hit or miss) I was expecting something great, and I liked this a lot. It's a tragedy, and that third act is really depressing. No other word to describe it. It's a little wild and vulgar at times, so mind that. It really channels the wolf of wallstreet. On that note, this movie is kind of a cross between that film and singing in the rain. Doesn't sound like it would work well, but I think it did. Also, that Tobey maguire stuff is really creepy. He's such an odd little character I couldn't help but love. Just prepare your self for his 5 minutes of horror towards the end.
Better Call Saul: Plan and Execution (2022)
speechless
This episode has it all. Intrigue, humor, and emotion. Whole episode was very intriguing, as everything that happens pertains to the overarching story. Humorous because of that conference room scene, the look on Howard's face when the judge walked in and when he accused him of all of these things. And lastly, emotion. The tale of Howard Hamlin is one of tragedy. By far my favorite character exclusive to better call saul, his death really hit hard. And he was killed by lalo, my close second favorite character. I don't know how to feel, but my reaction was that of jimmy and Kim's. Pure shock. 10/10 episode, maybe my favorite in this breaking Bad universe. May Vince Gillian go down in history. Perfect television.
Cloud Atlas (2012)
Has something to offer, just can't put a finger on it
When I finished watching this film, my first thought was that it is beyond me. Maybe only a handful of movies you watch in your lifetime give you this feeling. You feel that it was beautiful, you want to call it a masterpiece, but you can't name what it was exactly that made you feel this way. In terms of direction, production, and acting, it's a 10/10 all around. The wachowskis and twyker deliver amazingly. The only flaws lie within the plot, which like the beauty, it is hard to determine where they lie. You could say it has its problems in it's being confusing or complicated at sometimes, but you can't discredit it for that. Maybe it's the message, but no, you can't discredit it for that either. This film is another example of why certain films receive split critical reception on both ends of the spectrum. Some say it's garbage, some say it's near perfect. I believe this is because people are conflicted on their feelings about it. Half of them feels one way, half feels the other. They just end up leaning towards one and end up convincing themselves that that is their final input on the film. It will be debated and discussed and dissected for decades, and that is the beauty of it. I will love to see what people draw from this. I've come to the conclusion that this film is something I don't know if I love or dislike, and that brings me to my rating. I give this a 10/10 because like I said in the beginning, it feels beyond me. Anything that gives me that feeling is a 10/10. It has some element to it that makes it feel perfect, even though you cannot name it. Even if I disliked it, I rate films based on how good they are, not fully based on my enjoyment, which in saying I must add that I did enjoy it. There is something this film has to offer to us, and it is up to us to find out what.
Orgazmo (1997)
low budget Trey Parker comedy. Hilarious!
This is everything you could ask for in a low budget comedy. It is funny like a real comedy and at the same time is self aware that it is stupid and has a low budget. It's a shame this movie didn't get as much recognition when released. It's rated NC-17 and I don't know why, besides the whole premise of porn and having orgasms. For example boogie nights came out the same year and received an R rating, and I thought that was much more explicit than this. Anyways, the whole thing is hilarious and even if you're not a South Park fan you can't help but laugh at this. Some may be turned away by the premise of porn, but the whole point is making fun of it, just like everything else (Mormonism, superhero movies) are equally ridiculed and spoofed in a Trey Parker/Matt Stone production. I urge you to watch this and I guarantee you there will be laughs and praise for Trey Parker's genius comedic mind. A hidden gem!
Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) (2014)
My favorite film of all time
Words cannot describe the beauty of this film. It is so smart in everything it does that I know I'll never be able to fully understand what it is attempting to say. Maybe that's just the open interpretation, but I'm saying that there would be endless interpretations. Every time I try to view this film from a new angle/perspective it only gets better. It feels like one of those modern day adaptations of some old ancient text with how wise and insightful it is. The ensemble is on point and the script is beyond phenomenal. And don't even get me started on the directing. A 10/10 masterpiece in every way possible.
Death Proof (2007)
Do not understand why this is usually cited as one of Tarantino's weaker films
Death Proof is stupid, simple, and fun. The whole plot is a psycho Kurt Russell killing young women with/in cars. Eventually a group of girls decide to fight back and kill him, ending the film. Sure it's not the most Tarantino Tarantino film, but it's still very enjoyable and respectable. What I love in this one is the dialogue. He sacrifices some of the violence for more dialogue and I really think it works. In my ranking of his filmography, sure it's in the bottom half, but it's still a 10/10. That's the beauty of Tarantino. He cannot make a bad film.
Spider-Man 3 (2007)
Takes time to fully appreciate
When people think of this film they have negative thoughts because of:
1. The villains (mostly venom)
2. Bully Maguire
The Sandman doesn't have a reason to be against Spider-Man. He doesn't want to hurt Spider-Man. He just wants to steal money and be on his way. For example, Green Goblin WANTED Spider-Man dead, causing HIM to chase spidey. I Eddie Brock is the only one who wants Spider-Man dead, but that is a smaller plot line that we all can agree is pretty weak. Now, Spider-Man is also not worried about chasing the Sandman. He has found the venom symbiote and has transitioned in "Bully Maguire" he is driven by his own ego and his ultimate goal is to make Mary Jane miserable. Peter Parker is a villain. The resolution to the movie is Peter realizing that he needs to forgive others and do what is right. The theme of this movie is forgiveness. Harry Osborn forgives Peter for killing his father, and Peter forgives the Sandman for killing uncle Ben. In the end, this is more than just some superhero movie. Its an emotional tale of redemption. It's a perfect conclusion to a perfect trilogy.
Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated (2010)
surprisingly mature
There's so much I can say about this series. For a kids show, it is surprisingly mature and blunt about its topics and plot lines. This is the first show I ever watched (I was around 9) where you had to actually watch every episode in order to understand what was happening in each episode. Looking back, for a kids television series, there was a surprising amount of work and cleverness put into this and it really pays off. On another note, the scares hold up pretty well and I'm not ashamed to say that this gave me nightmares as a kid. But even 9 year old me knew that it was amazing, and I kept watching.
Breaking Bad: Hermanos (2011)
Amazing, with a touch of humor
This is defidently one of the best episodes of the entire series. The DEA is closing in on Gus, and Walts life is as interesting and entertaining as ever, making for an amazing ride of suspense and intrigue. But also in this episode is Saul Goodman. He's always been an unintentionally funny guy, but in this episode when he's talking to Brock, you can tell that he has no experience with young children and starts their conversation off with how he used to chase girls with sticks when he was in school. The scene switches to some other plot line, and when it goes back to Saul and Brock, we pick up the end of the conversation with Saul saying that after all the girl did like him after all those years, but she had moved away. He the advises Brock to "Carpe Diem" The fact that he doesn't know what he's doing and just told this wild, uncomfortable story to a 5 year old had me laughing in tears. This episode definitely made Saul Goodman one of my favorite characters.
Parks and Recreation: Hunting Trip (2009)
This is where P&R finally found their place
Up to this episode, parks and rec tended to follow The Office formula, trying to play it safe, and it just seemed very reminiscent. After this episode, it finally broke out of some of the awkwardness it was stuck in and found its place as comedy series. The episode itself is an all out laugh fest. Never a dull moment, and after it's over be glad, because the series only improves on their new formula from there.