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The Little Things (2021)
Freddie Mercury Hunts Down a Killer Queen
REVIEW: The Little Things
This movie felt like I was on a stakeout waiting for something to happen. It was such a slow burn that the flame completely went out. It spends most of its runtime on inconsequential filler, and with a powerhouse cast of Denzel, Rami, and Leto, it takes a special kind of movie to be this boring.
But the cast held up their end of the bargain (mostly). This movie made me realize that Denzel's an old man now, but he's still got it. He had by far the most compelling character arc as a cop coming to grips with his past. As for Jared Leto, he brings in the creep factor. He had the kind of eyes that stared through you instead of at you.
Then there's Rami Malek who basically had the same expression on his face the entire movie. He brought zero depth to his character besides crying and yelling. His character was bland, his performance was forgettable, and he just sucked at being a detective. Good thing Denzel's still got it though.
The movie has its fair share of dark and disturbing themes, but it felt restrained. It felt like a long Criminal Minds episode. With all this star power, this movie never even came close to reaching its full potential. It was when all 3 of the boys were together did things begin to pick up, but this happened only once.
With the slow burn nature of its narrative, the ending NEEDED to land, but it didn't. I get what they were trying to do, make you feel like the detectives, obsessively defeated, but it was just so unsatisfying. Let's waste 2 hours of your time and not even solve the case. And I get it, this is what "real" police work looks like, but that doesn't mean it makes for a good movie.
Overall, everything in this movie was just average. The only thing that maybe elevates it enough for me to say it's fine is the cast (because Denzel's still got it).
Score: 5 out of 10
Overall: Average
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National Lampoon's Animal House (1978)
Toga! Toga! Toga! Toga!
REVIEW: Animal House
Hilariously crude, wickedly charming, and politically incorrect, this comedy classic crosses about every line you can think of, but it's just so damn funny. This movie could never be made today without a horde of trigger-happy Karens storming Hollywood's gate.
"My advice to you is to start drinking heavily."
It's been over a decade since I've seen Animal House, but it remains a partying classic (even if it is offensive at every turn). Maybe because I'm older, maybe because I'm still in my partying prime (or at least I think so), or maybe it was my brief stint as a college frat boy (I'm not proud of it), this movie hits different for me.
Everyone in the cast were brilliant but watching the late (and great) John Belushi was so bittersweet. He steals just about every scene he was in and brings in all of the laugh-out-loud moments. He has so many great one-liners, it's hard to pick a favourite.
"Oh no! Seven years of college down the drain!"
"See if you can guess what I am now...(fills mouth with mashed potatoes only to spit it out at frat bullies)...I'm a zit! Get it?"
With a budget of only $3 million, this movie made $141 million... that's just insane! Low budget movies for the win!
There's so much to like and so much to laugh at, but if I had to put on my "movie critic" hat, everything to do with the dean and the opposing frat is about as generic as it gets. Dean wants misfit troublemaking frat house gone, so he works with the rich, boy scout frat house to make it so.
Regardless, this was a laugh-out-loud, insanely crazy, non-stop party, even if it treads familiar territory. But be warned, this will definitely offend some (probably many) people today, but it's just because they don't make movies like this anymore.
Score: 8 out of 10
Overall: Great
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One Night in Miami... (2020)
Four Icons Stuck in Quarantine Together
REVIEW: One Night in Miami
Regina King does a solid job with her directorial debut, even if the pacing is all over the place. The first half hour is slow setting up each character and where they are with their life. But once all four icons are together, things finally pick up. For some reason, I got some Hangover vibes, four friends in a hotel room about to have an unforgettable night.
Since the majority of our time is spent in one location, the hotel, the movie can get stale at times. They do an alright job with the play to movie adaptation, but four men yelling at each other in a hotel room can get old quick. Most of the themes the movie tackles are deep and more relevant than ever. I don't know how much of this was fact (besides the real night in history), but it was compelling, nonetheless.
All the performances were fantastic, even if they sometimes felt like a bad impersonation. It's hard when we've seen these icons played better in other movies like Will Smith as Muhammad Ali or Denzel Washington as Malcolm X. Regardless, they all had chemistry together, brought their A-game, and got their moment in the spotlight. Everything was at its best when the four men were together in their heated debates.
Overall, this was an interesting what-if scenario to have these four icons together in one room. Despite its problems, this was an interesting one-time watch filled with strong performances and a rich script.
Score: 7 out of 10
Overall: Good
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Sound of Metal (2019)
This is How My Ears Felt Coming Out of Tenet
In university, I actually wrote an essay on hearing loss and cochlear implants, and from my (not) expert opinion, they did a fantastic job portraying hearing loss. Hearing is such a fragile thing, and once it's gone, it's gone forever, so seeing the character of Ruben come to terms with that was incredible.
As for Riz Ahmed's performance, it was nothing short of extraordinary. You feel his initial anger and confusion, and as his character grows, you find comfort and peace in his silence. It's an emotional rollercoaster as his journey teaches us more about the deaf community and how to live without hearing.
The supporting cast all do a great job, especially Paul Raci as Joe. But the subplot with Ruben's girlfriend, Lou, did nothing for me. Their relationship was touching, and they have their moments, but I just didn't care for their love story/the tour subplot. I just thought that Ruben's personal journey of learning to live without hearing was more interesting when he was figuring it out on his own.
I was actually blown away by the sound design, which is not something you usually hear in movies. (Pun intended.) Since hearing is such an important part of the film, they use it in so many creative ways. There are even long sections without any words ever being spoken, which made for a more immersive viewing experience.
On the other hand, the movie can run a little long at 2 hours. They could have probably shaved off like 20 minutes, mostly to do with the girlfriend/tour subplot. But with such an immersive sound design and an excellent performance from Riz Ahmed, this would have definitely made my Top 10 Movies of 2020 list.
Nomadland (2020)
Frances McDormand Lives in a Van Down By the River
Frances McDormand puts this film on her back and carries it with another sensational performance. With excellent direction from Chloe Zhao, this is just a beautiful film from its cinematography to its powerful stories. She perfectly demonstrates just how important community is and conveys a sense of isolation and loneliness for our main character, Fern. The music is also wonderful yet subtle, almost like a comforting hymn.
Even the supporting cast was great, and their stories were truly moving. The supporting cast are all real nomads telling their real-life stories, which adds an extra layer of realism, but also begins to feel like a documentary. Hopping from person to person, story to story, doesn't really make for a cohesive narrative. It's basically Frances McDormand hanging out with a bunch of nomads and them filming those interactions.
This film is not for everyone. There's a lot of empty space of not much happening. In other words, you'll probably be bored since it's completely character-driven and the pacing can be slow. It felt as if we were eavesdropping on some random person's life, which didn't really make for the most entertaining watch.
But after coming across some impressive behind-the-scenes facts, I developed a greater appreciation for the film. Filming took place across 7 different states over the course of 4 months. Frances McDormand actually worked several of the jobs shown in the film, and she immersed herself so much into the nomad life that employers were actually offering her work. Ultimately, good on them for going above and beyond what was needed to tell the story.
This is still a solid movie with another incredible performance from Frances McDormand but just expect it to feel more like a documentary-styled film.
Soul (2020)
Thanks Pixar for giving me an existential crisis.
Funny, charming, and not afraid to get serious when it needs to, this might be Pixar's most adult movie yet. It made me reflect on my life, my purpose, and doing what makes me happy. In other words, thank you Pixar for giving me an existential crisis. Here I am watching a "kids" movie thinking about why I exist and the meaning of life.
But this strength is also its biggest weakness since I wouldn't be surprised if kids were bored watching this. It's a mature movie, not in that sex, drugs, and rock n' roll way, but more in the way that makes you think about the bigger picture. It's an extremely thought-provoking story, which will intimately resonate with everybody in their own way.
The various animation styles come together to create something truly unique. There's the life-like animation of our world and then the astral cartoony style of Soul World. Everything in this movie is beautiful to look at, and Pixar's animation has become practically flawless.
Some moments don't land as well as they could have since the movie blows right by them. This mostly has to do with Joe's life on Earth (his students, friends, etc.). Even the ending felt a little rushed since there were so many loose ends left unresolved.
But regardless, not only was the story and animation incredible, but the MUSIC! The score just made my soul want to dance, and now I need to learn how to play a friggin' instrument. This idea of getting lost in the "zone" and how they visually illustrated that was nothing short of amazing.
Overall, Pixar has done it again! Beautifully animated, thought-provoking, and music that touched my (pause) soul, this is a movie you will me thinking about long after the credits roll.
Score: 8 out of 10
Overall: Great
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Wonder Woman 1984 (2020)
I renounce my wish of ever wanting to watch this.
It's safe to say that I was disappointed. WW84 missed the mark on so many levels. At least with the vibrant 80s and Hans Zimmer's score, it was a fun distraction for my eyes and ears. But when you think about the script, that's where the (many) issues arise.
Gal Gadot was great again as WW, despite feeling like a side character in her own movie. She just doesn't get much to do in this ungodly 2.5-hour runtime. The story is bloated and overstuffed, Cheetah was such a waste, and nothing makes any sense. Have superhero sequels not learned? Bigger isn't always better.
On the other hand, all the performances were great, especially Pedro Pascal as the eccentric, charming, and slightly crazy businessman, Maxwell Lord. (Very different from the Mandalorian.) Kristen Wiig as Cheetah was also solid, though generic, and that final CGI fight was so hideous it made Cats look good.
Bringing back Steve Trevor was a dumb idea from the beginning. His relationship with WW is great, but we already know this love story doesn't have a happy ending, so it feels like time wasted. Also, I get that WW loves Steve Trevor, but goddamn, it's been almost 70 years. Move on, Diana!
But I LOVED how WW felt like Christopher Reeve's Superman at times. They also weren't afraid to go deeper into WW's lore and include some more comic book tie-ins. Each action scene is filled with 80s cheese, which I'm sure was intentional, even if they make no sense at all.
My BIGGEST issue was the script. (Did anyone read it?) The movie writes itself into a massive hole, and the solution was the dumbest, cringiest, cheesiest thing they could have chosen. My eyes rolled back so far that I saw my brain, and what I saw was a window with logic thrown out.
Ultimately, everything you loved about the first WW takes two steps back in the second. The more I think about this movie, the more problems I find.
Score: 4 out of 10
Overall: Poor (below average)
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Wonder Woman (2017)
Well, that's neat!
When I first watched this, I had my doubts about Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman. But she proved me and a lot of others wrong since she was WONDERful. (I just had to.) She perfectly embodies the Amazonian warrior princess with a lot of heart and childlike innocence, which made for so many fun fish out of water moments (which is a phrase Aquaman gets offended by).
The score was amazing, Themyscira was beautiful, and I loved the contrast between the vibrancy of Paradise Island and the grey bleakness of WWI. The movie also touches on gender roles without it ever feeling forced or cringey. Chris Pine was charming as ever as Steve Trevor. The relationship he builds with Diana not only showcased their chemistry, but it was a relationship I actually cared about.
But not every character worked. The villains sucked. Forgettable, underdeveloped, generic, etc. Any time we focused on them everything grinded to a halt. Since this movie is also +2 hours long, the pacing can rise and dip, especially with how much time they take to set everything up.
Many of the action sequences were awesome though, especially that No Man's Land trench scene. It doesn't get any more badass than fighting an entire army solo with nothing but a sword and shield. But they could have relaxed a bit on the slow-mo.
Moreover, that final fight in the third act was just a complete swing and a miss. It felt like a different movie. The tone shifts from this grounded journey to some CGI-infested, explosion-filled epic battle. This time around, I even noticed that the CGI was not at all that impressive. In fact, everything looked very cartoony like a video game cutscene.
Overall, Wonder Woman was fun, entertaining, and full of heart, despite some minor problems that hold the movie back from being something special. Can't WAIT for WW84!
Score: 8 out of 10
Overall: Great
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Ma Rainey's Black Bottom (2020)
A one, a two, a you know what to do!
Let's talk about Chadwick Boseman. (I promise I'm not going to cry.) It's INSANE how much energy, talent, and charisma he brought to this role WHILE battling cancer. He's easily the best part of the movie. I'm submitting my early Oscar bid for best performance because he deserves it. But it just breaks my heart, a talented guy gone way too soon. (Okay, now I'm crying.)
The majority of the movie takes place in one location, the recording studio, which can sometimes feel claustrophobic. But also, it can feel intimate, especially when the band begins to argue amongst themselves. The music was great, but I really wish we got more of that old school blues. Ya feel me? Ya dig? (Alright, I'll stop.)
This was entirely character-driven, which means the plot takes a back seat. It was simply a Black band recording a couple songs at a white recording studio. A basic plot, which is saved by the powerful performances and electrifying dialogue. With that said, the message of how Black artists were used and exploited in the music industry hits you hard by the end.
At times, you question some character motivations. It seemed like they would go one step too far or do something on the extreme. For instance, Boseman's character does a "thing" at the end, which didn't feel justified at all. I get why, I just didn't buy it.
Viola Davis as the "Mother of the Blues" was fantastic, though her character can sometimes be hard to like. She often comes off rude and almost villainous. Maybe that's how Ma Rainey was in real life, but it was just hard to side with her. (Also, her lip synching sucks.)
Ultimately, this being Boseman's final performance definitely adds to the movie. Some scenes even carry more weight than what was initially intended. Although the story was hollow, the moving performances make this a must watch.
Score: 8 out of 10
Overall: Great
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Ghost of Tsushima (2020)
The Windiest Island in the World
You know you're fully immersed in a game when you start walking at the same speed as the people around you. That's what this game did to me. From its engrossing story to its natural sense of exploration, I was completely mesmerized.
We play as Jin Sakai, a samurai trying to save his home from the Mongolian invasion. Epic, emotional and beautiful are only a few words to describe this game. There were genuine moments that left me heartbroken to the point that I had to stop playing and take a few minutes.
This game is a cinematic samurai masterpiece. It's like I was playing a movie. The characters were unique and interesting, and I even liked Jin's conflict between being the honourable samurai or doing whatever it takes to save his island as the ghost.
The combat is dynamic, brutal, and elegant. It's almost like a dance as you switch between sword stances to take on each enemy. Don't even get me started on the gorgeous yet intensely stressful 1-v-1 duels. (I may have died a few times...)
Honestly, I didn't know video games could look this perfect. This was my first game on the PS5, and it was BREATHTAKING in 4k. It's like a painting come to life in a world that feels alive. Plus, having cute foxes that I can pet all over the island is just that cherry on top.
I'm not saying the game is perfect, but my issues with it are so small, so inconsequential that it doesn't even matter. Maybe my biggest gripe is how there's no lock-on system during combat, so I had to constantly fight with the camera to aim my attacks. But just a few nitpicks here and there didn't ruin anything for me.
I pumped about 70 hours into this game, which included my first Platinum trophy, NG+ on lethal difficulty, and Legends Mode (co-op). Ultimately, beautiful visuals, beautiful combat, and a beautiful story make this game, you guessed it, beautiful.
Score: 10 out of 10
Overall: Legendary
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Mank (2020)
A film for cinema lovers (or your grandpa)
If not for Gary Oldman, this would have been a slog to get through. I'm not saying this was bad, but it's definitely inaccessible for the average moviegoer. It's a film made by a hardcore cinephile for hardcore cinephiles. In other words, you need to bleed old school cinema to love this movie.
There's still a lot to like though! I'm in love with the time period of 1930s Hollywood. The black and white aesthetic actually enhances the movie to feel like an old "talkie" from the past. The performances from the star-studded cast were also fantastic. Gary Oldman carries the movie as the alcohol-fueled screenwriter Herman Mankiewicz. Honestly, he might be the main (and only) reason I liked this movie.
Everything is very well shot, the dialogue is quick and snappy, and it's just cool seeing the behind the scenes of the classic "Citizen Kane". Though, I have no idea if this was historically accurate. Also, I've never seen Citizen Kane (but that's our little secret).
However, I just had a hard time caring about anything. It uses way too many flashbacks that not only add very little but give the entire film this stop-start feel. As a result, it felt slow, directionless, and sometimes boring. It looks, feels, and sounds like cinema of old, which will definitely turn some people off.
Sometimes names and characters get thrown around, and honestly, I had no clue what they were talking about. It's as if the movie doesn't give the viewer the time to learn who people are and what their deal was. You would either need to watch this several times or have been alive in 1930s Hollywood to understand everything.
As a fan of cinema/movies, I enjoyed this. But to be honest, I'm never going to watch this again and wouldn't recommend it to casual moviegoers.
Score: 6 out of 10
Overall: Decent
Recommended for: Fans of David Fincher, fans of old school cinema, or people born in the 1930s and want to see some old friends brought to life.
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The Mandalorian: Chapter 16: The Rescue (2020)
I'm Still in Disbelief
(Review for all of season 2.)
Everything you loved from season one is bigger and better in season two. The superb music (yeah, I dance to it weekly), the gorgeous cinematography, and the insane action sequences. Plus, Stormtroopers die by the dozen, so yeah, awesome season! (Poor Stormtroopers.)
This season gives off HEAVY lone wolf and cub vibes; Papa Mando and the Child on their intergalactic adventures. They focus more on the father/son bond, which hits you right in the feels. (Or I'm just a softy.) Baby Yoda could literally do anything, like eat unborn children, and it would still be cute.
The visuals were movie quality (maybe even better), and I loved the deeper exploration of alien creatures/planets. With that said, the Star Wars universe expands in more ways than one (which you probably already know because of the internet, but no spoilers here.)
I could go on about filler episodes and short runtimes, but the last half of this season COMPELTELY made up for it. In fact, the finale alone bumped my rating up a whole point to legendary status. If you thought the future of Star Wars was bright, it just got exponentially brighter.
Seriously, I just finished the season, and my mind is still blown, my jaw is still on the floor, and I have goosebumps everywhere (or I'm just cold in my basement). Nonetheless, season two delivered big time with fan service done right and opens up season three to many new and exciting possibilities.
Score: 10 out of 10
Overall: Legendary
Thanks for reading! :)
The Queen's Gambit (2020)
Imagine Rocky 4 but with sex, drugs and chess.
Chess has never looked so good, and it's mostly due to Anya Taylor Joy's incredible performance as Beth Harmon. Cool, smart, and sexy, she throws this series on her back and carries it to the promised land. This series is also well-shot, well-written and well-acted. It captures all the glitz and glam of the 1960's filling each scene with its beautiful set designs.
As for the story, it can be just as funny as it is sad. For some, they may even get teary-eyed by the end. Not saying that I would know or anything... In a lot of ways, this series is like Rocky 4 when he has to train and fight Ivan Drago in Russia. Only in this case, it's chess. Checkmate, Adrian. ADRIAAAN!
The show is at its best when it focuses on chess. Each game is intense and nerve-wracking, which is saying something since, you know, it's chess. I also LOVE the fact that we see Beth lose some important games, so she doesn't feel like this unstoppable force.
However, it's biggest issue is its pacing. Sometimes it can be fun and exciting, other times it can be slow and dull. At certain points, it feels like I'm just sitting around waiting for the next chess match to start. Some episodes can also be cliché or predictable, which loses some of its enjoyability.
Some of the hyped-up chess matches also don't payoff. I wanted to see more chess gameplay and how Beth actually beat everyone. I also thought the addiction angle played it safe. I would have preferred the series portray addiction as a lifelong battle instead of something as simple as, "Nah, no booze for me today."
Ultimately, even if you're not a fan of chess, there's a lot to enjoy here. From excellent performances to a heartwarming coming of age story, this is the type of show you'll probably binge in a day (like me).
Score: 8 out of 10
Overall: Great
Recommended for: Fans of Anya Taylor-Joy, fans of coming of age stories, or fans of a child prodigy humiliating grown ass men in a game of chess.
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Freaky (2020)
Vince Vaughn plays a better teenage girl than most teenage girls.
It's a little late for a Halloween/slasher movie, but it looks like they really wanted that Friday the 13th release date. And to my surprise, this was way more fun than I thought it would be.
Just when you think it's another generic, teen angst, alcohol-drinking, sex-thirsting movie, the kills start happening. Not only were they gory, but they were also quite creative. The movie just knows exactly what it is and never takes itself too seriously. Plus, watching mean bullies die in horrific ways was just so satisfying to watch. (Hopefully, I'm not the only one...)
More importantly, Vince Vaughn is the reason you should watch this. You have this 6-foot-5 giant of a man running around as a teenage girl. From the way he speaks to his subtle mannerisms, it was just plain funny. He's the man-- or the woman, I mean.
As for the negatives, it mostly has to do with the writing. Basically, everything with the family was boring and predictable. It was probably the most generic part of the movie. They lazily tell you everything you need to know as soon as they're introduced.
I also hate it when movies portray a character as "ugly" or "undesirable" and the actress is anything but. In other words, they want you to believe that Kathryn Newton's Millie is some kind of weirdo loser, but I just never bought it.
There's also a disconnect between Newton's Millie, who is shy, timid and quiet, and Vince Vaughn's Millie, who is girly-girl, talkative and fun. They just felt like different people. There's also, sort of, two endings. There was the natural conclusion, and everything was good, but then it goes on for another 10 minutes, and it was just unnecessary.
Despite some annoying tropes and poor writing, this was a fun, self-aware movie with some horrific kills and really funny body swap moments.
Score: 7 out of 10
Overall: Good
Recommended for: Fans of Vince Vaughn, fans of Freaky Friday with a slasher twist, or fans of watching scumbag bullies get what's coming to them.
Thanks for reading!
The Mandalorian: Chapter 10: The Passenger (2020)
Be More Consistent with your Ratings
How can some of you give this a 10/10 AND give last week's episode a 10/10? Are they the same in quality? Are both of them literally perfect in every way that you couldnt find one flaw?
But also, like what you like, rate what you rate, it doesnt really matter. Just be more consistent people.
This episode was good, but it's giving be Boba Fett blue balls.
I would die for Baby Yoda, but damn, stop eating everything.
Alien languages are cool, but funny, and alien creatures are awesome, but terrifying.
The biggest problem is Mando continues side quests for more XP and upgrades. It doesnt progress the plot forward any further than the finale of season 1 did.
It just sucks when we only have 8 episodes and most of it is pointless filler. Now we need to wait another week for another episode...
The Mandalorian (2019)
Anytime I'm in an argument now, all I say is, "I have spoken"... argument over.
The Mandalorian himself is so much of a badass, that I would go so far as to say he's basically Batman in space. Not to mention, his adorable sidekick, the Child, or as we like to call him, Baby Yoda. That little green womp rat might be the cutest thing to ever exist. In other words, if my child isn't as cute as Baby Yoda, I want a damn refund. It was also nice to have side characters in Star Wars that were actually interesting. Kuiil, Cara Dune, Greef Karga, the IG-Unit, Moff Gideon, the list goes on. This show expands the Star Wars universe in so many new and exciting ways.
My only issue with this first season is how a good chunk of it was straight filler. It just sucks when we have to wait week-to-week for these short and brief episodes, only for some of them to feel like a waste of time. In other words, three out of the eight episodes, so almost 40% of the season, didn't progress the story forward in a meaningful way. To me, it was annoying and unnecessary, even if these filler episodes were enjoyable for the most part.
Overall, the Mandalorian has made me excited for Star Wars again. It has this unique sci-fi/western vibe, looks incredible, sounds incredible, and just IS incredible. If you haven't already, you need to watch this now. "I have spoken."
Score: 9 out of 10
Overall: Amazing
Recommended for: Fans of Star Wars, fans of sci-fi and/or westerns, or fans of watching the adventures of space Batman and his adorable sidekick, Baby Yoda.
Scream (1996)
Do you like scary movies?
This movie wastes no time and hits the ground running with an iconic opening 15 minutes. It sets the tone right away while giving us some truly memorable lines like, "Do you want to play a game?" Easily my favourite element of this movie is that it's a murder mystery. Even though I figured most of it out before the final reveal, it was still fun to watch everything unfold. But what this movie excels at is how self-aware all the characters are to horror tropes and what not to do. It just makes everything feel more grounded in reality.
However, as far as serial killers go, Ghostface sucks at his job. I understand that he's inexperienced, but then again, he somehow manages to move around like a silent ninja without ever being spotted. He was just a weak serial killer who was never scary, and quite honestly, I think I could have taken him down. As well, for a movie that is self-aware of horror clichés, it still falls victim to horror clichés. For instance, running and tripping on thin air or just dumb people dying in dumb ways. I also hate the fact that the movie constantly tried scaring us with "jump scares", which only turned out to be harmless friends popping up out of nowhere.
I also acknowledge the fact that this movie was made for horror buffs and fans of slashers. Seeing as to I am neither of those things, I can still respect the amount of passion that went into this project. Particularly with all the call-backs and Easter eggs. With that being said, this movie was still a ton of fun and I'm curious to check out all the sequels now.
Score: 7 out of 10
Overall: Good
Recommended for: Fans of horror/slasher movies, fans of murder mysteries, or fans of Ghostface, a serial killer so bad at his job that I could probably take him down.
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
The debate continues: Is this a Halloween or Christmas movie?
It's been a few days now and I still have the music stuck in my head. Danny Elfman not only composed the score, not only wrote the lyrics, but also sang the voice of Jack Skellington. (What a legend.) The music is without a doubt my favourite part of this movie. Not to mention the creative character designs, spectacular set pieces, and excellent direction, which made me occasionally forget that this was all done with stop-motion animation. It also surprisingly adds some dark and twisted adult themes, which was unexpected for a kid's movie. (But I loved that.)
On the other hand, the short runtime of 76 minutes makes the movie feel rushed at times. Some characters change their motivations all within a short period of time, and you have no choice but to buy it. For instance, Jack hijacks Christmas, realizes he ruined Christmas, and now he needs to save Christmas, and this happened all within a few minutes. As well, Jack and Sally's relationship felt very one-sided. Sally liked Jack, but I never got the sense that Jack liked Sally. Besides some elements feeling rushed, this is the perfect Halloween/Christmas movie to get you in the mood for either holiday.
Score: 8 out of 10
Overall: Great
Recommended for: Fans of Halloween and/or Christmas, fans of an awesome soundtrack by Danny Elfman, or fans of children being traumatized on Christmas morning.
Tucker and Dale vs Evil (2010)
When miscommunication kills.
Hilariously dumb, yet filled with so much heart, this movie might just be a hidden gem. It takes an absurd premise and has fun with it. Two hillbillies on vacation at their cabin are mistaken for killers by a group of college kids. It's just funny how a simple conversation would have prevented so much death. But Tucker and Dale are two of the most lovable idiot hillbillies I've ever seen. And watching the stereotypical frat bros and hot dumb chicks die was so satisfying (maybe too satisfying).
However, this movie can be a victim of its own dumbness. In other words, power down that powerful brain of yours, put it in a dark lonely closet, and only then will you enjoy this movie. Some of the college kids play up their stereotypical roles well enough, but some are laughably bad. Some of the jokes require you to buy so many things to go right (or wrong) that if you have trouble buying just one thing, then the joke won't land. But in the end, this movie exceeded my expectations, I was laughing my whole way through, and I just had a really good time with it.
Score: 7 out of 10
Overall: Good
Recommended for: Fans of dumb comedies, fans of an underdog story, or fans of "goddamn stupid college kids" dying in the most idiotic of ways, which I enjoyed more than I want to admit.
The Trial of the Chicago 7 (2020)
The whole world is watching!
This is easily one of the best movies of the year. It's well-acted, well-shot, and well-written. It's funny, smart, and even difficult to watch at times. It has humour, heart, and a message more relevant than ever. The Oscars might be light this year with the lack of movies, but I wouldn't be surprised if this racks up a few nominations. The only thing I have issues with is some characters getting pushed off to the side or not really having much to do. But besides that, this was an eye-opening, electrifying, well-made courtroom drama that I recommend to everyone.
Score: 9 out of 10
Overall: Amazing
Recommended for: Fans of courtroom dramas, fans of fighting for what's right, or fans of an Avengers-like team-up fighting for what's right.
Raised by Wolves (2020)
Remind me to never let an android raise my child.
If you take a bit of Westworld, a pinch of Alien, and a splash of Game of Thrones, then you get Raised by Wolves. Not only is this world rich with its mythos, but the theme of religion and testing one's belief systems makes for an extremely thought-provoking show. Not to mention the sci-fi mystery, creepy horror elements, and blood-filled action. Also, Amanda Collin's performance of Mother absolutely requires that you watch this just for her alone. She makes Delores from Westworld look like a Nokia cellphone. The show is beautiful to look at, has gorgeous cinematography, excellent visual effects, and a captivating story that provides you with all kinds of WTF moments.
However, for some, the show might be too "weird" or too obscure. There's a lot of philosophical ideas being thrown around without many concrete, tangible answers. It relishes in maintaining its narrative mystery, but the finale just leaves you with a million more questions. As well, Mother is basically this superpowered, God-like android, but none of her abilities ever get explained. So, at times, it seems like new abilities were popping up whenever it was convenient. Besides a couple elements of the show not sitting right with me, this was a great, visually stunning, highly creative first season, and I can't wait for season 2.
Score: 8 out of 10
Overall: Great
Recommended for: Fans of sci-fi, fans of a post-apocalyptic future, or fans of a mother screaming so loud she can pop you like a grape.
Enola Holmes (2020)
This might be the most jacked Sherlock Holmes has ever been.
This movie had so much potential, but it was completely average. For everything that I liked, there was something I didn't. Enola Holmes, played by Millie Bobby Brown, was excellent. She was tenacious, likable, empowering, and quick-witted. Henry Cavill as a super-jacked Sherlock Holmes was incredible and I wanted more. Ultimately, the best part of this movie is the Holmes family.
It's when we draw our focus elsewhere do we run into problems. What I thought would be a fun adventure of a daughter finding her missing mother turned into some Disney Channel love story. We focus too much time on Enola and Lord Farquaad (or whatever his name was), which slows this movie down to an agonizing drag. The movie is largely unfocused spending more time beating you over the head with its message than writing a compelling or coherent story. It's a movie you shouldn't think too hard about, but considering its source material, you would think the writing would have been more clever. If not for the amazing cast, this movie would have been a chore to get through.
Score: 5 out of 10
Overall: Average
Recommended for: Fans of Millie Bobby Brown, fans of Disney Channel movies, or fans of a suave Henry Cavill playing World's Greatest Detective.
The Devil All the Time (2020)
Religion can be tricky sometimes.
A deeply dark and disturbing tale of a southern town plagued by extreme blind faith in God...and it was a good time! The ensemble cast, as expected, were excellent. You got Bill Skarsgård (Pennywise), Robert Pattinson (Batman), and Tom Holland (Spider-Man), but all with southern accents. Yes, this is a slow burn of a movie, but by the halfway point, things begin to heat up. It wasn't until the last 30-45 minutes that everything started to come together in a largely satisfying conclusion. But I admit, the movie is too long, and would have probably made for a better miniseries. And at times, it can feel like you're watching a book, which isn't necessarily a good thing. Besides an unfocused first half, the characters were interesting, the setting was haunting, and I had a better time than I thought I would.
Score: 7 out of 10
Overall: Good
Recommended for: Fans of the star-studded cast, fans of dark and disturbing southern dramas, or fans of seeing the closest we'll get to from a Marvel/DC crossover.
Mulan (2020)
If you take the original Mulan and remove everything that made it good, you get this.
I think it's official, Disney has run out of ideas. It's clearer than ever that these Disney remakes are now just constant cash grabs. In NO WAY is this movie worth $30...maybe more like $3. It changes all the wrong things making it a much lesser version of the original. At least it stays true to the message of Mulan's tale and includes some cool action scenes. But with no music, no charm, and no heart, this movie wasn't even close to capturing the magic of the original. As a remake, it sucked, and as a standalone movie separate from its predecessors, it still sucked. If you're a fan of Mulan, I would stay far, far away from this remake. Quite honestly, just rewatch the original.
Score: 3 out of 10
Overall: Bad
Recommended for: Fans of (some) cool action scenes, maybe fans of Chinese culture, but definitely not recommended for any fans of the original Mulan.
The New Mutants (2020)
Hurray! The movie has finally been released, so now we can all move on with our lives.
This movie was supposed to come out in 2017, so was it worth the wait? No, not really. I'll give the movie credit; it attempts something new with a superhero movie by adding in more horror elements. It would have definitely been a better movie if they had fully committed and made this for mature audiences. But the movie has its good moments, most of them coming in the action-packed finale. However, when it comes down to it, the movie was just boring and cliché. Most of the characters were forgettable besides their horribly inconsistent accents, which becomes almost hard not to laugh at. There were too many dumb moments that constantly took me out of the movie, which especially sucks when it had an extremely generic and predictable plot. It's definitely not the worst X-Men movie, but it's certainly a forgettable one. But hey, at least it's finally out and we can all move on now.
Score: 4 out of 10
Overall: Poor
Recommended for: Fans of the X-Men, fans of superhero movies, or fans of horribly inconsistent accents.