Change Your Image
Ltufano23
Ratings
Most Recently Rated
Lists
An error has ocurred. Please try again1. The Suicide Squad captures the true mayhem and fun that comic books are all about.
2. Peacemaker took an F-Tier unknown character and turned him into a near household name. James Gunn and John Cena obviously put so much passion and emotion into making this character more than a joke and they succeed on a scale higher than the A-Listers.
3. Man of Steel is a great modern take on Superman and I wish we could've seen Henry Cavill do more with the character.
4. Wonder Woman was a unique period piece and was executed in a fun way.
5. The Flash, though riddled with controversy, I feel the story was great and emotional and the subpar CGI didn't destroy the film for me.
6. Shazam takes a fun character and basically rips the story right out of the comic in a perfect adaptation of his origin.
7. Blue Beetle gives a great origin to an interesting character and wasn’t afraid to have fun with it.
8. Zack Snyder's Justice League was an improvement on the 2017 cut, but it didn't do enough to turn it into anything other than a pretty good.
9. Aquaman is carried by the ever-fun Jason Momoa and although the story is a bit boring at parts, it is a fun ride.
10. Black Adam was good, but being held down by Dwayne Johnson’s ego, it couldn’t take risks or give itself enough freedom to shine.
11. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice is nearly criminal as the first meeting of the most iconic characters of all time. It should be studied how this film came and went and left little to no impact.
12. Justice League is a mangled editing mess, but had some promising moments throughout. Not a great film, but not the worst.
13. Wonder Woman 1984 was messy, though had some potential. Picking one out of Cheetah, Maxwell Lord or Eclipso as the main villain could’ve helped the story feel more organized.
14. Birds of Prey tried its best to be fun, but with its feet grounded firmly in reality, the more outlandish parts were left feeling shoehorned in. Black Mask stands out as a charismatic villain that should have had more screen time.
15. Shazam: Fury of the Gods is a good sequel, but it suffers from being boring and bringing in original villains, it leaves nothing to be remembered.
16. Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom will go down as the forgotten final chapter in the DCEU and it deserves nothing more. Generic, slow, and unfunny, there are very little redeeming qualities here.
17. Suicide Squad was destroyed with editing and was a preface for the DCEU films yet to come. Always trying to chase a trend, even if it’s in the middle of production. Characters are completely pointless. Boring and convoluted most of the time. Just like Justice League, there is no cut of this film that makes it worth rewatching.
Reviews
Team Thor (2016)
We Need More Darryl
As the beginning of the end for one of the MCU's most charming ideas, Team Thor kicks off a trilogy of one-shots set throughout the 3rd phase of the Infinity Saga. Following Thor (Chris Hemsworth) through his absence from Civil War, he takes us through a mockumentory of life with his new friend Darryl (Daley Pearson). As an introduction to director Taika Watiti's humorous take on the God of Thunder, Team Thor accomplishes its goal and shares some witty moments. Especially since it was shot prior to the filming of Ragnarok, I am very impressed with Marvel for greenlighting such a silly, yet star-studded short. The Marvel One-Shots certainly go out with a bang with the Team Thor trilogy.
Bridget Jones's Diary (2001)
Run of the Mill
Often discussed as one of the early 2000s best rom-coms, Bridget Jones's Diary explores the lonely life of a woman in her early 30s. Floundering to maintain a proper relationship, Bridget Jones (Reneé Zellweger) traverses a disastrous love triangle between her egotistical boss Daniel Cleaver (Hugh Grant), and stoic ex-neighbor Mark Darcy (Colin Firth). While the debacle causes some quirky hijinks, the comedy throughout the film never fully grasped me. The story is fun, but the characters are slightly more interesting than your everyday co-workers. Though I never felt bored, I am unsure if this will be memorable among similar, more entertaining films. As far as rom-com's go, Bridget Jones's Diary fails to break any boundaries and is little more than a cute time filler.
Rebel Moon - Part Two: The Scargiver (2024)
Store-Brand Star Wars
Recently, my wife and I have begun shopping at a different grocery store. While it has typically been a pleasant experience, I decided to try their store-brand version of Little Debbie's Cosmic Brownies. To my dismay, I was dissatisfied with the generic alternative and found myself wishing I had spent my time getting Cosmic Brownies instead. Unfortunately, I find myself facing an ironically similar disappointment today.
Rebel Moon- Part Two: The Scargiver is director Zack Snyder's second installment in his Netflix Original space opera. Despite Part One: A Child of Fire premiering in December 2023 to unfavorable reviews, Snyder and Netflix were already well underway on Part Two. While originally intending to create a trilogy of films, Snyder found it difficult to fit his vision in a typical 2 ½-3hr runtime (an issue he had previously suffered from while directing DC Comic's Justice League) and decided to split each film into two parts. Now, at the start of a 6-part saga, the Rebel Moon universe attempts to cement itself as a sci-fi epic for the ages.
Picking up shortly after the ending of Part One, we see our ragtag team of heroes regroup on Kora's (Sofia Boutella) adopted home world, the moon of Veldt. The group warns the locals of an impending attack from the Imperium, an unfortunate aftermath of their previous encounter. With only 5 days to prepare for the invasion, the team must work alongside the villagers to protect their town or die trying.
Rebel Moon- Part Two is unforgivably boring. Suffering from the sins of its predecessor, Part Two cannot handle its 2-hour runtime. While Part One was entirely set-up, the sequel stretches a finale into a full 2-hour film. Unbearably tedious, scenes drag on to questionable lengths, feeling as if there was little trimming done in an attempt to fluff the films runtime as much as possible. When that failed, an egregious amount of slow-motion was unnecessarily shoehorned into every scene. Matching Part One, there are about 45 minutes worth of slow-motion, which, if they had been cut, could have easily made this film more enjoyable. Rebel Moon- Part One & Two are not strong enough to stand on their own and would have greatly benefitted from being edited down into one complete film.
Basing his vision off the Star Wars universe, Zack Snyder had stripped the world of any iconic and recognizable traits but failed to replace those with any of his own original or interesting ideas. Though you can clearly see where the inspiration came from, the lack of creativity holds the series back from forming a connection with its audience. Rebel Moon introduces characters, planets, and concepts that are truly difficult to remember or distinguish, as the entire film feels as if it is just placeholder for actual fully fleshed out ideas. Boiling Star Wars down to its most generic aspects, Rebel Moon is left feeling like a movie you would see playing within another movie.
While the actors do their best to salvage the situation, they are held back by elementary-level dialogue and a paper-thin script. Suffering from telling, not showing, the film continually insists upon stating exactly how the audience should perceive each character, although we have never seen any of them portrayed to have those qualities. After two films and 4 1/2 hours, none of the characters stand out, with nearly all of them being completely forgettable if they aren't present on screen.
Contrary to this example, Zack Snyder truly is a talented director, but he desperately needs the guidance of a gifted writer. While he has had many successes in the past (300, Watchmen, Man of Steel) he had always worked closely with the respective writers to achieve that success. On his own, Snyder hasn't quite mastered the balance and the result is films like Rebel Moon. I do sincerely hope he continues making movies, but I hope he sees these flaws and learns from them before attempting something similar to this project.
The world of Rebel Moon was hindered before it began. Clinging to the idea of creating a Star Wars film, Zack Snyder held himself back from standing out and truly creating something original. Akin to a store-brand alternative to your favorite snack, Rebel Moon- Part Two: The Scargiver delivers a bland and unappealing attempt at copying an icon.
All Superheroes Must Die (2011)
Someone Competent Reboot This
Combining comic book movies with the plot of Saw, All Superheroes Must Die ambitiously attempts to double dip. Striking amidst the early days of the MCU, the film aimed to invent a new breed of hero for cinema-goers... if anyone would have watched. While the Saw franchise started strong and struggled to create compelling puzzles in its later installments, All Superheroes Must Die immediately failed to produce any interesting challenges. Alongside its lackluster puzzles, the film introduces audiences to a forgettable cast of superheroes with powers so generic, they are never even used. Complete with a mediocre cast and incredibly simple dialogue, the film is a spectacle of wasted potential. All Superhoes Must Die promises many interesting ideas, but fails to deliver them.
Freaked (1993)
A Downright Freaky Flick
Lurking in the vaguest depths of my childhood memory, I recalled catching a downright freaky flick on late-night TV. Assuming it was some sort of fever dream, it wasn't until years later that I began digging into the few clues I remembered and rediscovered the long-forgotten film, Freaked. However, to my dismay, Freaked was not easily accessible nor had anyone seemed to have heard about it. This hidden gem was absent from the public eye and, still today is only available through YouTube rips or pricey original DVDs. Regardless of how it's found, Freaked is a film that deserves to be sought out and rescued from obscurity.
Fresh off the success of Bill & Ted, Alex Winter partnered with Tom Stern to create an oddball MTV sketch comedy show, The Idiot Box. Though short-lived, the series inspired the duo to create a feature film with similar surreal humor. Hideous Mutant Freekz was born from the ashes. Pitched as a low-budget horror film, 20th Century Fox picked it up and gave the movie a budget of $12 million, sparking Winter & Stern to go all out with their crazy idea. After studio heads changed, the film was scrutinized and the post-production budget was slashed. Retitled Freaked, the film received lackluster test screenings which caused the studio to nearly eliminate its marketing budget and only release the movie in 2 theaters in the US, garnering about a $30,000 gross. Despite all that, the film was well-received critically and has received a cult following in the years since its release.
Egocentric actor Ricky Coogan (Alex Winter), his imbecile best friend Ernie (Michael Stoyanov), and deceived activist Julie (Megan Ward) decide to detour to Freek Land after being stuck with each other. Arriving at the freak show, ringleader Elijah C. Skuggs (Randy Quaid) wastes no time offputting his new guests as they discover they will be forced to join his freakshow. Alongside a collection of other freaks, the unlikely trio must find a way out or remain trapped in Freek Land forever.
Freaked is a one-of-a-kind thrill ride from start to finish. The story is absolute madness and executed flawlessly. Written by comedic masterminds, every moment is jam-packed with clever references, laugh-out-loud jokes, or wildly interesting hijinks. While it is a product of its time, that means nothing but praise as the creativity of Freaked is unmatched by modern projects. Though its post-production budget was slashed, Freaked is a practical and prosthetic masterpiece. The film features some of the most creative designs and, from the most complex to the simplest, each one looks and feels perfect within the world of Freaked.
Over 30 years later, unfortunately, the film has fallen into the most obscure corners of cinematic history, rarely spoken about or given the praise it deserves. I highly urge you to track down this film and check it out for yourself. Lovers of cinema, purveyors of the unknown, and viewers who want a unique cinematic experience, Freaked itches for your attention.
The People's Joker (2022)
The (Unauthorized) Clown Princess of Crime Rises
Recently, I had the pleasure of attending the premiere of The People's Joker at New York's famous IFC Theatre. Delightfully, lead actress/director/writer Vera Drew also attended to answer some fan questions. Parodying Todd Phillip's 2019 blockbuster Joker, The People's Joker reimagines the tears of DC's clown from a transsexual coming-of-age point of view. Initially imagined as a re-edit of Phillip's Joker, Vera Drew journeyed down a rabbit hole that film enthusiasts only dream of. Produced through the pandemic, The People's Joker persevered through many different iterations and exactly 69 different cuts before Drew settled on her perfect vision. After a possible rights issue, the movie was pulled from its intended premiere at the 2022 Toronto Film Festival and is now being released through the distribution studio Altered Innocence. Combining the DC Comic parodies with psychedelically abstract imagery, The People's Joker sets out to envelope Vera Drew's life story, while relating to the Joker's twisted tale.
Growing up in quiet Smallville, a young child begins struggling with the discovery of their identity, against the basic ideals of their small-town parents. Journeying out to Gotham, Joker The Harlequin (Vera Drew) aspires to an outlawed life of comedy. Opening her own unground nightclub alongside the Penguin (Nathan Faustyn), she quickly makes a name for herself in the authoritarian-ruled city. Battling the Batman, her boyfriend, and her parents' disapproval, Joker The Harlequin must accept her true self to overcome the obstacles facing herself and her city.
Crafting a heartfelt true story out of the mad world of the Joker, Vera Drew carefully connects the dots between the Clown Prince of Crime and her personal experiences. Having previously worked with comedic genius duo Tim Heidecker (featured in this film) & Eric Wareheim, Drew is no stranger to the chaotic world of modern humor. Though the comedy doesn't always land, the underlying emotional message is prevalent throughout. Drew's trans-coming-of-age story, while unique, remains relatable in her struggle for identity and self-acceptance, an appeal of Joker (2019) as well. The two stories seamlessly combine and create an eccentric journey that comes together in an unconventional, but must-see manner.
Akin to an early day's YouTube video, the randomness of the wacky visuals forms a story that feels true to the Joker. Constantly switching from live-action to animation, and even mixing both, the film consistently grabs the audience's attention and makes it nearly impossible to be bored. Layered with DC Comic references and settings, the film is a constant easter egg hunt for fans. Not held back by the low budget, Drew incorporates puppetry, musical numbers, meta-humor, and plenty of tongue-in-cheek green screen to piece together a wildly entertaining experience. Although it isn't perfect, the movie's flaws accentuate the imperfect world of Joker the Harlequin.
As a lifelong fan of DC Comics and a self-proclaimed aficionado on the subject, The People's Joker was clearly written by people with the same passion for comics. Writers Vera Drew and Bri LeRose repetitively impressed me with their deep-cut references to DC heroes, villains, and fan theories (albeit all in parody). While they aren't represented in their traditional fashion, each iconic character is utilized in a way that feels honest to their source and dynamically plays with the abstract world that inspired this.
At its heart, The People's Joker conveys an emotional coming-of-age story that echoes relatability for any walk of life. Though the story had familiar elements, Vera Drew truly connects to her audience and shines a beacon on the, often unseen, trans experience. Completely non-conventual, outlandishly unique, and conceptually absurd, The People's Joker is a must-see for fans of film, DC Comics, and generally unique stories. I hope that somewhere in the DC Comics Multiverse, Joker the Harlequin is there to put a smile on all our faces.
The Spider Within: A Spider-Verse Story (2023)
A Short Trip Into the Spider-Verse
Spider-Man fans rejoice! Although last weekend was originally slated for the release of the now-delayed Beyond the Spider-Verse, Sony Animation did not leave us empty-handed. Premiering at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival in 2023, The Spider Within: A Spider-Verse Story has been the topic of conversations for fans yearning to leap back into the stylized world they've come to adore. After waiting almost a year, Sony Animation finally released the short film on their YouTube channel for everyone to enjoy for free. In a collaboration with the Kevin Love Fund, the short aims to raise awareness and resonate with those facing emotional or mental struggles. Taking a short trip into the Spider-Verse, audiences can now enjoy the short film whenever they'd like.
Taking place between the first and second Spider-Verse films, Miles Morales (Shameik Moore) finds himself on a momentary break from crime fighting. Crashing back to reality, he stumbles past his father, Jefferson Davis (Brian Tyree Henry), to lock himself in his bedroom. Suffering from an anxiety attack, Miles finds himself faced with his own mental demons. After standing against various struggles and foes, Spider-Man must now work to overcome his own internal battle.
Centering on Miles, the short attempts to provide a deeper exploration of his character, with Shameik Moore continuing to deliver a flawless portrayal of the young Spider-Man. However, despite its noble intentions, the short feels somewhat inconsequential. Depicting anxiety as an ordinary villain, the metaphor seems drowned out by the lackluster execution. Though rarely touched on within the genre, Marvel previously succeeded at a similar story with Iron Man 3. Additionally, the short concludes abruptly, closing the chapter on Miles mental health struggle almost as quickly as it began. Although beautifully animated, The Spider Within fails to prove necessary in the larger Spider-Verse by pulling its punches on its realistic subject.
While The Spider Within sheds light on a lesser-explored aspect of superheroes, it doesn't quite measure up to the exceptional films that preceded it. Hopefully, future endeavors will delve into other realistic struggles of Spider-Men and allow more time for issues to be explored. While it's a commendable effort to bridge the Spider-Verse, The Spider Within falls short of its full potential, despite originating from a promising concept.
Exists (2014)
Small Budget, Bigfoot
5 friends.
Stranded deep in the woods.
Hunted by Bigfoot.
With such a basic premise, Exists admirably strings together an intriguing journey. Though the minute cast is not made up of thespians, their half-baked personalities mesh well with the story's absurdity. At its best, Exists is an exhilarating thrill ride. Anytime Bigfoot (Brian Steele) is on screen, the action is unsettling, and his horror movie-esque appearances leave his next moves unexpected. Alternatively, the 80-minute runtime mostly feels stretched as scenes drag on for far too long and the slower moments left me checking the clock. Constantly switching between 'found footage' and normal cinematography gets periodically distracting, causing the dizzying transitions to feel annoying. Exists swings hard at a mostly untapped Cryptid horror subgenre and although it misses more than it hits, it is an admirable small-budget film.
Road House (2024)
Road House Chooses Style Over Substance
Reviving the 1980s classic for a modern audience, Amazon MGM Studios brings raw action back to cinemas with Road House. In production for nearly a decade, the lead role was originally set for Ronda Rousey, but various real-world complications caused that to fall through. After being shelved for half a decade, the film was revisited in 2021 with Doug Liman as director and Jake Gyllenhaal as lead. Finally on track, Road House was ready to come together.
Running from his past, drifter Elwood Dalton (Jake Gyllenhaal) makes his money from underground fighting. After being given an opportunity to do some good, Dalton finds himself in the Florida Keys defending a roadhouse aptly named, Road House. After making his mark within the town, Dalton finds himself over his head as town secrets become uncovered. Choosing between his life and the town, he faces the question of who he is and what he is willing to do.
Road House is a fun action flick but fails to uphold the charm and uniqueness of the original. The story is unoriginal, even going as far as referencing that it is just retelling an older action movie archetype. While the action is mildly entertaining, the should-have-been realistic fight scenes are replaced with rubbery, comic-book-esque CGI, causing the stakes to feel non-existent. Akin to recent Fast & Furious entries, Road House is the Saturday morning cartoon of modern films.
Though Gyllenhaal consistently delivers a captivating performance, his loner personality creates a difficult character to connect to. Walking a thin line between humble hero and unhinged combatant, his interpretation of Dalton leaves a far different experience than his predecessor. Unfortunately, Gyllenhaal fails to produce any sparks with love interest Daniela Melchior as he turns Dalton's stoicism to 11, leaving little believability to their romance. Although Billy Magnussen is the main villain, McGregor instantly steals the show in his feature film debut, causing every other performance to pale against his rivalry with Gyllenhaal.
Though it isn't perfect, Road House is a fun ride. Held together by Gyllenhaal's wacky performance and McGregor's outlandish personality, the film fails to be noteworthy. Choosing style over substance, Road House delivers a hollow shell from what was once a classic. Fortunately, Road House is currently streaming on Amazon Prime and, while it isn't worth a trip to the movies, it's definitely worth checking out on a lazy Saturday afternoon.
Justice League of America (1997)
Half-Baked Attempt at a Superhero Sitcom
In the late 90s, DC Comics' greatest superheroes assembled in live-action, and yet no one has ever heard about it. Produced as a pilot film for a potential television series, Justice League of America mixes the sitcom antics of Friends with the world of DC. While an ambitious idea, the series never came to fruition and the pilot remained a legend, whispered about in various corners of the internet. Only available through improper methods, the Justice League of America's only adventure lurks in the darkest depths of the internet.
Already assembled in a tight-knit friend group, the Justice League of America protects the city of New Metro. Unexpectedly, a new foe emerges and threatens the entire city unless he receives his requested ransom. Through the imminent threat, bumbling scientist Tori Olafsdotter (Kim Oja) finds herself acquiring mysterious ice powers. As they come together to foil the villain, the JLA calls upon all the help they can get.
While it would have been interesting to see where this series went, it is completely understandable why it was never ordered. Mixing the superhero and sitcom genres fails, offering little besides being a cheap Friends rip-off. Attempting to set itself apart, the addition of uninteresting mock interviews breaks up an already monotonous story. As with most sitcoms, the plot revolves around people living their lives, but the addition of their secret identities adds very little to the movie.
Comprised of some of DC's greatest heroes, Justice League of America fails to translate any of their personalities or qualities from the comics to the screen. The film is DC related in names and appearance only as each character is pretty much a completely new creation for the series. Out of the entire main cast, they only encounter 2 unique struggles, difficulty keeping a job or difficulty keeping a relationship. The repetitive storyline is boring even within the 1 1/2hr runtime and fully made up of actors that you would expect to never hear from again.
Justice League of America is a time capsule of a bygone era of television. Unfortunately, this film is a half-baked attempt at cashing in on the popularity of sitcoms, while shoehorning in the comic book community. Adapting a source material with decades of incredible stories, it fails to bring any imagination, humor, or quality. Justice League of America didn't attempt to create a great movie and it is immediately evident why this fell into obscurity.
Glass Onion (2022)
Why Did They Not Name the Franchise After Blanc
As a sequel to the 2019 hit Knives Out, Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery challenges Detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) once more. Awkwardly worded, the franchise misses out on titling itself after its ongoing detective instead of the ridiculously forgettable title. Taking place after Blanc is unexpectedly invited to a private island, the ensuing murder mystery is entertaining but features far too many twists and turns for its own good. With a runtime of almost 2 1/2 hours, Glass Onion suffers from pacing issues. Scenes that already drag out for too long are then retold from different perspectives, causing portions of the film to feel painstakingly slow. Rounding it out, the cast is divided from utterly charming or obnoxious cliches, with little in between. Though it has some fun moments, Glass Onion suffers by trying to stretch its story and characters, ending up as quite an average movie.
The Great Gatsby (2013)
The GREAT Gatsby
Based on F. Scott Fitzgerald's 1925 novel, Baz Luhrmann's The Great Gatsby attempts to recapture the past, for a modern audience. Though the novel was no stranger to the silver screen, Luhrmann aimed to uphold its traditional themes, while modernizing aspects. Known for his abstractly artistic style, the roaring 20s seemed the perfect staging ground, creatively allowing his vision to flourish. Over 85 years after its initial publication, The Great Gatsby remained as culturally relevant as ever and garnered much anticipation for its 2013 release.
Beginning his career on Wall Street, Nick Carraway (Tobey Maguire) moves from the Midwest to the West Egg of Long Island. Hearing whisperings of a mysterious Gatsby (Leonardo DiCaprio), Nick is invited to attend one of Gatsby's illustrious parties. Attending and finally coming face-to-face with the renowned figure, the pair quickly form an unsuspecting friendship. After Gatsby unveils his ulterior motive, Carraway is along for the ride as his life, and everyone around him is flipped on its head.
While I recognize my bias, as The Great Gatsby is my favorite novel of all time, I am perpetually elated by this adaptation. Luhrmann's abstract style compliments the story by elevating the experience with fantastical visuals and taking the larger-than-life encounters to the next level. The cast perfectly encapsulates their roles and harkens back the audience to a simpler time, filled with complex personalities. Feeling and acting exactly as readers might imagine, The Great Gatsby truly comes to life and even its old-fashioned dialogue feels seamlessly implemented into the story. Unfortunately, the soundtrack sorely sticks out, featuring some of the 2010's biggest artists, thus ruining the immersion constructed by the rest of the film. Though a few, such as Lana Del Rey, fit rather well, the majority of the soundtrack left me scratching my head. The Great Gatsby is a near-perfect adaptation of one of the most iconic American novels of all time, delightfully translating the sprawling story onto the big screen, for a modern audience.
Immaculate (2024)
Immaculate Delivers a Truly Unsettling Horror Experience
I recently had the pleasure of attending the NEON/Letterboxd sneak screening of Immaculate at New York's famous Metrograph cinema. Produced by and starring blossoming Hollywood star Sydney Sweeney, the film had been a passion project of hers after auditioning for the role in 2014. Though it fell through at the time, Sweeney recently acquired the project and became the film's producer. After revising the script, she chose Michael Mohan as the director due to their experience working together on previous projects such as The Voyeurs and Everything Sucks. Partnering with independent film distributor NEON, Immaculate quickly came to an exciting fruition.
After a near death experience in her childhood, Cecilia (Sydney Sweeney) vows to devote herself to the lord as she begins her new life as a nun. The only American in an Italian convent, Cecilia finds herself as an outsider from most of her peers. Suffering a nightmarish encounter, she unexpectedly learns that she is pregnant with an immaculate conception. As her pregnancy progresses and the convent begin worshipping her, she becomes overwhelmed by the feeling of uncertainty. Digging deeper, unsettling discoveries lead Cecilia to question her unlikely situation and fear for what may come next.
Immaculate brings a refreshing style to the modern horror genre. Steadily burning and becoming increasingly uncomfortable, the film creates an unsteady aura that lands viewers on the edge of their seats. Set and filmed in the Italian countryside, the hyper-religious focus makes for an eerie environment when mysterious encounters begin. Though there are a few moments which go a bit over the top, the outlandish nature of the entire situation allows those aspects to fit decently into the pilgrimage. Coming in at 1 ½ hours, the short runtime races by as every moment is packed with continually captivating developments that keep viewers immersed in the roller coaster of events. The haunting journey culminates in a heart-pounding final act, which does not subside until the credits begin roll.
Taking on the lead role alongside her first time producing, Sydney Sweeney is remarkably captivating as she traverses through her uncharted territory. She is chillingly convincing in her role and seamlessly switches from charming to traumatized with exceptional facial emoting. After being one of the best parts in the disastrous Madame Web, Sweeney is certainly expunged of that sin with this devout performance. Immaculate is one of Sweeney's most memorable and well-executed roles, hopefully paving the way for her to continue producing projects that she is passionate about.
Immaculate succeeds in crafting a surreal psychological experience. Sydney Sweeney produces an intriguing story and elevates the journey further with her truly harrowing performance. Horror buffs and casual fans alike will rejoice as the genre is gifted a film which should undoubtably be discussed alongside similar distinguished thrillers such as Eraserhead or Mother. Passionately conceived, Immaculate is a hopeful beacon for original ideas in Hollywood and leaves the future bright for the next step in Sweeney's prosperous career.
Dune (2021)
Villeneuve's Praise is Well-Deserved
Revisiting the world created by Frank Herbert, Dune (2021) begins bringing the famous book series back to the big screen. 40 years ago, the previous on-screen adaptation underperformed critically and financially due to rushing and muddling the complex story. Director, and long-time lover of the franchise, Denis Villeneuve tackles the monumental task of filming the 'unfilmable' by focusing on one book at a time to craft the epic saga.
Taking control of the planet Arrakis, the House of Atreides is dutifully bound to ensure the success of its spice harvesting and protect its people. Attempting to honorably uphold this duty, Duke Leto Atreides (Oscar Issac) relocates his family and aims to create peace with the native people of Arrakis, the Fremen. Resentful over their replacement, the Harkonnen lurk in the shadows, yearning to recapture their lost power.
Dune is truly a Hollywood blockbuster. Assembling a "who's who" of today's biggest stars, director Denis Villeneuve utilizes his cast to the best of their ability. Each role is meticulously designed and executed by the cast down to subtle, but effective details, such as David Dastmalchian's alien style of blinking. Crafting his vision for decades, Villeneuve's plan for Dune is deserving of immense praise as he builds a modern space epic.
Released during the COVID-19 pandemic, Dune was unceremoniously dropped on HBO Max concurrent with its theatrical distribution. While this was a delightful decision at the time, Dune, like similar films, suffered financially and failed to receive the attention it deserved. Thankfully, it has since garnered its proper praise and spawned a sequel of even greater success.
Reestablishing the franchise for modern audiences, Dune excels at crafting and dissecting Herbert's extensive universe. Masterfully accomplished, the entire cast and crew diligently assembled to provide one of the most thrilling cinematic adventures of the 2020s. Dune echoes an excitement rarely achieved in modern cinema and its future is eagerly awaited.
Lady Bird (2017)
Not For Me
The directorial debut of Greta Gerwig, Lady Bird paints a coming-of-age story in an early 2000s Sacramento. Focusing on the titular Lady Bird (Saoirse Ronan) as she and her best friend Julie (Beanie Feldstein) travel through their adolescence and discover themselves, on the verge of their impending graduation. While their story is quaint, it lacks substance and ends feeling empty. This slice-of-life film relies on its character's lives being interesting, but the characters end up feeling quite boring and unremarkable. While the cast delivers enjoyable performances, they aren't given much to do and fail to come together memorably. Though there are parts that I connect to, I feel the familial relationship issues and coming-of-age stories have been done better in other films. Lady Bird fails to contribute anything too meaningful for its characters and produces a film with little substance outside of its colorful cast.
Megamind vs the Doom Syndicate (2024)
Corporate Greed, At Its Finest
14 years after the original adventure, Megamind returns for a straight-to-streaming sequel. Releasing concurrent to the streaming series Megamind Rules, Megamind vs. The Doom Syndicate seemingly takes the series' inaugural episodes and mashes them into a film. As a lazy form of sequel creation, commonly used in the days of VHS, it is a rarity to find this form of cash-grabbing in the modern age of cinema. Failing to secure its original cast, dropping the budget, and working as a commercial for its Peacock original series, the unexpected saga continues with Megamind vs. The Doom Syndicate.
2 days after the events of the original film, Megamind (Keith Ferguson) and Ol' Chum, formerly Minion (Josh Brener), are still adjusting to their life of heroism. While a disagreement separates the duo, Megamind finds himself overwhelmed when his former villainous team, the Doom Syndicate, returns to reclaim their leader. Assisted by his old flame Roxanne Ritchi (Laura Post) and #1 fan Keiko Morita (Maya Aoki Tuttle), Megamind must overcome his old allies and save Metro City once more.
Beginning with a clip-show-esque recap of the original film, Megamind vs. The Doom Syndicate jolts into animation akin to a Playstation cut scene. By showcasing scenes from its predecessor, the movie immediately showcases the lack of quality when it switches to its current animation. Lazily created, the film lacks many small details which may not be noticed when present, but make a massive difference when absent. The city streets of Metro City are vacant of cars, unless one or two are necessary for the plot, causing the city to feel like a ghost town. A focus is made on the largest superstore in the city, but when the main characters enter, they are completely alone besides the store's few employees. The absence of background characters creates an incredibly hollow appearance and causes the film to feel devoid of any life.
Accompanied by voice acting that fits its distracting visuals, the made-for-TV budget is immediately evident. Once again, the film is reminiscent of an early 2000s video game cutscene, as the performances linger on the end of a sentence as if the actual gameplay needed time to buffer. While doing their best impersonations of the original cast, line deliveries are made as if awaiting a children's-show-style wacky sound effect that never comes. Reading dialogue that is mostly made up of references, there wasn't much the actors could do to salvage the dreadful script. Constantly harkening back to the first film, the sequel fails to move on or allow its characters to grow and rather reduces them to less-than-incompetent fools.
Megamind vs. The Doom Syndicate is exactly as bad as it sounds. Cheaply made, poorly acted, and effortlessly written, the film reeks of corporate cash-grabbing. While it could have been forgotten as an unexceptional children's TV series, Dreamworks decided to squeeze together a passionless sequel and stain the franchise with Megamind vs. The Doom Syndicate.
Doctor Strange (2016)
A Visual Trip
As the MCU rapidly expands, various projects have explored different corners of the growing universe. Guardians and Thor have explored the cosmic side, the Netflix shows explored the street level, and now, Doctor Strange opens the door to the mystic side. In the comics, Doctor Strange is one of the heavy hitters in the Marvel Universe, capable of incredible feats and always involved in world-changing events. Though he had been adapted once previously, the mainstream viewing audience was mostly unaware of the Sorcerer Supreme and his extensive mythology. No stranger to making their characters into a household name, the MCU asks viewers to question reality in Doctor Strange.
Though arrogant and egocentric, Doctor Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) is one of the best neurosurgeons in the world. After a careless mistake, Strange finds himself in a catastrophic accident which renders him permanently unable to perform surgery. Distraught and desperate for a cure, he travels the world in search of aid. Stumbling upon the secret of the mystic arts, Strange encounters the Ancient One (Tilda Swinton) and begins training under her. When a previous student arises to summon a dark force, Doctor Strange finds himself on an unexpected journey through a new side of the world.
Exploring the mystic corners of the MCU, Doctor Strange introduces new characters, concepts, and rules in a captivating and creative manner. Though it has a lot to show off, there are no moments where viewers should feel lost or confused and the marvelous ideas are cleverly established. Strange's story is compelling, easily allowing audiences to connect to his flawed, but noble character. The journey he endures is riveting and unique, which keeps the long-running MCU saga fresh and exciting. Conquering the common superhero climax of similarly powered duels, Doctor Strange utilizes a very eccentric finale.
Mastering the role of a snarky and charismatic leader, Cumberbatch captures one of the MCU's most charming roles since Phase One. Though not heavily featured in this adventure, Wong (Benedict Wong) steals the show when he pops up. His dry humor and amusing intellect made him one of the most memorable side characters in the MCU. As a druidical duo, the two sorcerers form a delightful and investable relationship.
Focusing on its main character, the film weakly develops most of its side characters. Heavily underutilized, Kaecilius (Mads Mikkelsen) ends up as one of the MCU's most forgettable villains, which is quite a long list. Lacking any real romantic entanglements, Dr. Christine Palmer (Rachel McAdams) acts as Doctor Strange's closest friend, but is barely given screentime and fails to make an impact. Unfortunately, the supporting cast isn't given enough usage to fully develop or feel utilized to their full potential.
Producing a visual experience, Doctor Strange leads audiences into an awe-inspiring world. Developing one of the most visually dynamic comic book movies, the studio passionately designed the world, abilities, and characters. In a genre that often gets stereotyped as 'two guys punching' Doctor Strange creatively introduces one of the most astounding aspects of the MCU.
Opening up to a new corner of its ever-growing universe, the MCU creates magic with Doctor Strange. The film crafts an enjoyable origin story, on par with its fellow in-universe partners. Forgetting about its side characters, Doctor Strange succeeds in developing its titular role and utilizes incredible visuals while crafting his spellbinding journey.
Captain America: Civil War (2016)
One of the Most Enjoyable Comic Book Movies
Picking up on plot seeds sown in Age of Ultron, Captain America: Civil War pits Earth's Mightiest Heroes against each other. Adapting the iconic comic book run of the same name, Civil War gives fans the answer to their favorite hero vs. Hero hypotheticals. Acting as an Avenger 2.5, heroes from every corner of the MCU are drawn together in a Civil War of dueling ideals.
On a mission in Lagos, the Avengers accidentally screw up a mission while apprehending the Hydra mercenary Crossbones (Frank Grillo). Alongside the list of other collateral damages caused by the heroes, the Sokovia Accords are created to keep superheroes in check. When a global disaster is seemingly caused by the Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan), the Black Panther (Chadwick Boseman), takes matters into his own hands. Splitting the Avengers for and against supporting the Accords, Captain America (Chris Evans) and Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.) lead their teams in a Civil War for the Avengers.
Captain America: Civil War is one of the most enjoyable comic book films of all time. While it deviates heavily from the source material, it perfectly captures the world of the comics, balancing its massive cast with a well-crafted and compelling story. Consistently charming, the cast of the MCU upholds charismatic and personable performances, keeping audiences further invested in their self-destructive battle. Featuring some of the best fight scenes in the saga, Civil War creatively utilizes the abilities of each hero and strategically sets them up for intriguing battles.
Though the villain Baron Zemo (Daniel Brühl) is no physical threat to the Avengers, his strategic manipulation showcases a new kind of enemy for the team. His motivations and revelations create a compelling foe and the damage he does has lasting ramifications on the MCU as a whole. While he pulls strings behind the scenes, the true drama comes from within the team, as they're taken into a new type of struggle.
At the start of production, Spider-Man was still believed to be busy in Sony's Amazing Spider-Man universe, which led Marvel to utilize and introduce Black Panther as the neutral party in the war. After casting the late Chadwick Boseman in the role, Sony & Disney were able to make a deal in order to introduce their own Spider-Man into the MCU. Finding a spot for both iconic heroes, Civil War balanced their introductions with the sprawling epic story surrounding them.
Captain America: Civil War captures the imaginative world of its comic book inspirations. As a full package, the movie fulfills the childhood desire of watching superheroes fight, while also providing an engaging and well-planned story. Though it fails to follow the story exactly as it was done in the comics, Captain America: Civil War creates fresh and exciting challenges for the characters of the MCU to overcome.
The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2 (2012)
A Satisfying Conclusion for Everyone Except Jacob...
Capping off the franchise that took young adults by storm, Breaking Dawn- Part Two finally draws the Twilight saga to a close. Finally fulfilling its tease of a vampiric transformation, as well as a surprise baby, Part One wrapped up the adventure pretty neat, with only a few loose ends left to cut.
After achieving her goal of turning into an immortal vampire, Bella (Kristen Stewart) and Edward (Robert Pattinson) concurrently delivered their child, Renesmee (Mackenzie Foy). Following a misunderstanding, the Volturi are misinformed about Renesmee's existence and believe her to be a threat in need of extinguishing. Knowing they likely can't be reasoned with, the Cullens assemble every vampire they know to stand with them. Additionally allying with the Quileute wolf pack, the supernatural community aims to save Renesmee or die trying.
With a plot built on a simple misunderstanding, Breaking Dawn- Part Two handles its story surprisingly well. The pacing is well balanced and it never feels as if it is dragging or rushing through. Featuring quite a bit of fairly compelling world-building, it's unfortunate that this was held off until the final entry. Building tension, the climax has its cake and eats it as it features one of the most memorable moments in the 5 film epic. Had the rest of the franchise been on par with the conclusion, this saga may found a fonder place in the cinematic history books.
At their finale, the cast feels well adept at their roles and seems like they truly share the familial bond that they portray. While the swan song wraps up the story of each character, the final farewell adds some final surprises. After being the second choice for the entire saga, Taylor Lautner's Jacob Black is given an... interesting resolution to his romantic subplot, which is heavily focused on and oddly disturbing. Although I have not been involved in the fandom, this is a subplot that I feel would've greatly benefited from leaving out as it draws attention and leaves viewers perplexed. Alas, outside of that being completely out of left field, the film gives a satisfying ending to the franchise as a whole.
Closing out the supernaturally romantic saga, Breaking Dawn- Part Two delivers an exciting conclusion and sticks the landing.
The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1 (2011)
A Step in the Right Direction
Jumping on the early 2010s trend of splitting the final movie in two, Breaking Dawn Part One delivers the first half of the Twilight saga conclusion. While the previous three installments have left much to be desired, the final two promise to deliver a satisfying ending. Leaving audiences with the news of an impending wedding and the omnipresent threat of the Volturi, Eclipse set the stage for the dramatic two-part finale.
After 3 years of films, Bella (Kristen Stewart) & Edward (Robert Pattinson) finally arrive on their wedding day. After a lovely ceremony, the newlyweds embark on their honeymoon and quickly find themselves expecting. Complicating the issue, the baby she is carrying will be a half-vampire and begin feeding off her. With the clock ticking, Bella must decide between their child and her life.
In its fourth installment, the Twilight saga finally improves. While I could be biased (since we unintentionally shared the same wedding entrance music) Breaking Dawn finally had the characters feeling developed and grown as people. The cast improves on their performances and are all given better material to work with besides the repetitive relationship drama.
The story feels neat and thankfully lacks the more useless subplot of the previous films. While the previous films felt unnecessarily bloated, Breaking Dawn delivers a more complete story, not relying on filler and drawn-out moments. Breaking Dawn- Part One sets up the Twilight saga conclusion and truly feels that it could have been a satisfying final chapter.
Ant-Man (2015)
ANTZ!
In the days before The Avengers, Ant-Man had been prepared as one of the MCU's inaugural films. Helmed by Edgar Wright, the film was originally left as his own design. After the success of the Phase One films, Marvel restructured and Wright split from the studio due to creative differences. Putting together a fresh team, Marvel took inspiration from Wright while also tying Ant-Man into their blossoming universe.
Down on his luck, Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) is a petty criminal, fresh out of prison. Attempting to do better and be there for his daughter, Lang reluctantly agrees to a final heist before retiring from crime. After stealing a seemingly extravagant motorcycle outfit, Lang is clumsily thrust into the world of superheroes. Training alongside his predecessor Hank Pym (Michael Douglas), Scott must embrace his responsibility and become Ant-Man.
As one of the MCU's more comedy-focused installments, Ant-Man is truly funny. Casting Paul Rudd in the lead role proved to be a fantastic choice as he seamlessly jumps between hilarious and serious. Accompanied by an enjoyable, albeit mostly forgettable, cast of side characters, Rudd takes the main focus and excels in capturing a charming persona for Scott Lang.
Though he had been the butt of Marvel jokes for decades, his big-screen debut finally does the character justice. However, based on leaked concepts, most of the credit is likely due to Wright's involvement. For fans of the extravagant director, his mark is made repetitively throughout the film, as far as paying homage to his test footage from 2012. While Wright's ideas aren't the only good parts of the film, his influence is felt throughout.
Ant-Man succeeds in its comedic aspects, but outside of a few abstract scenes, remains a bit generic for the genre.
The Twilight Saga: Eclipse (2010)
Long, Slow, and Boring
Entering the next phase of the Moon and their relationship, Twilight continues to craft its supernatural love story with Eclipse. While the previous installment wasn't critically adored, it was a box-office hit, landing as the 7th highest-grossing film of 2009.
While Bella (Kristen Stewart) & Edward (Robert Pattinson) continue to debate the logistics of turning a human into a vampire, the villainous Victoria (Bryce Dallas Howard) builds an army of newborn vampires nearby. Still suffering after the loss of her lover, she vows revenge on the ones responsible for his death. Through Alice's (Ashley Greene) visions. The Cullens begin preparing for the inevitable battle and are willing to take whatever means necessary to ensure they win.
Eclipse continues to suffer in similar ways to its previous predecessors. While it tells an interesting story, it drags it out over a much too-long runtime and ends up boring its audience repetitively. The movie could have cut about 30 minutes of slow, dry dialogue and greatly benefitted from the shorter experience. Though there is a captivating climax, it comes after nearly an hour and a half of boredom.
The lead cast maintains their soap opera-esque performances, which causes its stretched runtime to feel doubled. Though they introduce new and interesting ideas, the status quo is constantly returned to as characters are not quite ready to develop. Continuing to repeat the franchise's previous mistakes, Eclipse remains as one of Twilight's more forgettable chapters.
Dune: Part Two (2024)
Dune: Part Two is a Cinematic Experience Deserving to be Seen in Theaters
Following up the critically acclaimed predecessor, Dune: Part Two brings viewers back to the world of Arrakis. Adapting the second half of Frank Herbert's original Dune novel, director Denis Villeneuve set out to decompress the epic story and tell it to its full potential. Fans of the franchise previously enjoyed Villenuve's 2021 reboot Dune, but with it being unceremoniously released mid-pandemic, its HBO Max streaming debut greatly hindered its box office numbers. Fortunately, the triumphant reception of the film demanded a continuation, delivered in Dune: Part Two.
After the assassination of his father and the destruction of their new kingdom at the hands of the Harkonnen, Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) is accepted into the desert-dwelling community of the Fremen. Though their ruler, Stilgar (Javier Bardem), views Atreides to be their Messiah, Chani (Zendaya) sees the fallen royal as the man that she loves. While Paul learns the way of the Fremen, Baron Harkonnen (Stellan Skarsgård) calls upon his most ruthless nephew Feyd-Rautha (Austin Butler) to aid in the treacherous spice harvest. As the opposing forces assemble, they find themselves preparing for a war for the planet Dune.
Dune: Part Two is an extraordinary piece of cinema and admirably continues the story set in motion by the previous installation. Though it starts a bit slow, the tension steadily builds as the plot thickens and revelations are discovered. With each passing scene, the story weaves layers and creates challenges for the characters to overcome both physically, mentally, and philosophically. While it runs longer than the first, there are no wasted moments, and even at a nearly 3-hour runtime, it leaves audiences yearning to dive directly into Dune 3.
As one of Hollywood's most prolific rising stars, Timothée Chalamet completely immerses himself in his multi-faceted performance. Throughout the film, Chalamet vividly explores the depths of his character, creating the most memorable role of his career. Standing amongst an exceptionally talented cast, Chalamet rises in caliber and ensures that his name will forever be synonymous with Dune.
After finally uniting in the closing moments of Part One, Zendaya's Chani is given much more screen time to flesh out her mysterious character. Keeping pace with Chalamet, she flawlessly balances the constantly shifting emotional journey. Following their journey, Javier Bardem is shockingly humorous and delivers one of the best new characters in the franchise. His over-zealous personality blends with his dynamic performance as he consistently steals his scenes. In its star-studded cast, Dune: Part Two is filled with recognizable faces, although in an alien world, some aren't as easily recognized.
Accompanying Stellan Skarsgård's ever-nefarious Baron, Austin Butler joins the cast as the psychotic heir to the throne. While his performance is mesmerizing, Butler's role feels almost redundant alongside the Baron's other nephew, Beast Rabban (David Bautista). Despite Bautista excelling in the first film, he is heavily reduced in the sequel as Butler greatly overshadows his character. Though they're both dastardly and riveting, the villainous family felt as if there could have been more to explore with its existing members, instead of continuing to add foes.
With streaming services making it easy to catch the newest releases, Dune: Part Two is a film that is best enjoyed on the biggest screen you can find. Although most of the story takes place on the desert planet of Arrakis, cinematographer Greig Fraser brings Dune to life as every minute detail screams out for attention. The planet, creatures, and environment are uniquely designed and will likely be looked back on as a cinematic masterpiece. Accompanied by a chilling score from the legendary Hans Zimmer, Dune: Part Two is a feast for your senses.
Dune: Part Two expertly captures a once deemed 'unfilmable' story. Flawlessly constructed by its cast and crew, every aspect of the film complements each other as they create an unforgettable experience. Akin to the release of Star Wars, Dune: Part Two is truly one of the greatest sci-fi films ever made and likely the greatest of this generation.
Echo (2023)
Fits Well with the Netflix MCU
Based on the relatively unknown Marvel Comics character, Echo follows the story of Maya Lopez, after the events of Hawkeye. Although she never had her own comic series, the MCU Spotlight series explores corners of the universe that have rarely taken focus on before.
Maya Lopez (Alaqua Cox) was one of the top assassins for her boss and father figure, Wilson Fisk (Vincent D'Onofrio). After discovering his betrayal, Maya gets her revenge and goes on the lamb, returning to her hometown. While reuniting with her family, she attempts to get more in touch with her Choctaw heritage through her family and their stories. When Fisk returns eager to rekindle their relationship, Maya must choose between her family or the Kingpin's plan.
Shining a light on an obscure hero, Echo crafts an emotional and compelling story. Though it lulls at some points, most of the series is fast-paced, exciting, and gripping. While it isn't littered with references and Easter eggs, it connects to the larger MCU in a very natural manner, never taking the focus off of Echo. The miniseries draws attention to Maya & Cox's disability and Native American heritage, both rarely covered in similar films. These topics carefully weave the story and leave an impact, though occur naturally. Exploring Maya's deeper interests, Echo turns a small side character into a fully-fledged superhero.
Cox & D'Onofrio's strained familial relationship blends as a ticking time bomb, always moments away from a destructive explosion. The series reestablishes D'Onofrio's Kingpin as a menacing genius, with his heart as his biggest weakness. Cox is given much more depth than her last appearance and can truly craft her character in an admirable and engrossing way. Maya's friends and family, though sometimes generic, are a welcome addition to the story. While bringing back returning actors from past MCU projects, Echo also adds a plethora of delightful side characters with charming and quirky performances.
Though underestimated, Echo is an exciting extension of the street-level MCU and introduces new ideas, while allowing fan-favorites to shine.
Dune (1984)
The Stereotypical Boring Space Movie
Based on the sci-fi book series, Dune (1984) tells the harrowing space opera of a spice-torn galaxy. Following the rivalry of two feuding royal families, Dune is littered with convoluted space politics and incessant expositional dialogue. Without prior knowledge of the books, the incredibly messy story is nearly incomprehensible and does a poor job of crafting the journey. The characters are mostly forgettable, with very few standing out. Visually, Dune is delightful and clearly put more time and effort into creating its galaxy and its creatures. This felt like the stereotypical boring space movie that people picture in their heads when they think of the 1980s 'nerd culture'. Dune (1984) struggles to create any likable characters or a cohesive story but excels in its practical effects and dynamic world.