Change Your Image
lonzo95-940-300272
Reviews
The Creator (2023)
China's Favorite Movie
The Americans are the bad guy oppressor-murderers, the "Asians" are the peace-loving good guys. Did Chinese money finance this movie in any way? The visuals were stunning, the acting was good, but the story line was confusing as heck. But back to China. In this movie's world, America is waging a world war to destroy all robots. You know, like genocide. But in "Asia," land of kindness and equality, the robots are fully integrated into society and in many cases, loved as humans. But big bad America reigns hellfire and lethal bombing down from a Death Star like flying fortress. Oh those evil Americans!
The only way a movie is made where the Americans are the bad guys and "Asians" the good is from "Asian" financiers. There's plenty of evidence Hollywood has taken money from China to finance movies. Read the book Red Carpet. When was the last time you saw a film where the Chinese were the bad guys? You never do. Because a) they're financing the films, and b) Hollywood studios are afraid their films won't be shown in China. So Hollywood is afraid of the Chinese government, and we have to watch movies distorted by this reality.
I have no idea who financed The Creator, but it sure has a feel to it.
Gojira -1.0 (2023)
The Best Big G Movie Ever
This is the best Godzilla movie ever made. Sure the action sequences were great, but the story of the characters made you really care about them, so even without Godzilla on screen, you stay interested. And while a book could be written about this, the movie takes place in a defeated and ruined Japan right after World War II, and watching the remnants of the Japanese Imperial Navy on a mission for good (as opposed to their mission during the war) will allow Japanese viewers to enjoy the bravery shown by its WW2 era Navy. Something they probably have not been able to do for historical reasons. (Complicating this thought is the lead character suffering from PTSD due to the war.)
The cinematography was excellent. While it's always enjoyable to watch The Big G stomping around, there are scenes that recall its earlier movies, music from the 1954 original, and excellent flying scenes around Godzilla in the penultimate battle. But again, it's the characters and their relationships that give meaning to this film.
No One Will Save You (2023)
The Best Alien Sci-Fi in Years, Very Clever Ending
Haven't enjoyed a sci-fi movie like this in a long time. While it gets trippy just before the end, the creeps, scares, and action will keep you glued to your seat. Kaitlyn Dever is an actress worth watching. She is excellent playing Brynn, a resourceful character under attack, but who at the same time has been living with severe guilt and social isolation from a teen-hood tragedy. This movie should put her on a path to stardom.
The alien (plural) CGI was done pretty well. They were quite menacing. (But why are so many movie aliens naked? They're super advanced technologically, yet they don't need clothes? And while there were a couple of different alien designs, why did the large group of aliens we see all look exactly alike?)
The incredibly clever ending, while NOT a happy ending in a conventional sense, does give Brynn a "didn't-see-that-coming" way to find one.
Yes, there are a few "why is she doing this?" moments, but Brynn puts up such a good fight otherwise, it doesn't detract from the movie much.
The Groove Tube (1974)
Sorry Debbie Downers, but this film was a laugh riot in the 70s, and some bits still are today
And has unique wonderful bits still funny today. C'mon, that Cramps tv kitchen show was hilarious. So much is spoken in those hands. And the "Ken and Barbie" commercial knockoff nearly killed me from laughing so hard at the drive-in when I saw it with friends. But my favorite skit is Koko the Clown. Oh my God. What a concept! Reading explicit passages from classic erotic literature during a children's show- and it's the children who make the requests! Genius!
I understand that things that were funny 40 to 50 years ago are not necessarily funny today. But there is a lot of material from the past that to this day is still funny. Many skits in the Groove Tube pass and surpass that test.
Let's Not Meet (2018)
Tense Low Budget Pleaser
Yes, it's low budget, especially the opening minutes that looks like it was shot on an iPhone, but once the group went camping and it turned dark, I thought there were several very tense scenes, and it was nice not to have a "final girl" as so many movies do. The two leading actresses Kate Kennedy, and especially Breanna Engle, the redhead, we're quite good. They deserve better movies and film careers,
But it needs be said about the writing, when the bad guy in a film is hit and falls down stunned, the hitter shouldn't simply drop their weapon and run away. Hit him again until you're sure he's no longer a threat. And what is it with all the explanations when a character come across tied up captives? The bad guy could return any minute. Hurry up, set them free, and run away. Talk later!
And finally, 3 people are in a tent hiding from what they think is some kind of monster. The camera stays in the tent. Faces in close up. The tension is rising. Now the monster is getting closer... now it's lurking outside... now... hey, wait- shouldn't the people in the tent turn the light off?
King Kong (1976)
Hip Jeff Bridges, Beautiful Jessica Lange, a New King Kong
A new King Kong was a big deal back when this was released. And although there are many pluses, such as a huge budget, there are negatives that can't be ignored. A sometimes silly script is one, but 2 others really are a distraction. 1) Kong is a slow moving guy in a gorilla suit, and 2) Charles Grodin's role is silly. The 1933 Kong 1933 did not move like he had arthritis. And Grodin in no way fits the role of a high powered executive, especially an action movie and especially one with a legendary cinematic figure such as Kong.
That said, ignoring the weak parts, It makes a good watch.
The Shape of Things to Come (1979)
So Bad. Only Watched for Carol Lynley.
I will give this movie 1 star for Carol Lynley, one of Hollywood's most beautiful women back in the day. Still beautiful in this one, but she's not even in most of it. Another half star for Ann Marie Martin, another beauty.
This movie is so bad. Cheap and cringe worthy sets and special effects. Pathetic killer robots. Lots of fast forwarding. I was expecting something related to the 1930s sci-fi classic. Not. At. All.
So I'll round up to 2 stars. I watched the credits roll at the end and saw the names of those involved in making this hopeless Star Wars wannabe and thought "I hope they got paid well."
The Manor (2021)
It's Not Dementia, it's Demonic. Good Ending
Barbara Hershey shines in this this tale of paranoia. Her pleadings that something deadly is going on are ignored, because after all, she's in a nursing home, so she must be losing her marbles. And the creepy staff is only trying to help when they tie her down, or drug her, whenever she turns disagreeable. Right?
Well, then why are some of the elders dying unnatural deaths? Are they tied to the horrid thing in the nightmares? Or is it real?
I thought the ending was spot on. Who would have decided differently?
Transporter 2 (2005)
Crazy Action, Fights
And did anyone else notice the music refrain heard 100 times is pretty much the same as that in 1985's Commando starring Arnold Schwarzenegger?
Awake (2021)
Now I Know There are Pro Misery Movie Review Trolls
This is a perfectly acceptable sci-fi movie. I found it interesting, and at times suspenseful. I do not understand the hateful reviews, other than concluding there must be people whose job it is troll every movie with a rating of 1 or 2 just to spread misery. Their comments are very general, not at all specific to what's in the movie. I know this is conspiracy-level thinking, but it's happening all over IMDB.
The Tomorrow War (2021)
Love Me a Good Monster Movie!
Sure it's derivative of a few other sci-fi alien movies, but it's a decent amount of fun. And sure, it's hard to believe humanity would be put into a position of near annihilation from 20 foot tall carnivorous bugs, but again, roll with it.
One thing though, why don't any of the human soldiers have grenade launchers (bazookas)? They fight the aliens with machine guns, and half the time it has no effect. So in the later stages of the movie, you know the shooting won't do any real damage.
Boss Level (2020)
Very Enjoyable
I love these time loop movies. Grillo makes this one double worth watching. Lots of good action.
Battle: Los Angeles (2011)
Why Do the Critics Hate this Movie?
Roger Ebert, critic royalty, absolutely trashed this film. As did many others. That said, I found it to be a very engaging action movie. Very realistic, which is hard to pull off in an alien invasion movie where you see the aliens. Many exciting, tense scenes. If you like sci-fi, alien invasions, a very good watch.
Rogue (2020)
Nice Action Film, Really Good Supporting Cast, and Badass Megan Fox
In this movie Megan Fox is a curiosity, but a fine action actor. The fact she is completely out of her comfort zone makes this so fascinating and interesting. But it works. She did a great job as a leader of a commando group. It was made up of a bunch of very likable actors who made their characters very sympathetic. They faced both a
criminal group, and the prowling dangers of Africa. Rather unique, I'd say.
Sure the script got just a tiny bit questionable close to the end, but I really enjoyed this movie and actually hope there's a sequel.
Martyrs (2008)
May Be the Most Horrifying Movie Some Will Ever See (Realistic)
If you've seen Martyrs and you've come to these reviews for some help with your Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, it may help to know when I saw it in 2017 there was a "making of" video on YouTube that may take the edge off. That's the only reason I'm posting this review. I love a good horror/terror movie, but this one shook me for days. The final 3rd of the movie, we'll, let's just say director Eli Roth (Hostel) was taking notes.
Battleship (2012)
Oh c'mon, the movie was a lot of fun
What's with the purists? The action was clever and non-stop. Having it sea-based also was a plus. Don't overthink it.
Father of the Bride (1950)
A gorgeous Elizabeth Taylor, and she marries a cardboard cutout?
A girl like Elizabeth Taylor in this movie could have any guy in the world. So what do the screenwriters do? Give her one who's 12-13 years older and kinda boring. Is that what girls in the 1940-50s had to look forward to? Going from one father figure to another? Yech. Thank God for Women's Liberation 20 years later.
My Dinner with Jimi (2003)
Interesting to see British Pop stars portrayed by actors
But the Jimi Hendrix actor absolutely steals the movie during the dinner scene. If you like 60s rock, and you like Hendrix, then just fast forward to that scene.
The Hills Have Eyes (2006)
Pretty Good Thriller
So many others have left great reviews and descriptions of memorable scenes. But there's one short scene I can't get out of my head. One of the camping family members, a man, is inside the mutant's village. He's very bloodied from fighting to rescue his baby. The tension is high. While in one of the houses he encounters 2 mutant children, a boy and a girl, around 2-3 years old, playing on the floor with some toys. The children look up at him, and the girl asks: "Hey mister, you want to play with us?" But he only has time to give them a look, because he has to keep moving. That's all we see of them. There are so many thoughts and questions around those kids. I can imagine a movie only about them. Sometimes it's the little things that stick with you. No pun intended.
Force 10 from Navarone (1978)
After 40+ Years of Curiosity, I've Finally Seen It. But it's Just OK.
It had very wonderful actors. Great props. Nice scenery. But the story was just so mediocre. I think they tried to copy The Guns of Navarone a bit too much, but on a smaller scale and budget. The action scenes were uninspiring. And the final scene (spoiler), since when does a bridge, described earlier in the film as almost impossible to blow up because its supports are made out of solid rock, sway and collapse because of flood waters?
I remember that the critics at the time hated this movie, and I wondered why.
But it had Han Solo from Star Wars.
And wasn't that Apollo Creed?
And the beautiful Russian spy from The Spy Who Loved Me?
And the original Django?
And Quint from Jaws?
And the other Jaws?
So how bad could it be? It was nice seeing each one of them in this movie, but as I stated earlier, it was disappointingly just ok. Without them it would be a 2/10.
Oh well, after 40+ years I can check this one off the list.
Little Monsters (2019)
Very Enjoyable
This movie was an unexpected delight. Lupita Nyong'o (quite beautiful, and heroic) and Alexander English (lovable loser, and eventually heroic) were very affecting, but several scenes were absolutely stolen by 5 year old nephew Felix. In one scene in particular, while wearing a Darth Vader mask, he "uses The Force" to close a gate, and keep the zombies at bay. Hilarious.
I, Claudius (1976)
The a Best Television Series I Have Ever Seen
What more need I say? It's amazing they got pieces of this past the censors. For lovers of history, you're all in after 10 minutes. Derek Jacobi and John Hurt are unforgettable. So many great story lines as the years go by. So many great actors. You'll never forget it.
Ich seh, Ich seh (2014)
Very Original. Don't read the spoilers, you'll ruin a good movie watching experience.
Some smarty pants people want to run the film down while making themselves look sooooo smart because they "got" the movie's secret as early as the opening credits. Uh huh. Right.
Well, don't pay attention to them because it's secret isn't given up easily. A really good movie that starts with one mystery, and by the end makes you realize you've been watching another. Then you ask "Wait, what clues did I miss?" I watched it twice just to see how it was done.
You're Next (2011)
Oh Yeah, the Home Invasion Movie We'd Always Wanted
Finally, someone who has an idea on how to fight back. So many home invasion movies give the viewer a sense of terrible frustration as the (usually) family is helpless as the invaders torture them. And then torture them some more. With no help on the way. Well, this isn't that movie. The tables are turned boys, watch out for the girl.
The Invitation (2015)
Was Expecting a Classic
But got, meh. More could have been done to explain the WHY of what the hosts of the dinner were doing. Too many fill-in-the-gaps yourself. As other commenters have written, could have been 30 minutes shorter. Liked the very very end, but again, if that last idea had been fleshed out gradually during the previous 90 minutes it would have made a better movie.