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chmstewart
Reviews
Killers of the Flower Moon (2023)
A Disappointing Failure in Editing
Martin Scorsese has produced a lot of all-time great films. Lately he's made overhyped and under-edited time wasters.
The history of the willful execution of the Osage people to swindle their oil wealth is an important tale to tell. With incredible actors to tell the tale this should have been a masterpiece. It was with this in mind that I was extremely excited to watch this film.
Instead Scorsese's inability to make proper cuts to his films (see The Irishman) makes an otherwise well told story a drag. Good moviemakers know how to compress good books to fit a two to two and a half hour window. He seems to have lost this ability and the result is too many redundant scenes that are repeating the same dialogue.
This is especially the case with the constant manipulation between De Niro and DiCaprio, both of whom put in captivating performances even if they are inappropriately cast as characters that are supposed to be decades younger. Multiple scenes between the two could have been removed with only positive results.
The ultimate conclusion to this film is predictably clear after about an hour, yet it takes well over two more hours to get there leaving much of the audience exhausted and disinterested by the end. This is such a disappointment and a disservice to this subject that I actually felt anger towards the director instead of the people who perpetrated such atrocities against the Osage people.
Ancient Apocalypse (2022)
Interesting Conjecture or Self Promotional Fodder?
An otherwise interesting series highlights the fine line between open-minded hypothesizing and self-serving anti-establishment drivel.
Hancock raises some interesting and valid questions that bear further exploration, but he so clearly has an issue with "archaeologists" and "archaeology" as a whole that it diminishes the series for me. It's full of self vindication and whining about how he isn't accepted by mainstream scientists while trying to absolve himself as just an investigative journalist.
Taken at face value, it's a very good look at ancient sites that do suggest that more is to be learned about these societies. Unfortunately the conspiracy seekers will find more than what is really there wherein lies the problem. Questions don't equal truths. Hancock tries to straddle this and often falls into his own trap by saying what if and then leaping to his definitive conclusion because mainstream won't accept his ideas.
Worth watching but only with an open mind and knowing that this is only one man's side of the story.
What If...?: What If... Thor Were an Only Child? (2021)
Refreshing Change from the Constant Melancholy
People seriously need to lighten up. This reminded me of the great X-File episodes that were fun and goofy breaks from their main conspiracy themed story line. Sure it wasn't the best episode but their were a lot of great references and humour. Anyone who hosted or went to a house party as a teenager back in the day should be able to relate. Would I like an entire series of these? No. But it's nice to see writers having fun and giving us some cartoonish laughs which is one of the beauties of animated work. My suggestion is relax, laugh, enjoy and move on. There's nothing to get so party poopish about...
The Wrong Missy (2020)
It's Simply Lauren Lapkus Playing the Sandler Lunatic
This is like many of Sandler's films full of the usual potty humour, physical gags that nearly all of his comedies have. The only difference is this time the cringeworthy moments are being delivered by the female lead. Being a Happy Madison film means you know what you'll get, so there are no surprises. Lauren Lapkus does over the top as well as any of Sandler's regular alumni- possibly even better given how naturally the lunacy flows from her. Rob Schneider and David Spade have gotten older and their usual schtick has less energy, but don't all of us after 50? It's a well worn storyline with a bit of massaging to make it just different enough. Boy meets crazy girl, boy tries to ditch crazy girl only to be forced together and ultimately fall for the crazy girl after losing her. It's neither awful nor amazing. It's a standard Sandler flick through and through.
Batman Ninja (2018)
Great artwork, great general concept, horrible story
The concept of Batman in ancient Japan has so many fantastic potential storylines. None of which involve Power Ranger type morphing silliness and squeaky monkey characters. The artwork is quite well done and really should have been the focal point especially given the setting. Unfortunately based on the weak characters and weaker plot it's clear that the writers were less intent on making a Batman film than they were in making a Hentai cliche film using Batman characters.
If you're a hardcore Batman fan, spare yourself the disappointment and skip this one.
The Irishman (2019)
Nostalgic Disappointment
The Irishman isn't a bad film. In a lot of ways it's a decent one. It's just not anything above good. The nostalgic feel makes for a feel good familiarity, but don't be fooled. This is far from a Scorsese masterpiece. Pesci and Pacino are outdated and miscast. Still wonderful actors but sadly often show their true age trying to play characters who are nearly thirty years their junior. The story is long, drawn out and too unoriginal to rate as highly as it does and certainly not a best picture candidate. Enjoy it for what it is - a decent flick that is better than a lot of movies out there, but not a new classic.
From Dusk Till Dawn (1996)
Disappointing Tarantino Flick
While his films are often hokey, this is by far Tarantino's weakest work. It starts off somewhat promising especially with Clooney in a very un-Clooney like heel role. But it ends up going into the realm of a Sharknado or Nicolas Cage type demon flick.
It's B movie entertainment with corny gore and cornier dialogue. If you're expecting something as polished as the Kill Bill movies, you'll be thoroughly disappointed. If you're looking for a cheesy horror that's high on exploding vampires and evil strippers (Selma Hayak) then this will fit the bill. Unlike Selma, this film is certainly not anywhere near being a 10.
Life (2017)
Predictable yet baffling storyline
For a film that clearly didn't spare any budget on top quality actors and special effects the storyline really never comes together. An unimaginative premise of an alien life form turning into a killer monster that preys on everyone and everything is hardly new. And yet had it been done with a better script it could still have worked. Instead it leaves you shaking your head at how the characters are so implausible. Most horror films have moments where you want to shout at the cast to not do something stupid. This film will make you lose your voice from the abundance of stupidity. Even the climactic twist at the end is so drawn out that it's inevitably predictable when the wrong pod lands on earth.
Anon (2018)
Wasted a Potential Black Mirror Episode
Could have been a decent concept, but filled with mundane performances, logical gaps in the story and gratuitous sex scenes that had no bearing on the story other than to be baring. Surprised that Clive Owen signed on for this one. Netflix whiffed on this one. Polar part 2...
Terminal (2018)
A 3 dressed up as a 9
I really enjoyed this film at the get go, but was left feeling betrayed by a predictable conclusion. There was some clever dialogue and wit through the first half of the movie. Margot Robbie really is a remarkable actress especially when playing emotional unstable characters and Simon Pegg puts in a terrificly solemn performance as a dying school teacher.
Unfortunately the moment of discovery is rushed and poorly done. The plot twist is so thinly veiled that I had hoped for some other more clever back story that might save it, but there was none. What had the promises of a clever and well acted movie flamed out all too abruptly.
Overall a letdown.
Bohemian Rhapsody (2018)
Clueless Critics Don't Know the Meaning of Entertainment
The casting was very well done, the sound was terrific and the story was thoughtful enough without trying to make up some hidden deeper meaning to pander to the pretentious movie critics.
Don't go into this thinking that you're going to come away with an accurate biographical story of a musician whose life was cut far too short. The timelines don't mesh with what really happened or in the proper chronological order but that doesn't take away from what is a good if toned down storyline. The music is the central theme as much as Freddie and they do a great job with it. It felt like being at a rock concert throughout many of the scenes and the recreation of Live Aid was amazingly spot on including the performances of the cast.
I loved Queen's music growing up and this movie was a great reminder of why.
Simply an enjoyable nostalgic time out at the movies.
Warcraft (2016)
Critics Seem to Wish They Were Screenwriters
I thoroughly enjoyed the film even though I've never played the game. The fantasy world created was just as it should be. The characters were deep enough for a decent story. I have to admit I'm not a fan of open endings like this but unlike the critics it's not about how I think the story should go or how whimsical the characters should be. Just because it's a game-based film doesn't mean it should be filled with comic relief. That's become cliche in most movies like this so I was glad it didn't go down that road. Probably more a 7 than an 8, but I tried to offset the rediculous negatives. This is no Lord of the Rings but it's still very much an enjoyable fantasy film.