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Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One (2023)
Best movie of 2023
There has unfortunately been a paucity of worthwhile new movies in 2023. Many anticipated titles have been a major let down. However, the MI DR lives up to the hype with a very timely AI and cyber virus plot that may be even more timely when the Part II is released. Given the not ideal P1 vs P2 cliff hanger, the story line ended in a perfect place, upbeat too, so the viewer is not left wanting. Major gripes, like many new movies, include heavy emphasis on CGI during stunt and action scenes (often at expense of plot and character development). Often, the result is not easily watchable or accessible or as enjoyable as many past action movies that relied on real action stunts with no CGI.
Additionally, like many new movies, there are a number of fads / trends that detract from the strength of the film, including: 1. Shooting into the sun / light (the wrong direction, poor image quality 2. Shooting in overly foggy conditions to hide the CGI (Venice ally fights) but also impedes viewer from seeing action and which characters are present 3. Strobing lights at nightclub scene 4. Shaky camera, quick cuts, 4k crappy flickering images, especially noted during long multiple car chases in Rome, and the train roof top fight scene. On the whole, would like a return to more traditional movie making techniques and values, and increased emphasis on great images, plot, and characters.
Given / acknowledging above short comings, still recommend the movie, especially if you enjoy the franchise.
Wrath of Man (2021)
Awful and boring
I was rooting for this movie as always, but it feel apart after the opening sequences. The chronology being mixed up does not hide or compensate for a woefully insufficient plot, dialogue or action sequences. Probably one of the most boring action movies I have seen with little richness in dialogue, plot, or innovative turns in the story / action sequences etc. The ending of the movie is definitely very anti-climatic and depressing. The sound track was also awful and grading. How do you have a movie about Jason working as armored courier, but not once show a pick up. This is a one watch at best, and I fast forwarded much of it with the gratuitous violence in the middle and lacked no knowledge as a result or missing plot items. If you want to watch a Jason movie, I recommend Meg, Mechanic or Mechanic Resurrections, Fast saga, etc. This one felt like a 4 hour movie.
Heart of Stone (2023)
Negative 12 - NOT recommended - AVOID at all costs
NOT recommended - AVOID at all costs. One is too high a rating for this movie. It is not watchable. Filmed into light. Awful gray filters. It is a virulent and sad undertaking to transform naturally scenic locations like Africa, Portugal, Alps, Iceland and turn the scenery into deep ugliness. Gave everyone in my viewing area splitting headache, and feeling of malaise and sickness.
The viewing experience was consistently very uncomfortable and frankly embarrassing to the creators and executors of this boondoggle. The shaky camera, flashing and strobing (e.g. Lights, fans, muzzles of firearms, sun, etc.) were constant. Despite the multi-million budget, a huge fail is the lack of watchable shots- the entire flim seem to be filmed like a mountain biker riding a bike without suspension or a ski popping moguls! Pointedly, a couple cheap tripods for $300 or less and basic photography knowledge of shooting with the light instead of against the light (sans filters) to bring out the colours and beauty in the scenes would have gone a long way.
Even then, if the movie was able to be viewed with ease and pleasure (which it was resoundingly NOT) the plot, characters, editing (many worthless scenes sitting around or doing unrealistic activities while on an active mission) were annoying, insufficient, and lacking in any sort of compelling mental or emotional engagement with the viewer. Frankly, beyond boring, felt like sustained torture on the bad end. Moreover, there should be a photosensitive warning clearly present. Save yourself 2 hours and watch an alternative option like Keeping up with the Jones or Wonder Woman 1/2 instead.
The Matrix Resurrections (2021)
Cinematic Surprise (Positive) of 2023!
Not sure why so many negative reviews. This is the best out of the four in the franchise, edging out the 1st film, and crushing the mediocre 2nd and pitiful 3rd films in the franchise. There is the right mix of humor, action, plot, and character. Much of the dialogue is trenchant, cutting right to the heart of situation today where most of the world's population is asleep (similar theme in other cult classics like They Live - Sleep and Obey). The trailer to this film was awful, which perhaps contributed to the poor performance at the box office. The new DVD available online at $5 today, which is less than many drinks or parking. Additionally, the film holds its own against the other most recent blockbuster efforts in the Jurassic Park, James Bond, and Ghostbuster Franchises.
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent (2022)
Exceedingly disappointing
I am a fan of many of Cage's movies including the National Treasures, but alas this is by far one of the weakest of his films, with many crude, crass lines/humor, weak plot and characters. The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent is a movie about making a movie and is extremely light on intelligent dialogue, rich plot, and solid characters. At the end of the day, while in some nice filming locales with pleasant colours and views, the attempts at satire and humor fall flatter than the central plains, and whether viewed as a character movie, or action movie, this picture does not meet expectations in any category other than being a disappointment. Take it from the characters who reminded us multiple times in the film: skip this one and watch an enjoyable movie like Paddington Bear instead, where you can expect engagement, joy and tears in one watch.
Executive Decision (1996)
Awful
Skip the trolls... this is an awful movie. Extremely boring and tedious. So boring and tedious, even with ample use of the fast forward button, I'm giving it 1 star b/c it should have been better with the big name stars and budget. The plot holes (dozens!) are bigger than the Yellowstone Caldera. There were many better ways to approach it with a logical and reasonable plot, but none of those appear or are captured in the movie. Essentially fake tension thru out the movie. If you want to see a loop of plane surveillance and bomb disarming with very close filming repeated images on loop, choose this film and relive Dante's Inferno. Save your week and day and find something else to watch. Very disappointed.
The Matrix Revolutions (2003)
Stop after 1.
After the epic 1st movie, 2nd and 3rd efforts are sadly best left unwatched. Poor plot, characters, bloated, repetitive action with copious amounts of unhealthy, dangerous flashing.
My Life in Ruins (2009)
URGH
Disappointing watch. Not much heart in film. Superficial. The tourists were all played very silly and unrealistic. Americans looked awful along w/ the other nationalities. Minimal scenery. Why not shoot in the islands like Rick Steves and Top Travel? Skip this one. Characters weak. Plot weak and predictable. Also lots of foul sex references including awful and uninspired post (tour) group sex scene where all the hotel doors open and they are gloating about their stupidity.
Il buono, il brutto, il cattivo (1966)
Boring, Excruciating, and Bloated
The 3 hr extended edition was excruciating. Fast forwarded and still way too slow. Ignore the trolls. This is clearly a pedestrian and mediocre (at best) film. I don't think it even warrants average rating - no character development, poor editing, bizarre civil war major battles in Southwest, thin plot, tedious scenes, and so forth. The final 30 minutes of film finally picked up pace a little, and then more filler scenes appear the destroy the nascent momentum. Do NOT recommend.
Three Amigos! (1986)
Not funny / Annoying and Unrealistic
This movie was not funny. While filmed well and not vulgar (hence 2 instead of 1 stars) NONE of the humor attempts were successful. Further, the plot, action, and characters are WAY too out there, very unrealistic even for the premise... the best humor combines realism, and is believable (think: Shanghai Knights or Shanghai Noon).
Baby Driver (2017)
Strong start, weaker ending
I thought I would be tracking for at least an 8 or 9, and ended up w/ a 6 or 7, maybe 6.5 rounded to 7 as the last 30 or 40 minutes of the film had a lot of unbelievable scenes w/ one of the bad guys continually defying arrest and death and continuing to pop up like a bad nightmare. Also, as others have noted, the girl seemed to fall very / too quick for Baby Driver, and is fine w/ Baby going to prison.
Swordfish (2001)
Awful
This movie is so bad zero stars would be more appropriate; they literally make fun of the movie in the first scene, where JT says how it would be cool to put together this flimsy film (while the pic is never in focus for the first couple minutes of Swordfish in this scene). Do yourself a favor and watching something decent and save yourself 2 hours. I wish I could unwatch this movie. It is that bad.
Aladdin (1992)
Well done, just look past some shortcomings
Just saw for the first time. Quite impressed w/ this picture, especially the first half; songs are solid, witty dialogue, great pace to the story. The genie tends to overwhelm in the 2nd half of the movie, and the ugly character flaws, continual lying of the protagonist (not telling the princess who he really is - which also shows he can't read people b/c clearly she likes the street urchin), are bared for the audience to see in the 2nd half of the movie, which is why I am not rating this an 8 or 9.
Breakdown (1997)
Thriller w/ pedestrian plot
The film is put together in a gripping manner. However, hoping for 7/10, but the plot was incredibly flimsy in the 2nd half of the movie. Accepted the first trade of wife instead of jeep as premise of the film, but then successive scenes where protagonist has chance to take out bad guys w/ his scavenged handgun and does not, for sake of contrived plot getting to 90 minutes in film length. We were hoping for more of a vigilante movie where Kurt Russel takes out the bad guys one at a time like Taken or many other films, but this wasn't the case in this film, and resulted in a frustrating film where he abandons his wife in the freezer at the end to likely die of lack of oxygen, instead of trying to shoot thru the lock w/ the pistol, or find a pair of bolt cutters in the barn, or even better taking out the head goon when he is alone, and waiting for the other two to show up, and then take them out w/ the element of surprise as well.
The 5th Wave (2016)
Documentary of the future
Very intrigued to finally see this film. Hoping for 8/10 but ended up 6/10. Solid plot, but much of the movie not viewable due to lack of light and overly dark scenes where the viewer can't even make out the form of the person talking. Literally all we heard was the dialogue in these cases.
Also, dislike the cheapo blinking lights end scene a la horror movie. Not a fan of the 60 second opening, which is actually 1/3 of the way thru the movie chronology. In my mind, this screenplay is almost like a disguised documentary of the future (from the Ohio teens' viewpoint) "invasion." Keep in mind the bad spirits / fallen angels / aliens are in charge and already here, but just hidden under the surface (similar to the movie); the 'others' falsely blame the people for the collapse of the earth that they have orchestrated over the last centuries thru terraforming and global weather mgmt, and they deftly use child warriors to try to cull the rest of the residual of the population who did not die easily to their initial deleterious waves and efforts. I would rate the movie average plus one for the solid documentary-like material - hence 6/10. If you would like to know how to overcome the bad spirits / fallen angels / aliens, and the fate they meet, read the book of Revelation.
The Waterboy (1998)
Masterpiece!
Wow! What a Masterpiece! Everything in this film was amazing. I had minimal expectation and floored w/ how funny and enjoyable viewing experience. Loved the detail from soundtrack to rural setting at home to campus to the field, and loved the character development, and the positive earnest of the protagonist. One of my biggest movie surprises to date!
Confidence (2003)
Disappointment - do NOT recommend
Coldplay closing and the star studded cast just makes this film a higher profile debacle. My high hopes for an amazing film were dashed within the first 60 seconds of movie w/ the shaky camera, awful music, and carpet bombing of 'f' words, confusing time chronology. In fact, strongly dislike trendy jump backs within seconds (like "Mongol" or "Savannah"), quick edits / chopping filming, and plentiful, copious amounts of profanity - all flimsy, cheap methods to distract the viewer from the film's many shortcomings, including pedestrian plot, acting, and character development. The last 30 minutes did not make any sense. Twists work when they are realistic given the premises of the film and world. These twists did not make any sense and just pollute the experience even more. The lead actor's character was too cocky, and not likeable (unlike the protagonist in "White Collar"). Overall, people are positive and rationale, and movies are hits when the lead protagonist is likeable, Lastly, there were numerous occult themes and devices including ethnic prejudice... I do NOT recommend this film.
The Princess Switch 3: Romancing the Star (2021)
Solid
EXcellent Holiday Movie! There are a number of fake trolls bashing this movie. Ignore the negative press. If you want a family friendly movie and are in the mood for the zany triplets, the movie is well executed and a nice watch. I teared up a touch at the end. And for everyone saying the blonde headed Fiona is unrealistic, I know heiresses who easily justify the validity of the outlandish cousin character.
Bandslam (2009)
Hidden Jem!
Never heard of this movie until this week. Not sure why it's not more popular. Solid acting, great character development, positive themes, fine music. Highly recommend.
The Nanny Diaries (2007)
Entertaining movie, well executed but weak ending
Entertaining movie, well executed w/ interesting dialogue but weak ending. Want to see our protagonist with confidence by end of movie to confront her abusive employers and her mom without cowering or resorting to absentee criticism via the tape. Great writing, acting, filming, well done overall, but my hopefully 7 or 8 movie ended up as an average 5 with the largely frustrating and somewhat depressing ending.
Cold Pursuit (2019)
Well filmed but weak ending.
Loved the snowy vistas but don't sacrifice the story, characters, and plot for attempts at extra humor in the final 45 minutes. High hopes for a 7 or 8 rating leading off in first hour of film, but disappointing conclusion and final hour. Film's first half almost like Taken, and then on the homestretch our protagonist and citizen of the year suddenly becomes helpless and needs to engage contractors, and finally so helpless just hanging out at the end with the kid and no plan. Worse yet, his ultimate weapon, his work rig (recall General Patton and many other 'accidents') is barely utilized and essentially forfeited along with his hunting rifle in the home stretch.
Mr. Popper's Penguins (2011)
My new favorite!
One of my new favorite discoveries - 7.5 Rounded to 8. The final Antarctica scene is clearly a set. However, deeply enjoyed the entire film. Great screenplay, acting, and utilization of the penguins! Also, a refreshing respite after watching a number of fiercer, bloodier movies, and wholesome, family friendly for sure. Humorous w/o being vulgar. Rare high-quality film w/ solid acting, shooting, writing. Clearly superior to vast majority of new films today.
14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible (2021)
Difficult to watch and disappointing coverage of the peaks
The project itself was excellent but as other reviewers have also noted, we are reviewing the film itself. Unfortunately, the film delivery and presentation was largely insufficient and difficult to even watch. The film is characterized by a low quality screenplay/story boarding in no logical order at times, including unsteady cameras (no tripods) even in civilization like the hospital visit; poor editing (just couple seconds on certain mountains); unpleasant, horror-film-like sound track that is not musical or worthy of the spectacular vistas; no supporting character development missing; and missing sufficient documenting how each peak was topped and the crux of each ascent with the challenges and joys of each mountain. For such an amazing accomplishment, unfortunate to be documented in such an insufficient manner.
The Magnificent Seven (2016)
Entertaining
Entertaining watch and riveting. Character development and dialogue is a bit flat with standard platitudes and architypes abounding; however, the film's strength w/ abundant action scenes. Almost like a Western version of 'Commando' with extremely high body count. As with many recent films, unfortunately, subtitles are a must to understand dialogue which is often mumbled with thick accents. 6.5 rounded up to 7.
Monte Carlo (2011)
Amazing!
Having rated nearly 500 films and shows on this site, I originally did not watch this movie because of all the awful reviews from the paid trolls. However, ignore all the mediocre and negative patsy reviews and watch this movie. Very solid plot, great scenery and cinemaphotography. Unlike many new movies today, I loved that this movie was aesthetically pleasing with life like colors. Thankfully, this movie Monte Carlo lacked the annoying oscillating drones, handheld cameras, flashing lights, awful music of many current movies. The dialogue and acting was solid, and def appreciated the character development of all 3 young ladies thru out the EU trip. A solid family friendly movie that has worthwhile themes we can apply to our lives. This movie is one of my best surprises of the last 12 months.