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Reviews
Babylon (2022)
In five years, they'll call it a masterpiece, and deservedly so
I really loved this movie. I understand why others did not - but I did.
It was SINGIN IN THE RAIN and DAY OF THE LOCUST dropped in Owsley acid and smeared with feces, but it was wonderful.
It's wildly over the top and depraved, it captures the frenzied energy of the filmmaking process - especially during the "talkie" scene. It also moved me, Jean Smart's monologue to Brad, and that "cinematic conclusion". I loved it. The music, the Wild photography, the dedicated ensemble - everything is top notch. Paramount gave Damien Chazelle too much money and he ran wild with it, we are all the more lucky for it (and I say this having not liked WHIPLASH or LA LA LAND at all). I think we need more daring and original films like this instead of another superhero epic.
The Idol (2023)
This is sleaze
Sleazy trash. The pilot episode was enough for me. Lily Rose Depp is pretty much naked throughout, then masturbating, and then getting choked and suffocated by The Wknd who cannot act. There is nothing redeeming about this. And then reading how HBO spent $75 million to shoot the series, then completely reshot the entire thing for even more money - what a waste of resources and all for insubstantial trash. We went from LAST OF US and SUCCESSION to this?! Even TRUE BLOOD - which got quite exploitive at times - was never as full on sleazy as this. It's not even gonna last a season . Just think of how much was wasted, the money, the crew members time, our time for watching it.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022)
Long but surprisingly good
This movie had so many production mishaps, not least of which was the passing of Chadwick Boseman. But somehow this film managed to be even better than the first installment. Angela Bassett is always excellent and leads the ensemble of excellent players, and the audience, on an emotional journey of grief and adventure. The introduction of Tenoch Huerta (again excellent performance) as Namor is exciting and it will be interesting to see where his character goes from here. The film is a bit long but the cast is so good that their performances outweigh the length. Yes there's many effects and action scenes as we've come to expect from Marvel movies but after awhile I even forgot this was a Marvel movie and was caught up in the drama.
The Innsmouth School for Girls (2023)
Do not waste your time.
I've really tried with Kennedy's stuff, and the few times I've seen one of his horror movies I've regretted spending the thirty or so minutes I've wasted watching. I've seen his Dracula knock off on YouTube and that was low budget, and embarrassing. Here it seems he's somehow got a decent budget, but he still has no talent. He shamelessly rips off better cult films and thinks it's homaging, it's not. It merely reminds you there's better made movies out there you could be watching instead. I really wanted to give this one a shot, but it's amateur hour all around with embarrassing performances, including his own, and cheap effects. The rubber masks are painfully obvious. Even viewed as "schlocky", it's not even fun. There's better shlock to enjoy than this. I'm not going to allow myself to be tricked by another of Kennedy's movies again. I rented this on Amazon and wanted to warn others against wasting the time or $2 rental fee. Watch a good Lovecraft movie like FROM BEYOND or DAGON which are both streaming for free instead.
Dirty Beautiful (2015)
Uncomfortably powerful
I enjoyed this dark love story. It's very real, I have seen crazy people with baggage fall into relationships together and continue to be together out of some sick desperation. This film gets all of that and in such vivid realistic detail that it's almost uncomfortable to watch. I was exhausted when this concluded - but that's not a bad thing, it's testament to how powerful and deep the Director and cast went with the material and brought it to life. An excellent indie!
Silent Panic (2018)
A tense indie thriller
I enjoyed this, it has a fascinating concept at its center - what would you do if you discovered a dead body, and didn't know what to do without looking as if you're guilty? This was a well made suspense film, sparse and tense.
Dark Forest (2015)
Good indie slasher
This was a good indie horror slasher film. The filmmakers clearly know their 80s horror, and if you enjoy the splatter genre this movie delivers in tension and kills. And that's why we're really here aren't we?
Also I appreciate rural filmmakers outside of "Hollywood" and studio systems, so real independent filmmakers coming together and giving it their all earns a round of applause on its own.
The Evil Down the Street (2019)
Creepy independent exorcism thriller
This is a fun, creepy exorcism thriller. It might be an indie film, but it contains some good acting and great scares. Well done.
Purdah (2018)
An excellent inspirational documentary
This was a wonderful documentary about family; one's own unique identity, and not being afraid to be who you truly are while pursuing your dream. The sisters this film follows are fearless in their increasingly restrictive environment and that 'Never Give Up' spirit will move you. Well done!
Stadium Anthems (2018)
A good time!
This was a wild funny ride! A (rather fearless) mockumentary of the record industry, smart with a blue streak, but totally engaging and so much fun. And it's so crazy you can almost imagine that most of it probably goes on in the real world of music and record producing!
Unlawful Justice (2018)
A finely crafted drama
A gritty intense morality tale about the justice system, race relations, and trying to follow your own moral compass in a chaotic and corrupt world. The acting is excellent and convincing, and it's a well balanced story. Don't let low budgets deter you, small films often have powerful things to say.