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Reviews
The Bikeriders (2023)
Drags on with uninteresting characters
Looking for an exciting movie about outlaw bikers? Don't watch this movie. If you're searching for a lot of draw out exposition, extreme close ups, draw out scenes with almost no point, boring bikes, unlikable characters with quasi New York accents on the outskirts of Chicago (I guess, they never developed the setting) then you'll enjoy this movie. Almost nothing about this movie propels one scene to the next in an interesting fashion. They tried to make a Goodfellas and ended up with something light years from its magnificence. The acting was pretty decent as well as the cinematography, but nothing really grabbed you. The extended exposition by the female lead literally put me to sleep several times. The female characters were all purposefully made to look unattractive, and nobody leaving the theater yearned for the glory of being an outlaw biker. They were just glad they were done watching it.
The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare (2024)
Yet another bastardized version of the past
Full of contrived plot points and forced diversity, Henry Cavill is once again a secondary character in his own movie. If you're a fan of boring exposition and terrible editing with atrocious sound, this is your movie. Almost nothing about this movie felt historically accurate, either. There are so many characters it's impossible to connect with any of them, and really who would want to. They convey no emotion other than a hatred for the Nazis. There are so many tired, over used cinematic styles and cliches in this movie, it's hard to believe anyone that worked on this movie had any real qualifications except for maybe the pyrotechnics guy. But hey, if you like seeing a bunch of draw out dialogue and a jumble of explosions and random gunfire, this might be your movie.
Masters of the Air (2024)
Disappointing first episode
I've been waiting for over a year for this to finally be released as the delays seemed to mount. Not a good sign and the first episode showed why. Very disorganized with little narrative congruity. The lead actor seems more like an actor than a WW2 pilot. Kind of goes for all of the leads. Some of the supporting cast were well cast, but not many. Multiple scenes seemed like they were trying to build the gay sexual tension, which would be unheard of during that time and is extremely disrespectful. Their stying was way off and their attitudes were very unprofessional for flight officers. They almost totally excluded anything interesting about what should've been a main character in the series, the planes themselves. Never really got the lay of the land and barely any emotional investment in the pilots. The CGI was ridiculously bad in many instances with poor physics. The pilot from northern Wisconsin talked with a quasi New York accent and the one from Wyoming looked like he grew up in the West Village of Manhattan. There was almost nothing endearing about any character, either. Pretty bad start for the third installment and this unfortunately isn't grabbing my interest enough to make me want to get an Apple TV subscription to watch the remainder. Luckily for the actual veterans, there are barely any left to witness this mockery of a series.
Haunted Mansion (2023)
Stars for effects only
This is the only movie I've ever walked out on. Mainly for the terrible acting and poor costuming. The main character (Stanfield) was supposed to have worked for CERN and is now a paranormal investigator, somehow. His appearance and demeanor gave no indication that he'd ever been serious enough to work for any institution like CERN. He was completely unbelieving of anything paranormal (although that's his new job) until enticed with a very small sum of money. Seemed like Disney was taunting black people in this representation. The young boy was very cringy with his expressions and overacting. Dawson's hair and makeup was atrocious. Owen Wilson's character had no soul and was mistreated by Stanfield so much it was obnoxious. Walked out about a half hour in because it was unwatchable with the exception of the CGI, which unfortunately was everywhere, but tolerable. Disney will never learn and is in a Bud Light spiral.
Lost in Translation (2003)
All time classic
This movie is simply one of the best movies ever made. It's been almost 20 years since it came out, and the in the moment parts of the film, like the actors and technology, are a little lost in translation over time, as well. But the message of being alone in a big world and finding a friend, even as an 'odd couple' never will fade. Also, check out the Coppola winery in Sonoma.
Dune: Part One (2021)
Pretty good start
The movie felt a little nebulous at times, but was amazing as a spectacle and stayed true to the books. The score didn't really grab me and Chalamet is definitely not McLaughlin, but it had a pretty solid supporting cast and amazing visual effects. It'd be so amazing if they brought Lynch in to direct part 2, but I bet that'd be a cold day in Arrakis.
Greyhound (2020)
Amazing WW2 Naval movie
Not enough movies have been made on the battles at sea during WW2, and this one did it expertly. Tom Hanks portrayed an battleship captain with many layers of humanity and end the end, lasting resolve. The pacing of the film flowed evenly and true. For an action film, it was almost non stop- intensity punctuated by eerie lulls and poignant moments of respite. The only annoying thing was that Tom Hanks oddly looked like his son, Colin Hanks, in this movie.
Tenet (2020)
Poor lead acting, incoherent story
The beginning scene was interesting but the movie quality quickly deteriorated after that. The cinematography and technical elements were as always, excellent for Nolan's work. The lead actor, however, could not enunciate a word to save his live. Pairing him with Michael Caine was a giant mistake, as it seemed like Caine had to struggle to play off his poor acting. This trend continued throughout the movie. It might have been a good concept, but it's oblivious only some of the cast and crew were hired on merit.
Wrath of Man (2021)
Fun action movie without the politics
Glad to see a movie that isn't constantly rubbing some sort of political garbage in your face every two minutes! This movie proves you can successfully have a diverse cast that doesn't seem forced. The dialogue is a little contrived at times, which took me out of it, but for a couple hours of shoot em up fun with a semi-clever story (and Statham is pretty bad ass) it's worth the price of admission.
The Mandalorian (2019)
Not that great, for what it could be
Bland fight scenes, uninspired characters, forced intersectionalism, bad writing, Bill Burr. Is it that great? Not really. Better than 99% of network programming, but not much. It will be Star Trek Discovery is 1-2 seasons.
The Crown (2016)
Very good
It's all very interesting and with amazing acting and direction. Although, there is an underlying current of raging communism, it's well done.
Wonder Woman 1984 (2020)
Unwatchable
So unfortunate because the first Wonder Woman was awesome! Gal Gadot is a really good Wonder Woman but not in this unwatchable film. Maybe little kids will like it, though.
Prologue: just found out the original Wonder Woman was so good because of the original writer. The director of WW and WW1984, Patty Jenkins, demanded writing credits on WW, even though she didn't write anything. So in 1984 she fired the original writers and partially wrote this movie (1984), which she had no qualifications for. And it shows. Pathetic egotistic behavior that ruins franchises and all in the name of diversity and defeating the patriarchy.
The Mandalorian: Chapter 16: The Rescue (2020)
Unceasing chills (the last for days)
Strong "chills" alert. You'll feel like you did when you saw Return of the Jedi when you were a kid and the power of Luke mixed with amazing imagery and musical scoring. Pure, legit Star Wars. It's like walking through a Japanese garden, mixed with some legend we all know that whispers in the winds. The power is in the blending and simplicity. Best thing about 2020 save some SpaceX launches.
Space Force (2020)
Only laughing in Beijing
If your idea of comedy is laughing at the American military by falsely making it look inept, then you'll love it. Also, you need to love jokes and writing that suck.
ZZ Top: That Little Ol' Band from Texas (2019)
Band with a heart the size of Texas
Loved seeing the guys progress from a 60's psychedelic rock band into the early 70's MTV juggernaut that they became. Bummed, however, that they left out the notorious time Tonya Harding skated to 'Sleeping Bag' in a professional competition.
The Outsider (2020)
Started off great
The first 1-2 episodes were great, but once you realize who the villain is, the show becomes pointless. The dialog drags and the pacing is terrible for the remaining episodes.
The Green Inferno (2013)
Watched it all the way through
Oddly, I enjoyed this picture. I didn't even know it was a horror flick when I started watching it. The lead character kept me interested. I liked it in spite of the gory parts, although they were pretty epic. There was actually a coherent plot, heroes and heroines and villains, and there definitely was action. I wasn't sure if it was intentionally campy at times, or if the budget was stretched a little thin. Either way, it was definitely a different take on typical horror movies and it pushed boundaries. The actors did convey their terror and the natives seemed kind of authentic. Nice to see an original movie for once. Might not be for everyone, though.