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Reviews
MH370: The Plane That Disappeared (2023)
Demanding Proof from Everyone, Except Themselves
Which is it? You demand proof from every country that participated in the extensive search, lament because you don't think they provide any, then go on to full blown conjecture with ZERO evidence of your own. This is utter garbage. This belongs on a blog of a 40 year old man living in his mother's basement. We are all dumber for having taken the time to view it. These are people, lost, dead and they deserve better than this drivel. It's almost on the Alex Jones, Sandy Hook level, except more people perished. The film makers should be ashamed. By the time we get to near the end of episode 2, climaxing in episode 3, is when the groan inducing narrative, or lack there of settles in. The disservice this crockery does to the victims has to be heartbreaking for them. I am absolutely sure each and every one of them is so desperate for answers, closure, and this is by far the worst medicine one could prescribe for what ails them.
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent (2022)
A Delightful Comedic Thriller Disguised as a Dramatic Thriller
It's truly a delight to see Nick Cage in a self deprecating role, even though it isn't. No spoilers here. The plot and the movie intertwine imaginatively. Nick is a cliche of Nick and when he does this the cliche works to perfection. The "Real" Nick is riddled with insecurities and doubts. It's hard to describe this film without spoilers. Let's just say it's Nick playing Nick, with spurts of doubts and heroics. It's a strange dramtic twist on quazi documentary. This parody is the crux of the film, and what makes it so enjoyable to watch. There is action, intrigue, plenty of comedic moments and an overall thoroughly enjoyable fun ride. Happy to see Nick get credit where credit is deserved. We also cannot leave out the solid performance of Pedro Pascal, who plays a super fan of Cage who has more going on that meets the initial eye. I don't think you'll be disappointed in this film in the slightest, in fact I see nominations in the near future
A worthwhile watch for sure. Sit back and let the insanity that is Nick Cage be authentically revealed. His humility allows the film to work. Kudos to Nick, Pascal and the whole team.
The Banshees of Inisherin (2022)
A Captivating Tale.... However
The acting is superb, the story puzzling, the scenery immersive. This Irish tale is captivating, Perhaps like it's name, a Banshee. That being said, at the risk of sounding like a Hollywood brainwashed consumer I wished for a more satisfying end of the film. It's an odd tale, that in my opinion would benefit greatly by even a sconse attempt at to it's aim or meaning. To me that what separates this film from being timeless, instead of excellent. The longing. It lingers throughout the film and lingers still. Is that the point? This longing to understand? If that is the case I am saddened by this artistic choice. Only a mere hint as to WHY, would have, in my humble opinion, been a welcomed revelation no matter how forelonged. Still it cannot be denied this is a captivating film in terms of performance, dialogue, location, and direction.
Bullet Train (2022)
Just Plain Fun
Plenty of humor, iconic twists, fun action. Don't over compliate this. It's simply a fun and funny action flick. The cast is fantastic, the dialogue is well written and most importantly of all the action sequences are clever and engaging. BP is a perfect foil for an assassin. Both effective and overly phylosophical. His attempts to recosile his line of work, to continue to handle things differently is the comedic edge of the film and it works nicely, along with what might just be an enjoyable action flick. There is a little something extra in this which provides the final ingredients for success. Just enjoy yourself!
Day Shift (2022)
Ala From Dusk to Dawn - A Fun Escape
This sort of harkens me back to Tarantino's From Dusk Till Dawn. The gore, the humor and the action are similar. Jamie Foxx is as per usual solid with the script given. Horror films are often held to a lower standard and for good reason. Unlike sci-fi they can and often stretch reality to it's limits. I mean streeeeeeeech. All for fun. That being said who doesn't like a good vampire v humanity film? Think Underworld meets a cop buddy film. Simply fun and entertaining. It's simply a fun escape. Nothing more nothing less. Anyone who judges it for anything else needs to loosen thier belt and eat more popcorn 🍿
Titanic (1997)
Spolier Alert
A shocking ending in which the ship sinks. Struck my a cruise missile or some other foreign object. A truly sad ending. I wish I had read the book in advance.
The Gray Man (2022)
Hollywood Premiere Wow
I absolutely loved this movie!! Some of the best action sequences and fight scenes I've ever watched, they are John Wickedly good. Gosling is a stoic quirky bad ass and turns in yet another stellar performance. Evans is brilliant as his sociopathic nemesis. The dialogue contained plenty of wry humor. It's a fantastic popcorn flick. Bravo to the Russo brothers, also big thanks for thier speech at the primeire, neat to see them in person. Go there and do that. This one is going to be a classic for sure!! Mark my words this will be a classic. Haters gonna hate, but the rest of us are going to get on the roller coaster and enjoy the ride (Hint, It's NOT just another Thursday)
The Tender Bar (2021)
A Compelling Story about Childhood to Adulthood
The Tender Bar is essentially a coming of age story. A child with a complicated and confusing childhood comes to terms with this ambiguity in his formative years as a young man. The acting is top notch, Ben Affleck turning in a performance that is unglamorous and compelling. I will not include spoilers in this review. What a horrible thing to do. Books are a central theme in this film, who would give away the ending of a good book? Not me. This film is not only worth your time, but it's thoroughly engrossing dose of reality. The soundtrack is also excellent reflecting a 1970's backdrop to the story. This is a solid film. Enjoy.
Smoke (1995)
An overlooked Classic
This is a film easily overlooked and perhaps lost in the anuels of time. Hurt and Kietel are terrific. The storyline is compelling, heartwarming and brutal at the same time. Facing eatchithers past our principal characters must summon the courage to face thier individual demons. This is a film I return to regularly. It's simply excellent work and the script is masterfully rendered. This is a film that is a must watch if you haven't seen it, and comfy yet reliably tense story of friendship and love upon repeated visits.
Dune (2021)
The Begining?
Wow. After 2 1/2 hours my jaw dropped open. Gone were so many of the book and former David Lynch's details that made this film/book movie worthy. Slow to develop. Missing key interesting elements, I guess we are expected to wait for the sequel for things to get rolling? It's like they took the first 15 minutes of the Lynch film and stretched it out for over two hours. Little emotional attachment to the characters. We waited decades for a Blade Runner sequel and thankfully received a pleasurable update. Here we received a cliff note, a dog eared 5 pages of a slow paced, emotionally void snippet of things to come. Disappointed is the word. Glad I did not watch it on the "big screen" as continually mentioned in the promotion of the film. It was worth a peek at home, but sadly I'm not excited about the sequel, even though one would think all the action is yet to come. Not sure anyone will get this book right in cinamatoc fashion. In a word, bummer.
Army of Thieves (2021)
What's the Fuss?
Is this supposed to be Citizen Kane? It's a heist film. Granted I have no context from the previous films, perhaps this is why I found this film enjoyable. It should be noted that this film requires no pre-requisite viewing. It can be viewed as a stand alone film, which is how I watched it. It's simply a popcorn film with a quirky safe cracker, a likable love interest and an engaging plot. Come on folks we aren't reinventing the wheel. We are just having fun trying to crack it.
The Little Things (2021)
Misses the Malek
First off it's hard for me to think of a mediocre Denzel film, there have been a few but not many
This falls under the not many catagory
Truthfully Rami Malek just does not seem to fit this role. He lacks screen presence. He exudes no power, and does not display it the entire film even when the script calls for it. Even his physical presence can only be described as ematiated, not usually typical of his role for good reason.
Denzel is as per usual good, but I believe
the writing (Plot focus) was not much to work with. Pet Peeve include officers in charge of a crime scenes letting fellow officers on scene roam around touching things and snack from the fridge. The forensic scenes are a travesty, minus the coroner, who tries to lend credibility. Jared Leto...let's just say his performance is predictable. The end is sadly disappointing. With Rami who is supposed to weigh a conscience, flat again.
The ending, the plot, a flat performance by Rami, and you have yourself a mediocre Denzel film.
My hopes were high, but I still give it six stars for Denzel and the subject matter. This is a whiff other wise. Perhaps a poor attempt at recreating S7EN? Others have mentioned. I just call it mediocrity.
Painting with John (2021)
Egomaniacal Talent
The paintings, the work is divine, but this felt like self absorbed gluttony. Drinking your own koolaide is never a flattering sight. Name drops, stories of intellectual superiority, the "madness" of an artist contrived to bolster his work without need.
I wish this wasn't filmed entirely with John's POV. Who makes a movie about themselves, when the work should speak for itself? Amazing artist, who somehow manages to overshadow his brilliant work with his own ego. A trait not uncommon with artists, but watching this self absorbtion diminishes his wonderful art.
Equilibrium (2002)
Under the shadow of Matrix, AHidden a gem got
Longtime well overdue review of this film. Wich I personally love. Orwell's 1984, Fascism totally and clevey sprinkled in at every moment throughout every environment. Hitler youth also comes to mind. Totalitarianism. Man's inhumanity to man.
Just watched it with my son, his first time. He loved the fighting style taught to the clerics. This might be the most graphic film I've shown my boy, and he loved it! He was however, surpringly more interested in the political meaning. Wife loved it, again first time ( My boy did wish the ending was longer after explosions etc)
I explained the smile at the end, and then he smiled and we're all good.
This film was eclipsed by The Matrix
Hence
Hidden GEM
Would love a sequel!
If Christian Bale could find the time.
How about it Mr. Bale?
Let's have some fun!
The Midnight Sky (2020)
Well Made But Satisfaction is in Short supply
This is film is well made, the cast terrific, however the plot malingers, and no resolution comes and no change what so ever, distrupts the the overall circumstances or the outcome. Several attempts to give hope to the viewer are hardly influncial. Clooney does a fine job, his directing needs further review. Clooney's sickness and health are always presented as a cause for concern, but strangely he seems a lost cause from beggining to end. The loss of the crewwoman on the Ether (Sp?) ship lacked the gut punch it needed. Sci-Fi fans may enjoy this film, as I said it is well well made, but somehow, someway it fails to fully connect at all the intervals it depends on
How many Sci-fi movies starring Clooney have been great? Several
This film however is worth a first look, but probably will be relatively forgotten in times to come. Still, take a peek. Its at the very least worth the time to watch. I wish the ending was longer in legnth and carrying more substance. Better than 80% of COVID released films. The bar has been lowered by this struggle we endure, but at least Midnight Sky attempts heights. I'll take that right now