kristi_ocampo Reviews

Love Hard (2021)

A movie that is not hard to love!

[8/10 · 9 November 2021]

For someone who mainly watches thriller or horror movies, I don't know what possessed me to press play... But, I have no regrets. This movie is oddly refreshing. I wanted to hate on the stereotype portrayal of the Asian man (awkward, wearing glasses, considered unattractive but somehow seems good at everything that doesn't include sports)... And thought it would end up as a shallow, borderline-racist rom-com but there is depth in this movie.

Seriously, it tackles the great debate whether Die Hard can be considered a Christmas movie or not. How much deeper can a movie get?

The Empty Man (2020)

True to its title... This will leave you feeling empty

[5/10 · 23 September 2021]

Ridiculously long and dragging plot. It started off quite interesting, but lost its plot early on the movie. Could have been, should have been, would have been kinda movie - but it just wasn't it. Gave me Hereditary (2018) vibes by the end of it, except, just like the title suggests, the storyline felt very *empty*.

A Time to Kill (1996)

A painful, yet so important movie that could help people seek the truth.

[9/10 · 21 September 2021]

An adaptation that did the book justice. The acting, the pacing, and the script were all well done. But the most important thing about this movie is its message which unfortunately has still been proven to be of relevance decades after this movie was released. Give it a watch, and there you might find your truth - not from your mind, but from your heart.

Squid Game (2021– )

Not for the faint of heart!

[7/10 · 20 September 2021]

Probably one of the most cliché, "battle royale" kind of storyline... BUT... It was still very gripping, intense, and entertaining. Definitely a binge worthy show! I can really see the typical K-drama elements in this show - you know, the unnecessary and far-fetched plot twist that almost makes you feel like it's trying to make up for something? Yeah, that. I could probably list all the cliché and predictable moments in this show but I don't want to spoil it for anyone.

However, I can't deny the fact that this really did get me binge watching for 2 days. Perhaps, it's the great acting or the overly indulgent storyline - I'm not sure but I was hooked.

The Secret of Crickley Hall (2012)

Great mini series!

[7/10 · 10 September 2021]

I watched the entire thing in one night. This is really right up my alley with the horror and drama vibes. It was like an earlier version of Haunting of Hill House - just as gripping and enjoyable to watch. I would say it's more disturbing than scary but I appreciate the effort of not resorting to cheap scares. I see the effort that was put in the storyline. The acting was also on par and honestly, this was a good find.

Clickbait (2021)

If Creepypasta wrote a show... This would be it.

[8/10 · 29 August 2021]

It started a bit slow but when it picked up, it REALLY did pick it up and then chucked it through unimaginable twists. Seriously, it says created by Tony Ayres and Christian White... But I think they forgot to add Creepypasta on the list?

On another note, I think other shows can take note on how to do cast diversity flawlessly despite what the man on the poster tells your otherwise. You would just have to watch the show to find out.

Cruella (2021)

Cruella de Vil will definitely send you the chills!

[9/10 · 27 August 2021]

I have been waiting for this movie to finally be available for free on Disney+ and honestly... I wish I had watched this sooner! Brilliant acting, stunning dresses, and that storyline was just so cruel yet so good. Cruella de Vil, will definitely send you chills.

Lore (2017–2018)

It's like watching true crime podcasts come to life!

[7/10 · 25 August 2021]

I actually watched season 1 of Lore a while back. Did not realise there was a season 2 (not sure how I missed it tbh!). Now, I do remember season 1 feeling like my true crime and dark history podcasts episodes coming to life - and it was AMAZING. Season 2 wasn't bad either BUT the narration was somehow missing which was kinda disappointing. But or someone who listens to documentaries, true crime, and horror stories most of the time - this show is like a dream come true. Hopefully, someday, they can pick it up for another season WITH the narration included. There are so many dark lores to explore!

Sweet Girl (2021)

Entertaining at its best

[6/10 · 20 August 2021]

I saw Jason Momoa on the trailer and I watched it... Honestly, not bad. Not bad at all.

A bit far-fetched but as I was about to get bored with the storyline, it hit me with a very interesting plot twist. Watchable, decent, but don't expect too much.

Brand New Cherry Flavor (2021)

Petition for Season 2!!!

[8/10 · 18 August 2021]

So weird but so good. A very rare find for a horror based limited series to have such an interesting plot, good acting, and not resort to cheap scares. Rosa Salazar delivered an eerie yet well-fitting performance as the main character - like, I was genuinely scared of her at some point. The only sad thing is, since this is a limited series, another season is probably off the table... But I have so many questions!

Space Jam: A New Legacy (2021)

Resist your nostalgic urge to watch this, it will just ruin Space Jam for you

[4/10 · 15 August 2021]

Honestly, I could not get over how terrible LeBron's acting was. LeBron should have followed his own advice in the movie and remained in the court because he is no thespian! LeBron's acting aside, this movie looked a lot like a massive money bag for Warner Bros.

Truly cannot compare with the original Space Jam movie.

I found it difficult to watch the movie without getting distracted because it was like an ad after ad within the movie, followed by the mindless plot and constantly butchering my beloved Looney Tunes characters.

Again, another trailer-bait movie.

The Machinist (2004)

A movie you should add to your watchlist

[7/10 · 14 August 2021]

I was instantly intrigued by the movie - not sure whether it was my mind trying to process Christian Bale's dedication to his role due to the MASSIVE weight loss he had gone through for this movie or if I was just genuinely confused and trying to figure out what the heck this movie is about. A good psychological thriller that blurs the line between reality and delusions, it's very engaging trying to distinguish what is real and what isn't. I would just say, though, the ending felt underwhelming but oddly satisfying.

Alone (V) (2020)

Watchable but it just doesn't make much sense from start to finish

[5/10 · 9 August 2021]

Typical murderer/survival thriller movie with lots of questionable decisions made by the main character and unreasonably stupid scenes. Despite the lack of common sense in this movie, it's actually not terrible for what it is - a budget thriller movie.

If you like thriller movies, this one's decent because the acting is not that bad (which is unfortunately a common thing with budget movies with dumb storylines).

The Swarm (2020)

Confusing but in a bad way

[4/10 · 7 August 2021]

Went downhill from the very beginning, got even more confusing towards the end but not in a good mind-bending way - it was more on the terribly executed storyline. Perhaps, the good bits of this film were lost in translation. Either way, interesting plot but poorly executed. Did not feel any familial connections with the family in focus, was not drawn with any of the characters' acting, and a bunch of forced grotesque scenes that felt quite out of place in the entirety of it all.

Jungle Cruise (2021)

Nothing spectacular but nothing short of entertainment - good family friendly film

[7 August 2021]

I was told this was a "highly rated" movie and expected way more than what it was. If I were to describe this movie in three words: cliché, enjoyable, and average. A family friendly movie filled with overused comedic scenes with a little bit of PG rated romantic comedy and action on the side. It is what one should expect from a movie called "Jungle Cruise" by Disney. It's not terrible, it's definitely not boring. I honestly enjoyed it as much as I would have enjoyed a budget horror/thriller film filled with cheap scares. I guess, cliché becomes cliché because it is easy to entertain people. If there's anything extraordinary from this movie, it's the peculiar yet remarkable duo of Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt.

Antebellum (2020)

Not the worst, but definitely not as good as the trailer made it seem to be

[6/10 · 2 August 2021]

Thoughts: This movie gave me major Get Out (2017) vibes, without the brilliant storyline and out-of-the-box horror cinematics. It almost felt like it was trying to copy Get Out (2017). The issues presented by the movie were truly horrific but I am not sure if this should be considered more of a "thriller" than a "horror" movie. Although, it was successful to invoke feelings of what a horror movie tries to do - dread, repulsion, and loathing... In my opinion, it lacked the proper backstory and further look into each character or even the setting itself to make the main character's plight elicit any sentiment or excitement from the audience. The trailer seemed promising but the movie was a bit of a let- down, though still enjoyable and watchable.

The Mist (2007)

Watch this instead of the TV show if you haven't already!

[6/10 · 30 July 2021]

Okay, first of all, I think I would have appreciated this movie a lot more had I not watched the Netflix Original series, The Mist (2017) previously. But if I had watched this with fresh eyes, free from spoilers, I would have definitely been more engrossed, less likely to be frustrated by certain characters in this film. Nonetheless, it has all the elements of a class Stephen King ensemble: a crazy religious fanatic, unexplainable supernatural force in a small town, and a flawed yet somewhat likeable main character. I really want to describe how I feel about the ending, but I do not want to cloud anyone's judgment. It's best to watch this film not knowing much about it at all.

Mommy Issues (2021)

Cheesy, predictable, but entertaining enough to be considered one's guilty pleasure!

[5/10 · 28 July 2021]

Typical Filipino storyline with familiar and relatable characters for its Filipino audience. The movie starts strong with comedic yet overly familiar scenes many Filipino families could see themselves in. I did not expect Pokwang and Ryan Bang to work well as each other's love interest, but they surprisingly have an atypical yet refreshing chemistry. Sue Ramirez and Jeremy Ponce, on the other hand, lacked the chemistry to make the supposedly emotional scenes between have sufficient audience impact. Despite Gloria Diaz being listed as one of the main cast, her character, in my opinion, does not add much to the storyline. I think the ending was a bit rushed and anticlimactic - the build up to the resolution almost felt unnecessary. Overall, it's a basic rom-com Filipino film that successfully executed the comedic aspect of it, but not so much on the romantic/drama part of it.

Hostage House (2021)

Predicable, cringey, cheesy but not the worst out there

[4/10 · 27 July 2021]

I have bias towards anything thriller and crime movies, that even the bad ones would entertain me... And this movie did entertain me, despite being fully aware how awful it was. Each to their own I guess.

Black Widow (2021)

Natasha Romanov deserves a better movie than this

[5/10 · 26 July 2021]

Everyone knows how Black Widow has always been overshadowed by all the other Avengers, even though she is 100% bad ass. So, when she finally got her own movie, all I could say was, "FINALLY". But to my surprise, Black Widow (Natasha) did not even seem like the star of the show - not that the other Black Widow (Yelena) was bad. Similar to other Marvel movies, the comedic relief was on par. The plot seems to stay consistent with the Marvel cinematic world. But, unlike all the other Marvel franchise, the villain in this movie was PLAIN AF - no likeability, no charisma, and has a pointless storyline. Of course, like any Marvel movie, even the disastrous Incredible Hulk (2008), most people would still be able to say that it was at least entertaining to some extent.

Ghost Lab (2021)

Good movie to watch as background noise

[5/10 · 26 July 2021]

Seemed like a unique and intriguing concept of looking at the supernatural through the scientific lens. The execution, however, was far from intriguing as it resorted to cheap scares and cliché scenes.

In my opinion, the storyline was so basic, you can easily watch and understand the movie while going on your phone or doing something else.

Decent movie to watch as background noise.

Blood Red Sky (2021)

NOT A MASTERPIECE MOVIE, SO DON'T EXPECT TOO MUCH

[5/10 · 25 July 2021]

This movie trumps over Snakes on a Plane (2006) for sure. The first half was actually very well done. The second half up to the ending felt quite underwhelming. It's one of those movies that is entertaining at best, but actually has a subpar storyline and acting.

Major Grom: Plague Doctor (2021)

Don't waste your time

[5/10 · 20 July 2021]

Unnecessarily long story about a cop, turned masked vigilante with his try-hard Robin sidekick and a try-hard Joker villain. The only thing this movie successfully emulated from DC movies was its misleading trailer, setting viewers up for a major disappointment when they actually watch the movie. If you still somehow want to give this movie a go, you might as well go all the way in and waste your time further for the post-credit scene.