nathanmcdougle Reviews

Madame Web (2024)

Is AI doing lazy writing or lazy people?

[4/10 · 3 March 2024]

*Spoiler alert l* Well, for starters it is better than The Marvels.....but not by much. Why does this feel like a computer spit this movie out? Did ChatGPT or Llama2 do this? Be honest. If they didn't it seems like you put a bunch of kids in the room that know nothing about Marvel, zero, and said create a Spider Woman with powers from a Spider? WRONG. How about we take all of that Spider energy and do a Spider Cameo with Peter Parker? The person madaam web should be helping in the first place? I think given that parameter Alexis could have written a better origin story. Lose the spider connection, the spidery village worshipping people, lose the spidery villain.....all that energy on spider spider spider and just use Peter Parker....geez that was a bit over the top, overly complex, and took too much of the film to weave that hot mess together. To be honest is Madaam Webb really an interesting character to begin with? Do we really want to create a sequel or a multiverse around this? I hope not. I hope you're not expecting me to come back for 3 or 4 more sequels on this to figure out who the heck were those 3 girls that Webb was toting around, not doing it. Boring here, boring there, boring everywhere. Now I've done my best to not spoil the villain or villains or 95% of the movie...,..but the flawed origin story needed to be talked about, Now let's talk about powers. She should have had access to them from the beginning.....like that should have been her side hustle from the start because what happens is that for the majority of the movie it's just normal people with normal jobs wasting precious air time, las if to say, ok for the first 45 minutes of the movie we need to tighten our belts and save pennies. No. Why have a marvel film and go cheap. There is going to be one scene that finally demonstrates her powered and it is going to be so lame especially when the camera pans out and you see how silly and impossible what this movie expects me to take in. Hint there is a body of water, a dead end..,,,no where to go but a runaway truck is going in that direction with about 15 ft of runway on a 15 mile per hour max port road? Really it's going fast on that small runway. The other thing I had was making those girls act like air head thots at one point of the movie, it's going to happen about an hour in and will feel very very out of place and annoying, lazy writing. My wife hated it, I thought it was, ok but not watching a sequel; 4 year old daughter loved it and she loved the Marvels. Disney has a demographic problem that needs to be addressed quickly or their only market will be preschool kids (and isn't that kind of the original market to begin with) is that what we want a Marvek novel to be? A movie that Boys, men, and adult women avoid. A movie that only small babies and young girls might have a vague interest in?

Wish (II) (2023)

I'm not a bot! Great family movie!

[10/10 · 22 November 2023]

Check my review track record, I am a very harsh grader, but today Disney got this one right! They have temporarily redeemed themselves. My wife and daughter (who requested this movie) LOVED it. Im not going to breakdown the story or the antagonist or protagonists journeys through their respective paths of light and darkness but it was well told.....and the villain flexes his stuff letting you know any fight will be a challenge (this is critical in any hero's journey). The ending was magical.....kind of an origin story of sorts. Would definitely watch a sequel if it goes where you will think it should go.

From start to finish it was a joy. It wasn't preachy, it wasn't morally on high. It was a normal back to the basics movie for kids and families. I will definetly be buying this for a rewatch once streaming comes out, my kid can watch good movies at least 30 times or more.

The Marvels (2023)

The dance sequence.........WHY?

[3/10 · 18 November 2023]

I want to get on my knees with my big glasses and snow cap on and scream into the heavens, I feel like I lost something that's never coming back. Marvel derangement syndrome is real.

Now let me begin, The writers of Lost, Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and my little pony got together to make a marvel movie; except for one thing.....they didn't invite the writers of the marvel cinematic universe. I thought I was watching an episode of lost because I was completely lost in this disorganized hot mess of a movie. I've been through what, over 20 movies faithfully since the beginning, and this is how I'm rewarded? I will never see another Captain Marvel, I'm sorry the character is flat, emotionless, and I just can't relate. I mean Wonder Woman got it right.....reboot this character or phase it out she serves no purpose.

Now this could have been a great movie with the current cast; but someone decided not to develop the characters and I'm sorry I'm not going to watch a TV show to learn about characters in a movie, not gonna happen. So you come in expecting to just know who some of these people are? Confusing as heck, who green lite the crossover from TV and theater platforms?

Lastly, let's take the most complex story line for an up and coming ensemble of unknown C list heros and hope they have the talent and backing of the writers and director to pull it off....... NO. They didn't, if it wasn't so ambitions and grandiose they could have pulled this off.

You will not get your moneys worth on this....but if you are curious, check it out at your own risk.

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022)

Mediocre

[3/10 · 25 March 2023]

This was supposed to be an epic cinematic experience. What happened? While it is difficult to follow in the steps of a very successful box office original; I would say there "was" enough in the last movie to make this one a meteoric hit; but instead the cast comes off as mediocre at best. And during the production everything that could have been used to turn this into gold was thrown out the window. The lead hero was miscast and doesn't get to show off the suit until the last 20 minutes of the film. At that point it seems kind of rushed; rushed even for an origin story. Chop the first hour of the film; and make the last 20 minutes be the beginning, splice some fluff in the middle and take the final 10 minutes of that ending b reel and stretch it out. Develop the villain a bit more. Flush him out. We have reached a point where marvel has to cast a female villain or a female heroin. And when they do that they have a tendency to remove "men" all together from the film. You know it's going to be boring when that happens? Right. I mean I fell asleep twice on this "action" movie. And I say this lightly because "casting" a formula without a "formula" is just an "empty" shell of a movie that checks all of the blocks accept the block for "is it entertaining". It's not a profitable franchise at that point; it's just a one movie wonder. This film gets a do over score of 10.

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)

Worth rewatching

[8/10 · 13 November 2022]

I have a 3 year old girl I dream of her bringing me grand kids. I have a 15 year old son. I dream of him bringing me grandkids. Disney remember this before you bring sexuality into your movies. I have a lonely lesbian sister and a lonely gay Teacher brother. If that is your audience fine..... but me and my family, and their family will stop watching Disney movies if that small percentage is who you cater to.

That aside the movie was good. Plenty of action. Will definitely rewatch it. But corporations need to stop trying to social engineer against Darwinism.

Keep themes of sexuality out because you will always lose in my house.

Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City (2021)

Does it's best to follow CAPCOM

[10/10 · 30 January 2022]

If you are a fan of the game it does it's best to follow the series. It tries to fit 2-3 movies into one and for that I am thankful that it doesn't leave us with a 2 movie cliff hanger. But the down side is that it will seem a little rushed and leave you wanting a longer movie. Jill and Leon were miscast; but the characters grew on me and I like the direction the film goes with those characters. I think they could have added 30 more minutes to unleash Mr. X and spent more time flushing out the police chief at the HQs, but I admit it's better to cut corners, condense the film than to make a 6hr trilogy to get it just right. That's what the game is for. If you want more get RE2 and play it on a console. Fans will like it. Folks that never seen, played or heard of RE will probably give this a lower score. I can and will rewatch it. Replay value.

Encanto (2021)

You'll get your moneys worth

[6/10 · 22 January 2022]

It's worth whatever you paid for to see it. Whether you saw it in theater, a streaming service, or bought it on a DVD if they even sell those these days. I found it a bit boring and a lot of dialogue that seemed hard to hear even though I turned my audio up. Maybe my set up was not the best, but yeah it's mildly ok. I put it right behind Muana and slightly ahead of Mulan.

Jungle Cruise (2021)

Entertaining....non stop ride...

[7/10 · 16 January 2022]

A cross between a poor man's Indiana Jones mixed with Laura Croft. If you like those classic films then you will enjoy this. Brings back a little of those films vibes, but in a modern era.

The Matrix Resurrections (I) (2021)

Watchable, but boring

[1/10 · 1 January 2022]

Certain things make a good story and I will list the things this thing lacks.

1. A GOOD STORY, It lacks the basics....plot, writing, all the things that the entire production team go to school to learn was absent in this.

2. A good cast...DEEP FAKE Morpheus in this thing. He can not be replaced. Not sure why Doogie Howser, M. D. was in this thing. HUGO weaving, again deep fake him in if you don't want to pay his salary. YouTubers do it with zero production budgets with better quality than hollywood.

3. Age. Let's be real the main cast is too old not believable.

4. It's boring! The minute I write a review during the movie it's a wrap.

5. You've been warned.

Black Widow (2021)

😒

[5/10 · 1 January 2022]

The only thing I can offer is that emoji in my title and a 5 star rating. If the emoji gets cleared think of it as that GIF meme of Ryan Reynolds doing a face palm in utter disappointment. Is it watchable, yes. Am I telling you don't watch it? No please do so if your interested in closing all of the angles of the MCU. But in my honest opinion this movie was hot garbage; perhaps that was why Hawkeye went direct to a TV series. And this quite frankly should have been a made for TV movie.

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021)

If felt like a Disney movie

[5/10 · 1 January 2022]

It felt like at at any moment Eddie Murphy was going to pop in. But in the absence of that slap stick an adequate side kick is there. For some this is ok. However, this is Marvel or at least it was at some point. It's watered down into something that is not within the MCU. Not saying don't watch it. Please do. But after you watch it it doesn't leave you coming back for more. It would take an act of Congress to get me to watch a sequel. I'd rather watch Will smith make a come back in Aladdin 2, the Human adventures.

Wonder Woman 1984 (2020)

I wish I can enjoy this movie!

[2/10 · 28 December 2020]

This movie could have been great. But it bites into a story that was bigger than the writers could capture and larger than the budget could handle.

Freaky (2020)

Starts mediocre and slowly rolls down hill

[1/10 · 28 December 2020]

Caught this with some friends so yeah otherwise I would not have watched it. It's hot a hot mess. Is interesting in the first half, a little bit of the middle was ok. But the ending is long, drawn out, rushed....almost fell asleep. And it gets stupid. This is a one star movie. Do not be fooled. It's pure dribble. Watched with 2 girls and 1 guy and the two girls rated it lower than me, the said 0 stars!

Mulan (2020)

Zero character development

[5/10 · 8 September 2020]

Lots of moving lips and dialogue just for the sake of moving the story forward. Sadly the story doesn't move the characters forward with it. This movie looks beautiful, I'm not going to bash the cast....but the writing sucked. It's flat. It's boring. And it is not entertaining at all. There's no montage to explain why Mulan is good; she just "digs deep" when the moment calls for it and gets "tough" and gets stronger than a man. I'm sorry that's hard to follow in the "real world". And if I have to follow it in the fantasy world then you better write a darn good story.

Bloodshot (2020)

Very interesting story

[10/10 · 16 March 2020]

I'm a Soldier so I'm a bit biased with my rating. But as far as concept, this was interesting and entertaining. I hope they have a sequel.... no spoilers.

Birds of Prey (2020)

It's a 6, an enjoyable 6

[6/10 · 10 February 2020]

It's not Deadpool. Tries too hard to imitate. Not sure if this is the style of story telling best suited for H/Q. I think if they followed the format of suicide squad it would have been a bit better pull to swallow.

Also it's nice how Male and Female characters get along nicely but in ultra feminist movies they have to have a butch, femboy males, and brain dead males. Not sure if I will rewatch. I took my son and his friends to this (would not have watched otherwise)...and this was the hardest pill for all 3 of us to swallow. Too caustic. Too many themes in your face. Takes 40 minutes for you to finally get a laugh in. Will not be watching a sequel. But it is worth watching once

Dora and the Lost City of Gold (2019)

13 and below will enjoy

[5/10 · 19 August 2019]

This movie is weird. Has so much potential with what they are trying to do. Not an original concept.

First half is spot on; second half delves even further into weirdness; finally third of movie tries to recover but doesn't.

If u have kids; take them, if ur adults then you've been warned

Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw (2019)

Wow. Let's talk about this train wreck

[6/10 · 2 August 2019]

The good, your 12 year old son will like it. But if you were a teen or 20 something year old when the franchise kicked off in 2001 you will have no clue what is going on.

I gave it a six because of the stars in this thing; but the writers did not give much to work with. I feel like the F&F team was setting the Rock up for failure because this type movie is too much for him to handle. It's too much.

It's too over the top.....this would have been s great stand alone movie separate from the F&F universe.

Worth the ticket? Sure why not it's non stop action so that's what it's all about but this is the only F&F movie that I fell asleep on it's too long.

Anyway go see it if ur a die hard fan like me. But don't expect too much....

Spider-Man: Far from Home (2019)

Good but not Great

[6/10 · 4 July 2019]

You're gonna get your moneys worth. But this movie tries to be something it's not. It should not have been made; it has folks trying to figure out who they are and where to go next after endgame. If we have had endgame then cut the umbilical cord and get the nipple out of spideys mouth..... make "his" movie and not a memorial or homage to a closed chapter. Maybe this was a loose end. Just hope the next spidey focuses on a new beginning.

Pokémon: Detective Pikachu (2019)

Out of the ballpark

[10/10 · 12 May 2019]

Family movie - check Entertained my 11 year old son who has pleaded with me EVERY single day to take him ; who offered to treat ME with his pocket change to watch it - double check. Hollywood propogabda absent - triple check This is the stuff I grew up wth and yeah it's a little far fetched.... but so was the stuff that I loved as a kid. The story was perfect, hard to find this stuff these days. And the actors were great

The Intruder (I) (2019)

Not a bad B movie but clearly made for TV

[6/10 · 3 May 2019]

After watching this movie I am now an even stronger advocate of border security although I'm not sure that was the message this propaganda wanted me to get.

It is deliciously flawed, and predictable, but remained entertaining despite knowing that the actions in no way reflect what someone in real life would do.

Dennis Quaid looked like a 52 year old in prime form; and he was entertaining as he did feats that your average 65 year old grandpa could only dream of doing. If not for him I would have gave it a 3.

Meagan Good was hot AF, hide your wife from your neighbors if she is as naive as this one. That's a harassment or assault case waiting to happen.

But this would have been best suited for direct to video or on skinemax or lifetime

Captain Marvel (2019)

Good forgetable action movie *spoiler alert*

[5/10 · 12 March 2019]

*spoiler alert* Nice formula, but there are no engaging movements that allow you to connect or rememeber the action heroin. She fades away with the role of the credits.

Second point since planet of the apes Hollywood has constantly bombarded themes and messages about immigration and "walls" into their movies. Look I'm married to an immigrant and am a descendant of a legal immigrant....if her family or mine could cross 9000 miles of ocean here, heck yes the would....but the can't, and nor should anyone else. Get in line. Also if these kind tree hugers continue to overpopulate worlds in a quest for a home wouldn't they displace the residents.

Alita: Battle Angel (2019)

Should be better than avatar but.....

[7/10 · 16 February 2019]

Greed....Hollywood greed is what kept this movie from being a 10 vs a 7. Hollywood just assumes that I will watch all of the hunger games trilogy..... I did not. I watched the first one (at the theater), part of the second (on cable), and I've never seen the third.

The latest avengers with the infinity gauntlet....it feels like it's almost two years have passed.....there no gaurantee I'm going to plop some cash down to see that conclusion in the theater as well....

...and now to Atila....I wanted to see a movie and now what I have is half a story and I don't know when I will find out what the hell is going on. It could be one year, two years, or in the case of hunger games Never.

Other than that it's a good flick u will be entertained, but you will not leave satisfied

What I do love about this movie as much as the action is the light exploration of sexuality from a human and androids perspective is it possible to love someone who we aren't sexually compatable with...can humans love machines and is a machine capable of love? And it's interesting to view alita as feminine when in fact her body isn't really a gender per say but this is how she views herself. I find that fascinating more than the story itself. Bicentennial man pulled that "human" perscpective off personally, but this is not that kind of a movie and isn't the primary focus but alas one can't help but think about it long after the credits have rolled

Happy Death Day 2U (2019)

Umm it's okay.......but

[6/10 · 16 February 2019]

Trying to outdo a movie like this is hard. It's hard because you can't pull it off without some explaining to do......you can gloss over that splainin and hope the audience forgets or you can take us down the road of quantum leap with a bit of twilight zone mixed in....and drag us into the classroom to learn what the freak is going on. The movie gets an A for effort but fails by becoming too sci fi focused. It really forgets that it's a horror movie and becomes an episode of SLIDERS.

The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part (2019)

Perfect family movie

[8/10 · 16 February 2019]

No politics (well minus one minor cameo) No hidden agendas (minus maybe a tiny tiny bit part)

But basically it's a movie that does what it is supposed to do.... let your forget your worries for 2hrs and be entertained vs an attempt to brain wash you. I think it's the best movie so far within the franchise