rollstuhlwolf Reviews

Eighth Grade (2018)

That Awkward Feeling

[8/10 · 6 March 2019]

I am several decades removed from my days in 8th grade and definitely not a girl in any way. I say this because even growing up in a different generation and gender, this film didn't just remind me but also made me feel all that awkward uncomfortableness in vivid detail.

There lies the true beauty and understanding of this film and why it resonated so much with many people. It's an ageless, timeless and completely ubiquitous experience that nearly anyone can relate to. But instead of just a passive viewing experience, Bo Burnham has encapsulated and distilled the very essence of what was a uniquely difficult time for many people.

Even though some may find this film slow or uncomfortable, I think those of us who remember this time in our life with any degree of honesty will likely come away from viewing this movie with a nostalgia that will bring memories and emotions back that are so deeply engrained in us that several either forget them entirely or ignore them to the point they no longer affect us.

However, depending on your own life lessons, problems and even perhaps good things that occurred during this period in life; you WILL be affected by this cinematic gem. Even if it just gives you a moment of remembering that awkward feeling that loomed over nearly every day when you were in eighth grade then I believe the movie has accomplished what few other "coming of age " stories ever get right.

And that alone is worth the time spent watching this great snapshot of tween existence.

Whispers (III) (2015)

Did I see a different movie than everyone else?

[1/10 · 7 June 2017]

I honestly have little to no explanation for how this film currently holds a 7.2 rating on IMDb after nearly 5,000 votes. The "cinematography", if you can call it that, was practically non- existent as the movie looked as though it was shot with a middle of the road digital camera available at any local electronics store. The acting was stilted and of a quality generally seen on soft porn cable shows at 2 am on a weekend. The scares were completely absent, there was no atmosphere to speak of, and the screenplay was so bland and unoriginal that I'm embarrassed to admit I even sat through this atrocity. My only positive remarks can be that the film had competent sound and the special effects, although very short and infrequent, were acceptable and not as gaudy and awful as the other elements of this movie. Even the attempted save with a "twist ending" has been used before, and to far greater effect, in far better films than this.

I rarely feel obligated or find it necessary to review films, however, after seeing the ridiculous and completely unjustifiably high rating this film has I HAD to put down a few honest words to warn others that the real mystery and surprise of this film is how it ever reached its currently unreasonably high score.

It is a 3/10 (altered, read below) at the VERY best. Do not believe what I can only assume is an onslaught of fake reviews orchestrated by the film- makers in hopes of bolstering a larger audience than this awful movie rightly deserves.

You have been warned.

**UPDATED June 14th, 2017**

Upon closer examination and a little code searching, I can further state the external reviews posted are from quickly posted and cheaply made sites that have the depth of a kiddie pool and were created as phishing and data-mining sites. IMDb Should pay closer attention to the legitimacy of these alleged review sites, as many are known for accepting pay for a positive review and some are downright dangerous to visit if your computer is not secure.

This is an egregious misuse of IMDb and in my 12 years as a member, I've never seen votes and reviews promoting a film this blatantly horrible. For the film maker's deception and obvious scam, I am dropping my review to a 1, not that it will help the truth be more widely known about this absolute dog poop pile of a "movie".

IMDb and everyone involved in the fraudulent marketing and reviews for this film should be deeply ashamed.

Music Within (2007)

This movie is totally insulting and contradictory

[1/10 · 21 November 2008]

I just watched this movie in high definition on television. I am in a wheelchair due to a neuromuscular disorder and like to watch the few films made about those with physical disabilities.

At first I found the main character somewhat noble and captivating. His message about the disabled and the life time he spent fighting to have the disabled recognized and integrated into mainstream society's job market is great. And my problem isn't with the real person who did these things. HE was a great man. But this film is completely hypocritical and diametrically opposed to the very message it is preaching, that I found it insulting.

First of all, they didn't cast anyone in a title role with an actual physical disability. Sure they were competent actors, but it seems completely dis genuine to preach about hiring the disabled and then not actually HIRING THE DISABLED for anything in the film. Further compounded by the fact that in one scene mid way through the film a man is seen walking to a podium on crutches, appearing to have only one leg. But the CGI in this scene is so apparent it is shameful. What? They couldn't find an actual amputee anywhere for the film? For a 5 second shot it was more financially sound to do CGI effects than to just HIRE an ACTUAL amputee? At that point in the film I found it so fraudulent and completely against the message it was trying to convey that I came here to bitch and whine about it like the pathetic cripple I am.

Figure that out.

Illegal Tender (2007)

The man is wrong

[6/10 · 6 February 2008]

This is not a John Singleton movie as the person above me stated. And the reason it was given so little attention is because even though the cast of what most would consider unknowns is strong, it is just a generic John Singleton style movie replacing African Americans with Hispanics. If this film had been made 15 years ago it might garner more attention, but with so many generic life in the hood films made over the last two decades it is easy for something like this to slip under the radar. Good acting is not enough to carry a movie, there has to be a strong plot and character development. In fact, I'm surprised more Latinos were not upset by what seemed to me a very stereotypical look at life in a ethnocentric neighborhood. Personally, I feel a move like "Wassup Rockers" did a better and more entertaining job of looking at diversity issues, crime, bigotry, and even inter-cultural separation. Yes, its nice to see more Hispanic and Latinos in films. But if this is the roles they are getting no progress has been made and they got a long way to go.