dcsmith-05016 Reviews

Honor Society (2022)

Unexpected but very much enjoyed.

[8/10 · 1 November 2022]

I expected a typical teen popular girl falls for the nerd guy type of film and a dash of drama but I this was way better - there was both style and substance which is miraculously rare these days.

Initially I thought that Honor deserved better than Michael... but the friends she made were worth it. It would have been nice to see her get into a college she didn't expect and thrive.

It's sad to see the facade kids have to put on in high school just to survive the time they are stuck there for. Her mom was pretty damn cool too - making bread every day? The talent!

Guidance counselor (McLovin) belongs in jail. Ew.

The play? Brilliant.

Lightyear (2022)

I actually thoroughly enjoyed this

[7/10 · 14 July 2022]

Animation style was beautifully done. I don't think this is a movie for kids though - this is more for the adults that watched Toy Story when they were kids. Socks totally stole the show though :)

As They Made Us (2022)

Boring

[4/10 · 13 April 2022]

The cast list was appealing but unfortunately the story is boring. It didn't exactly have a point to it - just to watch a family member die slowly while reliving flashbacks of an emotionally abusive childhood? Not worth the time.

I only enjoyed the bond shared by the daughter and her father but that's it. The mother needed some other meds to be able to cope with her outbursts and rudeness.

Mass (2021)

So much pain...

[8/10 · 12 January 2022]

So much pain to have to comprehend such a loss, the acting was beautifully done and so fragile they really made you feel it. Uncomfortable, grief, anger, love - it was all there and so well portrayed.

Seeing the parents of both sides and how they mourned and managed to speak about their children was so hard but so interesting to hear. The victims are so often the point of these stories (as they should be) but this encapsulated the parents and especially the parents of the child that had committed such a horrid atrocity. I appreciated the rawness of it and did not expect to feel as though I was in the room with them but I did and that was intense.

Blown Away: Christmas (2021)

6/10 mostly for the intricacy of the glass blowing

[6/10 · 19 November 2021]

I was enthralled with watching the glass blowers challenge themselves and display their creativity, at the end of each challenge I was so amazed. I wish there was a bit more description behind exactly what they're doing to execute the task, like what tools do what or why they don't always wear gloves.

I don't like the host, his puns and trying too hard to get a laugh annoyed me. The second judge had the personality of a mop - why not explain the complexity of the execution? Tell us how hard it is to achieve what the glass blowers have done instead of giving a short judgement. Change the host and I'd watch another season. Maybe more contestants too.

Dune (2021)

VFX carried this remake

[9/10 · 25 October 2021]

To be blunt the story was a bit hard to follow, the VFX team deserve insurmountable awards for their work. I thoroughly enjoyed wondering how this was executed, what software was used and the amount of storyboarding that had to be done. I'd watch it again just for the VFX.

Final Space (2018–2021)

Rick and Morty could NEVER

[9/10 · 19 October 2021]

My boyfriend and I started watching this during intervals when one of us was busy with something and couldn't sit down to watch with each other. Eventually we both sat down and thoroughly enjoyed this show, not only is it funny but the graphics are cool as well. The storyline gets you emotionally invested (in a cartoon? I know!) I wish there were more seasons.

Copshop (2021)

Took a while to get going

[5/10 · 19 October 2021]

The only part I enjoyed about this film is the female lead, she was badass. The rest of cast was like dead weight... storyline was pretty boring and lacked appeal.

Untold: Caitlyn Jenner (2021) Season 1, Episode 3

It changed my mind.

[7/10 · 26 August 2021]

I didn't want to watch this but curiosity got the better of me, I always somehow felt sorry for Bruce - he was spoken to badly on television and surrounded by women that are obsessed with fame and other than Kris being exceptionally gifted in marketing her children for doing nothing but holding a name that their celebrity lawyer father gave them , there really is no substance in the Kardashians. This documentary showed me where he came from and gave us a view of how he got there, what drove him and what was truly bugging him throughout his life. I was angry when I heard she won the woman of the year award so I had made up my mind about how I felt about her transition (there is more to being a woman than putting on a dress and if you aren't born as one I believe you won't fully comprehend what it is like). This doc sheds new light on his past, his struggle to accept himself and for others to accept him, I had no idea he had another son! Seems like a nice guy. I appreciated that it was focused on Bruce at first and then showed Caitlyn - it is well made and doesn't veer off into the charade of his famous kids. It was almost wholesome. I wish her a happy life and I feel sad that it took her so long to get here.

Cruella (2021)

Not what I expected.

[9/10 · 11 July 2021]

Emma Stone is brilliant and Emma Thompson brings a new version of Miranda Priestly. The inclusion of Buddy, Wink and the Dalmatians brought a sort of warmth to the film. The fashion was beautiful and the filming locations very classy.

I'd give it a watch but don't expect to gain anything but envy and respect for Cruella.

The Tomorrow War (2021)

I enjoyed this.

[10/10 · 6 July 2021]

Papa Pratt was heart warming and cool, army Pratt was informative and considerate of his squad, it was awesome!

Didnt expect the White Spikes to look the way they did and when they finally hit the screen I was impressed! Awesome reveal.

I couldn't entirely predict the story line but I did think it would be cool for someone in the past to be able to meet someone they knew as an older version in the future. They executed that well.

Only criticism I have is that if they had killed the female when she started screaming the rig wouldn't have been overrun by the White spikes quite so overwhelmingly and maybe his daughter would have survived. The Time loop paradox was not considered - though I think this is because it would have changed the ending.

Overall I think it's one of the few movies that came out of 2021 that I'd watch again.

A Quiet Place Part II (2020)

Points for originality and throughly enjoy this.

[10/10 · 28 June 2021]

Loved the concept of the first film and very much enjoyed the sequence of events - had me so stressed and holding my breath, unable to predict the next occurrence. It was amazing. The sequel was just as thrilling and well thought. Definitely recommend these.

Nobody (I) (2021)

Good old fashioned - yet refreshing action flick

[9/10 · 18 June 2021]

I thoroughly enjoyed this movie, from underestimating the main character to being pleasantly surprised at how badass he turned out to be. Give it a watch - it's one of the "not so lame" movies to come out of 2021.

Spiral (2021)

Why was this even made?

[1/10 · 2 June 2021]

I really wanted to see this... but it really sucked. Acting on all fronts was B- grade - if I were at the Cinema I'd want my money back. It was a pitiful attempt at a SAW movie and how dare they give Samual L. Jackson such a mediocre role! The disrespect!

Could have been better. Gory scenes should have been more creative ... It's almost as though this is a SAW movie you'd order from Wish...

Boss Level (2020)

Surprisingly good

[7/10 · 15 March 2021]

Other than the washed out effect on the film coloring and the obvious macho man cast as the lead I found this film quite good - Naomi Watts appears to have aged gloriously and upholds her grace as an actress of high standard which is why I was curious about her role ... she did not disappoint I thought I'd get bored of the "been there done that" death loop theme but I liked this one. The dad aspect was also pretty cool and heart warming although I wish he would have told his kid that he was actually his dad. I'd say if you want to watch something different with a twist while being seemingly predictable then give this a watch.

Pieces of a Woman (2020)

Beautifully told.

[8/10 · 8 January 2021]

Having read previous reviews saying that this film sort of fell off after the opening seen - I was curious as to whether I would stay fixed. I did, I felt like Martha (Vanessa Kirby) acted beautifully and authentically as a woman experiencing the numbness of an excruciating loss, everything would set her off and yet it was like she was on autopilot. I don't think the film lagged at all - it was shot beautifully. The music score made me feel as though it was something Martha would have played in the background. Sean (Shia Labeouf) acted well but the character annoyed me - yes he was grieving but it escalated the ending of their relationship because he was just so out of sync and needed so much from Martha. Martha's mother really bugged me - she seemed so controlling and just plain would not listen to her daughter when she practically screamed that she did not want to pursue the case. The court scene made me cry, it was as though Martha drew back a curtain and saw her loss for what it was and what it would always be, not something that can be changed by a court case. I loved this film.

Uncle Frank (2020)

Sad but beautiful

[9/10 · 7 January 2021]

My main thought was that if you accepted someone sooner rather than later you would save them so much pain... in this movie he lost so much before he gained the support he had always wanted. The ugliness his father showed him really broke my heart and made me want to reach out and hold him, everyone deserves to love who they wish and be loved regardless of their preferences. Always be kind to people.

Promising Young Woman (2020)

Not original but refreshing.

[10/10 · 3 January 2021]

I was intrigued by the story line, satisfied with the romance - felt it needed a little more vengeance but when it came to the ending I was thoroughly satisfied. Carey Mulligan was sarcastic, witty and badass. The men were... well they had it coming.