emedberry Reviews

A Merry Friggin' Christmas (2014)

Pretty much disturbing and sick

[8 December 2023]

I had anticipated a basically bad movie, but since Robin Williams was cast, I thought, hey why not watch it?

I really was not prepared for what this bizarre pile of sickness would launch at me.

Personally I have never watched any of the movies in the "Saw" franchise FOR A SPECIFIC REASON - because I don't want that level of disturbance in my life.

At about the 1-hour mark this film goes very, very dark-as in, DO NOT let kids or other impressionable people watch this movie AT ALL.

This is just so wrong on so many levels.

OK, so sure people have a right to make a really sick disturbing movie BUT PLEASE DON'T JUST GIVE IT A PG-13 rating .

How about a R-17 instead? Because that's what we have here.

Masala (1991)

Should be a Cult Classic

[10/10 · 20 November 2023]

After all these years, how can it be that this film is not deeply loved by millions? This is a classic comedy romp, full of love, interplay, culture-clash, materialism vs. Spirituality - everything's here! Beautiful people, silky onscreen presence, clever banter, respect for the medium of film that rivals Spike Lee......What happened?

If anybody has seen Do the Right Thing, or even a silly John Candy Movie, I just have to say they are missing out without really getting to know this film. If anybody is put off by the Indian/Hindu flavor here, then please pick up a book and realize that the Gods of Indian mythology are just like the Greek Gods - more like people than "Gods".

This movie is just f*&^^$ cute!!!

Mrs. America (2020)

I need to be a detractor here

[1/10 · 25 October 2023]

I will try to start with the worst and maybe end with some hope. First off, the person who directed this series cut the cast off at the throat, American people simply do not sound like this, no matter which state they come from.

You will not find any high-nasally-breathless people here. And I'm from California. Sure other states make fun of our accent but my God, this is just unbelievably bad. It's like a crime against language. It's painful to think that people around the world would watch this and think that that's what we actually sound like. Americans have a belly, and they speak with confidence, even if they're just talking about nonsense.

The actresses engaged in this production are far more skilled at language than this.

Also, as a lady born in California in 1963, my God, couldn't the writers be bothered to watch any old film reels or look at any old microfilm?

Oh God, and don't get me get started on the Blaxploitation stuff about using soul and disco music as a backdrop. And I'm pretty sure Chisolm had a NATURAL not a wig.

The only thing that might justify this *@#*^% show is if people are curious and actually study that part of American history.

Don't Worry Darling (I) (2022)

Alice in Wonderland got ripped off at the end

[6/10 · 28 September 2023]

The character of Alice deserved far more dignity at the end than she was given. Her adventures in wonderland were mysterious, foreboding, and fateful. She is the central character, the heartbeat of a wide-eyed girl with a backbone of steel. She is brave, powerful, wise, and most of all curious. I love this character as a heroine and a wanderer who is not necessarily lost. But the writers just kind of dumped her off!

The elements of The Stepford wives are there. The David Cronenberg shadings are impressive. Yet Alice's return from Wonderland didn't give her anywhere near as much respect as she deserved. Such an intelligent character deserves to be restored to her rightful place.

The Man Who Killed Don Quixote (2018)

Terry, you shoulda just let this one go

[4/10 · 25 September 2023]

Wow this is painful to watch. And, according to interviews with Terry Gilliam, it was a f*#^%( nightmare to make! I hate the fact that a man that I have long respected and loved decided to just throw a mud ball in our eyes.

It seems like his swan song should have been his brief role in Jupiter Ascending, where he still had his street cred.

Terry, please: delagate! Delagate! Delagate!

Hand the script over to somebody, anybody, who rolls by in the director business!

He coulda sat by, in an honorary director chair, and just sat back and enjoyed it all...OK yeah, I know it's easy for a nobody like me to say that. After all, who am I? Still luv ya Terry.

The King's Man (2021)

This does my heart some good

[10/10 · 28 August 2023]

Every facet of this movie is exquisitely honed in true craftsman style. Not polished, but rough-hewn and deeply lovable.

That is really the essence of my considered opinion, but since I must add more characters to qualify, I suppose I must prattle on.

There is a kind of "style and class" that doesn't attempt to be either.

Normally, I can pick off the things that I don't like about a film right away.

In my own quirky opinion, this film reminds me of what one journalist wrote about Dame Margot Fonteyn: "like honey coiling out of a jar" As a side note, my goodness, doesn't Ralph Fiennes age well? And that subtlety and shifting expression-so very English. Dry wit never lost, thank goodness.

They Cloned Tyrone (2023)

Imitation is not art

[3/10 · 4 August 2023]

Maybe this will sound naive, but OK they made money on this movie, right?

But if you want to leave a mark in history as a film maker, whynot just go for it?

There are so many old-school references in this movie that the possibilties for unearthing treasures is wide open.

But I guess there's no honor among thieves, right?

If I had written this and included so many throw-backs, I would have paid hommage to the original artists that I "borrowed" material from.

I don't feel like it's cool to steal like an artist but not just say, yeah, I stole like an artist. I mean, who are we kidding?

This is really not fair to the material that came before. It's just pimpin and disrespect.

Top Gun: Maverick (2022)

What it could have been

[2/10 · 20 May 2023]

I can see brief nods to the original film, but...I can't see "Iceman' as a sad old sack, or "Goose" just as a brief mention. There is also no nod to "Charlie", or to Goose's wife, Carole.

The only genuinely heartfelt part of this film seems to be the closing credit sequence. If they had built this movie on just that alone, I would have true respect for it.

This could have been a really decent film if they had given the supporting cast, the younger actors, free reign. Rooster and Hangman were rediculously overshadowed by Maverick.

If they had maybe written in a character as Maverick's illegimate son who turns out to be a crack pilot, that could have breathed life into this somewhat shallow story.

Hey JJ Abrams-are you busy right now??

Death on the Nile (2022)

A set of clashing sensibilities

[29 April 2023]

I was a bit puzzled yet intrigued at first by the decision to abruptly reimagine this story. The lush list of talented performers gave me a bit of hope, and yet the tone of this film was decidedly much more American than British. By the end I did not understand why this film is so dystonic. Oh wait! Now I get it! Ridley Scott! What is he doing trying to produce a classic European treasure? I liked Blade Runner, but, come on..... There's just too much going on here. "Too many cooks spoil the soup" I guess. Two strongly artistic people like Branagh and Scott - hmm .It might be better if they each did their own thing. I love both of them but I don't think it's a good mix.

The Power of the Dog (2021)

Uncomfortable, but Satisfying

[8/10 · 14 March 2023]

The psychological-thriller aspect of this film is quite taut. It reminds me of "There Will be Blood", yet not as violent. I was compelled by curiosity to see where it all led. Patience has its reward. The director who gave us "The Piano" and "Bright Star" has her reasons.

I remember the days when movies were only in theaters, and you had to choose between getting up and leaving, or staying to see how it ends.

Hitchcock, Bergman, Kubrick, Oliver Stone, David Cronenberg, and Ridley Scott all pushed the boundaries of the film medium in this way.

I can't say that I particularly enjoyed this film, but I feel sharper, wiser, and more acute nonetheless.

I want to watch it again , just to dissect the scenes.

Mayfair Witches (2023– )

I'm compelled and appalled

[3/10 · 27 February 2023]

As many of you know, this AMC series bears little resemblance to the original novels. I'm quite a bit confused as to why the writers changed the original story to such a degree. At the same time, anything having to do with Anne Rice is so tantalizing that I can't look away. I crave any details from her work that might remain. I sincerely hope that in the future other writers and producers who acquire the rights to her novels will treat them with the respect that they deserve. If this series inspires watchers to read Anne Rice's novels, then perhaps it's worth it. As a comparison, I was addicted to the HBO series Game of Thrones, even though I have read the books three times each.