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Robot Dreams (2023)
There are No Electric Sheep
Robot Dreams is a 2D animated film by director Pablo Berger. The movie takes place in a world of cartoon animal people. The movie contains no spoken dialogue, so all the emotional beats are communicated visually. The story centers around a dog who is lonely, so he decides to purchase a robot friend. The dog and the robot go on various adventures, and I won't get into too many other details about the story.
This is a very charming movie. It is an innocent, easy-going and incredibly sweet film. It is great for audiences of all ages as you just watch and vibe with the characters. But it then gives an ending that really makes you think.
Final Score (2018)
Pierce Brosnan isn't in it Much
Yeah, it's "Die Hard" in a soccer stadium. It is almost comical how many plot points this movie "borrows" from the 1988 classic, all it's missing is having it take place during Christmas. But, in all honesty, it isn't a bad thing to be like "Die Hard".
Dave Bautista plays our John McClain for the film, and he does a good job. Bautista is a wrestler who has actually put in the work to become a believable actor. There are emotional beats in this film that he delivers very well. And the movie understands that in order for the story to work, our protagonist has to be vulnerable. And they do a good job of making Bautista feel like he is on the backfoot for the majority of the film.
If only the film could have rip offed the same sort of tight story telling. Great action choreography and top notch directing of "Die Hard".
Dr. Terror's House of Horrors (1965)
Dr. Horror's House of Terrors
Anthology horror movies are not for everyone. The format feels more like a setup for a TV show than it does for a feature film. But, if you are OK with a film that is comprised of 5 unrelated short stories, then this is an enjoyable horror film perfect for the Halloween season.
The movie has a spooky but not overly scary vibe. The monsters range from werewolves and vampires to disembodied hands and killer plants. The movie has a sincere tone, which makes it just the right level of camp.
It helps that this film has a cast of horror movie legends like Christopher Lee, Peter Cushing and Donald Sutherland.
Around this Halloween season, let this Doctor make a house call.
Transporter 3 (2008)
Just Bribe the Politician next time
The movie speeds quickly through the setup so we can get to the main hook of the story. That being, Frank Martin (Statham) can not get 100 feet away from his car. If he gets out of that range, he'll explode. Meanwhile, evil Captain Planet villains want to pollute the environment. Senator Charles Nickels is being blackmailed and pressured to sign the pro-pollution deal.
I know the setup is just an excuse to have Statham do action, but I just want to highlight the stupidity of the crew at the beginning of the movie. They open a thing of hazardous waste and begin to melt away because, and I quote: "There's got to be some booze around here." I don't mean to be insensitive to fictional dead people, but if they are really that dumb they kind of got what was coming to them.
Now, let's talk about that Statham action. It is clear that Jason Statham has the skills to back up his action crime fighting persona. And this movie has some well written action scenes. There is one where he fights off 4+ men while preventing his coat from falling off the coat rack. Problem is, the scenes are not shot nor edited with any clarity, the movie is cut to pieces in the editing.
Natalya Rudakova is Statham's passenger this time around. Her character came across more annoying than anything else. It is hard to buy any romantic chemistry when Frank Martin has had a different romantic lead in each of these films.
The movie isn't without its cool moments. There are some cool action scenes on bikes, on trains and of course on cars. And in the end, that is really what people are looking for in these films.
The franchise may be running low on gas, but it will still get you to where you need to go.
A Quiet Place: Day One (2024)
Shhhhhh!
For a prequel to "A Quiet Place", particularly with it being called "Day One" most were under the assumption that this movie would focus on humanity discovering the mechanics of these alien monsters. In the first two 'Quiet Place' movies the invasion has already been going on for enough time that everyone knows to keep quiet to stay alive. But, just getting this out of the way, the movie quickly has the world know, "Hey everyone, the aliens have super hearing to stay quiet." When I watched that, I heard the audience let out a collective "aw man.". That was an opportunity to differentiate itself from the other films in the franchise. If everyone knows to stay quiet, how is this any different than the others?
Well, the key difference here is the characters. Where the other films follow a family on the run, this one follows Samira and her cat Frodo. She is played very well by Lupita Nyong'o. Given what this character is going through at the time of the attacks, it leads to some very interesting set-ups. That is the film's greatest variation from the others.
Other than that, the scares, cinematography, sound editing and suspense are all good in this one. If you liked the first two you will like this one. If you are typically not a horror fan, this movie still might work for you, it is a good suspense thriller. Grab some pizza, find a quiet place and give it a watch.
The Rundown (2003)
Let Me Give you the Rundown
With the power of hindsight, it is funny to see how this movie would become the blueprint for all future Rock projects. Yes, it takes place in the jungle, where Johnson would make his home in both "Jumanji" and "Jungle Cruise". But even without that point, the whole thing just screams 'Rock Movie'. The action-comedy tone, the random fight scenes based on simple misunderstandings, the action being a series of quick cuts that are barely watchable, the bad CGI and even the way the story unfolds is all classic Dwayne Johnson style. Most importantly, the character he plays is the character he would go onto play in every movie going forward. Oh, and Christopher Walken is in this, and he is always a fun box of crazy.
If you're a fan of The Rock, then this movie will be right up your alley. But if you think his movies are OK at best, this one is a run of the mill action movie.
The House That Dripped Blood (1971)
It is Just Red Paint
"The House That Dripped Blood" is an anthology horror film that tells 4 different stories that all take place within the same spooky house. The stories are told using some of the best horror icons including Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee.
Despite all four stories involving the house, they do an excellent job of differentiating the stories with varied settings and conflicts.
Typically these types of stories don't gel as well for film as they do for TV shows. The movie does one story for about 20 minutes, then shifts to a completely unrelated narrative for 20 minutes. This can feel like they are not capitalizing on the feature length format, and more at home as a TV show.
The four stories and the framing device are all entertaining. They are well directed with engaging cinematography and talented actors. And the ending is just the cherry on top.
Watch and see if you can find out what is wrong with the house that... that has bad stuff happen in it.
Wait Until Dark (1967)
Wait Until the End
Audrey Hepburn plays Susy Hendrix, a blind woman who finds herself unwittingly in the middle of an elaborate drug smuggling scheme. The movie begins with people hiding drugs inside a doll. The doll finds itself in possession of the Hendrix family who are unaware of its significance. 3 Men then conspire to steal the doll from the blind lady and are willing to do whatever it takes to get that doll.
Terrance Young, best known for his Bond films, directs a very tense and tightly written thriller. By today's standards the film may seem slow paced. The movie does take some time to get going but give it some time. This movie is a great example of setup and payoff.
You may not see it coming, but when it comes it is great.
The Wild Robot (2024)
These Feelings Do Not Compute
Chris Sanders has the ability to take some of the most cheesy sounding stories and injecting them with such life that it would melt the heart of even the coldest cynics. This time around Sanders tackles: what if a robot had to determine what love is? On paper, that sounds like the most cliched story. But gosh darn it, Sanders creates another animated classic.
Sanders uses his experience from both "Lilo & Stitch" and Toothless and Hiccup to make another unconventional match up with Bright Beak and Roz. Even his time with "Call of the Wild" hasn't gone to waste. Because in typical Jack London style, Sanders has made "the wild" in this movie seem legitimately dangerous.
This is a perfect Mothers' Day film. The titular robot is tasked with raising a baby goose, and the robot must learn how to parent. By the end of the film, I had to call my mom and tell her thank you for raising me and I love you.
There are times in the film where the animators just feel like showing off. Let's have hundreds of butterflies, let's have the most beautiful sunset, let's have all these animals look adorable. The movie goes the extra mile to make its animation stand out, it is gorgeous.
The movie can also be quite funny. They know when to let an emotional moment set in, but there are some really great jokes in this film.
Every time I think the movie is going a direction I don't like, every time I think it is doing something overly sappy or cliche, the movie pays me back with a great scene.
My only real problem comes towards the end. The movie has a great emotional climax that they could end on, but then they add in some extra bits that I don't mesh with the movie's tone up to that point.
Out of a scale of 1 to 10 how would I rate its performance? 8 out of 10.
Lily C.A.T. (1987)
"Among Us" The Anime
13 Crew members go out into deep space. After awakening from 20 years of cryo sleep, the captain is informed that two members of their crew are imposters. Also there is a strange alien disease that has made its way through the ventilation. And if that isn't enough, there seems to be another sinister force picking off the crewmates one by one. Will all of these elements connect or is it just one really unlucky day?
Yes, the setup is undeniably reminiscent of "Alien", but with such a cool premise, you can forgive other movies from poaching from it. And this movie has enough unique to separate itself from the "Alien" franchise.
The music in this film is jamming. It sounds like the music could be coming out of a Sega Genesis. It is a good tech synthesizer spook sound.
With such a large cast of characters the movie does a good job of making everyone feel unique. The animation and voice acting help each person stand out. As you watch, you place your bets on who is going to be the next one eliminated and who will live to the end.
This is a fun sci-fi action horror for those trying to mix things up for Halloween. Sometimes the fake jump scare is just a cat. Other times, the cat is the real jump scare.
Bud Abbott and Lou Costello Meet the Invisible Man (1951)
Invisible Man vs Rocky
I will not try to explain where this falls in the Invisible Man continuity or the Abbott and Costello timeline or the larger Universal Monster Universe cannon. All these films exist in their own little bubble. If you try to connect them to the larger picture it leads to headaches. Such as, why are people acting like an invisible man is unprecedented? Didn't John Griffin already make an invisibility formula? Didn't Bud and Lou already meet an invisible man voiced by Vincent Price?
Abbott and Costello are comedic gods. They have made some all-time hilarious bits. And in this movie, there is some of that charm to be found. There are funny bits with the Lou counting money. But there is simply too much nonsense that breaks the rules of the world. Invisibility does not equal disappearing. There is a scene where Lou is holding onto the invisible man while he turns invisible, and his hand then phases through him. He didn't teleport, he's still there.
Character decisions don't add up. There is a scene where the invisible man wants to hide from the cops. So, when the cop comes in, Lou hides the invisible man by putting a blanket over his head. He's invisible, just let him stand there. It would be one thing if only Lou thought of this, but they all buy into it. This is not consistent with the other characters. The movie is full of these logical inconsistencies
If you are willing to turn a blind eye to the flaws, there is a good time to be had. But for me, the problems are all too visible.
Kyofu densetsu: Kaiki! Furankenshutain (1981)
Sempai Did Notice Him
50 years after the Universal classic, Toei animation puts their hand into adapting Mary Shelly's monstrous novel, "Frankenstein". In many ways this version is more faithful to the original novel, although I still wouldn't write your book report with it. The visuals of the monster are clearly borrowed from Karloff's portrayal.
This is a charming incarnation of the story. The focus on this version is on Victor's guilt for what he created and later, his daughter Emily. Teaming the monster with a young anime girl just feels right. One of those, only the wide eye innocence of a child can see the truth.
It will never replace the original, but this is still a version that utilizes the story to teach some powerful lessons about pride, science, mob mentality and inner beauty. It is the right balance of Halloween spook and wholesome cuteness.
Eraserhead (1977)
So, What do You Know Henry?
The movie wastes no time in letting the audience know what they are getting into. They're about to watch a super weird and unorthodox movie. The first 10 minutes of the movie has no spoken words, consisting mostly of some surreal visuals.
After a thoroughly strange and awkward dinner we find out that our main character, Henry Spencer, is a father to be. His girlfriend, Mary X, is pregnant and they are to be married. The story is then about the two of them trying to raise their...child?
That sums up the part of the movie that follows any sort of cohesive narrative. The story is about them taking care of the kid. But the manner in which the movie tells this story, is hard to put into words. It is a movie you'd have to see to believe.
I do not recommend watching the film to find out. It is a thoroughly unenjoyable movie. From the visuals to the audio, it is unpleasant to watch. There are stretches of the movie that made me feel physically sick as I watched it. In the same way I give a movie credit if it makes me cry, I take away credit if a movie makes me gag.
I wish I could erase this film from my head.
The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1923)
Everybody Fighting for Esmerelda
Before Lon Chaney Jr. Became the Wolfman, Lon Chaney Sr. Was becoming a horror movie icon with his silent film performances. Daddy Chaney starred as the Phantom in "The Phantom of the Opera" and Quasimodo in "The Hunchback of Notre Dame". Both of these classic silent films have been remade several times and have become more famous as musicals. But today, we look at the original big screen adaptation of Victor Hugo's story.
This is one of those movies where you have to preface just about every praise with the qualifier: "For its time.". Really, it's a miracle that this film has survived for over 100 years. As you watch it on any streaming service you get that idea that the original film this is being played on is set to fall apart any second.
This was an ambitious project. Due to the limitations of the time, the silent films typically have an easy to follow story with little dialogue and easily recognizable conflicts. Hunchback has more going on in its story than say, Charlie Chaplin trying to impress a girl. Don't get me wrong, a big portion of this story is trying to impress a girl, but there is a lot more to it.
Consequently, the viewer really has to give this silent movie their full attention. And when I say silent, I mean silent, there was absolutely no music backing in the version I watched. Ir becomes a situation where I ask, does this even count as a movie? It is more a visual novel than a movie.
I respect the film for what it was trying to do, and it may make an entertaining backdrop for a Halloween party. But I can't recommend sitting down and watching the full thing.
Don't Breathe (2016)
Can't Turn a Blind Eye
Before getting to the elephant in the room, let me talk about all the positives of the film. The film is very well directed. There is no shaky cam or overabundance of jump scares. It is a very tightly written film, items introduced into the story are utilized in various ways throughout the film. The movie optimizes silence and captures suspense and never gives the audience relief.
It is also a novel set up, the thieves break in, and then find themselves having to break out. But with this unique premise, it leads to the movie's major flaw. I simply do not root for the characters on either side.
Sherlock Holmes and the Secret Weapon (1942)
Thanks Sherlock, You Stopped the Nazis
This is a strange situation. The Basil Rathbone version of Sherlock Holmes has been a mostly faithful representation of the famous detective. Unlike "Elementary" or BBC's "Sherlock" the series doesn't take place in modern times. It is a period piece, to reflect the inception of the character in 1887. That way crimes and problem solving remain timeless. Or is it?
In this 1942 film, Sherlock is trying to stop the Nazi from getting the secret formula for a better bomb. So, I guess this Sherlock Holmes was taking place in contemporary time. Not a criticism, I just thought it was strange to consider this movie as being topical when it was released. The movie even concludes by telling the audience can help the war effort by purchasing war bonds "here".
The movie is a good portrayal of Sherlock, Watson and the gang. It is amusing to hear Sherlock and Moriarty discuss who is smarter. Moriarty refuses to simply kill Sherlock, but instead insists on doing a more elaborate death trap to prove how sophisticated he is. It is the same excuse Bond and Batman villains might give for not just killing the hero. But the ego of Moriarty makes the reasoning feel justified.
The story, pacing and mystery aren't all that engaging. It is pretty straight forward, with no real twists. There isn't much joy in trying to solve the mystery along with the characters. Instead, we just watch them stumble over each other.
But it is the characters that make this adventure fun. The rivalry of Moriarty and Holmes and Watson and Holmes back and forth are both delightful. The WWII war bonds setting helps this entry feel like a unique time capsule. Thank goodness for Sherlock Holmes, I'm not sure what the war would have been like without him.
The Invisible Ray (1935)
The Ray is Very Visible!
Boris Karloff plays a mad scientist. He may claim to be a sane scientist, but no one that says, "They all laughed at me...well, we'll see who laughs now." is well-meaning scientist. He takes a group of 5 people to Africa to find "Radium X". The scientist is poisoned and begins to glow. He gets jealous that other people are getting credit for his discovery. And he wins the Noble Prize. So really this is a lot like the discovery of normal Radium.
Karloff's motivation does not make a lot of sense. They kind of hand wave things away by saying that the Radium X makes people act crazy.
Radium X may be dangerous, but at least it gave us the PowerPuff Girls.
The Gorgon (1964)
Don't Get Gorgonized
It's Hammer Time, with Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing. Some might be perplexed why Christopher Lee gets top billing when he isn't showing up much. I justify the decision with saying that they measured it from who are the most interesting characters. Lee steals every scene he is in and moves the plot forward.
The movie does a good job setting up a creepy uneasy feel. They establish a mystery; the citizens all seem to be keeping some secret. The characters feel expendable, any one of them might be killed. And they use a monster type that isn't overly used.
The pacing is just a little slow. The audience connects the dots a lot quicker than the heroes. And the movie can feel repetitive. And the finale is...the finale is good horror cheese, I enjoyed it.
Transformers One (2024)
You Done Messed up A-A Tron!
I walk away from "Transformers One" asking Hollywood, how did it take so long to make a good one of these? It is not that complicated, they made a Transformers movie, that was actually about the Transformers. The human characters are not the main characters of the story, its the Transformers. Why did we have to wait through 8 movies to get to this one?
This one has the touch, it has the power. The characters are likable, the jokes are good but not overbearing and the action is good. Cybertron is a great setting, it is a transforming planet. The setting feels like a character itself, in more ways than one.
The chemistry and comradery between the main characters is the main hook of this. The story is nothing all that unique, but it is still well done. And the character's going through the journey is what makes it captivating. The Transformers brand lends itself well to the medium of animation, there is so much you can do with the characters that becomes disorienting in live action.
The ending has a few decisions that frustrate me. The celebrity voice acting isn't bad, it just feels unnecessary.
But overall, it these are the type of Transformers movies we are going to get, then I say, roll out the sequels.
Black Friday (1940)
There Are No Clearance Sales Going On
First order of business, if you are here to see Karloff vs Lugosi, this will disappoint you. Karloff and Lugosi are both in the movie, but they don't fight each other, they don't even share a scene together.
Instead, this is the Stanley Ridges show. He plays double duty, playing both Red Cannon and Dr. Kingsley. This duality is created because Karloff did a brain transplant, placing Cannon's brain into Kingsley's body. It then becomes a sort of Dr. Jekyll Mr. Hyde situation.
There is one decision made that creates unnecessary confusion. When the transformation happens, Ridges changes hair and physical appearance, but according to the movie, no on can see the difference, just the audience. To convey this they should have done some sort of mirror shot to highlight what the world is seeing compared to the audience.
It is a neat concept, the motivations of all involved are clear and simple enough to make the rest of the film a fun watch. It has nothing to do with "Black Friday", but it might make a fine Halloween movie.
Das Cabinet des Dr. Caligari (1920)
What Did I Just Watch?
Never have I watched a film that felt more like a nightmarish fever dream. Everything about it feels just a bit off. The acting, the makeup and even the set is very strange. Nothing quite adds up. The movie doesn't follow a coherent narrative but operates on a sort of dream logic. The story is about Dr. Caligari coming into town with a carnival show. He has a creepy man named Cesare who can answer any question the audience has. But it appears that Cesare is being controlled by Caligari to commit murders. Or is he? This strangeness makes the movie creepy. You have to respect it, but you don't have to like it.
Wind River (2017)
Action Thiller at its Finest
Critics may argue that this movie is nothing more than a feature length version of an episodic police procedural. And honestly, that would be enough. But this one also includes great actors doing great acting. Jeremy Renner and Elizabeth Olson are bringing out their A-game and acting the crap out of their scenes. It has a cool setting, one that adds a lot of personality and dimension to the story. Throw in some great visceral action. And top it all off with some great characters who go on compelling character arcs, and you got yourself a great action thriller. Straightforward no nonsense good stuff.
The 39 Steps (1935)
That's Too Many Steps
As a Hitchcock fan, it is neat to see the beginnings of so many tropes that would soon become staples in Hitchcock's later filmography. Despite not yet being perfected, the skills are still apparent.
Robert Donat plays Hannay, an unaware bystander who gets thrust into the complex world of espionage and conspiracy. The police are after him for murder, and mysterious figures want to murder him.
Hitchcock's unique style of suspense and humor are on display in this adventure. Every little character that enters the story breathes new life into the movie.
For a film from the 30's, the pacing is very modern. There are some rough transitions where characters manage to escape situations too easily. Even early on, it is clear Hitchcock has the mentality of: "Cops are dull". There are some plot points where you could argue that the police should be able to take care of things. But in order for the movie to happen, our characters have to take a few extra steps.
Violet Evergarden (2018)
What is Love?
Violet Evergarden wakes up in a hospital. She is an orphan who was raised for war and became a cold efficient killing machine. She is baffled by her superior officer's last encounter. He confessed his love for her and told her to go out and live her life. She becomes an "Auto Memory Doll", basically a professional scribe. She's writes letters on behalf of others, all the while she wants to know what love is.
Starting with the obvious, this show is beautifully animated, one of the best-looking shows I've ever seen.
This show gets all the emotional beats down. When it has action, it is edge of your seat action. When the show is sad, it is grab the tissue box tearjerking sad. And even when it is funny, it is a laugh out loud funny joke.
There is one story beat that feels a tad forced. It leads to some great scenes, but the manner in which the story gets there feels unnatural. Some characters say things that no person would ever say to another person but in order to ratchet up the drama, they say it.
But looking beyond that misstep, this is a top-notch anime series. It is definitely worth your time. Just be prepared for some tears. This series will make you cry like a baby, and it hurts. Baby don't hurt me, don't hurt me...no more.
Kagami no kojô (2022)
Take a Look in the Mirror and Make a Change
7 Outcast middle schoolers find a gateway to a magical castle in the mirror. They are told that in the castle there is a hidden key to a room. If any of them are able to get into that room they will be granted a wish.
OK, there is a lot of nits to pick in this story. First, the kids are told of this magic, yet they don't really concern themselves with finding the key. Most of the story they just use the magical castle to hang out. They don't go on magical adventures in an enchanted castle, they just eat food and occasionally play some board games.
The 7 kids always feel like they are 3 steps behind the audience. They try to unravel pieces of the mystery that logically could have been figured out in a 5-minute conversation. And I get it, they are socially awkward middle schoolers, they wouldn't make the most logical decisions. But it doesn't make it any less frustrating.
But at the same time, the audience is given enough clues to solve the mystery for themselves. There is information hidden from us that makes it impossible to figure out where the key is.
With those problems in mind...why do I like this movie?
If you are suffering through the slice of life drama, and waiting for the movie to get good, stick around. The movie has an emotionally cathartic ending that makes the whole runtime worth the wait.
I work as a teacher, and the scenes with the middle school bullying are portrayed all too real. And as one who was also once an awkward middle schooler I can still empathize with the plight of our protagonists. They are problems that exist in schools today and will continue to exist as long as teenagers are all grouped together.
Despite the logic of the film not always adding up, the emotional beats strike a chord that resonates deep within me.