doyoubelieveingod-39954 Reviews

Lady Ballers (2023)

I have some takes.

[4/10 · 3 December 2023]

The highest compliment I can pay this film is that it does actually feel like a movie. It's the first movie of its kind that I've seen where I would believe the people making it had read and followed a book on screenwriting. I mean, it's a low bar, but they did clear it.

This has been described often as being like a throwback to an early 2000s Sandler film, and I was actually surprised that this description wasn't just some sort of hype to get you to watch 2 hours of low effort lecturing. I didn't really find it that funny, but there is a structure to the script (to the point of being formulaic, but still). The characters each have a game. The performances are for the most part passable, with some credit to Boreing for being able to pull off the lead, down on his luck, everyman. It just looks and feels like an actual movie, and I have seen low budget fare on streaming that is made more incompetently.

I think the messaging of the film is kind of muddy. Is it offensive? Well, I think the fact it exists to advance this dangerous political ideology is... but honestly almost none of the jokes or writing really is. This is really where the comparisons to Sandler hit, because I think you will find as much in both places. Which, this being more of a message/satire/conservative film that is wearing its intentions on its sleeve, than trying to pass it off as just mainstream 'this isn't political/this is how it is'... is preferable, maybe? It's really not as mean-spirited of a film as I expected (not that it isn't mean-spirited). And the climax of the film - removing all context, just taken for what it is - I do have to begrudgingly admit, was kind of cute

It was a bit of a weird experience to sit through. It's not particularly thoughtful or original, but it also isn't My Son Hunter or Left Behind.

Strange World (2022)

Had way more fun than I expected

[8/10 · 18 March 2023]

I suspect this film is being review-bombed, as that's the only thing that explains the rating being so low. Is it perfect or ground-breaking storytelling? Of course not. The movie is clearly a throwback, which is about the only thing I did take away from the trailers.

While the family drama aspects aren't anything new, they are fleshed out more than I would have expected, and it rings true. But you're really watching a movie like this for the adventure, and I thought it delivered in spades on this account. I appreciated each area has its own color pallet and some of the frames are stunning works of animation. It's loaded with neat ideas and design. The only thing I really don't like are the human models, but given how spherical everything is, the choices here at least make sense. It's just my taste. It did also give me a few laughs.

Give it a watch if you want a fun 90 minute diversion with beautiful visuals.

Blonde (2022)

Offensively horrible and horribly offensive

[4/10 · 2 October 2022]

To summarize Blonde in a word: Gross.

To summarize what Blonde says, in a sentence: The world was so cruel to Marilyn Monroe, they even made the movie Blonde about her.

It's like the doppelganger of I, Tonya. It's not even fun to watch. It's like watching ~3 hours of child abuse. That was the intention.

The cinematography was a 10/10, it's a shame that the director doesn't seem to understand the craft. It's choice after choice with this guy, throwing everything at the wall, constantly drawing attention to itself.

Others here have eloquently put the myriad of problems with this garbage. This movie is bad and the world is worse for its existence.

My Son Hunter (2022)

Yeah, okay (Revised)

[3/10 · 9 September 2022]

The most offensive thing about this bad movie is how dull it is. If someone tells you this is a watchable film, it's either a bald-faced lie, sign of traumatic brain injury, a red flag to their conception of taste, or some combination of the three. It is honestly so plain to see that it's like listening to a child say they haven't eaten any cookies, who has chocolate and crumbs all over their mouth. It is incredibly hard to believe anyone's taste is this bad.

You know that thing that's the worst part of any movie, exposition? Well strap in, because the film is almost exclusively that. What isn't is either setting up the next bit of exposition, or title cards serving the same purpose.

Where did the budget go? While there are a few shots that show some kind of talent, it's balanced by things like dirt cheap effects (ie. The thought bubbles when Hunter has a concersation with a dog, the animated heart, etc). The fake news broadcasts shown honestly look like something straight from a Neil Breen film.

The directing decisions are poorly made. To demonstrate the thought and level of detail displayed, one early sequence shows Hunter with a rapidly beating heart, walking through a party where the thing that slows it down is smoking crack. Because cocaine is a downer, right? Later a phone call is made to a reporter who is typing on a typewriter, on his landline (no caller id), by someone he barely knows and says he'll text her later. It's a movie, whatever, but it's very lazy. Lazy enough to punctuate an obvious and lame joke with a boinging sound effect.

This movie thinks you're dumb. And if you're excited to spend $22 on this and rave about it later, it's right.

Men (2022)

The reactions to this film prove its point

[9/10 · 23 May 2022]

"I feel personally attacked by Men" is the funniest self-owning film opinion.

I liked it more than Annihilation, slightly more than Dredd, slightly less than Ex Machina. Way more than The Tesseract, slightly more than The Beach (haven't seen the adaptation).

Very well done, just pay attention, because otherwise it will lose you. Or if you're the "well actually #notallmen" type, avoid it because I can't imagine you'll enjoy the experience.

Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle (2004)

Latest reviewing tainted my good memory

[7/10 · 1 July 2021]

So, before I begin I would like to state for the record that for a very long time I would have considered this an 8 or 9.

I'm in the middle of maybe the 7th viewing since first watching this about 12 years ago. This movie nails a lot of what it goes for and, yes, should be considered for the stoner canon of films. It could have been the next Cheech and Chong if the leads wanted that. I even somewhat liked the sequel, though it was a noticeable decline in quality.

...Heavy spoilers to follow...

However, what stuck out this most recent viewing was just how many of my favorite moments are similar to other classic bits done ibefore. This latest viewing I had realized when they got to Newark early on, it was hitting the same spot as National Lampoon's Vacation. Before I had noticed the similarity to the bush peeing bit (featuring Jamie Kennedy) to There's Something About Mary, and (more egregiously) the raccoon in the car being similar to the deer bit in Tommy Boy.

Now I am not alleging that this film plagiarized any of the mentioned film, and understand that some of the similarity may be my own pattern recognition. But it does make me question my enjoyment, and if some weight is being carried by other things I already liked. Just a bummer.

But this film does a lot right and is funny throughout. I still enjoy the viewing experience and I can't hate it.

There is also some problematic language that hasn't aged the greatest. Contextually, I think it's thematically justified, but I think if it was made today it wouldn't belabor it as much. Your mileage may vary.

Anyway, still funny and relevant. Worth the watch, or rewatch, but I'm not as in love with it as I once was.

Cheap Thrills (I) (2013)

Mid-shelf thrills

[9/10 · 4 June 2021]

It's cinematic joy for those of us who have a darker sensibility. Straightforward dark comedy touching on themes of capitalism and humanism. If I have one major criticism, the film is a little script-101-y. But if you can get over how simplistic and straightforward it is, there is a lot to enjoy here. Great performances and I enjoyed the over all plot, with many memorable scenes and lines.

The story doesn't go anywhere you couldn't expect, you'll basically get what you think you'll get. But, it delivers on that front. Many movies have attempted this same premise, but this is as good as that premise gets.

Give it a shot if you have the time and want to see some transgressive hilarity.

Joker (I) (2019)

I don't know.

[7/10 · 19 January 2020]

I was torn after watching the movie. I want to say it was bad but I don't think that's really fair. I just don't think it works. Kudos to Phoenix and Phillips, etc. for their work on it, but the story is simple, the themes are obvious and I think it suffers from a fatal flaw, which is: dark character studies work when their characters have depth and complexity.

The Joker is very flat by design. He's the antithesis of Batman. He represents (in the world in which he was created, at least) pure chaos and anarchy. He is emptiness and lack of meaning. Taxi Driver and The King of Comedy worked. This does not. And I know it sounds like I'm just saying it's a rip off or something, but I'm not. Travis Bickle was multifaceted. The Joker is one note. And after thinking about why the movie didn't click for me I think that's the major difference.

Glad I watched it, won't watch again.

Four Lions (2010)

Severely under-rated

[10/10 · 11 February 2019]

Four Lions is a film that has stuck with me over the years. And whilst I enjoyed it when I first watched it, over the years (and multiple viewings) it has become one of my top favorite films of all time.

The humor is pitch black and the satite is razor sharp, but it doesn't take the easy way out in jokes or writing. This is a film that's well researched, wickedly funny, that that retains humanity and doesn't paint people with a broad brush. It finds flaws on all sides of the argument and exploits them for laughs. It's truly amazing the alchemy that Morris and co. have pulled in juggling its themes and perspective with tact and intelligence. It's a film with layers and subtlety, and big laugh out loud moments. And it's such a joy to watch. Nothing feels expected, cliched or tired. It's got great characters with great performances, and directed with a simple but effective style.

I truly believe it's the Dr. Strangelove of our generation, and to anyone who hasn't seen it, I emphatically urge you to find it. It's a little behind where we are currently in the 'war on terror,' (in 2019) but I fully expect it to endure at least as long as Strangelove has.

A Star Is Born (2018)

Did not enjoy

[5/10 · 7 October 2018]

I was initially going to avoid watching this film since the trailer didn't appeal to me, but given all the buzz I decided to give it a chance. This movie is definitely the most over hyped and overrated film to come out this year (that I can think of).

Most of the songs were slickly produced, but really simple lyrically. While there are some good character moments that feel genuine, everything pertaining to the story felt hollow. The direction was over all competent, but a fair share of it struck me as amateurish. There's an overabundance of lens flare and a lot of unnecessary camera movement, for instance.

The overwhelming fantasy of the story gradually annoyed me more and more as it went on, I guess mostly because of how serious it's presenting itself, building to a climax that doesn't feel entirely earned, and somewhat inconsistent. I feel like the only way you can buy into everything that happens is because we expect the things that happen to happen, if that makes sense. Like, for example, we only buy they're falling in love with each other because that's what two characters in love stories do, despite the blatant contrivances. On top of everything, the dialogue is laughably bad in a few spots. I've seen other people point out the pacing is off, and in retrospect I'd agree, but it didn't stick out to me when I watched it. It just all felt long.

The supporting cast is on point, except for the manager. Andrew Dice Clay and Sam Elliot in particular were highlights. Lady Gaga was fine playing herself with some subtle hints of subtlety, and Bradley Cooper did the best he could. Gaga has more to work with and does more with her role, but Cooper's is very one note, and is getting by on charisma alone. I will say that when it goes for being embarrassing and uncomfortable it mostly hits its mark.

Anyway, this movie was prestige Oscar bait that felt twice as long as it was. I have not seen the other versions to compare it to, so maybe that colors my perception. If you're a Gaga superfan, you'll get a lot more out of it than I did.

Mother! (2017)

Easy to hate. Should you watch it?

[9/10 · 6 April 2018]

I think the biggest flaw of the movie was marketing it for a wide release. This is definitely a niche film. While it was plainly going to polarize audiences, I feel sad at the pure vitriol being leveled at it. So, if you haven't seen it, should you?

First off, how you feel about Aronofsky in general is likely to color how you feel about this. If you find him indulgent and pretentious, this movie isn't going to change your mind. If you think he's a masterful auteur, you'll probably like this based on that. Is it pretentious and indulgent? Indulgent: yes. Pretentious: probably. I thought it was slightly, but YMMV.

I feel like this movie needs the proper context, as it's going to have limited appeal. At its essence, it's a nightmare with a loose allegorical structure. It's essentially as close that Aronofsky has ever come to making a David Lynch film. The characters are unrealistic, there is a bit of a mixed metaphor and everything follows dream logic. What appeals to me about it is that while I like the aesthetic qualities of Lynch, it's always missing some thread of meaning outside of a few ideas. This movie fills that gap by hinging it on a classic story and an environmental lamentation.

That's not to say, "omg bro, it's super deep," but it keeps a straightforward structure to launch its assault of a nightmare. I did find it very visceral and off-putting. I like that in movies, and I felt at the end that it meant something instead of being a series of meaningless set pieces. While it didn't make me feel fearful or disturbed (like the trailer implied), it did make me feel very anxious and at points sad. I also feel like accusations of condescension and pretension are a little overblown, because DA has been very upfront and humble about what he was going for. Since before the movie was released. I feel like a lot of that is projected onto the film, possibly due to the misleading marketing, and preconceived notions of the filmmaker.

So, this movie is not for most. Not because people won't get it (although, some haven't), but because it's a very specific sort of film. If you can stomach the indulgence and the detachment from reality (and can handle discomfort), I think it's worth a watch.