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craigthomas90
Reviews
Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (2023)
Bad movie...save your money!
It's the same stuff...how can you make so many movies, exactly the same way doing the same things? Talk about copy and paste! Damn Fast and Furious vibes! This movie was boring random. They tried to use the 90s nostalgia because I guess the 80s nostalgia has been bastardized. At this point. It's the same jargon the same rhetoric there is nothing fresh there is nothing new there for this movie is the most on suspenseful thing I've probably ever seen, I don't know who is greens lights these things but it Science Fiction God for bid you think outside the box and get creative. I understand that may not be the target demographic but when movies are this expensive, you have to target more than just kids you have to give parents a reason to want to take their kids out to the theater and pay those exorbitant prices and you have to entertain the adults as well. If the adults want to see the movie, they will definitely take their kids out to see the movie, this film has none of that I would say just watch any one of the other transformers movies and you will have the same affect and it will be much cheaper. The first movie still remains king. At least in this movie there weren't any Deceptacon's transforming into humans.
Smile (2022)
Solid amongst modern horrors!
Such promise. It feels as though modern horror lacks the ability to close the deal. A fantastic creepy world is constructed. Eerie characters are introduced with varying motivations, that keep the viewers on edge. Yet, so many times, the pay off is lackluster. The antagonist is not as frightening as can be. That is where Barbarian suffers. Georgina Campbell, Bill Skarsgard, and Justin Long are excellent. They sell fear with the best I have seen. I was truly on the ride of fear with them. They are disoriented in the middle of now where. I even appreciate the subtle nod toward the effects of gentrification. This movie, has some great bones but loses me in the 4th act. Very unsatisfying.
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (2022)
I am a casual but enjoyed the movies
I am a casual fan of Lord of The Rings. With that said, I have been doing my research quite extensively priori to the beginning of this show. Like most people, I have watched the trilogy and it is very enjoyable(The Fellowship of The Rings is my favorite); It is exciting, fun, suspenseful, and genuinely a good time. The show however, is everything but suspenseful. Prequels are always dicey. They are harder to produce due to people knowing how the story ends. This show is boring. There are some amazing visual and then some suspect cgi. So many characters are introduced yet their motivations are not explored fully. There are some Power Ranger like action scenes that are unfulfilling. The action scenes in general are few and far between. The elves are not as cool as Legolas. No man is as dominating as Aragorn. Gandolf and The Hobbits...well they are missing to say the least. I am disappointed but, hopefully in 2 years, season 2 will be more exciting.
Three Thousand Years of Longing (2022)
A major go!!
This movie is majestic;moving;maniac. It is stunning and creative. A fantastic emotional ride of tales rooted in love and desire or desire and love(suppose the two can be synonymous). It deals with the supernatural and therefore metaphysical in ways that are rarely depicted in live action movies(not demons but Djinns or are they opposite sides of the same coin)? The stories are vivid and imaginative, and allow one to reflect on their own journey of love and desire. Elba & Swinton's chemistry is palpable. I wonder why it is often rare to a see a pairing of such actors on screen. Movies would never have to be remade if two amazing actors are joined together in a scaled down story. The two stars are excellent. The supporting cast is excellent. A major go! #ThreeThousandYearsOfLonging.
Scream (2022)
Horror has gone the way of comedy
They didn't even have the stones to call it Scream 5! Wow, it is terrible. Nothing was overly suspenseful. It is difficult to create something based on using telephones during this day and age. Caller ID is available everywhere, people only seem to text and have a phobia of calling. The franchise doesn't have the legs to last. Technology has put the modern day horror out of existence. How many times can you have the small town gets plagued by a killer? How Sway? It's a small town, yet no know notices anything? You can track your purchases, and when they are delivered yet no one is tracking the purchases of 'The Ghost Face Mask'? It is a 4/10
It is the worst movie in the franchise, and no wonder, Wes Craven had nothing to do with it. The character development is lacking. I felt no connection to any of the major players. There are no standouts, and they still had to rely on Sidney, Gail, and Dewey!
Licorice Pizza (2021)
Not the best coming of age film but it's cool.
Not as good as an 80's coming of age film but solid. Drags a bit. The movie jumps from story to story with in the life of a teen with desires to sleep with an older woman. Little is offered to explain how can a 16 year old have the capital and connections to rent a store and start several businesses. A touch of pedophilia takes place throughout. The presence of parental figures seems to be non-existent. I suppose the 70's were more forgiving times. It is solid, drags a bit but entertaining and fun.
Respect (2021)
Soulfully soulless
For a movie to be about a woman who would sing with so much soul, the film is surprisingly soulless. It is not 'Ray,' 'What's Love Got To Do With It," or even 'Dream Girls.' Hudson puts on a performance that is solid but not exceptional. Her role as Effie in 'Dream Girls,' feels more dramatic and dynamic. It is a slowly paced movie. Not much if offered in terms of what motivated Aretha Franklin to sing aside from possessing a phenomenal voice. Throw in the substance abuse, and you have a run of the meal biopic. My biggest issue is Hudson having the audacity to not lip sing Franklin's greatest but, to actually bellow out those notes. Beyoncé's roll as Etta James in 'Cadillac Records,' is more inspiring.
The Suicide Squad (2021)
Better than the 1st ok..good as a stand alone...NO!
This movie is unethusiac. I was hoping it would be a rated R, Earth bound Guardians of The Galaxy but, it does not come close. It lacks suspense; you really don't care for the characters(even the limited amount that have returned). Amanda Waller, who is the most compelling character and played by Viola Davis(an excellent actor) is barely seen. Idris is no Will Smith! His character is a watered down version of Deadshot called Bloodsport(A watered down version of Marvel comics Bullseye). Margot Robie's Harly Quinn, is stale at this point. She is phoning it in. A crazy woman somehow has developed the skills to take down a Battalion of armed guys without getting shot once? Batman couldn't have pulled that one off. I would love an explanation as to what happened to the original Suicide Squad. There are some gory aspects that are pretty bloody with solid CGI. With that said, some movies, most movies, do NOT benefit from sequels; this statement holds true. Thank you HBO for allowing me to stream these movies without having to pay theater prices and risk my health potentially. I enjoyed the original more. I'll give this movie 5/10. It's flat out boring with zero rewatchablity.
Escape Room: Tournament of Champions (2021)
Just boring
I was not able to connect on any level. The first movie is more organic and suspenseful; the acting is superior; the environments are more original and challenging. The back stories make more sense. I do believe everything is too convenient. The Escape Rooms are intricate and advanced yet it feels like something out of saw. The puzzles seem less solvable and more like a means to just kill.
Black Widow (2021)
Solid
This movie is OK; A solid 7/10. It feels like Captain Marvel. It is a Marvel movie that, neutered with a lack of a connection to the other characters we have grown to love and the future of The MCU. The acting is great; the team assembled in order to expand on The Black Widow methos should be infused in future movies. It is emotional, funny, and political. Human-trafficking is the major theme of this movie, and that lends it's self to the more serious scope of a 'Falcon and Winter Soldier," and how they chose to address racism in The USA. It feels drawn out and should have been more condensed. It would feel more action packed if that were the case. Overall, I can say you can't wait on this one.
A Quiet Place Part II (2020)
It's even more quit...
If you enjoyed the original, you will love the sequel; It is as intense, suspenseful, and satisfying. The pacing leaves you on edge with nail biting soundless pressure. It felt as though I was trying to sneak pass the overwhelming opposition. The creatures are like The Incredible Hulk, they are fast, dumb, and pretty much invulnerable. The only Aliens that have been more intimidating are from the Alien franchise; xenomorphs forced me to sleep with my siblings many nights. Quiet Place, is the kind of post-apocalyptic movie I can get behind. The creatures are not the most original interms of viciousness but, the design is awesome with a unique weakness. I certainly would not mind watching a part 3.
Old (2021)
Same Old tricks
It feels old and stale. There are no big twist or turns, just a very straight forward trip. It's an M. Knight film and it is easy to decipher, what is the world coming to? You will very subdued suspense and excitement. The actors try their best to bring to life something that is so flaccid. I found it difficult to connect with the characters; I found the characters to be unlikable. The movie is drawn out for a quick run time. I haven't felt this unsatisfied due to a lackluster uncreative script in quick sometime. Two questions are introduced, that made me pause, do the ends justify the means? Is holding a grudge ever worth it, in the end?
The Tomorrow War (2021)
Empty blockbuster
It a 6/10. There are some awesome action sequences but overall the story does not support those scenes well. It feels empty and bland. There are slow, boring aspect that prevented me from connecting fully. The invest you might feel in Tom cruise's 'Live, Die, Repeat, is more fun. The aliens in that movie, are similar to the one's in 'Tomorrow War.' You never get a thorough explanation as to why they have arrived on Earth aside from the hypothesis of a character. So yeah, an educated guest; at least with Live Die Repeat, there is more action and even humor. I would suggest watching that, it is a more entertaining version of a time manipulation alien takeover movie. #thetomorrowwar.
The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021)
The expanded universe infects The original.
Unfortunately, when it comes to most franchises, the 3rd movie in a trilogy, is often the weakest; this trend holds true. 'The Devil Made Me Do It,' lacks the connective tissue that makes the first two great like, The subtlety, the unexpected frightening aspects that make you jump. The 3rd is too random and convenient. It does not flow as well. It is difficult to connect because it's too sudden. It feels as though things happen in two nights. The desperation that can be felt within the first two movies is absent here. The Warren's are grizzled veterans when it comes to exorcisms yet, they are fumbling around like it is a badly written 80's horror. The first two movies possess a strong family element that engulfs the viewer, this film plays out like let's get this over with, and get some icecream. Ed and Lorraine tend to have supportive back ground roles, this movie is more about the couple than ever before. It is sappy, with some Zack Synder slow motion scenes that made me cringe more than the horror elements. This feels more like one of the branch, spinoff movies, that just are not as good as the main #TheConjuring films.
Mortal Kombat (2021)
1995 movie is superior
The storyline is half hearted, and unethusiastic. It is not nearly as campy as the original 1995 version. The fighting scenes are not as dynamic; it is not as suspenseful. For it's time, the 95 version has superior special effect designs; it is used more creatively. If Mortal Kombat 2 is made, it should focus on the tournament and stop with the character development and introductions. If the acting will not be a focal point, focus on the fighting. Atempting to connect to the characters, with their soap opera acting abilities is difficult and boring. The transitions from location to location is sketchy, it is just unexplained and brushed over. I am looking for blood, gore, and great Karate/Kung-fu, I barely received any of it. I did receive a great deal of terrible acting. Far too difficult to get through. It is similar to Kong vs. Godzilla; maximize the fight scenes with chorography and CGI, which happens to be the best aspects of these movies.
The New Mutants (2020)
All the reshoots, and this is it?
Skip it! The entire movie, you as the viewer, are waiting for something spectacular to happen, after all, it is a movie based in the X-men universe. It is a total exercise in futility! Skip it! Do not mention to family or friends. It was shelved a few times for reshoots, and I suppose the studio just figured they couldn't make it any better. Horrible and sad. There was no committing to the horror or the fantasy. It is just not fun!
Raised by Wolves (2020)
American Gods like...
Raised by Wolves possessess many elements that the Starz series American Gods displays; both shows seems to thrieve off of being vague and relying on symbolism to move the story forward. I cannot recommend this of American Gods for those reasons. Interesting concepts are bulldozed by such an abstract approach. There is absolutely nothing wrong with being straight forward. I have to agree with most other reviews, the show starts off with well, it is engulfing. The last 4 episodes, things become overwhelmingly confusing to the degree, that the show is no longer enjoyable. I am surprised it was renewed as earlier as it was. I love sci-fi but the set it limited, the acting is not the best, and the CGI is inconsistent.
Life (2017)
Wow, what an ending
The theme is one you have seen before but, it is unique in it's delivery. It reminds me most of "The Thing." Obviously to be compared to that, it is an extreme compliment. The suspense is high, the acting is great, the characters are authentic. The ending is one of the best I have ever seen. If you appreciate a space horror thiller like Alien, you will enjoy this one. If is not as epic as Alien but, it is no slouch. The antagonist can be just as aggressive and hard to kill.
Godzilla vs. Kong (2021)
Kong and Godzilla second fiddle...
I would appreciate the movie more if the human element would be more in the background than in the forefront. The movie is named after the two Kaju but, they seem to be supporting characters. The movie Pacific Rim blends monsters and robots perfectly. The threats are more authentic, and the technological advancements are more obvious and necessary. Godzilla vs. Kong is so random and unexplained. How, is the question I continued to ask myself. Within this universe, so much goes unexplained. No one is aware of what Apex has accomplished? Where are the governing bodies or some established world organization to investigate these proceedings? What was Kong doing since the 70's? How did his island get destroyed again? How many times must we see the power hungry, reckless corporation story? Who is bringjng children on these kinds of excursions? Monarch has been supplanted by Apex? Why? Just so many plot holes. The CGI however, is fantastic. Kong:Skull Island and Godzilla: King of Monsters, are superior films. I think more established actors can sell these films at a greater level. #godzilla #kong.
Zack Snyder's Justice League (2021)
It is not superior to the first go around
It is so over the top, I thought Sylvester Stallone was going to pop up and start arm wrestling. I can see why they had to trim the fat. The introductory scene with The Flash is one of the worse I've seen in years. With a 4 hour run time, you can stumble into some decent material. Is this 4 hours(wtf 4 hours really)better, I cannot say that it is. It's so serious, I felt like I was watching a horror movie. I can understand having dramatic aspects but, it is not an action piece, it is a random drama that still does it's best to leave the villains true motivation unexplained. So if you have 4 hours to spare in order to watch the longest movie ever, then go right ahead, or watch the first version which is superior to the over blown 'SNYDER CUT.' I was bored! #justiceleague #justiceleaguesnydercut I suggest they give Christopher Nolan a blank check, in order to craft their universe. It's a comic book movie, and it seems as if sucking all the color, all the campiness, all the humor from the film, is the goal. It does not make the film more enjoyable by making The Flash run in such a goofy manner; making AquaMan so bitter I craved his light hearted attitude from his own film; distorting Batman's voice to the point Christian Bale might cringe; introducing a character that might give Superman a run for his money but, not allowing him to fight during an anti-climatic Power Rangers like battle to vanquish the villain. I cannot stand films that are created for sequels. The arrogance. Make the movie you have the best it can be, and if it is good, a sequel will be warranted.
Malcolm & Marie (2021)
Love is stronger than pride?
In relationships, do not be afraid, apprehensive, shy, reluctant, when it comes to saying "I'm sorry, you mean so much to me." I do believe there are subtle nuisances behind apologizing and saying I am sorry. You can be 'sorry' but not apologetic. This film displays the variation between the two. One is lined in sensitivity, empathy, the other is a projection of our defense mechanisms & pride. This movie ask challenging questions about self-worth and how do you define something abstract like 'love'? Why would you ever want someone you 'love' to feel like bad? Why argue to be 'right,' so vehemently, that you make the person you 'love' feel weak,dumb, inferior, conflating facts to make a bad point? I suppose we can all be a bit of #MalcolmandMarie Two people going back and forth can be suspenseful as hell! The cinematography, the acting, the authenticity! Dope, emotional movie! Relationships...they can be so traumatic! #malcolmandmarie #movie #moviecritic
One Night in Miami... (2020)
Great yet boring
If you are seeking a movie with phenomenal acting and still exhaustively uncaptivating, look no further. Powerful message! Boring as hell! Little to no replay value for me. It is a play that has been converted into a movie and with limited set pieces, it feels claustrophobic. I have enjoyed such films in the past, such as, 'The Hateful Eight,' by Quentin Tarantino but this film however, is uneventful. There is no sense of urgency. The drama picks up toward the middle but it still feels stale. It is like viewing a prequel to a film, you pretty much know how things will play out; that always dulls the suspense. With that said, the acting is great; the soundtrack is awesome; who doesn't love 60's soul? With that said, overall, I would skip it. #onenightinmiami #movies #moviecritic
The Little Things (2021)
You are not missing a thing!
You are not missing a thing if you do not like this film. That is the cheapest way for someone who appreciates a film to make those who do not feel as if they are to 'slow,' to get what is shown. As far as police dramas go, this is one to forget. This is the most most boring, going nowhere movie I've seen since Wonder woman 84. It is about 2 hours of fake suspense. This is a case of a bunch of good actors in a bad movie. I have no idea why Jared Leto takes these roles, where he is barely on screen and has a few lines. It is similar to Suicide Squad. He's a good actor, use him! Denzel phones it in. His character in '#thelittlethings is similar to the role he played in #Flight; he is more invested in that movie. Malik Rami really brings the weird but does nothing to wow. This is a skip it!
The Mandalorian (2019)
Best show on television!
The Mandalorian is the best show on television! I have not been this engulfed by a show, since Game of Thrones. The extended universe which has been created by John Favreau, is what any, and every fan craved from the movies episodes 7 through 9. It is suspenseful, consistent, and overall an enjoyable piece of work for old fans and new. The character develop counties to flesh out characters from top to bottom. The CGI and sets are top notch and embody everything I love about the Star Wars universe. There is more room for growth and I hope the investment continues to be made. I need a Mandalorian movie with the same crew that worked on the show. Favreau needs to be given the budget to create a few Star Wars episodes.
Fantasy Island (2020)
Ahh what they said...
It is as bad as the others have said. Plot holes as big as craters. Just a shabby story overall. Cheap horror movie scares; it is uninspiring overall. A supernatural horror that takes no big swings is just a complete waste of time. I was bored from the beginning waiting for something breath taking to happen, needless to say, it did not happen. A horror movie without suspense is just a bad soap opera. The cgi is stale and extremely below industry standards nowadays. I've seen better effects on television. One positive, is the beautiful nature shots;The setting is paradise after all.