AaronMendozaJr Reviews

Amy (III) (2015)

You get what you asked for and MORE!

[10/10 · 1 January 2016]

If you're an Amy Winehouse fan and you want to learn more, then you're definitely getting what you want. Even if you never really liked Amy Winehouse's music, I still recommend this documentary.

This documentary is brilliantly told and well made. They keep in mind that there are Amy Winehouse fans watching, but there's also an audience that doesn't know her at all. They try their best to tell her tale as truthful as it can be told. It's not like every documentary where they tell you how great he/she was and how much of a loss to music he/she was. They don't feed you garbage, they're telling the truth about her life and her experiences. She made mistakes and she did fall, but it also keeps in mind that anyone could have fallen like her. To me, that's an impressive achievement for a documentary.

This documentary is amazing thanks to it's cold hard facts. When it suddenly ends, you leave the theater thinking that the music industry lost someone so gifted. It doesn't beat that message into your head like other documentaries. It showcases her talent amazingly and still reminds us that Amy is still a human being through all her obstacles. Well crafted, amazing story, and an overwhelming sense of the truth. Amy is one of the best movies of 2015.

The Gallows (2015)

Devoid of Substance

[1/10 · 27 November 2015]

If you like seeing bad films like this one, you are what's wrong with this world. The Gallows lacks anything scary and is probably the worst movie I've seen all year. The acting sucks, the plot is boring, there's no character development, and nothing makes any sense. I seriously have no idea why the characters are filming and I have no idea why they're friends. The "ghost" is apparently haunting the school because he go hanged at a school play even though it makes no sense why he got hanged. Shouldn't there be something under the trap door at all time to make sure that an accident like this could happen. This movie has nothing going for it and there's no sense of realism whatsoever. The Gallows is a pointless film with nothing scary, funny, or even good. No one can act, the plot goes on forever, and "Charlie" is not even scary.

God's Not Dead (2014)

A terrible movie

[2/10 · 26 November 2015]

Not only does God's Not Dead wastes it's potential, but it ends up becoming a complete joke of a film. It's premise was interesting but poorly executed. The entire time they argued beliefs and opinions rather than scientific facts or proof to prove God is real. Thus, making the film itself completely pointless. The arguments made to defend God range from insulting philosophy and proving Genesis is true by supporting The Big Bang Theory. It also doesn't argue against God either, just for God. If this was a proper debate, this wouldn't even make it to the rebuttals. This is not a good movie. Not only was their evidence poor but so were their character. Every character is clichéd and under developed. They do whatever makes the plot seem important and whatever the script demands. No one is acts or thinks like real people. Terrible actors and cameos, unrealistic characters, awful dialogue, and slow paced boredom. God's Not Dead is a pointless film.

Revenge (2011–2015)

A good series with a great ending

[7/10 · 26 November 2015]

Revenge started off as a fun and entertaining ride driven by a woman's vengeance. It was a little clichéd and campy, but it was still very entertaining. Then the awful season 2 came and it almost ruined the show completely. Instead of Emily taking people down, she was too busy picking out her clothes. It was a really bad season. Season 3 was a step up from the last season thanks to their decision of firing the creator. Instead of boring long conversations, we got more action and more of a clear path for the characters. Season 3 practically ended it all, so I was confused as to why they brought it back for another season. But Season 4 proved to be one of the best seasons. It was better than both Season 2 and 3. It ended the series appropriately and it was really hard to see it go. All in all, Revenge is addictive soap opera and a lot of fun to watch.

BEST Season 1 Season 4 Season 3 Season 2 WORST

Come Undone (2000)

A beautifully memorable film

[10/10 · 26 November 2015]

Presque Rien (Come Undone) is a beautifully misunderstood film. A lot of people hate this movie because they don't understand it and find the ending pointless. However, you need to watch it maybe a few more times to understand it. At least watching it once more will convince you that this movie is amazing and better than what you first believed. The acting and characters are all great. The story is split up into three parts and they're not in order but once you piece it all together, you get something that could have inspired Charlie Kaufman in his work. Every time I watch this movie, I learn something new about who I am. The ending is what really made a lot of people hate this movie because people argue that the film just ends. To me there are two endings, but a more depressing ending is the right ending. I think it ends in an endless loop of heart- breaking because we see familiar things over and over again (that's not a spoiler). I think upon further evaluation and analysis, you'll see there's a lot more to this film than meets the eye. If you want to hear my own interpretations and explanations, please refer to this video series: https://youtu.be/Y2lVNPL1G4g? list=PL6w77gLrP1Erb7BW_i6D0RdiZAiwwVonM

The Divergent Series: Insurgent (2015)

I'm sorry, but it's not that bad.

[5/10 · 26 November 2015]

Does Insurgent have it's problems? Yeah but I don't think it's as bad as everyone says it is. The acting and cast is impressive and they're all giving good performances. The soundtrack is really good, the sets are very well constructed, the special effects were also amazing, and the overall message is beautiful. There's some similarities between Divergent series and The Hunger Games series but they're still completely different entities. I have seen this movie three times and I still have no clue why it's so hated. The plot is sometimes rushed but it's nothing entirely awful. I thought the ending was good and was appropriate. Again, this movie does have it's problems. There were certain parts that I didn't understand and some situations were complete copies of other YA novels (not Hunger Games though). Insurgent has it's faults, but the bad does outweigh the good here.

Transparent (2014–2019)

Bland and boring? Um... NO!

[10/10 · 26 November 2015]

If you find this series "boring" or "bland", then you clearly cannot judge a TV series correctly. Transparent: Season 1 introduces us to an elderly man transitioning and how it affects those around him. It's a heartfelt and emotional journey for all characters. Love is put to the test and it has GREAT character development. It's a smart and beautiful show that truly deserves ever praise and award it got. There's so much to appreciate along this show. It's not so much as plot heavy, it's more focused on the characters and how, just like their father, is trying to find their identity. If you like smart and daring shows, then you should definitely check this out. Maybe along the way, you'll discover more about yourself as well.

Fifty Shades of Grey (2015)

Another hilariously bad LMN movie

[2/10 · 26 November 2015]

Fifty Shades of Grey is literally based off of the awful and vomit- inducing TWILIGHT FRANCHISE. The author wrote a fan-fiction of Edward and Bella but it was denied for being too graphic, so she decided to change a few things and publish it as a book. Honestly, I want her to do more. I want her to make her own version of a lot of movies because they can work as the funniest and most idiotic versions. When I first watched this movie, I was convinced this was the worst movie of 2015. However, I now watch it as a comedy and it's the funniest thing you'll watch. The entire film tries to set up that these two are a couple but it's so forced and ridiculous that you can't help but just laugh at it. The characters are even more bland versions of Edward and Bella. It's a stupid and bad movie but if you watch it as a comedy, you'll definitely enjoy it more than you think.

Fame (2009)

One of the worst remakes I've ever seen

[2/10 · 26 November 2015]

For those who don't know, FAME is a remake of the 1980 version and it completely lacks what made it good. The original FAME has believable characters and situations, memorable songs, and brilliant singers and actors. However, no one can act and the songs are poor updates of the original. Even if you judge this movie on it's own basis, you're still going to find it awful. The acting sucks, the music is forgettable, and the direction is so bland that nobody even knows what to do half of the time. FAME was clearly trying to please the High School Musical crowd when it was released and it completely failed. This is kid version of a serious and realistic musical. FAME was about understanding, trying to find yourself in high school, and the consequences for following the path to fame. Now every sense of seriousness and realism is taken for terrible dances and awful musical sequences. This is a complete butcher of what the original FAME was. PLEASE DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND WATCH THE 1980 VERSION INSTEAD!

Where the Dead Go to Die (2012)

The worst movie I've ever seen

[1/10 · 26 November 2015]

Where The Dead Go To Die tries to tell you that it's being critical on religion and that it's something more but it's not. The entire film is a collection of loosely connected stories and none of them make any sense. Sometimes, you don't even know they're changing stories. The animation is some of the worst I've ever seen. There's no excuse for this. The voice acting is another awful thing. No one can voice act to save their life. They all sound like droids and lifeless zombies when they deliver their lines. There's absolutely not one solitary good thing about this movie. It's a complete insult to the film-making industry and to independent projects. The entire film looks like it came from the sick mind of Jeffrey Dahmer. I honestly believe that the director needs to see serious medical attention for his unstable mind. Where The Dead Go To Die is, to this day, the worst movie I've ever seen.

The Boy Next Door (2015)

If you love laughing at LMN movies, then this is for you.

[3/10 · 26 November 2015]

The Boy Next Door is clearly not marketed toward the male demographic. It's a film for those lonely housewives who watch the LMN network. If you similarly remember FEAR with Mark Wahlberg, then you're better off watching that than this. FEAR was over-dramatic and a little unbelievable but at least Mark was intimidating and you could tell why she's afraid. In The Boy Next Door, the "boy" isn't even close to the word intimidation. The Boy Next Door is a stupid and pointless film, especially when you start thinking about all the plot holes and bad acting. If you love laughing at bad movies like LMN movies, then check out this one. If you want a serious stocker/lover thriller, then check out Fatal Attraction.

Hedwig and the Angry Inch (2001)

My Favorite Movie Of All Time

[10/10 · 26 November 2015]

Hedwig And The Angry Inch is an amazing film. It's fun but it's not afraid to make you feel for the characters and their world. Hedwig is a great character and one of my own personal idols. The music is also very memorable and beautiful. I did "Wig In A Box" on the piano at one of my recitals and everyone loved it. I strongly recommend you watch this movie regardless if you're part of the LGBT community. The LGBT moments aren't that focused on as you would believe. It's central is how Hedwig is trying to get back at her EX and finding her other half. This movie is fun, sad, and memorable. Hedwig And The Angry Inch is an unforgettable journey of what it really means to love and be human.

Greater Things (2015)

Brilliant Indie Film

[10/10 · 1 November 2015]

This indie film showcases the darkness of feeling lonely. The story consistently relies on it's visual surroundings and does an amazing job. The director really deserves more praise for his great shots and brilliant architecture. The cast and characters are all dealing with their own problems and their trying to cope with them. It's a very sad yet beautiful film. The actors did a great job even when they had nothing to say, which is the majority of this movie. I really loved the characters and the presentation of this film. It deserves more praise and attention. If you want to see a beautiful and moving picture, Greater Things is for you.