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Moonfall (2022)
Moonfall Common Sense Review
This film came out earlier this year and I finally got around to watching it. I have always been a sucker for disaster films, and Roland Emmerich is the king of such films so I was hoping for a dumb, fun time. Unfortunately, in the quest to regain the glory that Independence Day afforded him, Emmerich failed to do so with Moonfall. Bland, boring characters nobody cares about, a script with way too much exposition throughout, and despite some decent CGI, flat action sequences that hold no real stakes or interest from the audience. It was fun to laugh at, at the very least.
What were your thoughts on the film?
Jimmy Savile: A British Horror Story (2022)
Jimmy Savile: A British Horror Story Common Sense Review
This post is more serious and important than what I have posted to this account previously. This two-part documentary miniseries follows the rise and fall of Jimmy Savile, Britain's main DJ and TV presenter for nearly 50 years. This miniseries does a good job of showing exactly why Savile was lauded by many, including Prime Ministers and the Royal Family, and how his power and connections protected him from the consequences of his vile preying on children and disabled individuals. Essentially a combination of Harvey Weinstein and Kevin Spacey, Savile showed how power and connections can protect one, no matter how evil they are.
What were your thoughts on the miniseries?
The Northman (2022)
The Northman Common Sense Review
I recently watched what is currently my favorite film of 2022. The Northman is my favorite Robert Eggers' film to date and stars Alexander Skaarsgård and Anya Taylor-Joy. This film is rumored to have been the inspiration behind Shakespeare's Hamlet and the similarities are clear. This film blew me away in every sense of the word. I was sucked into this film's harsh, unforgiving world completely. Beautiful cinematography, a haunting score, great acting, and a truly compelling plot make this film nearly perfect. It currently sits at a 9/10 but I may up it to a 10/10 in the future, we shall see.
What were your thoughts on the film?
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent (2022)
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent Common Sense Review
This is exactly the wild ride of a film I was expecting and hoping for. Being a Nic Cage fan, I can truly say that this is the most "Nic Cage" that Nic Cage has ever been and it was completely engrossing, allowing me to just enjoy watching the film without any outside distractions. Pedro Pascal also delivers a great performance and creates the perfect companion to Cage. It's clear that both actors had a blast making this movie. The second act does drag a bit towards the end of it and the third act does feel slightly rushed, but this film overall was an absolute blast to watch on the big screen.
What were your thoughts on the film?
The Outfit (2022)
The Outfit Common Sense Review
This movie really flew under the radar of most film accounts I follow. The few that did see it really enjoyed it and so it piqued my interest. Wow did this film blow my expectations out of the water. It takes one of my all-time favorite film devices, filming in a single location, and does the best job of using said single location that I've seen in a long time. Well-acted, well-written, and with a script that is kept concise, this film is being slept on for sure. Some aspects are slightly predictable, but it is easy to overlook those things and enjoy this well-made movie.
What were your thoughts on the film?
Apollo 10 1/2: A Space Age Adventure (2022)
Apollo 10 1/2: A Space Age Adventure Common Sense Review
This movie came out of left field for me. It wasn't even on my radar until @zacharylevi posted about it. Anything with him in it though and I'm immediately interested so I decided to give this film a shot. This is the definition of nostalgia filmmaking, something Director Richard Linklater is an expert on. The story transports you back to the 60s and completely sucks you into that period. Beautiful animation helps to tell the story of a kid commissioned by the U. S. government to take the first real mission to the moon. It shows the life of a kid that grew up during that quintessential time in the history of the world and highlights the groundbreaking aspects of that decade.
What were your thoughts on the film?
The Bubble (2022)
The Bubble Common Sense Review
No film with this much talent attached to it has a right to be as terrible as this film was. This modern attempt at satire completely falls flat. What makes it even worse is that it is an attempt to make light of Covid-19, which I'm pretty sure everyone would just like to forget completely as much as possible. This film may have been at least a little funny like two years ago but not now. I have not seen many Apatow films, but a common complaint for each is their overly long runtime, and this film suffers from that as well. This film was an absolute slog to get through. With unfunny gags, terrible writing, and a nonsensical plot that revolves around something everyone would rather forget, this film suffers from bad timing in every sense of the word.
What were your thoughts on the film?
Morbius (2022)
Morbius Common Sense Review
Wow was this film a disappointing disaster. I enjoy Leto as an actor and thought it was great casting, I'm also a huge fan of the source material due in large part to the 90s/2000s Spider-Man cartoon. Unfortunately, no matter how much I wished this movie to be good, it was really, really bad. A disconnected plot filled with placeholder characters with the depth of a cardboard cutout essentially repelled audiences like garlic to a vampire. There are some interesting story ideas and some of the slow-mo shots are cool, but this film overall was an absolute dud.
What were your thoughts on the film?
Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022)
Everything Everywhere All at Once Common Sense Review
I had no idea what to expect walking into this film and I am happy to report that this movie absolutely blew me away. This film is bright, filled with color, and packed full of pure insanity. Going hand in hand with this colorful film is its themes of family, love, and the consequences that coincide with one's actions. This film made me laugh, tear up, and connect with these characters which reminded me why I love film so much and why I created this Instagram page in the first place. If you have the opportunity to support this film wild and wacky film and be ready for the ride of a lifetime.
What were your thoughts on this film?
The Adam Project (2022)
The Adam Project Common Sense Review
I have been a big fan of Shawn Levy's work since Big Fat Liar, so when I heard he was once again teaming up with his muse @vancityreynolds I was excited to see what they would create. The Adam Project is a great, fun time with a heart of gold at the center. I will say, this film had flashes of Spielberg, child-like wonder at times and that only made it more enjoyable. Where it struggled was that the ending was somewhat weak and the villain's motivations were not the strongest, but despite its flaws, this film is a good time and definitely one families with teens can enjoy.
What were your thoughts on the film?
Cyrano (2021)
Cyrano Common Sense Review
I honestly didn't know what to expect going into this film. My wife had heard of it before but I only had the trailers to go off of and they intrigued me. A colorful, sometimes overwhelmingly so, musical that surrounds the love triangle between Cyrano, his best friend and love interest Roxanne, and outsider Christian. This film definitely felt its length of just over two hours and was very Shakespearean in its presentation and dialogue. It kept my interest throughout and was very well acted, but it could have been toned down some in dialogue, the trimming of certain scenes, and an overwhelming amount of movement and color throughout.
What were your thoughts on the film?
Uncharted (2022)
Uncharted Common Sense Review
Full disclosure, I grew up playing the video game franchise and absolutely love it, holding it close to my heart as one of my favorite game series ever. That being said, I went into this film expecting to absolutely hate it and was very pleasantly surprised. Although very formulaic with regards to plot and action, the acting wasn't as off-putting as I expected and I enjoyed the hunt for treasure as always. This was an origin story, and once I was in that frame of mind, the idea that I was being reintroduced to the character of Nathan Drake took hold and I rode that wave of happiness throughout the film. I genuinely hope that moving forward this franchise only gets better.
What were your thoughts on this film?
The Batman (2022)
The Batman Common Sense Review
This is the most comic-accurate Batman we have ever gotten on screen and I absolutely loved it. Matt Reeves' direction is immaculate and perfectly fits into Batman's world. @greigfraser_dp literally perfect cinematography gave me chills throughout, and used the darkness of the character and source material to better tell the story, he truly made Batman the shadows. The score and every aspect of the sound design and production helped to transport the audience into Gotham and into this story. The acting by all was incredible, specifically Colin Farrell as The Penguin, he absolutely stole every scene he was in. Second, only to The Dark Knight in my book, The Batman will go down as one of the greatest superhero films ever made, and I'm already looking forward to my second theater viewing.
What were your thoughts?
Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2022)
Texas Chainsaw Massacre Common Sense Review
The original Texas Chainsaw Massacre is credited with beginning the slasher horror film craze, inspiring other titans of the horror genre such as Halloween and Friday the 13th. The original film taps into many aspects of subconscious, fight-to-survive horror. I had never seen the original until I prepared to watch the new film. While the original had various reasons for its fame, this new film absolutely obliterated any chance of a revival for this horror franchise.
A sad, cash-grab attempt at copying the newer Halloween franchise, which sports its own host of issues, the new Texas Chainsaw Massacre is so poorly brought together, it's a miracle it can be called a movie. Don't waste your time like I did, take my word of warning and avoid Netflix's half-assed attempt to reinvigorate a classic horror franchise at all costs.
What were your thoughts on these films?
Shut In (2022)
Shut In Common Sense Review
Full disclosure, I am a conservative and big Ben Shapiro fan. When it was announced that The Daily Wire would be wading into the arena of film, I was very excited. Unfortunately, I have yet to watch Run Hide Fight but it is on my watchlist. Despite my personal political leanings and personal bias towards the production company, this review will remain apolitical, just as my approach towards the film itself was. Shut In was a film that sat in development Hell for a long time, even resting for a time on Hollywood's famous Black List of Scripts, the better scripts for one reason or another that haven't been produced by film studios. The script was something I felt could have been improved upon, some of the lines given to the main protagonist Jessica, played by Rainey Qualley, were fairly cringe no matter the delivery. Directed by DJ Caruso of Disturbia and Eagle Eye fame, it's clear that Caruso put real effort into this film through the direction of the film. The cinematography is also interesting, using unique angles to keep the audience's attention, help move the story along, and foreshadow things to come. A very contained film, Shut In does well working within its confined space. It does lag in parts throughout the second act but there is still enough action and emotion playing out on screen to keep the plot moving forward. Ultimately a film about the power of a mother's love, no matter imperfect said mother may be, and the inner strength and determination one can find when grounded in faith, Shut In is a worthy addition to the Thriller genre and definitely worth a watch.
American Underdog (2021)
American Underdog Common Sense Review
I'm a sucker for sports movies, I truly enjoy them despite the common tropes and clichés that they fall into. American Underdog is different I would argue because the theme of faith makes up the foundation of the film, while not being overwhelming or preachy. Sporting an all-star cast that all give great performances, this film manages to avoid most of the cheesiness often associated with both sports and faith-based films. Sharing the inspiring story of Kurt Warner and his quest to make it to the NFL, this story of perseverance and heart will make for a great time with the family.
What were your thoughts on the film?
The Matrix Resurrections (2021)
The Matrix Resurrections Common Sense Review
As a teen, I watched the original Matrix Trilogy and was completely awestruck by the fight scenes, action sequences, and "bullet time" slo-mo. Since that first watch-through, however, I never went back and dove back into the Matrix. With the new one being released, I decided that now was the time to reenter the Matrix. The first film is one of the best action films of all time, and although two and three are a step down from the original, they are still good in their own right, three being a stronger entry than two. Lastly, we have the newest addition to the Matrix universe, Matrix Resurrections. The first half of the film is really well done and introduces some great new ideas. Unfortunately, the second half of the film completely falls apart and ruins the build-up from the first half of the film.
What were your thoughts on the Matrix Tetralogy?
Scream (2022)
Scream Common Sense Review
In preparation for the new Scream film being released, I decided to watch all of the previous Scream films, all of which I had never seen before. I will admit to going into watching the Scream franchise with a healthy amount of cynicism, my experience with horror film franchises having not been the greatest. For every Insidious and Conjuring, there is a Friday the 13th and Halloween. Scream took me by surprise in the best possible way. Tight, concise writing and directing from Director Wes Craven kept these films on point plot-wise. With great scores that keep up the audience's anxiety and a smooth balance of both horror and humor, Scream is an anomaly with regard to the horror genre; every single film has been good.
What were your thoughts on the Scream Franchise as a whole?
Jackass Forever (2022)
Jackass Forever Common Sense Review
My friends and I have been looking forward to this film since when the first trailer dropped. Growing up watching older people do insane, crazy, gross stunts with their group of friends was always something I thought was cool and wish my friends and I had done. The sheer amount of high jinx in this film, and the mind-boggling number of pranks, had my friends and I rolling and clutching our aching sides with laughter. In fact, I don't believe that I have ever laughed harder in a public theater than I did watching this movie. Easily my favorite theater experience of 2022 so far.
What were your thoughts on the film?
The Tragedy of Macbeth (2021)
The Tragedy of Macbeth Common Sense Review
When this film was announced, I was immediately excited as Denzel Washington is one of my all-time favorite actors. This film's aesthetic was truly breathtaking, its monochromatic set and lighting were only emphasized by the choice to film in black and white. Despite the picture-perfect production design, cinematography, lighting, and set design, this film is weighed down by its clunky source material. While being beautifully acted and the physical acting helps to tell the story, the use of the original dialogue from the Shakespearean play drags this film down in my opinion. I respect the filmmaking and the dedication of all of those involved, but the dialogue brought the film down for me.
What were your thoughts on the film?
Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts (2022)
Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts Common Sense Review
After the disappointment that was the most recent Fantastic Beasts, I admit that I was a bit put off by the Harry Potter franchise. It's unfortunate but it felt as though anything recent with regard to Harry Potter had simply become a cash grab. This reunion, with the behind-the-scenes stories, bittersweet memories, and return of the beloved cast members, reignited my excitement for the world JK Rowling created. This reunion brought laughter and tears and is definitely worth your time, especially if you love the Harry Potter universe. It honors all of those involved with the films in a very meaningful way.
What were your thoughts about the reunion?
Being the Ricardos (2021)
Being the Ricardos Common Sense Review
This was a film that when it was announced I was immediately intrigued by. I grew watching I Love Lucy re-runs and loved the characters, and to be offered the opportunity to select those people again was something I became excited about. This film was not what I was expecting it to be, not in a good or bad way, but just different. Both Kidman and Bardem completely embodied their characters and I wouldn't be surprised to see some awards in their future. The story is very long, and at times unnecessarily confusing, but that's something I've come to expect with any Aaron Sorkin film as they tend to be long-winded. Beautiful set and production design help to transport one back to the Golden Age of Hollywood. Overall a good film, if a bit a long and confusing at times, but worth at least one watch.
What were your thoughts on the film?
The Tender Bar (2021)
The Tender Bar Common Sense Review
This film was frustrating for me. It started off well, quickly establishing characters, plot points, and the tone of the film. The child actor of JR was one of the best parts of the film, managing to give both a good performance and avoid falling into the annoying category many child actors fall into. Ben Affleck also gives a great performance as JR'S father figure Uncle Charlie. The second and third act however, completely fall short of the engagement the first act offers in a big way. Feeling very directionless and not really showcasing anything interesting, too much time is spent away from the film's namesake, The Tender Bar. This ultimately brought my score of the film down to its final resting place of meh.
What were your thoughts?
Nightmare Alley (2021)
Nightmare Alley Common Sense Review
As soon as I heard Guillermo Del Toro was directing a new movie, I was immediately on board and planning on watching the film. As the title and cast were revealed I only grew more and more excited. I can confidently say that no film from 2021 left me feeling more conflicted than this one. Nightmare Alley is simultaneously interesting and boring and I don't know how it achieved that. You are invested in the story of the characters, and yet it is a struggle to connect with the characters themselves. As always there is immaculate production design, set design, and cinematography which are mainstays for a Del Toro production. Unfortunately, the long runtime is very much so felt and a lack of connection with the characters makes it difficult to care about what is happening to them throughout the film.
What were your thoughts on the film?
The King's Man (2021)
The King's Man Common Sense Review
The King's Man was a film I have been looking forward to since it was announced. I am a fan of the first film and was hoping this film would wipe my mouth of the bad taste left behind by the second film. Unfortunately this film was a mess, but for different reasons. The film struggled under the weight of having to juggle fictional and historical characters. This struggle bled over into it's pacing and tone, where it couldn't decide the type of film it was wanting to be. There were some cool action sets and the acting wasn't terrible, but overall the story felt very forced. Also, the reason for the U. S. staying out of WWI given by the film, while over the top and outrageous, was frankly just stupid.
What were your thoughts on the film?