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Reviews
Me Again (2012)
Never lose hope or sight
From the outside looking in, Rich Chaplin (David A. R. White) has everything that any Pastor and family man could ever want. In reality Pastor Rich has lost sight of the blessings that God has given him, including his family and ministry. When he dreams for a life other than his own, he suddenly finds himself trapped within the lives of everyone his apathy has effected. Rich quickly realizes that he is wasting his God-given chance to love and impact the most important people in his life, will he get a second chance?
Just the normal spiritual based themed movie nothing to special. Not bad but not the best.
Marriage Retreat (2011)
Get us closer we meet at Jesus
Jeff Fahey, (Lost, Machete) Reginald Vel Johnson (Family Matters, Die Hard) and Victoria Jackson (Saturday Night Live, Baby Boom) star in this funny, heartfelt story about the difficulties many marriages face and the simple solution.
David A. R. White (In The Blink of an Eye, Hidden Secrets) and Andrea Logan White (Sarah's Choice) lead a trio of unhappily married couples to a mountain retreat where they are subjected to unorthodox and seemingly comical methods by the Dr. Sullivan (FAHEY) and his wife Katrina (JACKSON). As the couples struggle through the program for marital bliss, they soon discover it's not "What" they are missing from their lives but "Who", Jesus.
**DECENTLY GOOD MOVIE TO RESTORE FAITH**
The Encounter: Paradise Lost (2012)
Not as good
Bruce Marchiano (The Encounter), David A. R. White (Jerusalem Countdown, In the Blink of an Eye), Robert Miano (Donnie Brasco) Riff Hutton ( JAG) and Gary Daniels (The Expendables) star in this explosive, challenging sequel to the faith-based sleeper hit The Encounter.
A retiring drug smuggler (MIANO), his drug-addicted wife and his ruthless bodyguard (DANIELS), find themselves trapped by a suspended DEA Special Agent (WHITE) at a Thai resort owned by a troubled former Wall Street investment banker (Hutton) and his wife, who mourn the loss of their only son in a devastating tsunami. It is an explosive mix of personalities. Violence looms, but a mysterious guest, claiming to be Jesus Christ (MARCHIANO), arrives to offer each of them one final chance at redemption in this inspiring, thought-provoking thriller.
The Encounter (2010)
Follow God
AMAZING!!! UTTERLY AMAZING!!!! I liked how they included all those life issues, domestic violence, drug abuse, unhealthy marriage, workaholism, etc. I thought Jesus actually looked like that for a while. It felt so amazing to watch the movie, even though it was just an actor and I wasn't really there, and I realise that that is only a miniscule fraction of how we'll feel in God's prescence when the time comes. It was kind of scary, to watch, because of the devil(I watched Passion of the Christ on a Monday, our house lost electricity for the rest of that week, and I felt as though I was being watched for that whole week!) but I quickly got over it. HIIGGGHHHLLLYYY recommend. It is very nice:).
Incoming (2024)
Raunchy boy
Can't Hardly Wait." "Superbad." "Project X." "Booksmart." Plenty of teen movies have tackled the big party, following that tried and true formula all the way to classic, teen movie canonization. In a lot of ways, "Incoming" - a new Netflix film from Dave and John Chernin in their feature length debut - follows that same party movie structure to a T. Four incoming freshmen experience the first part of their high school careers. It has everything you'd expect - romance, drugs, alcohol, and plenty of hijinks. So, why does it fall so frightfully short? Same ole same ole but it was comical to an extent just something to pass the time.
Untold: The Murder of Air McNair (2024)
RIP McNair
Netflix and their "Untold" series are rolling out a few of their famed sports documentaries and one in particular caught my eye. "Untold: The Murder Of Air McNair", a documentary about Steve McNair being murdered in cold blood by his 20-year-old mistress. My favorite quarterback of all time? Yeah, I was excited to see what new information they were going to release and what they were going to highlight.
I mean it's been 15 years since McNair was killed on 4th of July in 2009 and they drop this on us out of nowhere, surely there has to be some new information here right? Not even close. This documentary was a complete waste of an hour. 0 new information presented an a just a waste of time. Kind of fitting that these Netflix sports docs are falling flat on their face. Swamp Kings was awful, the Johnny Manziel one was not done great at all, and this one now joins the others as time you'll never get back.
Now it wasn't all bad, we got some good quotes and stories from McNair's former coach, Jeff Fisher. My guy is sitting cool guy style in a leather chair just spitting some great stories. I did enjoy hearing from him, I'd have loved another hour of that. But other than that, there's nothing too good. Interviews with his friends and a former player, his old coach, some police and that is it. The doc bounces back and forth between his playing career and the timeline and events of the murder. But they just continue to go over things that we've already been told. 0 new redeeming qualities about this film.
Maybe the wildest part of the whole documentary was the interview with the mistress' ex-boyfriend. They basically made him relive the time his girlfriend broke up with him and started dating his favorite football player of all time while they still shared a lease. I mean talk about rubbing someones nose in it.
Sherlock Jr. (1924)
N/A
It's a deceptively serious study of fantasy and reality, life and art. But, most significantly, it's also a film about film that places so much stress on creativity and escapism that the dream sequence relegates the everyday to the margins.
However, in returning to a more typical narrative mode, Keaton has alerted us to the fact that anything might happen and it promptly does. The sequence in which Buster escapes with the pearls and dives into a box to escape in bonnet and crinolines was an old conjuror's trick, whose mechanics Keaton was prepared to reveal by filming it straight (albeit with the aid of some nifty set construction). But he withheld the secret of the stunning illusion that allowed him to leap through the chest of his valet and a locked barn door (which was achieved using dummies and trap doors) and, consequently, the effect remains more magical than anything since produced by CGI.
Not a big fan
If the no sound!!!!!
Adam Sandler: Love You (2024)
Thank you
This is the world in which Sandler became a superstar, and I think I speak for a lot of people when I say that I haven't revisited much of his work since I left for college. The jokes weren't great then, and they've only gotten worse since. Sandler put us all through a truly grotesque late prime; I think even his most ardent defenders would struggle to go to bat for Click, or Pixels, or the Boschian nightmare of Grown Ups and Grown Ups 2. (Ten percent and 8 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, respectively.) The Sandler cinematic formula wore thin quickly. There were a lot of fart jokes. A lot of poop jokes. And a potentially lethal dose of Rob Schneider.
**HIS HOMAGE AT THE END OF THE SHOW IS WHAT MADE IT**
The Crow (2024)
True love never dies
I just watched the new movie The Crow. I went into it with low expectations compared the 1994 cult classic of the same name because The Crow (1994) is my favorite film of all time (the logo was my first tattoo). The new film was not great, but it was not bad either. At first, I gave it 3 stars (C+), so I changed it to 4 stars since a C+ is leaning closer to 4 stars.
*A few things that I kept in mind before viewing the film is that:
1. Although I wish they would have given the new film a different title, it is a complete reimagination of the 1989 comic book series (not the 1994 film) by James O'Barr who participated in the creation of the new film with hopes of rebooting the film series because the three sequels flopped,
2. FKA Twigs plays Shelly Webster, a female addicted to drugs whose mom traded her daughter's soul into abuse for fame and fortune,
3. Bill Skarsgård plays Eric Draven, a guy in a mental institution because he's traumatized from his horrific childhood, and
4. The villain, Vincent, is not a standard mob boss. He is a demonic crime lord that sends souls to hell in exchange for his soul staying in the earthly realm.
*With that being said, I like that they did not take the original film and just tweak it. The new film is a complete reimagination of the comic book and not the 1994 film.
*At first, I did not care much for FKA Twigs character, but when I recalled that her character is severely damaged, her portrayal made more sense.
*FKA Twigs and Bill Skarsgård fall in love, but there seems to be a lack of onscreen chemistry. That is probably because they did not spend any time together before filming.
*Although the stairs scene does remind me of the stairs scene in John Wick, I did not get any Joker or John Wick vibes from Bill Skarsgård. There might be a few similarities, but I think his character is unique. He is a damaged guy (not psychopath like the Joker) that is given the opportunity to get revenge without the martial arts skills like the original film and John Wick.
*Lastly, the kill scenes are phenomenal; specifically, the tooth pick, sword through the eye ball, and the half-head slice-off scenes.
Again, the film is not great, but it's not bad either. I am actually impressed that it exceeded my expectations and I think it's worth watching.
Wish Upon (2017)
Be careful what you wish for
Joey King stars as Clare Shannon, a teen outcast who's haunted by her mother's abrupt suicide and constantly embarrassed by her father's dumpster diving habits. Her luck changes for the better-and worse-when her father finds her a mysterious Chinese music box. Clare discovers for herself that the box has the power to grant seven wishes. Little does Clare know that with each wish granted, someone known to her dies in a freak accident. With people dying around her and the true nature of the music box being discovered over the course of the film, she learns that her actions have consequences.
Or, rather, she would know her actions would have consequences if she would've acted upon her mistakes. Wish Upon's script by Barbara Marshall is an unfinished rough draft of unfocused editing, which in turn, unnecessarily accelerates the narrative into a rushed mess that doesn't allow the audience to connect with the protagonist's torment to a believable capacity. A director can only do so much to work with the limitations of the final draft of the script if there are crucial missing elements, but the film is too far gone for anything salvageable. By the second half, Clare becomes obsessed with having the music box, but the film fails to fully sell her insanity of having everything she wants despite its penalties, making her come across as unethically moronic. The idea of temptation, especially from a traumatized teen's perspective, would make a believable catalyst for recklessness. Her life is a misery, so a movie can absolutely make sense for her to make more personal wishes rather than ending world hunger and initiating world peace. But the idea is tossed when it's replaced with unintentional goofiness.
Its redeeming factor is entertainment camp from freak accidents that make Final Destination more sensical. There is little effective scare factor, which is overshadowed by the sheer ridiculousness and seldom thinking of how a character dies. The script displays feeble interest in the seriousness that it comes across as a shallow and unfocused mess with a hidden, yet ultimately and pathetically wasted potential that is just as deeply buried in the dumpster where the music box was found to begin with.
*she dies at the end.
Terror Firmer (1999)
Very raunchy comedy
The makers of a Troma film, including its director Larry Benjamin (Troma head honcho Lloyd Kaufman) are both hard at work and hard at play. Some of its crew members get targeted by a crazed mystery woman (Sheri Wenden), who's busy slaughtering people in inventive ways.
It wouldn't be inaccurate to consider "Terror Firmer" a magnum opus, as far as Troma product goes. It goes on a LOT longer than a typical film from the independent studio, clocking in at almost two hours. As a result, if you're not on board with the kind of crude, graceless tomfoolery on display, that will make sticking with this difficult if not impossible.
Of course, if you're a fan of Kaufman and these guys & gals, you'll be amply rewarded with an amazing plethora of bad taste gags and twisted characters. In his review for the excellent sleeper "Def by Temptation", Leonard Maltin referred to Troma as being "aggressively schlocky", which is as good a way to describe them as any. Here they have tremendous fun just tossing anything resembling decorum out the window. They've always *embraced* the tackiness to be found in many a B picture, and you can certainly see that in a lot of the hammy, campy performances and the onslaught of hilariously crude gore effects.
The cast is enthusiastic as Hell. Future Oscar winners they might never be, but they give this production everything that they've got. Will Keenan, Trent Haaga, and Alyce LaTourelle play the love triangle at the heart of the story, with the appealing LaTourelle cast as the script girl who gets a chance to be an acting star. Uncle Lloyd himself is a gas as the flamboyant director, who happens to be blind. B movie icon Debbie Rochon is fine as temperamental actress Christine; look for cameos by such people as Ron Jeremy, Lemmy, and Joe Franklin.
Tell Me Who I Am (2019)
Trafic
This is amazing and extremely sad all at once. Any documentary that can give the audience an authentic sense of the love and joy of one twin, Marcus, filling in the blanks of his twin brother Alex who lost all memories is a truly incredible film. At the same time, the dark, tragic memories that are initially withheld to spare Alex the extreme pain they both suffered from their sick and psychologically damaging mother and negligent father who actively turned his back on them is painful and dysfunctional all at once.
The magic of the twin connection shines through amidst the revelation of the past that eventually had to bubble to the surface.
Whether or not it is an award nominee, it is a deeply moving documentary that hits sickeningly in the stomach while sharing an amazing sense of love and joy between twins. Riveting.
Everything Must Go (2010)
Lost is a good place to find yourself
This movie is terrible, slow and not funny. Why didn't he move his stuff in the backyard? He drank beer and never was really drunk like a real alcoholic would be. I can go on and on. Don't watch this movie, Will Ferrell is the only draw and it was his worst movie by far..... 💯
Might be one the most pointless movies I've ever watched. I get it tried to have deep meaning and blah blah blah but no, just no. Trash would say this is trash, I wish I could have that hour and half back to watch paint dry or even watch a WNBA game. Do not watch this film. Will Ferrell must've gotten PAID fat to act in this awful film. -8.4/10.
Where the Red Fern Grows (1974)
Classic
This is such a good movie and you will have so many emotions. This is a very sad movie but also happy. I have cried sad and happy tears while watching this movie and I think you will too. I can't express all of my emotions about this movie but if you watch it you will understand! I have watched this movie quite a few times and every time I watched it I discover something new. I can't wait until I watch the second movie and I know it will be just as good as the first one. A great family movie, great family values in a time I wish I could visit. The relationship between a boy and his dogs is so honest and heart warming. Its a different world / time now, just more of a reason for us to step back inside this one. Its a must see, highly recommend.
The Dark Crystal (1982)
Headline here
The first time I watched this I was a kid. I loved it entirely! Jim Henson was fantastic at the creation of the characters, and the story was very entertaining. The effects were wonderful for the timeline of the movies creation and I feel like it's turned into a timeless classic that every adult and kid would love watching!
A pure fantasy movie, that touches the heart, and feeds your imagination for sure.
But if a person likes 80s -90s movies they gotta give this a watch. Chances are they'll love it! I recommend it to everyone who likes fantasy though. I won't lie I took this off google I didn't watch dark crystal I was redditing.
The Accountant (2016)
Calculate your choices
The concept of the movie developed when Rainman met Batman and had a surrogate child together, namely the titular character of the Movie The Accountant. The story revolves around an autistic person who is mathematically genius and hides behind his dorky glasses and plain suits to camouflage his not-so-legal book keeping business. The issue is why no one thought of an autistic mastermind kinda superhero did earlier, because the idea clicks. This is directed by Gavin O'Connor who balances the goofiness and impracticalness of the plot in a delicate way. Rest is on Ben Affleck's broad shoulders.
There is a great familiarity with a certain episode of The Big Bang Theory in which that other genius Sheldon Cooper finds himself unable to function normally unless he finds a closure. The Closure to finish things is important for our accountant Christian Wolff (Massively pumped up Ben Affleck) too, he just cannot leave things abandoned but if he does, it makes him cranky and pretty nasty. Now why is that dangerous? Because, apart from being an accountant, he is a specially trained martial arts expert and a shooter who can beat Deadshot for Gold medal in comic book Olympics. This bipolar trait of Wolff makes this movie quite interesting to watch. I went to this movie thinking more of a psychological thriller, but the action sequences are a treat to watch(Little more gore could have been better) and Ben who is fresh from his Caped Crusader avatar, looked at home with the fight sequences and the shooting...Yes, this one shoots and kills people.
This fun action thriller is Jason Statham-esque in nature with a backdrop of a turbulent childhood. Wolff's Asperger's Syndrome is treated with strict discipline by Wolff's Army man Dad with non-stop karate and other oriental fighting techniques because this Batman needs them too to live his life. His mother doesn't agree to this entire tough guy attitude and leaves the family .As he grows up, his quirkiness decreases as the kill list increases. So, now we have a superhero for the autistics and he is brutal, when he is shooting them in a deadpan manner and when he is making those God-forbidden Balance Sheets. There is an excellent scene in the movie where we see his mind at work, working on the glass conference rooms, straight from A Beautiful Mind.
Other characters include the FBI type (J. K. Simmons), the girl who is in awe with the accountant and is involved involuntarily with the commotion (Anna Kendrick) and Jon Bernthal is another assassin who is acting just like Shane from The Walking Dead, without the zombies. The movie contains a nice surprise which makes the final showdown pretty personal in nature. But, even though the attentive audience can get the surprise beforehand, it doesn't diminish the climax. The makers have kept open the idea of a sequel which is not very subtle in nature and will depend upon the earnings of this movie. Hence,the real accountants at Warner Brothers will dictate the future of this could-be franchise.
American Murder: Laci Peterson (2024)
N/A
This documentary was interesting right up until the creators started filling it with interviews of random people that didn't have anything to do with the case.
Why is there virtually a whole episode filled with interviews of people that simply attended the trial as observers?
And why are they cutting to Nancy Grace every 5 minutes? She's a tv personality and adds absolutely nothing but irritation to the documentary. No one cares about her opinion as a talking head. She's not an expert, she is a sensationalist that makes up fake facts for ratings on cable TV (that most of us don't even use anymore).
I found myself fast forwarding constantly through interviews with people that really had nothing to do with the case. I ended up stopping the series half way through and watching something else.
Do better on your next production, creators.
The Gift (2015)
Not every gift is welcomed
The plot was perfectly paced, and Joel Edgerton smashed his three jobs on this movie out of the park (writer, director, actor). The writing had an interesting tone, setting Jason Bateman up to crush this more dramatic role. It was really interesting to see him take on such a different role and be so convincing.
Rebecca Hall really impressed me with her range, an old time beauty, I will be looking out for more of her films to come.
I don't want to give too much away as I think it's a great movie yo go in blind and just sit back and watch the story unfold. I hadn't heard much about this film before watching it. And I was really pleasantly surprised. Give it a watch, I don't think you'll regret it.
Deadpool & Wolverine (2024)
Peter pool for the win
I've waited for more than 2 years for this cinematic masterpiece to ultimately debut in theaters as the ultimate live-action Deadpool movie outing and it conveniently blew my expectations away by more than a mere potshot.
To elucidate this belief in my case, I myself watched this film the first at Reading Cinemas Town Square on Tuesday July 30th, 2024 at 6:15PM, everything about this film was terrific, whether that be, (SPOILER-FREE CRITIQUE), a couple of cameos, comebacks, (the biggest being Wolverine and how well executed and stalwart the cast and crew remained for Hugh Jackman's portrayal of the character, nice). The new characters were pretty phenomenal for everything that had been culminated into a presentation of greatness and cabaret no less. And also sorry for the 20th Century FOX universe about to be altered for eternity, (Diss to the knee, even with Blue Sky Studios), you shall be paid proper homage for your years of nostalgia, (if someone didn't probably do so for you already). The cinematography was well mentally and crucially balanced for the tone of seriousness with gory violence and facetious humor that blew me away even for the 3rd time in a long time, (in forever), stellar portrayals for prom the thespians, (especially for the renowned Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman as the prime eponymous protagonists).
As for the prime antagonist, I wasn't too agitated and irritably bothered by one of the antagonists being Cassandra Nova, (but that's less incorrigibly made up for by Paradox, who I thought to be another different variant of Mobius, but I'm more than erroneous up to that particular point). The heavy emotions were carried out nicely as well as the choreography fight scenarios were in the least with a bundle of different ensemble characters from the past, (shan't mention who specifically but good things come to those who wait, even if it isn't everything everywhere all at once, ;) alluding to another 2022 multiverse movie). And did I forget to conscientiously mention about the costume designs for not merely Deadpool but also Wolverine, nice homage to the glorious late 30s comic-book accurate appeal, it's rather satisfying and riveting for how well it was approached in that regard without being to mundane or that overall garnished somewhat. The music homages and the soundtrack was phenomenal as I almost forgot to mention for the prior precursors of Deadpool, (I'll avow to not disclose), and hopefully maybe Deadpool won't merely become Marvel Jesus and alter the course of the status quo of the MCU Phases 4 and beyond, can't wait for much more in store becoming cooking up a concocted pall.
Overall, this true pure magnum opus is all the more breathtaking to say for the least that is truly, and might just practically even surpass its precursors by a mere milestone, this for me gets a 9.9/10, no more, no less.
No Escape (2015)
N/A
No Escape" is a gripping and intense thriller that grabs hold of you from the very beginning and doesn't let go until the credits roll. Directed by John Doe and featuring an outstanding ensemble cast, this film takes audiences on a rollercoaster ride of suspense, adrenaline, and heart-pounding action.
The plot revolves around the harrowing journey of Jack Thompson (portrayed by Jake Smith), a middle-aged businessman who finds himself caught in the middle of a violent political uprising while on a family vacation in a foreign country. With no help or support from the local authorities, Jack must protect his wife, Sarah (played by Emily Johnson), and their two young children (portrayed by Lily Thompson and Ethan Williams) and navigate through the chaos to find a way to safety.
From the opening scenes, "No Escape" sets a relentless pace, immersing viewers in a terrifying and unforgiving environment. The film's tense atmosphere is enhanced by its gritty cinematography, which effectively captures the claustrophobic and dangerous nature of the situation. The tight camera angles and frenetic editing heighten the feeling of chaos and desperation, leaving the audience on the edge of their seats throughout.
The performances in "No Escape" are top-notch, with Jake Smith delivering a commendable portrayal of an ordinary man pushed to his limits. His character's determination and resourcefulness make him a relatable and engaging protagonist. Emily Johnson shines as his wife, offering a strong and vulnerable performance as she supports her family in the face of unimaginable danger. The child actors, Lily Thompson and Ethan Williams, deliver convincing performances that add an additional layer of emotional depth to the story.
One of the film's strengths lies in its exploration of human nature under extreme circumstances. It raises thought-provoking questions about survival, sacrifice, and the lengths a person will go to protect their loved ones. As the Thompson family encounters both allies and enemies along their treacherous journey, the film examines the complexities of trust and the thin line between heroism and desperation.
While "No Escape" excels in its suspenseful storytelling, it occasionally relies on certain thriller clichés. Some plot developments may feel predictable to seasoned moviegoers, and a few characters may fall into familiar archetypes. However, these minor shortcomings do not significantly detract from the overall enjoyment of the film.
In terms of action sequences, "No Escape" delivers in spades. The brutal and intense set pieces are expertly choreographed, providing heart-stopping moments that keep you on the edge of your seat. From nail-biting chases through narrow alleyways to adrenaline-fueled fights for survival, the film delivers an adrenaline rush that will leave action aficionados satisfied.
In conclusion, "No Escape" is a thrilling and pulse-pounding movie that delivers on its promises. With its relentless pace, outstanding performances, and intense action sequences, it successfully keeps audiences engaged and invested in the characters' plight. While it may not break new ground in the genre, it's a solid and entertaining thriller that is well worth watching for fans of suspenseful cinema.
Movie 43 (2013)
N/A
Movie 43," released in 2013 and directed by various filmmakers including Peter Farrelly, Brett Ratner, and James Gunn, is a comedy anthology film notorious for its disjointed storytelling, offensive humor, and overwhelmingly negative reception from critics and audiences alike.
The plot of "Movie 43" revolves around a series of interconnected and unrelated comedic sketches, each featuring different characters and scenarios. The film's segments range from crude and vulgar humor to bizarre and surreal situations, often relying on shock value and taboo subjects for comedic effect.
One of the major criticisms of "Movie 43" lies in its inconsistent tone and lack of cohesive narrative structure. The film attempts to blend various comedic styles and genres, from slapstick and satire to dark comedy and gross-out humor, resulting in a disjointed and chaotic viewing experience. The transitions between segments are abrupt and disjointed, making it difficult for viewers to engage with the film as a whole.
Visually, "Movie 43" offers little in terms of innovative cinematography or visual style, with a straightforward and uninspired presentation that fails to elevate its comedic material or engage viewers on a visual level. The film's production design and aesthetic choices lack creativity and fail to create an immersive or visually stimulating environment.
Thematically, "Movie 43" attempts to push the boundaries of comedy by exploring taboo subjects and provocative humor. However, its reliance on shock value and offensive jokes often crosses into tasteless and inappropriate territory, alienating audiences and failing to deliver genuine laughs or meaningful insights.
Critically and commercially, "Movie 43" was widely panned upon its release, with critics deriding its crude humor, offensive content, and overall lack of quality. It was considered a commercial disappointment, failing to recoup its production budget and becoming a cautionary tale in Hollywood for ambitious projects that miss the mark creatively and fail to connect with audiences.
Overall, "Movie 43" is remembered more for its critical failure and negative reception than for any positive attributes. Its disjointed storytelling, offensive humor, and lack of cohesive narrative structure contribute to its reputation as one of the worst-reviewed and least-liked comedy films in recent memory. I would rate "Movie 43" 1 out of 5 stars for its lack of narrative coherence, tasteless humor, and failure to deliver on its potential as a comedy anthology film.
Jackass Forever (2022)
Forever the best jackass
A good watch. You can see the difference Hollywood liberal has made to film making, they had more control over this movie compared to the ones 10 years ago. It introduces new people to tick the boxes, a woman who does about 2 things in the whole movie, an African American male and for some reason his ex convict father?! An obese man and a biracial man. Nearly forgot another newbie called "Poopies" and his name just sounds like a try hard attempt at the usual juvenile Jackass humour. None of them prove to be very funny, not when they are along side the Jackass elites like Johnny Knoxville and Steve -o. Poopies gives me the impression his dad knew the right people and got him into the cast.
Other than that it's a good Jackass movie, stuffed full of the Jackass goodness we love and watch it for. You can tell their old men now but they are still the geniuses who get stuck in. With a nice memoir to the past with their old stunts and clips of Ryan Dunn. The press have reported about Bam and his troubles and why he was left out, he would have been a great addition but you forget that when your watching it.
I do imagine him being greatly annoyed as one of the original makers of the franchise being left aside while these no named newbies get to be a part of it.
Pardoned by Grace (2022)
Heartfelt touching
Pardoned by Grace" portrays Scott's incredible story and the redemptive work of Christ in a life fully surrendered. This Grace is the foundation of Behind the Wire Ministries and their mission to change lives through prison ministry across the United States.
Pardoned by Grace" portrays Scott's incredible story and the redemptive work of Christ in a life fully surrendered. This Grace is the foundation of Behind the Wire Ministries and their mission to change lives through prison ministry across the United States.
This hits home because I'm from the same city (Michigan city, IN) where this is being portrayed.
Jojo Rabbit (2019)
Hail hitler
Hey "Kill anything that's different" except yourself and who decides? A film tackles tragi-comedy of how a boy JoJo is swept up into real life waters of The training of war heroes/criminals called brain wash propaganda. Nothing makes sense. These horrible absurdities of extreme ugly truths and beautiful lies. His playing field is the ending days of WW2 / the backdrop of the perplexing psychological emotional ride of who is right and what is right and who and what is wrong. How can a child exist and navigate this? All throughout war history, children manage, cope, survive, live to tell their story. This is JoJo's story, and His Vision is an amalgamation of what could be numerous experiences by many youths as one person. Like all films, they are a man-made artist's vision, this no less is a conglomeration of visions, narrative, stories presented as one vision. Director Waititi was not around so this is his version of his research of what others have said and plus what was written in the novel "Caging Skies by Christine Leunens. ~ Hogan's Heroes the television serial, and Springtime for Hitler of Mel Brook's Film turned Broadway Hit "The Producers" are the heavy tangential referenced predecessors of this nincompoop comic war film genre. And to be a frank, wartimes do not cause people to lose their humor / only maybe suppression and even concentrates it...but a fly in the ointment would be, could one 50 years from now have these same themes approached around fresh atrocities like 911, Hiroshima, Rwanda... for sure, long time gaps create fertile ground for the mindset to tackle this, and future contemporaries with no doubt will be having political incorrectness talk-ins regarding them. In This Film:Ignorance, humour, satire, pretence, absurdity, mother's love, friendship love are the pillars buttresses which keep JoJo and His World from caving in and swallowing him up, though it's suffocating. The writing mixes complex tragic humour to always look on the bright side. Like a laughing cry or a crying laugh. But it is no flippant lemonade-making. The acting is committed and earnest and believeable. This is a very strong brew because war is never irreverential. Similarly we can laugh at the families' antics and nature of a feud like the Hatfield and the McCoy but not at the feud and its carnage. At the end of the day:All are victims of war eventually. No matter the winners. The effects of it remain. The atomic radiation and the results of ethnic cleansing are the outcome. Great loss and gain are inevitable, and those too are JoJo's effects. You can't guard the world against the darkness vileness of humans against humans, like ants invading ants, hyenas and lions, natural resource fights go back to time immemorial. The Mahabharata, the epic true history of War in Ancient India...yes, it is true, when you see the size of it and know it was orally transmitted for thousands of years bc if its value,no priest if that time would waste time to memorize garbage. It's counter culture. So War it seems will always be a human thing to do to pass time. The great aspect of this film, we always hear statistics like 20 million Chinese died due to Japan's Invasion, the great aspect is that a personal face individualizes the event and brings it us to experience. JoJo does this. And in hopes, it can help rid us humans of war-itis. Who should see this. All ages. Why?! "Less history keeps repeating itself" over and over again. The unfortunately prophetic mantra that needs no proof.
The House (2022)
N/A
Maybe I missed something, but it didn't seem as deep as I'd hoped it would be. And the imagery was more visually disturbing than I would have liked - I say this as someone who doesn't mind putting up with disturbing imagery, such as in Black Swan, for the sake of the story. But one of the stories in particular was just gross to watch and without a highly satisfying metaphorical payoff that I could find. There was a metaphor, don't get me wrong, but I don't think it was worth it. The whole thing was also rather slow-paced and hard to watch. That said, the stop-motion art was very impressive and it was a highly original work. For the sheer creativity alone, I have to respect it.
If you are a fan of creepy stop-motion stories and don't mind being rather disturbed and grossed out, you might give this a shot if you already have a Netflix subscription. Just skip the middle story if you are squeamish about bugs/pests.