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Reviews
Dune: Part Two (2024)
WOW!
One of the best films I've ever seen and one of the best experiences I've had in a movie theater in a while. I absolutely adore this film from top to bottom. It is excellent from beginning to end. The cinematography is beautiful and very well done. It's something you notice right off the bat along with the score. The Score is another thing that's just insane here. Just as good as the first one if not better. The action here in this is another standout. Lots of great action sequences. The performances by the entire cast are excellent. Chalamet, Zendaya, Bardem, and Butler are the standouts for me. But also shoutout to Florence Pugh and Rebecca Ferguson, they also killed it. Again, the entire cast kills it. This is just Sci-fi at its peak, which I love because I'm a huge sci-fi fan. Denis Villeneuve really made something special here. This film is INSANELY GOOD.
The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (2023)
Great!
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is a fantastic addition to the Hunger Games franchise. I think the exploration of the early years of the games was a great thing to explore and expand upon if we were coming back to this world. This film is up there with the Catching Fire film for me. One of the better films. This story originally by Suzanne Collins is gripping and engaging. I found it interesting getting to know Snow more and where he came from and how he became who he became. The performances here were great as well. Tom Blyth, Rachel Zegler, and Viola Davis are the standouts for me. I loved their performances here. All in all, I really enjoyed this installment and would recommend it.
The Marvels (2023)
Not that bad.
I actually thought this movie wasn't that bad. It was a nice brisk, fast paced, straightforward superhero film. And that worked for me. I understood everything that was going on and was able to pick up on the connections to the previous MCU projects that are connected. Mainly the first Captain Marvel film.
The Carol Danvers character was better here as well. More understandable and engaging than her previous appearances. We kind of see her get cracked open here and get a greater peek into her world. Kamala Khan is the best part of the film. She is just fun, endearing and hilarious. A real joy. And Monica Rambeau is fantastic here as well. I liked what they did with her story with Carol here as well as how they've showed off her new power set.
Finally, the action sequences were a lot of fun and well crafted. The one glaring issue with this movie is the villain. She's the weakest part of the film and is your typical run of the mill superhero movie villain. That's one area where they could have put a bit, a lot more effort, creativity into.
Barbie (2023)
Fantastic!
Barbie is fantastic from beginning to end. I was hooked in from the beginning of seeing Barbie Land and how it was portrayed. I thought their decision to make it like real dolls from the acting, to the production and set design was perfect, creative, and clever. It was also a little bit unexpected and surprising. Loved all of that. The script is great as a whole as well. Greta and Noah Baumbach wrote, I think a really intriguing story here. Greta's direction is also excellent. Also the cast all nails it here. Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling especially. The soundtrack was great as well and fit perfectly. Everything with this I feel just fit pretty seamlessly together and it delivered in the end. What an accomplishment for Greta Gerwig and everyone involved, to make a Barbie movie as great and successful as this.
Oppenheimer (2023)
Well made film!
Oppenheimer is a very well made film. From the cinematography, to the direction, sound design, acting, everything. It's a well put together film mad with a lot of care and you can tell as soon it starts. Also, it uses IMAX to its full extent and perfectly. I'm not usually into films like this one but I think this one won me over with just how great everything came out. Although I did fall asleep a few times. As expected because I do find films like these a bit boring, However, I can still appreciate the fantastic filmmaking at hand here. Cillian Murphy killed it here. I hadn't seen him in anything else prior but he's great! Two scenes that I loved were the bomb scene and the scene of Oppenheimer in the auditorium or classroom with the students. Those scenes were put together very well.
Renfield (2023)
Entertaining.
I had a lot of fun watching this one. It's a good campy horror comedy with some great action throughout. With a great performances from Nicolas Cage and Nicolas Hoult but especially Cage who absolutely nails Dracula here. I actually liked Hoult's performance quite a bit as well as Renfield. He was really engaging as the lead which is something I think you want. The only thing it could have used more of was Dracula. Cage is really fun in the role that you want to see more. All in all, this is a fun, light flick that I think is worth seeing, whether that's in theaters or streaming. Fun Halloween movie.
The Little Mermaid (2023)
Solid!
This live-action adaptation is great in my opinion. I walked out of the film loving it honestly. Halle Bailey is the highlight here. She's a star. Her performance is fantastic and without her this wouldn't work. Great casting choice. A lot of the best parts of the movie involve Ariel & Prince Eric together. The chemistry between Bailey and Jonah Hauer-King is palpable. They really sell it. Also everything on land visually was good including the VFX. However the scenes underwater were uneven in terms of quality. Some shots looked good some bad. The music is great here as well. Bailey obviously stands out with her performances including the new song "For the First Time". That sequence is probably my favorite one in the film. I thought it was really well done. Melissa McCarthy also does a great job with "Poor Unfortunate Souls". While not perfect, I think this is one of the better Disney Live-Actions released.
The Flash (2023)
Meh.
My overall thoughts on this are just meh.... I thought it was just ok but nothing really special about it. With all of the hype around it from different celebrities and the studio heads, etc, I was expecting more to be frank. I didn't hate it but also didn't love it either. Also, I was never a fan of the casting from the beginning when I first saw Miller in Justice League in 2017. His portrayal just never worked or grabbed me compared to the others. And his portrayal here didn't change my mind. This just wasn't what the studio and lots of others hyped it up to be at the end of the day. Definitely NOT one of the best superhero films to date but just an ok entry.
Loki: Ouroboros (2023)
Great Premiere Episode!
I don't think it could've been better. This was a fantastic opening episode to the season. Hits the ground running immediately picking up where Season 1 left off and does not stop. That's one of the things I loved about this episode. It was intense and stressful and had me on the edge of my seat. The production design, cinematography and music remain some of the best parts of the series as well continuing from season 1. All of the actors including Tom Hiddleston, Owen Wilson, Ke Huy Quan, etc all are amazing here in the episode as well. Hiddleston does a really great job here portraying the various emotions Loki experiences here.
M3GAN (2022)
Fun!
M3GAN is fun. It's a good thriller with some hilarious moments but also some interesting ones as well. I liked the topics that the film addressed, specifically in regards to children and coping with trauma. And parenting and how that all would be affected with having an android doll in the picture. You see the good initially but then quickly see the negative effects it has on everything. Overall I had fun with this one and all of its silliness. The dancing scene was hilarious as well as M3GAN singing Titanium by Sia. That was one of the best parts. I would recommend this to anyone even the slightest bit interested. Worth a watch 100%.
Sonic the Hedgehog (2020)
Fun!
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is a fantastic sequel. Very charming, fun, & funny. Better than the first in my opinion, although the first is special. This one also seems great for those who are enthusiasts of the Sonic video game. Just a great video game movie over all. The MVPs of the film are the three hedgehogs. Sonic, Tails and Knuckles are all fantastic. I loved Knuckles in this. He had a great journey throughout and evolved as the movie went on. Tails was the heart of the movie, super sweet. And with Sonic I loved his hero journey from beginning to end. Great messages there with him. I also enjoyed the core Wachowski family dynamic. The Hawaii scenes were hilarious too. Overall just a fun blockbuster family movie. 🍿
Bullet Train (2022)
Funny & Entertaining!
Bullet Train is a fun movie. If you're just looking for a nice comedic action flick, this one's for you. I had a lot of fun with it. There were lots of twists and turns that kept me engaged along 2 surprise cameos that caught me off guard. One in particular was very funny. The cast does a great job in my opinion. I liked the character work a lot. Brad Pitt is great but I particularly loved Bryan Tyree Henry's performance along with his "brother" Aaron Taylor Johnson's. Joey King was great and stood out in her role. And Bad Bunny was good as well in his first movie role at that I know of. Overall loved the action and look of the film. Very fun, engaging and over the top at times but nothing really special.
Nope (2022)
Great!
NOPE is probably my favorite movie of 2022 so far. From beginning to end I was engaged and invested in the story and characters. I loved the whole theme of spectacle with this film and what can't be controlled. Also how we often hunger for and desire it. The brother & sister dynamic was great! Nice to see this as I feel we don't see this relationship highlighted often. Daniel Kaluuya and Keke Palmer absolutely nailed that dynamic. The whole cast is fantastic. I loved them all. But the MVP's for me were Keke Palmer and Brandon Perea. Loved both of them here. Emerald was hilarious and fun but also a bit complex. Angel was great as well. Loved his vibe. Yeun and Wincott were good as well. With OJ, Kaluuya often had to do a lot of face/body acting because of the quietness of the character which was fantastic. Another aspect of the film that was cool was the cinematography and the location. Loved the setting of the film being at a ranch with a lot of the focus on the sky as well. That made for some great visuals. Overall, I really enjoyed this one and would 100% recommend.
Thor: Love and Thunder (2022)
Mixed bag but overall enjoyable.
I have mixed feelings about this one. There were things I liked and enjoyed about it but also things I didn't. For me the biggest issue was the first act. It felt rushed and could have used way more. For instance, I would have liked to have seen more backstory with Gorr but also more with Jane as well and what she was up to with her cancer diagnosis and all. Another thing is they should've actually showed her initial transformation into Mighty Thor, they had to have filmed it, I know they filmed it. Also her first meeting with Valkyrie and their relationship. Another thing I wasn't a fan of was the stuff with the Guardians. I just didn't care for that section and thought the jokes were a bit overkill at times.
What I did like and enjoy was the little we got of Gorr the God Butcher. I liked Thor & Janes interactions/relationship in the movie. The flashback to their breakup was a great sequence. I also enjoyed several of the fight sequences and the ending. Thought it was unexpected and surprising. Curious as to what's next with that ending.
All in all, I think this movie could have used a lot more of a lot things and a lot less jokes. It was mainly lacking the balance that Thor: Ragnarok possessed. Which is its main problem. Regardless, I still had a fun time but left wanting more in areas.
Top Gun: Maverick (2022)
Great!
Pleasantly surprised! Not usually something I would usually be into or watch. But had to see what the hype was about and it exceeded my expectations. A fantastic summer blockbuster.
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (2022)
Fun!
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is a fantastic sequel. Very charming, fun, & funny. Better than the first in my opinion, although the first is special. This one also seems great for those who are enthusiasts of the Sonic video game. Just a great video game movie over all. The MVPs of the film are the three hedgehogs. Sonic, Tails and Knuckles are all fantastic. I loved Knuckles in this. He had a great journey throughout and evolved as the movie went on. Tails was the heart of the movie, super sweet. And with Sonic I loved his hero journey from beginning to end. Great messages there with him. I also enjoyed the core Wachowski family dynamic. The Hawaii scenes were hilarious too. Overall just a fun blockbuster family movie.
Morbius (2022)
Meh.
Morbius Is meh. It's ok. Nothing special but I think it did have potential to be something more, considering the character and his backstory. But it all ultimately falls short of its potential because of its poorly written script. I thought the Martine and Michael romance could've been given more care but also Michael and Milo's relationship. We could have seen more of them and how they got to where they were presently. Nonetheless, there were things I did like about it. Matt Smith's character was one of those. He was the best part of the movie for me. Good performance there. But everything surrounding him needed to be better. I thought the portrayal of the powers was cool as well.
The Lost City (2022)
Funny & entertaining!
I thought this was a great Rom-com. We don't really get many rom-com's anymore so this one was refreshing. Sandra Bullock and Channing Tatum were excellent and have great chemistry. They bounce off of each other well. Brad Pitt was a nice surprise as well. His part in the film was hilarious. Overall a nice romantic-comedy blockbuster film.
CODA (2021)
Heartwarming!
CODA is a great film. There is a lot of heart and charm to it. It's a fantastic coming of age story but also a deeply moving family drama. The central focus on family is where it hits the most and the cast does a stellar job at portraying the complex family dynamic. The whole cast shines throughout and are a great ensemble. One moment that really sticks out is an interaction between the daughter and her father at the end of the film. That was amazing and very moving, emotional, etc. All in all, this was a lovely film, I really enjoyed it.
Fresh (2022)
Solid
This film by Mimi Cave was wild, crazy, funny at times & deeply disturbing. I was invested the whole time and wanted to know what was gonna happen next. Man.... that ending though.... I really liked it. A solid horror/thriller film with an premise and topic that really pulls you in and gets you intrigued.
The Batman (2022)
Fantastic!
Wow. I really liked this film. A dark, gritty, grounded detective Batman story. Just off my first watch, I liked pretty much everything about it. The cast, the villains, story, all of it. Robert Pattinson does a fantastic job as Bruce/Batman. Zoe Kravitz shines as well. And Paul Dano gives a terrifying performance as the riddler. Just great. I also liked Jeffrey Wright & Colin Farrell in their roles too. It was cool and fun to kind of figure out the riddles with Batman as the film goes on. That was a nice touch and a plus. The whole detective angle is something I really enjoyed. Also that chase scene was thrilling and very well done. I was on the edge of my seat. I've never been a big Batman fan, however I think with this film they won me over. I would love to see a sequel and what do next!
Moon Knight: The Goldfish Problem (2022)
Great!
Fantastic first episode! Great introduction to the show. I loved Steven and was interested to see more of Marc after this episode. Oscar Isaac and Ethan Hawke killed it with the acting. Especially Isaac, he's really captivating and sucks you in. My only tiny critique would be we didn't get to see what happened during his blackouts. I thought the way we got to see it from Steven's perspective and how it played out on screen was unique and I liked it. But I still wish we got to see "Marc's" battles in the blackouts. Also more of the fight with the Jackal would have been cool.
Free Guy (2021)
Solid!
This one caught me by surprise. Watching the trailers, I wasn't really interested and didn't really plan on watching it which is why it took me so long to watch. But after finally deciding to give it a go, I surprisingly enjoyed it quite a bit. It was a fun take on a video game type movie, with great VFX and characters. Also really funny. Ryan Reynolds in his element and at his best.
Black Widow (2021)
Good!
Overall I enjoyed this Black Widow film. I thought the first two-thirds of the film was good. It wasn't until the third act where it lost me a little. The fight scenes were great! The Taskmaster and Natasha fight on the bridge, the kitchen fight with Yelena & Natasha, and the prison breakout scenes are all highlights for me. I personally really enjoyed those fight sequences and scenes as a whole. Where the film faults would be its villain and the taskmaster twist. It didn't really stick its landing there. But where the movie shines is the action sequences I previously mentioned but also YELENA. She was the real highlight of the film. Awesome character and perfect portrayal by the brilliant Florence Pugh. Another great casting job by Marvel Studios.
The Suicide Squad (2021)
Solid!
Another solid comic book film from James Gunn. I enjoyed it but maybe not as much as I would have liked to or thought I would. The highlights for me were Harley Quinn, Ratcatcher 2, and Bloodsport. One thing that bothered me for some reason was Starro the starfish. Starro and it's little babies really weirded me out. Lol.