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Reviews
The 4:30 Movie (2024)
A sweet, funny and simple movie about movies.
When Kevin Smith burst onto the scene with his 1994 comedy "Clerks", cinema was changed with a new voice. Now 30 years, Kevin makes a personal movie that touches on young love, the ups and downs of friendship and a love for movies.
Set in the summer of 1986, a teen (who is similar to a young Kevin Smith) invites his crush to the movies. He and his two buddies spend that day at their local theater and hijinxs ensue.
Much like Smith, I have a deep love for movies. Movies have been a major aspect of my life for as long as I can remember, and seeing Smith make a movie that is a love letter to the magic of cinema was so welcoming. I remember watching movies with my friends, going to see new releases and talking about them after. This movie took me right back to that feeling.
Some have pointed out that this movie doesn't have the same punch as other Smith movies. The script doesn't have his favorite four letter word he loves to use, but I find it to be both a typical Smith movie but also a script he branches out from his Smith-isms. It's still funny, but also has the emotion we've seen him put into his films.
I cannot wait to see this movie again and again, it's a total charmer.
The Last of Us: Long, Long Time (2023)
It moved me
Keep in mind, I've not played either "The Last of Us" game, so I'm going into this show fairly blind outside of larger story beats.
The first two episodes were fantastic. Giving someone like me a view into this world, the characters we follow, and how this feels different from other zombie media.
And then comes episode 3, "Long Long Time". I watched the premiere of it along with everyone else (so much so HBO Max froze up on me). And you'll hear a bunch of 10/10 reviews from fans and critics alike.
I'm another one of those, as this is one of the best episodes of television I've seen in a long time.
The focus of this episode is on Frank and Bill, which is one of the best love stories I've seen told in a short amount of time. Showing both their high points and points of being two different people.
And this episode joins the very small list of "Movies and Shows That Made Me Cry", as seeing their final day together moved me to tears.
I'm in awe of how great this show has turned out to be, but I shouldn't be surprised as we're getting better adaptations of video games and the team involved knows their craft.
Believe the hype.
Baymax! (2022)
A charming series of short stories
"Baymax!" is a series of shorts following Baymax, the huggable robot from "Big Hero 6" helping citizens around San Fransokyo, even if they think they don't need his help.
Each story follows a different character, each with a simple health issue that Baymax helps them through, from a sprain to a first period.
Which honestly, good on the team for making these shorts that explain a health topic without feeling like they need to talk down to kids. They treat each subject with the weight and emotion it deserves.
As for the main issue some people had with these shorts was the "forced inclusion" of the episodes "Sofia" and "Mbita". I didn't mind those. In a cityscape like San Fransokyo, there will be people from all walks of life dealing with all kinds of issues. Personally, I didn't mind and just watched the shorts.
I do reccomend these, as each short is not too long and none of them feel like they overstay their welcome. I'd be delighted if we got more in the future.
Lightyear (2022)
Nowhere near as bad as everyone seems to think
First, yes, the story is fairly safe for a sci-fi movie. But I'm fine with a movie telling me a story I've heard before.
This is a fun and well done family movie, not one of the Pixar greats but not at all awful.
Visually, this is impressive. The world feels gritty and lived in with some fun creature and weapon design. It feels like a real sci-fi movie and not just another "kids movie".
The characters were fun and enjoyable, Sox steals the movie but the rest of the crew all have their moments to shine with either heart or humor.
Do I see why people don't like it? For sure, though I don't agree. But, in my opinion, this is a well made and fun movie not deserving the hate it has gotten and will continue to get. See it for yourself.
The Bob's Burgers Movie (2022)
A wonderful escape
"Bob's Burgers" is a great comfort show. It's weird and offbeat, but the characters have such charm especially compared to other adult animation.
"The Bob's Burgers Movie" brings this wacky family to the big screen for what feels like an extended episode, but it's exactly what I needed.
After a pipe burst, the Belcher family try to save their resturant and landlord. That sounds like a plot to an episode, but one that's silly and very in universe.
Nothing about this movie feels super different from the show, outside of the very well done animation (God, I'm so happy to see another 2D movie on the big screen). But that's perfect. I didn't want the family to go on some adventure way out of character for the show, like fighting aliens or crossing the Burger-Verse.
Nope, we just get these charming characters in the theater and that's about it. Honestly, with everything going on as of recent, we need this kind of movie.
A movie that's just like "Hey, sit down with some popcorn and watch something happy and charming for 102 mimutes." That's what I ordered.
Go see it, support 2D in theaters and have a good fun time.
The Giant's Dream: The Making of the Iron Giant (2016)
A wonderful doc about a wonderful movie
"The Iron Giant" is perhaps one of the greatest family movies of all time. It takes a story we've seen before and makes it feel fresh with its charming characters, beautiful animation, and a heartwarming story.
This documentary details the childhood of director Brad Bird, who was fascinated with animation at a young age. After working with Disney, he left and would then go on to make Iron Giant, then coming back to Disney to make "The Incredibles".
This is a really engrossing doc, you can feel the struggles and challenges the team faced when making this movie. Crunch time, a smaller budget, bad marketing, and basically being forgotten by Warner Bros after "Quest for Camelot" bombed.
But this story is inspiring. Brad had a dream, and he made that vision come to life. It didn't set the world on fire when it came out, but it touched a generation of kids on video and is now a pop culture mainstay. Everyone whose seen it loves it and shares it with everyone in their lives.
It's been 23 years and this movie is still talked about and loved. And this documentary should be seen by more people. Share it like you would Iron Giant, it's worth the watch. My only complaint is, I wanted more. It could have been just a little bit longer. But at its current runtime, it's still fantastic.
Home Sweet Home Alone (2021)
I can respect it
Is this movie perfect? No. Is it on par with the original? No. But does it have charm and things to commend? Yes, I say so. While "Home Sweet Home Alone" does follow in the same footsteps of the originals in places, it does offer some new ideas to the story that I can respect. You can feel why Max wants to be left alone, and he's not a brat about it like Kevin in the original. The burglars have a good reason and story for why they want to break into his house, the end has a clever twist and expectation subversion that I fully respect. And the end was really sweet and heartwarming.
Add in some nods to the originals and other movies and you have a solidly fine yet familiar "Home Alone".
America: The Motion Picture (2021)
I thought it was funny
It was stupid and over the top in the best ways possible. The film knew what it was, a satire of the American Revolution, and had fun with it. Was is the best work Lord and Miller worked on? No. But was it dumb fun? Yes. Give it a chance, and maybe you'll enjoy it as well.
Nobody (2021)
A Total Blast
For a second outing, Ilya Naishuller did a great job with this action thriller. As everyone will tell you, Odenkirk steals the show as the titular "Nobody" with his action chops and humor. The rest of the cast did a great job, but this is Bob's movie. I would love to see him in more action heavy roles, as his demeanor would make you assume he isn't this kickass hero. Easily a contendor for one of 2021's best movies thus far. Don't skip it.
Aladdin (2019)
What the Hell was THAT?
Guy Ritchie, you can make good movies. Was this Disney's fault? Or have you been not doing great as of recent? Whoever is to blame for this AWFUL movie needs to come forward.
Okay, I love the original Aladdin, as we all do. But this tried, it TRIED, to capture why we loved the original.
It tried having the big show numbers, it tried having the same zest in the Genie, but it just failed on all fronts.
Will Smith can also do good things. And also do Wild Wild West. But here, he TRYS to do his own Genie but just comes off like he's trying to be Robin Williams.
Aladdin was bland, Jafar was Ja-far from being a good villian, and Jasmine was just nothing. Her song felt like High School Musical 4: Arabian Days.
Just watch the animation, for the sake of good movies.
The Lion King (2019)
What a letdown
The original Lion King from 1994 is my favorite movie of all time, and something that means a lot to me. So when I heard Disney wanted to make a remake, I was curious.
I went to see it, suffered through a Cats trailer, and saw the film.
Needless to say, I was disappointed.
I couldn't connect with the characters at all. Yes, they are animated well. Doesn't change the fact that ANIMALS CAN'T EMOTE!
It ruined every dramatic sequence, every joke, everything.
Disney, I love ya. And some of the remakes have been good. But this, THIS. This was not one of those times.
Rick and Morty: Edge of Tomorty: Rick Die Rickpeat (2019)
Great start!
Season 4 kicks off with a great parody of both Edge Of Tomorrow and Akira with some classic dark humor. Can't wait to see where the restof this season goes.