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bledingham74
Reviews
Yellowjackets: Friends, Romans, Countrymen (2023)
I didn't think could get any better than season 1; I was wrong!
Great start to the season! I loved the time jumps, music choices (that's 2 season openers with Smashing Pumpkins!!!!), Misty "the detective and interrogation coach", Taissa's new pet, and the revival of Jackie through "Norman Bates"!!!!!
Lottie simply scares me, both the young and adult versions - so creepy. It's great that we're getting more of a backstory on her, and why she turned out the way that she did as an adult. She obviously looks to be some kind of a cult leader, and I can't wait to see where that story is going.
My only complaint is I wish the episode was longer!!!! We've had to wait 15 long months for this, and this 57 minutes flew by....the least they could've done I'd throw us a bone with some bonus coverage in episode 1!!!! Anyway, already counting down the days until episode 2!!!!
Creed III (2023)
Had its moments and overall good but could've been great
Went to the early premier Monday night. Loved the flashbacks and revenge plot idea with the character development of Donnie and the new villain Damian as kids, and where they came from and why their lives turned out how they did. My complaint there was there weren't enough of them and they could've done so much more with it. They basically only had about an 8 minute flashback in the beginning, and the rest of the movie the flashbacks were few and far between and just rehashing pretty much what we already knew. Damian being prosecuted and sent to prison while Donnie abandoned him and lived a rich lifestyle would've been powerful to see. That being said, Damian was flat out SCARY and I feared for his opponents whether he was sparring, fighting, or boxing. Also, every scene he was in he stole the show, as you could see the hurt and anger in his eyes and facial expressions. All of that raw emotion from him and I actually found myself rooting for him by the end. They could've had more of a dramatic buildup for the final fight as well, again through flashbacks and Donnie's relationship with "Dame" as it felt kind of rushed. In the actual fight they go in a completely different direction....definitely original for a boxing movie and still trying to decide if I liked that sequence still, although I do like the ambition of trying something new. I was sad at the ending, but not all good movies have to have a perfect happy ending. All in all I might be the biggest Rocky/Creed movie fan ever, and besides being sad when I left the movie, I did feel like I just watched a pretty good movie. Just could've been great if they executed those few things that I mentioned.
Halloween Ends (2022)
Original and compelling, just nothing to do with Michael Myers!!!
If there was no Allyson and Corey in the first half of the movie, and I hadn't watched the trailers, In the first hour or so I would have thought that this franchise was kind of going back to the anthology idea of Halloween 3: Season of the Witch. By the end of the movie I really wish that they had.
Great opening scene, then the plot about the new character, Corey, and his character development with the tragedy and the way that the town was treating him had me very interested. Many issues to tackle there - being wrongly blamed by an entire town and media, the bullying, creepy family life with the mother, trying to move on in your life and redeem one's self....all had me very interested. There was actually a compelling and dare I say, original movie in there, and if they just stuck with that and ignored the whole Michael Myers thing and focused on Corey becoming a killer because of circumstances, they really had something there. And I'm saying that LOVING Michael Myers!!!! That's what made this so frustrating....you have a very good movie going, and it had me liking and rooting for the guy who was becoming a killer (almost in a Dexter kind of way), then they kind of lazily tie in Michael Myers toward the end, and unwind all the good and interesting things that they spend the first hour plus setting up,
Anyway, still some satisfying and great kills, and I know I jumped out of my seat a few times. Just left me wanting more with what they were on to in the beginning.
Creed II (2018)
Seriously considered walking straight into the next showing when it was over
All movie I kept looking at my watch because I didn't want it to end. It was 130 minutes that felt more like 45.
The fights (and there were more than normal) were great, but the movie was much more than about the fights. It was about family, loss, motivation, legacy, and the part that really touched me was the focus on fathers and sons.
Dolph Lungdren and The Big Nasty were perfect villains, but unlike most movies you see the loss that the villains endured and what shapes them. I couldn't help but feel for them a little too - particularly the son.
Sly was obviously great as Rocky, and he was more down to earth and relatable than ever. Smart how they keep fading him more and more into the supporting role as Caple, like Coogler do a great job of remembering he is not the focus. I loved that Little Duke got more of a roll, and I think that he's someone who would be able to carry the franchise as mentor/coach if Sly ever decides to give this up. Phylicia Rashad was charming as MaryAnn, and you could feel her emotions going through this again with the family who took her husband's life. MBJ and Tessa Thompson were absolutely brilliant, and their chemistry is just so natural. Bianca walking out with them and singing leading Donnie to the ring for the final fight - CHILLS!!!
The ending fight sequence, and what happens after and how they have separate endings at the same time for Donny and Rocky made it the best ending of any of these films.
As a lifelong Rocky fan (my Dog's name is Clubber), I think I actually like the Creed franchise more. I like the cultural difference with Creed, and it just seems more grounded and for lack of a better word quality writing and directing. If they make 10 more I'd go and see all of them!