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Reviews
The Quest (2022)
It's ok. Fun at times, cool effects, and yes it's corny
This show is about teens from modern times being "transported" to a medieval reality show. Its basically LARPing there is zero chance of pulling off the concept without being corny.
If you can make it past that its a fun watch. The actors do a decent job. The costuming and creature makeup is excellent. The world building is so so, but immersive enough.
The weakest part is the reality show aspect. The format doesn't give much room for the participants to show personalities or interact in a non-forced way. They mostly sit around listening to the characters speak and then run from challenge to challenge. Sometimes they say, "Ewww bugs" or "wow we did good on that challenge." That's the extent of it.
The challenges they face are pretty vanilla and low stakes. Although its really a kids show so don't expect things to get too scary or the storyline to be anything special.
Again, mindless fun and a decent attempt by Disney at this concept.
Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021)
Not good, not terrible, poor pacing
Had really high hopes for this one. The setup and first half was actually a lot of fun. The last half tries to cram so much into a suddenly confusing story line. The cuts are jarring and characters start warping in and out of dangerous situations without explanation. The last half really ruins it. The building up to a cameo by the OG Ghostbusters just doesn't payoff well. It could have been handled with more care. Overall the movie reeks of executives meddling and ruining a potential great addition to the franchise.
The Wrong Missy (2020)
Entertaining, lighthearted, and very stupid. A nicely done Sandler Production.
Wrong Missy stands out from the "Happy Madison" productions of the past 10 years. That's not saying much, but its a competent comedy flick. The film is propelled by Lauren Lapkus's amazing performance and David Spade's typical awkward and amusing aloofness.
The premise is thin, but the cast makes it work. Tim Morris (Spade) goes on an awful (and hysterical) blind date with Missy (Lapkus.) The date includes Missy picking a fight and brandishing weaponry to name a few of the hi-jinks. Tim opts to never see Missy again. A few days later he meets the "girl of his dreams", also named Missy. He inexplicably mixes them up in his phone and so we have a barely adequate story platform to deliver some great laughs.
The usual comedy character development is kept short and to the point. In that sense this film knows what it is and manages to keep the laughs throughout. This is in large part due to Lauren Lapkus's ability to spin comedy gold out of a facial expression, fully committed punch lines, or a strand of her own hair.
Some of the usual suspects make cameos, but few stand out except for Nick Swardson and Rob Schneider. Somehow playing a non-pc Human Resources executive is a perfect and hilarious fit for Swardson. Equally so for Rob Schneider as a lunatic boat captain. They're both in their element.
Its not a great movie by any means, but its a return to form for Sandler's production company. If you enjoyed the filthy slapstick humor of Joe Dirt, the Benchwarmers, and Grandma's Boy, the Wrong Missy will not disappoint.
Late Night (2019)
Trying too hard
Misses the mark. Supporting cast is a bunch of caricatures, they lack nuance. The jokes are forced, safe, and callow, but not in a good way. Its a rated R movie for gods sake you can take the gloves off.
Instead they're all the wink wink nudge nudge type. If everybody is so clearly incompetent, the stakes are so high, and she's worried about the writers being in a vacuum... why doesn't Emma Thompson's character Katherine start over? Instead she wallows and tells everybody their ideas are terrible. Totally illogical.
The premise of Katherine being smarter than all her writers wears fast. Emma Thompson is held back by the writing. It feels safe and boring. Unfortunately the first act leans heavily on this premise.Things pick up a bit when Katherine decides to actually surprise surprise solicit honesty from her writers. The jokes still don't work, despite the hokey laughs from the crowd.
Lots of exposition, not a lot of showing the characters in action. Emotional scenes are trivial. The realest feeling scene in the movie is Molly saving Katherine from a wolf like pack of journalists that have cornered her at a party.
The movie sets up the viewer to think the writer's room is going to be this wild off the wall place, but the scenes feel very bland and unimaginative. So many missed opportunities for unfiltered jokes and a candid look at a writers room.+1 star for making a show about writers.
Cobra Kai (2018)
Nailed it.
Sweep the leg Johnny. This show is hilarious and a great homage to a martial arts classic. Replete with awesome one liners and 80's rock it doesn't get better than this