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9/10
Thrillingly High Stakes And Cutthroat Action
17 April 2022
Gotham City's crime is kept under control by billionaire-by-day, cape crusader, Bruce Wayne. As a masked vigilante, he is well feared and respected. But when an aimless villain known as the Joker begins to terrorize the town, Lieutenant Jim Gordon and District Attorney Harvey Dent assist Batman in capturing him. The team soon learns that every one of their choices are critical in turning them into heroes or villains.

With a cast as equally talented as it is star-studded, the film boasts a diversely elegant cast from the likes of acclaimed method actor, Christian Bale, to Hollywood veteran, Morgan Freeman.

The spine-chilling soundtrack complements the mystery and the darkness that constitutes the film's edginess.

The elaborate criminality, stunning visuals, effects, and explosions gave "The Dark Knight" a resonant neo-noir quality.

The pacing is right on-target for a film that must deliver as much mystery as cutthroat action and adventure. Editor Lee Smith does an impeccable job of not letting the slower scenes feel like they're dragging, then sandwiching them in between scenes of thrill and breakneck action. I enjoyed that the wall-to-wall action was fueled by suspense. There were few cuts in massive stunt scenes which provided realism and authenticity to the violence.

Christian Bale as Gotham City's masked vigilante was dramatic, suave, stealthy, and well - dark! I admire that Batman steps back to question his own morals. He has to make decisions that nobody wants to make - heroic decisions that make it impossible to please everyone at the end of the day. Batman begins to realize that his role as the Caped Crusader of his villain-laden city could be one that is critical in good and bad ways.

Heath Ledger's performance as Joker is brilliantly unmatched and befittingly abstruse, but that goes without saying. I love the fact that Joker's backstory here is constantly contradicted, giving his character an even more mysterious atmosphere. The audience understands clearly that this man just wants to watch the world burn and ask questions after. The fact that he has no apparent rhyme or reason builds anarchic suspense within the film and humor within the character.

Aaron Eckhart's Two-Face had a great backstory here. The parallels between fighting for justice with love and fighting justice for loss contribute to a profound plot twist. In Two-Faces case, he turned to evil. In Bruce Wayne's case, good was chosen. This made the slight rivalry between the two characters over Rachel Dawes (Maggie Gyllenhaal) that much more interesting, and solidified the two as perfect foes in the second act.

I thoroughly enjoyed "The Dark Knight" because it is unlike any superhero film around. By being so deep-rooted in the character's intentions and morals, we end up with what feels like a film about regular people who are taken to wild extremes by means of emotion and sacrifice. The stakes here are tremendously thrilling, full of adventure, meaningful and permanent. Great movie!

91%!
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The Invisible Man (I) (2020)
8/10
One Of The Most Compelling Thrillers Of The Decade!
28 February 2022
Cecilia Kass undergoes extreme stages of paranoia when she becomes convinced that her abusive ex-partner staged his suicide and is now trying to use a technologically advanced invisibility suit to stalk and kill her. Without a shred of proof or seeable clues, Cecilia must defend her suspicions.

The Invisible Man (2020) Is One Of The Slickest And Most Compelling Psychological Thrillers That Have Come Out In The Past Decade. @elisabethmossofficial Was Show-Stealing, Delivering An Outstandingly Calculated And Dramatic Performance. Leigh Whannel's Direction And Stefan Duscio's Cinematography Were Equally Awe-Inspiring. The Film's Clever Script Allows For New Details To Be Observed Upon Your Second And Third Viewings, Making It A Sure Crowd Pleaser That Has No Time For An Empty Or Dull Moment. Overall, 'The Invisible Man' Was A Smash! 80%"
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9/10
Spider-Man: Endgame
14 January 2022
Spider-Man: No Way Home is the culmination of Marvel Cinematic Universe's Spider-Man, as well as an introduction of a multiverse.

Peter Parker is faced with unwanted fame when his former foe leaks his true identity. Now, his relationships with everyone will change and his actions as Spider-Man will negatively impact the lives of his loved ones. In order to undo his wrongs, Peter seeks the help of Dr. Strange. Things soon go awry when a mind-erasing spell triggers an opening of a multiverse which allows for some familiar, but not so pleasant faces to enter our MCU world.

To say the least, the returning cast brought a wealth of nostalgia, heart wrenching moments, and hilarious callbacks. There is no other way to describe this Endgame-ish, brat pack style superhero film other than being a comic book nerd's wet dream.

Aside from Marvel's enormous acts of fan service, there were several great callbacks and new storylines adding onto the current Spider-Man trilogy. The action is there. The offbeat comedy is there. The well-scripted side characters, the epic CGI, the preeminent plot twists - all there. The stakes are just higher this time around.

This Peter Parker story may have the biggest heart of them all. It shows that the actions behind our choices are not always the easiest for us to make, but the greater good is better for all. That comes with enormous dramatic tension, loss, and responsibility (which makes for fantastic cinema). This is a truly powerful story with the characters at the root of it... Just hopefully not the character in the post credit scene. 89%!!
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Scream (I) (2022)
9/10
Way Better Than It Was Supposed To Be!
14 January 2022
An exceptional requel/homage to horror titan, Wes Craven, Scream (2022) brought way more to the table than expected. For starters, the commentary about like slasher films was more clever in this fifth installment than any of its predecessors. The cast is funny, fast-thinking, and most importantly, kill-able.

Yes, folks. You heard it here. This Scream film has STAKES! High ones! The body count is massive and the gore is absolutely brutal. The Ghostface killer was NOT afraid to do his dirty work in the daylight this time around. The diegesis is so cutthroat this go-round that nobody is safe and there are no re-dos for some that have always seemed to make it out alive. It's utter savagery and it's massively insane!

Directors Tyler Gillett and Matt Bettinelli-Olpin utilized some hair-raising, ingenious twists on common horror tropes. This brought forth a mixture of comedy and trepidation that blended shockingly well.

The cast was superb. That's all that can really be said about any of the actors or there performances. From the newbies to the returning cast, every actor delivered something terrifying and memorable.

This is the perfect horror film. The characters make logical decisions and there are logical consequences. As fans of the series, we receive a reality check. But we also receive fan service in the form of those old Scream clichés that we know (all too damn well) and love.

Shocking and excellent... Scream was a scream! 93%!
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Inception (2010)
7/10
A Clunky, Overhyped, Action-Packed Info Dump
3 January 2022
In Christopher Nolan's climactic "Inception", Dominic Hobb, an expert dream thief specializing in corporate espionage, is given the possibility to return to his family as a reward for executing the seemingly impossible task of planting an idea into someone's mind. All the while, Hobb must battle the secrets that lie beneath his own subconscious.

Honestly, I was expecting much more from this film. But it took me around 10 tries to sit through its entirety. Not only is Inception's runtime bulky, we aren't introduced to all of our key characters until around the 50-minute mark and it takes 90 minutes for the epic plan to take motion.

You kind of have to watch it with company in order to stay hooked. Your viewing buddy will have to keep you focused, because it is far too easy to get drowned in what feels like a clunky, massive information dump (in the first act). The excess exposition bogs down the pace of the story, which is so difficult to follow with all of the dreams inside of dreams inside of dreams...

The talented cast gave sterling performances, with Gordon-Levitt being my personal favorite. The best thing about Inception's editing and cinematography is that a great deal of the visual effects were shot practically and were admittedly stunning. And while the third act is a bit drawn out, it is undeniably the best part of the film. The intercut action sequences feel a bit more cohesive. It was great to see the team in action rather than the team in talking.

To say the least, Inception is WAY overhyped, has an acquired taste, and did not exceed my expectations. In true Christopher Nolan fashion, this movie comes with an avalanche of too much exposition to stick to your brain that comes hurling at you at a snail's speed. But when it hits you, and destroys everything in sight, it's something to see... I guess. 68%.
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8/10
Campy, Action-Packed, Star-Studded, and Gory: McG Delivers With This Sequel!
14 December 2021
It's Finally Here! The B!tch Is Back! Ever Since I Found Out That My Favorite Netflix Film Was Getting A Sequel I Was Pumped. What Pumped Me Up Even More Was The Story That Would Be Told This Time Around... "The Babysitter: Killer Queen" Takes Place 2 Years After The Events Of The First Babysitter. Cole Is Haunted By The Constant Flashbacks And The Constant Trauma That He Faced The Night A Satanic Cult Led By His Babysitter Tried To Murder Him. Colon Cancer's Best Friend, Melanie, Convinces Coltrane To Run Away To A Lake Party With Her Where He Can Get His Mind Off Of Things. Then, Sh!t Gets Real. Some Old Friends Resurface And It Seems That Their Deal With The Devil Isn't Quite Finished Yet. With The Help Of A New Love Interest, Colonoscopy Must Defend Himself And Manage To Survive The Night... MAN! Was This A Comeback Or WHAT?! I Will Start By Saying That The Sequel Wasn't BETTER Than Its Predecessor, But It Expanded On An Exciting Universe In A Hell Of A Way (No Pun Intended)... McG Totally Delivered With This Film. It Has More Of A Teen Flick Feel Than The First Film, Which Was Interesting. This Film Was More Campy, More Action-Packed, Star-Studded, And Gory. The Cast Is Great Yet Again, With Newcomer Jenna Ortega Surprising The Hell Out Of Me. Coming From Someone That Watched Her Transition From Kids Television To TV-MA Horror Films About Murdering Psycho Babysitters, I Think It's Safe To Say She's Come A Long Way With Her Acting. The Cast We Knew And Loved Were Still As Funny As Ever, Delivering Callbacks To The Original Which Became My Favorite Part Of The Whole Film... The Second Act Is A Bit Slow. Everything Kind Of Comes To A Screeching Halt And Then It Builds Back Up All At Once. In The Original, There Was A Constant Flow That I Think Suits This Type Of Film Better. Aside From That, Killer Queen Definitely Gave Me More Baby Driver Vibes. I Think The Soundtracks Share 2 Or 3 Songs, Too. But The ONE THING That I Really Have To Praise The Composer And/Or McG For Is Having The Title Track IN THE FILM. You Don't Know How Much I Hate It When A Song Title Appears In A Movie Title Or Song Track, But Not In The Film. It's Like Clickbait! Like If The Title Of Your Movie Is "Savage." You Can Be Forgiven For Not Having The Megan Track In Your Movie. But If The Title Of Your Film Is "B!tch Better Have Money," B!tch Better Have The Rihanna Song .... Anyway, "The Babysitter: Killer Queen" Was A Great Installment In The Horror Franchise, And I'm Gonna Go Ahead And Give It A 76% ). I Can't Wait To See More, And I'm Sure I Will Be... Stick Around "Til The End!
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Cuties (2020)
8/10
Controversial Content; Significant And Impactful Context
14 December 2021
This May Just Be The Most Controversial Film That I Will Ever Review... "Mignonnes ", also known as "Cuties" Is A French Film That Follows Amy, An 11-Year-Old Outcast On The Brink Of Experiencing Womanhood. When She Develops An Interest In A Dance Group Assembled By A Clique Of Popular Girls At Her School, Amy Begins To Rebel Against The Rules And Morals Set By Family Members Of Her Strict Muslim Household... This Film Was Not Easy To Watch, And Is Frankly Harder To Review... I've Seen It Twice. The First Time I Saw The Film, I Was Baffled That Something So Provocative And Explicit Could Be Released On Such A Huge Platform. There Were Shots In The Film That Were Too Revealing. The Film Explores Sex, Sexual Interests, And Other Sexual Decisions... What Made Me Uncomfortable Was The Way That The Film Was Marketed. The Original Posters Exploited Those Little Girls And It Was Seriously Wrong. Those Posters Negatively Influenced My Initial Opinion Of The Film And MANY Others'. Upon A Second Viewing, It Became Apparent That It Wasn't The DIRECTOR'S Intention To Exploit Any Of The Children. She Was Trying To Tell A Realistic Story About The Troubles Of Growing Up And Dealing With Changes That Come With Being Female, Basing It On Her Own Childhood... You Can Keep Your Argument That The Film Was Inappropriate, But If We Call That Film Out For Being Too Realistic, We Would Have To Call Out The Films That Deal With Boyhood. A Lot Of Those Films Have Underaged Male Actors Pretending To Watch, Say, And Try Inappropriate/Provocative Things. While These Things Are Accurate Representations Of What REALLY Happens In The REAL World, It's Hard For People To Watch. This Film Did Cross Some Of My Lines, Yet I Still Feel Split About My Opinions... But Because I Look At Cinema As Art, I Have To Critique This Film As Such... The Acting Was Great For The Most Part. I Commend The Young Actresses For Pulling Off Their Roles. The Cinematography Was Exceptional And The Script Was Very Well-Written... I Suggest That You Watch The Film To Develop YOUR OWN OPINION. This Is Just MINE: 78%
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9/10
A Campy & Colorful Joyride Through Mid-80s Urban Culture
14 December 2021
Martial arts meets Motown in this nostalgic, campy, '80s cult classic. Leroy Green, a young Kung-fu master and educator sets on a journey for the the pinnacle of the final level of his training: the Glow. Also in pursuit of this higher power is self-proclaimed Shogun of Harlem, Sho'Nuff; he's a villainous fighter looking to dominate anyone who appears as competition to him or his goons. Meanwhile, Leroy finds himself constantly saving TV personality, renowned DJ, and inamorata, Laura Charles, from the clutch of infamous mogul, Eddie Arkadian, who is intent on Laura using his talentless girlfriend's music in her show. When Laura rejects his demands, Leroy must defend himself, his lover, and his students against Arkadian, a group of his ruffians, and a rival Kung-fu gang. While the film is admittedly over-the-top, silly at times, and a tad ludicrous, that's the whole point. Its vibrant, cartoon-ish essence epitomizes what martial arts culture was like in 1980s New York to a tee. The film is full of fun, confounding action sequences, great one-liners, and catchy music. Who could ask for more?

"The Last Dragon" is a colorful joyride through mid-80s urban culture, style, and music. I recommend this film to movie-goers that are looking for quality filmmaking that simply doesn't take itself too seriously. 87%!
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9/10
Eerie, Dark, And Beautifully Dreadful
14 December 2021
In this twisted Aronofsky flick, four individuals pursue love and adoration in various ways. Their changing lifestyles lead them down a rapid road of addiction, crime, insanity, and greed. Aronofsky's examination of the dreadful and long-lasting effects that these can have on human beings is agonizingly thrilling- possibly unendurable for some. Still, the dramatic thriller was executed very well and the acting was efficacious. It's mind-boggling, tragic, graphic, absolutely shuttering, but above all, realistic. I enjoyed the eeriness and the darkness of the film, but it was made to leave a sour taste in our mouths and Darren Aronofsky delivered.

For the bold and disturbed, I recommend you give it a night-watch. For the more squeamish movie-goers and strangers to the psychological thriller genre, I STRONGLY caution... 88%!
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The Cosby Show (1984–1992)
10/10
Greatest Family Show On Earth
14 December 2021
In a house filled with love there's always room for more, as proven by the zany goings on that take place in the ever packed Huxtable house.

The patriarch and self-proclaimed leader of the bunch is Dr. Heathcliff Huxtable, played by the fallaciously defamed Dr. William H. Cosby. Cliff's drawn-out tall tales, obsession with hoagies, creativeness, and self-satisfying wit earned him the very fitting title of "America's Dad". Always by his side was the beautiful and gracious Clair Huxtable, played by the multi-talented Phylicia Rashad. Let the record show that Clair's toughness, gentleness, and keen ability to see through anyone's tomfoolery kept the family together even through the stickiest of situations.

Together, the timeless examples of a parental unit have five exceptional children: Sondra, Denise, Theo, Vanessa, and Rudy.

Sondra Huxtable, the eldest child of Cliff and Clair, is a practicing law student who is in love with a classmate who she never ceases to squabble with for the most petty reasons - so of course that relationship will stand the test of time!

The second oldest is Denise, a flaky, eccentrically fashionable young adult with a good heart, a laidback attitude, and an aversion to competition. Lisa Bonet lends her acting talents to this memorable character and adds her name to the list of brilliantly casted actors on the show.

The third eldest and only Huxtable son, Theo Huxtable was best known for his major turn-around from the series's beginning to it's final season. Once an inattentive, work-shy teen fixated on women, he later became a hardworking teacher beset on helping children with learning disabilities.

Second youngest is Vanessa Huxtable, the doctor-lawyer duo's, precocious, occasionally rebellious, levelheaded and boy-crazy daughter, played by Tempestt Bledsoe. In my opinion, Vanessa had the best storylines. She was always expected to do good, did good, and ended up having some huge shocker that tested the family's trust, which made her very relatable to me.

The youngest and most spoiled child was Rudy Huxtable, played by Keshia Knight Pulliam. Her character always played an interesting part in the show as Cosby was exceptional at exploring perspectives. We got to zero in on Rudy's trials being the youngest in the family, feeling unimportant, coming-of-age, gaining responsibility, and the perks that come with being the baby of the family. I can definitely relate to that.

The Cosby Show is an unforgettable watch. The series is worth the watch for Dr. Cosby's brilliance and its source material - all personal beliefs aside. The sitcom's observations of fundamental and relevant themes brings all of the realistic and memorable occurrences full circle. 97%
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10/10
There's Nothing Like a Billy Wilder Comedy!
14 December 2021
When Joe, a hare-brained saxophonist and his peeved violinist buddy, Jerry, accidentally witness a mob murder, the quick-witted duo book it to Chicago disguised as women. The two infiltrate an all-women band while on-the-run from these brutal gangsters. Meanwhile, Joe poses as a wealthy millionaire to impress the band's arousing songstress, and Jerry attempts to reject the aggressive advances of an eight-time divorcée.

"'Some Like It Hot' Is A Movie That I Didn't Expect To Be As Funny As It Was. Curtis And Lemmon Were Hysterical, Delivering Punchline After Punchline As If They Had Written The Classic, Dexterous Dialogue Themselves. Monroe Was Charming And Graceful, Bringing To Life A Character That Was Undoubtedly Made For Her.

Though The Runtime Is A Tad Bulky, The Writing Was Superb And The Editing Was Stellar. The Cinematography Was Advanced And The Film Went Out With A Hilarious Bang!

This Film Proves That There's Nothing Like A Billy Wilder Comedy. You Probably Think That You'd Laugh So Hard At A Movie Made Over 60 Years Ago, Has No Color, And Only One Living Actor. Think Again. 96%!
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10/10
Raw. Real. Relevant.
14 December 2021
Five unalike teens, doomed to spend their Saturday afternoon in detention, bond over the difficulties of growing up, familial struggles, and social pressure. All the while, they try to avoid their strict principal in order to get into some good old-fashioned mischief.

"'The Breakfast Club' Is The Ultimate, Essential Coming-of-age Film. John Hughes's Story Is So Impactful, Accurate, And Relevant. He Explores Some Of The Dark Sides Of Teen-hood With A Lot Of Honesty. The Cast Was Exceptionally Engaging. Bringing These Memorable, 3-Dimensional Characters To Life Could Not Have Been An Easy Feat.

Hughes's Story Allowed Older People To See The Perspectives Of Young People And Vice Versa. When You Can Make People Think, Relate, And Come To An Understanding, You've Created A Timeless Masterpiece.

There Is No Simpler Way To Say That 'The Breakfast Club' Is Raw, Real, And Relevant Than How I Just Said It. Every Teen Should Watch This Flick Growing Up. All Adults Should Watch This Flick Growing Old. 95%!
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Pulp Fiction (1994)
10/10
Unique, Neo-Giallo Dark Comedy
14 December 2021
Quentin Tarantino's multifocal crime-thriller explores the frenzied, lawless shenanigans of two intellectual hitmen, their mobster boss, their boss's hazardous wife, a pair of bumbling thieves, a boxer, and a master fixer.

"Tarantino's Style Of Writing And Directing Is Greatly Unique, Blending Neo-Giallo Elements With Dark Comedy. The Story Flows Steadily Despite Its Lengthy Runtime. Tarantino Weaves Multiple Storylines Together Effortlessly, While Neither The Catchy Soundtrack Nor The Humor Skips A Beat. Meanwhile, The Acting Is Brilliant And Some Major Career-Changing Performances Were Given; The Most Notable Being That Of Hollywood Veteran, Samuel L. Jackson. With That Being Said, It's A Yes From Me, Dawg (Yes, I'm Aware That That's Randy And Not Sammy). 97%!
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6/10
Forgettable Story, Decent Cinematography
14 December 2021
When the Grace family moves into the rickety Spiderwick estate, the troublesome Jared Grace, finds a mysteriously forbidden book that begins to attract magical creatures. Some of these creatures are after the book for the wrong reasons, so it's up to Jared to protect it. In order to do that, he must convince his standoffish twin brother, his recently divorced mother, and his petulant big sister.

This film didn't stand out to me much. Its writing/dialogue are way below average. What makes a family film memorable is when the writers manage to captivate audiences of all ages. Unfortunately, the script shows no trust in the audience's intellect. The plot holes are a tad overwhelming and the story lacks imagination overall.

With that being said, the directing, cinematography, well-aged visual effects, and Freddie Highmore's twin performance held the movie together just enough so that it didn't flop completely.

To say the least, 'The Spiderwick Chronicles' was forgettable. 62%.
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It (I) (2017)
9/10
Exceptional Coming-of-age Horror Flick
14 December 2021
In Summer 1989, seven Maine outcasts must band together to fight a sewer-dwelling, shape-shifting beast. In order to do this, they must make wholehearted sacrifices and face their innermost fears.

An exceptional script, a brilliantly talented cast, and skillful cinematography breathed glorious horror into this remake of Stephen King's It (1990).

We get an unconventional, yet familiar coming-of-age story wrapped into a supernatural horror. This allows for some psychologically thrilling scenes and compelling drama. The young cast gave strong performances, securing their spots in the A-List squad in soon-to-come years.

All of the creative visuals behind the screen assembled a project that feels fresh and frightening. The visually haunting set pieces exceeded my expectations, didn't exceed the film's $35-million budget, and demonstrated what clever budget usage looks like. Many of the film's effective scares rely on some impressively done CGI, but when it is used, it's used right.

This reimagined classic surpasses the original film, gives you goosebumps, and delivers a hefty helping of nostalgia. Who could ask for more? 90%!
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9/10
Outstanding Action & CGI
14 December 2021
When Stephen Strange, a highly skilled neurosurgeon, gets into a life-altering car wreck, his livelihood is threatened by the possibility of no longer being able to use his hands. Having to humble himself and allow his mind to be challenged, Strange seeks out the use of mystical arts to nurse him back to good health. After having mastered the arts, he comes across several cataclysmic secrets and ruthless villains that dwell in multiple dimensions.

Some may say that the feature relied too heavily on CGI, but those people have unquestionably never seen a Marvel film before. That being said, the action scenes, action violence, and sci-fi visual effects were outstanding.

Alongside a few other brilliant dramatic actors, Cumberbatch is great as Strange. He exudes arrogance, brilliance, hopelessness, and heroism flawlessly through his literary and literally multi-dimensional character.

The script follows a strategic formula established by the geniuses from Marvel, but has enough twists and turns to leave viewers on the edge of their seats.

There's nothing NOT to love about this film. Doctor Strange is an easily likable character and awesome addition to the epic hero franchise. 93%!
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8/10
Dramatic and Chilling
14 December 2021
It's time for the dystopian Panem's annual Hunger Games and each district must choose two Tributes to battle to the death in a televised tournament run by sadistic aristocrats. Among the twenty-four unlucky chosen ones is Katniss Everdeen, a headstrong survivor with keen hunting skills.

True to its source material and utilizing a tight budget for a major blockbuster, the first installment in the "(The) Hunger Games" feature films manages a talented cast of A-listers, a believable dystopian society, and some mediocre visual effects.

I wasn't too fond of the overuse of shaky cam, but it did bring an enhanced effect to the action scenes that probably wouldn't have felt like action scenes at all without the camera tricks. Nonetheless, the storyline was incredibly dramatic and chilling.

If you want to witness one of those career-defining performances, you'd watch "The Hunger Games" for Jennifer Lawrence. 84!
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9/10
Sets the Tone for Modern Supernatural Mystery Films
14 December 2021
Child psychologist, Dr. Malcolm Crowe attempts to uncover the truth behind a young client's supernatural abilities when he claims to be able to communicate with the dead in this acclaimed M. Night Shyamalan picture.

"Even Though The 'Major Plot Twist' Was Easily Noticeable, Shyamalan Does A Fantastic Job At Building Suspense. His Dramatically Hair-Raising Script And Spine-Chilling Sequences Set The Tone For Modern Supernatural Mysteries. Plenty Of The Psychological Thriller Tropes That Directors And Writers Are Partial To Were Pioneered By This Film.

Furthermore, Osment And Willis Delivered Unforgettable, Career-Projecting Performances. The Film Is Worth Watching At Least Once For Their Portrayals Alone. 91%!
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Paper Moon (1973)
10/10
No Black-and-White Film Has Been This Colorful!
14 December 2021
Moses Pray, a small town con artist, is unexpectedly burdened with the task of transporting Addie Loggins, a 9-year-old orphan, to her relatives in Missouri. His efforts to cheat the clever child out of money backfires, and he's coerced into taking her on as a partner. Together, the father-daughter duo swindle their way through 1930s Kansas.

I have never seen a black-and-white film that was more colorful and vivid than "Paper Moon". This film was curiously nostalgic, somehow driving me to reminisce back to a time where I wasn't even born! Only the greatest filmmakers are able to capture a moment and make that moment timeless. That's what separates movies from cinematic masterpieces. "Paper Moon" had a plethora of those timeless moments.

The casting of real-life father and daughter, Ryan and Tatum O'Neal, was right on the ball. Tatum O'Neal's performance as Addie Loggins was exceptional. As child actors go, she remains one of Hollywood's most cherished nearly fifty years later. With Madeline Khan's uproarious performance thrown in, this cast is irrefutably priceless.

Clever, charming, and exhilarating are but a few words to describe the picture.
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7/10
Background Noise of the Highest Quality
14 December 2021
When world-weary teen, Winnie Foster, finds herself lost in the woods of her wealthy family's estate, she stumbles upon a peculiar boy and his family whom immediately take her in as one of their own. However, a dilemma quickly forms when the confidentiality of a long-kept Tuck family secret is threatened. Winnie is forced to choose between returning to her dull, former life and staying with the Tucks forever.

"Tuck" possesses an appreciable theme about the circle of life, laying out some notable concepts about the fear of death and the consequences of immortality. Living forever would definitely, eventually suck... Wise of the writers to administer this lesson to young viewers while they still have a lot of life to look forward to. It's sort of brave of them and I admire that.

The film has an alluring, woodsy production design, incredibly fitting for its calm and lulling musical score. They draw you into the Tucks' plainly hidden territory and their peculiar, old-fashioned way of life... As I see it, the studio would have benefited greatly had the film been given a PG-13 rating, but Disney wouldn't release their first PG-13 film until a year later with "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl".

"Tuck Everlasting" certainly had the star power to reach the box office potential of some of the more mature, subsequent, Disney films... The chemistry between Bledel and Jackson starts off a bit shaky, considering that they hadn't met prior to shooting more sentimental scenes, but I think that this was a wise Director choice. Winnie Foster (Bledel) initially doesn't trust the newly-acquainted Tucks and rightfully so; her character's shyness towards them is totally rational as are her moments of affection when she begins to gain confidence in them.

Ben Kingsley was a standout as the Man in the Yellow Suit, giving a compellingly uncanny performance ONYL to be BUMPED OFF in the SISSIEST way imaginable.

Nevertheless, "Tuck Everlasting" was a decent watch. It isn't gonna be in your top ten favorites list, but you could think of it as I do: background noise of the highest quality....72%.
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Jexi (2019)
7/10
Criminally Underrated Slapstick Rom-Com w/ a Great Moral
14 December 2021
Phil, a socially awkward and cellphone-dependent website journalist, has his entire life flipped upside down when his new phone comes with a self-aware, virtual assistant known as Jexi. The more than blunt A. I. helps Phil develop social skills and open up to a potential love interest. But as Phil becomes less dependent on his artificially intelligent life coach, virtual assistant, and cheerleader, Jexi begins to sabotage his every move.

"'Jexi' Is Criminally Underrated. Straightforward And Brief, The Film Managed To Be Full Of Fun And Laughs, Also. The Editing And Cinematography Are Choppy As Hell, But They Work For The Film's Swift Pace.

Devine And Shipp Had Good Romantic Chemistry, While Rose Byrne's Monotonous Voice Performance Was Hilarious As Jexi...

The Film's Message About The Negative Effects Of Self-Reliance On Technology Has Never Been More Relevant Or Significant Than Now. So, Moral Of The Story: Put Your Phones Down, Live Life, And Remember... Cortana Is A Hooker. 73%
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Gerald's Game (2017)
9/10
Flanagan DELIVERS!!
14 December 2021
Jessie Burlingame is left handcuffed and hysterical after Gerald, her sadistic husband, suffers a heart attack during some risky foreplay. Abandoned in a remote area, dehydrated, and imprisoned, Jessie must fight against time and her inner demons in order to free herself.

There were a lot of subtle nods and minor homages paid to some of King's other works. Those are always fun and important to include in a novel-to-film adaptation.

I thoroughly enjoyed Mike Flanagan's treatment of Stephen King's novel. The tweaks that were made gave the film originality and more of an opportunity to display modern horror filmmaking. Some things just aren't as scary now as they once were several decades ago. It's hard enough for publications to translate to film successfully. Flanagan manages to deliver the scares, the thrills, AND the gore.

Carla Gugino's double-performance was just as spellbinding as it was gut-wrenching. She truly convinced me that she'd lost her mind in a darkly comedic and dramatic way.

Bruce Greenwood's double-performance was hair-raising and cunningly sinister. You'll have to excuse me, but I hated him. Then, I remembered that Bruce Greenwood is a genius for that. If you can drive the viewers to bring actual anger out of themselves, than you've done your job as an actor- that is if you're playing the antagonist (which he was)...

The film is unvarnished and gets right to the point, but it also weighs in on some sensitive subtopics of sexual abuse that many novelists and filmmakers wouldn't be as brave to address: abuse involving children and abuse involving married couples.

What I like about this film is that nothing feels overdone even though there is a lot happening. I love a conventionally made film with a bizarre story. That's what I got out of "Gerald's Game". With actors this great onscreen and crews this attentive onset, it's easy to trick viewers into the suspense of the unknown. Great horror flick! 89%!
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Girl Vs. Monster (2012 TV Movie)
7/10
Campy & Action-Packed w/ That Good Ole Monstober Ambience!
14 December 2021
When Skylar Lewis, a savvy tween, accidentally releases a ghostly evil in her town, she discovers that she is a fifth-generation monster hunter. With the help of her right hand, Sadie, Skylar must defeat the monsters during a thrilling Halloween party.

"Girl Vs. Monster Was Reminiscent Of Those Disney Classics We Know And Love Such As 'Halloweentown' And 'Twitches'. Action-Packed And Full Of Family Friendly Scares, The Movie Maintained A Ghostbuster-esque, Cartoon-ish Vibe. The Cast Constantly Entertains And The Story Flows Steadily. The Campy Visual Effects And Catchy Soundtrack Give The Movie That Creepy Monstober Ambience That All Of Us 90's And 2000's Babies Were Partial To; So It's Safe To Say That This Was The Last Satisfactory Original Disney Horror Film... 71%!
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Frankenstein (1931)
7/10
Horror and Science-Fiction Cinema Have Thankfully Come Very Far
14 December 2021
Mad scientist Dr. Henry Frankenstein attempts to bring a monster constructed of dead body parts to life. With the help of his hunchbacked henchman, Frankenstein successfully animates the creature to life, but soon finds that taming the befuddled beast when it begins to wreak havoc in the Bavarian Alps is no easy task.

"'Frankenstein', Though Flawed, Is A Definite Classic. Thrilling Moments, Outstanding Visuals, An Effective Score, Memorable Dialogue, And An Iconic Movie Monster Are All Things That This 1931 Gothic Sci-Fi Flick Has To Offer.

The Pacing And Suspense Are Lackluster, However. The Film Moves Along So Quickly In Its Brief 71 Minutes That There Is Little Time For Any Anticipation.

The Writing Is Satisfactory, But None Of The Characters' Intentions Were Fleshed Out, Excepting Frankenstein's Monster.

'Frankenstein' Is A Sufficient Watch For The Sake Of Viewing A Classic. Fortunately, Horror And Science Fiction Cinema Have Come Very In The Nearly 90 Years Since The Film's Release... In Conclusion, Frankenstein Was Well Made For It's Time. 74%"
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The Birds (1963)
8/10
An Extremely Innovative Thriller
14 December 2021
The unmistakable chemistry between Melanie Daniels and Mitch Brenner commences in a San Francisco pet store and develops into an instinctive romance when she follows him to his family farm in Bodega Bay to deliver to him the gift of lovebirds. The butterflies soon come to a screeching halt, though, when their sparsely populated Californian village is attacked by a sea of maniacal birds!

"'The Birds' Is An Extremely Innovative Thriller Film. Hitchcock's Mastery Of Suspense, Avant-Garde Cinematography, Practical Visual Effects, Haunting Shots, And Clever Sound Design All Play Their Part In What Makes This 1963 Romantic Horror-Mystery Noteworthy.

The Film Barely Has A Musical Score Which Made Those Drawn Out Silences Suspenseful. And Electrifying.

However, My Favorite Aspect Of The Film Is The Dialogue. It's Casual And Sophisticated, But Nearly Every Line Serves As Some Sort Of Foreshadowing, Proving Evan Hunter's Script To Be A Skillfully Written One.

The Brilliant Thespians, Notably Tippi Hedren And Jessica Tandy, Kept Me Glued To The Screen And Enthralled With Their Horrifying Quandary.

I Recommend You Give This 'Terrifying Motion Picture' A Nighttime Viewing... And Remember, The Next Scream You Hear May Be Your Own." 82%!
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