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The Manchurian Candidate (1962)
I was intrigued....
I had just read about the well-documented hypnosis and brainwashing via the U. S. MK-ULTRA program in the 1950s and 60s and so I knew I had to check this movie out. The subject matter and plot, plus the dramatic ending, kept me engaged. The performances for the time were noteworthy as well, and most of the younger women who starred in the main roles were beautiful! Whoever did the makeup and details of the faces on the closeups did a very good job. However, the only big complaint I have about the movie is the timeline of events that take place. It jumped around different time-periods a bit which confused me.
Jason Bourne (2016)
I don't see why this one is so underrated!
The action in this movie (like all of the other Bourne movies) holds up really well! I especially like the chase and fight toward the end in Vegas, plus the big reveal behind why David Webb was "recruited" into Treadstone in the first place. I liked how he got even with his main antagonist and many scenes in this film were actually made to feel really intense (such as the protest scene in Greece) which worked quite well. One could nitpick the movie and some of its scenes and details, but generally as a summer action flick this film really delivers!! While the Bourne Ultimatum was a good ending to the series, this was also a good way to conclude the saga!
The Thing (2011)
It wasn't actually that bad...only a few bad things.
Without a doubt, the first one is better. It had more mystery to it and was even more brilliant with its practical effects. Plus the scientists weren't as stupid as I remember them being in this movie. Most of these guys were just awful characters to get behind and some of them you didn't even mind when they died! The special effects/CGI was a bit cheapened by the darker scenes at night with less lighting. However, there were some scenes that were genuinely terrifying to watch and the weird shapes and monstrous appearances of these creatures really were creative and pretty scary. In this way, the movie did its job and provided me with a bit of a thrill. Also, I found the very end of the film interesting where it tied itself into the beginning of the original one and acted as a prequel with the helicopter chasing the dog which I didn't see it as when I first watched it. I thought it was a separate remake movie!
The Abyss (1989)
I couldn't get into it until I really did right in the middle!
At first this film was boring but then it picked up the pace. James Cameron has done it again in a quality and tense 80s action production that is very well-made! You can see how this movie inspired future movies of his that would come out years later (especially with some of the extraterrestrial designs and absolutely brilliant, revolutionary special effects which are very convincing). In a way, this was a precursor for one of my favorite action movies, Terminator 2, which would come out next! Michael Biehn actually played a really good antagonist who you like to dislike, and Ed Harris was good as well with his acting style as always. The scene where Lindsey almost dies and fools you for a few minutes at first made me roll my eyes but as it went on, I was impacted by it and it was riveting. This movie is tense, filled with unexpected events, and quite an underwater ride!
Selma (2014)
A powerful ending, but...
Too much of this movie was a bit slow and on the boring side. The film looks nice and was shot/directed with quality, however I found myself wishing that it would drag less and get to the more significant scenes when too much talking was taking place. If you're into history and this time-period like myself, then you will likely enjoy it though and the ending felt very significant with how it showed old footage intermingled with the movie. While this other movie is a bit more on the fictional side, I prefer the Disney production Selma, Lord Selma from 1999. It holds your attention much better and is even more emotionally impactful throughout the movie, and is something that even children can follow and watch. This film is fine and important for its subject matter but I still wish it had just a little more heart.
Malcolm X (1992)
A movie I wish I watched when I was much younger.
When I came up in school, I had no idea who this guy was since in our education system in America, we're not taught about men like Malcolm X as much as MLK Jr. For understandable yet irrational and hyper-sensitive reasons. I couldn't think of anyone else more perfect to play him than Denzel Washington, who besides Morgan Freeman and Samuel L. Jackson is the best black actor there is in my opinion. I was motivated to watch this movie after I read about him in a conspiracy book by the great and legendary Jesse Ventura which hypothesized that the U. S. deep state was also responsible for his violent death (which I wish they explored a bit more). Even though the movie is over 3 hours long, it didn't feel like it at all! It was powerful, insightful, provocative, and quite a spectacle of an historical and impactful life story and human being who was a necessary voice at the right time in history!
Madame Web (2024)
The best thing about the future is...I never have to watch this movie again!
Where do I begin? It's obvious and in your face the whole time that Pepsi funded this movie with its relentless product placement, that much is obvious. The dialogue is cringe, the action scenes are filled with childish, far-fetched plot conveniences that make you roll your eyes endlessly, plus the action scenes were way too quick with bad special effects. The entire beginning of the movie is so boring and headache inducing, I was quite shocked how it didn't really hook me (until maybe the second act when she found the 3 girls on the subway station and saved them and started actually using her powers in a way that was consequential to the plot which made it a bit more interesting). Plus the villain was stupid, shallow, and not interesting (and actually jumped INTO the ambulance as it was going to avoid hitting him from the building it came out of!!). Some moments were okay (like when she hit Sims with the cab car in the restaurant which was satisfying) but oh God, the BUTCHERING and reversal of the "with great power comes great responsibility" line did not work and shouldn't have even been considered. THAT was just a straight up disrespectful insult to all Spider-Man fans like myself. Lastly, I'm actually quite sure that they even used a shot from one of the Tobey Maguire movies in the end when they showed a 1st person POV swing sequence!! Good GOD!
The Wonderful World of Disney: Selma, Lord, Selma (1999)
A powerful depiction for both kids and adults.
I watched this when I was in 5th grade all the way back in 2007-2008. This short film touched my heart and my emotions, I cried for like an hour after I first saw it even while I was out at recess and my classmates couldn't blame me. There are many emotional and tense scenes in this but it it's important for everyone to watch. The young actors who played Jonathan Daniels and Sheyann Webb did wonderful work and performed well, and what really got me in this movie were the scenes when everyone in the church sung their marching songs aloud. Even though it's a bit cheesy and old-fashioned at times, it was very uplifting and powerful. Being a young individual during that time while attempting to change the hearts and minds of a country and population that were very stubbornly and brutally against them is something that I can't begin to possibly imagine.
Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F (2024)
I liked it just a little...
In general, this was a moderately fun and nostalgic yet generic action comedy starring most people's favorite smart-mouthed charismatic unorthodox 80s cop, Axel Foley/Eddie Murphy (who is always good in everything he's in since he has quite an unforgettable and funny personality). I think the movie could've benefited from dragging on between scenes less and including more scenes with Rosewood and Taggart together, and having more of Rosewood in general (since he was kidnapped and off screen for most of the movie). It was cool seeing actors like Joseph Gordon Levitt in the movie as well as some old familiar faces though, and some of the action scenes were entertaining! The humor wasn't bad either, the movie itself was alright!
The Punisher (2017)
Season 1 was fantastic, season 2 was worse but still decent.
Overall this show was enjoyable, especially season 1. Lots of drama and violent action, plus really good acting. There's probably no one else who could've played the Punisher/Frank Castle besides Jon Bernthal and performed as well as he did for the role which was perfect for him (perhaps Tom Hardy if there had to be someone else). Ben Barnes also did well, really good actor, and Amber Rose Revah as Madani. It could've been even better if Matt Murdock/Daredevil was in it but I don't think he was absolutely needed for this show's success on its own. Daniel Webber did very good as well and I really liked how brutal and unsettling the show got quite a few times. Despite the end of season 2 being a bit anti-climactic and dull, the show did its job!
Blow Out (1981)
Needed to be a little more focused with its plot, but it was still not bad.
The ending felt riveting with how it was handled and throughout the entire runtime the movie held my attention pretty well with its suspense. The premise and subject matter were all interesting (conspiracies, societal viewpoints and responses to them, issues with law enforcement and reporting conspiracies to the right/wrong people, and messing with evidence). However, toward the end they made it less about the revealing of the truth about the assassination to the public and instead chose to focus on the romance angle of the story and characters which felt less significant to me and unearned with how it was portrayed/treated. After all, the character said that he made a copy of the evidence in his apartment even though it was thrown into the water by Burke so what ever happened with that? Plus, I'm not the biggest John Travolta fan. He kind of rubs me the wrong way and doesn't have a lot of unique spunk or style to his acting in my opinion. Overall though, it's a movie that's interesting enough to give a chance!
The Bikeriders (2023)
I don't get people who rate this lower than an 8...
This was for sure a high 8/10 or 4/5 stars, I almost rated it higher. The main cast is incredible in this film with their dramatic and real performances (primarily Jodie Comer, Michael Shannon, and my favorite one in the film and usually the most notable in most of his movies, Tom Hardy). Austin Butler performed satisfactorily I suppose, the exploration of his character in the second half of the film proved to be fascinating with him questioning a potential leadership position for the gang. This film may not have the most relatable subject matter for most people, however that truly didn't stop my enjoyment of it at all. The dramatic scenes hit you hard, as hard as they hit some of the characters in the movie itself! There's a fantastic moment toward the end of the film that has a kill that really blows you away and makes you glad you sat through the whole movie to have it build up to that specific climactic moment. I think Scorsese-like movies such as these are now very under-appreciated and there needs to be a rejuvenation of this crime-drama genre. They absolutely deliver!
Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954)
Fair...you can see some inspiration.
This movie is for sure a bit outdated and cheesy, no doubt. And the ending was somewhat abrupt, plus the theme music was a bit redundant for the creature. Lastly, there was a death that occurred toward the final act that I saw coming a mile away.
However, there is no doubt that this movie inspired certain individuals who ended up being future filmmakers (such as Steven Spielberg and for his first big movie Jaws, which you can see some overlapping similarities with). In general as well, the directing and camera work was skillful and I can see how this could be entertaining for a theater audience back then, as this was one of the original scary monster movies that took this approach. There's no denying the impact and significance of old films that seem obscure and irrelevant to us, however they still affected future productions with their ideas and style!
The Acolyte (2024)
Every episode gets worse and worse....where is Yoda??? I'm done now...
I'm one of those fans who actually thinks that not everything Disney has done with Star Wars is irredeemably bad or cringeworthy, but this is as bad as it has gotten so far besides the ungodly sequel trilogy movies, no doubt.
Where is Yoda??? "For 800 years have I trained Jedi!" He would've made the show at least a little better and more bearable but is nowhere to be found!
That ship crash that Osha survived on that tundra planet was ridiculous, she should've been dead!!
The opening fight scene in the first episode was so bad and looked like 2 rubber dummies fighting from the 2003 Matrix sequels (which is ironic considering Carrie Anne Moss is one of the characters, and she dies immediately). Way to go with character promotion and showing the badassery of the Jedi Disney.
Character motivations don't make much sense which makes the plot vapid and the rest of the Jedi are made to look horrible (however idea behind the show is interesting and it would be cool to see what the Jedi looked like and were like 100 years or even further back before the fall of the Republic, but the thing is this isn't cool, it's a spit in the face!)
May defeats and kills the freaking Jedi Indara and yet the freaking padawan Jecky Lon is a match for her?? And then goes toe to toe with her master??? Then both her and Yord Fandar are killed off?? Complete waste of characters and what a useless display of strength from both of them!
Lastly, didn't the Jedi not face the Sith for 1,000+ years before the prequels anyways?? So yeah, literally wtf is Disney doing???
Anyways, looking forward to Andor season 2!!
Sophie's Choice (1982)
A sad and powerful adaptation.
This ended up being a sad movie, and to its demise had some unfocused and lengthy parts, but the performances were amazing. I really liked Meryl Streep's portrayal of Sophie as well as Kevin Kline's portrayal of Nathan. What interesting characters with real depth! By the end you truly feel Sophie's pain from her story which was shown rather than told, which on the flip side is Nathan's version of how his story is depicted through his brother! Yet both of their demises and deaths felt significant and hit you hard. Stingo played an important role in their friendship and his dynamic with both of them and how he's a third wheel in both good ways and bad ways was good writing!
The Ring (2002)
By the end it was a solid 8.
The main flaw that I could recognize with this film is that throughout the runtime it takes itself way too seriously and is so dark and depressing, slightly to its detriment. However more often than not it is directed well by a talented director and the story was original and creative, and most important of all, compelling with its mysterious nature. I liked how the main character was a detective that pieced various parts of the history together and each scene felt significant. The reveal and twist at the end was well-handled too and I wasn't really expecting it to happen the way it did. It surprised me in a good way and the son being advised by his mother to show a copy of the tape to someone else only to have himself live and someone innocent die demonstrates an interesting moral ultimatum, which was actually brought up brilliantly by the son. Not my favorite horror film but worthy of recognition!
The Emperor's New Groove (2000)
Good Disney movie, first time I ever saw it and I'm 27!
The movie's story is very simple and to the point, and actually sends a good and moral message. The voice acting was really good and while the main villain was portrayed well and entertaining, I couldn't entirely take her and her "right hand man" seriously and their threat toward Emperor Kuzco was mostly played as a joke. There are some slightly better Disney films where the villains were a lot more menacing and dark. However other than that, the film's animation was also well done and it's an easy/simple and quick Disney movie to watch. I should've watched it when I was younger, I might've appreciated it more but I still acknowledge it as good!
Gojira -1.0 (2023)
While flawed, still quality.
I don't know if this movie was an actual rip off imitation of Jaws or if it was an inspired imitation of it, it was hard to tell with how similar things went with plot devices and actual moments in the movie. It was also pretty far fetched that Noriko survived that shockwave blast from halfway through the film only to be revealed at the end with injuries in the hospital. Nevertheless, this movie had a good and in-depth human element to it and was compelling with its tension. Godzilla itself looked really good and the visuals overall in this movie are fantastic. I'm not that much of a fan of Godzilla generally but I'm mostly glad I checked this out since the hype seemed so real for it.
Extraction (2015)
Not that special of an action movie.
This movie wasn't all bad (good fight scenes in the night club, especially in the bathroom with the assassin, and Gina Carano is nice to look at as well as her friend). However, her friend was also annoying and followed the antagonists' SUV way too close. You think they would've known they were being tailed! This movie also does a wink to the camera with Harry saying "that's how it works in the movies" which came off as cringe and overall the movie feels pointless, unfocused, and bland with its plot. Bruce Willis did not stand out in this and actually was a disappointment with his character and how much screen time he was given. Although, no one was given ample screen time since the movie is so short! Pretty much a throwaway action movie.
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010)
A beautiful creation.
Wow, I loved the writing and dialogue in this, plus the characters and the acting. This is a real gem and I'm very glad I watched it. This is one of the best romantic comedies that I have ever seen (and I'm sure that it can even be classified as another genre as well). The end fight felt a little less special and cool than the other battles that Pilgrim fought, however other than that this movie is pretty much perfect. The hilarious appearances and scenes with Aubrey Plaza and Chris Evans (shockingly just a year before he played the beloved Captain America/Steve Rogers) were icing on the cake. The entire movie from the very beginning felt quirky, original, and genius with its directing, style, and production. I was in awe the entire time from how good this was and I would definitely recommend it for a younger viewer!
10 Things I Hate About You (1999)
A fair romantic comedy for young people!
It's quite something to see how young these actors looked back in 1998/1999 who were just getting started with their (mostly) extensive careers. While most of the movie was predictable (like other romantic comedies) and while some stuff may not hold up entirely anymore in 2024, it was good enough for what it was meant to be. Julia Stiles did good in her role and was a talented actress for her age, and Heath Ledger did well too (died tragically way too young, RIP to him and his unique talent). I even liked the teacher played by Daryl Mitchell who is hilarious and Joseph Gordon-Levitt's friend/partner in crime.
Scary Movie 4 (2006)
I didn't mind it! Just as good as the first and the third!
The jokes in this movie worked for me and at this point, you really know what to expect with this parody stupid franchise (ridiculous, over the top, and completely out of this world but nevertheless entertaining and that's the point). I enjoyed the surprise appearances in it and found myself laughing quite a few times. I can't call it "good" necessarily but if you like the first 3 you'll most likely have a good time (and in my opinion 2 is the worst). I liked the president, the Saw clown dolls, Cindy's friend coming back, and even how it made fun of the Village which I thought was unexpected (however at the time I guess that movie was easy to make fun of in some ways). I have still yet to watch The Grudge but now I probably can't take it seriously, oh well! Good laughs!
Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV (2024)
Shocking and much-needed
It's amazing how elite and powerful people manage to make themselves victims and are in constant denial after they've brutalized children and take away their innocence with inexcusable immoral annd disgusting acts. While I am a fan of some Nick shows and was as a kid, I am appalled by what was revealed to be happening behind the scenes and I had no idea that crap happened to Drake Bell before he did Drake and Josh. Quite a story that he told. I am happy that I was never a famous child actor after watching this and if my parents saw some of the suggestive material that came out with Nick shows in the 1990s (before my time), they likely would've never let me watch that channel. Unbelievable to say the least!
Don't Breathe (2016)
Well-done expectation-defying material.
There are a few flaws, sure (the beginning partially spoiling how events proceed, Money with the gun letting the blind man get that close to him and disarm him without shooting him after warning him repeatedly, and probably the twist of Money's body getting stabbed with the shears instead of Alex which came across as not making much sense). Other than that this movie is great. Stephen Lang and Jane Levy performed well and literally the entire time you're on the edge of your seat with suspense and anticipation with what might happen next. The movie is disturbing but that's how you know it does well since it makes you really pay attention. It's unclear who's side you should be on too, you want these thieves to get at least some justice since they're the ones who are committing the crime but you also want them to get away since the blind man is for sure doing even more messed up stuff! THIS is how scary is done; unsettling, uncomfortable, but an unforgettable rush!
Scary Movie 3 (2003)
About as funny as the first movie!
The humor in this installment was much funnier than Scary Movie 2 and in my opinion is comparable with Scary Movie 1. Them making fun of Signs, 8 Mile, and the Matrix Reloaded was on point and it even made me curious to watch the Ring which I added to my watchlist. Plus, the introduction and use of Anthony Anderson and Kevin Hart was awesome, they go great together on screen and I can't wait to see more of them together! Sure some of the humor went pretty far and of course this is a ridiculous parody movie but I still enjoyed myself and you for sure don't find yourself bored watching these! The funniest scenes might've been the one with the news teleprompter or the one with the rap battle toward the beginning, plus the wake.