⭐️⭐️⭐️
I have always like Daniel Craig in this role, it’s just too bad that his best movie as Bond was his first one, Casino Royale. That makes follow-up movies more of a challenge to get right but this was a great send off with a lot of great material.
What stuck with me the most was the creativity on display in the use of camera. There were more awesome shots than I expected with so many that stuck in my mind afterwards and I really appreciate that kind of attention to storytelling. Action framing, a nice one-shot in particular during the finale… I was always on the lookout for great camera work and I always felt there was something great coming up on the horizon.
Where this Bond outing wasn’t as exciting to me was in the plot and villain. Unfortunately he was too bland with nothing to do, no real menace or good plan. I didn’t care that much about him and when you add that element to a middle act that felt a little slow and you get my 3rd favorite Craig Bond film, despite some great set pieces.
It’s a given that you’ll catch this though if you like these movies and it’s worth watching.
⭐️⭐️
I love classic 80s more than most people but too much of this comes off as silly. There isn’t much to this story, it’s super simple but thank goodness Rocky resolved the Cold War.
Plus robots, advanced training computers with flashing lights and I knew there were musical montages but I was surprised by how many.
⭐️⭐️
The first half I found entertaining but even with 100% more Michael Keaton than most movies, I found myself confused with the story and unclear how I was supposed to feel about characters. One particular piece of violence I found excessively graphic and it took me out of the scene which is unfortunate.
There’s a lot of talent here, especially in Martin Campbell but it didn’t land for me.
⭐️⭐️
So much of what you need to have a successful film is here but it doesn’t add up to anything. It’s completely watchable yet entirely forgettable and I’m still trying to figure out how that’s possible.
Everything between the sets, story, acting and action feels surface level without any weight to it. I was entertained because I like the actors but it’s unlikely I’ll remember much.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
It felt like a mix of The Mummy and Pirates of the Caribbean but that’s not a negative since I really like both of those movies. You only get a hint of the Disneyland attraction at the beginning which I liked but that disappeared quickly.
It was well cast with good chemistry and overall entertaining but what really stuck out to me was the production design. The town on the water, boats, sets and props were standouts to me and I loved watching it. I just liked the way it all looked when brought together.
The story was the least interesting part to me though and I wish there was more tie in with the attraction. It was also screaming for a memorable musical theme but that was missing. Plus, if someone told me that the movie started with Metallica, I would have thought they were an insane person.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Dune is the movie you get when multiple departments execute on a mastery level not often seen. Direction, art direction, production design, cinematography, visual effects… it’s difficult to imagine better craftsmanship. I just wish I cared more about the story of Dune.
I spent the entire movie just gazing upon the visuals and soaking up every little detail I could but in the end, I didn’t really care about what was going on. I just don’t have enough familiarity with Dune to know who everyone is and what they want.
Make no mistake, this feels massive and epic but also incomplete. It doesn’t even feel like it ends a chapter, it just ends. I have no idea if pre-production has started on a Part Two but it’s a long time to wait.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This wasn’t a series I set out to watch but I’m happy I caught it. While no individual episode was one I really liked, the series as a whole turned out greater than any individual piece.
The main character makes poor decision after poor decision throughout the entire series and that ends up being really engaging. You connect with her, see her making these decisions, get frustrated that she’s doing this to herself but that sets up triumphant feelings once she turns things around by the end.
Genuine performances, with notes of sadness, frustration and eventual success make this a deep if not a slightly predicable Netflix series.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
It was fun and humorous. I haven’t seen any LEGO Star Wars shows but I enjoyed enough for a single viewing. It didn’t overstay its welcome either and I appreciated that. The Lost Boys references, especially the callback to I Still Believe made me actually laugh out loud.
⭐️⭐️
There will always be something special and magical about the Muppets. I was looking forward to this because why wouldn’t I be? The Muppets added to a beloved Disneyland attraction surely must equal extra magic but I was wrong.
It pains me to say that I didn’t really laugh and my mind wandered a lot. The story doesn’t make sense and the more it went along the more I felt cynical about its existence. Perhaps a bit extreme of a perspective but I’m referring to feeling a lack of purity in motivation and the missing magic to make it work.
I liked the overall design but Disneyland takes the credit for most of that and it had a very weird detached feeling like the entire show was shot in front of a green screen. That removes a lot of the physicality which is part of what makes Muppets so cool.
This is getting a lot of negative feelings from me but that’s because I was disappointed. I really wanted it to be great and not feel like an easy mashup of two brands.
I do think they had fun making it which is awesome and the Dancing in the Moonlight cover was delightful.
⭐️⭐️
This was on my watch list for many years and I finally pulled the trigger. I really like The Mummy, it’s fun and adventurous but I wasn’t a fan of the sequel and this one has a similar fate.
I’m all for adventure but this is missing the same level of charm and fun. There are so many attempts at humor and it all falls flat to me. Casting isn’t quite there for me either with a new Evelyn and Alex but Jet Li is always great to see. Add on top of that some cartoon yeti action and big set pieces that never feel big in reality and it is a flat delivery.
I didn’t mind that there actually wasn’t a mummy and that the movie felt more supernatural in tone than the first but I didn’t have fun and I so wanted to.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
It’s a super adorable and sweet series within the Monsters, Inc. universe and also a rather quick watch. Every episode felt unique and I never felt like it over played any ideas just to have more episodes or padding.
It took a while to warm up to the characters though but to be fair, I had the same issue with the original movie. I find that so strange because it’s such an inventive idea, so original but I just never enjoyed spending a lot of time in the world.
While I enjoyed watching the series, I wish it had more lasting power with me so I don’t see myself revisiting it again in the future. If you really like Monsters, Inc. though, I think it’s an easy recommend.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Rewatched
I think a cooler name for the movie would be Nevermore.
The premise here is good but execution feels lightweight and while I love John Cusack, I wouldn’t have picked him for this role. He needed to look a little more weathered, beaten down, drunk and tired.
Cinematography looks nice without being too dark, visual effects are hit and miss but the overall look is really nice. The midnight ball in particular is a signature moment for the movie when it comes to tone and wardrobe.
I keep trying to figure out how I would give it a greater sense of weight because it’s almost there.
All that being said, what in the world happened with those end credits? I don’t recall a more jarring experience. They’re from a completely different movie.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Rewatched
I last watched this on LaserDisc, so it’s been a while.
It’s a joyful, yet straightforward golf movie and another sports effort from Ron Shelton. It’s great seeing Kevin Costner in something fun and it’s easy to forget there was a time that he was in more lighthearted movies.
There’s a nice twist on the more traditional sports movie ending that fits the character perfectly and I admit that it’s a pretty cool way to end things.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
What a crazy movie.
I went in without having seen any trailers or having any knowledge on what I was about to watch and I think that made it even better.
There are some very effective and memorable shots, especially in the first act and it has a great reveal that mades sense based on everything leading up to that moment and while I was close in my guesses on what it would be, I was still off.
It’s cool, energetic and bonkers, yet has pain points, especially in the third act and I wish that wasn’t the case. It’s goofy and ends up being a little too goofy by its conclusion but I give James Wan a lot of credit for giving me something I’ve never seen before.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Rewatched
I remembered liking this more than I did this time around. It’s a much slower paced movie then I recalled and takes a long time for very little to happen. I really like the talent here but I never felt like they were let loose so it comes across as reserved.
The actual heist work is interesting but it feels low energy and you know that’s the case when one of the most tense scenes is just someone buying codes in a public park.
I’m being hard on it but I still enjoyed watching it because the actors are great even if they aren’t given a lot to do and De Niro seems tired. It’s rare to see Brando in something though so that along makes it worth catching.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This feels like a movie I’ve seen before, it has a similar feeling to a handful of others but has enough on its own to make it worth watching. So yes, it has a familiar feel but it’s extremely well made.
Cumberbatch goes all in on this performance and you don’t realize his level of commitment right away, only near the end do you respect what he does even more. It’s not only him though because all the acting is super strong. It’s not just acting either because its production design and lighting especially are difficult to imagine being better.
The Courier wasn’t as much of a thriller as I was expecting, instead it’s a slow, deliberate political drama but it didn’t need to be more. The movie also seemed to appear out of nowhere for me, I don’t remember any coverage prior to its release but I’m glad I caught it.
On a completely unrelated note, I love the font and art style used for the end credits.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Rewatched
There are moments in The Rundown where I like a lot of what I’m seeing. It’s fun, high energy along with some cool shots but then in the next breath I’m wincing a little at the goofy direction it takes. Some of the editing makes the action difficult to follow but then they go add an awesome scene transition so it bounces between those extremes a lot for me.
Johnson shows he has the charisma to be a star here and Walken is another standout. I just know I’d like it more if it only had the cool scenes and none of the scenes that felt both goofy and rough.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
It was fine and to be honest, I think The Gunman was the last movie I saw with Sean Penn. It has its good moments, some good thriller type scenes and a very talented director but it gets kinda muddled for me. It’s hard to remember everything that happened even though there’s a ton of talent here.
I enjoyed watching it but will most likely struggle to remember a lot about it a year from now.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Rewatched
It’s still really good.
Even though it’s not material one typically associated with Scorsese, I can’t imagine it being directed by anyone else. There’s a uniqueness to how it’s shot and crafted that adds to its overall feel that wouldn’t be there with another director.
Casting is perfect and it’s one of my favorite Newman roles. Cruise kills it too and plays an incredible flake that only he can do. It feels so simple but you don’t see arcs where the main characters essentially switch roles and have it done as well.
I do recommend seeing The Hustler first if you haven’t seen it but this also stands on its own.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Rewatched
I recently rewatched this after many years and it still holds up. Bale excels as always and it’s still difficult to believe the physical transformation. Truly unbelievable.
It’s a dark and spooky tale, overflowing with atmosphere. The upcoming twists and turns aren’t hidden well but in this case it doesn’t matter because the journey is worth it. I also love it when movies repeat visual themes over and over again and this is a great example of that working well.
If you like movies like Fight Club and Memento then this is probably for you too.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The name and trailer do a huge disservice to this movie because they both suggest something generic and that’s far from reality. This is the best scary movie I’ve seen in a long time and not only was I pleasantly surprised, I was borderline blown away.
While the prologue is memorable on its own, the movie taken as a whole is a slow burn. It’s all atmosphere, discovery and shot amazingly well, which isn’t a surprise once you learn that this first time director David Prior spent a lot of time working with David Fincher.
I love that there are no jump scares and instead they are replaced with numerous top notch sequences that are truly well crafted. You’ll remember the prologue, camp, use of the teddy bear and our hero’s discovery under the bridge for a long time afterwards. Visually, everything feels so deliberate and the callbacks are a real treat. It’s refreshing to be so surprised by a movie.
All that being said, not everything works and for every great idea, there’s one that’s seriously muddled and confusing. I can’t even tell you what happened in this movie because I felt so confused at the end and the last act threw far too much me. Some scenes unfortunately just feel bad too like the introduction to the teens on the bridge at night. There are enough ideas here for three different movies and that’s part of its downfall, there’s too much crammed in there and it gets confusing.
Amazingly however the many, many negatives are so overshadowed by the positive that somehow it still works. This movie swings for the fences, goes all out and even though it doesn’t completely land, I have so much respect for that.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Incredibly fun and signature James Gunn. It’s fast, funny, dark, gory and completely insane. There are a heck of a lot of ingredients to balance here but everything works and I completely forgot the absurdity of what I was watching after a while. Gunn has truly become a master of this type of team-based ensemble movie.
The strongest part of the movie is the characters and I wanted more and more. When the Starro finale was approaching its end, I was sad that my time with the characters was almost over. King Shark? Awesome.
It’s a super fun time and I’m looking forward to watching it again in the near future. It’ll be a UHD purchase.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Rewatched
This was a rewatch because of the recent death of Charles Grodin and it’s still a fun ride. It’s a simple premise but the characters are so entertaining and there are more than a handful of memorable scenes. The Litmus Configuration scene alone is almost worth the price of admission and both of our leads here kill it.
I never found myself to be a huge fan of everything Grodin did but I think he’s perfect in some very focused ways and Midnight Run is one of those.
⭐️⭐️
Unfortunately I had a really hard time getting into this and it felt very forced to me. I had high hopes after its opening because I was really digging the production design but unfortunately I made the assumption that the design would continue past the diner and it didn’t. Yes, the rest of the movie had its own look but nothing like what the opening had.
Characters felt like they were forcing the dialogue and profanity was added just to have it. I had a similar response to the action where I felt I was watching an imitation of another movie as opposed to something crafted on its own.
I can see people liking it (I know people who do) and there was a lot of passionate effort here but it just didn’t grab me.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Stunningly gorgeous.
I absolutely love the look of this movie down to all its fine detail. The animation quality is top notch and I know I’ll see it again in the near future, it’s not a one time viewing for me.
I would have liked it more if they went with a slightly different direction on the performance of Sisu. It’s just a more modern, adolescent targeted character choice that wasn’t for me but I can appreciate why they did it.
Questionable character choices aside, stunningly gorgeous.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
I do typically like Guy Ritchie and not that there was anything wrong with this movie, it just didn’t stand out to me. Everything was completely serviceable but it was lacking a certain character that I’m used to seeing from him.
I don’t know if it was intended or not but I also didn’t actually find any of the characters likable. At first I was rooting for Statham but that takes a turn later in the movie once I learned more about him. So with serviceable action and dialog but with characters I didn’t find likable, it’s well made but middle of the road for me.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
It’s impossible, impossible to not compare this with John wick. There is some stuff in here that’s pretty awesome, the bus fight in particular is a standout as well as small other pieces scattered throughout the rest of the movie.
There’s so much here that I liked but they were in bite sized pieces and there were other moments that didn’t sit right with me. The attempt at lightheartedness seemed a little off to me and I think I would have liked it more if it was either more serious or more insane. Personally, I would have picked more serious.
As far as casting, I liked Bob Odenkirk (his movie idea as well I believe) but not Christopher Lloyd. I love Lloyd but just not here.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Rewatched
There really is a lot to like about this movie. Casting is unreal and I have to say the production design and visual effects are also difficult to beat. It’s hard to imagine these elements being much better. There are also moments that feel great with a high energy.
By the end, it becomes difficult to overcome some of the plot points. Never once do I believe that the story could have realistically enfolded as it does. In no universe would the characters find themselves with that much responsibility so easily. I realize it’s a minor point but it stuck with me. Kirk on the ice planet had a lot of too much coincidence and the creature design made me think of the game Lost Planet.
It’s good, 100% it is and definitely worth seeing. There were just too many things that took me out of the movie to like it as much as I want to.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Rewatched
This is an odd one because the story itself isn’t very good and it completely falls apart if you think about it for more than 60 seconds. It really doesn’t make any sense and has serious problems.
Why did I really like it and give it 4 stars then? Simple. It was entertaining. Purely on enjoyment level I think this is the best of the three although I know that’s an unpopular perspective. The ending is particularly rough and I’m not a fan of the way they pushed extra hard to deviate from expectations established in Wrath of Khan.
The action is mostly good along with the characters, production design and visual effects also remain strong but just don’t think about it for more than 60 seconds, and you might enjoy it too.
⭐️⭐️
Rewatched
I enjoyed this more the first time I watched it.
This time around, it pains me to say but I found myself bored through most of it. There isn’t enough here for me to feel like it’s worth a third Star Trek outing and despite the large set pieces it’s difficult to recall most about it after the fact.
I also don’t like what feels like unearned character deaths and there’s one in particular that took me out of the experience. I’ve seen many who consider this to be the strongest of the trilogy and I can see why, I just don’t happen to agree.
Stop giving this crew a ship, they can’t keep it it one piece.
⭐️⭐️
Rewatched
The Alec Baldwin and Harrison Ford Jack Ryan movies I consider to be pretty top notch. They’re wonderful, especially The Hunt for Red October so I looked forward to seeing more adventure of Jack Ryan.
I have to say that I don’t like the casting that much, it just feels off and the movie is missing a certain level of sincerely that the others have. I also had a hard time believing that Ryan would be able to accomplish what he does at the end. Too many coincidences and conveniences for me.
It’s an average thriller and there are plenty others out there to watch instead such as the other Jack Ryan movies. Watch if you’re a completionist and need to catch all the Ryan movies but it was easy for me to forget afterwards.
⭐️⭐️
Rewatched
I saw this in the theater upon its initial release and my feeling didn’t evolve much.
What’s unfortunate is that the first half of this movie is really good. There’s an opening single shot that’s absolutely masterful and some of the rewatching of the central event from different perspectives is also kinda neat.
Cage is pretty entertaining however throughout the entire movie and it’s one of the first appearances from what I can remember of the super energized version of Cage that we have all come to adore.
The second half just can’t hold up with the first. There were no more surprises or twists available and some sequences, especially in the last act just fell flat to me. The first half is almost too good for its own good.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Rewatched
Shane Black is a pretty amazing talent and most of his work is a hit with me. I enjoyed this more on a second viewing and was able to appreciate the details more this time around.
This has a very similar style to Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang where something can be both funny and horrifying with only brief moments separating those feelings and he’s able to make it work well. The characters are fun to spend time with and it almost doesn’t matter what the case is they’re trying to solve.
There’s a piece of me that would love to see more adventures of these two but it’s probably best just to leave this alone as a stand alone story.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Rewatched
This is an unbelievably unique movie and it’s hard to describe. It has all the action and fighting you love seeing in this kind of movie with a surreal, mystical element on top of it that makes it a unique watch.
The characters are all over the top and there are multiple, memorable sequences in it. There’s something pretty magical to it and it’s just cool.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
I stumbled across this movie by accident, I don’t recall it being released in the theater and it was not what I expected. It’s multiple movies in one and I admit that it made me wonder how I would go about reaching the same goal.
There are moments of sincerity here that really hit hard, coming out of left field because you can’t believe what this character has gotten himself into. The last act of this movie wasn’t what I expected and I was pleasantly surprised. I almost really enjoyed it, it was close but I give everyone a lot of credit for making something that felt unique and new.
⭐️⭐️
There is some heavy hitting talent in this movie but just didn’t enjoy watching it that much. Some of it felt unintentionally silly to me but it did remjnd me that I’ve been meaning to catch the original.
⭐️⭐️
Perfectly fine, good acting and well made but I found myself drifting and it took me multiple viewings to get through the entire film. The make-up also stuck out too much and distracted me.
There’s nothing I can immediately claim is wrong with the movie, it was just slow, a little uninteresting to me and there were too many things that took me out of it.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Wonderful performances with Gary Oldman in particular deserving all the accolades he received upon its release. Cinematography and production design were stellar and overall, Darkest Hour was a well structured movie.
I liked it a lot as a movie but I question most of it when it comes to historical accuracy because it doesn’t align with a lot of what I remember about that time period. So take it as that, a very well made movie with great performances but it’s probably best to not rely on it for facts.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I had heard of this show, especially due to all the awards but I really didn’t know anything about it so I came in fresh. It popped up on Netflix and decided to give it a shot and I’m glad I did.
There’s something so memorable and sweet here and the series as a whole is stronger than any individual episode. It’s clever, funny, unbelievably sweet and also stayed the perfect amount of time by not overstaying its welcome. It’s populated with incredible characters too that are well defined, beyond the main four.
It was a pleasant surprise and I’ll continue to have this on the television for years to come.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
The cast alone was enough to attract my eye but it felt a little middle of the road to me. I’m not knocking the quality by any means but the story felt like something too familiar and the end result wasn’t much of a surprise, you kind of saw it coming.
Good performances, there’s nothing wrong here I just wanted the story to stand out s little more to me.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Rewatched
This is still my least favorite Tarantino movie, it just is. I do like all the characters and actors in this movie but there’s something about it that feels unrefined, almost like this is his first movie, even before Reservoir Dogs.
I can’t tell what it is, I wish I knew why it gave me that feeling but in spite of interesting characters and great acting, I only like it. I wish I liked it more but it’s this odd feeling of being unrefined that hurts it a little for me.
I keep to my belief that there’s nobody like Tarantino and he’s done more for movie making than most.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Rewatched
This movie is just insane but a fun kind of insane. Action, characters, dialog,… everything is so over the top that it becomes super entertaining. I can’t tell you that it’s a great movie but who cares, it knows what it is, pushes all in on and I love that it does that.
Fun, it’s that simple.
⭐️⭐️
This is one of those movies where I can’t say there’s anything wrong with it and I genuinely believe everything is well done but it just didn’t grab me. I know it’s based on a true story but I didn’t like the characters and didn’t want to spend more time with them.
There’s a lot of tragedy that hits hard and you really feel for Lauda but that left me with a sad and empty feeling because I didn’t feel connected with him.
It’s an impressive outing from Howard though and I wished I liked it more.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I saw the remake before I saw the original and that might actually be a good thing so my expectations weren’t super high but this was truly delightful. The characters, acting and story are fantastic and memorable. I can’t believe I didn’t watch it before now.
I also have to give a special shout out to the score by David Shire. It’s awesome.
Speaking of awesome, the acting is awesome, actor choice is awesome, and overall a pretty awesome movie. It’s also funny but not by accident and the humor doesn’t take you out of the movie. It all works.
If you haven’t seen this, it’s pretty classic one worth your time. Shaw and Matthau completely steal this show.
⭐️⭐️
I like the director and actors but somehow this doesn’t come together for me.
The story feels super basic and has weird pacing where it takes a long time to get going and then all of a sudden we are at the finale.
I wanted to like this more than I did and unfortunately it comes together at the end wrapped up in too much of clean white bow.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Rewatched
This is my second least favorite Nolan film but that doesn’t mean it’s bad. It’s expertly made and plays with the same themes he’s known for.
Pacino plays this in a more reserved way that’s appreciated and he’s a mix of someone you like and someone you don’t, same with Williams. They aren’t too far off from each other as characters and you just know they’ll somehow have a similar fate because they’re so connected.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
My expectations were managed and I wasn’t in a rush to watch this but it’s now one of my favorite Nolan movies. It’s a brain buster and that’s part of its strength.
It’s one of the rare movies that I started it again immediately after a first viewing and that’s almost required to absorb everything. Tenet keeps you thinking for days after you watch it, your brain trying to piece everything together because it’s so dense.
There’s a good balance of explaining the basics of the world it creates with leaving wiggle room to make a playground for cool things to happen. At the same time it’s also overly complex and over engineered so that part doesn’t help.
Unquestionably you’ll see things you’ve never seen in a movie before and that’s worth watching purely for that experience.
As a side note, Pattinson was one of the best surprises and I saw a new depth to him that I didn’t see before. I have a new hope and his performance makes me immediately more interested in the career he has in front of him.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
What a surprise!
This came in completely out of left field for me and it was delightful, smart, sweet and funny. I’m so happy I watched this, it’s truly something wonderful. It’s so well written, animated and genuinely memorable.
It’s really great and you should check this out if you’re in the mood for something animated, high energy, sweet and fun.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Rewatched
I’ve been meaning to catch the alternate cut to this movie but just haven’t gotten to it yet.
Overall it has a darker tone than the trailer makes it seem and even though entertaining, t’s easy to forget. It’s brutal and rough but the characters are sympathetic enough where you’re on their side.
It concludes without much of a satisfying resolution but I can’t put my finger on why I feel that way. It’s a solid movie if you like a gritty crime movie that also doesn’t take itself too seriously.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Rewatched
I liked this more after seeing it for a second time.
I admit that I have no idea what a real draft day would look like but I liked this version, the quick thinking, deals and behind the scenes strategy of everything. It’s one of those movies that you can watch on a Sunday afternoon and puts you in a good mental place to kick butt on Monday.
I just really like it and love how it was possible to turn a day like this into something compelling to watch.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Rewatched
Richard Donner does some respectable work here along with Bruce Willis who plays against type and Mos Def who turns in a sympathetic performance. It’s a straightforward, no frills cop thriller that’s all about getting from one place to another that’s well made, entertaining and I admit that it made me smile at the end. It feels safe though and has a second act that feels a little too slow but it gets things done.
⭐️⭐️
Unfortunately this felt generic to me and not al all memorable, even with a more than decent cast. I really hate to say that because I don’t think it’s anyone did anything poorly. I wonder if I would have felt the same if I saw it closer to its release date in 2006.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
There is a certain level of goofiness I think is genuinely difficult to overcome here and I have a hard time believing the movie is for anyone who isn’t already familiar with Mortal Kombat.
For every moment or idea I winced at, there was at least one that felt really cool. The opening scene was excellent but the movie unfortunately couldn’t maintain that high bar and I so wanted it to.
This movie was two steps forward, one step back for its entire running time. It was also a bold choice to both go with an unknown hero at the center of the story and without an actual tournament but ultimately I really enjoyed watching it and in the end, that’s what really counts.
⭐️⭐️
I’m not going to hate on it, I just wasn’t the target audience.
⭐️⭐️
I have a strong feeling that if I saw this closer to its release I would have liked it better. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with it at all because the actors are great, the plot was good and Gene Hackman gets to once again, endanger hundreds of lives with high speed driving antics.
Something didn’t connect with me though and perhaps it was because I felt a lack of urgency or that it all seemed too familiar but I bet I would have really liked it in 1989.
⭐️
I like the people in this movie and think they’re often quite funny but I don’t know what this is. I didn’t feel anyone acted the way the should under any situation and that led to frustration and confusion. Unfortunately I found it difficult to get through and I really wish that wasn’t the case.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is pure magic.
Director Joe Dante puts something really magical together, showcasing a more simple time sprinkled with memories of a different age. It’s especially great if you have a real love of movies.
I honestly think Dante was the best director to bring something like this to life. He has the perfect mix of skill and whimsy. Performances are spot on, so is casting.
There’s a piece of me that wants to live in this world and be this age again and that’s special.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Rewatched
I might be less forgiving if I was watching this for the first time now but I was hit with a wave of 1995 buddy cop nostalgia that felt super warm. It’s just fun even though super ridiculous and I love the heavy lean into New York as a location and the fact it has more Christmas decorations than most Christmas movies.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Rewatched
It’s just as good as I remember after seeing it twice in the theaters, along with the subsequent viewings when released on DVD. It’s smart, funny and moves at a fast pace with great performances.
The energy feels so real and fluid which is likely a result of the less than 30 days of principal photography. I feel like watching it again right now.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Rewatched
No doubt this might be a controversial view but I do believe this is the weakest of the Nolan trilogy. I watched it again recently and my opinion did not change since my initial viewing.
There’s too much in here for it to be a great movie, including too many new characters, stories and pieces falling conveniently into place. Characters had information there was no way they could have and then magically appeared in places in ways that didn’t seem possible. Many scenes came across as a silly to me which I absolutely hate to admit.
I felt the theme of Wayne having to rise out of his depths was excellent though and the first third about him being out of sorts and needing to pull himself together to engage with life once again really spoke to me.
Bane was a strong character but not used to his full potential and had a disappointingly abrupt exit. I wish the other characters had the same positive impact but most of the new ones should have been removed entirely.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Simple, sweet with a handful of scenes that were genuinely funny and no scenes I felt were bad. I was surprised by my enjoyment of it and there were moments I genuinely laughed out loud.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Rewatched
I was in a classic Arnold mood and this often is a good fit for that even if not one of his best. We don’t have have anyone like him anymore. I also forget this is a Walter Hill film and it’s not the comedy that the marketing suggests it is. They really don’t seem to make movies like this anymore and it’s a pure nostalgia hit.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
I really enjoyed most of the movie, especially from a production design standpoint but I found it didn’t stick with me afterwards and I felt a little empty by the end. Depp’s character is supposed to be out of place but strangely felt too out of place and there were loose ends I wanted more closure to.
Great design, characters and performances though and it was awesome to experience a true Tim Burton movie after what felt like forever.
⭐️⭐️
Rewatched
With the release of the updated Zack Syder’s Justice League, I wanted to give this another shot. In short, I didn’t like it in the theater and I didn’t like it on a second viewing. This is one of those movies where you’ve either seen it already or probably won’t ever so these words won’t have any impact on that.
It’s just loud, messy and all over the place. I can think of only one scene that was pretty cool but the rest is super rough to get through. There are also plenty of scenes that make you laugh and that’s nowhere near the intent.
Here’s the thing, Zack Snyder to me is a lot like Michael Bay. There’s genuine mastery over the technical craft of movie making and they are fantastic at staying true to their particular look. They showcase their skills in all these areas but seem to not have the same strengths when it comes to performances and story.
⭐️⭐️
Rewatched
I had fun with the first Ghost Rider despite its flaws primarily because of its design, visuals and the inclusion of Sam Elliot. Spirit of Vengeance was missing all of that and tossed out a lot of the first movie, although some of the visuals were stepped up in some very specific areas involving fire and smoke simulation.
The director team has a ton of talent and I get the impression they were rushed and ended up cutting too much from the original intent.
⭐️⭐️
I waited for this movie ever since I heard of its existence and wanted it even more so after the trailer but found it not at all what I hoped for. Inarguably there were lots of similarities with Evil Dead 2 but somehow it was missing all the charm.
There was something I liked about Cage’s character never saying a single word but then as a result, he lacked any connection with the insanity surrounding him. I did love how he just kept changing his shirt after each encounter but there was no weight to that action.
The encounters with the animatronics didn’t make a lot of sense, were difficult to follow and they were over before you knew it. The supplemental characters lacked any reason for genuine interest and there wasn’t enough violence to scratch that particular itch either. Overall I didn’t enjoy it and was disappointed to be disappointed.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Rewatched
It’s a super simple premise, not to mention a remake but executed really well. I really like Hawke and Fishburne here but what sold it for me were the non-traditional, unexpected story and character choices.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Hers even more evidence Bozeman was a great actor and this time he takes on the legendary Jackie Robinson. Baseball was different after him, it wasn’t the same and this movie respects and celebrates that effort.
I love me some Harrison Ford but I wouldn’t have chosen him for the role. I enjoyed the movie but don’t know of it’s lasting power and this seems to be another example of Bozeman being stronger than the movie he’s in.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
It’s 100% a better version compared to the theatrical release and I don’t believe it’s even close. I’m really glad this exists, it’s crazy that it does and it’s a fascinating study in what two visions, two realities equate to.
There’s a sad tragedy around how the theatrical version came to exist with someone other than Synder finishing the movie but not only did this other director finish it, they changed it on a fundamental level. The amount of material cut, reshot and re-edited is mind blowing and it’s not the same movie.
I almost really liked it as a movie but love that I saw this version. If you love movies, it’s worth watching both versions even if you aren’t a fan of Justice League, purely for the study of it. Truly.
⭐️⭐️
Rewatched
One of my main complaints is that there is no antagonist. There’s very little that’s important standing in the way of our protagonists.
It’s a racing movie that brings with it all you’d want in one except without meaningful conflict. Everyone is likable and I didn’t encounter anyone I truly disliked. It’s pretty rare to see this in a movie and I think it ultimately hurts its success.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
It’s a classic movie but I had never sat down and watched it clean from start to finish. It was time that I did.
Yeah, it’s really good and deserves all the attention ever received. It feels real, heavy, genuine and the cinematography pushes it over the edge to feel that way.
Just don’t be like me and wait too long to watch it. Sometimes you just have to set aside the time to sit down and watch the classics from start to finish.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
What an incredible performance, it’s truly mesmerizing and Bozeman destroys it in this role. I have no idea how much time he put into learning the moves but the delivery is almost unbelievable. His performance actually feels bigger than the movie which as a whole, falls a little short of what Bozeman accomplishes.
I likely would not have seen this if I wasn’t trying to catch as much of Bozeman as I could and I don’t remember it being released but I’m glad I caught it, even if the movie isn’t as good as he is.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
It’s a pretty cool idea and surprisingly heartwarming. I really like the look, it feels original and the visual effects are outstanding. I think I would have liked it more if it didn’t get as noisy by the end, there’s just so much going on during the finale but it’s a fun watch.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Rewatched
The one tends to fly under the radar even for Schwarzenegger fans but that’s understandable since it can easily get overshadowed by other efforts in the 80s such as The Running Man and Predator. This is one of the movies I think of though when this time period for him comes to mind.
It feels classic to me and the slightly elevated cheesiness helps make it more enjoyable to me over some of his others. It’s just fun 80s action with one of the biggest 80s action icon.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Rewatched
This doesn’t hold up as well as I thought it would have. I remember seeing it a ton when I was younger on cable but I just didn’t like it as much this time. It’s pretty fun though, I won’t take that away from it.
It was also a nice surprise seeing such a younger Vincent D'Onofrio and Bradley Whitford, I forgot they were in this.
Regardless, just look at that poster from Drew Struzan. Look at it!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Rewatched
Yup, still super likable. It’s worth a watch if you haven’t seen it. It’s funny, unique and great.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
I like so much of this equation, from Donner as a director to the actors and it’s crazy I never saw it until this point. I also have a weakness for poker and I’m happy there are a couple good scenes here too.
Donner plus Gibson has usually resulted in fun stuff and this isn’t different in that regard. It’s fun, not great but enjoyable enough to like and I’ll likely see it again at some point, especially if I’m flipping through channels and it’s on.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Rewatched
I remember watching this on LaserDisc again and again. In fact, I put it on at the LaserDisc store I worked in during the 90s and it was an easy one to have on in the background.
It’s comedy without being silly and a con movie without trying to outsmart the audience. It has a solid cast without underutilizing anyone but I admit does overstep its seriousness with a murder that doesn’t fit but I can forgive that.
I like this fun movie and there was a time when I thought James woods was on a roll.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Rewatched
Michael J. Fox didn’t always hit a home run with his role choices but this was a really good one. I admit James Woods is also great here and every once in a while you’re reminded how good some of his work is. It’s a fun concept too, one that lends itself to a more original take on buddy cop movies.
It entered the scene in 1991 but it has a slight 80s feel and that helps add an extra layer of charm. It’s an easy one to miss but fun and worth checking out.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
1917 is well deserving of its praise and accolades. It hits on an emotional level and completely floors on a technical one.
Some may say that the way the story is told as two single long takes is a gimmick but I don’t agree with that. It makes everything feel a little more real, all while in the back of your head you’re figuring out how they accomplished it. It never once pulled me out of the movie though, instead it was an awe inspiring feeling that stayed with me for the entire running time.
It’s going to be a movie that’s easy to return to on a regular basis, if nothing else than to marvel at the camera accomplishment. It takes a bold vision to want to tackle telling the story this way and if you love movies, it’s a must see.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
I’ve come to like Joseph Kosinski and the look he brings to the table. This has a very similar feel to it as Tron Legacy although I know Top Gun: Maverick will likely be a completely different beast.
It’s a well made vehicle for Tom Cruise, full of cool looking futuristic tech and I think Morgan Freeman adds an extra layer of weight to the movie that it’s needing.
The final reveal was not well hidden though and so I felt like I was one step ahead of it at all times and that’s a bit disappointing. In general it’s lacking too many unique qualities for it to stick with me after this initial viewing.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I’m a little late to this one but I’m glad I finally saw it. This was something special and it may not have had the same impact on me if I saw it earlier in life. I teared up quite a few times as some elements of this hit pretty hard. It’s worth seeing and does a great job at putting you in his shoes.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I only recently watched this even though I intended to a long time ago. It’s visually stunning in all the ways you can imagine and I really liked it but had to stop myself from thinking about the story too much afterwards because it starts to crumble and I don’t want that.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Rewatched
The 4K version was on sale on iTunes for $4.99 and yes, it’s still quite good. It’s also crazy how much the character has changed over the years because the character in First Blood is not the character you think of when you hear the name Rambo. This is much more sad and reserved and not the borderline superhero you see later.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A cool little thriller, I loved how confined and focused it was with the limited cast and number of locations. Ultimately, the ending didn’t feel like it matched up with the first two acts, leaning heavy on the supernatural but that didn’t bother me.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
There were things I really loved about this movie like the setting, colors and characters but the movie went by so fast. I wish it went slower, simmered and let me sink my teeth into it more. The characters also spent more time as frogs than I expected.
I’m really curious how the Splash Mountain revamp turns out with this as the new theme. I can see it being really cool but I fear they won’t have to budget to go all out.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Rewatched
I watched this again recently and think it holds up really well. Michael Mann is such a great director and the wheelchair on fire scene is still memorable. I will say though that Graham talking to himself as much as he does feels a bit heavy now.
Time to watch Red Dragon again?
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was a slow burn. When people were raving about it, I decided to give it a chance and wondered what I was missing. I think the series as a whole is stronger than any individual episode and by the end, I realized how good it all was. Anya Taylor-Joy completely killed it too.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Previously Viewed
I can’t even count the number of times I’ve watched this, I still own it on Laserdisc. If you love movies and haven’t watched this, shame on you.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This one took me a while to process because it wasn’t what I expected and wasn’t what I wanted it to be. However, where it got me was with what I felt while watching it, that reflection on my own life and also that I continued to think about Soul well after it was over.
Plus from a technical, creative and musical standpoint it deserves a truck ton of kudos.
⭐️⭐️
On the surface this seems like one I would enjoy but it didn’t click with me. I think part of it was that I didn’t know how to feel while watching it. Emotionally I felt confused.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
You know David Fincher is my favorite director. Everything of his is so intentional, so expertly crafted. While I didn’t enjoy this as much as some of his other movies (extremely difficult to do), I just enjoyed… watching it. Absorb the performances, details, direction and photography. Absorb!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Nope, I never saw it until now but I’m glad I finally did. Simple, with a very much to-the-point plot that focuses on the characters. It was super enjoyable and reminds me of that independent crime movie feel coming from the late 90s, early 2000s.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I didn’t have any expectations on this one but I really enjoyed it, especially the tone, overall look and the acting. Sometimes the need for action scenes felt a little forced but it was great and I would watch it again.
Chadwick Boseman shows he really was a great talent, even raising something straight forward like this to something better.
⭐️⭐️
Looks fantastic and well done on a technical level. Photography, VFX, sound mixing, sets… all super strong and I found the location in the last half interesting, felt like it came from a Resident Evil game with a large mansion that has secret science labs underneath.
The best way to describe why I didn’t enjoy it is because I found it cruel. The first half felt so heavy with people and dinosaurs in complete fear with one segment in particular when the team leaves the island hitting so heavy that I never truly recovered from it.
I know it’s a Jurassic movie but it felt like human and dinosaur life was treated casually and I was taken out of the movie again by a scene at the end with a room full of dinosaurs of all ages in complete fear they’re going to die.
That feeling of unease, even though intentional wasn’t something I found enjoyable in a Jurassic movie. Mix that feeling along with me wondering why some major plot points disappeared and I found myself not enjoying it.