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Reviews
Don't Worry Darling (2022)
This movie is...good?
I'm very baffled by some of the reviews I've seen from casual reviewers, to big name journalists. While it is not perfect, it does its job. My attention was kept throughout the entire movie. It's a fun physiological thriller that loses some of its grip on the viewer in the third act, but overall it was still enjoyable. Florence Pugh is an absolute powerhouse of an actor. Harry Styles held his own for the most part. Olivia Wilde and Nick Kroll gave the movie some much needed humor, and Chris Pine is wonderful as always. I do wish we saw more of Gemma Chan, however. This movie is not *bad* by any stretch of the imagination... I mean a 38% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes?? Im trying to figure out why. Sure there has been controversy surrounding the film, but the film itself doesn't deserve that score.. at least in my eyes. 7.5/10 and I would watch it again.
Gon-ji-am (2018)
THAT SCENE
I haven't had to cover my eyes watching a horror movie since I watched the Grudge when I was 8 years old. But THAT SCENE in Gonjiam... Probably the most unsettling, creepy moment I've ever seen in a horror movie. Recommending this one to everyone I know. I thought it was fantastic. It scared the hell out of me, so it definitely did its job. Not to mention the acting was very good and very believable. It felt like I was watching The Blair Witch and Grave Encounters on steroids. If you want a genuine scare, watch this movie. And trust me, when that scene happens, you'll know it. 10/10, wonderful watch for spooky season.
Prey (2022)
If you have a fragile male ego, this isn't the movie for you.
If a strong female lead is something you can't handle or consider "woke" then I would suggest not watching. If you enjoy watching a strong lead character, great action, native culture, and a great Predator story, I think you'll love it.
Cruella (2021)
My only complaint
My only issue with the movie is the length. Other than that, wow. I am beyond shocked by how good this movie actually was. I went in with no expectations but was completely surprised. The acting, the plot, the MUSIC... all phenomenal. If you have two hours to spare I highly recommend watching.
Ricki and the Flash (2015)
Fun and light hearted
Fun movie, nothing special. Great song choices. Although the movie tries to be deep, it's really not. Simple, fun and not to be taken too seriously.
The Judge (2014)
Brilliant
Took me awhile to remember I wanted to watch this film when it came out in 2014, and tonight I finally got around to watching it tonight. The critics reviews are astonishing to me, in that I can't understand them at all and am in complete disagreement with them. This movie is acted impeccably. Robert Downey Jr. And Robert Duvall's chemistry is powerful. I am quite sad Downey didn't get the recognition he deserved for this, because wow... I was in awe of him the whole time. This film illustrates the complications of parental relationships. What I appreciated the absolute most is Hank's unconditional love for his father, even when he doesn't realize it's love that he's giving after all the years of strife in their relationship. Heartbreaking, emotional and beautiful are three words I would use to describe this movie. The realism behind illness, anger, love and turmoil are truly felt by the viewer. Absolute 10/10.
This Is Us: One Small Step... (2021)
Destroyed me
As someone who suffers from anxiety, depression and tends to seclude myself.. man. I was wrecked after watching this episode. I think this episode may be the winner for what "This is Us" episode made me cry the most. Phenomenal, beautiful and heartbreaking.. in the best way.
The Undoing (2020)
Did I watch the same show as everyone else?
I really enjoyed this show.
*SPOILERS*
I am unsure why I keep seeing, "no twist". Who said there was going to be one? I feel as if there is now this expectation that every single "murder mystery" show is supposed to have this big crescendo plot twist about who the real killer is. Why? This story was well told, the acting was superb, it had wonderful dialogue. And the thing is, it really does mess with your mind. Did Johnathan every really care about anyone? His wife, mistress, son? Or was it the fact that he enjoyed feeling loved?
Throughout the show, I kept having to recall previous scenes. For instance, when Elena was breastfeeding her daughter at the table during the auction meeting, I truly didn't think anything of- I had Grace's view of it. Then once the true story began to unfold, I thought about that scene again and had the same opinion as Sylvia. This show really made me think and made me have different perspectives of prior scenes once the show progressed.
I think expectations were clearly too high that this show was going to be something it wasn't. It was about a mother and wife, who was living happily ignorant to what was happening around her. And it's basically (IMO) about how she has to accept her old life is over and begin again.
8/10, great show.
The Place Beyond the Pines (2012)
Saw this movie in theaters in 2012, still sticks with me 8 years later
This movie is simply brilliant. The acting, the story, the environment. The twists, turns, the intertwining stories, the simple moments... it's truly a heart warming and devastating depiction of what life can be depending on the decisions you make. In my personal opinion it's almost a perfect movie. I remember seeing it in theaters and I was so exhausted by the end, in the best way. I told everyone I could about it and encouraged them to watch it. It made me feel like I was apart of these characters lives, which is exactly what a movie should do. It makes me sad that I don't feel it got the attention it deserved. Even to this day, when I talk to someone about what movies have impacted me most, this is always the first on my list.
Marriage Story (2019)
Wow.
I just finished the film and I am blown away, and I also can't seem to stop crying. The portrayal of a couple who still have love and affection for each other but can't be together any longer was brilliant and accurate. It made me feel emotions I have suppressed for a long time. Coming from parents who divorced but still loved each other was a very confusing thing for me to understand. I didn't understand why my mom still called my dad "honey" or why she still cut his hair when it got too long. This movie truly made me understand my parents better, and truthfully, I don't think I can say a movie has ever affected me as much as this one. The acting was superb; Adam Driver depicting a man who realizes he messed up and is left to navigate life alone is just heartbreaking. Even though we know he messed up, you cannot help but feel gutted watching him at his lowest. I can't say enough about this movie. I will recommended it to everyone I know.
It Chapter Two (2019)
IT had me in the first half, not gonna lie.
I set my expectations very low for this film. I was very disappointed in part one as I disliked the CGI heavy scenes which caused pennywise to lose any personality that Skarsgard attempted to bring to the character. However, the first half of part two is exceptional. The opening scene with Adrian Mellon is gruesome, horrifying and straight out of the book. I wish Andy would've allowed more time for us to be reintroduced to the "Losers" as adults but I was okay with the short clips we got of them. Stan's death was painful and I did look away from the screen. The Chinese restaurant scene is perfect- the cast played off of each other, I loved the humor in it and I loved what they chose to do with the fortune cookies. I appreciated that the Ritual of Chud being introduced to Bill by Mike. One of my favorite parts was Henry Bowers seeing the balloon outside of the psych hospital, great re-introduction to him. I did not enjoy the dead Patrick scene- a dead boy underneath a crazy mans bed is scary enough, it wasn't necessary to CGI him to hell.
The best pennywise moment in my opinion was with the little girl with the port-wine stain underneath the bleachers. It was creepy and the CGI was at a minimum, I loved seeing Bill show a little personality. The movie took a total turn for me during the Mrs. Kersh scene. It was a great lead up, her peaking around the corners at Bev was very unsettling- and then, the worst CGI'd saggy, gray old lady pops out. I busted out laughing in the middle of the theater. After that scene, the movie lost it for me. I was so beyond because so many reviewers were saying "The Bev and Mrs. Kersh scene is terrifying"... I guess we weren't watching the same movie. Granted, this is all subjective but that was probably one of the dumbest scenes I have seen in modern horror.
The ending was, okay. I did think that Mike was gonna raise baby pennywise as his own instead of ripping his heart out, but whatever. The biggest issue is the jump scares and the forces horror. Things can be scary without CGI, I wish Andy Mushietti would've realized that.