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The Lodge (2019)
Takes a while but keeps you guessing
This is the the type of movie that you should watch twice to see what you missed the first time however, it's not entertaining enough to actually watch a second time.
It takes a while for the plot to get going; it felt like 30 minutes. They started with a surprising shock scene to set the tone but it didn't catch me off guard; I saw it coming from a mile away. After that you are left with a lot of questions about the plot, mainly on a timing aspect. For example, it's summertime and we're told a major event would happen in September. We flashforward six months and the event didn't happen and we're only left to assume why. I hate assuming, just tell me.
Anyway, once the plot starts moving you are kept guessing what will happen next. As you confirm one scenario, another one pops up. Then, you figure it out, only left to be shown another option. And then things just kind of end without a definitive conclusion.
I have no beef with the casting or acting. There were a few questionable overhead or downward angle shots that seemed off, but didn't take away from the movie. Just distracting. Like I started of saying, these odd angles might be clues that I missed and would stick out watching it again, but no thank you. That, and the odd interior dollhouse cutaway. I'm sure they mean something but maybe not. Oh, and every once in awhile, the music is a high-pitched squeal, sort-of Psycho inspired, but higher pitched and louder. A bit annoying.
I'd say this movie is worth a try if you like suspense thrillers but if your not entertained by the 45 minute mark, turn it off, it doesn't get better.
Fargo (1996)
Ok, at best.
Fargo is an ok movie, at best. There are several plot holes that are overlooked and stories that are unfinished when the movie ends. For example, a police officer can not go missing for eight plus hours and no one search for them, especially after they initiated a traffic stop. A supporting character ends up dead and a main character finds the body. What happens from there, we're left to assume. We also have to assume why the main character is in need of a lot of money. It's difficult to know exactly how much they need and they never come out and say why they need it, just that they need. It's hard to become invested in a character if you don't know their motivation.
There is no traditional protagonist/antagonistic story here so it's hard to "get behind the good guy" or have a vested interest in seeing someone succeed. Even when a main protagonist character is introduced one-third of the way through the film they are pretty much invincible and always right which makes them unrealistic and shallow.
The writing is not very good. Many lines are often repeated many, many times and sometimes by other characters. For example: 1-"you should eat breakfast." 2-"I'm not hungry." 1-you should eat breakfast. I'll make you eggs." 2-"ok, I'll eat breakfast." (Next scene) 2-"thanks for making eggs to eat." 1-"thanks for eating breakfast." (Next scene) 3-"did you eat breakfast?" 2-"yes, I had eggs for breakfast." Additionally, there are several scenes that do not lead to anything else or build on the plot. Why do we need to know that your battery is dead or that you're going to bed? We don't.
No issues with the cinematography and direction. I thought it was all good and a nice production. The accents were amusing but not annoying, but maybe that's because I'm used to hearing them.
Finally, I have no idea why this movie is called Fargo. It doesn't take place in Fargo and if they were ever in Fargo, I missed it.
If you've never seen it, give it a try so you can at least say you did. However don't be fooled by the high rating.
Grizzy and the Lemmings (2016)
Kids love it but no redeeming qualities
My boys and their friends love this show and I don't know why. They never laugh or get engaged while watching. They just sit and watch it, in silence, and get upset when we turn it off. There is no dialog in the show so the children are "stimulated" by noises and sound effects, and there are a lot of those. The noises are loud and repetitive and the interactions between the characters are nothing but battles back and forth. If that's your type of kid comedy, great, but I see no redeeming qualities in this show. I understand not all kids shows need to teach or be educational but this is the 100% opposite of that. Boring and repetitive.
Looney Tunes Cartoons (2019)
Loud and a Miss
My young kids told me to turn it off after several episodes because it didn't keep their interest and they, "are not funny." Also, every episode features characters yelling or screaming very loudly many, many, times. Maybe I'm getting old but I'm not sure why they're always screaming.
There was a gag where Bugs pretended to be dying and used fake blood (paint) to be convincing just to get Elmer to pull a rope which wasn't funny and the use of blood seemed out of place. Also, there seems to be many more "risky" words like, sucks, stupid, and dumb that aren't featured in the original. Overall, I'm not sure this show is for kids under 7 or 8, hence the rating, but I'm not sure what kid would enjoy this show. We love the originals but this was a miss in our house.
Racetime (2018)
Kept their interest, not mine.
This movie relies on many music montages that slow the pace down. The humor is juvenile in nature (fart jokes) and not written comedy. The story is full of setbacks for the main character, Frankie-Four-Eyes, so there is little compassion for him, making it hard to root for his success. At one point my five-year-old said, "This movie is sad, can we turn it off?" There is a "big, dumb, kid" character named Chuck that continously gets taken advantage of by a girl he thinks is cute which is awkward at times.
Overall, my kids enjoyed the movie but I don't think they'll be asking to watch it again because it wasn't anything memorable.
On a side note, an early scene is nothing but kids sleeping and farting, followed by a wake-up scene where a character finds a dog and makes an odd statement about he knew he wasn't dreaming. It would have been better, in my opinion, to see the dream verses the sleeping/fart scene.
The Swing of Things (2020)
Worst movie.... ever?
I am usually forgiving when it comes to movies but this movie is terrible. The acting is very subpar by most of the cast, the writing is terrible, special effects are cheap, and the decision to "spice up the comedy" with terrible editing of nudity or almost nudity was just awful. I'm not sure there was one funny part in this movie. You can't even watch it tonmakw fun of. It's just bad.
Identity Thief (2013)
Try and pretend it's a good movie...
Ignoring all plot holes and imagine this is just entertainment but it's still not that good. The comedy is based mainly on weak writing and a few physical gags, but I laughed once. Ending was terrible and it got worse one year later. Bateman is his typical low key role but it's a miss. Skip it.
Fear Street: 1994 (2021)
First review was pulled without notice... that's odd
My first review was pulled without any notice and I'm not sure why. Well, I can guess. It contained no spoilers but it did point out that the first 22 minutes of the film have almost nothing to do with the plot and drives home the fact that there are two towns that have each other. One is the rich, elite comprised of nonPOC and the second town is poor, held done POC. They even come to blows (fight) over this. There is a subplot of the sane idea (POC/nonPOC) between characters as well. Also, they push LBGTQ+ on you as well. Now we get to the movie.
Overall, it's not a bad horror flick. It had me yelling at the TV and asking were all the adults were like many slasher films of the past. There are some unfinished plot lines which is to be expected since its know to be the first installment. If you can make it past the first 22 minutes, stick it out.
Let's hope this one doesn't get taken down.
Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987)
Good movie despite the bad special effects
I really enjoy this movie. I think the writing is good and the humor is witty. If the special effects were improved to the standard they should have been in 1987 this would be a great movie. I like the idea of Nuclear Man as he is a perfect villain for Superman and wish that he was reintroduced in a new movie. Finally, the music score is very good as well. If you haven't seen this, please give it a chance. It's better than 3, which many say is a very underrated movie.
Penguins of Madagascar (2014)
Obsessed with death?!?!
My 5 year old watched the whole movie but my 3 year old had to cover his eyes a few times. There were a couple of funny lines but no funny bits. It took FOREVER to establish a plot and it was a weak one at best. There is also a lot of talk about death and dying, mostly for comedic value, but it seemed wrong.
The Hitman's Bodyguard (2017)
Good blend of action and comedy
It took about 20 minutes before the comedy began and then it was blended well with the action scenes. The soundtrack complemented the movie and the music played nicely over the action. I didn't care for the CG blood splatter on the camera a few times or when helicopters fly by the camera causing it to shake, but that's just me.
Overall, the plot was a bit weak and predictable but it didn't take away from the movie. There are a few continuity errors that you catch if those things stand out to you but again, they didn't detract from the movie.
Lots of head shots and blood splatter but it wasn't gory. Worth a watch if you like that kind of action and comedy mix or if you like Ryan Reynolds or Samuel L. Jackson.
The Devil All the Time (2020)
You won't get that time back... sorry.
I did not care for this movie on several fronts. The movie is a series of stories that run concurrent during the late 50's in to the 60's in Southeastern Ohio and West Virginia. (Most of the reviews I read refer to this area as "the south" which shows their credibility, but I digress...) The Director of Photography took a few risks with scenes that were shot "off angle" and often cut off top of heads or bottom of faces while the musical score was the same 30 second melody when something dramatic happened. Coming in at 2 hours and 15 minutes I heard it a lot! Finally, there was not real plot. No traditional good v. bad in this film which made it boring for me to watch. In my opinion it's a skip if you're thinking of watching it.
Tag (2018)
Better comedy of recent times
This movie was pretty darn good. A good balance of writing humor and physical comedy mixed in with great direction. While some of the action is unrealistic and plays long most of the time the story moves well. That is until the last 20 minutes. I felt like theu didn't know how to end the movie and thought, "let's give them purpose" which was unnecessary.
Don't get hung up on trying to figure out dates, ages, and events because there is a total lack of continuity in that department.
Overall no one person made this a must watch; each filled their role well. If you like comides and aren't offended by "adult humor" (strictly dialog) you should give it a try.
Oh, and I feel like they wrote and wanted the bar tender role for Zach Galifianakis but they couldn't get him so they casted someone to look and act like him. Maybe just me but I found that it took away from the movie.
Dancer, Texas Pop. 81 (1998)
Good drinking game but not a comedy.
If you've never seen it and need a drinking game, take a shot or drink every time someone says, "Terrell Lee." It's just a reflection on how poor the writing is.
Sure there are one or two funny scenes but there is no funny dialog. There was a lot of missed opportunities for fun in this movie but I guess they were focusing on dull drama. Forget the fact that everything in the movie occurs in the 36 hours after graduation, it's really a stretch to think one character is finally standing up for himself, one character is just now contemplating college after high school, and the third is just now starting to understand the family business.
The one bright spot is Alexandra Holden.
She steals every scene she is in and when she's paired with Breckin Meyer it's cinematic gold. They play well off each other but that may be a nod to Meyer.
The Hustle (2019)
Comedy? Possibly if you're a Rebel Wilson fan
Full disclosure, this is the first anything I have ever watched with Rebel Wilson. This move was just ok and relied heavily on her comedy skills, which seemed very forced. There were not a lot of funny lines which reflects a poor comedy writer and the plot had a few holes that you just need to ignore. From a production standpoint nothing jumped out at me as bad, or good. If you're a fan of anyone in this movie, give it a try otherwise skip it.
American Pie Presents: Girls' Rules (2020)
Funny parts but...
This movie loosely follows the Amercian Pie format and only has one character related, although not known how, to the original cast of characters. All of the familiar themes and raunchy comedy scenes are there along with several cringe worthy comedy spots. There is some good comedic dialog but on the whole the film is missing "it." There are several music montages throughout the film and the ending seemed to take way from the plot as it was "too over the top", which feels like sloppy writing. Overall this movie isn't bad or good but maybe it's because they used music to push the bad scenes through.