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Reviews
Cessationist (2023)
The 1-Star Reviewers Don't Understand The Bible
This documentary film takes the Bible and explains the context for the verses that continuationists use to claim that spiritual gifts and prophecies are still occurring to this day. The cessationist viewpoint is the only way to rightly understand that A) there are no living Apostles, B) the spiritual gifts and prophecies ceased after 1 Corinthians, and C) anyone who is claiming that A & B are not true have AWFUL Hermeneutics and are making a mockery of God by claiming that the Holy Spirit is working through them.
And tongues, by the way, means discernible language. It's an actual dialect, not gibberish that someone claims is a real language. They're fooling themselves and weak-minded individuals who aren't looking for God, but rather to have their infirmities taken away from them. That's not what God and the Bible is about. Anyone who thinks otherwise is an apostate. Period. Full stop.
Murder on the Orient Express (1974)
What Was The Academy Thinking?!
How do you give a Best Supporting Actress nomination much less an award for a performance that did very little to support the film?! I mean, Ingrid Bergman's performance was such a nothing performance and role, giving her an Oscar for it was like giving her a lifetime achievement award. Madeline Kahn should have won for Blazing Saddles. It's not even close. Or Talia Shire for The Godfather Part II. There's just nothing to the role Ingrid played in this film. She doesn't support the movie in any way, shape, or form. Of the female members of the cast, I'd say Lauren Bacall or Vanessa Redgrave had more meaningful roles and better performances, if someone had to be nominated.
Halloween Ends (2022)
Lazy Writing Leads to Bad Sequel
I like David Gordon Green. That being said, he lost his gift for storytelling after the first film in this trilogy. The last two films were abysmal. The last one with its "EVIL DIES TONIGHT!" chant. And now, this one where they spend more than half the movie on a character that ends up being a throwaway character. What was the point? And I'm sure when they reboot this series again in 10 years, we'll find out that just like in all of the other movies in this series when it seems like Michael might actually be dead, he's not and that was some poor schlub that Michael used to fake his death. Boo!
The Offer (2022)
Baffled by the Vitriol from Critics
This is the type of series that critics love. And yet, they are trashing it mercilessly. I don't get it. The casting is almost pitch perfect (minus the liberties taken with the height differential between Francis Ford Coppola and Dan Fogler) The story is involving and the characters are ... a part of history. If you love learning about the making of a classic film (which of anyone doesn't consider The Godfather to be an absolute classic piece of cinema, they need to get their heads examined) in docudrama fashion, you're going to enjoy this series. I just don't see why critics have torn this series apart. They live for this type of stuff!
Only Murders in the Building (2021)
Sophisticated Murder Mystery With Comedic Flair; Superfluous Subplot
Being a huge fan of Steve Martin's and Martin Short's, I was intrigued by this series and after watching the first episode was absolutely enthralled with the plot. Those two legends are absolutely brilliant in their respective roles. Selena Gomez is a pretty face and clearly trying to keep up with these two masters of the acting craft. But her performance is relatively wooden. Speaking monotonically isn't a great way to show acting range. Reminds me of that meme with Kristen Stewart's many expressions all being the same regardless of what emotion she is supposed to be conveying. And the tough-as-nails cop's backstory and attempted subplot was wholly unnecessary to the advancement of the overall plot and was clearly there to satisfy the LGBTQA-Z demographic that this show really doesn't require. The entire aspect of her personal life is completely superfluous. Her finding out about the podcast and that the phone and toxicology reports weren't submitted as evidence could have been handled without it being known that she was a lesbian (although, her first appearance in the pilot episode already gave off that impression without the added element of her having a pregnant partner). Aside from these two elements (Selena being either miscast or the character being poorly written & the lesbian cop subplot), the overall cast is solid and this a very entertaining and well-written whodunnit (kudos especially to the writers of the seventh episode for the idea of writing the script for that episode to be filmed almost entirely in ASL (American Sign Language) for communication or simply by emoting to convey elements of the script, I can't say I've seen that done on a show with a cast who isn't hearing impaired). I'm hopeful that the last few episodes are as high a quality as the first seven have been and that Selena surprises and actually shows some range. Fingers crossed.
Wonder Woman 1984 (2020)
It Took 153 Minutes To Tell That?!
I enjoy a good comic book movie. DC has had a few hits ... and a lot of misses. This one is a near miss. The story is incredibly simple. Stretching it unnecessarily for two and a half hours is just being gaudy. The gold suit is wasted in a battle that sees it pretty much ripped to shreds (and if you like seeing more Gal Gadot, I don't mean that in a good way). The story is simple, as I said before. The story is a preachy message to be happy with what you have and don't try to attain anything (whether it be stuff or status or whatever) illegitimately because it will have consequences. There. I saved some people the trouble of watching this movie and thinking IT TOOK THAT LONG TO TELL THAT STORY?!
All the Creatures Were Stirring (2018)
Weird, Offbeat & Awkward Don't Mix Well With Horror
My friend recommended this movie to me saying it was weird at first, but then he started to find it funny and offbeat and awkward. I used to trust this friend for movie recommendations. Now ... I'm not so sure. I spent 80 minutes waiting for the movie to turn from weird and offbeat and awkward to funny ... and when the credits started to roll I realized ... I'd either been punk'd or my friend has horrible taste in movies. A movie can be weird. It can be offbeat. It can be awkward. But when you mix all of those together with horror that tries (and fails miserably) to be funny, you get a very uneven movie that's not worth watching in the least (except for the cast which does their best with the material provided). Don't waste your time on this dud.
Abduction (2019)
Solid Martial Arts/Sci-Fi Mashup
Aside from the putrid effects, this movie was actually entertaining. Solid fight sequences. I question the method in which they decided to have a fight scene between Scott and Andy as the spider gadget was supposed to kill all motor function (meaning the person who has it on them will die) if removed, but doesn't effect Scott hardly at all once it's removed. And the ending clearly sets up a sequel. The question is do the filmmakers plan to make one or was that just wishful thinking by leaving the ending open?
Swiss Army Man (2016)
Easily One of the Strangest and Funniest Movies Ever Made
Paul Dano has done it again. He picks the most offbeat roles and plays them to perfection. This is particularly offbeat. And Daniel Radcliffe is outstanding as a guy who may be dead or may be very inadvertently resourceful with his body. Now there's a sentence you'd never thought you'd read. This movie has everything: action, comedy, drama, romance, suspense, and for good measure a hearty dose of flatulence. But don't let the last part put you off. This movie has a lot of heart. It's a clever idea. And the filmmakers should be commended for definitely thinking outside the box. It does start like a cross between Cast Away and Weekend at Bernies, but it grows into something so much better than either. This is my enthusiastic recommendation. You'll laugh, you'll cry, but mostly because you laughed so hard you cried.
Miami Vice (2006)
I Think Gong Li (or Li Gong...However You Prefer It) Is A Great Asian Actress But.......
I love Gong Li (or Li Gong). I think she's an amazing Asian actress and she's one of the most gorgeous women on celluloid today. I enjoyed Miami Vice, but I had several issues with casting. If you cannot speak the language that your character is supposed to be able to be fluent in, you should not be cast in the role. Forget how great the actress is in her native tongue (To Live, Raise the Red Lattern, Ju Dou). You can't cast someone based on physical appearance and prior film credits. You have to cast someone who fits the role and who doesn't sound like they're struggling with the language that they are supposed to speak fluently. I imagine I'm going to get a lot of flack for saying this, but I have other actresses that I would have cast in the role of Isabella. Let me know what you think of these actresses (who have proved to be able to speak English, plus they have sex appeal and they are amazing actresses....oh yeah....and they're Asian): Tamlyn Tomita - She's my first choice to play the role of Isabella. She's younger than Gong Li, she's Asian, and she speaks English! She could probably just as easily learn Spanish as Gong Li did and I think she would have had better chemistry with Colin Farrell. For those who disagree, check out The Karate Kid Part II opposite Ralph Macchio. Also check out Come See the Paradise opposite Dennis Quaid. Both great films and she speaks the language clearly. Ming-Na - Also Asian, a little older than both Gong Li and Tamlyn Tomita, but she speaks English and she's sexy. She & Tamlyn starred in The Joy Luck Club about a dozen years ago. I think she would have fit the part. She speaks better English than both Tamlyn & Gong Li. I think she would have good chemistry with Colin Farrell as well.
Alright people, time to sound off!
The Emperor's Club (2002)
Looks Like Dead Poets Society Meets Mr. Holland's Opus...But This Time the Teacher Gets "Schooled"
The film may look like a remake of Dead Poet's Society from the trailer or a theatrical take on one of those CBS Sunday Night Movies, but in actuality...it starts out like that, but then the twists occur (something that no TV movie can pull off unless it's on cable). I'm not going to comment on the unexpected happenings in the film in hopes that those reading this will be interested enough to go see the film. Everybody in the film does a good job with their roles. Kevin Kline is amazing, even though he looks like he aged maybe 10 years when he's supposed to have aged 25 in the present day sequences of the film. All problems with makeup aside, "The Emperor's Club" delivers an unusual middle and end to what seems to be a run-of-the-mill teacher inspiring rowdy kids to achieve (although the film is not devoid of that aspect). I would have to agree with the laundry list of critics who enjoyed the film. It was well-directed, well-acted, and enjoyable all around. Now earlier, when I said there's twists in the story, they're not major those that are more intuitive than I will probably pick up on them although I found them rather surprising. Check it out. It's definitely worthy of the $6-10 admission at your local theater. Enjoy!
Fail Safe (2000)
George Clooney and this phenomenal cast do an Excellent job! First Rate!
I have not yet had the pleasure of seeing the original "Fail Safe" with Walter Matthau and Henry Fonda, but I was exceptionally pleased with this version. It was chilling. It was thrilling. I never thought that a TV movie could have me on the edge of my seat! George Clooney and Harvey Keitel gave one of their best performances since they last worked together on "From Dusk Till Dawn." I hope this has a repeated viewing so that people can see how great this was. It takes a lot of talent to do a live broadcast of a movie and these actors used their talents in stride! I could watch this over and over again. George Clooney was a genius to decide to do this. I hope it does well in the Nielsen's!
The Green Mile (1999)
THE MOST POWERFUL MOVIE OF THE YEAR!!!!
Don't pay attention to snotty critics who say that this film/masterpiece is one of Tom Hanks' worst films. This movie was awe-inspiring. See this film!!! It is worth walking an extra mile to see. Tom Hanks, Michael Clarke Duncan, David Morse, James Cromwell, and the rest of the cast should be commended for their work on a sure-fire Oscar contender. Tom Hanks deserves the Best Actor this year. It may be tough, but his southern drawl which one him his second statue has a definite chance of getting him to the podium again. Stephen King and Frank Darabont are geniuses. With those two working together, they are bound for Oscar glory. Kudos to Frank Darabont on a spiritually engrossing script. He deserves Best Director and Screenwriter, that is if American Beauty doesn't beat him to the chase. Bottom line: DON'T MISS THIS FILM!!!! YOU'LL BE SORRY IF YOU DO!!!!!!!