AfricanBro Reviews

IF (I) (2024)

The ending is its saving grace.

[5/10 · 17 May 2024]

I was watching a horror movie before walking into this and I found it funny that the same kind of scene, where a character or a shadow runs in the background stealthily is scary in a horror movie, while here it's like a fun little cute thing. Also, here's a random horror fact the movie reminded me of: 12% of children report actually hearing voices, adults just tell them nah it's their imaginary friends lol.

Anyway my favorite moments were the ones with the father but there weren't too many of those though. I thought most of the movie was lackluster and I was almost disappointed, but the ending was great and heart felt. It made me like it a little. There were some funny scenes but not funny or often enough to get me invested into the movie. I think the ending of the story is what made the movie feel special, otherwise it's forgettable. I expected more.

Babes (2024)

"Let's go ruin a towel"

[7/10 · 17 May 2024]

The first few jokes were predictable, like the wet seat gag, which was sooo obvious. It felt like it dragged on too long. However, after that the humor was better, great even. It's a movie that rewards you the longer you watch.

Despite the rough start, the funny scenes made the movie for me. I especially liked the twins, the omen bedroom scene, and the big needle scene-my favorite part. There's some profanity and raunchy comedy, which might bother some, but I actually enjoyed it. I say that 'cause the movie deals with themes of pregnancy, sisterhood, and family-the beautiful and difficult aspects, and their impact on mental health. I think some people might watch it for those themes and not like the humor, but I felt the two elements worked well together, making it appealing to different audiences. It reminded me of "Scrambled" from earlier this year, which more people should have seen.

The movie is quite messy and chaotic, which led to some unexpected good scenes like the random plumbing issues. So I liked that chaos. It was strange there wasn't a nurse to help her to the 4th floor, though. I liked seeing Stephan James from "Beacon 23" and the doctor provided great comedic relief.

The chemistry didn't pull you in like the greatest girl-mance or romance ever, but the conversations felt real. The characters felt like actual friends. It didn't have the strongest start, but the movie gets better as it goes, and I'd recommend it. If you like this, you should check out "Scrambled" too.

The Strangers: Chapter 1 (2024)

Nothing special.

[4/10 · 17 May 2024]

Didn't like the start, immediately shied away from gore and kept it offscreen. I already didn't have high expectations so that didn't help. Few jump scares but none of them scary. I was curious about how it was gonna go because there weren't too many people to kill off, it was just one couple. The guy had asthma and the girl seemed lovely and naive. Very easy targets. And because it was just two people it felt like it was dragging along trying to stretch the plot.

The movie failed to create a scary, tense, or suspenseful atmosphere. Spending time with the couple didn't make me care or root for them; their love story felt cookie cutter and commercial-like. There was a guy who seeemed to be having a blast in the theatre though, he wasn't scared he was just laughing his ass off, especially at the creepy kids. Everybody walked out during the post credit scene, like they saw it start playing but didn't care lol.

Some things didn't make sense - people appeared and disappeared quickly and randomly, and while the wood was creaky, the masked attackers moved in complete silence. It was unclear if it was just a town slasher or if something supernatural was happening too. It was pretty silly, like the characters should've had better decision making And it shouldn't have taken that long to actually catch them. The deaths were so disappointing, and so was the whole movie. If they plan to make a franchise out of this, the next one needs to be bloodier, with more convincing characters, truly frightening strangers, and better fight or flight scenes.

I was also confused about the identity of the 'strangers.' Were they the couple from out of town or the people in masks? The couple was being hunted by strangers, so was the movie about "we kill strangers" or "we got killed by strangers"?

Talk to Me (I) (2022)

I let you in.

[7/10 · 17 May 2024]

Mia breaking black people stereotypes in horror movies by basically running towards the danger. This was a really fun horror movie; not a comedy, just fun to watch with friends. It's still horror, but without a lot of jump scares or attempts to catch you by surprise. Some parts were predictable, like things you've seen before, but it still felt newt. It makes use of the R rating, though inconsistently, so it's not always gory.

It felt real, except for the weirdness of how much screaming there was without other people hearing it, even in places like hospitals. It also felt realistic in how kids would probably react if they found an artifact like this and learned how to use it safely, they'd have fun with it. The characters had good emotional connection, especially between Jade, Riley, and Mia; they felt like an actual family. I liked how the mom knew the kids so well.

It's a pretty good story, not just for a horror movie. It's a genuinely good movie overall. As I said, there aren't too many jump scares, but it builds its atmosphere perfectly, giving you goosebumps at times. Watching this after Tarot made me appreciate it even more. The ending was pure chef's kiss.

Pride & Prejudice (2005)

Not what I expected

[7/10 · 17 May 2024]

I didn't like this as much as I thought I would. My expectations were pretty high because aside from the fact it's highly praised, a friend of mine also went out of their way to recommend it to me. So I was like damn, it must be something. I think I might have enjoyed better without all the recommendations.

I didn't find many of the male characters likable or as laughable as some seemed to be portrayed. This meant that for a large part of the movie, I wasn't really rooting for any companionship. However, I loved the scene where the mother chases Elizabeth down; I thought it was funny.

In general, I wasn't very invested in any of the characters. They were pretty typical, which made the movie predictable. You could easily tell which characters were going to end up together. Even though I hadn't read the book, I found it all pretty predictable. Rosamund Pike is usually praised for playing intimidating characters like in "Gone Girl" or "I Care a Lot" or less famously in "Wheel of Time", and there's always someone talking about how we just haven't seen enough of her movies because she also plays really wholesome characters, with Pride & Prejudice often mentioned. So, I was expecting her character to be radiant and scene-stealing, like a beam of sunshine, but that wasn't the case. I thought all the characters were just alright.

The premise is similar to other period pieces of the time: lots of talk about who's going to marry whom and inherit what, whether to marry for love or out of need, and the limited prospects for women if they remained unmarried.

I liked that the title made sense, Pride and Prejudice. The movie explores the themes you'd expect from any movie or series set in that time-society governed by class structures and social laws. Like, I liked the movie, but I thought I was going to see something special and different.

I probably would've liked it better if I hadn't watched several period dramas beforehand, especially those made after Pride & Prejudice. Maybe it's similar to watching a really old sci-fi movie or drug lord movie from the 80s and not seeing what's so special about it because I've watched more modern movies that took inspiration from them, so the originals don't feel as special/unique.

I'm guessing this is going to be a really unpopular opinion. I really thought I'd like it better and that it would feel special. It was alright, but it didn't live up to the praise I'd heard. It just felt like another period romance drama.

The Host (2013)

".... the strangest."

[6/10 · 10 May 2024]

Once again, a movie I like that I wouldn't necessarily recommend.. It's tolerable, not great, but if you have a soft spot for cheesy sci-fi flicks, there's a chance you might enjoy it. One of those movies I started watching and didn't really care if it was actually gonna be any good. It has some low-budget, B-rated qualities that could have been improved with a larger production scale, especially the voice-over elements. The chemistry between Melanie and Jared sucked to me, the whole movie feeling very much like something out of a YA novel. However, I did like the depiction of the alien parasite and the overall premise. The aliens traveling the universe, conquering civilizations and seeking peace. Additionally, I'm a sucker for movies that blend different genres and incorporate a love story, like this one-a cheesy Disney teen rom-com amidst an alien invasion. Plus, I think Saoirse Ronan's great as well.

Also, for some reason, I was so convinced that by the end, they would implant the alien into Ian so they could be together happily ever forever. It seemed like the perfect, logical resolution to the story in my mind lol. I was so blown away.

Tarot (I) (2024)

Astrology girl horror movie.

[5/10 · 10 May 2024]

Firstly these guys didn't even seem like the same age group. Performances aren't great. What doesn't help is that the movie just starts, we don't really get to learn much about the characters other than it's one of them's birthday. They're not charismatic enough to pull that off and get you invested.

Tarot is literally the title, so I guess it's not a spoiler to say there's tarot reading early on, so I thought maybe the scary stuff starts early on too. It's also pretty cliche, like of course a cabin in a woods and old gothic tarot cards isn't a good mix. And it's addressed several times along with anything else creepy. You can clearly tell when the characters is making the wrong decisions that lead into the horror elements. Reminded me of "talk to me" but that movie was better.

The readings felt like spoilers. But the readings were all told in 5minutes and I could barely remember the specifics, and I guess the writers knew that because the movie addresses it with creepy voice overs.

I liked some scenes like the lady with the lamp and the clown. The deaths sucked though, plus the movie shied away from actually showing them, just a splurge of blood. We only het to see the before and after, not he actual during.

The movies not great but I don't outright hate it, probably because I was prepared to it not to be great. I'd recommend you should go watch "talk to me" or "cabin in the woods instead."

Breathe (I) (2024)

Not great

[3/10 · 10 May 2024]

Near future Dystopian world, I have a soft spot for such series and movies so I managed to like parts of this. However this movie sucks. I like Common as an actor, especially when he plays these gritty, troubled characters. I think the story was decent, the dialogue just wasn't that convincing. With a little bit better dialogue I think this movie could've been okay. I was also really annoyed by how she kept saying "freaking" because she didn't wanna cuss. And the computer system voice for security in the building was terrible. Milla Jovovich and Sam Worthington feel like decent actors whose last couple movies have mostly sucked. Although I do like "monster hunter"(it's not great though) for Milla and I'm counting Avatar for Sam. I don't recommend unless you tolerate bad scifi.

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (2024)

Sequel is probably gonna be titled "empire of the planet of the apes"

[7/10 · 10 May 2024]

I was waiting just to hear Proximus scream 'WHAT A WONDERFUL DAY!' from all the times I heard the trailer playing at the theatre. I really liked how the franchise once again showcases the humanity of the apes, like the touching funeral scene. It had breathtaking scenery throughout, especially the transformation of metropolitan cities into forests. I found it interesting how they introduced pets, a bird is an ape's best friend, essentially. I liked that we exploring their customs in the first act of the movie.

While the film's length and the extensive world-building sometimes made it feel a bit slow, every scene served a purpose in the end, especially considering this's setting the stage for a new era in the Planet of the Apes movies. We get to see how the environment, the apes and the humans have evolved. I liked how the movie paid homage to Caesar without directly continuing his story; his legacy felt respectfully acknowledged. He had a good run and his story was complete.

The premise of the movie, particularly the portrayal of the antagonists, reminded me of religious wars, where the apes resemble Christian crusaders using a historic figure's image to justify war and violence, a theme with deep implications. The movie addresses that but not in a way that will make you leave the theatre pondering. How teachings can be misconstrued.

This installment's message felt more overt compared to the trilogy, almost as if the apes were portrayed as essentially human. The trilogy was always telling a human story through apes, it was always obvious but now the fourth installment is quite on the nose.

Good time is spent with the characters, so when moments of sadness or goodbyes arise, we feel it too. It's slow paced but I was heavily invested. The scene where she calls out to Noah was amazing. Hearing an 'echo' speaking, was almost as shocking when Caesar screamed "go!" for the first time. Also was she essentially looking for an English textbook? Lol.

While Noah is the lead character, there were instances where Mae took the forefront, causing some confusion about the movie's primary focus. She didn't feel explored or interesting enough but I loved Freya Allan's performance.

It's a drama. It's not what I was expecting, I thought it'd me more action packed, but it's still good. It was different to my expectations the way "War for the Planet of the apes" also wasn't a full blown war as well. I also think this is the first movie since the trilogy started where earth was now actually a planet of apes. Humans clearly have been dominated.

Following up on Caesar was always gonna be difficult, I think he was a beloved character and we got to see his whole journey. The new lead character Noah is alright, however, I didn't find myself super captivated by him. We got to see Caesar's full character arc, birth to death; while Noah is already a little older, coming-of-age age. His story is still interesting though.

The conflict of ideas between Noah and Mae could have been more intense. There were times when I thought "ouu this is about to be a big fight/argument" and it's just meh. It wasn't as thought provoking as I would've liked. I liked Proximus Caesar though, I thought he made quite the enticing antagonist. Second most interesting character after Raka*.

The ending hints at the possibility of another trilogy, laying a solid foundation for future installments. Overall, I liked it more than "Rise of the Planet of the Apes" but not as much as the sequels. "Dawn of the planet of the apes" is still my favorite. It's not as epic as I thought it'd be; I think it's more enjoyable if you're already into the franchise. It doesn't do anything terribly, I just didn't walk out of the theatre thinking "wow!" People were applauding a lot throughout the movie actually. There was a guy who sat close to me and blacked out before the movie started, snoring the entire time. Thought about not waking him up after the movie finished because everyone literally just walked by him. This dude bought imax tickets, large bucket of popcorn, large soda and some more snacks, all that just to sleep before the movie started. Anyway, I still enjoyed the whole thing, and very much looking forward to whatever's next.

Also just found out it's directed by they who did maze runner movies and they actually both have such similar aura to them.

Let Me In (I) (2010)

Would you like me if I was a worm? (vampire edition)

[5 May 2024]

It starts out so quiet I thought my earpieces stopped working. It has a dark ambience throughout. Not in an eerie way, just in a more gritty tone like a serial killer movie.

This felt sooo familiar, how the children met in the snow and all and that's when I realized the premise was done recently in "let the right one in(2022)" tv series. Then there's the Swedish movie "Let the Right One In (2008)" which I haven't seen. It removed the suspense factor since the premise is the same to the tv show. Characters the same, how they meet, pieces of dialogue... The show followed the premise so closely.

The story only deviates after around 40 minutes but not wholly, making it hard for me to watch without comparing the two versions. There's not much exploration, which is understandable given that it's a movie and doesn't have as much time. The relationships, like between Abby and her dad, or Owen and his mom, or even Owen and Abby themselves, feel underdeveloped compared to the TV show.

The slow pace doesn't help, especially since I already knew the story from the adaptation. Watching the movie after the show made it feel shallow. However, if I had seen the movie first, I might have liked it more.

The 10pm tv message from the 80's saying "do you know where your children are?" is really wild. I'd heard about it.

The Idea of You (2024)

Cheesy stuff

[6/10 · 3 May 2024]

I was looking forward to this. It's a cheesy romcom. You kinda know where the stories heading from the start, it's a meet cute, instant chemistry. One's older, the other's famous, it's probably in the trailer but I didn't watch it. I can foresee some people having issues with the age gap, which does become a central conflict in the movie, leading to some tragic moments I liked that the characters atleast feel real and and their decisions had real consequences that they had to grapple with. They knew it wouldn't be easy, but they still chose to pursue the relationship. It's pretty predictable but I think Anne Hathaway and Nicholas galizine make it work pretty well. It tries to be a little different but it doesn't stray too far from typical romcom tropes. I think it's rewatchable. I really enjoyed it, but with that said I have a soft spot for cheesy romcoms, so my opinion might be biased.

Silver Linings Playbook (2012)

Excelsior!

[7/10 · 29 April 2024]

I loved the characters, each disturbed in their own unique way. I think this is the first time I've watched a movie and found the bipolar characters actually believable. There's a complexity to them, with multiple mental conditions represented among the characters. It's like a bunch of unwell people just came together, with different issues and to varying degrees. It's not sappy or overly dramatic.

It all feels authentic because it doesn't feel blown out of proportion; you see some of the characters and think "oh I might actually know a person with that disorder." It made me think about some conversations I've had before as a joke about how everything is diagnosed in the west i.e. America. Africans don't do that lol. If someone if failing in school, back home we'd just say that guy's dumb, and not even with ill-intent usually, he's just your not-so-smart friend. But in America you'd say he has a learning disability. So you have all these things, anxiety, ptsd, OCD, depression, trauma, bipolar; but you'd just say oh yeah man, he's a little odd or moody without actually labeling it lol.

I loved DeNiro's character, I haven't watched too many of his movies but the ones I have he's usually a tough old nut, gangster or something, and here he was just a dad. The family dynamic, it was a bit all over the place with all the family's problems, but it was great to watch. The way they interact with each other. The characters were well-written, and while the story was alright, I think the characters are what make the movie.

The twist in the past 30min of the movie was unexpected for me, especially the way it was casually revealed about Tiffany. The moment before Pat realized, it's revealed to us first. I didn't know whether or not I was supposed to react to it because the movie doesn't make too much of a big deal about it when first shown. I also didn't realize how much I was rooting for these guys until the dance.

I'm really impressed with the movie, because on paper it feels like it should be boring. It's about two messed up individuals finding healing through a dance competition, but it works surprisingly well.

Challengers (2024)

Her game. Her rules.

[7/10 · 29 April 2024]

Wasn't sure if I'd enjoy this since I'm not really into tennis. I liked the time jumps, not confusing at all; you could fill in the gaps with educated guesses. I don't think I'd ever date an actress, not that I'd ever meet one lol, but throughout the movie, all I could think about was Tom Holland.

It's funny at times and I loved the dynamic between the two guys, the brotherhood essentially. At certain points, each character became unlikeable, yet I still found myself engrossed in their story. The scene with the injury was gruesome, even though I knew it was coming-the movie's free-flowing time jumps made me almost forget about it. Despite feeling longer than it actually is, it never felt dull. The use of music to heighten tension was superb, and the acting was spectacular. The movie just felt quite lively.

Essentially, it's a love triangle with layers of psychological complexity. The common thread among all three characters is their passion for tennis. Surprisingly, the film is also quite sensual; while there are more explicit scenes, I loved the subtler, innocent moments that still managed to be horny. The movie doesn't rely on graphic content for this; instead, it cleverly portrays the characters' obsession, I liked that these two guys were in completely enamored by zendaya, but at the same time the movie also shows how in love all three were with tennis as well. It's a unique way of making tennis seem horny without resorting to flooding us with a bunch of sex.

I like that it kept you guessing about the last match. But I really just wanted the action to get going at some point. Like it perfectly built tension and suspense for me, but then it kept on going. Maybe I'm just impatient lol. The 'middle of the racket' thing was nice though. It harked back to an earlier scene where Tashi said she didn't want to be a home-wrecker, hinting at deeper connections between Art and Patrick. The final scene brought everything full circle, making me realize that the movie's focus was more on the friendship between Art and Pat than on the love triangle. Tashi played a crucial role, but ultimately served as a catalyst for their bond.

It's a bit frustrating because the movie kinda feels abstract; we learn a lot about the characters, but there's still much left unseen. For example, like how did that bedroom scene impact the friendship/brotherhood between the two main characters? There are several scenes like this that leave me wanting more insight. It's like there's a facade of depth in the characters. While I liked the ease of following the time jumps, they also disrupt the tension at times. Also, clearer character motivations would have been helpful, as we're left to make educated guesses about why they act the way they do.

I have mixed feelings about the actual end though. Like the actual last shot. I feel like it's a great ending but I just can't put a finger on it. Like I'd like to see how they interacted afterwards, all three of them, without actually seeing it.

You don't have to dissect the movie to notice or feel things. It just feels like so much care was put into every scene visually, and done so in a way that it's noticeable to us watching. All the details. Reminds me of Past Lives as it's also a love triangle movie I've watched most recently.

I'm not the biggest fan of Luca Guadagnino, I've watched "Call Me By Your Name" and "Bones and All" and I didn't like them much. Both times going in with really high expectations because people loved them. As with all movies about sports I have no interest in, I was a bit unsure but some movies completely absorb you into it regardless of your interests. This movie does that.

The big thing I'd is that some stuff just aren't adequately explained. For instance, these characters clearly care about each other, yet they're so consistently mean. It's hinted at in the movie itself, and that's when I started questioning, thinking "If you love him, why do you hate him so much?" This is similar to why I've had reservations about Luca's previous films; it often feels like more emphasis is placed on visuals and direction than on exploring the characters. As I mentioned earlier regarding the bedroom scene, when stuff like that aren't followed up on, it leaves the movie feeling somewhat superficial to me, not as emotionally charged as you'd think.

But with that said, this is my favorite out of all the movies I've seen of Luca Guadagnino. It's lively and fun, horny and keeps you on the edge of your seat. I think if you just go in and watch just as a movie it's fun, but when I sat down to think about it, it's not that deep. But I'd still recommend. I once said one of my life's tragedies is that I never loved Luca Guadagnino's films the way other people do and I wish I did; and now here's one of his I enjoyed.

Boy Kills World (2023)

Over the top bloody fun

[8/10 · 26 April 2024]

Premise reminded me of "The Hunger Games," but this film took a twisted, violent, and bloody perspective. It's a blast if you're willing to switch off your brain, as it's one of those where the main character seems almost invincible against bullets. It's just bonkers, which made me a bit wary at first because crazy movies don't always work. Essentially it follows a both blind and mute man on a revenge spree against a matriarch. And it's a bloodbath.

This was also really funny, I had plenty good laughs, like the beetle fight club or his struggle to read someone's lips. I think everyone enjoyed themselves. The story also holds up well, with clear character motivations driving the revenge plot. It made me feel like I have a twisted sense of humor, there were scenes where people audibly gasped in shock and horror and I was laughing my ass off instead, like the cheese grater scene. Like he could've picked up a knife instead lol.

While I saw the sibling twist coming, other revelations that came with it caught me off guard. Overall, the trajectory of the film is somewhat predictable, but it's a bloody good journey, literally. I loved that there is no clear cut good person; the fights were intense and gory, with each one escalating in excitement. I genuinely thought they might run out of ideas, especially during the final showdown, which had me on the edge of my seat. It could have gone either way.

It's pretty epic. I think this is the most fun I've had watching a movie since everything everywhere all at once. All I could think was wow this is bloody and it's fun. I love that it earned its R rating.

The Absence of Eden (2023)

Ends kinda abruptly

[6/10 · 22 April 2024]

I didn't have too much to say about this, it just felt incredibly short. Looking at the themes and scenarios the movie explored, the movie does so only at surface level. I think the intro to Esmeralda raised the tension quite quickly, we're introduced to her in a pretty dicey scenario. It gave insight into her decision to leave. There wasn't too much I disliked about it. One specific thing was the pep talks by the coyote - like he's a good kind hearted coyote? But it wasn't something that bothered me too much. The story is alright, tragic but not particularly moving. I don't think the stuff about the grandma added much to the film, all the stories and narrations from her diary. The movie had pretty good and consistent atmosphere, a dark tone. The big issue is that it just ends out of nowhere, like I was in and out the theatre. Even the subplots end abruptly, logically but abruptly. Like Adria Arjona character feels like an important part of the movie then she's just no longer there. The conflicts the movie has are resolved pretty quickly, made the movie anticlimactic. A few twists and turns wouldn't have hurt the movie. Otherwise not bad, nothing special.

Shōgun (2024)

Hit the target audience

[9/10 · 22 April 2024]

I've think the show is amazing, and I'm thoroughly enjoying it. But when it first started with only two episodes out, I couldn't help but feel the need to tell some people to pipe down a bit. Calling it next Game of Thrones already. Since GOT ended, there's been a flood of shows and movies being dubbed as the new Game of Thrones. Sometimes it's Game of Thrones with pirates like "Black Sails", or Game of Thrones in space, as seen in "Dune" and Apple TV's "Foundation." Other times, shows like "Wheel of Time" and "The Witcher" received comparisons that eventually died down. Don't get me wrong, I actually like all of those, but I'm just a bit tired of the "this is the new GOT!!" hype.

But this show is actually quite good and refreshingly different, especially since it's set in Japan. Starting to admire Anna Sawai, having seen her in Monarch Legacy and now in Shogun. Apparently, she was also in F9. The show delves into a lot of Japanese lore, like beliefs and samurai culture, although I can't vouch for its accuracy. I've learned a lot about Japanese culture, particularly their dedication to rituals and customs. Hiroyuki Sanada seems to have a penchant for playing samurai or sword fighters: 47 Ronin (2013), John wick, bullet train, mortal combat, avengers endgame.

Despite my reservations about calling it the next Game of Thrones, the show does have a strong political undertone, with different factions vying for power and the looming threat of civil war. Something small that I like was the show's title sequence.

While the show is generally well-executed, it feels a bit odd to have the Japanese characters speaking Japanese and the Portuguese speaking Portuguese, yet having Portuguese dialogue in English lol. Japanese is subtitles. There are some things I might have missed explanations for, like the peculiar condition of Regent Ohno's skin.

Many people compare it to Game of Thrones, but I find it more akin to Vikings, albeit less violent than expected. It leans more towards being a political drama at the moment, although there are hints of impending war. My only gripe is that it seems to shy away from on-screen violence, with many fights and deaths occurring off-screen. It's gory at times, but it teases so many epic battles and wars, and with one episode left, we still only get glimpses of them. Even if the last episode is just one epic battle sequence, I'll still feel the same.

Now, I absolutely adore this show. It's a rare case, akin to "Godzilla: Minus One," where the show/movie perfectly hits its target audience. "Godzilla: Minus One" was almost exclusively watched by fans of Godzilla and similar genres (myself included); everyone watching knows what to expect. I believe Shogun is predominantly being watched by its intended audience. Even though a show or movie can be amazing, it's very rare for it to receive purely positive reviews. And I think that's what's happening with Shogun - it's an amazing show mainly being watched by its target audience.

Fallout (2024– )

Fun series with dark undertones

[8/10 · 22 April 2024]

Pretty gory and gruesome, I loved that. Also liked that it began by showing the apocalyptic event that shaped this dystopian future. I haven't played the game, so I can't make comparisons to it. It seems like video game adaptations are becoming quite popular nowadays; Last of Us, Halo, and Twisted Metal. Good thing is you don't need to be familiar with the game.

I love post-apocalyptic shows so this was right up my alley. I was almost always gonna like this. I like the type of futuristic it is, it's like the cartoon The Jetsons but dystopian. I always find it ironic how futuristic dystopias sometimes incorporate really old music from the 1940s into their soundtracks.

This show is subtly, yet not-so-subtly, geared towards adults. Despite its lightheartedness, humor, and fun, it's easy to forget the gruesome aspects, like oh a decapitated head. It maintains a childlike happy vibe, largely due to the main character's naivety and optimism. She's like a ray of sunshine, too pure for the dystopian world she inhabits. Watching her character development as she learns the harsh realities is quite engaging. However, she remains fundamentally good throughout

All the main characters are compelling. Maximus, despite his duality, is a fascinating character to follow. The ghoul, initially cool, adds emotional depth to the sci-fi drama and conspiracy through his backstory. Maximus' story also adds complexity. I do wish we could have seen more of the ghoul's adventures, but it seems like we'll get that in the next season. The first season mainly focuses on Lucy and Maximus.

The premise of the show, revolving around a nuclear apocalypse and the conspiracies behind it, feels believable for a sci-fi setting. The contrast between the kind, loving nature of the vault and the violence and moral ambiguity on the surface provides an interesting balance. While I personally would've loved darker themes, the show's lighter tone isn't necessarily a flaw; it's just a matter of my personal preference. Overall, it's a fun series, and I thoroughly enjoyed watching it.

Spy x Family Code: White (2023)

Wasn't the target audience

[16 April 2024]

I walked out the Monday mystery movie so my thoughts are based on only a fraction of the film. It simply wasn't my cup of tea, saw about 15 minutes of it before calling it quits. There were just too many silly/illogical moments for my taste. While I'm usually fine with a bit of silliness if it's entertaining, it should atleast be fun or funny. From the male spy disguising himself as a girl to the "Mr. And Mrs. Smith" vibes and the bizarre power dynamics within each family member plus the dog...the final straw came during a scene where two spies spoke "in code" and miraculously understood each other; all this surging the first 10 minutes. A lot of people walked out, mostly after like 2 min, one old lady got up and others followed.

I rarely walk out of movies myself and initially thought I could thug it out. If it was shorter I would've But I quickly realized I couldn't fathom enduring nearly two hours of this lol. Plus I have one episode of Fallout left, stopped the binge to go watch this. When I walked out some people who walked out earlier were laughing when even more people walk out. Mostly talking about how it was too late to go watch Spider-Man or the absence of eden. It's frustrating when the Monday mystery movie overlaps with other enticing options, like next week when it coincides with the early access premiere of Zendaya's "Challengers." Why??

Ex Machina (2014)

Machine-ahh.

[7/10 · 15 April 2024]

I saw this when it was re-released in theaters not too long ago. Surprisingly, I didn't know it was pronounced "makina" instead of "machine-ahh" lol. I expected for some bonus content on Ex Machina, but it turns out the extras were for Civil War, which is still exciting. However, I was a tad bit upset because I prefer going into new movies with a blank slate, avoiding spoilers or trailers.

Knew I'd be pretty exhausted going into the screening since I'd spent all day in the hospital that day. Originally, I planned to watch it later, but the screening was limited to just one day. The theater wasn't packed, but there were a lot more people than I expected.

It has Cartoonish edits at the start, and it didn't seem tailored for IMAX. However, it did a great job of building tension, especially during moments when the power went out. I loved the Oppenheimer quote, I didn't remember it being used. The actors were good. Ex Machina is essentially a character study, delving into not just the robot Ava but also her creator and programmer. It delves into what it means to be human, a theme that resonates throughout. The film raises thought-provoking questions about consciousness and how our preconceptions about it can lead us astray. I especially enjoyed the ending for that reason; I didn't see it coming.

In some ways it's predictable, but the final resolution kept me guessing. I had a feeling Nathan wouldn't have things go his way, but what unfolded afterward wasn't as straight forward as I thought. Even though I'd seen it before, I couldn't recall all the details, which made for a refreshing viewing experience. Ex Machina also brought to mind "Morgan (2016)," although I admittedly don't remember that film very well either. While Ex Machina may not be the most groundbreaking sci-fi movie I've ever seen, upon rewatching it, I see why it didn't stick vividly in my memory, but I still found it enjoyable.

Civil War (2024)

Tough road trip.

[8/10 · 15 April 2024]

Bonus content from ex machina re-release was from the start of the movie, I loved that. I wish studios did that more often like how avengers endgame trailer was just from the first 5min of the movie.

I loved this because a while ago I heard a comedian talk about America's always fighting wars but all of them are away games, never on home soil. So I loved the premise. The line about "sending a warning back home" resonated well, as the film serves as a cautionary tale of the potential consequences of civil unrest. Cool movie to watch in imax, I thought about 4dx but unsure if I'd have loved to be thrown around.

Loved the film's graphic depiction of war, both impactful and disturbing. It's one of those war movies that makes you actively despise war. I expected a full on scale war at first, the focus on journalists added a layer of realism, felt grounded. I also thought the movie would be following a family, turns out it's journalists. It reminded me of Russell Crowe's role in The Greatest Beer Run Ever (2022), a movie I had almost forgotten about.

Despite its lively soundtrack, the movie effectively conveys the brutality of war. It balances bleak humor with vibrant visuals, showcasing the juxtaposition between beauty and violence. However, certain scenes, like the mass grave sequence felt a bit unrealistic; I found it hard to believe that the characters wouldn't hear an SUV speeding towards them. The grave pit scene was great to see on big screens though. I also felt like Joel overreacted a little, losing a friend is tough and all but you're war journalists, he was talking about hearing bullets and missiles flying made his dick hard earlier in the movie.

Nevertheless, the film's portrayal of high-stakes situations and the palpable sense of loss were done well. While I thought/feared only the side characters would face danger, the realization that no one was safe added to the tension. The third act, in particular, was riveting, and special mention to Jesse Plemons, was the most memorable bit. Especially considering he was only put in the movie days before they shot that sequence because an actor dropped out.

Overall, I highly recommend this film. It's more than just an action movie; it's a gripping and emotional journey that leaves a lasting impact. I expected something similar to White House Down but I found this experience to be far more thrilling and immersive. I was on the edge of my seat throughout the last third of the movie.

Arcadian (2024)

Characters aren't fleshed out.

[6/10 · 15 April 2024]

Did he just stumble upon these kids? Or did he leave them all alone to go foraging?? There's not much explanation about the cause of the apocalypse; it's more of a passing mention during a game played by two of the characters. It seems like society has fractured, and nobody in "Arcadian" can offer a clear explanation for what happened. It appears there was some kind of mutant-insect infestation. I'd have rather had no explanation than an explanation that isn't clear cut; more confusing than enigmatic.

I loved the scene with the peephole and the creature's hand reaching through it. I found the creatures to be inconsistent; at times they appeared larger, other times they seemed smaller. The jaw snapping was a nice touch. It seems like more effort was put into designing the creatures than developing the story or characters, as both felt somewhat typical and underdeveloped. Overall, it's a decent sci-fi thriller, which is what I expected, though it's also categorized as horror, despite not being particularly scary. I enjoyed it because I have a fondness for dystopian movies and shows, and I think you have to share that interest to actually like it. Or maybe be a Nick cage fan.

I should say Nick Cage isn't the main character, and the characters themselves aren't very compelling. Personally, I'm a sucker for a love story, especially in an apocalyptic setting (like in "Love and Monsters" or "Seeking a Friend for the End of the World"), so I wish they had explored that aspect more between the brother and the farm girl. It's not groundbreaking or unforgettable, but if it happened to be on TV 2yrs from now while I'm flipping through channels in a hotel room, I wouldn't mind watching it again.

The Long Game (I) (2023)

Mildly heartwarming and plays it safe.

[5/10 · 15 April 2024]

I had no idea what this movie was until after I left the theatre. I don't think, or don't remember the title popping up so it was the most mysterious Monday mystery movie ever lol. I looked up Dennis Quaid after. The movie's alright, very predictable sports-underdog storyline and touching on expected racial and cultural themes from its time period setting. The characters were very typical which made their actions predictable. You always know how the story's gonna end up. Visually it was pretty vibrant and colorful. The movies down to earth and lighthearted, though only mildly heartwarming. Centered around golf, a sport that never piqued my interest despite my dad's attempts, the movie still managed to entertain me, largely due to its comedic relief, this mostly came from the sarcastic groundskeeper character.

Other than that the movie doesn't reinvent the wheel and is just another underdog sports story. While it's not necessarily bad, it lacks much distinctiveness to make it feel special, doesn't have as much character depth as other movies, and high stakes. A recent underdog story that was more memorable for me was "the boys in the boat" and it kept crossing my mind. In that movie you get to know the characters a lot, while this was played it safe. Leaves a lot unexplored and to be desired. It's also not peaky, it doesn't build up to the big game so the climax feels pretty non-existent. Movie was just meh and left me feeling pretty indifferent.

Monkey Man (2024)

Managed to keep me awake even though I was sleepy.

[7/10 · 15 April 2024]

Fighting's great and the visuals are pretty cool. Love that it starts with him wallowing. It was bloody and violent. Story's a simple revenge story and the character's basically an Indian john wick. Except someone didn't kill his dog, they killed his mom.

At some point, I began to feel bored, but considering this was the third consecutive movie I watched and it was well past midnight, fatigue might have played a role. Plus, there were people vaping in the theater, which was annoying.

It's a cool movie, it feels like they focused on making this quite cool, prioritizing style. Like Why did he take off his mask just before entering the building towards the end. Sometimes they have guns, other times they don't; whichever option was convenient for the plot or cool factor in that moment. Also that bathroom scene, that was the most slippery gun ever lol. The little heist operation was over the top, but it was a cool as hell sequence. My biggest gripe is that nobody noticed this guy staring, Because he was doing it so much.

While the action sequences were impressive, the pacing felt uneven, possibly exacerbated by my own drowsiness towards the end. There were a lot of slow scenes, not necessarily in slow motion, but featuring characters standing around, almost like dramatic hero shots.

I think the movies did great especially as a debutant director, I like it but don't love it as much as some people do. Probably because Dev Patel was a great lead, plus he directed it, it was a visual spectacle and the actions gripping. However, while I felt like the story aimed for some depth with its political undertones, trans aspect, the mother, certain moments and conversations failed to evoke a significant emotional response from me that they demanded.

Despite my reservations about the film prioritizing coolness over logic at times, I still enjoyed it due to its stylish presentation and exhilarating action scenes. Hearing what others say, possible that others' admiration for the movie stems heavily from their love for Dev Patel and the challenges he overcame to bring it to fruition. But it is still actually a pretty cool movie.

The First Omen (2024)

The devil conspiracy.

[6/10 · 15 April 2024]

I loved the casting, I didn't know anything about the movie so I was surprised to see recognizable faces. A random thought I had while watching this is Father Gabriel is such a common priest name in movies and tv.

I liked that the nuns seemed to be having fun. Usually when a monastery of nuns is shown it's bleak, the nuns are uptight, mean and/or eerie vibes throughout. While here they're introduced as just normal people who can have a laugh or some fun.

Pretty graphic and gory at times. I wasn't such a big fan of the fingers, only the first time shown. There was a girl seated nearby and she was squeamish, it kinda made the experience more fun to hear her scream "oh no" in horror, disgust or shock at different moments during the movie.

It takes time to find its footing and for the eerie stuff to properly start; but it does have a creepy ambience to it. Certain characters were very odd and helped that. I loved the score, really helped build up the atmosphere.

My interest peaked when they mentioned the Antichrist. I went into the movie without watching any spoilers or anything so it was a pleasant surprise to see that's what the movie's centered around. I thought it was gonna be some demon possession. I didn't like that they introduced the roommate and we got to see a lot of her at the start; and then she disappears.

The movie had some pretty nice shots. Some scenes that were pretty eerie and ominous. It just that the first half of the movie felt like it was building up to something for so long. It didn't feel like it was actually progressing. I thought the twist would be Margaret turning out to being the mother of Anna or mother of the Antichrist. I don't know if that made it predictable.

I think the last 45min or so were good. The movie is better than Sydney Sweeney's Immaculate. Their premises were similar but this was done better. However the movie it reminded me of most was "The Devil Conspiracy" which has one of the wildest synopsis I've ever read. Also surprised to learn afterwards that this isn't the first Omen movie. Others made in 1976 and 2006, the latter with some recognizable faces.

The main actress, Nell Tiger Free, was very dedicated to the role, she had several moments of brilliance. I was kinda shocked at the birth scenes, they drugged the first girl but didn't drug her.

Sets up a sequel well. Not sure a sequel would bang though. I think it'd have to be very ambitious and grand, it is the antichrist after all. But "the devil conspiracy" was ambitious but it didn't do too well. But I'd still be interested in watching the sequel.

The Devil Conspiracy (2022)

Absurd premise, mid movie.

[4/10 · 15 April 2024]

I wrote this review a while ago when the movie came out but forgot to post it, never left my notes. I remembered it because "the first Omen(2024)" premise felt so familiar. This movie wasn't spectacular, but if you can tolerate mediocrity I'd recommend just to see how absurd the story is lol: a biotech company is making a clone of Jesus as an offering for the devil lol.

This doesn't have the best ratings but is the craziest synopsis I've seen in a while, so I was genuinely excited to watch it regardless of whether it's good or not. I love that it took itself seriously, despite being ludicrous story you can tell they knew what they were trying to make and used the best of what they had at their disposal. Looked like it had a low budget but made the most of it, you can see care was taken into some of its graphics and special effects and cgi especially the wide shots of landscapes.

Combines religious horror and sci-fi and it's ludicrous until the end. It has some good quotes. Certain parts of it could've been directed better, certain music scores, certain acting scenes... but all that's somewhat expected as this didn't boast a huge studio name, big budget or big name actors for the lead roles. The only recognizable faces for me were Joe Doyle from Salem tv series and Peter Mensah from 300.

I don't mean disrespect when I say this but it does sound like it, but as I was watching this all I could think about was what could've been if this story was taken up by bigger names. Like what if someone like Nolan or David Fincher, Denis Villeneuve. Especially since I saw Nolan say recently he'd love to do a horror if a "really exceptional idea" came along.

It also had some funny moments. Some scenes needed to be longer, other scenes need to be more dramatic. One thing I'll say is the script is fantastic sometimes, it's the best thing about the film; the plot and the dialogues don't leave much to be desired. It's only in a few scenes where i thought it was iffy and could be better.

The gore aspect could've been better, especially since it was rated R. There are some scenes done in the shadow lighting or just done really quickly so we only get glimpses. Another thing was the "Beast of the ground" who isn't properly revealed.

I think it loses itself as the story progresses, hence the last 30 minutes or so are all over the place. The devil had been trapped for so long and found a way to break free, but then begins acting like a child when he's so close. The story's ending was fine on paper but could've been executed better. I was so absorbed in the movie in the first half, wondering why it had such low ratings, but then At some point along the way it just lost me. It felt like they had a brilliant idea and everything was going well and flowing, then suddenly lost their touch when writing towards the end and started trying to piece it all together.

Michael's character could've changed a little while Lucifer's character changed. Michael was shown in glimpses and I'd have loved to see a little more of that. Similar story to Salem tv series, the devil coming back as a baby, common story; except it's not witches, it's a rich biotech company run by a cult.

The story could've gone in many different directions, like the cloning wasn't explored, how many others did they clone? I think if they delved deeper into other elements and not only dedicated exploring the religious cult side, but the political or business side of the conspiracy to take over the world too with the biotech company would've improved the movie. As it stands, it felt like a really long movie towards the end and starts to drag, but if they properly explored these elements it could've easily been a 3hr movie, and still better.