LA_Musicworks Reviews

Leave the World Behind (2023)

Leave the Movie Behind

[2/10 · 27 December 2023]

There are a lot of potentially interesting parts to the film but it doesn't ever actually take off - but then out of the blue at the end of 2.5 hours of build up it suddenly stops with a (hinted but mostly non sequitur) dense clunker of an ending.

It's almost as if it could have been the premise for a TV series - one of the kind of shows that just grinds away aimlessly with endless little challenges week in and week out with an overshadowing world altering mystery looming overhead - that's never ever explained or answered for as long as the renewals keep coming - yet ultimately doomed to cancellation without any resolution. It's actually a lot like that.

The acting and production is quite good - thus the extra bump to two stars out of 10 - instead of 0 or 1. But it really ended up being a massive waste of time for the viewer - not to mention the poor studio that got stuck paying to produce this mess.

Save yourself 2.5 hours and Leave the Movie Behind!

Christmas at the Drive-In (2022 TV Movie)

Predictable made for streaming TV fare

[7/10 · 5 December 2022]

You get exactly what is expected - run of the mill formula, story, and production that's comfortable and bland - a good feeling filler of time that will make most any Lifetime or Hallmark watcher very happy. The actors had a fair amount of personality and chemistry. I personally tuned in because I've seen a number of other Danica McKellar Christmas projects over the years - so it's kind of tradition! Everyone did a decent job except with the graphics people and continuity - at one point the drive-in screen displays -

"Come Join Our Caralers Tonight!"

No - seriously. Uh Oh. Someone can't spell carolers!!!!!

It was quite a distraction from the movie.

Back to which - they wrote a mind numbing "twist" resolution to wrap up every loose end in one shot during the last few fleeting minutes of the run. BAM - it was over! That's how these things always go though. Would it be so hard to leave the formula behind and be a little more creative? Unfortunately the execs have to rubber stamp projects - and if it doesn't fit their mold, it becomes too frightening to green light. This one's worth a watch for an easy going holiday film.

Along for the Ride (2022)

A decent summer popcorn movie

[6/10 · 1 July 2022]

A decent summer popcorn movie - overall it was pretty well done, just a bit predictable but that goes with the genre. We found the music to be substandard in some spots, and even distracting at points. It's not an earth shattering monumental film - just consider it to be a light easy-going filler kind of movie.

Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga (2020)

A decent romp

[8/10 · 2 July 2020]

In typical Will Farrell fashion he plays the immature obtuse buffoon that somehow comes through despite himself. Rachel McAdams did a great job and carried the film's straight man (woman) role. The supporting cast was good as well.

As someone who had never seen Eurovision, any little inaccuracies or creative license didn't matter - in some ways it's meant to be irreverent - though one BBC music reporter found dissecting it's inaccuracies worthwhile so if you are a stickler for accuracy and details you might cringe a bit. It's a goofy movie - loaded with little gags - perhaps not quite to the level of Elf - but anyone who usually enjoys a Will Farrell movie, will like it.

The tempo of the production kept things moving along so it didn't feel like a 2 hour film. The music was goofy where it needed to be and half decent elsewhere. We've probably seen this all before in general but the familiarity is part of the appeal.

As pure fun entertainment and no thinking, it's better than average but not an instant classic. Worth watching though - check it out!

Rocketman (I) (2019)

A bit of a mess

[6/10 · 18 June 2020]

If you are an Elton John fan and wanted to see a movie about the rise of Reginald Dwight to superstar - This is not the movie for you. The biggest problem begins with twisting the chronology of musical compositions putting popular hits in to the days when he was a struggling musician. If you wanted to put all of the chronology and music and costumes and origin story into a blender and then have somebody write a musical filled with actor singer dancers about the goo that came out of the blender... This is the movie. It's not unwatchable, and does have some entertainment value but it's just kind of strange and leaves me wishing there were an actual movie that told Reginald's story - about the evolution of the music and his career as it actually happened. Overall it ended up leaving me frustrated and disappointed.

A Godwink Christmas: Meant for Love (2019 TV Movie)

Standard fare with an unnecessary twist

[5/10 · 2 December 2019]

Standard fare with an unnecessary twist... The movie was going along fine but they had woven in some hints towards a challenge for one of the characters that was revealed near the end that was completely unnecessary and kind of dark. It ended up seeming like an after school special script lost some pages that were randomly added to this one. Of course like all movies of this type everything quickly resolves... Sort of.

Batwoman (2019–2022)

Zero Stars Wasn't Available

[1/10 · 19 October 2019]

It's nearly unwatchable. With Berlanti the old formula of lots of punching and cartoon like plot lines is designed to appeal to the mind of a tween age boy. The big - oh so obvious - reveal is given up right away and the tripe story and effects ensue.

Time is up for all of these child oriented types of productions. Please replace these writers and producers with ones who can develop characters and plot lines and communicate on an adult level.

Zombie High (1987)

It was a student film

[5/10 · 24 October 2006]

If you read the biography of Aziz Ghazal (writer/director) you'll glean that a lot of the work and equipment on this low budget film was provided by and done by USC film students.

Editors put in temporary music (they could not afford to pay royalties for) but fell in love with it and insisted on sound-a-likes instead of original music. The songwriters Richards & Rocco, did a brilliant job of being musical chameleons at the behest of their employers. (Of note, the first two words of the seminal track "Kiss My Butt" are "Kiss It" - not "kick it" as another reviewer opined.

The film wasn't ever intended to be campy but came out that way due to the poor production values, bad writing and acting.