I knew going into this film that I would love it simply from being able to relate to it. I have a six month old baby and mine too was unplanned. Watching this movie was like looking at a montage of the first few months of being a mom. You're exhausted all the time and like her I was the one doing all the late nights while my husband got to sleep. Sometimes you become so tired you feel as if you're an outsider to your own life and I think this film did a perfect version of expressing that feeling while also expressing the fact that when you become a wife and a mother you're so busy focusing on everyone else you begin to lose pieces of who you were. Without giving away the twist I can say I loved the meaning behind it. The older you get and the more you put others ahead of yourself the more you become a different person and who you were when you were younger seems almost like it didn't happen. It becomes harder to recognize and remember the younger version of yourself because it seems like (and in some ways it was) another life. This film meant so much to me as a mother just starting out because it felt so reassuring to know other women are going through the same experiences particularly never feeling like you're doing well by your kids even though you try so hard every single day. You look at other mothers and think "now there's the perfect mother" when in reality every mother has to go through that phase of life after giving birth when your body is different and you don't feel as attractive and you have to deal with how that affects your marriage and self image. It's just a fantastic film that doesn't try too hard to be it just is. It just is. This is what it's like to be a mother and I've heard some people in reviews say the movie was boring well guess what? That's what makes it real. Real motherhood is not a Real Housewives episode. This is real.
Reviews
37 Reviews
10 Cloverfield Lane
(2016)
Good film Bad sequel
23 March 2016
Okay so for starters if more than half of your audience can't tell if this is a sequel or not to your film than it's already off on the wrong foot. This movie had absolutely nothing to do with the original Cloverfield and that's probably because it originally was called something else and then they decided to say it was a follow up to Cloverfield. Now I'm conflicted because while I enjoy these type of films and I did enjoy the movie in no way was it a good follow up to the original. I think we all can agree the first one was filmed pretty bad and god forbid you had motion sickness and tried to watch the original however it was action packed pretty much from start to finish. You got to see the military fighting the huge monster and the smaller alien creatures were attacking the main characters at times and even infected one of them. Not to mention the fx they did with the statue of liberty's head. It was just intense.
So logic dictates if they did a sequel shouldn't it be even more epic? This movie looked like it would be the first not the sequel. I mean you had a good cast, good story line, and good performances but this movie could very easily have been its own thing as opposed to a sequel. The aliens in the end weren't even the same as the original film and there were no spaceships in the original it was just a good old fashioned creature film in the tradition of Godzilla. I absolutely hate this film as a sequel but if it was its own thing it would have been good to me.
In laymen the original was like The Walking Dead and this film was Fear the Walking Dead. One's awesome and one's pointless.
So logic dictates if they did a sequel shouldn't it be even more epic? This movie looked like it would be the first not the sequel. I mean you had a good cast, good story line, and good performances but this movie could very easily have been its own thing as opposed to a sequel. The aliens in the end weren't even the same as the original film and there were no spaceships in the original it was just a good old fashioned creature film in the tradition of Godzilla. I absolutely hate this film as a sequel but if it was its own thing it would have been good to me.
In laymen the original was like The Walking Dead and this film was Fear the Walking Dead. One's awesome and one's pointless.
Fifty Shades of Black
(2016)
Marlon desperately needs his brothers again
20 February 2016
I think pretty much everyone knew this movie was going to be crap. Just when I didn't think Marlon could do a movie worse than A Haunted House 2 he does this. First off I've seen and read 50 Shades of Grey and even though the movie wasn't as good after seeing this I actually appreciate the movie 50 Shades of Grey even more.
This movie was actually pretty racist strangely enough and I'm not one to complain about racist jokes except when they're from 1992; black people liking fried chicken and hot sauce? Really? This movie tried way too hard and Marlon Wayans was a huge over-actor, even more than usual. Parodies were a lot better in the eighties and nineties when you had Spy Hard and Spaceballs. Granted the Wayans had Don't be a Menace and Scary Movie but apparently it takes more than one Wayans to write a funny movie. He needs to stop flying solo. You had A haunted House now go back to your brothers! Frankly I'd rate this lower than a 1 if I could. The only thing I noticed is Marlon's definitely been working out and interestingly enough I think he would've been a cool addition to Magic Mike XXL. He would've added extra humor to the bunch. A role in that movie would've been a million times better than this 50 shades of crap.
This movie was actually pretty racist strangely enough and I'm not one to complain about racist jokes except when they're from 1992; black people liking fried chicken and hot sauce? Really? This movie tried way too hard and Marlon Wayans was a huge over-actor, even more than usual. Parodies were a lot better in the eighties and nineties when you had Spy Hard and Spaceballs. Granted the Wayans had Don't be a Menace and Scary Movie but apparently it takes more than one Wayans to write a funny movie. He needs to stop flying solo. You had A haunted House now go back to your brothers! Frankly I'd rate this lower than a 1 if I could. The only thing I noticed is Marlon's definitely been working out and interestingly enough I think he would've been a cool addition to Magic Mike XXL. He would've added extra humor to the bunch. A role in that movie would've been a million times better than this 50 shades of crap.
The Forest
(I) (2016)
Obivously written by multiple writers
16 January 2016
Warning: Spoilers
The reason I've titled my review this is because I feel after watching this movie much like several other movies it is obviously written by more than one writer. This isn't abnormal at all but when the writers don't have the same creative thought process it just turns into this weird competition of who can put their idea the most into the film.
The movie starts out with a nightmare which for a horror film you can imagine is not terribly creative. Apparently the main character Sara's identical twin Jess disappeared in Japan after going into the suicide forest. She then travels there, meets pretty boy from Chicago fire in a bar who just so happens to be a journalist being taken into the forest with a guide the very next day.
They find her sister's tent and naturally Sara decides to stay so naturally our big strapping lad volunteers and the wary Japanese guide whose sole purpose like several other characters in this movie is to put fear into the audience's mind about how scary the forest full of ghosts is basically says forget this I'm out of here.
After Pulse, The Grudge and The Ring do we really need to keep dishing out this Japanese ghost crap. There's absolutely no originality in this film at all. The flickering light at the end of the hallway with a creepy but essentially harmless character standing at the end, the un-wrapping of a bandage only to find a wound full of maggots, the Japanese dead girl so Grudge cliché dressed in a private school uniform.
Really? And then by the time she was in a cave with a creature that looked like it jumped out of Pan's labyrinth I was done. Some people screamed I laughed. This movie was like a head of nappy hair just shooting in any direction and just how predictable they're making movies lately is ridiculous.
I mean when you hand your knife to someone who's obviously losing their mind are you really that surprised when they kill you? And the whole stabbing during a weak struggle has been done up the ass. Wait for Netflix I beg of you I promise it'll be there soon. I do however suggest The Ruins a much better version of what I think this movie was going for.
The movie starts out with a nightmare which for a horror film you can imagine is not terribly creative. Apparently the main character Sara's identical twin Jess disappeared in Japan after going into the suicide forest. She then travels there, meets pretty boy from Chicago fire in a bar who just so happens to be a journalist being taken into the forest with a guide the very next day.
They find her sister's tent and naturally Sara decides to stay so naturally our big strapping lad volunteers and the wary Japanese guide whose sole purpose like several other characters in this movie is to put fear into the audience's mind about how scary the forest full of ghosts is basically says forget this I'm out of here.
After Pulse, The Grudge and The Ring do we really need to keep dishing out this Japanese ghost crap. There's absolutely no originality in this film at all. The flickering light at the end of the hallway with a creepy but essentially harmless character standing at the end, the un-wrapping of a bandage only to find a wound full of maggots, the Japanese dead girl so Grudge cliché dressed in a private school uniform.
Really? And then by the time she was in a cave with a creature that looked like it jumped out of Pan's labyrinth I was done. Some people screamed I laughed. This movie was like a head of nappy hair just shooting in any direction and just how predictable they're making movies lately is ridiculous.
I mean when you hand your knife to someone who's obviously losing their mind are you really that surprised when they kill you? And the whole stabbing during a weak struggle has been done up the ass. Wait for Netflix I beg of you I promise it'll be there soon. I do however suggest The Ruins a much better version of what I think this movie was going for.
Zomebieland meets Superbad
14 January 2016
Humor wise I think this film is funnier than Zombieland but both are filmed really well. I think it's safe to say if you like Zombieland and Shaun of the Dead you should like The scouts. To be short and sweet I think this movie had excellent characters even better than Zombieland because they have more history.
I pretty much liked it from the start. I thought it didn't try too hard to be funny but more so showed you what it thought was funny and those to me are the best type of comedies.
This film definitely holds its' own against your Shaun of.. or your Z land or your Warm bodies. However it kind of also reminded me of the teenage version of The Watch. Any way you spin it hilarious films so give it a shot. Much like any film you don't know your opinion truly until you see it. Worth a sit down.
I pretty much liked it from the start. I thought it didn't try too hard to be funny but more so showed you what it thought was funny and those to me are the best type of comedies.
This film definitely holds its' own against your Shaun of.. or your Z land or your Warm bodies. However it kind of also reminded me of the teenage version of The Watch. Any way you spin it hilarious films so give it a shot. Much like any film you don't know your opinion truly until you see it. Worth a sit down.
Hidden
(I) (2015)
The ending makes this truly original
11 November 2015
When I first saw the trailer for this movie I was hesitant to see it due to the fact that I was all but certain it would only end one way; they'd die. I thought it was just one of those movies that would be an experience with an inevitable outcome like the movie Maggie starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and Abigail Breslin.
However the ending of this film is what really makes it original. I love movies like this that drop vague hints throughout the film that don't seem important until later. Like their rule about "staying calm". Well what good does it do to freak out in a disaster so that rule makes sense and yet has a deeper meaning to it. Much like how you think the daughter saying "what if I need to protect you one day" is just a touching moment between mother and daughter but is really more of a deep seated concern for the daughter that makes more sense later.
Of course I couldn't help but think of the possibility of them being vampires every time they called the monsters "breathers" and while that's similar to the truth not quite. What's interesting is this movie was a lower budget version of movies like World War Z but unlike other zombie films this one to me stands out with total originality. Brilliant.
However the ending of this film is what really makes it original. I love movies like this that drop vague hints throughout the film that don't seem important until later. Like their rule about "staying calm". Well what good does it do to freak out in a disaster so that rule makes sense and yet has a deeper meaning to it. Much like how you think the daughter saying "what if I need to protect you one day" is just a touching moment between mother and daughter but is really more of a deep seated concern for the daughter that makes more sense later.
Of course I couldn't help but think of the possibility of them being vampires every time they called the monsters "breathers" and while that's similar to the truth not quite. What's interesting is this movie was a lower budget version of movies like World War Z but unlike other zombie films this one to me stands out with total originality. Brilliant.
Tremors 5: Bloodlines
(2015 Video)
Burt keeps franchise going
24 October 2015
First off I think its pretty obvious that only the character Burt can truly keep the Tremors franchise going at this point. And let's be honest the first one is the best one and also truly the only one that should have been made in my opinion however it's a cool franchise however cheesy it may have become.
I thought Jamie Kennedy's character was funny enough and the hot African chick was a nice little add on. It's hilarious how some parts were reminiscent of Jurrasic Park. I was just glad they didn't make the graboid's claws tap on the ground.
All and all it was entertaining. It was funny even though at times it tried too hard to be but I liked the updated graboid features including tentacles that detached. It was directed well and not shocking at all but it hints at a part six. If you're a tremors fan see it but if you've never seen a Tremors movie at all skip it. Although if you've never seen a Tremors movie see the first one. It's the only classic in a franchise of cheesy follow-ups.
I thought Jamie Kennedy's character was funny enough and the hot African chick was a nice little add on. It's hilarious how some parts were reminiscent of Jurrasic Park. I was just glad they didn't make the graboid's claws tap on the ground.
All and all it was entertaining. It was funny even though at times it tried too hard to be but I liked the updated graboid features including tentacles that detached. It was directed well and not shocking at all but it hints at a part six. If you're a tremors fan see it but if you've never seen a Tremors movie at all skip it. Although if you've never seen a Tremors movie see the first one. It's the only classic in a franchise of cheesy follow-ups.
The Perfect Guy
(I) (2015)
No one can beat Fear's Mark Wahlberg
16 September 2015
Warning: Spoilers
Fatal attraction, Fear, Obsessed. These are just to name a couple of stalker/obsession movies. Of course the more recent No Good Deed and The boy next door. These movies always have the same scenario; love can drive a person crazy.
But what really makes the movie is the stalker's performance. Now I know Fatal attraction's Glen Close is supposed to take the cake but I feel no one beats Mark Wahlberg's performance opposite Reese Witherspoon in Fear. What made his character so scary was the fact that he was so unbelievably good at charming the pants off you. Then when that switch flipped it was even more shocking to watch the events unfold and the obsession begin.
Michael Ealy on the other hand plays Carter a guy who in my opinion wasn't that charming to begin with. In fact aside from being obviously very attractive he was kind of weird from the start. It was a bland performance in my opinion and every single thing that happened was so easily predictable. I also hate that after awhile he's not even obsessed with her but more so obsessed with ruining her life which is confusing seeing as how he flat out said the classic stalker's phrase "if I can't have you no man will".
Then he turns into some jealous ex doing a bunch of vindictive things. I also think the only reason she didn't shoot him in the bathroom was because the director realized "hey this looks awfully familiar, almost as if this has been done before." It's at this point they decide to throw in a lame fight scene and a lame ending.
Hate to spoil it for anyone but these movies only end in one of three ways; stalker kills the stalked or the stalked kills the stalker or the stalker gets away and ends up with a different name and new prey to stalk(I.E. The Stepfather). However these are not the only ways to end these types of films and I just wish writers would figure that out and do something different for a change. To sum up, not bad but nothing special either.
But what really makes the movie is the stalker's performance. Now I know Fatal attraction's Glen Close is supposed to take the cake but I feel no one beats Mark Wahlberg's performance opposite Reese Witherspoon in Fear. What made his character so scary was the fact that he was so unbelievably good at charming the pants off you. Then when that switch flipped it was even more shocking to watch the events unfold and the obsession begin.
Michael Ealy on the other hand plays Carter a guy who in my opinion wasn't that charming to begin with. In fact aside from being obviously very attractive he was kind of weird from the start. It was a bland performance in my opinion and every single thing that happened was so easily predictable. I also hate that after awhile he's not even obsessed with her but more so obsessed with ruining her life which is confusing seeing as how he flat out said the classic stalker's phrase "if I can't have you no man will".
Then he turns into some jealous ex doing a bunch of vindictive things. I also think the only reason she didn't shoot him in the bathroom was because the director realized "hey this looks awfully familiar, almost as if this has been done before." It's at this point they decide to throw in a lame fight scene and a lame ending.
Hate to spoil it for anyone but these movies only end in one of three ways; stalker kills the stalked or the stalked kills the stalker or the stalker gets away and ends up with a different name and new prey to stalk(I.E. The Stepfather). However these are not the only ways to end these types of films and I just wish writers would figure that out and do something different for a change. To sum up, not bad but nothing special either.
The Visit
(I) (2015)
This was absolutely nothing special
12 September 2015
Warning: Spoilers
For starters the reason this is the best found footage film is because it only gives the illusion of being found footage whilst being filmed professionally. Which is a relief because I'm so tired of these directors making a movie that looks like it was filmed by someone with Parkinson's disease and then calling it "original". The Blair witch project was original; after that it's just a bunch of lazy copycats.
Now I am a fan of M. knight and I like his films even the ones people didn't like but this was just...not his style and not his style in a bad way. It just seemed like he was taking the chance to jump on a new trend as opposed to being original and thought provoking like he usually is; a modern Hitchcock if you will. And for most of the movie I was wondering why the trailer was made to look like the grandparents were going to be some sort of creatures when in actuality most of their symptoms were in fact dementia.
The only thing I can say is the twist is worth the watch but like most found footage movies there's lame attempts at humor(like every stranger saying "I used to be an actor" just because she has a camera) mixed with actual humor. The cast is great and the direction too but just not his style at all. Now the twist is not that great but there is one. All and all I can say I'm glad I had a gift card and didn't actually pay to see this. This was just okay nothing special and certainly not for an M. Knight film.
Now I am a fan of M. knight and I like his films even the ones people didn't like but this was just...not his style and not his style in a bad way. It just seemed like he was taking the chance to jump on a new trend as opposed to being original and thought provoking like he usually is; a modern Hitchcock if you will. And for most of the movie I was wondering why the trailer was made to look like the grandparents were going to be some sort of creatures when in actuality most of their symptoms were in fact dementia.
The only thing I can say is the twist is worth the watch but like most found footage movies there's lame attempts at humor(like every stranger saying "I used to be an actor" just because she has a camera) mixed with actual humor. The cast is great and the direction too but just not his style at all. Now the twist is not that great but there is one. All and all I can say I'm glad I had a gift card and didn't actually pay to see this. This was just okay nothing special and certainly not for an M. Knight film.
True Story
(I) (2015)
Don't lose sleep over another sick freak. Do not see this film
2 September 2015
Warning: Spoilers
I rated this film ignoring my opinion that it should not have been made. It was filmed well and Jonah and James perform just fine but the fact of the matter is this movie should not have been made.
It's a true story so chances are you know he did it because that's just the kind of crap that happens in real life. Maybe in something made up the cartel could've killed his wife and children but in real life husbands murder their wife and babies and vice versa.
Granted I should've Google this ass before I rented the movie but I didn't and had to listen to this guy's bull only for him to admit in the end oh yeah I did kill them all. Not that it mattered with all the overwhelming evidence against the idiot. Just another sick freak and they made a movie about him. Bet the wife's family loved that. I regret seeing this movie contributing to that freak. Do not see this film.
It's a true story so chances are you know he did it because that's just the kind of crap that happens in real life. Maybe in something made up the cartel could've killed his wife and children but in real life husbands murder their wife and babies and vice versa.
Granted I should've Google this ass before I rented the movie but I didn't and had to listen to this guy's bull only for him to admit in the end oh yeah I did kill them all. Not that it mattered with all the overwhelming evidence against the idiot. Just another sick freak and they made a movie about him. Bet the wife's family loved that. I regret seeing this movie contributing to that freak. Do not see this film.
No Escape
(I) (2015)
Most intense scene I have ever seen in a film
2 September 2015
Warning: Spoilers
I have already seen this movie twice in one week and that's not something I normally do. This movie in my mind is one of the best if not the best film of the year. Brief summary: a family that moves to China is suddenly caught in a riot of terrorists who aren't as you can imagine too fond of Americans (nor their own people apparently) and brutal murders begin happening in and around their hotel.
Under fire and with limited time to escape the hotel the mother jumps to the next roof top and the father is forced to throw each child to her. My god I had tears and I don't even have children! It was by far the most intense scene I have ever seen in a movie hands down. The sickening thought of the children not making it to the other side is just heart pounding and intense. In fact as soon as you see those masked men heading toward the police at the start of it you just know it's going to be awful and violent as riots always are.
I have to say I loved Peirce Bronson's character and "Kenny Rogers". If you've ever seen Big Trouble in little China, for some reason they reminded me of Jack Burton and his friend in the movie which gave brief moments of humor to the movie. Owen Wilson and Lake Bell are absolutely phenomenal as husband and wife and each is at the top of their game. I think it's funny people were surprised to see Owen doing a serious movie which happens when an actor does comedy for awhile but he nailed it. I do believe this is the first 10 I have ever given out of all my reviews and it is well deserved.
Under fire and with limited time to escape the hotel the mother jumps to the next roof top and the father is forced to throw each child to her. My god I had tears and I don't even have children! It was by far the most intense scene I have ever seen in a movie hands down. The sickening thought of the children not making it to the other side is just heart pounding and intense. In fact as soon as you see those masked men heading toward the police at the start of it you just know it's going to be awful and violent as riots always are.
I have to say I loved Peirce Bronson's character and "Kenny Rogers". If you've ever seen Big Trouble in little China, for some reason they reminded me of Jack Burton and his friend in the movie which gave brief moments of humor to the movie. Owen Wilson and Lake Bell are absolutely phenomenal as husband and wife and each is at the top of their game. I think it's funny people were surprised to see Owen doing a serious movie which happens when an actor does comedy for awhile but he nailed it. I do believe this is the first 10 I have ever given out of all my reviews and it is well deserved.
American Ultra
(2015)
Pineapple Express meets Mr. and Mrs. Smith
25 August 2015
This is by far my favorite Jesse Eisenberg and Kristen Stewart movie ever. Is it just me or does Kristen Stewart have better chemistry with Jesse Eisenberg than said Edward/Robert Pattinson? I saw Adeventureland and the two of them were good there but this was awesome. I think Kristen is better playing characters that are bad ass as opposed to innocent like Bella. I never thought she was right for Bella but man she is she awesome as the "bad girl" I must say.
I thought this move was awesome just from the previews but you know how that goes. Previews almost always look great but this really was the action comedy you didn't know you were looking for. It had elements of The Bourne Identity mixed with the smooth flow of Pineapple Express yet I cannot, without spoiling the twist, reveal quite why it reminded me of Mr. and Mrs. Smith.
This is two actors I think interesting enough were at their best action and comedy wise. If you're into your spy/CIA/comedy, romance movies see this film. Or if you're just looking for entertainment because from start to finish entertained I guarantee you.
I thought this move was awesome just from the previews but you know how that goes. Previews almost always look great but this really was the action comedy you didn't know you were looking for. It had elements of The Bourne Identity mixed with the smooth flow of Pineapple Express yet I cannot, without spoiling the twist, reveal quite why it reminded me of Mr. and Mrs. Smith.
This is two actors I think interesting enough were at their best action and comedy wise. If you're into your spy/CIA/comedy, romance movies see this film. Or if you're just looking for entertainment because from start to finish entertained I guarantee you.
The Vatican Tapes
(2015)
A movie Christians will understand more
20 August 2015
Well I went into this movie expecting it to be bad. It wasn't in theaters very long and reviews I read on it were bad but I thought it was very impressive writing. My boyfriend's Christian and has read the bible twice so naturally he understood what the anti-Christ was more than I did but even if you're not exactly sure what the anti-Christ is I feel the movie does it's best to explain it.
I think the reason most were disappointed was because every time one of these types of films comes out audiences expect someone to try and top The Exorcist (which realistically isn't possible, it's a classic). Not to mention people understand the devil is evil and demons are evil but this was something different. There's only one Christ so obviously the anti-Christ is a false prophet. In a sense the anti-Christ is like the devil because the anti-Christ can deceive and trick people into thinking they're good.
But I think the reason most didn't like this film was simply because they didn't understand what an anti-Christ is and couldn't fully appreciate the twist ending. I like that everything wasn't happily ever after and wrapped in a nice bow. I just hope they don't do some bull crap part 2 like The Last Exorcism did. Anyway it's nice to see films trying to think outside the Exorcist box creating films like this and The Lazarus effect even if their execution isn't perfect it's refreshing.
Besides I'd rather see a ton of these type of films than see someone try to remake or "re-imagine" The Exorcist(even though you know that's coming). To sum up this was interesting and kept you wondering exactly what the hell was gonna happen so to me that's a good thing. Check it out.
I think the reason most were disappointed was because every time one of these types of films comes out audiences expect someone to try and top The Exorcist (which realistically isn't possible, it's a classic). Not to mention people understand the devil is evil and demons are evil but this was something different. There's only one Christ so obviously the anti-Christ is a false prophet. In a sense the anti-Christ is like the devil because the anti-Christ can deceive and trick people into thinking they're good.
But I think the reason most didn't like this film was simply because they didn't understand what an anti-Christ is and couldn't fully appreciate the twist ending. I like that everything wasn't happily ever after and wrapped in a nice bow. I just hope they don't do some bull crap part 2 like The Last Exorcism did. Anyway it's nice to see films trying to think outside the Exorcist box creating films like this and The Lazarus effect even if their execution isn't perfect it's refreshing.
Besides I'd rather see a ton of these type of films than see someone try to remake or "re-imagine" The Exorcist(even though you know that's coming). To sum up this was interesting and kept you wondering exactly what the hell was gonna happen so to me that's a good thing. Check it out.
The Gift
(VI) (2015)
A true tale of what goes around comes around
9 August 2015
This movie was about as impressive as writing can get. I mean the utter suspense of this film was just present around every corner. The direction was wonderful and the performances. Kudos to Jason Bateman. This was a different character for him to play as he usually plays the funny guy with the heart of gold looking for a break.
When you see these types of films you expect them to be really predictable to a point where it's boring (I.E No good deed, the boy next door, or Secret Window) not that I didn't enjoy the films I mentioned; predictable films can still be entertaining but this for me had me curious throughout. I love movies that leave no loop holes in the end and just form a perfectly complete puzzle which it did. I also enjoyed and didn't expect the scares. It had a little horror mixed in with the suspense but not so much that it took away from the film.
This was a story that fully shows that a person's actions good or bad can always come back to haunt them and even the simple message of the film wasn't too in your face. I love how Simon says "some people just don't change after high school" because in the end that was more true about him than Gordon. See this film. It's one of the best of the summer and a wonderful directorial debut.
When you see these types of films you expect them to be really predictable to a point where it's boring (I.E No good deed, the boy next door, or Secret Window) not that I didn't enjoy the films I mentioned; predictable films can still be entertaining but this for me had me curious throughout. I love movies that leave no loop holes in the end and just form a perfectly complete puzzle which it did. I also enjoyed and didn't expect the scares. It had a little horror mixed in with the suspense but not so much that it took away from the film.
This was a story that fully shows that a person's actions good or bad can always come back to haunt them and even the simple message of the film wasn't too in your face. I love how Simon says "some people just don't change after high school" because in the end that was more true about him than Gordon. See this film. It's one of the best of the summer and a wonderful directorial debut.
Insidious: Chapter 3
(2015)
Really boring crap
28 July 2015
I hate that I read so many good reviews for this movie. They even made me want to see it and then I did. Really boring crap. Okay so we all know the first Insidious movie was a bit confusing. The second one not only explains it better but has better scares. And of course I know Leigh Whannel wrote and directed it which is cool and I do have to respect the writer's vision however I don't have to like it and I didn't. Pretty much from the start I was bored and the scares were so mediocre and predictable it almost wasn't even worth watching.
Obviously there was nothing wrong with the cast or direction but this movie was so unbelievably cliché. Enter Elise to give random explanations of why stuff's happening, throw in a little possession but instead of calling it that say "the spirit has half her soul". And I really don't understand why people were saying it was such an emotional movie. Really? They must never have seen The Orphanage because THAT is what an emotional supernatural movie really is.
This was your typical haunted house crap with a typical backstory of the "evil spirit" to match. As a prequel it was also pointless. So the ghost guys didn't always wear suits. That's pretty much the only thing we learn from this prequel. As pointless as most of Hollywood's remakes.
Obviously there was nothing wrong with the cast or direction but this movie was so unbelievably cliché. Enter Elise to give random explanations of why stuff's happening, throw in a little possession but instead of calling it that say "the spirit has half her soul". And I really don't understand why people were saying it was such an emotional movie. Really? They must never have seen The Orphanage because THAT is what an emotional supernatural movie really is.
This was your typical haunted house crap with a typical backstory of the "evil spirit" to match. As a prequel it was also pointless. So the ghost guys didn't always wear suits. That's pretty much the only thing we learn from this prequel. As pointless as most of Hollywood's remakes.
What We Do in the Shadows
(2014)
Love vampires? Then this will be hilarious to you
27 July 2015
First I have to say the trailer for this film was put together nicely. It really high-lighted some of the funny parts but definitely not all. I love vampires and I love vampire movies so it was easy to see them poking fun at other films like Nosferatu, Interview with the vampire, and of course The lost boys. This film is definitely in the spirit of such films as Shaun of the dead and Dylan Dog but these guys picked up on what seems to be a new style of filming; the documentary type style.
I thought it worked really great for this film and even made it funnier. The three main actors were fantastic and perfect for their parts, Stuart was a bit of a side character and I thought maybe the actor playing him was too old. It seemed weird the young kid they turned into a vampire would be friends with him. Also I thought the actor that played the young kid was a little bland at times. Not as present and into the roles as the others were.
My main complaint is I wasn't too crazy about the set. The house looked way too old which I know is what they were going for but it looked more like the run down house from Fight Club than a sophisticated vampire pad. To end on a good note this movie was unexpectedly laugh out loud funny to me and any other fan of vampire films.
I thought it worked really great for this film and even made it funnier. The three main actors were fantastic and perfect for their parts, Stuart was a bit of a side character and I thought maybe the actor playing him was too old. It seemed weird the young kid they turned into a vampire would be friends with him. Also I thought the actor that played the young kid was a little bland at times. Not as present and into the roles as the others were.
My main complaint is I wasn't too crazy about the set. The house looked way too old which I know is what they were going for but it looked more like the run down house from Fight Club than a sophisticated vampire pad. To end on a good note this movie was unexpectedly laugh out loud funny to me and any other fan of vampire films.
Pitch Perfect 2
(2015)
Hollywood loves pointless remakes AND sequels
16 July 2015
I hated this movie almost as soon as it started. Everything was just off. It tried way too hard to be funny forcing Rebel Wilson to have to act extra weird and quirky as opposed to just naturally weird and quirky. Becca's working at a lame recording studio while trying to tell the Bellas she's going to quit. There's like two or three new girls that I can't remember because they're not memorable.
Then they go on this lame camping expedition where Audrey now works having graduated. The group of German singers they're going up against really suck and wouldn't even be hard to beat except that the Bellas suck too. Their end performance was crap especially compared to the first movie. Pitch Perfect was hilarious, charming, original, and had great performances. Pitch Perfect 2 was strained and pointless.
Then they go on this lame camping expedition where Audrey now works having graduated. The group of German singers they're going up against really suck and wouldn't even be hard to beat except that the Bellas suck too. Their end performance was crap especially compared to the first movie. Pitch Perfect was hilarious, charming, original, and had great performances. Pitch Perfect 2 was strained and pointless.
Magic Mike XXL
(2015)
Pitch Perfect 2 again, pointless remakes
16 July 2015
Well I'll start by saying I know these are movies about male stripping but I still take them seriously as films. So the first movie had way more stripping which is a common complaint about XXL by most women because you'd think the sequel would have more. However I think the reason is because the first movie was solely about the life of a stripper but XXL is more of an unexpected bro. road trip movie leading up to a stripper convention. The first Magic Mike however had more of a dark direction making it more dramatic and less fun whereas XXL is more vibrant and less dramatic. The main thing lacking from the first film was Amber Heard. The actress in the first film just had no presence on screen and showed no personality whereas Amber Heard is sort of your go to hot blonde perfect for playing these types of characters. I think the fact that there was no sex scene between Amber Heard and Channing or at least some sort of kissing was a waste. Their flirtatious relationship much like the film was lacking something more. I feel it was very much an unnecessary sequel but I can't say I wasn't entertained. It was hilarious and full of hot dudes but the raw and real edginess the first film had is gone. Reminds me of Pitch Perfect 2; one big letdown.
Unfriended
(2014)
Something New for the horror genre
18 April 2015
I have to say this movie reminded me of plenty other films such as Sorority Row, Tamara, Cry Wolf or the most recent remake of Carrie and yet Unfriended held its' own pretty damn good. When I heard how the film was going to be shot I was a little skeptical as to whether or not it would work or just be really boring.
Typically in these type of supernatural films there's a lot of wandering slowly down dark halls with figures appearing in the shadows so I was skeptical but this was really creative. I think the storyline was a pretty basic ghost revenge story and yet with a modern twist. The internet offers a new form of bullying that unfortunately is all too real and this movie shows the consequences of such actions to the extent of driving someone to commit suicide.
I'm pretty sure I'm not alone on this the characters were interesting but it really got annoying listening to them argue like little elementary kids. Some of it was okay for humorous reasons but after awhile it was annoying. I do also think it would've been better with adults instead of teenagers simply because if this Laura ghost had gone after them years later they would have had more reason to have forgotten the details of "the video" and the "incident".
Which in that case I think the incident would've had to have been something more serious than it was such as her being raped and being shamed for it and made fun of afterward. That really would've given the story more depth but it was a good scary movie that for me would've been more intense if I hadn't seen it in theaters. The audience I guess found the character's fighting hilarious and couldn't take the movie seriously after awhile which made it hard to enjoy the scares. My advice see it alone to really see how you feel about it.
Typically in these type of supernatural films there's a lot of wandering slowly down dark halls with figures appearing in the shadows so I was skeptical but this was really creative. I think the storyline was a pretty basic ghost revenge story and yet with a modern twist. The internet offers a new form of bullying that unfortunately is all too real and this movie shows the consequences of such actions to the extent of driving someone to commit suicide.
I'm pretty sure I'm not alone on this the characters were interesting but it really got annoying listening to them argue like little elementary kids. Some of it was okay for humorous reasons but after awhile it was annoying. I do also think it would've been better with adults instead of teenagers simply because if this Laura ghost had gone after them years later they would have had more reason to have forgotten the details of "the video" and the "incident".
Which in that case I think the incident would've had to have been something more serious than it was such as her being raped and being shamed for it and made fun of afterward. That really would've given the story more depth but it was a good scary movie that for me would've been more intense if I hadn't seen it in theaters. The audience I guess found the character's fighting hilarious and couldn't take the movie seriously after awhile which made it hard to enjoy the scares. My advice see it alone to really see how you feel about it.
Get Hard
(2015)
Just me or is Kevin Hart better opposite white dudes?
12 April 2015
I have to say I'm one of the few people on earth it seems that's not the biggest fan of Will Ferrell but this is my favorite Will Ferrell movie hands down. And I'm sorry but in my opinion movies like Ride along, About Last night and Think like a man too just weren't as funny to me as The Wedding Ringer and Get Hard. Is it just me or is Kevin Hart better opposite white dudes? So Will Ferrell's character James gets caught up in a typical white collar crime and is soon to do jail time. Kevin Hart's character Darnell is in the process of trying to start his own business but is stuck being valet at James' office building. Naturally one night James vents to Darnell and the idea presents itself that Kevin should train him and make him "hard" for prison life. The problem is Darnell has never been to prison.
He enlists the help of his cousin played by T.I to help him understand prison life and when training James seems impossible Darnell goes through his cousin's gang to try and get him protection on the inside. That is until Darnell realizes there's no way James could've committed the crime in the first place since he's so clueless. The two then come together to try and find out who actually did.
There's a brief summary for you but the chemistry between Will and Kevin was very hilariously reminiscent of the chemistry between Tim Robbins and Martin Laurence in Nothing to Lose. And I know I'm not the only one who thought of them when seeing that hilarious scene with Will and Kevin in the car replacing the "spider on the head" with a shank.
This comedy shows that the rapport between comedic actors is what truly makes comedies memorable and strikingly funny.
He enlists the help of his cousin played by T.I to help him understand prison life and when training James seems impossible Darnell goes through his cousin's gang to try and get him protection on the inside. That is until Darnell realizes there's no way James could've committed the crime in the first place since he's so clueless. The two then come together to try and find out who actually did.
There's a brief summary for you but the chemistry between Will and Kevin was very hilariously reminiscent of the chemistry between Tim Robbins and Martin Laurence in Nothing to Lose. And I know I'm not the only one who thought of them when seeing that hilarious scene with Will and Kevin in the car replacing the "spider on the head" with a shank.
This comedy shows that the rapport between comedic actors is what truly makes comedies memorable and strikingly funny.
It Follows
(2014)
Disappointing but not a bad film
1 April 2015
Warning: Spoilers
I'll start with the good. This movie was filmed well and paid tribute to the pace and camera techniques of horror films from the late seventies early eighties and even the score had a great eighties horror movie vibe to it. The characters were fairly interesting and the story started out intriguing. I could see the similarities to the infamous IT even obviously in the title just adding the word 'follows'.
I could count on one hand the scenes that truly had shock value and you have to appreciate those moments because you truly don't know exactly what's going to happen so the suspense is there. The problem I had with this film was I really didn't think the story was strong enough. There really is no decent explanation of what "it" actually is even though the boy who gives "it" to her (strangely enough through sex) goes into it a bit at the beginning. It being some sort of creature that pretty much just appears as people. Sounds interesting but at times it was like okay is that a person walking by or is that "it".
I just felt a little disappointed that "it" wasn't something more interesting and that "it" often took too long to appear not to mention how it's passed and how to get rid of it at times was clear and then confusing and why would something evil be passed through sex. Felt like this movie was written by a Mormon or something trying to make you fear pre-marital sex or something. Anyway "it" without a doubt unfortunately was not much more than a really twisted STD of some sort.
The direction was awesome and the score too and the acting was just fine but the puzzle piece missing was more intrigue, more story and a bit more horror. It was just lacking but not a bad film. Check it out but wait for Red box or Netflix.
I could count on one hand the scenes that truly had shock value and you have to appreciate those moments because you truly don't know exactly what's going to happen so the suspense is there. The problem I had with this film was I really didn't think the story was strong enough. There really is no decent explanation of what "it" actually is even though the boy who gives "it" to her (strangely enough through sex) goes into it a bit at the beginning. It being some sort of creature that pretty much just appears as people. Sounds interesting but at times it was like okay is that a person walking by or is that "it".
I just felt a little disappointed that "it" wasn't something more interesting and that "it" often took too long to appear not to mention how it's passed and how to get rid of it at times was clear and then confusing and why would something evil be passed through sex. Felt like this movie was written by a Mormon or something trying to make you fear pre-marital sex or something. Anyway "it" without a doubt unfortunately was not much more than a really twisted STD of some sort.
The direction was awesome and the score too and the acting was just fine but the puzzle piece missing was more intrigue, more story and a bit more horror. It was just lacking but not a bad film. Check it out but wait for Red box or Netflix.
The Ouija Experiment
(2011)
Could have been better than Ouija
12 March 2015
For starters I liked this storyline better than Ouija which actually made it to theaters I assume because of having a bigger budget. The main problem with the film like most low budget horror films was the cast. Some major over-acting going on here but that aside it actually had its' scary moments and I even screamed twice. I am a horror movie fanatic and supernatural films don't usually get me but some genuine good scares happened if you ask me.
This is definitely one of those films that craved a bigger budget for a better cast and better filming but I still firmly say they worked with what they had cause it was pretty decent, much better than I expected and I liked the twist they threw in at the end. All and all fairly impressive. The potential of this film was not lost on me.
This is definitely one of those films that craved a bigger budget for a better cast and better filming but I still firmly say they worked with what they had cause it was pretty decent, much better than I expected and I liked the twist they threw in at the end. All and all fairly impressive. The potential of this film was not lost on me.
The Lazarus Effect
(2015)
Pretty bad for a pretty good cast
7 March 2015
Well to be frank this film could've been written better. It feels like they were like "yes we got Olivia Wilde now people won't notice the movie sucks!" I love me some Olivia Wilde but if I never see this movie again it'll be too soon. And I don't even think it was a terrible film it's just the preview was misleading. It seemed as though on the trailer she dies, goes to hell and instead of her a demon comes back in her or something relatively close to this which would've been more entertaining.
I'm catholic but not super religious to where I'm angry about the storyline like a lot were. Personally if it HAD gone the religious route it would've made more sense and been more interesting. Unfortunately it was too much science and not enough religion. Science is complicated but we all know good and evil. Such a terrible thing to have such a predictable movie when you had such good material to work with to produce something truly scary and original. Instead we got yet another horror film with fake scares, strange scares, and none of the real thing.
This film had potential to truly terrify but the way it was put together I think it'll just land on the pile of half decent horror flicks similar to Devil, As above so below, and Devil's due.
I'm catholic but not super religious to where I'm angry about the storyline like a lot were. Personally if it HAD gone the religious route it would've made more sense and been more interesting. Unfortunately it was too much science and not enough religion. Science is complicated but we all know good and evil. Such a terrible thing to have such a predictable movie when you had such good material to work with to produce something truly scary and original. Instead we got yet another horror film with fake scares, strange scares, and none of the real thing.
This film had potential to truly terrify but the way it was put together I think it'll just land on the pile of half decent horror flicks similar to Devil, As above so below, and Devil's due.
The Pyramid
(2014)
Worth a sit down for Horror fans
14 January 2015
Okay so here we have this everlasting trend of the "blair witch" style of filmmaking. The list goes on from Cloverfield, Quarantine, Devil's due, the paranormal activity movies, chronicle, even comedic films such as Project x so having said that I accept that this is some sort of new trend. But it's nice in films such as these to have actual filming which they do and I appreciate. Literally before this I saw As above so Below which gave me a greater appreciation for The Pyramid.
The Pyramid acts like many other films such as obviously The descent but unlike As above so below it brought its' own originality to it. I thought the creature affects were decent and it's always nice in creature films where they show the thing for more than five seconds so I was pleasantly surprised. I also liked the characters. we had the father/daughter thing going on so we care about their survival. Not too much character development but there rarely is in horror films.
I liked the bit of supernatural Egyptian biblical details. It's always interesting to take something people actually believe in and make it real. Sort of like an Egyptian Stigmata or End of Days if you will. Definitely worth a sit down for its' scares and general curiosity of what will become of these characters. All and all check it out.
The Pyramid acts like many other films such as obviously The descent but unlike As above so below it brought its' own originality to it. I thought the creature affects were decent and it's always nice in creature films where they show the thing for more than five seconds so I was pleasantly surprised. I also liked the characters. we had the father/daughter thing going on so we care about their survival. Not too much character development but there rarely is in horror films.
I liked the bit of supernatural Egyptian biblical details. It's always interesting to take something people actually believe in and make it real. Sort of like an Egyptian Stigmata or End of Days if you will. Definitely worth a sit down for its' scares and general curiosity of what will become of these characters. All and all check it out.
Tammy
(2014)
One of the most hilarious female comedic actresses of our time
3 July 2014
Warning: Spoilers
Melissa McCarthy has established herself as one of the most hilarious female comedic actresses of our time. Much like Chris Farley films her weight simply adds to her humor. The story sets up nicely as she heads to work only to hit a deer with her car making her late. Her unrelenting slightly racist boss fires her on the spot and to make matters worse she gets home and finds her husband with another woman.
After stopping at her mother's house ready to leave town needing to borrow her grandmother's car, her grandmother hilariously played by Susan Sarandon offers her money in exchange for a ride. The two set off on a road trip that becomes the adventure of both their lives. Even though Melissa has "type cast" herself what comedic actor hasn't. It was also good to see Susan on the road again although this time around she didn't drive into the grand canyon.
Sarandon's performance as the alcoholic grandmother played well off Melissa's quirky Tammy character and the two are just as good a female comedic duo as Sandra Bullock and McCarthy in The Heat. Which brings me to say this is definitely a film for Melissa McCarthy fans which I certainly am and I cannot wait for her next comedy because I will be there to see it.
After stopping at her mother's house ready to leave town needing to borrow her grandmother's car, her grandmother hilariously played by Susan Sarandon offers her money in exchange for a ride. The two set off on a road trip that becomes the adventure of both their lives. Even though Melissa has "type cast" herself what comedic actor hasn't. It was also good to see Susan on the road again although this time around she didn't drive into the grand canyon.
Sarandon's performance as the alcoholic grandmother played well off Melissa's quirky Tammy character and the two are just as good a female comedic duo as Sandra Bullock and McCarthy in The Heat. Which brings me to say this is definitely a film for Melissa McCarthy fans which I certainly am and I cannot wait for her next comedy because I will be there to see it.
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