justsixblack Reviews

Noah (2014)

Painfully Beautiful

[9/10 · 13 March 2024]

If you're expecting the exact words of the Bible to be performed on screen, do not see this movie. However, if you want to see a story about a man who gives his all to save the world and his family, and you have an open heart... this movie is for YOU!

I haven't watched a film that kept me crying at the edge of my seat in a long time, and that's what Aronofsky did for me tonight as I watched his film "Noah" the comfort of my own home on Netflix for the first time.

I am pushing 40 and I've always loved older films, so I never expect the best of the best when it comes to CGI and visual effects. However, anything this 2014 film lacks (which isn't much) from what we are spoiled with in 2024 CGI was greatly made up for in beautiful storytelling and photography.

The characters drive this epic tale and you root for them all along the way. You relate to them despite not knowing an ounce of what it would feel like to be in their position (thanks to the phenomenal actors who play them). We all know the tale of Noah's Ark; and while Aronofsky keeps the bones of the story, he sculpted something totally different with the meat he added to this masterpiece. Despite knowing the gist of what will happen, this story manages to keep you in suspense (which is no easy feat!).

If you are someone who is very moved by film and storytelling, and you go into this with an open heart, you simply cannot go wrong with Aronofsky's "Noah"!

Mike Birbiglia: The Old Man and the Pool (2023 TV Special)

More Than Just Standup

[9/10 · 23 November 2023]

Mike Birbiglia and Neal Brennan have transcended standup. Both of their latest specials on Netflix have left me with more than just laughter. Both of these phenomenal specials left me with deep thought but without the weight of it all. It's mature comedy in the sense it's for people who've lived some life. Life is hard, and we need to laugh. We MUST laugh.

As a lifelong standup fan, I'm at the age where the one-liners aren't doing it for me anymore. I want stories. I want to relate. I want connection. And Mike Birbiglia's "The Old Man & The Pool" and Neal Brennan's "Blocks" do exactly that through immersive, humorous storytelling.

Victim/Suspect (2023)

I Have Never Felt So Validated

[10/10 · 28 September 2023]

This is the most important documentary I've seen for women and girls in recent history. I tried to report my abuser when I was 18, and I too was not believed, and then arrested for False Report. It took a lot of courage to come forward and finally turn in my abuser (who'd been assaulting me for years as a child). This was many years ago and my case was eventually dismissed by a very no nonsense female judge who saw right through it all. That case cost me a lot of money and it scared me so badly. I thought I was going to jail for the rest of my life. That's how the cops treated me. Like I was the worst criminal they'd ever seen.

Even though it was dismissed, to this day I have always felt ashamed of myself for being arrested before. It's the one and only time I've been in trouble. That shame ended watching this documentary. I am not alone, and neither are you. Someone is finally listening. THANK YOU!

Ever since my arrest, I have never called the police for help, ever again. Even when I really needed it. Even when I was viciously assaulted in a public place and left beaten and partially naked. If they didn't believe me before when was being sexually coerced by an older man for years whilst underage, why would they believe me now? Especially with False Report on my record? The cops told me it would stay on my record forever, even if my case was dismissed and that I should just "tell the truth" before I can't get a dismissal someday. My case did get dismissed, and to this day I don't know if it shows up on my record. I just know I'm still too scared to call the cops for help because I never want to end up in handcuffs ever again.

This documentary made me cry like I've never cried watching a doc before. The validation I feel now knowing that I'm not alone and I'm not some menace to society. Every woman and girl needs to see this!!! The damage is irreparable and my abuser went on to assault MANY young girls after me! That's on the cops, not ME! Not US!

Beef (2023– )

Rip the heart from a Millennial's chest

[10/10 · 8 April 2023]

First of all, if you're a film fanatic like me, all I have to say is, "A24." Once I see that in the opening credits, I'm 100% sold and I'm NEVER disappointed. I want to watch weird, insane, mind bending, heart punching entertainment-and I know I'll be left WOWED if it's an A24 Production.

Now, about the series itself: anyone and everyone can enjoy this series because it explores who we are and what it is to be human. But most specifically, if you're a Millennial like me (born 1985 here), it will feel like it was made just for you-and just just because of all the 90s and 2000s songs we ALL know by heart that play at all the right moments! Our generation have a very unique experience on this earth and I INSTANTLY recognized the feeling portrayed in this show. If you know, you know.

I went into this just being a big fan of Ali Wong, got super hyped to find A24, and ended with sorrow, hope, love, faith, despair, and joy all rolled into a SPECTACULAR ending. I'm refraining from reviewing the actual story, characters, etc. Because I don't want to spoil a single thing for anyone. This is a series to be experienced organically and uninterrupted. It deserves your undivided attention and your whole heart. If not, you'll definitely miss flash moments that tie the story together. Just pay attention and hold on because you're in for an F'n ride! Storytelling at its finest!

Higher Learning (1995)

Not a Movie For Today

[8/10 · 19 March 2023]

I saw this movie in the theatre when it came out. I couldn't stop thinking about it after seeing it. I cried while watching it. It really affected me. Being a youth during this time is something that the youth of today can't understand. Just as I will never understand what it was like to be a young person living in the 60s, for example. So I'm not surprised about all the bad reviews on here that have been posted from the current decade. Sure, the characters could've been written better. They could've focused more on rainbows and lollipops, too. But this movie is something that mirrored the INTENSE feeling of the times and what people like myself experienced. So if you're someone who can look past the typical "movie critic complaining" and allow yourself to FEEL what this movie is intended to make you feel, then I believe you can enjoy it and appreciate it for all its worth.

Legion: Chapter 23 (2019) Season 3, Episode 4

Finally, the magic is back!

[10/10 · 15 January 2023]

It's no surprise this is the one episode that Daniel Kwan directed (Director of "Everything Everywhere All At Once"). Thus far into Season 3 I've been somewhat disappointed, but this episode gave me all the magical chills I've been missing since Season One. Season Two was wonderful as well, but S1 just had SO much of that Pink Floydian/Kubrickian magic which hooked me into the show to begin with. The Time Eaters were masterfully done and the whole episode took my brain for a ride like I was on drugs that only this show can produce in droves. I also love the attention to Lenny we got in this episode because she's felt like forgotten background noise in this season (which is awful since she's a monster character). This is by far the best episode for S3 and one of the top 5 best episodes for the whole series.

The Sinner: Part VIII (2020) Season 3, Episode 8

For Those Who Understand

[10/10 · 18 December 2022]

*VERY VAGUE SPOILERS*

Someone else wrote that this season in particular is for an older crowd (meaning for those who've lived through some life experience). I am 37 and went through more life experience than most people before I was even in double digit years-so maybe the correct phrase is, "this season is for people who've lived through adversity and understand true mental anguish." And aside from very Hollywood rules on the law and how a court hearing and even prison visitations are run, it is by far the most realistic season of all 4 (because they didn't hide the mundane of everyday human behavior!). But here's the kicker for me: I was JUST as frustrated as everyone else whilst watching this season.

I was SO annoyed by the title character's doe-eyed stares after repeating the same routines over and over and with how long it seemed to drag on. It wasn't until the very end at the climax of the season (and the climax of this final episode), as I stood motionless right in front of my big screen TV, staring at that scene unfold, that I FINALLY understood. And that's the moment I didn't want it to ever end after I'd spent 6 previous episodes being frustrated with how much it dragged.

The actor who plays the title character of this season (Jamie) transcended me into real life in that moment. He took me into my never-ending black hole of despair where I am SO DESPERATE to go back in time. He reminded me of the guilt I carry with me every second of my existence over the life I could've saved but didn't (NOT couldn't...DIDN'T). THAT is the moment I realized how absolutely BRILLIANT this season was. I realized I went through every frustration and confusion both the title character and main character were going through. I realized I was living my own life's frustrations and agony. It was like I got smacked in the face with that realization as that climactic scene unfolded. I WEPT. It's been days since I finished season 3 (and I've already finished the final season tonight) and yet I still can't stop thinking about that moment. Particularly the moment when the final change happens in Jamie. Unless you've seen that with your own eyes, held someone as that change happens and watched it all slip away... ESPECIALLY if you are to blame (whether it's your fault or not)... I just don't think you can understand this season. If you ever do experience that someday, go back and watch it all over again. Then... then it'll be for someone like you, too.

This season is for those who understand REAL pain... because NOTHING compares to the pain of guilt. Nothing.

Guillermo del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities: The Viewing (2022) Season 1, Episode 7

Entranced until the very BAD ending

[6/10 · 30 October 2022]

This episode had me excited the way "The Autopsy" did (that's the absolute BEST one, by the way). "The Viewing" gave me such hardcore Kubrickian vibes that I truly thought I was in for a real treat. And for the most part, I was-until the very end of the episode. Like every other episode in this freaking series, the ending was SO WEAK. It didn't add anything of value to the buildup the episode created. Even when you think upon things such as: "why did some turn out like this and others like that?" You do not come to any logical conclusion. Granted, I know it doesn't always have to make sense, but from the story and buildup, I expected SO much more. Even an ending that left me in total discomfort would've been better than the way this ended. The way I feel after just watching it is sadly disappointed. It had SO much potential and once again, it just failed in the last 5 minutes like all the rest (except "The Autopsy"). However, since I enjoyed 95% of the episode with all its nostalgic glory, I am giving this a 6/10.

Guillermo del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities: The Autopsy (2022) Season 1, Episode 3

What I Came For

[10/10 · 30 October 2022]

I will say NOTHING of the story itself as it is a true masterpiece of the mind. It is the only reason I wasn't completely disappointed with this series. I came in with high expectations and this was the one episode that not only met them, but exceeded them. This episode satisfies the "curiosity" I came for and the twisted beauty I've come to desire from GDT. It is NOT for the squeamish or faint of heart. The acts shown in this episode are part of my dream profession, so I went into this with particularly thick skin (pun intended)-and even I cringed at a certain part. Oh how glorious it was! You have been deliciously warned. Enjoy!

Away (2020)

Character Driven Drama... in space

[8/10 · 7 September 2020]

Sci-Fi takes a big backseat to the drama so if you enjoy dramas as well as space stuff, I think you'll enjoy it. I personally love cathartic dramas and this is a big one. It is a story about the human spirit and just being human in general; whether it be at our best or at our worst. But most of all, it's a story about what many of us hope can become of our planet in the future: A place that works together for the greater good. Give it a chance!