prystalcage Reviews

1UP (2022)

Enjoyable

[7/10 · 7 August 2022]

The story does fall a bit short but it is still very enjoyable. There is a full story, and the formula is similar to Pitch Perfect. The only difference is unlike pitch perfect, you do not fully get into the world of the video game like you do with the world of singing competitions of Pitch Perfect.

Incredibly diverse cast, sweet moments, and the performances are very much in the Disney movies vein -- larger than life performances, clear clean comedy, and characters you mostly care about. The opponents are believable but the Dean's character is a bit over the top and flat. Some fun surprises towards the end and the team montage of how they grow together is pretty great.

The only thing I wanted was more depth of story from the main character Vivian and coach Parker. Sloane and Owen were great characters and would've loved to dive into their stories and the video game more.

The date scene was really cute. Montage of the video game interviews (hilarious). Chicken is funny - I wish we could've gone into the video game earlier.

It's a fun, light, bubble gum-esque movie which deals with videogames, gender, and friendship. It was enjoyable.

Liberty's Secret (2016)

Loved it

[9/10 · 30 August 2020]

This movie incorporates all my favorite things: religion, politics, and lesbians--all the things you aren't supposed to talk about. It is fun, it is entertaining, and there are so few Lesbian musicals. The music is really great and consistently well done. Performances and story are solid. My favorite musical scene was the song when Liberty tried conversion therapy.

I'd definitely watch it again. I told my wife we would have to learn one of the songs for our vow renewal <3. Good job to all involved.

Jenny's Wedding (2015)

I Enjoyed It for What It Is

[8/10 · 12 March 2017]

The bar is so low, because there aren't too many half way decent Lebsian movies out there.

This movie is closer to the actual reality of coming out and working it through with a family that has a deep bond.

The perspectives of the Lesbian couple, her parents, and her siblings was pretty complex and fair, spot on, and dramatic. I just wanted more scenes with the couple.

The writing was pretty good. Give it a chance, if you are looking for a Lesbian drama. It's a pretty low key movie, but not half bad.

I enjoyed it for what it was.

Idlewild (2006)

A 2 Hour Music Video

[6/10 · 25 August 2006]

I saw the movie last night.

It opens beautifully. Young rooster is especially engaging and we get a sense of Percival's young life. Once we move into adulthood, the music video techniques and songs unfavorable to the story dominate. A lot of the story is there, but either because of editing or the choice of camera over story points makes the story less engaging then it could've been. It is clear that most of the actors can act, but it seems that their performances were underserved. In the end it feels like a series of music videos. Unfortunately, it is devoid of the emotion that I imagine was intended. Too, too bad...because it had such great potential.

Kingdom of Heaven (2005)

Well Done! Go Change the World

[8/10 · 31 May 2005]

This movie wasn't made to be compared with the Gladiator. This is what my friends expected going in.

I would compare it to a modern attempt at a Battle of Algiers approach. Both sides are seen having a faction of extremist, both sides show mercy. It is poetic in its insistence that every individual is responsible for their own actions.

The king states, paraphrased: "A King can move a man, but the soul is still the man's. When you stand before God you can't say people made me do this or virtue wasn't convenient at the time."

Further a priest states, also paraphrased: I don't place stock in religion. What God wants is right action. He wants this-pointing to the head-and this-pointing to the heart. Protect the defenseless.

This film really aims at showing the commonalities of religion; that is humanity. All want to do God's will, sometime for the wrong reasons, but they all wish to do what they think is best--The only failing here is a "bad" character who states, that he is what he is. It is as if he knows that he's bad--Some believe that Bailey's character was painted as innocent. However, I would disagree. He is seen not only killing a priest, but having sex with a married woman something of a sin and a crime in 1184. We as modern viewers may overlook this simply as passion, but passion not directed at the Lord--in those times--was wrongful.

The large battle scenes included some cool special effects, but similar to Alexander they tend to lose focus--NB this movie is far better than Alexander...far better. The editing of the rest of the story is fairly strong but unlike Lord of the Rings or Star Wars we lose track of the characters in war scenes, that were given attention elsewhere. Unfortunately, this editing choice could only be justified if we stayed with the protagonists at all times and yet we don't.

I really enjoyed the story, the performances of the actor's and the messages that I took away from the movie. If you are looking for gore you get it in this movie--though you often don't see the last chop of a head, or other body part. But if you are looking for an action film you best move on comparable with the Gladiator, you best move on.