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Reviews
Leave the World Behind (2023)
Spend your time doing something you enjoy
If this movie is it, more power to you. While certainly thrilling, tense, slick, filled with color, angles, rich sound scape and flourishes (pictures changing to reflect the scene mood) plot holes, odd narrative arcs, misinformation, character choices, and uninteresting characters and time spent on revealing their motivations took me out of the immersion of the film world and removed my interest.
The showing was interesting albeit confusing sometimes and I appreciated telling to clarify when it happened. There needed to be more telling concerning certain incidents in this film. What was unsatisfactory about this film was not that it was confusing. It was uninteresting characters, unneeded drama and tension given the background story, and plot holes.
Watch something else you enjoy.
Son of a Critch: Misty (2022)
Left me more confused and disturbed
I came to find out what the mother was crying about. I found this episode, and most of the last few episodes dark with whatever was trying to be passed off as humor not compensating for the more serious themes.
I do not find this show very funny. I generally watch out of boredom and do not watch other series. What I found disturbing was that their was no discussion of gender roles and that the men were hapless without the mother around. It was also disturbing that the cat most likely died from neglect and not old age.
The series tries to employ humor to address and downplay serious themes. And it not enough.
Star Trek: Picard (2020)
They tried...
Given that I watched both seasons I appreciated the more ensemble approach of season 1, and wish there was more of that in season 2. And I did enjoy the call backs to various series in that season.
Shoehorning an actor into the series to run multiple roles was immerse and joy breaking for me.
I did enjoy the closing of the stories of some TNG and Voyager characters in a tragedy. I'm not a fan of the traditional action star montage after someone kicks heiny as what was done in season two with Jurati.
Watch re-skinned epidotes from TOS was weird in season two and I thought that some episodes were drawn out in season two. I'm not a huge fan of relating behaviors to trauma in a sci-fi series and such over-involved reveals can make the material overly dramatic for me. I did appreciate more of Picard's backstory.
I actually thought starting a new adrenaline fueled season off the closing events of season two would have been interesting.
I'm somewhat disappointed by the TNG closing laps the series takes. I was thinking the series was more about Picard and moving forward with that story and less about the TNG crew. I was disappointed that Rios stayed, Jurati became a Borg Queens (where was this new and inclusive Borg during the past series? And what of prior Borg visits? This opens up too many holes and errors in my opinion), and so little time was spent on character development on Annika (trauma from first season, being accepted in the 21st century, being only seen as Borg) , and Raffi (her substance abuse mental health issues) in season two. And From what I understand the timeline for Khan, while making emotional sense in this show, was actually off as the Augment troubles occurred in the 1990's onwards (meaning Augments would have been born in the 1950's).
I thought they could have tightened up stories in season two. And I do not like that this Star Trek engages in sarcasm for be funny, cute, or current. And the in series over the top embellished callbacks to portray a bonded a relationship (It seemed all past relationships with Picard, Raffi, and Annika were the most important person) were over done. You can mention it briefly and move on, not every experience was the best most important.
I'd recommend it if you like the franchise, It's not great.
Sclera Absentia (2022)
Tired trope
Excellent effects but a worn and tired story. Honestly the episode in Monsters and Mysteries in America was scarier than this short film. See it if you want but it is not worth the time. Better spent watch the Badlands episode of Monsters and Mysteries in America.
Abracitos (2020)
Fabric Castles
A well executed traditional horror short film. It is atmospheric and tense. The Alter version is better than the original Vimeo version. Please view that version first.
Don't Look Up (2021)
Playing to it's audience or reaching for a broader one
The movie is a bit self righteous which is fine if you only want to reach supporters and engage in feel good giggles. However, I'm guessing the target was a broader audience and so I think the film misses the mark by failing to be empathetic to that other side in the debate, so it comes off as a bit self-serving.
Technically the dubbing was off in the film so the mouth movements did not sync with voices (I saw this on Netflix and have noticed this with or Netflix films ). The wig work on Ms. Lawrence was a distraction. What worked for me was the portrayal of the vapid public, which earned it's ending in my opinion and the attempt to create meaning by some when faced with meeting their end.
P. S. Someone watching the movie told me it was actually about climate change.
Bent (2018)
Truly a bad movie
I was bent after watching this film as it was that bad.
Formulaic, uninspired, boring, poor acting (that was actually surprising), poor costume design for the police (just horrible cheap designs), and the only redeeming quality is Andy Garcia. But please do not watch it for him.
The film left me uninterested and bored to the point where I got up and left to get get something to eat without asking that the movie be paused. I truly would have had more fun doing many other things instead of watching this film. I feel slightly bad as there was a budget, script, wardrobe, and cast recruited for this film, I was trilled when this movie ended. Some bad films are enjoyable, this is not one of them.
Save your time.
Ji xian feng (2020)
Save your time
I had a hard time getting past the bigoted portrayals of "Africa" and the ubiquitous Middle/Near Eastern or North Africans in turbans baddies. I wasn't impressed by the action or comedy I saw. I was shocked by how not good or fun this film was. I prefer foreign films and I found Rush Hour more entertaining than this CGI slop fest.
Best Sex Ever! (2017)
Enjoyable independent LGBTQIA film, Perfect Mates is not perfect but quirky, interesting, and sometimes amusing.
It's an independent film (For me it was titled Perfect Mates and the description was a bit misleading) so moderate your expectations.
I wanted something romantic, quirky, fairly straightforward, different, potentially challenging or opening my world view, and not stocked with Hollywood shlock, cliché's or tropes (I had just seen a bad heterosexual film French film filled with them). Queer comedy films can and are more often able to give me the warm and fuzzy feels without some of the baggage of heteronormativity, romantic contrived roles, or patriarchy that I am used to seeing in hetero romantic comedies. So I give independent LGBTQIA some room for things I might take issue with. They often do more with less resource-wise.
I could certainly address problematic behaviors in the film but in this film it's better to see issues as representation of aspects of issues in the real world.
I was entertained and amused. The production values are not mainline release standards but that's ok as I'm often very disappointed or dissatisfied by those films. I enjoyed this independent film and would watch others like it. It's good to see the spectrum of humanity in LGBTQIA communities. I laughed out loud at the ending. And I appreciate Movie Making Throughout the Bay's indy-ish effort to support local film making.
Watch it if you want an offbeat independent film with which you can laugh at and with and not take too seriously. My advice: sit back and look forward to where the trip, not the destination, takes you. And even the destination is different than most heteronormative films.
Terra Formars (2016)
Really bad, piss poor, not worth the time I put into watching it. Do not let the graphics fool you.
Please do not watch this film. If there is a manga it must be better. The special effects are not worth it, the script, and nonsensical ending are not worth it. The bad villain design and motivations are not worth it. If you must waste your time on this film then watch the trailer.
Big Legend (2018)
Surprisingly decent, somewhat good
I really liked the first 4/5 of the movie. The development of the relationship between the two main characters was good and I found the story mostly engaging. I'm not a fan of the Bigfoot horror film genre (but enjoy the Monster and Mysteries in America/ Terror in the Woods versions) but I enjoyed this. The creature effects were better than most movies but still not great and I think showing less of the creature would have been a better move. The special effects were decent although the orange blood (perhaps a lighting issue?)was a bit odd. The changing weather patterns threw the passage of time and story for a bit of a loop for me but did not undercut most the the enjoyment. For me the movie sagged during the second to last and last encounter scene, too many creature shots can expose a low budget, until the movie's end.
The dialogue later in the movie and at the end became a bit hammy but for a mid budget film it was decent with some nice horror tension build up in the beginning. I'd say take a chance on this movie is you are interested in the particular genre. You just might enjoy it.
Tonight She Comes (2016)
It attempts alot and often fails
The gore is great I, kudos to the people in the effects department, and not computerized at all and I could see how it was being played up for comedic purposes. Other movies are called back. The story was a little interesting and then goes off the rails. My mood went from bored to interested to bored. It's a weird story and not weird in a good, interesting, engaging way.
I could have done without the rape (why did she expect longer?) and gendered and sexual shaming to bust tropes and establish bad ass women characters. Bad ass women adopting toxic attitudes makes them jerks and punks for falling into the same gendered traps, not bad asses. The abuse of the guy might have been funny, trope busting, subversive, inversive, comeuppance for some at one point in time but it came across as cruel, petty, and a turn off for me.
Only see this if you really really are into non-computerized special effects.
Greenland (2020)
Save your time for something else
The sympathetic characters were not the main characters. A not so new twist between an estranged husband and wife leading to extraordinary, privileged, and morally excusable one-sided behavior. The coincidences were unamusing and the typical contrivances were expected and annoying at this point. I found this film overly dramatic and unoriginal the hijinks to deal with the disaster worked only because the main characters employed them and one else who tried them was painted as a less honorable determined or noble person. Some of the ending call signs were shocking, Beirut in particular since it was so close to the impact.
There are better movies.
Reno 911!: Lil' Primo (2020)
Interesting skit
I liked the horror elements of the first skit. The main skit was return to form.
Reno 911!: Gigg (2020)
Rev. Gig can quote the Bible to this atheist any time
Brian Phelps as Rev. Gig LaClark was hilarious quoting the bible. At least one nice quotable line, which makes me laugh every time I hear it. Not a perfect episode but somewhat surprising and inventive twists in the last bit.
Reno 911!: Big Mike's Rocket Rascal (2020)
Nice Mountains to climb in this episode...
I really enjoyed Patrick Oswald's appearance, it was delightful. Good to see him again. Big Mike's skit was funny (I was never a big fan of his during seasons 1-6). And Big Mike's acting like a horny 14 year old (and him going on about what kids would say to him) made me laugh out loud.
And always D. E. E. P P. U. S. H L. A. R. D folks, get with the times.
Reno 911! (2003)
Thought the original show was ok. Really enjoyed Season 7.
Sketch comedy is hit or miss. Same goes with this series.
Some comedy bits are very entertaining and some go on too long.
I'm bummed the episodes were so small in Season 7 but there are some great one liners and good episodes. Maybe keep the short format under ten minute format (to keep the comedy crisp) but produce enough material for a regular 30 episode season. So a regular one 30 min episode show (like in Seasons 1-6) would then be made up of 3-7 minisodes (as it is being done in Season 7).
I appreciated that they updated some comedy but not the characters, too much.
I think the revival has actually brought the show back stronger. I actually laughed out loud and chuckled sometimes, that is a good sign.
I'd recommend this series if you like mockumentary style humor, farce, or sketch comedy.
The Special (2020)
I've seen better short films on the subject so save your time
Camera work, special effects computer and non computer are good and the acting is passable. Many people put effort into this film and it was released during a pandemic. It was filmed in PA and not in CA so great. You might be interested in this film and if you are good for you. You might want to take a chance.
But you know the parable, you've heard the moral, save your time and spent in on other better movies that claim to be horror. Even better watch a short horror film on the subject, it might be less preachy, more original, let you come to your own conclusion and save you 133+ min.
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The ending? No just no, not very original. I subject a hard pass.
Ming tian ji de ai shang wo (2013)
A sad poignant film
This was billed as a comedy romance movie but this film is about possibilities. The magical moments were very magical and beautiful contrasting the alternatives. The movies message is true and I left this film thoughtful and feeling sad for people whom have not abided by that wisdom.
There is not much comedy at all just lighter moments interspaced between dramatic moments of human study. At it's release the problems it showcases were much more widespread and heartbreaking but this is still a problem in many parts of the world and thus this is somewhat of an educational film.
If you are prone to get dad or depressed and do not want to then there are better choices.
Ashes (2018)
Mostly enjoyable film, nice callbacks.
This was a decent B horror flick. I enjoyed the Evil Dead camera snakes to zoom in and close ups. I enjoyed the special effects (there is some gore), script, and characters. And the multi-racial aspect was a great bonus. And there were some nice thrill/subtle scares. This is actually a comedy and does well in weaving comedic elements in at moments.
The characters are mostly interesting.
I felt the film barreled into a lesser version of itself at the end, the last 30 mins of so. And if you actually consider the story it is a bid sad and tragic.
I say give this a whirl if you are a fan of paranormal horror, some gore, or comedic elements (not laugh out loud). It's not going to frighten you, and hit you with forced surprises or startles but you might enjoy it. I'd recommend it as a light horror movie, and enjoyed watching this mockumentary horror film.
Qui sème l'amour... (2016)
Weird mix of racism and romance
Its a feel good film that trips itself up. Referring to people as nouns ("The Black") is never good and the Mayor does it. Could be tone defeat writing or trying to portray the Mayor as bigoted which is inconsistent as the film progresses. If the Mayor is a bigot be consistent with that arc.
The mother referring to her daughters romance with a black male as exotic, after spending years in Rio comes off as downright weird, confusing, bigoted, and patronizing as Rio has all different kinds of ethnicities and mixtures. She would have run into many people from mixed backgrounds as well as Black people of the African Diaspora in Rio, many who are descendants of enslaved Africans.
I just want to be swept up in a romantic film, not insulted with casual racism.
Outside of that the film is a fairly romantic tale.
Ghost Team (2016)
Misleading title, this film was certainly a buster. Better to call this film "Team".
Referring to this as a Scooby Doo wanna be is insulting to Scooby Doo...but very correct in what played out honestly.
Better to call this Scooby Doo wanna-be's and the Mystery of the Noises at the Farm. That would have been a better and more honest title and that would have moderated my expectation more.
Great to see Amy Sedaris still working and I wonder if the film being local to New York had anything to do with that. The local outdoor traveling scenes were gorgeous. It was good to see Paul D from Broad City fame in the film also but I'm not into awkward humor or movies that deliver a different movie than indicated.
I was expecting a ghost/funny/horror film from the title and the bait was switched. Resulting in a movie I cared little about. Character development? Romantic tension? Potential abuse of power to curry romantic interest? Bullying portrayed as comedy? Questionable end story conclusions about decisions character made to move this story forward? This movie had those issues, tensions, and plotholes and after the reveal I could care less what happened to the team outside of not wanting to see them expire. And Sedaris's schtick that saves the day? Potentially original in some sense but very underwhelming and uninspired as it was a repeat ploy. And the character reveals outside of the new potential police officer elicited a very "Meh" reaction from me. If you are into a human relations movie then have at it as this is about the formation of a team. It you are looking for anything related to Ghost pass this by.
That team can form for more zany adventures on other weekends, I'll skip any more adventures.
I wrote and earlier review that did not get posted so posting this again.
The Final Project (2016)
Not even worth your time
Poor exposition. Lots of yelling, bad sound effects, not great video effects, a really boring film. How many camera's did this team bring? It's like everyone had their own camera. I might have seen a camera tripod in the background against a window as people ran into a room. Although it was nice to see the ex (Jonah) stand up to the current boyfriend, its a very bad found footage movie. Not spooky nor scary.
This is not even good bad horror, or funny, goofy, quirky, or entertaining horror, it's just bad. Please do not waste your time there are so many other good bad films you can see.
Friends In Law (2018)
Average escapist film
The acting is not very good sometimes and forced but this is meant to be a feel good film about learning to accept oneself and others around you. And sometimes you must stretch yourself out of your comfort zone to find yourself.
It is a very saccharine film.
Some closed captioning might be needed.
Shrill (2019)
On your way to empowering yourself and being a boss please do not traumatize or tear others down.
I did not think this show was funny at all.
I was looking forward to a show about body positivity. I felt like I got a drama about a women who demanded respect but still mocked alienated and joked about the foibles of others.
I wanted to like this show and Annie is a somewhat complex character and that made it hard for me to care about her and root for her. It's good when she shows introspective moments and humanizing when she displays a shortcoming and it was tough for me to see her treat some people harshly for similar behaviors she engaged in (e.g. Casually hooking up with Fran's brother but resorted to name calling when someone wanted to do it to her and her feelings were hurt). And it was odd hearing her narrative of black white thinking ("My ex's only cared about themselves) about relationships when I was party to the nuance as I witnessed them (And some of her behavior). Some of her ex's deeply loved her and were not the best fit for her and vice versa. And with her last relationship she did not really seem to respect the boundaries that her boyfriend set. She did not listen to his "no" or "I'm not comfortable right now" she was interested in having sex and seducing him.
It bothered me that she othered and blew off people who were trying to befriend her and show her empathy like the tech person at her job.
And a better job could have been done to illustrate exactly what she did wrong in her article. And I think it sent the wrong message about how to handle mainstream problems in the U. S. Throwing heaps of shame and making fun of people has never been a strong way to convince those people they are wrong about their views.
I saw every episode. The ending was appropriate and I'd suggest that people watch this show to boost self esteem and promote positivity if needed but not at the expense of others. Otherwise pass.