griffithxjohnson Reviews

Spider-Man 2 (2004)

A worthy sequel

[8/10 · 12 May 2024]

Slow paced but intentional to show the great internal conflicts of Parker. Some unbelievably cool action scenes that are built like a monster movie. A triumphant score & emotional parts but most of the acting is bad.

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. Slow paced but intentional to show the great internal conflicts of Parker. Some unbelievably cool action scenes that are built like a monster movie. A triumphant score & emotional parts but most of the acting is bad.

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. Slow paced but intentional to show the great internal conflicts of Parker. Some unbelievably cool action scenes that are built like a monster movie. A triumphant score & emotional parts but most of the acting is bad.

Boy Kills World (2023)

One note violent blast

[7/10 · 9 May 2024]

A 1 trick pony with hyper violent, stylized fights that are creative, relentless, & over the top. The comic relief works but undoes the tone. The world building is underdeveloped yet interesting with a slick aesthetic.

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. A 1 trick pony with hyper violent, stylized fights that are creative, relentless, & over the top. The comic relief works but undoes the tone. The world building is underdeveloped yet interesting with a slick aesthetic.

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. A 1 trick pony with hyper violent, stylized fights that are creative, relentless, & over the top. The comic relief works but undoes the tone. The world building is underdeveloped yet interesting with a slick aesthetic.

Spider-Man (2002)

This movie changed my life

[9/10 · 8 May 2024]

Dated but forever revolutionized superhero films. The screenplay has it all: Complex characters, great themes, advanced VFX, pounding action. It's emotional with an amazing score & an unbelievable performance from Dafoe.

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. Dated but forever revolutionized superhero films. The screenplay has it all: Complex characters, great themes, advanced VFX, pounding action. It's emotional with an amazing score & an unbelievable performance from Dafoe.

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. Dated but forever revolutionized superhero films. The screenplay has it all: Complex characters, great themes, advanced VFX, pounding action. It's emotional with an amazing score & an unbelievable performance from Dafoe.

War for the Planet of the Apes (2017)

Monkeys make me cry!

[8/10 · 7 May 2024]

The execution is clunky but it has all the elements for an epic finale. Very emotional with a score to match it. The character development is dark with tangible hatred. An uplifting & powerful plot.

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. The execution is clunky but it has all the elements for an epic finale. Very emotional with a score to match it. The character development is dark with tangible hatred. An uplifting & powerful plot.

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. The execution is clunky but it has all the elements for an epic finale. Very emotional with a score to match it. The character development is dark with tangible hatred. An uplifting & powerful plot.

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014)

A true blockbuster

[8/10 · 6 May 2024]

The tone has matured greatly into something epic. The tension of uneasy peace is palpable. The set design & mo cap are immersive with suspense to pull you in. It just feels big, intentional, & thoughtful.

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. The tone has matured greatly into something epic. The tension of uneasy peace is palpable. The set design & mo cap are immersive with suspense to pull you in. It just feels big, intentional, & thoughtful.

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. The tone has matured greatly into something epic. The tension of uneasy peace is palpable. The set design & mo cap are immersive with suspense to pull you in. It just feels big, intentional, & thoughtful.

Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011)

So much better than it should be

[8/10 · 5 May 2024]

The silly premise is quickly overlooked by thoughtful writing. Mixed elements of prison break & biological thriller. The character development builds a caring bond. Revolutionary motion capture acting.

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. The silly premise is quickly overlooked by thoughtful writing. Mixed elements of prison break & biological thriller. The character development builds a caring bond. Revolutionary motion capture acting.

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. The silly premise is quickly overlooked by thoughtful writing. Mixed elements of prison break & biological thriller. The character development builds a caring bond. Revolutionary motion capture acting.

Booksmart (2019)

Modern day Superbad will make you cry

[8/10 · 4 May 2024]

It takes time to find its own identity but it's sharp when it does. The whole cast's perfectly flawed with genuine chemistry, especially the leads. An amazing soundtrack, beautifully shot, gorgeously lit, & emotionally real.

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. It takes time to find its own identity but it's sharp when it does. The whole cast's perfectly flawed with genuine chemistry, especially the leads. An amazing soundtrack, beautifully shot, gorgeously lit, & emotionally real.

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. It takes time to find its own identity but it's sharp when it does. The whole cast's perfectly flawed with genuine chemistry, especially the leads. An amazing soundtrack, beautifully shot, gorgeously lit, & emotionally real.

Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire (2024)

The MonsterVerse is dead

[2/10 · 3 May 2024]

Embarrassing that grown adults made these choices. Complete & total nonsense with the most mind numbing jumble of flashing VFX. Trying to make it lighthearted should work but it just makes it worse.

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. Embarrassing that grown adults made these choices. Complete & total nonsense with the most mind numbing jumble of flashing VFX. Trying to make it lighthearted should work but it just makes it worse.

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. Embarrassing that grown adults made these choices. Complete & total nonsense with the most mind numbing jumble of flashing VFX. Trying to make it lighthearted should work but it just makes it worse.

Planet of the Apes (1968)

Loads of classic fun

[7/10 · 3 May 2024]

This movie still holds up. The age makes things feel goofy but it's such a solid screenplay that everything works. A fascinating concept with good pacing & mystery. A really fun tone with legendary costumes.

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. This movie still holds up. The age makes things feel goofy but it's such a solid screenplay that everything works. A fascinating concept with good pacing & mystery. A really fun tone with legendary costumes.

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. This movie still holds up. The age makes things feel goofy but it's such a solid screenplay that everything works. A fascinating concept with good pacing & mystery. A really fun tone with legendary costumes.

This Is 40 (2012)

Rudd's best performance?!

[8/10 · 1 May 2024]

Hilariously seamless comedy that plays off the hard times in life. Depressing yet realistic with hopeful & healing messages about commitment & family. Career highs from Rudd & Mann with some of the most quick witted laughs ever.

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. Hilariously seamless comedy that plays off the hard times in life. Depressing yet realistic with hopeful & healing messages about commitment & family. Career highs from Rudd & Mann with some of the most quick witted laughs ever.

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. Hilariously seamless comedy that plays off the hard times in life. Depressing yet realistic with hopeful & healing messages about commitment & family. Career highs from Rudd & Mann with some of the most quick witted laughs ever.

Civil War (2024)

Please don't stop making movies, Alex Garland

[9/10 · 30 April 2024]

Powerful & provocative with the right choices made at every moment. Heart pounding from start to finish with impactful use of silence. The editing, cinematography, & acting are masterful. Intensely immersive war scenes.

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. Powerful & provocative with the right choices made at every moment. Heart pounding from start to finish with impactful use of silence. The editing, cinematography, & acting are masterful. Intensely immersive war scenes.

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. Powerful & provocative with the right choices made at every moment. Heart pounding from start to finish with impactful use of silence. The editing, cinematography, & acting are masterful. Intensely immersive war scenes.

Knocked Up (2007)

Judd's best work

[8/10 · 28 April 2024]

Absolutely hilarious with the quick witted writing & natural acting from the stacked cast. Surprisingly realistic with both the good & bad of modern relationships. It feels genuine & earned with positive messages of pregnancy.

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. Absolutely hilarious with the quick witted writing & natural acting from the stacked cast. Surprisingly realistic with both the good & bad of modern relationships. It feels genuine & earned with positive messages of pregnancy.

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. Absolutely hilarious with the quick witted writing & natural acting from the stacked cast. Surprisingly realistic with both the good & bad of modern relationships. It feels genuine & earned with positive messages of pregnancy.

Contagion (2011)

COVID: The Movie

[6/10 · 27 April 2024]

A Hollywood approach to a relevant topic. Interesting concepts that mix fear for survival, factual processes, & social effects. Yet it seems a bit over done & low budget. A stacked cast but not enough time with any to shine.

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. A Hollywood approach to a relevant topic. Interesting concepts that mix fear for survival, factual processes, & social effects. Yet it seems a bit over done & low budget. A stacked cast but not enough time with any to shine.

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. A Hollywood approach to a relevant topic. Interesting concepts that mix fear for survival, factual processes, & social effects. Yet it seems a bit over done & low budget. A stacked cast but not enough time with any to shine.

Monkey Man (2024)

Great parts & not great parts

[7/10 · 26 April 2024]

Many awesome parts but also ones that bring it down. The camera is way too close & makes it hard to follow. Too many moving parts without a tight direction. But awesome score & lighting with some wild action scenes.

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. Many awesome parts but also ones that bring it down. The camera is way too close & makes it hard to follow. Too many moving parts without a tight direction. But awesome score & lighting with some wild action scenes.

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. Many awesome parts but also ones that bring it down. The camera is way too close & makes it hard to follow. Too many moving parts without a tight direction. But awesome score & lighting with some wild action scenes.

Godzilla vs. Kong (2021)

The stupidest fun

[6/10 · 20 April 2024]

Years of anticipation & it's just goofy. Dizzying action & VFX are completely ridiculous but with undeniably awesome parts. Too many subplots & awful human characters. Great lighting yet wildly lazy exposition.

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. Years of anticipation & it's just goofy. Dizzying action & VFX are completely ridiculous but with undeniably awesome parts. Too many subplots & awful human characters. Great lighting yet wildly lazy exposition.

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. Years of anticipation & it's just goofy. Dizzying action & VFX are completely ridiculous but with undeniably awesome parts. Too many subplots & awful human characters. Great lighting yet wildly lazy exposition.

Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019)

This is where the MonsterVerse falls off

[5/10 · 16 April 2024]

Should be awesome but it's very disappointing. The scale is great as the monsters feel monstrous. A few cool shots & colors but the script is terrible. Humans derail the potential with silly motives.

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. Should be awesome but it's very disappointing. The scale is great as the monsters feel monstrous. A few cool shots & colors but the script is terrible. Humans derail the potential with silly motives.

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. Should be awesome but it's very disappointing. The scale is great as the monsters feel monstrous. A few cool shots & colors but the script is terrible. Humans derail the potential with silly motives.

Curse of Chucky (2013)

Fun but losing steam

[6/10 · 13 April 2024]

Unbelievably campy. Embrace the stupidity & enjoy it. A disappointing low budget feel but a tone more fitting for a slasher than ever before. Terrible acting but the set design has a dirty, old look that works.

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. Unbelievably campy. Embrace the stupidity & enjoy it. A disappointing low budget feel but a tone more fitting for a slasher than ever before. Terrible acting but the set design has a dirty, old look that works.

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. Unbelievably campy. Embrace the stupidity & enjoy it. A disappointing low budget feel but a tone more fitting for a slasher than ever before. Terrible acting but the set design has a dirty, old look that works.

Kong: Skull Island (2017)

Loads of fun

[7/10 · 10 April 2024]

Bold, outrageous, & goes all out. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. The cinematography is gorgeous with amazing use of slow-mo & silhouettes. The tone captures the spirit of this legendary monster.

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. Bold, outrageous, & goes all out. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. The cinematography is gorgeous with amazing use of slow-mo & silhouettes. The tone captures the spirit of this legendary monster.

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. Bold, outrageous, & goes all out. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. The cinematography is gorgeous with amazing use of slow-mo & silhouettes. The tone captures the spirit of this legendary monster.

Black Mirror: Bandersnatch (2018)

Almost awesome

[6/10 · 5 April 2024]

An ambitious project that doesn't reach its potential. Intriguing enough to hold interest but doesn't progress much. The theme of free will is approached well with good 4th wall writing but weakens the plot.

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. An ambitious project that doesn't reach its potential. Intriguing enough to hold interest but doesn't progress much. The theme of free will is approached well with good 4th wall writing but weakens the plot.

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. An ambitious project that doesn't reach its potential. Intriguing enough to hold interest but doesn't progress much. The theme of free will is approached well with good 4th wall writing but weakens the plot.

Godzilla (2014)

Probably the greatest monster movie.

[8/10 · 2 April 2024]

The screenplay could be tighter but the wow factor is big. The mystery & restrained use of the title character is genius. Built like a disaster with the intensity of war. Such an eerie tone with cinematography & score to match.

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. The screenplay could be tighter but the wow factor is big. The mystery & restrained use of the title character is genius. Built like a disaster with the intensity of war. Such an eerie tone with cinematography & score to match.

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. The screenplay could be tighter but the wow factor is big. The mystery & restrained use of the title character is genius. Built like a disaster with the intensity of war. Such an eerie tone with cinematography & score to match.

Late Night with the Devil (2023)

Extremely creative horror

[8/10 · 30 March 2024]

Taking overused tropes & making them shine with a completely fresh setting. A very unique plot that's so convincing with its technical aspects. Dastmalchian drives this with a great lead performance.

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. Taking overused tropes & making them shine with a completely fresh setting. A very unique plot that's so convincing with its technical aspects. Dastmalchian drives this with a great lead performance.

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. Taking overused tropes & making them shine with a completely fresh setting. A very unique plot that's so convincing with its technical aspects. Dastmalchian drives this with a great lead performance.

Love Lies Bleeding (2024)

I thought someone threw chocolate milk on Stewart

[7/10 · 26 March 2024]

Some strange scenes but with a familiar pulpy tone in the vain of Tarantino & Cohen. Overacted yet has lots of wild moments that carry stressful intensity. Themes are clearly presented without feeling forced.

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. Some strange scenes but with a familiar pulpy tone in the vain of Tarantino & Cohen. Overacted yet has lots of wild moments that carry stressful intensity. Themes are clearly presented without feeling forced.

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. Some strange scenes but with a familiar pulpy tone in the vain of Tarantino & Cohen. Overacted yet has lots of wild moments that carry stressful intensity. Themes are clearly presented without feeling forced.

Spaceman (I) (2024)

Adam Sandler is best in serious roles

[7/10 · 23 March 2024]

An abstract look at themes of love, loneliness, & the meaning of life. More of a character study than a big story but that makes it uniquely meaningful. It's very bizarre yet beautiful with stunning visuals & emotional dialogue.

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. An abstract look at themes of love, loneliness, & the meaning of life. More of a character study than a big story but that makes it uniquely meaningful. It's very bizarre yet beautiful with stunning visuals & emotional dialogue.

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. An abstract look at themes of love, loneliness, & the meaning of life. More of a character study than a big story but that makes it uniquely meaningful. It's very bizarre yet beautiful with stunning visuals & emotional dialogue.

Swiss Army Man (2016)

Way better than it should be

[8/10 · 22 March 2024]

Wildly strange & captivatingly unique. The weirdness is a lot but not distracting as the writing & acting are incredibly sharp. The editing, set design, & score are breathtaking with surprising thematic emotions.

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. Wildly strange & captivatingly unique. The weirdness is a lot but not distracting as the writing & acting are incredibly sharp. The editing, set design, & score are breathtaking with surprising thematic emotions.

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. Wildly strange & captivatingly unique. The weirdness is a lot but not distracting as the writing & acting are incredibly sharp. The editing, set design, & score are breathtaking with surprising thematic emotions.

Maestro (2023)

Great aspects but so boring

[6/10 · 21 March 2024]

Such obvious Oscar-bait by putting the staples of filmmaking well above a gripping narrative. The acting, cinematography, & makeup are impressive & immersive. But the plot is hollow & boring. Great technical skills can't hold interest.

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. Such obvious Oscar-bait by putting the staples of filmmaking well above a gripping narrative. The acting, cinematography, & makeup are impressive & immersive. But the plot is hollow & boring. Great technical skills can't hold interest.

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. Such obvious Oscar-bait by putting the staples of filmmaking well above a gripping narrative. The acting, cinematography, & makeup are impressive & immersive. But the plot is hollow & boring. Great technical skills can't hold interest.