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Reviews
The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special (2022)
What more would you want?
I wasn't a big GOG fan of vol. #1. Chris Pratt couldn't carry a show and I didn't think the rest would be back to help him. Volume #2, with Curt Russell as the villain should not have been as good as it was but the cast delivered even stronger performances and Quill was starting to grow on me. I didn't really see how great these guys were until they mixed with the Avengers and proved they were just as big as Iron Nan, Thor, and Captain America. Volume #3 is a true celebration of everything they have put together. James Gunn is leaving Marvel at the height of his genius. It is a beautiful script with a story that will not be rivaled by anything he does at DC or anything to come from Marvel following his departure. The only thing that would have made this movie better would have been Peter finding love with his heartthrob. I love these actors and this movie in particular.
Poker Face (2023)
Somebody's been watching Columbo
I love this show! Poker Face is kind of a reenactment of my favorite show Columbo. Charlie Cale is imbued with many of the same qualities: quirky, charismatic, detached, and my favorite, a penchant for solving murders. Plus An added one Columbo never had, an innate ability to know when someone was lying. What she doesn't have is an additional 30 minutes like Columbo had since it was a 90 minute show. And that lost 30 minutes unfortunately makes Poker's Face's endings feel rushed. It's a shame to because Natasha Lyonnes as Cale is so much fun to watch. I feel short-sheeted and deprived at the end of every episode. I hope she gets a second season because Lyonnes is a true American original.
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023)
A Movie That Doesn't Have To Apologize
Wakanda Forever is the best a Comic book movie can hope to be. It treats the genre seriously and with respect. Ant Man Quantum Mania does too. Despite the lightheartedness of the first two movies (which I loved), it delivers as a story carrying a foreboding message that something bad is coming. It gives us a glimpse at the evil destined to infect our corner of the multiverse soon. A lot of very qualified actors flop badly trying to play comic book heroes/villains. In fact the more accomplished actors seem to do the worst. But the cast of this movie is first rate! All of them, from villain to hero and everyone in between. When I saw Bill Murray I figured "of lord, here comes Love and Thunder" again! But Bill was great-a little under used but right on target. Michelle Pfeiffer gave the movie some heart, and unbelievably at her age, some sex appeal. And whoever crafted the scene to restore what had been destroyed, created a work of pure genius in special effects and script writing. I really liked this movie-just not as much as Wakanda Forever!
Yellowstone (2018)
Takes a licking and keeps on ticking!
Considering the enormity of this one ranch in Montana it amazing trouble is ever able to find any of the Dutton-but it does! They're like the Cartwrights of Bonanza only not nearly as honorable. Hell, they're not as honorable as the Eweings of Dallas. Game of Thrones had a huge cast that was constantly being pared away each week. This made it believable, knowing anyone could get the ax at anytime. Watching this family being battered, beat up, blown to bits, rolled over in trucks, and shot multiple times with assault rifles, and surviving to do it all over again gets a little tedious. The best moments to me are when they behave like real people with real emotions and real risks of losing a lifestyle that's been lost for decades already. Rip and Beth have a compelling relationship to watch and admire. They don't need it amped up any further by manufactured drama that can never measure up to the natural chemistry between them. I like this show well enough when I get an unexpected look at the practical life of a cowboy or the grueling effort it takes to sustain life on the reservation. I don't need Ninja's or Militia clowns planning secrets attacks to enjoy the superior writing or the grandvperformances of the actors.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022)
What Happens When Comic Books Become Real.
It started with "No Time to Die." Now our heroes and super hero's are requiring real emotion from us. Wakanda Forever demands we invest in it emotionally and gives us every reason we should. Many complain it's too "woke" for them; they need the comfort of a male lead. They want to see some kickass and bravado and they are too strong to shed a few tears. They should not see this movie because the kickass is there and it has its share of bravado, but you will feel something for it's character's. They are hurting and so will you. But in the end, like this movie, you will be better for it! Thank you Wakanda for not being "Thor Love/Thunder." We need to be reminded that even super heroes die too. And thank you No Time to Die for doing the same. Make more of these kind of movies Marvel and a little less "She Hulk!"
The Outlaws (2021)
The Outlaws are Outrageously Funny
It may start a little slow in season 1 but by the end you'll be fienging for season 2. And season 2 is outrageously funny. I really hope there's a season 3! It's an ensemble piece wherein all the parts are equal to the whole. Every one of the cast members are great and are deserving of more air time. How the work them all into the plot each week is just pure magic! It demonstrates how that old maxim "there are no small parts only small actors " is true. Everyone makes the most of their limited time on screen. You have to watch these 12 episodes. It's among the best tv has to offer. Please check it out!!!
Thor: Love and Thunder (2022)
The best of Thor the worst of Thor
The silliness in the beginning of this movie almost makes you miss a truly heartfelt movie. A romance blossoms somewhere near the middle of this movie that actually gives it a believable center. If you don't let all it's initial lameness bother you and stay invested until then you will be rewarded with a classic finish that is unexpected in every way. In this left brain right brain struggle to make a movie the sane half finally takes over and wins your heart. I love this director when he's letting his serious side show. He is a great man struggling against himself. Sometimes he wins, sometimes he loses, but always he is worth watching.
Top Gun: Maverick (2022)
Classic overdo
Couldn't imagine a better first half to three-quarters of a movie. But true to form Hollywood went weird in the end. I came so close to leaving the theater happy as a clam, satisfied with a good movie sequel under my belt. But just like my overuse of cliches, Top Gun chose the dream over reality and a potential classic was lost. You can't help but notice the moment they crossed the line. It'll be the part where the six-year-old in them came out and filled the screen with every shiny, fluorescent, color in the box. In the end all the children will say "great movie, dad!" And all the adults will wonder where a 50+ year old man gets his hair dye and nerve to keep defying logic, making movies that are only believable to children.
The Batman (2022)
Too Much Work Makes Jack a Dull Boy
Cinematically and artistically it is a redounding success even though it bored me to tears in some places--too many places. It was a good detective story with a satisfying conclusion but getting there took a lot of effort on my part. Absent sufficient action to sustain my interest a little humor would have been nice-not like that silly Simon geek fest offered by Thor Ragnarok- but a line or two meant to loosen the dryness would have helped. Also the main villain was more annoying than villainous. A lot like Luther in Batman Vs Superman. DC really sucks at villains. I Can't see any kids liking this so I guess it'll be another demerit for DC-Unearned in this case because the movie is movie making at its finest. It some some getting used to but I eventually settled into the super powerless super hero like the director intended, but it will not do for most of the people watching The Batman, I suspect. It's a shame too cause I really applaud the effort. I hope there will be a sequel that's heavily armed with more fights, less talking, and at least an attempt at humor.
Burning Questions: Eternals (2021)
Yes you will have to think
It's 2 1/2 hours long. It's an origin story so there will be backstory. There are lots of characters and I actually forgot about a few of them along the way. But it's so fresh and invigorating it's like giving water to a desert dweller dying of thirst-pandemic thirst. It's so easy to love this movie and impossible to hate it. At least 30-35 % of us will. That lazy group who do not want their ignorance put on display. People who don't invest in anything but hate everything that isn't spoon fed to them. You don't have to be a genius to enjoy this movie but you do have to pay attention. About 30-35 percent of us don't do that. The other 65-70 percent of us should have a wonderful time.
Birds of Prey and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn (2020)
Too much bad-stuff!
I was really hoping to have a good time. Instead, when I wasn't winching from the language I was reeling from the violence. It is unnecessarily disturbing. Not exactly graphic but considering my 11 year old daughter was really waiting to see this movie-that ain't gonna happen-it's needlessly gruesome. This movie is too silly to take seriously and too serious to politely excuse as "it's just a movie, lighten up!" Almost everyone is horribly miscast except Margot Robbie. She's great! The writing is bad. The sets are bad! Man, the clothing is even bad, and I never notice such things. The villain (I won't say his name) from the comic book has been emasculated to the point of being more insulting than threatening. The implication is that he's a gay, psychopathic killer; if that's true someone at DC needs to learn how to make their gay psychopaths more ruthless (they missed the mark on Lex Luther in Batman vs Superman too). I'm sure should you see this objectively you'll find way more bad stuff to criticize than me.
Queen & Slim (2019)
One Trick Pony
There are soooo many things wrong with this movie that I'll only concentrate on the right stuff about it. The lead actors are great. There is so much chemistry between them I found myself hanging on every movement, every gesture, every word. And that's part of the problem, the "word" part. I like the snazzy dialogue that flows-eloquently at times-from these charismatic reluctance lovers as long as it's conversation. The ultimate story it tells once it's connected to a series of events is more stereotype than story-and so are many of the other characters-unfortunately. It's not the fault of the acting or the direction; which is consistently A+. Nope, the writing let them down. I would just like to say I hope these two lead actors work together again on a better written movie. They truly are the best Hollywood has to offer today. I haven't seen this kind of chemistry in a long time and I see everything that comes out. I still recommend seeing this movie flawed story and all.
Joker (2019)
Joker is Dangerously Incompetent
I read many other reviews before seeing this movie. A few said it was great, some said it sucked, but most just thought it was alright. It was just ok as movies go, but when you add in it's annoying intention to depress you with every frame of every scene of this movie you will ultimately end up questioning why you are subjecting yourself to this unnecessary torture. Here's how you know you have stayed on the Joker train too long; he will literally walk into the funniest moment in the movie. You will laugh because you'll appreciate that fleeting moment of fun before the darkness returns, bludgeoning you to death with depression.
Dora and the Lost City of Gold (2019)
Leave Your Brain Behind and Go!
It's silly funny! And believe it or not it's well acted and a lot of fun, especially if you have a kid(s) who watched the tv show or watched yourself. My 10 precocious year old thought she was too mature for it but grudgingly had to admit she had a good time watching it.
Where'd You Go, Bernadette (2019)
A Rare Find
Rarely will you ever find a movie with a cast that works so seamlessly together. My God, they must have rehearsed forever. I got lost inside the performances unable to recognize the screen had borders. I felt like I was functioning as the camera, recording, experiencing, reacting. Sometimes it was uncomfortable sharing her family's travails, at other times I was privy to the fun a real family can experience when their emotions are genuine. I cheered, outwardly, actually, verbally! I've never done that. And, I wept tears, real tears, I was a soggy mess by the end of the movie. It was a very good movie. Even if you don't share what I shared you will appreciate what great acting and filmmaking can do for your soul. I thank everyone associated with this fine film; well done! ...I've also never done that before either...