DerrNovot Reviews

Moon Knight (2022)

Something different; powerfully acted!

[10/10 · 13 July 2022]

Oscar Isaac is in exceptional form here. In addition to the tour-de-force of playing a protagonist with vibrant, fully realized multiple personalities (Dissociative Identity Disorder), which would be impressive enough in a typical, candy colored capes and villains tale, this story is unlike most Marvel stories, with deep, sometimes painful emotional layers to be played in-between the action and adventure )(and, yes, humorous) beats.

But the excellent performances from actors tackling and leveraging this unusual story don't end with Isaac and if I listed every impressive choice, we'd be here all day. As for whether you'll like it, I think it's one of the better (if somewhat darker) entries and if that's okay with you, you probably will.

Deadpool (2016)

Exactly what it says it is.

[8/10 · 10 July 2022]

You can argue whether Deadpool could have gone further or went too far, or whether it's 100% faithful to the comics, but the truth is...Deadpool is Deadpool. He's not just "irreverent," he's inappropriate, he's offensive, and he's the very definition of "no filter." Even the description "the Merc with the Mouth" doesn't quite capture it. It's not that he talks a lot...it's what he says, lol.

He's a no-filter, no-protocol, no-social graces good guy with a strong sense or right and wrong and a pansexual orientation (though, in the film this is hinted at in various ways though never quite addressed full on in an unambiguous way). If that's something that intrigues you in a Marvel X-Men universe hero, you'll dig this. If it's not...if you're already a little put off...then this isn't for you.

And that's OK, there's absolutely no reason every Marvel/X-Men related film needs to feel cookie-cutter.

Bones (2005–2017)

Classic "comfort TV"

[9/10 · 10 July 2022]

"Bones" is exactly the kind of show that you binge when you're home sick or the weather is bad outside, or maybe when you're cleaning the house. It's familiar, not too challenging mentally or emotionally, and the leads are really great together. They're the kind of people you don't mind having in your house, lol.

Are the cases mindblowing? No, but that's not what I want from network TV or procedurals. I want things I can watch and enjoy without hurting my head and that I can at least figure out every now and then before the show tells me. On this front, "Bones" is really top notch.

Chicago Fire (2012– )

Pretty by the book, but that's not bad

[8/10 · 10 July 2022]

This is exactly what you think it will be. A network drama part of a larger procedural franchise set in a single city among the emergency services personnel (doctors, police, and firefighters). I enjoy it/them for what they are and I think their not attempting to be more or less than what they promise to be is the key to their success. I think Chicago Fire is particularly enjoyable not because it's particularly new or different vis-a-vis the genre, but because there are far more cop and medical shows on the air than there are Firefighter shows, so there's at least a little bit of different energy in the stories, etc.

Top Gun: Maverick (2022)

Fun sequel, better movie

[9/10 · 10 July 2022]

This is a fun sequel with all of the original elements either faithfully reproduced or (usually) improved upon. The action is better, the story, too. I genuinely missed Kelly McGillis, and would have liked to have seen her acknowleged at least, and I think it was cowardly and a bit comical to not name the enemy country (presumably to keep China, Russia, and/or Iran happy and those markets in play) but it was a fun movie, a good movie, and if you enjoyed the first one you'll probably love this one.

Baymax! (2022)

What fun! The perfect way for this character to find new life.

[9/10 · 10 July 2022]

Big Hero 6 was fun, but the real treat of both the film and the comic it's based on is the character of Baymax, which is no surprise. This short series of pleasant lessons perfect for children is exactly right. It's honest and authentic and fun. I'm really delighted by it.

The Bear (2022– )

They get so many details right!

[9/10 · 10 July 2022]

The show isn't perfect but it's a real treat for those of us who've worked in a commercial kitchen. There are so many details correct, it made me laugh, smile, and cry from the memories.

Jeremy Allen White and the cast are very talented and the performances feel true. I highly recommend the show.

House of Gucci (2021)

Kind of all over but I liked it

[7/10 · 4 March 2022]

I enjoyed myself during this movie, but I am not sure it's a great film. Its kind of all over the place, but I didnt mind that in the end. The performances were fun, the costumes were fun, and the whole thing was pretty enjoyable, so I recommend it, but the way I'd recommend a "campy" TV show. If its your thing, I think you'll have fun!

Black Panther (2018)

Really holds up

[10/10 · 4 March 2022]

I watched this again recently and was so happy to realize it didn't lose anything in my house from the "epic" experience I had in the theater. It really is so well cast and so well crafted, and Michael B. Jordan plays such a complicated and layered villain which is really true to the original intent of the characters in the comic book, if I learned that part correctly.

I am upgrading my rating from 9 to 10.

Station to Station (2021)

I really loved this

[10/10 · 4 March 2022]

This movie was unexpectedly moving for me. It's weird, because I don't actually know why. I keep coming back to it in my head and thinking about different characters and scenes (they are almost like little short films with the Las Vegas "Boy Bunker" setting and main character "Major Tom" as the common elements). It's this really adult, conversations-based film where you learn about these characters from all these different walks of life and circumstances and each of them either really resonated with me personally or helped me see other people in those circumstances in a different light. I liked that a lot. There was a really good mix of "show" and "tell" and the dialogue was really, really good. I like that the lessons and that experiences are the journey, not a contrived beginning, middle, and end. Like you spent this time with these people and then it's time to go home, but you know there's more still to come for everyone.

This movie also "gets" a lot about being young and male in 2022, with the freedom in many ways to do what you want, act how you want, sleep with who you want, and do a lot of it online, but really crave a sense of family or "real" connections and how forgetting how to really do those things, or that the responsibilities that come with being in a "family" (even one you pick) or friend group are important, can hold you back.

I don't know how to describe or even review this film, but I think its worth seeing. It's definitely got the sex and nudity and big dramatic stuff it builds up to in the end (the intense end is so different from the way it starts, you realize you were really taken on a journey and surprised at the end. Thats another thing I liked, not being able to predict anything) and if you don't like longer, character driven scenes maybe not good for you?

But I really recommend it. Enough to come here and write a review to encourage other people to watch it, since I don't think it had a huge advertising budget. It just really sticks with you.