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Reviews
Evil (2019)
Started Strong
The first season was enjoyable to me. A sort of spiritual x-files with a monster of the week formula combined with an interesting overarching storyline. It works well. Enough good scares and thought provoking scenes and dialogue to engage viewers. Questions of mental health struggles vs spiritual experiences are rich grounds to till. By episode 4 of season 2 I find myself frustrated at the lack of resolution to story lines, the incredible naivety of lead characters, the annoying portrayal of the girls (yes, the screaming/over talking really is that bad) and did I already mention the naivety of the leads? I understand skepticism but at some point, even the dourest skeptic would be concerned about powerful spiritual/supernatural forces. I want to keep going but I don't know if I'll be able to. Season 1 is worth the watch.
The Clovehitch Killer (2018)
Slow and Steady
The story was solid. The acting was good. The directing/cinematography was well done. A good level of tension was held throughout this slow burn. While it's not a direct who done it, it is a solid character study of a killer. The ending is satisfying and wraps things up nicely. While it may not be as intense as other entries in this genre, it's worth a watch. I appreciated a few surprises in characters' backstories and the challenges some of them had with accepting the reality of their circumstances.
I don't believe in overrating movies to balance out poor reviews so this is an honest and solid 7.
Gran Turismo (2023)
I quit at :55
There are youth oriented movies about rising from the rubble to chase your dreams that older viewers can connect with. This isn't one of them.
The script is canned spam, spoon fed to a teenager game boy audience. The characters are one dimensional as is the acting. The racing action is ok but not enough to elevate this abysmal flick above more than stale popcorn served in a flashy wrapper. I turned it off at 55 minutes because to watch any further would have been an exercise in self flagellation. If you're under the age of 25, a gamer, and lack a discriminating pallet for a well made movie, then I'm sure you'll find it enjoyable. If, however, you actually like a solid script, good acting, and memorable stories, watch something else.
Wonka (2023)
Absolutely Perfect
I went into this movie having not seen a single preview; I don't watch much cable. I had no expectations or ideas concerning what the movie was about. I figured it would be a remake of the Gene Wilder version I grew up with. Imagine my surprise when I realized it was a Wonka origin story.
The story, while not terribly complex, was rich enough to keep attention as was the cinematography. The pacing was solid and 2 hours never felt laborious or drawn out.
Where this movie shines was the acting/casting. Tomothèe Chalamet was absolutely perfect in this role as was the rest of the cast. The characters were colorful, endearing, and wildly entertaining. The music was fun, touching, and a few songs had me laughing out loud.
I went into this movie to spend time with family. I came out with a smile having just watched a fantastic flick. I hope you make time to share in the magic that is Wonka.
Silent Night (2023)
Clever or Garbage?
As a fan of both action films and revenge tales I can say this movie is an injustice to both. A dialogue choice by the director which was meant to be clever made it hard to connect to the main characters and made the pacing of the first 35 minutes almost unbearable. The main training montage which was intended to be hardcore and inspirational came across as laughable and cringeworthy. The few moments where good fight choreography and beautiful violence poked through we're not enough to overcome the abysmal acting and nerve straining soundtrack/audio devices. This is a movie that is not worth watching on cable while laid up in a hospital bed. It's honestly that bad. If you go forth anyway, at least I did my best to warn you.
The Killer (2023)
Watch if you have time to Kill
This movie isn't for everyone. This story is slow, deliberate, methodical. A simplistic revenge tale filled with a great sound track and beautiful set pieces. Having not read much about it before viewing I didn't have unreasonable expectations. I give it an 8 even though it's honestly a 7. I shot high due to the miserable reviews and low rankings of others. If you expect this to be on par with the director's other works, you will be disappointed. If you except it for what it is; a stylish hit man revenge flick, I'm fairly sure you'll be satisfied. Also, the main physical fight scene between the protagonist and one of his targets is on par with any major fight scene I've seen. Fantastic fight choreography and a sharp contrast to the near hypnotic pacing of the rest of the film.
The Machine (2023)
I laughed a lot
Bert Kreischer isn't my favorite comedian but his stand up is funny enough. I watched this movie at home over food with my son. I had low expectations but was pleasantly surprised. The humor is sophomoric and the action is ridiculous but I found myself laughing hard and often. Mark Hamill's role is funny. The outlandishness of the Russian accents is outstripped by the craziness of the plot. The themes of parenthood, coming of age, who we hurt and how we heal are campy but not so out of place as to be annoying. If you accept the movie for what it is, a self indulgent navel gazing low brow comedy, you just might enjoy it.