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alpinedon
Reviews
Killers of the Flower Moon (2023)
Shockingly disappointed
I looked forward to this movie for a long time and I think both my wife and I wanted to Love this movie, but both of us left the theater just going wow, that was really a disappointment. Number one for me is this: the main character, Leo's role, was a giant wreck of a human being, but not in a way that was intriguing or compelling. He just routinely betrays his wife and family, almost completely flat arch. The story itself felt incredibly disjointed and static. Really didn't flow from any point to another, it was more like just this happened and that happened, but it wasn't flowing like a typical well-made movie (especially one by Scorsese) should. And then at the end, having the whole thing wrapped up by a live radio cast was just really kind of incongruous with the rest of the film. I know a lot will disagree with me but in my opinion, this wasn't anywhere near the quality we've come to expect from Scorsese.
The Lost Boys (1987)
So many good memories
As someone who grew up in the Santa Cruz area, this movie has always had great memories for me, decided to watch it today for the first time in many many years, and it was just instant happiness watching it. It's a little sad seeing Corey Haim but otherwise it's just pure schlocky fun! And the music? Damn, I know I'm dating myself but I listened to this cassette tape until I wore the damn thing out! Makes me want to go back home for a visit. It also is a movie that makes one realize how sadly deficient many modern movies have become, with an over-reliance on digital effects and marketing, rather than just telling a great story, and this movie delivers on all fronts!
World War Z (2013)
Destroys a brilliant novel
For me, it doesn't matter whether or not this movie stands on its own merits; the book that it was based upon was - in my opinion - a work of genius, a look at the modern world through the lens of a zombie outbreak. If this movie had been *anything* like the book, it would've been a pseudo-documentary, not this thing, whatever it is. Like, what's the point of buying a brilliant book and making it almost entirely unlike the thing it's purported to be? It's just plain arrogance on the part of the producers. Now, I'm not one of those people who go on and on about how "I liked the book better." I generally like to let movies stand on their own, but for God's sake, it needs to at least resemble the damned book. This thing is not. Not at all. And that's just unforgivable, at least in this case.
Star Wars: Visions: The Duel (2021)
One of the coolest Star Wars stories
I could easily watch an entire series based on this semi-B&W episode by a mostly Japanese crew, truly wonderful and intriguing. May only be a half hour show but this touches on what made the original series great (and the last six films garbage IMO - I'm not including Rogue One, which I think is the second-best of all the films). I really wish they would do more stories like this.
Crawl (2019)
How can I express this much eye rolling with the written word?
So... no expert here but I'm pretty certain that if an alligator bites you in the leg and shakes you around violently... you are NOT getting back up on your feet immediately afterwards. However, this is a perfect example of what this movie is like. Utter garbage.
The Day After Tomorrow (2004)
Stupid beyond belief but hysterical
This is truly a horrible movie but dear lord it is so damned funny to watch.
Fireball: Visitors from Darker Worlds (2020)
Worst doc of his career
Is Herzog losing his touch? This was certainly not his best film. Herzog has always been at his best doing things "his way" but there are certain moments when included moments are just plain sloppy and should've been cut from the film.
The Undoing (2020)
Why in HELL does this show merit a 7.7?
I thought this show was shockingly bad. I'm sure there are plenty of people already detailing its faults but damn it just seemed rushed and very poorly written. Plus who cares about the wealthy? Poor poor pampered privileged.
Ratched (2020)
Cliched, overwrought and silly
Really disappointed in this series. It was just poorly done all around. Poorly written, poorly directed, the musical score sounds like it came from a sound library. Even the acting provoked eye rolls. Just seemed like it was rushed and not at all well thought out. Six stars is generous.
King Kong (2005)
Really don't get the great reviews
I was so excited to see this movie when it came out. One local reviewer where I lived said something like "drop what you're doing and go see this movie, now." So I did. I think the first moment where I rolled my eyes was when the native pole vaulted a hundred feet to get on the ship to kidnap Ann. Oh boy. Then there's the screen when the dinosaurs stampede. Hokey beyond belief. Seeing Jack Black pretending to run while the dinosaurs crush everyone around him, I think I actually laughed (and not in a good way.) Speaking of JB, he was basically a caricature of a person. And Naomi Watts really isn't given much to work with. As another reviewer said on here, suspension of disbelief can only be taken so far, and Jackson takes this way too far. It's already a stretch to make a movie about a giant ape, but adding in too many ridiculous action sequences just made this movie silly (again, not in a good way.) I think part of why I disliked this movie so much is because I really wanted to like it, and if Jackson had worked more on the story, and the characters, it could have been a classic. Instead, it's just another cheesy monster movie. Really though, this is pretty typical for Jackson. When he made LOTR, he must've felt he had to restrain his instincts as a filmmaker in order to not piss off Tolkien fans, and made some classic movies because of that. But with Kong (and later, with The Hobbit) he no longer had to restrain himself, and we see the real Jackson, the same guy who made Bad Taste, and Meet The Feebles. Except this time he had millions of dollars to spend.
War of the Worlds (2005)
Solid science fiction
Like others on here, I really don't get all the hate. Sure it's not a perfect film, but it provides plenty of excitement, fear and solid acting. The statements about plot holes is way overstated. I remember watching this in the theater and it had me on edge the entire time.
Avengers: Endgame (2019)
Surprisingly mediocre
I was a little taken aback by this movie. It was not nearly as tightly written as Infinite Wars, it had multiple plot holes, sloppy moments, wooden acting. I don't know how they managed to screw this up, but they kinda did, didn't they? In fact, I'd say this is the worst Avengers movie. However, as entertainment, it kept me interested enough to warrant 7 stars. But overall just a surprisingly disappointing end to an era in the MCU.
Haunted (2018)
Mediocre at best
If you like abrupt, unresolved endings, confusing stories and lackluster storytelling, then this show is for you. I found this show to be really frustrating to watch, especially the final episode. I realize these are supposed to be people's true stories, but this is easily the worst of the multiple series that deals with this subject matter. I suppose the producers were attempting to create a show that is "in their own words," but it would have really used having someone asking questions of the different victims. The production value is pretty decent, there are occasional hair-raising moments to be found, but by and large this show isn't worth watching.