INCESSANT Reviews

Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021)

A terrific continuation of the story we all love, with just enough 'new' to freshen it up, with plenty of old cannon to satisfy your original GB fandom.

[8/10 · 14 December 2021]

Review Summary: A terrific continuation of the story we all love, with just enough 'new' to freshen it up, with plenty of old cannon to satisfy your original GB fandom.

This project was clearly a labor of love for the creators. You get the sense that the utmost respect was paid to the OG source material. (It doesn't hurt that the the personnel leading the charge were the OG director and his son.) For that reason, there was a lot of skin in the game and I think that benefited the movie. I truly felt when I left the theatre that I had finally seen the perfect sequel to an old classic movie. I literally said to my wife "well that couldn't have been better!" However I scored it a 7.7 so clearly there is room for improvement?

Well, the first movie is a 7.8 on IMDb, so that was my ceiling.

Let's talk about 2 hours of entertainment. I don't believe you ever would have needed to hear about, or have seen another GB movie to thoroughly enjoy this film. You certainly would miss some easter eggs and references, but by and large- you would likely stuff your face with popcorn for 2 solid hours and leave satisfied that you didn't waste your money.

From a diehard GB fan perspective, this film is honestly much more than I could have hoped for. It's always a little nerve racking when your childhood gets - revisited / remade. So for starters, I'm delighted this was a continuation versus a remake. Ultimately this movie FEELS like a GB movie, and that feels like childhood joy and nostalgia. To me everything felt authentic to the universe. The sound was incredible, the effects were top notch. The story was great!

Ok, so the one gripe a lot of folks have is that the story is not that original and the nostalgia is a little over the top.

I didn't feel like nostalgia was as force fed to me as 'Star Wars VII Force Awakens'. However again, as a big OGB fan, I gobbled up every moment of it. I left actually wishing I could have stayed to watch it again immediately.

So was I blinded by the sheer childhood joy and excitement the film brought me? Was I too busy laughing and crying to recognize that the formula followed was old hat?

Maybe, but I went for an experience, and a feeling and both where better than I imagined. I was very moved and the GB franchise is better because of this film.

Junebug (2005)

Barely watchable with a plot that never develops

[3/10 · 7 April 2019]

4 of us watched this movie. We all had a lot of doubts at the snails pace and lack of opening scene that grabbed any interest, but given the 7/10 IMDb rating we assumed it got much better. Sadly it got worse. This film was endured by all of us. Not even Amy Adams charming character could buoy this otherwise drab character piece which never gives you more info than what you see. If you want to spend an hour and a half watching a weird family be weird, guessing who if anyone you should care about or focus on, with no clear direction, plot, or story arc- this film is your dream come true.

I did mention that perhaps this is a film that people from this town it's filmed in would relate to and 'get', and I saw another review where the reviewer commented that he was grabbed immediately for that reason.

The truth is, the writers never compel you to care about any of the characters outside of perhaps Amy Adams, and nothing interesting happens. This is a hard pass. Hard.

The Making of a Cult Classic: The Unauthorized Story of 'The Goonies' (2010 Video)

A Goonie Fans Dream!!

[10/10 · 12 July 2010]

Let me start by saying that I am a HUGE Goonies fan. I watch the movie a lot and collect memorabilia.

I love the documentary and commentary on the Goonies DVD, however it left me wanting more!

THIS IS THE 'MORE'!

I was so excited to hear about this project and had great expectations for this documentary. I am happy to report that not only did this Documentary meet my expectations, it blew me away! I felt like I had the cast for a 1 on 1 Q+A in my living room!

The film makers really got the actors to open up and be candid. I laughed a lot and it really made me feel like I was a part of this movie with all of the inside knowledge.

The only disappointment would be the absence of a few cast members, most notably Josh Brolin. However, the others are so fun and tell such great stories about all the actors, that I didn't care as much in the end.

I will say that this definitely leaves you wanting more, which is GREAT, because once the 24 minutes flies by, you can go to the special features and see the full interviews (or longer versions at least).

Overall, this is a MUST HAVE DVD for any Goonie fan.

Blindness (2008)

So horrible to see, I went blind

[2/10 · 7 October 2008]

Lord of the Flies meet M. Night Shamylan.

This movie had a great premise, unfortunately it failed to deliver.

The only other 2 people in the theatre, left with 15 minutes remaining. My fiancé and I would have, but our apartment is barely inhabitable during renovations.

This movie reminds me of the feelings I had during Signs, and The Village.. where a great idea for a movie was unrealized by the end (or half way through). I kept waiting for this movie to gain my interest, but it just never happened.

Save your money, and rent I am Legend. Or try closing your eyes.. it may be easier to watch.

Funny Games (2007)

I am charging you with theft and battery.

[8 August 2008]

Dear everyone who had anything to do with making this movie;

I am charging you with theft and battery. You stolen 2 hours of my life and mentally assaulted me in the process.

You'll be hearing from my lawyer.

-rd

Myself and the 2 people I watched this with love movies. We love thrillers, and we love horrors and suspense. We even love B horror and spoof comic horror. Unfortunately this movie effectively fails at all of these. Not only was it entirely unbelievable ( two muscle-less teenagers with a golf club? COME ON! You can do better then whimper and cry), it managed to remain devoid of anything funny. Sometimes a movie is so bad its funny. This couldn't even do that.. it is just awful.

I wished I had watched Lady in the Water or the Village .. or sleepaway camp.. maybe nightmare on elm street part 5. All of which would have been a much more entertaining and gratifying way to waste a part of my life.

(p.s. if you are forced to watch this movie, it is much more tolerable on 1x fast forward)

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)

Why this movie only gets a 9

[9/10 · 26 November 2005]

Goblet of Fire succeeds in capturing the essence of the book. However some scenes where cut that we will no doubt see on the special edition DVD that should have been in the movie.

For obvious reasons much of the book had to be sacrificed due to time constraints...but no Quidditch Cup scenes?

This movie was the best in the series, with great effects and a good pace. Mad-Eye was outstanding and I can't wait to go see this movie in theatre again!

I have finally accepted the "new" Dumbledore, which I thought would never happen.

The Devil's Rejects (2005)

Zombie gets it right!

[10/10 · 7 August 2005]

I went to this movie having seen 1000 Corpses which I thought was a great retro B style horror in the Texas Chainsaw massacre genre.

This movie FAR exceeded any expectation I had. Zombie NAILED it in this one. Classic Freeze frames, awesome soundtrack(used with purpose)-Just enough gore with out going over the top.. the essential random nudity shots that we B fans have come to expect. Suspenseful through-out.

I realize that what makes all of these components work:

A- This movie (Unlike 99% of all B Horros) is not predictable. You do not know what is going to happen next.

B- Zombie builds characters. You learn history and connections, and see things from their view.

C- Slight comedic aspect added.

Summary: MUST SEE, MUST OWN

in the words of my horror loving awe-struck friend "This is hands down the best B horror I have ever seen!"

Ned Kelly (2003)

Never knew the legend. Loved the movie.

[8/10 · 3 February 2005]

If you like Billy the Kid stories, you will like this story. It is very much the same sort of injustice anti-hero saga in the Robin Hood style.

I didn't want the movie to end. Heath Ledger and Orlando Bloom just gained my respect.

Great Cinematography, Great feeling and ambiance. The acting is fine, you get very submersed in the story and truly care for the characters. From what I have read about the Ned Kelly story after the movie, I feel that the film makers captured the essence in a nut shell.

If you like Tombstone, or Young Guns.. you will like this movie. However, the ending is disappointing.. however predictable.

The Village (2004)

Yet another "could have been a great movie"

[4/10 · 14 January 2005]

Disappointing in a word.

Though it had promise.

This movie starts with a kind of "hunh?" thought.. and ends with a "unghh.. " feel.

It starts out visually appealing with a range of familiar faces. Slowly it gains momentum before screeching to a halt and leaving one to wonder "why?" Why is the movie still going on? why am I no longer interested in what happens? Why are the best characters so under developed? I hate seeing a great idea never realize it's full potential.

This is a good movie for about an hour, but after that any suspense that had built is needlessly dissolved. This leaves a shell of what was a good movie, with no reason to continue watching.

A light shines in the character of Ivy, the one character you ever get the chance to care about in the movie.. yet due to lack of proper development, again you are left wanting more.

I found myself interjecting random lines and scenarios that could have pulled my waning attention back to the TV, but in the end I felt as though I paid for a sandwich that looked good but gave me a stomach ache half way through.

-Rhad

Donnie Darko (2001)

Awe-inspiring dark movie that makes you question your life.

[9/10 · 8 December 2003]

I do not normally take the time to comment on here ... this movie is the an exception. I think everyone should see this movie at least once. It is VERY strange, and manages to keep your interest enough to not want to blink. I saw a quote I can agree with on someone else's comment for this movie. "I liked it, but I don't know why." It's hard to explain this movie, and if you manage to explain anything it will give away the plot. I watched it...watched it again with the commentary.. then bought it the next day.

WARNING: Do not watch this movie if you are depressed.

The Goonies (1985)

A perfect 10 at what it tries to be

[10/10 · 6 October 2003]

A classic adventure tale that no kid should grow-up with out seeing. This is a quintessential fantasy adventure movie of the 80s. This is every child's dream! To go on a huge adventure, and find pirates and treasure, being the heroes in the end! Just a great flick.

I firmly believe that every child 10 and up should probably see this movie. There is a little language, but if your child is 10, they have heard it before.

I recently returned from the 25th anniversary of the film in Astoria, Oregon June 2010, and the Mayor Officially Declared June 7th, Goonies Day in Astoria. Over 2500 people traveled from all over the globe to meet cast, each other, watch the movie, etc.. it has endured the test of time, and people ranging 4-80 were in attendance.

If you like coming of age/childhood adventure movies, this is hard not to like.

10 out of 10, my favorite movie.