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Into the Dark: Treehouse (2019)
What's With These Badd Reviews???
I personally found this to be a very funny episode of wind of the dark. It wasn't by far one of my favorite episodes, but I thought it was more deserving than 4.9 stars. I thought it was fun, entertaining, mischievous, and exciting. The West ending was fun as well and. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I read some of the reviews that have spoilers in it, and the spoilers are incorrect. It's almost like somebody got together and put in a bunch of bad reviews on this particular episode for no reason. A lot of the things listed in the reviews never happened in this episode. I don't really understand the bad reviews, It definitely deserves more. Again,, not one of the best of the ones in this series, but definitely one worth watching. I thought the Poooka one was far stupider than this one. Worth the watch.
Hypnotic (2023)
Hypnotic, a Cinematic Enigma and a Cannes Favorite
The highly anticipated debut of Hypnotic, at the illustrious Cannes Film Festival saw director Robert Rodriguez grace the red carpet, though the absence of lead actor Ben Affleck raised eyebrows. Nevertheless, the film presents a duality characteristic of Rodriguez's filmmaking-grounded yet soaring in imaginative realms.
From its outset, the film's opening scene places viewers within the psyche of Detective Daniel Rourke, portrayed by Affleck. His character, haunted by the haunting abduction of his daughter, serves as the fulcrum upon which the narrative pivots. Rourke's return to duty feels compelled, tethering to the semblance of normalcy amidst his shattered personal life, a struggle depicted with poignant depth.
A bank heist introduces the audience to the enigmatic mystery. As Rourke delves into the investigation, peculiarities unfold, leading him to a curious discovery-a clue seemingly tailored specifically for him within the confines of the robbery scene.
Central to the storyline is the eerie concept of hypnotism, meticulously woven into the narrative tapestry. Affleck embodies a modern Clint Eastwood-esque persona, a stoic figure grappling with inner turmoil, juxtaposed with Alice Braga's portrayal of a psychic adept at decoding the mysteries entwined within hypnotic abilities.
The film deftly navigates through governmental involvements and swirling conspiracy theories, blurring the boundaries between tangible reality and the manipulative powers of hypnotism. Rodriguez's directorial prowess shines through in crafting scenes that oscillate between the palpable and the surreal, drawing audiences into a web of uncertainty.
Amidst the film's strengths, William Fichtner's portrayal of the antagonist shines, overshadowing moments where Affleck appears less at ease on screen. This discrepancy in comfort perhaps lends insight into Affleck's conspicuous absence from the premiere, leaving audiences to ponder the underlying reasons.
Wish (2023)
Wishful Disappointment: A Lost Narrative of Magic
Absolutely! Here's a rephrased, more detailed version:
Amidst the collective yearning for a cinematic marvel, the latest offering from Disney has left audiences fervently desiring a more substantive and engaging experience. The narrative presented feels as shallow as a whisper, lacking the intricate depth expected from such a renowned studio. This cinematic endeavor, while adorned with vibrant colors and proficient performances, tragically succumbs to the weight of its own uninspired storytelling.
The overarching storyline, akin to a mirage in a desert, lacks the substance to satiate the thirst for a compelling narrative. The craftsmanship behind the songs, a hallmark of Disney's past, sadly falls short, lacking the lyrical finesse and cohesion expected, thereby rendering them cringe-worthy in their execution. It seems the writers, in their pursuit of messaging, disregarded the art of lyrical harmony, leaving audiences bereft of the enchantment synonymous with Disney melodies.
Remarkably, the issue does not lie within the realm of performances or visual allure but rather in the script's deficiencies. It's as if Disney orchestrated a mandate to fashion a film solely around the thematic essence of "When You Wish Upon a Star," neglecting the critical facets essential for a resonating cinematic journey.
Critically noted is the lack of a robust narrative arc, where the absence of inner conflict, character fallibility, and a multifaceted antagonist diminishes the potential for an immersive storytelling experience. Although glimpses of depth in the villain's backstory tantalize audiences, these fleeting moments are swiftly relegated to the periphery, denying viewers the opportunity to grapple with the complexities of morality and consequence.
The potential for a compelling exploration of the collateral damage inherent in wishes is, regrettably, only fleetingly teased, leaving audiences yearning for a more profound examination of this thought-provoking theme. Alas, this promising avenue is abruptly abandoned, contributing to a sense of missed opportunity within the narrative's confines.
Regrettably, this cinematic endeavor treads cautiously, perhaps excessively so, avoiding the risk of provocation or contemplation. Disney, a purveyor of wonder and imagination, seems to have relinquished its intrepid spirit in favor of a perceived 'safe' narrative, inadvertently stifling the potential for thought-provoking discourse.
Despite this cinematic misstep, the allure of the Disney brand remains steadfast. However, the palpable disappointment stemming from this endeavor remains a stark reminder of the studio's fallibility. As an ardent supporter of their creations, it's disheartening to witness this departure from their customary brilliance.
In a gesture of familial indulgence, I acquiesced to my children's eagerness to witness this cinematic offering, only to find myself echoing the sentiments of many others-disappointed, yet hopeful for a return to the hallmark excellence Disney is renowned for.
That '90s Show (2023)
Missing Edge and Comedic Timing is Off
This could have been a complete and total hit, but it was done wrong. First of all, the younger actors in the new series came off with very little Edge above and beyond a Disney character. I know a lot of reviews mentioned that without the original characters it couldn't be as good but I completely disagree. They could have done so many things to make this series as funny if not funnier than the original. There was a formula to that 70s show and it's sad that they didn't follow through with this using that same formula.
The first big problem with this series is that it has no comedic tuning. The comedy was typical of other sitcoms and the situations that the kids got into was no more exciting than an episode of just about any other sitcom. Even the final episode brought up one of the most common tropes of any sitcom in the world. I don't want to leave any spoilers but needless to say, you're missing nothing.
The second and probably most important problem is that this Series has zero edge. It's weak and it has been watered down to tame at best, boring at worst. What gave that 70 show it's laugh out loud punchlines was the edge of all of the characters. Who knows, maybe it's because this was filmed with actual kids playing the age of the kids they are in the show where as other than Mila Kunis, most of the characters in that '70s show were adults.
Either way I found it boring and laughable. I really wish this had have been done better because it had a possibility and now I really don't think we will see a season too. And that's a bummer because personally, I liked red and kitty just as much in this show as I did the original. Unfortunately they were not the focus.
C'est la vie.
Unsolved Mysteries: Paranormal Rangers (2022)
Love hearing stories other than true crime
Good to break away from true crime stories for a change. Gives our brains a chance to open up and explore possibilities. Great job Unsolved Mysteries. I hope we set more of these when you return to the
next season. Don't get me wrong, I love true crime but it gets old. Need to take a break from it. Mom always said, moderation, right? Unlike all the other shows where they recreate value scenes, you present your recreations while allowing the audience to decide how they envision the reality of what happened. What a refreshing chance of pace. Love to see another ghost story episode for sure. That would be great!
Barbarian (2022)
Bad reviews are how you know what an amazing film this actually is...
Bad reviews are how you know what an amazing film this actually is...
If you're reading the bad reviews on this movie, take them as a hint as to how good it actually is. I put Barbarian up with other movies that were absolutely excellent but so many watchers didn't understand. If you're a true cinefile then you don't need everything fed you at the end like a flashback to understand what actually happened in the movie. Unfortunately if you're an amateur film buff, you do need that extra help to get it.
You won't get that in this movie. It is cerebral, has lots of hidden meaning and Easter eggs and honestly has an ending that will leave you somewhat wanting more and wanting to watch the movie again. There is so much to unpack with this movie.
Understand that majority of the bad reviews are from people who just don't understand why this movie is so good. I rank it up there with movies like 2001 A Space Odyssey, Chariots of Fire, the original Dune, and to a certain extent The Sixth Sense. The same people who wrote bad reviews on those movies are the same ones writing bad reviews on this one. Can't blame them though, they just don't understand the movie.
If you are a true cinefile and you enjoy movies that make you think not just force feed you all the answers at the end, you will likely love this movie. It's clearly in the horror genre but I would equally give it Thriller and mystery as well.
Halloween Ends (2022)
One Day We Will Know How Good This Movie Truly Is...
Some day we will realize how good this movie actually was. It's an iconic break from the one-note, predictable, slasher/horror film formula. It shows how we create the evil in our society and undertones of how our actions create creatures like Michael Myers.
I have read many negative reviews about Michael Myers not having as much screen time as he should, but, I would argue he had more in this movie than any other film in the franchise. By understanding how Society creates evil it also answers the question about how society created Michael Myers.
I know that when the first movies in this franchise were created that was obviously not the goal nor the message they were after, but, this franchise would not be possible using the same old formula of every other horror movie out there.
There are many new horror films lately that are beginning to bring out a much deeper message, and I would argue that this trilogy of the franchise does exactly that from beginning to end, and especially with end.
Going into this movie one must take it for the message it's trying to relay. If you're just expecting another typical Halloween franchise slasher film without a cerebral element, you will be very disappointed. If you want some thought and deeper meaning to what you're watching, you'll probably enjoy this movie as much as I did. Either way I highly recommend the entire set of the last three films.
Nope (2022)
Someone, PLEASE Tell Peele He's NOT Kubrick?
Somebody seriously needs to tell Jordan Peele that he is not Kubrick, Lucas or Spielberg. I've seen him a pair of all three of these people in reviews. Most of these reviews look fake so who knows. I will tell you this though, if you want to waste your money and your 2 hours of time go see this movie. If you don't want to waste your money and time, just say Nope! I give it one star for effects, and another for cinematography, as well as a third star for acton scenes that were the only saving grace in this movie.
Let's start out with the fact that there's absolutely no character building. You're jumped right in and expected to understand exactly what is going on and to be honest with you even by the end of the movie you never quite figured it out. To avoid spoilers I will not give exact details, but, the only reason this is listed as a horror movie is because of several flashbacks to an incident that happened 30 years prior that were bloody and gory. The movie itself has no blood no gore and the flashbacks mean absolutely nothing to the overall tempo or plot to the movie.
You never quite understand what is actually happening because nobody really explains it. The overall plot of the movie is so singular and uninspired that it will shock you once you figure out what it actually is. It was absolutely pointless and if these were real people would be nothing with the results of weak minds.
I understand from a certain situation Jordan Peele likes to insert race into his movies and have the movies be a big part of the overall race discussion in this country. That's fine, that's his style and he's more than welcome to it. I will say though, that the way race was inserted into this movie does nothing to spark a conversation. In fact based on actual history that this movie refers to it appears to be given quite liberal license here.
There's only one character I truly got to enjoy in the movie and it wasn't either of the two primary characters. Again without giving away spoilers I don't want to say anything but, the main character spoke in three to five word sentences throughout the movie. His co-star was a woman completely out of touch with reality and honestly made very little sense throughout the movie herself. Her comments and statements that were made simply didn't fit for what was going on. I saw this movie in a full theater and heard a few chuckles where they were obviously meant to happen but overall this theater was silence and I heard a lot of mumbling during the movie at the absolute "ugh" points in the movie.
If you want to see this movie wait until it comes out on streaming video where you can watch it for free on one of your streaming services. Don't waste your time or money going to the theater to see it and if you think you absolutely must see it in the theater see it during a matinee because I assure you it's not worth $17 to $20 and it's definitely not worth $25 to see it in iMAX.
Save your money...pick something else.
Welcome to the Circle (2020)
These Other Reviews Are Wrong!
This movie is getting low ratings because people don't understand it. The concept in the movie is mind boggling, and truthfully, the person who came up with this plot idea should be celebrated, not shunned.
It loses 2 stars because there is some bad acting, truly, but to be honest, it kind of goes along with the creativity of the whacked out plot.
Give it a try...but unless you're excited by figuring out different levels of reality, it may just confuse you. Otherwise, enjoy.
Becky (2020)
Not For Those Who Need a Spoon-Fed Ending
It was difficult to write this without giving away any spoilers, but I can tell you that if you give this movie a chance you'll enjoy it. If you need the ending of the movie to be spoon-fed to you or explained to you, this is not the movie for you.
This movie is listed as a horror-thriller but it's more of a thriller with some pretty gruesome gore. I wouldn't call it a straight out horror, because you really are on the edge of your seat a couple of times. What I will tell you is that Lulu Wilson set herself strong in the genre of horror when she did Ouija: Origins of Evil and Annabelle Creation, and that served her well in Becky. It's too bad she's been Typecast in the horror genre but, I can tell you, it's worth it. This is certainly the role she was born to play. I don't think enough people give her credit for what she can do at the age of 13. Hell, what she did at the age of 8 and 9 in Ouija and Annabelle was amazing. Joel Hale wasn't quite as good as I expected, but wasn't bad by any means. It's also tough not seeing him in a comedy situation.
This is a good Revenge thriller with a little bit of horror. Also shows a little bit of prejudice against people for the way they act or behave, even when unjustified. I can't go into much more detail without giving away spoiler so I will stop there.
I'll just say this, if you'd like a good thriller with a little bit of a revenge twist, a pinch of horror, and some heart-pounding action scenes, this is a good one for you. It's fun and it's short enough not to drag on. There is some detailed gore, but it works. A little more character development would have been good but I think it was still okay the way they did it. Certainly nothing I would ever regret watching and might watch twice.
Backdraft 2 (2019)
It deserves fast better ratings than it's getting...
This is a far better movie than people has a far better movie than many have made it out to be in these reviews. I certainly do not understand the ones who have one or two line comments that make literally no sense. Yeah the movies not quite the same without Kurt Russell but the acting by Donald Sutherland is Oscar worthy and Billy Baldwin is his typical self. Yeah, it's not a multi-million-dollar Hollywood production, it's Netflix. But let's be realistic, it's a movie about fire. It's not some huge cinematic masterpiece and they're certainly not too many great effects with fire. More importantly the plot of this movie is not force-fed to the viewers. You have to figure it out. It saddens me that the movies today have become so explanatory in nature that it doesn't leave your mind reeling at the end when your jaw is a gape wondering what the hell you just saw. That's what I got from this movie. If you want a good quality old fashioned drama with a little bit of excitement it's a good watch. If you want to move it explains everything to you at the end wrapped up in a tightening a little package but it's probably not the right movie for you. The only reason it got 8 out of 10 Stars instead of 10 out of 10 is because there are some plot holes that could have easily been fixed and Rover looked. Otherwise it's a great film and I certainly recommend it.
Replicas (2018)
Sure the acting in the effects could have been better, BUT...
I like a good SciFi movie like anybody else. I love having exciting action, perfect writing and great acting in a movie too. The problem is we've been so dumbed down in this society with movies. Now we expect them to explain everything about the plot on the screen before the movie ends. Today's movies don't give you a chance to think about the implications and how the events in this movie full effect everything in the world. It comes with a plot implication so deep that most who watch it will not understand it. Because of that, many will give it bad reviews. It's too bad because those very implications are never explained in the movie, and they are mind-staggering.
If you can get past the so-so acting, and the sub-par CGI, you're left thinking about what the reality of this movie would really mean to all of us. Not everything that happens
in this film is not handed to you. After the ending you will have to think to make this movie good. If you're expecting to go in and have everything explained to you, skip it.
Halloween (1978)
Boring and predictable by 1978 standards
I am 50 years old and until today has never seen this movie in full. That's strange because I am a huge horror buff. I absolutely love the greatest horror flicks of our time and in most cases I agree with the IMDB ratings for the horror movies. But I'll be honest.
I tried to watch Halloween when I was in high school, and I couldn't do it then. I have never watchd this one or any of the sequels...until today when I watched the new 2018 reboot/sequel, anyway.
After watching it I decided I had to go back and watch the original 1978 movie. But after 47 minutes in I realize why I didn't really like it then, and why I still don't like it now. Nothing happens in this movie for more than halfway through. It is so boring up until that point and even at that point it remains boring because majority of the action happens in the last few minutes of the film.
I truly do not understand how this has a 7.8 rating. I think people are simply afraid to rate movies accurately because they feel they are Classics and something deep down tells them that they should like it. I don't know. Either way if you haven't seen this one, which is hard to believe for most people, I honestly can't recommend it.
The Ranger (2018)
Reminiscent of Late 80s/Early 90s Slasher
This movie may not appeal to the younger millennial crowd, but I don't think that's where the creators were aiming. Fans of late 80s and early 90s slasher films will enjoy this movie. Of you're going in expecting the pieced together horror films put out in factory fashion by production companies toda like Blumhouse, you will be disappointed. This is original slash/horror/gore.
As always, Jeremy Holm put forward a stunning performance. He continues to expand his range. He has proven he can step into any role and make it his own. From serious to psycho, Holm is believable in every role he's played. The crazy ranger is by far his best role yet.
Chloe Levine continues to grow. She can play innocent little kidnapped girl to the link haired punk in The Ranger, and make you believe that's who she really is. She's up and coming and I suspect she's going to morph into a very popular actor.
The only thing I would have liked the director to have changed was the maniacal laugh by the male punks in the beginning of the movie. It reminded me of the criminals in the first RoboCop movie with that crazy laugh that just sounds forced and faked.
If you're looking for a true late 80s or early 90s slasher flick then the ranger is the movie for you. Grab your favorite horror movie snuggling partner and sit back for an hour and 20 minutes of fun.
Take Me to the River (2015)
A Haunting, Sad, Amazing, Beautiful, Impactful Emotional Ride of a Lifetime
I was bored during the holiday in this movie came across Amazon. I read the description and wasn't really sure but it looked like a decent enough independent film. Since I'm becoming a bigger fan of independent films lately because of the dribble that Hollywood is putting out, I figured this was something that might entertain me.
I was completely wrong...it not only entertained me but it floored me. I'm not truly sure how to describe this movie. It's not a horror movie, as it has no gore or blood or anything else, but it's also not NOT a horror movie, because of the events that take place throughout this movie.
The truth is I have honestly not seen a movie quite so impactful in probably 10 years. I'm going to list a few things for those of you who have not seen it and will do so without giving away any spoilers I promise. I am going to give you some advance knowledge that I believe will help you watch the movie in a more enjoyable way. If you don't want any advance advice about the movie then stop reading here but I'm definitely not going to give away any spoilers.
1. Go into this movie with an open mind and be prepared to think about EVERY word that is spoken and EVERY action that is taken by EVERY character in the movie regardless of how small. The littlest most insignificant things that take place in this movie can mean so much in later parts of the movie when you're trying to figure out exactly what is going on.
2. Don't give up quickly on the movie when you believe in your mind that the big reveal has been given away in the first 15 minutes. It only seems that way. Keep that open mind going and watch the remainder of the film.
3. Immerse yourself in this film and don't do anything else while you're watching it. Don't check your phone, don't play games, don't talk to anybody in the room. Sit in your most comfortable chair and immerse yourself in the movie like you would a good book. Failing to do so will make you wonder what you missed and require you to go backward in the movie and trust me when I tell you, you don't want to watch too much of this twice in the same sitting.
All of that said this movie has some very beautiful scenery and is shot well. I have no complaints whatsoever about the cinematography nor do I have any complaints about the story or the plot. This movie stands for itself and it is what it is.
I hope you enjoy it like I did.
Maya & Marty (2016)
Rejected skits from 35 years of SNL?
Horribly stupid show... I can't believe they canceled Best Time Ever with Neil Patrick Harris and replaced it with this dribble.
I'm not sure where they get the content of their skits but I think they took a bunch of skits from the last 35 years of Saturday Night Live that didn't make it on the air and tried to culminate them into a boring, hour long variety show.
It's a show packed full of great actors & talented musical guests who have completely done harm to their careers with the dribble and this show. Martin Short was a pathetic example of this while portraying Jiminy Glick. In the first episode the only person I found even slightly humorous was Maya Rudolph playing Melania Trump. Other than that I found myself wanting the skits to be over quickly because they were so boring.
This show has got to do better because right as it is now it has zero hope for success.
Better Call Saul (2015)
Pretentious artists are their own worst enemies
Before I write this review I want everybody reading it I understand that I was one of the biggest Breaking Bad fans just like everybody else. I thought Breaking Bad an absolute Masterpiece of Art and definitely a breakthrough in television originality.
That said, what has happened with the creators of this franchise is all too typical in entertainment I'm afraid. Breaking Bad was an incredible show, and it broke new boundaries and rewrote the law on television entertainment in many ways. The problem is, that success has made the Creator's a bit pretentious. They now believe that any dribble they put together and draw out the plot with will be a success like Breaking Bad.
I have to say that I had high hopes for Better Call Saul. In fact I've given it almost to the end of season 2. During this time we've had promises that we will finally see Saul Goodman break through. Promises that, in the upcoming episodes, we will finally see how Saul Goodman became Saul Goodman. That was just in season one. Now it appears we are going to end season 2 still not reaching the Crux of the plot and this entire story line. I'll tell you one thing we're definitely getting a lot of hints to multiple other story arcs before we even understand how the primary plot is to be what we all started watching the show to see.
I think the reason this show is getting the scores it's getting is because too many of the Breaking Bad fans are scared that if they say honestly what they think there is a risk of the show being canceled, or something far worse, it becomes a typical piece of Television; and like I said I think that already happened.
I am going to finish season 2 of the show. I truly believe however, if the plot line has not moved along further by the end of season 2, and we are still left hanging about how Saul Goodman became Saul Goodman instead of Jimmy, many of the fans will simply stop watching. So we don't need the bad reviews for that to happen. It'll just happen on its own.
That said, Vince and any of the other creators or producers who have any control of the show, Please be aware that you do have a considerable number of fans out there who are very disappointed with this new franchise. I hope you fix it, but based on what we're seeing this late in the game I'm not hopeful. I am disappointed because I really did have high hopes.