jd_movie_luver Reviews

Black Summer (2019–2021)

Not for me

[3/10 · 1 May 2019]

Like many of you, I love post-apocalyptic themed shows/movies/books so I'm always down for a zombie show. But this one just didn't resonate with me.

Yeah the characters are kind of stupid, but I can excuse that since the world basically ended and who knows what we will all act like in the exact scenario.

But with the lack of dialogue and the awkward chapter breaks, I could not connect with the characters or plot. I need to care about the characters to enjoy something, and that was lacking here. It seemed more like a student film in a lot of ways.

Also, how is it 6 weeks into a zombie apocalypse and grocery stores are fully stocked???

Acting was pretty good, and great cinematography, but I don't think I'll finish the series. I made it halfway.

Quantico (2015–2018)

Pretty good...could be better

[7/10 · 12 October 2015]

After watching the first few episodes, I don't feel super strongly either way. I like the premise, the idea. I think there is a lot of potential, but I don't really like the execution. I'm not a fan of the dual timeline thing--it's way too common now and just annoying. The characters are meh. I don't dislike them, but there's none that I really like either. Plus the whole academy seems too corrupt to be realistic, but i guess that's what makes it interesting?

I'll continue watching the rest of the season, hoping I'll get more invested and like it more. It'll probably get picked up for a second season, but if it doesn't, I won't miss any sleep.

9½ Weeks (1986)

poorly executed

[5/10 · 29 April 2014]

I just saw this movie for the first time without reading the book. I was familiar with the specifics of the story though so I knew what to expect. I was very disappointed in the movie though. I don't know if this is just the way 80s movies are or what, but there was so much potential for this to be a great movie but in my opinion fell way short.

For one, I was majorly confused throughout most of it. They had all these little weird scenes with or without conflict and then cut away to another time with no explanation on what they were doing and why, or how the conflict was resolved. And the multiple wordless scenes with blaring music did not help.----->also in relation to this, every plot point was so subtle and shown in such a lack of detail that if I hadn't read a detailed synopsis and multiple book reviews with spoilers, I would have had no idea what was happening or why.

Also, was I supposed to like John? Cause I didn't. I wanted to, but he was such an insensitive, insincere creep. I'm not sure if Mickey was trying to portray him this way or what....if he wasn't then I have serious doubts about his acting abilities. John always had that slimy fake smile on his face and never talked, and when he did it was so soft-spoken and hardly made sense. I don't know, I think the movie would've benefited with another actor, someone more charming and charismatic.

I was really disappointed because I feel like this has the potential to be a really great, thought provoking, almost painful and beautiful movie, but almost every aspect of it fell short, from the writing to the acting to the editing to the music. They need to do a remake. In the mean time, I'll read the book and try to get the picture of creepy movie John out of my head while I'm doing so.

George Wallace: Settin' the Woods on Fire (2000)

Redemption

[10/10 · 19 June 2013]

I watched this in my Southern Politics class in college and did not even know who George Wallace was. By the end of the movie, I was bawling my eyes out...literally. This film is a beautiful story of forgiveness and redemption, while also being an educational bio of the infamous Alabama Governor and racial politics.

Watch it if you can. You will not be disappointed. And if you are a history/gov't/polisci teacher, this is an excellent film to show your students; very interesting and very moving. I'm surprised there hasn't been a big Hollywood movie from his life yet... it would surely be an Oscar winner if done right

Piranha 3D (2010)

Entertaining

[7/10 · 15 May 2012]

At first it seemed like it would just be another "spring break shark attack" or something; and it is somewhat. It has lots of boobs and butts and bare skin, but because of the character Jake (Steven R. McQueen) was so likable and normal, i kept watching. Once the action started, I laughed at the terrible cgi, but at the same time was literally on the edge of my seat and my legs were moving and my heart was racing. It definitely kept my attention.

As for an overall movie, its not that great, but if you're looking for a sexy, bloody, entertaining flick, this is it!

(i hope there will be a sequel!)

Friends (1994–2004)

More Than a Sitcom

[10/10 · 20 January 2012]

After watching and re watching this show endlessly, I think I have finally figured out why this show is as amazing that it is:

1. Excellent writing- Unlike most sitcoms, friends combines nearly all types of comedy while still managing to pull at your heartstrings in many ways forcing you to care about the characters. The combination of these things makes this show appealing to virtually anyone, so that 3 people with 3 different types of humor will all be able to find something that makes them crack up.

2. Acting- Each of the six lead actors play their character superbly and really embody their characters. For example, Jennifer Aniston is a very famous actress now, but still when I watch friends, I refer to her as Rachel, not Jennifer. With these 6 actors comes 6 different types of comedy. Joey(Matt LeBlanc) has the dumb person comedy going, Rachel(Jennifer Aniston) works the spoiled girl next door comedy, Chandler(Matthew Perry) has the punchline and sarcastic comedy, Phoebe(Lisa Kudrow) does the honest hippie goofy comedy, Ross(David Schwimmer) does the physical/dramatic comedy, & Monica(Courtney Cox) has the up-tight obsessive competitive comedy.

and each of these actors has perfected their portrayal of said types of comedy

3. Chemistry- possibly the deciding factor of if a show will work or not, does the cast have great chemistry on and off screen? And it is blatantly obvious that the 6 'friends' were/are real friends because it shines through the chemistry they share on screen with one another. This is also the reason the jokes work. It wouldn't be believable and probably not funny without this.

With the backbone of incredible writing, actors who are masters of their character, and the chemistry that binds it all together, there is no doubt the show will be amazing.

In conclusion, friends is not your typical sitcom because it combines all styles of comedy, allowing all viewers to find a laugh but it also has characters and story lines that are not just surface level.

if you have not seen friends I suggest you watch it if for no other reason than to be a part of the world of inside jokes that are nearly common knowledge to the world today.