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willard12
Reviews
Who Do You Believe? (2022)
Not This Show
Two episodes in and what was a pretty neat premise, has dropped a deuce. The first episode was so predictable it wasn't worth the hour. Second one gives no resolution; both of the people were scummy.
A Quiet Place Part II (2020)
Pale Sequel
I really enjoyed the first one, and not just for the interesting critters and world-building, but mostly for the family dynamic (though I had issues with the manufactured conflict between the def daughter and her father who tried to keep her safe (God forbid) in such a challenging environment).
The sequel? Not so much. Still a good world, but I find it hard to believe that everyone becomes an evil dirtbag almost immediately. Oh, except for the lucky few who escaped to an island.
It raised more questions than it answered. Like, why did the aliens even come there? How did they get the technology to fly through space, but not learn to swim? Too many plot holes and not enough meat on the story to overlook them.
Wendy Williams: The Movie (2021)
Wendy Williams Is A Garbage Person
So many people deserve a show, let alone a biopic movie, more than Wendy Williams. She is the worst of media and that is saying a lot. This offends me almost as much as she does.
The Trial of the Chicago 7 (2020)
Pandering Revisionism
What a timely piece of propaganda using a widely criticized war. Nice blend of truths and half truths to cloud the reality; open, violent protest against a government that was not responsible for the deaths of MLK or RFK. I guess this is supposed to excuse the looting and riots going on today under the guise of solidarity with the anti-Vietnam War movement?
Misbehaviour (2020)
Pointless Pandering
No one remembers this event because it had no impact. Are stupid pageants gone? No. This is yet another attempt at studios to pander to a demographic to cash in on woke points. It's a shame that talented actors and actresses have to stop so low in an attempt to remain relevant.
Unfit: The Psychology of Donald Trump (2020)
Shameful Propaganda
Reminds me of D'Souza's hit piece on Clinton. Shame on you Amazon.
My Octopus Teacher (2020)
We Could All Learn Something Here
Good lord that was an emotional journey. I'm not the person to get all mispy over a movie, but this hit me very hard. What a wonderful and harrowing relationship with wildlife. Very inspiring.
The 13th Warrior (1999)
Excellent Story for an Action Film
I love the redemption arc of the main character. I also love that two vastly different cultures come together in mutual respect in the face of adversity. Shame this does not get higher praise as it is a tight action flick with little fat on it.
A Sister's Call (2012)
Heard the Call
This is a knock out of the park for me. What a wonderfull family. In the face of so much, they managed to shine incredibly bright.
Star Trek: Lower Decks (2020)
Beam Me Up!
Not sure how crappy Christian flicks and soppy romcoms can garner 6+ ratings on IMDB, while this gets a 5.8. This is a lot of fun in a familiar setting that doesn't take itself too seriously. Discovery and Picard are so dark and lacking the optimism of other iterations, that I was sure they'd become typical action/adventure flicks in sci-fi settings like Marvel movies. The Orville is a breath of fresh air as is Rick and Morty and Final Space, and this joins those ranks. Big hit for me. Tawny Newsome is the shining star here, just like Space Force. She's havin a heckuva season!
In Bright Axiom (2019)
Axiom is Latin for Con?
This plays like a bunch of wannabe actors got together and pooled their money to make the movie they were never cast in due to a lack of talent. Surely some of them were conned, but they expect the rest of us to buy their con as well. Maybe out of some sense of shame? If I can con you into joining my hipster cult, I'll feel less shame that I got conned? Regardless, this is less documentary and more shameless performance art. And bad performance art at that.
The Orville (2017)
The Future We All Want
Total hit for me. This has everything all the Star Treks and Galaxy Quest have to offer. Jokes can be hackey, but the characters are so well developed, you forgive the occassional low brow humor. Theres such optimism in this vision of the future. It's everything I want in adult comedy and sci-fi adventure.
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The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962)
I Hate Westerns...
...except for a few, and this is one of them. Theres a reason its iconic, and I love films that depict "interesting times." The only others I can take are Buch Cassidy, Silverado, Hateful 8. Maybe a few early Eastwood flicks, and Unforgiven. The genre just isn't compelling unless it has a great stoey, and I believe this one does just that.
Mayday (2013)
No Mystery Why This Attracted a Solid Cast
Fun mystery/whodunit with just a hint of druidic magic. Packed full of great actors all possibly guilty of something if not murder. If you like Brit murder mysteries, you'll love this.
Us (2019)
More Like Them
The acting and directing are on the money, though i do think at times the lead was over the top. My issues are the whys. The premise reminds me of Invasion of the Body Snatchers, except that in that superior movie, theres a reason. None here. Too many unanswered questions and it ruined it for me. I do t need a road map, but I'd at least like to know what state I'm in.
Booksmart (2019)
SuperMeh
I expected a certain amount of similarities to SuperBad, given Jonah Hill's sister is in this, bylut this just sucks all the funny out the concept. We get a bland girl's version lacking in any originality. I wanted to like this, but the movie got in the way. Beanie Feldstein is just not funny. Stop trying to push that on us. And stop wotj the girl version of movies. Theres plenty of talented women directors, writers, and actors out there. Im positive they can create engaging stories with female leads. I never got that SuperBad is specifically a guy movie. Its a coming of age movie. Whoever made this lost that point somewhere.
The Tribe (1999)
The Worst Thing I've Ever Seen
...and thar is an achievement as I watched Beef Wars. I mean, i criticized TWD for too many episodes dealing with how the survivors feel about the zombies, but this takes the dystopian cake. Who the hell has time for all that make-up and hair dye? Why are there no guns? I would enslave all of these kids and force them to find every dvd of this show and burn it for warmth.
Men in Black: International (2019)
Made in Bland
I criticized Tessa Thompson for saying she didnt eant to work with a bunch of white people, especially white men, but i thinks shes right; she should stop working with them or anyone else. She is terrible in this and bland. I at least thought she could back up her diva attitude with sime chops, because i actually enjoyed her in Thor: Ragnarok, but nope. She's had the luxury of working with a charming and funny lead twice, and it looks like she only shines under their light. She's not a lead and this sufferes by trying to match her against Hemsworth's star power, and dragged him down. Her and a dull script trying to cash in on a known quantity. Step up your game, Hollywood! The age of the superhero blockbuster and endless rwboots is ending.
Kathy Griffin: A Hell of a Story (2019)
Never Been Less Funny
I can't stand Trump, but i think i cant stand Kathy Griffith more. Why? Because i expect stupidity and vitriol from Trump. Kathy Griffith gives everyone who opposes Trump a bad name. Shes the Kelly Anne Conway of the left. She has no credibility, tact, intelligence or wit.
Alita: Battle Angel (2019)
ITT Lot of Shilling
Not great, is what I have to say. Based on the marketing strategy at the time of release, you'd think this was the anti-Captain Marvel, and at the highest level the plot was a little better and more coherent. A little. But these two movies are nothing alike.
Alita came off as a YA novel adaptation vs. comic book/manga. And if you're unfamiliar with the story, you probably won't be too engaged in this CGI-fest. I wasn't.
It reminded me of Speed Racer in both the look and the issue of source material. If you grew up watching the SR cartoon, SR was a fun, live-action movie. I thought it captured the anime style very well and really enjoyed it. Unfortunately, I dont have that at foundation for Alita and the film does not hold up well without it. I got very bored at times and the action was all CGI so no better than a lot of video games.
The yes didn't bug me, but Waltz's hat did for some reason.
Another Life (2019)
Any Other Life
Big Brother in space sponsored by Forever 21 and Hot Topic. This is unbearable except for Katee Sackhoff and the guy who plays her husband. Hence the two stars. Nothing works here. It's bad sci-fi married with terrible acting with a dash of horrific writing.
Styx (2018)
Well-shot, Poorly Written
Never has a character, a child no less, evoked so little sympathy from me. I fail to see the logic of this character. If anything, the film is saying, "don't ever help. You won't be thanked and you could end up dead."
Nor have I seen someone do ill-prepared for solo sailing. The only thing she got right was the virtue signaling. They could have made an interesting film just about solo sailing to Ascension and what a fulfilling experience that was.
Very ham-handed, but beautifully shot.
Captain Marvel (2019)
One of the Worst in MCU
I hated all the shtuff that went down surrounding this, but I'm convinced it was a marketing ploy to make it bulletproof to criticism. I also must admit I'm not a comic book person, though I've seen my fair share if the MCU. Its not the worst, but it is close for the money laid out on it.
Plot is hokey beyond belief and seems shoehorned into all the other MCU entries. It's a retcon piece just like the crap in Star Trek Discovery. Just another overpowered superhero with no charm or wit.
The 90s nostalgia couldn't help a bland story and lead.
Even the things people did admit to liking were lame. Sam Jackson was not great and reduced to a comic sidekick compared to his other appearances. The cat was stupid.
And I hate to admit it, but the critics were right about Brie Larson; she has zero charisma. I hated the crap she said before this premiered and don't find her remotely appealing or talented, but some weird part of me wanted to see this succeed so I could say I'm not just some troll. But I just can't. And because anyone who dares criticize this or her is labeled as such, I accept my fate. Please stop her from making more movies.
Black Mirror: Smithereens (2019)
Personal Responsibility
That's what's missing from this story. Understandably the main character is overcome with grief, and I get where the episode is trying to go, but it misses the entire point; it's not the app it's you. Just like with any addiction, the addicted have to take the first step. Instead, this guy endangers everyone over his own grief trying to make some stupid point. If he was truly sorry he would have admitted his guilt and taken the blame, served his time. Nope. In my mind this ended with the poor black guy getting killed because that's how it works. If that guy would have just taken his punishment everyone would have been better off
Black Mirror: Striking Vipers (2019)
No Homo
I get it, and it's not a bad premise, but for it to work, one if them has to be gay/bi. Why would you create a female character if you weren't curious? As soon as your buddy showed up as a chick, wouldn't your gaydar go off? The whole episode just smacks of someone coming out and trying to get their buddy to be gay with them. It makes it seem like gay is a choice. "C'mon wussy! You're not a real man until you've slept with your buddy's female avatar!"