steveatwal

Atlas (2024)

Adventurous spirit and engaging storyline

"Atlas," starring Jennifer Lopez, has been praised for its adventurous spirit and engaging storyline.

**Jennifer Lopez shines in 'Atlas'**: In this high-tech space adventure, Jennifer Lopez plays Atlas Shepherd, a brilliant data analyst who forms an unlikely alliance with a sassy AI. Critics have noted that the film is a delightful surprise, with Lopez's performance being a standout. Her dynamic presence is a testament to her versatility and star power, making "Atlas" a must-watch on Netflix.

**A Sci-Fi Thriller with Heart**: "Atlas" takes an ultimately positive stance on the synergy between humanity and technology. The film suggests that our survival may depend on embracing AI as allies rather than adversaries. With a narrative that champions cooperation over conflict, "Atlas" offers a refreshing take on the sci-fi genre.

**Entertainment Royalty**: Jennifer Lopez continues to prove she's a force to be reckoned with in the entertainment industry. "Atlas" adds to her impressive portfolio of work, showcasing her ability to lead and captivate audiences in any genre.

In summary, "Atlas" is celebrated for its thrilling action sequences, and Jennifer Lopez's magnetic performance. It's a film that not only entertains but also invites viewers to ponder the possibilities of human-AI collaboration.

Boy Kills World (2023)

Most Graphically Violent Movie Ever

This is definitely the most graphically violent movie I've ever seen. The little sister was probably the most likable character here, adding some humor and common sense to the whole storyline.

This is a film that has sparked a range of reactions. It presents a dystopian vision where the protagonist, known only as Boy, embarks on a vengeful quest against a totalitarian regime. Boy, portrayed by Bill Skarsgård, is a deaf and mute orphan whose family was brutally murdered by the despotic Van Der Koy dynasty. The film follows his transformation into a lethal instrument of revenge, trained by a mysterious shaman played by Yayan Ruhian.

**Critique: The film has been described as a hyper-action spectacle with a comedic twist. It attempts to blend a serious revenge narrative with over-the-top violence and dark humor. Critics have noted that while the action sequences are well-executed, the film struggles with its tone, swinging between a serious media critique and a gory action comedy.

Bill Skarsgård delivers a compelling performance, bringing depth to a character that could easily have been one-dimensional. His portrayal of Boy's inner turmoil and drive for vengeance is both convincing and engaging. However, the film's use of voiceover narration has been criticized for being excessive and detracting from the visual storytelling.

The supporting cast, including Michelle Dockery and Famke Janssen, provide solid performances, though their characters are not as fleshed out as they could be. The Van Der Koy family, particularly Melanie Van Der Koy, played by Dockery, is depicted as the epitome of vanity and corruption, but the character development is somewhat lacking.

**Visuals and Production: The film's production design and world-building have been praised, creating a believable post-apocalyptic landscape. The action scenes are choreographed with precision, showcasing Skarsgård's physicality and the stunt team's expertise. However, some critics feel that the film's reliance on violence overshadows its narrative and thematic ambitions.

**Themes: The film touches on themes of media manipulation, political power, and personal revenge. It attempts to comment on the influence of media in shaping public perception and the dangers of unchecked political authority. While these themes are present, they are not explored as deeply as they could be, often lost amidst the film's frenetic pace.

**Overall Impression: This is a film that will likely divide audiences. Its blend of action and comedy, coupled with a heavy dose of violence, makes for an entertaining yet polarizing experience. While it showcases some impressive action choreography and a strong lead performance, the film's narrative and thematic depth leave something to be desired.

It's a bold attempt at genre-blending that doesn't quite hit the mark. It's a visual feast for action aficionados but may fall short for those seeking a more cohesive and impactful story. The film is a testament to Skarsgård's versatility as an actor and the potential of action cinema to push boundaries, even if it doesn't always succeed in its execution.

Monkey Man (2024)

Vibrant and Audacious with Some Flaws

"Monkey Man" (2024) emerges as a vibrant and audacious debut from Dev Patel, who not only stars in but also directs this action-packed thriller. Inspired by the legend of Hanuman, the film follows 'Kid', portrayed by Patel, a fighter who dons a gorilla mask and battles for survival in an underground fight club. His journey from a battered contender to a vengeful force against the city's corrupt elite is both gripping and emotionally charged.

**Positive Aspects:

• Dev Patel's performance is a standout, with his expressive eyes and physicality adding depth to the character of 'Kid.'
• The action sequences are a highlight, described as intense and brutal, offering a visceral experience that feels fresh in the genre.

• The film's inspiration from various action templates around the world, including Bollywood and Korean action, lends it a unique flavor.

• The emotional storyline, coupled with the well-executed action scenes, provides a satisfying narrative arc.

• Despite its strengths, the film suffers from pacing issues, the structure - a lengthy setup followed by action - is a bit jarring.

• The supporting characters are weak, which detracts from the overall impact of the story.

• Too many references to John Wick in this movie, and it seems like they took some ideas from that franchise.

Lifemark (2022)

Could have been so much better

This movie could have been so much better:

• if it was written better. Too many teary moments...not very realistic.

• if it didn't keep referring to God so often. Seems like everyone in the movie was into God and praising God. Not very realistic.

• if David's friend didn't have his iPhone in everyone's face, recording everything, and no one complaining about it. Not very realistic.

Madame Web (2024)

Bad Writing, Bad Directing, Bad Villain

This movie could have been so much better if it didn't have the dumb moments. For example:

• it seems Cassandra (Madame)'s medical training is limited to doing compressions 😂 Almost every scene she's in, helping someone medically, she's doing compressions...it doesn't matter if the victim is a drowning victim, or a poison victim 😂 Young people will walk away thinking compressions is the only thing they need to do!

• and what about her driving a stolen taxi (without license plates) for days? Why wasn't she stopped by the police?? Plus, taxis usually have a GPS system so the main office can track their drivers locations...useful if a taxi is stolen!

• and the big one: at the end, Madame is blind and in a wheelchair? Why? She was drowning and was saved...how did that affect her eyesight and not being able to walk?

The Painter (2024)

Acting/Story Good...Fight Scenes Could Be Better

Acting/Story Good...Fight Scenes are Meh!

"The Painter" is a fast-paced action thriller that delivers on its promise of adrenaline and suspense. Charlie Weber stars as Peter, an ex-CIA operative who has left his violent past behind and become a successful painter. However, his peaceful life is shattered when a mysterious woman from his past, Sophia (Madison Bailey), reappears and asks for his help. Soon, Peter finds himself hunted by a ruthless killer (Max Montesi) and a rogue black ops program led by his former mentor, Byrne (Jon Voight). Peter must use his skills and instincts to survive and protect Sophia, while uncovering the truth behind the conspiracy.

The film is directed by Kimani Ray Smith, who creates a tense and immersive atmosphere with his stylish cinematography and editing. The action scenes are well-choreographed, but could have been a little better executed. The film also benefits from a solid script by Brian Buccellato, who adds some twists and surprises to the familiar plot. The dialogue is witty and sharp, with some humorous moments that lighten the mood.

The cast is one of the film's strengths, as they deliver convincing and charismatic performances. Weber is a likable and relatable protagonist, who shows both vulnerability and courage. Bailey is a charming and mysterious love interest, who has a strong chemistry with Weber. Montesi is a menacing and relentless villain, who poses a serious threat to the heroes. Voight is a veteran actor who brings gravitas and complexity to his role as the mastermind behind the scheme.

"The Painter" is not a groundbreaking or original film, but it is a highly entertaining and satisfying one. It is a well-made and well-acted action thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat and leave you wanting more. If you are a fan of the genre, you will not be disappointed by "The Painter."

The Marvels (2023)

One Word: Boring

The Marvels (2023) is a disappointing and chaotic sequel to the much better Captain Marvel (2019). The film tries to cram in three different superheroes: Carol Danvers (Brie Larson), Monica Rambeau (Teyonah Parris), and Kamala Khan (Iman Vellani), but fails to give any of them enough development or personality. The plot is a convoluted mess that involves a Kree villain, a mysterious wormhole, and a magic bangle that somehow links the powers of the three heroes. The film also suffers from tonal inconsistency, shifting from comedy to drama to action without any coherence or logic. The humor is forced and unfunny, the drama is melodramatic and clichéd, and the action is bland and confusing. The visual effects are also terrible, looking cheap and fake throughout the film. The Marvels (2023) is a waste of time and talent, and a clear sign that the Marvel Cinematic Universe is running out of steam and ideas. MCU needs better writers and producers to get back on course, or they will continue to lose money big time.

Silent Night (2023)

Gets Better After first 40% if the Movie

So, I assume the low ratings are from people complaining about the slow, teary, pace of the first 40% of the movie. But, if you keep watching, it does get better after the 60% mark. As for that last 50% of the movie, see below.

"Silent Night" is a gripping and stylish action thriller that marks the triumphant return of legendary director John Woo to Hollywood. Starring Joel Kinnaman as a vengeful father who loses his voice and his son in a gang shootout on Christmas Eve, the film is a masterclass of visual storytelling, with minimal dialogue and maximum impact. Woo's signature style of slow-motion, dual-wielding, and doves is on full display, as Kinnaman's character embarks on a brutal and relentless quest for justice against the ruthless gang leader Playa, played by Harold Torres. The film also features a strong supporting cast, including Scott Mescudi as a sympathetic detective, Catalina Sandino Moreno as Kinnaman's estranged wife, and Angeles Woo as a badass policewoman. Silent Night is a must-see for fans of action cinema, as it delivers a thrilling and satisfying ride that will leave you breathless.

Leo (2023)

Great Action Movie for John Wick Fans!

Great action, popcorn 🍿 movie. Inspired by the graphic novel "A History of Violence." The movie became a huge blockbuster, earning over Rs 600 crore worldwide. The movie got mixed reviews from critics, but has been praised for Vijay's performance, action sequences, and music by Anirudh Ravichander. Soundtrack for the movie is on Spotify, and sounds great on speakers. Leo is one of the best action movies I've seen in 2023 and a must-watch for all Vijay fans, as well as John Wick fans. It left me guessing until the end as to who the main character really was, as he kept denying that he was Leo. I really hope they make a sequel as the ending left it open for more movies based on this character.

Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (2023)

A fun and action-packed film for the whole family.

IGN's Matt Donato called it a "get-the-job-done summer crowd-pleaser" that effectively pays off nostalgia. Christy Lemire of Roger Ebert praised the movie for its narrative focus and visual coherence, as well as its care for human characters. I agree with Christy Lemire, and found the movie much more enjoyable than the flimsy "The Flash" that really had no real depth or character development (they need better writers, like the writers from this movie).

This movie features the Maximals from the "Transformers: Beast Wars" TV series and various intergalactic villains doing the bidding of the planet-gobbling Unicron. The plot revolves around the pursuit of an ancient artifact that must be recovered before it falls into Unicron's hands.

Overall, "Transformers: Rise of the Beasts" is a fun and action-packed film that will please the whole family.

The Flash (2023)

Lower Rating Is For Disgusting Factor

This movie could have been so much better, but they ruined it by adding such disgusting stuff to Barry's character. I mean, how childish and immature can you make an alternate Barry? And how much of Barry throwing up did they have to show in such vivid detail? That might appeal to a much younger audience, but I highly doubt that those things would appeal to anyone else. The story also seemed to just plod along, without much excitement...although there were a few action scenes that were good. Unfortunately, the overall package failed to deliver what I was expecting. This seemed to be more on par with an episode of The Flash series. They definitely need better writers. Such a pity.

The Mother (2023)

Great Movie! Ignore The Negative Reviews.

It's a pity how people can put down such a great movie. This movie has action, emotion/drama, good writing, and great acting. I've seen much much worse movies that have gotten better ratings. Come on guys, show some love!

"The Mother" is a heartwarming and emotional film that tells the story of a mother's love and sacrifice for her daughter. The acting is superb, with the lead actress (Jennifer Lopez) delivering a powerful and moving performance. The cinematography is also stunning, capturing the beauty and complexity of the relationships between the characters, as well as the beauty of nature and the lifecycle of wild creatures. Overall, "The Mother" is a great film that will leave you feeling inspired and uplifted.

Solos (2021)

Amazing Series with Awesome Character Studies

Having studied acting, I can assure people that each episode is an amazing, beautiful, character study. I cried in almost every episode. You need to put yourself in the shoes of each character, and BE that person, feeling what they feel. There is also a beautiful lesson to be learnt from each episode. I just wish they made more episodes!

-- Having studied acting, I can assure people that each episode is an amazing, beautiful, character study. I cried in almost every episode. You need to put yourself in the shoes of each character, and BE that person, feeling what they feel. There is also a beautiful lesson to be learnt from each episode. I just wish they made more episodes!

Vesper (2022)

Amazing Movie!

This movie is amazing in so many ways! Cinematography, special effects, story, acting. The ending scene was also very enlightening. It's won some awards too, all well deserved. This movie rates a 10 for me...usually, my highest rating is an 8. If you want a movie of a future gone bad, but given hope for a new start, then this is it. Watch it, and let it unfold slowly, and enjoy each moment! Two thumbs up 👍 👍

This movie is amazing in so many ways! Cinematography, special effects, story, acting. The ending scene was also very enlightening. It's won some awards too, all well deserved. This movie rates a 10 for me...usually, my highest rating is an 8. If you want a movie of a future gone bad, but given hope for a new start, then this is it. Watch it, and let it unfold slowly, and enjoy each moment! Two thumbs up 👍 👍

The Chosen: Homecoming (2022)

Not Sure Where People Are Watching This...Not Out Yet

IMDB is my source of ultimate TV/Movie info, but it's showing this episode as being out and it isn't (as of Dec 14, 2022). So, where is anyone watching this?

-- IMDB is my source of ultimate TV/Movie info, but it's showing this episode as being out and it isn't (as of Dec 14, 2022). So, where is anyone watching this?

-- IMDB is my source of ultimate TV/Movie info, but it's showing this episode as being out and it isn't (as of Dec 14, 2022). So, where is anyone watching this?

-- IMDB is my source of ultimate TV/Movie info, but it's showing this episode as being out and it isn't (as of Dec 14, 2022). So, where is anyone watching this?

Three Thousand Years of Longing (2022)

Much better than I expected...and great acting performances!

Idris and Tilda gave awesome performances in this movie. I think this performance from Idris is the best one I've seen so far from him: I really felt sad for the Djinn. This is a thinking, feeling, person's movie...not a non-stop, brainless, action movie (although I enjoy those when l'm too tired to think too much). But, one question: did Alithea make a 3rd wish? Also: there were hints (from the throat swallow, shaking leg) that Alithea may have been Sheba and other incarnations of her...I was really hoping, and was disappointed, that they would answer that question at the end. Even an end credit scene indicating if Alithea was a reincarnation of Sheba, etc would have been good.

Beast (2022)

Could have been so much better

The biggest problem with this movie is the bad writing, and bad actions from the kids and the dad. Too many to list, but here's a few:

• dad goes after his friend, and tells kids to stay in car...away from the big lion outside...instead the oldest kid goes after her dad.

• kids start phoning the dad and blaring the horn when their dad is trying to hide from the lion. LOL
• they get to a poacher's lodge...leave the front door wide open...dad patches up his daughter, goes outside but leaves the doors wide open, so the lion finds it easy to get inside.

Nope (2022)

Boring As Heck

We couldn't watch more than 20 mins of this before we totally lost interest and got bored. A word to the producers: if you can't capture viewers attention in the first 10-mins, they'll just stop watching. We think all the interesting bits of the movie were probably in the trailer(s). We just didn't see anything worth watching.

We couldn't watch more than 20 mins of this before we totally lost interest and got bored. A word to the producers: if you can't capture viewers attention in the first 10-mins, they'll just stop watching. We think all the interesting bits of the movie were probably in the trailer(s). We just didn't see anything worth watching.

Samaritan (2022)

Great Family Movie

Yes, I thought it was a great movie. Even at 76, Stallone rocks! He has raw screen charisma, and still looks great. No over-the-top violence. Definite good messages in the film, and a great atmosphere & cinematography reminiscent of the 80's. Maybe a tad too long. But, nicely produced and acted. Give it a watch.

Yes, I thought it was a great movie. Even at 76, Stallone rocks! He has raw screen charisma, and still looks great. No over-the-top violence. Definite good messages in the film, and a great atmosphere & cinematography reminiscent of the 80's. Maybe a tad too long. But, nicely produced and acted. Give it a watch.

The Sandman (2022)

Great Adaptation of the Book!

Ignore the whiny negative reviews...they have no idea how to adapt a book into a TV series, especially one as complex and mind bending as this one. I read the book, and this is a FINE adaptation! Yes, it has a few minor changes, but it holds pretty true to the written version. Well done to all the writers, producers, actors, and SFX team!

The Terminal List (2022)

Great Action Show

Great acting, story, writing, directing. Seems very true to life. All actors are great, with good back stories. Here's hoping the show has more seasons! We definitely need more shows like this!

Prey (2022)

Awesome! Best Predator Movie?

The story, acting, action, we're all great. Kudos to the writers, directors, and actors, and SFX team. I can honestly say this is probably the best Predator movie for me!

Forever (2014)

Awesome Show Cancelled Too Soon!

This was (and still is) one of my favorite shows. Great characters, and stories. Pity they cancelled it. The show should have gone on for (almost) ever!

The Gray Man (2022)

Not as Good as I Thought It Would Be

Good effort, but there are some issues:

• story/pacing just doesn't seem to flow well.

• Movie seemed longer than it should be. I started checking the time to see when it would end. Maybe it was the wooden acting from main protagonist...just didn't connect with him.

• in the end, nothing bad happened to the bad guy in the agency. And they hinted at who was pushing this bad guy in the agency, but nothing came of who that was. Seemed like loose ends were left loose and not tied up.

• if they make another, they need better writers and directors.

Thor: Love and Thunder (2022)

Gawd! This Was Aweful! First Bad Marvel Movie.

This was so bad, not sure why it was even released. Bad writing, bad story, bad jokes. They basically turned Thor into a lame moron. So sad...the first truly bad Marvel movie I've seen. No need to waste your money on this one!