overlord

POSITIVES…
- An enjoyable mash-up of the war and horror film genres. It’s like a highly produced and well directed B-movie.
- The action sequences are good and thrilling.
- Violence are not toned down much at all, and are bloodily uncompromising. Befitting with what the movie is going for.
- Visually, this film is awesome, with some amazing shots and set pieces that evokes it’s horror themes.
- Excellent pacing that doesn’t let up and kept me invested from beginning until the end.
- Effective storytelling that is simple and to the point, despite it’s high concept premise.
- Cast is great in this, highlighted by the performances of Jovan Adepo, Mathilde Ollivier, Pilou Asbaek, and Wyatt Russell.

NEGATIVES…
- I’m simply not a fan of Tibbet, the character that John Magaro plays. I personally wouldn’t want him in my company.
- Movie goers that think this movie is nothing but nazi zombies will probably be disappointed.

P.S….
- Can we ever really get tired of seeing Nazis get their comeuppance?

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nobody's fool

POSITIVES…
- Feels like a nice throwback to simple story telling based on an amusing premise.
- When the movie allows Tiffany Haddish and Tika Sumpter to let loose is when they are at their best.
- Whoopi Goldberg is great at every scene she is in here. Honestly thought the movie should have just been about her.

NEGATIVES…
- It’s not as funny as I hoped it would be. The only time I laughed out loud was when the scene with the surprise cameo appearance.
- there’s a moment when I thought the movie already ended, and then it just keeps going and going and going.
- I didn’t really like Tika Sumpter’s character of Danica, as it makes me just not care about what happens to her, and she’s the main character!

P.S….
- “On Bended Knee” by Boys II Men

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the nutcracker and the four realms

POSITIVES…
- visuals are nice enough
- interesting take on the classic Nutcracker story, with some good themes

NEGATIVES…
- unfortunately it’s really not that interesting, and the themes are pretty elementary
- generally uninspired and unmemorable
- the premise feels much too manufactured and predictable
- leading characters don’t really have much to offer in terms of personality
- things just happen because they have to happen
- the movie only thinks it’s pretty clever and has wonderful world building. It does not.

P.S….
- There’s a mouse character made of mice, and a Russian nesting doll come to life. Nightmarish.

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bohemian rhapsody

POSITIVES…
- If you are a fan of QUEEN, then go see this movie. If you weren’t already a fan, this movie might just make you one.
- Rami Malek was simply amazing as Freddie Mercury. I couldn’t keep my eyes off his performance. Just brilliant.
- I loved the moments this movie dedicated to Freddie’s chemistry with his bandmates, at least when it makes the most effort in showing it.
- I really loved that this movie dedicate a good amount of time to his relationship with Mary Austin; wonderfully played by Lucy Boynton.
- Speaking of moments. The set piece involving LIVE AID should leave you with awe by the end of it.
- The integration of the music, songs, and performances are 50% or more, of why it’s totally worth checking this film out.

NEGATIVES…
- It seemed the movie relied a little too much on the strength of the songs and of Malek’s performance, as the rest of the film is a bit scattershot in quality.
- Once again here’s another biopic that doesn’t always manage to properly juggle telling a proper narrative when it’s trying way too hard to cram in too much historical content into it’s 134 minutes time frame.
- If it wasn’t for the very strong second half, and Rami Malek as Freddie Mercury, I don’t think I would have recommended seeing this movie.

P.S…..
- It was simply meta genius to have Mike Myers cameo in a scene directly involving the song “Bohemian Rhapsody.”

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the hate u give

POSITIVES…
- Amandla Stenberg is without a doubt one of the main reasons to see this movie. She is amazing here! The whole cast is good too, but Amandla as Starr Carter is phenomenal.
- The point of view and perspective in regards to the premise of the story is very thought provoking, and tackles the complexities really well.
- There are multiple scenes and set pieces that this movie has to offer that that I thought were so compelling and unforgettable.
- Undeniably, the thematic messaging for this movie is a very important part of it, and is most definitely a great tool for teaching empathy.

NEGATIVES…
- While the thematic messaging is strong, some might also say that it hits us over the head a little too much.
- I acknowledge that there are some plot conveniences here and there, but they’re nothing too egregious.

P.S….
- If you’re wondering if this movie covers “both sides of the story,” then you’re missing the point of why this story exists. For that matter, this isn’t a “hate cops” film, but their perspective is addressed.

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the oath

POSITIVES…
- Ike Barinholtz is at full blown entertaining crazy here, as Actor, Writer, and Director.
- Fantastic cast all around, with some strong work by Billy Magnussen, Tiffany Haddish, and Jon Barinholtz.
- Just watching the escalation and tension grow as the movie moves along into a full blown catastrophe can be very enjoyable to watch.
- If you like to laugh at the ridiculousness of political partisan discourse among families during Thanksgiving, then this is the movie for you.

NEGATIVES…
- If watching a movie that pokes fun at partisan politics isn’t something you’re into, then definitely do not watch this.
- As outrageous and offensive as this movie can be, it oddly didn’t go far enough for me with it’s social commentary into the political climate of today.
- I think the movie played it a little “too safe” in some regards.
- Some plot turns were simply too convenient.

P.S….
- Oddly enough, I can believe the events of this movie actually happening in real life. Sad.

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mid90s

POSITIVES…
- Sunny Suljic is amazing in his role as Stevie, and comes off so authentic
- Captures the “slacker generation” era really well.
- I liked some of the thematic plot points, surrounding Stevie’s journey, his Brother, his Mother, and his skateboarding friends.
- The chemistry and dynamics between the characters felt spot on.
- There’s a certain “raw” feel to the movie, that feels more like a series of snapshots of a story, than a purely written narrative.

NEGATIVES…
- Because of the way this story is told, it also feels like it meanders too much at some points.
- The characters in this movie aren’t always the most likable people that you’d actually want to watch a movie about.
- Due to the naturalistic style of storytelling, the movie can feel a little bit incomplete.

P.S….
- I was reminded at how much I simply didn’t like the fashion style of the 1990s.

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the old man and the gun

POSITIVES…
- Robert Redford is charming as heck here. He is always so enjoyable to watch.
- Sissy Spacek is simply a delight in this as well.
- Based on the true-life story of Forrest Tucker, this is a nice premise of a movie.
- Written and Directed by David Lowery, he gives us a well paced, simple, and not overly-stylized story, that’s very entertaining for what it is.

NEGATIVES…
- Some people might not find this movie exciting enough, especially when it’s about a bank-robber.
- This is supposed to be Robert Redford’s last movie as an actor. That’s definitely a negative thing, because who wouldn’t want to see more of Robert Redford on the big-screen.

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halloween

Let me just say that this 2018 entry of “Halloween” is definitely trying to capture that old style slasher film, with a few touches of modern sensibilities in terms of social themes. I say that because during the first few acts of the movie, with the time it’s taking setting up the characters and the premise, I was afraid that it wouldn’t grab the attention of today’s movie going audience. That’s due to it being less “in-your-face” or self-aware like some horror films are nowadays. Half way through the movie though, I think it made me completely ignore what I was concerned about.

The simplicity and basic nature of a slasher film is very much present here. It’s nothing fancy. It’s got some jump scare fake outs. It shows Michael Myers creepily stalk his prey. The helplessness of the victims sets the tone. The increasing amount of people who get murdered elevates the tension. The bravery of Laurie Strode gives us the protagonist to root for. The inclusion of Laurie’s family into the story makes it feel more personal. The OHMYGOD did Michael Myers just head-stomped that guy?!!!

I suppose I could argue that the increase in gory violence, and the adversarial nature of Laurie and Michael, does give it more of a modern take after all. They probably could have even called this movie “Laurie Strode vs Michael Myers.” All the new touches are appreciated, and shows some growth with the franchise, without tossing away everything we loved about the 1978 original. I mean it’s still got some stupid coincidences, or plot conveniences, that you’re going to have to suspend your disbelief with. This isn’t some meta deconstruction of a genre. It’s more of an homage. If you’re willing to accept this fact; the good and the bad that comes with this genre, then you should enjoy watching the movie.

While “Halloween” doesn’t exactly reinvent the wheel with this 2018 film, it does give it a nice jolt of electricity to bring back some interest to a franchise that people have already written off. With that I thank David Gordon Green, Danny McBride, Jeff Fradley, and of course John Carpenter, for reminding us why Michael Myers isn’t somebody you should keep in the past.

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the sisters brothers

POSITIVES…
- John C Reilly is phenomenal as Eli Sisters, and I’d like to add that he’s a badass in this.
- Joaquin Phoenix is amazing as Charlie Sisters, and brings some subtle complexities to his character.
- Jake Gyllenhaal as John Morris, and Riz Ahmed as Hermann Kermit Warm, are also really really good in this.
- The primary four actors should be enough to check this movie out.
- Premise for the film is solid, and I wouldn’t have minded seeing more stories surrounding the Sisters Brothers.
- There are some good locations, and excellent cinematography, that highlight this Western.
- There are also some great scenes, and interesting set pieces, that were mostly found in the second half of the movie.

NEGATIVES…
- If it wasn’t for the second half, this movie would have been an embarrassing mess.
- I couldn’t help but feel frustrated and impatient during the first half of the movie, even though the plot technically moves along at a decent pace.
- Boring and meandering is another way to describe a lot of the things that happens during the first half; and some in the second half too.
- This really felt like a really long movie, even if it’s just at about 121 minutes long.
- Some few attempts of amusing comedic moments are squandered by the fact the tone of the movie doesn’t exactly justify having them.
- There are some marketing materials for this that implies it being an action-packed western that leans on some comedy, and the actual movie is far from that. Talk about misleading.

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