The Curse Of La Llorona

POSITIVES…

  • Linda Cardellini is good in this, and perfectly plays the audience surrogate to what happens in this movie.

  • Raymond Cruz is a welcome addition to this cast, and gives this movie that extra oomph to make it better than it probably deserves to be.

  • The cinematography and camera work here is excellent.

  • Best thing about this movie are the jumpscare set pieces, and there are several of them. While there’s a predictability to them, I think they earn their jumpscares anyway, due to how effective and clever they were.

NEGATIVES…

  • The demon-ghost character of La Llorona herself is hardly developed or interesting at all.

  • La Llorona in this is relegated to just be the plot device to provide the jumpscares for this movie.  It’s a waste of her character.

  • Some have argued that this movie is also just cultural appropriation of a Latin American folklore legend.

  • While there are some smart things that the characters do, there are far more stupid things that they still do.

  • I like my Conjuring Universe movies to have that bit of feeling realistically grounded despite the supernatural elements, and this one fails at that in many ways.

  • There’s one particular scene, when one of the characters is doing the most incredibly stupid thing that I ever saw in the movie. I wanted to jeer at the screen for such a facepalm worthy scene.

P.S….

loveditenjoyedit  LIKED IT  itsokayitsmehitsterrible

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Missing Link

POSITIVES…

  • To no surprise, the incredible visuals achieved by the stop-motion animation work by Laika are simply amazing to see in this film.

  • The plot progression itself is simple and straightforward, and yet the story was also very clever and insightful in many different ways.

  • I liked the fascinating characters, and the talented cast that voiced them.

  • With this being sort of a buddy-road trip premise covering the adventures of Mr. Link and Sir Lionel Frost; Zach Galifianakis and Hugh Jackman respectively, The chemistry they have is just excellent! I was entertained quite thoroughly.

  • The thematic messages of the movie itself is also something I can totally stand behind.

  • There are some nice plot surprises and enjoyable action set-pieces, that I thought was just awesome.

  • I was entertained from beginning until the end. What more could you want?

NEGATIVES…

  • This style of movie and it’s type of humor simply may not appeal to everyone.

  • Plot conveniences. While they don’t break the whole movie, they are still there.

P.S….

lovedit ENJOYED IT likedititsokayitsmehitsterrible

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Hellboy (2019)

POSITIVES…

  • David Harbour as Hellboy is easily one of the best things about this reboot film.

  • Besides the main plot itself, the movie goes in so many crazy different directions, and that’s a compliment.

  • There are some good action set pieces that were fun to watch.

  • The monster design work is amazing in this.

  • Gotta say, the ultra gore and horror violence actually services this movie in all the right ways.

NEGATIVES…

  • That ultra gore and horror violence is going to turn some people off, because they are quite hardcore.

  • The CG work for the monsters aren’t always the best.

  • While the general plot, pacing, and direction of the movie are suppose to be exciting overall, somehow it just doesn’t feel like it.

  • The filmmakers clearly worked so hard here to make you care about what you’re seeing, but it took some effort to actually be invested with what’s going on with the movie. If you even get to that point.

  • Somehow, the most confidently good parts of the movie, literally happens in the last five minutes of it. That part was the fun kind of action-adventure-fantasy I’m feeling people were actually looking for, and not what came before that.

  • For a movie that adapted a comic book property, the majority of my theater audience left as soon as the end credits started, despite the fact there’s a mid-credits AND end-credits sequences. The movie they saw just didn’t make them care enough to bother I guess.

P.S….

loveditenjoyeditlikedit IT’S OKAY itsmehitsterrible

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Pet Sematary

POSITIVES…

  • Despite not being as flashy as modern horror flicks, this is a solid interpretation of the Stephen King novel, and a good remake of the original film adaptation.

  • The tone of creepiness and bleakness is done really well.

  • While the pace is confidently moderately moving, it successfully creates this build-up of tension, that leads the way into the incredible final act.

  • This film may have some effective jump scares, but there are some lingering quieter suspenseful scares that are probably even more effective.

  • The whole cast here is great in their roles. Jason Clarke, Amy Seimetz, John Lithgow, and Jete Laurence, all showcased some great subtle emotional acting when needed.

  • I dare say that I actually liked the direction and changes this adaptation made over the original.

NEGATIVES…

  • Changes from the book and from the previous film adaptation might irk some people.

  • Others might feel like it’s too much of a slow burn, and doesn’t “wow” you enough.

  • Some plot turns and reveals might come off as a little too sudden.

  • There is one character in the movie, that I think the movie could have absolutely lived without.

  • Depending on how you feel about it, conclusions to the many plot threads might not be satisfying enough.

P.S….

lovedit ENJOYED IT likedititsokayitsmehitsterrible

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Shazam

POSITIVES…

  • Zachary Levi as the superhero Shazam is highly entertaining to watch in the role, and is a huge reason as to why this movie works the way it does.

  • Jack Dylan Grazer as Freddy Freeman is also highly entertaining to watch, and is a scene-stealer in his own right. The chemistry he shares with Zachary Levi is great.

  • Asher Angel as Billy Batson does a good job in keeping his character interesting to watch.

  • The rest of the cast; which includes Mark Strong, are all fantastic in their roles. Kudos to Faithe Herman for her delightful role as Darla.

  • As for the story itself, it’s combined mix of fun escapism, comedy bits, and appreciative themes, all helps keep you from losing interest. 

  • How much fun is it seeing Billy Batson learn how to use his superpowers? Very fun.

  • The surprises! There are several surprising plot reveals that I thought were awesome to see play out.

  • Got to love all the little Easter Eggs thrown in, like a certain nod to a giant keyboard; a la the movie “Big.”

NEGATIVES…

  • While entertaining in all the right ways, there is still a certain simplicity to this origin story, that borders on being a bit too predictable at times.

  • Although they are both technically the same person, there doesn’t seem to be that much effort by Zachary Levi and Asher Angel to keep up with that premise. It’s like they really are just two different characters. Kinda disappointing.

  • There is a specific plot detail that runs throughout the movie as a gag, that is clearly leading up to a conclusion. Never happens! Talk about a let down.

  • Some of the plot turns and some thematic resolutions seemed a little too awfully unbelievably convenient.

  • Your suspension of disbelief is required more times than not.

P.S….

lovedit  ENJOYED IT  likedititsokayitsmehitsterrible 

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Dumbo

POSITIVES…

  • Dumbo is a cute CGI character that earns my attention. They also did a good job making him fly.

  • Danny Devito is widely entertaining when he is on screen.

  • Alan Arkin is also widely entertaining when he is on screen.

  • When the movie is hitting all the right notes, it’s fantastic. A lot of that has to do with the parent-child-family relationship theme throughout the whole premise.

  • The main story connection between Dumbo and the Milly Farrier character, is one of the better plots that drives the movie.

  • Pleasantly surprised at the direction they took with the story of Dumbo, as well as some of the commentaries.

  • I actually appreciated the thematic messages of the movie, and was probably the main reason I wanted to see it through until the end.

NEGATIVES…

  • Despite some good ideas, the majority of the movie is filled with plot cliches, after plot cliches, after plot cliches.

  • Colin Farrell’s character is simply not that interesting, short of one significant plot device.

  • The way the story handles Eva Green’s character and story arc, is disappointingly haphazard.

  • Michael Keaton’s character is too much of a cartoon cliche to be taken seriously.

  • They must have thought they were pretty clever having Michael Buffer do a cameo…

  • The CGI elephants don’t always work on screen at certain times either.

P.S….

  • I didn’t see any bats or penguins easter eggs…

loveditenjoyeditlikedit IT’S OKAY itsmehitsterrible

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The Dirt

POSITIVES…

  • If you’re a fan of Motley Crue, then this movie is made for you.

  • If you’re a fan of rock music biopics in general, then this movie might just be worth checking out.

  • From the opening scenes of outrageousness and horrible behavior, this movie successfully establishes itself as a biopic that isn’t afraid to show you the sex, drugs, rock n roll.

  • The accompanying Motley Crue songs is of course one of the best things about this movie.

  • The whole sequences on how the band got together and started having gigs, are the high points of this movie.

  • The actors they got to play the role of Sixx, Lee, Neil, and Mars, are fantastic in this! Their portrayal of these rock stars are one of the best things about his movie.

  • Then the other things people are going to want to watch this movie for, are the recreation of the more outrageous moments as told from the book that this is based on. Like that infamous pool scene.

NEGATIVES…

  • Besides the outrageous content, this is more or less a by-the-numbers musical biopic that occasionally breaks the 4th wall.

  • Despite the momentum provided by those outrageous content during the majority of the movie, there’s a mellower, more serious, arguably more boring, 4th act, that the movie just limps towards the end credits.

  • Speaking of outrageousness, is this movie exploitatively outrageous just for the sake of being outrageous? That’s a question you’ll find yourself asking throughout the movie.

  • Although there’s an understanding that the band mates are close to each other, there some emotional more dramatic moments during the second half about how much they mean to each other, that didn’t really feel as believable as it probably should have been.

  • Speaking of understandings, this movie does expect you to have some knowledge of the rock era this movie takes place in, because it doesn’t make too many attempts to explain who or what you are seeing on screen. Some might find the use of rock history short hand inadequate for certain plot details.

P.S….

loveditenjoyedit LIKED IT itsokayitsmehitsterrible

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Us

POSITIVES…

  • As a horror suspense thriller, Writer-Director Jordan Peele has given us an exhilarating and entertaining movie.

  • It’s not the scariest movie around, but Peele knows how to build up and create tension, and successfully put me on the edge of my seat for a lot of it.

  • Set pieces. Fantastic thriller set pieces here, and there are several of them.

  • Visually, the movie is amazing to look at. From the cinematography, the symbolically iconic looking images, to several memorable moments that I won’t be forgetting. Gotta love some of the camera angles chosen for certain scenes that I’m not going to spoil.

  • Story-wise, this has a great premise. The idea of a plot that you might have in your head just based on the promotional trailer isn’t enough to describe what actually happens in the movie. I was definitely invested to see the whole movie through.

  • In terms of themes, metaphors, symbolism, this movie is layered as heck. There are so many things to discuss with what happens in the story, to what it’s really all about.

  • Amazing cast of actors here, with a stand-out dual-role performance by Lupita Nyong’o. Evan Alex, Shahadi Wilson, Winston Duke, Tim Heidecker and Elisabeth Moss, were all fantastic! As expected, Winston Duke gets to be the funny one most of the time.

NEGATIVES…

  • As much as I liked some of the humor bits, it felt out of place at times, and took me out of the movie.

  • There were moments that I just didn’t believe what the characters were doing, which also took me out of the movie.

  • I have to point out that there is one particular plot point that I wished was actually addressed, because it felt like a glaring plot hole to me that fundamentally would have changed the film.

P.S….

lovedit ENJOYED IT likedititsokayitsmehitsterrible

Climax

POSITIVES…

  • This movie opens up with a beautifully framed shot, with a hint that something horrific happens, and successfully puts you on guard to be weary about what you’re about to see.

  • There’s an ominous tone throughout that is established from the opening shot, as well as an unnerving feeling like you’re watching real life video evidence of a terrifying event that you shouldn’t be witness to.

  • Those familiar with Gaspar Noe films should be pleased with the downward spiral of the narrative, from the mesmerizing beginnings, into the twisted and traumatizing plot turns.

  • One of the main highlights of seeing this are the electrifying dance sequences, and the energy the dancers put on screen; especially considering the majority of them are not seasoned actors.

  • We’ve got electro dancers, voguers, krumpers, and waackers here, and they perfectly fit with the toe-tapping head-bopping soundtrack of the film.

  • This movie is visually hypnotizing, and contains incredible imagery, with some creative camera work and editing that brings you further into the experience. It’s especially effective during the more nightmarish scenes.

  • Kudos to Gaspar Noe for once again creating an unforgettable film. A film that parents can use to scare their kids into avoiding going to dance parties, because bad things could happen there.

NEGATIVES…

  • There were several shocking scenes and dialogue in this movie, but sometimes they felt shocking just for the sake of being shocking.

  • Due to the very shorthand way of developing the characters, I only really cared for possibly less than a handful of them. The impact to the tragedies did feel a little diffused because of that fact.

  • Some people will not have the patience to put up with the narrative structure of this movie.

  • Speaking of patience. Expect a lot of indulgence given into several scenes, and that includes a nine minutes long dance sequence, to characters sluggishly walking back and forth through the hallway going out of their minds.

  • Is this simply style over substance? In many ways yes, but in some ways no.

P.S….

lovedit ENJOYED IT likedititsokayitsmehitsterrible

Captive State

POSITIVES…

  • There are some perfectly acceptable plot ideas in this story.

  • The huge ensemble cast sure seem to be super committed to their roles.

  • I liked the alien creature design.

  • I also liked the look of the alien spacecraft, which is like a flying rock.

  • I dug some of the alien sci-fi gadgets featured in the movie.

NEGATIVES…

  • The premise isn’t exactly the most original thing around. However, it’s so meh, I didn’t really care.

  • There is so much plot and parallel storylines going on here, that I still couldn’t find myself caring about any of that in the movie.

  • For a huge ensemble cast working their ass off here, I still didn’t care what happens to any of them.

  • There are two tones in this movie. Despair, and suspenseful tension. Nope. Still didn’t care.

  • Stupid things happen. Didn’t care for it.

  • Plot reveals that should have been clever, but really wasn’t. Care, I did not.

  • For those of you looking for some cool humans vs aliens action sequences will be disappointed. Who cares?

P.S….

loveditenjoyeditlikedititsokay IT’S MEH itsterrible