Queen & Slim

POSITIVES…

  • This is a movie that wears it’s social commentaries and political messaging on it’s sleeve, and it says a lot that’s worth acknowledging. Art reflects modern times, and I have to respect the film maker’s decision to go all-in on the matter.

  • It’s also a road trip movie that takes us to many different interesting locations, have us encounter many different interesting people, and see our main leads do some interesting things. Probably my favorite aspect of the movie.

  • The trailer suggested it, but the movie is an outlaw story as well. The way this movie handles that subject matter is very “Bonnie & Clyde,” and a great insight into celebrity culture too.

  • This also happens to be a romantic movie involving two very different individuals who should not have chemistry together. I enjoyed the journey these two characters took, from where they stood in the beginning of the movie, all the way to the end.

  • Speaking of individuals. Daniel Kaluuya is great as “Slim.” Jodie Turner-Smith is fascinating as “Queen.” Bokeem Woodbine is entertaining as “Uncle Earl.”

  • There’s also a poetic and very artistic style to the way this film is directed, and how the narrative flows.

  • The soundtrack is fantastic.

NEGATIVES…

  • The movie felt way too long, and too slow at times. Can we get some editing here?

  • Don’t hate me for saying this, but it took me a very long time to warm up to the character of “Queen.” I was so very annoyed with her for a good chunk of the story.

  • The importance of the social political messaging and all, but wow could this movie hit us over the head with it. Especially especially especially one particular scene involving Jahi Di'Allo Winston’s character. Really? Did that really have to happen to prove an obvious point?

  • Speaking of characters. Despite the fact there were moments of characters making smart decisions, there seemed to be more moments were stupidity ruled.

  • It’s easy to say that there’s a certain predictability to the story, that kinda killed some of what would have been effective surprises in the plot’s progression.

  • So many plot conveniences and coincidences. I felt like it could have been a drinking game to spot them all.

  • Unfortunately, the promotional trailers makes it easy to think that this is a cop-hating movie, and it’s a shame that many people will think that. There are good people in law enforcement featured in the movie too.

P.S….

loveditenjoyeditlikedit IT’S OKAY itsmehitsterrible

Lady and the Tramp (2019)

POSITIVES…

  • It’s a movie that stars dogs. It’s cute and loveable. I can’t deny it.

  • I like the fact that they used real dogs in this, with the primary CGI dedicated to making them talk.

  • Somehow the dogs and voice talent that play Lady and the Tramp do have chemistry together. I was invested in their getting a happy ending, so that’s already an achievement made by this movie.

  • Adrian Martinez plays an excellent antagonist as the dog catcher. Kudos!

  • The locations and settings looked good in the movie. Especially from a dog’s perspective.

  • It’s essentially just a live-action Lady & The Tramp remake, and that in itself gives it an automatic enjoyment factor.

NEGATIVES…

  • You’re better off just watching the 1955 animated original.

  • Doesn’t really add anything worthwhile to an already familiar premise.

  • There are simply some things in this movie that just works much better in an animated format, and should not have been attempted here. For example, that iconic scene that this movie is mostly remembered for, just comes off a bit stupid looking in this live-action remake.

  • The song numbers mostly didn’t work? I can’t be the only one that thinks this am I?

  • Except for the dog catcher, the other human characters may as well not have been part of the movie. Augh, I was annoyed by their presence, and what looks like overacting on their part.

  • The overall movie couldn’t escape the feeling that I really was watching a half-hearted production of a clearly made for TV film.

P.S….

loveditenjoyeditlikedit IT’S OKAY itsmehitsterrible

YOU CAN WATCH IT NOW ON DISNEY+

The Good Liar

POSITIVES…

  • It’s essentially a heist film, who doesn’t like heist films, and all the plot reveals and surprises that comes with the genre? Even if it’s from the point of view of the bad guy…

  • Part of the entertainment factor here is the tension that the main heist that Ian McKellan’s character “Roy” is trying to pull off, because of certain obstacles that come before him.

  • Ian McKellan. No surprise, he is fantastic in this. I would dare say that this is one of his finest performances as he covers a lot of dramatic ranges in his acting.

  • Helen Mirren. Also no surprise, she’s fantastic in this. It’s essentially the typical Helen Mirren role you expect from her, so yeah, you’ll come out of this movie thinking what a cool actress she is.

  • When McKellan and Mirren go toe to toe in this one, it’s (and I’ll repeat that word again) fantastic! The reason you would see this film.

NEGATIVES…

  • Despite some of the surprises, there is a vague sense of derivative familiarity to this story. Especially if you’ve seen enough of these kinds of films.

  • The narrative throughout the whole story doesn’t quite hit the landing, and feels a little kludgy.

  • It’s tonally off at times, and there are plot reveals that kinda don’t work as well as it probably would it the written from of the novel, that this movie is adapting this story from.

  • The plot conveniences that ruin my suspension of disbelief did not help.

  • By the end, I was all “that’s it?” Felt a little disappointed.

P.S….

loveditenjoyeditlikedit IT’S OKAY itsmehitsterrible

Last Christmas

POSITIVES…

  • A Christmas themed movie that’s tuned to the songs of George Michael? Surprise. It actually kinda works!

  • It’s got a good sense of humor, solid emotional moments, and even opens things up to some serious subject matters. Impressed by how many things this movie tries to tackle.

  • Emilia Clarke is absolutely delightful in this, and a protagonist you really want to see get a happy ending. Gotta love the running jokes involving her character Kate.

  • Henry Golding is absolutely charming and wonderful. The interactions and banter between his character Tom and Kate are quite entertaining to watch.

  • Supporting characters like Michelle Yeoh and Emma Thompson were great and very welcome to see on screen doing some comedic bits.

  • Safe to say that this is a solid Christmas movie. I’m open with the idea of repeating it every year in December.

NEGATIVES…

  • The plot progression of this movie is as predictable as you would expect it to be.

  • Derivative in many respects, and you shouldn’t be surprised by some of the plot developments.

  • There are a lot of silly aspects to the whole thing that might not work with you at all.

  • Tonally all over the place at times.

  • Tries and toss in more themes and topics than seems necessary.

  • Yes, it’s a movie that revolves around George Michael songs, but wow does it really hit you over the head with them.

P.S….

loveditenjoyedit LIKED IT itsokayitsmehitsterrible

Knives Out

POSITIVES…

  • There isn’t enough Agatha Christie style whodunit mysteries set in modern times, and this one fills that void very nicely. Very nicely.

  • I like that it seems to try and cover the different types of crime mysteries that we are now accustomed to all into this one movie. For example, the first act of the movie comes off a little like the true-crime mystery documentaries you see a lot of nowadays. It’s like stylistic easter eggs that we get to appreciate.

  • This film is also aware that modern audiences love to speculate about mysteries, and this movie also acknowledges that fact with a particular direction that the plot takes. I gotta love that.

  • Most importantly for a whodunit story, we as the audience do in fact get to play along. Clues are given to us as the movie goes along, and part of the entertainment is catching them before the eventual final reveal that explains everything. Have fun sleuthing!

  • The story itself is deliciously rich with layers and layers of things to think about. From the different kinds of characters, the social commentaries, plus the themes and allegories.

  • Gotta love the movie’s sense of humor. From clever word plays and visual gags, I like that this isn’t some dreadfully serious affair.

  • If I still need to say it, I also dug the story itself. From the plot reveals, to the cast of characters. Everything played a nice part to the overall experience.

  • Speaking of the cast. Fantastic group of actors here, and there’s a lot of them too. Stand out performances from Daniel Craig, Chris Evans, Ana de Armas, Toni Collette, Christopher Plummer, and all the rest. I seriously could have just listed out the whole cast. Amazing ensemble here.

  • Needless to say, as a modern take on the whodunit mystery, this is undoubtedly a Rian Johnson movie. It’ll take you places, in the ways that Rian Johnson would. If you know what I mean.

NEGATIVES…

  • Depending on your ideologies, there are some themes and topics covered in this movie that might trigger a negative reaction from you.

  • Due to the nature of the narrative, there are some plot conveniences that may or may not work for you.

  • Some characters simply do not get enough of the spotlight in this.

  • Some characters make questionable decisions that may not seem believable.

P.S….

LOVED IT enjoyeditlikedititsokayitsmehitsterrible

21 Bridges

POSITIVES…

  • I think it’s safe to say that no matter how good or bad a movie is, Chadwick Boseman is without a doubt going to be great in it. That rule applies here too. It’s like Boseman immediately makes a movie better than it actually is with the work and talent he puts into it. If it isn’t already obvious, the main reason to watch this movie is for Chadwick Boseman.

  • Supporting cast from Stephan James, Taylor Kitsch, Sienna Miller, to J.K. Simmons, are all good in this too.

  • The cat and mouse, action thriller, crime mystery narrative makes this generally entertaining enough to keep watching.

  • Gotta also admit that closing off Manhattan island is a pretty compelling idea.

NEGATIVES…

  • Well this is as derivative as it gets. The plot. The themes. The reveals. All you’ve seen before.

  • The story is as predictable as can be, and relies on the primary plot caveat just a little too much.

  • BTW, the main crime mystery itself is a little out there to take too seriously. Really tries hard to make you work to suspend your disbelief.

  • Conclusion of the movie felt a bit too indulgent in how it’s trying to hammer home the lesson of the story just a little too conveniently.

P.S….

loveditenjoyeditlikedit IT’S OKAY itsmehitsterrible

Frozen II

POSITIVES…

  • Finally gives Elsa a proper conclusion to the story arc she started from the previous installment.

  • Anna also gets to have more character growth that addresses a plot point started from the first movie.

  • Speaking of Anna and Elsa, the two sisters are truly the heart and soul of this movie, possibly even more so than they were in 2013’s “Frozen.” There’s a narrative touch added to their sisterhood that strengthens the fact that they are one of the best characters to come out of Disney this decade.

  • The whole voice cast in generally are great in this.

  • As for the story itself, it feels like the filmmakers were aware that six years have passed between the two installments, and thus the story is just a bit more complex and thoughtful, which gives the kids who are now six years older more things to think about.

  • I quite enjoyed the more ambitious themes and more unconventional story in this installment.

  • Has some good humor, adventure, mystery, and drama. There are some heavy plot turns here that I also truly appreciated.

  • Several good set pieces and comedic bits. Some memorable scenes here and there.

  • Visually amazing to watch. Beautiful work done by the animators.

  • The songs were great, in that the lyrics seemed more insightful and are integrated into the story much more purposefully. My favorites were “Lost In The Woods,” “Show Yourself,” and “The Next Right Thing.”

  • Having a water spirit horse is pretty cool.

NEGATIVES…

  • The songs are admittedly just not as catchy or pop-friendly as the songs were in 2013’s “Frozen.” There is no “Let It Go” equivalent here.

  • Some plot conveniences and questionable plot holes prop up here and there.

  • There were also certain plot ideas and new characters, that could have been more developed.

  • Speaking of which, there’s a plot development at the end of the movie that some people will not like.

  • Olaf. Either you like him or you don’t.

  • There were a surprising amount of easter egg call backs to the previous installment. I know six years has passed, but this movie kinda overdid it.

P.S….

lovedit ENJOYED IT likedititsokayitsmehitsterrible

A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood

POSITIVES…

  • Tom Hanks as Mr Rogers is absolutely fantastic. Amazing performance!

  • Matthew Rhys is also excellent as our cynical and abrasive audience surrogate Lloyd Vogel, and makes a good example of how Mr Rogers can affect people in a positive way.

  • The supporting cast from Susan Kelechi Watson, Chris Cooper, and Enrico Colantoni, were also good in this.

  • I appreciated the delicate balance in tone and drama that was achieved here, that keeps it from getting too precious and trite.

  • Loved all the little bits showcasing how strangers react to the presence of Mr Rogers. Heck, any scene with Tom Hanks as Fred Rogers were definitely awe inspiring.

  • Gotta love the miniatures shown in this film. Make sure to stick around during the end credits for more.

  • With this movie, and just as with the documentary “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?,” everybody should be exposed to the themes and lessons that Mr Rogers relays to us.

  • Like Mr Rogers, this movie is inspirational in all the right ways. I suppose just as this film was inspired by the article “Can You Say… Hero?” by Tom Junod, which it too was inspired by Mr Rogers. Full circle right there.

NEGATIVES…

  • Not a true negative towards the movie, but there will be people who will be disappointed that the main protagonist for this story is actually not Mr Rogers.

  • The “gentle” pacing might not be for everybody either.

  • It’s not exactly an unpredictable narrative by any means, so expect certain familiar plot tropes to come up.

  • Some of the plot developments may also feel a bit manipulative or at least too convenient.

  • The last moments before the end credits came up felt tonally “off” to me.

P.S….

lovedit ENJOYED IT likedititsokayitsmehitsterrible

Charlie's Angels (2019)

POSITIVES…

  • This franchise has always been a guilty pleasure concept, and this version arguably lives up to that ideal in entertaining directions.

  • The three main leads are solid in this, and have good chemistry together. Easily the main reason to check this movie out.

  • Naomi Scott is charming and adorable as our audience surrogate. Ella Balinska carries herself with a good physical screen presence. Kristen Stewart is fun to watch playing her easy going “I’m here to have a good time” role (just about has all the best lines in the movie).

  • There’s a heist set piece that involves blonde wigs that I thought was enjoyable to see play out.

  • Ultimately, this is a light-hearted action spy adventure, that doesn’t have to be taken too seriously. If you find that entertaining, then there you go.

NEGATIVES…

  • It should have been taken more seriously, because what we end up getting are some good ideas that end up half-hearted in execution.

  • The writing is just lazy, and throws logic out the window quite often, that it killed my suspension of disbelief multiple times.

  • Plot conveniences. Plot cliches. Plot manipulations.

  • Doesn’t help that the movie feels like it’s over indulging itself too much, to the detriment of the final product.

  • Patrick Stewart felt like he was just phoning it in. How does that happen?

  • Action sequences could have been more exciting to watch. Especially considering that it’s suppose to be one of the main points in seeing this movie.

  • The ultimate problem with this movie is that despite it’s good intentions, it just ended up being a mostly average action spy flick.

P.S….

loveditenjoyeditlikedit IT’S OKAY itsmehitsterrible

Jojo Rabbit

POSITIVES…

  • I don’t know about you, but I’m able to be entertained by a comedic satirical take on the Nazi, and this movie does it very well.

  • Comedy is subjective, but I genuinely felt like almost all the jokes landed really well.

  • I thoroughly liked a lot of the clever dialogue and conversation pieces.

  • Amusing physical comedy and visual gags.

  • Tickled my funny bone in all the right ways, and moved me emotionally in powerful ways.

  • Fantastic premise of a movie, filled with memorable scenes and set pieces.

  • The narrative manages to takes me on this captivating journey from the beginning of the movie, all the way until the very end.

  • At the heart of this film are the characters, and the story utilizes them masterfully.

  • Kudos to young actor Roman Griffin Davis for absolutely carrying the weight of the whole movie as Jojo; the innocently naive Nazi fanatic. This kid is fantastic to watch.

  • Brava to Thomasin McKenzie as Elsa. How could you not get absolutely charmed by her in this? Captivating performance! Her interactions with Jojo are truly delightful.

  • I was wowed by the kinetic energy that Scarlett Johansson brings to this movie as Jojo’s Mother Rosie. Possibly one of my most favorite performance of ScarJo’s whole career.

  • Taika Waititi as Jojo’s imaginary friend Adolf Hitler. Perfectly over-the-top and in your face performance. From buffoonery to terrifying, this Hitler is entertaining to watch as heck.

  • Shout outs to some great supporting work by Sam Rockwell, Rebel Wilson, Stephen Merchant, and Archie Yates. Movie wouldn’t have been complete without their additions to the story.

  • Despite the fact that this deals with the heavy, dark, and sensitive subject matter about the Nazi, I gotta agree with the tagline found in the marketing material. This is an “anti-hate satire.” Thematic wise, this story succeeds with that goal, and because of that, I encourage everyone to go check out this movie.

NEGATIVES…

  • Some will take offense at the light-hearted depictions of the Nazi.

  • Might get too outrageous for some.

  • There are tonal changes that might throw people off.

  • A little bit of plot conveniences and familiar plot tropes.

P.S….

LOVED IT enjoyeditlikedititsokayitsmehitsterrible