Marriage Story

POSITIVES…

  • The movie is called “Marriage Story.” It’s a story about a divorce. I love the clever irony.

  • Written by Noah Baumbach, there are a lot of clever and sharp dialogue in this movie. Some excellent screenplay right here.

  • Directed by Noah Baumbach, there are a lot of memorable and insightful scenes plus set pieces in this movie. Some amazing sequences right here.

  • Despite the heavy subject matter, there are many flavors of comedy expertly integrated into the story. Some are silly haha. Some are witty haha. Some are “it’s funny because it’s true” haha.

  • Running jokes. I liked the running jokes that this movie has.

  • As for the dramatic and heartbreaking elements in this story, they are so effectively done. Certain scenes practically dare you not to just shed tears or be depressed for the characters.

  • One particular scene (that I will not spoil) was just so devastating to watch, it shattered my soul at how emotionally powerful it was. You’ll know it when you see it.

  • All the clever writing and emotional scenes are only as good as they are because of the cast, and the actors here are great.

  • Adam Driver and Scarlett Johansson are phenomenal in their roles of Charlie and Nicole respectively. All the emotions they were able to convey on screen, from the subtle hints of the frustrations they feel inside, mixed with the need to try and be as civil as possible, but still be able to show the fact that they were a couple that was very much in love with each other, Driver and Johannson were masterful in making their characters as realistically believable as possible.

  • The supporting cast of Laura Dern, Alan Alda, Julie Hagerty, Ray Liotta, plus several more, were all simply excellent. Shout out to Azhy Robertson who played the son Henry as well.

  • “Marriage Story” proves that you can make an entertaining and enjoyable movie about Divorce, without it being just another gut-wrenching sad-fest, as it isn’t always a downer of an experience.

NEGATIVES…

  • There are some plot conveniences that come up now and again, just for the purpose of moving the story in a particular direction.

  • Some plot threads aren’t fully explored or concluded, so hopefully that doesn’t bother you.

P.S….

LOVED IT enjoyeditlikedititsokayitsmehitsterrible

Watch It Now on Netflix

The Irishman

POSITIVES…

  • It’s a mob story directed by Martin Scorsese. How’s that for a positive point in seeing this film?

  • Alright, how about the fact that it’s a very fascinating look behind the mob and the interesting characters that make up the crime family.

  • You can say that it’s like a Mob odyssey that has great world building and memorable characters. Definitely an experience.

  • There’s one particular conversation involving a wet seat and fish, that reminded me of what you might call a Pulp Fiction-esque type of scene. Entertaining.

  • Al Pacino steals this movie as Jimmy Hoffa. Talk about larger than life. A lot of the best scenes involved Pacino.

  • Joe Pesci is intimidating as heck here, and he’s amazing in his role as Russell Bufalino.

  • Robert De Niro as the Irishman himself; Frank Sheeran, is fantastic. There’s a lot of subtle dramatic acting on his part here, but you’ll feel for the guy.

  • Great supporting cast as well. The movie revolves primarily on the conversations and the dialogue, and it helps to have a stellar ensemble group of actors to bring all that to life here.

  • All three primary actors were given the fancy de-aging and it’s subtle and blends in enough to be more impressive, than distracting.

NEGATIVES…

  • It’s a really long movie at about three and a half hours long, and it feels like a three and a half hours long movie. It does not just zip by.

  • Slow paced. Purposefully slow burn of a narrative.

  • Hope you have that patience, because it doesn’t really get super interesting until at least around the one hour mark.

  • Despite the de-aging visual tech and all, Robert De Niro still did not look like somebody that one would describe “the Kid.”

  • Some plot threads are left dangling, and you might wish they weren’t.

  • It’s still generally a mob movie, so there are things you’ve seen before.

P.S….

lovedit ENJOYED IT likedititsokayitsmehitsterrible

Watch It Now on Netflix

Noelle

POSITIVES…

  • It’s cute. It’s amusing. It’s comfortably a generally harmless entertaining movie that gives us another alternative take on the Santa Claus legend.

  • Even with the somewhat predictable and conventional narrative, I still found the whole story engaging.

  • It’s got some effectively moving moments that gives this movie that extra boost of emotion that are meant to tug at your heart strings. Like a certain monologue that Noelle has towards the end of the movie.

  • Anna Kendrick. This movie owes a lot to Anna Kendrick as Noelle Kringle, and how she completely throws herself into the role in such a perfect way. Absolutely makes the movie worth watching just for her. She’s charming, adorable, and delightful as heck. Gotta love her.

  • Shirley MacLaine is a welcome addition to have in this, in her supporting role as the somewhat grumpy Elf Polly.

  • Bill Hader gives us his welcome style of comedy as Nick Kringle. The scenes he had with Noelle were entertaining.

  • Billy Eichner’s Gabriel Kringle’s take on a more modern and cynical outlook on Christmas is quite amusing to say the least.

  • The reindeer. I like this movie’s take on Santa’s reindeer.

  • It’s through and through a Christmas movie with a good message that’s worth sharing to everyone watching this.

NEGATIVES…

  • OMG look at all those product placements! Try not to get too distracted, or at least make it a drinking game when you spot one. You’ll get drunk really fast.

  • Despite the somewhat ambitiously progressive plot turns and reveals, the movie isn’t exactly challenging and goes for the predictably easy solutions.

  • The story is as predictable as you expect it to be.

  • Jokes are hit or miss, depending on your sense of humor. Let’s say it goes for the obvious jokes. Like puns, and easy Christmas related comedy.

  • Even in its own movie logic that it establishes, there are still overly-silly ridiculous logic flaws that pop up, just for the sake of a joke (I hope you found it funny then).

  • The CGI work isn’t exactly the best around.

  • Did I mention about the abundance of product placements?

P.S….

loveditenjoyedit LIKED IT itsokayitsmehitsterrible

WATCH IT on Disney+

Dark Waters

POSITIVES…

  • Such an important true story to tell, and this movie gets the points across rather well.

  • The topic that this movie is tackling can be pretty shocking, frustrating, and heart breaking.

  • While the narrative is predictably straight forward enough, the narrative should definitely keep your attention.

  • Mark Ruffalo perfectly captures that frustrated yet determined spirit of Robert Bilott.

  • Anne Hathaway as Sarah Bilott definitely helped move the plot along when it needed a push.

  • Tim Robbins has an excellent monologue that is worth giving praise for.

NEGATIVES…

  • Movie feels a little too long.

  • The last act doesn’t quite hit the landing completely in terms of the narrative.

  • Might be a little too slow and exposition heavy for some.

P.S….

lovedit ENJOYED IT likedititsokayitsmehitsterrible

Honey Boy

POSITIVES…

  • As a character study, the premise of this movie is infinitely fascinating.

  • This is an interesting journey and experience that chronicles the lives of two individuals; James Lort and his actor son Otis, and how their particular Father and Son relationship works (or doesn’t work).

  • The movie effectively shows us insightful scenes between James and Otis that just oozes emotions on screen, that it’ll be hard not to pay attention. Several of those scenes may be more memorable than you might expect them to be.

  • Excellent work by Noah Jupe, who plays young Otis, and is such a capable young actor to tackle this drama.

  • Fantastic work by Shia LeBeouf who plays Otis’ Father James, and gives us such an explosive and emotionally charged performance.

  • Amazing work by Lucas Hedges for giving us this raw performance of an older Otis, and perfectly captures Shia LeBeouf’s mannerism and speech.

  • Truly a movie that lives and dies by the actors’ performances, and these three actors were all outstanding. Absolutely makes the movie worth watching just for them.

  • This film set out to do exactly what we got from this subject matter, and inarguably accomplishes that goal.

NEGATIVES…

  • There’s not much of a plot, which means the narrative will not be for everyone.

  • Some might say it’s boring and meanders too much.

  • Not necessarily a visual tour-de-force.

P.S….

lovedit ENJOYED IT likedititsokayitsmehitsterrible

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