Weathering With You

POSITIVES…

  • Beautiful. The visuals are so beautiful to look at. Amazing imagery. Awesome animated work.

  • The premise is interesting and fascinating and overall entertaining.

  • Once the movie gets going with its primary story, it completely hooks you into it and won’t let go until the end credits start rolling. You’re gonna want to see where this tale goes.

  • Some of the story set pieces found in this animated film were quite moving.

  • It’s hard not to root for our protagonists of this movie.

  • The premise keeps the young adult teenage romance plot from being too derivative.

  • Can be accused of being too melodramatic and too earnest, but the movie justifies itselfs for openly wearing it’s heart on it’s sleeve.

  • It’s got a good sense of humor too.

  • I LOVE the soundtrack for this movie!

NEGATIVES…

  • The first act was so clunky in exposition and set up, that I would like to just skip to when it gets good.

  • Some people might take issue with a major decision a character makes towards the end.

  • There are plot conveniences that seemed to get right on the edge of going too far.

P.S….

lovedit ENJOYED IT likedititsokayitsmehitsterrible

Bad Boys For Life

POSITIVES…

  • Without any doubt, the chemistry and banter between Will Smith as Detective Mike Lowry and Martin Lawrence as Detective Marcus Burnett is what makes this movie as entertaining as it is.

  • There are some comedy bits between Mike and Marcus throughout the movie that are just fun to watch.

  • They aren’t the only ones in the cast that helps keep the movie enjoyable. Gotta show some recognition to Joe Pantoliano, Paola Nuñez, Alexander Ludwig, Vanessa Hudgens, Jacob Scipio, and Kate del Castillo.

  • Premise and plot progression is effectively engaging enough to see it all the way through.

  • Movie tries to throw you off guard with some plot reveals and surprises, and whether you did or didn’t see them coming, they were pretty solidly done in my book.

  • Action sequences are pretty entertaining to watch too.

  • I gotta say though, that the most memorable action set pieces in this movie are the chase sequences. Exciting enough to ignore some believability factors.

  • Speaking of chases… the Porsche 911 Carrera Turbo. Cool car. Cool stunts involving said cool car.

NEGATIVES…

  • It’s a movie that doesn’t stray too far from the familiar, so it can feel derivative and cliche at times.

  • Plot conveniences. Hello again.

  • Whether it’s a silly action beat or a stupid character plot development, your suspension of disbelief might just break.

  • The movie’s sense of humor doesn’t always work.

  • Charles Melton’s character. Almost everything they tried to do with his character was just a miss.

P.S….

loveditenjoyedit LIKED IT itsokayitsmehitsterrible

Underwater

POSITIVES…

  • Plays off as an entertaining tribute to monster creature suspense thriller flicks like 1979’s “Alien,” and succeeds for the most part.

  • Right from the first scene, this movie throws you right into the disastrous situation and keeps things moving all the way until the end. I appreciate the story telling efficiency here.

  • Thriller suspense aspects were rightfully enjoyable enough and constantly adds good tense moments.

  • Building up to showing us what’s lurking in the corners and the darks was nicely done.

  • Creature work is good. I liked what I saw there.

  • I also liked the look of the diving suits. Reminded me of the COG armor in Gears Of War.

  • Solid performances by Kristen Stewart, Jessica Henwick, Vincent Cassel, and John Gallagher Jr, in this film.

  • There are some good plot reveals in this movie, but there is one in particular that made me so giddy with excitement.

NEGATIVES…

  • The story is familiar, the plot is derivative, and the expected cliches do happen. Original this is not.

  • Trying to apply real science and logic to the premise might just completely kill your suspension of disbelief.

  • Some of the stupid things characters do…

  • Although TJ Miller is meant to add levity to this thriller, he just comes off as annoying and kills any scene that he tries to be funny in. He was so not needed for this movie.

P.S….

loveditenjoyedit LIKED IT itsokayitsmehitsterrible

Richard Jewell

POSITIVES…

  • It’s worth acknowledging this movie’s worth purely for the true story it’s covering.

  • Premise itself and the plot is definitely engaging enough to see it through until the end.

  • The themes and several of the things that is shown to us in this movie are definitely worth further discussion.

  • Paul Walter Hauser is incredible as Richard Jewell, and it’s really hard not to sympathize with what he went through in this.

  • Kathy Bates gives us some truly remarkable scenes, that showcases what a talent she is.

  • Sam Rockwell is great as always, and helps adds that bit of levity when needed.

  • I really have to give the whole cast a lot of credit for bringing this movie to life.

NEGATIVES…

  • It’s still a relatively straight-forward drama that may feel a little bit derivative.

  • While there are solid scenes worth noting, there isn’t a lot that truly stands out as exceptionally memorable.

  • Besides the actual topic of the incredible true story, the movie itself is generally forgettable.

P.S….

lovedit ENJOYED IT likedititsokayitsmehitsterrible

Cats

POSITIVES…

  • I'm sure fans of the Broadway musical will find things to like about this.

  • Got to acknowledge the very talented dancers and singers who are part of this production. I can’t say anything bad about them.

  • Have to also give kudos to Ian McKellen for going full blown cat acting as Gus The Theatre Cat. That’s immense dedication to the part people!

  • Sequence with Skimbleshanks the railway cat is pretty entertaining.

  • “Memories” is still a great song, and this movie does a good job presenting that.

NEGATIVES…

  • One can subjectively argue that Jennifer Hudson’s take on Memories isn’t that great.

  • There really isn’t much of a story. It’s just a series of songs giving exposition on who the cat characters are.

  • It’s one thing if it’s people dressed up like cats, but this digital fur technology that makes people look like cats just looks too weird and unsettling.

  • Speaking of unsettling. There’s a sequence with the cat Jennyanydots that was just downright nightmarish to watch.

  • The movie's internal logic is just wacky. Wacky in not necessarily a good way.

  • Doesn’t help that there are huge inconsistencies on how the cast pretends to act like cats.

  • The cat Victoria is suppose to be our protagonist, but she’s more a cipher and an underdeveloped character that is hard to connect with. Fans of Jemima are also going to be particularly annoyed with Victoria in this movie.

  • There's a 4th wall breaking moment in the movie that just kinda bothered me.

  • Just about all the cast are either poorly developed, you don’t care for, or you find much too annoying to put up with.

  • If it isn’t obvious by now, the premise is also pretty bonkers and almost ridiculous that this lasted in Broadway for decades.

  • The worst thing I can say about this musical is that I didn’t particularly like the majority of the songs. Sorry Andrew Lloyd Webber.

P.S….

loveditenjoyeditlikedititsokay IT’S MEH itsterrible

The Grudge (2020)

POSITIVES…

  • I liked that it plays off like an actual sequel to the original films, as opposed to just being a complete remake.

  • It’s an effectively disturbing story that’s creepy.

  • Tone and feel of the film is pretty appropriate for the premise.

  • The overall cast is good in this, especially Andrea Riseborough.

  • Movie’s able to build up some good suspense and spookiness.

NEGATIVES…

  • The scares are generally pedestrian and unexciting.

  • You’ll probably jump from the jump scares, and get grossed out by some of the gore, but they aren’t really that remarkable.

  • Story isn’t exactly original, nor does it really stand out.

  • I would say the premise itself feels too dated.

  • Movie itself moves a bit slower than I would prefer and can be a little boring too.

P.S….

loveditenjoyeditlikedititsokay IT’S MEH itsterrible

Dolemite Is My Name

POSITIVES…

  • Eddie Murphy is so very fantastic as Rudy Ray Moore. Couldn’t be more charming and entertaining and dramatic as well. Really makes you connect with Rudy’s story here.

  • The rest of the cast are also excellent. From Da'Vine Joy Randolph, Wesley Snipes, Mike Epps, Keegan-Michael Key, Tituss Burgess, and Craig Robinson.

  • There are some fun cameos too!

  • It’s funny. There are jokes in this that will make you laugh. You’re going to have a good time watching this film.

  • At the heart of this movie is the premise and story, that is honestly one of the best feel good tales of that classic American dream of making it big. It’s hard not to root for Rudy Ray Moore here.

NEGATIVES…

  • As with all comedies, jokes are subjective. There were several here that I couldn’t find the humor in.

P.S….

lovedit ENJOYED IT likedititsokayitsmehitsterrible

Watch It Now On Netflix

A Hidden Life

POSITIVES…

  • Terrence Malick and beautiful cinematography goes hand in hand, and this movie is no exception. Really knows how to bring locations to life.

  • Due to the way the narrative is told to us, there’s an undeniable sense of immersion that brings us closer to what the main characters are going through.

  • August Diehl as Franz gives us a powerful performance of a man who has to keep his anger in check as he stands up to his own moral principles against everybody that defies him.

  • Valerie Pachner as Fani gives us an even powerful performance of a woman who has to stand by her husband Franz’s resolve, but has to carry the weight that is put on her mentally, physically, and socially, because of his actions.

  • The chemistry that Franz and Fani have with each other is admirable. Even when they are not together, that love is still very much there by the voice over monologues of their written letters to each other.

  • While it’s a very simple premise with very little plot, that sense of heartbreak and inspiration to what happened is powerfully strong. Especially considering this is based on a true story.

  • The message of this real life story is truly one that everybody needs to learn. Especially in these modern times.

  • Have to also mention that this movie has a standout beautiful soundtrack.

  • Memorable, relevant, and poetic. Excellent film.

NEGATIVES…

  • Can I please get english subtitles for dialogue that isn’t spoken in english? I feel like I’m missing out.

  • It’s two hours and fifty-four minutes long, and I don’t think it truly justifies that running time.

  • Felt like it meanders or repeats itself too much.

  • There are many moments of obvious improvised scenes of over indulgent earnest acting that kinda felt a little off to me.

  • The editing in a Malick film that make scenes look like they were cut up like montages is not for everybody.

P.S….

lovedit ENJOYED IT likedititsokayitsmehitsterrible

Uncut Gems

POSITIVES…

  • Gotta hand it to Directors Benny Safdie and Josh Safdie, they know how to make a movie going audience really feel the anxiety and the tension of somebody having a really really really bad week.

  • There’s a certain skill of having the proper pacing, tone, and editing, for a movie to make you really go through an emotional rollercoaster while watching somebody go through an emotional rollercoaster on screen.

  • Writers expertly knows how to make bad situations get even worse, and then piles on more bad things. That’s the point of the movie I guess, but the unpredictability is something to applaud.

  • Several moments while watching this in a movie theater, I had the urge to leave early because I was starting to think I was going to have a panic attack from what was happening to the main character. He’s a hateable kinda man too! i should be relishing in his life coming undone! Kudos to the Safdies Brothers for pulling this trick off.

  • Adam Sandler is fantastic as Howard Ratner. That hateable annoying lying slimeball kinda guy who is going through the whole ordeal in this story. He goes through so much; that is mostly his fault too, and Sandler really was the perfect actor to take on a role like this.

  • Supporting cast are great too, from Julia Fox, LaKeith Stanfield, Idina Menzel, Eric Bogosian, to Kevin Garnett.

  • That’s right, NBA athlete Kevin Garnett. If you’re a Celtics fan, this movie will reward you for being one. It’ll also spoil a major plot point of the story, but I think you Celtics fans won’t mind.

  • Final act and ending was just the perfect way to finish the story. Bravo Safdies!

NEGATIVES…

  • Considering the premise and what happens, this is what one would call a rather unpleasant and obnoxious movie to watch.

  • For some people, this is going to feel like a very long movie to put up with.

  • At a certain point, you’ll probably be thinking that it’s getting too indulgently contrived with all the unfortunate plot points that happen.

  • I hope you can stand ALL THE YELLING IN THIS!!! SO MUCH SHOUTING!!! LOUD NOISES!!!

P.S….

lovedit ”ENJOYED” IT likedititsokayitsmehitsterrible

1917

POSITIVES…

  • As a World War I action thriller, this is a solid experience that’s pretty darn immersive.

  • There’s a simplicity to the premise that is actually appreciated, considering the vision of this movie.

  • The vision being that this near 2 hours movie is presented to look like a long continuous shot, with only one obvious cut. Impressive film making here.

  • Visually, there are some amazing cinematography here to marvel at.

  • There’s a particular set piece involving flares and moving shadows inside a mostly destroyed village, that was just a wonder to watch.

  • Certain small moments in the narrative can only be described as being beautifully told.

  • Dean-Charles Chapman and George MacKay do excellent engaging work being our audience surrogates for this dangerous journey that they have to travel. Stellar physical and emotive work by these actors.

  • Supporting cast are also excellent in the brief moments that they get to appear, to help expand on the main protagonists as well as adding to the world building of this movie.

  • As exciting and thrilling as this movie is, there are some dramatic heartbreaking moments that will definitely not be forgotten.

NEGATIVES…

  • It’s seriously a barebones story that doesn’t really have a lot of depth.

  • There are several conveniences and coincidences that exist purely to move the plot forward, which keeps those events from feeling like they organically happened.

  • Said conveniences and coincidences can also just be called “stupid moments,” that might cause some eye-rolls of the obvious plot manipulations by the story telling.

P.S….

lovedit ENJOYED IT likedititsokayitsmehitsterrible