Totally Under Control

POSITIVES…

  • Probably one of the best documentaries I've seen about the US government’s response to COVID-19.

  • Interviews with the reputable people provided some great and easily comprehensible data.

  • Some of the “classic” COVID-19 related footage that you've seen gone viral on the internet; and some you might not have seen, are quite present here.

  • Even if you've been subjecting yourself with constant COVID-19 news for most of 2020, you're probably going to find some new and relevant things in this film.

  • Appreciated how the documentary lays out it's information, like it's explaining the scene of the crime, step by step.

  • Seeing how the attempt at containing COVID-19 failed in a very concise narrative, makes this documentary captivating to watch.

  • A cautionary tale and a repudiation that should be seen.

  • The captions during the credits.

NEGATIVES…

  • Doesn't cover everything that you hoped would have been addressed in this film.

  • Maybe it's a little too dry of a documentary for some people.

  • Considering that this is still current events (as I’m typing this), it might be disappointing that there isn’t a solid conclusion and resolution to this film.

  • How much doom and gloom from COVID-19 news can you put up with?

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Totally Under Control - watch it on HULU

Watch for FREE now on YouTube until Election Day

The Craft Legacy

POSITIVES…

  • Although the movie doesn’t make this obvious, but this is in fact a sequel to the original. That knowledge alone gives this movie that little bit of geeky intrigue, considering how the 1996 “The Craft” was a cult film.

  • Cailee Spaeny is great as the lead character Lily, and makes it easy to get invested with her story.

  • The whole first day of school part of the movie, had many memorable and engaging scenes.

  • Montage sequence of using magic in multiple quick scenes, was pretty fun.

  • Biggest pleasant surprise to me was the character arc of Timmy, as played by Nicholas Galitzine.

  • She wasn’t in it as much as I hoped, but Michelle Monaghan was just a delight when she’s on screen.

  • Teenage girls will probably find a lot to relate with the themes of this movie.

NEGATIVES…

  • Needs to be said, but there will be those who will be complaining about the heavy handed themes. They really just were not subtle at all.

  • There are four characters in this witches coven, but this story more or less sidetracked three of them into kinda generic supporting roles.

  • It was like David Duchovny was just phoning it in throughout the whole movie.

  • The final big set piece was underwhelmingly disappointing.

  • Truth be told, I don’t think I was the target audience for this at all. Seems very specifically geared for young adult females only.

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The Craft Legacy - watch it on VIDEO ON DEMAND

Peninsula

POSITIVES…

  • It’s creatively a bit different than the previous installment by mashing up the zombie genre with a different apocalyptic genre.

  • The expanded mythology is appreciated.

  • Solid intro sequence to kick off the movie.

  • The SVU driving sequences were pretty cool, plus the huge chase sequence was quite exciting.

  • RC cars.

NEGATIVES…

  • Those expecting this to be more like the previous installment will probably be disappointed that it’s not.

  • Lead character was so underwritten.

  • Plot conveniences, or stupid conveniences. Your pick.

  • I think the Director / Writers were watching too much Mad Max : Fury Road.

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Train To Busan Presents : Peninsula - watch in on VIDEO ON DEMAND

Nocturne

POSITIVES…

  • Premise isn't entirely original, but there aren't a lot of movies like this about stressed out pianists. So that gets my attention right there.

  • Ominous, intriguing, and suspenseful.

  • The tense atmosphere and tone works well for this film.

  • That journal. One of the most interesting things about this movie.

  • Sydney Sweeney as Juliet is incredibly dramatic, intense, and carries the movie excellently.

  • Juliet's relationship with her fraternal twin sister Vi; played by the also excellent Madison Iseman, is one of the best plot elements to this movie.

  • The themes and message of this story is not unique, but it's a strong driving force that justifies the plot progression.

NEGATIVES…

  • Due to the plot, several of the decisions certain characters make come off as just dumb, or inexplicably stupid.

  • There seems to be some illogical mistakes in the story telling, that makes it feel like there are plot holes.

  • Some of the plot turns and reveals also felt a bit too cliche.

  • The ending will either frustrate you, or leave you disappointed, depending on how you react to it.

  • If you wanted a scare-fest, then this movie is not what you're looking for.

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Nocturne - watch it on PRIME VIDEO

American Selfie : One Nation Shoots Itself

POSITIVES…

  • For a movie that has the word “selfie” in it's title, it seems only appropriate that the opening involves duck faces and about waiting hours for the latest iPhone.

  • Footage of protests outside a Trump rally, captures the discourse and division in the USA perfectly, and that carries on throughout the film.

  • There were some incredible imagery that fits very well with the narrative.

  • Has a great story structure that moves things along via the months, different cities, and states. Once it hits March in New York, you know what direction this film is going.

  • Loved the questions asked by the interviewer and by this documentary.

  • Several of the one liner commentaries and answers were prophetic, insightful, and powerful.

  • I liked how this documentary succinctly focuses on the many different aspects, realities, and points of views about America today.

NEGATIVES…

  • While the tone of this documentary attempts to show both sides, it clearly leans towards one side more, and that will rub some people the wrong way.

  • It's easy to complain that this film does not cover everything it should, but I suppose that can't be helped.

  • At times it feels like it spends too long on a subject, and sometimes it feels like it doesn't spend enough time on another.

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American Selfie - watch it on SHOWTIME

Over The Moon

POSITIVES…

  • Cute premise with a bunch of random elements and creative imagination that I found quite entertaining.

  • I appreciated this animated movie’s pop-modern sensibilities and absurd sense of humor.

  • It’s visually spectacular, and an incredibly colorful animated movie, that would look great on your 4K TV with HDR support.

  • Has some spectacular set pieces, from the rocket ship montage, Ultraluminary concert, ping-pong challenge, to a particular chase sequence, plus more.

  • Certain emotional beats worked really well.

  • Excellent cast of Asian-American actors, with Cathy Ang, Robert G. Chiu, Phillipa Soo, Ken Jeong, plus more.

  • The overall heartfelt thematic message is laudable for a kid’s movie.

  • Rabbits. Lions. Frogs. Mooncakes. Chow Chow.

NEGATIVES…

  • I hope it doesn’t bother you too much, because although this is a cartoon, there is a lot about it that are just absolute nonsense and unexplainable.

  • Expect some familiar and expected plot tropes to pop up.

  • The story and narrative really needed to be fleshed out more.

  • While the songs aren’t bad at all, they don’t necessarily stand out or are truly memorable enough.

  • Some people might take issue with this interpretation of the Chang’e legend.

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Over The Moon - watch it on NETFLIX

The Witches

POSITIVES…

  • Criticism of how this movie handled the adaptation and what not aside, I thought it was highly enjoyable as an excessive and exaggerated story.

  • I liked the world building that establishes who and what the witches are.

  • Pacing is nice and quick. Keeps things moving.

  • I love that this movie has a wickedly fun sense of humor.

  • Visually very colorful and the character designs of the witches are great.

  • Excellent cast here. Octavia Spencer, Jahzir Bruno, Codie-Lei Eastick, Kristin Chenoweth, and a special shout-out to Anne Hathaway; who looked like she was having a blast going over the top with her performance as the Grand High Witch.

  • There were several sequences that were pretty entertaining, like the “removal” scene, or the eating soup scene.

  • A uniquely odd premise for a kids movie, with little bits of moments that might be too traumatic for the little ones. Basically a solid Halloween movie for children to watch.

NEGATIVES…

  • As expected, there will be complaints about how this isn’t better than the 1990 movie adaptation, nor is it better than the 1983 book.

  • More complaints will come up about it not being scary enough, or it being too scary for kids.

  • A couple of plot conveniences and plot turns that were just a bit too silly.

  • Exposition, exposition, and more exposition! So much exposition.

  • I guess I’m supposed to ignore the fact that the animals in this movie look way too CG?

  • Can feel a little underwhelming by the end of the film, and you might question “that’s it?!”

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The Witches - watch it on HBO MAX

Borat Subsequent Moviefilm

POSITIVES…

  • As the sequel to “Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan,” “Borat Subsequent Moviefilm: Delivery of Prodigious Bribe to American Regime for Make Benefit Once Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan” surprisingly lives up to its reputation.

  • It’s continued mocking of sexism, racism, elitism, the patriarchy, politics, and general ignorance, is what makes this movie as fun to watch as it is. Especially if you like this kind of sense of humor.

  • With the premise of the movie in mind, the whole entertainment factor is how people genuinely react to the offensive, gross, or outrageous nature of Borat; and his Daughter Tutar.

  • I appreciated the set ups to try and trip up the marks, like scenes at FedEx, women’s health center, the debutante ball, CPAC, and more.

  • It’s not a secret at this point, but the whole plot about the Trump Republican party, just makes this all the more entertaining.

  • I admire the audaciousness of Sacha Baron Cohen and Maria Bakalova. Bravo!

  • The animated movie shown in this film. Genius.

NEGATIVES…

  • It’s just more of the same?

  • Some of the plot is a bit too ridiculous, that it just becomes stupid.

  • The character Tutar Sagdiyev can get kinda annoying.

  • Considering the premise of the movie, it can get hard to believe that some of the “marks” are actually being completely authentic in their reactions, because there’s obviously a camera pointed at them.

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Borat Subsequent Moviefilm - watch it on PRIME VIDEO

Books of Blood

POSITIVES…

  • As this is an adaptation of Clive Barker’s work, expect some solid creepy imagery and disturbing premises in this anthology scary movie.

  • Certain stories are better than others, but each one of them are intriguing enough to continue watching.

  • A few excellent plot turns here and there, that were well executed.

  • Good cast, led by Britt Robertson, Freda Foh Shen, Rafi Gavron, Anna Friel, and more.

  • Some of the cinematography in this produced some good visuals.

  • People who are fans of the Twilight Zone or Tales From The Dark Side, should appreciate some of the content in this movie.

NEGATIVES…

  • Those looking for some huge epic horror-fest, will probably not enjoy this too much.

  • Some might even consider this just plain boring.

  • If you’ve seen enough of these kinds of stories, expect the typical cliches and familiar plot tropes that come with them.

  • There were some plot turns and reveals that were just disappointing.

  • Wished it was more ambitious with it’s narrative than it thinks it is.

  • The conclusion might not be to everyone’s liking.

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Books of Blood - watch it on HULU

Clouds

POSITIVES…

  • Fin Argus as Zach Sobiech is charming as heck and great in his role. It was easy to get invested with his situation in this film that’s based on a true story.

  • The supporting cast is excellent as well, with Sabrina Carpenter, Neve Campbell, Madison Iseman, Lil Rel Howery, and more.

  • There’s a lot of great chemistry and conversations between the cast that really brings these characters to life.

  • Although this story is inherently sad, I loved the fact that it’s overall a very good natured and positive movie.

  • The emotions displayed in this movie felt very authentic and very moving.

  • Moments. There are a lot of scenes revolving around intimate and personal moments that really stand out, and makes this movie really heartfelt.

  • Considering the fact music and songs are a huge part of this film, the soundtrack is solid.

  • I appreciated the final message of this story, and the overall theme. It’s worth remembering.

NEGATIVES…

  • So there’s a lot of movies about people having cancer, and movies based on true stories about people having cancer, so expect some plot derivatives and cliches.

  • At certain plot points, some people might think that it’s too melodramatic.

  • Also at certain plot points, some people might think that there are moments that are too convenient or manipulative.

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Clouds - watch it on DISNEY+