Promising Young Woman

POSITIVES…

  • This dark; so very dark, premise and plot really just grabs you by the balls, immediately right from the opening sequence. 

  • Plot momentum and pacing just keeps moving, keeping me captivated by what’s going to happen next.

  • Carey Mulligan is amazing in a tour de force performance as Cassie. 

  • Bo Burnham is charming as heck as Ryan. 

  • Supporting cast is excellent. Clancy Brown, Jennifer Coolidge, Laverne Cox, Alison Brie, Chris Lowell, Max Greenfield, Alfred Molina, and so many more.

  • Scenes involving Cassie and her "victims." Just wow. 

  • That final act. Also, wow.

  • Thematically and unrelentingly in your face with the commentaries this story is making. 

  • Provocative, in a modern day revenge-fantasy exploitation flick kinda way. 

  • Song choices are fantastically inspired.

NEGATIVES…

  • Plot can be a bit incredulous at times. 

  • There are a couple of cliche tropes and conveniences that I wished was not in this movie. 

  • Can be accused of being biased, one sided, or just too heavy handed.

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Promising Young Woman - watch it on VIDEO ON DEMAND

News of the World

POSITIVES…

  • The straightforward premise, the narrative, and the plot progression should keep this drama compelling enough to grab your attention. 

  • Tom Hanks is as expected great in his role as Captain Kidd. The humanity and empathy he always adds to his roles is always a strength of his.

  • Helena Zengel is fantastic as Johanna. The way she shows confidence in her role, relying mostly on conveying emotions through her acting, as she is playing a predominantly silent character, is pretty impressive.

  • The whole set piece involving Michael Angelo Covino as Almay was exciting. 

  • There's another set piece involving Thomas Francis Murphy as Mr Farley that was incredible to see play out, especially considering the news media of our era. 

  • It's always fascinating to compare how things were back then, to our modern times of today. 

  • Speaking of fascinating, there are multiple scenes about the politics from that era, and noticing that some things never change. 

  • The themes of this story benefits everybody.

NEGATIVES…

  • Not exactly a fast moving movie. 

  • The politics in this story might be considered too on the nose, and too one-sided a point of view for some people. 

  • How fast can Tom Hanks learn the Kiowa language?

  • Sadness alert : a horse gets into an accident and dies

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News of the World - watch it on VIDEO ON DEMAND

Outside the Wire

POSITIVES…

  • Premise for this war movie isn't anything new, but if it's what you were looking for, then here it is. 

  • Anthony Mackie is expectedly good at playing the strong action star with that bit of sense of humor. 

  • Damson Idris is solid playing a character who is kinda a pain in the ass, but as the audience. surrogate he will eventually learn a valuable lesson.

  • Action sequences involving Mackie are entertaining to watch. 

  • It's always nice to see a solid supporting cast, like Michael Kelly, Emily Beecham, Enzo Cilenti, Pilou Asbæk, and Kristina Tonteri-Young.  

  • Themes and lessons aren't exactly new, but they are still worth repeating. 

  • Who doesn't like seeing robots in these kinds of movies.

NEGATIVES…

  • If you somehow can't figure out the themes and lessons of this movie, it makes sure to hit you over the head with them constantly. 

  • Expect the usual plot tropes and conveniences. 

  • Really could have been a shorter movie than it is. 

  • So many sequences really pushes the limits of your suspension of disbelief. 

  • The character of Harp is supposed to be our audience surrogate right? Butt can we put that to a vote?

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Outside the Wire - watch it on NETFLIX

One Night in Miami

POSITIVES…

  • Premise is undeniably about the beginnings of the Black Power movement of the 1960s, and how important it is even till today.

  • Excellent opening sequence introducing our four main characters, and perfectly set up the themes of the story.

  • Phenomenal cast of actors here! Kingsley Ben-Adir as Malcolm X, Leslie Odom Jr as Sam Cooke, Eli Goree as Cassius Clay, and Aldis Hodge as Jim Brown.

  • As great as the actors are, it’s the monologues, the stories, and the social commentaries given in those conversations, that are the true highlights of this film.

  • The story of Sam Cooke’s concert in Boston.

  • Speaking of which, those Sam Cooke songs. Fantastic!

  • This movie is definitely thought provoking. It may not even be unfamiliar topics, but it’ll absolutely force you to think about it some more.

NEGATIVES…

  • If you didn’t already know, a huge chunk of this movie is simply four men talking to each other in a hotel room. If you’re not down for watching that, then this may not be for you.

  • Admittedly it’s not necessarily an unfamiliar premise for a movie, that you haven’t seen before.

  • There’s bound to be people who won’t like this movie, simply based on the subject matter.

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Locked Down

POSITIVES…

  • Premise is generally fascinating, especially considering the setup of when it’s taking place. 

  • Also considering the setup, it does go down interesting places and ideas with the narrative.

  • Chiwetel Ejiofor and Anne Hathaway looked like they were appropriately playing up their characters, and are clearly enjoying themselves as Paxton and Linda respectively. 

  • The whole relationship and chemistry between Linda and Paxton is one of the main strengths of this movie. 

  • That Skype call with Ben Stiller, and the facetime conversations with Ben Kingsley, were entertaining! 

  • There is some fun humor here, like the running jokes, word play, even including the ones relating to COVID-19. 

  • Edgar Allan Poe. 

NEGATIVES…

  • I get that we're supposed to all be on lockdown as we're watching this, and presumably have all the time in the world to watch, but this movie is unnecessarily longer than it has to be. 

  • Meanders. Boring at times. Indulgences itself too much. 

  • There are some big monologues that just didn't land. Which is a shame. 

  • If you’ve seen the trailer, you are essentially watching this movie specifically for the third act, and honestly it wasn't quite worth it. 

  • Really suspend your disbelief. You're going to need to. 

  • The lack of a soundtrack for a good chunk of the movie didn't help. 

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Locked Down - watch it on HBO MAX

Batman: Soul of the Dragon

POSITIVES…

  • This animated movie being a mix of James Bond, Martial Arts, and yes Batman, is pretty awesome. 

  • Plot moves things along nicely, and it’s entertaining enough to want to see it through. 

  • It's got an excellent ensemble of characters, and their chemistry together is fun to watch. 

  • This may have Batman in the movie, but Shiva and O-Sensei were easily the standouts of the cast. 

  • Martial arts action choreography looked really good, and is actually the main reason to see this movie. 

  • The lesson about a rock that was nicely said.  

  • For a movie trying to avoid saying the word "shit," it sure isn't afraid to show lots of blood and decapitations. 

  • I’d like to emphasize that Shiva kicks so much ass.

NEGATIVES…

  • If you're expecting this to be a full-on Batman movie, then you will be disappointed. 

  • Animation style was too simple and generic looking for me 

  • Narrative can feel a little uneven at times. 

  • The way the movie ends…

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Batman: Soul of the Dragon - watch it on VIDEO ON DEMAND

herself

POSITIVES…

  • Heartbreaking and inspiring premise, with an excellent narrative.

  • Clare Dunne is outstanding in this one as the co-screenwriter and lead actress.

  • Dunne and her character Sandra’s story arc is absolutely engaging, and the reason to see this film.

  • Fantastic supporting cast, from Harriet Walter, Conleth Hill, to the two young actresses, Molly McCann and Ruby Rose O’Hara.

  • Good plot progression, that encourages you to see where it’ll go next, and will definitely want you to see the resolution to this story.

  • Themes and message of this movie is undeniably important to be aware of.

  • “Titanium” montage made me smile.

  • “The Lass of Aughrim.” Beautiful. In fact, I just overall loved the song choices for this movie.

NEGATIVES…

  • Some formulaic plot turns and conveniences.

  • Cliche character tropes.

  • Might have just tarnished the name Black Widow for me.

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herself - watch it on PRIME VIDEO

Pieces of a Woman

POSITIVES…

  • This is a film that's more about the moods, tone, the raw emotions, character reactions and interactions, that are captured from this heartbreaking story, than it is about having a typically straightforward narrative. It works well that way.

  • One of the selling points of this movie, is that it has an extended sequence that really gives you a personal and intimate experience into what it could be like to have a home birth delivery.

  • Vanessa Kirby is fantastic as Martha, and is great in showcasing some strong subtle emotions that is required from her role.

  • Shia Labeouf seemed perfectly cast for the role of the Husband Sean.

  • Great supporting cast all around, from Ellen Burstyn, Benny Safdie, Iliza Shlesinger, Sarah Snook, and Molly Parker.

  • Good complicated drama that should give you things to think about.

  • Speaking of complicated, the whole act set piece in Ellen Burstyn's character’s home is arguably one of the best and worst part of this movie. It's memorable that's for sure.

NEGATIVES…

  • Felt a little underwritten at times.

  • Could be argued that the film meanders more than it should.

  • Did not need to be 2 hours long.

  • Honestly didn't care much for Shia Lebeouf's character. I apologize if that was the intention, but still…

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Pieces of a Woman - watch it on NETFLIX

Shadow in the Cloud

POSITIVES…

  • The fun and entertaining premise for this genre-mashup of a movie; which is like a Twilight Zone episode set in World War II, is actually pretty awesome.

  • Chloe Grace Moretz is absolutely excellent in this as an action hero, and it's hard not to be completely engaged with her situation.

  • Plot progression, the narrative, visual direction, action beats, were all spectacularly handled well by Director / Co-Screenwriter Roseanne Liang.

  • Second act of the movie really went to some incredible places with the story, and I was all for it!

  • There's one particularly outrageous HOLY $#!+ moment that made my jaw drop.

  • Character design for the creature is perfectly creepy looking.

  • I dug the synth heavy musical score.

NEGATIVES…

  • The misogyny of that era hits you over the head a little too much.

  • There were some very conventional plot points that I could have lived without.

  • Unbelievable leap of faith moments that really really really pushes your suspension of disbelief.

  • The supporting cast are generally forgettable cliches.

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Shadow in the Cloud - watch it on VIDEO ON DEMAND

I Hate New Year's

POSITIVES…

  • Premise is familiar but comfortably enjoyable.

  • I appreciated the lighthearted tone of this story.

  • Dia Frampton is absolutely solid and charming as Layne Price. Brought a smile to my face.

  • Ashley Argota is quite entertaining to watch as Cassie Holmes. Has some silly fun in her role.

  • When it comes to romantic stories, it's important to want to root for the couple. Thankfully, I was all for Layne and Cassie!

  • The two of them together is the main reason to see this film. Excellent chemistry.

  • There's a psychic reading scene that was cute.

  • Arlene Peckerwood.

  • The songs featured in this movie are fantastic.

  • I should point out that as a fan of the musical act Meg & Dia, it's always a treat to see Dia sing songs that are new to me.

NEGATIVES…

  • Not that we really expected it, but this doesn't add anything much new to this tried and true genre.

  • Plot cliches and conveniences? Sure.

  • Could be more of a cinematic experience.

  • There's a particular narrative gimmick that I didn't care for.

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I Hate New Year’s - watch it on VIDEO ON DEMAND