Below Zero (bajocero)

POSITIVES…

  • It's got that traditional “good guy outnumbered by a bunch of bad guys in precarious situations” premise that you are familiar with. If that sounds like something you're looking for, then this one's for you. 

  • Has a fine enough plot, with its fair share of surprises, that will make you want to see how it concludes. 

  • Javier Gutiérrez plays a good protagonist to root for. 

  • Got to also acknowledge the fact that Luis Callejo and Karra Elejalde were also really good in this. 

  • Solid diverse set of characters to give us that bit of variety to keep you on your toes. 

  • There's a set piece inside the prison transport during the second act, that made the movie even more interesting. 

  • Part of the fun watching this, are the interactions and dialogue between the characters. 

  • It's a decent suspense thriller to pass the time, and even has some social commentaries to make you think about too.

NEGATIVES…

  • It's not exactly something you haven't seen before. 

  • Expect the usual cliches, and all those plot conveniences.  

  • Usual caveat. Bad shots when convenient. 

  • Unnecessarily graphic at times. 

  • There's this one scene I was hoping to see at the very end; or maybe even as an after credits, but the movie disappointingly enough didn't follow through on that.

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Below Zero (bajocero) - watch it on NETFLIX

The Dig

POSITIVES…

  • Interesting, fascinating, and thoughtful, historical drama of a movie, that’s based on a true story that's set on the eve of World War II as the backdrop. 

  • There's this surprising moment during the first act that just immediately grabs your attention. Just in case you weren't paying any. 

  • Ralph Fiennes is excellent as Basil Brown, giving his character the nuance, and gravitas needed for the role. 

  • Carey Mulligan does the incredible job of bringing the character of Mrs Pretty to life. 

  • Additionally, some welcome energy is given to this movie by Lily James as Peggy Preston, Archie Brown as Robert Pretty, and Johnny Flynn as Rory Lomax. 

  • I liked the narrative choices that were made here, in terms of the use of voice overs, cut-aways, the delicate tone, the efficient pacing, and the overall segmented storytelling structure. 

  • There's actually a lot of varied themes in this presumably simple film, that works well with the sentiments of the story. 

  • Makes you appreciate the passion and drive of a discovery. Makes you appreciate life.

NEGATIVES…

  • Not the most explosively dynamic blockbuster of a movie I suppose. 

  • Sudden shifts in the storytelling might not be welcomed by some. 

  • I know it's based on a true story and all, but there are some familiar plot tropes that I feel made the story more derivative than it needed to be. 

  • It's a little disappointing that Mrs Pretty is written more like a plot device.

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Finding 'Ohana

POSITIVES…

  • Motley cast of characters. Adventure. Hawaii. Culture. Treasure hunting. Enjoyable stuff! 

  • That geocaching competition cold open was an exciting way to kick off the movie. 

  • Combo of Kea Peahu as Pili, Alex Aiono as Ioane, Lindsay Watson as Hana, and Owen Vaccaro as Casper, make an entertaining group that forms our adventurers. Their chemistry together is excellent. 

  • Kelly Hu as Leilani and Branscombe Richmond as Papa Kimo are great too, with a particular hospital scene being particularly effective. 

  • Loved all the sequences inside the caves.

  • Visually, it's colorful and beautiful. It's Hawaii! 

  • This movie absolutely has a fun sense of humor, as demonstrated by the introduction scene of Hana, to those flashbacks of Monks the sailor. 

  • Speaking of Hana, I'm never gonna tire of her busting Ioane's balls. 

  • Pop culture references were fun. 

  • There are some nice lines spoken here. "Breathtaking." "You can't sneak up on a New Yorker." "Don't tell me not to cry, when I'm trying not to, it doesn't help." "That girl needs more fiber in her diet." "Who comes all the way to Hawaii just to see where they filmed LOST." 

  • Aloha. Mahalo. Ohana.

NEGATIVES…

  • Premise feels a little familiar, there are scenes that are derivative, plot cliches, but don't let all that bother you too much. 

  • There are some bits of convenience in the story that seemed unnecessary. 

  • They did that tired bit where the parent doesn't let the teenager explain herself. Never really a fan of that trope.

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Finding ‘Ohana - watch it on NETFLIX

Palmer

POSITIVES…

  • Premise may be familiar, but it's a good straightforward drama. 

  • Justin Timberlake is solid here, acting all serious in a sympathetic role as Eddie Palmer. 

  • Ryder Allen embraces his role as Sam, in a greatly affectionate and energetic way. 

  • As expected, the relationship with Palmer and Sam is the heart and reason to see this movie. 

  • You add in Alisha Wainwright as Miss Maggie to that duo, and it's a delightful trio. 

  • There's this dialogue in a car with June Squibb and Ryder Allen that was pretty entertaining. 

  • Some emotional moments were effectively done. 

  • The topics and subject matters the movie tackles are quite admirable.

NEGATIVES…

  • Story is generally derivative. Nothing too surprising or freshly unique. 

  • Cliches and plot tropes galore. 

  • Might be too slow or sentimental for some. 

  • Takes a while to really get going.

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Palmer - watch it on APPLE TV+

the little things

POSITIVES…

  • Looking for a psychological crime mystery cop drama? Here's one! 

  • Denzel Washington, with his swagger, charm, and serious acting. You know what you want from him, and he delivers as usual. 

  • Rami Malek is solid as expected, and brings a good performance to his role. 

  • The contrast and collaboration between Denzel and Rami is a huge highlight of this film. 

  • Jared Leto successfully elevates the interest of the mystery with his addition to this movie. Best scenes happen to involve him. 

  • Actually there are several good sequences that involve vehicles in this. 

  • The conclusion will give you something to think. 

  • Seeing that No Doubt concert poster highlighted multiple times was nice.

NEGATIVES…

  • Although it has its fair share of surprises, it still feels like a generally derivative story. 

  • Too slow a burn for my taste. 

  • Despite a solid cold opening scene, the actual crime mystery didn't quite grab my interest.  

  • Honestly could have just been more compelling for what it is. 

  • There's a moment in the third act that just seemed dumb dumb dumb.  

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The Little Things - watch it on HBO MAX

Psycho Goreman

POSITIVES…

  • Premise, plot, tone, and style, is fascinating, yet absurdly ridiculous. Enjoyable!

  • Appreciated the off kilter campy B-movie quality to the whole production here.

  • The irreverence in the story and the plot progression is actually quite clever in a self-aware kind of way.

  • Unabashedly gory, violent, offensive, twisted, dark, and just plain wrong at times. Excellent!

  • Nita-Josee Hanna is incredible, going completely all-in as Mimi, in the most intense over-the-top way.

  • Matthew Ninaber is fantastic as Psycho Goreman. The things he says and does in this movie just delighted me to no end.

  • Owen Myre, Adam Brooks, and Alexis Kara Hancey, who make up the rest of the family, are excellent as the supporting cast to this crazy premise.

  • The interactions and dialogue between the characters are a huge chunk of what makes this movie fun.

  • CRAZY BALL!!! “Hurry up so I can bury you and go to sleep already.”

  • “To be eaten is a warrior’s death.”

NEGATIVES…

  • It is undeniably silly and dumb. Not everybody is going to like this.

  • Yes, the creature design looks straight out of a Power Rangers type low-rent TV show, but hopefully you can get over that.

  • At a certain point, you’ll probably start thinking that you can’t take anymore of Mimi’s schtick.

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Psycho Goreman - watch it on VIDEO ON DEMAND

Penguin Bloom

POSITIVES…

  • As an emotional and uplifting drama, this one is nicely directed and told.

  • Naomi Watts successfully draws you into her character’s devastating journey as Sam Bloom.

  • Part of the compelling nature of this story, is that with Watts’ talent, you truly feel Sam’s struggles and her triumphs in an intimate way.

  • The magpie (or magpies?) who plays Penguin is incredible in this. I swear, I thought the bird really was acting on cue, and only made the relationship she had with the Bloom family all the more believable.

  • Supporting casts are fantastic in this. From Griffin Murray-Johnston, Andrew Lincoln, Rachel House, Jacki Weaver, and more.

  • Narrative and plot progression is nicely paced. This movie knows not to hit you over the head too much with it being overly tragic. Penguin the magpie does help there.

  • Loved the voice over monologues that Noah gets to say in this.

  • Heartbreaking moments landed really well.

  • The pictures of the real life Blooms that show up during the credits are just beautiful.

NEGATIVES…

  • While based on a true story, there are some familiar plot tropes that happen as if on cue.

  • Not exactly the most exciting or visually dynamic movie to watch.

  • Arguable too straight-forward and too low-key of a movie, that it might not stand out too much as that memorable of a watch.

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Penguin Bloom - watch it on NETFLIX

In & Of Itself

POSITIVES…

  • Although this is essentially just a stage show presented in a movie format, it's absolutely an amazing watch, and a wonderful experience. 

  • I liked how it incorporated multiple shows into this one film. 

  • The Rouletista story is a fantastic setup for the whole narrative. 

  • Mysterious anticipation throughout, and "the sailor's journal" is just one of many excellent elements of that buildup. 

  • Monologues and stories in this were so thought provoking and insightful. 

  • Several segments made me tear up, and at the same time I was bewildered by what I was witnessing. 

  • There are magic tricks shown in this film that are delightfully fun. In fact, there's a lot that's just magical about this film. 

  • Bless you Derek DelGaudio, because watching this felt really personal and emotional.

NEGATIVES…

  • Whether you consider this a documentary, a movie, a TV special, or a video recording that you are watching, this is still essentially a stage show shown on screen. 

  • Some will accuse this of pretentiousness.

  • There are some lulls in the narrative at times. 

  • It can be difficult to take the moments in this stage presentation that are supposed to feel spontaneous too seriously, because it's all just a rehearsed act right? However they were acted really well by Derek, so there's that.

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In & Of Itself - watch it on HULU

The White Tiger

POSITIVES…

  • An engaging story that takes you to some enjoyable fun or darkly cynical places with the plot.

  • This is not your typical romanticized rags to riches story that relies on the usual plot tropes, and it’s only greater because of that.

  • With the way this biographical story is bookended, you may know it’s inevitable conclusion, but the journey there is absolutely worth the watch.

  • Adarsh Gourav as our main protagonist Balram, is incredible in this! Absolutely captures the determination, joy, naivety, cunning, and anger, of his character. It’s really not hard to empathize with him here.

  • Supporting cast of Rajkummar Rao, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Vijay Maurya, and many others, help provides some challenging and complicated angles to the story.

  • The settings and locations feels as real as it should be, and enhances the experience of watching this story play out.

  • Tonally plays around with your emotions deliberately, as there are scenes between certain characters that feel hopeful, but then is able to wake you up to the harsh reality of how it really is with other scenes.

  • Running commentary about the social class warfare is very compelling and insightful.

  • Educational in the sense that it shows a side of India you don’t normally see in Western films, especially as it relates to the caste system there.

  • If there’s only one thing you should learn from this, it’s that you shouldn’t take the service industry for granted.

NEGATIVES…

  • As it goes with biographical tales, you’re going to have to put up with all the characters and story set ups during the first act, before it gets to the actual interesting meat of the story.

  • Depending on your expectations, you may not like how the movie ends.

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The White Tiger - watch it on NETFLIX

Don't Tell a Soul

POSITIVES…

  • The setup established in the first sequence is pretty compelling, and drives the rest of the movie from there. 

  • Jack Dylan Grazer is a good lead character as Joey. He is essentially the audience surrogate, and you only hope he does what you would do in his situation

  • Rainn Wilson is excellent in his role as Mr Hamby, and definitely grabs your attention, especially considering the predicament he is in. 

  • Mena Suvari is also pretty solid here in a supporting role. 

  • Plot moves in some unexpected turns to keep your attention. 

  • Speaking of plot turns, the final act does have a rather satisfying twisted development, that's worth watching the whole movie for. 

  • "Desperate men do desperate things."

NEGATIVES…

  • As interesting as the story can be, it's ultimately a rather odd premise that becomes more incredulous as it goes. 

  • Fionn Whitehead's character of Matt is just too hateable. Over the top hateable. 

  • There might just be too many stupid things in this movie, that will frustrate some people. 

  • Introduced some fascinating themes to the story, but doesn't quite take full advantage of fleshing them out. 

  • Cellphones! Seriously?!

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Don’t Tell a Soul - watch it on VIDEO ON DEMAND