Barb & Star Go To Vista Del Mar

POSITIVES…

  • Two and a half minutes into this movie, and I'm already thinking "what the hell am I watching? This is not what I expected." Nice. 

  • Right from that beginning, it has an energetically infectiously daffy tone that carries throughout the whole story. 

  • There's an unpredictability to the narrative that I completely appreciated. 

  • The humor is on point! From tongue in cheek fun, to laugh out loud hilarity. 

  • Tons of absurd silliness, cartoony nonsense, and ridiculous stupidity. 

  • Wacky bizarre weird imagery and visual gags galore. 

  • Quick steady pacing that's like watching sketch comedy skits back to back to back. 

  • Dialogue is top notch for this kind of movie. Kudos to the screenwriting over all. 

  • Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo are absolutely fabulously fantastic! 

  • Gotta give Jamie Dornan credit here. He's really pushing himself, but he knows what kind of movie he is in, and makes it work! 

  • Reyn Doi as Yoyo. 

  • "Edgar’s Prayer." 

  • Richard Cheese. 

  • A flashback sequence that I'm pretty sure is unlike anything I've ever seen. 

  • Love. Friendship. Adventure. 

  • Culottes are women's trousers, usually calf length, cut full to resemble a skirt. Typically worn by women in their middle age years.

NEGATIVES…

  • It's a bunch of silliness, nonsense, and stupidity. I won't blame you if this movie isn't for you. 

  • If you think Jamie Dornan was out of his league here, well I wouldn't blame you there too. 

  • Comedy is subjective, so there's that as well. 

  • There’s a story arc that isn’t exactly original.

  • It can be argued that it loses its momentum at a certain point. 

  • "Darlie Bunkle." Probably the only joke that I didn't think was that funny.

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Barb & Star Go To Vista Del Mar - watched it on VIDEO ON DEMAND

Willy's Wonderland

POSITIVES…

  • The premise is Nicolas Cage vs killer mascots. C'mon, it's Nicolas Cage vs killer mascots! What more do you want? 

  • Nicolas Cage plays the very silent type male character here, but don't think that's going to stop him from going Full Nic Cage. That's what you want. That's what you get. 

  • This movie's got Beth Grant and Emily Tosta in the supporting cast. Nice. 

  • Kudos to the creature work in making these killer mascots. I'm sure employees of Chuck E. Cheese appreciates this. 

  • Some fun over the top depictions of violence here. 

  • Embracing the absurdity of the whole movie, and finding the levity with it was key to delivering the trashy entertainment factor here.

  • Just leave the man alone, he just wants to clean the place! Plus make sure to take your task-free breaks on time. 

  • Nic Cage is a pinball wizard.

NEGATIVES…

  • Admittedly, the movie is unbelievably ridiculous. Hope you don't mind. 

  • I suppose it can get a bit repetitive at a certain point. 

  • Supporting characters making incredibly stupid decisions can be annoying. 

  • Some inconsistencies. 

  • I guess production costs might be the issue, but the fight scenes; while enjoyable to see, can feel a little unfulfilling in the end.

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Willy’s Wonderland - watched it on VIDEO ON DEMAND

The Map of Tiny Perfect Things

POSITIVES…

  • I'm aware that I'm already spoiling it (unless the trailer already did it before for me) but this is a time loop movie. I love time loop movies! This one has fresh ideas to offer to the genre too.

  • Gotta appreciate that this movie wastes no time jumping right into the fact that the time loop premise is already happening. Efficient. 

  • The highly choreographed opening sequence is a delight to watch. 

  • Kyle Allen is entertaining and charming as Mark. He gets to do the things we might want to do in his situation. 

  • Kathryn Newton is good at being coy and enigmatic as Margaret. She brings a bit of unpredictability to the plot. 

  • Part of the fun in watching this is to discover what Mark and Margaret do and see in this movie. The crazier the better.

  • It's sentimental, sweet, and thoughtful. 

  • There are some nice levity in this film too, like Anna Mikami and a beach ball, plus some humorous driving scenes. 

  • That third act. 

  • Pop culture jokes and references leans more towards nerd-geek culture, and I'm totally okay with that! 

  • Main themes of this story, and those tiny perfect things. Worthwhile. 

  • Would be a perfect double feature paired with "Palm Springs."

NEGATIVES…

  • I suppose if you consider every time loop movie post Groundhog Day a rip-off… 

  • This is more of a very earnest time loop movie from the perspective of youths, so it might not be as exciting as you might want it to be. 

  • There are some bits that do seem unbelievable. Even with the premise in mind. 

  • Consequences?!

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The Map of Tiny Perfect Things - watched it on PRIME VIDEO

Judas and the Black Messiah

POSITIVES…

  • Fascinating historical dramatization that feels so relevant to today. 

  • Narrative is more complicated and challenging than it may at first appear to be. That's a good thing here. 

  • Movie's title is perfectly appropriate. 

  • There are some incredible speeches and monologues here. 

  • Lakeith Stanfield is good as Bill O'Neal, and has one of the main plots that compels you to see what happens to his character. 

  • Daniel Kaluuya is fantastic as Fred Hampton and truly lives us to the film's title of "Black Messiah." 

  • There are certain powerful scenes that perfectly capture the charisma and conviction of Chairman Fred. 

  • Excellent supporting cast that includes Dominique Fishback as Deborah Johnson, Jesse Plemons as Mitchell, and more. 

  • Thought provoking with its social and political commentaries. 

  • I can easily call this film another rallying cry to "Defund the Police," that shows white oppression, and systemic racism.

NEGATIVES…

  • Narrative short cuts with the story and characters keep us from getting the complete picture of what and who we are watching. 

  • There's a particular shootout that seemed… unbelievable? 

  • The villains of this story may be too cartoonishly evil. 

  • Michael Sheen's prosthetic makeup seemed unnecessary.

  • You’re going to hate this if you’re one of those “Blue Lives Matter” folks.

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Judas and the Black Messiah - watch it on HBO MAX

To All The Boys: Always and Forever

POSITIVES…

  • For fans of this series of movies, I'd like to say that this entree hits the landing! 

  • Premise and plot line takes us to more interesting and thoughtful situations. 

  • To all the High School Seniors transitioning to College. This is totally a movie for you. 

  • Locations! Locations! Locations! I love that the settings take a huge role in the story here. 

  • Lana Condor continues to be spot on as the neurotic and hopelessly romantic Lara Jean. 

  • Can Noah Centineo be any more adorable as Peter? C'mon now! 

  • Supporting cast is excellent! Anna Cathcart, Madeleine Arthur, Janel Parrish, and the rest.

  • Kitty met a boy. Cute subplot. 

  • Kudos to the editing, because there are some awesome montages in this. 

  • Song choices and pop culture references. Fun stuff! 

  • Has heart, perfect sentiments, earnest, hopeful, and is emotional when needed. 

  • Truly this movie cements the fact that Lara Jean and Peter is one of the best romantic movie couples of a new generation.

NEGATIVES…

  • Doesn't exactly break new grounds. Nor is it that ambitious of an ending to the trilogy. 

  • Some predictable tropes, but it's not too bad. 

  • While insightful in it's own ways, this isn't exactly a super thought provoking film. 

  • If Lara Jean has always annoyed you, then this isn't going to change that.

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To All The Boys: Always and Forever - watch it on NETFLIX

Paradise Cove

POSITIVES…

  • Has a simple enough premise that manages to play on a lot of people’s fears. Good job. 

  • Harkens back to those modestly budgeted suspense dramas from the ‘80s and ‘90s about a dangerous individual terrorizing a couple. If you’re in the mood for that, then this just might be perfect for you.

  • Slow methodical pacing that builds up that suspenseful tension. 

  • Kristin Bauer van Straten is fantastic as Bree! Intimidating and scary as needed to be. 

  • Todd Grinnell is great as Knox. The guy you just want to yell “what the hell are you thinking?!” and at the same time hope he gets himself out of this predicament. 

  • Speaking of getting out of a predicament. Mena Suvari is excellent as Tracey. Very sympathetic and a character you can’t help but root for. 

  • Seeing just how much chaos and damage Bree is able to do in this movie, will compel you more than enough to see how this plays out. 

  • Terrifying story indeed. You’re going to be glad you’re watching it as a movie, and not living it in real life.

NEGATIVES…

  • Yes, it’s a bit familiar, and there are the usual expected cliches. 

  • Some conveniences and conceits that’s kinda cheating. 

  • Certain unbelievable plot moments that just boggles the mind. 

  • There are some positively stupid decisions made that might frustrate you too much. 

  • Ending might not be as satisfying as you might hope it would be. 

  • doesthedogdie.com

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Paradise Cove - watch it on VIDEO ON DEMAND

Bliss

POSITIVES…

  • This ambitiously, imaginative, mysterious premise and plot, is probably gonna make you curious enough to want to see how it plays out. 

  • As our audience surrogate to the conceptually weird situations we see in this movie, Owen Wilson plays an excellent sympathetic character of Greg. 

  • Salma Hayek is just a ball of manic energy as Isabel, that will continually keep you on your toes.  

  • The fantastical bits are pretty fun to see. 

  • Tonally puts you on a loop, in that it has this constant despairing mood where you're just waiting for the other shoe to drop. 

  • Brings up some ideologies and commentaries that are absolutely worth thinking about. 

  • Heartbreaking. 

  • Thought visualizer.

NEGATIVES…

  • I gotta say, the opening 10 minutes starts off by making me contemplate if I should just stop watching. 

  • There's a nonsensical element to the plot that might feel frustrating to watch. 

  • While it is a uniquely told genre story, there are elements of familiarity and predictability to some of the plot reveals. 

  • It's obnoxiously manipulative at times  

  • Simply cheats with certain plot turns when it's convenient. 

  • Some people will hate how this story concludes.

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Bliss - watch it on PRIME VIDEO

Life in a Day 2020

POSITIVES…

  • Fascinating ambitious premise for a documentary film. 

  • Loved the montages that show the similar activities among the different cultures. 

  • Enjoyed seeing scenes that capture experiences that you wouldn't normally see. 

  • The section about relationships is probably my most favorite part. Probably because of what footage was actually submitted. 

  • I'm glad there was a section dedicated to the under appreciated blue collar jobs.

  • There's that one particular scene that contrasts itself to the first Life in a Day film from 2010. You'll know what I mean when you see it. 

  • Unavoidably, the topics of the pandemic and social injustice are covered. It's not the point of the whole movie, but they still make an impact when watching this. 

  • As disjointed as the whole thing may seem, there is an introspective quality to the theme.

NEGATIVES…

  • Because all the footage is taken from different sources, the video quality varies from bad to good. 

  • There are some footages that they probably shouldn't have bothered showing here. 

  • Due to the premise of this film, it doesn't really go deep with everything it wants to say. 

  • Hard to really get attached to the movie, as it doesn't have a lot of connecting through lines. 

  • Needles to say, I won't blame you for getting bored watching this after a certain point.

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Life in a Day 2020 - watch it on YOUTUBE

Space Sweepers (Seungriho)

POSITIVES…

  • The moment I saw Earth's orbit during the first act, I couldn't help but really appreciate this movie's take of a sci-fi themed future. 

  • Liked the imaginative world building. 

  • Main premise and plot kept me invested. 

  • It's got heart. The story knows how to get you attached to it. 

  • Our scrappy misfits of protagonists are an enjoyable lot to get invested in. 

  • The interactions and camaraderie between our motley crew is a strong appeal of this movie. 

  • I can see the character of Bubs easily being a fan favorite. 

  • One particular action sequence in the third act involving Bubs was pretty fun. 

  • Love the visual design of the space guards. 

  • There are some obvious franchises that clearly inspired this movie, and I'm totally okay with that.

NEGATIVES…

  • Well, it still has the usual plot tropes, and cliches, so there's a predictability to the story. 

  • There are some undercooked half-baked moments that can cheapen the experience of watching this.

  • Arguably could be edited down further from it's 136 mins runtime, as it indulges itself a bit too much for some scenes, to the detriment of the movie's pacing. 

  • Main antagonist isn't exactly as compelling of a character as it thinks it is.

  • The social commentaries found in this movie; while appreciated, felt superficially explored at best. 

  • Fart humor, huh?

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Space Sweepers (Seungriho) - watch it on NETFLIX

Malcolm & Marie

POSITIVES…

  • If you're in the mood of seeing a couple drive each other crazy… 

  • Opens with a lively sequence to "Down and Out in New York City" by James Brown, that just grabs your attention. 

  • John David Washington is acting his butt off here! Electrifying performance. 

  • Zendaya is excellent and outstanding. Commands the screen with aplomb. 

  • I mean, it's unavoidable in that this literally only has the two actors, but they play off each other really really really well. 

  • Monologues. Monologues. Monologues. Lots of monologues with powerful lines. 

  • "What about William Wyler?" 

  • It has commentary. It has lots of things to say. Thought provoking things. Meta movie stuff!

  • Song choices in this movie are fantastic, and even work in parallel with the story. 

  • That scene (my favorite scene) about the film critic review, is a good reason why I write my reviews in this format.

NEGATIVES…

  • You know what? It really doesn't help when this movie is just unable to make me care about the two lead characters. Especially when there are only two characters in this! 

  • Can get kinda boring, aimless, and repetitive. 

  • Wouldn't be surprised if you find this movie obnoxious and annoying.

  • There's an air of pretentiousness to the film. 

  • Honestly, I don't think having this in black & white does anything particularly special to the presentation. 

  • I wouldn't blame you, if you turned off this movie after 20 or 30 minutes, or are just completely find yourself distracted on your phone instead. 

  • Speaking of minutes. Maybe this could have been shorter? Seriously. 

  • There are multiple points in this when I went "oh, what now?!" Yeah. It can get frustrating to watch.

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Malcolm & Marie - watch it on NETFLIX