Demon Slayer Mugen Train

POSITIVES…

  • If you are a fan of the manga and anime, then you absolutely have to watch this movie. 

  • Part of the appeal of Kimetsu No Yaiba are the flashy and stylish attack moves and fight sequences. This does not disappoint. 

  • There’s a certain mastery to making effectively emotional melodrama here that I really admire. 

  • Those wacky comedy bits are also welcome to see here and there. 

  • Kamado Tanjirô is truly one of the best protagonists in anime today, and is a character that is totally worth looking up to. 

  • Speaking of characters that are worth looking up to, Rengoku is incredibly cool and absolutely amusing. He is a true highlight of this movie. 

  • Hashibira Inosuke really gets to shine in this as well, and let’s not forget the appeal of Nezuko and Zenitsu too. 

  • Excellent memorable villains in this. They really ramp up the gravity of the danger to our heroes. Keeping us interested and on the edge of our seat. 

  • Considering the premise of this story is that it’s all set in exactly one location for just about the whole movie, it still nevertheless doesn’t stop being an engaging watch throughout. 

  • That final battle sequence during the third act. Wow. Amazing! 

  • While the underlying themes of this story aren’t exactly deep, they aren’t exactly unwelcomed either. Lessons to learn and live by.

NEGATIVES…

  • Although there are story bits that give exposition to those unfamiliar with the source material, I still have to say that a lot about this might be completely lost to those who aren’t familiar with either the TV show or manga. 

  • Some might not like the quick tonal shifts from wacky humor to serious melodrama. 

  • Certain characters and plot points don’t really get as much attention as you might have expected. 

  • With how the movie ends, I’m tempted to say that this isn’t a movie at all and just another installment for the anime series. 

  • How again are they hearing each other in a noisy moving train, while several train cars away from each other?

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Demon Slayer Mugen Train - watched it in THEATERS

NOBODY

POSITIVES…

  • If you can help it, go into this movie without knowing anything about it. Just know that Bob Odenkirk is so excellent in this as Hutch Mansell, and just know that this is for the action genre movie audience. With all that said… 

  • This is one of those movies where fantastic unsuspecting things happen. Unsuspecting things that can get very bloody violent. 

  • That opening six minutes. 

  • That scene where that guy had to lock the door behind him. 

  • That bus scene. Woo Hoo! That bus scene!

  • That introduction scene for Aleksey Serebryakov's character. 

  • That sequence where Hutch had to say "Don't call 911." 

  • You know what? Let's just say that there's a lot of incredible scenes and well directed action set pieces in this. Just Bravo! Bravo! 

  • Wait wait wait. One more mention. That Christopher Lloyd scene. Hold up. All those Christopher Lloyd scenes. 

  • I truly truly appreciated this movie's dark humor sensibilities. 

  • Loved the subtle but efficient world building and character expositions. 

  • The soundtrack. Mwah. Chef's kiss. 

  • Shout out to Connie Nielsen, Araya Mengesha, RZA, Colin Salmon, and Michael Ironside. 

  • Can we make this a franchise? It’s just too entertaining and fun not to.

NEGATIVES…

  • There's going to be a lot of comparisons with a certain other character from that certain other movie. In other words, this is a familiar genre film, with some expected plot devices. Don't hold all that against this movie too much. 

  • This isn't exactly a deep movie. 

  • You know. If you heard gun fire next door, you'd probably call for law enforcement right? Right?

  • May be criticized for it's outdated and gratuitous thematic commentary about violence and masculinity.

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NOBODY - watched it on VIDEO ON DEMAND

The Mitchells vs. The Machines

POSITIVES…

  • As a family road trip movie, mixed with the robot apocalypse, this is an incredible must-watch animated film. 

  • Kinetic visual style and in your face ADHD effects are just awesome! 

  • The comedy. The wacky humor. The pop culture references.  The irreverence. The running jokes. The fun montages. The cutaways. Good good good good good stuff. 

  • The Mitchells are an excellent set of outstanding weird characters, played by an excellent voice cast. Their chemistry truly shines. 

  • Monchi the dog is just legendary. 

  • Eric and Deborahbot are quite entertaining. 

  • Olivia Colman as Pal! 

  • Fantastic scenes and chaotic moments throughout. From the family meal, Pal Max reveal, DinoStop & Cafe, and many many many more. 

  • Thematically has some great things to say about family and technology and filmmaking too. 

  • "I guess cellphones are bad for you." 

  • "Why would someone build that?!" 

  • Dog Cop! I want to see more Dog Cop!

NEGATIVES…

  • Some familiar and expected plot tropes and coincidences. 

  • It can really be ridiculously unbelievable at times.

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The Mitchells vs. The Machines - watched it on NETFLIX

Without Remorse

POSITIVES…

  • If you're looking for an action revenge movie with that typical Tom Clancy international political intrigue, then here you go. 

  • Michael B Jordan is in fact a badass, continues to be a badass, and showcases his badassery in this quite splendidly. 

  • All the action sequences involving Michael B Jordan are the highlights and are the main reasons for watching this movie. 

  • That prison scene for example is just fun stuff. 

  • There's also that whole set piece that involves setting a car on fire. 

  • Speaking of excellent set pieces, that plane set piece was really nicely done too. 

  • The movie's not done though, because there's also that huge set piece set in a building, that's definitely one of the best sequences of this movie. 

  • After watching this, I really wouldn't mind seeing more action movies featuring Michael B Jordan's character here. In other words, stick around for the mid-credits scene.

NEGATIVES…

  • Very very familiar premise that doesn't differentiate itself enough from similar movies. Despite the production value. 

  • Some people will accuse this movie for being too generic and mediocre. 

  • Why is everybody acting so stiff and stilted except for Michael B Jordan? 

  • Jamie Bell is so ridiculously hateable in this, that it's just… so annoyingly ridiculous! 

  • That conclusion. Meh.

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Without Remorse - watched it on PRIME VIDEO

Justice Society: World War II

POSITIVES…

  • When is it not entertaining seeing DC Heroes like Wonder Woman, Flash, Hawkman, etc.. as a team, doing what you love seeing them doing? Being heroes. Plus, they are fighting Nazis too? 

  • Several surprising plot reveals to keep you hooked on where the movie is going. 

  • There’s a lot to like about how the heroes are portrayed in this animated movie. Characterization is excellent. 

  • The action choreography is top-notch in this. Fantastic action sequences. 

  • Especially with Wonder Woman and Flash. Lots of really cool action beats from them. 

  • Voice actors are good in their roles, so kudos to them. 

  • Animation style has this simple but unique thing going for it. Stands out from the standard fare you normally would see. 

  • Fans will appreciate the scenes where Barry Allen Flash and Jay Garrick Flash are working together.

NEGATIVES…

  • Very reliant on it’s plot-heavy story that is unfortunately to it’s deterrent. 

  • Some will argue that the plot progression is kinda basic. 

  • Honestly could have been longer. 

  • Steve Trevor. Not to throw too much shade at the guy, but I really didn’t care too much about the running shtick they have going with him here.

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Justice Society: World War II - watched it on VIDEO ON DEMAND

The Father

POSITIVES…

  • Fascinating movie that purposefully keeps you guessing about it’s plot progression. 

  • Perfectly disorienting narrative, that thematically fits very well with the story. 

  • Anthony Hopkins is absolutely amazing in this, and might arguably be his best work yet. 

  • Olivia Colman is truly fantastic in this, and easily takes on those highly emotional moments. 

  • Supporting cast is great as well, from Rufus Sewell, Mark Gatiss, Imogen Poots, and Olivia Williams. 

  • Dramatically profound and a stark reminder or warning about getting old. 

  • Just heartbreaking. Especially that final act. 

  • There are some nice visual directing touches to accommodate the fact this movie is set in one location.

NEGATIVES…

  • Starts off a little bit slow, and doesn’t really kick into gear until about 20 minutes in. 

  • Very much a talking heads kinda film with mostly just dialogue to listen to, which may not be engaging for some movie goers.

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The Father - watched it on VIDEO ON DEMAND

Mortal Kombat (2021)

POSITIVES…

  • Fans of the video game franchise wanted a more bloody and violent movie adaptation, and they got it here. 

  • Those gory fatalities are what the fans want to see, and there are some good ones to witness. 

  • Joe Taslim and Hiroyuki Sanada are in this, and they are pretty awesome. 

  • Josh Lawson as Kano is probably the most entertaining element of this movie. 

  • There are some cool fight set pieces to see; especially during the third act, so that’s a plus. 

  • Some nice special effects and visual flair that I appreciate seeing in this movie. 

  • Easter eggs and call-backs to the video game can be so fun.

NEGATIVES…

  • Easter eggs and call-backs to the video game can be so cringey. 

  • Story felt surprisingly lackluster and not epic enough for the world building it tries to create. Just falls under the weight of its own ambitions. 

  • Plot contrivances and just general nonsense ruins things a bit. 

  • Fight choreography seemed uninspired and not that memorable.  

  • The way the movie concludes is such a huge let down. 

  • Gotta say. Even though the 1995 Mortal Kombat movie adaptation was cheezy and cheap looking, I think I actually had more fun watching that.

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Mortal Kombat (2021) - watched it on HBO MAX

Stowaway

POSITIVES…

  • Simple but interesting and fascinating premise for a space travel film.

  • The first 15 minutes was a nice way to start things off, in a movie filled with good engaging scenes throughout, that includes the initial catalyst to the premise, those personal moments shared, to the big tense set piece during the third act.

  • Daniel Dae Kim as Daniel Kim is excellent handling some random character beats that the plot requires of him.

  • Anna Kendrick as Zoe Levenson is fun to watch in those light-hearted and heavily dramatic scenes.

  • Shamier Anderson as Michael Adams is good as the "regular guy" that is put in such an impossible situation.

  • Toni Collette as Commander Barnett is top notch at talking to a "Jim" that's speaking indistinctly.

  • There are great interactions between the characters that are undeniably one of the main strengths of this film.

  • From the careful pacing, the perfect tone, the plot progression, the musical score, cinematography, etc, there's a lot to be appreciated.

  • Considering this movie is predominantly set in one location, I give extra huge props to the set design.

NEGATIVES…

  • It's easy to criticize the main plot caveat to the premise as highly improbable. I mean seriously.

  • Just to emphasize the point, it really has some eye rolling "you've got to be kidding me!" plot conveniences, that I really could have lived without.

  • Not everybody is going to be happy with how it concludes.

  • May not be a movie that moves fast enough for some people.

  • Oh look, it has a stereotypical introduction scene about jazz. When did this trope become a… trope?

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Stowaway - watched it on NETFLIX

Thunder Force

POSITIVES…

  • As a superhero movie done with irreverent humor, that bit of satire, and has a simple enough playful premise,  it's actually okay for what it’s going for. 

  • The movie also doesn't take itself seriously at all, but it has heart when it matters, so I'll give it that recognition as well. 

  • Kudos to Melissa McCarthy for going all out with her outrageous role, and Octavia Spencer for essentially playing the "straight man" in the duo. It's easy to root for those two. 

  • Supporting cast were solid with their characters as well. Taylor Mosby, Jason Bateman, Bobby Cannavale, Ben Falcone, Pom Klementieff, and more. 

  • Gotta admit, I found the training days scenes pretty amusing. 

  • There are some running jokes that I did enjoy. 

  • I liked the soundtrack. Good choices of songs in this. 

  • If you like dumb lowbrow humor, then this movie might just be for you.

NEGATIVES…

  • It's still dumb lowbrow humor, so this definitely won't be for everyone.

  • Remember, comedy is subjective, but I'd like to say that there's a lot of jokes here that just do not land at all. 

  • There are several pop culture references, and it's cringe worthy a lot of the time. 

  • Why is the stupid "don't touch anything" joke and or plot trope still a thing?! 

  • Oh. Needless to say. The plot is pretty dumb, nonsensical, obvious, cliché, uninspired, mediocre, and pushes your buttons at how much stupid you can put up with. 

  • Action sequences aren't anything to write about either. 

  • There's all this reference to Van Halen, but I'm thinking it really should have been AC/DC instead. Thunder Force. Thunderstruck? c’mon!

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Thunder Force - watched it on NETFLIX

Night In Paradise (Nagwonui bam)

POSITIVE…

  • Has an interesting premise between the drama of the two main leads, the gang strife, and the particular location of the story. 

  • The pacing and tone fits well with the dark and violent story that’s mixed with melancholia and tragedy. 

  • Uhm Tae-goo as the serious gangster in hiding, and Jeon Yeo-been as the unpredictable woman he meets who is angry at life, both of them are fantastic in this! 

  • Supporting cast are also great in this. Seung-Won Cha, Park Ho-San, Lee Ki-young, plus more. 

  • Interactions between Tae-gu and Jae-yeon are definitely some of the highlights of watching this film. 

  • There’s this important meeting during a meal that was fascinating to watch. 

  • Several of the action sequences were nicely done. 

  • That last 30 minutes was just wow. 

  • Has some excellent cinematography here. 

  • Jeju Island is kinda like a character to itself.

NEGATIVE…

  • Yes, it’s yet another Asian movie about criminals and or gangsters. 

  • Might be too melodramatic in some of the plot points. 

  • It can get bloody violent. Hope you don’t mind.

  • Some people will not like how it concludes.

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Night In Paradise (Nagwonui bam) - watched it on NETFLIX