The Lost City

POSITIVES

  • The combo of Sandra Bullock and Channing Tatum as the unlikely pair, going up against the dastardly cartoon villain that is Daniel Radcliffe, in a treasure hunting island adventure, actually makes for a rather likable movie. The adventure aspects in particular are what I really liked. 

  • Playful action set pieces were very enjoyable to watch. From the choreographed physical combat to the chase sequences, plus the visual gags that accompany them. 

  • Appreciated the comedic word play and banter that was present throughout the movie. Those sexual euphamisms happened more often than I thought they would too. Kudos! 

  • Channing Tatum. Bless you for throwing everything in your talent to make your character a fun element to the movie. 

  • Every scene Brad Pitt was in was pure entertainment. But also a big shout out to great work by Da'Vine Joy Randolph, Patti Harrison, and Oscar Nuñez. 

NEGATIVES

  • The comedy was hit or miss, and I would say it was mostly miss.

  • I know that this is supposed to be a “romantic” comedy, but the romance aspect didn’t quite work for me. 

  • Seemed like we got two different versions of the Alan Dash character, and the movie didn’t quite figure out how to properly juggle that. 

  • Felt like Sandra Bullock could have given more life to her Loretta Sage character. It was like she was just walking through her role. 

  • One scene tried to awkwardly justify murder in a comedic way. Just NO to that. Remember how I said that the humor was mostly a miss? 

loveditenjoyedit LIKED IT itsokayitsmehitsterrible

The Lost City - watched it IN THEATERS

Flee

POSITIVES

  • An interesting historical and social commentary of a movie, that is part interview based, mixed with dramatic animated recreations, that is based on a true story. Emotional stuff.  

  • Fascinating story about what it's like to be a refugee. The hardship and struggles portrayed just made me so sad and depressed. It’s heartbreaking.

  • Second act in particular is highly engaging seeing where the plot is progressing. 

  • The animation style, mixed with the occasional archival live footage lends this movie a distinctive narrative. Animated Jean Claude Van Damme? 

  • If anything else, I hope this movie educates you on the subject matters presented. 

NEGATIVES 

  • Some people will not necessarily find the appeal of the animation style. 

  • Subject matters are also something that might not interest some people at all. 

  • The almost documentary style might feel boring. 

  • Considering what this movie is about, I honestly wouldn't have minded them removing the more light hearted moments. 

  • Oh no, another subtitled film. I hope that isn't too much of a barrier for you. 

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Flee (Flugt) - watched it on HULU

The Worst Person in the World

POSITIVES

  • An amazing whiplash of plot turns that showcases this movie's compelling narrative, that unfolds in multiple distinct chapters. 

  • Those character dynamics, conversations, and subject matters that are brought up in this movie, are a huge factor of what makes the story engaging. 

  • Visually appealing. Showcasing some great locations in Oslo, Norway. A couple of chapters even takes things up a notch with the visuals that you probably wouldn’t have expected from a movie like this.

  • If you couldn't already figure it out a few chapters in, Renate Rainsve is absolutely spectacular as our lead character Julie. Kudos to Anders Danielsen Lie and Herbert Nordrum for their supporting but highly important roles as well. 

  • This story is quite the journey from beginning until the very end. Provocative and contemplative. If you can see elements of the themes that you can relate with, then it should leave a mark on your thoughts.

NEGATIVES

  • Narrative and pacing isn't going to be for everybody. 

  • They're are lulls in the movie that might make you feel bored and hope for more excitement. 

  • Subject matters are probably going to make some uncomfortable or triggered. 

  • Boobs, penis, and sex. A simple warning to those who mind.  

  • A couple of plot coincidences that seem a little too convenient. 

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The Worst Person In The World (Verdens verste menneske) - watched it on VIDEO ON DEMAND

After Yang

POSITIVES

  • Fascinating world building for this possible future, and the advanced tech of that time, coupled with this insightful and moving story about this family. 

  • Moments. Memories. Perspectives. Loved how the film handles them, and they are a key part of the narrative. Contemplative. Touching even. Emotional stuff. 

  • Interesting themes, philosophy, and ideologies presented here. Real world thoughts we can relate with right now, and sci-fi ideas that we already know are a possibility. 

  • Visually pleasing. Calming to look at even. I also like how it handles the different aspect ratios depending on the context. 

  • THAT family dance competition. Congrats to the cast for performing it. Solid cast overall, kudos to Colin Farrell, Jodie Turner-Smith, Malea Emma Tjandrawidjaja, Haley Lu Richardson, plus more. 

NEGATIVES 

  • The slow pacing is not going to be for everybody. People might get bored if they don't find the premise interesting. 

  • There is one significant plot element, and especially one specific scene in particular, that I found highly pretentious. 

  • Faces the limits of trying to make the future look timeless. Questions you will have that you will not get answers for. 

  • I'm sure it's intentional, but it seems like the acting is purposefully subdued. Not a fan of that. 

  • It's just weird to see everybody dressing like they are Asians, especially when they're not. 

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After Yang - watched it on SHOWTIME

The Outfit

POSITIVES

  • Set entirely in one location, we’ve got here an intriguing story of a tailor shop that gets mixed up with the Chicago gangster scene. You’re also going to learn some things about what it takes to make a good suit, and the moments highlighting that is definitely a unique flavor to this film.

  • Despite the limited things you could do in one setting, there are very distinct scenes that move things along. The third act should definitely grab your attention. 

  • The clever writing does all the heavy lifting here, so expect some smart dialogue and fast thinking lines. 

  • Some good plot turns and reveals keeps you on your toes. 

  • As expected, fantastic work by Mark Rylance, but kudos also given to Zoey Deutch, Johnny Flynn, Dylan O'Brien, and Simon Russell Beale. 

NEGATIVES

  • As mentioned, the movie is all set in one location like a bottle episode. So it’s like you are watching a stage show. 

  • Considering the setting, it’s limited in what can be done with the visuals. Not necessarily a huge cinematic experience. 

  • I can already imagine people getting bored by the dry pacing. 

  • There will also be those who just wouldn’t care for the sequences about making a suit or the voice over monologues that come with them. 

  • Some unbelievable plot and character moments took me out of the movie. 

loveditenjoyedit LIKED IT itsokayitsmehitsterrible

The Outfit - watched it IN THEATERS

Windfall

POSITIVES

  • Unusual odd suspense thriller about a home invasion robbery that doesn't go the way it usually goes. Seeing where it does go, and the scenarios that happen is part of the fun of watching this. 

  • Jason Segel, Jesse Plemons, and Lily Collins make a great trio. 

  • Dialogue is probably what will stand out the most in this movie. Considering the premise, there are some genuinely interesting things said, but there are also a lot of certain irreverent ridiculousness at some of the other topics discussed. 

  • With all the talking in this film, certain thematic commentaries do come up. Food for thought stuff. 

  • The act of negotiating in what should be a tense and dangerous situation. This movie gleefully breaks all those logical rules. It can be pretty amusing. Kids, don't follow their example. 

NEGATIVES 

  • There will be people who will proclaim "OMG this is so stupid! It's so unbelievable!!!" 

  • Some people may not like some of the topics discussed or certain plot turns and revelations. 

  • Depending on how you feel about it, the third act may not work for you at all. 

  • For a 90 mins movie. It actually felt longer than it probably needed to be. 

  • It's a movie set in one location, so there is only so much it can do in a cinematic visual sense. 

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Windfall - watched it on NETFLIX

Deep Water

POSITIVES

  • It's an Adrian Lyne film, so you must be in this for some of that provocative eroticism he's known for putting in his movies. Yeah, you definitely got some of that here. 

  • Speaking of sexiness, Ana de Armas is in this, and she really owns that role of the wild wife of Ben Affleck's. Oh yeah, Ben Affleck. Sexy too right? 

  • On the other spectrum. The supporting cast are good in this like Lil Rel Howery, Davyn A Tyler, Tracy Letts, Kristen Connolly, and especially Grace Jenkins who plays Trixie. 

  • As far as the story is concerned, this take on a married couple and the topic of infidelity and a series of certain actions/reactions about it can be fascinating to watch. 

  • Good use of music and songs to add some flavor to the atmosphere and tone of the movie. 

NEGATIVES 

  • There is a certain repetitiveness to the plot and situations presented in this movie. 

  • Doesn't exactly add anything truly spectacular or uniquely exciting to the themes either. 

  • Can get kinda boring if you're not into the purposefully methodical pacing of the narrative. 

  • Definitely not what you would call a cinematic film. 

  • There are some points in the movie when you'll just be saying "That's just dumb. So dumb."

loveditenjoyeditlikedit IT’S OKAY itsmehitsterrible

Deep Water - watched it on HULU

Jujutsu Kaisen 0: The Movie

POSITIVES

  • If this movie is your first exposure to Jujutsu Kaisen, then this does a great job building and introducing this world of a stylish action-fantasy anime filled with cool characters, great visuals, plus moments of humor or horror. If you’re already a fan, what are you waiting for, go see this!

  • Compelling and involving story revolving around our protagonist and de facto audience surrogate should keep your interest to see where the plot goes. 

  • Those flashy action sequences are exciting to watch. Heck, the whole third act is action heavy and an awesome way to conclude the movie. Kudos to MAPPA studio for the excellent animation. 

  • The chemistry and interactions between these distinct characters are the strongest points of the story. It’s easy to get invested with what happens to Okkotsu Yūta, Gojō Satoru, Zen'in Maki, Inumaki Toge, Panda, Getō Suguru, and Orimoto Rika.

  • There are some good thematic commentaries about friendship, self-worth, and Love, that are very well punctuated by some effective emotional beats. 

NEGATIVES

  • If the story doesn’t do it for you, this movie will just end up looking like an excuse to show action scenes after action scenes that just happen to be exposition heavy. 

  • Speaking of which, all that exposition will feel redundant to those who already know Jujutsu Kaisen, and for those who didn’t already know might feel a little overwhelmed with all the detail. 

  • Plot conveniences and deus ex machina moments are very much present, which admittedly diminishes any notion of actual real tension or danger to the drama. 

  • There are horror elements to the premise. While it’s not the focus of this anime, the moments of bloody gore might not be for everybody. 

  • Certain distinct looking characters get some flashy single scene highlights. You might think it’s a waste of time showing them if you don’t already know who they are, but you might be disappointed in not seeing more of them in this movie if you were already familiar with them. 

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Jujutsu Kaisen 0: The Movie - watched it IN THEATERS

X

POSITIVES

  • This movie is a solid compelling call back to the exploitation films of the 1970s, that covers adult cinema to bloody horror slasher fests. Then it also tosses in some thought provoking commentaries to go along with the premise. 

  • As it goes with these movies, there’s a slow burn that continues to build and ramps up the suspense of what you know is coming just around the corner. 

  • Ensemble cast is good here. Mia Goth, Brittany Snow, Jenna Ortega, Martin Henderson, Kid Cudi, Owen Campbell, and Stephen Ure. Each one of them plays their roles and captures their characters just right for this story. 

  • The real star of this film however is the direction, the cinematography, the camera work, the editing, and just the overall ‘70s grindhouse feel of the visuals. A lot of the imagery is just done so spectacularly! 

  • Along with the imagery, and the tone, some of the scenes are perfectly creepy, disturbing, and / or uncomfortable to watch. That’s what you want from this movie right? Just check out what scenes accompanied “Landslide” by Fleetwood Mac and “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper” by Blue Öyster Cult. 

NEGATIVES

  • Characters aren’t exactly likable. Kinda kills my investment with what happens to them in the movie. 

  • Some people gonna have problems with this movie having sex and nudity. Others are gonna have problems with this movie not having enough sex and nudity. 

  • Those looking for non stop gore and violence are probably going to feel a bit impatient. 

  • As it goes with these movies, try not to get too frustrated with some of the stupid decisions made by the characters. 

  • While the commentaries made in this movie are thought provoking, I kinda felt like it just addressed them in a somewhat superficial manner. Wanted just a little bit more than what was presented. 

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X - watched it IN THEATERS

The Adam Project

POSITIVES

  • I like time travel stories and I like it when movies have fun playing around with how that works. This is one of those films. 

  • Kudos to Walker Scobell who is essentially playing a young Ryan Reynolds. A huge part of what makes this enjoyable to watch is seeing the two interacting with each. Essentially bantering with himself in a plot perspective. 

  • Being a Ryan Reynolds starring movie, expect those smartass humor and clever jokes to keep you entertained. It’s not all Reynolds doing the comedy either, as Scobell and Ruffalo also contribute to that. 

  • Action beats. While it’s not non-stop, the exciting moments are solid. There is some excellent physical choreography found in this one too. 

  • Despite the sci-fi action premise, the greatest strength of this film is the family angle of the movie. There’s a strong sweetness and love that is found here, and it’s because this film does a great job establishing the relationships between the characters. Those scenes where they are having those honest heart to heart moments are easily my favorite parts of this story. Reynolds and Scobell, Jennifer Garner, Mark Ruffalo, Zoe Saldaña were fantastic in those heartfelt scenes. 

NEGATIVES 

  • Familiar plot tropes and conveniences are found here and there. Keeps this from being a completely tight movie. 

  • Certain scenes looking like they are done on a sound stage also take a little bit away from that movie magic. 

  • Future tech armor kinda sucks. They may as well be wearing red shirts. Also. Blatant murdering going on around here. 

  • What keeps this movie from being an instant classic, is that it doesn’t quite give us truly iconic moments that will really stick in your head. 

  • Those looking for that grand “13 Going On 30” reunion might be a little disappointed. 

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The Adam Project - watched it on NETFLIX