Change Your Image
mjanssens26
Ratings
Most Recently Rated
Reviews
This Is the Zodiac Speaking (2024)
A shameful embarrassment for Netflix
Netflix should be ashamed of themselves for producing this garbage. Once again, we hear that poor old Arthur Leigh Allen is the most probable suspect to be the Zodiac. Robert Graysmith (who started the original smear campaign against Allen) is an embarrassment and has long been disproven with his own Zodiac theories.
Graysmith has made millions off his false book ridded with factual errors, but hey, you can't defame the dead so why not keep up the act if it sells more of his fictional crap. Graysmith is an ex-cartoonist now multi-millionaire author who acts as though he's a psychiatrist. At worst, he's a rich con man who made millions off of Allen's name.
Though I do think it's great that the documentary talks about Linda Edwards, Robert Domingos and Cheri Jo Bates, there is simply no evidence that Allen did any of these crimes. Though I do think these crimes are related to Zodiac and I'd be far more interested in thorough documentaries on each of these cases.
As for the kids (now adults) who remember Allen taking them on these supposed Edwards and Bates crime scenes, that too is nonsense. People misremember and everyone wants to be part of an exciting salacious story. At best, I think they're mistaken and at worst, they're lying to get their names out and profit or be a part of some sort of morbid history. What serial killer in modern history has ever taken children out on a crime spree while those children are under the suspect's care? Never going to happen.
I wish Netflix would have dived into other known and more probable suspects such as Richard Gaikowski. There are several others that have far more interesting coincidences in terms of evidence to be called the Zodiac, but no, let's throw Allen under the bus again because he can't sue us for slander.
In closing, Allen never matched the DNA on the cab driver victim, he wasn't the right height known by the surviving witness at Lake Berryessa (Bryan Hartnell--a class act for not participating in this drivel Netflix "documentary"), Allen's hand writing didn't match the Zodiac letters, Allen didn't match the cops description at the cab driver crime scene, or the partying kids description at the cab crime scene, or any of the police sketches, etc, etc.
This was yet another shamefull money grab by Netflix and Graysmith -- who once again, is laughing all the way to the bank by defaming Allen. Allen may have been a strange pervert, that I'll believe, but he most certainly wasn't The Zodiac based on any of the REAL evidence.
Of an Age (2022)
Beautiful film
I caught this on Prime and had never heard of the film or knew anything about it other than the quick ten second peek I took to see a little of the film trailer. I told myself, "give the movie ten minutes, and if you're bored, turn it off." Well, once I started it, I fell in love with the characters, the scenery, and the performances.
This movie is a beautiful and realistic trip back to 1999 and then we fast forward a bit to 2010. I don't know what the actors or make up department did to de-age or age the characters, but so much of this film was incredible and beautiful and so well done. I rarely "love" films but I have to say, this is one that touched me deeply. Sorry to be corny, but it's an awesome movie.
Batman: The Animated Series (1992)
The perfect Batman
There have been many Batman films and TV shows since the 1940's and you can see all of them on streaming, some better than others. Tubi has the 1940'S shows and some of the 1990's films, while Netflix and Prime have more current flicks and toons.
Batman the Animated Series is probably the best version of Batman that stays true to his story and offers a dark and gritty film noir-like atmosphere. Yes, kids watched this show but there is no reason adults won't be glued to the mature and tragic themes as well. Though the series was filmed in the 1990's, it's still very current and beautiful to look at. Though I like West and Keaton and Affleck as Batman, and still need to watch Pattinson, nothing is better than BTAS IMO. A great and timeless show for all fans of the character.
On the Line (2022)
A fun and lightening fast thriller
While the film delivers a gut punch ending, it's still a fun ride and moves at lightening speed. Halfway through the film I thought so many of the things that were happening seemed to be impossible but it all actually comes together nicely at the end.
Without giving anything away, the movie speaks to the insanity of this day and age and the crazy lengths that people are willing to go to with social media, staying relevant, and also exploring a plot point about revenge that runs throughout the film. Mel Gibson is controversial for some, but he gives a great performance along with the young cast. If you can take a deep breath and realize they did something mostly unique with the ending, you'll enjoy this fast-paced thrill ride.
Sayonara (1957)
Beautiful film
Anyone who has a problem with race or LGBTQ issues needs to watch this film. At the end, love is love and the film explores what some people are sadly willing to sacrifice because they're worried about society and others opinions.
This story was well ahead of its time and I respect Marlon Brando for exploring the topic of race during the height of his career. The film isn't preachy or woke, it's just a beautiful love story about a white American soldier stationed in Japan who happens to fall in love with a beautiful Japanese woman during a time where everyone seems to be trying their best to sabotage these two from possibly building a successful life together, and all because the two are of a different race from one another. A lovely looking film with a gently delivered message.
Die Muse des Mörders (2018)
Good Austrian Thriller
I watched this on Tubi. I took a chance on a film with no reviews and told myself I'd turn it off after ten minutes if it didn't hold my attention.
This filmed turned out to be a good thriller. A washed up crime author has her career revived when a serial killer starts reenacting portions of her old published works. The killer models his murders after the author's fictional crime scenes.
This a a good Austrian thriller with complex and realistic and flawed characters, all of whom have secrets. The movie is a whodunit and it keeps you guessing right up until the end. A fast paced, good film with talented actors.
Christmas with You (2022)
Charming holiday film
It's nice to see Freddie Prinze Jr back in action as a leading man. Anyone who had seen his thriller films in the 1990's watched him grow up and then he seemed to head back to become a chef or something and then disappeared entirely from films. I for one, am glad the guy's back.
As for the film, it's a lighthearted holiday comedy about a pop star who's desperate to hold onto her status and needs to write a hit Christmas song. Along the way, she views a fan's online video and decides to meet this fan and her father, played by Freddie Prinze Jr. A cute holiday rom-com film not to be taken seriously and will be sure to put a smile on your face. I liked it.
Alone in the Dark (2022)
Another decent Tubi thriller
This is another Tubi original thriller. A woman is placed on house arrest for financial crimes that her ex-husband has committed. The woman is staying alone in her large house while her ex is in jail doing his own time. She suspects she's being stalked by someone so her and her best friend contact police.
The police aren't interested in helping without a provable crime being committed so she hires a male personal security guard. She then learns about another woman in the area who has vanished. The woman on house arrest then learns her ex is being released and she's left to investigate whether it's her ex or a bunch of other possible suspects who are trying to harm her. Good actors, but the film would be better if it had a faster pace. Decent enough.
Blonde (2022)
A beautiful looking film
It's incredibly difficult to portray one of the most beautiful women to have ever lived. An actor is almost certainly setting themselves up for failure to take on such an iconic role. I though Ana de Armas was miscast, but she does an incredible job portraying Marilyn.
Though the film is long, Marilyn's is a complex and fascinating character and needs time to be allotted to tell her story. The film dashes around her life through flashbacks, and a multitude of stylish and dramatic sequences.
Regardless as to what the film has to say, I thought it was excellent, and above all, much like Marilyn herself, it was lovely to look at.
The Subject (2020)
Good film
This is a good film about a bunch of flawed characters where someone ends up dying. We are left to decide who's to blame for the incident and whether or not that person could have stopped the death from occurring.
The actors are all great and give fine performances and though it's a lower budget film, the productions values are good. Saw this on Tubi and wasn't going to watch it but decided I'd give it ten minutes to hook me. The movie ended up having me hooked right up until the end. Jason Biggs was great. I didn't find this movie to be woke at all. The film is about guilt and forgiveness, not wokeness.
Sins of Our Mother (2022)
Frightening dellusional religious people become killers
It amazes me that there are people in the world who think they can be the voice of God. Lori and her friends supposedly believed that God was talking to them and telling them to kill demonic spirits that were trapped in the human bodies of their family members.
It's frightening to realize how insane these types of people can be. The show even interviews a woman who claims she hears from God personally. As if this small town hillbilly is so important that God would speak to her before anyone else. Just shocking how delusional some people can be but I suppose it happens all the time, sadly. Great documentary. I never followed much about this case and the series caught me up to speed. What a nutcase Lori and her followers are. None of them had any logic or critical thinking. Yikes.
Men (2022)
Pretentious stupidity
I was expecting a home invasion film where a bunch of guys go after a strong female lead. THAT would have been interesting. This film is anything but that. The performances are good and I'm not faulting the actors but this is one of the silliest, most pretentious art house wannabe supposed thriller/horror films I've ever seen. A friend of mine loved this film but I really disliked it and regretted paying for it. If you think this has anything to do with home invasion or a female victim fighting a bunch of male crazies, you'll be sadly disappointed. I know art is subjective, but my gosh, was this awful. This is "artsy" and "pretentious" and "ambiguous" horror, and I'm not a fan. Complete waste of time and I would advise you to move on if you're a fan of real horror/home invasion/slasher films.
Kærlighed for voksne (2022)
Excellent
A middle-age man has to choose between his wife and his mistress and he gets in to way more trouble than just that, along the way.
This is an awesome Danish thriller (dubbed believably in English) with plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing. You think you know which direction the film is headed in, but trust me, you absolutely don't. Watch it if you like Hitchcock-type thrillers. The leads are great and the ending was perfect and unexpected in my opinion.
I hope Netflix can give us more of these types of films in the future as I thoroughly enjoyed this one and found it to be fast-paced and fun.
The Mystery of Marilyn Monroe: The Unheard Tapes (2022)
Marilyn still captivates
An intriguing documentary which uses the real life voice recordings of Marilyn Monroe and the many people who knew her both before and after she became a mega star. Though we ultimately know how this tragic story ends, Marilyn is still ravishing and lovely enough to hold our attention. When one sees her remastered film clips in this documentary, it's easy to understand why the world fell in love with her and why she continues to captivate so many to this day.
Heartbeat (1992)
Like going back to the 60's in a time machine
I was a 1980's-90's kid but for some reason, I discovered this gem of a show streaming on Tubi in 2022. It only has six seasons on Tubi (even though the show ran for 18 years) but this show is like a comforting old blanket and cup of tea. It's a program that takes place in small town 1960's England and all the characters are wonderful and colorful. If you're going through a tough time in life, I suggest watching Heartbeat. It's like being in the company of a warm friend. Hopefully Tubi will stream Heartbeat's other seasons soon.
The Weekend Away (2022)
Surprisingly good
This does what a good/decent whodunit thriller is supposed to do. It holds you attention and has some decent twists along the way until it reaches its somewhat unpredictable conclusion. It kept me guessing and the performances were on point. I hope Netflix gives us more films like this.
Windfall (2022)
Slow
Slow, and by the time things start to happen, you know exactly what's going to happen and then - poof - it just rolls credits. I'm sure with a bigger budget and better script, the director would have had more to work with. In my humble opinion, the story didn't have much going for it but I'm glad some reviewers seem to like it. It also has woke themes too whether you like that or not. I'd take an old low-budget Hitchcock TV show episode any day over this, but to each their own.
Deep Water (2022)
Good actors playing dreadful characters
This is not one of Adrian Lyne's finest. The film moves at a snails pace (no pun intended, you'll see what I mean), but the actors give fine performances. The problem is that both Ben and Ana's characters are such dreadful people that there's no one really to care about. A real man would leave a promiscuous wife like this in two seconds, but then we wouldn't have a film if Ben were playing a realistic man. Aside from that, Ben's psychopathic character is worse than that of his on-screen sex-addict wife's. I don't want to spoil anything so watch this for the performances if you must. Ben can play anyone and it's nice to see him back on screen. A somewhat interesting look at a fictional psychopathic male character and the relationship he keeps with his promiscuous wife.
The Alpines (2021)
Slow and terrible
Nice looking actors wasted on a terrible screenplay. A pointless take on the seven deadly sins. This film has barely anything happen other than cliche attempts at "conflict" throughout to disguise the dragging story. The film concludes with a ridiculous over-acted tantrum and then a tag explaining which character represented each "sin." Truly awful and like a student film. On a positive note, the production values are decent, the actors are at the start of their careers so will improve over time. Some of them are easy on the eyes, at least.
Suburban Nightmare: Chris Watts (2022)
Well done documentary
This Tubi exclusive documentary takes a deeper dive into the brutal crimes of Chris Watts. Though we all know the outcome, the story is still fascinating albeit horrific. I still find it shocking that such an attractive young mom and her lovely children ended up victims of this monster. The documentary rehashes much of what we've seen but also explores the topics of psychopathy and narcissism. Overall, an interesting film.
My Dinner with Andre (1981)
Awesome
This is a movie that I would like to see again after some time has gone by. It's a thought provoking movie with excellent -- apparently real -- dialogue in which the actors had these conversations previously and decided to script them for the movie. A really awesome look at life in the early 80's in NYC even though it's filmed in West Virginia due to budget. Fantastic film.
Girls Getaway Gone Wrong (2021)
A good thriller
This is a Tubi exclusive. If you enjoy Hallmark or Lifetime films/thrillers, you'll like this. The film is about three friends who stay at a fancy hotel and meet a girl who ends up suspiciously falling to her death. The story has many more twists and turns but I'll stop from here as I don't want to reveal spoilers. I enjoyed this film.
Abgeschnitten (2018)
Well done thriller
This reminds me a lot of the serial killer movies of the 1990's like Se7en and Silence of the Lambs and Copycat, etc. The film holds up just as easily with many twists and turns and red herrings which only increase your interest until the conclusion. The ending was a nice surprise and the film was a fun watch.
A Cinderella Christmas (2016)
As syrupy sweet as it gets
Saw this on Tubi. This is about as sappy as it gets but the leads are attractive and the plot was a classic so overall, not a bad way to spend a night. I think I'll move along now from Christmas season as it's December 27th 2021 and I'll get back to watching normal movies. I will say though, these Christmas films work wonders to make one smile if you're alone during the holiday season.
All for Love (2016)
Whether Hallmark or Lifetime, this was great
Caught this on Prime on Christmas day 2021. Not sure if it was a Hallmark or Lifetime production. It's definitely one of the more heartwarming romantic comedies I've seen in a while. Silly me, caught myself smiling widely with glee at certain points while watching this. The two leads have great chemistry and were nice to look at which is always a plus. Check it out if you like romance movies.