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Reviews
You're Nobody 'til Somebody Kills You (2012)
Fantastic, one of a kind
Yes the movie feels like it was made in college, too bad. From the first scene we are intoduced to Michael Kenneth Williams' character, the biggest name in Rap. Could smoke you verbally with just the music playing in his head. His acting is always so entertaining
Then we are introduced to another actor from the Wire, Michael Mosely. Known for playing Walter Reed the handless soldier in "Late Editions".
Boom next known actor is Manchild. Known for playing Junior Sopranos inside man within the phsych ward. Every "hot" rapper is in danger of being killed by a known serial killer.
Are the murders a result of a Rap beef? Or something more personal....
Entourage (2015)
Victory!!!
When retaking this film, it's hard to know where fans will sit. Do the hardcore fans love everything that's related to this franchise? Or will hardcore fans criticize everything that's done after the original series ended?
There have been quite a few films that were born out of classic TV series such as El Camino, Many Saints of Newark (whatever happened there). However neither of those aforementioned titles feel like an episode from their respective series'.
Entourage however is different. It feels like a seamless continuation of the show, albeit a bit longer. Yes some of the plotlines are weak, along other things. However when looking back at the show as a whole, it had many goofy storylines that got shuttered out or forgotten as well (like Aris mom for example, is she dead or alive?). Each character gets their much needed storyline and respective arc. The last 15 minutes are absolute kino.
The Boys: Department of Dirty Tricks (2024)
Dragged on
New characters being introduced in S4? Such a slow start to a fast paced show. I binged watched the series and this season stands out as the worst so far.
1. Plot points such as Newman and Homelanders trial brushed under rug
2 Frenchie's bf and Hughies mom. Just why. We already accepted her as absemt mother, what will bringing her back add to the plot except filler so the team doesnt spend money on CGI. Truly baffling. Nothing against Frenchy but even Hughies GF was killed off quickly to save audience from boring rom com scenarios.
3. The plot hits a wall.
4. The forced politics. Holy hell. The writers are really grabbing at straws arent they. In before someone says "ItS AlWayS BeEn PoliticAl", I just binged the series, not to this extent.
It seems as if they wrote season 5 already and just needed filler episodes to reach that point. Like a youtuber ranting trying to get past 10 min mark to make video profitable.
Still watching show of course, it just has gotten boring enough to write this review while watching next episode.
The Zone of Interest (2023)
Mesmerizing and Unsettling
One of the few few films that I believe truly deserves a 10. For me, it is a perfect film despite the dark story! The post title card intro is unlike any other, it will leave you confused and anxious for the short while. Each frame of this film can be seen as a painting of its own with SO many details that contribute so much for the story.
This film doesnt rely on the exploitation of the horrors of the time to get the point across. You could watch this film with children unaware of the history and while they would be seeing a family drama film, you would be experiencing the film in a much different light.
Im not a historian but this film has incredible historical accuracy with excellent costumes and sets.
The $treet (2000)
Wanting to watch the $treet in 2024
It seems not possible. And that makes me sad. Some corperate big wig thinks its more financially beneficial to produce a series and then remove it from distribution because the return on the project wasnt as big as the initial investment. We are living in censorship for finincial times. Truly disgusting. Im watching a film on the way back machine and this commercial comes up. Im a huge fan of the main actors and actresses but for some reason cannot find the place to stream. Sad to think that a completed project could be scrapped like this, taking it away from the public eye after a completed series has finished.
Sure its not the best series on television but GODDAMN IT give me a choice to watch!!!
Night Swim (2024)
Solid TEEN horror film
Yes when the rating is capped at PG 13, that means it is the intended audience. Everyone commenting is upset because they didnt get a bloodbath or disturbing like Hereditary storyline. But what would YOU expect from a PG 13 horror film?
I (unlike other reviewers) seem to understand the limitation of modern horror films especially when not Rated R. And achknowledging this, I see the film as good.
I believe the trailer was misleading, I was ecstatic to find the majority of the movie does not take place in the pool. This is necessary to build characters and also worked to drive the tension when pool scenes finally come around.
The movie had fantastic shots where the "creatures/ entities" are quitely in the corner of the camera frame. I absolutely loved this, creepier for those not on their phones who noticed.
The movie does have some bland parts , of course, but add to the story. Except I dont believe the mother is in her mid 30' like the movie states.
Gisaengchung (2019)
This film is engaging
I have seen this film 2 times, and in the middle of the third. I was introduced to this film via an Alternative Cinema class for my University, otherwise I would probably have never seen this film. As the title states, this film is captivating from the very first scenes.
I rather enjoy being drawn into a story by quick witted individuals and the family in Parasite are no exception. I will not go into the story as more professional writers than me have already done so. However, I will go into what I (a cinema fan) thought.
The film is primarily driven by the plot. There is no need for violence (at least for a majority of the film) to keep you engaged. Each chapter in the film perfectly leads to the climax, allwhile being fed foreshadowing details that are revealed in the final act. Korean cinema is juxtaposed by American cinema, and we have to appreciate what they do differently, and better.
If you want to have a good laugh, just sort this film's reviews by lowest rating first XD.
Phobias (2021)
Is not Horror. Just horrible
It started goimg downhill when the main character is chatting online with an unknown entity. The font is so small you cannot even read what is being said but it is shown as important.
The outcome of the lady with the youth home invaders doesnt make sense. They break into her house and try and kill her. She defends herself and ends up going to jail. The kids proclaim their innocence by telling their parents it was just a prank. Even as a resident of California (where the home defender is most likely going to jail) it doesnt make sense.
The perfectionist woman plot was the best by far.
The ending fails to deliver and was too easy to solve the issues presented.
The King's Man (2021)
A depature from the first film, yet historically accurate
As the title says. This film takes a big departure from the first two first but I feel is for the better. This film should be classified as a historically acturate drama/ action. Taking place during one of the craziest times of the modern world, the first World War, this film follows the series of events that cascaded our globe into global combat. Giving insights to the characters involved in the event such as Rasputin, Gavrollo proncip and Franz Fersinand, as well as the Kaiser of Germany. I think viewers should review the events that sparked WW1 and appreciate how accurate this film portrays them. Of course putting aside the Kingsman part of it. Very tastefully fabricated film. I understand wanting a very brute action film like the first 2 will leave those audience members ostracized.
Dexter's Laboratory: Dexter and Computress Get Mandark!/The Justice Friends: Pain in the Mouth/Dexter vs. Santa's Claws (1998)
A memorable episode
One of the few I remember from my childhood. The odd choice of artstyle (both the literal art and narration) for the first segment, Dexter and Computress get Mandark works great. Especially considering I am rewatching nearly 20 years later at a much different stage in my life. I believe its such a unique choice, and I appreciate the narrator knows each characters fine tunes and it shows. The second segment is also a nice entertaining bit that ultimately has a great message. VISIT the Dentist. Incredible voice acting in ever scene. Wether it is for assumed comedic purposes in the first segment or if it is Major Glory from the Justice friends segment.
The Boondocks: The Story of Jimmy Rebel (2010)
If you loved any other episode of The Boondocks...
This episode is no exception. It is literally taking the music of Johnny Rebel and showing his music to the world or the Boondocks. Naturally, Uncle Ruckus is a lifelong fan of Mr. Rebel as they hold the same point of views. However, I believe since Jimmy Rebel is based on a real person they felt the audience may be brainwashed by his existence. Unfortunately mr Rebel plays a huge role in todays racial conversation, so the exclusion of his episode makes it seem a bit totalitarian, even if it was drawn, written, and produce by a black man known as Aaron McGruder, lol. It is sad cause as someone who is familiar with Rebel's work I can tell Aaron was also familiar with his work as it is heavily implied in the episode. Too bad his creative genius is being shaded upon by rich coorperate entities who believe this episode is revealing to their personal nature.
Bring this episode back.
Better Call Saul: Nippy (2022)
They Replaced Don Harvey as Jeff with 3 episodes left.
But still most reviews that are giving 10 stars do not mention this, maybe because they're speedwatchers looking to be among the first to highly rate this episode. That should speak to the quality of the work and how little the creators think of us. Seriously, one of the biggest prequels to the biggest show ever and you guys had to switch an actor? Maybe Don Harvey didnt like the slapstick style episode. Either way a huge dissapointment to the audience.
True Detective: Seeing Things (2014)
Characters show depth
Episode where characters are in situations which gives more dimmension to them. You know how it goes by now. However did anyone else notice that harsh frequency in Alexandrias apartment? Constant ringing but only in scenes in her apartment.
Ozark (2017)
Not for everyone
Tried this series as Better Call Saul is going to be on a break, however I found this rather boring and difficult to get into. First of all DO NOT believe this is even comparable to the Breaking Bad Universe. Wheras you can viscerally see the transormation Walt as a character takes throughout the series (along with all the calculated details), Ozark feels like it was filmed in one sitting (Marty s1 vs Marty s4 is the exact same).
The show relies too much on Shock Value, meaning after 2 or 3 episodes of "slow burning" plot buildup someone eventally gets killed in a jarring fashion. This was most likely to ensure viewers stayed awake.
The plot sounds good and the cinematography is visually satisfying, so what went wrong? In my opinion....
-Lack of proper tension building. In the first episode we are treated to a massacre about 10 minutes in so nothing after this feels even threatening. (Even the threats become boring and uncreative, "If you cannot launder money, YOU WILL DIE".
-The conflicts solved by Marty convincing someone to go against their own interest is not belivable and overly used. 1 ep with Mex DrugKingpin, then with the backwood rednecks, then with Titty Bar owner. After a while it just becomes the same old tricks you convince them to side with you, they die unexpectedly.
-Poor characters
(Shotgun snell, how many times did writers use this??)
Dont get me wrong on the last one. I am not a stranger to morally ambiguous lead characters, yet these feel never fleshed out, and therefore I cannot get attached to them.
People look for reviews to validate their own opinions, so if a highly rated review seems a little biased, it probably is.
The Many Saints of Newark (2021)
Lately im getting the feeling I came in at the end, the best is over.
I was born too late to be apart of the Sopranos original airing. However decades later, I have found myself owner of the Series Boxed Set and literature surrounding the Soprano's universe. It has been almost 7 months since my intial viewing of The Many Saint of Newark and Im just able to write a review from the sheer dissapointment.
Tony explains to Melfi in Season 6 that he is to Christopher, what Christopher's dad (Dickie) was to Tony. However this film shows a completely different approach, especially considering Dickies fate comes before we even get a glimpse into tonys criminal career. You'll reach the end credits still expecting another 20 mins of film. Thats how unsatisfied you are left. Classic bait and switch, this ISNT a story about Tony.
Also Paulie and Silvio, oof Maronè, why are they like 5 years older than Tony.
Anyways, my estimation of David Chase as a writer just fu@#ing plummeted.
Spiral: From the Book of Saw (2021)
Traditional Saw with a heavy emphasis on story telling.
Depending on what intrigued you to the franchise, this movie improves on it. The traps look like they hurt yet were not designed to look like they were made by a mad German engineer, they kept them simple(r than Saw 4-8).
The acting was fantastic, I mean Chris Rock playing the son of Samuel Jackson, IN A SAW UNIVERSE. That was enough for me to find joy in this film. The story was fantastic with the use of flashbacks in order to immerse the audience in what the characters feel in modern day/. Pretty heavy acting. The film felt like an expansion of David Tapp's investigation in Saw 1. Chris Rock's 1 or 2 jokes in the film were welcomed and really built up the story.
Technical stuff: Camera cuts were awesome. One scene of Chris Rock and his Partner walking into the subway was a long take which they moved through different layers of the subway station. Great jump cuts giving you an insight to what the characters felt.
Also that Heist scene..... 10/10.