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brucecsnow
Reviews
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024)
Another nonsensical sequel thats just a cash grab
Kinda liked the original Beetlejuice but this one is just confusing and not as entertaining. Wife really enjoyed the first one and updated me as to why the movie was confusing with different actors, characters and subplot lines that didnt make sense. As she is a HUGE Tim Burton fan she loved the movie, as I am NOT a huge TB fan, I tolerated it. The usual Tim Burton plot about someone who is lost to death and nonmiraculously (not by Jesus) comes back is present. Any joke is forced. Many actors are showing their age. Also like Burton's movies, the art buget is on the screen. I don't know if that's good or bad anymore. Wife loved it and appreciated me taking her to see it. IMO, if you aren't a TB fan, this is a big skip.
Ricky Stanicky (2024)
Some women will consider this film gross
A guys movie with a lot of overtones. Parts, many parts, are laugh out loud evil hilarious. Each scene is basically a wrestling highspot concocted for a big laugh. At times one wonders what it has to do with the previous scene but eventually it pulls all the loose ends together even though its contrived. Good acting and film direction. Cena does a good job as the main character even though his impressions aren't nearly as good as The Rock. He's able to illicit sympathy even while being a jerk. Maybe his best role to date. Check it out. Its the kind of movie you can walk in anywhere and be totally caught up.
The Dead Don't Die (2019)
Top cast wasted
Too many nods and winks and not enough action and the action that does happen moves very very slowly. Campy dialog and scenerios that references that actors more famous moviews. Missed opportunities with potential funny catch phrases. Maybe they were in there and I was too bored to catch them. At the end the actors reference the script. Lame. Some scenes have no meaning, like we need 20 more minutes of material so lets put some teenagers in the movie and show Selena Gomez a lot but don't develop her character because she can only shoot two days. For positives, they smarty ripped off The Bride from Kill Bill and Michoinne from the Walking dead. Don't waste you time.
See You Yesterday (2019)
Lame Typical Preachy Spike Lee Joint
Ridiculous. At no point do you believe any of the major characters could produce a scientific breakthough. Seems destined for a huge tragedy from the moment the time back packs a triggered. During the first travel episode you don't cheer of the protagonists they are so immature. In fact, you wonder how they have the time and the self discipline, even the fortitude to develop such devices. A lot of filler suplots in this movie that don'ttur really add up to anything but foolishness. About the only snicker is Michael J Fox as their science teacher and some burn out sneaker footprints that are some homage to back to the future. Lame, unfunny.
Madame Web (2024)
The Incredibly Stupids
Total waste of time and I'm only half way through the movie. The only bigger was of time is writing a cogent review of the stinker. Somehow 4 girls have teamed up and only one of them's superpower is she can see 5 minutes into the future. Don't really understand the McGuffin of this movie other than it involves a spider. Slow, disjointed, outrageous, illogical girl power of a movie that I don't know how it ends but the bigger mystery is how it even got made. Its must have been one of the Marvel second wave of superhero movies that fail miserably. Suppose the Madame Web franchise is popular but I've never heard of it and don't expect to hear from it again.
Damsel (2024)
Good movie with a cheesy ending
I loved the movie until the last 30 seconds which was unbelievable syrupy. I describe it as a combination of GOT and Journey to the Center of the Earth. Good casting and pretty good special effects that only dips in spots. There is some foreshadowing at the beginning that they should have backed down from in order to make it less predictable. Like Aliens, this is a herione driven story.
Unlike Aliens, the writing isn't that great. As the movie gones on it become a bit patriarchy-esqe. But not every bad guy is a guy. Plenty of evil queens. The prince is duplicitous too. The revenge scene is too short and doesn't do the suffering justice.
But overall a good time killer.
The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live: Bye (2024)
The Walking Dead: Insu;t Those Still Watching
Gave it three stars just because of production values. Typical TWD plots: something important is happening but we've got to stretch it out over many episodes because we're so plot poor. So what happens is Rick and Michonne is hiding their relationship. Rick has arranged for Michonne to high tail it out of Philly but at the last second Michonne backs out. What happened to the child Rick and Mich had? Why did Mich back out? Because they need to be together and RIck can't leave yet. Why? Keep staying tuned for the meager payout. In the meantime the leader of the garbage pail kids has learning to speak proper English and gives a sorry excuse for her relationship with the. CRM. This whole trying to weave all of the loose storylines is stupid. How does blowing up surviving cities and creating more walkers help survival? How does killing leaders make the group stronger? Please make it stop.
The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live: Gone (2024)
Second Episode much more dead like
Moral dilemnas. Unexpected death. New characters that you instantly fall in love with. Windows into the human condition. This is what the second one had that the first one diidn't. The first episode was surrounded in some mumble jumble hidden conspiracty that was fairly easy to see thru. Geez I wonder who wrote it vs the second episode. Both episodes feel contrived but the first one answers no question from the cliffhangers of the original series. This one does but I expect a pull back. Especially after some of these spinoffs don't product and it becomes necessary to consolidate the various salaries . Finally looking forward to a next episode.
The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live (2024)
First episode looks like a cash grab
Gimple's fingerprints are all over this mediocrity as they try to justify the episodes. The only redeeming feature is that Jadia is minimized. The whole A vs B thing is explained and its predictable and lame. The whole Rick loses his hand has the fanboys giggling but its again lame and after a couple of scenes is just a cheap special effect. What's the whole Forest Gump park bench scene about? Why all the secrecy when its apparent what the three cities are by the land marks mentioned? If you wipe out a medium sized US city aren't you adding 500K to the walker population? What's the logic in that? At least they've broached the rebuilding humanity theme but not everyone seems on board. More questions than answers and after 3 to 5 years the audience deserves some respect.
The Professor (2018)
Lower Echelon Depp Movie Meant only for his Fans
Johnny Depp has cancer. Ignored it now he's going to die. But don't feel sorry for him, feel sorry for yourself because you aren't truly living. The pivotal scene where he tosses half the class out for a guaranteed C basically summarizes the whole movie.
This movie could be half a dozen Depp movies with the trademark looks and reactions. Nothing new. The scene where he picks up a waitress in the bar bathroom without explanation is classic Depp. The explanation is he's Johnny Depp.
In a way reminds me a lot of the movies where JD characters are drunk most of the time because he's drunk most of the time. The sophomoric philosophy near the end is painful.
You won't get the time back from watching this film. Lemme help you, this movies is only for rabid fans of the actor.
The Manchurian Candidate (1962)
Hail Sinatra at his finest
OK, its an old B&W movies starring a bunch of dead Hollywood legends...but...wait...until the first few minutes are played and your whole world is turned upside down by a great director's trick. Its like a punch in the gut that makes you question reality. Then get ready for the rollercoaster ride. Stuff of legends and many The Simpsons references. Don't watch the remake. Don't bother reading the rest of the review.
Grab a couple of cold ones and enjoy some crack actors telling a great story by a great director. This isn't just a Sinatra tour de force, it epitomizes a Cold War America. The karate scene alone is worth it.
The Iron Claw (2023)
Accurate And Entertaining Biopic
Grew up in Dallas during the 70s and 80s, been to matches at the Sportatorium and faithfully watched Saturday Night Wrestling. The only thing missing was the chrarisma. The brothers interpersonal relationship and weaknesses were the focus. At the peak they were literally mobbed by girls and women making their way to the ring. Their popularity was spectacular and the director tried but didn't capture it. Also didn't really handle the fakeness of wrestling and what happens to guys who betray it.
Kudos to the actor who played Fritz. He brought Fritz back to life for me. Kudos to Zac for getting so jacked. IRL, Kerry was the superjacked one.
The Flash (2023)
Stick With The Grant Gustin Flash
The Flash TV show is far superior at least the first two seasons. The movie version of Flash, Iris and the side characters are far superior and fun. The movie opens making the Flash look stupid and it gets worse until they meet up with Batman. I never really appreciated Michael Keaton's Batman until now. This is actually a Batman/Supergirl movie more than a Flash movie. If I didn't know about the Multiverse I'd be lost. I was lost any way at times.
It seems like today's movies are at a loss to portray villians with any type of ethnicity. The result is bland and uniform. Somehow the villians are Zod and The Soviets? How did Zod get into the picture? Supergirl looks like an afterthought. Little to know backstory. The directors also pull the "storyline redo" where time travel means superheroes never really got killed. Exasperating.
Save your money. Really put a stake thru the DC comics hero verse that the'll never recover from.
Oh, and the other reviewers so said the special effects were horrilbe weren't overcritical.
Glass (2019)
The Explanation Is Kinda Worth the Journey.
To be honest I didn't see the second installment of the trilogy. I immensely enjoyed Unbreakable. The premise of Unbreakable is what if Superman was born on earth and didn't know he was Superman. It has a superb ending like the Sixth Sense.
All of the actors deliver in this movie. The plot kinda had me yelling at the screen until the plot device is delivered. IMO, its weak. Maybe logical but overplayed. In the end, Superman dies. Nobody wants to see Superman die and not for the secret world order explanation.
The series was deserving of another journey. What happens when Superman ages? Its kinda unclear that John's progeny inherited his abilities. The writer should have had John resurrected and fought the shadowy organization. But he gave up. Never compromise even in the face of Armeggedon.
They Cloned Tyrone (2023)
I'm Gonna Git You Suckas
I'm been a big Jamie Foxxx fan since In Living Color. First, the characterization from the actors is excellent. It comforting the see Jamie back on the screen after his medical issue. John Boyega does a MUCH better job than he did in Star Wars. Its like he may be actually capable of heroism.
Like the directing, casting, cinematography but the script just falls flat. Its social commentary poorly disquised as Sci Fi. It's not terrible. In some places its funny and makes its point but I don't know exactly what it is. The movie says its to keep society in chaos but the reality it doesn't need clones and other things to keep us at each other's throats. Its a bit a paranoid journey.
I like the film and perhaps I expected a Hollywood ending and I got a Hollywood ending that I rejected because nobody rode off into the sunset with resolution. They rode off into the sunset in they's pimp ride chasing an unfulfilled life.
Oppenheimer (2023)
Gawd, the Nolan Fanboy Reviews Are Sickening
Same IMDB tripe. Masterpiece. Perfect. Flawless, blah, blah, blah. Its none of that. Its an overly long movie that at times confuses the viewers with flashbacks, BW to Color changes, historical liberties and political correctness. Don't get me wrong, This is the real Hitler and real Nazis and real antisemetism. But the whole latter half of the movie were Oppenheimer is disgraced due to his links to communism is overwrought. Didn't need to know how much of a philanderer he was. Could have fleshed out his relationship with the other scientists. At times too many characters. Good portrayal of Edward Teller.
Not a date movie. Any nerd has working knowledge of this man. Nothing new revealed.
Interstellar (2014)
Don't believe the hype, the pedigree
A decent movie with a lot of production values and star power but at the end is just too surrealistic. You'll hear all the usual imdb rants: magnificent, a triumph, a masterpiece but its all overblown. Slowing a movie down making it mysterious and putting the stakes so high only gets you so far.
The movies starts well and who can't get enough of Anne Hathaway's gorgeous face but like the heralded soundtrack after a while it is overhelming.
Not every Christopher Nolan movie is a masterpiece from frame to frame. Not every action or lack of action has earth shattering consequence. Sometime its just a highly produced and directed movie that should of had a fresh pair of eyes look at the script before it went into production.
Nope (2022)
130 minutes I want back. Overstated racial implications.
Movie moved veeeerrrry slowly. The two main heroes are a black brother and sister. Some people say this is significant but I just found their bickering grating. Lots of scenes and flashbacks that I don't feel contribute to the movie or built their characters. There's a whole subplot about a monkey that's a waste of time. The keke character is just aggravating, running her mouth, reliving every slight out of the past. Her brother is quiet and stoic, trying to work and make the family ranch successful. If there is a deeper meaning to this someone needs to enlighten me. IMO, the movie is a waste of time and money.
The English Patient (1996)
Horrendous, slow paced, confusing....Oh Elaine is right.
Rented this abomination 3 times from Netflix when it was a disc rental service. Never made it through. Is it still playing? Even though its been at least ten years I remember the drab brown outfits and biplane flying thru clouds. I guess that was supposed to pass for action. The most confusion was why certain characters were in love with each other. They all seemed so monotonous. I was almost glad when the Muslim nurse was to cut the thumbs off one of the main characters thinking "at least I'll remember this guy." Alas. This movie along with "Out of Africa" and "Crash" signaled the downfall of Hollywood. Until the redemptive onslaught of Marvel movies, Hollywood filmed internal and class drama instead of a straighforward plot. Thank god for Ironman.
Fear the Walking Dead (2015)
This is a review of the last few episodes...
Just terrible. People constantly yelling "Alicia!" . Characters having stupid arguments that have little future meaning. The blank expression on the limited actress who plays Alicia throughout the final episodes. Conversations that you can't tell are real or some type of sweat dream.
Even though I missed a season or two and many episodes I don't feel like I missed anything from a plot development or character development standpoint. There are unreal large chunks of dialogue of Alicia saying "This is going to beat me" and I don't think anybody cares. The writers, the viewers, the other actors just don't care.
Its like yeah, we know the series ends soon, but we don't have the writing energy or the money to put together a decent ending. This shouldn't surprise anyone since the writers haven't tried in seasons.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022)
-2 stars for just annoying me
First Letitia Wright isn't strong enough to be cast as a lead in a Marvel movie. She's ugly, weak and whiney. No charisma. Compare her performance to Angela Bassett.
Second, what's the purpose of Julia Louis Dreyfus in this movie? Agent Ross? Just a waste of screen time and comedic talent.
Third, the antihero is explained but not really his forces. How'd he get the Vibranium and why aren't they not superadvanced as Wakanda? If it was explained I missed it. Just one of numerous plot holes.
Many other problems. Too long. Nobody seemingly gets killed. Almost A-Team like. And the ending, its like an apology that Wakanda needs a replacement hero. Michael B Jordan reprisal is just weak.
Tales of the Walking Dead: La Doña (2022)
A really bad Twilight Zone episode
A cheap, dark (as in bad lighting) episode that took longer to film that it did to write. Nothing but pure profit taking. Story is about a couple who met during the ZA and are trying to find the house they've been told about. The find the house and the woman who occupies it down. The older woman tell them they can't stay overnight but will feed them. While arguing to stay somehow the old woman dies. Why, its not really clear. The couple starts getting delusions maybe driven by the haunted house. The longer they stay the more the madness takes over. For the viewer the boredom takes over. Really, what happens,who cares. We don't care about the characters or the story. Really, we don't care about the Walking Dead anymore because they don't care about their viewers.
Lou (2022)
Finally A Movie With A Strong Female Character
Although a bit predictable, I enjoyed this movie and look forward to another one starring the character Lou. Lou is an older woman a past. She's no nonsense who harbors some horrible secrets and they appear to consume her so much that she considers ending her life. Then one of the dark secrets comes back into her life and she goes into Terminator mode. This old lady can fight and has no remorse in killing. Soon the young mother and her daughter are involved. The reason it now readily apparent but easily guessible. The game is on and Lou believeable escapes situation and situation. The end leaves open to a sequel which I eagerly look forward to.
Tales of the Walking Dead: Blair/Gina (2022)
Of the five I've watched this one is the best
The pacing of this episode is good and backstory doesn't consume too much attention. Although the characters are flat, there is a redemption arc which is missing in many of the other stories. Acting is OK but is doesn't need to be great. Special effects are at times comical.
This episode is more twilight zone than walking dead. Or Office Space meets TWD.
The first two episodes of this series are enjoyable. The others aren't. I may stop watching. Actually I've either watched or fast forwarded through all six episodes. Too many dimly shot scenes with COVID spacing.
Really? A 600 character review requirement? That's longer than many of the scripts. Ridiculous.
Peacemaker (2022)
Not funny or fun. Just pointless.
Wife binged this show over two days and I never laughed once. It made fun of America, superheros and John Cena's acting ability. Made Arnold look like DeNiro. To the movie writer, a guy exploding in a pool of blood is a punchline. Of course the adversary is an outer space alien....or is it? I'd assert the adversary is your intelligence and not in a clever Blazing Saddles kinda way.
Supposedly this movie was written in a week during the COVID lockdown. It doesn't feel like that much effort was put into it. 90 minute script made into a series. I just downgraded it another star.