Reviews
Generation Kill (2008)
Entertaining and accurate portrayal of the Marine Corps
I make it a point to annually view this miniseries. If you're someone that's watched this and thought uh why did they do that, or what happened there seemed completely dumb or unnecessary, then you're not a Marine and just won't get it. I first saw this series as a civilian. I thought it was very entertaining, but viewing it after having my Marine Corps experience took it to a whole new level. The dialogue, personalities, random nonsensical happenings and general wtf situations are very true to the Corps. Many people I've served with parallel the characters here (especially Cpl Person, for better or worse, ha), and that's part of the charm of it. It's like being with the guys again. Bottom line, a great series, and even better if you've been there, done that.
In Search of Darkness (2019)
Fantastic
Just tons and tons of horror thrown at me. I loved it. Interviews with directors, actors, practical FX artists, horror hosts, and lovers of the genre. I liked the format as well. They showcased several films per year as well as topics such as exploitation in horror.
I've only really been into the horror scene the last few years and have mainly stuck to the more well known movies so there were a number of films highlighted that I've yet to see. That alone was a treasure to me. I now have a checklist. :) For a 4 1/2 hour documentary, time flew by.
As for negatives, I thought they spent a little too much time on certain series, such as A Nightmare on Elm Street, but they are talking 80s horror. Also, it would have been great to see more key actors and crew. For example, a lot was said about Tom Savini's work yet he's not an interviewee. Budget, scheduling, and the willingness of the individuals could have all played a part in who participated though.
Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
Not great, but not trash, 6.5
I'm a middle of the road Star Wars fan and it's a solid movie. Those really into Star Wars will probably venture towards dislike due to its fan service(go figure) and box checking. The casual viewer who just wants to be entertained will probably say it's good or better.
The one thing that kind of stung me though was Rey taking out Palpatine. Yoda couldn't in a fair fight but she can? Now maybe Yoda never intended too, he's not the one to bring balance, etc, etc., but still(and not to mention Mace Windu, but there was Anakin..). I know this Saga had to end somehow, and inevitably it was with the end of Palpatine, but it could have been done better. I mean she's still in training and discovering her powers... I think it goes back to what could have been done earlier in this trilogy. By the third film more time should have passed and Rey could have been believably shown as a well trained Jedi. I also kind of wish Chewbacca really did die by her mistake. It'd have been a plot device to keep people guessing if the dark side would take her (guilt/anger over his death) instead of what actually happened: the oh wait, nope, he's fine, two transports scenario.
1/10 raters, you're saying there's zero qualities to the film, BS. Get back in the basement.
10/10 or even 9/10, you're saying it was nearly perfect, you're kidding yourselves, ignoring both film making and story telling faults, or care nothing about the Saga as a whole.