Reviews
Ripper Untold (2021)
A dnf
This seems like a reasonable amount of money spent on a film with no reasonable value achieved. I highly resent that I need to waste the time and 600 characters to explain why a selection is unworthy of my time or yours. There were shots in this wreck with scenes depicting a mortician massaging supermarket organs in an attempt to be shocking or gory, I guess. It was shortly after that I decided to abort this mission. I am a complete horror devotee. As such, I am quite willing to bear an enormous amount of schlock for a decent amount of good bits. Unfortunately, there was a complete lack of good bits here, friends.
The Plot Against the President (2020)
Ridiculous
I think even the short passage of time since the production of this cartoon has made it even more laughable. Luckily for the United States, Nunes has decided to no longer sully the Senate with a bid for re-election. MOO.
The Woman Who Wasn't There (2012)
A walking vacuum
This can't have been her first and only depravity. Nor probably her last...
Gone (2011)
Completely useless as effective storytelling
The constant tears from the mother served as a horrible distraction from what I believe was the purpose. This poor mother was slighted and misrepresented. Producers and directors owe her an apology. I found this completely unacceptable. Shame on you.
1275 Days (2019)
Was I supposed to feel sorry for this young man?
Old enough to know the difference between right and wrong. Weed? Smoked my share like most teenagers do. Right of passage, goes with the territory. Never found me or my friends committing home invasion robberies. That is like a rape. Life changing. Invading the sanctity of someone's home? That's a forever trauma, never goes away. Then additionally having to live with the guilt of killing a child? 21 is still a child. If you've got one or been one, you know. Again, Never goes away. And this waste was just getting started in his criminality. Somebody died. PFFFT. When did we start deciding that it was beneficial to our children's upbringing to not hold them appropriately accountable for their actions? Ask the hiccup girl in FL if she knows about felony murder laws? There is a reason most states have them.
Sons of Perdition (2010)
The Ravages of Organized Religion
Young men--children more accurately, escaping so ill-equipped into a big bad world they know nothing about. They miss their mother's cooking and families. They want photos and visits with their siblings. Most of all they want to save them. Being a young adult is trying even in the best of circumstances. Run, run like crazy. Keep running. 😔
3 Years in Pakistan: The Erik Aude Story (2018)
Really? Importing Leather? From PAKISTAN? Shortly after 9-11? Poppies will make them sleep...
He referenced "Midnight Express" but apparently failed to actually watch it. GTHOH. I believe this about as much Clinton didn't inhale. Rich, brother.
Getting Over (2018)
Leaving a review now because I'm not sure whether I can finish watching
I frankly don't care about this "father's" story. I personally never realized how angry I was with my father until I had children of my own. Then I was was also furious with my mother, who to my way of thinking, let this person off the hook for his obligations. Don't know, don't care, don't call, don't write. You made your bed a lifetime ago. Some people should be neutered at birth. You have to get a license to drive a car, for goodness sake. I am old enough to be a grandparent now and this sort of discussion can still reduce me to blubbering tears. If you're this parent and you fled, stay gone.
Intersexion (2012)
This broke my heart
Doing gender assignment surgery on a 3 month old? I mean seriously. I don't remember even considering my gender until I was about 8 or 9 years old. You were just as likely to see me playing with cars in the dirt as dressing my barbies in the clothes my mom used to sew for them. I was very aggravated when she told me I had to start wearing a bra. And we still do this. Reduce a person to their genitalia. God forgive us.
The Joneses (2016)
Heartwarming and respectful
This is the sort of film that could change hearts for some. A lovely woman and matriarch. It's a shame her children went so long without her presence in their lives. It shouldn't be this hard. I'm so happy she stayed her path.
Wretch (2018)
I have to disagree with the crowd
This was a pretty moody and atmospheric movie. Wasn't the normal "young people go to the woods" horror flick. Maybe that's why people were disappointed, I'm not sure. I think the editing could have been tighter, and was really my chief complaint. The acting was fairly good and the overall product didn't overtly suffer from what was surely a smaller budget. Seemed really more like a Grimms Fairytale-- The originals, not the abridged versions tailored specifically for children.
The Thin Blue Line (1988)
I was a child. This marked me for life.
I'm pretty sure this wasn't age appropriate when I watched it. I didn't realize this sort of miscarriage was possible at the time. Snagged me to documentary film lover at an instant.
Dead or Alive: Hanzaisha (1999)
What? What? What?
Somebody definitely slipped something into my drink...
Bodom (2016)
Enough of a twist to be enjoyable
It pulled reference from our current digital world to freshen the plot line. The cinematography was moody and atmospheric. I found this effective thriller fare.
No Escape Room (2018)
Absolutely painful
The only thing worse than the acting was the dialogue. I don't think the director did any 2nd takes. I'm a huge horror fan. I will put up with a lot. It comes with the territory. The whole vibe was completely over the top. I got the feeling somebody thought they were creating a masterpiece. And Karen has had way too much work done on her face. It's distracting and unsettling.
Monster's Ball (2001)
I still held my breath watching this film
I recently watched this for a second time. I hadn't seen it since its original release. It was just as harrowing and moving as I remembered. Two people are struggling back from the brink of their loss, guilt and remorse. They begin exploring together the possibilities of a future with more vulnerability and honesty and courage than they afforded in their separate pasts.
El desorden que dejas (2020)
Suffers from "too darn long" ness
A pretty complicated plot. I don't think it transferred to film well. I found it in serious need of editing. I met way too many characters and was force fed too many details. It's upsetting when you have the expanded time of a series and fail to produce a compelling story.
Killjoy 2: Deliverance from Evil (2002)
Actually better than the first one
I'm a devoted horror freak. I like to be able to store my movies on a shelf instead of in a cloud and I still like real libraries, too. So I saw a very cheap Killjoy I, II, III dvd. Since I hadn't seen any of them. I felt it would be dishonorable to the genre if I skipped it. Probably only other horror goobers need bother. I'll let you know about III when I do.
Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore (1974)
Still as good as I remembered it
I saw this as a little kid with my mom. Another age innapropiate film she took me to. She was a single mom herself a few years later. It's sometimes stark and sometimes sweet like real life. Shot during that Golden 70's era when film started to be ok with being a little more reflective of the real world. It's no surprise they were able to spin off the very successful Alice sitcom. These characters and story haven't lost any of their original charm.
What Maisie Knew (2012)
Divorce films always spin you if you've been there
This one is particularly upsetting as it reminds you that some people just aren't suited to parenthood and even less so to single parenthood. there seem to be no redeemable qualities in Mom or Dad here besides a dawning self-realization of their weaknesses . The acting is quite moving by all and so is the film as a whole.
The Informants: Who Killed Nicole? (2019)
Bahahaha
Is what it is. A ridiculous load of salacious baloney. The thing that offended me the most was oj singing along to the song about the murder. This isn't going to change your mind. It's why you haven't heard of it before now.
Black Fly (2014)
Roller-coaster would be an understatement
I just happened across this searching for something to stream. This was so much movie for what was obviously not a big studio budget. If you've ever known someone who is just way more crazy than you're comfortable with, this will probably be traumatic. 😜 Great acting. Gritty, furious ride.
Rojst (2018)
I haven't finished the series yet, but definitely will.
Mere minutes in, you will know exactly when and where you are. I thought there must be some phrase to describe that. It turns out, there is:
Mise en scene. It drew me in immediately. I look forward to the remaining episodes. If you are a fan of the Red Riding series, you will probably enjoy this.
Splinter (2008)
This is a keeper
Horror fans will enjoy this. They do a lot of movie without a lot of money. That makes it even better, as far as I'm concerned. If you like Slither or Feast, this will keep you entertained. I originally saw this years ago and my second viewing confirmed my original impression.
Bug (2006)
I wasn't prepared for this the first viewing
It was no less disturbing the second time. Being single can really be a pain sometimes... Stay off the internet. Meth is bad.