Tombstone (1993) Review

 

The movie “Tombstone” knows what it wants to be and follows the Western greats paths almost to the letter. The film itself is rather generic, though. It adds little to nothing new or unique to the genre, however what it does do it does well. You have your western staples, games of poker, working girls, guns and shootouts and how it handles these tropes often had me wondering what was going to happen next.

The writing and acting was perfect even though they mostly stuck to the western cliches. But in this case this turned out to be for the better. The acting itself was phenomenal and really had you believing the story of what was going on. The writing, too, breathed personality into the characters. They were all unique and brought something to the table. Yeah, a lot of times it was generic. The film mostly boiled down to Outlaws and Lawmen and rarely shifts from that but it still tells a good story.

Overall this film is a great Western that all should see. It doesn’t tell an epic story or, for that matter, have anything meaningful to say at all. It is just a fun film to watch. Is it the best Western? Not even close but it is one that you should see. Just don’t go into it expecting a masterpiece as you’re not going to get it.

8 Out of 10

The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023) Review

 

When I first heard they were doing this film I honestly had no clue as to how it would turn out. And even though I really didn’t have any expectations for the film I must admit that I was still surprised. What they did was take a beloved character out of an iconic video game series and turn it into something greater than its former self. They did an amazing job of humanizing them. They were greater than their former selves. They had substance and character. Bowser in particular was more human than beast. He was guided by more than an innate urge to control the world. He was in love with Princess Peach and was willing to do anything to get her. The Toads, too, were not just frightened husks. Some of them had courage and strength. And they showed how by sticking together with friends and family you can conquer all.

This was a Super Mario Bros Movie so don’t go into this expecting an Oscar for best writing and directing but what it lacked in those departments it gained in others. The world and environments were bright and colorful. You could almost feel the wind on your skin and how it blew through your hair. You picked up on the scent of the woods and felt the peace they had. In short, this was less than a film for your eyes but was more for your soul.

The acting, too, was phenomenal. Jack Black did an outstanding job as Bowser, really turning him into someone almost relatable. Their voices fit their figures perfect ably and I can’t imagine anyone else playing them.

This was one of those films that you can watch over and over again. One of those great films that the whole family will enjoy. I have very little to say with its faults as finding them was actually hard to do. Overall I would highly recommend this film. It breaks the habit of really bad movies based on video games and comes out as truly magical.

9.5 Out of 10

Howl's Moving Castle (2004) Review

 

This is one of those films that is larger than its settings, than its set pieces and than its story. This is one of those films that resides in your heart. Both caressing you and frightening you. Holding your hand in the dark and then shoving you into it. This is a story about love and war and this is a story about how treacherous both can be.

In typical Ghibli style the animation is flawless. It is perfection at its finest. The colors are bright and vibrant. The characters oozing personality. Not just the main cast but all of them. The monsters breathed life just like the flowers and all were just as interesting to look at.

The writing was fantastic as well and the characters were deeper with more personality than you would have expected. They were three dimensional and complex. You never really knew how they would react to situations. Sophia, the shy girl with little to no self esteem often surprised me with her actions. Over the course of the film the characters changed. Each one becoming more than they were in the beginning.  

The story, too, was just as beautiful as its animation. The love between Howl and Sophia breathed life into it and into your heart. You didn’t really know what was going to happen next but you knew they would be a constant. Always together no matter what happened.

This is one of those films that really moved you and in many ways it may have changed you, too. It shows the horrors of war and selfishness, How what the human heart wants isn’t always what it needs. And it tells a story of love and what it takes to have courage. In short, this film is a masterpiece and one that everyone needs to see.

10 out of 10