Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022)

 

One thing that this film did and did well was make you feel incredibly small. Its story is grandiose and epic, making you feel like an insignificant little speck of dust. But that’s how you were supposed to feel. It wanted to make you look beyond yourself. It wanted you to consider that maybe, just maybe who you are doesn't really matter. It is who you were meant to be. How have our actions, no matter how small or large, change us in ways that we could never have imagined. Are we what we hope we are or do your actions make us who we are? This film did something special. It was one of the few times that a film actually made me think and one of the few films that I will be thinking of for months down the line.

But beyond all that philosophical baggage there was still a fun time to be had here. At first I was clueless. I had no clue what was going on or what was about to happen but as I strapped in for the ride I couldn’t help but hold my breath and enjoy it. The acting was phenomenal and the writing spot on. The fight scenes were epic and crazy and best of all, original. Yeah this was technically a “Kung Fu” movie but it felt like more than that. Yeah it was stylized and over the top but it was good and kept me invested in it.

The story, too, was insane! Twisting and turning like crazy. I never had any clue what was going to happen next. And it was this sense of mystery that kept me invested. The characters, too, fit their roles perfectly. They were made for those roles and I can’t imagine anybody else doing a better job. They were never stagnate. Their characters flowed and bent realistically. They evolved and changed in ways that were believable. These weren't just actors. They were real human beings and this film profited from that immensely.

In short: This is one of my favorite films of the year. It totally exceeded my expectations and truly blossomed into something beautiful. This is without a doubt one of the best films of the year and everyone needs to see this.

10 Out of 10

Winnie the Pooh Blood and Honey (2023) Review

 

This is one of those films that I really wanted to like and, while it did have its faults, for the most part it was an enjoyable film. The concept was an interesting one. Turning the beloved books and cartoon into a Slasher/Horror film took guts and it really paid off in the end. Now the writing and acting definitely wasn’t the best but given the nature of this film it didn’t have to be. This isn’t one of those films you watch for the art. It is one of those films that you watch for fun and it definitely won on that side in the end.

I wouldn’t go so far as to call this film terrifying. In fact it didn’t even come close to that. However it definitely had a creep factor to it and there were times where I was really on the edge of my seat. The violence was rather intense and while the gore wasn’t too over the top it was definitely there. Most of the film was dark and left me wondering what was going to happen next. I never really knew for sure and it is that mystery that really made the film enjoyable.

This film is in some ways greater than the sum of its parts. If you take every aspect of this film individually it doesn’t add up to much but taken together it truly is something special. It’s not great but it is fun and in the end that is all that really matters.

8 Out of 10

Kung Fu Panda 2 (2011) Review

 

I can summarize this film in one simple sentence: “This movie is an absolute blast to watch!” It had so much going for it and it exceeded in everything it tried to achieve. The story was great and had a real punch to it. The acting was fantastic and the writing was phenomenal. In fact I have very little to say about this film that is bad and in all honesty these minor complaints I wouldn’t really consider as problems.

Parts of this movie were a little predictable and had a few moments that were rather on the corny or cheesy side but even so it worked with the film well. The story has very little faults to it. It had a message to say about courage and friendship and it said it well. The effects were spot on and the fight scenes, while crazy and over the top, were awesome to watch. The acting, too, especially Jack Black was some of the best I’ve heard in an animated film in a while. He brought so much character to this role and nailed it. It was truly an epic experience.

This is one of those films that should be viewed by everyone and if you haven’t seen it yet, go see it now. I promise you’ll have loads of fun and won't regret it.

9.5 Out of 10

Mirrors (2008) Review

 

This is one of those films that is rather difficult to review. It had so much going for it and yet it felt as though it was missing something. Yes the acting was superb and the writing was top notch but what really brought this film together, the glue that kept it from coming apart was the scares. There were literal times where I almost jumped out of my seat. There were parts where I had trouble watching and yet I didn’t want to stop.  

The story, while entertaining and intriguing, did a good job of keeping you interested. Still, though, I felt as though other aspects of the film overshadowed the story and because of that it lost some of its edge.

This, however, is not a movie you watch for the story. It is one you watch for the scares and this film did not go easy on them. This was not a particularly violent film but there was gore aplenty. And as you watch it you end up falling deeper and deeper into the whole it is trying to create. A hole of despair and one of agony.

This film isn’t going to make history and is one of those films that you’re probably going to forget about as the days turn into weeks and months. However, this film is still worth a watch.

8.5 Out of 10

Resident Evil Death Island (2023) Review

 

The first thing you are going to notice about this film is that the writing and acting are not what I would call “Top Notch” and are, for the most part, rather mediocre. But that isn’t actually too bad of a thing as the movie was still fun to watch. However, even with that said I have to admit that while the fight scenes were in fact entertaining as a whole they came out more corny than anything else. Still, though, I had fun with it.

There was more of a story here than I was expecting and the characters, too, while staying in their respective tropes still came across as deep. It was fun to watch them interact with each other and to watch them grow together.

This was a CGI film and the effects were spectacular! They did not take the easy way out with these, either. They really put in the effort here and it really shows. Everything felt alive and the zombies and monsters looked amazing.

To summarize, this film isn’t great but if you’re looking for something that is just fun to watch then give this one a go. Just don’t go in expecting a masterpiece.

7.5 Out of 10

The Pope's Exorcist (2023) Review

 

When I first started up this film I honestly had no clue as to what I was getting myself into. I am a huge horror fan but I had very little experience in horror films of this theme. However, I was intrigued by it and really wanted to see what Russell Crowe could bring to this genre of film. In short, I was not disappointed.

This film is dark and gritty. It doesn’t hold back on its punches and attacks you full on. You never really knew what was going to be thrown at you next and because of that I spent the whole film right on that edge of terrified and entertained. I use the word “terrified” lightly, though. This film was not quite as frightening as I was hoping but I would be a liar if I said it didn’t have its creepy moments. During the whole film I was hoping to be scared out of my mind and even though that wasn’t the case with the entire film I do have to say it was still enjoyable.

The acting was spot on. Crowe fills his role as the Exorcist perfectly while the family dealing with the ordeal held their own. The writing, too, was spot on. The story, however, took a different turn than I was expecting. I had this thought on how it was going to end but I couldn’t have been further from the truth.

While I did have these preconceived notions on the film's direction I was still surprised by how it turned out. In short, this is one of the best Horror films of 2023 and is totally worth a watch.

8 Out of 10

Heart of Stone (2023) Review

 

I’m going to start this review by stating the obvious. The beginning of this film was extremely reminiscent of the many James Bond films. In fact, it did everything but scream it. However, as the film progressed it became something else. It created its own personality and identity. It became something truly unique to itself and told a story of violence and fear. What technology can do in the wrong hands and what mankind will do to remain in power.

The characters, although a little cliche at times, really held the torch for this film. As you would guess there is the stereotypical double cross and the hidden agents. But you never really see these coming. When the double cross actually happened my initial thought was that of shock but as the film continued I began to wonder why I didn’t see it coming.

The writing was amazing as was the acting, too. The actors fell into their roles like a glove. The film was also full of violence and action and the fight scenes and shoot outs were just a blast to watch.  To state a cliche, it was really an edge of your seat type of film.

There was very little that I would call bad or uninspired. The film told its story in a way that really brought up a sense of excitement. I never wanted it to end. All in all this is a must see and a movie that you're going to love.

9 Out of 10

65 (2023) Review

 

This is one of those films that truly terrified me. Not in your traditional “Horror Movie” way but in more of a subtle way. I spent the whole film on the edge of my seat. I literally had no clue or idea as to what was going to happen next or how it was going to end. This film surprised me beyond measure and it is one that I could watch again and again.

If I’m being honest it didn’t really have much of a story at all. It boiled down to just being about two people trying to evacuate a planet before it was hit by an asteroid. The relationship between them, however, was pure gold. Blocked by a language barrier their communication was limited but as they spent time together their understanding and bond only grew.  

The writing was simple but that is all this film required. The special effects, however, were top notch. Outside of the Jurassic Park films I have never seen anything like this before.

This film truly surprised me in a way that I will never forget. If you haven’t watched it yet then do yourself a favor and do it. While it isn’t the best film of all time, or even this year, it is still a damn good movie that everyone should experience.

9 out of 10

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

House of Wax (2005) Review

 

House of Wax is not a film I would call good. However, in all honesty it was still a hell of a lot better than I was expecting. The good parts, while standing strong on their own, were oftentimes overshadowed by the bad. The scares were genuine but were often blocked out by its bad writing and mostly horrible acting.

The characters, while not deep, did possess a sense of humanity. How a character acted and responded to any particular situation was not so much set in stone but was fluid. Their actions and words responded to their character as they grew.

The writing, however, was just terrible and the acting didn’t help any either. Their characters, though, were still written in a way to convey their independent personalities. They weren’t just cookie cutters of each other. They were genuinely different and each brought something different to the film.

The scares were pretty good, too. You never really had a clue about what was going to happen next. There were times where I was literally shocked. Parts of this film, however, did feel a little lazy. There were a few opportunities where the cast had a chance to take out the antagonist but failed to do so. It’s like, in some instances, they didn’t even try.

Parts of this film were kinda predictable but that didn’t really take anything from it. The ending, while subtle in its execution, was legitimately terrifying and opened up the opportunity for a sequel.

While this film is by no means a masterpiece it is still worth a watch. Just don’t go into it expecting it to be the next big thing. Just go along for the ride.

7 out of 10

Princess Mononoke (1997) Review

 

Princess Mononoke is a film that stands above the average film in its genre. Telling an epic tale of Gods and Demons. What mankind will do to the earth out of greed and how they will fight anything that gets in their way. The characters were heartwarming and three dimensional. Full of heart and drive. Their personalities different than they initially appear. Each one grew and became better versions of themselves. Closer friends and bridging the gap between enemies. The musical score was fantastic but that is to be expected with a Studio Ghibli film. The writing was full of warmth and character. Everything seemed alive. From humans and animals to the Gods and Demons. Even the plants themselves brought life to this film. The movie, however, is a long one. And, in all honesty about half way through it I wanted it to end. However, having stuck to the ending all I can say is that I am so glad I stayed. The ending fit the story like a glove and brough much closure to the story. Yes the film is a long one but the wait is totally worth it.

9 Out of 10

War Horse (2011) Review

 

There are very few movies that I would call perfect but “War Horse” is one of them. It tells the story of a horse as he traveled from working in the field to being on the front lines. How the horse reacted to it and how he helped all those who came into contact with him.

The art direction fit the grandeur of the film. It had an epic story to tell and visually we were not disappointed. The writing, too, was phenomenal and the characters fit their actors very nicely. Their portrayal fitting like a glove.

The whole trip was an emotional ride full of ups and downs. Several scenes had me tearing up. Not just at the sad scenes but oftentimes the good ones, too. You found yourself cheering for Joey, the horse. You wanted him to succeed. You wanted him to be happy and that desire is what pushed me to finish the film.

This film is a Masterpiece. Very few movies even come close to this. This film is gonna pull at your heartstrings but you will be smiling the whole way through.

10 out of 10

Inferno (2016) Review

 

Inferno was one of those movies that really made you think. Its cast of characters is lively and three dimensional. They aren't always what they appear on the surface. Half the time you don't really know who to trust and when you do figure it out you are still full of doubts.

The story was gripping. Grabbing you by your very throat and squeezing the very life out of you. You never knew what was coming and every idea you would have about its direction is gonna leave you scratching your head wondering how you didn’t see that coming. The writing and acting, too, was top notch. Everyone fit their roles perfectly and every plot point hit with significant force. My jaw hit the floor several times just wondering what else the film would throw at me.

The fight scenes, while not as frequent or as violent as something like a John Wick movie, were still exciting and kept you on the edge of your seat. Following the film was easier than predicting where it was going and you never really knew what the outcome of each altercation was going to be. Every plot point just left you wanting more. Every word said by every character was like a drug. All you wanted was more and this film was exceptional because of it.

9 out of 10

Constantine (2005) Review

 

Constantine is greater than it appears on the surface. At first it looks as though another generic action film about Angels and Demons, Heaven and Hell but deep down it is so much more than that. It tells a tale of redemption and what one man will do for it.

John Constantine is an exorcist caught in a war between Heaven and Hell. As he banishes demons back into Hell he is hoping to buy something with them. In short, he wants into Heaven. Years prior he killed himself but was brought back to life a few minutes after. Because of his suicide, however, he is condembed to Hell. His only future is one of suffering and pain. Yet by casting these demons back into hell he hopes to rewrite his future, however doubtful as that may appear.

Isabel, played by Rachel Weisz is dealing with the suicide of her twin sister. Trying to prove that she didn’t in fact kill herself and as she goes down the rabbit hole she teams up with Constantine, in an attempt to find the truth and ultimately find a way to end the war that heaven and hell has brought onto this Earth.

The fight scenes in this movie were epic but that wasn’t what held the picture together. The glue behind it was the struggles and difficulties between the cast of characters. The history of Constantine and the struggles of Isabel. What they were willing to do and the fears they were willing to face to right to wrongs and bring some sense of peace to their lives and those around them.

The writing of this film was extraordinary. The characters were lively and three dimensional. They were complex and brought a lot to the table. You were never 100 percent sure what they were going to do and as they film progressed so too did they. In the end they weren't what they were and in some ways they were almost different people.

This film is one of those that is worth a watch, even if you aren’t really into this type of genre. It has a lot of action and a few good scares and in the end you won’t be disappointed.

8 out of 10

Porco Rosso (1992) Review

 Porco Rosso is one of those films that are hard to find faults in. Just about most of it was flawless, telling a story about love and war. The consequences of being a coward and how it can change you and those around you. The characters were lively and fit their personalities perfectly. From the arrogance of the pilots and the hatred that was thrown Porco Rosso’s to the love he felt for his Gina. Porco Rosso’s role was surprisingly human. Here, though, is one of the few faults in the film, and it’s not even a major one, either. The voice of Porco Rosso wasn’t done with the level of care as you would expect. It was good, and Michael Keaton did an amazing job with it, it just felt like his heart wasn’t really in it. However, at the same time Michael Keaton's voice did happen to fit his character of Porco Rosso. It just took a few minutes to accept that and I feel like Michael Keaton could have just put in a little more effort. In short, even though it fit the character it seemed a little lazy.

The art style was of your typical Ghibli tone. If you’ve seen one you’ve seen them all but that isn’t a bad thing. The colors are bright and amazing. They lept out of the TV and straight into your eyes and soul. I still see them when I close my eyes and it’s rather peaceful. The music, too, was delightfully charming. One of Ghibli’s strengths is their sound and music and that is one thing that will never go out of style.

All-in-all this was a masterpiece. Hitting all the right notes that told a story not just to you on the surface but who you are deep inside.

9 out of 10

Maggie (2015) Review

 

“Maggie” is not your traditional zombie movie. In fact it holds very little in the horror genre, leaning more instead on drama than scares. The film revolves around a man and his daughter. The daughter had been infected with the zombie virus and was slowly turning due to it. The story is that of sacrifice. What are we willing to go through to stay with the ones we love and what are we willing to do to ease their suffering?

The acting was crazy good. Arnold Schwarzenegger who played the role of Wade came across perfectly as the worried and concerned parent willing to do just about anything for his daughter. His daughter Maggie, played by Abigail Breslin fit her role in the film perfectly as well. They played off each other's strengths and the film was better because of it. You could see the love in them, their love guiding you along the path that they were having to take.

This film is also about hard decisions and personal sacrifices. The film put you in their shoes and really made you wonder what we are capable of doing. It asks hard questions and offers difficult answers. What are we capable of and what are we willing to do for family.

8 out of 10

Escape Plan (2013) Review

 

Escape Plan was not your typical prison break story. I was expecting something rather generic and predictable but what I got from it far exceeded those expectations. While the story in and of itself isn’t anything to write home about, the individual scenes and character plot points made it worth watching. The acting is good, for the most part, only being held back by the actors themselves. They fit into their typical tropes. They basically have played the same role in every film they ever did but that is what you would expect and the film came out on top in the end.

The writing, however, left a lot to be desired. It was at times too blunt, nothing subtle about it. Like they were just going through the script as fast as they could and the film suffered from it. Conflicts were resolved too easily. People change their minds and opinions on the fly giving little to no thought on it. The ending, too, while surprising, was still too cliche and generic. Not to mention incredibly corny. Still though the film does have many strengths and if you are looking for a good, wild ride then this film is a pretty good idea.

8 Out of 10

Film Theory: Jack in Titanic is from the future

 

So this is an interesting one. Could Jack from Titanic actually be from the future? According to one theory, yes he very well may have. The theory is based on a small number of clues. The first clue is based on Jack’s sense of fashion. That being his haircut and backpack not being common until much later. Also he mentions several man made structures that weren’t even created yet as of 1912. Those being a roller coaster on Santa Monica Pier and Lake Wissota. This raises a question, though. Why? Why would Jack travel through time to that specific moment knowing full well what was going to happen. This is where the theory really makes you think. The theory states that Jack went back to stop Rose from killing herself. Had she of done it the Titanic would have been delayed and may very well not have struck the iceberg. If it didn’t crash then the course of history would have been altered. So Jack traveled back in time to make sure that the Titanic stayed true to its course and succumbed to the fate it was meant to. Why couldn’t he have tried to prevent it? The theory doesn’t say, however, it does make you wonder.