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His Three Daughters (2023)
Very dialogue heavy
This is more of a stage production and I have to admit that I felt overwhelmed watching the tomfoolery with these characters. A nearly two hour movie about three estranged sisters yapping at one another, while their father is on hospice, is a tough pill to swallow.
In a movie about hospice care, you barely see anything about how the in-home nurse interacts with her patient, and how her emotions are affected from the gravity of the situation. That would have made the movie stronger.
These are three fine actresses, but we mostly get argument upon argument. A very monotonous and tedious movie, in that we don't really understand the relationship among these siblings and how it crumbled. I felt most bad for the dying father who had to overhear all of the screaming. I'm sure most of us viewers wanted to be put out of our misery too- but I stuck with it hoping things would improve.
Despite its great performances, the film wasn't influential and it doesn't teach us anything about ourselves. It tries too hard to prove a point and doesn't give an accurate viewpoint of what hospice care is.
Totally Killer (2023)
Totally Awesome
As a huge fan of Back to the Future, I was skeptical thar I could be amazed by another 80s time travel movie. I was actually impressed with how seamless, chilling, and hilarious the story was. The actors were bold and all poured their hearts out to making this a successful project. Randall Park was the most fun to watch, he's so effortlessly funny. We care about these characters and hope that Jamie can rid the small town of Vernon from this evil masked killer.
The story is confusing, to be sure. And as expected, some of the dialogue borders on political correctness (such as Jamie calling people out for being too offensive). But I still enjoyed the chase scenes, the goofy Max Headroom-inspired mask, the parody to Mean Girls (instead of the Plastics, they are the Mollys), and the carnival atmosphere.
Time Cut (2024)
It's over written and pathetic
Overall this was not exciting, and there's numerous plot holes. Showing the Olive Garden and playing a few summer hits from 2003 is not enough for me to recommend this, even to a pre-teen audience.
At first it seemed watchable, like an extended episode of "Are You Afraid of the Dark?" This quickly became a Disney channel movie. In fact, the main actress resembles Zendaya. As pretty as she was, she was so unenthused and read her lines like it was a grade school play.
It sort of plays with the idea that bullied kids are going to seek vengeance. Not to mention the story itself is predictable and faulty. The writers went in so many bizarre directions that my head was spinning.
The Apprentice (2024)
This has its moments
If you're expecting something biographical about Trump's life, this probably won't cut it. But as a full length movie, I enjoyed the chronology of it and liked seeing how the elements of political corruption and power were interwoven into the movie.
The first half of the movie was stronger than the second half as it showed Trump's rapport with his wife and family. By the end, a lot of the focus turned to Roy Cohn and the excitement dropped off.
As someone who did not vote for Trump in three consecutive elections, I ended up enjoying this more than I anticipated. Normally two hour movies can be a buzzkill, I didn't mind sitting through it.
Parachute (2023)
It was very chaotic
This has the feel of a bunch of diary entries - too many fleeting moments that are not explained and a bunch of time jumps that leave us guessing.
If they got rid of the goofy and smug therapist played by Gina Rodriguez and Ethan's alcoholic father played by Joel McHale, it may have strengthened the story. Also Celeste Oliva, who played Riley's mother, was so full of disdain and read all her lines without any emotion.
I think Ethan and Riley's situation-ship is worth exploring, but we are pulled away from them too often. It also would have made sense to see how Hunter and Riley's relationship took a turn for the worse. Overall the film has scenes of characters arguing and storming off. Nothing to write home about.
My Old Ass (2024)
The execution fell short
I give this film a very mild recommendation. It's really not funny or enchanting enough to be considered worthwhile. But for its hour and a half runtime, I suppose young teenage couples could enjoy the theme of living in the moment. The countryside can evoke some memories of nostalgic summer vacations, as well.
Aubrey Plaza is exceptional here, but receives the supporting character treatment. Too much of the dialogue between young Elliott and her friends is politically motivated and the notion of a young kid meeting their older self isn't new (think of Disney's "The Kid", which is a defined and well-rounded movie).
I wasn't disappointed in this, yet it didn't really lift my spirits either.
Between the Temples (2024)
Talk about weird
This is a very dreary and poorly edited film with a bunch of characters running around and falling over, crude slapstick, awkward family meals, and a creepy subplot of a schlubby man falling in love with his grade school music teacher. I didn't laugh at all and felt indifferent to anyone's struggle and how Judaism was portrayed.
It's almost built like a mockumentary or home movie, in how the camera zooms in on everyone's face. But the biggest problem is how the writers don't reach far enough into these characters. Everyone seems screwed up in their own way, and that's how things remain throughout the film.
The shining beacon was the rabbi's daughter, played by Madeline Weinstein, who is quite beautiful and wasn't given enough to do. If you had her or someone closer to this cantor's age as the bat mitzvah student, that may have worked as a romantic comedy.
There's nothing to recommend this movie on.
I Used to Go Here (2020)
Bleh
This movie was freakishly bad. Gillian Jacobs is a ray of sunshine who is wasted here and plays an uninteresting author who is down on her luck. I only was able to endure 45 minutes - there was no storyline, i didn't laugh at all, and the screenplay was preposterous. I didn't care about any of these characters and all of the college students were lacking in inspiration or charisma.
A bunch of random meetups happen between this alumna and people on campus and all you get is creepy and forgettable dialogue, coupled with drugs and alcohol. To put it mildly, it was a disaster and i had no personal connection to any of it.
Standing Up, Falling Down (2019)
It's a collection of sketches
I'm close to the same age as Scott, and when he talked about "not having your life figured out when your friends do", I could get behind that sentiment. So this film wasn't a total waste.
I wouldn't dare call this film a comedy- in fact, this was a rough 90 minute movie to get through. Billy Crystal had a couple of solid one liners at the beginning, but Ben Schwartz played an unsympathetic character who has no drive or life purpose. Scott and Marty's unlikely friendship wasn't interesting to watch.
There were some scenes where you'd think an emotional breakthrough could be made between these characters, but then suddenly you're back to square one and the focus changes. I just wasn't moved by the story.
Dìdi (2024)
It just wasn't for me
I'm quite stunned that this has a nearly perfect score on Rotten Tomatoes.
I started high school in Fall 2007, so I'm only a year older than this main character. On that basis, I thought I would have connected with Chris' struggle better. Chris was honestly an uninspired and cold hearted protagonist and didn't develop at all throughout the film.
Most of these teen films are chock full of bloody altercations, cussing, drugs, drinking, and awkward interactions between guys and gals. It gets old after awhile and I found myself hoping there'd be a heart to this film, or at least a character I could relate to.
I did like seeing the old style YouTube, FaceBook, AOL instant messenger, and MySpace. And there were some small laughs when it came to the bickering between the brother and sister. But overall, it was a pointless and flat movie. A real downer actually.
Stay the Night (2022)
In a nutshell, average
This is the type of movie to watch when you literally can't find anything else, or you find yourself awake in the middle of the night and need a distraction from life's stressors. Some of the nighttime scenery was calming to look at.
For the 90 minute run time, I didn't find any major flaws to it. However there wasn't a plot and there's no excitement, humor, or chemistry between these two lead characters. The movie relies on give and take dialogue, so it got very stale after a while.
I did sense an innocence to these two characters, and it was clear each of them struggled in their professional careers. I would have liked to see how both of them prospered after their night together. But the film ended on a cliffhanger of sorts.
Blink Twice (2024)
Insipid and complicated
The only reason I'm giving two stars is because Channing Tatum is a force to be wrecken with. But Tatum's star power couldn't save this awful film. You're sitting in front of the screen waiting for the story to take off, but the characters are all self-absorbed and indistinguishable from one another. I lasted only 35 minutes and ended up reading the Wikipedia synopsis.
I can understand that the movie wants to tackle the power dynamics between men and women. It's done in such a sloppy way, complete with virtue signaling.
As a side note, I don't get why Haley Joel Osment keeps getting acting gigs - he's not appealing nor funny.
This Is the Year (2020)
Corny, yet sweet
Personally, I don't see this becoming a cult classic. The film started off so fast paced I didn't think anything would peak my interest. I soon realized that the movie was appropriate and genuine, and I was so comfortable getting to know these characters.
I did like the premise of this high school senior living his life like a movie, and learning hard lessons on this cross-country road trip while he professed love to his best friend's cousin. I liked the homage to 1980s John Hughes classic movies as well. Lorenzo James Henrie and Vanessa Marano are so likable, attractive, and fun together- I really enjoyed their chemistry.
Some sections like the music/dance scenes and the conflict between Zoey and Kaleb didn't work for me. Also Jeff Garlin as the English teacher was an odd casting choice- he's more humorous on Curb Your Enthusiasm. Those were minuscule observations that didn't affect my rating.
It's a medium grade film, but with enough heart for me to give a recommendation for families.
Hillbilly Elegy (2020)
I wasn't convinced
I'm setting aside my personal opinions on JD Vance here. I sort of hoped the movie would have exemplified the American Dream. The non-linear story telling wasn't effective and the scenes just weren't interesting. The movie dragged on without having any impact and was sometimes derisive. The energy level came and went, depending on which character's struggle was being chronicled.
There was a slight sweetness to the relationship between JD and his mamaw and sister. I also did enjoy the heated moments with Glenn Close's and Amy Adams' characters. The makeup artists and costume designers did a fantastic job making the actors resemble their real-life character counterparts.
I wasn't inspired or excited by the film, but its performances were first rate.
Better Watch Out (2016)
A pitiless film
The writers got into the warped mind of a 12-year old kid and made a sadistic and ill-fated film. We don't need another movie where a precocious kid makes the moves on his hot babysitter. Are adults supposed to be entertained by this? It's Home Alone as a slasher horror film, except there's no threat of a home invasion. Frankly, I would have rather watched a corny Hallmark Christmas movie.
The two kids look like Young Sheldon and Beans from Even Stevens. They were not criminal masterminds. On the other hand, the young adults were morons. After 50 minutes, this movie was a write-off and I stopped paying attention.
Jerry & Marge Go Large (2022)
The movie itself was a gamble
I liked some of the performances and the old fashioned Michigan town where everyone knew each other on a first name basis. This wasn't really a humorous or a stand-out movie where I'd recommend it. The tone was sort of peculiar and the writing wasn't sharp or witty enough for my taste. Bryan Cranston was phenomenal on Malcolm in the Middle and Breaking Bad- I felt like he held back too much here and didn't go the extra mile. Plus he sounded so out of shape and defeated, like a man in his 70s or 80s.
It would have been more feel-good or heartfelt if we saw the ongoing revitalization of the town. I found that the scenes with the Harvard students and the newspaper writers lacked any drama or tension. So overall, I don't feel this deserves any acclaim. It resembled a mediocre Hallmark movie instead of a big budget project.
Milton's Secret (2016)
I felt duped by this
In light of Donald Sutherland's recent passing, I would be remiss if I didn't say that his performance was the only thing worthwhile. Even though I thought that including a hippie grandpa was a lame writing choice and all his dialogue went in one ear and out the other. Overall, it was a bore fest of a film that perhaps tried to give a philosophical message on how to lead one's life or forgive others.
The movie was so unrealistic and dreary. I didn't feel any emotions and the kid actors had nothing to offer. Every performer seemed so agitated and overextended.
There was a slight glimmer of hope when it came to showcasing the young man's anxiety. Otherwise I found myself turning my head away from the screen and wondering if it made sense to turn the film off. I wish I had trusted my instincts.
Hard Sell (2016)
A very pedestrian movie
The writers didn't push hard enough, there weren't any laughs or key dramatic moments that could help develop the characters. When it came time for the stripper to give life advice to everyone, I realized the movie wasn't going anywhere. This is probably a modern spin on the classic film "Risky Business".
Skyler Gisondo was so dopey in this, he always plays a nerdy or obnoxious high schooler with a high pitched voice. Also Kristen Chenowith, who portrayed the mom, was an eye sore- she didn't exude any positivity. I couldn't fall in love with any of these characters nor soak myself into the story.
Turned it off after one hour and instantly forgot about everything I saw.
Where's Rose (2021)
I would have rather gotten a colonoscopy than watch this
Filmmaking 101: every film should have a beginning, a middle, and an end. There's no storyline here and no actor was interesting to watch. The movie tries to veer in a bunch of random directions without explanation.
First the young sister goes missing, she starts to act weird upon returning home, people randomly stare outside windows, the older brother crashes his car, the neighbor girl tries to harm herself, the older brother goes to the woods and has some kind of psychotic breakdown, and finally we get a stupid creature reveal at the end. What was the purpose of it all? Especially when it came to the young girl's bedtime stories and the motivational noise the older brother listened to.
Pathetic excuse for a movie.
Butter's Final Meal (2022)
There was some promise
I've seen many movies that portray high school bullying and self harm- this one has a slight edge due to the saxophone music. And I thought the ending, while unrealistic and sickly-sweet, was rewarding.
However there were no laugh out loud moments and the relationship between the young man and his parents wasn't fully explored. The parents are essentially placed on the sidelines while their son is hurting, and they don't seem concerned at all about his morbid obesity nor do they encourage their son to exercise or diet. Some of this movie did seem downright exploitative and mean-spirited. So much so that the mother enables her son to eat high caloric meals, and she even seems shocked when her son cuts down on his portions.
In terms of the scenes with the high schoolers partying or hanging out, those do drag on. I didn't think I'd rate this above a 5, but the Professor and Doctor characters were fun to watch and were great advocates for Butter. As a whole, I think this movie is worth watching due to its musical interludes and emphasis on self respect and healthy relationships.
Run Rabbit Run (2023)
This became an empty family drama
The writers tried to commingle supernatural elements with psychological thriller elements, in what ended up being a terrible sequence of events. Ultimately I found the story flat and nondescript. With a different set of hands, I think this movie could have been fulfilling and exciting.
Sarah Snook delivers a good, but perhaps unmemorable performance as the troubled mother. It got annoying to hear her shout "Mia!" every five minutes and to see her scold, physically hurt, and discipline her daughter.
Any scenes with Joan or Denise were unsubstantial. Also Mia's drawings added nothing of horror to this picture. It's a rudimentary Netflix-produced movie with a poor script and unexplained symbolism.
The Room (2019)
It's really not too bad
If we set aside how confusing the ending was, it was a relatively good attempt of making a psychological thriller. It had elements that were similar to the film Vivarium, which was released in the same year. Both movies did have the sense of being purposeless stories with labyrinth-like atmospheres. Unlike Vivarium, the child or "figment" in this story was more advanced, such that he quickly learned English.
I think the movie needed smarter lead characters. The couple spends most of their time wishing for money, clothes, art, and jewels. It would have been cool to see the room used for other purposes, such as how Shane wished for a snowy forest. It would have been useful to know how and why this room was designed and what all the powers were.
Matt had all the information to know how haunted this room was. Once he realized the money and painting turned to dust, why not demonstrate to the wife that no creation from this room survived in the real world? Also Matt, who has zero emotional connection to Shane, could have easily coerced the curious Shane to walk outside.
An infuriating story to be sure, but one that has some creativity.
The Blind Date (2018)
What a fun journey
Here's a cool update on this lovely couple - they ended up getting married in reality.
I thought this was a novel and innovative idea- having a blind date on stage at a comedy show in front of a bunch of strangers. Jaron Myers is so likable and charismatic, and so sincere in getting to know Reagan Drake over a 40 minute dinner conversation. The best part of this special is how lively, charming, fearless, and hilarious Reagan was. She's such a great sport and did not hold back.
Got to also give credit to Garrett Smalley, who was the waiter. He kept the humor flowing throughout the night too.
Sound quality could have been better, but overall I was entertained and amused. There's even times where you forget the crowd is there. I give a hearty recommendation for this- it's unscripted and raw, exactly like any first date should be.
Imaginary (2024)
This was child's play
This was not a scary experience at all. It felt like there were so many screenwriters on this project and a cohesive script couldn't be written. Or rather the script was written by an AI system. A lot of characters came and went (such as the neighbors and the girls' father and estranged mother) and the movie felt comedic and dramatic at times.
Visually, it has some appeal. Especially when it came to the blue imaginative room and the colorful music machine. I was reminded of RL Stine's anthology series. In that regard, I could see tweens gravitating towards this subject matter and enjoying it.
Say You Will (2017)
Out of this world!
Over the years, most every high school movie I've seen has been filled with excessive profanity, social media use, drinking, drug use, and sex.
The tables are turned here. We get a sweet, engaging, and simple story about a young man named Sam who is grieving his father's passing and reconnecting with a childhood crush Ellie while working alongside her at a video store. Sam and Ellie are cute together and we can see how they confide in each other while tackling life's societal pressures.
The relationship between Sam and his mother Janis is also explored- the two are distant and cold towards one another. Sam has a mission to bring his mother out of the darkness, and he succeeds in what is the strongest movie ending I've seen in ages.
There's moments of laughter, delight, and sadness while we watch Sam's summer vacation. Every character had a defined role and added to Sam's journey of self discovery (including Sam's hilarious video store manager JD, his best friend Bobby who lives across the street, and also his mom's good-natured ex-fiancée Dean). Music is also a key theme and helps bring these characters together.
Don't sleep on this movie; it's a must see.