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Salem's Lot (2024)
An enjoyable tv movie
It was fun, scary, and surprisingly bloody, but it lacked the depth needed to feel truly elevated. The thrills often came at the expense of deeper storytelling.
The movie started off strong, teasing a looming danger. It alternates between genuine horror with major scares and moments of almost comedic levity. However, the tone-and arguably the quality-of the first act feels significantly different from the final act. Ultimately, it comes across more like a television movie rather than the prestige-level output it had the potential to achieve.
Stylistically, there were moments to admire, such as the atmospheric scenes with the boys walking in the woods or the tense opening sequence in the basement. Unfortunately, these artistic touches quickly fade as the film shifts into a fast-paced survival story.
The cast is excellent, particularly the lead actor who plays Ben Mears. While thoroughly enjoyable, this movie is unlikely to win awards or gain recognition for its artistic merits. It is enjoyable but I might have felt different if I had paid to see it in the theater.
The Betrayed (2024)
Should have used a different title
A well-acted, surprisingly thrilling drama that is held back by questionable sound editing, music choices, and a title that unfortunately gives away the twist.
The story is engaging and straightforward until it reaches a turning point where the stakes become serious-a crime, a question of innocence, and financial pressures that disrupt the life of a devoted wife. It's disappointing that the film doesn't fully reach its potential, as the predictable storyline makes the stylistic presentation feel less impactful.
Ibrahim Suleiman delivers a fantastic performance, though it's a role we've seen him in many times before. Jemima Osunde and the actor playing Kunle have great chemistry, and their interactions feel effortless.
Grotesquerie (2024)
Has its glorious moments but disappointing as a whole
This psychological thriller assembles a stellar cast to tell a story that sometimes feels uncertain about its direction. At times, the show evokes Silence of the Lambs, with Niecy Nash delivering an impressive performance as a flawed investigator who excels at her job yet is haunted by her own demons. The show's artistic scenes, the hyper-sexualized Catholic priest, and the surreal, exaggerated events create the sense of watching a fever dream.
As the episodes progress, the main protagonist often appears to drift through life in ways that feel unexplained. In the last quarter of the season, this approach finally begins to make sense-but then the plot takes yet another convoluted turn that may leave the audience perplexed. Despite the stellar cast, top-notch acting, and several iconic scenes, it often feels like the story itself was secondary to these other elements.
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (2024)
A beautiful chriatian Christmas story for everyone
This is a Christian Christmas movie, but don't let that deter you from seeing it. The film takes care to ensure that the biblical references are accurate, and its setting as a period dramedy adds a nostalgic touch, capturing the charm of an old American small-town community. Think home alone meets problem child-era Christmas movie vibe.
Judy Greer is perfectly cast; there are so many scenes where she conveys a full range of emotions without saying much. I was genuinely impressed by how the children asked questions relatable to anyone who grew up in a church setting. It's not overly preachy but delivers its message thoughtfully, shedding light on how churchgoers sometimes treat each other and outsiders in a reflective rather than accusatory way. The cast is great and children would love the charismatic characters, adults and children alike.
The kids in the cast are incredibly likable, and while their performances are occasionally uneven, it adds to the story's charm. The movie has a wonderful message about love, acceptance, and empathy for others' struggles.
A true tearjerker and a family film that both children and adults will enjoy.
Abigail (2024)
It's aight
This is a highly engaging movie, but it feels like it would have been better suited for streaming. The cast is impressive, delivering no dull moments in this action-horror flick that blends elements of Home Alone with Blade. Dan Stevens gives another stunning performance, markedly different from his role in Downton Abbey. Melissa Barrera is equally impressive in the lead role, proving she can excel as an action star. While the film doesn't feature much in the way of sweeping landscapes or visual effects, its strong pacing and charismatic cast keep it entertaining throughout. The ballerina character brings a mix of childlike artistic innocence and a legitimate sweetness, punctuated by sudden moments of violence.
Agatha All Along: Maiden Mother Crone (2024)
A very well crafted finale
We finally get to see Agatha's backstory, and it is as heartbreaking as it is poetic, revealing both the depth of her darkness and the tragedy of her motherhood. Billy also comes into his own, and we see how much he mirrors Wanda and shares common ground with Agatha. However, the finale again feels somewhat small, lacking the spectacle we've come to expect from MCU series.
The series also enhances our appreciation for WandaVision, serving as a swan song to Wanda's incident in Westview. Agatha's relationship with her son shows her intelligence and cunning in new ways. The sequence illustrating how Agatha manipulates others by exploiting their need for sisterhood is beautifully crafted yet profoundly sad. This was a very good finale, it closes a chapter and sets up the next so neatly it feels like every detail was planned.
Agatha All Along: Follow Me My Friend / To Glory at the End (2024)
This is the episode that took it there
A beautifully crafted episode that delivers on the plot threads and subtle clues. The breadcrumbs were there, and while many suspected what was happening, the twist still lands in a brilliantly shocking way. This was incredible.
Joe Locke will make you a believer in Wiccan, and we finally get to appreciate the meticulous attention to detail in the set decoration for this show. We see Sasheer Zamata as Kale shine, and watching her navigate interactions with coven and see her in her moment in this episode felt like a spiritual experience. Katherine Hahn is amazing as always, but in this episode, she plays every emotion so authentically, allowing us to see her beyond the theatrics. Aubrey Plaza is perfectly cast as Rio, and she delivers a full range-from cackling demon to heartbroken lover. This episode was stunning, feeling like a finale-until it wasn't.
Venom: The Last Dance (2024)
Fun movie, but not great
This is probably the weakest movie in the Venom trilogy. While the premise allows for dynamic interactions between the symbiotes and their hosts, the story itself is rather thin. However, it does feel like a fitting end to a trilogy, which is a good thing. Tom Hardy plays Eddie Brock with charisma; his character is fun, and his chaotic interactions with Venom remain entertaining. There are some interesting and organic ways the symbiotes fight and transfer from one host to another.
While the movie is a crowd-pleaser, it doesn't build on the momentum of the previous installments. Juno Temple's talent feels underused, and the plot seems paper-thin. Rhys Ifans' character and his family provide some effective comedic relief-it's not high art, but it works. The fight scenes are thrilling, and seeing multiple symbiotes in action is a highlight. It's worth a watch, but viewers should appreciate it for what it is-much like how we enjoy the Fast and Furious movies.
The Deliverance (2024)
Great cast thin story
This movie showcases outstanding acting performances and excels in exploring the dynamics of family drama and the experiences of a Black woman in crisis. Andra Day delivers a show-stopping portrayal of a mother whose life is spiraling out of control in a world where she can't afford to break down completely. However, I don't feel the movie qualifies as a true horror film; I didn't find it scary, and it seems like thirty minutes could have been trimmed without significantly impacting the story. The second half appears to be an attempt to add more scares, but it feels overly long. I never thought I would say this, but I'm starting to see similarities between Lee Daniels and Tyler Perry, and not in a positive way. There was much more that could have been done with suspense, mystery, and backstory to fully flesh out this story and create a richer horror drama.
Agatha All Along: Death's Hand in Mine (2024)
Hold the door
This made me cry. It's so beautiful as we delve into Lilia's story, weaving an intricate, inception-like web of time and space. We gain insight into how Lilia's mind works, and in this episode, we witness her in full boss mode-it's truly a sight to behold. I also appreciated the homage to famous witch depictions, along with the deeper understanding of sisterhood, the pursuit of glorious purpose, and the bittersweet beauty of it all. Highlighting the coven as a sisterhood speaks of family and friendship is a very touching aspect of the episode. There are numerous Easter eggs throughout the episode, and just when we think we understand who Teen is and what motivates him, we're hit with new revelations about how he sees himself. This might unsettle some fans, as it feels like a major twist was introduced. The acting is fantastic-Patti Lupone shines in this episode. There's a major reveal that screams Halloween on so many levels.
Smile 2 (2024)
Naomi Scott PERIOD
A very disturbing portrayal of the Smile phenomenon using the pop music scene and celebrity culture as a backdrop. Skye the central character is front and center in this horrifying story that presents layers upon layers of one's life spiraling out of control. We see most of the story from Skye point of view and so the movie does a great job of building empathy for the character in spite of all her moral failings. It also presents some deep themes on the toxic culture of pop stardom. In the movie, Smile takes on many meanings as it also reflects the pressure of showing up and smiling for the cameras when one's mental health is in shambles. Her momager, her assistant and fans all seem reasonable in the chaos yet their actions seem to become instruments of torture. It's so disturbing, Personally I feel like the Skye goes through too much and at the end I was just relieved that the movie was over. If you are into body horror then you would love this. The movie is quite scary but it is more disturbing than it's scary.
Joker: Folie à Deux (2024)
Musical numbers, violence and lots of cigarettes
Joaquin Phoenix returns to the role of Arthur in a very impressive performance that stands up to his original performance, and Lady Gaga is fantastic as well. I will say the movie might surprise fans of the first movie because of some stylistic differences but those that can look beyond all the musical numbers might find a movie very similar to the first in terms of grit, acting performances and the anti-superhero movie character study style. I will say that the movie is good but not great, it is brutal shocking bloody and includes a very new version of Harley Quin that fits very well into the sort of movie that the Joker is. I think this might get more love from critics than fans because Joaquins performance expands to show musical theater chops in a way that we haven't seen from him before. There is a lot that is memorable with this movie. The shocking ending is something and though the movie is very much in the same spirit as it's predecessor it feels like a different kind of film.
Apartment 7A (2024)
Really good
While it is not cinematic, it is really good. Julie Garner really comes across more mature than usual. The tone of the film is just slightly scary but hauntingly disturbing. This prequel pairs the mystery and atmosphere of rosemary's baby with very modern sensitivities. The story of a driven career dancer who find her career threatened by injury and then finds herself in a situation that felt like a blessing and the story begins to unfold very quickly yet delicately. The theme of date rape, casting couches, broadway dreams women's bodies as commodities and the right to choose. Diane Weist is endearing but scary in this role and with Julie Garner they steal the show with their powerful performances.
House of Ga'a (2024)
Sorry but not enough
An interesting fictionalized account of an infamous historical figure in one od nigerias largest historic empires. The story could have worked and has some entertaining fight sequences but at the end it fails to impress with any level of prestige. It is just meh. The choice to lean more on Bashorun Ga'a as an arrogant leader who used force and less like the sly political strategist who played his political rivals was a missed opportunity. I don't think the actors were given enough to work with and so the cast will not be getting any ovation for their performance, the dialogue often felt like a stage play, it was a bit much. Also, the decision not to give the principal characters any nuance hurt the actors. I will say that the performance of Funke Akindele is ok but not enough as she isn't on screen much. Mike Afolarin shines but even his performance isn't enough to take the movie where it needed to go. It is not the thrilling epic that it had the potential to be. The end could have had more spectacle but it felt like a stage play and even the poetic ending falls flat. Without any charismatic characters the movie is still an ok watch, I am just a tad disappointed.
With Difficulty Comes Ease (2024)
A tender tale expertly executed
This powerful tale of faith, love, family and betrayal is better than I expected and I had high expectations based on the trailer. The potrayal of religious converts/reverts is one that we do not see often on screen. Interestingly the fallout of conversion from Christianity to islam is not the centerpiece of this story. It's a story of a woman who has lost her husband and now has to pick up the pieces to avoid financial ruin. The movie could have been called iddah, as the whole movie takes place during this period in the life of Ene/Zainab the main protagonist, where she mourns her dead husband. There is a love story there but it is not the main story, yet the love story is very well done as we find two characters whose faith journeys are similar but whose paths were slightly different. The family dynamics and seamless use of Hausa while celebrating the ethnic and religious diversity of Nigeria was very tender and intentional. This might be where Ummi Baba Ahmed will get the acting accolades she deserves. Her understated relatable portrayal of Hajiya, a mother in mourning and an abrasive mother in law is a masterclass in immersive acting. A good watch, the tender moment where zainab speaks hausa to her mother in law and breaks her, will bring a few tears. Loved it.
Lake Placid (1999)
Comedy, very light on scares
Watched this again recently. A fun movie with many laughs, a few jump scares and charming cast. The movie definitely leans into its amp elements as a follows a cast of characters brought together to investigate crocodile attacks. It has a bit of everything we may identify as generic today, like the city's female protagonist and the small town hero who irritateeqch other with a lot of sexual tension. On the other hand you have the loud mouthed rich investigator who builds a friendship with another local deputy that is as funny as it is touching. For lovers of horror, the horror elements may not be as satisfying, it isn't a scary movie at all, it is however funny and an unexpected ending. Plus, Betty White is always a delight and in this movie she is delightful with a spin.
Breath of Life (2023)
A magical drama
A tale of love, family and purpose. I think this is one of those films that would generate lots of conversation on the theme of faith, predestination and classism. This story of divine purpose and the circle of life with the backdrop of postcolonial Nigeria feels truly nigerian but also feels very different from the nollywood we have become accustomed to. The cast is amazing, the emotions feel raw and the story ties itself together so neatly, I was genuinely moved to tears and no nollywood movie has moved me to tears in decades. I will describe the feel of the movie to the age of Adaline with a touch of the Scent of a woman. A father son relationship that evolves with a bit of the unexplained supernatural in there.
Trigger Warning (2024)
Yes to Jessica Alba, no to this movie
Jessica Alba reminds us of her roots as an action tv star and it is refreshing to see her back in this kind of role. In this revenge thriller she plays a special op who has come home to solve a mystery around her father's death. This premise is quite derivative but there are elements of the story that are refreshing like her close ties to town folks who may or may not be involved. I feel that the relationship she shares with the people in the town could have been explored for better effect, so that when the mystery is solved and there is this major reveal it is more impactful. The action scenes are great and the protagonist holds her own, however, the bloody meets funny tone works sometimes but often doesn't in this movie. While I will love to see her in more action roles, this movie looked cheap and uninspiring with some scenes that felt choppy and unnecessary. The whole first scene showing her work as an operative in the Middle East wasn't great or necessary, and in spite of the energetic fights, it felt cheap and unbelievable. I think Jessica as an action star is great and entertaining to watch but this movie left much to be desired.
A Quiet Place: Day One (2024)
Lupita wow, bravo
In this prequel we find the setting moving to the big and noisy city of New York and it's a bloodbath. The Alien invasion felt scary and the use of silence and noise to build an atmosphere of fear is as effectively used here as it was in the previous two movies. Lupita Nyongo plays the central character in this movie and this is her movie, her silent acting is on point and she takes us through every emotion from fear and annoyance to relief and happiness. Depressing as the story is, its commentary on love, solitude, friendship and hope make for a very powerful story of the enduring power of humanity even in the darkest times. The cast is great and so is the chemistry and the feline cast member may turn many into cat lovers. This is however Lupita's movie and I think it can be argued that this is her most powerful performance since her Oscar.
Mea Culpa (2024)
The writing is a problem
In this soapy thriller, we find our protagonist in a frustrating marriage, seduced by a client and solving a major crime. The premise is actually way better than I expected but the execution leaves a lot to be desired. The cast is good but their extremely unlikely conversations are quite frustrating. Her mother in law is insufferably rude in a way that is unrealistic and the major twist did not unfold well and was devoid of any thrills. Mind blowing as it was, the reveal felt like overkill because the characters were already unlikeable. Trevante Rhodes does an excellent job with the material and shines in the role, in spite of all the movie's flaws. It isn't boring at all, and Kelly Rowland proves her acting chops again, but it just feels torn between high-brow cinema with the locations, flashy outfits and wardrobe, and Lifetime TV movie with the tactless dialogue, weird transitions and uneven pacing. It could have been way better if more time and attention was given to the screenwriting.
Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 1 (2024)
Feels like part 1
The movie presents an unsettling time in US history ridden with settler and native conflicts and follows 3 different stories that even up to the end do not connect with each other. We get a glimpse of how the stories will finally meet, part one in all its 3-hour glory doesn't go far in connecting the stories. The movie is however made for cinema. The locations, vast production quality and excellent cinematography make watching Otón the big screen worth it. The cast does a fantastic job and the movie is an old school western, so those hoping for major overhaul of the Western movie genre will find their hopes dashed, it's very much in the old school style. There are two major scenes at the beginning and end that are brutal, beautiful, poetic and action packed. I am excited for the journeys of the large cast. I can't wait for the second part but the first part couldn't work on its own but the trailer for part two promises a more exciting ride.
Saltburn (2023)
Atmospheric, disturbing but a tad unsatisfying
It's a work of art with an excellent cast. The looming threat of a spiders web is evident but the movie expertly makes you second guess where the story is going. The writing and direction is great and it's one of those movies that may need to be re-watched. The protagonist comes off as meek and pathetic but also comes off as devious and untrustworthy so Barry Keoghan's performance definitely takes the audience from Talented Mr Ripley to American psycho very fast. The score is great and the mystery of the direction of the story is guided by beautiful scenery and music that moves from pop to classical and it works. I didn't like the end but I respect the art of the movie.
The Accountant (2016)
Beautiful
I don't know what I was expecting but what I got in this movie was way better. This family drama, meets action thriller, is expertly written with great pacing. Ben Affleck plays the lead with an impressive supporting cast that takes us through an intriguing unfolding mystery with high octane action, twists and lots of heart. I was on the edge of my seat, trying to solve the mystery, flinching at the high impact fight scenes and taking mental notes of breadcrumbs that had the potential to bring the story together. The story really paid off weaving a complete tale of love, integrity, isolation and duty, I found myself shedding a few tears because of how well it all came together.
The Equalizer 3 (2023)
Is that the Punisher. Loved it!
Very violent and fast paced and somehow feels like a punisher movie, but also feels like a worthy follow up to man on fire. The master & apprentice chemistry between Denzel and Dakota gave me flashes of their father-daughter like relationship in Man on fire. We see the protagonist more vulnerable, showing more emotion. The action scenes had me twitching and on the edge of my seat and the way the town is shot with the beautiful cathedrals and historical European architecture and streets I loved the supporting cast and the heavy themes of community and kindness. You may need a tissue, it's a surprisingly emotional ride.
The Trade (2023)
A true nigerian crime movie
Pleasantly surprised by this crime thriller that is set in the kidnap for ransom underworld. Blossom shines through as the charismatic lead supported by a cast of heavy hitters and newer faces come together to make the third act worth it. The story is one that isn't foreign to the nigerian experience with highlights of culture and religion in the background. Stan Nze and Shawn Faqua continue to show their versatility and Ali Nuhu gives an award-worthy understated performance as a relatable police investigator. The large cast is really good, the suspense feels real and the pacing was just right. My one problem was that with a couple of characters the accents were a bit inconsistent and sometimes too exaggerated. I don't think that was helpful.