Thoughts on Soul

 Soul was delightful. It is abstract and clever and treats the audience like they are smart enough for deep concepts. It is a lovely tale that takes you on a bizarre journey with images reminiscent of Dr. Suess and the Apple Computer aesthetic. Check it out if you are wanting a truly thought provoking movie experience.

Thoughts on WW84

WW84 is a dumb movie. The dialogue is pedestrian. The characters are cartoonish and the CG action makes the movie lack any depth. Nothing felt realistic or threatening. I did find Maxwell Lord compelling at first, but when the movie stopped caring, I did too. I still have no idea why it had to take place in the 80s. I don’t recommend the movie. If it wasn’t on HBO I would’ve been upset to have seen it in theaters.

Thoughts on Happiest Season

 Happiest Season is a pretty cute Christmas movie. It has real issues in the plot without being too heavy handed. The actors do a great job. The story is a bit silly, as is the conclusion but in terms of holiday movies cheese, it is one of the tamest on the market. It’s worth checking out when you are burnt on on the classics.

Thoughts on Borat: Subsequent Moviefilm

Borat: Subsequent Moviefilm is okay. The comedy is effective at times. It is not as funny or extreme as the first. It is worth seeing if bored. The plot is predictable but the pranks make it entertaining enough.

Thoughts on Terminator:Dark Fate

Terminator:Dark Fate is okay. The action is fun when they film it so you can see what is happening. If anything this movie is hindered by having past characters return. The story is fast-paced but feels like he same beats as the first and second Terminator movies. It’s a mixed bag that is worth seeing if you are okay with the screwy timeline. At this point, it’s best to embrace the schlock.

Thoughts on The Cheshire Murders

 The Cheshire Murders is a profoundly dull documentary about a very brutal murder in Connecticut. It is about an hour too long. The details of the crime are very cut and dry and there are no twists or turns to keep me compelled. Give it a miss.

Thoughts on An American Pickle

An American Pickle is a great comedy with a good heart. Seth Rogan does a great job in the dual roles. The  jokes are fun and the film moves a a brisk pace. It’s a charming movie. Check it out if you could enjoy a good comedy that has heart.

Thoughts on Palm Springs

Palm Spings is a very entertaining movie. It is another spin on the Groundhog’s Day plot with enough difference to be a fun new take on the idea. Andy Sandberg and Cristin Milioti have good chemistry and the romance aspect is tasteful and humorous. The script and acting is so full of wit that I was charmed by the movie. I enjoyed aplm Springs  a lot as will  fans of romantic comedies with fun twists on old tropes.

Thoughts on The Vast of Night

The Vast of Night is an interesting sci-fi movie. The acting is great and the characters are very charming. The story is gripping, even with very litte action. It builds tension and atmosphere with well told storys and long takes that go all over a small town. It’s worth seeing for anyone who likes slow-burn science fiction and substance over flash.?

Thoughts on Fast and Furious: Hobbs and Shaw

Fast and Furious: Hobbs and Shaw is a schlocky action movie that isn’t that great. The story is paper-thin and the dialogue is lazy. The stunts are cool when they are real. The fighting action, montages, and terrible music moments make it hard to watch. The villian is essentially a cyborg out to get a virus and the protagonists are the baddest dudes around to save the day. It is a movie made for kids who want to see a “grown up action movie.” The action goes on for so long, so often, that it becomes boring. Which is strange since the settings switch so often it is hard to remember what the central plot was. Even with a tacked on message about family, it rang as surface level and devoid of actual substance. See it if you saw the others in the franchise or you want to watch something thet requires little to no thinking.

Thoughts on John Wick 3

John Wick 3 is a solid action movie. The series is getting a little over-the-top and schlocky, but in terms of fun action and fight scenes it does it’s job well. The story is a bit confusing at times and the motivations are often muddled. This is a fine movie to catch on cable and is worth checking out if you enjoyed the previous movies.

Thoughts on Space Cop

Space Cop is a fun movie from the Red Letter Media folks. The acting and the story are schlocky and silly. Still, the cast and tone are irreverent, so it works. The film is funny but i’d really recommend it to fans of Red Letter Media. Other viewers might find it confusing.

Thoughts on Knives Out

Knives Out is a clever whodunit. The script is witty and charming. The bevy of talent in this movie showed up on-screen. At times the movie feels like it’s from a bygone era. The dark humor was an added bonus which was executed very well. It’s a fun movie that is worth checking out.

Thoughts on Joker

Joker is a really interesting movie. The acting is superb and the story is compelling. It paints a sad an bizarre back story to one of the greatest comic villains of all time. On one hand, I like the mystery of his origin. On the other hand, this movie is solid in its narrative and often has a very serious tone. It certainly is worth seeing, especially in this political  climate and when comic movies are becoming played-out.

Thoughts on Ready or Not

Ready or Not is a dark comedy/horror movie that is a lot of fun. The acting is fine as is the story and premise. Some of the humor fell a bit flat to me. The characters are at least interesting and have some depth. There are some interesting twists but it all pays off for some fun schlock. Check it out if you want an entertaining distraction.

Thoughts on The Invisible Man (2020)

The Invisible Man (2020) is a fantastic take on the Universal Horror film. Actually making a scary remake. The concept and the story are captivating. Elizabeth Moss is absolutely fantastic in her performance. The film is very tense and many of the shots are very eerie. The beginning scene is a masterfully crafted example of visual storytelling. If I had one minor criticism, it is that there was some clunky expository dialogue that was a bit silly. I recommend it for any horror fan tired of stale reboots, remakes, and sequels.

Thoughts on That Thing You Do

That Thing You Do is a movie of it’s time. Young me would have probably dug it. At my current age and experience it seems more a cute idea but executed poorly. There is no real conflict. The romance aspect is tacked on at the end. The story itself is very tame, and forgettable. It also lacks any edge to make it really interesting. It’s a fine movie of it’s time but I wouldn’t recommend it for modern audiences or anyone over middle school age.

Thoughts on The Prodigy

The Prodigy is a by-the-number possession movie. The movie isn’t well-written. The characters are bland and forgettable. The twists are not clever. If the Exorcist and the Omen had a child that was disappointing, it would be this film. My verdict is to give this one a miss.

Thoughts on Jay and Silent Bob Reboot

Jay and Silent Bob Reboot is a fine movie. This movie has genuinely sweet scenes and very clever meta humor. It is a great nod to the past while at the same time having a sense of humor about Hollywood in general as well as pop-culture. The acting is fine and some humor bits fall flat. It was a breath of fresh air after Kevin Smith’s bizarre filmography after 2001. If you are in the right frame of mind and enjoyed Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, it is worth a watch.

Thoughts on The Lighthouse

The Lighthouse is a great movie from A24. The actors are amazing. The story is very Lovecraftian and strange. The black and white film  gives the movie an otherworldly quality. At times the film is dreamlike and tense punctuated with beautiful and bizarre visuals. I recommend this for anyone who wants a tale rife with madness and symbolism or any HP Lovecraft fans.

Thoughts on Sudsy Rides Again

Sudsy Rides Again is another Alaskan movie from the Carpenter brothers. The concept is clever and well-executed. Some of the flaws can be overlooked such as the use of day-for-night. There are beautiful drone shots of Hatcher Pass. Like their other films, the quality is good for the budget they had. It is arguably one of the more grounded movies I’ve seen from them. It’s worth checking out if you enjoy their past work or you like independent movies.

Thoughts on Onward

Onward is a great new Pixar movie. The characters are fun and believable. The story is bittersweet and relatable. The enjoyable table-top gaming references were a lot of fun. I totally recommend this movie. It will appeal to almost all ages.

Thoughts on Isn’t It Romantic

Isn’t It Romantic is fine. The actors look to be having fun. The script is fairly clever in its portrayal of a by-the-numbers romantic comedy. It had ups and down but as a rental you could do a lot worse. Check it out if you are bored or just willing to gamble on a strange little comedy.

Thoughts on Can You Ever Forgive Me?

Can You Ever Forgive Me? is a really well-acted movie. Melissa McCarthy and Richard Grant have a good chemistry and really bring out the best performances from one another. The story itself is a bit dull at times. There are loads of character development scenes but it doesn’t have a character arc in the movie. As a whole it’s a fine movie. However, it tends to be forgettable, so I wouldn’t see it with high expectations.

Thoughts on Yesterday

Yesterday is a cute little feel-good love story. The acting is good; as is the premise. If there is a flaw, it is that Kate McKinnon annoyingly mugs in very scene. Everyone else is very likable and entertaining. Still, it’s a sweet movie that I found really enjoyable. Check it out if you are a Beatles fan looking for a cute love story.

Thoughts on Color Out of Space

Color Out of Space is a fun new Lovecraft story turned to film starring Nicolas Cage. It’s pretty and the effects are  subtly cool. At first Cage is subdued but as strange things happen it grows to insanity pretty quick. The movie is horrifying and silly sometimes, but it is entertaining. Check it out if you are inclined to watch a strange and creepy tale.

Thoughts on X-Men Dark Phoenix

X-Men: Dark Phoenix suffers from a mix of rotten elements. The script is so boring and creates no agency that you’d expect from a super hero movie. Character arcs are non-existent and the villains create no real threat. Past X-Men movie were at least fun/schlock, this movie is just boring schlock. The actors are great at their craft but this script kills any charm that these performers used to give their characters. I’d give this a miss if you enjoyed the past movies in any way.

Thoughts on Zombieland: Double Tap

Zombieland: Double Tap is a sequel no one asked for, a decade after the original. The actors seem bored and like they were contractually obligated to be there. The plot is mostly nonexistent and leaves the characters with no agency to move the plot forward. It is as if the writer made a sitcom based on the characters. It is an ultimately forgettable movie that is hardly worth the time spent watching it.

Thoughts on Godzilla:King of the Monsters

Godzilla: King of the Monsters is a fine movie. As a new chapter in the Monarch monster movies it does well. The acting is fine and the story is serviceable. As a whole it is an entertaining movie albeit a bit forgettable at times. As a film it’s okay, as an addition to the monster cinematic universe, it completes its checklist. Check it out if you enjoyed any of the other monster movies.

Thoughts on Shimmer Lake

Shimmer Lake is an interesting take on a crime movie. The acting is fine and the story itself is also standard but compelling. Since the narrative is in reverse, the movie has found an interesting way of conveying information to the audience. It creates a story where the twist would logically be at the beginning of their story but in telling us the events in reverse the twist is revealed at the appropriate point. It’s a fun movie that is at least entertaining enough to kill an evening. Check it out if you want  a new take on a crime movie.

Thoughts on Doctor Sleep

Doctor Sleep is a sequel to the Shining. The acting is great. The cinematography is very similar to the style of the Kubrick snd is beautiful to behold. The movie doesn’t pull punches when it comes to violence. There is a very disturbing scene when a kid is tortured and killed. It seems to make it okay when the villains meet their fate. The actors that play characters from the Shining do a great job impersonating the original characters. It’s a good movie that is worth checking out if you enjoy the Shining.

Thoughts on Wish Upon

Wish Upon is a garbage movie. The protagonist is stupid, selfish, and unlikable. The script is, at it’s core, a twist on the Monkey’s Paw story, but with a really unlikable main character. The plot is so weak that the only way the one-dimensional characters can progress the story is to make very stupid decisions Stay away, unless you enjoy horrible schlock.

Thoughts on The Haunting of Sharon Tate

The Haunting of Sharon Tate is a bad movie. It’s poorly written with high school dialogue which id both pretentious and as deep as a puddle. Also, insulting Roman Polanski seems petty in this context. The violence is exploitative and annoying as the filmmakers opted for CG blood. This movie is insulting and reek of desperation. See the superior Once Upon a Time...in Hollywood if you want a better Sharon Tate revisionist history.

Thoughts on Horse Girl

Horse Girl is a good movie that goes in bizarre directions. Allison Brie is awesome. Her performance is fantastic and very authentic . The film had a lot of similar themes to the movie Bug. The last chunk of the movie goes in a strange direction that may alienate certain viewers. It’s worth seeing if you like bold films that make you think. It is a cerebral film that is worth exploring.

Thoughts on Things

Things is an awful movie. I know making a full-length movie of any quality is a feat unto itself. The script and acting is painful to behold. The movie seems to borrow heavily from Evil Dead, the Thing, and Alien. Even the editing looks like it was done by a wood chipper. The audio is such a mess that making the movie a silent film might actually be an improvement. It was clearly dubbed in after the fact. It is a shame that the dialogue is unrealistic. Even the attempts at humor fall flat.The only draw is that porn starlet Amber Lynn cameos as a cue card reading reporter that clearly doesn’t want to be there. This movie isn’t worth seeing unless you seek something stupefyingly crappy.

Thoughts on Midsommar

Midsommar is a movie that may leave you saying: “Damn, that was weird.” It is a very symbolic movie with amazing photography. The story is long but purposeful in a tale about grief and a relationship falling apart. The film gets uncomfortable at times but that nightmarish quality is juxtaposed nicely against the beautiful scenery and artistic camera-work.  It’s worth seeing if you like long well-developed horror with a massive dose of the bizarre.