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.