Movies I've Watched: Rated and Reviewed
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- DirectorAnthony RussoJoe RussoStarsRobert Downey Jr.Chris HemsworthMark RuffaloThe Avengers and their allies must be willing to sacrifice all in an attempt to defeat the powerful Thanos before his blitz of devastation and ruin puts an end to the universe.Rating: 9.0
This went where no other mainstream superhero movie went and killed everyone allowing the Thanos to win The biggest flaw I can think of with this is that there are other ways to achieve Thanos's goal without killing everyone, and there were some plot grievances like Corvus Glaive somehow sneaking all the way to Shuri in the battle unnoticed, and them not just digging under Wakanda's shield to begin with (they did later in the battle). Also destroying an infinity stone should cause the universe to collapse in some way as explained in Endgame about taking stones from universes so I'm not sure why none of the main cast rose this issue when destroying the mind stone was ratified into their gameplan (they might have not known better though) . Otherwise great pacing, a great soundtrack, crisp visuals, seamless comedy, a compelling and humanized villain, and a haunting ending. - DirectorAdam WingardStarsNat WolffLaKeith StanfieldMargaret QualleyA high school student named Light Turner discovers a mysterious notebook that has the power to kill anyone whose name is written within its pages, and launches a secret crusade to rid the world of criminals.Rating: 1.0
Horrible, everything wrong with Hollywood adaptations in one film. Besides Ryuk everything is terrible. - DirectorGeorge LucasStarsHayden ChristensenNatalie PortmanEwan McGregorThree years into the Clone Wars, Obi-Wan Kenobi pursues a new threat, while Anakin Skywalker is lured by Chancellor Palpatine into a sinister plot to rule the galaxy.Rating: 7.5
Great second half and a great intro. The dialogue can be terrible, as well as the diplomacy. The CGI is good for the most part and the lightsaber choreography is next level. Best of the prequels by far. - DirectorPete DocterKemp PowersStarsJamie FoxxTina FeyGraham NortonJoe is a middle-school band teacher whose life hasn't quite gone the way he expected. His true passion is jazz. But when he travels to another realm to help someone find their passion, he soon discovers what it means to have soul.Rating: 8.0
Mildly profound children's movie. Good African American representation even though he died first like most black characters seem to do :/ . The animation is clean, and it ends good enough to spawn a sequel. - DirectorTodd PhillipsStarsJoaquin PhoenixRobert De NiroZazie BeetzDuring the 1980s, a failed stand-up comedian is driven insane and turns to a life of crime and chaos in Gotham City while becoming an infamous psychopathic crime figure.Rating: 9.0
Incredible. This movie is raw and was an excellent backstory to Joker. It blurred reality from Joker's reality masterfully and the character deaths in this thing are CHILLING. A must watch for any DC enthusiast. - DirectorShane BlackStarsBoyd HolbrookTrevante RhodesJacob TremblayWhen a young boy accidentally triggers the universe's most lethal hunters' return to Earth, only a ragtag crew of ex-soldiers and a disgruntled scientist can prevent the end of the human race.Rating: 2.0
What were they thinking? Terrible adult humor, ridiculous writing decisions all around. Do not watch this, watch the older predator movie instead - DirectorAnthony RussoJoe RussoStarsRobert Downey Jr.Chris EvansMark RuffaloAfter the devastating events of Avengers: Infinity War (2018), the universe is in ruins. With the help of remaining allies, the Avengers assemble once more in order to reverse Thanos' actions and restore balance to the universe.Rating: 8.6
Not as good as Infinity war pacing-wise, but is a satisfying ending to the saga. High production quality, and a great soundtrack like its predecessor. - DirectorGeorge LucasStarsHayden ChristensenNatalie PortmanEwan McGregorTen years after initially meeting, Anakin Skywalker shares a forbidden romance with Padmé Amidala, while Obi-Wan Kenobi discovers a secret clone army crafted for the Jedi.Rating: 6.0
Top-notch lightsaber choreography, but awful dialogue and boring diplomacy. Soundtrack is top-tier, and it looks pretty good. Still one of the most forced romance subplots I've ever seen. - DirectorChristopher NolanStarsLeonardo DiCaprioJoseph Gordon-LevittElliot PageA thief who steals corporate secrets through the use of dream-sharing technology is given the inverse task of planting an idea into the mind of a C.E.O., but his tragic past may doom the project and his team to disaster.Rating: 8.7
Great, thought-provoking movie. Top-tier soundtrack (ofc it's Hanz Zimmer), and clean FX. Some plot-conveniences, but nothing majorly wrong with this. - DirectorMakoto ShinkaiStarsRyunosuke KamikiMone KamishiraishiRyo NaritaTwo teenagers share a profound, magical connection upon discovering they are swapping bodies. Things manage to become even more complicated when the boy and girl decide to meet in person.Rating: 7.0
Fine movie, with unbelievably crisp animation. It can be confusing with the red string of fate, comet time warp plot but overall it's good. - DirectorJ.J. AbramsStarsDaisy RidleyJohn BoyegaOscar IsaacThe surviving Resistance faces the First Order once again in the conclusion of the Skywalker saga.Rating: 4.0
It has very high production quality, and great choreography/sound design, but it's a spit in the face to every star wars media prior. So many plot holes, conveniences, etc.. Never been so disappointed as a fan. - DirectorBrad BirdJan PinkavaStarsBrad GarrettLou RomanoPatton OswaltA rat who can cook makes an unusual alliance with a young kitchen worker at a famous Paris restaurant.Rating: 8.0
An absurd concept that's well-executed. Great children's film. - DirectorDave FiloniStarsMatt LanterNika FuttermanTom KaneAs the Clone Wars sweep the galaxy, Anakin Skywalker and his new Padawan, Ahsoka Tano, embark on a mission to rescue the kidnapped son of Jabba the Hutt. The renegade Count Dooku, however, is determined to ensure that they fail.Rating: 6.0
Not terrible, very meh, the animation was not the greatest but by no means bad. - DirectorBob PersichettiPeter RamseyRodney RothmanStarsShameik MooreJake JohnsonHailee SteinfeldTeen Miles Morales becomes the Spider-Man of his universe and must join with five spider-powered individuals from other dimensions to stop a threat for all realities.Rating: 8.2
This is art, a comic book come to life. Spotify level soundtrack, and an ending that warrants a sequel. Good children's movie. - DirectorGeorge LucasStarsEwan McGregorLiam NeesonNatalie PortmanTwo Jedi escape a hostile blockade to find allies and come across a young boy who may bring balance to the Force, but the long dormant Sith resurface to claim their original glory.Rating: 6.9
It's meh, the dialogue is not great, Jar jar is Jar jar, and the CGI didn't age very well. The final fight was the peak of this movie. - DirectorJohn LasseterJoe RanftStarsOwen WilsonBonnie HuntPaul NewmanOn the way to the biggest race of his life, a hotshot rookie race car gets stranded in a rundown town and learns that winning isn't everything in life.Rating: 7.0
Fine movie, introduced the Cars universe which was interesting and creative. The animation has aged very well. - DirectorChris ButlerSam FellStarsKodi Smit-McPheeAnna KendrickChristopher Mintz-PlasseA misunderstood boy takes on ghosts, zombies and grown-ups to save his town from a centuries-old curse.Rating: 4.0
Awful art style, and ridiculously cliché. Some jokes were funny but overall not a good movie. - DirectorJeff FowlerStarsBen SchwartzJames MarsdenJim CarreyAfter discovering a small, blue, fast hedgehog, a small-town police officer must help him defeat an evil genius who wants to do experiments on him.Rating: 5.0
I grew up on Sonic but this was a cliché power of friendship story. It should've taken place in Sonic's world not San-Fransisco. Jim Carrey was good, and I'm interested in the sequel. - DirectorAnnabel JankelRocky MortonStarsBob HoskinsJohn LeguizamoDennis HopperTwo Brooklyn plumbers, Mario and Luigi, must travel to another dimension to rescue a princess from the evil dictator King Koopa and stop him from taking over the world.Rating: 1.0
Don't - DirectorAnthony BellBen GluckStarsHayden PanettiereChristina RicciJustin LongTwo young wolves at opposite ends of their pack's social order are thrown together into a foreign land and need each other to return home, but love complicates everything.Rating: 6.4
It's ok, to be honest, I'm not sure how I didn't turn into a furry watching this, they really humanized the wolves. - DirectorRichard RichStarsBen DiskinKate HigginsDebi DerryberryKate and Humphrey are back. They are getting ready to celebrate Christmas with their pups, but when the youngest pup, Runt disappears without a trace, they must spend the Holidays protecting their family and getting Runt back.Rating: 3.0
Mediocre garbage that looks much worse than the original. Just watch the first and be done with it. - DirectorByron HowardRich MooreJared BushStarsGinnifer GoodwinJason BatemanIdris ElbaIn a city of anthropomorphic animals, a rookie bunny cop and a cynical con artist fox must work together to uncover a conspiracy.Rating: 7.7
Interesting take on racism. Animation is clean and it's a creative fantasy animal world. Looking forward to the sequel. - DirectorPrentice PennyStarsCourtney B. VanceLashun PollardMichael MobleyElijah must balance his dream of becoming a master sommelier with his father's expectations that he carry on the family's Memphis BBQ joint.Rating: 6.0
Predictable, with cliché family drama. Very meh. - DirectorChris BuckJennifer LeeStarsKristen BellIdina MenzelJonathan GroffFearless optimist Anna teams up with rugged mountain man Kristoff and his loyal reindeer Sven in an epic journey to find Anna's sister Elsa, whose icy powers have trapped the kingdom of Arendelle in eternal winter.Rating: 7.0
Aside from the exceptional soundtrack, and animation it's ok. It is very forgettable. - DirectorJohn LasseterStarsTom HanksTim AllenDon RicklesA cowboy doll is profoundly threatened and jealous when a new spaceman action figure supplants him as top toy in a boy's bedroom.Rating: 8.0
A classic, back when Pixar was more creative with their movies. Nothing much to say, it's a solid children's film. - DirectorPete DocterBob PetersonStarsEdward AsnerJordan NagaiJohn Ratzenberger78-year-old Carl Fredricksen travels to Paradise Falls in his house equipped with balloons, inadvertently taking a young stowaway.Rating: 8.0
Like ratatouille an absurd concept with great execution. It has the saddest introduction I've ever seen from a children's movie. From what I remember this was a solid film. - DirectorHaruka FujitaStarsYui IshikawaMinako KotobukiAoi YûkiViolet Evergarden, a former soldier returned from war, comes to teach at a women's academy and changes a young girl's life.Rating 6.5
This is a continuation of the Violet Evergarden series. The movie is just ok, It's nothing amazing. - DirectorTaichi IshidateStarsYui IshikawaDaisuke NamikawaTakehito KoyasuAfter the aftermath of a war, a young girl who was used as a 'tool' for war learned to live. With the scars of burns, she goes back to her past to feel the true feelings of the Major's, "I love you."Rating 7.5
The last installment of the Evergarden series. It's a satisfying ending to Violet's story. The presentation was a masterpiece and the continuation of the themes about living in the present, and being true to you're feelings were carried on nicely. It can be a melodramatic in places and it's arguable that her still being focused on Gilbert's return nullifies the series ending where it seemed she had finally made peace with his death but it didn't detract from her character development. Gilbert's resurrections makes little sense considering his wounds (blown up and shot in the face) but I'm glad violet got a happy ending - DirectorYasuto NishikataNoriyuki AbeStarsYûki KajiSora AmamiyaMisaki KunoThe Seven Deadly Sins travel to the Sky Temple in search of an elusive ingredient.Rating 7.0
From what I remember, it was fine. It just felt like a longer episode of SDS. The main antagonists were literally a step down from the ten commandments but still a good watch. - DirectorGareth EdwardsStarsFelicity JonesDiego LunaAlan TudykIn a time of conflict, a group of unlikely heroes band together on a mission to steal the plans to the Death Star, the Empire's ultimate weapon of destruction.Rating 8.5
Some of the best Disney Star Wars. The soundtrack is Spotify level, the visuals are top-notch, and the narrative had REAL consequences. It's the real suicide squad . It covered some plot holes regarding the Death Star, and Vader's return to the big screen was incredible. - DirectorM. Night ShyamalanStarsNoah RingerNicola Peltz BeckhamJackson RathboneAang, a young successor to a long line of Avatars, must master all four elements and stop the Fire Nation from enslaving the Water Tribes and the Earth Kingdom.Rating 1.0
Watch the animated show. Nothing to say about this dumpster fire - DirectorJames CameronStarsSam WorthingtonZoe SaldanaSigourney WeaverA paraplegic Marine dispatched to the moon Pandora on a unique mission becomes torn between following his orders and protecting the world he feels is his home.Rating 7.0
It looks amazing, it really aged like wine. The actual is narrative fine, nothing groundbreaking. - DirectorJames GrayStarsBrad PittTommy Lee JonesRuth NeggaAstronaut Roy McBride undertakes a mission across an unforgiving solar system to uncover the truth about his missing father and his doomed expedition that now, 30 years later, threatens the universe.Rating 5.0
Meh, just felt very generic. The space visuals were good though. - DirectorRidley ScottStarsMatt DamonJessica ChastainKristen WiigAn astronaut becomes stranded on Mars after his team assume him dead, and must rely on his ingenuity to find a way to signal to Earth that he is alive and can survive until a potential rescue.Rating 8.0
Solid movie in general. It really felt like I was on Mars trying to survive. Not to mention the humor was good for such a serious movie. - DirectorThomas KailStarsLin-Manuel MirandaPhillipa SooLeslie Odom Jr.The real life of one of America's foremost founding fathers and first Secretary of the Treasury, Alexander Hamilton. Captured live on Broadway from the Richard Rodgers Theater with the original Broadway cast.Rating 7.0
I hate musicals but this was good. A little long though - DirectorMakoto ShinkaiStarsMiyu IrinoKana HanazawaFumi HiranoOn a rainy morning in Tokyo, 15-year-old Takao, an aspiring shoemaker, decides to skip class to sketch designs in a beautiful garden. This is where he meets Yukari, a beautiful yet mysterious woman. They strike an unlikely friendship.Rating: 7.0
Unbelievably crisp animation and visuals. Overall it's a fine movie about living and learning. Not incredible, but a decent watch. - DirectorHideaki AnnoKazuya TsurumakiStarsMegumi OgataMegumi HayashibaraYûko MiyamuraConcurrent theatrical ending of the TV series Neon Genesis Evangelion (1995).Rating 8.0
Unlike anything I've ever seen, I literally can't even begin to process what happened here. It's very psychologically disturbing, to the point of nightmare fuel. A lot of events seemed to just "happen" and make little sense overall, but this is a creatively bold ending that made anime history for a reason. It's like an abstract painting in an art museum that some people see a deeper meaning to while others roast for its unconventionality. All in all the movie left too much up for interpretation and didn't answer many major questions, but was an insanely surreal experience. - DirectorJohn LandisStarsEddie MurphyPaul BatesGarcelle BeauvaisAn extremely pampered African prince travels to Queens, New York and goes undercover to find a wife that he can respect for her intelligence and strong will.Rating 4.0
Extremely cliché, predictable, and very hit or miss with the humor. The ending was so abrupt and rushed it ruined an already mediocre film. I swear people just slap the word "classic" on anything that gives them a little nostalgia. - DirectorTatsuya OishiAkiyuki ShinbôStarsHiroshi KamiyaTakahiro SakuraiMaaya SakamotoFollows Araragi's encounter with the vampire Kiss-shot Acerola-orion Heart-under-blade and his journey back into humanity from being a vampire.Rating 6.9
For some reason, I felt like this could've been condensed. A lot of times there would be nothing happening, not even inner monologues. This made the pacing feel very slow. Overall it was ok and served its purpose in setting up the next two parts. - DirectorYukihiro MiyamotoTatsuya OishiAkiyuki ShinbôStarsHiroshi KamiyaTakahiro SakuraiMaaya SakamotoIn the spring of his second year of high school, Koyomi Araragi met the beautiful vampire Kiss-shot Acerola-orion Heart-under-blade. Koyomi saved Kiss-shot, who was on the verge of death with all four of her limbs cut off, but only at the expense of becoming her minion and a vampire. "In order to go back to being a human again, you must take back all of Kiss-shot's limbs." After receiving advice from Meme Oshino, an expert in the supernatural, Koyomi prepares to go into battle. Awaiting him are three powerful vampire hunters-Dramaturgy, a giant vampire hunter who is a vampire himself. Episode, a half-vampire who wields an enormous cross, and Guillotinecutter, a quiet man who specializes in killing vampires. Will Koyomi be able to take back Kiss-shot's limbs from the vampire hunters? Amidst the soft spring rain, the curtain rises on this fateful blood bath.Rating: 7.1
Continuation of Monogatari series. This is stronger than part I. It had a decent amount of unexpected shock value. example Hanekawa getting impaled and it also connected more plot points from Bakemonotagari in regards to Hanekwa and Araragi's relationship. Yeah, the fanservice was a little much at times but not distracting. Overall it was fine overall. - DirectorYukihiro MiyamotoTatsuya OishiAkiyuki ShinbôStarsHiroshi KamiyaTakahiro SakuraiMaaya SakamotoPart 3 of Kizumonogatari (Wound Tale) trilogy, based on a light novel by Nisio Isin.Rating: 7.2
Continuation of Monogatari series. Filled in the reasoning for Shinobu and Araragi's relationship in Bakemonogatari. Right now how exactly the power system for vampires works is confusing Araragi took kiss-shots power but somehow is not more "vampiric" and is more human? The fanservice was distracting this time and really unnecessary. The final fight was also too bizarre given the situation. Other than that it was fine. - DirectorAkiyuki ShinbôHajime ÔtaniStarsKana HanazawaSaori HayamiYui HorieOn the morning of March 16, Koyomi washed his face, and then he feels like his shadow in a mirror looks at him. When he touches a mirror without thinking, he falls into the reverse world. Can he go back to the real world?Rating: 7.3
Complete Series Rating: 7.3
This is the "afterword" and final ending of the Koyomi saga. The ending was fine, and it revealed an interesting take on the characters.
Complete Series Review:
In its entirety, Monogatari is a tightly written supernatural witty harem. While it excels in its artistic presentation, soundtracks, covering its own plot points, making things come full circle, making S-tier characters; it greatly lacks in engagement. Very frequently the dialogue was just unengaging and bland. This was most notable when we got large info dumps (from Gaen) and they tell us about events rather than show (ex: Shinobu's backstory pertaining to "darkness" was just an artistic slideshow). In an already dialogue-driven show, we should get to see these types of events animated rather than just talked about. This flaw made it tiresome to get through installments like Koyomimonogatari. Lastly, the fanservice can be ridiculous especially since this isn't an "ecchi", and the incest service is beyond stupid, but overall Monogatari was a well-written mixed bag. This is a niche anime that is a hit or miss with most viewers. - DirectorRobert ZemeckisStarsMichael J. FoxChristopher LloydLea ThompsonMarty McFly, a 17-year-old high school student, is accidentally sent 30 years into the past in a time-traveling DeLorean invented by his close friend, the maverick scientist Doc Brown.Rating: 7.4
It was cliche and corny in a lot of places, but they followed their own time travel rules and it ended well. Watching Marty's mom trying to bed him was hilarious. - DirectorBrian De PalmaStarsAl PacinoMichelle PfeifferSteven BauerIn 1980 Miami, a determined Cuban immigrant takes over a drug cartel and succumbs to greed.Rating: 6.9
It was a typical crime drama with the rise and fall of a kingpin. The directing, music, and characters were very over the top and obnoxious. There was also way too much profanity but other than that it was fine. - DirectorMakoto ShinkaiStarsKotaro DaigoNana MoriTsubasa HondaSet during a period of exceptionally rainy weather, high-school boy Hodaka Morishima runs away from his troubled rural home to Tokyo and befriends an orphan girl who can manipulate the weather.Rating: 7.5
Good. Looked incredible and the story had a very realistic satisfying conclusion. Tokyo sank glad they didn't have an everybody wins copout. It had its cliché power of friendship moments and some plot conveniences but overall a good watch. There was also a callback to Your Name a movie by the same director. - DirectorShin'ichirô WatanabeMary Elizabeth McGlynnTensai OkamuraStarsBeau BillingsleaMelissa FahnNicholas GuestA terrorist explosion releases a deadly virus on the masses, and it's up to the bounty-hunting Bebop crew to catch the cold-blooded culprit.Rating: 7.7
A continuation of the series that was better than most of the show. It was a typical action flick plot-wise and the main cast was great as usual. The movie also still carried the bebop charm. There were some plot conveniences Rasheed somehow slipping some of the virus into the vase, The Indians being in the very location spike fell off the train to save him, etc. But it's a solid film. - DirectorTaichi IshidateNaoko YamadaStarsMiyu IrinoSaori HayamiAoi YûkiA young man is ostracized by his classmates after he bullies a deaf girl to the point where she moves away. Years later, he sets off on a path for redemption.Rating: 7.0
It was ok? I think this is overrated even though I know what they were trying to convey. A lot of events felt contrived the children bullying shouko so harshly for almost 0 valid reason, Ishida and shouko magically having a shared dream and Ishida waking up from his coma somehow able to walk and meets shouko on the bridge, Ishida trying to kill himself over something that happened all the way in elementary school he is in high school at this point it's unrealistic. Shouko was unbelievably passive towards everything and never really developed by the movie's end. She just seemed like a plot device to make the viewer feel bad for. She really didn't have a personality at all and the side characters are no better. As a whole, it was nothing spectacular aside from its animation. This should've been a series so that all the characters can be fleshed out. - DirectorJun'ichi FujiseTomoyuki ItamuraMasaharu TomodaStarsMahiro TakasugiLynnYukiyo FujiiA high school student discovers one of his classmates, Sakura Yamauchi, is suffering from a terminal illness. This secret brings the two together, as she lives out her final moments.Rating: 8.0
Very similar to Your Lie in April in both themes and character arcs. This is a great film it subverts your expectations on multiple occasions most notably Sakura's death not by her pancreas but by getting murdered. It still surprised me even though I knew where the plot was headed (because I had seen YLIA). It conveys its themes around living and the bonds you form with others very clearly and the plot came full circle multiple times title and all. There were also well-placed callbacks ex: the gum callback indirectly confirming Kyoko dating Haruki's friend. This was much better than a Silent Voice since it focused solely on the two main characters and the female counterpart actually had a personality. It also didn't shoehorn multiple side characters but rather devoted its runtime to fleshing out the main duo.
Even the characters' names tie into the story with Haruki meaning spring tree and Sakura meaning cherry blossom they were intertwined and both grew as people during their time together. - DirectorMakoto ShinkaiStarsKenji MizuhashiYoshimi KondouSatomi HanamuraTold in three interconnected segments, Takaki tells the story of his life as cruel winters, cold technology, and finally, adult obligations and responsibility converge to test the delicate petals of love.Rating: 6.9
Amazing visuals, but an overall unengaging story. The main characters were bland and had no personality, there was nothing unique about them or their situation. Though the ending was depressing the leadup to it just lacked substance no characterization, no big plot moments, no twists, no drama, not even "tearbait" moments just bland...null. The theme about growing apart was realistic and was the best thing about this film. - DirectorFrank DarabontStarsTim RobbinsMorgan FreemanBob GuntonOver the course of several years, two convicts form a friendship, seeking consolation and, eventually, redemption through basic compassion.Rating: 6.9
Well made but slow and uninteresting. It really didn't impact me like other people. Granted I watched this late-night but by the time the credits rolled I felt nothing. There were some small holes like Andy crawling through the wastewater pipe despite it raining (the pipe should be full), Andy pinning the poster back up all four corners despite being in a hole, Andy breaking an industrial pipe with a rock, the warden continuing scams despite andy being in solitary etc... but it ended well enough - DirectorRobert ZemeckisStarsTom HanksRobin WrightGary SiniseThe history of the United States from the 1950s to the '70s unfolds from the perspective of an Alabama man with an IQ of 75, who yearns to be reunited with his childhood sweetheart.Rating: 7.1
Fine coming of age film. It had some nice redemption arcs and good off the cuff moments. Forrest getting bullied felt contrived and it was unrealistic how Forrest succeeded at almost everything in his life, but the irony was thematically ok. Overall decent movie, doesn't do anything incredible though. - DirectorChristopher NolanStarsMatthew McConaugheyAnne HathawayJessica ChastainWhen Earth becomes uninhabitable in the future, a farmer and ex-NASA pilot, Joseph Cooper, is tasked to pilot a spacecraft, along with a team of researchers, to find a new planet for humans.Rating: 7.3
This one is special have never seen a space movie so well connected before. The visuals were incredible but the movie falls short in explaining the origins of the conflict: why they ran out of food, as well as relying too heavily on quantum mechanics and theoretical fiction Cooper miraculously redocking to the broken endurance, cooper not being immediately ripped apart in the event horizon, the 5th dimension time stuff just so cooper could talk to his daughter, cooper somehow sending quantum data to his daughter in morse code, nobody looking for brand until cooper woke up ect.. The theme of the power of love was wildly cringeworthy but other than that good film. - DirectorTomonori SudôStarsBryce PapenbrookNoriaki SugiyamaNoriko ShitayaMovie adaptation of the third route of Fate/Stay Night.Rating: 7.0
It was a rushed adaptation. The biggest issue was the removal of all of Shirou's monologues consequently making a lot of his actions such as saving saber look random. Despite being 2 hours the pacing felt very fast if you didn't read the source material beforehand you would be completely lost. This is only part 1, and the third installment of the fate franchise so I don't expect it to re-explain everything but by design, it doesn't work as a standalone film. It just omitted too much detail especially Sakura's characterization.
Pros: animation/art style is incredible, and they added anime original scenes like rider sucking Ayako's blood . - DirectorTomonori SudôStarsYu AsakawaMichael DonovanMelissa FahnThe story focuses on the Holy Grail War and explores the relationship between Shirou Emiya and Sakura Matou, two teenagers participating in this conflict. The story continues immediately from Fate/stay night: Heaven's Feel I. presage flower, following Shirou as he continues to participate in the Holy Grail War even after being eliminated as a master.Rating: 8.0
Much better than part I. The pacing felt slower and they hit all the big plot points well. There's still, no Shirou monologues and they removed some direct explanations like Sakura requiring the semen of magi to ward off the crest worm, this was explicitly explained in the VN, but implicitly here so it looked like she just wanted ordinary sex. As well as: Shirou's bandage experiments and explaining the sword of zelretch. They made up for it with incredible fight scenes, and overall top-tier directing. It's a passable adaptation. - DirectorTomonori SudôStarsYu AsakawaMichael DonovanMelissa FahnThe final chapter in the Heaven's Feel trilogy. Angra Mainyu has successfully possessed his vessel Sakura Matou. It's up to Rin, Shirou, and Rider to cleanse the grail or it will be the end of the world and magecraft as we all know it.Rating: 8.0
VN Route Rating: 8.8
The Visual Novel Heavens Feel is the strongest Fate route by far. So many revelations and plot points that were left ambiguous in other routes got explained here. It was fast-paced, unpredictable, horrific, and ended with little to no copouts. although there were some plot armour moments: ex shirou still being able to fight berserker after being clobbered by berserker and Kotomine showing up at the end despite getting his heart crushed by Sakura. Unlike in UBW Shirou's character, dev here was massive. It was a great conclusion to the routes.
Unlike UBW the anime didn't make any bad changes, the only flaw is that they removed a lot of explanations and monologues like the fact that kotomoine has an artificial heart, that shirou at the end is a doll that houses Shirou's soul. They also didn't clearly explain that shirou's mind was being destroyed, and they didn't directly explain that Shirou projected the gem sword, etc. I didn't like the chorus that played in the fights it felt generic, but the fights and animation were incredible. Another passable adaptation. - DirectorTakeshi KoikeStarsTakuya KimuraYû AoiTadanobu AsanoA story about the most popular racing event in the galaxy, the Redline, and the various racers who compete in it.Rating: 4.0
No CGI in sight, probably the best 2D animation ever made (although I don't like the art style). The plot itself is absurd they literally decided to race on a planet that told them they would be killed if they did. It also had a lot of racing clichés. Overall I really only enjoyed it for the animation 4 stars for that. - DirectorDenis VilleneuveStarsTimothée ChalametRebecca FergusonZendayaA noble family becomes embroiled in a war for control over the galaxy's most valuable asset while its heir becomes troubled by visions of a dark future.Rating: 6.9
This is only the beginning of a larger narrative so I didn't expect the movie to peak in its runtime. Visually it was clean, though I didn't like the OST (too much choir). Big questions like the exact origins of Paul's powers and the extent of "The voice", and whether the future will play out as he see's it is still unanswered. Many characters died just as early as they were introduced causing their deaths to have little significance. Other than that it's an ok movie. - DirectorAmir ShervanStarsRobert Z'DarMathew KaredasJanis FarleyJoe Marshall and Frank Washington are two tenacious police detectives who seek at all costs to stop the Katana, a renegade Yakuza gang composed of violent and sadistic killers who want to lead the drug trade in Los Angeles.Rating: 1.0
Terrible cuts, 12 year old fanfiction level dialog. Obnoxious MC who decided to pump and dump every female cast member, and crappy low budget effects. It's not so bad its good it's just horrible. How did this thing get a trilogy? - DirectorIrvin KershnerStarsMark HamillHarrison FordCarrie FisherAfter the Rebel Alliance are overpowered by the Empire, Luke Skywalker begins his Jedi training with Yoda, while his friends are pursued across the galaxy by Darth Vader and bounty hunter Boba Fett.Rating: 8.0
Arguably the best star wars film so far. Comes right out the gates with the quick pacing, and delivered one of the biggest reveals in history of Vader as lukes father. While there are plot conveniences like luke miraculously surviving his fall after his duel with vader, vader's star destroyer not detecting an entire ship docked to it's base (ships have been shown to be able to pick up on objects on there hull's in the clone wars), han, leah and chewy not immedialely freezing when exiting the falcon inside the asteroid worm in space...it doesn't detract from much. - DirectorIsao TakahataStarsTsutomu TatsumiAyano ShiraishiAkemi YamaguchiA young boy and his little sister struggle to survive in Japan during World War II.Rating: 6.0
A child and his sister surviving WW2 japan. I wasn't really moved by this, and watching them roam around scrounging for food wasn't very engaging. His decisions make sense because he's a child but you couldn't help but think sieta's sister's and his eventual death could've been avoided if he swallowed his pride and stayed with his aunt. - DirectorHayao MiyazakiStarsDaveigh ChaseSuzanne PleshetteMiyu IrinoDuring her family's move to the suburbs, a sullen 10-year-old girl wanders into a world ruled by gods, witches and spirits, and where humans are changed into beasts.Rating: 7.6
A girl who literally got spirited away. The presentation was clean and it was engaging the whole way through. There were noticeable plot conveniences: Chihiro somehow knowing her parents weren't among the pigs she had to choose from in the end, and her knowledge this of this somehow absolving her contract with yubaba, as well as Chihiro having a dream that told her exactly that the ball the river spirit gave her was medicinal. Large questions: Why was no-face so attracted to Chihiro, why was there beef between the sorcerer sisters, why must yubaba always give work to those who ask, and whose enforcing these "rules" about not helping humans . And a romance subplot that had to go they are literally 10 and 12. About an hour in, Chihiro went from scared child to fearless girl which was abrupt, but overall it's a fine movie. - DirectorShinji TakamatsuStarsTomokazu SugitaDaisuke SakaguchiRie KugimiyaThe silver-haired samurai Sakata Gintoki investigates the disappearance of a legendary sword named Benizakura while his partners Kagura and Shimura Shinpachi try to find out what has happened to Gintoki's friend, Kotaro Katsura.Rating: 5.5
It was cliched, predictable shonen following the same formula that most of the serious arcs in the show have A new foe appears, Gin gets hurt by the foe, the foe wreaks havoc while Gin is hurt, Gin miraculously recovers and fights the foe, Gin gives his monologue centered around the themes of the arc, and beats the foe. Finally, the foe's full backstory is revealed and they were never evil just misunderstood. Besides introducing Takasugi and the harusame this isn't good. You can't get into it when there are moments like Gin and katsura floating away from Takasugi's ship on a massive parachute somehow not being shotdown. It just suspends your disbelief to the point where you can't ignore it too many times. No matter what happens you know the main cast will always make it out unscathed so the stakes are void. Overall mediocre film. - DirectorYôichi FujitaStarsTomokazu SugitaDaisuke SakaguchiRie KugimiyaGintoki travels into the future and discovers it to be a wasteland with his friends fallen apart. He reunites them to find out what went wrong and how to fix things.Rating: 6.9
A continuation of Gintama, it's best not to think about this as the time travel made little sense Gin travels back in time to kill himself in the final battle yet everyone I mean everyone somehow travel back in time to stop him from killing himself after he successfully killed himself to make the peaceful timeline where he didn't exist; and Tama somehow remembered Gintoki's existence in the timeline where he was erased enough to transport everyone back in time to save him.... As well as other nonsensical moments The virus infecting Gintoki again in the final battle yet it not affecting him because he already has the virus, these are nanobots, the gin from the past was overcome by his, introducing more of them to himself should do the same to the Gintoki of the present. Also Gintoki of the Joi war seeing gintoki of the future and it having no repercussions for the timeline. Many technical flaws can't be overlooked even if this movie is essentially great fanservice for Gintama fans. - DirectorChizuru MiyawakiStarsGreg AyresJames BelcherClint BickhamThe concluding movie to the Gintama anime series.Rating: 7.0
The finale of Gintama. Negating all the shonen ridiculousness that comes with all Gintama serious arcs (detailed in my review of the series); it was a touching and fitting ending. The animation, art style, choreography, and sound took a step up from the series for the movie finale. It was faced paced and well-directed. Takasugi should've stayed dead but Gintama never really kills important characters anyways. - DirectorQuentin TarantinoStarsJamie FoxxChristoph WaltzLeonardo DiCaprioWith the help of a German bounty-hunter, a freed slave sets out to rescue his wife from a brutal plantation owner in Mississippi.Rating: 7.9
Very good film, unpredictable, fast-paced, high-stakes with a sensibly written plot. The biggest flaw of this movie is Tarantino's directing, it's over the top, you either love it or hate it, I thought the use of rap tracks, jarring close-ups, and lightning-fast cuts did cheapen things. Exploding gore and dual-wielding was corny and obnoxious however, it's not enough to tank the movie. I do wish we learned why Django was a natural at uncommon skills like horseback riding, speaking, and shooting for a slave, but it's fine unanswered. Solid overall. - DirectorJon WattsStarsTom HollandZendayaBenedict CumberbatchWith Spider-Man's identity now revealed, Peter asks Doctor Strange for help. When a spell goes wrong, dangerous foes from other worlds start to appear, forcing Peter to discover what it truly means to be Spider-Man.Rating: 8.2
This was the spiderman to end all spider men. Looked incredible, and was as sensibly written as you can get when it comes to multiverse media. The stakes were high aunt may dies , the pacing was fast, the humor wasn't forced, the callbacks to prior spiderman films were clean, and most of all the ending wasn't a copout everyone forgot peter parker; a fitting consequence to peter trying to "have it all". I didn't like how Strange caved to peters requests when he first cast the spell then blamed peter for the fallout when he could've just not added the extra parameters. But the plot needed that catalyst to start the drama. The dialogue between the spidermen was everything you could've hoped for. Excellent watch. - DirectorMatt ReevesStarsRobert PattinsonZoë KravitzJeffrey WrightWhen a sadistic serial killer begins murdering key political figures in Gotham, Batman is forced to investigate the city's hidden corruption and question his family's involvement.Rating: 7.0
Grittiest batman we've gotten to date. Patterson nailed batman's character, Bruce Wayne not so much but it was more about vengeful batman anyways. The cinematography was top tier and the soundtrack was Spotify level. There were high stakes the riddler flooded the city and basically won , and unexpected revelations Catwoman being Falcone's daughter, riddler seemingly knowing batman was Bruce Wayne (this was a fake-out he didn't). etc.. However the movie did drag on and got repetitive: Batman finds some clues, figures it out faster than you can even process, rough's some people up, then riddler kills again, rinse repeat. And had some ridiculous action sequences: every time batman rolls up on someone at a walking pace they don't even try to shoot for his head, the chase scene where batman goes full throttle into a tanker but the ramp from the tanker conveniently, opens right before he is about to slam into it (what was he even trying to do? The ramp was still up when he hit the gas?), batman coming out scratchless after getting blown up at point-blank range (no internal bleeding, no bloody face, nothing), etc. Though Catwoman was always seductive, the romance was tacked on and wasn't needed in the movie. Lastly, there was a big plot hole, in that the Riddler's main goal was to expose the scum of Gotham but he decides to flood the city for no reason other than the writers needed to make a distinction between the villain and batman because they were the same up until that point (this contradicts the riddlers character). Overall this is a fine movie but I couldn't help but feel a little bored during the runtime. - DirectorMasato JinbôStarsYoshitsugu MatsuokaKana HanazawaAyana TaketatsuTeenage Tutor Fuutaro Uesugi has to finally choose between the 5 Nakano Sisters, who all have feelings for him, at the School's Upcoming Cultural Festival; the event that will lead to his Wedding to one of them in a Flash-Forward.Rating: 4.0
It was a step down from the first two seasons and the ending was disjointed from the previous two seasons. The rationale for Yotsuba winning wasn't strong enough to nullify the two seasons of development from the other quints (besides Itsuki). Arguing that since Yotsuba was Rena, and the most selfless, and foreshadowed from the beginning doesn't excuse her lack of character or development. The final half had bloated plot points like the biological father arc which was only present so Itsuki could relate her resolve to become a teacher back to Futaro so she could get her "kiss scene", she should've just stayed neutral in the love square since she was never a major player in the plot or romance. The proof of this is in Yotsuba's and Futaro's awkward first date, there was no chemistry between them even up to their honeymoon where ridiculously all the quints join them. Why even marry her when you guys can't even share one panel kissing each other. It seems the author tried to please everyone and nobody simultaneously, I would've even preferred a polygamy ending over this. - DirectorJeff FowlerStarsJames MarsdenJim CarreyBen SchwartzWhen the manic Dr. Robotnik returns to Earth with a new ally, Knuckles the Echidna, Sonic and his new friend Tails is all that stands in their way.Rating: 6.9
A fun watch, the action was clean, the callbacks to the games were lockstep with existing lore sonic using breathing bubbles, project shadow, master emerald controlling all chaos emeralds, tails admiring sonic because of his heroism, knuckles teaming up with Eggman like sonic 3, icecap zone (Siberia) like in sonic 3, death egg robot, GUN, etc.. they knew exactly what the source material was and it showed. Sonic's development was clear and coherent and the themes around the power of friendship, what it means to be a responsible hero, and how the main trio eventually became a unit were cliche but straightforward. There was a lot of nonsense in this though like sonic wasting supposedly finite rings for tom's vacation, the whole operation catfish (they could have just gone to toms house to find sonic), Robotnic just letting himself be hit by knuckles in the death egg robot he literally could have wiped them out instantly, tails knowing about knuckles hunting sonic, how could he even know that. etc. The humor was cringe but this is probably the best a video game movie is going to get at the moment. - DirectorTetsurô ArakiStarsJun ShisonRiria BabaMamoru MiyanoAfter bubbles that broke the laws of gravity rained down upon the world. Cut off from the outside world, Tokyo has become a playground for a group of young people who have lost their families.Rating: 4.0
Incredible looking poorly written retelling of the little mermaid. Nothing really makes sense when you think about it like these bubbles somehow cause gravity wells which somehow don't consume the entire city, we don't know what the bubbles even are, mermaids? aliens? or why they even show up just to continue the theme of destruction and reconstruction? Hibiki's hearing condition, autism, or whatever is cured by the power of Uta's singing and love? The entire ending sequence somehow pacifies the bubbles when in reality they should be even more pissed because Uta is ditching her sister's AGAIN which is the very reason they started popping off. Hibiki drowned twice in this but somehow survives. Why Uta dissolves touching Hibiki but not other humans etc. It's best to just not think about this and enjoy the presentation. - DirectorJames MangoldStarsHugh JackmanPatrick StewartDafne KeenIn a future where mutants are nearly extinct, an elderly and weary Logan leads a quiet life. But when Laura, a mutant child pursued by scientists, comes to him for help, he must get her to safety.Rating: 7.9
Solid, abnormal superhero film that's unpredictable with high stakes considering everybody dies besides Laura and her friends . There were some minor conveniences like Gabriela recording the evidence on her phone which was somehow unlocked allowing Logan to learn the info about laura he needed. Laura driving seemingly the entire latter half of a 2 day trip to Eden. Laura not being there just when Gabriela got canned when she usually keeps a constant watch on her because she's a mutant (possible professor meddling mind there). The father-daughter dynamic was nice and Logan went out like the hero everyone believed him to be. - DirectorDaniel KwanDaniel ScheinertStarsMichelle YeohStephanie HsuJamie Lee CurtisA middle-aged Chinese immigrant is swept up into an insane adventure in which she alone can save existence by exploring other universes and connecting with the lives she could have led.Rating: 7.8
Multiverse movie about nihilism vs optimism. The presentation was creative and clean (for the most part) and the multiverse system was consistent and well explained. The premise itself is refreshing and the themes around generational trauma, and the choice we have to choose what matters when nothing matters were cohesive. Personally, the absurdist humor was obnoxious, as well as the action sequences fanny pack kung fu, pinky kung fu, etc.. though it was nice to see the Bruce lee standing punch. It makes no sense how Evelyn was able to take a beating throughout the film even with multiversal fighting skills she's still an older lady who shouldn't even be remotely able to take a punch unscathed. but this movie isn't taking itself too seriously. - DirectorDavid FincherStarsMorgan FreemanBrad PittKevin SpaceyTwo detectives, a rookie and a veteran, hunt a serial killer who uses the seven deadly sins as his motives.Rating: 8.1
A movie about a man who exposes the world for condoning the seven deadly sins. The presentation was clean, everything was well explained, and the ending was thematically exceptional. That car ride to the field was extremely tense. The only con was how john doe thrust the sin of sloth on victor the drug dealer who had nothing to do with sloth, and greed on a man doing his job. Gould is a defense attorney he's going to represent bad people. People argue whether it was John's goal to kill people embodying the sins but john's monologue at the end about bringing to light the seven deadly sins ignored by the world dispels this. It's still a muddy plot point. - DirectorLuc BessonStarsJean RenoGary OldmanNatalie Portman12-year-old Mathilda is reluctantly taken in by Léon, a professional assassin, after her family is murdered. An unusual relationship forms as she becomes his protégée and learns the assassin's trade.Rating: 6.8
The themes they were trying to convey about love, and maturity Matilda was a child forced to grow up, and Leon an adult who never truly "matured" they helped each other was completely drowned out by the overwhelming creepiness between the relationship of a grown man and 12-year-old girl. Natalie Portman was grossly sexualized in this, we had scenes of her wearing lingerie, calling Leon her lover, telling Leon she's in love with him, and waking up in the same bed as Leon which is shot like you're typical "morning after" scene. While Leon never advances on her confused romantic love, it shouldn't even be in here as it adulterates their supposed father-daughter relationship. Some of the action sequences were ridiculous: ex Leon getting blown up and then changing into an officer's uniform in less than 10 seconds. And the villain was just a one-note psychopath for no reason why was he eating those pills? How did this man become a drug enforcer? Why is he so unhinged? It turns out the writer was dating a 15 yr old girl at 29 years old during this and it just shows through his work. - DirectorSidney LumetStarsHenry FondaLee J. CobbMartin BalsamThe jury in a New York City murder trial is frustrated by a single member whose skeptical caution forces them to more carefully consider the evidence before jumping to a hasty verdict.Rating: 8.3
A dialogue-driven realistic character study that reminds you not to take things at face value. How each small revelation from the knife reveal to the subtle reveal that the woman could not have seen the killing because she wasn't wearing her glasses that night because one juror had imprints on his nose bridge that another juror noticed the woman had was masterfully done. It all made sense, and it exposes the viewer for not considering all possibilities as the movie progresses. There were nice metaphors such as the rain representing the temperament of the men and the MC (juror 8) wasn't some white knight messiah complex MC whose altruism was obnoxious, he was just a man who wanted to consider all the possibilities before judging someone. We got to the not guilty not because the plot needed it to happen but because it made sense. Solid, intelligent, and probably should be a mandatory watch for all law students. - DirectorPeter JacksonStarsElijah WoodIan McKellenOrlando BloomA meek Hobbit from the Shire and eight companions set out on a journey to destroy the powerful One Ring and save Middle-earth from the Dark Lord Sauron.Rating: 8.0
Watched the extended version at 2 am with no subtitles so some of the dialogue went over my head. This is solid and engaging the almost 4-hour runtime. I didn't understand some points like, Gandalf sending an untrained sam and Frodo away from Hobbiton with Saurons ring, why the elves didn't send more people like Arwen into the fellowship when they could be facing armies on their journey, why Gandalf didn't know what saurons ring was the whole time he knew bilbo etc. It's following the heroes journey structure but some deaths like Boromir's did catch me off guard. Will rewatch this to give a more proper review. - DirectorPeter JacksonStarsElijah WoodIan McKellenViggo MortensenWhile Frodo and Sam edge closer to Mordor with the help of the shifty Gollum, the divided fellowship makes a stand against Sauron's new ally, Saruman, and his hordes of Isengard.Rating: 7.2
Fine sequel though not as strong as the first one. The ring continues to erode at Frodo and we get more worldbuilding with the introduction of the capital of Rohan and the Ents. Smeagol's split personality was interesting and we learned more about Aragorn namely that he's 80+ years old . Gandalf's resurrection made no sense and cheapened the impact of his death, and the Ent dialogue slowed the pacing a little too much. The power of hope still continues to be the prevalent theme and the battle at helms deep was mostly good there were some ridiculous moments like Gimli being thrown and somehow bowling over hoards of Uruk hai, horses running through Uruk hai pikes (horses never run through stakes in medieval warfare though this is a nit pic) , etc. Overall the events in this film weren't as impactful as its prequel. - DirectorPeter JacksonStarsElijah WoodViggo MortensenIan McKellenGandalf and Aragorn lead the World of Men against Sauron's army to draw his gaze from Frodo and Sam as they approach Mount Doom with the One Ring.Rating: 7.6
Fine overall though there were some plot points I felt were poorly done like Gandalf's resurrection was never clearly explained (was explained in Tolkiens letters), Éowyn pursuing Aragorn when she knew he had Aowen, then immediately rebounding to Faramir someone she just met. Aowen somehow receiving a partial vision of her sons existence, Saurons eye seeing Frodo and the ring yet doing nothing, the orcs killing themselves so that sam could climb the tower with little resistance to save Frodo. Sam being skillful enough (with no training) to take down the spider and multiple orcs etc. Other than that it was a decently-paced epic with a solid ending. It did have some twists like Smeagol NOT having a redemption arc, and Frodo relapsing when he reached Mordor.The trilogy as a whole really just boiled down to the power of hope and could be very slow in places like the ent scenes. It's well done overall but it just didn't resonate with me all that much. Frodo is a naive vessel for the ring, Gandalf seems to generate abilities and respawn whenever the plot needs him to, and the villain is never seen he just wants world domination. The English can be a bit lofty but this is probably done intentionally due to the literature's age. - DirectorRyan CooglerStarsLetitia WrightLupita Nyong'oDanai GuriraThe people of Wakanda fight to protect their home from intervening world powers as they mourn the death of King T'Challa.Rating: 6.9
Not horrible but not better than the first one. Nonsensical plot points, contradictory character motivations, and a diluted angsty Tchalla as the new black panther hold this movie back. Namor's motivations and actions were completely idiotic: hey Shuri have Wakanda join us against the outside world... or die. It's not like we could just defend the undersea Vibranium ourselves since we have as many soldiers as "blades of grass", we'll take casualties waging war on Wakanda, then somehow wage war on the entire world afterward! Also why would Namor think killing ironheart would stop the production of Vibranium detectors, that machine would have already been documented by the US government so killing the maker isn't going to stop these machines from being mass produced. The more you think about this the more issues you'll find like: nobody guarding the queen during the invasion, Wakanda reneging on trade agreements that were the primary theme of the first movie, Nakia instantly figuring out where Shuri was captured because of a hunch, Shuri getting mad at the outside world because tchalla died like they had anything to do with tchalla's death (they were trying to take vibranium by force though), Okoye swatting literal bullets with a spear, etc.. The tribute to Boseman was great, but without Boseman, the movie is lacking potent characters (except Namor but his plan stupid) and a sensible plot. - DirectorRidley ScottStarsRussell CroweJoaquin PhoenixConnie NielsenA former Roman General sets out to exact vengeance against the corrupt emperor who murdered his family and sent him into slavery.Rating: 8.0
Solid with a tragic ending. The themes around what it means to be a true leader, the mob mentality, and to fight with a purpose were clear and consistent. It was highly engaging due to a lot of unexpected brutalities: maximus's son and wife were crucified, Marcelius being killed, etc.. Maximus's character was realistic as he wasn't just a holier than though MC to counteract Commodus's being corrupt, he showed his righteousness through believable action and suffered a lot doing so. There is a big plothole regarding Lucius knowing the coup plan leading to its eventual failure. But this doesn't detract from the entire film. - DirectorFernando MeirellesKátia LundStarsAlexandre RodriguesLeandro FirminoMatheus NachtergaeleIn the slums of Rio, two kids' paths diverge as one struggles to become a photographer and the other a kingpin.Rating: 7.7
A smoothly edited realistic movie about the effects of extreme poverty on a populace. The characters were the highlight of this since they were based on real events and hence were written like real people. Even "villains" like Lil Z were complex and nuanced as the movie displayed the origins of his insecurity and his inherent psychopathic nature due to his upbringing. He wasn't just bad for the sake of being bad. The themes around the cycle of violence were consistent and there were well-placed callbacks and parallels such as both Lil Z and Knockout Ned breaking their vows (Lil Z raped someone with the amulet and subsequently died, Knockout-Ned killed an innocent man leading to his son revenge killing him). Some moments like Benny's death were predictable and some characters like Angelica were a waste of screentime. The movie didn't blow me away personally but it was well-made with a solid ending. - DirectorFrank DarabontStarsThomas JaneMarcia Gay HardenLaurie HoldenA freak storm unleashes a species of bloodthirsty creatures on a small town, where a small band of citizens hole up in a supermarket and fight for their lives.Rating: 7.0
This is known for its absolutely haunted ending. Overall it was a typical horror flick with characters acting moronic because the plot needed them to ex Brent Norton an ace attorney not even considering the alternate possibility that the mist is deadly when people literally died outside. The presentation felt budget as the CGI was rough and there were some notable conveniences like the pistol still having 4 bullets when they ran out of bullets at the pharmacy. but it's an entertaining suspenseful watch. - DirectorBarry SonnenfeldStarsTommy Lee JonesWill SmithLinda FiorentinoJames, an NYC cop, is hired by Agent K of a secret government agency that monitors extraterrestrial life on Earth. Together, they must recover an item that has been stolen by an intergalactic villain.Rating: 7.0
Fine overall it was a typical cat and mouse chase. There was some nice foreshadowing like Kay wiping his mentor's memory alluding to his mentee wiping his own memory in the end, and it was well written how the Men in black operate and came to be. Other than that there's nothing poignant or noteworthy about this. - DirectorStanley KubrickStarsMalcolm McDowellPatrick MageeMichael BatesIn the future, a sadistic gang leader is imprisoned and volunteers for a conduct-aversion experiment, but it doesn't go as planned.Rating: 7.5
What makes a man truly good? This movie was peak degeneracy in the first half borderline torture porn in the second. There were good callbacks that kept you engaged like Alexander running into Dim and Georgie now as cops post-treatment, Alexander running into Mr. Alexander where it was ambiguous whether he recognized him or not until he sang in the bathtub, etc. The themes around is someone truly righteous if they can't choose to not be and the musical motif around Beethovens 9th symphony was purposely placed and consistent. The dialogue can be lofty, and the film was too disgusting in places (ex deltoid spitting in Alex's face). Also, the initial prison scenes were slow but it was thoughtfully made and artistically unique. - DirectorJames CameronStarsArnold SchwarzeneggerLinda HamiltonMichael BiehnA human soldier is sent from 2029 to 1984 to stop an almost indestructible cyborg killing machine, sent from the same year, which has been programmed to execute a young woman whose unborn son is the key to humanity's future salvation.Rating: 7.8
A tightly written time travel plot for the most part. The time travel is deterministic allowing for the paradoxes near the end despite what Kyle says about the timeline not being set in stone. The origins of the narrative were explained well and everything came full circle by the end of it. The characters are simplistic and the romance though realistic felt forced. The action sequences looked cheap making them unengaging (I know its old but still) and it didn't make sense how Sarah knew which button to press or even how to operate the hydraulic press to kill the terminator in the end. It seems a lot of time travel plots were inspired by this one but this is a fine movie overall. - DirectorJames CameronStarsArnold SchwarzeneggerLinda HamiltonEdward FurlongA cyborg, identical to the one who failed to kill Sarah Connor, must now protect her ten year old son John from an even more advanced and powerful cyborg.Rating: 7.9
A cleaner looking more nuanced faster-paced Terminator. There were multiple subversion like Arnie being a "good terminator" this time, T1000 not dying from being frozen to pieces, etc, that kept you engaged as you didn't know what to expect. There were well-placed callbacks like John hacking an atm alluding to the fact that he will hack a terminator in the future, and that he would be able to use the same technique at Cyberdyne headquarters to capture the arm, and Sarah Connors character development was well done. The issue preventing this from being truly great is the time travel, it's been debated for decades and there is no consensus on whether or not everything is deterministic allowing for the causal loop in T1 to make sense, or non-casual which would match up with the themes of characters being able to change the future, or non-casual with multiple timelines to explain the paradoxes caused by the chip left from the events of T1 leading to Skynets creation, but the events of T2 destroyed this which means no Judgement day, but that's not possible because Skynet had to be created to start the events of T1 and T2, but that's not possible because James Cameron said this isn't a multiverse time travel film but T3 backtracks on this apparently and just says Judgment day was delayed... It's best not to think about this as there is no canonical explanation that makes it all make sense themes and all. - DirectorJonathan DemmeStarsJodie FosterAnthony HopkinsScott GlennA young F.B.I. cadet must receive the help of an incarcerated and manipulative cannibal killer to help catch another serial killer, a madman who skins his victims.Rating: 7.8
Fine movie with a poignant and dark ending. The presentation was fine, there was a big emphasis on the eyes of men and how they see Clarice as a woman. The metaphors and motifs around lambs = innocents, Clarice taking up an FBI job to silence the death of innocents. Moths representing the transformation of Bill who wants to be a woman. were well placed. Some things didn't make sense such as how Hannibal got that pen to escape, Hannibal's fascination with Clarice was never explained or even implied (though Hannibal's character is apparently explained outside the movie to cover this issue). It got slow in places and I didn't find Clarice's character interesting she was a little too perceptive like being able to brute-force a specific phrase from an anagram twice. There are millions of phrases an anagram could form it's just ridiculous. The ending was an ironic equivalent exchange Hannibal helped kill Bill but as a result Clarice indirectly helped free Hannibal Very good can't call it great. - DirectorDaniel EspinosaStarsJared LetoMatt SmithAdria ArjonaBiochemist Michael Morbius tries to cure himself of a rare blood disease, but he inadvertently infects himself with a form of vampirism instead.Rating: 5.0
It's not godawful it's just very generic and can be predictable. The characters are 2-D at best Milo was just an ex-runt drunk on power, Bancroft the assistant lover, etc. The presentation was actually pretty good though there was too much slow-mo. The premise is stupid bat blood somehow changing DNA to cure whatever mystery ailment plagued milo and morbius and there were some plotholes like Bancroft surviving despite being killed by Morbius (yeah she had a drop of his blood but it shouldn't matter cause he sucked her dry, Morbius not killing himself like he promised and continuing to be a threat to society etc.. The end credits are terrible but overall a forgettable movie. - DirectorJames CameronStarsSam WorthingtonZoe SaldanaSigourney WeaverJake Sully lives with his newfound family formed on the extrasolar moon Pandora. Once a familiar threat returns to finish what was previously started, Jake must work with Neytiri and the army of the Na'vi race to protect their home.Rating: 7.0
Jake and Neytiri learn the hardships of parenthood, and their children learn the hardships of tribalism firsthand. The presentation was groundbreaking like the original and it was nice to see Quaritch back as a more calm and collected villain with some nuance now that his son is in the mix. Other than that this movie really isn't anything great, lots of plot conveniences Payakan saving Lo'ak's life for no reason, Kiri's unexplainable "jellybending" ability to save her mom in the ship, etc.. The Navi seem to forget that there are Gill mantles that allow them to breathe underwater and never take them on raids or anything just in case someone drowns. Can't count how many times Navi like Jake and Quaritch drown but are then perfectly fine when brought to the surface. It also doesn't make sense how or why Jake requested human help to save Kiri after her seizure when those guys were all the way in the forest did he just do a round trip? How did they even get here so fast? Did he forget he's being tracked? (this ended up leading Quaritch to him). Kiri's father may be an interesting plot thread in the sequels but it might've just been a virgin birth from Eywa explaining her connection to everything. - DirectorDavid FincherStarsBrad PittEdward NortonMeat LoafAn insomniac office worker and a devil-may-care soap maker form an underground fight club that evolves into much more.Rating: 8.0
This movie is not about fighting. It was a gritty detail-oriented film about escapism from the consumerist mindset and facing your problems head on. The twist about Tyler being the narrator was insane even though it broke some scenes like anytime Tyler and the narrator are doing two distinct things at the same time (Tyler having sex while narrator is shutting off the power, Tyler dragging himself near the end of the movie clearly seen on camera that's impossible).. You have to suspend you're disbelief a bit but overall it was well done and conveyed it's messages clearly. It didn't make sense why tyler would have the boys cut his own balls off but that never actually happened so it doesn't matter. - DirectorSergio LeoneStarsClint EastwoodEli WallachLee Van CleefA bounty hunting scam joins two men in an uneasy alliance against a third in a race to find a fortune in gold buried in a remote cemetery.Rating: 6.9
Honestly was bored to tears with this. It's presented well, the characters motives are nuanced and well-executed, and the final duel was suspenseful. Everything else just felt like it dragged on more than it needed to. Blondie and Tuco have plot armor Walking out in broad daylight casually sniping angel eyes men, blondie conveniently not dying from a bomb blast that set him free from being hung by Tuco etc. There were some contrivances like how did Angel eyes become a Seargent in the union army perfectly timed to run into blondie and Tuco. The bridge scene was unnecessarily long it was only present to show the contrast between Blondie and Tuco's morals, and the ending. How did Tuco not feel that his gun was empty he was supposed to be an exceptional gunslinger. It's true everyone is morally grey besides Angel eyes but that distinction from traditional westerns is not enough to make this film more engaging. - DirectorJohn G. AvildsenStarsSylvester StalloneTalia ShireBurt YoungA small-time Philadelphia boxer gets a supremely rare chance to fight the world heavyweight champion in a bout in which he strives to go the distance for his self-respect.Rating: 6.9
It's not bad but not good either. Yeah, the training montage is iconic, yeah thematically it was great that he didn't win and just proved to everyone that he isn't truly a bum like he said he would. Yeah anyone can rise from something is an inspirational central message but nothing really stood out about this story-wise. The romance subplot took a decent amount of screentime and didn't really add anything to the main storyline, the ending love confession was cheesy in my opinion and I get that rocky and Paulie were friends but why would you help the guy who admitted to only using his sister to get a piece of the fame pie , and constantly hounded you for a job despite firmly turning him down? Overall passable but not anything truly great. - DirectorSylvester StalloneStarsSylvester StalloneTalia ShireBurt YoungRocky struggles in family life after his bout with Apollo Creed, while the embarrassed champ insistently goads him to accept a challenge for a rematch.Rating: 7.0
Better than Rocky I. We got a mini character study on Rocky in the first half where he realistically suffers from the poor mans mindset despite the riches. Seeing Rocky try to be more than a fighter/bum then failing miserably due to his lack of education was a nice touch to a typically uplifting movie. Paulie was a much more likeable character in this one; actually helping Rocky for once not just leeching off of him. Lastly, the final fight was entertaining but flawed as no man would ever be standing after taking multiple haymakers from a world champ for 10+ rounds. Rocky's left eye was also fading so it doesn't make sense how he's wasn't blind after this fight even after not fighting southpaw. He won because he needed too not because it completely made sense. - DirectorSylvester StalloneStarsSylvester StalloneTalia ShireBurt YoungRocky faces the ultimate challenge from a powerful new contender, and must turn to a former rival to help regain his throne as the undisputed fighting champion.Rating: 6.4
Rocky hits his lowest point here as he is actually mentally defeated after the death of his mentor Seeing Rocky work with Creed to get back in shape was the highlight of this film. This is the most chaotic fast-paced and entertaining Rocky installment with the addition of Mr. T. However this Rocky had major missteps. Paulie continues to be a nuisance and his character serves nothing not even comedy relief to the plot he was even racist towards Creeds men calling them colored boxers, and jungle music. Mr. T was a ridiculous villain, he called Rocky out on dodging his fights (fair) but the guy needs a hit of estrogen, calling out his Adrian for no reason, constantly starting fights before the fight, constant yelling, he lost all nuance when he became a one-dimensional animal only capable of violence and shit-talking. The Hulk Hogan stuff was ridiculous how did Hulk not get arrested after actually attacking everyone? Finally Mr. T was defeated the same way Rocky defeats everyone taking an inhuman amount of haymakers until the opponent gets psyched out and loses. Did everyone forget Rocky has a bad left eye and should be blind by this point? - DirectorSylvester StalloneStarsSylvester StalloneTalia ShireBurt YoungRocky Balboa proudly holds the world heavyweight boxing championship, but a new challenger has stepped forward: Drago, a six-foot-four, 261-pound fighter who has the backing of the Soviet Union.Rating: 5.9
Besides Creed's death nothing here was either well done or unique. The theme of once a fighter always a fighter from Rocky I were resurrected and new themes like science vs nature, and anyone is capable of change are added to the mix (though poorly done they tried to tie in soviet union politics with Rocky liking a hostile crowd... really?). Paulie admits he's a terrible person which was great and Rocky once again wins by willpower alone psyching out his undefeated opponent just like in all the prior Rocky's. Creed's character development took a dive as he literally learned nothing and made the same prideful mistake he made in Rocky I leading to his death. Repetitive movie with another ridiculous Rocky W. - DirectorJohn G. AvildsenStarsSylvester StalloneTalia ShireBurt YoungReluctantly retired from fighting, Rocky takes charge of Mickey's gym and agrees to train a young protégé who's hungry for success.Rating: 5.0
It's just way too overdone with the melodrama. It started out promising with Rocky once again losing it all going back to his roots and taking up the mantle as a mentor. Then we finally see the consequences of Rocky getting beat up in every movie as he is confirmed to have permanent brain damage.Then it just explodes with cheesy melodrama and a completely ridiculous final fight that had no thematic potency due to the dullness of Tommy Guns' character. How can Tommy Gun go from idolizing a man who clearly was never in it for money (he even admits he wasn't getting any money fighting for Rocky), to accusing Rocky of training him for money? That's just one contrivance to make Tommy a one-note greedy villain caught up in Duke's money machine. There were other issues like Rocky's son turning into an ear-pierced edgelord due to neglect only to be completely neutered by a 2-minute conversation from Rocky. There was no subtlety to this sub-plot, his son went from a rich boy acclimating to his surroundings to a gangster who smokes in only a couple of scenes. This movie's problem is that it's too black-in-white with its characters and it keeps rehashing the same formula and themes Rocky never quits. - DirectorSylvester StalloneStarsSylvester StalloneAntonio TarverMilo VentimigliaThirty years after the ring of the first bell, Rocky Balboa comes out of retirement and dons his gloves for his final fight against the reigning heavyweight champ Mason 'The Line' Dixon.Rating: 7.1
A satisfying conclusion to Rocky's character. This is very similar to the first film with Rocky proving he can go the distance and picks up on themes from the fourth movie (once a fighter always a fighter). The life trauma in this one is shockingly Adrian's death and most of the movie is Rocky is fighting to move on from the past. His son finally stopped caring about being in his fathers shadow. and Paulie is as hateable as ever. I don't know why we didn't get any Creed flashbacks since Rocky was essentially doing what got Creed killed in Rocky IV but that's a nitpick. - DirectorJoel CrawfordJanuel MercadoStarsAntonio BanderasSalma HayekHarvey GuillénWhen Puss in Boots discovers that his passion for adventure has taken its toll and he has burned through eight of his nine lives, he launches an epic journey to restore them by finding the mythical Last Wish.Rating: 7.4
A fun beautifully animated film about what really makes a life worth living. The way they illustrated the fear of death in Puss whenever Lobo showed up was masterfully done. Everyone's characters and outlooks on life seamlessly connected to each other whether it was softpaws cynicism to Perro's optimism or Jack Horners sociopathy to Goldilocks empathy it sends an an positive message to children without being preachy or cringe. The concept of puss losing 8 lives because of the myth that cats have 9 lives was an interesting and creative premise. The ending was a bit sappy, some of the comedy was heavy-handed, and it was predictable in places but this is a good short watch. - DirectorJaume Collet-SerraStarsDwayne JohnsonAldis HodgePierce BrosnanNearly 5,000 years after he was bestowed with the almighty powers of the Egyptian gods--and imprisoned just as quickly--Black Adam is freed from his earthly tomb, ready to unleash his unique form of justice on the modern world.Rating: 4.0
Interesting ideas decent effects but poor narrative execution. Finally, a "hero" who doesn't care about killing people and has a good reason for his mindset his son a true hero died to save him making him feel unworthy of the legend that precipitated as he continues through his path of anger and mourning. The inversion of the motif life is the only path to death being used as the literal way the antagonist gains his powers was clever and the presentation was decent for the most part. The problem is the weak side characters Adrianna is one-dimensional (only about her son), her son is a MacGuffin in the second half, atom smasher is bland comedy relief, etc. There were nonsensical action scenes ex: Black Adam fighting guards with a literal tube down his throat when the guards can just shoot him. Black adam going to save Adriana's son then abandoning him at his house to fight enemies when he literally could've just taken him when he found him preventing his kidnapping. Also, adam drowning then somehow rising to the surface so he could say shazam. And preachy dialogue all of Adrianna's monologues about teamwork and oppression were cringe and forced. Same with her son. It just felt like fanfiction in areas from the action to the dialogue to the worldbuilding eternium? Seriously. - DirectorMichael B. JordanStarsMichael B. JordanTessa ThompsonJonathan MajorsAdonis has been thriving in both his career and family life, but when a childhood friend and former boxing prodigy resurfaces, the face-off is more than just a fight.Rating: 7.0
Similar to Rocky V but with a more interesting antagonist. The fights were fine for the most part and the training montage was a bit cheesy with all that "roaring" (this was in the fights too). It was predictable since it's following the Rocky formula and there were some nonsensical's like Dame getting his boi in the party when only Dame was invited. If Dame let him in then Creed would have no doubt dame set up the attack on Drago it wouldn't need to be revealed by his mother. Dame assaulting creed when creed confronted him at the party, That whole sequence with Stephen A allowing Dame to call him mid-air etc. The side characters are weak but the personal conflict between Dame and Creed make up for it. Fine overall.