Reviews

Incredible what this animation team were able to fit in one 30 min episode about a team of genetic outsiders. Not just retro style but bringing more subtleties of expression and emotional depth. Action without losing exploration of character and bonds in such an economy of space. There were allusions to so many storylines as well as foreshadowing of many more. Amazed how they were also able to show visually not just tell with words the complexity of the relational history between members as well as deep concepts of human relations (timely to even current events). This is the best of what has made the x-men story shine over generations.

I don't understand the low ratings. But then again maybe I do. Some Marvel fans have gotten used to a certain kind of formula, but to be honest I am ready for some maturing and alternative perspectives on a Marvel UNIVERSE. This is a timely work, where people are at war, each with their own reason. But mostly to fight for a placed called home. No one group's hands are clean. This series more than any felt the most human...where we see a man broken by fighting and trying his best to take responsibility for the collateral damage done. And as a side note, Ben Mendelsohn's acting is a revelation, as an alien who seems to have the best of humanity.

Yes, theres some action but it's a slow burn. Like a Sergio Leone film it has the close ups and quiet before the quick flashes of violence. But what sticks with me the most was it's unique way of capturing a story of star-crossed love and longing without being cliche in the midst of a harsh backdrop of the stealing and sunset of entire native cultures. The two main characters are magnetic in their mystery, resonant in their slow reveals, and beautiful in their bravery. They have their flaws, one too hard and the other too naive, but they soon grow through each other. Neither of them are the savior but they find mutual respect and unexpected kinship with each other on their lonely journeys.

I stumbled upon this show on my kid's channel and I soon found myself pleading with my kids to watch it together! 🤣 Of course there's the stunning Meso American design envisioned by Jorge Gutierrez but by the 2nd of 9 episodes i knew it was an entirely different kind of animation - tragic backstories of outcasts, important characters that die, and emotional moments that are given space to land that I found myself tearing up multiple times. The story considers power from not only individuals, or even families, but communities.

This film doesn't fit neatly into any genre so if you're expecting a typical super-hero film or a horror film, you'll be disappointed because it is neither. Of course more development is always nice but the "in media res" nature of the plot gives the story an economy of a short story. However, if you can just let this be a film about young people working through their own personal demons with the help of one another it may just have something to teach you.

I stumbled upon this Japanese drama series and it went above and beyond anything I expected. Almost every episode had me bawling. Matsushima Nanako did an incredible job playing Mita, a housekeeper with her own personal past of pain, who effects such powerful impact on each member of the family while barely expressing any emotion.

As many have probably already said not the best singing from the principle actors but great acting (especially anne hathaway's heart-wrenching rendition of "i dreamed a dream"). In fact my wife and i commented that the movie helped us understand the play a little better (but of course the book is better).

Fascinating adaptation using the metaphor of a play on stage, full of meditations and symbolism on adultery and societal norms. Warning though: anna karenina becomes pretty unlikeable by the end of this film.

An intense (true story) retelling of a family trying to find their bearings immediately after they are hit by the 2004 tsunami. Powerful and viscerally really sweeps you in to the journey of a family trying to find each other.

A great, fun, and sweeeet movie (and not just because a lot of it happens to take place in a candy land arcade game) with a lucid message about finding meaning with what you do.

Keeps up a tense tempo and puts you into the historical event in such a way that you feel both the real fear of the hostages but also the genuine anger of the iranians. Ben affleck is becoming pretty impressive as a director.

An entertaining look into the world of hitchcock that is a largely a homage to the great woman behind the man. However, anthony hopkin's portrayal of hitch seemed too much of a caricature and the film often felt a little heavy-handed in that regard. It did make me want to see psycho again though.

A breathtakingly beautiful yet sad film. If you pay attention carefully it is also a critique of our fascination with entertainment.

Of course, better than wolverine origins but not quite at the level of singer x-men, the film was entertaining, brooding, and surprisingly just a little haunting. Scenes with the wolverine taking on yakuza on a bullet train as well as ninjas on a snowy night are fun but the film shines the most when logan is emotionally vulnerable...and when it plays out the person of yukio (rila fukushima), a supporting role but probably one of the most interesting characters in the film.

A surprisingly good movie. Of course its got the comedy but it has lots of poignant moments and brilliant social commentary. Indeed, wright & pegg are the few in the bizz who could pull off the seemingly disparate "three flavors" of humor, action, and heart so well.

This film is simultaneously awkward, beautiful, heartrending, and profound - paradoxically making powerful commentary about human relationships through artificial intelligence - all without being pretentious.

All the edge and gritty style, that Urban has come to inhabit. But it does feel like it copied from The Raid that predated it.

For (mostly) better or worse this sequel is quite different from the first avenger. Better: the plot is much more sophisticated with the feel of a spy thriller and a villain on the ground presenting an almost compelling contemporary case (especially with the controversial power of the cia these days). Worse: the lack of a strong emotional center in the cap that the first film had.

Although "pacific rim" took away some of its thunder (what maybe a lot of viewers were expecting) it had enough geek out moments. Still this take is much more true to the spirit of the godzilla films then past attempts (esp. Pointing to the dangers/horrors of nuclear power that has so deeply affected the psyche of the japanese people). Indeed this is not so much a loud bang em up film as it is a film that captures the awe of a terrible nature beyond our understanding or control.

Of course it's fun and funny. But what makes this film standout is that it's protagonist heroes are an odd group of criminals that shine most brilliantly when they reveal their emotional pain, making this the ultimate underdog story.

The film may have wanted to say more than it could make stick but it provided fun full on fantasy fight scenes, an interesting introduction to new characters (a couple of my favorites), and most of all in a more compelling villain (compared to the first) who makes us consider who are the real monsters we want to save this world from and if this is something we can even do ourselves.

This film puts the art back into martial arts: respect for the forms, musings on life, and AMAZING cinematography. Wouldn't expect any less from the master wong kar wai.

This is literally the most beautiful film in the series. The tight shots and cinematography leave the audience with iconic, wondrous, and haunting images that stay emblazoned in one's mind. Yes, the protagonist seems a little too perfect, some of the lines are heavy handed, and some exposition of new characters seemed wanting, but the movie delivers with fast-paced movement and taps into an uncanny feeling of nostalgia for something you've never seen before by showing respect for the original films while inverting characters in new ways.

Great cast, great soundtrack, and great rhyming dialogue with style, bite, and thought. Spike lee returning to form, engaging with race relations and a slew of others issues we got. Of course, you may not agree with everything on screen but there's no denying there's some mic drop lines like Jesus brought.

Another amazing match up of ryan coogler and michael b. Jordan. This film goes for the gut as well as the heart which is the core of the rocky franchise. Jordan's creed as well as stallone's balboa are a rare mix of bravado and vulnerablity that is a sight to behold.