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An error has ocurred. Please try againNote: most of these films deal with coming to terms with sexuality and coming-of-age themes.
Reviews
Kaibutsu (2023)
I haven't stopped thinking about it since I saw it
This film is amazing in every aspect and it's clear the director knows exactly how to make a masterful film. Anyone saying otherwise clearly does not understand the power of cinema, when done as well as this was. The story unveils itself in a way I haven't experienced with a film in a long time, forcing you to change perspectives every 5 minutes. You will go from hating characters to loving them in a matter of minutes. Full of everything you could want in a movie - mystery, drama, suspense, heart, emotion. It kept me on the edge of my seat throughout and I never once felt like checking the time because I was so enthralled from the beginning. This is definitely a film that has easily become an all-time fave for me just after one watch. Now brb as I go watch his previous film Shoplifters.
Smile (2022)
Smile made me Frown
I'm convinced all of these positive reviewers are being paid by Paramount to further promote this very mediocre film. I'm also convinced I watched a completely different movie than everyone else here.
For starters, this film is once again entirely too long for what it is. I'm not sure why Hollywood thinks every movie that comes out these days has to be 2 hours or longer, but I guarantee this film could've been at least 30 minutes shorter, and taken absolutely nothing away from the story or the viewing experience. A majority of the film drags on and is quite boring at times, with lots of filler moments.
Next, the so-called horror of it all. This film is not scary, and anyone claiming it to be "the scariest movie" like I've seen on numerous reviews clearly does not watch many movies, let alone horror. The "smiling" aspect is corny and unserious, despite best efforts. In my opinion, there are only two genuine jump scares, both of which are spoiled in trailers for the film (naturally).
The story itself explores themes of generational trauma and mental illness, but unfortunately none of it is done in a way that is new or original. We've seen this story and these themes told a million times (and much better). The acting wasn't that bad, but it's also nothing to write home about. I will give points to sound design, as I do find it to be quite successful on its own, but as a collective, there are too many flaws to overlook here. And don't even get me started on this being yet another film with zero explanation for the cause of its events. Just because you leave things "open to interpretation" doesn't mean it's good or subversive! It just means your writing is lazy. Someone please tell Hollywood that. We're tired.
I am a huge horror fan just as much as the next guy, but I went in to Smile with low expectations that were sadly proven correct. There are countless other 2022 horror films that are so much better than this. Barbarian, for example, is lightyears better and reaches heights that this film only wishes it could reach! Smile is like a much worse version of if It Follows and Hereditary had a baby. I don't recommend, and I have no plans to ever see this again. They should've kept this straight-to-streaming.
Huluween Dragstravaganza (2022)
Huluween cringefest
Look, I'm a huge drag fan as much as the next gay, but this special was just straight up baaaad. I didn't expect much, and was still somehow befuddled at how bad it was. The sketches were not funny, the songs were also not funny, and the most random assortment of queens/kings? I love all of these queens but why not get more queens known for comedy? I get that some of the queens included are known for singing, but even that wasn't enough to save this. I'm so glad to see drag content continuing to make bigger waves in mainstream media outside of Drag Race, but this was a flop by all standards. The only good part honestly was Kesha so 2 stars for that. I appreciate the attempt Hulu, but it's not giving.
Blonde (2022)
Self-indulgence personified
From a technical standpoint, the film is very beautifully shot and generally well-made, down to casting, acting, etc. But narratively it has no real point of view. It feels very disjointed throughout and at times just feels like pure self-indulgence for self-indulgence sake.
Yes, by now we all know this is a fictionalized portrayal of her life based on a book, but honestly a lot of the film's scenarios did actually happen in her real life - it's just to what extent or in what ways is to be determined as there is little to no evidence supporting specifics. The real Marilyn did suffer greatly from childhood trauma, drug addiction, and emotional and sexual manipulation by various men - all of which are explored in the film. So I don't personally understand why the outrage on that aspect alone is causing such a frenzy. This isn't the first or last "biopic" with fictionalized elements. I also do not understand the NC-17 rating. Nothing shown on screen was any worse than many other R-rated films with the same subject matter, so it seems odd that this was given such a harsh rating. (Sure, the POV abortion shot was jarring but was that really enough to make it NC-17? Sure, she's topless in a good chunk of scenes, though not nearly as much as I was expecting. Who knows, maybe it's just me, but I know I've seen so much worse in countless other R-rated films - sexual or otherwise!)
I do, however, agree with many points made that the film exploits her mental state and traumas too much, and does at times reinforce her sexualized image, so in and of itself there are problems with the general representation of Marilyn - fiction or not. The film is dreary and depressing throughout, reducing her life to only her traumas and ignoring the positives of her life.
Overall, the film is bleak, contrived and turns to an incoherent mess by the end of its overly long runtime. While I did find the first hour to be pretty good, it quickly pivoted and goes downhill for its remainder, focusing on odd camera angles, indulgent aesthetic choices, and confusing moments (the POV abortion shots and the talking baby - jarring, sure, but were they really necessary? Did they add anything at all to the narrative? Not really.)
Nevertheless, this film is sure to continue garnering plenty of criticism and positive attention alike, and will likely be nominated for awards (to the surprise of no one), but unfortunately its flaws outweigh its potential and ultimately contradicts exactly what it seemingly aimed out to do in the first place.
Pearl (2022)
Colorfully whimsical, but tediously lackluster
Saw an opening night screening of Pearl, and unfortunately the film is just not that good. It's not terrible, nor is it great. I had lower expectations already as I was not a big fan of "X" either, but Pearl does feel connected to the "X" universe, while somehow being even less exciting and more mundane. There's less gore and lower stakes for the story to accomplish.
The film also suffers greatly from slow pacing, making it feel much longer than it is. Mia Goth does deliver a good performance and the nostalgic atmosphere of the film is done fairly well (referencing Old Hollywood films both cinematically as well as musically), but it's just not enough to save the film as a whole. I'm sure those who loved "X" will like this, but in all honesty neither films are as masterful as some reviewers would lead you to believe.
Barbarian (2022)
Shockingly good horror with plenty to offer
A rare horror gem that actually succeeds in every way.
I went in to Barbarian knowing not too much other than one measly trailer, even despite its already scarce marketing and promotion (why is that? They should be pushing this like crazy, it's actually worth the hype), and it turned out to be one of the most entertaining and thrilling movie experiences of the year and in a while! A perfect blend of modern horror, dark comedy, and fast-paced thriller - it hit all the right notes and in such a fun and addictive way.
In terms of tone, it reminded me of Malignant a bit but also reminiscent of a variety of other horror classics. It truly felt like 4 movies in one but in the best way. Go in as blind as possible and I guarantee you'll find it more than refreshing. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a great time. This will be one to talk about for years to come!
Three Thousand Years of Longing (2022)
Three Thousands Years of Boredom
Honestly wasn't expecting much from the film based off initial reviews and trailers, but boy did this film leave me so restless in the theater. It felt like it was dragging on after only 30 minutes so I knew it was about to be a rough ride. The story is simplistic, and not necessarily bad as it just sort of reflects history and the mythology behind the Djinn, but the pacing was so slow that it felt like nails on a chalkboard. The stories themselves had some interesting elements but left me wanting way more. The love aspect between leads also felt contrived. Overall the film suffers most from unbelievably slow pacing and a lack of interesting visuals.
House of the Dragon: The Heirs of the Dragon (2022)
Surprisingly good
Like everyone else, I was disappointed in the final season of GoT, so I was hesitant to watch HOTD and went in with rather low expectations. But I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it and how engaged I was the entire time.
The pilot episode definitely has some low points as with any episode of television but the show has its own way of returning to Westeros that just feels right. It has a lot to offer in terms of world- and character-building and it is simply just a solid episode of television overall to start off a new series, especially considering the reviews of the GoT finale.
The sets are top notch, the acting/casting/chemistry seems to work very well already, the CGI is good and there's plenty of shocking moments - all of these elements making for a nostalgic viewing experience, very reminiscent of the excitement of tuning in to GoT on Sunday nights. I hope HOTD can reach the same highs as its predecessor over time so I can't wait to see what's in store next.
The Rehearsal (2022)
Another multifaceted comedic masterpiece from Nathan Fielder
If you love Nathan for You, then you'll love this. It's nearly the same in terms of vibe and layout, just with a new way to "help" strangers. He's once again proven he's a force to be reckoned with in comedy. Ignore the low ratings... If you get it, you get it. And those people clearly don't.
Queer as Folk: Sacrilege (2022)
A beautiful ending to a beautiful reimagining of a classic series
Such a poignant and beautiful ending. Mingus' performance was amazing and I cannot wait for a season 2. Great music, great performances, great direction. A reboot worth rooting for.
Moon Knight: The Goldfish Problem (2022)
Good but...
Minus two stars for the terrible CGI. Seriously, some of the worst CGI I've ever seen from Marvel. Still an intriguing pilot that makes you curious to keep watching.
Better Things: The World Is Mean Right Now (2022)
Some unbearable kids these are
I'm sorry but Frankie is so unbearably annoying that it makes me frustrated to watch. She always has been but it's as if she never really grows and matures over the course of 5 seasons. The other two are equally annoying at times but not nearly as much. It's also upsetting to see how much Sam puts up with their BS.
RuPaul's Drag Race UK vs the World: Semifinals (2022)
Rigger morris over and over and over again...
This has to be one of the worst seasons of Drag Race, and mostly has to do with the judging! Every week, they praise the worst and critique the best. I'M SO TIRED OF EVERYONE BLOWING SMOKE UP BAGA'S A**!!!! And why on EARTH was Juju the winner?!? This show, the judging and the eliminations have been truly infuriating from episode 1. And all this for what... A song with RuPaul? Yikes.
At this point, Blu or Mo should win but it will probably be Baga because Ru is so obsessed with her despite her mediocre challenges and runways. The true top 4 should have been Pangina, Jimbo, Blu and Mo.
Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2022)
Very bad and not much fun
1 star for the bus scene, and 1/2 a star for the very end. Otherwise lackluster is almost every possible way. Virtually zero character development for anyone involved, a storyline that honestly makes no sense to begin with, and bringing back the final girl from the original was pointless and contrived (uh, hello, the recent Halloween reboots?). A very bad, very ill conceived, very forgettable entry that adds absolutely nothing to the franchise.
Euphoria: Stand Still Like the Hummingbird (2022)
A masterclass in emotional devastation
This is easily one of the greatest episodes of Euphoria ever!!! Zendaya's performance in this episode deserves every award possible. As always the show continues to elevate upon its own mastery and is still as visceral and devastating as ever. Absolutely a 10/10!
RuPaul's Drag Race: She's a Super Tease (2022)
WOW, one of the best drag race episodes to date
The acting challenge this week was probably one of the best I've ever seen from the series; the supertease idea was fresh and actually very funny (considering a lot of the acting challenges in general). The winner was unexpected but deserved, and the bottom ultimately makes sense in the scope of the challenge.
Nine Perfect Strangers: Ever After (2021)
A stupid ending to a stupid show
Seriously? This is the most anti-climactic finale I've ever seen. The show itself was also extremely boring and anti-climactic throughout. I would not recommend this show to anyone. The only thing I liked about this show was the opening credits... Even the star-studded cast could not save this dumpster fire. This is also another perfect example that not everything needs to be adapted to a TV show. This should have been a one-and-done movie at most.
The Green Knight (2021)
Pretty to look at, but that's about it
Went into this film expecting to enjoy more than most, considering I am a fan of most A24 films. But boy is this a disappointing film. Sure, the cinematography and acting are both top notch, but this is yet another example of style over substance, which happens more often than not with a lot of A24 films unfortunately. The story itself is very straightforward and honestly not as complex as many reviewers here may suggest. It's based on an Arthurian poem, but the issue lies in the fact that the story itself is not all that intriguing to begin with, coupled with the fact that the director changed the ending and added unnecessary additions that have NO mythical relation to the poem, that ultimately makes this film so underwhelming. The ending is completely different and purposely left ambiguous, which I already have an issue with because I am so beyond tired of directors leaving endings open-ended. Simply because they themselves are so far up their own pretentious a***** that they cannot even explain their reasonings, and instead leave it "up to the audience" to interpret it how they want. So it almost always feels like a cop-out. On top of the ambiguous ending, so many other plot points are absolutely looked over and not explained whatsoever. Why are there giants? Why does everyone want to kiss Gaiwan? Why does his mother want to torment him with the Green Knight? Is she the Green Knight? No one knows. And by the end of the film, I also don't care.
Ultimately, while this is beautiful to look at, everything else is mediocre. Give it a shot if you wish, but do not expect some sort of cinematic masterpiece. This is not that.
Tig Notaro: Drawn (2021)
Hilarious and engaging
The animation makes the whole stand-up even funnier, this was a surprisingly funny one. Def recommend!
Pig (2021)
Am I in the Twilight Zone?
What are these reviews? Did we watch the same movie? This was one of the worst movies I've ever seen. Utterly boring and I'm sorry but what about this is at all a thriller? I genuinely do not understand the rave reviews. WHAT WAS THE POINT OF THIS FILM?
False Positive (2021)
Chaotic and silly but very entertaining
I went in to this with much lower expectations based on the reviews, but I have to admit I enjoyed this a lot more than the low rating suggests! I will admit, the first hour of the film finds its problems with very slow pacing, but the climax makes up for it in pure chaos and campy goodness. Give it a chance, you might like it more than you think.
The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021)
Dull, lifeless and not a drop of scary
I seriously am confused by some of these high ratings... Did we watch the same movie? This was objectively the worst of the franchise, and simply as a film, it was pretty bad overall. Nothing in the film was scary, and honestly it played it way too safe the entire time. There is absolutely nothing new here story wise that we haven't seen in every other demon-centered horror film. Nothing that stands out, nothing that will make this film memorable by any means. Is it the worst horror film I've seen? No, but it's definitely one of the most lackluster I've seen.
Love defeats the demon? Really? How corny and utterly unrealistic. Just like the Insidious films, it's clear the franchise has run out of ideas and will crank anything out to appease fans. Watch it if you must, but don't expect a riveting horror experience by any means. Just rewatch the first two, they are infinitely better. Please dear god just let this franchise end.
Cruella (2021)
SO GOOD
I genuinely had no real expectations going into this, but boy was I happily surprised by how good it was. Everything was clearly very thought out and it showed! Emma Stone was amazing as usual, as well as Emma Thompson, and WOW the Baroness is truly such an iconic villain!! Possibly one of the most evil of all, giving a combo between Miranda Priestly and Cersei in terms of her utter evilness. Definitely one of the darkest Disney films, but without going too far. The story was entertaining, and the COSTUMES!!! Beyond magnificent. I can easily see this winning an Oscar for costume design in the future. Easily one of the best (if not the best) live action Disney films I've seen!
Spiral: From the Book of Saw (2021)
Jigsaw says "ACAB"
I have been a Saw fan since the early days and am always excited when another one is in the works, but I have very mixed feelings about this film. On one hand, there's a lot to like and also plenty to dislike about the final product. For starters, the best parts were obviously the traps and the ending, however, the film overall feels rather soulless. It doesn't particularly feel like a Saw film, though I guess at the same time Spiral is the most similar in structure and atmosphere to the first Saw film. But something still just felt off.
I'm not particularly a fan of Chris Rock, so I wasn't super impressed by his performance per se but it wasn't as bad as I thought it may be. The rest of the cast does their parts fine, but nothing to write home about. The story is fine, emphasis on fine, but I will say that I do like that this killer is basically hunting bad cops, which is very politically relevant. But a lot of it still felt very forced and the ending, while it makes sense, isn't gratifying enough nor does it even really get resolved (now that they have Saw 10 on the way, I kind of expected the cliffhanger). Also I absolutely HATE this new voiceover they chose for the killer, it sounds AWFUL. Please just go back to the OG voice, I beg of you!
Now this isn't to say the film is "bad", but it surely isn't very memorable. There are elements that work here, sure, but ultimately the sum of its parts leaves much to be desired. As much as I really wanted to enjoy the film more, I would go as far to say this is probably among the worst of the franchise, despite it technically being a spin-off(?) of sorts (or at least a departure from the John Kramer story). And maybe that's because the Kramer story was so intricate and intriguing, whereas this one is doing more of the same but with a less interesting version of Jigsaw. Hopefully it can be redeemed by the sequel, but I won't be holding my breath. The quality of the franchise has gradually decreased with every new movie, and it's obvious the end times may be near. But with all this said, I will always support Saw and any future films because she's an icon after all!
Men, Women & Children (2014)
One of my favorite films ever
Ever since my first viewing, this film has stuck with me and always holds a special place in my heart. I'm still shocked that it was so critically panned upon release, but this is easily one of the greatest representations of "coming-of-age in the age of the internet" kind of teen films (though there is plenty more to enjoy and unpack with the adult storylines as well) and it still very much holds up to this day. The performances are outstanding, the storylines are visceral and engaging, and there's truly never a dull moment. A must-watch if you've never seen it and enjoy a great drama that won't leave you bored.