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The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (2023)
The Hanging Tree
I have never read this book or any of the books in the series. I've watched all the film and enjoyed them even as their quality was diminishing towards the end. The film puts your right in with the characters and as a result attempts to make you feel something for the characters.
With a longer runtime I can say that I was never board or hoping it was wrapping up. They keep the pace set right for how much is covered. The build up to the games, the games themselves, and the aftermath all feel definitive. The one area this movie suffers is its final 15min or so. It an attempt to keep this film under 3hrs the ending feels rushed which somewhat undermines the story and it's core characters.
I can look past this for the most part because everything else before hand is so great. It's been a while since I've seen the original films but this one stands out to me. I walked away from this feeling more satisfied than I did with Mockingjay Part 1 and maybe even Part 2. Don't hold me to that though. It's been a while!
Killers of the Flower Moon (2023)
Brutal and Real
This is a movie that deserves to be seen as it covers a time in history that isn't really discussed much. The cinematography and editing is as great as you expect and DiCaprio, De Niro, and Lily Gladstone are phenomenal and carry every scene. For being a 3.5hr movie the pacing never lets up and every scene earns its place in the runtime. The violence is very appropriate and isn't over the top. The movie does focus on some of the non-native characters a bit much at some points but the film never forgets its message. I'm not a fan of how the movie ends and I feel like it could have been a bit more satisfying after the long runtime but it doesn't ruin the movie. Not in my top Scorsese films but it's still great!
Dumb Money (2023)
The Social Network but with Reddit
A movie that makes stocks and short squeeze interesting to the average viewer. Paul Dano carries this film and without him it wouldn't be as good as it is. Thr supporting cast is excellent and the different perspectives give the movie a sense of scale and accurately portrays the internet. Nothing felt cheesy and stereotypical in the portrayal. The ending seemed a bit quick and the moment the movie was building towards felt short and less impactful that it was intended to be. It felt like it was aiming for a "The Social Network" tone but missed the mark a bit. However, the movie is fast paced and doesn't overstay its welcome and is a good watch.
The Covenant (2023)
A Story With A Meaning
The Covenant is one of Guy Ritchie's most meaningful films. It's a story that has a purpose and a message. While he's known for his unique visual style he puts that aside for the most part here to focus on the characters and their environment. This movie primarily focuses one two main characters. A Sgt. And an interpreter while in Afghanistan. A lot happens and the two become bonded and become committed to each other in the process. The movie has pacing issues as it starts out fairly slow. It picks up in the second act with some meaningful moments but the third act is where the movie kicks into high gear. The message is one that needs to be shared and the movie does a good enough job on this front. I don't think it's perfect by any means but it's serviceable and does it's job.
Justified: City Primeval (2023)
It was Justified
When I heard that Justified was returning for a limited series I was excited and optimistic. On one hand they could bring back the feeling that the original show captured so well, just in a different setting. As this show began I could see some of those feelings I was hoping for but then it steered into a different direction. One I don't think was for the better. Unfortunately the whole season felt awfully generic with nothing special going for it. The villains have been done better, the location has been better, and the characters have been the better. The six previous seasons of Justified did everything better which leaves me wondering why? Why was this limited series needed? The best scenes were between the returning characters during the last 20min of the finale. It seems they are trying to setup more stories which makes me wish this show would have just started where we ended. Boyd escaping prison, Raylan retiring, and Winona & Raylan's daughter caught up in the middle of it all. I'm exiting if things move forward with some of the previously names original cast but if not, just end it here.
Gran Turismo (2023)
Does the job and does it well
Out of the 2 PlayStation Production films so far this is the best. The direction by Neil Blomkamp elevates this movie resulting in an above average film. I was delightfully surprised with how much screen time both David Harbour and Orlando Bloom received. Archie did great as the lead but Djimon Hounsou delivered when he needed to like always. I really hope he gets a chance to be a lead in a movie one day. It's long overdue!
The movie does take its time getting somewhere interesting as a majority of the beginning deals with the game and the setup of the whole story but once we get to the IRL racing the movie is much more exciting. The races are entertaining and the gaming aspect gives them a unique feel. Gran Turismo may not be as good as other racing films such as Ford v Ferrari but it does it's job and does it well.
Babylon (2022)
An Epic...Almost
I put off watching this movie since it's release. I've heard both the negatives and positives and while I can see both viewpoints I was left with a sense of awe as the credits played. Is it perfect? No. The movie is a bit too long with some strange writing choices. But the good far outweighs the bad here. The score is phenomenal as you would expect. The acting is superb and as a movie lover so many scenes connected with me.
The camera work and cinematography are a stand out and the acting is great across the board. The third act feels a bit out of place in some areas but the finale 5min I love. I'm glad I finally got around to seeing this film.
Oppenheimer (2023)
The Destroyer of Worlds
For a 3hr long film this movie doesn't drag at all. Oppenheimer flies by and the story is told very rapidly, building the tension so well while building towards the Trinity test. At first I didn't know how I felt about the speed but after watching the film in full I completely understand why Christopher Nolan made that choice. The performances are astonishing across the table with the standouts being Cillian Murphy, Robert Downey Jr, and Emily Blunt. They are surrounded by a top tier supporting cast (some with only one or two scenes). Everyone knocks it out of the park and showed up knowing what they were expected to do.
Every scene is intentional and I truly don't believe you could cut anything out of this movie and say it would be a better film because of it. The one minor gripe I have is related to the character Jean played by Florence Pugh. I would have loved to see more of that relationship. As it stands, it wasn't the most impactful and I believe some scenes would have benefited emotionally if that character was given some more screen time. This will be one of the most remembered films of the year and I will be shocked if it isn't nominated in nearly every category at the Academy Awards. Bravo Nolan, Bravo!
Glass Onion (2022)
New Mystery - New Characters
A smart movie from start to finish that earns it's spot as another great entry in the Knives Out series. The characters weren't as memorable as in the original but the mystery is fresh and new! I was impressed to see how unique the murder mystery was this time around when comparing it to the first movie. It's hard enough to make a compelling murder mystery once but doing it twice is an impressive feat. Rian Johnson has proven again that he is a fanatic writer and director. Every scene has a purpose and nothing feels wasted. I highly recommend this film, especially if you are a fan on the original movie!
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022)
A Worthy Sequel (Even With Its Flaws)
There is a lot about the movie to love. Every minute spent on the core characters are phenomenal. Shuri and Ramonda are the two standouts that deliver consistent and top tier quality acting scene after scene. Namor is a solid antagonist that I want to see more of in the future. The way the story in the movie follows the real world reaction to the death of Chandwick Bozeman is well executed.
Having the characters caught off guard like us is a great way for the audience to immediately connect with character's experience. Their are some things that don't work though. Iron Heart should have been introduced in another movie or at the very least had a quick introduction in Wakanda Forever and then had time to develop in a different movie (similar to the MCU Spider-Man). Their are some odd choices with pacing which can sometimes take away from certain characters decisions.
Overall I like this movie and at the same time love parts of it as well. Is it as good as the first? Probably not, but it's still a good and worthy sequel.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars: Gone with a Trace (2020)
Ahsoka Is Back
The good thing about this episode is Ahsoka is back! The bad thing is everything else is just ok. We get a few memorable moments and lines with Ahsoka which brings would would be a mediacore episode up to a good one. I wish the first episode in Ahsoka's arc was better but I still can't wait to see where this leads. Based off the trailers we are in for one hell of a ride!
Game of Thrones (2011)
Great until it wasn't
The first four seasons of the show are the best television you'll ever watch. Seasons five and six are great and season seven and eight are ok and bad. This is what I tell everyone who asks me about the show. I binged seasons 1-2 and then watched season 3-8 on a weekly basis over seven years up until the very end. It was something I looked forward to ever week and it hardly disappointed up until the last season. There was thought put behind every scene, every character decision, and every line of dialogue. There were consequences to every action (even years down the road). Everything had a purpose which is why the show was so addicting and so satisfying. However, the last two seasons (some would even say some of season six) started to show some wear and tear. Certain character decisions and motivations didn't line up which at first was ok but then it kept happening. By the end, specifically the last three episodes, nothing seemed to matter and the choices were laughable. Sure it looks great visually but everything else was bad. A show like Game of Thrones needed to nail it's ending because, at it's core, the show was about who gets the throne. When you crash and burn this hard, everything that came before seems worthless. I might one day watch the show from beginning to end but for now I'll cherish the great moments that we had and there are a ton.
Black Sails (2014)
ONE OF A KIND
When I first started watching Black Sails when it premiered I thought it was good but it had the potential for so much more. Before I knew it, the show went from good to great and eventually from great to amazing. Every episode that passes adds more depth to the characters and the world. The writing is great and the pacing is even better. The show isn't afraid to take it's time because it's building character and relationships along the way. The production value also makes this world believable. Nassau town is detailed with muti layer buildings and well populated locals making it feel like a living and breathing pirate port. The ships and crews are all unique and the battles are beautiful. I've watched the series three time through and I love it more each time. The show always chooses it's characters over spectacle which makes this show stand apart from so many other.
Black Sails: XXXVIII. (2017)
Full Circle
The series finale delivers a satisfying conclusion to a great and often underated show. The final season has been non stop and after a climatic fight with Rogers and Billy, the show takes the time to conclude all character arcs. Both Flint and Sliver's arcs come full circle. Flint is able to o reunite with his lost love and Silver ultimately chooses to do the selfish thing to save himself and more importantly those who he loves. Just like when we first met Silver (who was selfish and only in it for his own gain) he gives up the war to save those he cares about. His decision is a great callback to season one instead this time he makes this choice not only for himself, but those closest to him. Flint's end is both tragic and happy. He doesn't get the war he so desperately wanted but he doesn't really need it. He is allowed a second chance with Thomas and that's all he truly ever wanted. Rogers gets what he deserves and Jack Rackham also achieves what he wants. This season has been fantastic and a great way to close the show. There are so many details in this episode alone that I absolutely love. The show has matured into something great and is deserving of much more recognition.
1917 (2019)
Masterclass Filmmaking
1917 proves that great film's can be made. It shows that putting a little more time and effort can turn something that good into something that great. This film is by far my favorite film of 2019. This film is shot to appear as one long take. This approach is not only fasanating but adds so much to the story. You immediately feel the tention due to a strict time restraint due to the plot. As these characters get further to their goal, you can't help but realize the time is ticking. Following their ENTIRE journey because of the one shot makes this film feel like it's you going on this mission with these other soldiers. 1917 is a true masterpiece and should be looked upon as inspiration for those who make film.
The Witcher (2019)
Season One Review
The Witcher season one is a great and flawed start. I was on board after the first episode and am very impressed with this first season. This is a much younger Geralt, Yennifer, and Ciri then in the games and books. They are young and often reckless which makes watching their arcs so entertaining. Knowing where these characters end up makes you appreciate their introduction and inevitable team up. The season isn't told in chronological order which may cause confusion for those who aren't familiar with the books or even the games. The character names, locations, and factions may be a bit overwhelming because of how the story is told but I'm sure people will understand once the season ends. The action and production is phenomenal and is on par with other shows like GOT and Black Sails. The action choreography is amazing and keeps you on your feet. Henry Cavill nails Geralt which is the most important thing in this show. Every character is great besides Triss. She isn't a big part of this season but she needs to have more attention given to her. I don't necessarily think she's miscast but she needs to have more time spent on her character. By the end of it, I'm very impressed with the first season. It's not perfect but it's a great launching off point!
The Mandalorian: Chapter 6: The Prisoner (2019)
Great episode compared to last week
The Prisoner is a great episode comparted to last week. Last week felt like complete filler with no other purpose. This week's episode might not have a huge impact on the story but it's memorable with a lot of great characters and moments. The New Republic guard was an amazong scene and the child scenes were great. I really hope this season comes full circle and ends with the hunt of the child. These past three episodes have been about people hunting him but not much else. We need some resolution.
The Mandalorian: Chapter 5: The Gunslinger (2019)
We need to start the final Arc of season 1
These last two episodes are good episodes but not nearly as good as the first three episodes. The first three episodes had a clear arc (find bounty, deliver bounty, and save bounty). Episodes 4 & 5 are more like a day in the life of a Bounty Hunter. That doesn't make them bad but we need to have another three episodes arc to end the season. Maybe Mando needs to go back and kill the imperial remenent to clear the bounty. It would even be good to see his full backstory like they've been teasing or explore baby Yoda a bit more. If these two episodes are standalone and the show picks back up I'm fine. I just hope the show doesn't continue this trend for the next few episodes.
The Mandalorian: Chapter 4: Sanctuary (2019)
A nice breather
This episode was something new and refreshing than the previous three chapters. It allowed us as the audience to sit and relax with the characters and get to know a little bit more about them. Baby Yoda is still cute and getting to know a little more about the Mandalorian is great. I love the quiet moments in this show, which this episode gave us a lot of. Of course, the action is well done as well. Seeing a old and nearly destroyed AT-ST was great and the visual effects are still stunning. This might have been a little side adventure but I can't wait to see what happens next!
The Mandalorian: Chapter 3: The Sin (2019)
This feels like Star Wars
The Mandalorian is becoming a great first live action Star Wars show. With every episode that passes this show is becoming stronger. The characters and the story are evolving naturally and I love seeing the post "Return of the Jedi" world. The plot has kicked into full gear and the best part is I have no clue what episode 4 is going to bring. I can't wait to see more!
Frozen II (2019)
A great sequel that almost tops the first
I'll start by saying this is a great movie and a great sequel to "Frozen". I love the buildup to the adventure the audience is about to go on. The opening songs are great and set the tone for the film. Once the adventure starts the movie picks up and begins to explore the world of Frozen. It's a deep and interesting world that you want to explore. This film is a more mature and darker film that is great for all ages. My biggest issue is the third act. It feels off because of certain character decision and the pacing. The climax feels rushed as well as some character relationships. The animation is top notch and the acting is amazing. The music is just as memorable as the first and will be played to death. I prefer the first but this is a great and worthy sequel.
The Mandalorian: Chapter 2: The Child (2019)
An Even Better Chapter 2
Chapter 1 was great but chapter 2 steps it up in every way. The cargo that was revealed at the end of chapter 1 is the highlight of this episode. It's relationship with The Mandalorian is already great and I love exploring the planet. Making these world's feel lived in makes the Star Wars Galaxy feel alive and huge. The Jawas are always great to see and being able to see how they live and operate is great. Even though we haven't seen is face, the Mandalorian is becoming a great character because of his sympathy for the cargo. I can't wait to see where the next episode takes us as he delivers his bounty.
The Mandalorian: Chapter 1: The Mandalorian (2019)
A Engaging Pilot
The Mandalorian has a lot riding on it's shoulders. It's the first live action Star Wars show. My worry is it would seem sub par and take away from that Star Wars "magic" feeling. Luckily this isn't the case. The budget is huge and the special effects are amazing. It's not as great as the film's but it's just as good as other shows like Game of Thrones. The cinematography is great and the characters seem intriguing. I can't wait to see more and learn about these characters we've been introduced to.