Reviews

This one has to be the most inconsequential entry in the franchise.

With on-point characterization (not dialogue), scale, presentation, energy, choreographies, camerawork and animations doing all the work (all of my score).. leaving the story and weight completely to the side. You can (and probably should) skip the fathers journey, mute the movie, and you'd have an enjoyable (smaller) epilogue that is not required to be watched, or that was necessary after 8 years!! Also, never been a fan of big casting for animated films (my least favorite part of Kung Fu Panda).. and pointlessly adding awkwafina to the mix only makes it worse (mr beast is in it too, for no reason). Add an OST that doesn't match the tone, and there's little to enjoy besides the visuals.

Kids might enjoy the visual distraction and the occasional fart, but there was little in it for me.

I'm torn, since I found it to be a mixed bag of great moments and a (mostly) poor execution of a decent idea.

A half-decent film that touches on a man's honor and duty for revenge.. while balancing his "new desires" and the future of his country. The premise itself is rather interesting, and the characters likeable! With an ending that is quite memorable. And while the cinematography provides the viewer with some eye-catching and impressive moments, it also often leaves a lot to be desired. Specially during action scenes.. on a Shinobi movie of all places!! But when it goes slowly, that's when I found its appeal. All this without mentioning the messy and choppy editing or the inconsistent sound mixing/levels.

Too many issues for me to recommend or enjoy fully..

A Firefighter animation film with a Ghostbusters-like villain.. with a premise out of the 90s.

No surprise here, but this overly-energetic film is aimed at children! With plentiful antics that distract long enough for the movie to be over. There's training scenes, bad guy hidden-identity (that is somewhat predictable) and an "agenda" with a small (but somewhat appreciated) twist. The family dynamic reminds of Inspector Gadget.. with a childish female lead that fails to be charming, and doesn't have the knowledge/training to match her enthusiasm (for a profession she was supposedly denied due to her gender, but still wants more than anything). At least the father is well written and likeable.. everyone else isn't. The music is decent, and it aims high enough to be commendable!

Still, not sure if I would recommend it, as I found it rather boring.

As far as obscure and unnecessary-remake pilot TV Movies go.. this is quite decent!

It is well casted (I find Jordana Brewster quite appealing), leads have (surprisingly) good chemistry, it's very energetic in its dynamics and actions and has good cinematography. It also imitates the Brad Pitt and Angelina's 2005 release very well! Which would be amazing if not for the fact that the Director and Writer are the same.. Still, it is smart enough to keep things simple and moving.

Not a lot more to say about a project that was conceived only to die out the door. Specially for a franchise that has been remade too many times.

I think it's on YouTube if you are interested.

I know about Fallout, as I've picked up on it through cultural exposure, but never directly.

This show makes me feel like I should at least play New Vegas! Because, while the visuals and execution are decent-to-good, it does a poor job at making me care about anything that's going on. From charmless actors with boring and unlikeable characters, horrible pacing and plenty of empty drawn-out moments... to dull writing, dialogues and interactions. No particular element grabbed my attention, and I felt finishing this show was a chore I had to get through.

I'm saddened at the delivery of what seemed like a promising new show to watch.. but it reminds me a lot of all the problems I had with the later Westworld seasons, where nothing was particularly interesting.

I started this years ago, and was unable to continue.. it seems that the new remake of the book has changed that a bit!

This mini series is 4 DVDs long (plus one filled with extras) and over 40 years old, yet still quite interesting and insightful (with some liberties outside of reality, from the author). It is also quite different from what I've seen in the 2024 version so far, and much more summarized and lacking in "meat". It is more of a romance and less tactical-intrigue. For it's time, it must been a cultural-shock to many! While still being quite appealing.

Personally, I find the lack of Japanese subtitles (and only an English narrator when desired) undesired.. as many things are somewhat lost, but not enough to affect one's appreciation. It's also not as detailed or in-depth as one would hope (specially when it comes to military affairs and political conflicts). But the present ability to compare, gives the impression of a "completed story" told by two different accounts. Quite lucky to be able to enjoy both! And I've read that reading the book was a necessity back then. The series is good, specially for its time! With too many hardships to even record it in the first place.

Truly a treasure.

Not to be confused with the video game of the same title! You have an Alzheimer ex-cop receiving a new treatment, who is told to keep his mind active.

A coincidental case he worked in comes back into his life, and he decides to investigate further.. because he has nothing better to do! And possibly save a man from wrong-doings.

The film is slow, tense and interesting enough to get going! Too much fish-eye cinematography in enclosed spaces for my liking.

But it doesn't really slow down (good pacing), and delivers on a good story, even if doesn't wow. Still, I found the ending predictable and not very satisfactory.. but it is well written and acted. Perfectly watchable for a streaming release.

And @1:34:54, was that the AI news voice guy you hear in YouTube lately?

It just dawned on me, after watching it, that this was a Jack Ryan movie. Had I realized sooner, I wonder if I would have enjoyed it less.. knowing that mr Ryan always delivers himself.

Still, it is weighty, isn't afraid to "go places" with its very fictional and tense developments. The whole thing is classy and quite enjoyable for an action-war-thriller! With many moving parts and a rather simplistic story (with a decent premise) that is well executed. The casting is good (although Ben Affleck is a little cartoonish and green for the role, in my opinion) and the sound mixing and choices are memorable.

Easy recommendation for a 20-year old movie that has held well.

One of the same writer from The Fugitive (1993) film helped with the script.. which makes this pseudo-sequel with a very similar structure and no new ideas.

While the production is good (exploding planes and all), the narrative and execution are not.

From very coincidental sequence of events that start it all up, a nonsensical plot that could have ended if no one did anything, and a dissatisfying and predictable ending anyone could see coming.. all tied together by endless running around. Even the good casting and overall okay-acting didn't help me enjoy my viewing of it. A surprise appearance of a younger Robert Downey Jr. Was the highlight for me.. so not much.

Completely harmless and forgettable.

A bit long-winded, but the setup pays off. This has done more for the worldbuilding of Star Wars.. than Star Wars originally did!

It only took them more than 4 decades to make palpable the threat of the growing Empire, and how it finally choked the people enough to spark a rebellion. It's quite fascinating in how well-written and believable it all is. It's almost like someone sat down and actually thought about it!! Unlike other recent and mediocre releases.

The trade off? It feels too adjacent and detailed, compared to what the simplicity of the Hero's Journey grew up with. What this covers was then sidelined and almost unimportant.. we never even got to think about it.

And while I feel it ultimately delivered and was well executed, there are parts that could be trimmed. The characters could be more memorable.. as no one stands out, but everyone does as a whole. Oh, and I found myself enjoying the scarce moments of "office talk" in white buildings on how to suppress.. more than most events that push these dialogues forward.

Alas, I don't think it could have been any better, but it's not my kind of show and I'm disinterested in the timing, topic covered (while knowing the conclusion) and potential sequels.

I don't think current SW needs anything more, considering it is beyond ruined.

Three Shinobi (ninja) Hunters are hired to stop a group of.. Ninja, from destroying a small Fief out of the waning Government's greed.

Plot is secondary to the sparse gratuitous-nudity and plenty of bloodshed (one is more appreciated than the other)!

But it serves its purpose in specifying the era and the objective of those in play. As a stepping point, it is quite interesting (specially for those of us interested in Daimyo and the like). It also feels quite focused and smart from what you'd expect.. if not a bit barren. The type of movie you watch to pass the time more than anything.

Still, the strongest part of the movie is certainly the Lead Trio, as they show strong and believable camaraderie, well-written characters, decent enough backgrounds, interesting personalities and even "weaknesses". Secondary is the plentiful action that is never over the top. Sound effects are cheese but fit well (the musical score is almost-horrid), excellent lighting, good locations and overall acting. One thing I respect and love about this film, it's how they use the camera and cinematography angles to hide Shinobi for surprise attacks and to show their agility!

Finally, I quite liked the unexpected final resolution! As in, it was a tad unpredictable as well as abrupt! Not to say that it feels incomplete.. but I'll definitely be watching the sequel next, to hopefully get more closure.

"Make women happy by letting them play with your swords" is an idea uttered in the film. Make of that what you will.

Easy recommendation.

A fairy-tale setup makes for an interesting premise.. sadly, it feels as dense as a page.

The over abundance of groaning and walking, and not much else for a large portion of the script.. plus a noticeable lack of engrossing dialogue, interactions and wit, make for quite a dull film. It is as predictable as it is slow to get going, but I at least enjoyed the production and visuals throughout! The cast is okay, and nothing else. This would make for an excellent short, where many elements are trimmed (the "Augur of Ebrietas" slugs).. as most characters are as simplistic and shallow as shown immediately after their quick introductions, so the rest of the story would remain intact.

Personally, I don't appreciate movies that have little to nothing to say.

I understand these are excellent adaptations of the books, the cinematography and locations are good.

But as a "popcorn flick" to watch in theaters, it has little to offer. Specially for a sequel! Overall, they aren't particularly stunning (real locations and a few color changes, sure), and the constant desert setting dulls the experience.. As for the script, it is rather long and doesn't accomplish much. The emotional core (leads) of the film isn't close to being strong enough for a hook. And there's little Imperial conflict to care about the overall war. And then, you have a Messiah lead that ultimately becomes invincible, with a plot device that dumbs down the upcoming developments and distracts the viewer (possible plot-holes and inconsistencies).

Hard to recommend when it is as slow and dull as it was. Now, if you are a fan of Dune! I can imagine it can't get any better than this.

Knowing what this movie is attempting to be.. it is quite fun and colorful!

Certainly more layered and unexpected than you'd think.. albeit its more predictable parts (that just come with the genre).

You have a spy-adjacent plotline that develops in good pace and is mostly interesting. Good choreographies, with two that stand out (one for being a spectacle, and a more impressive action scene I'd re-watch any day). The CGI is kind of iffy, though. But the locations and general production match the energy of the script. Impressive cast and good acting all around!

Easy recommendation for anyone wanting to watch a fun action film with no consequences.

Okay, hear me out!!

This is a strange movie with some very interesting visuals and excellent production (albeit, distracting cinematography that lowers the quality of said production), well written and unpredictable dialogue (when it sparsely feels like it), and a plot that could be qualified as drug-induced! That is to say.. it is quite a different movie from the expected structure. This quality is appreciated, except a lot of time, it is "wasted" on a particularly boorish aspect that I did not find appealing and was overly present with no purpose (aside from representing human urges?). Someone said "as if Wes Anderson was horny all the time".. I do not recent that remark.

But I can see there's at least some VERY good 30 minutes worth enjoying! Watching the other 1 hour and 30 minutes is a bit of a steep price to pay.

When they explore the idea of an infant in the body of a woman (with exponentially increasing mental capabilities) is unrealistically capable of looking at the world for what it is. And character illogical (but endearing) reactions to others kept things fresh! But there's little to gain from this "experiment". Personally, it wasn't until the introduction of "Martha" at around the 1 hour mark (half-way there) that I felt like I started to watch a movie worth watching. Most of the cast is serviceable (Ruffalo felt amateurish), and the score intrusive. I feel there's more negative than good.

So, if you don't have time to spare on movie-watching everything that comes out.. this might not be for you! It certainly wasn't for me.

Dumbed down characters/dialogue/premise, inconsistencies in characters, and even an insistence on making a Parakeet joke.

Anything anyone made after the amazing miracle that was the original movie.. was never going to be as good! It's just like being taken back to the 80s! Where cheap and poorly written cartoons were made to capitalize on franchises. Then there's the series, that seems to continue the "Megamind vs Doom Syndicate" plot, and if it is as childish and boorish as this was.. it won't be worth watching either.

It is rather insulting to take something as beloved, and trash it for quick buck. Stay far and away.. this isn't Megamind.

As someone that appreciates Japanese Culture and has a craving for feudal-era details.. I found this delightfully insightful!

I didn't know there were "Kitchen Samurai" in charge of serving meals to Daimyo and other important guests. I always thought something like that was completely relegated to woman. Cooking approaches are also something I'm interested in.

But this is a romance at its core, albeit quite weak.

It also has prominent elements of cooking and politics that drive the movie, but both are too diluted to stand out. All together make a dish that doesn't leave an impression. The script is too simplistic and safe, meaning the plot provides no uncertainty or tension.. and might as well be described as "executed in a straight line". These kind of soft stories are occasionally right. Still, Aya Ueto's supporting character is quite charming, even without having the spotlight on her. It's a shame stern and stoic male leads don't make for good partners. But romance in Japan was something else at the time.

It is very well made (production, cinematography, acting and even some songs that caught my attention), but is too generic to properly recommend to those not already interested.

The Amell brothers strike again! With a follow-up that arrived and departed unnoticed, failing to make a lasting impression.

The story consists of hollow sacrifices, corrupt cops and super power people. With a plot that is as close to the ground as humanly possible. At least the cinematography is good, the colors are consistent, technological designs are well made, and the CGI is generally decent.

While the first one brought uncertainty with its promise of world building, this one accomplishes nothing.. and I'd be hard pressed to give a third installment a chance (unless I hear excellent reviews). Personally, I wouldn't even bother, as it helps pass the time but does not entertain.. and lacks any memorable element.

An Edo Period Courtesan (Oiran) travels 161 years into the future, and is (unrealistically) accepted into a family until she can find a way back home.

While the premise and setup of the drama is a throwaway event (traveling to the present as if talking a walk).. it is what it does with it, the overall tone and interesting and eventful developments that makes this worth watching.

Sadly, the romance angle is beyond weak and predictable.. and also the core of the series. But all the good parts are either fish-out-of-water situations, or when the focus is drawn away from the leads for non-romantic situations (plot threads that are introduced and concluded rather abruptly, while still helping develop said characters). Still, the main protagonist (Senka) is quite charming, grows on you, and capable of straightening those that have veered away from their path due to her confidence and different perspective. I can imagine a completely different script that has her influence and affect those around her without caring so much about shallow love interests. Not to mention the final stretch being one of the worst written conclusions I've seen in a while (specially one important aspect that was as if written by a child).

The cast is generally good.. except the male lead's acting, which I found appalling. From his reactions, personality, sense of fashion, indecisiveness, uselessness. All of it! Even as a supporting character that appeared in a couple episodes (like the other actors), I would have disliked him. The poor romance is further accentuated by him.

Ultimately, it is a quirky series with decent humor I would reluctantly recommend. Even if there's a good drama hidden in parts.

Well, that was bad.. Since this film is too quirky to take seriously, too simplistic in its execution and its developments, and unconventional delivery of all dialogue makes it difficult to watch (as if from an over-acted play by novices), it truly needed to grab the viewers through compelling characters with endearing personalities, and immediately charm them as they are introduced, but fails to do so wholeheartedly. Still, it has it has at least a couple of interesting visuals, does the time setting rather well, has competent cinematography, wardrove and general good production! But none of that helps with the insipid, uninspired and boringly uneventful script. The entire cast (maybe except Liza Soberano) is forgettable, and the reduced capacity of every role accentuates this fact.

I am surprised this was released in theater at all, as it is too niche to attract audiences.. and the word of mouth could only hurt it further.

A story of nostalgia and moving forward.. of Longing and letting go. I don't think I'd go as far as call this a Romance, but it is definitely a Drama!

In actuality, "there's only one plot point", but you can truly feel its weight as it is perfectly executed to be what it is. Dialogue is mostly simplistic, but manages to convey its meaning well. The pacing may be deliberate, but still feels rather slow at times. It also gives the impression that it doesn't want to "impact" its viewer, because the developments are all quite predictable and mellow. Nonetheless, the performances of the Korean leads makes it all believable and give a majestic feeling of authenticity that is no easy feat. More surprising, the role of the "American" character is quite commendable, with an introspective that soap operas would find enviable! Providing much needed depth to the narrative, and putting a bow on an otherwise "nice gift".

The locations, the camera work, lighting and weather, the soft piano sounds and guitar being caressed accompany the mood perfectly. It is very well made! The movie itself wouldn't be as well rewarded for the merits of the script alone.. Still, I'm not sure I actually enjoyed it as I would have wanted, as there's little to take away from it. But would easily recommend it.

I had my general pre-expectations and knowledge (as much as you can escape word of mouth), but the praise I've heard over the years made it hard to pass on it. And while I wasn't really surprised at any point, I found it enjoyable, if not a tad forgettable.

It's a rather simplistic script where 2 strangers ultimately feel disconnected, while proclaiming to have had a great friendship. The elements are all good, but they don't bind as one hoped they would. Still, the movie is rather entertaining and has good pacing. But more importantly, it manages to hit a satisfactory emotional climax. And doesn't disrespect the fact that everything has to end!

Easy to recommend for anyone curious, as it is more introspective than morbid.

Such a throw-away movie.. I personally don't like the lead, and it is quite clear this was made to be a 100% kevin vehicle! No amount of money can buy coolness if you don't have it, and he doesn't have it.

Lift is formulaic, expected, devoid of tension.. and completely boring. The heists lack cleverness and surprise.

Then, all the character, interactions and lines of dialogue are awful and provide the bare minimum you'd expect from such a production. Specially Sam Worthington's Huxle role, that is SO overwritten into a cliché for the few seconds he id forced to act that way. Everything is so hollow and poorly written, it barely makes a movie. Don't waste your precious time.

For your average viewer, this is will be quite an enjoyable series!

With good pacing, a decent threat, good character interactions and developments, fine stunts, excellently executed choreographies, and beautiful locations. It is very family-unit-centric show, and it delivers in that regard.

But or anyone looking for something more memorable or special, there's little that stands out.

My major complaint regarding the show is how generic, simplistic and expected everything is. Some music choices feel strange, the world building is also a bit underwhelming. The way it shifts the tone to something too light-hearted in parts. How characters of such competence, skill, and discipline.. sometimes behave immaturely, displaying a lack of intelligence and maturity despite their abilities at the start.

Still, it is a well presented package that manages to entertain. And you can probably expect a season 2 to continue the story.

A rather simplistic run and chase movie, where a couple of scientist characters try to figure out why they are being framed for a gigantic 9 square explosion in the middle of the US before they are caught. The cause? An experiment sure to solve the world's energy problems.. exactly what you'd expect from a 90s film! Big in scope, technologically savvy and where the action-man is sure to come on top in a flashy way.

To me, it all seemed rather obvious and predictable (in a way that the leads should have seen coming), the action generic and the filler expected.. but the fun is how it will resolve itself anyway. A perfectly watchable movie.