make_me_think Reviews

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (2023)

Far from the best, also far from the worst

[5/10 · 4 March 2024]

It's going to be difficult to come up with 600 characters for this one.

Crazy amount of digital effects that were impressive in their own right, but they couldn't make up for the rest.

From the awkward character movements at what is supposed to be dramatic moments, to attempts at campy humor that landed as just plain dumb, and to me it seemed like they couldn't make up their minds whether they were robbing from Star Wars or Lord of the Rings.

I see the box office net was good, but I gotta say that in terms of quality story telling, the DCCU and the Aquaman franchise especially has officially jumped the shark.

This Is Me... Now (2024)

Uninhibited and unashamed, as love and art should be.

[9/10 · 3 March 2024]

I don't understand the low ratings, really. Maybe I rate it higher because I watched the documentary first? I enjoyed this because I see it as Jennifer's "Passion Play". We all know one thing that distinguishes artists from the rest of us is their ability to express, and "This Is Me...Now" is an uninhibited and unashamed expression of the joy she feels after being rewarded for doing what many cannot do even when they should when the time or circumstances are not right...letting go of something or someone you love. And as the saying goes, if it was meant to be it comes back to you.

For those judging harshly, ask yourself why sincerity isn't enough? Few have millions of dollars to create a statement like "This Is Me...Now" but it's not about the money...when have you or would you literally put your heart out there for all to see?

The Fare (I) (2018)

Much Better Than the 6.5 Gives Credit For

[10/10 · 7 January 2024]

Once tripped across this movie on Amazon Prime and was impressed. Enjoyed it so much I purchased it from Apple and now watch it at least once a month. Simple story and set/scenery, no fluff or gimmicks. The camera and lighting all perfectly supports the story line. Hard to imagine in a world of hundred million dollar budgets, ADHD pace and visuals, and billion dollar box offices, but once in a while a surprising low budget jewel like 'The Fare' comes along. Back in the day Siskel & Ebert would have eagerly given it a two thumbs up rating, but I guess these days you'll have to take the word of reviewers like me. IMHO, anyone that doesn't give this at least an eight is either a self-important purist or just plain broken.

Ava (IV) (2020)

Not great, but better than John Wick 4 frankly

[7/10 · 7 December 2023]

Comments about 355 talk about it being formulaic...but aren't all "spy" movies? Seriously.

You think Freckle Films had the same array of scripts to choose from as Universal, MGM, Focus, 20th Century Fox, Paramount, EON, or Warner Bros.?

355 is a fast-paced action thriller focusing on a team of female spies. While it may not have the same artistic depth as a MI movie, John Wick, or Bourne...it deserves recognition for its contribution to the action genre.

The film brings together a diverse cast of strong female leads, breaking traditional genre boundaries. Its current IMDb rating undervalues its efforts in delivering an engaging, action-packed experience with a fresh perspective on spy thrillers.

355 is more than just an action movie; it's a statement on the evolving landscape of the genre, showcasing female empowerment in a traditionally male-dominated space.

The Batman (2022)

Worth watching

[7/10 · 23 September 2023]

I waited this long to watch it because I'm not a fan of Pattinson but I'll give him credit he played the role well. His emotional range needs some work...not that he should be a rager like Bale's but he seemed nearly catatonic many times in the film. I dunno, maybe it's the best one yet because he did give off the "dead inside" vibe. It was refreshing that Bruce apparently wasn't a full on gazillionaire, the toned down suit, vehicles, and gadgets actually felt more authentic than anything so far. Same with Kravitz...although there was obviously little to no chemistry. When if some to Super Hero chemistry in the DC universe, studios would do well to shoot for the likes of Henry Cavill and Amy Adams. Amy admitted she was smitten with him on set...but that aside...they felt real. Any way, back to The Batman. Like the review title says, worth watching. Given "Batman's" voice over at the end a sequel might be good. Riddler and Joker...two totally bat**** crazy bad guys against an introspective Batman might be a good show.

Invasion (2021–2024)

Almost a ripoff of Live, Die, Repeat - Edge of Tomorrow

[4/10 · 27 August 2023]

I write this less than 10 minutes into the S2EP1 show. Granted there are more stories in the overall, but at the end of the day it's slow and not all that interesting. The creatures are ripoffs of the mimics. There was a mention of hive mind last season, another ripoff of Live, Die, Repeat - Edge of Tomorrow. I won't be surprised at all if there ends up being a critical time/temporal aspect to this series. The only high points so far have been the way Annesha handled her now dead husband and the regrettably short relationship between Mitsuki and Hinata. And what a sucker punch to kill Sam Neill so quick. I'll try watching the rest of the S2 opener but not hopeful.

Ghosted (I) (2023)

Fun and very enjoyable

[9/10 · 3 May 2023]

The movie lived up to the trailer. Isn't that a measure of a movie? Not sure why people would give it a low rating. No one is going to feel suckered by watching this movie. It was fun, Ana and Chris had good chemistry, enough to make the humor look effortless and the emotional moments seem real. The campiness of fellow Avengers and an X-Men "trainee" showing up was a hoot. Pace and action sequences were good, sound track had a few gems as well. For anyone that watches movies to be entertained I think it is a must watch. For people who watch movies so they can write opinions...movies like this aren't meant for you in the first place.

Solaris (2002)

Not for everyone, but captivating for the rest of us

[8/10 · 26 November 2022]

Most people are vexed to one degree or another by the question what if I'd made a different decision? Education, careers, lovers, children...I think it's only human to wonder.

What this movie does a good job of pointing out is that interrogation is flawed by the way we remember people and things...we were after all only a part of what happened.

In the end, the different decision was Kelvin's to make...which he did by going to Rheya instead of way from.

Most "different" decisions are merely a change of one's own perception...free of abuse of course...if parties want to be together...then most relationships can work when all is truly forgiven...whether infractions are real or imagined.

As to where Chris and Rheya are...or if they really are...remember that nothing is every destroyed...only transformed.

American Horror Story: Something's Coming (2022) Season 11, Episode 1

Not AHS Anymore

[3/10 · 23 October 2022]

I don't know what this is, but AHS has been on a downhill run for a while...hasn't been scary or even scary-ish in quite a while. I realize it's only two episodes in, but you can usually sense the season's arc in the first or second episode...and so far...all I'm relatively sure is that this will be a waste of 40 minutes per week. Good to see Z. Quinto back, but so far the most interesting part of the show so far is Kathy Pizzaz's singing. The Hamilton homage in episode 2 is just plain lame and strange and a disjointed opportunity to push the "something's coming" sleight of hand attempt. I think the show is jumped the shark and none of us realized it...the commercials are a tell.