SunDevil21 Reviews

Cocaine Bear (2023)

If you take this seriously, you're watching movies all wrong!

[8/10 · 25 September 2023]

This movie is in many ways terrible. In many ways genius. In many ways stupid. Silly. Idiotic. Fun. Cult classic. Absurd. Ridiculous. And altogether fantastic.

I'm not sure what the people that pan this movie are thinking, but I can only assume they don't know how to watch and enjoy a movie for what it is. Movies are made to entertain or infom in some way or another. That can mean a million things of course, but if it's just not your style of movie that's fine. But no reason to knock it down because it's not your thing. If the movie truly has flaws, then fine.

I just find it very hard to find many flaws with this movie. It is what it is. And that's the point. Are you really going to take a movie called "Cocaine Bear" seriously and assume the it's just badly put together? Give Elizabeth Banks a little credit. And some of the stars like Ray Liotta (his final project) also lend a little credibility to this project too.

There are literally heart-warming moments, along with "WTF" moments, and funny and charming moments thrown in. Is it a comedy? Is it a thriller? Is it purposely trying to be a B-Movie style film, or is it going for real depth? Honestly, I don't think it's any of them, which is what makes it so fascinating.

After the first couple of "incidents" with the bear I was leaning toward being slightly disappointed with it and thinking it's just not my cup of tea. Past that, though, I was all in. I'll leave it at that. Watch for yourself. You might find a movie called "Cocaine Bear" to be wildly entertaining and not know why exactly. It sounds like a "Sharknado", but it's not. I promise.

80 for Brady (2023)

Cute, funny, pleasant, a general good time!

[9/10 · 9 August 2023]

I really don't understand why the ratings are so low. People always expect Schindler's List every time they go to the theater or watch a film, apparently.

This movie is exactly what you should expect from a movie - a good time.

Fonda, Tomlin, Fields and Moreno are hysterical together. It's a feel good movie, with lots of comedy, cameos, some crying and thought provoking, sports, and camaraderie, and anything you can think of that should be in something meant to ENTERTAIN you.

It's not terribly long, it's sweet and did I mention funny?

If you liked Grace & Frankie, you'll definitely enjoy this, as it's better in my opinion.

But if you just want to have a good time watching a movie, then watch it!

The Menu (2022)

Hilariously and Wildly Sadistic Satire...people don't seem to get what satire means!

[8/10 · 20 January 2023]

First of all, as much as I want to use pun after pun, I won't.

So many reviews on here for this crazy film seem to have forgotten, or perhaps never really knew, what satire means. There's two types of reviews around here for this one.

1. The person who looks WAY TOO far into the "deeper meaning." 2. People who just don't understand true satire or "dark comedy."

I'll admit for a long time I didn't quite understand what those two things were or how they played together.

But this movie seems to make perfect sense to me in what "deeper meaning" it may have, but also clearly not taking itself too seriously. So I enjoyed it!

Is the plot 100% have every detail down? No. Almost no movies do because our attention span is often too narrow. Too short, you lose detail. Too long you lose focus.

Are we supposed to take it so seriously as to whine about why a character did what they did (or in this case perhaps, didn't do)? No, of course not. That's not the point.

There's some fun stuff. Some funny stuff. Some vague commentary on a few things about life, some questionable stuff, and finally some wild, over the top, what the heck is going on here kind of stuff that simply makes this enjoyable.

Watch it or not. It's not going to be Best Picture. But if you have a little sense of humor, are open to bizarre entertainment and generally like to see movies of varying style, then it might just hit the spot for you.

The Night House (2020)

Extremely well made psychological thriller!

[9/10 · 15 January 2023]

Those expecting a "horror" story with classic gore and blood and guts will be disappointed.

But that is not what this movie is trying to be. It's called a psychological thriller for a reason and it delivers on all fronts. Some would call it slow paced, but again, that is what makes this beautifully shot and terrifically acted movie hit all points of what what needs to go into a story of the mind.

It sure as hell makes you think of a few things differently, if only just for a short time. The acting was superb and Rebecca Hall is utterly amazing in this extremely creepy, slightly mind-torturing, keep-you-guessing mystery. The ending might feel abrupt but it also seems appropriate. Not sure there is any more to say at that point in time.

Fascinating flick!

Grimcutty (2022)

Some people take things too literally these days!

[7/10 · 31 October 2022]

This movie was worth the entertainment value it provides. Most of the other reviews that were dissecting every aspect of this movie are also the ones who complain about anything in movies being unrealistic and therefor a stupid movie.

Was it a great movie? Of course not. Was it worth the 1 and 2 star reviews people have given it? Definitely not!

If you're looking for a movie with an interesting premise and a creepy aspect about it, go for it!

If you're expecting an Oscar for Best Picture, move right along. But I doubt you are if you're even considering this movie.

The acting is terribly great, but it's not terribly poor either. I've never thought Shannyn Sossamon had a whole lot of emotion in films, but it's fine. Some of it is intentional, and I do think just a little bit more build in to the story itself might have been warranted. And I'm not a fan of ASMR, but thankfully that's only 2 parts of the movie.

The rest is an interesting twist on the whole "we're addicted to our phones" thing by turning the usual points made about it, somewhat on its head.

Obviously everyone has their own opinion, but don't take the mistake that some reviewers have, and take it so literally and seriously!

The Greatest Beer Run Ever (2022)

A whole lot more to unpack than just a case of beer!

[9/10 · 22 October 2022]

I thought this movie was way more than the title or previews ever suggested. I was truly blown away by this movie and for a comedy, it had me doing a good amount of ugly crying. I thought most of the acting was superb, especially Efron and Crowe.

But you can definitely tell who watched the movie and who didn't based on the other reviews. Yes, there are some things one can nitpick about it - just like every other movie in the world.

But most of the poor reviews here are amazingly inaccurate with what actually happened in the movie.

The premise seems like a ridiculous concept, and if this was a purely fictional story, it would just be silly to think a movie adaptation of it could be worth making. However, it is not fiction, and based on a true story. The movie, even if somewhat slowly, becomes way more than just a "beer run" and frankly made me think about the varying points of view that people had about the Vietnam War. And though I wasn't alive during that time, do feel that I had learned enough to be somewhat familiar with it. This still taught me a lot, in a more existential way, and frankly how some things in history never seem to change.

It's interesting how panned this movie was by the "critics," and some "professions" reviews were just downright brutal. But I'm glad I don't go by what they have to say. Because I think they all watched a different movie than I did, honestly.

Needless to say, I thought it was a pretty great film. Certainly worth watching.

Wonder Woman 1984 (2020)

Not Sure What Everyone Was Expecting

[9/10 · 28 December 2020]

Watch it and enjoy it! I don't know what everyone is all up in arms about and why they think this was such a bad movie. I found it entertaining as hell. Perhaps it was all of the negativity I saw here first, but I loved it. Remember, this takes place during the 80s. That's an entirely different tone than taking place during WWI. This movie was never meant to be a repeat of the first.

Prom Night (I) (2008)

Some people expect too much...

[7/10 · 23 August 2020]

No, this was not a GREAT movie, but it was still entertaining. It is your typical slasher flick and a relatively clean one, not too much gore. But unless you literally want blood and guts AND a Best Picture, it's still fun to watch. Why people expect this genre of film to be up there with the greatest movies of all time, is beyond me. They never will be. Ever. If you take this movie for what it is, and know that you'll be able to guess when most of the characters who die, die - then you'll probably enjoy it. If not, then this movie is not for you apparently.

Transporter 2 (2005)

The Transporter delivers again

[10/10 · 3 September 2005]

Saw Transporter 2 last night (opening night) and was amazed at how well it topped the first. As far as being something that is brand new it didn't - which a sequel will never do. However, in terms of topping the stunts and action, I'd say it beat the original by a long shot. Having a different story line made a big difference, as well.

Other than one small point about one particular stunt was officially more overblown than others, this movie packs the punch it promises.

If you're seeking a classic action movie with a great lead character who has attitude, an eccentric nemesis, and even a small love interest - than one absolutely could not go wrong with this sequel to what has become a classic already in the original Transporter. Jason Statham continues to show why he is one of the coolest action stars in the game today.

Sin City (2005)

Truly a comic book brought to life!

[10/10 · 17 March 2005]

I must admit that I know, or knew rather, very little about the story or history of Frank Miller and his series of comic book novels - and maybe that is why I enjoyed this movie so much. Although, this is still a different type of situation where one who was a big fan of the stories might be seriously critical of every little detail of the comic book turned movie. I don't believe anyone who considers themselves truly knowledgeable about Miller's work can say that this was not represented well on the big screen. I'm now intrigued to go back and check out some of his work.

That aside, as far as it being a movie and a work of art, I would give this movie high marks in both categories. For it being a movie, it was nice to see something so different as far as the approach to making it go. Also, having such an incredible cast makes it all the more intriguing. I don't see anyone else having portrayed any of these characters any better than the cast that was hired to do so.

On an artistic level, it is extremely hard to think of any other movie that comes close to being in the same league. I did not see Sky Captain, but I would say that anyone who liked Pleasantville for its cinematography and graphic elements, would love Sin City. The use of black and white photography with only specific colors added later make for a far more dramatic effect. And so much of the cinematography being so close to a "moving picture" version of comic book art simply makes this movie worth seeing.

Take the artistic elements of this movie, and put it together with the amazing cast (both looks and talent) and throw it together with a very different but coherent plot, and you've got yourself an extremely enjoyable movie that is definitely worth seeing. And seeing at the theater no less!

My hats off to Robert Rodriguez, Frank Miller, and the rest of the cast and crew for putting together something different for a change.

My only complaint about the whole movie - the use of labeling Quentin Tarantino as a "Special Guest Director" is almost too lame to deal with.