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mmisen78
Reviews
The Get Lost Losers (2022)
Brought me back to my kind of Rock n' Roll
I'm what the kids call an old head. I grew up on rock n' roll comedy acts like The Monkees, The Partridge Family, and Spinal Tap. The Get Lost Losers deserve to be listed with those all-time great comedy-music projects. I was not expecting to be WOW'd.
The movie centers around four aging bandmates on the verge of walking away from their rock n' roll dreams until a surprise opportunity to perform at a big-time showcase rekindles their commitment. But they need to write a whole new catalogue of songs to impress the judges.
Anyone who's ever been in a band will love the interactions between members. I played bass in about a dozen groups and was sent back in time to those dingy practice rooms and lousy bars. The arguments about music, song structure and attitudes were very genuine.
The music is well done and isn't that modern "rock" with its aggressive vocals and chunky riffs. I'd say the soundtrack is more of a cross between Deep Purple and Journey. Or, as they say in the movie, "Bruce Springsteen on cocaine without the horns."
Character-wise, there's the angry control-freak singer, the whiny ladies' man guitarist, the wholesome drummer and the too-cool-for-school bass player. There's a roadie who often steals the show and a 10-year-old manager that brings a lot of heart to the story. The singer's girlfriend has many funny moments and their arguments were sharp.
Is this a big budget blockbuster? No. But the performances are amazing, the story is simple yet solid, and it's more entertaining than any Hollywood film I've seen as of late. As far as a movie about a band goes, you won't find a film more funny, authentic or captivating released in this century. 10/10 will watch again.
Tucker and Dale vs Evil (2010)
A Great Treat for Horror Fans
Not many films manage your expectations quite like Tucker and Dale vs. Evil. This 2010 offering turned the horror genre on its head with its hilarious POV gag and career-defining performances from Alan Tudyk and Tyler Labine. Sure, it's campy. It's silly. It's kind of predictable. But the scenes themselves - especially the horror-filled elements - keep the audience in on the joke the whole time. There is also a softer side to the film; what it means to be misunderstood, the pitfalls and pigeonholes of a class system, and the quaint but unattainable dreams of rural Americans just struggling to get by.
The Great (2020)
Tremendous TV Show
During the last couple of years, The Great has been the TV show I've recommended to people the most. "It's like Game of Thrones without the dragons but with more weird sex," I'd say. A few days later, a friend would call back, "I just finished the whole series and loved it." It feels good being right about something once in a while, you know? In the first few moments of the series, we get the idea that this show is going to be anything but ordinary. From its outrageous action, seedy plots and historically inaccurate casting, there are many reasons to applaud The Great, but its dedication to storytelling and performances make it one of the best - and most outlandish - TV shows ever made.
The Batman (2022)
Man, this was ... a movie
There have been many versions of Batman over the years but this is, undoubtedly, the worst; the lame story, timid emo energy, disrespect for canon, slow pacing and lack of memorable movie moments make this a C- character study at best. You'd think if a studio was going to spend $100+ million on a movie's budget (and another $100 million on advertising), they might also invest in telling a story worthy of the Caped Crusader. I feel sorry for kids who're growing up thinking this is what Batman should be. Even the Clooney & Kilmer installments offered something for its audience. This was just a depressing wade through Dark Knight sludge.
Top Gun: Maverick (2022)
Solid Movie
This wasn't the second-coming of cinema all the fans promised (if anything, it takes itself a little too seriously while still being completely unbelievable) but the movie was a real homage to Tony Scott, whose voice is sorely missed in Hollywood. The thing really weighing the story down is the romance angle, which is contrived and forgettable. The cast, although able to shine when onscreen, takes a backseat to Maverick and his story of redemption, which is, frankly, a breath of fresh air considering the other rehash/reboot offerings coming out of Tinseltown. The last 25 minutes of the film were particularly over the top but, overall, Maverick is an enjoyable romp through the clouds at Mach 5 speed.