Trash bag lady, bell bottoms girl, Rosie Perez, and longtime Birds of Prey leader/egg sandwich enthusiast Harley Quinn all band together to take down Phillip Morris. Classic DC story line.
Reviews
11 Reviews
The Invisible Man
(I) (2020)
Not so hollow
24 March 2020
Solid film overall. Great acting, story, and characters.
Takes a little while to actually get started. They easily could have cut about 20 minutes to improve pacing and tighten the story up. The last hour is where it shines and everything that was set up really starts paying off.
Lacking any kind of dark/organic humor. It's very dreary and downright boring at times. Films like Upgrade and Hollow Man managed to have a sort of charm about them that this film is sorely lacking.
The thriller elements were engaging and clever. They really utilize the invisible man concept to its full potential. You feel like the protagonist is truly in danger at any given moment and the action doesn't devolve into people just being picked up and thrown into walls.
Despite some shaky logic at times, this is a worthy and serious entry in the lineup of films based on The Invisible Man.
Takes a little while to actually get started. They easily could have cut about 20 minutes to improve pacing and tighten the story up. The last hour is where it shines and everything that was set up really starts paying off.
Lacking any kind of dark/organic humor. It's very dreary and downright boring at times. Films like Upgrade and Hollow Man managed to have a sort of charm about them that this film is sorely lacking.
The thriller elements were engaging and clever. They really utilize the invisible man concept to its full potential. You feel like the protagonist is truly in danger at any given moment and the action doesn't devolve into people just being picked up and thrown into walls.
Despite some shaky logic at times, this is a worthy and serious entry in the lineup of films based on The Invisible Man.
Captain Marvel
(2019)
Syfy channel movie with a Disney/Marvel budget
31 May 2019
Theoretically speaking, you could snap this movie out of existence and the difference would be negligible. It merely exists as a statistic, so Marvel can claim they have a female led MCU film.
The miscast lead actress while brilliant in other projects, is completely flat in her line delivery throughout the entire film. Unfortunately, Sam Jackson and Ben Mendelsohn are the real stars of the show here.
The bland direction and cinematography stick out like a sore thumb. Action scenes unfold with the grace of a Syfy channel original film, making this the perfect Sunday afternoon distraction you can play in the background and ignore successfully.
With Marvel's deep bench of colorful characters, such as Black Widow, Nebula, and Scarlet Witch (just to name a few), it's disappointing to see this inconsequential character be given such an unnecessary spotlight.
I'd highly recommend you save your money, and just look up the after credits scene on YouTube and/or read the plot on Wikipedia. This is 123 minutes that could be better spent watching Catwoman (2004) or doing the dishes.
The miscast lead actress while brilliant in other projects, is completely flat in her line delivery throughout the entire film. Unfortunately, Sam Jackson and Ben Mendelsohn are the real stars of the show here.
The bland direction and cinematography stick out like a sore thumb. Action scenes unfold with the grace of a Syfy channel original film, making this the perfect Sunday afternoon distraction you can play in the background and ignore successfully.
With Marvel's deep bench of colorful characters, such as Black Widow, Nebula, and Scarlet Witch (just to name a few), it's disappointing to see this inconsequential character be given such an unnecessary spotlight.
I'd highly recommend you save your money, and just look up the after credits scene on YouTube and/or read the plot on Wikipedia. This is 123 minutes that could be better spent watching Catwoman (2004) or doing the dishes.
Bumblebee
(I) (2018)
A step in the right direction
25 March 2019
I understand that the movie studio behind this is hesitant about making a Transformers film that's solely based on the machines themselves. With that in mind, this is the next best thing.
Think John Hughes meets Transformers. A coming of age story about a young girl and the stray dog she meets and adopts. Only that dog is Bumblebee.
The first hour of this film is excellent. The set up to the movie and the premise are very simple, straightforward, and fun. Unfortunately, it's all downhill from there.
Hailee Steinfeld is an amazing actress with enormous potential, who carries this movie throughout. However, despite all the heart and innocence this movie exudes, it slowly devolves into a generic, forced mess of a story.
Most notably, there is a confusing non-love interest/love interest introduced an hour into the film that goes absolutely nowhere, which feels more like a studio mandated element, rather than an organic occurrence. Certain characters and the movie itself poke fun at its illogical nature and tropes that these types of movies fall victim to, only to end up in those same categories itself by the end.
There are seeds of greatness in this movie and Hailee makes it worth watching. With a better script and clearer vision in both the writers room and behind the camera, this Transformers movie could be the start of something great.
Think John Hughes meets Transformers. A coming of age story about a young girl and the stray dog she meets and adopts. Only that dog is Bumblebee.
The first hour of this film is excellent. The set up to the movie and the premise are very simple, straightforward, and fun. Unfortunately, it's all downhill from there.
Hailee Steinfeld is an amazing actress with enormous potential, who carries this movie throughout. However, despite all the heart and innocence this movie exudes, it slowly devolves into a generic, forced mess of a story.
Most notably, there is a confusing non-love interest/love interest introduced an hour into the film that goes absolutely nowhere, which feels more like a studio mandated element, rather than an organic occurrence. Certain characters and the movie itself poke fun at its illogical nature and tropes that these types of movies fall victim to, only to end up in those same categories itself by the end.
There are seeds of greatness in this movie and Hailee makes it worth watching. With a better script and clearer vision in both the writers room and behind the camera, this Transformers movie could be the start of something great.
Overlord
(2018)
A mediocre war movie with a dash of sci-fi horror
19 February 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Technically well-made, well acted, and beautifully shot. But very little happens in the way of horror or advancing the main plot until over an hour in.
Most of the characters with the exception of one, make horrifically stupid decisions through out the film. There's maybe less than five minutes of actual horror.
A complete waste of time if you were expecting to watch a zombie war flick. Nowhere near as entertaining as an actual B movie (which this movie is not) or as satisfying as a real action flick.
This movie couldn't decide what it wanted to be so it ends up not delivering in any department. Save your time.
Most of the characters with the exception of one, make horrifically stupid decisions through out the film. There's maybe less than five minutes of actual horror.
A complete waste of time if you were expecting to watch a zombie war flick. Nowhere near as entertaining as an actual B movie (which this movie is not) or as satisfying as a real action flick.
This movie couldn't decide what it wanted to be so it ends up not delivering in any department. Save your time.
Tomb Raider
(2018)
Tomb Raider & Friends
1 June 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Clearly the Angelina Jolie movies inspired this film more than the new video game series did, leaving the writers lost in some kind of gray area. Also lost in this purgatory between the two, is Alicia Vikander, who trained way too hard for this movie to try too little.
This thing is a goner after the MMA match opener that the crew seemingly spent all of their time and attention on, soon followed by Lara Croft playing capture the flag on a bicycle with a paint bucket. Then we're treated to a boy her age unable to ask her out on a date (which seems built up to pay off at the end but never does)? I guess this was all from the part of the script they forgot to delete.
Tomb Raider (the new video game series) starts off simply. She's on a ship to an unknown island she seeks to explore. It capsizes and she's thrust into this world of danger and intrigue on the island she was destined to. The plot fills itself in organically via a series of flashbacks and other interactions by the characters shipwrecked with her, as she progresses onward.
This movie throws away all of that beauty and simplicity by over complicating her background which could easily be explained over the course of the movie. She doesn't even make it to the island until maybe 40 minutes in. We're beat over the head with her father's simple first draft exposition (and that never ends until he's dead towards the end of the movie).
The pros are the very few and far in between action scenes of Lara surviving the onslaught of the environment and antagonists at hand. Not to mention how well Alicia Vikander and Walton Goggins do with this turd.
If you like video games and have a PS4 or an Xbox One, skip this movie altogether and pick up some copies of Tomb Raider (2013) and Rise of the Tomb Raider (2015).
This thing is a goner after the MMA match opener that the crew seemingly spent all of their time and attention on, soon followed by Lara Croft playing capture the flag on a bicycle with a paint bucket. Then we're treated to a boy her age unable to ask her out on a date (which seems built up to pay off at the end but never does)? I guess this was all from the part of the script they forgot to delete.
Tomb Raider (the new video game series) starts off simply. She's on a ship to an unknown island she seeks to explore. It capsizes and she's thrust into this world of danger and intrigue on the island she was destined to. The plot fills itself in organically via a series of flashbacks and other interactions by the characters shipwrecked with her, as she progresses onward.
This movie throws away all of that beauty and simplicity by over complicating her background which could easily be explained over the course of the movie. She doesn't even make it to the island until maybe 40 minutes in. We're beat over the head with her father's simple first draft exposition (and that never ends until he's dead towards the end of the movie).
The pros are the very few and far in between action scenes of Lara surviving the onslaught of the environment and antagonists at hand. Not to mention how well Alicia Vikander and Walton Goggins do with this turd.
If you like video games and have a PS4 or an Xbox One, skip this movie altogether and pick up some copies of Tomb Raider (2013) and Rise of the Tomb Raider (2015).
Solo: A Star Wars Story
(2018)
Good at not caring is one thing. Good at caring, that's something else.
31 May 2018
Harrison Ford didn't need to care about a movie he never envisioned blowing up into a big franchise. Things were quite a bit different for Alden Ehrenreich.
I never cared about the character of Han Solo until now. I was always forcibly told growing up, that's the character I should like the most and I never saw the appeal. The same way people will tell you, you're not allowed to like the prequels.
I thought Solo: A Star Wars Story did everything it needed to and more. A big fun action/heist movie with scintillating twists, turns, and heart I didn't expect. Why did there ever need to be anything more to a Solo movie?
Solo satisfies on every level. Expanding upon just enough of the big moments referenced in the original trilogy but never doing anything to upset the balance, all the while bringing its own flavor and action to an otherwise lackluster start for Disney.
I never cared about the character of Han Solo until now. I was always forcibly told growing up, that's the character I should like the most and I never saw the appeal. The same way people will tell you, you're not allowed to like the prequels.
I thought Solo: A Star Wars Story did everything it needed to and more. A big fun action/heist movie with scintillating twists, turns, and heart I didn't expect. Why did there ever need to be anything more to a Solo movie?
Solo satisfies on every level. Expanding upon just enough of the big moments referenced in the original trilogy but never doing anything to upset the balance, all the while bringing its own flavor and action to an otherwise lackluster start for Disney.
Justice League
(2017)
A lesson in history
26 December 2017
Warning: Spoilers
JL is not on the same level of campiness, like a Batman Forever, Batman & Robin, or Batman 66. However, there is a certain warm and comfortable nostalgic feeling to this movie. Despite the familiarity, this is better watched with a general understanding of the lore/comics/cartoons, etc.
While JL does not take itself seriously, I understand there was a tonal change DC Films was looking to make, in regards to how dark the previous movies were. I will admit the tonal change in this movie does come off as abrupt.
That being said, my only real complaint at this point is the fact that Superman did not compete with The Flash on foot. I remember finding that comic book in an antique shop when I was a kid, and I'll never forget the cover depicting The Flash racing against Superman.
I had so much fun with this movie, and I hope others can enjoy it for what it is. Despite that, I'm getting the feeling that Justice League 2 either won't happen or will also be completely different than this movie.
It's not the best movie ever, I liked BvS better, but it's a modern Super Friends, and I loved Super Friends growing up. Either way, holy crap, I'm glad this exists, and it's as good as it is.
While JL does not take itself seriously, I understand there was a tonal change DC Films was looking to make, in regards to how dark the previous movies were. I will admit the tonal change in this movie does come off as abrupt.
That being said, my only real complaint at this point is the fact that Superman did not compete with The Flash on foot. I remember finding that comic book in an antique shop when I was a kid, and I'll never forget the cover depicting The Flash racing against Superman.
I had so much fun with this movie, and I hope others can enjoy it for what it is. Despite that, I'm getting the feeling that Justice League 2 either won't happen or will also be completely different than this movie.
It's not the best movie ever, I liked BvS better, but it's a modern Super Friends, and I loved Super Friends growing up. Either way, holy crap, I'm glad this exists, and it's as good as it is.
Somewhere in Time
(1980)
If you know what it's like to have love and lost.
25 September 2016
Warning: Spoilers
It's hard to watch this movie without tears. It's also hard to think of a love story that requires you to travel through time to reunite with your loved one. In my opinion, that may be the biggest test of love.
I also think that's the true test of an older film. I watched this movie when I was a child, and it affected me then. I re-watched this film tonight and it affected me now.
This movie is timeless (no pun intended).
If you've ever lost a loved one, regardless of the circumstance, prepare for a trip down memory lane if you watch this, as you struggle to realize your best chance to reunite with this person is in the afterlife.
I also think that's the true test of an older film. I watched this movie when I was a child, and it affected me then. I re-watched this film tonight and it affected me now.
This movie is timeless (no pun intended).
If you've ever lost a loved one, regardless of the circumstance, prepare for a trip down memory lane if you watch this, as you struggle to realize your best chance to reunite with this person is in the afterlife.
The Guest
(I) (2014)
Convincing
3 September 2016
Warning: Spoilers
I blindly watched this movie not knowing what it was. I quickly realized it was some kind of beautiful Cape Fear, What About Bob?, Terminator 1984 mashup.
This movie was recommended to me by Comicbookgirl19 in part of her series about underrated/unknown movies. I'm so glad I took her advice in watching this film.
Maybe I'm naive, but the suspense builds so beautifully in this film. In the beginning, the main antagonist establishes he's not the antagonist by reaffirming the viewer (and the main characters) he's clearly in a framed picture on the mantle of the unsuspecting family's fireplace.
Dan Stevens reassures us time and time again he's not the bad guy, even though jaded movie goers know he is. Maybe I'm like a child in a ball pit but I could not track when and how he would ever become evil.
Dan shows us how he's a friend to the victim family, and helps them through their hardest of times, literally. I won't spoil much more but at first he's like the friend everybody and nobody needs.
To sum it up, watch this film, as it is pure indulgence for some, such as myself.
Dan Stevens is a total sleeper/underdog actor. Only after watching this movie I realized he was in Downton Abbey. I also heard he might possibly be in contention for the next James Bond, and in my opinion he would absolutely kill in that role.
This movie was recommended to me by Comicbookgirl19 in part of her series about underrated/unknown movies. I'm so glad I took her advice in watching this film.
Maybe I'm naive, but the suspense builds so beautifully in this film. In the beginning, the main antagonist establishes he's not the antagonist by reaffirming the viewer (and the main characters) he's clearly in a framed picture on the mantle of the unsuspecting family's fireplace.
Dan Stevens reassures us time and time again he's not the bad guy, even though jaded movie goers know he is. Maybe I'm like a child in a ball pit but I could not track when and how he would ever become evil.
Dan shows us how he's a friend to the victim family, and helps them through their hardest of times, literally. I won't spoil much more but at first he's like the friend everybody and nobody needs.
To sum it up, watch this film, as it is pure indulgence for some, such as myself.
Dan Stevens is a total sleeper/underdog actor. Only after watching this movie I realized he was in Downton Abbey. I also heard he might possibly be in contention for the next James Bond, and in my opinion he would absolutely kill in that role.
Lacking coherence
1 September 2016
Warning: Spoilers
I thoroughly enjoyed the first movie in 2014, which this movie was a sequel of. Unfortunately this movie cannot even begin to compete with its original, or Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 1990.
The special effects for Bebop & Rocksteady, the Technodrome, some of the turtles, and Splinter were phenomenal. The actors who played Bebop and Rocksteady were phenomenal. Other than that, this movie dips below any version of the cartoon series, and the 1990 version in terms of writing.
I didn't expect that much out of this Turtles movie, but knew immediately within the opening scenes they were lowering the bar. I came to the conclusion that this series wasn't being made for me anymore.
Casey Jones is this clean-cut homogeneous police officer who doesn't resemble a vigilante whatsoever. Leonardo's changed voice actors, and has essentially given up his leadership position in favor of short weak arguments with the rest of the crew. All the turtle's characterizations are just so slightly off.
In conclusion the turtles are overworked in their visual design, Shredder has zero screen time despite being heavily promoted in this movie, and the turtles just blow away this other worldly force when they couldn't even hang with Shredder's junk in the first movie.
See this if you're a hardcore Turtles fan I guess.
The special effects for Bebop & Rocksteady, the Technodrome, some of the turtles, and Splinter were phenomenal. The actors who played Bebop and Rocksteady were phenomenal. Other than that, this movie dips below any version of the cartoon series, and the 1990 version in terms of writing.
I didn't expect that much out of this Turtles movie, but knew immediately within the opening scenes they were lowering the bar. I came to the conclusion that this series wasn't being made for me anymore.
Casey Jones is this clean-cut homogeneous police officer who doesn't resemble a vigilante whatsoever. Leonardo's changed voice actors, and has essentially given up his leadership position in favor of short weak arguments with the rest of the crew. All the turtle's characterizations are just so slightly off.
In conclusion the turtles are overworked in their visual design, Shredder has zero screen time despite being heavily promoted in this movie, and the turtles just blow away this other worldly force when they couldn't even hang with Shredder's junk in the first movie.
See this if you're a hardcore Turtles fan I guess.
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