kosmasp Reviews

The Roundup: Punishment (2024)

Online crimes

[9/10 · 19 April 2024]

No pun intended - the movie takes a step into modern crime. Apparently the Round up series is going to have many more entries. And I will watch them all and I know if Don Lee is in them, I will enjoy them in different degrees .. but I will enjoy them. The second one still remains the best - I was thinking about giving this an 8 ... but decided to go with a 9 like with the rest of them.

There is less with side characters, but still more than enough! The mascot is back - well I am calling him that. A "small" time criminal, who has a love hate relationship with our main character here. And quite a few more return too. Of course Don Lee as the main character has to be back too. And we have a bit of a break(through) compared to the other 3 movies. Usually you had him entering and us seeing only his back in the very first scene. This time the very first shot is straight up his face. Though to be fair, we ... feel his presence way before that. A really good entry once again - just different than the other movies.

We also do not get the ... usual interrogation scene. We do get a mixture of things used before though (the making the criminal being afraid of his life and in another scene the .... "helmet" method - if you know, you know) ... and both things work.

The movie is quite violent, but also has quite the funny and chill moments. Don Lees character not being able to understand technical terms is just hilarious ... as are his attempts to use words of wisdom he has heard ... to pep up/talk others ... but that is why we love him.

Other good news: we get a really good bad guy. Was a bit of a problem (at least for me) in the third one. And still not as good as the one in the second movie ... but a step up as I said. If you liked Bud Spencer ... you will have fun with the antics that this movie is giving you! You can feel every punch ... you don't need 3D for this ... just a good sound system!

I Believe in Santa (2022)

Losing my ... religion/belief

[3/10 · 19 April 2024]

No pun intended - now maybe you are a Christmas ... I'll say addict without meaning it to be super negative. Enthusiast might be a better word I reckon. So let's go with that - and it would be fitting because one of the characters in this also loves Christmas .. like a lot! Way too much as some might say.

Suspend your disbelief you say? Better believe that! I am not a fan of the Hallmark movies - this has a similar vibe to say the least. It may be even more over the top come to think of it. Unrealistic is one thing, but not criticizing Christmas movies? Why not? They are not beyond approach and have to be held to a standard to - at least for most of us. If you feel differently: good for you! Especially if you had fun with this movie that I would consider boring (I would say no offense, but that would not sound too honest/earnest).

Big George Foreman (2023)

One way out

[8/10 · 19 April 2024]

Well there were probably other things Foreman could have done, so no pun intended with this summary line as well (as the others). George Foreman is right now quite known for his grills - and while I was waiting for them to pop up during the run time, they are mentioned in the end credits (amongst other things/facts listed about him).

Really well played and quite a lot of ups and downs. I was a bit taken back by the casting choice of Ali, when he first showed up on screen, but I reckon he did a good job too, like everyone else involved in this. Just in case you feel the same way, the feeling will go away after he has his first encounter with George.

The subsequent meeting and generally speaking a lot of life events do pop up, will catch your attention. This is really well made and great acting too - I did not know much about his life, so it was quite enlightening ... on the other hand there are apparently documentaries ... I reckon they shine a light and quote more of George himself ... for those interested.

Ecce Pirate (1997)

Stolen life

[5/10 · 19 April 2024]

Aka Pirate life? Well no pun intended, but I reckon you could say that. The movie shot and done by Matthew Modine on his free time during his actual shoot of Cutthroat Island is quite revealing. It is a bit a meditation of life - it is about what life could have been, but more what life actually is for our main character.

Yes it is a short movie and yes it does use the set and actors/extras of the feature length movie. Matthew seems to have gotten his fellow workers to help out. Some even without much of a pay if I got it right. Understandable on one hand (more a passion project and all that), but also a bit of a shame considering that most who helped out, probably didn't make much money anyway.

Back to the short movie, that also has some nudity ... not much, but if it bothers you, some male parts will be visible for a short period of time. Other than that this is slow paced and quite somber.

Love Lies Bleeding (2024)

Power of .. Love(?)

[9/10 · 19 April 2024]

No pun intended - I was thinking about going with the with great power comes ... but before I confuse anyone ... I think the summary line I ended up with is better. Kristen Stewart has shown that she is more than just whatever some may have thought of her after watching Twilight.

The real revelation may be her (female) co star though. Her name is a bit more difficult to say (at least at first, it's probably easier once you hear it said/spoken out loud). And then you also have the amazing Ed Harris ... who may be channeling his inner Crypt Keeper (if you know, you know) ... I reckon the alive version of that.

The movie seems grounded in reality mostly (though there is a scene towards the end) that is quite ... big! And yes still no pun intended ... also the movie is quite brutal. While there is also some nudity (and same gender ... intimacy), the violence is the one you may feel thrown off with ... but you've been warned!

Cutthroat Island (1995)

Cutting it close

[8/10 · 19 April 2024]

No pun intended - and if you've seen the movie, you know what I mean. How many times can you push someone to the edge - or under the edge ... surface ... there is many names you could come up with. Nick of time it is then - don't get me wrong, it works ... and Geena Davis plus Matthew Modine ... they are amazing in their roles.

I reckon this came a few years too early ... also without a Captain Jack Sparrow ... let's keep it real, Pirates of the Caribbean would never have been this massive franchise (and had the success it had), without Johnny Depp in the lead role ... playing that character. And while the movies may have lost some of that magic (first movie), it was always great to see him. I think one can argue about wanting to see a sequel to this ... I wouldn't have minded. I think there are many stories to explore here too. Still you don't have that one major character who would have made it possible.

Renny Harlin may have lost his box office touch (and both movies starring Geena Davis, so maybe her too) ... but only when it comes to the money the movies made ... they are not as bad as the earnings would let you believe. I would even argue they are quite good, even if I and probably you wouldn't consider them classics.

And a pun for the German speaking here: Eine (Piraten) Braut, die sich traut - which I would have used as summary headline, but as you can tell only works in German ... it's a riff on a title of another movie! They have nothing in common really ... but it works for ... fun and silliness.

After listening to the audio commentary, I can say that Renny had quite some problems with the movie - shooting it (DP injured, set and crew changes and so many other things) ... but also with the studio promoting it. Not sure if the fact that he had a woman as a lead was also an issue ... Geena Davies also was the lead a year later with Samuel L. Jackson as a "sidekick" ... and it didn't work out there either ... so maybe he was right to assume that. Pirate genre also seemed dead when this was shot .. but again, Pirates showed how you could revive it ... still a good movie overall.

Swarm (2023)

In your head

[8/10 · 16 April 2024]

No pun intended - I had to backtrack when this began .. because the usual "work of fiction - no person living or dead is meant" or however it is written ... this show is like: no! What we show you is meant to represent actual events ... which when you watch it feels quite disturbing to say the least. I had not heard of the real person ... and I really don't care to know more about her.

It was enough to see the show - of course as episode 6 says: things are complicated and if you want quotes and some gotcha things ... some storyline to make it everything make sense ... well you are not going to get that here. You are going to get an added "ending" though with episode 7 ... a bit weird I reckon, but a creative choice. You can stop watching with the sixth episode ... or go down the rabbit hole with Donald Glover (since he produced this, I assume it was his idea too) ... great performances, a lot of blood and violence ... and quite a bit of nudity to say the least ... and people you may know (not just Billy Ellish) ...

Monstrosity (2016)

Monster

[5/10 · 15 April 2024]

No pun intended - if you find a movie that is only an hour long and look to imdb and it does not have the worst rating ever ... you think "let's give it a try". Black and white to add some flavor to it ... some nice sound design to boost too. But acting wise ... it lacks quite a bit. Though I am not sure if you can tell, if German is not a language you understand and feel.

Talking about feeling, I am not sure how many will feel the story either. Because the "high" rating came to be with just a few votes (so not many who actually voted for this). A low budget movie, that you have to have some love for ... otherwise you will be bored ... and annoyed by the amateur acting too.

Mea Culpa (2024)

Survivor

[4/10 · 15 April 2024]

No pun intended - I could also have gone with Bills Bills BIlls ... or Dilemma or Dangerously in Love ... yes there are quite a few song titles that would be fitting. But Tyler Perry went with his own pun - I assume you know what the title of the movie means and stands for (Mea being the name of our main character here too).

That aside, I remember having seen Freddy vs Jason and really not liking what Kelly was delivering in that movie. It is not as bad in this one - and she is as fine as you remember her (if you remember her). And to blame anything about this mess on her would be a mistake. Because it is not her fault that this is as cliche as it can be. You could argue that she chose to act in it - but Tyler has some power and if she does not get that many offers anymore, why shouldn't she get some money and fun (making)? Exactly.

Predictable and really bad morals ... I probably would not have added it to my watch list, if I had seen who made this ... I really personally can't find too much I find appeasing ... if you feel different, good for you and continue to have fun with it. Painting by numbers with some "hotness" added ...

The Defiant Ones (1958)

Inconceivable

[10/10 · 15 April 2024]

No pun intended - and I know the word probably does not mean what I think it means - but Princess Bride quotes aside (I just love the word and how wrongly it is used in the movie), there is a connection here, because you have things happening here that are unthinkable ... like the two individuals that are being chained together. As the saying goes, no way that would have happened back then.

The movie acknowledges that with a throwaway line (the warden must have a sense of humor) ... it is tough to talk or rather write about the obvious here, as to not offend anyone. But the sensibilities back in the day were different. The movie knows that too. It shouldn't matter what skin color one has - but words are being thrown around. Tony Curtis calling Poitier "boy" is one of the tamer things (the offensive word that starts with N gets used, but shut down immediately ... at least in direct talk).

Unchained too - well actually mostly chained. Which also gets a circle back moment later in the movie when it is about "you're holding back the chain" or something along those lines. On their path to freedom (not saying they'll be able to make it or won't), there are many stops .. and hurdles ... I don't know how the remake fares ... but I do know it has Carl Weathers ... so at least they got a good one for that.

This really is top notch, with a lot of criticism ... social and otherwise. Still some things may feel "cringe" ... you just have to try to shut those things off ... not think about them to much or rather accept that it was a different time back then.

Easy (2016–2019)

I wanna s.. you up ... all night

[9/10 · 15 April 2024]

And all day I reckon - well actually one or the other mostly. No pun intended - this deals with quite a few things that people have on their mind - mostly adults of a certain age. Though younger ones are not left alone - see the first episode Marc Maron is part of. An influencer has a lot to say ... and to show quite frankly.

And talking of Marc Maron: his three episodes over the 3 seasons are definitely in my favorites of the show! The way he handles stuff that gets thrown at him .. just great! Especially in his first and last episode. And the last one is a bit of different version of something that I saw another show do with someone being canceled ... I forgot the name of the show but it was with Dominic West. Actually I just checked: it is called The Affair. Great show in and of itself.

This one has some awesome episodes - and a few ones I did not think were able to hold up the quality of the others. So I was thinking about going ten .... but ultimately and especially because of an unsatisfying ending to the whole thing ... I think the nine is more than ok. Great acting and way more nudity and sexuality than I thought it would have ... and tackles way more stuff ... the world is changing ... this can be a testament of a particular frame of time/period ...

Fijn Weekend (2023)

Ashes to ashes

[6/10 · 15 April 2024]

No pun intended - the movie seems quite dark for the tag comedy - but after watching it I can see it. I would call it a drama myself, but I get it. Weird situations can come up, relationships get tested ... and one weird sexual encounter (after some infidelity) is really completely crazy - and that is putting it mildly.

The acting is good and the movie does have some twists I did not see coming - but I also wasn't thinking too much while I was watching it. So maybe you'll be able to guess a few things that I did not. That all said, the movie holds its tone from start to finish and if you dig how this conducts itself, you will have fun ... weird fun, but fun nonetheless.

Irma la Douce (1963)

You can't buy love

[9/10 · 15 April 2024]

Or can you? Well no pun intended either way. And it seems that Jack Lemmon and Shirley MacLaine seem to be quite the power couple ... at least on screen. After watching the Appartment this is the next one where they both star in. And again they are an obvious couple - their chemistry is off the hook... well you could add to letters to that word and describe the "job" Shirley has in this one. But I am going to cop ... out and not spell it (ah the puns almost write themselves).

I understand if some have issues with the second half of the movie. It seems to lose a bit of its steem of its own drive. Yet both stars and the other players never let their foot of the gas/pedal ... they play it great til the end - including the dialog (tight script) ... but that is a different story ... actually the "different stories" would make a great movie themselves! That one character who seems to have seen everything ... and then some. We may be able to see where this is going (quite predictable) ... but the journey is still fun to be a part of.

Vampire's Kiss (1988)

Un-cage(d)

[8/10 · 15 April 2024]

No pun intended - I still have some omissions when it comes to film legacy that Nicolas Cage has left for us to enjoy and relish! After watching Moonstruck (with the wonderful Cher), it was time for this one! And I finally have seen the movie behind that one meme ... where he points his finger towards someone ... I now also know who he points to and why.

A fun scene - over the top as you can imagine. But there are even more scenes that I could imagine becoming a meme - to mention just one: where he jumps on a table - yes, crazy I know! And it feels like he tested boundaries ... what would they allow him to do ... he also has a great team around him. Jennifer Beals like you've never seen her before ... at least not that I would know of. Everything seems to be a state of mind ... this also would make a great double bill with his newer movie where he plays a vampire .... though I am not sure which one I would think is better to be honest ... maybe (almost) equally good with different parameters? Just be aware that this is over the top and really out there ... with a powerhouse performance by Cage ...

The Signal (2024)

Coming back

[7/10 · 15 April 2024]

No pun intended - this really has a strong beginning ... there is a lot of mystery and I like that. To a degree it was tight ... it was good and it kept me on the edge of my seat. But whatever I thought this could be, whatever I was hoping could happen ... well it didn't quite pan out that way.

And I don't mean that the show did not go the way I would have liked it to go - no it is about the show really losing its own power. Not to mention that it goes full on cliche ... not in a good or fun sense either! I reckon that also makes it a bit predictable - and a finale that really is not as clever as it thinks it is ... especially considering the main "bad guy" of the whole thing ... acting is overall good ... but some script issues can't be fixed with acting either ... not a bad entry, but you have seen way better shows with similar themes ...

Spaceman (I) (2024)

Give him some space ... man

[8/10 · 15 April 2024]

No pun intended - it is tough to understand what it does to someone, when they are so far removed from everyone else. What we can see from time to time: Adam Sandler can act! That might sound offensive, but it is not meant that way. Or no front as the youth is saying nowadays (at least that's what I am hearing).

The great thing about the movie is, that it doesn't say definitively what actually happens. You as the viewer have to make up your mind about that. There are more ways to interpret things - and life forms I reckon. And there are ways to look back on things ... understand what you did - but also try to live with it. Not hanging on to the past .. because being clingy like that, won't allow you to move forward. Just one of many things you can read into the movie ... slow pacing but with quite the message to say the least. You have to dig it ... and you have to be patient - really good visuals to help you with that.

The First Omen (2024)

Final Destination? First stop actually

[9/10 · 15 April 2024]

No pun intended as always. For those who grew up with the Final Destination movies - they may not have heard of a little movie franchise that started with Omen ... or now "restarted" with First Omen. This mirrors (again no pun intended) some of the deaths that came after (or before depending on how you look at it) ... and in quite the interesting and really "fun" way.

This also serves as the ... birth of ... let's say that franchise! The movie is great visually speaking - I understand if some might have liked it if this was a bit shorter - but the director needed or rather wanted to tell the story that way ... and it works! You have to guess where it is going - I know I was surprised towards the end - well I was able to figure some stuff out ... but just before it was revealed anyway.

That all said, really well acted and while it may tweak a bit of the original lore ... it tries to stay within the confines of what is already known. Well done - can't wait for more ... of the director, though I would not be surprised if they take some of the ... "things" explored/exposed here, that were not talked about in the original Omen Trilogy ... watch out for that ... and other stuff of course.

Frisbee Fuckers (1980)

Quite the catch

[5/10 · 13 April 2024]

No pun intended - a friend of mine send me the trailer to this. A trailer for all ages, so without the ... I reckon you could call it "juicy stuff". The trailer was in German - and it clearly is dubbed. But in a bad way - or fun way. And it does sound like how they would dub adult movies back in the day (maybe even today? I doubt they still dub but couldn't tell you).

This is a short movie and I was kind of put in a dare to watch it. Why not, this starts off in a park. Now this is a don't try this at home kind of situation ... but more in the sense of don't expect this to play out the same way! Not in a be more respectful - maybe that too, but that is a different story. Literally. A woman is jogging and ultimately catches a Frisbee ... she does not lack experience is what we find out! Not in jogging or catching that is, but in other matters ... I didn't check the time but probably around the 2 minute mark the "action" starts - or love making if you prefer. Quite explicit - but you can't find this title if you do not really go out of your way looking for it - so I imagine you know what this is - and in tune with the time I imagine: you get some zingers ... dialog wise! Also no woman was shaving back then - still looks well taken care of. I think that should sum up all the information you "need" (did I mention it is two guys and one girl? Well now you know that too) ...

Glitch (2015–2019)

Not all things stay buried

[8/10 · 13 April 2024]

I thought about going with "can you dig it (up)?" for my summary line, but did fall back on the other one - no pun intended either way. A quite fine TV show, with an interesting premise. Not everything will be explained or answered in the duration of the three seasons - but I would like to believe that the ending of it is quite ... satisfying overall.

Of course you will have to be the judge of that - and you could say or feel that the first two seasons feel as if they are the best .. and the third lacks in many departments ... but it does have an urgency and is quite well wrapped up. Not sure about making sense in the long run - but just don't think too much about it.

Good mystery ... could have been shorter in the ... long run I reckon, but it is what it is. Great performances too.

Sisi & I (2023)

Going down

[8/10 · 13 April 2024]

Well I guess it is south so it is "down" - so no pun intended (and maybe I meant something more too). I thought with a title like this, it would play in a earlier timeline - or I thought it would be quite different. But this is quite female empowering - even if not all and everything is going to go their way, the two main women/characters are on quite the trip.

And choosing Greece as location to live freely - I can only support that. Sun is out, the weather makes you feel less melancholic I reckon - that said, the two women encounter a lot of people, not just locals. And the way they conduct themselves .. well you'll find out what I mean by that and what that means for them. One of the main actresses here made waves with her debut movie ... and again this year .. being in two movies nominated for an Oscar ... not bad for a non English speaking individual I would say ...

The French Lieutenant's Woman (1981)

Life imitating art

[8/10 · 13 April 2024]

Which is not always ... smart! I just came up with that and no worries no more rhyming (I think) and no more puns ... although I might do another one, even without realizing it. Still no pun(s) intended as my credo has been for quite some time now.

I did not know this was nominated for so many Oscars and won quite a few too. If you like romantic movies, I reckon this is made for you. It is a movie you can watch - but there is more to it. And on many levels too, as this plays on two ... let's call it "levels". And both those levels have their own parameters. Though of course you could also talk about a fourth wall (if you can see it ... well you can't but I mean metaphorically speaking of course).

Great acting by both leads - especially if you consider the complex nature of all relationships involved. Hats off to everyone involved through all the departments.

Moonstruck (1987)

The moon strucks again

[8/10 · 13 April 2024]

As in "when the moon hits your eyes like big pizza pie" ... you know the rest. So no pun intended as always. If you like romantic movies, I reckon you could do a lot worse. It is a predictable movie - but it has Nicolas Cage in it! He may not turn it up to 11 - especially after he gets "tamed", but it still is Cage so he does have quite the ball of energy.

That said, Cher is the main character and her decision to choose or accept someone in her life - I reckon she thought Danny was the right one ... a safe choice of sorts. But that was before she was hit (not literally and no pun again) ... a fine movie to say the least, with a tight script and great supporting cast.

The Apartment (1960)

Some of them want to use you

[10/10 · 13 April 2024]

As our main character says, it wasn't his plan ... or his "sweet dream" (so no pun intended with my summary line) for that matter. No he just happened to be in the right (or wrong) place at the right (or wrong) time ... and he was on his way ... to become quite popular at his work place. Less popular with his neighbors of course - but you can't please everyone (although again his neighbors actually think he is able to do just that).

I reckon for the time this was made it was quite ... risque as they would call it. Not sure what the censorship situation was, but I know that movies were not allowed to show certain things. And I am not even talking about nudity, but moral things like a woman laying next to a man she is not married to. But at least you can talk about it now (well back then that is).

And talk they ... quite a lot! Jack Lemmon is really a sweatheart - same is true for Shirley Maclaine! They are so cute - and you kind of feel they are a match from the moment you see them. But of course it is not that easy ... but we wouldn't have a (great) movie about this, if there wasn't conflict and hurdles ... love or job? Sometimes you have to decide ... I don't think we'll be surprised too much in this case ...

Igby Goes Down (2002)

Grow up

[9/10 · 13 April 2024]

And by that I am not just talking about the main character here, but also about myself from back when the movie was released. I should have watched it back then ... and not just file it under another Culkin individual on the scene - and no offense to his brother, but I reckon we have the better actor in this one (movie and individual that is).

Igby is someone who is young but privileged .. that said, he is still young and has problems with understanding what he wants in life (privately and work related ... or any other part of his life). Of course I mentioned our main character (or rather actor) ... but he has quite the nice cast assembled around him! Really good people - which I reckon has to do with quite the tight script they had to their disposal.

And some of them are the one who go down on Igby (or others for that matter) ... sorry but it's true! Just in case you have issues with nudity or the .. let's call it love life(s) we see here. Nothing too explicit mind you - nothing that will be too exciting, but maybe something you might mind ... if you are quite sensitive. An interesting drama, with really good dialog ... and great performances! I should have watched this back in the day I guess ...

Damsel (2024)

In Dis Dress

[7/10 · 13 April 2024]

No pun intended - I think you can manage to combine the title and my summary line and get what I was aiming for without me having to mansplain it. I reckon I already said/explained too much. But if you thought I took too much time to get things started ... wait until you see the movie.

The whole movie is carried by our main character. And while she is called a Damsel (in the title), she can handle herself quite well. Mostly dialog wise (and she is quick to say something back to you), but she also has the will to survive ... which I reckon is quite important.

The numbers game (how many before her that is) is one thing - I am not sure it checks out, but then again, I really didn't care that much about it. The movie was quite obvious, even without having read anything about it before. So quite predictable - but it does look good. Also has too good actors in it.

That said, the effects are good and the voice over from one actress in particular is quite special ... if you've seen movies with her, you will recognize the voice! Great casting choice once more.

Good movie then, if you are into fantasy ... nothing more nothing less.