sdb-90560 Reviews

I Spit on Your Grave: Deja Vu (2019)

Huge disappointment!

[17 June 2021]

Damn. Don't be hating on me now, because I really wanted to like this movie. I gave the original a 6/10, not because I saw great film, acting, production, etc., but it was a bad film which kept my interest, 1 hour and 41 minutes - more than I can say about most films these days...

The acting? It's as if the casting director owed a few favors. But a few of them acted 40 years ago, so I would expect they weren't as imbecilic as dear Matthew, RIP. And I am by no means knocking Camille Keaton, distantly related to Buster Keaton, like the Grandfather of films... but this apple has fallen far from the tree, should you have 2.5 hours to (waste? Compare? Critique?) eat popcorn.

I'd say more, but I need to sleep, before I finish the hour and a half left of this "film". Oh, and btw, I only watched this because the original was banned, supposedly, somewhere. That must be for publicity, like introducing The Texas Chainsaw Massacre as "based on a true story". This is so bad on new levels, it almost deserves a viewing to understand why! It was longer than necessary, and easily some of the worst acting I have ever seen, and I've seen a lot. Some of the acting made me want to stop watching it, but my bewilderment may have outweighed it.

Huge disappointment.

Paterno (2018 TV Movie)

A dead-on portrayal of JoePa

[24 September 2018]

As I studied at PSU (The Pennsylvania State University) as late as 2009, I felt fortunate to have this opportunity to learn, albeit a surreal sadness at some dark happenings underneath the"Happy Valley" life, as it's known colloquially. This movie seemed to capture the essence of my memories - a work ethic and a quality of education comparable to those of the Ivy League, and esprit de corps which few will ever rival... I only met Joe-Pa one time, at a game. I felt so lucky to shake his hand, and knew I was in the presence of greatness, a man larger than life, a man with his name on the library I would spend so many hours sleeping in... haha That said, I only met Graham Spanier one time, by happenstance - I was searching for a seminar related to Asian Diaspora, but walked into the wrong lecture hall. I have never been greeted with more rudeness, or condescension in my life. I felt so small, and he gave me his card, advising me to refer any problems (regarding my attendance, etc.) to a number, which I just discarded. There were good and evil people who manifested this story. I felt no sadness for President Graham Spanier, as I thought very little of the man. I felt no empathy for the "security": Vice President Gary Schultz and Athletic Director Tim Curley. In my humble opinion, these men were negligent in their most basic of duties, and I don't feel the need to extrapolate. I must come to terms and accept that this will never happen again, but only if people become less like my hero: Joe-Pa, a man only guilty of being naive in a world which doesn't revolve around football. Naivete aside... The acting, on all accounts, and by all involved, is stupendous! I cannot believe the low ratings, but I feel it will never be appreciated by those who never met the men involved, or understand the deep love of sports, success, and all those who facilitate it and further great institutions. I hope people may see beyond the media hype, and see this as a story of victimization, which can no longer be a ignored secret. We can no longer tolerate a society which ignores social problems, such as child abuse. I hope this movie, done in excellence, as far as acting and directing, improves in ratings, and is not judged simply because it was not as exciting as an Avengers flick. This may go down as one of Pacino's unrecognized, great works. Thank you for reading, and stay ever vigilant in today's society. (9/25/2018)

Death Fighter (2017)

Well-shot, phenomenal fight scenes!

[17 November 2017]

To be honest, I was not expecting much from this movie. Though I love martial arts films, I only watched this one because I live in Thailand, and enjoy Thai movies. Having studied martial arts, I was amazed and quite pleased with the fight scenes in this! That said, kudos to the camera-men for capturing it all so well, and editing crew. I had never heard of Director Toby Russell, but will be looking out for more of his work. The Thai language sequences have English subs, but the Thai is beginner level. It's extra amusing if you speak any Thai, and listen to actor Matt Mullins chop the language, speaking the feminine version of hello, in imitation of the woman he would impress... 'ka' instead of 'kup'! A Thai might speculate about whether he identifies as the third sex: a lady-boy, trans-gendered person etc. Death Fighter is only 88 minutes, and feels like less. It's a fun, easy to follow little film. I thought it was slightly under-rated, having nothing overtly wrong with it. A few laughs, lots of great fights. If that's not your thing, don't watch it. But I would rate it a 7.5, leaning towards an 8/10.