Change Your Image
virematthew
Reviews
American Horror Story: Multiply Thy Pain (2023)
Underwhelming Performances
This season premiere of AHS may have the most underwhelming performances of any episode I've seen. The best part of it was Kim Kardashian's surprisingly "decent" acting. I really don't understand why they cast Emma Roberts as the central character. Her acting has never been great and she does NOT fit the character. Not to mention her history of being difficult to work with. I really hope this season picks up. If Brad and Ryan are going to continue this show, they need to do something special because the interest of the fans I know has been fading. This is typical of long-running shows though. Sarah and Evan have moved on and it really hurts the show. I think Brad and Ryan need to take their time with the next season to give fans something really special. Don't rush it if it's going to feel lackluster. A writer should never force a release just for the sake of releasing something.
Knowing (2009)
Good for people who like obscure apocalyptic sci-fi
I remember seeing this one in theaters with my family and we were blown away. In my opinion, it's one of Nick Cage's best. It is definitely very "different". Are there certain aspects that could've been done better? Yes, as is the case for almost every movie, but I still think this is an underrated, hidden gem. It's suspenseful, eerie, and has plenty of moments that use visual effects to effectively create an apocalyptic atmosphere. The ending is open to interpretation, which is something that I actually love in a story (although I know some people would rather have specific answers). If you're a fan of apocalyptic sci-fi or Nick Cage, I would at least give it a try.
This Is the End (2013)
Highly disappointing
I went in thinking this was going to be a really fun watch. I've enjoyed these actors' movies in the past and thought "All of these guys in a movie about surviving the end of the world? This will be hilarious." I couldn't have been more wrong. The only time I laughed during the entire duration of the movie was when I got on TikTok about 40 minutes in thinking it was almost over. Nope, there was an entire hour left. I feel like this movie is only funny for other Hollywood elites. I tried to watch the entire movie but gave up after an hour and decided to watch something else. It could've been great but it felt like it was just a cash grab.
Men (2022)
Don't listen to the fake movie critics
It's always hilarious that people give so many movies 1-star ratings. So you're saying it deserves a lower rating than the Twilight franchise?? Like seriously?? Or when someone said that all A24 movies are trash. Like, what?? Don't listen to the haters who are never happy with movie or TV shows. Alex Garland sends a very strong message through horrific events that are a metaphorical representation of PTSD and paranoia. Was the visually disturbing climax and conclusion a little drawn out?? Of course, but it's because Garland was brutally driving home a larger lesson/message.
By the way, if you're not a fan of horror movies, stop watching them just so you can call them garbage. What's the point of going into a movie that you know you won't like?? When horror movie haters give 1-star ratings they're sending the wrong message about a movie. There may be someone who wanted to watch this movie and decided not to because people give movies ratings that don't make sense and are extremely exaggerated. Don't listen to the people who like to pretend they're experts on film.
If you're a fan of horror, give this movie a try. The acting alone made the movie. When you add the gorgeous set location, the wild horror visual effects, the originality, and the calling out of people who abuse and manipulate their partners/spouses. At first I was a little afraid that it would be too woke, but it was addressing something that goes on every day and often goes unknown and unaddressed. It's a real deep dive into the effects of domestic violence, which doesn't just happen to women. As we learned from the Johnny Depp/Amber Heard trial, this is an issue that isn't specific to one gender.
One thing that I love about this sort of new age of horror is that it relies much less on jump scenes (which in my opinion is just a really cheap scare tactic). Horror writers are trying more and more to scare us through the use horrifying events/situations rather than seeing how many times they can essentially jump out and say "boo", and I'm absolutely loving it.
Servant: Mama (2022)
Perfect Ending To An Underrated Season
A lot of fans have criticized this season but I think they missed the point. It starts with a build up of Leanne's rising paranoia and then that paranoia shifts to Dorothy. With hints of the cult members appearing again which becomes clearly real towards the end of the season finale. This season was all about rising tension. It was all a build up to the end of this episode. This is what the season was supposed to be: a slow burner. And as Dorothy becomes more and more unstable, using every tactic to get rid of Leanne, Leanne realized that she in turn must use ANY tactic to stay. If "Jericho" is in fact her baby, I don't blame her for using extreme methods to stay with her son. It's not like her character development this season hasn't prepared us for this. Is it really a surprise?? It raises the question: would a mother go so far as to kill to be with her child. I thought this season was brilliant!! Some people aren't fans of slow burners, and you don't typically see that form used in TV shows, but all the waiting and wondering about what was going to happen was worth it. So they leave us with this: the cult is back. Is Dorothy dead?? Paralyzed?? And if she's still alive, will she ever find out the truth?? I mean, I think it's inevitable that she will. I loved this season and I can't wait for season 4!! (by the way, are we going to see a cult war in season 4 or some other time in the future??)
The Lighthouse (2019)
Psychological Masterpiece
First I'll say that despite being labeled a "horror" movie I didn't find that it fit in that genre which may have given viewers false expectations. It's hardly horrific at all. It's somewhat disturbing at times but not horrific or even scary in my opinion. There are definitely some wtf moments which not everybody appreciates and I completely understand that. I, however, love that. Dafoe's Performance was masterful. He exaggerated the personality to the highest level which I thought was brilliant though Rob's interpretation and performance wasn't as intense, but he definitely had his moments. It's a slow burner so if that's not your thing you will NOT enjoy this. There's not so much mystery as there is confusion and suspicion that leads to the last scenes. Some people found the ending empty but that's just the way it was written. Not every story has a definitive ending. It doesn't give you an explanation. That's for you decide. I love the black and white tone and the visuals were beautiful. There were times when I wondered if one of them was just a figment of the other's imagination. I would say don't go into this thinking you have any idea what it'll be. I don't go into movies with a ton of ideas or predictions. I just take every movie for what it is. Something that some people aren't able to do. Some of the reviews here are unfairly critical and written by people who assume to be experts on cinema and stories. As a writer I have a different perspective. I noticed how the writer developed the plot(because despite what people might say there is one). It may not be conventional storytelling but it's creative and original. I'm a big fan of period pieces and this is one of my favorites. Give it a chance just once and decide for yourself.
Birds of Prey and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn (2020)
The bad reviews are BS
First of all I apologize for the spoilers but to give the right review it requires that I include them. Secondly I apologize about the length of this review but I just have a lot to say. This movie was one of the most overall entertaining movies I've seen in the past year or two. Let me tell you why and I'll start with the small stuff. Costumes, hair and makeup, set direction. The colors in this movie are used for a reason. They reflect Harley Quinn's personality. She's glittery and funny and exploding with character. She's a "colorful" character. It also fits with the fun female aspect of the movie which a lot of people complained about. I wouldn't really call it a feminist movie. But even if it was why is that a problem?? You don't have to agree with the feminist movement but it's extremely relevant right now. So many movies are focused on macho men. A lot of times overly muscled and shirtless for no real reason other than SEXUALIZING MEN. A female-led cast is very refreshing and fun and I hope we see more of this in pop culture in the near future and for a long time coming. One thing I thought was interesting is that I didn't think they overly sexualized the women. At least not as much as they could have. The plot wasn't focused on sexual relationships and there was no nudity which I kind of expected there to be. Some people complained that it was all about beating up men. I agree that that theme is seen throughout the movie. Making all the men out to be bad guys that use and betray women. But I think that fit for a movie that is driven by girl power. That's how it should be. That's the fit of the genre so anybody complaining about that is an idiot that's missing the obvious point. The movie is about women that are used by men who think they own them. It's about women that are looked over and treated as lesser than. It's not like that in all of modern society but it does happen and that needs to be talked about. It needs to be exposed. These women in the movie got revenge on the men who wronged them just like any woman OR MAN would and should want to. Harley was right when she said that SHE was the one Gotham should fear. She didn't need Mr. J to protect her and she proves that throughout the movie. So don't complain that it's some sort of feminist movement statement because even if it is that doesn't mean it isn't a good movie!! Next point. The humor. The humor was consistent throughout the movie and I never really felt any cringe moments. I enjoyed the humorous narration. I enjoyed the slapstick violence humor that is seen throughout action comedies with both men and women. The use of language was done well even if there could've been less of it but who really cares?? Margot's facial expressions were brilliant!! Far better than in Suicide Squad. The whole getting Cass to crap the diamond out was a little juvenile but the choice to swallow it was made by......you guessed it, A KID. Next. The costumes. Harley's costumes were great and also fit her character and personality. The only thing I would say is that her clothes were constantly changing between almost every scene which was slightly confusing but also just a part of the movie. It was really big deal in the long run. And they weren't overly revealing. Next point. The set decoration was fun, colorful, and well thought out. It also was another aspect that reflected Harley's personality. Next. The action was so much fun and very well choreographed. The violence was intense and fun as well and added some dark humor. The cinematography was superb. Camera angles and visual sequences were mostly seamless with a few exceptions with video editing that were only slightly distracting. I loved this movie and I think they did so much right. Now I'll get to the few things I didn't like which were the only reason I gave this a 9 and not a 10. The casting of Ewan McGregor didn't sit right with me. He's a brilliant actor but I didn't believe him as a villain. I would've loved to see someone like James McAvoy or Jeremy Renner. The other thing is that despite a strong female cast some of the dramatic acting was a little weak for just 2 or 3 characters. That's something I can look past. Some people complained about the jumping around in time but they did that for a reason. They wanted to only give you information piece by piece to bring it all together later on. Not a rare format of movie and very enjoyable when done right. Really not sure why people complained about the music. I thought that all the music fit the movie and the specific scenes they were used for. I especially loved the fight scene with "Barracuda" playing in the background. I really hope Margot Robbie snags a Golden Globe for this or at least a nomination. She was brilliant and absolutely hilarious. Don't listen to people complaining about this movie. I think this is the new direction of comic book action comedies and I like this direction as long as they continue to do it the right way. The ending implies sequels that I really look forward to. Remember that this is not a Harley Quinn origins movie so if that's what you're looking for you won't find it here. It's of course, as named, a Birds of Prey origins story. You can say that it's just a set up for the future but I think it was important to have a thorough explanation of how they met and how they banded together. It ensures that we know the basis of their relationships. For those that complained about it and gave it 1 star. My guess is you already knew what you were getting into when you decided to see it so don't be morons. If it wasn't for you I get that but sometimes you just have to take a movie for what it is without bias. This was an all around fantastic movie even if it wasn't perfect. I had lots of fun. Oh and one other thing....I'm NOT a woman ;)
The Haunting of Hill House (2018)
An instantly memorable piece of art. Very poetic.
Anyone who complains about this show being a drama and not a horror: Duh! It very much is a drama before a horror story, if you look at the IMDb page the word drama even comes before horror for a reason!! Now I came into watching the show having read the book so I may sound biased and it's perfectly understandable for viewers being disappointed because they don't know the original story and advertising may be misleading. There's also a few questions that aren't answered or addressed in the show which is something they could have done better. But overall it's a DRAMA horror masterpiece. Drama horrors aren't everyone's cup of tea. If you're watching it for the first time don't go into it with any expectations because it won't be what you expected and you'll likely be disappointed. Go into it for the family drama aspect and enjoy some scares along the way.
The Act (2019)
Disturbingly twisted on a whole new level!! A masterpiece
Patricia NEVER disappoints!! I remember when I watched the HBO documentary about Gypsy and I was shaken to the core. Just as a note for those who think Joey's acting is terrible you need to go watch the documentaries and other videos of Gypsy because that's really how she talked and acted. Pleased that they added some new story elements or it would've just been a re-enactment documentary but for the sake of being a tv show adding fictional elements was smart. Patricia gives a chilling performance for the ages that could challenge shows like GOT and Handmaid's Tale when award season rolls around. And don't count out Joey yet either. As of right now the show is only 3 episodes in but I'm so hooked and if you haven't seen the very end of episode 3.....just wait. It left me shaking and thirsty for more. It's a Hulu masterpiece.