2022 Watches
A list of anything and everything I watch in 2022.
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- CreatorJon FavreauStarsPedro PascalChris BartlettKatee SackhoffThe travels of a lone bounty hunter in the outer reaches of the galaxy, far from the authority of the New Republic.Honestly, Season 2 was even better than season 1. Really good continuation with recurring characters and really exciting stories and set pieces - also really great character development and world building. Ends on a crazy cliffhanger and I can't wait for season 3.
Season 2 - 01/08/22 - CreatorClyde PhillipsStarsMichael C. HallJack AlcottJulia JonesTen years after faking his death in Miami and moving to Upstate New York under an assumed name, Dexter gets an unexpected visit from the son he abandoned.While the ending wasn't as satisfying as I'd hoped, I can't deny that "New Blood" was still a total blast to watch. As a massive fan of Dexter and Michael C. Hall, "New Blood" reminded me of why I fell in love with this show in the first place. There's really good stuff here, and while it is undeniably rushed at parts, there is still so much to love, and I will certainly be rewatching this.
01/09/22 - DirectorMatt Bettinelli-OlpinTyler GillettStarsNeve CampbellCourteney CoxDavid Arquette25 years after a streak of brutal murders shocked the quiet town of Woodsboro, Calif., a new killer dons the Ghostface mask and begins targeting a group of teenagers to resurrect secrets from the town's deadly past.Pretty enjoyable if you're a fan of these movies. I enjoyed the fourth more, but this is still a fun, brutal slasher, if predictable. Not my favorite of the series, but it's good.
01/14/22 - DirectorPaul Thomas AndersonStarsAlana HaimCooper HoffmanSean PennThe story of Alana Kane and Gary Valentine growing up, running around and going through the treacherous navigation of first love in the San Fernando Valley, 1973.SO GOOD. Definitely one of the best movies of 2021 without a doubt, and if I saw it in 2021, it would have been one of my favorite movies of the year. It's such a fantastic, beautiful, sweet, lovely romance where you really root for the main characters to get together. PT Anderson is an amazing director, and his direction, coupled with the amazing soundtrack, is just euphoric. I fell in love with this movie and I can't wait to watch it again.
01/15/22 - DirectorWes CravenStarsNeve CampbellCourteney CoxDavid ArquetteA year after the murder of her mother, a teenage girl is terrorized by a masked killer who targets her and her friends by using scary movies as part of a deadly game.A classic - I've watched this movie more times than I can count, and I love it every time. It's always entertaining, and even though I just watched it, I really want to watch it again already.
01/16/22 - DirectorWes CravenStarsNeve CampbellCourteney CoxDavid ArquetteTwo years after the first series of murders, as Sidney acclimates to college life, someone donning the Ghostface costume begins a new string of killings.Honestly, almost as good as the first. I was surprised with how much I enjoyed this movie. The ending slightly falls flat, but other than that, this is super enjoyable and fun.
01/17/22 - DirectorWes CravenStarsDavid ArquetteNeve CampbellCourteney CoxWhile Sidney and her friends visit the Hollywood set of Stab 3, the third film based on the Woodsboro murders, another Ghostface killer rises to terrorize them.Surprisingly entertaining. Not as bloody or violent as the first two films, but the meta tone and sense of humor carries over very well, and it's a joy to watch the characters we know and love back in action. By no means my favorite of the bunch, but it is a lot of fun! At least, I had a lot of fun with this.
01/18/22 - DirectorJoel CoenStarsDenzel WashingtonFrances McDormandAlex HassellA Scottish lord becomes convinced by a trio of witches that he will become the next King of Scotland, and his ambitious wife supports him in his plans of seizing power.Pretty boring. Denzel was good, the visuals were cool, but the movie is very emotionally cold and the dialogue is awful - I know it's Shakespeare, but that doesn't mean I have to like it.
01/19/22 - DirectorWes CravenStarsNeve CampbellCourteney CoxDavid ArquetteTen years have passed, and Sidney Prescott, who has put herself back together thanks in part to her writing, is visited by the Ghostface Killer.Absolutely love this movie - the best Scream since the original. Ghostface is more menacing than ever, the identity of the killer is actually hard to guess, but masterfully teased, and the story is as intriguing as ever. I really enjoy this, and this is my most watched Scream film, right next to the first.
01/20/22 - DirectorDavid LynchStarsBill PullmanPatricia ArquetteJohn RoseliusAnonymous videotapes presage a musician's murder conviction, and a gangster's girlfriend leads a mechanic astray.Amazing film - one of Lynch's best. Super surreal and creepy, with plenty of amazing, memorable moments throughout. Great story as well, really intriguing. Loved it.
01/21/22 - DirectorDavid LynchStarsNaomi WattsLaura HarringJustin TherouxAfter a car wreck on Mulholland Drive renders a woman amnesiac, she and a Hollywood-hopeful search for clues and answers across Los Angeles in a twisting venture beyond dreams and reality.One of my favorite movies that just gets better every time I watch it. Absolutely amazing, beautiful film with so much to pick up on and absorb. I just watched it and I'm already looking forward to watching it again!
01/22/22 - DirectorSpike LeeStarsDenzel WashingtonClive OwenJodie FosterA police detective, a bank robber, and a high-power broker enter high-stakes negotiations after the criminal's brilliant heist spirals into a hostage situation.A pretty okay flick - what makes this movie worth watching is the performances. Denzel is great, as is Clive. There's not a ton of action per se, but the heist is interesting, if ultimately slightly convoluted when it comes to motive. However, it's not a bad movie at all, and enjoyable if you like heist films.
01/23/22 - DirectorJason ReitmanStarsGeorge ClooneyVera FarmigaAnna KendrickRyan's job is to travel around the country firing off people. When his boss hires Natalie, who proposes firing people via video conference, he tries to convince her that her method is a mistake.LOVE this movie so much. Clooney, Kendrick, and Farmiga absolutely destroy in their roles and are all a joy to watch. A really well directed, edited, and acted movie that is hella entertaining. I can seriously watch this at any time.
01/23/22 - DirectorSydney PollackStarsRobert MitchumKen TakakuraEiji OkadaAmerican private-eye Harry Kilmer returns to Japan to rescue a friend's kidnapped daughter from the clutches of the Yakuza.So boring. Cool setting obviously, but a very poorly paced story with mediocre, poorly filmed and edited action. Extremely boring and forgettable, will never watch again.
01/23/22 - DirectorDavid LynchStarsNicolas CageLaura DernWillem DafoeYoung lovers Sailor and Lula run from the variety of weirdos that Lula's mom has hired to kill Sailor.It's a good film, it's a lynch film, what more is there to say? I loved Cage in the role - the story was pretty sweet, with obviously bizarre moments along the way. Not my fave Lynch film, but I did enjoy this.
01/25/22 - DirectorDavid LynchStarsKyle MacLachlanVirginia MadsenFrancesca AnnisA Duke's son leads desert warriors against the galactic emperor and his father's evil nemesis to free their desert world from the emperor's rule.So boring, bad, hated it. Liked some of the cool creature design and surrealist imagery, other than that, hated it.
01/26/22 - DirectorSteven R. MonroeStarsJemma DallenderJoe AbsolomYavor BaharovWhen Katie innocently accepts an offer to have new photos taken for her portfolio, the experience quickly turns into a nightmare of rape, torture and kidnapping. Now, she will have to find the strength to exact her brutal revenge.I mean, if you like rape revenge movies, this is one to watch. I'm a fan of the genre, and this delivered.
01/27/22 - DirectorGuillermo del ToroStarsBradley CooperCate BlanchettToni ColletteA grifter working his way up from low-ranking carnival worker to lauded psychic medium matches wits with a psychologist bent on exposing him.Surprisingly great. A really good story, with fantastic acting and a really great look to it. I really enjoyed this - I saw the B&W version, and am excited to watch it in color.
01/28/22 - DirectorPhil LordChristopher MillerStarsJonah HillChanning TatumIce CubeA pair of underachieving cops are sent back to a local high school to blend in and bring down a synthetic drug ring.So funny - I've loved this ever since it originally came out, and continue to love it to this day. It's a fun, breezy film that's full of hard belly laughs, and I never get tired of it.
01/29/22 - DirectorPhil LordChristopher MillerStarsChanning TatumJonah HillIce CubeAfter making their way through high school (twice), big changes are in store for officers Schmidt and Jenko when they go deep undercover at a local college.Hilarious - just as funny as the first film. Really, nothing more to say other than if you want to roll on the floor laughing, this is the movie for you.
01/29/22 - DirectorGreg MottolaStarsMichael CeraJonah HillChristopher Mintz-PlasseTwo co-dependent high school seniors are forced to deal with separation anxiety after their plan to stage a booze-soaked party goes awry.A funny movie, but also a very sweet and charming one. Takes me back to high school (minus the drinking, girls, and partying) - a very nostaglic watch for me, and a movie I love very much.
01/30/22 - DirectorHarry BradbeerStarsMillie Bobby BrownHenry CavillSam ClaflinWhen Enola Holmes (Sherlock's teen sister) discovers her mother is missing, she endeavours to find her, becoming a super-sleuth in her own right as she outwits her famous brother and unravels a dangerous conspiracy.It's an okay film. Millie Bobby is very charming, and Henry Cavil is great, but the story didn't really resonate with me. That said, I watched the movie pretty late at night when I was tired, so maybe I need to give it another go when I'm more awake.
02/04/22 - DirectorJeff TremaineStarsJohnny KnoxvilleSteve-OChris PontiusAfter 11 years, the Jackass crew is back for another crusade.Pretty funny film - lots of sadistic, CBT type jokes, but there was plenty other gags and pranks that I found genuinely funny. A little mean spirited, but that's part of the charm, I guess.
02/05/22 - DirectorPaul Thomas AndersonStarsVicky KriepsDaniel Day-LewisLesley ManvilleSet in 1950s London, Reynolds Woodcock is a renowned dressmaker whose fastidious life is disrupted by a young, strong-willed woman, Alma, who becomes his muse and lover.Very interesting, well shot, well acted, unconventional romance. I enjoy movies about fashion, so I was immediately entranced, and also taken by the remarkable acting by everyone involved. At this film's core, it is a romance, but it's a unique, kind of dark spin, that goes places I didn't expect. I didn't love this film, but I really liked it, and will happily watch it again.
02/06/22 - DirectorJeff TremaineStarsJohnny KnoxvilleBam MargeraChris PontiusJohnny Knoxville and his band of maniacs perform a variety of stunts and gross-out gags on the big screen for the first time.Pretty funny. I liked the grungy, handheld, very unprofessional camera work. Some good stunts and pranks, and obviously very silly, but very entertaining.
02/08/22 - DirectorJeff TremaineStarsJohnny KnoxvilleSteve-OChris PontiusChris Pontius, Johnny Knoxville, Steve-O, Bam Margera, and the whole crew return to the screen to raise the stakes higher than ever before.I really liked this. Not as laugh out loud funny as the first for me, but it's 100 times crazier and more insane. Even though I didn't laugh as much as I did watching the first, I found this immensely more entertaining than the first.
02/10/22 - DirectorMark WilliamsStarsLiam NeesonAidan QuinnTaylor John SmithTravis Block is a government operative coming to terms with his shadowy past. When he discovers a plot targeting U.S. citizens, Block finds himself in the crosshairs of the FBI director he once helped protect.So boring. Full of dull, uninteresting, uninspired conversations. Barely any action, and when there is action, it's not very good and is very generic. I thought the movie started promisingly, but as it went on it got more and more embarrassing. Really, really bad.
02/11/22 - DirectorJeff TremaineStarsJohnny KnoxvilleSteve-OBam MargeraJohnny Knoxville and company return for the third installment of their TV show spin-off, where dangerous stunts and explicit public displays rule.Honestly, out of all the Jackass films, this is my favorite. I found it very funny and extremely entertaining, and much less mean spirited, which I liked. The stunts are crazy, the pranks are hilarious, and it's overall just a good time from beginning to end. A few jokes go too far and can be cruel (the tooth pull, the snakes), but other than that, this was great.
02/13/22 - DirectorDavid Blue GarciaStarsSarah YarkinElsie FisherMark BurnhamAfter 48 years of hiding, Leatherface returns to terrorize a group of idealistic young friends who accidentally disrupt his carefully shielded world in a remote Texas town.Didn't like this. Liked that it starred the girl from "Eighth Grade," but this was just a bad movie. Mediocre story, bad kills, nonsensical, and not as brutal as previous Chainsaw films. I will probably never watch this again - I already basically forgot it.
02/20/22 - DirectorRuben FleischerStarsTom HollandMark WahlbergAntonio BanderasStreet-smart Nathan Drake is recruited by seasoned treasure hunter Victor "Sully" Sullivan to recover a fortune amassed by Ferdinand Magellan, and lost 500 years ago by the House of Moncada.Super fun. Basically like Indiana Jones, with the charisma of Tom Holland. Loved Tom in this, and since I'm a fan of Mark W., I really enjoyed him as well. Basically nonstop fun and adventure from beginning to end, with really cool set pieces throughout. I really liked this, and can't wait to see it again.
02/21/22
2nd watch on 05/01/22 - CreatorJon FavreauStarsTemuera MorrisonMing-Na WenFrank TriggBounty hunter Boba Fett and mercenary Fennec Shand navigate the underworld when they return to Tatooine to claim Jabba the Hutt's old turf.Wasn't a fan. Not much to say about this honestly. I found this horrifically boring, except for the episodes that focused on Mando. Other than that, Boba had a really boring story, mediocre action, and horrendous decisions such as a cyberpunk motorcycle gang. Definitely skippable.
02/22/22 - DirectorSean EllisStarsBoyd HolbrookKelly ReillyAlistair PetrieIn rural 19th-century France, a mysterious, possibly supernatural menace threatens a small village. John McBride, a pathologist, comes to town to investigate the danger - and exorcise some of his own demons in the process.Horrible. Don't even want to write about this. Some very nice shots, and good music, but a very boring, unengaging, cheap story that falls apart with every minute that passes.
02/25/22 - DirectorJoe WrightStarsPeter DinklageHaley BennettKelvin Harrison Jr.Too self-conscious to woo Roxanne himself, wordsmith Cyrano de Bergerac helps young Christian nab her heart through love letters.I loved this much more than I thought I would. The music is good, but the performances are exceptional, with a very emotional story that just touched my heart. The movie also is dripping in beauty, with gorgeous set and costume design. I really enjoy period pieces so I may be biased, but I fell in love with this while watching it in the theatre.
02/26/22 - DirectorDanny BoyleStarsJames McAvoyRosario DawsonVincent CasselAn art auctioneer mixed up with a group of criminals partners with a hypnotherapist in order to recover a lost painting.One of my favorite movies, with an opening that is some of the most thrilling set pieces I've ever seen - filmed beautifully, kinetically, and it sounds great with a killer soundtrack. A really great story with energetic direction and editing, and an unreal performance by McAvoy. This is one I highly recommend.
02/27/22 - DirectorJaume Collet-SerraStarsLiam NeesonJulianne MooreScoot McNairyAn air marshal springs into action during a transatlantic flight after receiving a series of text messages demanding $150 million into an off-shore account, or someone will die every 20 minutes.Another great Neeson action film by the director of The Commuter. Again, this relies less on action than it does on great acting from Neeson and a really engaging, intense mystery. Sure, it gets ridiculous at points, but it's still a great little thriller that I really enjoy - very fun, slick, and stylish.
02/27/22 - DirectorPierre MorelStarsLiam NeesonMaggie GraceFamke JanssenA retired CIA agent travels across Europe and relies on his old skills to save his estranged daughter, who has been kidnapped while on a trip to Paris.One of the best action films of all time - what more can you ask for in an action movie? Neeson is brutal as can be, with a great, emotional performance in a story that anyone can relate to. The action is great - this is a true classic.
02/28/22 - DirectorOliver StoneStarsCharlie SheenMichael DouglasTamara TunieAn impatient young stockbroker is willing to do anything to get to the top, including trading on illegal inside information taken through a ruthless, greedy corporate raider who takes the youth under his wing.I guess I gave this a 7, but I literally can't remember anything about this movie. Sure, it's fine, has good performances, but as a whole I didn't love this. I guess I gave this a 7 because I do enjoy the stock market and found the story intriguing, but I didn't find too much innovative about this.
03/03/22 - DirectorJaume Collet-SerraStarsLiam NeesonVera FarmigaPatrick WilsonAn insurance salesman/ex-cop is caught up in a life-threatening conspiracy during his daily commute home.Really good - stylish, slick, great story, and good performances all around. The director just knows how to make a tense story that doesn't necessarily rely on action - but doesn't stop him from filming excellent action when it hits. A great Neeson film.
03/06/22 - DirectorMatt ReevesStarsRobert PattinsonZoë KravitzJeffrey WrightWhen a sadistic serial killer begins murdering key political figures in Gotham, Batman is forced to investigate the city's hidden corruption and question his family's involvement.I liked this, but didn't love it. I find it endlessly rewatchable - it's very entertaining, but it just doesn't have that emotional hook that Nolan's Batman films have. I love Robert Pattinson here, I love the rage and depression and the emo version of Batman; the movie looks beautiful, with great action scenes throughout. However, the emotional hook just isn't there. The story is fine, but nothing remarkable, and I also didn't find the dialogue to be that good. This is exactly how I feel about "Joker;" I don't like "Joker" that much, but I can rewatch it anytime - same with this movie.
03/07/22
* watched twice so far throughout 2022
* third watch on Monday, August 15, 2022 - DirectorLuca GuadagninoStarsChloë Grace MoretzTilda SwintonDoris HickA darkness swirls at the center of a world-renowned dance company, one that will engulf the artistic director, an ambitious young dancer, and a grieving psychotherapist. Some will succumb to the nightmare. Others will finally wake up.Horrible. I'm keeping my rating at 7 to see when I originally watched/rated it, but upon rewatch, this was one of the worst movies I've ever seen. So horrifically boring, 2 hours and 30 minutes where there's only about one genuinely scary and disturbing scene. There are a billion different plot threads, and most of them go nowhere. The acting was good, the look of the film was amazing and memorable, I enjoyed Mia Goth a lot, the set design was incredible - but the movie is unforgivably boring. On rewatch, this is about a 2 or 3 out of 10.
03/13/22 - DirectorTi WestStarsMia GothJenna OrtegaBrittany SnowIn 1979, a group of young filmmakers set out to make an adult film in rural Texas, but when their reclusive, elderly hosts catch them in the act, the crew find themselves fighting for their lives.I liked this a lot - Mia Goth was SO gorgeous here, and steals the show. This had a lot of great kills for a slasher, but more than that, what captivated me was the drama of the story - I almost preferred that to the horror, and I could've watched an entire movie about a bunch of pornographers trying to make a movie while arguing with each other because of the jealously that naturally would occur. However, when the horror hits, it is fun and effective. I had a good time with this and would recommend it to horror fans.
03/18/22 - DirectorGraham MooreStarsMark RylanceZoey DeutchJohn Gumley-MasonAn expert cutter must outwit a dangerous group of mobsters in order to survive a fateful night.A great little minimalist movie - great acting, and very thrilling, with fun twists and turns throughout. There isn't a ton of action or anything, but the dialogue is biting, and the entire movie has a great heir of suspense and tension. I just had a great time with this, as did my audience, with one man exclaiming at the end, "I liked it - that was a good twist!"
03/19/22 - DirectorMalgorzata SzumowskaMichal EnglertStarsNaomi WattsBilly HowleDenis O'HareWhen a climber gets caught in a blizzard, she encounters a stranded stranger and must get them both down the mountain before nightfall.Naomi Watts was great - everything else was mediocre. God, whoever played the dude she was trying to rescue was so unbelievably annoying in this. There is also some awful snow effects in here. That said, Naomi Watts is really good in here, and if you're a fan of hers, check this out.
03/26/22 - DirectorAaron NeeAdam NeeStarsSandra BullockChanning TatumDaniel RadcliffeA reclusive romance novelist on a book tour with her cover model gets swept up in a kidnapping attempt that lands them both in a cutthroat jungle adventure.This was fun. I didn't really find it funny, but I found it entertaining. Really there's not much to say here - Channing Tatum was very entertaining, as was Bullock and Harry Potter, but Brad Pitt really stole the show with some absolutely hilarious moments. I didn't love this movie, and I even found myself struggling to stay awake at times, but I do think it was fun for a one time watch.
03/28/22 - DirectorEdgar WrightStarsSimon PeggNick FrostMartin FreemanFive friends who reunite in an attempt to top their epic pub crawl from twenty years earlier unwittingly become humanity's only hope for survival.I love this movie so much. It's so entertaining and fun, and makes me laugh out loud every time. That said, it also has a lot of heart, and is surprisingly emotional, especially as I am getting up there in age as well. I found the struggle of Simon Pegg's character to be particularly relevant, and he has a monologue at the end that legitimately made me tear up. Long story short, I've seen this movie a countless number of times, and I love it every time.
03/30/22 - DirectorDaniel EspinosaStarsJared LetoMatt SmithAdria ArjonaBiochemist Michael Morbius tries to cure himself of a rare blood disease, but he inadvertently infects himself with a form of vampirism instead.This was okay. I think Jared Leto is a good actor, and he was actually good here. The action was fun, but the story was mediocre, with the entire movie feeling like it should've been released in 2004. That said, I didn't hate this or think it was as bad as everyone is saying. It's forgettable entertainment, but it is entertaining.
03/31/22 - DirectorDavid FincherStarsBrad PittEdward NortonMeat LoafAn insomniac office worker and a devil-may-care soap maker form an underground fight club that evolves into much more.One of my favorite films of all time - I find something else to love every time I watch it. It is simultaneously an explanation of toxic masculinity while also giving very important, relevant life lessons that everyone can benefit from. This is a classic, and it's a movie I never get tired of.
04/02/22 - DirectorMichael BayStarsJake GyllenhaalYahya Abdul-Mateen IIEiza GonzálezTwo robbers steal an ambulance after their heist goes awry.This was a fun, if overly long, movie. The action was really good, but you have to like car chases to enjoy this, as it's basically an hour and a half long car chase. However, Jake Gyllenhaal stole the show for me - he was electric here, and incredibly high energy. I am definitely going to get this when it comes out, if not for the action specifically, for Jake's performance - it's just too much fun to watch!
04/07/22 - DirectorJeff FowlerStarsJames MarsdenJim CarreyBen SchwartzWhen the manic Dr. Robotnik returns to Earth with a new ally, Knuckles the Echidna, Sonic and his new friend Tails is all that stands in their way.This was too much fun. I'm by no means a Sonic fan, but this movie was a blast, and super entertaining. Sonic, Knuckles, and Tails are by far the stars, constantly stealing the show and having a significant amount of screen time. The action is very video gamey, almost like watching a video game cut scene, but it's very entertaining. I am definitely going to buy this to watch it again at home. And I CANNOT WAIT for the third film.
04/14/22 - DirectorDavid YatesStarsEddie RedmayneJude LawEzra MillerAlbus Dumbledore knows that Gellert Grindelwald is moving to take control of the wizarding world. Unable to stop him alone, he asks Newt Scamander to lead an intrepid team on a dangerous mission.I actually enjoyed this a lot, and it's probably because I'm a huge Mads Mikkelsen fan - he was so good in this, and the chemistry between him and Jude Law was amazing. There was also some really great magical action here, and I did really like the political thriller aspect, as a political thriller set in the Harry Potter universe is super unique. The ending was also really good, and ties a bow on everything pretty nicely - though I hope this makes enough money to warrant two more films. Costume and set design was also amazing, and the whole movie was just magical to me.
04/15/22 - DirectorDaniel KwanDaniel ScheinertStarsMichelle YeohStephanie HsuJamie Lee CurtisA middle-aged Chinese immigrant is swept up into an insane adventure in which she alone can save existence by exploring other universes and connecting with the lives she could have led.Not really my cup of tea. The drama of the story interested me, but I thought this was a case of just too much going on, while simultaneously not much was happening. The first hour dragged for me even though it was basically nonstop action. The second hour was the movie I was hoping for, but it was also filled with just too much. the movie is fine, it's creative, and has many visually stunning and marvelously edited sequences. It also has a lot that detracts from the experience, in my opinion. I liked the story, but the movie as a whole wasn't for me.
04/16/22 - DirectorTarik SalehStarsChris PineGillian JacobsSander ThomasA discharged U.S. Special Forces sergeant, James Harper, risks everything for his family when he joins a private contracting organization.I enjoyed this a lot. It has a LOT of plot holes. The story doesn't make much sense, nor do the motivations of the villains. The action scenes were just okay, with pretty poor editing throughout. That said, I just really enjoyed the story here, as well as Chris Pine's acting. I haven't seen him in something in a while, and he was fantastic in this, just super emotional. I wouldn't recommend watching this for the action, but I would recommend watching it for the story. That said, this does have its cool action moments (the lab scene, for instance). I really like this.
04/17/22 - DirectorJanus MetzStarsGoksin ErdemliKasia MaderaChris PineVeteran CIA agent Henry is reunited in Vienna with his former colleague and lover Celia.Absolutely loved this movie. A straight up dialogue focused thriller with zero action to speak of, but the suspense is constantly there. Chris Pine looks amazing, and he does a great job in the role. The movie keeps you guessing, and it's never boring, even though it is a slow burn. It's basically just good looking people at good looking places talking, with history between them, and I was there for it every minute.
04/18/22 - DirectorEshom NelmsIan NelmsStarsJames LaffertyDanny GloverJulie GonzaloAfter being fired as VP in a big mortgage fund (fall guy), Jim decides on a complete change and starts work at a 24/7 diner.Not bad. I mean, it had its moments, and the story was fine. This is a Hallmark-esque type of movie that will please older people, for sure. Nothing stands out about this, but it's not boring - and that's a plus.
04/23/22 - DirectorStephen KaramStarsRichard JenkinsJayne HoudyshellAmy SchumerDuring one evening, the Blake family gathers to celebrate thanksgiving in a broken-down flat newly rented by the daughter and her new man. As the darkness falls, we find that all have less to be thankful about.This was boring. Amy Schumer is the best part of this film, with a great, emotional performance. The story itself is evident, but just takes too long to get going and when it starts, it goes nowhere. Maybe I'll give this another go one day, but as of this time, I regret buying this.
04/23/22 - DirectorRobert EggersStarsAlexander SkarsgårdNicole KidmanClaes BangA young Viking prince is on a quest to avenge his father's murder.Ehhhhh. The movie looks great and Anya Taylor-Joy is perfection, but the movie just isn't that good. The story takes forever to get going, and is filled with boring dialogue. The action is filmed well, but isn't bloody or as violent as I wanted. The movie takes risks in terms of tone, being a borderline horror film, but it's just so long and decides to do nothing innovative, going in the most predictable place possible.
04/24/22 - DirectorTom GormicanStarsNicolas CagePedro PascalTiffany HaddishMoviestar Nick Cage is channeling his iconic characters as he's caught between a superfan and a CIA agent.Very funny - as a huge Nic Cage fan, I couldn't get enough of this. Just relentlessly entertaining and comedic from beginning to end. It's not laugh out loud funny, but I had a smile on my face from beginning to end. PLUS, the acting from Pedro Pascal is fantastic! Can't go wrong with this.
04/25/22 - DirectorJay OlivaStarsStuart AllanTroy BakerKevin ConroyWhile Damian Wayne struggles to cope with Batman's no-killing rule, he soon starts to believe that his destiny lies within a secret society known as, The Court of Owls.Actually better than expected. A really engaging story with smooth animation and cool action throughout. I'm not a huge fan of animated movies, but this one wasn't bad at all.
04/28/22 - DirectorSimon BarrettSteven KostanskiChloe OkunoStarsAnna HopkinsChristian PotenzaBrian PaulA police S.W.A.T. team investigate a mysterious VHS tape and discover a sinister cult that has pre-recorded material which uncovers a nightmarish conspiracy.Ehhhhh. There are a few good shorts in here, but as a whole this is lame. I really liked the shorts that focused heavily on the 90s, retro vibe - the first short is probably my favorite. The other shorts are just really predictable and/or don't lean into the retro vibe. I'll probably rewatch this if I'm really bored one day, but the first and second movies of this series are much better.
04/30/22 - DirectorMartin CampbellStarsLiam NeesonGuy PearceTaj AtwalAn assassin-for-hire finds that he's become a target after he refuses to complete a job for a dangerous criminal organization.What is up with Liam Neeson and being in bad action films? Boring action, and a boring movie, filmed with scene after scene of boring, uninteresting dialogue. The story is unique, but it goes nowhere new or innovative. I wanted to love this, but there was really nothing in it that hooked me. Once again, Neeson is in another mediocre, borderline direct to DVD film.
05/01/22 - DirectorJames DeMonacoStarsEthan HawkeLena HeadeyMax BurkholderA wealthy family is held hostage for harboring the target of a murderous syndicate during the Purge, a 12-hour period in which any and all crime is legal.An okay film. It's not bad by any means, and it's watchable, but it doesn't explore the concept enough to truly do anything new or unique. In the end, it is a very standard home invasion thriller with little in the way of thrills or action. Ethan Hawke is fantastic though, and I find myself rewatching this movie just for his performance.
05/04/22 - DirectorSam RaimiStarsBenedict CumberbatchElizabeth OlsenChiwetel EjioforDoctor Strange teams up with a mysterious teenage girl who can travel across multiverses, to battle other-universe versions of himself which threaten to wipe out the multiverse. They seek help from the Scarlet Witch, Wong and others.I loved this - I can't believe the slightly low score, because I thought this was super creative and engaging, especially when it comes to its story and villain. This is the best Marvel movie I've seen in a long time - it took genuine risks, and had so many great moments due to Raimi's direction, including a fantastically edited sequence of witchcraft. Just a great movie, and I can't wait to buy this and see it again.
05/05/22 - DirectorJames MangoldStarsHugh JackmanWill Yun LeeTao OkamotoWolverine comes to Japan to meet an old friend whose life he saved years ago, and gets embroiled in a conspiracy involving yakuza and mutants.Upon rewatch, I'd probably increase my rating to a 6 or 7. Overall, I really liked this movie for its slower, more character-focused approach. Hugh Jackman was fantastic, and the story this film decides to tell is genuinely engaging and interesting. My least favorite part about this movie is most of the action, because there is a lot of close-up shaky cam. However, if you can look past that and watch this for its story and acting, you'll probably enjoy this - I did.
05/07/22 - DirectorKeith ThomasStarsZac EfronRyan Kiera ArmstrongSydney LemmonA young girl tries to understand how she mysteriously gained the power to set things on fire with her mind.This was not a good movie, but I found it very entertaining. Efron is better than he has any right to be - the fire action looks terrible in terms of CGI, but looks good in terms of violence and gore. The story is very predictable, but the movie becomes so bad that it turns good. I can't really recommend this to anyone, but this is definitely a guilty pleasure of mine.
05/16/22 - DirectorBryan SingerStarsPatrick StewartHugh JackmanIan McKellenIn a world where mutants (evolved super-powered humans) exist and are discriminated against, two groups form for an inevitable clash: the supremacist Brotherhood, and the pacifist X-Men.Very cheesy, but it's a product of its time. This isn't really that great of a film - instead of setting up characters, the movie just shows them and almost expects its audience to already be on board with who and what they are. That said, if you look past that and see it for the time capsule it is, you can find something to enjoy here. I did enjoy it for what it was.
05/17/22 - DirectorAlex GarlandStarsJessie BuckleyRory KinnearPaapa EssieduA young woman goes on a solo vacation to the English countryside following the death of her ex-husband.Ehhh. I mean the movie looks gorgeous, and sounds great. I really want to rewatch this strictly because of how good it looked and sounded. The beginning is great - there are a lot of emotional, brutal moments. But whenever the movie gets going, the horror gives way to symbolism that drags the story all the way down into predictable territory. Wasn't a huge fan, but didn't hate this.
05/19/22 - DirectorBryan SingerStarsPatrick StewartHugh JackmanHalle BerryWhen anti-mutant Colonel William Stryker kidnaps Professor X and attacks his school, the X-Men must ally with their archenemy Magneto to stop him.Much better than X-Men 1. Great opening, great action throughout, and because you already have the setup film out of the way, the X-Men can shine here, with a bunch of cool scenes - especially from Hugh Jackman with an excellent action scene in a mansion. I prefer First Class and Days of Future Past, but this is definitely an X-Men film I will gladly rewatch.
05/20/22 - DirectorBrett RatnerStarsPatrick StewartHugh JackmanHalle BerryThe human government develops a cure for mutations, and Jean Grey becomes a darker uncontrollable persona called the Phoenix who allies with Magneto, causing escalation into an all-out battle for the X-Men.Not very good. I mean, it wraps everything up fine, and has its moments, but it's also just a "too much" movie - there are like two or three different plotlines at play here, so none of them get any time to breath. Also, this movie is much more cringier than the other movies, full of borderline embarrassing moments. I'll watch this when binging the series, but I'll probably never watch it because I have a desire to.
05/21/22 - DirectorGavin HoodStarsHugh JackmanLiev SchreiberRyan ReynoldsThe early years of James Logan, featuring his rivalry with his brother Victor Creed, his service in the special forces team Weapon X, and his experimentation into the metal-lined mutant Wolverine.If I had to re-rate this, I'd probably give it a six or seven. It's not a good movie - it's really ridiculous and consistently silly - that said, it's really entertaining. There is almost constant action, and even though the action is cartoonish, it's still fun to look at. Hugh Jackman is great here and really deserved a better, more emotional, character-focused film - but as it stands, Origins is just entertaining enough to warrant a viewing every once in a while.
05/22/22 - DirectorMatthew VaughnStarsJames McAvoyMichael FassbenderJennifer LawrenceIn the 1960s, superpowered humans Charles Xavier and Erik Lensherr work together to find others like them, but Erik's vengeful pursuit of an ambitious mutant who ruined his life causes a schism to divide them.I loved this movie - without a doubt my favorite X-Men movie. Has kinetic, energetic direction that has great action, but is more character and story focused, with emotional resonance throughout. One of the best superhero films, strictly because it focuses on character and story first, and action second. Everyone is taking this movie seriously, which means the acting is phenomenal as well. Just a great movie.
05/22/22 - DirectorBryan SingerStarsPatrick StewartIan McKellenHugh JackmanThe X-Men send Wolverine to the past in a desperate effort to change history and prevent an event that results in doom for both humans and mutants.I enjoyed this much more than I expected - much more than I did then when I originally saw it, and I think that's because I've been binging the series and was familiar with all the old characters that appear. Wolverine is a great character to have in the lead, and the movie is just full of great character moments and a genuinely intriguing plot. It stays small-scale enough in order to be story and character focused, while still having very real and tangible stakes, and of course, great action. Just a real good superhero movie, and a great X-Men film.
05/22/22 - DirectorBryan SingerStarsJames McAvoyMichael FassbenderJennifer LawrenceIn the 1980s the X-Men must defeat an ancient all-powerful mutant, En Sabah Nur, who intends to thrive through bringing destruction to the world.Ehh. Very mixed bag. I'd probably raise my rating from a 4 to a 5, but it's still a "too much" type of movie - there's just so much going on, so many characters being introduced, and an overflow of CGI and things occurring on screen, that it becomes difficult to process. McAvoy and Fassbender are both phenomenal, and all of their moments are excellent; Jennifer Lawrence looks consistently bored, and takes the energy way down. The story is good, but with the "end of the world" plot, the story becomes less character focused, which is a shame, as First Class and Days of Future Past were very character focused. "Apocalypse" is very action heavy, with good action, but it's very CGI heavy and eventually becomes just too much. This isn't an awful movie by any means, but the previous X-Men films are just so much better.
05/24/22 - DirectorSimon KinbergStarsJames McAvoyMichael FassbenderJennifer LawrenceJean Grey begins to develop incredible powers that corrupt and turn her into a Dark Phoenix, causing the X-Men to have to decide if her life is worth more than all of humanity.I still feel the same way about this movie as I did when I first saw it - however, now that I've been binge watching the X-Men series in order, I enjoyed this slightly more than I did when I first saw it. The action is enjoyable, McAvoy and Fassbender are great, but the story is still mediocre, and the movie feels obviously rushed and condensed - more time to breathe, and two more movies of set up, would've made "Dark Phoenix" truly a fantastic film. As it is? Enjoyable enough, but unmemorable and unremarkable.
05/26/22 - DirectorTony ScottStarsTom CruiseTim RobbinsKelly McGillisAs students at the United States Navy's elite fighter weapons school compete to be best in the class, one daring young pilot learns a few things from a civilian instructor that are not taught in the classroom.I really enjoyed this - it's practically a romance movie, but it's a super fun film with great performances and a really good 80s sounding soundtrack. Also, I loved the opening scene - surprisingly emotional moments throughout, and a whole lot of heart. Tom Cruise is great as always - and the action, while hard to follow, is never boring to watch. I don't have much else to say other than I borderline loved this.
05/27/22 - DirectorJames MangoldStarsHugh JackmanPatrick StewartDafne KeenIn a future where mutants are nearly extinct, an elderly and weary Logan leads a quiet life. But when Laura, a mutant child pursued by scientists, comes to him for help, he must get her to safety.I do enjoy this movie, but I feel like I overhyped it with my original 9 rating - if I had to re-rate it, I would probably give it a 6 or 7. It's still a good movie, and Hugh Jackman is absolutely incredible with a strong, emotional performance that truly shines in its quiet moments (e.g., when he's tearing up after a certain character's exit) - but of course it's exciting to see Hugh unleash his rage as only Wolverine can. The story is good, if a bit uninteresting - I feel like the buddy road trip movie is a bit overplayed at this point. Dafne Keen gives a good performance, but overall, I don't enjoy child actors - however, she was good. I loved the bloody violence, but I did think it was a bit too shaky for my taste - not saying it wasn't exciting or incomprehensible, but it was still overly shaky. However, as I'm binging the X-Men movies, this was one of the great ones, and a great way to end Wolverine's saga.
05/28/22 - DirectorJosh BooneStarsMaisie WilliamsAnya Taylor-JoyCharlie HeatonFive young mutants, just discovering their abilities while held in a secret facility against their will, fight to escape their past sins and save themselves.On second watch I realize this movie isn't that good - the acting from the main character is absolutely horrendous, every character is under developed, and the plot is just disappointing, with nothing getting enough time to breathe. This should've went full horror, for sure. That said, I have a soft spot for these type of coming of age, teenage type flicks, so I did enjoy this, but not nearly as much as I did upon first watch.
05/28/22 - DirectorTim MillerStarsRyan ReynoldsMorena BaccarinT.J. MillerA wisecracking mercenary gets experimented on and becomes immortal yet hideously scarred, and sets out to track down the man who ruined his looks.I haven't seen this movie since I saw it in theatres, and since I'm watching all the X-Men movies, I wanted to give this a go. I remember not liking it too much when I first saw it, and I feel the same way upon a rewatch. I'm not saying I dislike this movie, because I don't. Overall, I just think this movie is okay. The action is fine, but it's not as well-filmed as I wanted it to be. The comedy is fine, but it's not as clever as I wanted it to be. The story is fine, but it's not as interesting as I wanted it to be. The movie had a small-ish budget, and it feels like it. That said, I do find this movie entertaining for what it is, and Ryan Reynolds is fantastic. I don't know how often I will rewatch this movie, but I know I will enjoy watching it when the mood strikes.
05/29/22 - DirectorDavid LeitchStarsRyan ReynoldsJosh BrolinMorena BaccarinFoul-mouthed mutant mercenary Wade Wilson (a.k.a. Deadpool) assembles a team of fellow mutant rogues to protect a young boy with abilities from the brutal, time-traveling cyborg Cable.I love this movie - this movie is a huge improvement on the first, and I enjoy this movie 10 times more than the first film. The action is absolutely incredible, and plentiful - with the extended cut featuring a fantastic one-shot take sword fight in a Japanese bath. The humor is always on point, with many belly laughs to be had. This movie has a bigger budget, and it shows - the movie looks fantastic, and the story is bigger, takes more risks, and is much more interesting than the first film. Josh Brolin is amazing as well, as is every actor in this film. Overall, I just really love this movie - great, interesting, genuinely captivating story, fantastic action, great jokes and comedy, and just a great film. Love it!
05/30/22 - DirectorJoseph KosinskiStarsTom CruiseJennifer ConnellyMiles TellerAfter thirty years, Maverick is still pushing the envelope as a top naval aviator, but must confront ghosts of his past when he leads TOP GUN's elite graduates on a mission that demands the ultimate sacrifice from those chosen to fly it.What a great movie - as entertaining as the first Top Gun, but 10-times better when it comes to the action spectacle. The climax is incredibly exciting, lasting 30 minutes or more of pure action. Besides that, Tom Cruise kills it here, and the entire movie is a wonderful, entertaining throwback. In the original Top Gun, everything except the action was my favorite part - in here, everything was my favorite part. While not a perfect film, this was enjoyable from beginning to end, and I cannot wait to watch this again when it released on 4k.
05/31/22
Second Watch: Christmas Day, Dec. 25, 2022 - DirectorWon-Chan HongStarsHwang Jung-minLee Jung-jaePark Jeong-minAn assassin goes to Thailand in order to solve a kidnapping case linked to him, and finds himself chased by a man whose sibling he killed.I was really looking forward to this film - on one hand it looks great, with phenomenal acting throughout, and a really great sense of style with a booming soundtrack. On the other hand, the action is very weak. Filmed in a very Jason Bourne-esque style, a lot of the action is shaky, and thus hard to follow. Additionally, I found the action, bloodless as it is, to lack impact - people get stabbed and sliced and diced, and barely any blood exits them, which makes this movie, with its dark subject matter, feel very neutered and watered down. That said, I didn't hate this movie, and I will certainly watch it again whenever I'm in the mood for a brisk action film.
06/01/22 - DirectorPeter Ho-Sun ChanStarsDonnie YenTakeshi KaneshiroTang WeiA papermaker gets involved with a murder case concerning two criminals leading to a determined detective suspecting him and the former's vicious father searching for him.More of a mystery than an action film, Dragon still captured my attention from beginning to end. It's beautifully shot, and Donnie Yen is a badass as always, with great acting chops. The story could've used more build up, and I feel like the first half was rushing in order to make it to the second, but I still enjoyed myself while watching, and I enjoyed seeing how the mystery unfolded.
06/01/22 - DirectorDavid TwohyStarsVin DieselKarl UrbanKatee SackhoffLeft for dead on a sun-scorched planet, Riddick finds himself up against an alien race of predators. Activating an emergency beacon alerts two ships: one carrying a new breed of mercenary, the other captained by a man from Riddick's past.Pretty okay film - didn't really feel strongly about it one way or the other. Glad I watched it since it's been on my radar for awhile, but there was nothing particularly special about this. This movie was really cheesy, tho the action was kind of fun at times. Regardless, this movie was enjoyable enough that it got me interested in watching the other Riddick films, which I plan on doing at some point.
06/02/22 - DirectorChloe OkunoStarsMaika MonroeKarl GlusmanBurn GormanA young American actress moves with her husband to Bucharest, and begins to suspect that a stranger who watches her from an apartment window may be a serial killer.This was a real good movie, very suspenseful and thrilling with great themes of the loneliness and confusion of being alone in an unfamiliar area. This movie kept me guessing, and it just got progressively more intense as it went on, with a very satisfying finale. Plus, the movie looks good, and has great acting from the main character. Really liked this, and will definitely be buying it.
06/03/22 - DirectorJon FavreauStarsRobert Downey Jr.Gwyneth PaltrowTerrence HowardAfter being held captive in an Afghan cave, billionaire engineer Tony Stark creates a unique weaponized suit of armor to fight evil.A classic Marvel film - one of the best, if not the best MCU film. RDJ is fantastic as Tony Stark, and is endlessly watchable - he makes this movie. The action is fantastic, and the story is good, with a fantastically romantic scene between Tony and Pepper. All the way, just a genuinely great, entertaining movie that I love!
06/03/22 - DirectorDavid CronenbergStarsViggo MortensenLéa SeydouxKristen StewartHumans adapt to a synthetic environment, with new transformations and mutations. With his partner Caprice, Saul Tenser, celebrity performance artist, publicly showcases the metamorphosis of his organs in avant-garde performances.Hated this, don't want to talk about it - wrote a review on it that has all my thoughts. Boring, pointless, pretentious, hated it.
06/05/22 - DirectorGuillermo del ToroStarsIdris ElbaCharlie HunnamRinko KikuchiAs a war between humankind and monstrous sea creatures wages on, a former pilot and a trainee are paired up to drive a seemingly obsolete special weapon in a desperate effort to save the world from the apocalypse.I would definitely lower my score of this movie to a 3 or 4. This is a bad film. The first hour is so boring, filled with just the worst acting you've ever seen. After an hour you finally get the action you wanted, but the action isn't even good - it's incomprehensible and shaky and dimly lit, and I could not tell what was happening, or to who it was happening to. I haven't seen this since it came out so I was excited about giving it another shot, and in the end I just left disappointed, much like I did upon my original viewing.
06/08/22 - DirectorKevin SmithStarsJustin LongMichael ParksHaley Joel OsmentA brash and arrogant podcaster gets more than he bargained for when he travels to Canada to interview a mysterious recluse... who has a rather disturbing fondness for walruses.If I had to change my score for this, I'd probably give it an 8 - I haven't seen this since seeing it in theatres, and I was surprised at how much I loved this. Kevin Smith would benefit from someone to tell him "no," and for someone to chop down this film a bit - one sequence in particular does grind the movie to a halt. That said, Tusk is filled with absolutely astounding dialogue and acting, with monologues that are absolutely riveting in their emotional resonance - the main character's girlfriend has a very powerful monologue regarding her relationship, and that in and of itself could've been the storyline. However, with the horror/comedy that Kevin gives us, it's still a really great, fun, very grotesque and disturbing time. This isn't an easy watch by any means, but it has so much greatness in it in terms of drama and dialogue that I found myself loving my time with this.
06/09/22 - DirectorSteven SoderberghStarsRooney MaraChanning TatumJude LawA young woman's world unravels when a drug prescribed by her psychiatrist has unexpected side effects.Surprisingly good - the first 40 minutes are so are an acquired taste, moreso focusing on a woman's mental health journey. Because I find those types of movies interested, I did enjoy those first 40 minutes, but became even more engaged when the true plot kicked in. A twisty thriller, Side Effects also has phenomenal acting from literally everyone - especially Rooney Mara and Jude Law - they were absolutely incredible, and I cannot wait to see this movie again just to watch them both act alongside each other. I recommend this!
06/10/22 - DirectorScott CooperStarsJohnny DeppBenedict CumberbatchDakota JohnsonThe true story of Whitey Bulger, the brother of a state senator and the most infamous violent criminal in the history of South Boston, who became an FBI informant to take down a Mafia family invading his turf.I would most likely lower my score to maybe a 6 out of 10 - I don't think this is a bad movie. The acting is really great, and Johnny Depp is phenomenal, as is everyone in the film. The best part of this movie is the acting and the actors playing alongside each other. That said, the story and plot leaves a lot to be desired. The movie just kind of goes from scene to scene to scene, so instead of this feeling like a cohesive narrative, this moreso feels like a collection of scenes. This is entertaining, but the disconnect and scatter-brained nature makes it so much less than it could have been.
06/12/22 - DirectorRichard ShepardStarsJude LawRichard E. GrantDemián BichirAfter spending 12 years in prison for keeping his mouth shut, notorious safe-cracker Dom Hemingway is back on the streets of London looking to collect what he's owed.Jude Law is fantastic, and there was one scene that was absolutely riveting, but other than that there wasn't too much to like here. I liked the U.K. culture and setting, and I enjoyed all of the smoking and drinking at play, but the movie just felt confused. It takes about a good 40 minutes to get going, and once it does, you'll still be hard pressed to figure out what this is about. It's okay, and Jude Law is entertaining, but I probably won't be watching this again for a long, long time.
06/14/22 - DirectorColin TrevorrowStarsChris PrattBryce Dallas HowardLaura DernFour years after the destruction of Isla Nublar, Biosyn operatives attempt to track down Maisie Lockwood, while Dr Ellie Sattler investigates a genetically engineered swarm of giant insects.Such a dull, boring film. The action was poorly filmed, the story was basically two movies mashed into one, and it didn't work. Both plotlines they go for are completely uncalled for, especially when considering the ending that the 2nd film set up. Just a bad, boring movie with occasionally exciting sequences throughout.
06/20/22 - DirectorSteven SpielbergStarsSam NeillLaura DernJeff GoldblumA pragmatic paleontologist touring an almost complete theme park on an island in Central America is tasked with protecting a couple of kids after a power failure causes the park's cloned dinosaurs to run loose.Surprisingly good - this movie holds up very well. The effects look great, and the movie just has a certain charm to it. The first hour of build up is genuinely interesting, and when the action hits, the movie becomes suspenseful and intense until the very end. This is just a really good time.
06/21/22 - DirectorScott DerricksonStarsMason ThamesMadeleine McGrawEthan HawkeAfter being abducted and locked in a basement, a boy starts receiving calls on a disconnected phone from the killer's previous victims.A la the "It" remake, "The Black Phone" is more a coming of age tale than it is a horror film. However, it is a very entertaining coming of age tale, one that takes itself very seriously, and fills itself with great acting across the board. The child actors were great, and the story itself is packed full of suspenseful, thrilling sequences that mix gracefully with the coming of age storytellling. I am a sucker for these type of movies, so I really enjoyed this (however, I find my memory clouded more by the annoying audience I saw this movie with than how much I enjoyed the movie). I will certainly be watching this again when it comes out on DVD!
06/23/22 - StarsEwan McGregorMoses IngramVivien Lyra BlairJedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi must save young Leia after she is kidnapped, all the while being pursued by Imperial Inquisitors and his former Padawan now known as Darth Vader.I have a full review on this - I disliked this more than I liked this, but my thoughts remain positive because of how much there was to like here. With so many great scenes and sequences, I can't in good conscious say this was a bad show. However, it is plagued by some bad, borderline embarrassing writing and questionable choices that will make you question if watching this show is even worth it. However, I did find it worth it, because in the end the story is worth seeing to its conclusion, and there are just a ton of moments that I will remember fondly when it comes to Star Wars canon.
Season 1 - 06/26/22 - CreatorDoug MoenchStarsOscar IsaacEthan HawkeMay CalamawySteven Grant discovers he's been granted the powers of an Egyptian moon god. But he soon finds out that these newfound powers can be both a blessing and a curse to his troubled life.My full written review describes my thoughts in detail, but I actually really enjoyed this show. It intrigued me immediately, and the acting was fantastic all across the board. It had some good action - not as gory as I had hoped - but more than that, the story was super interesting and mind-trippy, and I couldn't wait to see what would happen next. A really great show, and I hope there is a season 2.
Season 1 - 06/28/22 - StarsChris PrattConstance WuTaylor KitschA former Navy SEAL officer investigates why his entire platoon was ambushed during a high-stakes covert mission.This was a pretty enjoyable show - nothing too innovative, but entertaining. I do think the show was too dark, and by that I mean I had to turn the brightness on my TV up to see what was going on. But there was some good action, the first few episodes are genuinely intriguing in the mystery it sets up, and even after that mystery is definitively solved, there is still plenty of reasons to see this show through to the end. Some good action, a good main performance, and good entertainment value. Watch it, but don't expect anything too novel.
Season 1 - 07/08/22 - DirectorJoe RussoAnthony RussoStarsRyan GoslingChris EvansAna de ArmasWhen the CIA's most skilled operative, whose true identity is known to none, accidentally uncovers dark agency secrets, a psychopathic former colleague puts a bounty on his head, setting off a global manhunt by international assassins.I really enjoyed this movie - great, well choreographed action, fantastic main performances, and a thrilling story - just straight up entertainment value from beginning to end. Some of the early action scenes were slightly incomprehensible, but the slick style and sheer visual fidelity of the movie kept me engaged from beginning to end, and I am genuinely excited to watch this one again.
07/15/22 - CreatorAshley LyleBart NickersonStarsMelanie LynskeyTawny CypressSophie NélisseA wildly talented girls high school soccer team become the unlucky survivors of a plane crash deep in the Canadian wilderness.One of the best TV shows I've seen in years - I loved this so, so much. An incredible story that alternates between past and present seamlessly, with non-stop drama that flows expertly between both storylines. The acting from everyone was nothing short of phenomenal, and it was a sheer joy to watch how each performance intersected with the past and present. An amazing show, and if season 2 is the level of quality that season 1 was, then sign me up.
Season 1 - 07/19/22 - DirectorJordan PeeleStarsDaniel KaluuyaKeke PalmerBrandon PereaThe residents of a lonely gulch in inland California bear witness to an uncanny and chilling discovery.I didn't like this at all. It was tonally uneven, not scary, not that funny (to me), and just tried to subvert expectations in a way that wasn't satisfying for me. I didn't like the 3rd act reveal, and I was consistently underwhelmed, waiting for something - anything - to happen, and then even more underwhelmed when things did start happening. Not good.
07/22/22 - DirectorKyle BaldaBrad AblesonJonathan del ValStarsSteve CarellPierre CoffinAlan ArkinThe untold story of one twelve-year-old's dream to become the world's greatest supervillain.Hated this. Maybe I'm biased because I didn't watch the other movies in the series, but I found this insufferable, and I am already forgetting everything that happened in this film. Not worth my time, not worth writing about.
07/24/22