2024 Watches
A list of anything I watch in 2024.
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- DirectorNeill BlomkampStarsDavid HarbourOrlando BloomArchie MadekweBased on the unbelievable, inspiring true story of a team of underdogs - a struggling, working-class gamer, a failed former race car driver, and an idealistic motorsport exec - who risk it all to take on the most elite sport in the world.My dad wanted to rewatch this movie with myself and my mom, who has never watched it. I watched this when it originally came out in cinemas, and I wasn't too excited to rewatch this, but you know what? I really enjoyed it as much as I did the first time. This is just a great underdog story with slick direction and editing, and just a really fun, exciting story with some great racing sequences. I'm not even a fan of racing, but this is just a great, fun, feel good, entertaining movie. I really, really like this and am happy to have started the year on such a high note.
01/01/24 - watched this on 4k with my parents - DirectorJames MangoldStarsMatt DamonChristian BaleJon BernthalAmerican car designer Carroll Shelby and driver Ken Miles battle corporate interference and the laws of physics to build a revolutionary race car for Ford in order to defeat Ferrari at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1966.I have not seen this movie since it released in theaters in 2019, and with that said, I'm shocked it did release in 2019 because it feels a lot longer than that since I've seen it. Regardless, I've been watching a lot of racing movies recently, so I figured I'd rewatch this, and I invited my parents to watch it with me. I remember really loving this movie when it was originally released; on second rewatch here, I did like it, but I could really feel its length this time - this is a two and a half hour long movie, and it feels that long. I also think the movie just kind of meanders - I feel like it could've got to where it ends up going a lot faster. I don't think that James Mangold is a very good director, and my opinion stands after rewatch - the movie is directed, fine, but just fine; there's nothing really innovative at play here; in fact, the movie kind of looks, feels, and plays out like a generic, Direct to DVD film - even the racing sequences weren't as thrilling as others I've seen. However, Matt Damon and Christian Bale are really entertaining here, and make the movie worth watching. And don't get me wrong, I still liked the movie, just not as much as I originally did on first watch. But as one of my friends once said, "that's growth, my man."
01/02/24 - watched on 4k with my parents - DirectorLeigh WhannellStarsLogan Marshall-GreenMelanie VallejoSteve DanielsenSet in the near-future, technology controls nearly all aspects of life. But when the world of Grey, a self-labeled technophobe, is turned upside down, his only hope for revenge is an experimental computer chip implant.I thought this movie was okay. I didn't love it, or even like it, as much as others seem to. I thought the sci-fi setting was cool, and the voice in the head gimmick was pretty well done, but I thought it was missing that it factor. I honestly didn't like the acting from the main character, and while the action was cool, there wasn't really enough of it to be worth while; and even toward the end of the film, the action just kind of felt unsatisfying to me. The overall concept is interesting, and maybe enough to make me rewatch this someday, but overall I found myself underwhelmed, with the movie not striking me as much as I wanted it to.
01/03/24 - watched by myself on HBO Max - DirectorKitty GreenStarsJulia GarnerOwen HollandJon OrsiniA searing look at a day in the life of an assistant to a powerful executive. As Jane follows her daily routine, she grows increasingly aware of the insidious abuse that threatens every aspect of her position.There's a 0% chance of me ever watching this movie again. I liked exactly one scene where the main character talks to an HR agent. Other than that, I didn't hate this movie, I didn't even dislike this movie, I just felt entirely indifferent toward it. It's a slice of life type movie, and while I typically enjoy that, this consisted of a woman doing menial office work while her boss was seemingly preying on people, although we don't really ever see that happen directly. So instead, you'll see a woman refill printer paper, clean up someone's office, hand out papers, etc. and etc. Like I said, I didn't hate this movie (it looked fine, the acting was fine), but this was so understated that I couldn't help but feel literally nothing about it.
01/04/24 - watched by myself on HBO Max. - DirectorRon HowardStarsDaniel BrühlChris HemsworthOlivia WildeThe merciless 1970s rivalry between Formula One rivals James Hunt and Niki Lauda.Continuing the racing theme, I decided to give this movie due to the high reviews, and this is okay. I liked it well enough, but I didn't love it. The two main characters and their rivalry make the movie - this is definitely more a character study than anything else, with not as much racing as I wanted or hoped for. And while that didn't bother me in a movie like "Ferrari," with this I was really hoping for a ton of intense racing sequences, but in my opinion I really didn't get that. That said, this is definitely a quality movie that I had fun with because of the two main performances (they are seriously great) and I can see myself watching this again one day.
Started 01/05/24, finished 01/06/24 - watched by myself on Netflix - DirectorAdrian GrunbergStarsSylvester StallonePaz VegaSergio Peris-MenchetaRambo must confront his past and unearth his ruthless combat skills to exact revenge in a final mission.The more I rewatch this movie, the more I like it. Yes, it is a slow burn, but I, for some reason, find this movie entertaining from beginning to end. I just really like the Rambo character, I really like Stallone, and I just find the overall story intriguing and entertaining. And when the action finally hits, oh man is it violent and gory and worth the wait. I just really like this movie; they make most of it a drama, and it really works well, in my opinion. I like rewatching this, and I'm excited to watch it again.
01/06/24 - watched by myself on Max - DirectorWalter HillStarsSylvester StalloneJason MomoaChristian SlaterAfter watching their respective partners die, a New Orleans hitman and a Washington, D.C. detective form an alliance in order to bring down their common enemy.I didn't like this movie when I rewatched it last year, but I've been in the mood for cheesy action movies, so I decided to watch this again. And you know what, it is kind of entertaining, at least for me, as a big fan of Stallone. The action hits hard (when there is action - there's really not much in this movie) and it is appropriately bloody with very hard hits from Stallone, so that's fun. The movie is short too, which is good. Stallone is always entertaining as well. That said, the direction is poor, as in there is little to no artistry at play in terms of creative cinematography or directorial choices or anything like that. Besides the action, which is clear and easy to watch, the rest of the movie just literally looks like someone held a camera in front of the actors, and that's that. There is no distinct visual flair or style at all, and that's really disappointing. Also, and as I mentioned, there isn't that much action here and when there is action, it's like literally like 30 second spurts. All that said, I don't hate this movie, and it's okay for a yearly rewatch.
01/06/24 - watched by myself on Max - DirectorRic Roman WaughStarsTom Rhys HarriesFarhad BagheriGerard ButlerA CIA operative and his translator flee from special forces in Afghanistan after exposing a covert mission.This movie was boring. That's really all there is to it. For a Gerard Butler movie, he really feels like anyone else could've played him in the role, because he really doesn't do anything here at all, and that was disappointing. This movie wants to be more of a drama than an action film, but the problem is the drama is uninteresting - the script just isn't up to muster. The movie takes about 30 minutes for the plot to kick in, and then it takes another 30 minutes for some action to start, with another 30 to 45 minutes for more action to happen after that. It's just really, really uninteresting and boring, at least in my opinion, and that sucks because I wanted to like this movie. "The Covenant" is a much better film in this same vein.
01/07/24 - watched by myself on Hulu - DirectorMark Steven JohnsonStarsRobert De NiroJohn TravoltaMilo VentimigliaTwo veterans of the Bosnian War, one American, one Serbian, find their unlikely friendship tested when one of them reveals their true intentions.Unfortunately, this wasn't that good. De Niro and Travolta are entertaining to watch with some good dialogue here and there, and the scenery is gorgeous, and the music is good, but the action just sucks, and isn't filmed well; the script also sucks, with characters making just the most unbelievable decisions. This really would've been a lot better if it was just De Niro and Travolta talking to each other. That said, I don't hate this as much as others, as I did enjoy watching these two actors at work.
01/07/24 - watched by myself on Hulu - DirectorJohn MooreStarsBruce WillisJai CourtneySebastian KochJohn McClane travels to Russia to help out his seemingly wayward son, Jack, only to discover that Jack is a CIA operative working undercover, causing the father and son to team up against underworld forces.This movie sucks. I literally haven't seen it since 2013, and I know why now that I rewatched it. It's horrible. McClane isn't McClane; Bruce Willis looks like he literally wants to be anywhere else, and is completely phoning it in. The opening car chase is fine, but the rest of the action lacks artistry, is uninspired, and boring to watch - it just consists of people shooting at each other, you barely even see hits connect! The plot is poor and borderline incomprehensible, and yeah. I will never watch this again. I was in the mood for a cheesy action movie, and when I watched this, all I got was a bad action movie.
01/08/24 - watched by myself on Hulu - DirectorNeil MarshallStarsMichael FassbenderDominic WestOlga KurylenkoA splinter group of Roman soldiers fight for their lives behind enemy lines after their legion is devastated in a guerrilla attack.I can't remember when I originally watched this movie, but I must've loved it based on my 10 rating. I haven't seen it since, so I decided watch it on Hulu tonight. And I definitely didn't love it as much as my original 10 rating, however, I still did enjoy this. The opening has some really cheesy violence with crazy blood spurts, and the movie is supremely violent after that, however without the really obvious CGI. But other than that opening with the really obvious CGI, the movie as a whole is a pretty high quality film. I really like Fassbender, and I really enjoy the Ancient Roman time period that this movie is set in, and I also enjoy the crazy Spartacus-esque violence, so I did find a lot to enjoy here. The story is intriguing and fittingly violent, and it's fun to watch the Roman troops work together to survive. This is one of the better movies I've seen so far this month - however, I really wish I could go back in time to see what I loved about it; I must've seen it at the right point in my life originally, when I was obsessed with this time period and watching the Spartacus show all the time. That said, I didn't love it on rewatch, but I enjoyed my time with it; I could see myself rewatching this on occasion.
01/08/24 - watched by myself on Hulu - DirectorMorten TyldumStarsAksel HennieSynnøve Macody LundNikolaj Coster-WaldauAn accomplished headhunter risks everything to obtain a valuable painting owned by a former mercenary.I rewatched this last year, and decided to rewatch it again to see if it did live up to my original 9 out of 10 rating, and it still doesn't - however, I think this is an okay movie. It is fun enough, even though it does really lack believability in a few cases. That said, for a fast-paced, thrilling, well, thriller, this is an okay movie, though in my opinion it is slightly over hyped.
01/10/24 - watched by myself on Prime thru Showtime - DirectorF. Gary GrayStarsKevin HartGugu Mbatha-RawSam WorthingtonFollows a master thief and his Interpol Agent ex-girlfriend who team up to steal $500 million in gold bullion being transported on an A380 passenger flight.Yeah... this movie wasn't that good. It was fine, but that's all it was. I don't think this is a bad movie, but it's not really a good one. This is just an average heist film, and it's fine for what it is. It just lacks creativity or anything to set it apart from the herd. I did find Kevin Hart entertaining, but every other aspect of the movie was as average as average can get.
01/12/24 - watched with my parents on Netflix - DirectorPhillip NoyceStarsPierce BrosnanMorena BaccarinJames CaanCharlie Swift is a fixer with a problem: the thug he's whacked is missing his head and Charlie will only be paid if the body can be identified. Enter Marcie Kramer, the victim's ex-wife and a woman with all the skills Charlie needs.I thought this movie would be bad based on the trailer, but it's actually pretty good. It's nothing spectacular, but Pierce Brosnan is so entertaining to watch, the movie has a handful of good action scenes, and the overall plotline is just fun to watch unfold. I liked the southern backdrop and accents, and it was fun to watch Brosnan play a tough guy, but one with a sensitive side. This movie advertised itself to be just another run of the mill action movie, but it is more than that, and because of that, I found myself enjoying this.
01/13/24 - watched with my parents on Prime (rented) - DirectorYeon Sang-hoStarsGong YooJung Yu-miMa Dong-seokWhile a zombie virus breaks out in South Korea, passengers struggle to survive on the train from Seoul to Busan.I didn't like this movie when it first came out, and I haven't rewatched it since. However, I decided to give it another go, and I found myself really liking it. The zombies are so aggressive and it was really intense watching the people try to survive, and I also really liked all of the characters and the interactions between them. One decision at the very end I found kind of dumb, but the movie as a whole is really intense and fun to watch, and if you're a fan of zombie movies, you really can't go wrong here. I would've appreciated a bit more blood and gore, but as a whole, Train to Busan is a good movie.
01/13/24 - watched with my cousin on Amazon Prime - DirectorDavid AyerStarsJason StathamEmmy Raver-LampmanBobby NaderiOne man's brutal campaign for vengeance takes on national stakes after he is revealed to be a former operative of a powerful and clandestine organization known as "Beekeepers."This movie is fun if you like Jason Statham action films, but it's full of the typical David Ayer over the topness that I'm not a fan of. I wish this movie played it a bit more straight, but it is admittedly self aware, and is filled with a lot of entertaining action. It's not my favorite Statham action film, but it's good enough.
01/14/24 - watched with my dad in theaters - DirectorMartin McDonaghStarsColin FarrellWoody HarrelsonSam RockwellA struggling screenwriter inadvertently becomes entangled in the Los Angeles criminal underworld after his oddball friends kidnap a gangster's beloved Shih Tzu.I haven't seen this movie in years (probably since 2013 or so) and so I decided to give it a shot, and it's pretty good. I did find myself not enjoying the second half as much as the first half in terms of locations, and I did find a few scenes and monologues to be a bit too long winded, but other than that, this is truly a movie with layers, with a lot to chew on and appreciate. Christopher Walken is truly great here, and the cast all in all is real good. This movie is quirky and a bit all over the place, but it was fun to watch, and deeper than I think people give it credit for.
01/14/24 - watched by myself on Amazon Prime thru Showtime/Paramount Plus - DirectorLindsey Anderson BeerStarsJackson WhiteNatalie Alyn LindForrest GoodluckIn 1969 a young Jud Crandall and his childhood friends band together to confront an ancient evil that has gripped their hometown of Ludlow.I was looking forward to this movie because I enjoyed the pet Sematary remake, but this was just bad. It started promising enough where I was looking forward to the movie picking up steam, but it never really does, and even when it does, it's all presented in the most generic, made for TV way possible. This movie is a lot worse in quality than the other remake, and it's also filled with a lot of cringy moments, both in dialogue and in editing/direction. And during the last 30 minutes of the film, I literally couldn't wait for it to be over, as I was so bored that I literally started looking at the wall because I couldn't stand the movie anymore. Started okay, but after the beginning, this all goes down all. Really disappointed with this.
01/15/24 - watched by myself on Amazon Prime thru Paramount Plus - DirectorLaurel ParmetStarsEliza ScanlenLewis PullmanJimmi Simpson17-year-old Jem Starling struggles with her place within her Christian fundamentalist community. But everything changes when her magnetic youth pastor Owen returns to their church.This movie was good! I'm a sucker for coming of age movies, as well as movies with religious themes, and so this was right up my alley. It had really great acting from everyone throughout, and just a really interesting story about a girl navigating growing up and first love in a constrictive environment, full off constrictive people. While I do understand the ending, I wouldn't have minded just a little bit more wrapping things up - that said, I do understand why the movie ended how it ended, and I enjoyed this a lot. I can definitely see myself watching this again. It's not the easiest watch, but this movie is really good.
01/15/24 - watched by myself on Amazon Prime thru Paramount Plus - DirectorCraig GillespieStarsChris PineCasey AffleckBen FosterThe Coast Guard makes a daring rescue attempt off the coast of Cape Cod after a pair of oil tankers are destroyed during a blizzard in 1952.This was a pretty good movie; I'm a fan of Chris Pine, and of Casey Afleck, Ben Foster, and Eric Bana, so I immediately found a lot to like here. Additionally, I really liked how this movie takes place in the 50s and feels like it was made during that time too (besides the modern day CGI). This can be classified as a slow movie, but I really liked the deliberate pacing, and I enjoyed watching the back of forth of the people trying to survive on the ship, as well as the people in the little rescue ship trying to survive as they navigate hazardous waters. I also just found this to be a really inspiring, true story, and I was sucked in by the performances as well as the 1950s setting. This was a good film, and a good story. It felt classic, and while I don't think this is a classic, I still think that it had that feeling to it, and I liked it.
01/15/24 - watched by myself on Disney Plus - DirectorAlex LehmannStarsMark DuplassSarah PaulsonClu GulagerMeeting by chance when they return to their tiny California hometown, two former high-school sweethearts reflect on their shared past.Mark Duplass is my favorite actor, and as it was late night and I wanted to fit it one more short movie, I saw this on Netflix and decided I'd watch it again, since I haven't seen it in a couple years. And man, this movie really punched my gut more than I remember it doing the first time I watched it. I feel you like have you really be a fan of Mark Duplass and/or Sarah Paulson if you watch this movie, as they are in virtually every single scene and share the entire movie together. This movie is basically just them talking to each other, and I really liked it, though I'm biased because I love Mark Duplass. My only complaints are that the movie does kind of end right when it feels like it gets going, and also this is a very slice of life type movie, so if you're not into that, you won't enjoy this. However, I am a fan of that, and while I didn't love this movie, I did really like it. However, next time I watch it I do have to emotionally prepare myself because, while it isn't sad all the way through, the final 10 minutes or so really do pack a punch - right when I got done crying, the last two minutes or so had me right back at it.
01/15/24 - watched by myself on Netflix - DirectorJon TurteltaubStarsNicolas CageDiane KrugerJustin BarthaA historian races to find the legendary Templar Treasure before a team of mercenaries.This movie is truly a 10 out of 10 adventure movie. I mean, this movie is literally pretty much perfect. It's almost genius, in as much as the whole heist to steal the declaration of independence, something that would occur in the climax of any other movie, happens at the very beginning here, leaving the audience to wonder what could possibly happen next. This is a really, really fun movie, and I honestly might watch it more than once this year because of how much I enjoyed myself with it.
01/17/24 - watched by myself on Blu-Ray - DirectorGeorge ClooneyStarsJoel EdgertonCallum TurnerPeter GuinnessA 1930s-set story centered on the University of Washington's rowing team, from their Depression-era beginnings to winning gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics.This was good. This was just a simple period piece, a simple feel good sports movie; I do enjoy rowing, so I liked this maybe more than the average person, but this was good for what it was.
01/20/24 - watched with my parents, rented on Amazon Prime - DirectorJon TurteltaubStarsNicolas CageDiane KrugerJustin BarthaBenjamin Gates must follow a clue left in John Wilkes Booth's diary to prove his ancestor's innocence in the assassination of Abraham Lincoln.This isn't as good as the first National Treasure, but it's still a good movie. It still has a great sense of fun to it thats almost infectious, but it is slightly less memorable than the first film from the heist(s) to the villain to the treasure, etc. However, this is still a fun movie, and it's a shame that they didn't make a 3rd film.
started 1/19/24, finished 01/20/24 - watched by myself on Disney Plus - DirectorJustine TrietStarsSandra HüllerSwann ArlaudMilo Machado-GranerA woman is suspected of murder after her husband's death; their half-blind son faces a moral dilemma as the main witness.This was a good film, though not great, and in my opinion, definitely not worth it to be nominated Best Picture, but I digress. This was a compelling, interesting film, with really great acting throughout, and an intriguing mystery that grabbed my attention. I do wish it ended with a bit more answers, however, I still enjoyed the journey, and the open endedness did leave a lot of room for conversations after viewing.
01/21/24 - watched with my mom, rented on Amazon Prime - DirectorWilliam OldroydStarsThomasin McKenzieShea WhighamSam NivolaA woman's friendship with a new co-worker at the prison facility where she works takes a sinister turn.I really liked this movie. Phenomenal visuals and really great dialogue and performances. I really liked the LGBT theme in the beginning, and Thomasin and Anne were just so good together, and not to mention stunning (and the film was also visually stunning with great direction and cinematography). The last 30 minutes had a twist that had my jaw on the floor, and my only complaint was that by this point the movie is practically almost over, doesn't get that much time to breathe with its twist, and ends kind of abruptly. That said, I kind of loved this movie; I know some people think it's kind of aimless, but for me, I just really enjoyed the visuals and the performances, and the plot was so interesting to me. Really good movie to me.
01/21/24 - watched by myself, rented on Amazon Prime - DirectorMatt AngelSuzanne CooteStarsLulu WilsonSeann William ScottDenise BurseTwo years after escaping a violent attack, a teenage girl must defend herself against a domestic terrorist cell.Ehh. Lulu was good here, as was Stifler, but just like the first film, this movie was missing something. It wasn't as violent as I wanted it to be, it wasn't as fun, it wasn't as creative, it kind of just was. Not sure if I'll watch this again, but if I do, it'll be for the performances of Lulu and Stifler.
01/21/24 - watched by myself on Amazon Prime via Paramount Plus - DirectorJason BatemanStarsJason BatemanKathryn HahnAllison JanneyA spelling bee loser sets out to exact revenge by finding a loophole and attempting to win as an adult.I haven't seen this in years, and I don't think my 7 out of 10 rating is accurate to my personal taste anymore. I mean this movie is fine and entertaining enough, but it did get a bit creepy at points in terms of what it was showing in order to attempt to get a laugh. I also didn't find the movie all that funny, and I also found the child actor to be really bad. However, Jason Bateman is an actor I really like, and so I did enjoy him. The overall story is interesting as well, but it just felt like something was missing as a whole. This is okay, but I don't think I'm ever going to watch this again.
01/24/24 - watched by myself on Netflix - DirectorS. Craig ZahlerStarsMel GibsonVince VaughnTory KittlesOnce two overzealous cops get suspended from the force, they must delve into the criminal underworld to get their proper compensation.This movie is almost three hours long, but it really doesn't feel that long at all. Mel Gibson and Vince Vaughn are really great here, and I really liked the slow pacing to tell a single but complete and interesting dramatic story. I liked how the movie followed one story the entire time, i.e., Mel and Vince trying to go rogue to make a little money. That said, my only complains are that the violence can get a little gratuitous to a disturbing degree due to the serious nature of the film, and I also thought this movie didn't look all that great - it basically looks like a direct to DVD movie; there isn't any visual flair. That said, the acting elevates this movie, and it's good.
01/27/24 - watched by myself on Netflix - DirectorS. Craig ZahlerStarsVince VaughnJennifer CarpenterDon JohnsonA former boxer-turned-drug runner lands in a prison battleground after a deal gets deadly.This was pretty good. Once again, this movie has the look and feel of a direct to DVD movie, just like "Dragged Across Concrete." However, just like "Dragged Across Concrete," the performances really elevate this movie; Vince Vaughn is really good here, and the story is compelling. This is a long movie, but I really liked the slow, methodical pacing, and really enjoyed the overall journey. The action at the end is brutal and entertaining too; I wasn't a huge fan of the very very end of the movie, but as a whole, this was good.
01/28/24 - watched by myself on Netflix - DirectorS. Craig ZahlerStarsKurt RussellPatrick WilsonMatthew FoxIn the dying days of the old west, an elderly sheriff and his posse set out to rescue their town's doctor from cannibalistic cave dwellers.I enjoyed this movie, kind of. I'm not a huge fan of westerns, so I really felt the length on this one. However, I did enjoy Kurt Russell, Patrick Wilson, and the rest of the cast. I thought the action did leave a bit to be desired, and as is typical with this director, this movie did not have a real type of visual flair to it - however, I still thought this movie was okay, though I don't think I'll ever watch it again.
01/28/24 - watched by myself on Hulu - DirectorTakashi YamazakiStarsMinami HamabeRyunosuke KamikiSakura AndôPost war Japan is at its lowest point when a new crisis emerges in the form of a giant monster, baptized in the horrific power of the atomic bomb.This was okay. I appreciated that it was basically a straight drama, and one that did get emotional at points. I also liked the destruction that Godzilla wreaked, and I liked how Godzilla was the villain. I didn't like the way Godzilla looked, however, and I thought he looked pretty cheesy. Overall though this is an enjoyable movie (I saw the B&W version, and I did think that enhanced the viewing experience, making it look really old-timey, which I enjoyed).
01/30/24 - watched with my friends in theaters - DirectorJoe PennaStarsMads MikkelsenMaria Thelma SmáradóttirTintrinai ThikhasukA man stranded in the Arctic after a plane crash must decide whether to remain in the relative safety of his makeshift camp or to embark on a deadly trek through the unknown.I love Mads, but I wasn't a fan of this. I honestly found it kind of dull, and I couldn't wait for it to end. Now granted, maybe I wasn't in the right mood to watch this, however I've been meaning to watch this for awhile, and so I'm disappointed that I didn't enjoy it as much as I thought I would.
01/31/24 - watched by myself on Netflix. - DirectorCraig GillespieStarsPaul DanoPete DavidsonVincent D'OnofrioDavid vs. Goliath tale about everyday people who flipped the script on Wall Street and got rich by turning GameStop (the video-game store) into the world's hottest company.This wasn't very good. Embarrassing sound track, bizarre, confused pacing, too many characters, and crude for the sake of being crude. I just wasn't a fan of this even though the true story is really good.
02/01/24 - watched by myself on Netflix - DirectorNicolas Winding RefnStarsRyan GoslingCarey MulliganBryan CranstonA mysterious Hollywood action film stuntman gets in trouble with gangsters when he tries to help his neighbor's husband rob a pawn shop while serving as his getaway driver.I just had to watch this movie with my parents, as it's my favorite film, and I was excited but nervous to watch this with them. Unfortunately, I don't think they appreciated it as much as I thought or wanted them to. My mom seemed to like it more than my dad, who was put off by the long silences and uncanny reactions and mannerisms of The Driver. My mom seemed to enjoy it slightly more. I admit I was stressed out watching this movie with my parents, so in order to enjoy it, as soon as the movie was over I rewatched it again by myself, and man is this just still one of the best movies I've ever seen. It's so, so lovely and beautiful and gorgeous - the romance between Gosling and Mulligan is a feast for the eyes, and with the sound track, a feast for the ears as well. And when it finally turns into an action movie, the film still looks so good that I can't help but love it - everything is shot and framed and acted to perfection. I just saw this movie twice in row, and I'm already looking forward to my next watch, I just love it that much.
02/03/24 - watched on Blu-Ray with my parents, then watched immediately again by myself - DirectorAdam WingardStarsDan StevensSheila KelleyMaika MonroeA soldier introduces himself to the Peterson family, claiming to be a friend of their son who died in action. After the young man is welcomed into their home, a series of accidental deaths seem to be connected to his presence.I love this movie, and I have since I first watched it way back in the day. This is just a really cool, slick, fun thriller, with a super cool performance from Dan Stevens. Really like the sound track, really like watching Dan Stevens play someone so self assured and confident, and overall this is just a fun time.
02/04/24 - watched by myself on Blu-Ray - DirectorPete TravisStarsKarl UrbanOlivia ThirlbyLena HeadeyIn a violent, futuristic city where the police have the authority to act as judge, jury and executioner, a cop teams with a trainee to take down a gang that deals the reality-altering drug, SLO-MO.A grim, dark, gruesome, gory action film. I haven't seen this in years, and I forgot just how dark and violent this movie is. There's isn't necessarily a ton of action, but I really enjoy the setting - it's just really gross and grimy. I also love the two main leads (Dredd and his female side-kick), and it's just fun to watch them kick butt in such a gritty environment. I don't think I'd give this a 10 on rewatch, more like a 8, but this movie is still good.
02/06/24 - watched by myself on Blu-Ray - DirectorSatoshi KonStarsMegumi HayashibaraTôru EmoriKatsunosuke HoriWhen a machine that allows therapists to enter their patients' dreams is stolen, all hell breaks loose. Only a young female therapist, Paprika, can stop it.I've never seen this movie before so I decided to go see it in theaters, and I honestly didn't really like it. I mean it's fine, the visuals are good enough, Paprika is cute and fun to watch, but I would've preferred a darker, more serious story than the basically kids story that we got. And while I did find certain elements of this fun, such as Paprika herself, I am not sure if I will ever watch this again.
02/07/24 - watched with a friend in theaters - DirectorMatthew VaughnStarsHenry CavillBryce Dallas HowardSam RockwellA reclusive author who writes espionage novels about a secret agent and a global spy syndicate realizes the plot of the new book she's writing starts to mirror real-world events, in real time.I really, really wanted to like this movie. I love most of Matthew Vaughn's previous movies, and so I thought this would be right up my alley, but man I found a large majority of this movie to be boring, filled with excruciating exposition. And this sucks before the first 45 minutes was genuinely fun, as was the last act, filled with a lot of twists and turns (although they go back on one twist that was genuinely bold and I wish they would've kept it up). It's just that an hour of this movie was filled with basically nothing but exposition, and it was agony. Also, this movie was waaaaaay too long. I might give this a go at home at some point, but at the end of the day, I was disappointed with this.
02/09/24 - watched with my mom in theaters - DirectorZelda WilliamsStarsKathryn NewtonLiza SoberanoJenna DavisA coming of RAGE love story about a teenager and her crush, who happens to be a corpse. After a set of horrific circumstances bring him back to life, the two embark on a journey to find love, happiness - and a few missing body parts.I dragged myself out of the house to watch this in theaters because I didn't think I'd like it, and I just wanted to use my one free movie credit. But I actually thought this was a cute film. It's nothing too innovative, and the direction does come off as a little green, but Kathryn Newton was gorgeous and so fun to watch, and the movie itself is just a cute, entertaining little sci-fi/horror romp. I'll definitely watch this again - I can see it being a comfort movie of sorts.
02/10/24 - watched by myself in theaters - DirectorPaul KingStarsTimothée ChalametGustave DieMurray McArthurWith dreams of opening a shop in a city renowned for its chocolate, a young and poor Willy Wonka discovers that the industry is run by a cartel of greedy chocolatiers.I thought this movie was depressing. It's half the movie watching Wonka be an indentured servant, and half of him being abused by the chocolate cartel. A lot of the movie just feels depressing and drab and grim. Timothee is good, obviously, and the music is fine, but this wasn't what I wanted it to be, and it didn't put me in a good mood at all.
02/10/24 - watched with my mom on demand - DirectorNima NourizadehStarsJesse EisenbergKristen StewartConnie BrittonA stoner - who is in fact a government agent - is marked as a liability and targeted for extermination. But he's too well-trained and too high for them to handle.I guess I must've really liked this when I first saw it to rate it 9 out of 10 (or wanted to like it). On rewatch after who knows how long, I wasn't a huge fan of this. I typically love Jesse and Kristen, but they just seemed off here with a script that really wasn't good and didn't work to their strengths. I just found the movie to be pretty cringy, which was unfortunate, and it was mostly due to the script and the dialogue. Maybe in a few years I'll rewatch this again and see what I first saw and love it, but I unfortunately didn't really enjoy my time with this, this time.
started week of Feb. 5, finished Feb. 11, 2024 - watched by myself on Blu-Ray - DirectorTim BurtonStarsJohnny DeppFreddie HighmoreDavid KellyCharlie, a young boy from an impoverished family, and four other kids win a tour of an amazing chocolate factory run by an imaginative chocolatier, Willy Wonka, and his staff of Oompa-Loompas.This was really fun. It was surprisingly emotional, which I didn't expect, and is basically a fun slasher film of sorts for kids. It's just too fun to watch Depp and the shenanigans unfold in the chocolate factory, but the whole film has a great sense of heart to it as well thats undeniable. I really enjoyed this much more than Wonka.
02/11/24 - watched by myself on HBO Max - DirectorS.J. ClarksonStarsDakota JohnsonSydney SweeneyIsabela MercedCassandra Webb is a New York metropolis paramedic who begins to demonstrate signs of clairvoyance. Forced to challenge revelations about her past, she needs to safeguard three young women from a deadly adversary who wants them destroyed.I actually had a good time with this movie (besides the people talking in the theatre that distracted me to no end). I was expecting something that was bordering on unwatchable based on the reviews, but I thought this movie was fun, thanks in part due to the fact that it's barely a superhero movie and more Final Destination-lite. I don't know, I just liked this. The premise was fun, the actresses were attractive, the editing was fun and clever, and I just had a good time with this. I'll definitely but this and watch it again.
02/16/24 - watched with my mom in theaters - DirectorDan BerkRobert OlsenStarsBill SkarsgårdMaika MonroeBlake BaumgartnerAfter a pair of amateur criminals break into a suburban home, they stumble upon a dark secret that two sadistic homeowners will do anything to keep from getting out.This was okay. It had a fun tone and I liked everyone in it. The premise was intriguing, but perhaps the movie was a bit too goofy for my tastes. All in all, still an okay watch.
02/17/24 - watched by myself on Hulu - DirectorRuben FleischerStarsWoody HarrelsonJesse EisenbergEmma StoneColumbus, Tallahassee, Wichita, and Little Rock move to the American heartland as they face off against evolved zombies, fellow survivors, and the growing pains of the snarky makeshift family.I'm gonna be honest, I loved this movie based on pure entertainment value alone. I put off watching it for years because I was under the false impression that it couldn't live up to the first one, but as soon as this movie started I began immediately have a great time with it. This movie is just straight up fun, a complete blast from beginning to end, and I loved it.
02/18/24 - watched by myself on Hulu - DirectorRiley StearnsStarsJesse EisenbergAlessandro NivolaImogen PootsAfter being attacked on the street, a young man enlists at a local dojo, led by a charismatic and mysterious sensei, in an effort to learn how to defend himself from future threats.I thought this movie was okay. I was really looking forward to seeing this as a fan of the director's previous movie, "Faults," but I thought this was just okay. It was a bit too weird an unbelievable for me, as were the actions of Jesse's character. The overall premise was interesting, but the execution was so bizarre that it lacked believability for me.
02/18/24 - watched by myself on Max - DirectorJennifer KentStarsAisling FranciosiMaya ChristieBaykali GanambarrSet in 1825, Clare, a young Irish convict woman, chases a British officer through the rugged Tasmanian wilderness, bent on revenge for a terrible act of violence he committed against her family. On the way she enlists the services of an Aboriginal tracker named Billy, who is also marked by trauma from his own violence-filled past.I did not like this movie. Yeah, it's dark, it's grim, it's heavyhitting, and it's depressing, but it's also boring as heck when the "revenge" starts. This movie is basically people trekking through the wilderness for and hour and a half, and after awhile, I couldn't care less anymore. I also didn't enjoy the finale/climax, as I found it extremely anticlimatic. I also didn't think this movie looked especially good either. I don't know. I was looking forward to this due to the good reviews, but I really didn't enjoy it at all.
02/20/24 - watched by myself on Hulu - DirectorRuben FleischerStarsJesse EisenbergEmma StoneWoody HarrelsonA shy student trying to reach his family in Ohio, a gun-toting bruiser in search of the last Twinkie and a pair of sisters striving to get to an amusement park join forces in a trek across a zombie-filled America.I haven't seen this movie in years, so after watching Double Tap I decided to give this one a go, and man I'm glad I did because I enjoyed it just as much as the sequel (but to be honest, i think I enjoyed Double Tap a bit more). This is just a fun, light, breezy road-trip style comedy that just happens to take place during the zombie apocalypse - and that's great, because the bursts of zombie violence are always fun. The characters play off each other so well, and it's just a blast to watch them all interact in this world that was thrust upon them. I cannot wait to do a double feature with this and Double Tap, it's going to be so fun.
02/22/24 - watched by myself on 4k Blu Ray - DirectorPaul W.S. AndersonStarsMilla JovovichIain GlenAli LarterAlice returns to where the nightmare began: The Hive in Raccoon City, where the Umbrella Corporation is gathering its forces for a final strike against the only remaining survivors of the apocalypse.These Jovovich Resident Evil movies are a guilty pleasure of mine, and having not see The Final Chapter since it was released in theaters, I decided to give this a go again. This movie, to its credit, is a barrage of non stop action sequences, and so it is fun to watch, and since I like the character of Alice, it's never not entertaining to watch her kick butt. However, the editing in this movie truly is headache inducing, as every single action sequence has upwards of 100, rapid cuts, which does make it kind of hard to see what's going on. Now, to the film's credit, the camera isn't shaky during these action sequences, and so I could see what has happening for the most part, however, the rapid editing did just manage to kind of nauseate me and make it difficult to comprehend what was happening, and who it was happening to. And this sucks, because no other Resident Evil movie had this problem. That said, I still had fun with this movie, even though it is kind of hard to remember due to the rapid editing making it almost impossible for your brain to understand what it's supposed to be seeing.
02/23/24 - watched by myself on Blu Ray - DirectorRidley ScottStarsRussell CroweCate BlanchettMatthew MacfadyenIn twelfth-century England, Robin Longstride and his band of marauders confront corruption in a local village and lead an uprising against the crown that will forever alter the balance of world power.I really thought I was going to like this movie; granted, I may have been slightly intoxicated while watching it which may have hampered my enjoyment, and because of that, I plan on doing a rewatch in a week or two while I am completely sober. However, during my drunk viewing of this movie, I found it to be overly long, boring, and incredible confusing, with an hour of the middle portion of the film that has completely escaped from my memory. I also don't think that Ridley Scott is a good director of action - yes the film does look and sound excellent, with fantastic production value - but the action is basically nothing but quick cuts and shaky camera, making it impossible to tell what's going on. That said, my opinion of this movie probably was clouded due to the alcohol, and so, once I rewatch this soon, I will see if I enjoy it more or even less. I'll give this a 5 out of 10 for the time being before a proper rewatch.
02/25/24 - watched by myself on 4k - DirectorYimou ZhangStarsMatt DamonTian JingWillem DafoeIn ancient China, a group of European mercenaries encounters a secret army that maintains and defends the Great Wall of China against a horde of monstrous creatures.This movie got bad reviews, but I found it to be completely serviceable. I mean, it's big, Chinese armies fighting hordes of weird, alien creatures. That's what the movie advertised itself to be, and that's what it is. I did find Damon's accent to be a bit weird, and the dialogue as a whole here is kind of awkward, but again, you're watching this movie for the action, and the action is good and nearly constant. I also really liked Dafoe and Pescal in this movie - both of them were great. I don't know, I thought I'd hate this movie due to the reviews, but I had a good time with it. I can definitely see myself rewatching this when I just want to watch a weird sci-fi action film.
02/25/24 - watched by myself on 4k - CreatorJohn de MolStarsRob LoweJennifer SimmonsGene Magee81 contestants stand on 81 squares on a massive game show floor, competing for a whopping grand prize.I watched this series with my mom. It's a pretty basic trivia show, but it was fun to watch and I would definitely watch a season 2.
started in Feb., finished on Feb. 27, 2024, watched with my mom on Hulu, and watched the season finale live on Fox. - DirectorDoug LimanStarsTom CruiseDomhnall GleesonSarah WrightThe story of Barry Seal, an American pilot who became a drug-runner for the CIA in the 1980s in a clandestine operation that would be exposed as the Iran-Contra Affair.This movie is entertaining enough to watch Tom Cruise do his thing, but man, it is just a bit too quickly paced for my liking. This movie should've slowed things down a bit because once the movie starts it practically wastes no time into getting into its main plot, and in my opinion, it was just way too fast without much build up. The story itself is interesting in entertaining, but the rapid pace does the film a dis-service, as it really does not spend much time getting into the psyche of the characters, which would've been appreciated. The character development is not very strong here, is what I'm trying to say. Overall though, I did enjoy this movie, but not as much as I wanted to. However, I probably will watch it again one day when I want a sort of fun, breezy crime caper movie (however, this is entirely too long, could've been a strong hour and a half instead of two hours).
02/27/24 - watched by myself on 4k Blu-Ray - DirectorDenis VilleneuveStarsTimothée ChalametRebecca FergusonZendayaA noble family becomes embroiled in a war for control over the galaxy's most valuable asset while its heir becomes troubled by visions of a dark future.I haven't watched this since I first watched it on HBO Max back in 2021, so, before I saw Dune 2, I wanted to give the first one a watch so it was fresh in my mind. And my opinion on it remains pretty much the same. I did like it a bit more in as much as I appreciated the scope, scale, visuals, and deliberate pacing, but the movie feels emotionally cold and hollow from its lack of strong characterization and kind of flimsy script and dialogue. As I said, I did appreciate this movie, but I don't love it as much as others seem to be, but I wish I did.
03/01/24 - watched by myself on 4k - DirectorDenis VilleneuveStarsTimothée ChalametZendayaRebecca FergusonPaul Atreides unites with Chani and the Fremen while seeking revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family.I was really expecting to love this movie based on the glowing reviews, and whole point higher score on IMDb, but I think I enjoyed the first one more as a whole, even though I found the religious themes in this one supremely interesting. Yes, the visuals, set design, score, everything is a feast for the eyes and ears. But the characters and script just feel so hollow and emotionally distant to me that I couldn't invest myself as fully as I wanted to in this world - and believe me, I wanted to feel invested in this gorgeous sci-fi world. Like I said, the themes were super interesting, but I just couldn't invest myself in the characters, especially when the last act came along, that I found surprisingly rushed even though this movie is bordering on three hours long. All that said, if they make a third film I would watch it, because I do find the visuals and world building astounding.
03/02/24 - watched by myself in theaters - 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.I feel like my score was a little bit too low when I first saw this movie. On my first viewing, I thought this movie was excruciatingly boring and dull. However, on rewatch, after watching the newest Dune films, I actually enjoyed and appreciated this movie for what it was. Yes, the last 45 minutes is rushed, and yes, the film is a bit cheesy, but I just really loved the Lynch weirdness and surrealism and creepiness at play here. I don't know, I think I got this one wrong on rewatch, and I'm glad that I gave it another go. I'd re-rate this a 6 or 7 now.
03/03/24 - watched by myself on 4k blu-Ray - DirectorDuncan JonesStarsTravis FimmelPaula PattonBen FosterAs an Orc horde invades the planet Azeroth using a magic portal, a few human heroes and dissenting Orcs must attempt to stop the true evil behind this war.I don't much like this film, but I still find myself watching it every year to see if my opinion will change and to see if I'll suddenly fall in love with it. And on this rewatch, while I still didn't love it, I found myself enjoying this movie a lot more than previous. It's still a surprisingly slow movie, with only a handful of action scenes, but I loved being immersed in this world; the visuals especially are very good and just a feast for the eyes. And when there is action, it's quite entertaining, if not as prolonged or hard hitting as I'd expect. I just wish the film had more action in it, and more frequent action - the first real action sequence doesn't occur until about 23 minutes in, which in my opinion, was way too long to wait, especially as the dialogue and such isn't too interesting. I also think the movie ends way too abruptly, spending too much time to setting up a sequel that never happened instead of actually telling a complete story in one film. I still don't think this is a good movie, but I found myself having a much better time with it than I have had previously. And man, the world building is just so good here that it is making me want to watch even more fantasy films.
03/03/24 - watched by myself on 4k blu-ray - DirectorGuy RitchieStarsCharlie HunnamAstrid Bergès-FrisbeyJude LawRobbed of his birthright, Arthur comes up the hard way in the back alleys of the city. But once he pulls the sword from the stone, he is forced to acknowledge his true legacy - whether he likes it or not.When this movie first came out in 2017, I loved it, obviously, based on my 9 out of 10 rating. A year or two ago I rewatched it, and didn't like it as much. I rewatched it again today to see if my thoughts have changed at all - granted I didn't watch it in the beset of viewing conditions, as I was in a slightly bad mood, but I am finding myself, unfortunately, not enjoying this film as much as I originally did, although I still think this is a good movie. It's really fast paced, and Guy Ritchie always employs some fun, creative editing and camera work which I enjoyed; however, the fast pace sometime works to the films detriment, as at times I did find myself slightly lost as to what was occurring and why. Also, the movie suffers from having an incredibly strong opening - so strong, that I almost wish the entire movie was that opening instead of the story that we got. However, for what this movie is, it is a whole lot of slickly directed fun, with good action throughout. I would probably give it a 6 or 7 nowadays.
03/03/24 - watched by myself on 4k blu-ray - DirectorJustin KurzelStarsMichael FassbenderMarion CotillardJeremy IronsCallum Lynch explores the memories of his ancestor Aguilar de Nerha and gains the skills of a Master Assassin, before taking on the secret Templar society.Everytime I watch this movie I don't like it, but everytime I rewatch it I think to myself, maybe this is the point where I'll fall in love. But no. Well, this time I really did appreciate how good this movie looks in terms of visuals - man, this is really a stunning looking movie. However, that is pretty much where the positives end. This film is cohesive for about an hour 20, and then completely falls apart during the last 20 minutes, sprinting to the finish line with an incredibly lame and rushed ending. I also don't really like the story here. And the action scenes are just so quickly edited and incomprehensibly put together that you can never tell what is happening or who it is happening to. Again, this movie looks stunning, but it is wholly disappointing in almost every other way.
03/04/24 - watched by myself on 4k blu-ray - DirectorJustin KurzelStarsMichael FassbenderMarion CotillardJack MadiganMacbeth, the Thane of Glamis, receives a prophecy from a trio of witches that one day he will become King of Scotland. Consumed by ambition and spurred to action by his wife, Macbeth murders his king and takes the throne for himself.Why can't anyone make Macbeth into an entertaining film? The story is so good! Surely there must be a way to add some thrills and chills. I am not sure what I was thinking with my original 8 out of 10 rating - I think I was probably trying to convince myself that I enjoyed this movie more than I did. Yeah, the movie looks great, and the acting is good, but man it moves at a snails pace, everyone talks using lines from the play which I can't understand, and the film just drags and drags. It's a shame, because the movie is stunning to look at, but that's personally where my positives lie. I didn't hate this movie, as I do enjoy the story as a whole, but I just wish this was. amore thrilling adaption of the tale. Instead, I found myself at first engaged, and after about an hour, I couldn't wait for this to end so I could go to bed.
03/04/24 - watched by myself on 4k blu-ray - DirectorJames McTeigueStarsRainRick YuneNaomie HarrisA young ninja turns his back on the orphanage that raised him, leading to a confrontation with a fellow ninja from the clan.I'm going to be honest, I am not sure what I was thinking when I originally rated this a 1 out of 10 lol. I remember originally watching it and being taken aback and grossed out by the level of blood and gore; I'm not sure how many times I rewatched this movie, but I remember just being unimpressed with how cheesy it was. Rewatching this, yes it's still cheesy, but it is admittedly a lot of fun lol. I actually had a good time with this movie. It's so ridiculous and over the top, but that's what I enjoyed about it. They basically make ninjas some sort of horror movie villain, and all the blood and gore is ridiculous, but it fits; it's so silly that it's fun. The first 35 minutes or so are sort of a slog if you're expecting constant action, but the first quarter or so of the film is almost nothing but a bunch of training sequence flashbacks, and I enjoyed that. Once those training sequences are done, the movie is almost nothing but action, and yes, while it's ridiculous, over stylized, bloody, gory action, it is really well filmed and fun to watch (minus a scene or two that is filmed in the dark). I don't know, I'm not so sure what I was thinking with my original score for this. I watched this again tonight because I wanted a cheesy action fest, and that's exactly what I got. I'd probably rerate this to a 6 or 7 out of 10 now, closer to a 6 - this is fun, this is entertaining, and I can see myself rewatching this in the future when I'm in the mood to turn my brain off and enjoy some crazy violence.
03/06/24 - watched by myself on blu-ray - DirectorPatrick LussierStarsNicolas CageAmber HeardWilliam FichtnerA vengeful father escapes from hell and chases after the men who killed his daughter and kidnapped his granddaughter.Ehh. I mean on a rewatch, I'd probably rate this a 4 or 5. I mean, this movie is entertaining enough if you're a fan of Nicolas Cage (and, in that regard, Amber Heard, as she is supremely attractive and not a bad actress in this movie). This movie is silly, and knows it's silly, and plays itself like the cheesy B-movie that it is. So, in that way, it is fun to watch. However, as an action movie, this is disappointing - there really isn't much action, and most of the action are shootouts that aren't particularly violent, exciting, or well choreographed. I can see the potential with this movie, but I feel like it just needed to be pushed a bit further into absurdity for it to be a truly entertaining film. That said, if I just want something mindless to watch (which is pretty much what I've wanted recently) then I will pop this in.
started I believe March 7, finished on 03/09/24 - watched by myself on blu-ray - DirectorChristopher FrankStarsValérie KapriskyBernard GiraudeauCaroline CellierChris, a sexy teenager who appears mostly bare-breasted on the French Riviera, has a crush on Romain, her mother's lover. In reaction to her inability to attract his attention, she experiments with other risque affairs.Wow. I mean, if you're in the mood to watch something that isn't an "adult" film per se but is still insanely and constantly erotic, then "Year of the Jellyfish" is your movie. I did find it slightly hard to follow to be quite honest, what with its very matter of fact portrayal of things as if I should already know who everyone is and what is happening (hey, I'll take any excuse for a rewatch to better understand things better), but man this movie was just eye candy to the extreme with a slight thriller storyline involving a young woman who has an interest in seducing everyone around her, no matter the consequences. This was a touch too long, but I just really enjoyed how unabashedly erotic this movie was - beautiful women, beautiful locations, just a fun movie to watch.
03/09/24 - watched by myself on blu-ray - DirectorJuan Carlos FresnadilloStarsMillie Bobby BrownRay WinstoneAngela BassettA dutiful damsel agrees to marry a handsome prince, only to find the royal family has recruited her as a sacrifice to repay an ancient debt.I really enjoyed this movie, for the most part. I was in awe for the first 30 minutes of this movie - the production design, the costumes, the visuals (so lush, colorful, and gorgeous); I really enjoyed Millie here (a good actress, and very pretty), and I was having a good time with the build up and suspense of whatever would happen next. And then the rest of the film happened. Now, that's not to say I didn't like this movie, because I did - however, the majority of the rest of this movie takes place in a cave, in the dark, and to me, all the amazing visuals just went out the window for a semi-cheep looking rest of the run time. Now, the CGI here was really good, but I just missed the scope and scale of the first 30 minutes. Now, the film still was entertaining, and as a vehicle to watch Millie Bobby, the film delivers. The ending is very satisfying as well, but I don't know. I was loving the first 30 minutes, and only slightly enjoying the next hour. That said, I still liked and recommend this movie, and would watch it again.
03/10/24 - watched by myself on Netflix - DirectorDestin Daniel CrettonStarsSimu LiuAwkwafinaTony Leung Chiu-waiShang-Chi, the master of weaponry-based Kung Fu, is forced to confront his past after being drawn into the Ten Rings organization.I liked this a lot more on second viewing than I did on first viewing, and would probably rerate this a 7 or 8 out of 10. I thought the action here was absolutely incredible for the first half of the movie. The second half does slow down, and the movie ends with a big CGI fight in lieu of the marvelous martial arts combat that it first depicted, however, it's all still really fun to watch. I would've preferred more grounded martial arts action, but for what this movie is, it's a lot of fun and I'm glad I gave it a second chance.
03/12/24 - watched by myself on Disney Plus - DirectorTaika WaititiStarsChris HemsworthNatalie PortmanChristian BaleThor enlists the help of Valkyrie, Korg and ex-girlfriend Jane Foster to fight Gorr the God Butcher, who intends to make the gods extinct.I thought this movie was okay - it was entertaining enough, but tonally inconsistent, which people seemed to have noted. I also thought the movie weirdly dragged in a lot of spots, despite the relatively short run time. That said, I overall enjoyed myself here, especially with Gorr the villain, who was supremely creepy. The action was fine for what it was, but nothing spectacular. This movie gets a bad rap, but I thought it was completely fine - nothing overly horrible, but nothing spectacular either.
03/12/24 - watched by myself on Disney Plus - DirectorDebra GranikStarsJennifer LawrenceJohn HawkesGarret DillahuntAn unflinching Ozark Mountain girl hacks through dangerous social terrain as she hunts down her drug-dealing father while trying to keep her family intact.I thought this movie was really boring, unfortunately. Typically I am a fan of these kind of midwest dramas where people are growing up very poor, however this felt so amateurish to me - it was basically Jennifer Lawrence walking around from place to place and talking to person after person; it started to feel like a montage movie after awhile. I didn't care about the story, I found the acting to be kind of cringey (like, who would ever call a person "Teardrop" with a straight face?) and I just couldn't wait for this to be over.
03/13/24 - watched by myself on HBO Max - DirectorRose GlassStarsAnna BaryshnikovKristen StewartDave FrancoGym manager Lou falls for Jackie, a bodybuilder who is passing through town en route to a competition in Las Vegas.I went to see this since it had Kristen Stewart in it, not really knowing what it was about, and I honestly didn't really like this even though Stewart was amazing as usual, and really attractive. This started as an LGBT romance, which I at first enjoyed, but then the romance because incredibly rushed without build up. Then the movie turned into a generic, tropey crime thriller that I honestly did not enjoy. And the end, for some reason, became a fantastical mess, complete with some really bizarrely bad acting from Stewart that seemed to come out of nowhere. I don't know. I really wanted to like this (I will say it looked and sounded great) but I left unimpressed.
03/16/24 - watched by myself in theaters - DirectorCord JeffersonStarsJeffrey WrightTracee Ellis RossJohn OrtizA novelist who's fed up with the establishment profiting from Black entertainment uses a pen name to write a book that propels him into the heart of the hypocrisy and madness he claims to disdain.This was interesting. It's a good movie, for sure - very well acted - but in my opinion, not necessarily Best Picture worthy. Additionally, this was way more of a drama/melodrama than the comedy that it's being advertised as. And in fact, the so called hook of the film where the author writes is book is more of a side story - it is by no means the main point of the film, and in fact, it could've been cut out entirely and the movie would've worked just fine. Everyone is good here, and I did laugh at a few moments; I enjoyed the melodrama for what it was; but nothing about this film blew me away. It's a basic, watchable drama, and that's fine.
03/17/24 - watched by myself, rented on Amazon Prime - DirectorChristian AlvartStarsRenée ZellwegerIan McShaneJodelle FerlandA social worker fights to save a girl from her abusive parents, only to discover that the situation is more dangerous than she ever expected.Ehh. I mean, this was okay for what it was - the beginning first 35 minutes or so were really strong and i was engrossed, not really knowing what the movie was about or where it was going. When the film finally turned into what it is, however, I started to not enjoy it as much. I would've preferred a bit more subtlety as to what was going on so viewers could decide for themselves what they think. However, even as a fully paranormal film, the paranormal aspects were just kind of lame to me. Overall though, this was okay, just not something I enjoyed as much as I thought I would.
03/17/24 - watched by myself on Paramount plus from Amazon Prime - DirectorDean IsraeliteStarsAmy LandeckerSofia Black-D'EliaVirginia GardnerA group of teens discovers secret plans for a time machine, and construct one. However, things start to get out of control.This was fun enough. Nothing spectacular, but I'm a sucker for high school movies, and I liked the time travel aspects and shenanigans they get themselves into. I would've like to see it pushed maybe just a bit further, but overall this was a fun movie with a fun romance, and just a good time to watch.
03/17/24 - watched by myself on Paramount plus from Amazon Prime - DirectorJoel EdgertonStarsJason BatemanRebecca HallJoel EdgertonA married couple, Simon and Robyn, run into Gordo, an old classmate. Things take a turn when Gordo begins to drop in unannounced at their house and inundates them with mysterious gifts.I haven't seen this movie since I saw it in theaters all the way back in 2015 and so I decided to give it another go, and man is this a fantastic, excellent drama. I wouldn't necessarily give it a 10, however this is a solid and strong 9 based on pure entertainment value - this is something I enjoyed watching from literally beginning to end, even though I do feel like the end was slightly rushed and not as satisfying as I would've liked. Other than that though, this is a great, great movie.
03/18/24 - watched by myself on Paramount plus from Amazon Prime - DirectorJosh TrankStarsDane DeHaanAlex RussellMichael B. JordanThree high school friends gain superpowers after making an incredible discovery underground. Soon they find their lives spinning out of control and their bond tested as they embrace their darker sides.Man, I love this movie. I remember watching it last year and feeling kind of iffy about it after not watching it in awhile - I remember thinking the acting and dialogue was kind of bad, etc. I felt the complete opposite on rewatch this year; I felt almost as blown away as when I saw it in theatres. I just love this movie! I love Andrew, I love the characters and their dynamic and friendship and interactions when they get their powers; I love the slow super villain build up; I love the coming of age high school shenanigans; I love literally almost everything about this movie, and on rewatch I especially loved Michael B Jordan here, I thought he was so good and charming and fun to watch. My only real complain is that I wish there was a bit more Andrew revenge and villainy, but other than that, Chronicle is a super awesome movie and I can't wait to watch it again.
03/19/24 - watched by myself on Blu-Ray - DirectorJason ReitmanStarsCarrie CoonPaul RuddFinn WolfhardWhen a single mom and her two kids arrive in a small town, they begin to discover their connection to the original Ghostbusters and the secret legacy their grandfather left behind.I remember watching this in theatres when it came out and not really enjoying it, thinking it was boring and bland - I chalked it up to the fact that I was in an overly talkative and annoying theater audience. So, after not having watched it since 2021, I decided to give it another go tonight since the sequel is releasing in a day or two, and I plan on watching it. And to my surprise, I feel exactly the same about this movie. I was shocked at how bland and dull I found it. There's barely any ghosts, there's barely any ghostbusting, and right when the 3rd act gets started for the big finish, the movie ends ten minutes later. There's just such a bizarre pacing here where the movie is 2 hours long, almost too long, but drags so much that it feels like nothing really noteworthy happens. I also thought the movie was ripe for a coming of age type story, but you don't get that either. I don't know. I thought I'd like this, but I was just tepid the entire way through, I was indifferent, though I enjoyed McKenna Grace and Paul Rudd. I'd probably re rate this maybe a 5 out of 10.
03/20/24 - watched by myself on 4k Blu-Ray - DirectorDoug LimanStarsJake GyllenhaalDaniela MelchiorConor McGregorEx-UFC fighter Dalton takes a job as a bouncer at a Florida Keys roadhouse, only to discover that this paradise is not all it seems.This was fine. I thought it was entertaining enough, thanks in part to Jake and the overly campy tone, but I would've preferred a lot more action than there was. Additionally, them movie seems to change tones more than half way through with a really awesome scene with Jake, but then it goes back to the campiness with just ridiculous action. Not to say it isn't fun, because it is - I just think I would've appreciated a more grounded take on things, but this is still fine and fun.
03/22/24 - watched with my mom on Prime - DirectorGil KenanStarsPaul RuddCarrie CoonFinn WolfhardWhen the discovery of an ancient artifact unleashes an evil force, Ghostbusters new and old must join forces to protect their home and save the world from a second ice age.I didn't much like Afterlife, but I had a lot of fun with this! There is a lack of ghost busting action, but the movie itself was just a really fun time, with some eye catching CGI, funny, silly moments, and was just an entertaining ride throughout. I would've like more ghost busting, but honestly, as whole, I enjoyed myself with this and will definitely watch it again.
03/23/24 - watched by myself in theaters - DirectorMichael MohanStarsSydney SweeneyÁlvaro MorteSimona TabascoCecilia, a woman of devout faith, is warmly welcomed to the picture-perfect Italian countryside where she is offered a new role at an illustrious convent. But it becomes clear to Cecilia that her new home harbors dark and horrifying secrets.I really like religious horror so maybe I'm predisposed to like this, but I liked this lol. It is a bit slowly paced, but I really liked all of the set up, coupled with the great performances and the wonderful cinematography. I did think the movie does get a bit silly during its exposition dumps, but the build up to that was really well done, and after said exposition dump, the movie gets really violent and exciting and surprisingly bloody, complete with an ending one-shot take that had my jaw practically on the floor. I did really like Sydney here too - overall, just a fun horror film - wasn't really scary, but was very entertaining.
03/23/24 - watched by myself in theaters - DirectorJeff WadlowStarsDeWanda WiseTaegen BurnsPyper BraunA woman returns to her childhood home to discover that the imaginary friend she left behind is very real and unhappy that she abandoned him.Not good, not worth talking about, the only good thing was that the little girl actress was good. Other than that, a complete miss.
03/24/24 - watched by myself in theaters - DirectorGabriela CowperthwaiteStarsAriana DeBoseChris MessinaJohn Gallagher Jr.Tensions flare in the near future aboard the International Space Station as a conflict breaks out on Earth. Reeling, the U.S. and Russian astronauts receive orders from the ground: take control of the station by any means necessary.This started well enough, but as it went on, I started to notice a severe lack of tension, and almost an ignoring of its own premise that it sets up. The premise is so interesting and seems ripe for intensity, but the movie is slowly paced and very dull, never living up to the promised premise. It's a shame, because I was really looking forward to this.
03/24/24 - watched by myself on Blu-Ray - CreatorMike FleissStarsChris HarrisonBrad WomackJesse PalmerA single bachelor dates multiple women over several weeks, narrowing them down to hopefully find his true love.Watched the series with my cousins, and I liked this season a lot more than I thought I would. Joey was a really great bachelor, the women were attractive, and I was invested in whether or not Joey would find love. I had a really great time watching this with my family, and I'm looking forward to watching more Bachelor in the future.
Started Joey's season in Jan., finished March 25, 2024 - watched with my cousins - DirectorCamille DelamarreStarsEd SkreinLoan ChabanolRay StevensonIn the south of France, former special-ops mercenary Frank Martin enters into a game of chess with a femme-fatale and her three sidekicks who are looking for revenge against a sinister Russian kingpin.I enjoy watching the YouTube movie reviewers Double Toasted, and there review of this movie is particularly hilarious, and so, finally, i decided to give this a go. And it's okay. I mean, it's a lot less stylish than I thought it was going to be, and the action is not very hard hitting (it actually lacks impact), and the driving sequences, while cool, are kind of incomprehensible and hard to follow. That said, I didn't hate this movie. I was entertained while watching it just because of how silly it was, and the scenery, actors and actresses, and vehicles were nice to look at, so there is that. However, I doubt I will watch this again.
03/26/24 - watched by myself on Netflix - DirectorStephen CognettiStarsGore AbramsAlice BahlkeDanny BelliniFive years after an unexplained malfunction causes the death of 15 tour-goers and staff on the opening night of a Halloween haunted house tour, a documentary crew travels back to the scene of the tragedy to find out what really happened.This movie is creepy enough for a low budget found footage film. It's fine, but it can get a bit cheesy, and I didn't like the way the mystery was solved so to say, because I found it to be very predictable and cheesy. However, this is fine for what it is. I'd watch it again during the Halloween season if I was in the mood for a haunted house style fright.
03/26/24 - watched by myself on Prime - DirectorJoe JohnstonStarsBenicio Del ToroAnthony HopkinsEmily BluntUpon his return to his ancestral homeland, an American man is bitten and subsequently cursed by a werewolf.I was not looking forward to watching this due to the low IMDb score, and I only watched it because it's leaving Netflix on March 31, but I'm glad I watched this because I actually had a really good time with it. This is by no means a masterpiece, but I really liked the Gothic feeling of it, and I had a whole lot of fun with the gory werwolf action. The acting and dialogue isn't too good here, but there's enough werwolf set pieces to satisfy, and I just enjoyed myself. I'd definitely watch this again.
03/27/24 - watched by myself on Netflix - 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.I wanted to watch something short, cheesy, and schlocky, and I haven't seen this since it came out, and so when it popped up on Netflix I decided to give it another go, rather impulsively. And honestly, I'm glad I did, because while I still don't think this is a good movie (though the glimpses are there, with some good shots throughout), I had a much more fun time with this than when I originally watched it. It's a ridiculous movie, but I enjoyed the kills for what they were, it's always fun to watch Leatherface rampage, and Elsie Fisher was surprisingly good here, giving it her all. I never thought I'd watch this again, and while it is lacking that kind of violent cruelness of the other installments, for a breezy late night watch, this was fine.
03/27/24 - watched by myself on Netflix - DirectorAdam WingardStarsRebecca HallBrian Tyree HenryDan StevensTwo ancient titans, Godzilla and Kong, clash in an epic battle as humans unravel their intertwined origins and connection to Skull Island's mysteries.I thought this was okay. There is more of a focus on the creatures than in the previous movie, however, the entire movie is still a build up for the final 25 minutes of action, and that final 25 minutes really wasn't that satisfying for me. I wasn't a big fan of the villain, and I found the human element to be, while more entertaining than in previous movies, still lacking. However, I did enjoy the increased focus on the creatures, and while the action was nothing mind blowing, it was still entertaining to watch on the big screen - and the big screen is the way to watch this movie. All that said, I don't think I'm a fan of these newer Godzilla movies, which is weird because I loved the first one in 2014. Maybe I just need to rewatch them and see if my opinion of them has changed.
03/28/24 - watched with my cousin in theaters - 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 remember not enjoying this movie too much when I rewatched it a year or two or three ago. However, after watching Godzilla X Kong I found myself in the mood for some Kaiju action, and this did deliver. Yes, the acting of the main character is not very good, and yes, it takes about an hour for the action to kick in, but when it does, the rest of the movie is nothing but action, and it's glorious. A bit of a slow start to be sure, but the hard hitting action is worth the wait.
03/29/24 - watched by myself on Netflix - DirectorCameron CairnesColin CairnesStarsDavid DastmalchianLaura GordonIan BlissA live television broadcast in 1977 goes horribly wrong, unleashing evil into the nation's living rooms.A really fun, creative, surprisingly immersive film. It wasn't very scary, but I had a real blast with it - I do wish they would've pushed it a bit more in the possession aspect at the end, but what we got was fun enough, and the build up to it was just really entertaining and well done. This was a really fun film and I can't wait to buy it again.
03/30/24 - watched by myself in theaters - DirectorMel GibsonStarsJim CaviezelMonica BellucciMaia MorgensternDepicts the final twelve hours in the life of Jesus of Nazareth, on the day of his crucifixion in Jerusalem.A borderline spiritual experience while watching this. I'm working through my own faith now, but wow, this was a powerful, emotional movie that had me breaking down in tears from being overcome with emotion at two separate parts. This movie also flew by even though it was over two hours - the pure emotion of this, though, is why this is worth the watch, especially for those who have faith or for those who are questioning their faith or want to build their faith. I just really loved this, this movie was beyond powerful for me, and I am looking forward to watching it again next year around Easter as well.
03/30/24 - watched by myself on blu ray - DirectorRobert LorenzStarsKerry CondonDesmond EastwoodConor MacNeillIn a remote Irish village, a widower is forced to fight for redemption after a lifetime of sins, but what price is he willing to pay? In the land of saints and sinners, some sins can't be buried.After a plethora of mediocre films, Liam Neeson is finally back with really a very excellent film. This is more drama than all out action, but it works so well, especially with an opening scene that sets the stage and had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. The performances, dialogue, script, direction, cinematography, all of it was fantastic here, and while I can see some people not appreciating the slower pace and tone, I was hooked from the start, completely immersed in what was on screen. This is a great suspenseful thriller, and this is one I can see myself watching again and again - a certified Liam classic, this is definitely one to check out.
04/01/24 - saw with my parents in theaters - DirectorScott DerricksonStarsEric BanaEdgar RamírezOlivia MunnNew York police officer Ralph Sarchie investigates a series of crimes. He joins forces with an unconventional priest, schooled in the rites of exorcism, to combat the possessions that are terrorizing their city.Really quite bad. Really generic, and boring, and not scary at all. I think the only reason I'd rate this is a 3 is because I like Eric Bana, and I enjoyed the portrayal of a sort of laizze faire catholic priest. Other than that, I really didn't enjoy this, which is a shame, because I was looking forward to it.
04/01/24 - watched by myself on Netflix - DirectorJohannes RobertsStarsChristina HendricksMartin HendersonBailee MadisonA family of four staying at a secluded mobile home park for the night are stalked and then hunted by three masked psychopaths.At first, this movie is nothing except generic. It's basic, it's boring, and it's not scary at all. However, the final 30 minutes or so of this movie completely turn things around! It suddenly becomes thrilling, exciting, campy, and a whole lot of fun with a great 80s soundtrack. The victims became the predators, the direction suddenly becomes really good, and the last act is a complete blast! It's almost a shame that the last part is so good because I really wish the entire movie had that same sense of style and energy. However, regardless, the final 30 minutes completely saved the movie for me, making this a guilty pleasure of mine that I can imagine rewatching!
04/03/24 - watched by myself on Max - DirectorDev PatelStarsDev PatelSharlto CopleyPitobashAn anonymous young man unleashes a campaign of vengeance against the corrupt leaders who murdered his mother and continue to systematically victimize the poor and powerless.I wanted to love this, but it was hard to due so do to the constant close up shaky cam during the action scenes. It was so distracting and so frustrating because it was so difficult to tell what was happening, and who it was happening to. Besides for one fight sequence in a kitchen, every other fight scene had close up shaky cam - and even during scenes without action, there were constant use of close ups, which was super distracting and almost nausea inducing. The movie looks and sounds good, and I like Patel, but I am so disappointed in this because all I wanted to do was sit back and enjoy some action, and I couldn't even do that because of the close up shaky cam.
04/04/24 - watched by myself in theatres - DirectorSam HargraveStarsChris HemsworthGolshifteh FarahaniAdam BessaAfter barely surviving his grievous wounds from his mission in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Tyler Rake is back, and his team is ready to take on their next mission.I really loved the first Extraction so I was looking forward to this, but I really feel like something was missing here. The action didn't feel as hard hitting or brutal as the first - something about this movie felt slightly more clean and sanitized in the action department; that said, the action was still fun to watch with like a 25 minute one shot take that was extremely impressive and visually stunning. I did think this movie was too long and probably could've ended during the second extended action sequence instead of dragging on to one more, but as a whole, I would still watch this again and I did like it, just not as much as the first.
04/05/24 - watched with my cousin on Netflix - DirectorArkasha StevensonStarsNell Tiger FreeRalph InesonSonia BragaA young American woman is sent to Rome to begin a life of service to the church, but encounters a darkness that causes her to question her faith and uncovers a terrifying conspiracy that hopes to bring about the birth of evil incarnate.Ehhhhhhhhhhhhh. I really wanted to love this, but man oh man, it just wasn't hitting. The movie looks amazing, very well shot and framed, with some striking imagery. The performances are also good, but as a whole, this felt more like the Da Vinci Code than a horror film with its long-winded conspiracy that is explained not once, but twice in the film. It's fine for what it is, and I do enjoy watching religious horror, but for a large majority of this movie nothing much happens - it feels like the movie stays constant in its pacing and tone; it never really gets more thrilling or exciting, and plus, it is totally predictable, complete with an ending that was so abrupt and unnecessary and obvious that I was in disbelief. However, I probably will give this a go in the future to see if I like it more, but upon initial viewing I was disappointed.
04/06/24 - watched by myself in theatres - DirectorKevin MacdonaldStarsChanning TatumJamie BellDonald SutherlandIn Roman-ruled Britain, a young Roman soldier endeavors to honor his father's memory by finding his lost legion's golden emblem.I haven't seen this since it was released in theaters. It's an okay movie if you like Channing Tatum and the time period - there is a few interesting action scenes, but as was the style of the time, filmed in close up shaky cam with quick cuts. It kind of worked at times, but at the same time, for most of the action sequences it was extremely difficult to tell what was going on. That said, this is more of a drama than an action film, and if you look at it from that point, there is some to enjoy here if you're a fan of ancient Rome. The story is interesting enough, but admittedly slow moving. However, not a horrible watch, and my 5 out of 10 rating still stands.
04/06/24 - watched with my cousin on Netflix - DirectorRidley ScottStarsJoaquin PhoenixVanessa KirbyTahar RahimAn epic that details the chequered rise and fall of French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte and his relentless journey to power through the prism of his addictive, volatile relationship with his wife, Josephine.On second watch, I think I would rerate this to be a 6 or a 7 out of 10. It's still not the dark, brooding historical epic that I would've preferred - however, for what we got, this is an interesting drama that focuses mostly on the relationship of Napoleon and Josephine's relationship. The movie is a bit all over the place in terms of what's happening and why, however, on second watch I did find it easier to follow as long as I was paying attention. I do like the performances, and the battle sequences are of course spectacular, but where this movie really excels is in the beautiful set and costume design - this film really is a treat for the eyes. Overall, not a great movie, but it is enjoyable with the right mindset.
04/07/24 - watched by myself, bought on Amazon Prime - DirectorMichael BayStarsRyan ReynoldsMélanie LaurentManuel Garcia-RulfoSix individuals from all around the globe, each the very best at what they do, have been chosen not only for their skill, but for a unique desire to delete their pasts to change the future.Ehh. The opening car chase is cool, but it's the highlight of the movie, it's the best action scene. Other than that, I didn't really find much to enjoy here - I was hoping for other appropriately violent and crazy action sequences, but nothing else lives up to it.
04/07/24 - watched by myself on Netflix - DirectorGuy RitchieStarsHenry CavillAlan RitchsonAlex PettyferThe British military recruits a small group of highly skilled soldiers to strike against German forces behind enemy lines during World War II.I saw this during Cinemark's secret movie series, and I thought it was a fun time. It's nothing innovative, and it's a lot less bloody than I thought it was going to be, but for what this was, I enjoyed myself. It's kinetic enough, and after the halfway mark, it's basically constant action. I plan on taking my family and going to see this again.
04/08/24 - watched by myself in theaters as part of Cinemark's secret movie series - DirectorAlex GarlandStarsKirsten DunstWagner MouraCailee SpaenyA journey across a dystopian future America, following a team of military-embedded journalists as they race against time to reach DC before rebel factions descend upon the White House.I didn't really like this. It's fine, and the action (when there is action) is cool, but I didn't like how this movie follows the photo journalists, because they are basically psychopaths and unlikeable to the extreme. This movie is also really slow, and pretty boring; I didn't like the roadtrip style. That said, the sound design is great, and I probably will watch this again somewhere down the line solely for the 3rd act action sequence.
04/11/24 - watched in theaters with my cousin