ryebailey2002 Reviews

Young David: Warrior (2023) Season 1, Episode 1

Well Done, Good & Faithful Studio

[9/10 · 20 January 2024]

Young David plays upon the major themes of David's life and show him true to his biblical character-one after God's own heart. He's creative and imaginative, concerned and loving, caring and kind, brave and skillful. He's everything you would expect him to be. The themes chosen to represent David in these shorts directly correlate to Christ motifs as well. The stories are well-thought and well-crafted, while staying true to biblical accounts of David's life (albeit, a bit of creative license is used, we don't get much about young David in the Bible).

These episodes are edifying. I can't wait until the full-length David movie! If it's anything like this series it should be excellent!

The Curse (2023– )

I Gave It 100 Chances

[5/10 · 20 January 2024]

And was left wanting. If pointless and awkward is what Emma was going for then she nailed it. The whole show lacks coherence with the main characters being unlikeable. Asher is probably the most likeable character but even he comes across as a weak, lame, simp. Actually, if satire is what this show is going for then it is spot on for the current culture because it's terrifying, cold, and pointless. I truly felt like my time was wasted by a plotless, unfunny, heartless, existence of a show. If that was the overall point then it was well-played. If it wasn't, then I'm not sure what to think. The Curse, I believe, is actually the viewer having the sit through this show expecting more-expecting something better.

The joke is on me.

Young David (2023– )

Excellent Retelling of David's Story

[10/10 · 15 January 2024]

All three episodes so far focus on themes for which David was known, but in which he operates as a type of Christ. It truly shows how David was a "man after God's own heart" as he trusts God for protection, is willing to risk his life for his sheep, knows them each by name, and cares for them with a "reckless love." You are introduced to a few other key characters in the David story including, little sister Zeruaiah, Doeg the Edomite, and big brother Eliab. This is an artful but biblically accurate telling of David's story. The shorts are short-about 6 minutes total. I honestly wish they were longer. Each episode leaves me wanting more and having to wait for the weekly releases are frustrating-especially in today's streaming age. I can't wait until the full length animated David movie releases. This, as well as other Angel Studios productions are very well done.

The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023)

Excellent & Nostalgic

[9/10 · 11 April 2023]

The "critics" have shown their ages by giving poor reviews to this movie. Obviously, their lives weren't impacted by Mario like mine was. I'm 40 and Super Mario is the first game I ever played on a console, the Gray Box Nintendo, as a young child. It holds a special place in my heart. That being said, I went into this movie with tempered expectations.

But I was pleasantly surprised. This movie has all the best elements of all the Super Mario games. It highlights the brotherly relationship between Mario & Luigi, has all the characters you'd want to see, and is a fun nostalgic at every turn. I enjoyed it. My 15, 12, and 8 year olds enjoyed it.

Worth the watch!

The Sandlot 2 (2005 Video)

Exact Same Movie

[4/10 · 9 July 2022]

The Sandlot is one of the GOATs of all movies and one of my favorites. This one is the exact same. Almost down to the lines. Lacking originality. Super predictable. The original is a 10. This one isn't the original. James Earl Jones redeems it a little at the end. Still somewhat nostalgic...

Halo: Inheritance (2022) Season 1, Episode 7

Story Arc Sucks

[3/10 · 6 May 2022]

Kwan Ha sucks as a character. Her story is pointless. This episode is the worst, after such an awesome 6th episode where viewers didn't have to put up with the dumb "rebellion on Madrigal" story, here we are back at it wasting an episode. Hopefully, next week is better.

The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl 3-D (2005)

Super Cringe, but my 6 yo loves it

[3/10 · 24 January 2022]

Quite a few big names in this one, with a pretty awful story-line, acting, and special effects. My 6 year old son can watch this movie over and over. It's one of his favorites. Maybe as an adult I lost the ability to dream that this was a good movie. My kid doesn't seem to care. He loves it. So maybe it's okay for what it's for? Lol. It's so cringe I have to leave the room when it's on.

Hard Kill (2020)

Limited Plot Development, Cheesy Dialogue, Predictable, Just Okay

[5/10 · 28 November 2020]

If you want a low-mental input/output shooter flick, this is probably it. It's predictable, dialogue is corny, and you would assume that the bad guy could afford a better legion of goons. They look the part but are tactically inferior in every way to a merry band of brothers (and sister). The good guys' prowess at 1-shot-kills helps them conserve their ammo although severely outgunned and outmanned, and luckily they are almost invincible. The pray and spray method seems to work well on the one side and not so much on the other side, but hey.

This movie leaves a lot to be desired, but it's semi-entertaining.

Cobra Kai (2018–2025)

Great Series, Great Insight

[9/10 · 7 September 2020]

The way this series interweaves the stories of Lawrence and Larusso is spectacular! Never a dull moment, this series will keep you on the edge of your seat! I don't watch many TV series, but this one kept my attention and flew by!

Phineas and Ferb the Movie: Candace Against the Universe (2020)

Sentimental, Fun

[8/10 · 5 September 2020]

Candace finally gets some cred! This is a sweet story, that takes the brothers, Candace, and their friends on an otherworldly adventure! My family and I (12, 8, 5) really enjoyed this movie. We laughed and we cried. All of the elements you have come to know and love with Phineas & Ferb are present. Good music, good humor, and life lessons. Awesome!

Milo Murphy's Law (2016–2019)

Decent, Not the Best

[7/10 · 5 September 2020]

Phineas & Ferb > Milo Murphy's Law

However, with P&F off-air, this is suitable replacement. The feel isn't exactly the same as P&F, but the plots, humor, and some other elements are still here.

Milo Murphy's Law can stand alone on its own merit, but the magic doesn't seem to last as long as it did in P&F.

Mulan (2020)

Okay, Not Great, Manage Your Expectations

[5/10 · 5 September 2020]

You never know what you're going to get with these Live Disney remakes. Some are good--Aladdin, some are okay--Beauty and the Beast, and some are trash--Lion King.

Mulan falls somewhere in the middle. It has some decent cinematography and fight scenes, but many elements which made the cartoon Mulan so successful, were changed or nixed altogether. Mushu for example, is changed into a Phoenix and provides zero comedic relief. Mulan's Grandma is replaced with a sister. There are two bad "guys". It's truly like most of the people who grew up with these awesome kid cartoons, turned into hum-drum adults, with no humor, no vision, and simply want to make money off the hopes and dreams of those of us who want to recapture elements of our childhood. Many critical scenes just aren't in the movie. And with an awesome original soundtrack, there is nothing in this remake. No singing. No humor. Very little emotion. It feels bland. The best parts from the original aren't here. Overall, it's meh.

The Outpost (2019)

Decent, Could've Been Better

[8/10 · 19 July 2020]

This movie hits the high-points in the story of the Battle of Kamdesh. There are some real Army scenarios and stories in the movie but it lacks character development. The book is really long, the movie had to cut a lot of the story to make it "fit" within the proposed movie timeline. While the scenery for the movie looks great, and the action scenes are super-intense, more backstory and more development of the characters would've made the story's impact more effective. Yes, I've read the book, so my expectations were high. The movie is definitely worth watching, but the story worth more exploration to give the Soldiers who died proper honor and credit.

Klaus (2019)

One of my New Faves!

[10/10 · 28 November 2019]

Since this dropped on Netflix, my family and I have watched this movie 6 or 7 times. Every, single, time is just as good as the last one! The storytelling, the background, the plot, the music, this movie is a masterpiece! Please watch it! You'll love it just like I do. A Christmas gem!

Larva Island (2018–2019)

Decent Weird Cartoon

[7/10 · 9 March 2019]

Where to start. Some of the ideas in this show are so off the wall I can't beleive a writer would think them up. I think that's some of the appeal of the show. The larva fart and burp their way through adventures with a stranded islander. I can't really stand this show, but my kids love it. I guess that's good enough for me to give it a decent rating.

Hunter Killer (2018)

Intesensely Entertaining

[9/10 · 1 November 2018]

This movie has it all. Suspense. Twists. Naval and land battles. A decent plot. You can also tell the developers did their research into the ins and outs of naval warfare from both an American and Russian perspective. There was never a dull moment. Highly recommend. I myself, will be watching it again sometime soon.

The Oddbods Show (2016– )

My Kids Love It

[8/10 · 29 April 2018]

This show is absurd, but all three of my kids love it. They're 10,7, and 3. I'll hear them laughing in the next room and it's at this show. That's good enough for me.

Land of the Lost (2009)

Good for What It Is

[7/10 · 14 April 2018]

As a Will Ferrell fan, this absurd movie was entertaining enough. The plot is kind of insane, but there were multiples parts where I laughed until I almost cried. In the end, I'm glad I watched this movie. It had enough twists and turns to keep me interested and had all the elements of classic Will Ferrell and Danny McBride humor.

The Long Road Home (2017)

Decent War Series

[8/10 · 3 December 2017]

I'm not sure why the hatred for this series. It leaves a little to be desired concerning backstory, but I think you get enough of it for satisfaction. The show incorporates not only, the Soldier sentiment from the front lines, but also shows what families experience on the home front--that everyone is in this fight together. It also deals with the intricacies of loyalties among those who are native-Iraqis, the struggle in deciding who to side with, and the moral issues the American troops run into, while trying to make it out alive. It also shows the human, family, and team elements common among Soldiers in wartime.

So far I have enjoyed the show. It is full of action and pretty intense gunfights, battles, comms issues (the real, military deal), the whole nine yards.

I've enjoyed the series for its entertainment value, but also for some of the realism and different aspects of what it takes for our troops on the front lines and their families as they take the long road home.

The Magnificent Seven (2016)

Great Modern Remake of an Old Classic

[10/10 · 13 June 2017]

This remake of the original movie, has the right mix of familiar faces, on-screen chemistry, humor, gun fights and action. Intriguing character connections makes me wish there would be a spin off series diving into the character's individual stories more in depth. Bogue, the villain, is despised from the opening of the movie and one only hopes there will be some type of "reckoning." A great mix of the classic battle of good versus evil, the tycoon vs the commoner, the lengths that greed and corruption will take a person, and those good men who are willing to fight for those less fortunate. This version is even better than the original. The cast gels, the scenery is stunning, and the Seven are all experts in their craft---the killing of bad guys.

A great western!

"I seek righteousness, as should we all. But in this case I'll take revenge."