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phoenixnraincry
Reviews
The Nun II (2023)
Visually good, but a thin plot line with some glaring holes
While I enjoyed the concept, and the list of stars was good, there were some glaring missteps in the Nun 2.
Let me start off by saying Taissa Farmiga is good in these rolls because she can show fear and confusion in her expressions. Storm Reid was good in this too. And i recognized Anna Popplewell from Narnia immediately.
But the story line ... and the holes. Oy.
The writers made it such a big deal that Taissa sister Vera, who play Lorraine HAD to know the demons band to cast it out in the Conjuring 3. But here... Sister Irene merely says "Demon" to try to cast it out. It's the same demon in both movies.
There is not a lot of invoking the Name of Christ, which is odd for Nuns to NOT do.
I am also confused by, if the demon is destroyed here, why does it show up 50 years later in the Conjuring? To hold continuity, the demon should have just be cast out, not destroyed. Also, are we supposed to forget the end of the original Nun, where we are told the demon was in Maurice and it killed him?
I mean I get it, they needed a sequel because James Wan and these series are hot, but the writers slapped this together. Was the writers strike partially to blame? Who knows.
Let's hope they focus better with the Conjuring 4.
Midnight Mass (2021)
A deeply philosophical "vampire" story...with a great ending
I was skeptical on how this would end. The writers did a great job of making you think - deeply - about God / life / death / humanity.
The acting was excellent. I did have some frustration with the lack of reasoning and a void of general knowledge of vampires. And at the end, I thought they could have done a bit more with self preservation. No one thought to hide or build cover with some things that hadn't burned yet? Under the dock may have worked. I guess they all just gave up.
I do love that the underlying theme is that God's grace is so important. While Pruitt's judgement was misguided, it wasn't evil like Bevs. In the end, God and good prevails. A lot of shows end with evil winning.
Also this is the first series that the actress who plays Lizzy, Annarah Cymone, is the one with strong faith. She agains has strong faith in the Midnight Club.
The Handmaid's Tale: The Wilderness (2021)
An obvious missed opportunity
Ok, I kept saying "why didn't June get Hannah and Janine included in the prisoner swap". It wasn't even brought up. I mean, she's all about "Hannah Hannah Hannah" but doesn't even say "hey, throw in Hannah"?!?
And there was no real explanation of how Janine didn't get blown up, found by Moira and that care team or... no word. And June never even asked. It's like "we need a new plot point. Let's say Janine DIDNT die." It's like a soap opera.
But I loved the revenge here. This whole story is about June vs Serena. That's what this books done too. Right now, score one point for June. Plus another point for creativity. I must have missed the finger thing. Serena asked which finger...did I miss why that would matter?
Dodge City (1939)
Well those 6 shooters had a 24 bullets each...
A good plot (although predictable at times) and an all-star cast make a decent western.
Details like guns that hold 6 bullets but they shoot over 20 times are comical at times. The mob wants to break in the jail, but no one thinks to go around to the back.
Still it's a decent movie because of the level of acting. It's nice to see Olivia in color too.
The Song of Names (2019)
Riveting and extremely moving.
I assume most negative reviewer here were looking for action - or something. The extreme sadness is not for everyone. This movie had us on the edge of our seat, neither of us with dry eyes. There is quite a twist in the end. Well worth a watch.
Home Before Dark (2020)
These kids can act...
I saw the trailer for this a while ago and in typical me fashion, I waited until there were enough episodes to binge watch it.
We sat down and watched all episodes in 3 days. Every episode drew you in deeper and deeper. The acting of the kids, especially Brooklyn Prince the lead, is superb. They are like Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boyz.. They can carry a scene all by themselves.
Top it off with a great story line, the best work of Jim Sturgess' career and a great ensemble cast, and you have a certified hit.
I cannot wait for season 2. Such a great cliffhanger. All those voice mails that said they saw the dead boy alive... are now clues to follow in season 2.
Great job. Apple A nice family show...
Servant (2019)
He did it again... excellent and complex
Like other say here, this one is beyond amazing. It pulls you in. M Night Shamaylan has created something riveting.
We binge watched all 10 episodes in one day. The acting is superb, the story is complex. Rupert is the wild card in this. He is compelling. You really do not know who the protagonists or the antagonists are. What a journey.
Can't wait for season 2. Please don't jump the shark like Wayward Pines did.
Le procès (1962)
Visually stunning vs confusing
The Trial is visually stunning, but left me what a sense of "huh?" Most is the movie. I will have to try to watch it again. Great acting. Great scenes. Great sets. But.... is it a dream?
I've seen a few movies about dreams. What dreams may come, Inception... even Requiem for a Dream. These movies kept my interest (admittedly I still get confused with Inception).
But I guess I wasn't in the mood for The Trial - and it just frustrated me. I am a huge Orson Wells fan, with my favorite movies being Touch of Evil and The Third Man for now. I even watched the documentary about him on TCM this month. Maybe I will try this movie again sometime when I can concentrate- or throw it on during a party for visuals.