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Reviews
Violent Night (2022)
Great bad guy, good fight at the end, good watch
It also had a few very good lines of dialogue -- about three or four very inspired quips or comebacks, and that's pretty rare. All in all, a recommended watch, you get exactly what's advertised: silly fun, overly sappy Chrismas moments, some funny highjinks, cartoonish violence, but you also get several interesting characters, topped off by an excellent John Leguizamo on a really great day, playing it schlocky and straight at the same time. Every scene that features him really (really) works.
It was an interesting choice to have so many references to Die Hard (first part of the movie was almost beat for beat Die Hard 1, and the second part also had some Die Hard 2 references sprinkled in there). The parts that paid homage to Home Alone 1 were surprisingly good, it felt like you finally got to see what would've happened if that movie had real(er) consequences.
The Boys: Herogasm (2022)
Ratings are entirely correct
I know it's probably strange to see so many 10 star ratings for a single episode, but all the people rating and reviewing really aren't wrong. This was without a doubt the best episode of the entire series so far, it was packed so full of exceptional moments that it's truly a wonder that it could could even be done. It would probably easily beat the vast majority of episodes of any series in history in terms of interesting events per minute. Everything is simply perfect with this episode, one for the ages.
Ambulance (2022)
Strong ending
Michael Bay is getting more Michael Bayish by the movie. Going into this one, it feels like you're making a deal with him: he supplies the uninterrupted stream of energy but you have to surrender some expectations of what you think movies should be.
For example, in this movie, at times, Bay doesn't even try to connect some scenes to other scenes. There's just no time. He has something to do, a grander scope for things, and you can perceive it only if you unfocus your eyes from the details and just keep them pointed in the larger direction of the experience.
The difference between Bay and other directors trying to do something like this is that, with Bay, everything is completely intentional. And that's something that deserves respect.
Gam-si-ja-deul (2013)
Worth it
Sure, most of the time it's fractured, clumsy, even jerky. But what it's got going for it is that it's relentless. It pushes forward at breakneck speed and that really compensates for everything else. It's what makes it exciting and a great watch. It looks good too, there's this modern feel to it like you're watching the near future, even though it's nine years old at the time of writing this. The actors (and the characters) are very likeable and charismatic, not one exception among them. A surprising movie all in all.
Dune (2021)
PG-13 Harkonnens
I've been expecting this movie like the Second Coming. Although I left slight room for disappointment, I did honestly believe it could end up being something like the greatest movie ever to be made. The original story affords it and the pieces were lining up just right (the crew, the cast). But you can't do that with imposed limits such as the one I mentioned in my title.
I think Dune might just be impossible to port to the big screen. You could go the Lynch way (who had terrifying Harkonnens, by the way) and imprint your own vision on the material, or go the Villeneuve way and try to follow it closely and amplify it whenever you get the chance (like Paul's first steps on Arrakis sand, for example, which was exceptional). The trouble with this latter approach became apparent as the movie advanced, and I started noticing that it sometimes seemed to just be hitting checkpoints in the story which ended up feeling surprisingly empty. I won't delve any deeper than that.
Please note that I'm saying all of this while giving it a 9. This is an excellent movie. But the story (the novel) is undoubtedly the best SciFi story ever told, and even one of the best stories ever created by man in any genre. So the movie should also be judged in a different league than normal. For what it is, it's a 'great time at the movies' sort of experience. But, unfortunately, it simply isn't.. eternal.
Escape Room: Tournament of Champions (2021)
Escape Room is the next Final Destination
It's just as fun as a series, just as self contained, and you leave the theater hoping there's going to be a new one soon. Sure, it's not The Godfather. But it's not trying to be. What it is - is fun times at the movies. Also, this second one is slightly better than the first one.
Time Trap (2017)
The makings of a cult classic
Never in my life have I gone from stopping a movie ten minutes in for being terrible, only to end up giving it a straight 10 for being mesmerizing.
Halfway through I remember thinking that 'Hollywood' should remake this because it's such an amazing setting. And then, by the end, I just thought, 'You know what? This movie is perfect just the way it is.' I wish I could come out of the cave a few years in the future to witness this movie being regarded as the cult classic that I think it's going to be. Its flaws feel like the endearing idiosyncrasies that you come to love in the type of movie that ends up having a cult following. I gave it a 10 despite its shortcomings simply because I'm still smiling from the thrill ride. Because although it did start (excruciatingly) slowly, it ended up erupting like a volcano. So thanks to the filmmakers and everyone involved for bringing this to the world.
In Our Nature (2012)
'Beautiful location' is the best I can say
I don't usually write reviews. Felt like I had to for this one (wish I had some warning before watching it). I'll keep it brief.
Characters are bland, they don't learn anything. There's no character arc for any of them. Nothing really happens throughout, their problems never really strike any emotional chord. Many scenes feel like they might go somewhere, but they never do (just like the whole movie). Acting is uneventful, at best. Gabrielle Union is the decent one of the lot. Not a complete waste of time, though, because there's some beautiful scenery in that forest. If you feel that you can watch a movie for that alone, go ahead.
Vantage Point (2008)
High profile fluff
Hey guys, first time reviewer here. No spoilers, just want to share some thoughts I have after having finished watching this.
This 'Rashômon' style story unfolds during a political summit and we follow it from the different perspectives of the numerous characters it brings together. My feelings for this movie are not that hard to put in words. I found it somewhat entertaining, although bland most of the way through. The cinematography was top notch, as you would expect from a big budget movie; the actors were decent at most; the basic idea of the execution is nice; the pacing is good; but the plot was made too easy to follow and gave you some details on a platter, even though the subtext already hinted in a certain direction. I would not say it's a bad movie, but have a lot of popcorn ready to get over some of the developments.
All in all, Vantage Point is entertaining, if you don't question it very much.
P.S. My rating system:
5 and below - don't waste your time; 6 - the movie can be entertaining; to you, if you like the genre/like the actor/don't expect much of it; 7 - high chances of it being entertaining to the majority of people; 8 - everybody will have a good time watching this; 9 - this movie is nearly flawless and probably among best in genre; 10 - absolute genre-defining masterpiece