jcooloti Reviews

3 Body Problem (2024– )

Huge fan of the books. Show is okay...

[7/10 · 23 March 2024]

I believe most changes made from the books by Cixin Liu are good ones for an adaptation like this. I do have gripes with the show. Casting choices. Mainly Eiza Gonzalez and the other scientist. I'm sorry, but Eiza is just a very unbelievable scientist. Her acting is very one dimensional... basically one emotion, anger and disappointment. At all times. Her angular and artificially sculpted face is a huge distraction for me. It's as if they decided to just "put a young hot chick" as the lead. It's ridiculous.

I also feel the series does not feel as EPIC as it should. While reading the books, it just felt so epic and the stakes were so incredibly high. This does not feel that way, at least not yet. I believe with a little better use of exposition in the story, this could have been achieved. The books are educational, even if not on purpose. This series focuses more on the adventurous points of this tale, which is honestly are the less interesting aspects. The themes of the original story that Cixin Liu wrote are very scientific, philosophical, and complex. The Netflix series feels a bit dumbed down for a lazier audience.

Still, I do find it to be somewhat entertaining. I can't help it because it's a cool story. It does feel a bit rushed though. The first season could have used 4 more episodes and brought in some things they omitted from the book to raise the stakes and make it feel more epic.

If you're loving this, I'm happy for you! It's not bad. Maybe I would more if I hadn't have read the books. I highly recommend the books if you like this series, because so far I have to say they are the superior version of the story.

Dune: Part Two (2024)

YES, IT REALLY IS THAT GOOD. I LOVE IT.

[10/10 · 7 March 2024]

Everything about this movie is so good that it practically made me numb. I still can't even process it. I'm a huge fan of the novels, and in a few ways this movie manages to improve on the source material by giving us a very intimate rendition of this awesome story.

It totally kicks ass on all fronts. Writing, visuals, sound design/music, and acting at its absolute highest levels on the grandest scale. Truly epic. One of the best adaptations from novel to screen ever made. No easy task either given the film's source material, but executed tastefully and dare I say, flawlessly utilizing minor alterations to create the best film it can be. Believe the hype. If you don't like this movie, then well, I guess epic sci-fi stories and deserts simply aren't your thing. Fair enough, but for most of us, it really doesn't get any better than this.

The script is excellent. This was a very hard novel to adapt, and the writers have truly done a fantastic job with it. Changes have been made from the source material, details added, but essentially it captures the best themes of the book. Overall, each change, cut, or addition makes for a better movie, still remaining faithful to the films source material. I will admit however, that the Dune nerd in me would have liked to see that talking baby... but the way they did it was effective and probably better for the silver screen. Frank Herbert purist might get pretty bummed over this, but not I. The change works well, and I trust Denis Villeneuve with what he wanted to do in his telling.

I want to point out that I was kind of surprised how terrific the acting in this film was considering the amount of vanity and celebrity the cast seems to bask in. This isn't just a cast of what Marilyn Manson would call "the beautiful people" but actually a talented one. Timothy Chalamet really brings it in the films second half. He was born to play Paul Atreides, and I would have never of known he was capable of pulling it off so well with what I have previously seen him in. I loved Austin Butler as Feyd-Rautha, but it was actually Javier Bardem as Stilgar that I enjoyed the most. His character is beautifully written in this screenplay, providing smart laugh out loud comic relief but also delivering serious dramatic scenes with awesome dialogue. His delivery of "I don't care if you do not believe, I believe..." which was perfectly placed in the trailer is even better in the film. The man is a very good actor, obviously given his track record, and it was simply awesome seeing him deliver such well written dialogue.

The visual fx... I don't even know how to convey how great they look. They, simply put, are stunning. What a treat to see it in IMAX. This movie truly was made for IMAX. It looks incredible.

Which brings me to cinematography. Also stunning. Absolute perfection. The lighting and color pallets... my God, it's just stunning.

Sound design and score are every bit as awesome as they were in the first film. Perfection. Hans Zimmer is really in the prime of his career, giving us stunningly original and memorable works of music.

As far as memorable scenes and sequences go, every single one hits pretty hard and is expertly crafted. The climatic final knife fight was the best I had scene since the climatic sword fight in Rob Roy. But I can't write this gushing review without mentioning the sand-worm riding scene where Paul first mounts one of these iconic beast. WOW. This goes down as one of my favorite scenes ever in a film. I practically edged myself off my seat, even knowing what the outcome would be having read the book. It was just... wow, so cool.

Upon the movie ending, my wife and I just wanted to stay in the theater and watch it over again. I can't wait to see this film again, and again, and again. I really think it is a modern classic. This isn't something I say lightly. The hype was real for me. I hope you all feel the same as I did, because both Dune and Dune: Part 2 are some of the greatest times I've had at the movies in the past twenty years. This is what large budget major studio films should be. This is art on its grandest scale, not just a cheap attempt to cash in on a beloved franchise. It's so refreshing and nice to see that Hollywood still has a few quality films to make. In my personal opinion, Timothy Chalamet and Zendaya earned every right to wear those ludicrous outfits on the red carpet. They could have worn hot dog suits for all I care, because not only did they do a fantastic job, but the entire cast and crew. This film helped create something people such as myself will be enjoying for a very, very long time.

Baldur's Gate III (2023 Video Game)

Best game I've ever played. FANTASTIC. EPIC.

[10/10 · 2 March 2024]

I've completed the game going the heroic route. Did every side quest. I adore this game. Honestly, my favorite game of all time, not lying. Negative reviews on here are by trolls that's have low attention spans. If you want fantastic writing, characters arcs performed by amazing voice talent, and enjoy turned based strategy and role playing you will love this game. It's essentially just Dungeons and Dragons. Same rules. However, imagine playing D&D with the best dungeon master ever and beautiful computer graphics illustrating your story. It's also not afraid to get totally absurd, goofy, or just plain freaky deeky if that's your style. It's up to you. You can have sex with a bear. It's pretty rad. Lol. Honestly though, it will probably hit you on an emotional level the more seriously you take it. Finishing the game for me was an extremely emotional experience for me after 250 hours. The denouement was fantastic. I really needed that, and it was great that they put it in there. It's really sad to end the game because you really become friends in a way with your companions. You actually really care about them. Such great writing. Minor bugs are forgivable on the technical side, after all it is a video game. It's also an extremely complex game with so many variables. This is a game for grown ups, not inpatient button smashers. If you're mature and love D&D, it doesn't get any better than this.

Oppenheimer (I) (2023)

A MATURE EPIC DESERVING ALL ITS PRAISE.

[10/10 · 26 July 2023]

It's nearly impossible to put into words any kind of worthy analysis of Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer. This is the most mature story Nolan has ever taken on, which without a doubt will alienate some of the auteur's lesser educated fan base and leave them scratching their heads. I know that statement may come off as pompous, but it's true. This film will not impress EVERYBODY. However, for an intellectual, it is beautiful unbiased storytelling at its finest. In my personal opinion it's Christopher Nolan's best film to date.

This film is DEEP. It's JACKED full of dialogue, but it's also great dialogue flawless in its delivery from a perfect and carefully constructed cast. The film is loaded with imagery and amazing cinematography that will no doubt keep your eyeballs stimulated. But what truly carries the film is how such an important and historically significant story is told through conversations that are truly compelling. You don't have to be a scientist or a politician to understand this movie. You just have to be interested in the subject matter. It's a film that asks a lot from its audience. Yes, Nolan masterfully SHOWS us what's happening, but you have to listen as well. You can't shy away from listening and rely on it's visuals... because you WILL get lost or dare I say bored. However, for an audience member with a higher attention span that's a good listener, get ready for a story that is so intellectually stimulating and also so horrifying that you will be left utterly speechless while viewing it. My father and I left the theater flabbergasted.

The amount of hard work and dedication Christopher Nolan put into adapting the Pulitzer Prize winning biographical book American Prometheus trumps any piece of writing Nolan has done beforehand. I have not read this book, and now I know I MUST read this source material.

You will just have to see this movie, because you don't want to hear the plot from me. Just see it. I will say this though. This isn't just a film about making the bomb then dropping it. It's about one man's life and legacy and SO MUCH MORE. This is not your typical Christopher Nolan film. If the film doesn't win best picture... I'd be shocked.

Notable highlights for me:

Everyone talks about Robert Downey Jr. In this film, and don't get me wrong, he is fantastic in the movie... but Matt Damon was really great. His role may not have been as big as Robert Downey Jr's, but every scene he was in just entertained the hell out of me. One in particular was when Oppy and Groves are trying to convince a scientist to join the Manhattan Project without telling them what it actually is that he's be joining really lets Damon shine and even offers some comic relief... but in the darkest way.

The trinity test. Epic. What a sequence.

The victory speech at Los Alamos. Wow. Horrifying. I want Nolan to make a horror movie after seeing that.

Kitty, Oppenheimer's wife, sticking it to that SOB while being questioned at the hearing in that tiny room.

The ending. Honestly, in my opinion one of the best endings in cinematic history that reveals so much truth. Now that's what you call a DOOZY. Damn.

I highly recommend this film to an intellectual audience. You will not be disappointed.

Shrinking (2023– )

BAD MUSIC that is awful on my ears.

[5/10 · 8 February 2023]

So, this show is actually really funny at times... a clever dramedy... BUT the TERRIBLE and DEAFENING soundtrack... full of these awful indie-pop songs... I just can't take it. At all. I cannot continue the show after two episodes. The music is so jarring and awful it makes me want to drop dead. I can not take this music. And normally I can tolerate songs I'm not into but the fact of the matter is that every 60 seconds some song starts blasting it's first couple bars while someone is riding a bicycle to work or walking into a store or something. It can't be ignored. You are just forced to experience it and it's CRANKED up to 11 in the mix. It also clashes with subject matter, kind of saying "hey all this stuff happening to this guy is terrible but isn't life ironic and cute?!" which is completely unnecessary and lame. There's also a lot of... oh, dear, I hate this word... "inclusion" in the show that comes off as ultra-cringe because it feels forced and unnatural. I'm all about a diverse cast and characters, but a straight man kissing their gay best friend on the forehead and lines like "I'm white and this is Pasedena, they'll probably just take my car home for me," totally take me out of what would be an almost believable plot. C'mon... people don't behave like this! The show is trying to be so 2023 it's unbearable. A straight man can be best friends with a gay man and not kiss him on his forehead when he says goodbye. A white person CAN be friends with a black person WITHOUT acknowledging their white privilege. Trust me, I do it all the time with my very diverse set of friends and family of all different races, creeds, and sexualities. Putting things like this in the show just makes it seem awkward. Let's just let people of different races hang out together without having to acknowledge it every five seconds... and let's let straight and gay people hang out together without having to put their lips on each other. It just comes off as forced and not believable. Let's just stop trying to be cute here and keep the show funny (because Jason Segel is actually very funny) and just lose all this fluffy crap that is so insanely distracting cringy. Please. Just stop trying to be cute and stick to being funny, heartwarming, clever.

The Karate Kid Part II (1986)

CHEESE, OH GLORIOUS CHEESE...

[10/10 · 3 January 2023]

Yo, anyone who's too cool for The Karate Kid pt. 2 is missing the point entirely. The first movie, a classic, is still one of the cheesiest American films of all time. The sequel is a extremely satisfying extension of that cheese. The best way to experience this movie is to watch it DIRECTLY after the first one ends. You will find a completely level layer of cheese, and will probably enjoy the climax much better. I have to say, the climax to this film is HARDCORE dude... The nephew of Sato is a total psycho, and it's amazing... I think it's a perfect way to put Daniel's karate skills to the REAL test, because let's face it, "this no terminate". It's life and death. It's great! And rather fighting over some doomed immature relationship like in the first one, you get the sense that Daniel ACTUALLY really cares about this new girl. And this psycho nephew with crazy huge pectoral muscles is smacking her around and holding a knife to her throat... it's TOTALLY over the top. And I love it. I love everything about this movie as sequel. I also happen to have a deep appreciation for the 1980s and it's cheese. Movies really became much more boring when everyone became "too cool" to lay down a thick layer of stinkin' hot cheese.

This movie was one of my absolute favorite films as a little kid in the 1980s. I loved the first one, but I would always watch both movies back to back on VHS, like it was all one movie.

And one more note: I just have to say the way they wrote out Daniel's previous love interest is hilarious... yet also feels so satisfying because let's face it. That girl was not for him. LoL

Just enjoy this film for what it is. Surrender to it. And seriously, pay close attention to the film's final sequence and it's climax. It's truly great, and actually TOTALLY horrifying if your a 6 year old kid like I was when I first saw it. I was obsessed (and still kind of am) with that final fight. It's mega gnarly and awesome.

Karate Kid pt. Slaps. HARD.

The New York Ripper (1982)

I ADORE THIS SLEAZY SLASHER.

[8/10 · 19 December 2022]

Hey, what you know... an Italian slasher full of sex and brutal violence. Let's check it out!

Honestly, The New York Ripper is all over the place. You are often left thinking "Where in the hell is this going?" but there's just something so captivating about it. It just feels... sinful? And that's the beauty of it. I can't even imagine the Catholic guilt these Italians must have felt after making this one... But I'm sure it's nothing s couple of Hail Marys couldn't cure. Am I right? I bet Glen Danzig watches this movie every Sunday afternoon.

I have to say... this film actually frightens me a bit. There's something about the killer's deranged duck voice that I find truly disturbing. I mean, this guy is out of his friggin mind! And then, KaBLAMO! The reveal at the end. Very, very startling... Bullseye!

Lots of sex border-lining on pornography in this one... plus you see a nipple split in half with a razor blade. Ouch! This film is not for the tame... Check it out. If you can handle it... QUACK! QUACK! QUACK!

Split Second (1992)

DON'T MAKE 'EM LIKE THIS ANYMORE.

[9/10 · 18 December 2022]

Split Second is a kickass action buddy cop flick, set in a flooded London due to global warming in 2008 (the film was made in 1992) . Rutger Hauer plays a cigar AND cig smoking, coffee slamming, sugar addicted police detective trying to track down a serial killer who murdered his partner... the catch: The serial killer is literally a genetic super-human monster that looks just like Venom with razor sharp claws that shares a psychic link with our flawed tough guy protagonist. Yep, it's that hardcore of a movie.

This film is full of great dialogue that feels as if it's straight out of a radical Dark Horse comic book for adults. It's not trying to be realistic, intelligent, or super clever... but rather just really badass. And it is.

It's a flippin' miracle that no one died of electrocution from the light rigs used while filming this very economical low budget movie. Every set is drenched and flooded with water and the lighting is BRIGHT and HARD. Lots of backlighting here. It gives the film a very unique and memorable look that is awesome. The stage production is so good for being a film with a lower budget.

Enjoy this one folks. Turn your brain off and surrender to Split Second. It's just good old fashioned filmmaking during a much simpler, more fun, and care free time in film. It's a great escape from reality and perfect for any dude into movies like Predator 2, Lethal Weapon, Cobra... or hidden gems like the Hidden or Dead Heat. It's a whacky and wild ride. Rutger Hauer had a lot of fun playing this part, you can tell. Who wouldn't? And Kim Cattrall is as endearing as ever. Hopefully movies like this one will make a comeback. We all deserve a break from films that take themselves way too seriously.

The Return of the Living Dead (1985)

"It's not a bad question, Burt..."

[9/10 · 18 December 2022]

Dan O'bannon, the man behind some of the greatest movies ever (Dark Star, Alien, Lifeforce, Total Recall just to name a few), writes and directs this super campy and fun satirical tribute to Romero's zombie genre. This film is a love letter to what Romero essentially started. Which makes it kind of heartbreaking that there was a legal dispute over the title of the film with Romero... but now, in 2022, we can truly see it for the hilarious and super fun homage that it is. Another unfortunate thing that happened involving Romero is that Return overshadowed Romero's greatest film in my opinion, Day of the Dead, which is a much more serious take on zombie horror that people weren't didn't really know how to process after seeing Return of the Living Dead (they came out very close to the same time). Still, Return of the Living Dead is fantastic in its own right and really embraces an unusual silly and unique comedic tone.

The plot is laughable... A middle aged man is training a young punk rocker at a new job at medical supply warehouse. He explains that there is a lost and misplaced piece of military equipment that was secretly behind the inspiration for the Night of the Living Dead movie in the warehouse's basement. LOL. So they go down to the basement to check it out and accidentally release this zombie chemical from a container that reanimates cadavers within the warehouse, but more importantly the buried corpses in the cemetery next door where the punk rocker's punk friends are hanging out waiting for him to finish work... You gotta love it. It's simple in its design, and ripe for comedy, which it delivers intelligently using brilliant satire and wit. My favorite line in the movie is from a punk named SUICIDE who tells a stark naked Linnea Quigley as she grabs his crotch, "You think this is a f'n costume? This is a way of life!"

You wouldn't be able to tell that shooting this film was a tremendous struggle because it's so funny... but such is usually the way of low budget filmmaking. On the other hand, this film doesn't really come off as a low budget film. It looks great and is brilliantly executed. This is a must see for any fan of the zombie genre.

Land of the Dead (2005)

70% C for Average but with Romero charm.

[7/10 · 17 December 2022]

It's not that great. Unfortunately the character arcs and development fall pretty flat with Land of the Dead. BUT, it has some great campy qualities to it. John Leguizamo is by far the best thing going for this movie, but unfortunately his character arc just falls flat... in my opinion, George made a big mistake not making his character the protagonist of this film. I think that's what pretty much details this story. We just don't really care about the other guy...

So yeah, not Romero's best script. But, there is some great zombie gore and fx. Seeing Tom Savini as a zombie tickled my heart. Unfortunately, our zombie lead is not nearly as compelling as "Bub" from Day of the Dead (my personal favorite film of Romero's catalog), but he's not that bad... Dennis Hopper is good as the film's villain, but his energy level is very low... he's pretty old here. If only working with Leguizamo again inspired him to give a more animated performance like in Super Mario Brothers... see what I did there? That's a joke. But that movie is actually pretty hilarious in a terrible movie way and I watch it about every five years. Sadly, I don't see myself watching Land of the Dead every five years though, because it's so middle of the road.

The film also suffers from a pretty generic soundtrack that really bored me to death with its distorted tuned down guitars and tribal beats being played on a floor tom. Day of the Dead had such a fantastic soundtrack... one of my absolute favorites of all time actually, and it really got us emotionally invested and seemed to higher the stakes of the plot... but Land of the Dead's soundtrack kind of sounds like it was composed by that horrible guitar player in Limp Bizkit or something... it's just... woof... I don't like it.

So here's the thing. If you're a fan of the Romero's zombie films... you're gonna have to check this one out. And I promise you will be somewhat entertained and charmed. Just don't go in expecting a masterpiece or a big comeback movie. It's not a waste of time if you're a fan. It kind of reminded me of John Carpenter's Ghost of Mars... like some big studio guys are like "Well hell, let's give the old man indie filmmaking legend a little bit of money to make something so we can squeeze a few bucks out of their faithful fanbase..." That's the industry for you...

If you're still hungry for some Romero after seeing this, I suggest checking out some of his lesser known non zombie films. Monkey Shines is FANTASTIC and seriously underrated.

Day of the Dead (1985)

A+ FANTASTIC ZOMBIE FILM

[10/10 · 14 December 2022]

I'm a very big fan of the zombie genre. George Romero has always been regarded by me as one of the greatest genre film makers, if not the greatest, of all time. In my opinion, Day of the Dead might very well be George's best film.

Now that's saying a lot, I know. I hate to say one of his films is "the best" because so many are brilliant in their own ways. But I will say this though... it's my favorite. For me, it has more replay value than the other films. And this is why:

The Writing - George Romero is often overlooked as a writer, but the themes in his films are not stupid and actually very deep. Like his other films, this movie is about people, not zombies, and the complicated relationships that develop in a survival setting. His anti-authoritarian outlook in this particular script is something I can really get behind.

The Cast/Acting - This is a perfect cast with very talented actors. The obnoxious grunts (with amazing screams... lol) and their tyrannical leader played by Joseph Pilato, a massive jerk with a Napoleon complex, make amazing and memorable villains. The female lead, Lorie Cardille, is absolutely fantastic and gives a very tough but also emotionally vulnerable performance. The helicopter pilot, the drunk, and the scientist... all amazing. But who really steals the show here is Sherman Howard as the Zombie "Bub". I've never loved a zombie more than this one. And he's a character too... a very important character who is brilliantly portrayed by a very talented actor playing a role that is very difficult to play. You laugh at him, feel sorry for him, and by the end you root for him! Brilliant!

The make-up FX/Tom Savini - WOW. Always a talent... legend... a pioneer in gore and makeup... but Tom Savini really brings his A game to this film. He had a longer time to prepare and a smaller scale than Dawn of the Dead... he probably a little more money to work with, a better team and better materials too, I'm guessing. This is Tom's best work in my opinion. It's absolutely beautiful... and revolting. It doesn't get any better.

The Music - John Harrison's score of this film is PHENOMENAL. It's one of my favorite soundtracks. It's an amazing synth filled score that is very intense with a Caribbean flair (the movie is set in Florida and surrounding islands). Right from the opening scene you know you're in for something a little different this time... it's very creepy. But what really sticks out for me is the emotional and melancholy parts between the intense sections. This score expertly jams along to the entire movie and never misses its mark. It's brilliantly composed and very dynamic. It doesn't get any better. Funny, because in the special features of the special editor blu-ray they talk about how some people didn't like it when it was first released. I can't understand why... It's the best part of the film in my opinion. For me, a great soundtrack really makes a movie truly great and often is the reason I will view it repeatedly. It's a big reason why I always come back to this one.

So I guess I'll leave it with that. Day of the Dead is an amazing film. If you're a fan of the zombie genre, Day of Dead is a must see. It's a polished Romero zombie flick that isn't made in Pittsburg... and the struggle with the studio made things a little hard on George, but what we are blessed with is a seriously good movie. No mistakes or flaws here. I adore it.

Dawn of the Dead (1978)

1 star reviews are from children.

[10/10 · 13 December 2022]

This is the "Empire Strikes Back" of zombie films. It's j credibly entertaining and awesome. You start with Night of the Living Dead, then into Dawn of the Dead, and top it off with Day of the Dead. It's the George Romero's genre defining and classic trilogy that all zombie films learned it all from. They are older movies, but they are amazing. Dawn of the Dead may be the best of the 3... See it, and don't forget when it was made. This was filmed in 1977.

All these 1 star reviews on here are written by children that were raised on more modern zombie horror films like the remakes and The Walking Dead. No, Dawn of the Dead doesn't have the budget, the material, the trained British actors or the cinematography of these movies. This film was made when it literally had everything going against it... and without it, you wouldn't get what these children are comparing it to. If you can't appreciate an older movie... well, that says a lot about what kind of person you are. For it's time, Dawn of the Dead was a miracle. And that's why today it's regarded as a masterpiece of cinema.

It's really entertaining, and one of the funnest movies ever made. I adore it, as do MILLIONS of others. If you're young and you have an appreciation for movies made before the 90s... and dare go into the 70s... this is a MUST. See it today. Learn the craft. Without Dawn of the Dead, there is no 28 Days Later, Walking Dead, Shaun of the Dead... etc. See it today and appreciate it. Read an essay about it before you see it. Understand it. But most of all, just enjoy the insanity of it.

It's awesome.

A Wounded Fawn (2022)

I liked it. Arthouse horror shot on film

[8/10 · 11 December 2022]

Let's just start of by saying this film isn't for everyone. So please spare me the whiny reviews from all of the people out there that aren't willing to immerse themselves in something pretty far out.

I really loved the practical fx and the cinematography of this film. Seeing something shot on film in 2022 was great. It's a straight forward but very unconventional little tale about a serial killer who's victims manifest themselves as some kind of Greek/Roman demons inside the killer's insane and damaged mind. Needless to say, things become very surreal by the end. There is also a great sense of humor behind it all. A scene with a dog sporting woman's head comes to mind as the funniest part... it's pretty entertaining.

I'd like to see this filmmaker make something a little more grounded. I loved the technical aspects of the film. Was it a little too artsy? Maybe By the end. But that doesn't mean I didn't enjoy it. Definitely worth a watch if you appreciate the type of things. I think this filmmaker could potentially evolve into a pretty great one if he kept things a little more grounded. Or he could just keep making things like this and that's fine too because it's pretty good. 8.7out of 10. B+

The Gift (2000)

Totally bombed in theaters, but it's EXCELLENT.

[10/10 · 11 December 2022]

It's really a shame that this movie bombed so horribly in theaters because it's one of the best mystery ghost stories ever put to the screen in my opinion. Sam Raimi put a lot into this film. I think it's a perfect movie. It's not trying to be anything other than exactly what it is, and I appreciate that kind of integrity in a film. It's a very spooky and dramatic film, with an amazing cast doing their absolute best. The biggest standout for me is Giovanni Ribisi, playing the role of a sort of mentally impaired and traumatized man child (which he often gets type casted as... but because he's so good at it!). Every single scene with him stands out in amazing ways. It's masterful acting acting my opinion, and not easy to pull off. His face of with Keanu at the side of his pickup truck is one of my favorite scenes in any movie...

So I don't understand why people have any problems with this movie... at all. It's just a solid, great film. The cinematography is fantastic. The acting is top notch. It's incredibly well cast... The directing is masterful. Raimi is truly an auteur. It's too bad that it's been so overlooked. Right now, I'm 2022, you can't even get this on blu-ray. It's only available on DVD, and I'm scared it's just going to go out of print eventually. This movie deserves to be recognized. I can't recommend this movie enough.

Carlito's Way (1993)

De Palmagnifico

[9/10 · 26 November 2022]

I miss films made by auteurs. Brian De Palma is one of the most recognizable filmmakers ever. You can tell it's a De Palma film in the first 60 seconds of any of his films. They have so much personality, and I really love that. When I know a film is made by De Palma, I expect it to be melodramatic, which means maybe even some laughable (but memorable and entertaining!) dialogue. I also expect lots of swooping camera movements and over the top cinematography. Also, an intense film score is bound to be laid on top of it all. And you know what? I love it. I love Brian De Palma films. If this isn't your thing, well then it's just not your thing. This happens to be my thing, though. I love this filmmakers style. His films never drop below a 9/10 for me, but I understand that some people might not be charmed by it all as much as I am. IF'd a matter of personal taste.

The thing I find a little annoying is the criticism De Palma gets for a his casting. We all know Al Pacino is not Puerto Rican and Sean Penn is not Jewish. This doesn't bother me like it does for a lot of people. I've know plenty of Puerto Ricans that are light skinned. If I had to go with Pacino or Raul Julia, I'm probably going to go with Pacino... and I don't think Benicio del Toro was the right age in 93. Finding a Puerto Rican lead actor with star appeal was a lot tougher back in the early 90s, and we all know that Al Pacino has a significant draw. People came out to see this film to see Pacino play another gangster. That's what fans of the Godfather and Scarface want. This film kind of blends those two films styles together. I think Pacino did a fantastic job. I wish people could lighten up a little about it, though. I mean, they even wrote in some pretty funny dialogue when the Italian gangsters teased Carlito near the end of the film for looking like an Italian.

The only slight flaw in this film for me is the heavy voice over but there are parts of the voice over I liked, particularly the very beginning and the very end. We probably could have done without all the rest in my opinion because it didn't feel that necessary.

For me, Sean Penn steals the whole movie. What a great character. I'll never look at Penn the same way again and that's totally fine by me because it's a very memorable performance.

So, if you enjoy epic and melodramatic gangster films, you can't go wrong with Carlito's Way. It's a bit more mature than your average gangster flick. The romance in it is a nice detour from the usual thing and it may even tug at your heartstrings a bit. It's pretty cool when a movie begins with the end of the story and can still engage you throughout the entire film. Carlito's Way had me emotionally invested. I enjoyed this one.

Manhunter (1986)

IGNORE THE TROLLS. THIS FILM IS AMAZING.

[10/10 · 11 November 2022]

It's unbelievable how attached your average Joe gets to Anthony Hopkin's portrayal of Hannibal Lector. Or how much disdain certain types have for the 80s. For a film based on a book that was written in 1981, I don't really understand that reasoning for panning this film. It's funny also how there seems to be so many low scoring written user reviews here, but the actual user ratings show some pretty good scores. Let me say now that I absolutely love The Silence of the Lambs film, and I love that film for entirely different reasons. However, that film has a completely different tone and style, one that's very different than MANHUNTER's that can't really be compared because it's such a different adaptation than Silence of the Lambs and especially Red Dragon, which I absolutely could not stand. I found to be horribly miscast and a soulless cash grab, even if it technically is more faithful to Thomas Harris's novel. Personally, I find Michael Mann's MANHUNTER to be a masterful film in it's own right.

MANHUNTER is a beautiful looking film, with an awesome cast and standout performances, excellent editing and pace, a well written and tweaked screenplay adaptation, and a soundtrack that is totally awesome. My favorite thing about this movie is its soundtrack, because it really sticks in your head and makes you think about the film long after you've seen it. Michael Mann's screenplay cherry picks all the best parts of the Red Dragon novel, cutting out the fat. There's awesome subtext here, and the actors really know how to push it and do it so well. The cinematography is so good... I mean, wow. It utilizes color, reflections, shadows, lighting (especially that backlight!!) and camera placement in a way that could only be on par with Mann's other films.

I want to highlight Tom Noonan's performance of Francis Dollarhyde, the Tooth Fairy killer. This is one of my favorite acting portrayals of all time. The performance is so good, that we actually begin to sympathize with a psychotic madman committing multiple acts of familicide. The scene with the tiger as well as the scene where he lies awake in bed, putting his blind lover's hand over his mouth is simply riveting. I've noticed some reviewers on here being hyper-critical of these scenes in their reviews. In my opinion, one would have to be pretty immature to not be able to process the emotion being captured on screen in these moments. It's these scenes that take this film to the next tier.

The climax of this film is one of my favorite climaxes in film. It slowly builds with an incredible back and forth between William Peterson and Dennis Farina scrambling to connect the dots in their investigation... then the mad dash to Dollarhyde's address...I'll never hear Iron Butterfly's In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida again without thinking of this film with fond memories. Although this climax differs from the book, and leaves out the book's second climax, it is brilliantly executed on the film. It should be said to that this was amazingly pulled off as the film ran out of money. It was going over budget, so they had to shoot It with a minimal crew and wrap the whole thing up. What seemed like a misfortune ultimately generated what we call "movie magic". It's hands down, one of the best climaxes ever made for a film.

Manhunter is an incredible film. Just because it doesn't feel like Silence of the Lambs or its terrible cash grab prequel Red Dragon, doesn't mean it isn't a fantastic movie on its own. Yes, it leaves out details from the book. Yes the ending is a bit different. But as a movie... MANHUNTER is incredibly good and will always be one of my favorite adaptations of a book. A great book that I have read multiple times. This isn't a book though. It's a movie. A really, really good movie that mature and open minded people should have no trouble enjoying immensely.

Barbarian (2022)

I FRIGGIN' LOVED THIS MOVIE.

[10/10 · 27 October 2022]

All I have to say is that this movie ROCKS. I love seeing great horror movies set in my hometown of Detroit, Michigan. Like DON'T BREATH, BARBARIAN reminded me of THE crazy urban legends you hear about in in the D.

I don't want to give away ANYTHING about this movie. You're just going to have to see it. I will say that you're in for great performances from a very good cast as well as some great cinematography.

This film is a slow burn that really picks up at the midpoint, and you'll be grateful once it kicks in. Its a great, original and unique film that's highly stylized. The ending was fantastic.

Just see it. It rules. If you don't find a movie like this to be as fun as I did, well... I'm sorry. It's really hard to write this review without giving anything away so I guess I'm just going to stop writing. See the movie. I LOVED IT.

Mr. Harrigan's Phone (2022)

MESSAGE GETS LOST AFTER MIDPOINT

[5/10 · 23 October 2022]

I will say, that up until the midpoint of this film I was really enjoying it. And not because I was intrigued by some ghost story, but because it seemed like a meaningful story. Structurally, things get very messy after 50 minutes, and a great set up was wasted by either a bad adaption or a poor resolution by King (I'm not sure which because I haven't read the source material). It was fairly obvious to me how to best end this "right of passage" coming of age story, and the film just oddly fails at what seemingly would be a good way to wrap up the story by pushing the supernatural element a little too hard (the suicide in rehab involving the soap and song lyrics) and having our hero/protagonist not throw his SECOND cell phone into the water. I mean... I guess Craig never learned the invaluable lesson that Mr. Harrigan tried to teach him by so eloquently quoting Henry David Thoreau... "We don't own things. Things own us." After all, it's 2022, right? Can't throw both phones away. -sigh- What was the point of all of this then? I found that ending to be extremely unsatisfying and horribly depressing. THROW YOUR SMART PHONE AWAY, KID. BOTH OF THEM.

Communion (1989)

I like it. I'm not too cool for this film.

[8/10 · 19 October 2022]

Okay, so we all know the truth behind this story comes from a questionable source. Whitley Strieber has been part of "the fringe" for a long time. He's a far out dude. But that does not mean he hasn't told us a good story. The events in Communion have been witnessed by hundreds, maybe thousands of people in their own lives. Call it paranoia, or a delusional fantasy, or even a lie... but the subject matter of Communion is based on real testimonies, even if they aren't the actual personal experiences of Strieber. It's for this reason I find this film to be compelling and frightening. People here on the user reviews love to make fun of it, because it all seems so absurd. But let's not forget that the characters in the film also find it to be absurd and silly. It's this ultra-strangeness and almost comedic absurdity to the story that makes it frightening to me.

I must confess that I first saw this film as a young child, and I couldn't sleep for weeks! The seemingly improv acting styles of Christopher Walken made it seem very real to me. I found it to be so strange and dreamlike it unnerved me. It reminded me of insane dreams I've had, as far as the unrealistic vibe of the abduction sequences. Not the details themselves, or being abducted by visitors, but the nonsensical nature of it all. So when I'm seeing Christopher Walken making wise cracks at the visitors and dancing with them, it only reminds me of the surreal nightmares I myself have had that make no logical sense. Whitney is experiencing this absurdity, and whether its real or not, he IS experiencing it. He perceives it. For him it's very real... or at least to many "abductees" that claim to have these experiences.

Sadly, most of the younger viewers that see this movie today find it dated. They aren't familiar with Christopher Walken's work before he started making comedies. So, when they see Communion, they associate his sort of one dimensional approach to acting (which I actually find very authentic and believable) with comedy. And here we are watching him get a rectal probe with Eric Clapton's cheesy guitar leading us from strange scene to strange scene. So sure, I get it. But if you were to watch this film in 1989, you probably wouldn't find it funny at all. It was just of it's time.

In my opinion, the only real flaw of this film is it's strange and abrupt ending. And it's not really Whitley Strieber's fault, because this story isn't meant to end. It goes on and on and on. Whitley's character merely must make peace with the strange phenomenon. As dissatisfying as it may feel, I'll take it. How else can a story like this end?

So to end this review... I'll repeat what I said before. I'm not too cool for Communion. I find it to be a fun and creepy film. I'm old enough to remember a time when movies like this were the norm and they could be taken more seriously. I also find the subject matter to be highly entertaining and pretty scary. If this strange thing happened to you, how would you tell it? Would and could you even tell it? And let's say you found the experiences of others abductions to be something you want to tell... can you blame Whitney for telling it the way he did? There is no doubt for me that whatever REALLY happened with Whitney, he definitely had some kind of experience, and it doesn't really matter. It's just a very strange and surreal story. Enjoy it.

Bug (2006)

Unique, hilarious, disturbing and awesome.

[10/10 · 17 October 2022]

It's great to see movies not made for people that have to have happy endings or every little thing spelled out for them. William Friedkin, one of my all time favorite cinema auteurs, really found something great (a play) to make this amazing low budget masterpiece, and tells the story exactly how he wants to. BUG allows us to focus on the amazing performances from its perfect cast. Ashley Judd, wow... This is by far the best performance I've ever seen her give. Michael Shannon is awesome, brings it hard as always, and is perfectly casted (I heard he played the role in the play). The supporting cast also does quite a great job, especially the ex-boyfriend.

What I loved about this movie is how it takes you all over the place but inside a tiny little setting. You never feel bored. You are constantly questioning what you are seeing and YOU MUST keep going to find out what the hell is going to happen. It NEVER drags. The climax of the film is one of the greatest and whackiest monologues ever given, and Ashley Judd NAILS it. I'm so impressed with her performance in this movie. William Friedkin has a gift working actors who are playing characters going through intense amounts of trauma. BUG is a a hyper-focused exercise in this.

This is not a Hollywood movie. It's ambiguous, like Friedkin's other films (if you can't handle that, don't bother). It is an awesome piece of REAL cinema, directed by a resourceful master, written by a very talented writer, and performed by professionals that never make you doubt they are the characters they portray.

Scanners (1981)

This movie is so friggin' cool...

[10/10 · 16 October 2022]

SCANNERS, simply put, is one of the coolest movies ever made in my opinion. David Cronenberg literally blows your mind (takes your head right off... LOL) in one of the greatest first acts ever to hit the screen.

What I love so much about Scanners is that it's essentially a horrifying super-hero story. I can't help but to feel like a kid again reading my first X-Men comic. I can't help but to wonder if Cronenberg was influenced by X-Men comics when he wrote this, and that's fine by me. This movie plays like a less convoluted X-Men story for adults.

The plot: Our protagonist is a drifter who is tormented by his psychic abilities. He is taken in by a mysterious doctor who teaches him how to control his powers. The doctor refers to him and other people like him as "scanners". We learn that the agency he is working for is dealing with the ongoing threat of psychic, mind controlling terrorist and assassins led by a psychopathic scanner. He decides to help take them down... And just like that, we are off on a fantastic journey that doesn't waste any time.

The weird and creepy score to this film really drives the movie forward. It's a mix of ambient synths and grating industrial noise mixed with sweeping orchestral strings. The sound design in general is pretty awesome. The film does not shy away from violence and the practical makeup effects are top notch as always with a Cronenberg film.

And that's what I really love about it. It has Cronenberg all over it... it's horrifying, full of body horror, and paced incredibly well. But when it comes down to it, it's a straight up action film with an excellent climax. Cronenberg takes us on a gnarly adventure with this one and it really delivers. You won't be disappointed.

Videodrome (1983)

Slow Burning Surrealistic Nightmare

[10/10 · 15 October 2022]

This psychedelic mind **** of a movie almost seems to have the ability to rewire your brain and change your mind's perception of the reality we live in. To the viewer who becomes mentally immersed in the films they watch, Videodrome has a sort of interactive quality. It can really feel as if you're losing your grip on reality, or possibly opening up new doorways to a higher plain of existence. The first time I saw it, it had almost forced me into some kind of nightmarish transition. What a thrill though... It's powerful stuff.

Cronenberg's Videodrome is the closest thing I've seen to a film having what I like to call "dream logic". It's an unrealistic, hyper-strange piece of surrealism that tells a simple yet complex linear story. It's slow burn approach is very effective, and by the second act you may start asking yourself "Wait... Huh? Did that just happen?" but stick with it and your questions will be answered... in a way.

You must surrender to this movie.

There is no point in trying to explain or analyze this film. You have to just see it. Not everyone will get it, and if you do, good luck trying to explain it to someone who hasn't seen it. It's meant to be watched, not told. This is David Cronenberg at his absolute best. It's every bit as good as Cronenberg's other 10/10s (The Brood, Scanners, The Fly, The Dead Zone etc.) but more existential than most of his other films. All of his movies are pretty amazing in my opinion. I think what I'm trying to say is that if Cronenberg movies seem to speak and get through to you, then this one will not disappoint. The body horror is awesome in this film, but the film offers a lot more than just that. It's a very smart film about our mind's perception that asks us if reality exists in our brain rather than in the physical world.

I'm just going to say it. Watching this film is the closest thing you can do to have an experience on par with taking LSD, Mescaline or more accurately, from my own experience, Psilocybin (mushrooms). As far as I know it's safe... So have a good trip. Try to remember it's only a video.

Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer (1986)

Good but a little overrated.

[7/10 · 12 October 2022]

I'm going to start off by saying that this is no way accurate to the real story of Henry Lee Lucas and Otis Elwood Toole. And that's fine. I'm not criticizing this movie based on any accuracy to true events. I understand the filmmaker used the real events and names as a stepping stone to tell his own story. I just need to clarify this for all the people on here that think this is a true story. It's not, and it's a popular belief that the real Henry and Otis are liars that's aren't guilty of most of the murders they (especially Lucas) confessed to. The real Henry Lee Lucas had a glass eye and was a short little guy... not what we see in this film. Now that's out of the way, I'd like to just get to talking about this movie.

I'll say that I think this movie is good. Great? No. I think it's way overrated by guys that like violent movies just for the sake of being shocking and violent. But that doesn't mean I don't recognize it as an amazingly shot and well executed low budget film. If I had made this movie, I would be very proud of it. It's quite an achievement and I felt Michael Rooker and Tom Towles give fantastic performances despite having some pretty dry dialogue. Really, the only flaws that come with this film are in the writing.

Henry is our anti-hero of this story. An antihero typically exhibits one of the "Dark Triad" personality traits, which include narcissism, psychopathy, and Machiavellianism (manipulation). In this movie, Henry exhibits all three. It's almost too much. I feel like this movie sets out to shock us more than actually tell a compelling story. And that is really where the flaw lies, because I believe it would be all the more shocking if we felt more emotionally invested in the characters. The written dialogue is... dare I say... just too weak. It's not an easy story to tell. I mean, how can we become emotionally invested in serial killers? I would have preferred to see Henry tormented more by his demons that ultimately stem from his upbringing. It's only hinted at. I think they could have taken it a little further. I have to have SOMETHING to latch onto. I did like his monologue about his mother, but honestly I don't think it was enough. I would have liked to see that side of the character's personality come out more throughout the film. I'd also like a little more time with victims, especially the family on the tape. It would have been nice to see the stalking that led up that horrible familicide, so we see them as true victims. Then cut to them watching the tape and it's much more shocking. I would have had this event be the midpoint of the film... maybe you could even say it was but it was well after the halfway point, making the ending seem pretty rushed.

With a little more emphasis on the story and screenplay, I think this movie could have been perfect... but I think the filmmakers were a little to set on shock value. It's too bad, because it would have been shocking regardless, even more had the writing just been a little tighter.

7.5/10.

Jack-O (1995)

Great good time B-Horror for Halloween.

[8/10 · 11 October 2022]

A lot of people are being very harsh on these user reviews and don't really understand what an accomplishment it is... and that it's setting out to do exactly what it wants to. It's a party movie. This film isn't trying to be groundbreaking, but rather bask in all of its B-Movie glory. It's extremely entertaining, especially around Halloween time. It delivers laughs, gore, some obligatory nudity from a b-movie horror legend (Linnea Quigley!) , and maybe even a jump scare or two and does it all on a super micro budget. Its synthy soundtrack provides a nice back drop and the lighting and cinematography might even be a step above what you're used to seeing in films like these. It's clear Steve Latshaw loves B-Movie horror (a sub-genre all of its own) and in my opinion he totally squeezes a diamond from a piece of coal.

I have to say, the deaths of the right-wing married couple were fantastic and I got a lot of laughs out of their parts. The wife getting electrocuted by the toaster is one of the more memorable on screen deaths I've seen in any horror movie. I LOVED that kill. And the way the pumpkin man reacts to it... slowly backing away. LOL! Brilliant!

So lighten up everybody! Grab some treats and tune in. This is a GREAT party movie. I miss movies like this. They just don't make them like this anymore. Tune in! Jack-O rocks!

Hellraiser (2022)

As solid as the first two with bigger budget

[8/10 · 7 October 2022]

I dug this reboot. The cinematography is great. The lead actress is good. Jamie Clayton is a great Pinhead that's more accurate to the original novella's description, which I very much appreciated. It's every bit as good as Doug Bradley's Pinhead. I really enjoyed the amazing special effects and makeup in this version. This film looks fantastic. It's very well lit and filled with eye candy in every shot. The cenobites really look fantastic.

Let's all try to remember something here. This is Hellraiser... a fantastical horror story that is made to entertain us. It's not deep or life changing. It's just good scary fun. There are no rules set in stone. I thought this was one of the better horror reboots. No doubt there will be transphobic and homophobic fools on here bashing the film, which is incredibly arrogant considering Hellraiser was created by Clive Barker. I'm guessing most of these people don't know that Clive Barker is an openly gay man who never was afraid to have characters such as this and it's very apparent if you have read Hellbound Heart.

The end gets a little cheesy, but that's fine because Hellraiser has always been cheesyand that's part of its charm. Bring on the cheese, I say! Don't take Hellraiser so seriously... it's not that kind of story. Enjoy yourself. Hellraiser (2022) has some serious sights to show you. And no tears please, it's a waste of good suffering.