alexrwatson-888-169026 Reviews

10 Cloverfield Lane (2016)

Suspenseful Storytelling at its Finest

[9/10 · 11 March 2016]

10 Cloverfield Lane came out of nowhere. The film was shot under a different title and did not receive a trailer until less than two months from its theatrical release. Because of the secrecy surrounding its production and the lack of details surrounding the film's plot, I will be very careful about what I say and do not say about 10 Cloverfield Lane. Basically, the film is about a woman who wakes up in a bomb shelter after being in a car accident and finds herself under the care of a suspicious man named Howard. 10 Cloverfield Lane uses precise storytelling to tell an astonishingly intense and mysterious story that left me gasping for air and brimming with excitement over how excellent this film turned out to be.

To avoid spoilers, I'll keep my comments on 10 Cloverfield Lane's story fairly vague. After Michelle wakes up and is with the stranger Howard, she has no idea whether anything this man is saying about the circumstances of her being there are true or not. So the audience, much like Michelle, is using every detail, in every frame, to put together what is actually going on in this bomb shelter. This makes for a very engaging experience because the viewer is constantly using updated information to decide whether or not to trust Howard.

The film also does not explain everything through dense exposition; the film gives the viewer most (but not all) the pieces to the puzzle and allows the viewer do some of the mental work. The screenwriters Josh Campbell, Matthew Stuecken, and Damien Chazelle (Whiplash writer/director) did a fantastic job of creating a really interesting mystery for the viewers to actively participate in.

This mystery would not be nearly as interesting if it was not heightened by suspense. John Goodman plays Howard, and he brings an intensity to the role that makes him incredibly imposing on screen with Michelle and Emmett (the other person in the bomb shelter). Howard's short temper combined with his unknown backstory, make every one of Michelle and Emmett's encounters with Howard even more intense than the last. The best way I can describe the intensity of this movie is imagine being locked in a room that is slowly filling with smoke. At first it's breathable, but as time goes on, your lungs begin filling with smoke, and eventually you are gasping for dear life.

10 Cloverfield Lane never lets you get too comfortable, but at the same time, does not skimp out on character development. Michelle is played by Mary Elizabeth Winstead, and while at first she plays a cliché, helpless heroine, she develops into much more than that. Her character arc feels natural, and her arc gives the film an emotional thread I was not expecting. John Gallagher Jr. is likable as Emmett, but Winstead and Goodman really standout with their outstanding performances.

While J.J. Abrams' name is all over the trailers and promotions, do not let that fool you; he only produced the film. I'm actually glad he not direct 10 Cloverfield Lane, not because he would not have done a great job, but because it gave Dan Trachtenberg a chance to direct his first feature film. Every director strives for it, but only great directors have it: and that's style. It's one of those things you know it when you see it, and Trachtenberg certainly has it. This guy is going to be getting a lot of work after his excellent job on 10 Cloverfield Lane. Keep your eyes on what Trachtenberg does next.

This thriller does take a big turn in a different direction at a point in the film, but I loved the turn overall and truly felt like the film earned this payoff. I have one complaint with this switch the film takes, but even being vague about this detail would give too much away. I will say the last shot is one my favorite final shots to a film… ever.

I went into 10 Cloverfield Lane knowing nothing (not even seeing one trailer), and I was wonderfully surprised. The film's many twists and turns are meant to be experienced in the theater, so go out and see it before anyone else can dampen your individual movie-going experience. 10 Cloverfield Lane is the first great film of 2016; it slowly ramps up the tension, scene by scene, until it's nearly unbearable, before eventually revealing that monsters indeed come in many forms.

If you liked this review, check out my websites for other reviews and movie articles www.watsonmoviereviews.com

Deadpool (2016)

Important Step Forward in Comic Book Movie Genre

[7/10 · 11 March 2016]

Marvel has gone hard-R before, but never like this. Deadpool is the latest comic book movie and tells the story of Wade Wilson, an ex- mercenary, who is transformed into the wise-cracking, 4th wall- breaking, sword-wielding, revenge-seeking super…. hero? Outside of a guy wearing a suit and having superpowers, the comparisons to your traditional comic book movie end there. Deadpool's obscene, violent, and hilarious take on the superhero genre is a thoroughly entertaining, though imperfect, step closer towards reaching the full potential of the comic book movie industry.

The success of Deadpool rested almost entirely on the shoulders of Ryan Reynolds. Thankfully, Reynolds is one of the best casting decisions I have ever seen in a comic book movie. Reynolds was born to play Deadpool, and his enthusiasm while playing the role is unmatched. I cannot imagine anyone else pulling off Deadpool, and this is a huge credit to the studio for trusting Reynolds with another chance to play this controversial and explicit comic book character.

Deadpool's entire hour and forty minute runtime is filled to the brim with laughs. Dirty jokes, shocking images, and 4th wall breaks are just a few of the many forms Deadpool's laughs take. However, when you have 100 plus minutes of jokes, not every one of them is going to hit. Thankfully, after every miss, the downtime between that and the next funny joke is very minimal. Deadpool definitely goes for quantity over quality when it comes to laughs, but that's not necessarily a bad thing.

Deadpool is extremely violent, but all of the violence works in tandem with the character himself and the tone the movie strives for. The film is directed by Tim Miller, and while this is his first feature film, he does a fantastic job of actually showing the gory action in a coherent and enjoyable manner. The punches, gunshots, and slices all have visual impact and are NOT hidden or censored by the use of many cuts or other lazy filmmaking techniques. However, some backgrounds and images that have a deep depth of field appear unfinished, and at times, don't look good at all. I'm not sure if this was from budgetary constraints or a rush to meet the release deadline in post-production, but it was a minor distraction and worth noting.

The story in Deadpool ties all the gore and laughs together. The story is a fairly simple revenge tale, but it has some emotional weight to it that gives the movie an element I was not expecting. I cared about the man under the mask and his relationship with his girlfriend, Vanessa. And although this relationship is impossible to relate to (at least I would hope so), you still buy them as a couple, and this gives the movie higher stakes. Another thing I liked about the story is it goes back and forth from the present to Deadpool's origin story, which I thought gave the movie a good sense of pacing.

One of my biggest complaints I have with the movie is the villain, Ajax. I'm not super familiar with Deadpool and his comics or who (if anyone) is his main antagonist, but Ajax is a very boring and stereotypical villain. I get that his stern demeanor contrasts with Deadpool's wise-cracking personality and opposites facing off generally makes for an interesting dynamic, but I found him as a buzz kill to all the other awesome things going on around him. His powers are not even interesting either. Just because villains sometimes have a tendency to overshadow the hero, like the Joker overshadowed Batman in The Dark Knight, doesn't mean you have to copout with a villain like Ajax.

The highest praise I can give Deadpool, that I can rarely say for others movies, is everyone in front and behind the camera feels like they are having a blast making it and are trying their hardest to give fans and movie lovers a movie that's not only a lot of fun, but also good. I hope this movie does well financially to reinforce the fact you don't have to follow a standard superhero formula in order to satisfy fans, and critics alike. If the subject matter requires it, you can go R-rated and not limit yourself creatively. There have been other R-rated Marvel comic book movies, but Deadpool embraces its R rating like no other and hopefully paves the way for other brilliant and unique places comic book movies could go in the future.

If you're easily offended by extreme violence, nudity, etc, skip Deadpool altogether. Everyone else? Get your brown pants/red pants/whatever color pants on, and go support a movie that is unapologetically different from any other movie I have ever seen.

If you liked this review, check out my website www.watsonmoviereviews.com to talk movies or read some of my other reviews.

The VVitch: A New-England Folktale (2015)

Slow-burning, Disturbing Horror Period Piece

[7/10 · 11 March 2016]

The Witch is a horror film set in 17th century New England, and after a family's youngest child is taken into the forest under supernatural circumstances, paranoia challenges the family's Christian beliefs and threatens their lives in ways they never could have imagined. The Witch premiered at Sundance last year, and following rave reviews, has finally received a wide release. The Witch is a very different horror film that relies on atmosphere, disturbing imagery, and sound to craft a slow, but terrifying, horror experience.

The story in The Witch takes familiar ideas of witchcraft and Satanism and puts them in an isolated setting with a family of six on the outskirts of the forest. The father and mother preach strict religious values, so after their youngest child goes missing, the family slowly begins to point fingers and the dark situation becomes a witch hunt within their own family. I liked this unique spin on witchcraft and demons, but I only wish the characters were more interesting. The mother and oldest daughter were the two most interesting characters, with the rest of the family being entirely forgettable.

The dialogue is taken straight out of the 1600s, so while it is authentic, some lines and words are hard to make out. Because this dialogue is combined with thick accents and some characters mumbling, there were times were I was legitimately missing entire sentences. The Witch does explore some interesting themes for a horror film, like faith and isolation, which I appreciated.

But most importantly in a horror film, is it scary? Yes, in chunks but not as consistently as I would have hoped. The scares are not jump-scares or anything like that. The scares are enhanced, and sometimes carried, by sound entirely. There are many times in The Witch where there is nothing on screen but the forest in the distance or a rabbit in the barn, but the sound gives you an unshakeable feeling that something terrible is about to happen. It's some of the best use of sound design I've seen in a horror film in some time.

There's also some really disturbing imagery I can still visualize a day after seeing The Witch. The use of off-screen space is cleverly utilized to add to the more psychological moments. There are palpable moments of dread throughout, but after these sporadic moments, there are lengthy scenes of downtime with the family speaking to one another in the cabin. So while The Witch does have atmosphere, the pacing of the scares and the storytelling makes for a somewhat uneven film from start to finish. However, the final 10 minutes are so incredibly twisted and satisfying that it makes up for the slower moments up until that point.

While I mentioned I was not in love with the characters in The Witch, the film uses the forest as a character itself, and very good one at that. The forest has an unmistakable presence and is completely captivating because of the potential darkness that lies within. Shooting on location with the forest and beautiful landscapes, combined with excellent costume design, results in a low-budget film that looks incredible. The cinematography is breathtaking, and I love the film's use of desaturated color to add to the dark tone.

While The Witch is slow at points and some characters are not very engaging, I still found the film to be a beautiful and unique take on the horror genre. Not to mention the last 10 minutes will remain etched in my head for the foreseeable future. If a horror movie can affect a viewer for even a moment following it's conclusion, it's definitely worth a watch from any horror fans who thinks they can stomach lots of gore, mutilation, and goats?

If you liked this review, check out my website for more reviews and movie articles www.watsonmoviereviews.com

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2 (2015)

Disappointing Third (4th?) Act

[5/10 · 1 January 2016]

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2 picks up immediately where Part 1 leaves off: Peeta has just been returned to District 13, and the districts are preparing their assault on the malevolent Capitol. Francis Lawrence returned to direct this fourth and final movie based on the popular young adult novels by Suzanne Collins. Mockingjay Part 2 continues the disappointing direction of the series, focusing on politics and propaganda, rather than on the visceral action and interesting characters that made the first two films so enjoyable.

Some quick thoughts about Part 1 before I begin discussing Part 2 in further detail: I don't believe this novel should have been split into two films. The Mockingjay book is just as long as the first two novels in the series, and Catching Fire, in particular, did a great job of adapting the novel into only one film. But hey, it's all about the $$$.

Mockingjay Part 2 continues the uninteresting storyline in which District 13 is attempting to portray Katniss Everdeen (played by Jennifer Lawrence) as the symbol of the rebellion. Katniss is bottled up for a majority of Part 1 and Part 2, acting in propaganda videos and being babysat by those around her. She rarely gets to use her bow and arrow to actually fight for herself. Katniss doesn't need her bow and arrow in order to be defined as a strong character, but the fact that she doesn't have a huge role in the actual rebellion is a huge waste of her potential.

Mockingjay Part 2 is also very slow. There is nearly an hour before there is any action, and there are only a few major action sequences in the whole film. Yes, the first two films are largely without action until their respective Hunger Games, but at least in those films you were being introduced to a new world and interesting characters, not watching an advertising campaign. However, there is one action sequence in a sewer that I thought was exciting, and suspenseful.

There are no bad performances in Mockingjay Part 2. Jennifer Lawrence is great as Katniss, and the supporting performances are all fine. Josh Hutcherson plays Peeta, and while he does a fine job with what he's given, he is limited by the fact that his character is brainwashed throughout. This is disappointing considering I always found him to be one of the more interesting characters in the world of Panem.

Without any spoilers, the film's ending is very anticlimactic and feels very forced. The ending dampens the events of the previous films and really made me wonder, "It all lead to THIS?"

Mockingjay Part 1 started the negative turn in momentum in the series, and Part 2 could never get that train back (to District 12) on track. *cue Rue's whistle*

If you liked this review, check out more of my reviews over at www.watsonmoviereviews.com

Cop Car (2015)

Intriguing Indie Ride

[7/10 · 1 January 2016]

When two boys take an abandoned cop car for a joyride, a sheriff, played by Kevin Bacon, desperately attempts to get his car back by any means necessary. Jon Watts directed this indie thriller which is just now getting a wider release after receiving positive buzz at Sundance. Cop Car is a fun, intriguing ride that left me wishing there was more gas in this tank.

Cop Car has a simple premise that is executed very effectively. The story is interesting and raises fascinating questions early on. Once you begin connecting some of the dots, Cop Car turns into a more stereotypical thriller. However, the director Jon Watts has very unique visual style which distances Cop Car from the rest of the pack. There's beautiful cinematography and great suspense throughout the film. I'm very interested to see how Watts does with the upcoming Spider-Man movie.

James Freedson-Jackson and Hays Wellford play the two boys who steal the cop car. The two kids are fine; they aren't great, but they aren't 'Episode I Anakin Skywalker' bad. The best part about these two kids is they act exactly how 10-year-olds would act while on this joyride. They play with guns found in the car and roll each other up with police tape. Seeing the kids' innocent mindsets juxtaposed with the sheriff's dark actions make for an interesting dynamic.

Speaking of the sheriff, Kevin Bacon is great in Cop Car. Bacon and his disgusting mustache take the story in dark directions in his attempt to get his car back. His presence adds the star power that the film deserves.

While the story is dark, there are some subtle moments of comedy sprinkled here and there. The dark comedy works well in breaking up the suspense just long enough for you to catch your breath.

Cop Car ends rather abruptly, which some might find uneasy. While I can appreciate the creative decision to end where it did and not have a 'Hollywood ending,' there were just too many questions left unanswered for my taste. This is one of the few movies I wish were longer than its current 90 minute runtime.

Cop Car is a very solid edition to the thriller genre due in large part to Bacon's performance, and Watts' direction. While slightly too ambiguous, there is enough suspense and intrigue to warrant a ride for yourself.

If you liked this review, check out more of my reviews over at www.watsonmoviereviews.com

Steve Jobs (2015)

Lives up the Apple Legend's Name

[9/10 · 1 January 2016]

Steve Jobs is the 2015 biopic that follows the co-founder of Apple backstage before the launches of the Macitosh in 1984, the NeXT computer in 1988, and the iMac in 1998. The film is directed by Danny Boyle, and the screenplay is written by Aaron Sorkin. Fueled by the films' masterful performances and witty script, Steve Jobs delivers a powerful and emotional look at the man who changed the face of technology forever in one of the best films of 2015.

Steve Jobs focuses on three different technology launches, and because of that, you get to see Jobs during three very different stages of his professional and personal life. These three sequences show Jobs preparing for each of the three launches but also shows his interactions with his daughter, Steve Wozniak, the CEO of Apple and his marketing director. Each of these particular sequences are treated as three interconnected short films. Each sequence has its own setup, and eventual climax and conclusion. This structure is unordinary, but I found it to be very fitting considering the sides of Job's life the film focused on.

Each of these three sections primarily involved Steve Jobs walking and talking with various people. In nearly every other film this would considered a huge negative. However, Steve Jobs' screenwriter Aaron Sorkin is one of the best at his craft, and every single line of dialogue he writes is sharp, witty and powerful. While the film does have its fair share of memorable and quotable lines, it also maintains a strong consistency from start to finish. None of the characters feel like movie characters; they all feel like their real-life counterparts, which is a huge credit to Sorkin. You can go ahead and pencil in Sorkin for a Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar nomination.

What is great dialogue without great direction and great performances? Luckily, Steve Jobs succeeds in all three of these categories. Danny Boyle is one of best directors working today, and while his style of filmmaking in Steve Jobs isn't flashy, he directs his actors and actresses in a way that allows them to shine.

Okay, enough beating around the bush. What about Jobs himself? Michael Fassbender is absolutely outstanding as Steve Jobs. His on screen presence, his line delivery and his subtle tendencies are all a perfect match. He is an absolute lock for a Best Leading Actor Oscar Nomination. The film features some great supporting performances, as well. Kate Winslet is great as his marketing director, Joanna Hoffman, and Seth Rogan shows some range with his performance as the other co- founder of Apple, Steve Wozniak. I will always remember Jeff Daniels as Harry Dunne, but he's fantastic as John Sculley. Since this film does have so many great performances, I think some people may over look Michael Stuhlbarg's strong performance as Macitosh designer, Andy Hertzfeld (running out of good adjectives to describe performances). I firmly believe Steve Jobs collectively has the best performances out of all the movies I've seen in 2015.

While the film highlights Steve Jobs' life, it doesn't idolize him; it shows him for who he was, for better or for worse. The film's (3rd) climax is very powerful; there wasn't a dry eye in the entire theater by the time the credits began to roll.

I'm all aboard the Steve Jobs bandwagon. The film's quality in script, performances and direction are all first class. Steve Jobs lives up to the Apple legend's name and deserves a standing ovation.

Check out my other reviews over at www.watsonmoviereviews.com or follow me on twitter @alexwatson1994 to talk movies

Creed (II) (2015)

Rocky for a New Generation

[10/10 · 1 January 2016]

Creed tells the story of Apollo Creed's son Adonis (Michael B. Jordan) as he strives to make a name for himself in the world of boxing. Adonis Johnson, going by his mother's last name, seeks out Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) in hopes that Balboa can train him in the ring and tell him more about his deceased father. In Creed, Michael B. Jordan once again collaborates with one of the great up-and-coming directors, Ryan Coogler (Fruitvale Station). Fueled by the impeccable performances from Jordan and Stallone and the gripping direction of Coogler, Creed is as much a moving drama as it is an exhilarating sports film; this exceptional combination makes for one the best films of the year and one of the greatest sports films of all time.

Creed's story of the veteran training the newcomer appears cliché at first glance, but as the two's relationship progresses, it feels anything but stereotypical. Adonis is not just a punk kid who wants to hit people for sport; he is a layered character. Adonis carries a lot of baggage with him, and he has his own personal issues that drive him towards becoming a great boxer. Rocky is an older version of the same guy everyone knows and loves, but Creed shows a side to him that's both unexpected and emotionally powerful. Rocky's past relationship with Apollo Creed contrasted with Adonis' attempt to distance himself from his father's name makes for an interesting dynamic between the two. Adonis needs Rocky, and Rocky needs Adonis.

Both these characters are brought to life by the outstanding performances from Sylvester Stallone and Michael B. Jordan. Jordan continues to impress me in every film he's in, and I believe Creed is his best performance yet. Jordan's emotional vulnerability in his role as Adonis, and his physical performance while in the ring, more than justifies a Best Actor Oscar nomination. Sylvester Stallone is equally great in his supporting role. There were some dramatic moments where his performance as Rocky really affected me emotionally, and this is a huge credit to his mature take on the aging character he created almost 40 years ago.

There are not many boxing matches throughout the film, which is more than fine. The dramatic parts work so well because of the great performances from Stallone and Jordan. That's not to say the boxing matches themselves aren't great; they are. Under Coogler's direction, every hit feels raw, brutal, and relentless. The action is fluid, and the choreography between the fighters is excellent. There's not an overuse of cuts, so the action is easy to follow. In fact, there's an entire boxing match done in one long take. Another element that adds to the boxing matches is the fact authentic HBO broadcasts and ESPN video clips are used throughout the film. This sounds insignificant, but these small details make this boxing world feel that much more real.

Creed even contains a compelling romantic relationship between Adonis and a musician named Bianca (played by Tessa Thompson). The two have great chemistry and feel natural together on screen. There's an element to their relationship that is both beautiful and devastating and results in a very memorable relationship (no spoilers). Creed's score is a combination of modern and classic music, and the score does a great job of generating excitement during the training montages.

This movie has it all: brutal and suspenseful boxing matches, a compelling romance and a tear-jerking and uplifting story. Creed is Rocky for a new generation, and I truly believe this film has something for everyone. Each and every one of Creed's 12 rounds are an absolute knockout.

Check out my other movie reviews over at www.watsonmoviereviews.com or talk movies with me over at @alexwatson1994

Goosebumps (2015)

A Nostalgic Good Time

[6/10 · 1 January 2016]

NOSTALGIA WARNING: I grew up reading the Goosebumps books and watching the Goosebumps TV show religiously. My first nightmare I can remember involved The Haunted Mask. Goosebumps was a big part of my childhood, so I was very excited to see this movie.

The Goosebumps movie is about actual Goosebumps writer R.L. Stine's (played by Jack Black) books coming to life. The film is directed by Rob Letterman and is written by a few different writers which include Darren Lemke, Scott Alexander, and Larry Karaszewski. The nostalgic and movie critic side in me compromised; and we came to the conclusion that the film adaptation of Goosebumps is a fun reminder for the people who grew up reading them, and an entertaining diversion for the kids new to the series.

Goosebumps' premise is genius. Having the villains from all of R.L. Stine's books come to life to terrorize him and the town is a fantastic way to adapt his many novels to the big screen. Does the story have its dumb moments? Absolutely but the film does not take itself too seriously and has a tone consistent with the novels. Goosebumps does focus on only a couple of the Goosebumps villains, and it would have been nice to see more variety there. Slappy is the ringleader for all the other villains, which is perfect considering he's a fan favorite and always is pulling the strings.

The single biggest problem I have with the film is Jack Black's interpretation of R.L. Stine. He plays the same bumbling crackup, and a lot of this I blame on the director. He's worked with Black in 3 of his 4 feature films, so it's not surprising that Jack Black does the exact same ole thing.

I didn't have a problem with any of the other performances, and my personal favorite was Ryan Lee as Champ. The kid is perfect comic relief, and nearly everything out of this his mouth is pure gold. The film is very funny in general, with the two cops stealing their few scenes.

Goosebumps is aimed more at a new audience of kids, but I feel as if the film missed out on opportunities to slip in some fan service. That being said, there are some nice nods to the original books. In particular, the ending is a perfect conclusion for a Goosebumps movie.

Goosebumps is an entertaining movie for kids but also a fun walk down memory lane for the older "kids". Viewer beware…. You're in for a…

If you liked this review, check out more of my reviews over at www.watsonmoviereviews.com

Sicario (2015)

Violent and Thought-provoking work of art

[9/10 · 1 January 2016]

Sicario is about Kate (Emily Blunt), a rising FBI agent that volunteers for a government task force charged with controlling the US/Mexico drug war. With the shady legality of the escalating actions of this government task force, Kate begins to doubt whether or not she's the right person for this war on drugs. Sicario is violent and thought- provoking, a rare combination that left me entertained but also thinking about the hard questions Sicario is not afraid to ask.

Emily Blunt plays Kate and once again proves that she can carry a film. Her character is strong-willed but is pushed to brink with the many morally questionable actions this task force begins to take. Her mental and physical deterioration serves as an emotional anchor for the audience to latch onto while the brutal actions of Sicario unfold.

Benicio Del Toro also gives a great performance as Alejandro, a secretive agent to this government task force. His character is damaged, and Del Toro does a great of conveying the darkness Alejandro possesses. Alejandro is also a very unique character and is one of the most memorable aspects of the film. Josh Brolin is in this film, but the more and more I see from him, the less I am impressed. Brolin comes across very one-note in terms of his performances, and this is once again the case as he plays the leader of the government task force. He isn't bad but is very forgettable.

The border war on drugs is ugly, and violent, and Sicario doesn't hold anything back. This film is directed by Denis Villeneuve (Prisoners, Enemy), and he is one of my favorite directors working today. He again collaborated with 12 time Oscar-nominee cinematographer Roger Deakins for Sicario, and together they capture the brutal nature of the war on drugs without any gimmicks. There's no shaky, hand-held camera capturing the action, and there isn't an overuse of cuts during the intense sequences. The shocking action is seen perfectly clear, which is sharply contrasted to the moral uncertainty of the characters on both the American and Mexican sides.

Mexicans are not just the bad guys, and Americans are not just the good guys. Sicario does such a great job of presenting all these characters on both sides and letting the audience decide for themselves who are the real "bad" guys. While Sicario makes you question the characters' moral decisions, it also brings up an important questions that comes with the border drug war. Do the ends justify the means? Questions like this kept me contemplating the film's stunning events long after its initial runtime.

One gripe I do have with the film is it gets exposition heavy at points, particularly near the end. Sicario tells a great story and I wish the filmmakers would have trusted the audience a little more to understand what was going on rather than spoon-feeding information.

Sicario is an adrenaline rush from start to finish, with standout performances from Blunt and Del Torro. This combined with thought- provoking storytelling makes for one of the best films of the year. Keep an eye on the film during award season. So if you were on the fence (pun intended), make the leap and go see this film.

The Harvest (I) (2013)

So-bad-its-good?

[3/10 · 1 January 2016]

The Harvest is a horror/thriller about a sickly boy named Andy who wants to hangout with his new neighbor Maryann, but the boy's mother forbids this and is afraid that her dark secret will come to light. This movie is currently streaming on Netflix and stars Charlie Tahan as Andy, Samantha Morton as Andy's mother, Michael Shannon as Andy's father, and Natasha Calis as Maryann. I picked this movie after seeing that Michael Shannon was in it, because he's one of my favorite actors working today. Michael Shannon, nor anyone else, could save this movie from the horrendous dialogue, numerous plot holes, and the other laughably bad performances in The Harvest.

The Harvest actually opens up somewhat promising. Andy, played by Charlie Tahan, gives the best performance in the entire film. You really feel bad for this kid who's stuck in his bed all day and just wants to be go to school, and play baseball like a normal kid. Now before I say too much more, I have to talk about Samantha Morton's performance as Andy's mother. I'm sure she's a great actress in other films (she's been nominated for multiple Oscars),­­ but she shows none of that talent here. The entire film revolves around the mother as she progressively escalates in her attempts to keep her secrets from her son and the new neighbor, Maryann. However, Morton overacts in every scene and made me laugh when she was supposed to be giving this serious, and horrifying performance. Since The Harvest hinges on Morton's performance, the movie begins to fall apart very quickly.

None of the exchanges between characters feel real. Their interactions are forced and very heavy handed with exposition. There are a few interesting twists and turns the film takes, or so that's what it tricks you into believing. For every revelation, there is an accompanying plot hole or plot inconsistency that comes with it. The biggest twist in the film is actually a good idea, but its execution leaves a lot to be desired.

I don't normally talk about sound in my reviews, but I have to mention it for this film. During all the "suspenseful" scenes, there are these sound effects used that were probably taken off some free website. They are supposed to be dramatic and add to suspense of the film but ultimately make the movie that much cornier.

Michael Shannon does not get a pass here either. Shannon phones in his performance, and while he isn't bad, he is very one note. Oh, and the ending of this movie is so hilariously bad that I was belly laughing for a solid 30 seconds.

Even after all the terrible things I have said about his movie, that does not take away from how good of a time I had watching it. The Harvest feels like a slightly higher budget Lifetime movie. Get some friends together to watch this movie, and just don't think about it too much. My head still hurts doing so.

If you liked this review, check out my other movie reviews over at www.watsonmoviereviews.com

The Green Inferno (2013)

Bloody Atrocious

[2/10 · 1 January 2016]

Eli Roth's The Green Inferno has premiered at several film festivals over the past two years before finally getting a wide release in the United States. The Green Inferno is about a group of college activists who visit Peru in hopes of stopping the destruction of the indigenous people's land. The group soon finds themselves at the mercy of these indigenous people and their cannibalistic nature. Eli Roth's filmography has been very hit or miss for me. His directorial debut Cabin Fever is a great, campy horror movie, but I'm not a huge fan of his Hostel movies. The Green Inferno and its terrible script is more disturbing than any of the film's gory visuals and left me wondering the intended audience for this atrocious film.

Justine (Lorenza Izzo) is the lead in The Green Inferno, and she looks like an Oscar caliber actress among the other terrible performances. While poorly acted, the characters have no depth and all are generic characters you've come to expect in horror movies. These include, but are not limited to, the nice guy, the loose girl, the stoner, etc. The indigenous people give the best performances in the entire film. They are actual villagers on the Amazon, and because of that, they feel very authentic.

There are so many things in the story that are silly and don't make any sense. One way I can sum this up is by using a mild spoiler as an example so SPOILER ALERT. At one point when the group is captured, they put a small bag of weed inside a dead body as part of an escape plan. So when the cannibals begin to cook this body, the weeds burns, and gets the tribe high. This knocks out a large group of them so the group can begin their escape. END SPOILER ALERT.

Knowing what to show and what not to show is very important when it comes to movies in general, even more so with horror movies. The Green Inferno relies on gross-out visuals for a majority of its runtime, and after an onslaught of gore and violence, I became numb to it. Sometimes less is more, and I found myself tuning out after a certain amount of the relentless visuals. A lot of the violence is filmed in this hand-held, shaky style, and this gets old very quickly.

The special effects are not very good either. Some of the blood is practical, but the blood and other effects added in post-production leave a lot to be desired. A CGI panther is the worst offender and looks like it was pulled from a SyFy original movie.

Eli Roth is known for his strange humor in his movies, and he again attempts to break up the violence with laughs. The dark comedy amidst people eating other people doesn't mesh or make sense tonally.

All the generic characters, silly script, gross-out gore, and comedic misfires really make me wonder if this film is for anybody. Hardcore horror and gore fans will be put off by the shaky style of filmmaking, and your average movie fan will be sick to their stomach seeing the film's gross-out visuals. Which makes this even crazier is that this movie has received a wide release. I hope Eli Roth rebounds from this, but until then, he should just stick to Shark Week.

If you liked this review, check out the rest of my reviews over at www.watsonmoviereviews.com

The Good Dinosaur (2015)

Not Pixar's Most Original but Still a Touching Family Film

[8/10 · 1 January 2016]

In an alternate universe where the asteroid never made impact on Earth 65 million years ago, a young dinosaur named Arlo must find his way home after being stranded by a powerful storm. The Good Dinosaur is directed by Peter Sohn in his feature film debut. Despite Pixar's latest film not being their most original or most thought-provoking, The Good Dinosaur still manages to tell a heart-warming story that the whole family can enjoy.

The Good Dinosaur's story is very linear, which makes it easy for kids to follow. This is very important for a family movie, but the story itself is not entirely original and feels like a combination of Finding Nemo and The Lion King. However, the main characters, Arlo and Spot, are very likable and memorable Pixar creations. Arlo is a nervous dinosaur, and Spot is a rambunctious child. The differences between the two make for some humorous and emotional moments together.

The emotional moments that deal with family and loss are more for the adults, while the colorful visuals and simple story will still satisfy the younger viewers. One of these moments that involves a circle in the dirt is one of the most heart-warming pieces of film I've seen this year. The balance between the straightforward story for the kids and the more emotional beats for the adults illustrates how great Pixar is at crafting a piece of entertainment everyone can enjoy. While the kids will enjoy the movie for the visuals alone, they can also learn valuable lessons like being brave and attempting to "make their mark" on this Earth.

The film does go in a few odd directions along Arlo and Spot's journey. The two meet some bizarre side characters that feel tacked on. To be more specific, there are three Tyrannosaurus Rex that feel terribly out of place and do not add anything to the film.

Outside of the story, The Good Dinosaur's visuals are very unique. The dinosaurs themselves look very cartoonish, but everything else, including the landscapes and their surroundings, are very realistic and detailed. The contrast in animation made for a very interesting and memorable visual style.

The Good Dinosaur is not as thought-provoking as some of Pixar's previous films like Inside Out, and Wall-E, and that's okay. A family movie should not always be expected to be thought-provoking, but it is a nice surprise when a movie does have this added element. The Good Dinosaur is like getting a milkshake without a cherry: it's still pretty good.

Check out this review and many more over at www.watsonmoviereviews.com or follow me on twitter @alexwatson1994 to talk movies

Krampus (I) (2015)

Krampus: A Mixed Bag of Presents

[6/10 · 1 January 2016]

With Christmas right around the corner, a demonic spirit named Krampus is accidentally summoned to unleash hell upon a disjointed family. Krampus is a horror/comedy directed by Michael Dougherty, who also co- wrote the film along with Todd Casey and Zach Shields. Krampus is a bizarre ride that includes a few laughs, and a few scares but lacks a tonal consistency necessary to feel like a cohesive final product.

The story in Krampus is absolutely insane. Having a horror film set during Christmas is a welcomed curveball that makes the experience feel fresh. One aspect of the story I did not care for were the family members and their interactions. Sometimes their verbal exchanges made me laugh but other times made me wish that Krampus would go ahead and off them already. Most of the family lack redeemable qualities, and this made it hard for me to have an emotional connection in the story.

Krampus does have some freaky imagery. The design of Krampus himself is not that scary, but some of his "helpers" are very unsettling to look at. In particular, the clown "helper" is absolutely terrifying. For some reason the writers felt the need to give the audience a detailed origin of Krampus, but it's silly and completely unnecessary.

The place horror and comedy meet is where the film begins to falter. There is one great sequence in the attic that does a great job of combining laughs and scares, but outside of that, the movie feels like a tonal mess. In one scene, characters are completely serious while getting hunted by Krampus, and in the next, they are making jokes while their loved ones are dying. This felt as if writers were consistently clashing with their particular visions of the film and its tone.

There are no bad performances, but the only relationship I truly cared about was the father/son relationship between Tom (played by Adam Scott) and Max (played by Emjay Anthony).

Watching Krampus works best with a large group of people taking turns at guessing the next Christmas-themed death. I had a good time watching the movie, but the inconsistency in tone heavily detracted from my overall movie-going experience. However, this film does have a certain kind of charm, and I believe has the characteristics to become a cult classic within a niche group of movie lovers. Krampus is a mixed-bag of presents: sometimes you unwrap a PS4, but sometimes you unwrap a 6-pack of socks.

Check out this review and many more over at www.watsonmoviereviews.com or feel free to follow me on twitter @alexwatson1994 to talk movies

The Hateful Eight (2015)

Brutally Entertaining

[9/10 · 1 January 2016]

Quentin Tarantino's 8th film involves eight strangers stuck in one cabin during a harsh blizzard. What could possibly go wrong? After his script leaked for this film in 2014, Tarantino decided to shelf the project indefinitely. I'm glad he changed his mind. The Hateful Eight is a brutally entertaining film that gives a gruesome look at racial tensions and life on the 19th century western frontier.

Since The Hateful Eight is set in only a few locations, the characters and their interactions need to be interesting and entertaining. The eight strangers are all very different, featuring unique backstories and intriguing character qualities. The dialogue between the characters is appropriately hilarious and hard-hitting, whichever the particular moment is calling for. Playing detective and trying to decipher who is telling the truth makes for an active and engaging time at the movies. This quality of the movie felt very reminiscent of Reservoir Dogs, Tarantino's first film.

There are some very gory and shocking moments in The Hateful Eight, which many have come to expect from a Tarantino film. One of these shocking moments in particular makes me think very differently about Samuel L. Jackson. This very easily might be Tarantino's most violent film (that's saying something). Tarantino haters might argue his films are style over substance, but that is simply not the case with The Hateful Eight. The portrayal of how different races treated one another during the post-Civil War era and the sheer brutality on the western frontier more than justifies the onslaught of on screen violence.

Another staple of a Tarantino film is a longer runtime, and that is still the case with The Hateful Eight. It's nearly 3 hours long, but due to the fast and dynamic dialogue and the mystery behind the eight strangers, the pacing works in the film's favor. Nothing about the film feels bloated or unnecessary to the core story being told.

My favorite performance outside of Samuel L. Jackson's was Jennifer Jason Leigh as Daisy Domergue. She's absolutely hilarious and completely loses herself in the role. She was nominated for this supporting role at the Golden Globes, for which she is very deserving. There's one performance that I am still not sure how I feel about, but due to the 'spoilerish' nature of the role, I won't name a specific actor/actress. It was just weird and kind of out of left field (if you've seen the film you know exactly who I am talking about).

The Hateful Eight is one of my favorite films of the year, from one of my very favorite directors. It's an entertaining ride from start to finish, filled with intrigue and features one of the best scripts of the year. A violent movie with a violent message, what better way to celebrate the new year?

Check out this review and many more over at www.watsonmoviereviews.com

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2014)

Fine for Kids, Terrible for Anyone Thinking and not Just Watching

[3/10 · 10 August 2014]

My review will not focus on the movie's similarities or differences they took from the TMNT "lore," because I did not grow up watching the movies, reading the comics, etc. The film summed up in one word: messy.

The script is quite frankly, terrible, with characters spouting out stupid lines of dialogue, characters placed in scenes entirely for exposition, and mindless characters you could not care any less about. I will say that the turtles were good in the movie. They were voiced well and actually had a couple funny moments between them.

That gets me to the humans; they were so dull, yet the movie focuses on them more than they do the turtles themselves. This is what I like to call, "The Transformers Syndrome." Arnett is a funny enough actor, but he serves absolutely no purpose in the film.

Fichtner is a really good actor, but the character he is playing is just your typical bad guy that needs to do bad things to move forward the plot. His "motivation" for his plan contradicts itself once you actually think about it. If Megan Fox is your most likable character in a movie, then you are in for a rough time,.

Also, going back to the turtles, they are huge, and they even say in the movie they cannot be shot. The turtles are nearly invincible, which is fine if you actually care about the humans they are saving. But you do not, which leads to a messy movie.

All this being said, kids will love this movie. But that cannot be an excuse for a being terrible movie. 3/10

Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)

The Summer Blockbuster We've Been Waiting For

[8/10 · 2 August 2014]

Upfront I admit I am a huge Marvel fan. I was really looking forward to this movie, and it exceeded my expectations.

Guardians of the Galaxy was visually fantastic with Gunn at the helm. He had a clear direction with the film and executed it precisely. The film is also very good at delivering laughs. Almost every joke hit, with each of the Guardians contributing.

Speaking of the Guardians themselves, they were all very deep characters that you actually care about. Whether its their back stories, or particular motivations, you really get behind them individually and as a group.

Just to speak on a few individually, Batista as Drax was very surprising with how great his comedic timing was. I thought Bradley Cooper as Rocket's voice would be distracting, but you can barely even tell its him. Cooper did a great job, and you can tell he had a great time with the role.

The action was also great in the film mixing CGI and practical effects. The Soundtrack was fantastic with many catchy songs from the 70s and 80s.

The few gripes I had with the film were there were some cheesy dialogue moments that were near cringe worthy. The villains Ronan and Nebula were just not as interesting as the heros themselves which kind of took away from the film. Also, like I alluded to it above, most jokes hit, but there are those few that do not.

Overall, it was a great film that is one of my favorite action films of the year and is definitely a must-see in the theater.

Wish I Was Here (2014)

Wish I Was Here Review

[5/10 · 2 August 2014]

Admittedly, this is the first Zach Braff film I have seen. I only saw one trailer for the film, and it immediately intrigued me. I did not hate this film, but I also did not love and found myself in a lukewarm middle ground. For everything I liked, there was something I did not like.

First off, the story. The story as a whole deals with living life and dealing with death which was pulled off fairly well. However, there were several things in the script that I feel like took away from the film and the story Braff was telling. One of the those things were the laughs or lack thereof.

The script thinks its wittier and funnier than it actually is with most jokes missing that hitting. The movie also thinks it's deeper than it actually is. Maybe that's just Braff's style, but to me it seemed like it was more style over substance.

I did really enjoy the soundtrack for the film and Braff gave a good performance as a 30-something-year-old treading the water in his life.

I will definitely give Braff's future movies another shot and will see Garden State soon, but Wish I was Here was just not as good as I hoped it would be.

Deliver Us from Evil (I) (2014)

Jump Scare Heavy, Mediocre at best Horror Movie

[4/10 · 5 July 2014]

To start, the story is just not that interesting. It's your typical possession horror movie with no real twist. I like Bana as an actor enough, but his character is so stereotypical that you know where his character is going to go from the start. It had a few disturbing visuals in the movie, but the film as a whole had no real atmosphere. It relied completely on jump scares with no real tension. To elaborate more, the jump scares were nearly entirely animals. They were just cheap scares with no real thought behind them. The movie sets ups a huge possession scene and you get that scene but is boring and brings nothing new to the table. The dialogue in this film is also very weak, with quite a few cringe worthy moments. I like one place the story went with Bana and the movie had a few good visuals but besides that, there's nothing new to see here. Rental at best.