chrisst-33817 Reviews

Evil Dead Rise (2023)

A Groovy Time!!!

[7/10 · 22 April 2023]

Anyone that knows me, knows that I have a love for horror films, and one of those that I consider legendary is 1981's "Evil Dead." Not only is it a blast to watch, but it launched a franchise full of cheesy characters, fun films, and gory kills. I was excited to watch "Evil Dead Rise," but was quickly made worried when I heard that Bruce Campbell would not be returning as Ash, and Sam Raimi was not returning to direct. Last time this happened, we got the lackluster remake: "Evil Dead (2013)." I am overjoyed to say that I really enjoyed this film. It manages to tell a new and entertaining story, while also paying homage to the films that came before. The cast was phenomenal, but the quality of the film was highly elevated by the terrifying performance of Alyssa Sutherland, who plays the mother. I also appreciated the fantastic work of the cinematographers, the convincing work of the VFX and Special Effects teams, and the bone chilling work of the music team. The film doesn't end without its weaknesses, mainly in the writing, but it succeeded in making me care for these characters, which made me enjoy the movie a whole lot more. If this is the beginning of a groovy series of films, sign me up!

The Last of Us (2023– )

The Best Video Game Adaptation Ever

[9/10 · 14 March 2023]

"The Last of Us" on PlayStation 3 was one of the most entertaining and fulfilling gaming experiences that I've ever had, so when I heard the show was being made, I got excited. Then it was announced that Pedro Pascal was taking over the role of Joel. That's when my excitement elevated to the next level. After seeing every episode, I am very comfortable in declaring that this is the best video game adaptation ever created. One of the most beautiful things about the show is how accurate it is to the gaming experience. From the development of the characters, to the locations, to the plot points in the story; even in interactions between characters such as Joel and Ellie. Not only that, the creative liberties the show took were fun to watch as well. This show is the definition of perfect. The performances are very good (specially from Pascal and Bella Ramsey), the effects; both special and visual, are very strong, the story and writing are very well developed over the nine episodes, and the combination of the music, the cinematography, and the sets/costumes, do a very good job at immersing you in this dark apocalyptic world. There no wonder as to why the show was so successful; the proof is in the Cordyceps fungus pudding.

Plane (2023)

A GOAT is back in a thrilling mediocrity

[6/10 · 14 January 2023]

This kind of movie doesn't work without a great lead, and here, Gerard Butler continues to prove that he's one of the GOAT action stars. I can't remember the last time I saw a Butler film that I didn't enjoy and Plane continues this tradition in a high-intensity thrill ride. Mike Colter is also a highlight in the film. Now, is Plane a good film. No. The writing is poor, some of the performances are very week, there is little to no character development, and in terms of watching something new, this film isn't groundbreaking. That being said, I believe a film like this can be enjoyed without focusing on the quality. Like I said, I did enjoy it. It might not be a film that will be remembered for years to come, but it will absolutely entertain you from beginning to end.

Babylon (I) (2022)

The most chaotic film of 2022

[4/10 · 13 January 2023]

Babylon became one of those movies I never got a chance to see. I was a bit disappointed, as I wanted to potentially add the film to my list of the "best movies of 2022." After watching it, I believe it fits better on the "worst movies of 2022" list. To begin, the film embodies the word gratuitous. The term is defined as something that is uncalled for; lacking good reason; unwarranted. Babylon has the most amount of gratuitous nudity, obscenity, scenes, and characters that I've seen in a long time. All these things work together to give us a complete and utter mess. The film kicks off at 100 mph with the most grandiose party of all time, and just keeps reducing in speed until the end, with only a few jolts of energy here and there.

To mention a couple of positives, the performances are spectacular; Margot Robbie continues to prove how amazing she is. In addition, the score is phenomenal; the music was used very well. Finally, Babylon does a fantastic job at immersing you into the story with it's sets, costumes, make-up, and cinematography, but not even these amazing things could make me overlook how disjointed the film feels (especially that whole gratuitous scene with Toby Maguire in the sewers). The movie does have a message about the dark side of Hollywood and what means to leave a legacy, but it was delivered in the most chaotic way possible, making it a truly uncomfortable and unenjoyable experience.

Hamilton (2020)

A Nonstop Display of Awe, Wonder, Theater Magic, and History!

[10/10 · 13 July 2020]

Hamilton is a wonderful modern telling of an important historical figure. What makes the film incredible is the jaw-dropping performances, the incredibly entertaining set design and costumes, the impecable story-telling through rap, and the addicting music. I had listened to the album WAY before I was able to see the musical, so I had an idea of what to expect. However, the musical was nothing like what I expected. It exceeded all my preconceived notions about the film. Lin-Manuel Miranda is a master at his craft and I hope that his future films are at least as good as Hamilton. Please watch this film to be entertained and to learn some history! HIGHLY recommend.