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BEST COMEDY/DRAMA & COMEDY/DRAMA/ROMANCE MOVIES (DRAMEDY/OFFBEAT COMEDY/ADVENTURE COMEDY-DRAMA/COMING OF AGE)
SIMILAR LISTS:
BEST COMEDY-ROMANCE MOVIES https://www.imdb.com/list/ls029919022/
BEST DRAMA MOVIES https://www.imdb.com/list/ls029790131/
BEST COMEDY MOVIES (PURE FUN) https://www.imdb.com/list/ls024978412/
NEW LIST BEST SPORTS/DRAMA MOVIES https://www.imdb.com/list/ls048876768/
NEW LIST
COMEDY/DRAMA/FANTASY MOVIES (EXISTENTIAL DRAMEDY, SURREAL & WEIRD MOVIES INCLUDED) https://www.imdb.com/list/ls090605464/
BEST SCIENCE FICTION MOVIES
Every good sci fi movie i have watched, regardless of the genre: Scifi horror, scifi drama, comedy etc. The only requirement for a movie to be registered here is to be an 6,3/10 movie at least.
BEST ACTION/FANTASY/ADVENTURE MOVIES https://www.imdb.com/list/ls029630170/
BEST ACTION , ADVENTURE AND SPY - COMEDY MOVIES https://www.imdb.com/list/ls029641640/
COMEDY HORROR https://www.imdb.com/list/ls024259567/
THE BEST POST-APOCALYPTIC/DYSTOPIAN MOVIES https://www.imdb.com/list/ls024311584/
BEST COMEDY MOVIES (PURE FUN) (Stand up comedies etc included)
SIMILAR LISTS
COMEDY MOVIES WITH HORROR, MYSTERY, FANTASY AND SCI FI ELEMENTS https://www.imdb.com/list/ls024259567/
GREATEST COMEDY-DRAMA MOVIES (DRAMEDY/COMING OF AGE/OFFBEAT COMEDY/DARK COMEDY) https://www.imdb.com/list/ls024996126/
BEST OF COMEDY-CRIME MOVIES (OTHERS MORE COMEDY, OTHERS MORE CRIME) https://www.imdb.com/list/ls024914840/
BEST ACTION , ADVENTURE AND SPY - COMEDY MOVIES https://www.imdb.com/list/ls029641640/
BEST DRAMA MOVIES (Arthouse & Art/mystery movies included)
BEST COMEDY/DRAMA & COMEDY/DRAMA/ROMANCE MOVIES (DRAMEDY/OFFBEAT COMEDY/ADVENTURE COMEDY-DRAMA/COMING OF AGE) https://www.imdb.com/list/ls024996126/?ref_=uspf_t_20
BEST DRAMA/ROMANCE, ART AND DRAMA/FANTASY/ROMANCE MOVIES https://www.imdb.com/list/ls084015526/?ref_=uspf_t_14
BEST COMEDY & DRAMA /FANTASY MOVIES (EXISTENTIAL DRAMEDY, SURREAL,WEIRD BUT TOUCHING MOVIES INCLUDED) https://www.imdb.com/list/ls090605464/
BEST SPORTS/DRAMA MOVIES https://www.imdb.com/list/ls048876768/
WORST MOVIES I'VE SEEN
BEST ACTION/FANTASY/ADVENTURE MOVIES (SUPERHERO MOVIES INCLUDED)
NO ACTION/DRAMA/ADVENTURE HERE. NEITHER SCI-FI.
SCI-FI MOVIES https://www.imdb.com/list/ls024615088/
BEST ACTION/ADVENTURE/DRAMA AND ADVENTURE/ROMANCE MOVIES https://www.imdb.com/list/ls029923328/
BEST FAMILY COMEDY & FAMILY ADVENTURE/FANTASY MOVIES https://www.imdb.com/list/ls088242768/
Reviews
Strange Darling (2023)
7.1/10. Recommended.
Many reviewers here said it's overrated. Indeed, it's not an 80/100 movie (current Metascore rating) but it's not that far from it. So, you should not have high expectations, this is not some mindblowing thriller with killer twists that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Yet, it's a very good thriller movie. Entertaining all the way through its ending. Not brilliant but clever enough to distinguish itself from many other garbage 2024 movies. STRANGE DARLING would be viewed less good in some other year, but it's 2024, one of the worst movie years ever. Still, it's forgettable but it was a fun ride.
Don't think it too much, and you will enjoy it. Of course it's far fetched and unrealistic but it's a thriller movie, almost every thriller is like this. The two leading actors did a good job. Non linear structure was interesting (and necessary : To be honest, this would have been mediocre with linear structure).
Ending was good overall, except for the final moments. The last two minutes were, let's say, unnecessary. It didn't need to be like this.
Overall, an enjoyable, even exciting at times, thriller.
La fin du jour (1939)
6.8/10. Recommended.
I love French Pre-WWII Films, Marcel Carné has become one of my favorite directors, and
Julien Duvivier's previous movie (Panique) is one of the best movies i have watched. Unfortunately, i can't say the same about this one. La fin du jour is a good movie, well acted and well directed but it was too miserable at times. Usually, it's not such a bad thing and i don't need every movie i watch to bring me joy, most of the greatest movies ever are dark and sad. But it was not only that, in addition, this was not that interesting. Maybe if i revisit this when i get old as the leading characters here, i will appreciate it more. But at this stage of my life, i was not moved by this movie. "Sad" moments didn't feel sad, "funny" moments were not funny. This was unimpressive, bland, even lifeless at times. And the whole charade about this (supposedly) 17 years old girl who could end her life just to show the world her love about a 70-ish years old guy, felt ridiculous and out of place. (Maybe this was not something unusual those years, ok, but great movies are timeless, regardless of their age, and this one is not just dated but obsolete).
Yet, i cannot not recommend it, because it is still a good movie, classy and elegant. Michel Simon is a great actor, even though i couldn't stand him here. And the ending was good.
Just don't start your French Pre-WWII Films journey with this one. Search for Carne movies first.
Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond - Featuring a Very Special, Contractually Obligated Mention of Tony Clifton (2017)
8.2/10. Recommended.
This is a great documentary. I watched again (after 24 years) the MAN ON THE MOON movie, and immediately then, i watched this too. Watching this is necessary, if you want to understand better Andy, Jim and the movie (M. O. T. M). Some people might find ridiculous this Carrey behavior, i mean, the fact that he stayed on character throughout the movie. As for me, it was bone chilling, even transcendental. Was Carrey indeed a vessel for Andy like his own family stated? I can't tell for sure but i can't deny it either. I think that this movie changed Jim Carrey forever. I don't know if it was good for him or bad, maybe both. But he was not the same man anymore, at least, that's what i believe, after watching this documentary.
Kaufman told his truth through his lies and pranks. He was genuine and original behind all those fake acts. Genuine and original in a world which seems more and more fake. Carrey felt all of this and didn't know how to respond. So, he adopt this persona (when MAN ON THE MOON was being made) in order to make sense, to give time to himself to understand. Hiding behind Andy, being his vessel.
How can this world makes sense? Carrey said that he doesn't need anymore to try, or something like that, in the end of this doc. He doesn't want anything anymore. Maybe this is what Greek philosopher Epicurus meant when he tols us about Ataraxia. Maybe i am overthinking it. In any case, watch this documentary if you like Andy or Jim. Even if my review is ridiculous, this doc isn't.
Man on the Moon (1999)
8/10. Recommended.
I watched for the first time this movie 24 years ago. I liked it but i was too young to appreciate it : I didn't know who Andy Kaufman was, i had not even seen the TAXI tv series. I watched it again a few days ago and i found it much better than i remember it. And i was deeply moved, i don't know, Kaufman is something bigger than i thought.
Carrey is (almost disturbingly) fantastic,channeling Andy like a vessel (Watch the JIM AND ANDY documentary, this is something that's being said there, by his family). Critics kinda hated it (58/100 Metascore). It's not the first time that movie critics look clueless and ignorant but this score is even more ridiculous than their most ridiculous ones.
Watching the part with the original actors from TAXI made me emotional, among other moments.
In conclusion, this is a great comedy/drama biography, with amazing acting, as close to the truth as it can get. As i said above, watch the JIM AND ANDY documentary too, in order to understand even better this movie and both Andy and Jim.
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (2024)
7/10. Recommended.
For reference, my ratings for the preceding trilogy :
Rise of the Planet of the Apes : 8,1/10.
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes : 7,8/10.
War for the Planet of the Apes : 7,4/10.
KINGDOM is my least favorite movie of this franchise (i am talking about the new movies, of course Burton movie is worse). As it seems, this is a common opinion. As other reviewers already said, there are some pace problems, it should have been better edited, there is no Caesar and it's not as exciting as the previous movies.
Still, it was a fun ride. Action scenes were very good, CGI was great and i liked the new actors. Yes, there is no Caesar and Serkis anymore, but i liked the new characters. I empathized with them and the whole concept was kinda interesting, i mean, villain's motives were convincing and real and the relationship between Teague and Allan was interesting and ambiguous (If you think this through, there is not much common ground between them..).
Overall, an entertaining action/fantasy/adventure. Just lower a bit your expectations, and you will enjoy it as well. Although I hope that the next movie would be more exciting.
Melvin Goes to Dinner (2003)
6.5/10. Borderline recommendable.
Bad start, all this religion conversation felt outdated and forced, nothing felt natural, it seemed like a bad schoolplay. I decided to keep watching and, truth be told, it got better. Movie found its rhythm, there was "flow", characters looked like real people and overall, it was enjoyable. I can't say it was too interesting but i have a soft spot for 00's comedy/dialogue driven dramas, so it was easy to watch. Many famours actors did a cameo here, and it helped. Leading actors were not that charismatic but it helped too, because it was like watching ordinary people having a conversation. You could empathize with them.
I would have rated it a bit higher, but the twist was kinda dumb. Zero reason to add something like this.
But i liked the ending. The final two minutes and what happened in the very end of it. It was unexpected and funny.
Borderlands (2024)
6.1/10. Better than i expected. Watchable.
I don't know why it's so much hated. I haven't played the game, my expectations were low because of all this negativity, so i must confess that it was much better than i expected and i found it pretty enjoyable. I don't claim it's a good movie and i wouldn't recommend it either, there are better movies to watch. Although, for a 2024 movie, it's not so bad. So many garbage movies overall in this decade. BORDERLANDS is not garbage.
Of course i would have liked it more of i was under 15 years old. Truth be told, this looks more like a movie for minors. Never felt that something was at stake, not much intense moments here, plot armor and overall, it's naive and shallow. But this is a superhero movie, of course it would be naive and shallow, so i judge it as it is.
Characters were likeable, actors did a good job, not for a second i felt that these famous actors were bored. They tried hard to make it real and it's always a pleasure watching Blanchett and Ramirez. Hart was not annoying as i thought, Greenblatt was also good.
It was a fun ride and the ending was the best part of it. A sweet, "innocent" and entertaining movie. With so many cynical/depressing/twisted movies nowadays, it's good that this kind of movies still exist.
The Penguin (2024)
8.3/10. Slightly overrated, still one of the best tv shows of the last 10 years.
1) This is not a 10/10 tv show, neither a 9/10. Of course there are shows that we love more than the others and beauty is in the eye of the beholder. But Art is not subjective. THE PENGUIN is not BREAKING BAD/GAME OF THRONES/THE WIRE tier. Still, this is the best 20's tv show (alongside THE SUCCESSION imo) and it can compare only with great tv shows like JUSTIFIED/THE AMERICANS/BATES MOTEL/THE LAST KINGDOM etc. It's that good.
2) I was sure Farrell and Millioti's performances were overhyped but they are not. Both acting performances are breathtaking. Farrell was good in THE BATMAN movie but he's a different beast here. Rarely a (kinda) origin story shed this light to the character. I loved the GOTHAM tv show and i didn't think that Farrell's Penguin would be "richer" and more interesting than Robin Lord Taylor's Penguin (RLT was excellent and GOTHAM is a multiple seasons tv show, so much time for this character to be explored). However, this tv show managed the unthinkable : We learn even more things in an 8 episode span about The Penguin than the whole GOTHAM tv show.
3) Regarding of Cristin Milioti, i didn't know how marvellous actress she is. I knew she's good, i have even watched another TV show of hers named THE RESORT (and movies like Palm Springs etc). I knew she is capable but i didn't know she is that great. Her character was so many things, sensitive, chilling, hero, antihero, villain, merciful, vengeful. Calculating, careless, i mean she was so many contradictory things simultaneously. This is one of the most complex characters in the last 10-15 years.
4) It would be unfair if i didn't mention Rhenzy Feliz and Deirdre O'Connell. Both "stood their ground" against Farrell and Millioti. Both were mindblowing and amazing. O'Connell made me even emotional. Feliz had the most difficult task. His role is not among the ones who help an actor to shine. The more "restrained" characters are so much difficult : They are not distinguishable, they should be more introvert, they don't scream/yell/cry/do impressive things. Feliz did the most difficult job here. Well done. Every actor did a great job here.
5) Overall, there were enough flaws here. Plot armor. Unfortunately, during the last 4 episodes, it was not that convincing at times. I didn't buy some things that happened. Of course there are many moments of brilliance but this could have been even better. I didn't expect much verisimilitude, after all, this is a superhero universe. But still, some details made the second part of the show inferior to the first one. I think that the first 4 episodes are better.
Regardless, THE PENGUIN is so much exciting and deep that i think it's better than 2022 THE BATMAN movie. I hope the new BATMAN movie reach to this tv series level.
It's What's Inside (2024)
6.2/10. Ending was so abhorrent that it ruined the movie.
I would have rated it higher if the ending was less awful. What did they think? Did they think this is clever, quirky or the writers are so delusional that they thought this is satisfying? Did this person deserved something like this? For what reason?
I don't mind movies with sad or unjust ending, life is unfair itself. My problem is, it played like a satisfying ending, like a deserving punishment.
Ending aside, i must admit that this is original. By no means it's a brilliant movie, this would have been forgettable in a week, even if it had ended better. But this is a 2024 dark comedy, so for a 2024 dark comedy, i lower my expectations and say it was both original and creative. I love when writers are taking risks, and this is definitely risky : It could easily go off the rails, because the concept was not easy to follow. This movie demands your attention. I tried hard and i think that i miss a thing or two. But it was enjoyable for the most part, actors did a good job and i cannot not appreciate the whole effort. This is one of the movies which should have been longer, extra running time was much needed in order for the viewer to understand better the dynamics of this group, characters' distinctive traits etc. Maybe it would have been better as a tv mini series, this is a story worth exploring. But still, it was good as it played out.
And it would have been better and recommendable. If the ending was less atrocious.
Smultronstället (1957)
8.2/10. Recommended.
This is one of those movies which you like while you watch them but only in the end, you realise their greatness. I mean, you need some time to contemplate about what you just watched. I won't repeat what this movie means to the whole modern cinema, Bergman here innovated a whole new cinematic language, influencing so many following directors. Of course this is important, but more important is that this movie feels still fresh and timeless, even though it's 67 years old. This is an artistic creation that will never fade away, like Beethoven's 5th Symphony or Van Gogh's Starry Night.
A bittersweet tragedy, a defeat of a person who was never in touch with his feelings and simultaneously, a reminder that even in Defeat, it's not too late. It's never too late for reconciliation with the ones we hurt, for acceptance of the bad part of ourselves and for a try to become a better version of ourselves. Human means mistakes. Embrace who you were in order not to tear it apart (you can't) but to become something better in the present. For the ones you still love but even more, for yourself and your consciousness.
Le notti di Cabiria (1957)
7.6/10. Recommended.
This is a very good movie. Giulietta Masina's performance is indeed a tour de force, she acts with her whole body, she's funny/sad/tragic/vivid simultaneously. A woman to admire and pity and respect, a sad figure and a fighter of life. One of the most memorable characters ever.
I got carried away and i could watch "Cabiria"'s life and her interactions for hours. To be honest, i don't consider this as a masterpiece. It didn't me shake me to the core, except for the ending. The last 15 minutes are monumental. I don't want to say anything else in order to avoid spoilers. But this is the definition of "emotional rollercoaster". Anxiety, sadness, terror, despair and hope. This is indeed a powerful ending, brilliant and innovative.
Nattvardsgästerna (1963)
8.4/10. Masterpiece.
I wanted to rate it even higher but i can't : It should have been longer, there was more to this story, it feels a bit incomplete. On the other hand, ending was powerful even as it was. And this could have easily been ruined with a more wordy and rambling ending.
First 10 minutes were almost impossible to watch and i thought this was gonna be a slow and boring movie. Then i understood why the beginning of the story was like this. I won't be more detailed in order to avoid spoilers, even though this is a movie which every cinephile will love even he/she knows exactly how it's gonna play out.
Acting is excellent. Ingrid Thulin is breath-taking, one of the greatest acting performances ever. Directing is amazing. And yet, the script overshadowed everything. These dialogues and monologues were shocking, i've been touched in a very deep level. There are so many layers here, it's not just a story of a man who is losing his faith even though he is a priest. It's not just a story of a man who's becoming gradually incapable of loving the people and the world neither just a story of a woman who voluntarily deceives herself.
This is a story about the whole mankind who lost its way and desperately want to find out if it worth reinventing a new course or maybe we should just let ourselves fade away in time.
I don't know the answer all i know is we must not let this masterpiece die. Watch it and tell other people to watch it. Beware, this is almost unbearably sad. So, watch it only if you can face this bleakness.
Disclaimer (2024)
5.3/10. Not recommended.
It's a well made tv show, Cuarón is a skilled director, he can turn a bad script into a watchable -at least- movie/tv show. Directing aside, these are amazing actors. Blanchett and Kline are among the greatest, but Cohen stole the show, i didn't even recognize him at first. So, many "ingredients" of a successful tv show were here. Unfortunately, one was missing, and that was a good script.
First of all, it should have been at least one episode shorter. It started kinda strong, i was invested, pace was good. But when a part of the mystery was revealed, it lose its steam and dragged. It was not that interesting anymore, and it was even difficult to watch because i didn't care anymore about what was happening. I liked this particular style of narration at first, but then it became kinda tiring.
Still, i would have rated it much higher if the last episode was not so terrible. Look, there is a major difference between a good twist and a bad. A twist is good (or even mindblowing) when it had been foreshadowed in a way, during the rest of the show/movie. There should have been hints that indicated its existence. Things that you think about when the twist happens, and you wonder how could you miss it. When a twist happens out of nowhere, this is not even a twist, but lazy and uninspired writing.
In conclusion, last episode is garbage. I didn't believe anything that happened, it was not convincing at all, it felt like a fraud. Like someone deceived me. It would have been brilliant if it was more ambiguous, if every side of the story had -even seemingly right, and it was up to the viewers to make their own assumptions.
Last episode was so ridiculous that made me sad i wasted my time.
Woman of the Hour (2023)
7.4/10. As close to Fincher as it gets.
For clarification : WOTH is not as great as MINDHUNTER and Anna Kendrick is not as talented as David Fincher. Don't expect this kind of brilliance. Still, this movie was much better than i expected. At times it was even nail-biting. In her directorial debut, Kendrick managed to depict True Evil on the screen, i mean, Daniel Zovatto was amazing but every good actor needs a good director, in order to perform well.
I thought this was gonna be a forgettable and typical thriller/horror movie. It's not. This is a crime/drama/thriller, in the veins of ZODIAC and MINDHUNTER. I repeat, it's not that great but it's very good. It's a slow-burn, don't expect too much action/killings and chases. It takes its time but if you're patient, you will be rewarded with many thrilling scenes.
I didn't know as i was watching it, that this is based upon a real story, and this serial killer was real. Had i known it earlier, this would be even more bone-chilling. It's absolutely infuriating that this killer did what he did, without Police paying attention. I thought that this Authorities' indifference was too far fetched. It's insane that this turned out to be a real story.
I won't say anything else in order to avoid spoilers. This is a very good crime/drama/thriller, well acted and well directed. And it's a bit underrated. This is not SEVEN or SILENCE OF THE LAMBS, but it stands on its own merits.
Caddo Lake (2024)
7.5/10. Avoid reading the titles of the reviews here.
1) I am very glad that i went in blind to watch this movie without reading anything about it, not even some IMDB reviews (Something that i usually do). Unfortunately, some reviews titles here reveal TOO MUCH. Watch it without knowing anything about it, and maybe you are in for a treat.
2) CADDO LAKE is a very good movie, i didn't expect to like it that much. It starts like a drama, depicting everyday struggles of some ordinary country people. Very good actors, nice cinematography, interesting up to a point but not exciting. Progressively, that changes. And this became something else, a different movie genre. But the acting and every other aspect remains good. I can't tell anything else in order to avoid spoilers. Let's say, this is a very good mystery/drama movie, dare i say, one of the best 2024 movies (Not a great achievement though, because 2024 is one of the worst cinematic years ever).
3) Last 10-20 minutes are very intense, i was rooting hard for the leading characters, especially when i realised what is going on. It's not too much easy to follow, but it's not that difficult either. Pay a little attention and you will get it. Ending made me a bit emotional. There is a chance that you won't like the twist, i am not saying this is a masterpiece. I loved it but it's a matter of personal taste. In any case, it's a well directed and acted movie. Yes, it's not highly original but it's still creative and clever.
The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon (2023)
6.9/10. Second season is slightly worse than the first.
FIRST SEASON : 7,1/10
For reference : I was a huge fan of TWD even though the last seasons dropped in quality a bit. First 3 seasons of FearTWD were very good, 6th season was good as well but the rest of the seasons were bad, nearly laughable. Furthermore, my rating for DEAD CITY is 6,7/10, i didn't love it but it was watchable.
DDixon is better than DEAD CITY. They've tried some different things but during the last episodes they "returned to form". As another reviewer mentioned "Starts off different, ends up typical TWD stuff". I am not disappointed, it was good all the way but it promised more than it delivered, i mean, the first episode was the best episode of the series. Still, the last episode was very good as well, so i am satisfied overall.
Daryl is probably my favorite character of TWD universe, so it was a pleasure watching him again. Reedus was great, as expected. And his character was well written. Us viewers understood him even better as a character, there was a nice development. Acting was very good overall, new characters were well written as well. There were not annoying/awkward scenes, unfortunately during the last TWD seasons there were a lot of them. Pace was good, even though it dragged a bit in the middle.
Most important thing is the realisation that TWD universe has still a lot to offer. And to be honest, i was not so sure about this. I have read some very positive reviews about THE ONES WHO LIVE, so, i can't say i am excited but i can say i am happy that this saga is not dead yet.
SECOND SEASON : 6,7/10
Unfortunately, second season is slightly worse than the first. I was glad to watch Carol again, she's still a great character, McBride is a joy to watch. Writers should have done a better job though. It was never boring but it was not that interesting either. Still, i enjoyed it, the last episode was very good, there were brilliant scenes here and there, and i will definitely watch the third season.
Bad Monkey (2024)
6.2/10. Not bad but overrated.
1) It started well and it made me kinda invest. It looked entertaining and it was indeed, up to a point. It didn't take itself too seriously and i was ok with it, besides, i like a lot this comedy/crime genre. Unfortunately, as it was progressing, not only it lose steam but it became even boring at times. During the first half, it had some intense moments. But then, it was like a parody of itself. And it was not even funny. I didn't care anymore about the characters, it was bland. It's like everyone here stopped caring, the writers, the actors etc. 10 episodes were too much, it should have been 8 episodes at most.
2) I like a lot Vince Vaughn. I like watching him talk over and over, he is a great actor, with range. In BAD MONKEY he was "too Vince Vaughn". At some point, he was not even even funny, becoming a caricature of his self. Still, i never viewed him as a negative aspect of this tv show, he is so charismatic that he can turn a boring script into a passable one.
Rest of the actors did a good job as well. Good characters were likeable ( Ronald Peet, John Ortiz etc) and the others were a bit intriguing (Jodie Turner-Smith is charismatic enough to make me want to listen to her, even when her lines were flawed).
3) I gave it 6 stars because there were some positives and it was mostly a fun ride. However, it could have been better. It should have been darker or funnier, i mean, at some point, it was pointless and the characters just did random things, without being reasonable. I would be ok with this, as long it was funny.
I can't recommend it and i won't watch another season. 2024 is a terrible cinematic year but at least, there are a lot of very good tv shows to watch. BAD MONKEY is not among them.
Tulsa King (2022)
6.9/10. Good but overrated.
I have watched only the first season.
I love Stallone, i've been watching his movies since i was a child in the 80's. I even love this recent Neflix documentary about him (SLY). TULSA KING had a very good start, first episodes made me invest, i can't say it was great but i liked it a lot. Stallone was convincing against the odds, he's in his 70's but he made me believe everything about his character. But the other characters (side kicks, antagonists ets) were well written too. It never drags even for a minute, there's always something going on, intense scenes were very good, i liked the comedy element.
So, i was about to rate it higher but unfortunately, the last 3 episodes were a bit rushed and totally unrealistic, unlike the previous ones. Script became messy, all of a sudden, characters turned into caricatures. Especially in the last episode, nothing makes too sense. It was like watching a different show.
Still, it was entertaining even on its lowest.
And something else : I said that i liked the comic relief but i think this could have been better if it played out more like a drama. At some point, comedy kinda prevails and TULSA KING stopped taking itself too seriously. Stallone could have pulled it off, making this show more BREAKING BAD-esque. The ingredients were here, Taylor Sheridan, great actors, clever script.
I don't know if i am gonna watch the second season.
Alien: Romulus (2024)
6.6/10. Borderline recommendable.
Hype is not justified. This is slightly worse even than the COVENANT. And the COVENANT already was not a very good movie. I can see why it's a commercial success, there is a lot of action, action scenes are well directed and the whole second part of the movie is intense. But there's nothing more to it. Script is messy and chaotic. It's not well acted ( except the leading character). Actors are the opposite of charismatic, i could not even remember their faces. Not every actor should be beautiful or attractive of course, so many not good looking actors are great. But they had "personality". To be honest, i didn't even care about the fate of these characters. Not only the actors were not charismatic but even their characters were uninteresting and not well written.
Still, i gave it a good rating because Alvarez knows how to make a good horror movie and as i said previously, at least Cailee Spaeny was good enough to carry this movie on her shoulders. Even her character was well developed. Overall, build up was good. It's a 2 hours movie but it never got boring, even though the charcters were. I can't say i was on the edge of my seat, but i appreciated it. 2024 is the worst cinematic year of all time, after 2021. At least, ROMULUS is watchable, at worst.
L'attesa (2015)
5/10. Not recommended.
Too slow, borderline unwatchable. It's 100 minutes but it felt at least 150. It should have been at least 20 minutes shorter. The worst thing is that it plays like a mystery, and there are no mysteries here, even though director tries hard to make it a bit enigmatic and cryptic. If it was a "pure" drama movie, without the "mystery" element, it could have been a good, even great. Because there are positives here, it's well acted and well directed. Juliette Binoche is so charismatic that she almost turns this boredom into an interesting movie. Furthermore, cinematography is nice and overall, movie's technical aspects are above average.
Yet, it's a failure. This could have been good because Binoche's motives for doing what she did, are crystal clear to me. I understood what she's going through and why she behaves like this. But still, the mystery element is unnecessary.
Ending was great.
Joker: Folie à Deux (2024)
7.7/10. This is a very good movie, doesn't deserve all this hate.
So much hate for this movie. It's sad even though it's not surprising. There is so much hate that even a few good words about this would trigger a lot of people, but that's unimportant. What matters is honesty. So, this is my honest opinion.
1) In a way, Todd Phillips foreshadowed all this negative responses. There are some meta scenes here, it's like he knew JOKER 2 is gonna be hated from many people who loved the first movie. I can't prove it of course but i feel he empathized/identified with his leading character. So many people loved the Joker but not the person who he really is, under the disguise. This is not disrepect to the audience. This is Todd Philips who try to explain what this whole story is really about. And the whole story is about Arthur Fleck. And his personal tragedy.
2) Not gonna lie, i liked the first movie much more. I rated it as 8,7/10. I didn't want to watch something like this, as an epilogue. I would like to see Arthur outsmart them all, take revenge against his guards and destroy all the system. All of those who lead him on insanity and on his demise. I didn't want to watch something sad, i wanted to watch something insanely glorious and epic.
But i cannot not respect this daring and bold creative choice. In the first movie, this character was something like an anti-hero. It was so easy to be a villain here. But, he didn't. He became a hero instead. A true victim of circumstances who could ride the wave and cause chaos and mayhem, but in the final moment, he chose to turn the tide. He chose to get rid of his persona and reveal his true self. A sick and weak man who rejected the power and the "glory" because he wanted to make a new start. Of course, it was impossible. But this was still a brave "leap of faith".
Arthur Fleck is a true hero, something that Joker could never pull off. Some say that Todd Philips humiliate purposefully this character because he wanted to insult his fans from the first movie. What a delusional take. Is a victim to blame because some sadistic and disgusting guards tortured him? Fleck is a victim and instead of empathising with him, many viewers reject him. Exactly as his fans from the movie. Philips foreshadowed even this. No disrespect but i didn't expect something so brilliant from the director of HANGOVER.
3). So, this story is not a triumphant revenge. But a tragedy. Phoenix was great again. So many people cannot understand that this performance was 100 times more difficult than his performance in the previous movie. It's not difficult to play a man who goes insane. Literally, every mediocre actor can do it. It's way more difficult to be restrained. To show a character's struggle to get out of his personal abyss whereas he is still a sick person.
I don't even like Gaga as a person. But how could anyone say that she acted bad here? She did a good job, as a character who, like everyone, loved Joker but not Arthur.
4) There is a scene around in 50 minutes mark. Brendan Gleeson gave a cigarette to Phoenix. Phoenix felt as he was a friend of his and gave him a friendly tap in his back. Gleeson hated it and smacked him instantly on the back of his head, like he wanted to remind him that he is not a human being anymore.
This was an amazing/devastating scene but as many others, it won't be appreciated.
5) It's not a perfect movie. It shouldn't have so many musical scenes. I understand the reason, after all, Arthur was a performer. His goal was to entertain people. And there should be a distinction between the horrors of the real world and what was taking place inside his mind. But still, all this music was distracted.
6) Chaos and insanity will prevail. All the sensitivity and the rational thinking and the try to make sense in this cruel world, will be gone. Some think this is a revolution against the corruption and the filth of the elites. Elites are indeed corrupted and misanthropes. And this is exactly what they want. Insanity instead of reason. And order through chaos.
The Devil's Climb (2024)
7.4/10. Recommended.
I love watching documentaries like this. In the last years, i have watched THE ALPINIST/MERU/THE DAWN WALL etc, even a tv series named Edge of the Unknown (with Jimmy Chin). Of course, everything started with the glorious Free solo.
I admire very much Alex Honnold and the other people who engaged in this kind of activities. I love watching them breaking the "limits". THE DEVIL'S CLIMB is another good documentary, however, it is not as good as the aforementioned ones. It's less intense. I was still on the edge of my seat but not as much as with the other documentaries. I can't explain why, maybe it's more "polished"? Maybe ending was a bit abrupt. I can't tell.
In any case, every fan of those documentaries is gonna enjoy it, this is still beautiful to watch and these two guys are very likeable.
But i would like to say something else here : Please, stop doing it. Alex and Tommy and so many other people tested their limits, risked their lives, did the unthinkable. It was amazing but it has to stop. No need to tempt your fate anymore, you have nothing to prove anymore to anyone and to yourselves.
Chime (2024)
5/10. Not recommended.
Best part here: It's only 45 minutes. I can't even imagine the horror and the pain i would face if it was longer. And i don't mean, in a good way. Look, i respect Asian horror and there are some great movies. Of course, there are some great movies overall in which some things were unexplained. Some times, ambiguity is even necessary, all the mysteries don't need to be solved.
But, this was too much. This is so cryptic and enigmatic that made me don't care at all, i mean, who are those people and why they suffer? Why should i invest? I am not even sure it's cryptic, maybe there is nothing beneath the surface, maybe it's just a mess, this is too random to be called an enigma.
I gave it 5 stars because it's well acted and well directed. Visually, it's good, i can't rate lower a film when so many aspects of film making are above average.
But, that's it.
Phenomena (1985)
6/10. Watchable.
I wanted to like it more, i am almost sorry that i didn't give it a 7. But i can't recommend it. This is too disjointed and messy. At times, it was even difficult to watch because this is a 2 hours movie and it's difficult to watch such a long movie which is so chaotic.
Still, there are redeeming qualities. The soundtrack is great and the use of Iron Maiden song is spot on. Jennifer Connelly commands the screen, she's so sweet and innocent that make the viewer root for her and escape the dangers she has to face. Furthermore, it is entertaining. Most horror fans will probably enjoy it, as long as they know Dario Argento and his specific directorial style.
This should have been at least 15 minutes shorter and the writers should have tried harder. Of course you don't watch movies of this subgenre because you love well acted movies or because you want to get scared or for their realism. This is more of a dark fairy tale. However, as i said before, this is so disjointed/messy/incoherent that i couldn't enjoy it as much as i wanted to.
V/H/S/Beyond (2024)
6.2/10. Watchable.
For reference, these are my ratings for the previous movies of this franchise:
V/H/S : 7/10.
V/H/S 2: 7/10.
V/H/S VIRAL : 4/10
V/H/S 94 : 4/10
V/H/S 99: 6,4/10.
V/H/S/85 : 6,5/10.
So, if you strongly disagree with these ratings, my review won't be useful for you.
V/H/S/Beyond is uneven but that's not surprising, every movie of this franchise is. Most of the segments are about aliens but not all of them. It was a good creative choice, i mean, scifi horror is one of the most interesting horror subgenres. I wonder though what's coming next. In any case, i hope there are gonna be more sequels. V/H/S franchise is not groundbreaking neither great, but movies are overall enjoyable, minus VIRAL and 94 (Bad movies imo).
Best segment is probably the first with the cops, i liked it, it was intense and well directed. Furthermore, I liked a lot both the DREAM GIRL and the last one (Stowaway). DREAM GIRL is the most well acted and enjoyable segment, i loved this song. Not as intense as the other two, and it could have a better explanation about the nature of the villain, but it was a fun ride.
LIVE AND LET DIVE it was also a fun ride, but not very good. And the other segment with the dogs was by far the worst segment. I mean, come on, originality is great but not like this, it was dumb.
Overall, a good addition but the best moments here are not as good as the best moments of the two previous movies (99 and 85).