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Ma (2019)
See it for Octavia if nothing else.
As a Horror/Revenge flick fan, you won't find much new with this one. The characters don't all get much of comeuppance. It has a satisfying payoff with the awful adult characters though I would have been happy to see a few of the teens bumped off. Octavia Spencer delivers a terrifying performance though not surprising in my opinion because I always found her talent and range impressive.
This movie gives the impression that all teens nowadays are cruel, drunk, and horny scumbags and most of these characters had few redeemable qualities. Even the main character, Maggie, seemed one-dimensional and gullible. As the parents of these kids are basically portrayed as mirror images of them, we see that the parents get what they deserve while their kids get a second chance in the end. This movie is all together fun and entertaining so if you enjoy horror and films with Octavia Spencer then this is worth your time.
Vivarium (2019)
A Twilight Zone/Stephen King style story that you can't help but interpret.
Vivarium seems like a film you wouldn't expect much of if you here the synopsis but as you begin you can't help but wonder what type of lesson this film will teach you. The couple, Tom and Gemma, begin their descent into an odd predicament early in the film as it does not give much exposition into their relationship. The situation already feels strange even before they become lost driving in their car and trying to leave the housing development. When they can't find their way out, I was reminded of Children of the Corn where the couple was in a similar situation. The story continues to build as newer things happen as they are isolated at the house.
My theories of this film are that it may be a commentary about how people really feel about their predictable, domestic existences or the couple's situation is a metaphor for socialism. We also see a glimpse of Gemma's backstory which causes the viewer to further think about the film's message. If you are into movies which make you think and try to interpret the events then this is a film you should try.
I Love You, You Hate Me (2022)
A gripping documentary that exposes the true existence of evil in our world.
Going into this, I thought it would be just an interesting dive into the origins of Barney and the armies of annoyed grown-ups which resulted. What this truly is is an examination of the hearts of people and how the worst of us find reasons to hate and trample things we don't understand. Adults fostered an unnecessary hatred for a fictional entity when no one ever forced them to turn the channel and watch Barney. I was entering high school when I first heard of Barney so it didn't appeal to me. Even though I found it a bit annoying, I knew I all I had to do was not watch it. I had the same attitude toward Harry Potter. I wasn't militantly against kids reading stories about witchcraft but it just did not appeal to me.
This mini-series highlights the bad attitudes grown people had towards Barney as well as the urban legends that went with them. Barney taught children many important things in life such as love, caring, and unselfishness and this doc reminds us that something so pure can make people look for hidden evil even if it isn't there. The most gripping point of this documentary is when Steven from Blues Clues looks at the camera and asks "Who was your Barney?" Many of us had a Barney growing up whether or not it was Barney himself. I pity those who didn't.
M3GAN (2022)
Fun Sci Fi thriller and and morality tale
M3GAN is easy to expect as a Child's Play rip off that is a cross with The Terminator but there is a deeper commentary to all of it. We're presented with characters that are not really likeable. The main protagonist, Gemma, is a physically attractive and intelligent engineer who seems heavily wrapped up in her work and has no apparent romantic life or close friends. She is tasked with taking in her surviving niece after her sister and brother-in-law have died in a car accident. Her niece is a typical screen-addicted and over-privileged modern kid whom Gemma doesn't seem to try to connect with which is where M3GAN comes in. As a viewer you're supposed to find the characters bland and shallow except for M3GAN. M3GAN's brilliance and convincing portrayal of a human-like character makes the viewer root for her more than the others.
Yes this film follows a patterned plot like Child's Play but the kill scenes are more clever and less predictable. This is a movie that many people need to see as a wake up call regarding how we've let technology isolate us keep us from enjoying the depths of love and friendship.
Murdaugh Murders: A Southern Scandal (2023)
Intriguing docuseries with more speculation than convincing evidence
I just saw this short series of 3 episodes and it is quite informative and well-produced. If you are a true crime buff and don't know the ins and outs of the Murdaugh story then this will truly fill you in. This features many of the acquaintances of Paul Murdaugh who were a part of his entourage and experienced the tragedy of the boat crash which claimed the life of Mallory Beach. It's honestly hard to sympathize with these former friends of his knowing they continued to hang out and drink underage with a reckless jerk who had already crashed a vehicle drunk with them before.
This series overall gives the viewer an idea of the corruption of this family and sort of paints them as the Kennedys of the South. It makes one have good cause to suspect that Alex Murdaugh did kill his wife and son. However, I feel like the suspicion connecting the Murdaughs to the other deaths doesn't have any solid basis other than small town rumors which have come to light. Coming from a small town in Texas, I have experienced firsthand the ease of which asinine rumors can go around about some things despite being able to testify to the opposite.
Don't Pick Up the Phone (2022)
Intriguing account of deception!
I came across this on Netflix in the past week long after I had seen the movie Compliance, which is based on these events. What I didn't know is that what happened in Compliance was (although highly accurate) was only one of many incidents which happened that were perpetrated by the same person or persons for all I know. It is astounding to find out that so many people could fall for a trick like this. It is also scary to find out that not enough people apparently know their rights enough to avoid this. I hope this docu-series is seen by enough people to wake them up.
This series did a good job of highlighting the hard work put in by the investigators and my hat's off to Buddy Stump for all his work. I think that every victim should have gotten equal justice and I was happy for Louise Ogborn because she seemed to undergo the worst abuse. I hope the sympathy this series managed to generate would help in preventing incidents like this in the future. I'm not sure about the guilt of David Stewart because the investigators seemed not be able to make a clear connection between the calling cards he bought and the calls made. Hopefully, the fact that he was eventually caught and tried would serve as a stark warning to him and others.
A Friend of the Family (2022)
Emotionally compelling portrayal of an unbelievable event
This mini-series is a well executed telling of the events which befell an apparently good but very naive family in the mid-1970s. The whole story from beginning to end is as colorful as the Pacific Northest settings where it takes place. The acting in this well-casted production really gives the viewer a great picture of the pain and heartache experienced by the Brobergs and the inner struggle experienced by Jan throughout her entire brainwashing and manipulation. Jake Lacy resurrected the false charm and conniving abilities of Bob Berchtold while Colin Hanks showed us a picture of Bob Broberg and the personal pain of distraught father and conflicted husband.
The other cast such as McKenna Grace, Anna Pacquin, and Lio Tipton really complement the aforementioned actors making this a dramatic machine. The pacing does seem to drag at some points because B's mentioning of "the Mission" is like a broken record sometimes. This film serves as a cautionary tale regarding who you choose to trust and I think this story's telling is way overdue. The Broberg's gullibility is pathetic but the time and place and person has to be considered. This is happening at a time when pedophilia was hardly heard about and before kids were showing up on milk cartons. Also, a white family man in the Mormon community established trust rather easily with those in his church. If this was happening back then, it can easily happen again today.
Barbarian (2022)
Anything but predictable
Barbarian is a wild ride that gives the impression of what its going to be starting out but literally leads you down a deeper rabbit hole. The acting is great and the cinematography slowly leads you to question the otherwise normal appearance of the house around which these characters' existence revolves. Once you move from one character's scene to another, you won't want to turn it off.
As I mentioned before, some viewers might find the beginning a little slow but don't let this fool you. The main protagonist is easy to take interest in after the first few scenes while Justin Long is great as a well known actor whose reputation is suddenly in danger. Long's character is the owner of the house and he arrives later further adding depth to the neighborhood's backstory.
The gore factor is quite high and there is much violence. Other elements in this film may be hard for squeamish viewers but if you think you can handle it, I'd recommend this one.
Keep This Between Us (2022)
Part of an important message that needs to be heard but flawed in execution.
This docu-series is truly eye-opening and does well to call attention to a disturbing trend that, unsurprising to me, has been going on for some time. I could relate well with this doc because the central story happened in rural Texas, a culture I'm very familiar with. Grooming teenagers sexually in schools is a problem that seems to happen often under our noses. While I believe that the teachers doing this need to be exposed and held accountable, I don't believe that we should gloss over any responsibility the victims might have had in the situations. The filmmaker, Cheryl, doesn't seem to claim any responsibility for her part in the affair with her teacher. He did manipulate her as a teenager but it seems that she, if no one else, should have realized "this isn't right and he's a married man". She allowed this affair to carry on into her early 20s. I realize a young person's brain isn't fully developed until early to mid 20s but it seems that an alarm should have sounded at some point. I'm glad that the girl Heaven in Miami was able to share her story but I think this doc should have been expanded to include other accounts.
I do not believe that Tom Warrick was not sexually involved with any students as he claims. From looking at the photos, there seemed to be at least some boundaries pushed. As someone who works with young people, I would not spend much unnecessary time outside the classroom with them much less be photographed shirtless with them under my arm in bathing suits. The comments (by a white woman) about the toxicity of white men being in charge were inappropriate and irrelevant to the topic at hand. All together, this was a well-meant attempt to uncover a serious matter though I believe more time and scrutiny could have been used in the production.
Andor (2022)
A lot more talk and lot less action.
I have to be honest and say that this series has so far been dry and slow as well as lacking in what we usually get in a Star Wars product. I have given it a chance so far and while I can't stand Michael Bay-type movies that have too much action with little story to tie it together, this series seems to lack the action to balance everything. That may be okay with a straight drama but it doesn't fit my expectations for Star Wars.
I expected also more exposition into the influence of the Empire and their oppression that leads to the birth of the rebellion. Instead, we see the interactions of different characters in whom are hard to take interest. Because its Star Wars I am generous with my rating but I hope to see better output as the series moves forward.
Luckiest Girl Alive (2022)
Captivating drama that sheds light on the less-mentioned truths.
This movie really sheds light on the hidden truths and secret lives of people we often envy and too often assume have everything together. The character of Ani is really an unlikeable person who lies and flips out on her well-meaning fiance. We already know that Ani has survived a well-known school shooting as a teenager and she is accused of having had something to do with the shooting. Knowing this, it is easier to reserve judgment for Ani and we want to get to the root of her personal pain. Ani is a person whom we see everyday and find it easy to write off instead of trying to understand they are simply people probably with more pain than us.
This movie is well acted by everyone involved as my main draw to this was Mila Kunis and Connie Britton was great as Ani's detestable stage-parent mother. I would say this might be predictable in some ways but it does make you think more about other people and it may make you think about some aspects of yourself.
Monsters (2022)
Compelling watch that was informative on all levels.
The Jeffrey Dahmer Story is an amazingly done series that turns over every stone to help the viewer create their own theory on why Dahmer was the way he was as well as exposing the carelessness of some which certainly led to him continuing to do his awful deeds. We see Dahmer as a teenager already realizing that something is wrong with him and that he needs help. Because of his father's inability to see his cry for help, Dahmer is able to keep navigating his life and struggle due to alcoholism and begin to feed his bloodlust in secret.
The acting in this series is superb from Evan Peters, who portrays the character of Dahmer flawlessly and convincingly as well as Richard Jenkins portraying Lionel Dahmer. Jenkins is one of my favorite character actors and he really makes you empathize with Mr. Dahmer. Most impressive is Niecy Nash's portrayal of Glenda Cleveland. It's hard to believe that Nash went from a mediocre comedy like Reno 911! To this.
There is, of course much social propoganda some of which makes sense but I'm not sure all of it fits the accuracy of the events surrounding Dahmer's misdeeds. I don't buy that Dahmer preyed specifically on blacks. I think this was circumstantial based on the neighborhood he was in. The carelessness of police and possible neglect of black victims portrayed here serves well as a morality tale telling us that we can do better as a society. As a mental health professional who desires to keep learning, I definitely recommend this series if you want a deeper understanding of the person and mind of Dahmer.
Prey (2022)
A worthy entry into the series though the angle may not be for everyone.
PREY is definitely a new compliment to the Predator franchise and certainly a good turn from the mess that was The Predator. It may require a second viewing, for me anyway, to be fully appreciated. Native American history and the 1700s setting just don't grip me like the typically modern-day Predator films we're used to. I was hoping a connection would be made to Billy from the first film because this is about a Comanche tribe but we don't see it.
The characters and plot are well-written and the actors fit into their roles very well. Wonderful cinematography puts you into the setting as well as mirroring history of that time. I'm no expert but it seems the writers did well to be accurate to the times. Don't expect any A-list stars in this one though I feel that is usually not necessary. The lead girl's drawn out battle with this predator lends believability to her eventual victory over it. This film could be appreciated by those who aren't Predator fans especially if they have interest in Indian lore.
Where the Crawdads Sing (2022)
Brilliant and heartwarming mystery
"Where the Crawdads Sing" is a film that knows how to attach you the main character of Kya from her beginnings as a precious child to growing into a beautiful lone young woman. I immediately was glued to this character and was able to feel the pain and joy she experienced with every scene. Kya has to suffer the cruel judgment from the townspeople along with moments of heartbreak involving 2 different young men. I went into it mainly expecting a mystery but .this is much deeper than that. The different layered storytelling style really puts the audience on the side of Kya knowing whether she's innocent or guilty, she wasn't in the wrong. Though there's no nudity, I think some of the romantic scenes were overdone as if the audience needed to know they were having sex. The hotel room scene was necessary though because it gives us the distinction between the true love from Tate and Chase's strictly physical pursuits.
I do not often see movies in the theater anymore due to lower quality these days but this film is definitely a must-see especially if you want mystery wrapped in romance. It should also leave you with a warm feeling about life and people.
American Underdog (2021)
Inspirational lesson in never giving up.
This film gives us a thorough summary of Kurt Warner's life and struggles on and off the field along with a glimpse into his personality as a gentle and loving stepfather and the family man he later becomes. Kurt and Brenda's faith in God is mentioned but not overbearingly. Whether or not you like it that's part of it.
Warner's story is inspiring whether you are a football fan or not as this movie only emphasizes the football aspect of his life equally with his personal life. This film brings an excellent cast including Dennis Quaid, Adam Baldwin, Anna Paquin and Bruce McGill. I think a better job could have been done for Paquin's hairstyle as it looked atrocious IMO but I'm probably not the only one who thinks that.
Old (2021)
Enjoyable film that has you wondering where Shayamalan will take you this time.
If you have seen most or all of Shayamalan's work, you know most are good with a few misses. This one is more on the good side though not his best IMO. I felt myself immediately following the main family and trying to take in their story but knowing what kind of movies this is, I knew I needed to pay attention. It isn't very long before the family arrives on the mysterious island after we've learned some of the backstory and were set up for the plot.
The chaos begins soon with the death of a hot skinny dipper and the craziness snowballs from there. The adults age toward senility and death while the grade school age kids rapidly grow to adulthood from beginning to end. All the while you follow these characters as they try to unravel the mystery. Old.is a fun film and kept me interested the whole way through. Any Shayamalan fan should find this enjoyable especially if they're familiar with his style.
I'm Thinking of Ending Things (2020)
Be prepared to think!
I agreed to watch this movie with 2 other friends as we agreed on a thriller. One friend mentioned that this movie would be slow paced through much of it. I agreed to watch it anyway and by the midpoint I was hooked. From the get-go you have to pay attention to every detail and bit of dialogue. As the couple travel to his parents' house you wonder if they're even on an actual road. When you think you're starting to figure this out the film throws another curve at you.
When it ended my friends and I threw out our own theories behind the story and still can't figure out anything conclusive. It has a feel to it like David Lynch's "Twin Peaks" or "Lost Highway". If you need a movie to spoon feed you everything then this is not for you. Even if you like a thinking man's movie you'll be challenged with this.
It has it's funny moments and good acting especially from Toni Collette who is good in just about everything. If you appreciate artful directing and visuals then you will also like this.
What Is a Woman? (2022)
Eye-opening and scary exposé
No matter your opinion on gender issues, This documentary will give you a well informed look at this topic how it has affected different people. You'll also see the ways in which this is being exploited for profit and hear interviews from people on both sides of the aisle. Some of this is shocking as well as humorous and Matt Walsch does a good job of keeping your attention.
2000 Mules (2022)
Give it a chance and make your own judgment.
No matter what side you are on, it never hurts to look at information and decide what you will believe. I, as an American, think we should be careful what we believe and never take the word of the media and politicians at face value.
This film provides compelling video evidence as well as expert testimony to give us an understanding of how the 2020 election may have very well been stolen. The information can go over your head in some places so it helps to pay attention. Dinesh D'Souza also brings together a group of commentators who weigh in their opinions regarding the validity of Biden's 2020 victory. I admit I have little familiarity with technical stuff or the subject of this film but I have to trust the D'Souza is bringing us credible and valid data. This goes back to my main point, just watch it and decide for yourself.
Candy (2022)
Great acting lights up this drama about everyday life
I took interest in this portrayal of the Betty Gore murder as a true crime enthusiast and knowing that this incident happened in my home state of Texas. The hotel where Candy and Allen had their hookups is along my old commute to work. The story is intriguing and actually not well known even in Texas apart from a 1990 made-for-tv movie.
This series is well-acted by a well-chosen cast that, along with the accuracy of cerca 1980 fashion and tech, makes you feel like you're in that time. It is definitely a"slow burn" and doesn't leave you with a lot of excitement. However, you have to remember that you're looking at the events of everyday Texas suburbanites when a tragedy happens. If you are intrigued with true crime, especially a story as bizarre as this one, take time out to see Candy.
Captive Audience (2022)
See this as a psychological study and not true crime
I think many of the low reviews for this are coming from people who expected something different than what this is trying to do. I think this series is trying to piece together how Steven Stayner's kidnapping and return along with the media attention had a psychological effect on Cary Stayner and possibly led him to become a murderer.
I think the psychological aspects of this incident and how the family was impacted are where the director wants the viewer's attention. We see this in how Kay Stayner describes her husband's opposition to therapy for Steven. The 1989 made for TV movie mentioned in this also alludes to the extra attention given Steven and seemingly taken form Cary. I also think that having the actors from that movie reading the scripted lines was an artistic move. Many are saying it is pretentious but the actual people aren't available to speak for themselves.
Cobra Kai (2018)
Best spinoff ever made!
This show, in my opinion, has not ceased to blow me away. You don't really have to see the original movies to like this but as someone who grew up with them, this series is a great love letter to them. It contains return appearances by most of the significant heroes and villians of the original films. It also brings me back to the simplicity of the 80s and shows how far we've fallen in values since that time compared to now.
Every episode is well written and characters and events typically tie into eachother for a well developed plot.
This is overall a family-friendly show as with the movies with more violent but well-choreographed fight scenes and a very occasional utterance of the F-bomb. Most of the teen characters in this show are wholesome and we don't see them trying to get high or get laid all the time.
If you want to see a clean, fun drama for young and old, this series is a must-see.
Scream (2022)
Decent Scream film but doesn't stand out
It's my tradition to see any new Scream film in the theater since Scream 2 so I went and saw this a few days after release. I was hoping for more elaborate death scenes (a beheading or 2) but this one just gives more stabbing. This one, like others these days, had to bring us an affirmative action cast of characters. The protagonist here appeared to be of Latin heritage with a white boyfriend (seemingly) helping her out. Her sister survives the first attack and her friends include one white guy and girl as well as a half-black guy (who's dating the white girl of course). The rest of the friend group is an Asian girl who is a lesbian and makes out with another girl in the group.
Anyway, enough on the woke casting choice although this movie acknowledges this trend in "re-quel" movies (which I think is a clever term) as this entry does the same as the predecessors deconstructing and satiring the trends in horror movies of this generation. This Scream does a great job in that department.
This sequel honors the legacy characters like Sydney, Gail, and Dewey with a reference to Billy Loomis. Dewey's death is hard to buy when you come to the end and find out who his killer is. The other killer was not much shock at all and I'm actually surprised I was suspicious of the right person. Overall, this is worth a watch but you should stream it for less.
Run Hide Fight (2020)
Enjoyable yet far-fetched in some ways
This movie was suspenseful and keeps you interested and entertained. This was all together well written and I think the plot is unique with school shooters attempting live stream. The lead actress is great but the character she portrays seems annoying and unbelievable. I think some of her actions would have led to more deaths in a real life situation. The teen Die Hard angle sort of takes away the believability.
Tom Jane (whom Ive enjoyed since The Punisher) stars as her dad. Jane is an under appreciated actor so its always good to see him in things. The other actors were amazing as well which made for a good lower budget film. Despite the flaws, its worth the time.