Film Reviews - what have you seen lately, what did you think?

[TLB]

Collateral Beauty (2016)


This has some pretty good actors (I do love Ed Norton, and the ladies were easy on the eyes). Premise is Will Smith was a vibrant leader who helped create an advertising group in NYC, very successful with a tight group of friends that helped him grow it. We find him 2y after his daughter (age 6) died of cancer and he's never recovered. He shows up to the office, but works with dominoes and doesn't do any real work anymore to the point where the firm is about to lose major clients, so his 'friends' seek to get him deemed unfit to vote his shares in selling the company to new buyers. Will had written three letters, one each to Time, Death, and Love full of anger and accusation over his daughter's death. The 'friends' (they are, they just have to act against him for their own reasons), enlist 3 actors to confront him, representing Time, Death, and Love which they hope to use to either snap him out of it or further prove he is unfit for controlling his shares. There are a few layers to this film which half will pick up on and see coming - I don't wish to spoil them, but I will say they were well planned and executed, tying the actors and the 'friends' to Will's character and each other. There's a fourth role, a woman running a grief recovery for parents who lost kids, who also gets a wrinkle in the story but it is very appropriate whether you see it coming or not. All in all, consider it 'not a comedy', but most certainly a semi-heavy film to help you deal with death of a child or at least see how one man did. The film itself is top quality, good writing, lighting, sets, dialogue, acting, etc. and it wraps up with a nice semi-twist at the end (open for your interpretation) that also fits well. 8/10

 

[Treebeard]

Birds of Prey: And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn -

This movie was a little messy and I can't put my finger on exactly what was wrong other than a few of the cast just were not up to snuff and DC just keeps throwing back stories out the window and have just decided to use these names and then make up stuff to go along with it.

As for most DC movies better luck next time. 6/10

I saw a meme, the gist of which was that the greatest villain the DC Universe needs to overcome is Rotten Tomatoes.

 

[TheDouglas78]

I saw a meme, the gist of which was that the greatest villain the DC Universe needs to overcome is Rotten Tomatoes.

HBOGo just upgraded to HBOMax, which includes, Cinemax, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, Turner Classic Movies, the Warner Bros libary including DC Network stuff. There is so much questionable hot garbage in those recent DC offerings. But they do have the two Michael Keaton Batman movies on it.

 

[TLB]

Fam watched Wonder Woman (wife and son's first time, I'd seen it at theaters. I think that's probably one of their best in the past decade, and still a cut below any mediocre Marvel films.

 

[gingerlover]

HBOGo just upgraded to HBOMax, which includes, Cinemax, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, Turner Classic Movies, the Warner Bros libary including DC Network stuff. There is so much questionable hot garbage in those recent DC offerings. But they do have the two Michael Keaton Batman movies on it.

A lot of the direct to DVD animated stuff they have put out is pretty good. Which is sad when you think about how they are better than the big budget movies.

 

[TheDouglas78]

A lot of the direct to DVD animated stuff they have put out is pretty good. Which is sad when you think about how they are better than the big budget movies.

Some of those are on DC Network on the App. Have already watched the Teen Titans Go and DC Superhero girls stuff with my daughter. Which is superior to anything I have seen in the theaters (other than Teen Titians go to the movie which was in theaters).

 

[gingerlover]

Some of those are on DC Network on the App. Have already watched the Teen Titans Go and DC Superhero girls stuff with my daughter. Which is superior to anything I have seen in the theaters (other than Teen Titians go to the movie which was in theaters).

Check out some of the Batman and Justice League ones. There is a reason they are rated R even if animated.

 

[GatorJ]

Collateral Beauty (2016)


This has some pretty good actors (I do love Ed Norton, and the ladies were easy on the eyes). Premise is Will Smith was a vibrant leader who helped create an advertising group in NYC, very successful with a tight group of friends that helped him grow it. We find him 2y after his daughter (age 6) died of cancer and he's never recovered. He shows up to the office, but works with dominoes and doesn't do any real work anymore to the point where the firm is about to lose major clients, so his 'friends' seek to get him deemed unfit to vote his shares in selling the company to new buyers. Will had written three letters, one each to Time, Death, and Love full of anger and accusation over his daughter's death. The 'friends' (they are, they just have to act against him for their own reasons), enlist 3 actors to confront him, representing Time, Death, and Love which they hope to use to either snap him out of it or further prove he is unfit for controlling his shares. There are a few layers to this film which half will pick up on and see coming - I don't wish to spoil them, but I will say they were well planned and executed, tying the actors and the 'friends' to Will's character and each other. There's a fourth role, a woman running a grief recovery for parents who lost kids, who also gets a wrinkle in the story but it is very appropriate whether you see it coming or not. All in all, consider it 'not a comedy', but most certainly a semi-heavy film to help you deal with death of a child or at least see how one man did. The film itself is top quality, good writing, lighting, sets, dialogue, acting, etc. and it wraps up with a nice semi-twist at the end (open for your interpretation) that also fits well. 8/10

I’ve seen this movie three times. One of the few times a movie has choked me up. Will is superb in this movie. I think it’s the best acting job Will Smith has ever done

 

[TheDouglas78]

ZombieLand: Double Tap (2019): I wanted this movie to be good, or just as fun as the last one. This movie felt like they tried too hard to be funny. A number of cameos that show up and disappear. It was funny enough, but lost all of what made the first one memorable. Rosario Dawson is hot in this movie even the Mrses mentioned it more than once. There was a lot of set up but just felt the whole thing was trying to hard to recapture the original's magic. I give it a 5.5/10... funny enough but wouldn't go out of my way to watch again.

ThreatMatrix Matrix: No Boobs or ass... could have used some.

Hotel Artemis (2018): The previews made it look like a world similar to the John Wick Movies, but focused on the business side not the individual. The movie and the premise of the movie started strong, a hospital for only criminals who are paid members. The characters are pretty interesting, until they starting to try to go into the back story of the nurse. The movie first two acts are build up, and their third act completely schits the bed. I didn't care about the nurse or her back story, and the whole movie end with a thud. I would give it a 4/10... the ending really fcks this movie up.

ThreatMatrix Matrix: No boobs or ass, but it would have helped.

 

[TLB]

Okja (2017) <Netflix>

Recent film by Bong Joon Ho (lot of decent movies, most recently Parasite). Cast has some young Korean girl who does her role well, Tilda Swinton as the primary villain, and Jake Gyllenhaal in a supporting role. Plot revolves around Swinton running a large meat packing company and sending their 26 best baby piglets out to the world for a 10y contest on who can grow the best pig. One piglet ends up in the remote mountains of Korea with this young girl and her grandfather where the kid and pig (Okja) become great friends. 10y comes up, and Jake is playing some aenimic version of Crocodile Dundee checking out all the pigs to see which would win the prize as 'best pig'. Honestly Jake's role is somewhat small, and performed horribly in my eyes. It is as if he is trying to mock the role, and even screws that up. Tilde is the heartless corporate boss, rich and snooty overall. Maybe they got her on the cheap, idunno, but someone could have done it meaner, harder, and likely for less. The film revolves around Okja being taken to NY for the contest, Mija (the girl) trying to rescue her and bring her home. Roll in a team of mid-20 somethings under the umbrella of ALF (Animal Liberation Front) working to help Mija - the team has some semi-cute actors, cute names, several comedic roles in scenes, but one more underwhelming factor in the film. I leave you with three main takeaways

• There is a not-at-all-subtle effort to hide the face of the evil older sister of the corporate meanie. So obvious, you guess it as soon as they mention there is a sister. The reveal, if intended to be an 'Oh!' moment is more like a wet fart.
• The star of the film is Okja, all done with CGI and appears very believable and realistic. Even in scenes required direct interaction with the live actors. This was the only thing really done well in the film.
• Overall, the film can't decide between being a kid friendly film (it isn't, there are pig sex and slaughter references kids should not be exposed to) or a political statement about animal rights (while being a strong film theme, this is undermined by the childish scenes, acting, and storyline). It fails at achieving either in any meaningful way. 2/10

ThreatMatrix: One CGI nipple on the pig. Hope it was worth it.

 

[Gatordiddy]

I'll have to get back to you....currently searching for a Wind River torrent to download....

Were you successful at finding Wind River?

 

[TLB]

Were you successful at finding Wind River?

YES! Will likely get to it this weekend.

 

[gingerlover]

ZombieLand: Double Tap (2019): I wanted this movie to be good, or just as fun as the last one. This movie felt like they tried too hard to be funny. A number of cameos that show up and disappear. It was funny enough, but lost all of what made the first one memorable. Rosario Dawson is hot in this movie even the Mrses mentioned it more than once. There was a lot of set up but just felt the whole thing was trying to hard to recapture the original's magic. I give it a 5.5/10... funny enough but wouldn't go out of my way to watch again.

ThreatMatrix Matrix: No Boobs or ass... could have used some.

Hotel Artemis (2018): The previews made it look like a world similar to the John Wick Movies, but focused on the business side not the individual. The movie and the premise of the movie started strong, a hospital for only criminals who are paid members. The characters are pretty interesting, until they starting to try to go into the back story of the nurse. The movie first two acts are build up, and their third act completely schits the bed. I didn't care about the nurse or her back story, and the whole movie end with a thud. I would give it a 4/10... the ending really fcks this movie up.

ThreatMatrix Matrix: No boobs or ass, but it would have helped.

Spot on about both of those. I thought the same things. Zombieland fell into the trap of trying to hard to be funny in the sequals (looking at you Hangover series) and Hotel Artemis was sad because somehow Batista was it's most interesting character.

 

[GatorJ]

ZombieLand: Double Tap (2019): I wanted this movie to be good, or just as fun as the last one. This movie felt like they tried too hard to be funny. A number of cameos that show up and disappear. It was funny enough, but lost all of what made the first one memorable. Rosario Dawson is hot in this movie even the Mrses mentioned it more than once. There was a lot of set up but just felt the whole thing was trying to hard to recapture the original's magic. I give it a 5.5/10... funny enough but wouldn't go out of my way to watch again.

ThreatMatrix Matrix: No Boobs or ass... could have used some.

Hotel Artemis (2018): The previews made it look like a world similar to the John Wick Movies, but focused on the business side not the individual. The movie and the premise of the movie started strong, a hospital for only criminals who are paid members. The characters are pretty interesting, until they starting to try to go into the back story of the nurse. The movie first two acts are build up, and their third act completely schits the bed. I didn't care about the nurse or her back story, and the whole movie end with a thud. I would give it a 4/10... the ending really fcks this movie up.

ThreatMatrix Matrix: No boobs or ass, but it would have helped.

hotel Artemis was dog shyt. So much potential.

 

[TLB]

Busy start to the weekend....

Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)

I'd never seen it, but wanted to someday. We chose a night while the son (11) is away. My daughter (14) heard the time warp song and had been wanting to see the movie. As we settle in, I explain that the wife will come away wondering wtf she watched, my daughter will likely love it, and I'll come away at least knowing what it is all about. I've primed my daughter with tales of the midnight showings with live festivities, of which I'd heard but never seen for myself, so she was a little more interested. Story, for those that don't know, is Brad & Janet get engaged following their friend's wedding, and head off to meet an old professor friend. Along the way, they get a flat tire, wander to the nearest house in the middle of nowhere, get taken in and lost in a never ending parade of songs all hosted by Tim Curry as Dr. Frank N Furter. This happens to be the special anniversary night, Dr. has made a monster (named Rocky Horror), we have a slight interruption with Meatloaf busting out of cold storage to sing a song and get killed. Guests leave, Brad & Janet stay in separate rooms, and while I won't spoil things further, I'll say corruption abounds thanks to the Dr. We wrap up with more songs and a big face off between the Maid&Butler (brother and sister) vs Dr., from which Brad & Janet get released and some head back home to their planet of Transexual Transylvania. So, film ends, wife asks wtf did she just watch; daughter says she loved it and wants the soundtrack and will move it up there with Ferris Beuhler on her list of favorites. Me? I came away expecting something worse, hoping for something better, but at least able to say I've seen it now. 6/10.

ThreatMatrix: Underwear, that's about it. Usually women's, usually on men.

 

[TLB]

The Gentlemen (2019)

Up to expectations for a Guy Ritchie film. With lead Mathew M as a weed king of England who built the empire from nothing and is now looking to sell and retire. Word gets out a bit, competitors look to make moves, and we have a clever quick paced story unfolding a bit at a time filled with a colorful array of characters. Not too quick that you get lost at all, put in a few good twists, add in some good supporting cast (Colin Farrel as coach is nicely done). The only bit that threw me was I'm not used to watching an Asian actor with an English accent, but you get used to it. The wife was great too. If you liked his other films, you'll love this. Even if you aren't familiar with his other films, this will entertain. 8/10.

ThreatMatrix: Nothing. Still a good flick.

 

[TLB]

Wind River (2017)

Jeremy Renner plays a Fish&WIldlife officer in Wyoming tracking a lion that's been killing livestock when he discovers a dead girl on an Indian Reservation. In comes Elizabeth Olsen as an FBI agent quickly in over her head, relying on Renner for both tracking and general survival. The story itself moves slow, but doesn't feel like a drag as it's building the sense of life on the reservation and dealing with life in Wyoming. Olsen's role bothered me a bit, given I'm not used to her being so overwhelmed, but she carries it well enough. Renner truly carries the film, both in bringing the human connection to the locals and in protecting Olsen. Closing note gives the feel of a social message about the reservations, and everything leading up to that paints life on the reservation as hard without overstating it. Story moves along with beautiful scenery, realistic, even up to the introduction of a handful of late introduction characters halfway thru to give us a final act. It didn't stick out in any particular way, just carried thru and delivered. Though, I never have an issue witching Ms. Olsen. 7/10

ThreatMatrix: Nothing to see here.

 

[TLB]

The Aviator (2004)

A young Leonardo DiCaprio as Howard Hughes, runs nearly 3h in length. Iirc, it wasn't all that well received at the time. Yes, a cinematic opus, but considered too long at the time. Having watched it, I have to agree. It went to great depth to explore the life and mind of Hughes, as a child of wealth looking to make his mark on the world - through film, through industry. He's shown as someone stubborn, wanting what he wants, but also a man coming apart through is own OCD afflictions and inability to truly trust the world his eyes and ears are bringing him. Aeronautical genius, to the point of failing arrogance. Desperate for a person to connect to, to trust, and unable to be such a person himself. Leo does the role very well throughout. There is a bit of romance with Kate Hepburn (Cate Blanchett), and friendship, through which she does her role quite well. I am sitting here with 35min left, and I"m wishing this was over. Maybe if someone was a Leo fan, or a Hughes fan, maybe they'd enjoy it. Despite a fistful of known actors doing well at their roles, I just can't recommend this one. Ok, movie is over - last hour has been him just being a crazy recluse mixed with a brief bit of him fighting back against Senate hearings. Less than meh. 3/10.


ThreatMatrix: Nada. He gropes one lady breast, but it stays in the dress.

 

[TheDouglas78]

Busy start to the weekend....

Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)

I'd never seen it, but wanted to someday. We chose a night while the son (11) is away. My daughter (14) heard the time warp song and had been wanting to see the movie. As we settle in, I explain that the wife will come away wondering wtf she watched, my daughter will likely love it, and I'll come away at least knowing what it is all about. I've primed my daughter with tales of the midnight showings with live festivities, of which I'd heard but never seen for myself, so she was a little more interested. Story, for those that don't know, is Brad & Janet get engaged following their friend's wedding, and head off to meet an old professor friend. Along the way, they get a flat tire, wander to the nearest house in the middle of nowhere, get taken in and lost in a never ending parade of songs all hosted by Tim Curry as Dr. Frank N Furter. This happens to be the special anniversary night, Dr. has made a monster (named Rocky Horror), we have a slight interruption with Meatloaf busting out of cold storage to sing a song and get killed. Guests leave, Brad & Janet stay in separate rooms, and while I won't spoil things further, I'll say corruption abounds thanks to the Dr. We wrap up with more songs and a big face off between the Maid&Butler (brother and sister) vs Dr., from which Brad & Janet get released and some head back home to their planet of Transexual Transylvania. So, film ends, wife asks wtf did she just watch; daughter says she loved it and wants the soundtrack and will move it up there with Ferris Beuhler on her list of favorites. Me? I came away expecting something worse, hoping for something better, but at least able to say I've seen it now. 6/10.

ThreatMatrix: Underwear, that's about it. Usually women's, usually on men.

Asked Mrs Dougie to marry me the night we saw a live production of this by the local theater... One of her favorites.

 

[ThreatMatrix]

Busy start to the weekend....

Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)

I'd never seen it, but wanted to someday. We chose a night while the son (11) is away. My daughter (14) heard the time warp song and had been wanting to see the movie. As we settle in, I explain that the wife will come away wondering wtf she watched, my daughter will likely love it, and I'll come away at least knowing what it is all about. I've primed my daughter with tales of the midnight showings with live festivities, of which I'd heard but never seen for myself, so she was a little more interested. Story, for those that don't know, is Brad & Janet get engaged following their friend's wedding, and head off to meet an old professor friend. Along the way, they get a flat tire, wander to the nearest house in the middle of nowhere, get taken in and lost in a never ending parade of songs all hosted by Tim Curry as Dr. Frank N Furter. This happens to be the special anniversary night, Dr. has made a monster (named Rocky Horror), we have a slight interruption with Meatloaf busting out of cold storage to sing a song and get killed. Guests leave, Brad & Janet stay in separate rooms, and while I won't spoil things further, I'll say corruption abounds thanks to the Dr. We wrap up with more songs and a big face off between the Maid&Butler (brother and sister) vs Dr., from which Brad & Janet get released and some head back home to their planet of Transexual Transylvania. So, film ends, wife asks wtf did she just watch; daughter says she loved it and wants the soundtrack and will move it up there with Ferris Beuhler on her list of favorites. Me? I came away expecting something worse, hoping for something better, but at least able to say I've seen it now. 6/10.

ThreatMatrix: Underwear, that's about it. Usually women's, usually on men.

Seeing Rocky Horror for the first time is probably in my top 10 life memories. I was 16 so it was one of the first adultish things I did. Took my girlfriend to see it with her older sister and friends. Somewhere in the San Marco area of jax? It was the complete audience participation experience. Throwing toast, rice, toilet paper and squirt guns. The theater was a mess. Being 16 I had never seen anything like it of course. I'll watch it when it comes on TV but I can't imagine how it comes across for anyone that didn't experience it in the moment when it was kind of underground and subversive.

TLB: There is a nipple that pokes out in a ripped shirt on one of the girls. I have a talent for spotting these things.