AfricanBro Reviews

Atlas (2024)

Peace to the fallen

[4/10 · 30 May 2024]

I went into this with low expectations. I watched it because there's huge posters in several subway stations; so I thought if I didn't see it, all the time spent staring at those walls while waiting for my train would've been a waste lol.

The movie started off pretty cliché, both in premise and dialogue. It definitely doesn't break new ground or offer much inspiration. The visuals were nice, and the fight scenes were decent. One thing I noticed about many futuristic sci-fi movies is the lack of trees and vegetation. Where's the oxygen coming from? Lol.

The cast was solid: Mark Strong, Sterling K. Brown, Simu Liu, and Jennifer Lopez all delivered good performances. There wasn't much to criticize about their acting, none of the roles seemed particularly demanding of their talent.

Some plot points and decisions seemed contrived just to push the story in a certain direction, but I like how the plot kept moving. The story was decent, quite ambitious, but it didn't get lost in its scale. Focus on the main core of characters. I think I enjoyed the movie because it didn't try to be more than it was.

I was never bored. It felt like a low-budget sci-fi movie just got a bigger budget. And I think if you think of it that way you'll find it okay. Usually, this type of movie has one recognizable actor and a bunch of unknowns. Some people are giving it a 1/10, which is okay I guess. If you think this is bad, you probably haven't seen actual bad movies. Half star implies it's the worst thing out there lol. When there's stuff like Bruce Willis' "Cosmic Sin", "Vanquish" with Morgan Freeman, or the Dragon Ball Z evolution movie.

Ezra (2023)

The kid's good

[7/10 · 27 May 2024]

I was pleasantly surprised to find actual comedians here. I actually watch Emma Willmann's stuff, and it seems like she even wrote her own material here. The movie convincingly portrays its themes, highlighting the struggles of parenting, especially in the context of divorce and a child with mental health issues. We also see the valid reasons behind the parents' disagreements. They both wanted what was best.

The film exceeded my expectations. The conflicts felt realistic, and the acting was good, particularly from William A. Fitzgerald in his first movie role. He was so good that I hope he doesn't get typecast like the dude from The Good Doctor. Overall, the cast did well. Robert De Niro's introduction was funny, and he had some great moments. He's excellent at playing father roles, as I noticed in Silver Linings Playbook.

The humor was well-balanced, with the best laughs coming from moments outside the stand-up comedy bits. I'm glad the movie didn't overdo the jokes, even though one of the main characters is a comedian. It balances out with the dramatic moments without overshadowing them.

While the movie didn't leave a lasting impact, I still think it's worth watching. It was a pleasant surprise since I expected it to be overly sentimental, but it turned out much better. One of the cool things about mystery movie screenings is discovering unexpectedly good films, even if they're not ones I was eagerly anticipating. I'm a bit conflicted about giving it 3 or 3½ stars.

Cold Comes the Night (2013)

Nothing special.

[5/10 · 27 May 2024]

The performances were passable, but nothing particularly captivating or memorable. I didn't find myself caring much about Alice Eve or her daughter, and Bryan Cranston didn't come across as very scary. You can tell he's supposed to be a bad man, but it mostly comes down to his Russian accent. The stakes never felt high or personal, so they didn't really resonate. The film didn't build much tension or suspense atmosphere. The story was okay, with a few hints at deeper elements, like Topo's bosses or Chloe's relationship with the cop. I guess it's good that they didn't make topo completely blind. Also if the gunshot did glare her eyes, if so it would be a little poetic end. Ultimately, the movie is forgettable, but at least it's short, so it doesn't feel like a huge waste of time.

Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (2024)

Makes fury road even better

[8/10 · 27 May 2024]

Movie is done in chapters, which I usually enjoy, and I felt each chapter got better as the film progressed. I didn't think much about the word "saga" in the title at first, but it truly does tell a story spanning many years. I loved seeing how this dystopia functioned as a society. The whole movie is a blood-rushing epic spectacle that adds to the Mad Max lore while being a visual marvel with its stunning dystopian desert set pieces.

I liked that kidnapping the girl wasn't easy. It shows how much people and their morals have changed, with a girl willing to die to keep her home safe. The sound of the motorbikes, with the deep grunts of the engine reverberating through the theater and vibrating the seats, was a pretty cool feeling.

Chris Hemsworth looked like a biblical character when we first see him. He plays a character so insane and with such a major role in the movie that we get to see him fully explore his madness. It's one of my favorite performances from him, he's almost unrecognizable as Dementus. He seemed to have a blast playing the character. The chariot was cool. Anya Taylor-Joy, like Charlize Theron, felt like a contrast to the crazy wasteland and action, giving stoic performances and conveying emotion through her eyes.

Something I hate is when a character tries to save someone by sacrificing themselves, only for the person they're trying to save to come back and make their sacrifice pointless. It pisses me off so much.

The scenery was epic, with a desert that never ends. Gastown and Bullet Farm looked like pretty cool dystopian cities. There was a lot of warfare, and I loved how creative it was. It's reminiscent of Fury Road in its imaginative approach to combat, car chases, and war. They came up with some pretty inventive contraptions, and it was amazing to watch these machines at work.

All the actors playing Furiosa were great. Although Anya was the most talked about, the others were amazing too. I was genuinely impressed by Alyla Browne. She was in "Sting" (2024), which I thought was horrendous, but she did so well here. It took longer than I expected to see Anya Taylor-Joy, but she was great too. I wasn't too sure about the casting at first, even though I think she's phenomenal, because I don't usually think of her as an action star.

This movie had more story and character arcs than Mad Max: Fury Road. I loved the way Furiosa loses her hand; it was always going to be a pivotal moment in her life, so it had to be done well. Some scenes felt visually reminiscent of Fury Road. It's been a while since I've seen quicksand. I like that the movie is vibrant, a trait from Fury Road, because most dystopics are usually dark and gritty.

I love that all the leaders were as smart as they were cruel in terms of warfare. They could have easily been depicted as generic villains, not so smart. But we saw that they were all worthy foes.

The story made sense, explaining how Furiosa ended up working for Immortan Joe and her revenge story. It makes Mad Max's depiction of Furiosa seem even more painful; after everything she went through, to then find out the Green Place doesn't exist. That's what I love about this movie-it adds so much to the already near perfect Fury Road. That's what prequels should do.

It's different from Mad Max because it has a more developed storyline and character arc. Mad Max was just straight-up action: drive into the desert, take a U-turn, and come back. There isn't much talking; Furiosa isn't much of a talker, but towards the end, she and Dementus have a back-and-forth, and I thought it'd be better with less talking. Some of the dialogue worked; some of it felt meh.

My favorite characters were young Furiosa and Dementus. Dementus because he's insane and fun, and young Furiosa because you learn about what she's lost, what she's done to survive, and what motivates her.

This is my second favorite movie of the year after Dune: Part Two. I love it because it makes Mad Max: Fury Road even better. Furiosa is an example of epic filmmaking, a character-driven epic that builds on Fury Road's wondrous insanity. This year has been great for action and sci-fi movies with Dune: Part Two, Boy Kills World, The Fall Guy, Civil War, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, Monkey Man, The Beekeeper. We'll be getting Deadpool & Wolverine soon. Unfortunately, we still got Lift and Rebel Moon Part 2, but we can ignore Netflix lol.

Mad Max (1979)

Thought it'd be more mental.

[23 May 2024]

I immediately had a feeling I wouldn't like it. Should mention that I usually avoid old movies, especially sci-fi or action, because I don't like the sound and special effects. That was definitely the case here-everything looked so fake, from the car crashes to the explosions. I also didn't like the score. I gave this a chance because I absolutely love Fury Road and wanted to see the original three movies, but I won't be checking out the others. I expected it to be more chaotic and dystopian, but it seems set not long after the nuclear war. You might enjoy it more if you don't mind watching old movies, but for me, that's the big issue-I just find old movies really old.

Under the Bridge (2024)

It's okay

[6/10 · 23 May 2024]

It's a decent murder mystery. I just watched Natalie Dormer's "White Lies," another new murder mystery, and the difference in production value is big, with "Under the Bridge" being much better. One theme that's similar is the characters lie a lot so you never know what's what

The acting is alright. The "gang" of girls are convincingly annoying teenagers, and you can easily tell who's the good kid, who's the psycho, who's trying to fit in, etc. Lily Gladstone is the standout for me. I like Riley Keough, but her performance here is similar to her usual ones, so if you didn't like her before, this won't change your mind.

The murder mystery is okay, but aside from being based on a true story, there isn't much to suck you in make the series feel special. It feels like a surface-level dive into the tragic events and characters. Especially if you compared it to true detective for instance.

A kid is found dead, which is a sad story. The children are mostly troubled, but the show depicts most of them as misfits who cause a lot of trouble, and not in a fun or endearing way. Even Reena herself. So in the end I found it hard to be invested enough in the characters care for them. It's an okay watch but not something that will stick with you.

White Lies (2024– )

Pretty good pastime

[6/10 · 23 May 2024]

I decided to watch this show mainly because there's a gif of Natalie Dormer that I use a lot when texting, plus I've liked her in a few other shows. Honestly wasn't expecting this to be South African.

It started off alright, but I began to lose interest during the traffic road rage scene. However, I did enjoy the part where Natalie Dormer gets arrested but the cop doesn't have a car, so they have to use hers to get to the police station. That made me laugh, a lot.

The show definitely lives up to its name, as there's always someone lying. Whenever a new piece of information is revealed, you can't always trust it, not just about the murder case but also the general family issues. The longer you watch, the more it feels like everyone is lying.

Some scenes are overly dramatic but seem lazily written, like the writers took the easiest route possible to elevate the moment, such as the car crash in episode 5. The acting isn't that great, and the flashbacks aren't either. The actress playing the younger Natalie Dormer doesn't look like her; they just cast a girl with distinctive big eyes lol.

The last episode had several revelations. There's a lot of twists. I had suspicions about Daniel and Jamie, as well as what happened with the family mid-season, but I didn't think the show would actually go that route. All in all the shows a decent pastime, and if you watch it with that in mind it's enjoyable enough, just a little forgettable.

Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

What a lovely day!

[9/10 · 20 May 2024]

The opening is wild, kicking off with a captivating start. I think everything about this movie is perfect: the visuals, the action, the dialogue, the costumes, the acting... it was both beautiful and apocalyptic. I loved how everything felt like a rock 'n' roll fest.

I love dystopian movies, but you don't have to be a fan to recognize how amazing this was. It's a story of survival in a savage wasteland, every scene felt epic. I liked the cult-like nature and how they glorified their deaths like they were Vikings. Everything was eccentric and crazy, with non-stop action for nearly the whole movie.

It's really dystopian and wild, so it's surprising that this was actually a mainstream hit. "Do not become addicted to water" was such a wild statement, lol.

The premise is very simple; I don't think I can think of a more simplistic movie that worked so well. They drive out into the desert, then make a U-turn back to where they came from. That's it. And it's a blast. This is my favorite action movie, jam-packed with crazy sequences.

The movie is really just one huge dystopian action sequence, so I guess the drawback could be that it's all action. If you're looking for something more, you won't find much. Apparently, Mad Max lore has some complex and darker elements, and maybe the upcoming Furiosa will delve deeper into that.

Furiosa was probably the main character; it felt like Mad Max himself was just tagging along. The villain, Immortan Joe, was great. All the characters are memorable. And because the premise is so simple and the movie is so action-packed, it feels shorter than it actually is. It's just great fun and keeps me glued to the screen. Looking forward to Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga.

IF (I) (2024)

The ending is its saving grace.

[5/10 · 17 May 2024]

I was watching a horror movie before walking into this and I found it funny that the same kind of scene, where a character or a shadow runs in the background stealthily is scary in a horror movie, while here it's like a fun little cute thing. Also, here's a random horror fact the movie reminded me of: 12% of children report actually hearing voices, adults just tell them nah it's their imaginary friends lol.

Anyway my favorite moments were the ones with the father but there weren't too many of those though. I thought most of the movie was lackluster and I was almost disappointed, but the ending was great and heart felt. It made me like it a little. There were some funny scenes but not funny or often enough to get me invested into the movie. I think the ending of the story is what made the movie feel special, otherwise it's forgettable. I expected more.

Babes (2024)

"Let's go ruin a towel"

[7/10 · 17 May 2024]

The first few jokes were predictable, like the wet seat gag, which was sooo obvious. It felt like it dragged on too long. However, after that the humor was better, great even. It's a movie that rewards you the longer you watch.

Despite the rough start, the funny scenes made the movie for me. I especially liked the twins, the omen bedroom scene, and the big needle scene-my favorite part. There's some profanity and raunchy comedy, which might bother some, but I actually enjoyed it. I say that 'cause the movie deals with themes of pregnancy, sisterhood, and family-the beautiful and difficult aspects, and their impact on mental health. I think some people might watch it for those themes and not like the humor, but I felt the two elements worked well together, making it appealing to different audiences. It reminded me of "Scrambled" from earlier this year, which more people should have seen.

The movie is quite messy and chaotic, which led to some unexpected good scenes like the random plumbing issues. So I liked that chaos. It was strange there wasn't a nurse to help her to the 4th floor, though. I liked seeing Stephan James from "Beacon 23" and the doctor provided great comedic relief.

The chemistry didn't pull you in like the greatest girl-mance or romance ever, but the conversations felt real. The characters felt like actual friends. It didn't have the strongest start, but the movie gets better as it goes, and I'd recommend it. If you like this, you should check out "Scrambled" too.

The Strangers: Chapter 1 (2024)

Nothing special.

[4/10 · 17 May 2024]

Didn't like the start, immediately shied away from gore and kept it offscreen. I already didn't have high expectations so that didn't help. Few jump scares but none of them scary. I was curious about how it was gonna go because there weren't too many people to kill off, it was just one couple. The guy had asthma and the girl seemed lovely and naive. Very easy targets. And because it was just two people it felt like it was dragging along trying to stretch the plot.

The movie failed to create a scary, tense, or suspenseful atmosphere. Spending time with the couple didn't make me care or root for them; their love story felt cookie cutter and commercial-like. There was a guy who seeemed to be having a blast in the theatre though, he wasn't scared he was just laughing his ass off, especially at the creepy kids. Everybody walked out during the post credit scene, like they saw it start playing but didn't care lol.

Some things didn't make sense - people appeared and disappeared quickly and randomly, and while the wood was creaky, the masked attackers moved in complete silence. It was unclear if it was just a town slasher or if something supernatural was happening too. It was pretty silly, like the characters should've had better decision making And it shouldn't have taken that long to actually catch them. The deaths were so disappointing, and so was the whole movie. If they plan to make a franchise out of this, the next one needs to be bloodier, with more convincing characters, truly frightening strangers, and better fight or flight scenes.

I was also confused about the identity of the 'strangers.' Were they the couple from out of town or the people in masks? The couple was being hunted by strangers, so was the movie about "we kill strangers" or "we got killed by strangers"?

I Saw the TV Glow (2024)

"I think I like tv shows"

[3/10 · 17 May 2024]

I wasn't really hyped about this but saw people talking about it and getting excited. I liked that the kid from 'let the right one in' series is in here. The movie's visually striking, with vibrant neon colors, a hallmark of A24 I think. However, I didn't find it particularly captivating; it seems like something you need a prior interest in to engage with early on. The plot revolves around two outcast kids with an unusual interest, and while the visuals were compelling, the story itself didn't hold my attention. It has a creepy ambience to it. I liked when they met up later, things get more interesting from there. But ultimately though, it felt like an artsy project without enough substance. The movie dragged, and the characters didn't have much to them and lacked a compelling storyline. Although it became more interesting in the final third and is undeniably unique, it just wasn't memorable for me. The movie felt like it had more to offer visually than anything else. I'm sure some will like it but to me Justice Smith's taken two L's this year; it was better than "The American Society of Magical Negroes" though.

Talk to Me (I) (2022)

I let you in.

[7/10 · 17 May 2024]

Mia breaking black people stereotypes in horror movies by basically running towards the danger. This was a really fun horror movie; not a comedy, just fun to watch with friends. It's still horror, but without a lot of jump scares or attempts to catch you by surprise. Some parts were predictable, like things you've seen before, but it still felt newt. It makes use of the R rating, though inconsistently, so it's not always gory.

It felt real, except for the weirdness of how much screaming there was without other people hearing it, even in places like hospitals. It also felt realistic in how kids would probably react if they found an artifact like this and learned how to use it safely, they'd have fun with it. The characters had good emotional connection, especially between Jade, Riley, and Mia; they felt like an actual family. I liked how the mom knew the kids so well.

It's a pretty good story, not just for a horror movie. It's a genuinely good movie overall. As I said, there aren't too many jump scares, but it builds its atmosphere perfectly, giving you goosebumps at times. Watching this after Tarot made me appreciate it even more. The ending was pure chef's kiss.

Pride & Prejudice (2005)

Not what I expected

[7/10 · 17 May 2024]

I didn't like this as much as I thought I would. My expectations were pretty high because aside from the fact it's highly praised, a friend of mine also went out of their way to recommend it to me. So I was like damn, it must be something. I think I might have enjoyed better without all the recommendations.

I didn't find many of the male characters likable or as laughable as some seemed to be portrayed. This meant that for a large part of the movie, I wasn't really rooting for any companionship. However, I loved the scene where the mother chases Elizabeth down; I thought it was funny.

In general, I wasn't very invested in any of the characters. They were pretty typical, which made the movie predictable. You could easily tell which characters were going to end up together. Even though I hadn't read the book, I found it all pretty predictable. Rosamund Pike is usually praised for playing intimidating characters like in "Gone Girl" or "I Care a Lot" or less famously in "Wheel of Time", and there's always someone talking about how we just haven't seen enough of her movies because she also plays really wholesome characters, with Pride & Prejudice often mentioned. So, I was expecting her character to be radiant and scene-stealing, like a beam of sunshine, but that wasn't the case. I thought all the characters were just alright.

The premise is similar to other period pieces of the time: lots of talk about who's going to marry whom and inherit what, whether to marry for love or out of need, and the limited prospects for women if they remained unmarried.

I liked that the title made sense, Pride and Prejudice. The movie explores the themes you'd expect from any movie or series set in that time-society governed by class structures and social laws. Like, I liked the movie, but I thought I was going to see something special and different.

I probably would've liked it better if I hadn't watched several period dramas beforehand, especially those made after Pride & Prejudice. Maybe it's similar to watching a really old sci-fi movie or drug lord movie from the 80s and not seeing what's so special about it because I've watched more modern movies that took inspiration from them, so the originals don't feel as special/unique.

I'm guessing this is going to be a really unpopular opinion. I really thought I'd like it better and that it would feel special. It was alright, but it didn't live up to the praise I'd heard. It just felt like another period romance drama.

The Host (2013)

".... the strangest."

[6/10 · 10 May 2024]

Once again, a movie I like that I wouldn't necessarily recommend.. It's tolerable, not great, but if you have a soft spot for cheesy sci-fi flicks, there's a chance you might enjoy it. One of those movies I started watching and didn't really care if it was actually gonna be any good. It has some low-budget, B-rated qualities that could have been improved with a larger production scale, especially the voice-over elements. The chemistry between Melanie and Jared sucked to me, the whole movie feeling very much like something out of a YA novel. However, I did like the depiction of the alien parasite and the overall premise. The aliens traveling the universe, conquering civilizations and seeking peace. Additionally, I'm a sucker for movies that blend different genres and incorporate a love story, like this one-a cheesy Disney teen rom-com amidst an alien invasion. Plus, I think Saoirse Ronan's great as well.

Also, for some reason, I was so convinced that by the end, they would implant the alien into Ian so they could be together happily ever forever. It seemed like the perfect, logical resolution to the story in my mind lol. I was so blown away.

Tarot (I) (2024)

Astrology girl horror movie.

[5/10 · 10 May 2024]

Firstly these guys didn't even seem like the same age group. Performances aren't great. What doesn't help is that the movie just starts, we don't really get to learn much about the characters other than it's one of them's birthday. They're not charismatic enough to pull that off and get you invested.

Tarot is literally the title, so I guess it's not a spoiler to say there's tarot reading early on, so I thought maybe the scary stuff starts early on too. It's also pretty cliche, like of course a cabin in a woods and old gothic tarot cards isn't a good mix. And it's addressed several times along with anything else creepy. You can clearly tell when the characters is making the wrong decisions that lead into the horror elements. Reminded me of "talk to me" but that movie was better.

The readings felt like spoilers. But the readings were all told in 5minutes and I could barely remember the specifics, and I guess the writers knew that because the movie addresses it with creepy voice overs.

I liked some scenes like the lady with the lamp and the clown. The deaths sucked though, plus the movie shied away from actually showing them, just a splurge of blood. We only het to see the before and after, not he actual during.

The movies not great but I don't outright hate it, probably because I was prepared to it not to be great. I'd recommend you should go watch "talk to me" or "cabin in the woods instead."

Breathe (I) (2024)

Not great

[3/10 · 10 May 2024]

Near future Dystopian world, I have a soft spot for such series and movies so I managed to like parts of this. However this movie sucks. I like Common as an actor, especially when he plays these gritty, troubled characters. I think the story was decent, the dialogue just wasn't that convincing. With a little bit better dialogue I think this movie could've been okay. I was also really annoyed by how she kept saying "freaking" because she didn't wanna cuss. And the computer system voice for security in the building was terrible. Milla Jovovich and Sam Worthington feel like decent actors whose last couple movies have mostly sucked. Although I do like "monster hunter"(it's not great though) for Milla and I'm counting Avatar for Sam. I don't recommend unless you tolerate bad scifi.

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (2024)

Sequel is probably gonna be titled "empire of the planet of the apes"

[7/10 · 10 May 2024]

I was waiting just to hear Proximus scream 'WHAT A WONDERFUL DAY!' from all the times I heard the trailer playing at the theatre. I really liked how the franchise once again showcases the humanity of the apes, like the touching funeral scene. It had breathtaking scenery throughout, especially the transformation of metropolitan cities into forests. I found it interesting how they introduced pets, a bird is an ape's best friend, essentially. I liked that we exploring their customs in the first act of the movie.

While the film's length and the extensive world-building sometimes made it feel a bit slow, every scene served a purpose in the end, especially considering this's setting the stage for a new era in the Planet of the Apes movies. We get to see how the environment, the apes and the humans have evolved. I liked how the movie paid homage to Caesar without directly continuing his story; his legacy felt respectfully acknowledged. He had a good run and his story was complete.

The premise of the movie, particularly the portrayal of the antagonists, reminded me of religious wars, where the apes resemble Christian crusaders using a historic figure's image to justify war and violence, a theme with deep implications. The movie addresses that but not in a way that will make you leave the theatre pondering. How teachings can be misconstrued.

This installment's message felt more overt compared to the trilogy, almost as if the apes were portrayed as essentially human. The trilogy was always telling a human story through apes, it was always obvious but now the fourth installment is quite on the nose.

Good time is spent with the characters, so when moments of sadness or goodbyes arise, we feel it too. It's slow paced but I was heavily invested. The scene where she calls out to Noah was amazing. Hearing an 'echo' speaking, was almost as shocking when Caesar screamed "go!" for the first time. Also was she essentially looking for an English textbook? Lol.

While Noah is the lead character, there were instances where Mae took the forefront, causing some confusion about the movie's primary focus. She didn't feel explored or interesting enough but I loved Freya Allan's performance.

It's a drama. It's not what I was expecting, I thought it'd me more action packed, but it's still good. It was different to my expectations the way "War for the Planet of the apes" also wasn't a full blown war as well. I also think this is the first movie since the trilogy started where earth was now actually a planet of apes. Humans clearly have been dominated.

Following up on Caesar was always gonna be difficult, I think he was a beloved character and we got to see his whole journey. The new lead character Noah is alright, however, I didn't find myself super captivated by him. We got to see Caesar's full character arc, birth to death; while Noah is already a little older, coming-of-age age. His story is still interesting though.

The conflict of ideas between Noah and Mae could have been more intense. There were times when I thought "ouu this is about to be a big fight/argument" and it's just meh. It wasn't as thought provoking as I would've liked. I liked Proximus Caesar though, I thought he made quite the enticing antagonist. Second most interesting character after Raka*.

The ending hints at the possibility of another trilogy, laying a solid foundation for future installments. Overall, I liked it more than "Rise of the Planet of the Apes" but not as much as the sequels. "Dawn of the planet of the apes" is still my favorite. It's not as epic as I thought it'd be; I think it's more enjoyable if you're already into the franchise. It doesn't do anything terribly, I just didn't walk out of the theatre thinking "wow!" People were applauding a lot throughout the movie actually. There was a guy who sat close to me and blacked out before the movie started, snoring the entire time. Thought about not waking him up after the movie finished because everyone literally just walked by him. This dude bought imax tickets, large bucket of popcorn, large soda and some more snacks, all that just to sleep before the movie started. Anyway, I still enjoyed the whole thing, and very much looking forward to whatever's next.

Also just found out it's directed by they who did maze runner movies and they actually both have such similar aura to them.

Let Me In (I) (2010)

Would you like me if I was a worm? (vampire edition)

[5 May 2024]

It starts out so quiet I thought my earpieces stopped working. It has a dark ambience throughout. Not in an eerie way, just in a more gritty tone like a serial killer movie.

This felt sooo familiar, how the children met in the snow and all and that's when I realized the premise was done recently in "let the right one in(2022)" tv series. Then there's the Swedish movie "Let the Right One In (2008)" which I haven't seen. It removed the suspense factor since the premise is the same to the tv show. Characters the same, how they meet, pieces of dialogue... The show followed the premise so closely.

The story only deviates after around 40 minutes but not wholly, making it hard for me to watch without comparing the two versions. There's not much exploration, which is understandable given that it's a movie and doesn't have as much time. The relationships, like between Abby and her dad, or Owen and his mom, or even Owen and Abby themselves, feel underdeveloped compared to the TV show.

The slow pace doesn't help, especially since I already knew the story from the adaptation. Watching the movie after the show made it feel shallow. However, if I had seen the movie first, I might have liked it more.

The 10pm tv message from the 80's saying "do you know where your children are?" is really wild. I'd heard about it.

The Idea of You (2024)

Cheesy stuff

[6/10 · 3 May 2024]

I was looking forward to this. It's a cheesy romcom. You kinda know where the stories heading from the start, it's a meet cute, instant chemistry. One's older, the other's famous, it's probably in the trailer but I didn't watch it. I can foresee some people having issues with the age gap, which does become a central conflict in the movie, leading to some tragic moments I liked that the characters atleast feel real and and their decisions had real consequences that they had to grapple with. They knew it wouldn't be easy, but they still chose to pursue the relationship. It's pretty predictable but I think Anne Hathaway and Nicholas galizine make it work pretty well. It tries to be a little different but it doesn't stray too far from typical romcom tropes. I think it's rewatchable. I really enjoyed it, but with that said I have a soft spot for cheesy romcoms, so my opinion might be biased.

Silver Linings Playbook (2012)

Excelsior!

[7/10 · 29 April 2024]

I loved the characters, each disturbed in their own unique way. I think this is the first time I've watched a movie and found the bipolar characters actually believable. There's a complexity to them, with multiple mental conditions represented among the characters. It's like a bunch of unwell people just came together, with different issues and to varying degrees. It's not sappy or overly dramatic.

It all feels authentic because it doesn't feel blown out of proportion; you see some of the characters and think "oh I might actually know a person with that disorder." It made me think about some conversations I've had before as a joke about how everything is diagnosed in the west i.e. America. Africans don't do that lol. If someone if failing in school, back home we'd just say that guy's dumb, and not even with ill-intent usually, he's just your not-so-smart friend. But in America you'd say he has a learning disability. So you have all these things, anxiety, ptsd, OCD, depression, trauma, bipolar; but you'd just say oh yeah man, he's a little odd or moody without actually labeling it lol.

I loved DeNiro's character, I haven't watched too many of his movies but the ones I have he's usually a tough old nut, gangster or something, and here he was just a dad. The family dynamic, it was a bit all over the place with all the family's problems, but it was great to watch. The way they interact with each other. The characters were well-written, and while the story was alright, I think the characters are what make the movie.

The twist in the past 30min of the movie was unexpected for me, especially the way it was casually revealed about Tiffany. The moment before Pat realized, it's revealed to us first. I didn't know whether or not I was supposed to react to it because the movie doesn't make too much of a big deal about it when first shown. I also didn't realize how much I was rooting for these guys until the dance.

I'm really impressed with the movie, because on paper it feels like it should be boring. It's about two messed up individuals finding healing through a dance competition, but it works surprisingly well.

Challengers (2024)

Her game. Her rules.

[7/10 · 29 April 2024]

Wasn't sure if I'd enjoy this since I'm not really into tennis. I liked the time jumps, not confusing at all; you could fill in the gaps with educated guesses. I don't think I'd ever date an actress, not that I'd ever meet one lol, but throughout the movie, all I could think about was Tom Holland.

It's funny at times and I loved the dynamic between the two guys, the brotherhood essentially. At certain points, each character became unlikeable, yet I still found myself engrossed in their story. The scene with the injury was gruesome, even though I knew it was coming-the movie's free-flowing time jumps made me almost forget about it. Despite feeling longer than it actually is, it never felt dull. The use of music to heighten tension was superb, and the acting was spectacular. The movie just felt quite lively.

Essentially, it's a love triangle with layers of psychological complexity. The common thread among all three characters is their passion for tennis. Surprisingly, the film is also quite sensual; while there are more explicit scenes, I loved the subtler, innocent moments that still managed to be horny. The movie doesn't rely on graphic content for this; instead, it cleverly portrays the characters' obsession, I liked that these two guys were in completely enamored by zendaya, but at the same time the movie also shows how in love all three were with tennis as well. It's a unique way of making tennis seem horny without resorting to flooding us with a bunch of sex.

I like that it kept you guessing about the last match. But I really just wanted the action to get going at some point. Like it perfectly built tension and suspense for me, but then it kept on going. Maybe I'm just impatient lol. The 'middle of the racket' thing was nice though. It harked back to an earlier scene where Tashi said she didn't want to be a home-wrecker, hinting at deeper connections between Art and Patrick. The final scene brought everything full circle, making me realize that the movie's focus was more on the friendship between Art and Pat than on the love triangle. Tashi played a crucial role, but ultimately served as a catalyst for their bond.

It's a bit frustrating because the movie kinda feels abstract; we learn a lot about the characters, but there's still much left unseen. For example, like how did that bedroom scene impact the friendship/brotherhood between the two main characters? There are several scenes like this that leave me wanting more insight. It's like there's a facade of depth in the characters. While I liked the ease of following the time jumps, they also disrupt the tension at times. Also, clearer character motivations would have been helpful, as we're left to make educated guesses about why they act the way they do.

I have mixed feelings about the actual end though. Like the actual last shot. I feel like it's a great ending but I just can't put a finger on it. Like I'd like to see how they interacted afterwards, all three of them, without actually seeing it.

You don't have to dissect the movie to notice or feel things. It just feels like so much care was put into every scene visually, and done so in a way that it's noticeable to us watching. All the details. Reminds me of Past Lives as it's also a love triangle movie I've watched most recently.

I'm not the biggest fan of Luca Guadagnino, I've watched "Call Me By Your Name" and "Bones and All" and I didn't like them much. Both times going in with really high expectations because people loved them. As with all movies about sports I have no interest in, I was a bit unsure but some movies completely absorb you into it regardless of your interests. This movie does that.

The big thing I'd is that some stuff just aren't adequately explained. For instance, these characters clearly care about each other, yet they're so consistently mean. It's hinted at in the movie itself, and that's when I started questioning, thinking "If you love him, why do you hate him so much?" This is similar to why I've had reservations about Luca's previous films; it often feels like more emphasis is placed on visuals and direction than on exploring the characters. As I mentioned earlier regarding the bedroom scene, when stuff like that aren't followed up on, it leaves the movie feeling somewhat superficial to me, not as emotionally charged as you'd think.

But with that said, this is my favorite out of all the movies I've seen of Luca Guadagnino. It's lively and fun, horny and keeps you on the edge of your seat. I think if you just go in and watch just as a movie it's fun, but when I sat down to think about it, it's not that deep. But I'd still recommend. I once said one of my life's tragedies is that I never loved Luca Guadagnino's films the way other people do and I wish I did; and now here's one of his I enjoyed.

Boy Kills World (2023)

Over the top bloody fun

[8/10 · 26 April 2024]

Premise reminded me of "The Hunger Games," but this film took a twisted, violent, and bloody perspective. It's a blast if you're willing to switch off your brain, as it's one of those where the main character seems almost invincible against bullets. It's just bonkers, which made me a bit wary at first because crazy movies don't always work. Essentially it follows a both blind and mute man on a revenge spree against a matriarch. And it's a bloodbath.

This was also really funny, I had plenty good laughs, like the beetle fight club or his struggle to read someone's lips. I think everyone enjoyed themselves. The story also holds up well, with clear character motivations driving the revenge plot. It made me feel like I have a twisted sense of humor, there were scenes where people audibly gasped in shock and horror and I was laughing my ass off instead, like the cheese grater scene. Like he could've picked up a knife instead lol.

While I saw the sibling twist coming, other revelations that came with it caught me off guard. Overall, the trajectory of the film is somewhat predictable, but it's a bloody good journey, literally. I loved that there is no clear cut good person; the fights were intense and gory, with each one escalating in excitement. I genuinely thought they might run out of ideas, especially during the final showdown, which had me on the edge of my seat. It could have gone either way.

It's pretty epic. I think this is the most fun I've had watching a movie since everything everywhere all at once. All I could think was wow this is bloody and it's fun. I love that it earned its R rating.

The Absence of Eden (2023)

Ends kinda abruptly

[6/10 · 22 April 2024]

I didn't have too much to say about this, it just felt incredibly short. Looking at the themes and scenarios the movie explored, the movie does so only at surface level. I think the intro to Esmeralda raised the tension quite quickly, we're introduced to her in a pretty dicey scenario. It gave insight into her decision to leave. There wasn't too much I disliked about it. One specific thing was the pep talks by the coyote - like he's a good kind hearted coyote? But it wasn't something that bothered me too much. The story is alright, tragic but not particularly moving. I don't think the stuff about the grandma added much to the film, all the stories and narrations from her diary. The movie had pretty good and consistent atmosphere, a dark tone. The big issue is that it just ends out of nowhere, like I was in and out the theatre. Even the subplots end abruptly, logically but abruptly. Like Adria Arjona character feels like an important part of the movie then she's just no longer there. The conflicts the movie has are resolved pretty quickly, made the movie anticlimactic. A few twists and turns wouldn't have hurt the movie. Otherwise not bad, nothing special.

Shōgun (2024–2026)

Hit the target audience

[9/10 · 22 April 2024]

I've think the show is amazing, and I'm thoroughly enjoying it. But when it first started with only two episodes out, I couldn't help but feel the need to tell some people to pipe down a bit. Calling it next Game of Thrones already. Since GOT ended, there's been a flood of shows and movies being dubbed as the new Game of Thrones. Sometimes it's Game of Thrones with pirates like "Black Sails", or Game of Thrones in space, as seen in "Dune" and Apple TV's "Foundation." Other times, shows like "Wheel of Time" and "The Witcher" received comparisons that eventually died down. Don't get me wrong, I actually like all of those, but I'm just a bit tired of the "this is the new GOT!!" hype.

But this show is actually quite good and refreshingly different, especially since it's set in Japan. Starting to admire Anna Sawai, having seen her in Monarch Legacy and now in Shogun. Apparently, she was also in F9. The show delves into a lot of Japanese lore, like beliefs and samurai culture, although I can't vouch for its accuracy. I've learned a lot about Japanese culture, particularly their dedication to rituals and customs. Hiroyuki Sanada seems to have a penchant for playing samurai or sword fighters: 47 Ronin (2013), John wick, bullet train, mortal combat, avengers endgame.

Despite my reservations about calling it the next Game of Thrones, the show does have a strong political undertone, with different factions vying for power and the looming threat of civil war. Something small that I like was the show's title sequence.

While the show is generally well-executed, it feels a bit odd to have the Japanese characters speaking Japanese and the Portuguese speaking Portuguese, yet having Portuguese dialogue in English lol. Japanese is subtitles. There are some things I might have missed explanations for, like the peculiar condition of Regent Ohno's skin.

Many people compare it to Game of Thrones, but I find it more akin to Vikings, albeit less violent than expected. It leans more towards being a political drama at the moment, although there are hints of impending war. My only gripe is that it seems to shy away from on-screen violence, with many fights and deaths occurring off-screen. It's gory at times, but it teases so many epic battles and wars, and with one episode left, we still only get glimpses of them. Even if the last episode is just one epic battle sequence, I'll still feel the same.

Now, I absolutely adore this show. It's a rare case, akin to "Godzilla: Minus One," where the show/movie perfectly hits its target audience. "Godzilla: Minus One" was almost exclusively watched by fans of Godzilla and similar genres (myself included); everyone watching knows what to expect. I believe Shogun is predominantly being watched by its intended audience. Even though a show or movie can be amazing, it's very rare for it to receive purely positive reviews. And I think that's what's happening with Shogun - it's an amazing show mainly being watched by its target audience.