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ledorky
Reviews
Mubing: The Stranger (2023)
What a stressful episode
I will just say that I came into this series with just the absolutely bare inkling of what the series was about. Korean X-Men is selling this short. It's so visceral and this episode is a great example of that. It starts off with the aftermath of Frank's visit to Bong Seok's family then goes to the electricity man's son seeking revenge then onto a bit of Frank's backstory. I was so stressed watching this episode. I finally know what happens when Wolverine meets another Wolverine. Hint, it's not Sabretooth vs Wolverine at all. That X-Men battle was boring compared to this. All in all, it's insane how much they were able to show, nevermind, tell, in one episode. Kudos to the director for keeping this moving at a breakneck speed.
Chihirosan (2023)
Yes it is slow paced but...
This movie tells the story though the daily lives of the characters. Most of them are outcasts, like Chihiro. Starting with the adorable fluff ball in the beginning. Chihiro is a literal blessing to everyone she meets. Even if they treat her poorly, she has nothing but good intentions for them. As another reviewer said, we need more Chihiro types in our lives. The interaction with the old homeless man will stay with me for a very long time. People we look down on are the ones Chihiro looks after. She is basically a Christ-like selfless figure who does what she feels like. I think this could have been a 10 with a tighter edit. Still, it's a movie worth watching.
Locke & Key: Five Minutes Past (2022)
I'm glad it's ending (lazy writing)
Stupidest series episode that I've seen ever. It's the same thing since the promising season 1. Dodge over and over and over and over. Can't they settle on a decent new bad guy? This reminds me of the TV show Heroes.
It's Sylar, over and over. Methinks the writers come from that same cloth.
Unbelievable how utterly lacking in imagination these writers are. This show had so much promise but devolved to the same stupid characters with no growth making the same stupid decisions again and again. Ugh. I'm tapping out. With so little time left, they went back to the same evil guy/well yet again. Bode is the just the worst. Writers thought this is cute to let Dodge run around rampaging as the most annoying Locke. Boo. I used to like this show and now I can't stand it.
Encanto (2021)
Dud music from Lin Manuel but the animation and aesthetic was good
Sorry Lin. None of the songs were catchy, unlike the Frozen stuff. Bit the story, while predictable, was good and the actors well very well directed and their performance and relevant animations were great. Fun for the young ones and definitely hits home for those of us in extended families who have been made to feel we are not good enough and never meet unrealistic expectations.
The Walking Dead: What Comes After (2018)
Bait and switch
Not going to spoiler anyone today but what a cop out.
They're going to kill this series by diluting the brand very soon.
Kâbê (2008)
Outstanding and unexpectedly weepy movie
I came into this not knowing anything about the movie and as soon as Tobei was arrested, my thinking cap came into play and became instantly wary about what was to come (i.e. very predictable plot about to unfold). Well the plot was close to what I imagined it would be but I can't say enough about the wonderful acting. Especially of Kabei (Sayuri Yoshinaga) and the kids. Even bumbling Ichi the Killer was passable and provided some levity to an otherwise pretty depressing movie. The hot aunt was very easy on the eyes and the old lecher of an uncle was also pretty hilarious. My one complaint was that Sayuri looked a bit old to play the part, she looked more like a grandma but her acting was impeccable. I won't write about the plot since the other reviewers have practically revealed everything but the overall pace was good and the directing not heavy handed. The movie looked a little low-budget at times but I can't fault the movie for that. Must see on Netflix if you're a subscriber. Prepare the tissues since IMO it's impossible to cry if you're a normal human watching this flick.
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)
Action-packed
Saw this at an advanced screener today. Good points: acting is much improved (save for a few characters like Cho), good veteran cast (Rita Skeeter esp stole the scenes she was in), lots of scenes from the book were crammed in so lots for Harry Potter fans to cheer for, great CGI work and good soundtrack.
Not so good points: humor is mostly accidental and absent, character development within the film do not progress smoothly and everything feels rushed, Dumbledore is also a weak point (he has almost no gentleness and has no redeeming features).
Bottomline: as a Potterhead, I enjoyed the film but it just feels too rushed. I read they were thinking of doing a "Kill Bill" with this movie and splitting it into two. I think that would've been a much better experience and I hope they pack the DVD with LOTR-style enhanced length versions.
S1m0ne (2002)
Tootsie for the 2000's this is
If you've watched that famed Dustin Hoffman movie, this movie somewhat follows that plot (as if fraud plots aren't predictable).
Lose yourself and have fun, don't overanalyze and you'll have a blast.
There are enough funny parts that you'll be giggling along as the plot unfolds. Pacino and Rachel Roberts played their parts very well. So did the rest of the cast. Don't judge based on what the jaded critics say. Judge based on what you hear :).
Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones (2002)
Awful beyond words
Hmm, where to start? I don't want to give away any spoilers, besides, the others who've posted have done a more than adequate job explaining the saga (or Lucas's intents).
This movie was a major disappointment to me. The very clumsy character development (or lack of) and horrible dialog have not been fixed from Episode I. I know Star Wars the original wasn't exactly Shakespeare but it had much better character than the past two. The delivery by all the actors was lacking in any form of personality. You might as well have rendered the characters using computers for all the lack of emotion that they display. The movie itself is very cold for the most part outside of the infamous Yoda light-sabre battle. If only 1/4 the amount of time spent on making the set and rendering the cgi was spent dissecting the (lack of) script and making it work, the movie would have turned out much better. I hope Lucas hires a more able script writer than himself to do the next (and extremely) pivotal one.
Spider-Man (2002)
Must-see
This is a great film. Sam Raimi and the rest of the cast has done a wonderful job in the comic book adaptation. There is far more than action in this film. Sure, the explosion scenes are great but it's even more wonderful to see some character development. I won't bore you with the usual plot summary of an awkward teenage boy given super-powers and his struggles with fame. This is faithful enough to please the die-hard nerdy comic book fans young and old yet will give enough of a story for those with no previous knowledge. It has enough twists and turns that even the comic book fans will enjoy seeing how the "new" story unfolds. This is comic book at its finest. I can't recommend it enough.
Ice Age (2002)
Great movie, bring the kids (or the kid in you)
Okay, first things first, this is NOT on the level of Shrek or even Monsters, Inc. in terms of the storyline nor the subtle (or not so subtle) modern references. TONS of cliches abound. But don't let that get in the way of your enjoyment. Watch it without being a grumpy cynic and you will come away satisfied for the $8 ticket you just paid. It's a film that will make you smile along the way and maybe sniffle at the end. This wasn't meant to be an astract masterpiece. It was meant as a fun for all ages film and it definitely succeeds. Basic storyline of 3 mammalian misfits coming together to save a baby boy. The voice casting was perfect. John L. is especially fitting as the clumsy sloth. The others barely have lines. The small rodent/squirrel is also good for some short comic relief along the way as he tries hard to bury its acorn. It was nice to see how they kept Manny's reason for being a loner mysterious until the (almost) very end. What made this movie enjoyable for me were the fantastic job the animators did with the whole body expressions. This is like watching a CG muppets/Sesame street. The fur and fat undulates, muscles stretch and contract conveying a very comical feel. Manny's fur and Sid's belly were especially well done. Unfortunately, they focused so much on the animals the humans were left as an afterthought; too robotic but you don't see much of them anyway. I also love how there were very little saccharine songs (ahem, Disney) to revolt you. It's wonderful to see how well CG (and people talent) is coming along. This presents a much more level playing field for the movie studios. Disney definitely doesn't own this joint which is a great thing since their stuff has been uninspired of late. I can easily (and heartily) recommend this film seeing as how the competition the last 4 weeks have been utter garbage. So go on, watch it and bring the kids!
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
Wonderful movie, even for a non-fanatic
Wow, where to start? Firstly, this movie is so well put together it's hard to nitpick on anything other than the long-ish running time. 3+ hours is needed to try to fit in the huge scope of the novel. Having not read the book for over 2 decades, it was hard sitting through at first. You feel like you've been plumped on your seat right in the middle of the movie already partway in progress. But once you start taking in the wonderful acting, you get truly acquainted with Middle Earth and its denizens. My one big complaint was I didn't remember Frodo being this wimpy. He was basically the biggest coward in the Fellowship. The special effects were well-placed and not very "brazen." The cinematography is first-rate, the actors are well-cast and the lines are well-written. They even managed to put in a few welcome comedic scenes along the way. Put it this way: this is one of the best 3 hours you are ever going to spend in a movie theatre (unlike *cough* Pearl Harbor *cough).
Even if you don't know Middle Earth from the Shadow Lands, come and see this event movie. Kudos to everyone involved in the trilogy. You have done excellent work and should be very proud of yourselves.