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Reviews
Dog (2022)
The ads make it look like a cute comedy. It is, but...
This isn't one for the kids. While cute and funny, it deals with some seriously fragged up schnitzel. Mental health, PTSD, TBIs, homelessness, grief... all are topics that this film brings up. It can be hard to watch at times, but it's worth it.
Beyond that, it's about healing and growth. It's a journey of two broken souls mending each other. It is about the power of taking a step back and reevaluating your priorities. It's about love and family.
I enjoyed this movie. I laughed, I teared up, and I smiled.
If you can handle the vulgarity and messy humor shared by veterans, if you love dogs, and if you support those who served, this movie is for you.
22 till none.
Greenland (2020)
At times depressing, but also beautiful and inspirational.
Neil Degrasse Tyson said "We live in a cosmic shooting gallery." The events in this film are not only possible, but probable.
Personally, I enjoyed this more than 2012, in part because it's far more realistic, but also because it faces the reality of human nature: not only jealousy, greed, and violence in desperation, but our will to survive, care for each other, and be kind even as we face our trials and tribulations.
Some side notes:
The pilot's adamance about the weight, and handling of the emergency was very realistic... except for him (and the foley artists) treating other PT6 turboprops like piston engines.
(Also, fun fact, jet fuel isn't nearly as flammable as films suggest, and jet fuel hoses don't leak like that)
The behavior of the troops and FEMA workers is a standard that everyone should adhere to: holding to their duty with cold steadfastness when needed, but warm and accommodating when possible.
Breach (2020)
I want my time back
This movie took awesome actors like Bruce Willis and Thomas Jane and humiliated them in this "movie". It's like the producer saw "Alien", "Tremors", "Cloverfield Paradox" and the Flood from "Halo", and tried to make the b@$+@rd child of the four on the budget of "Birdemic". The prop guns were silly (why did the flamethrowers have backwards carry handle sights?), the 60's want their special effects back, and the plot holes are massive. The sets were okay, and the plot had potential, but beyond that, this was a giant dumpster fire of a film.
Ad Astra (2019)
Not enough Delta-V to orbit
First off, the positives: the visuals are stunning, and the acting of Jones and Sutherland was fantastic. Pitt's acting was ok, but honestly it felt like he was trying to replicate Cooper from Interstellar.
Unfortunately, that's where the positives end.
As Astra tries too hard to be the next Gravity or Interstellar, that it ignores the potential of it's own premise. In addition, there isn't even a minimal grasp of real science to make up for these shortcomings.
At the end of the day, this film's premise was promising, but fell far short of expectations.
Avengers: Endgame (2019)
"AVENGERS! ...assemble....."
You will cheer.
You will laugh.
You will smile.
You will cry.
This is it, the culmination of everything in the MCU up until now, and it was well worth the wait. The stakes are real, just as the Russos said, and watching the heroes that we have come to love charge once more unto the breach will have your eyes glued to the screen for every goddamn moment.
Captain Marvel (2019)
Lived up to the hype
Funny, action-packed, with great tributes to Stan Lee and and Cajun, and an overall fun ride. Oh, and Thanos is screeeeewwwwed!
IMHO, Goose (Part of me wishes he stayed "Chewy" but the Top Gun reference is cool too) stole the show, and the young Nick Fury was classic Samuel L. Jackson.
Overall, well done and good fun.
Christopher Robin (2018)
Heartwarming, a must-see for working adults.
Being a Whinnie The Pooh film, one would expect the marketing to target children, so I was surprised to see the ads focus on Ewan McGregor's character.
As the film progressed, the reason became clear: the film may be fun for children, but it is meant for those of us who may have grown up a bit too much....
Excellent visuals, solid acting, and a touching story: a must see!
The Thinning (2016)
Gut-wrenching, but well done for a YouTube movie
Surprisingly, this film was not as bad as I had anticipated. The acting was superior to most independent films, the physical settings were visually realistic, and the plot was solid, especially with the twist ending (which explains a lot about the guards' actions). My biggest problem with the film, however, was the political and social setting, which seemed unrealistic. The fact that a whole population could swallow such a sadistic course of action as mass-euthanasia when limiting the number of children (I never thought that I would say that a Totalitarian Chinese policy could be on the moral high ground...) or colonizing the Solar System, like in "The Expanse", would be far more practical and/or socially acceptable. Also, how could parents in Texas, of all places, not be constantly trying to raze the school and free their children!?
One touch, however, that I appreciated was a detail exposed in the finale. With said twist, there could be a sequel to this dystopian vision of the future.
I recommend seeing this film on a DVD from redbox, but if you are one for dystopian thrillers, this movie may be a good pick for you.
Moana (2016)
A masterpiece of legendary proportions.
The first I heard of Moana was a brief appearance in Zootopia (2015). I was intrigued by the Maori/Polynesian setting and attracted to the fact that the plot was driven not by romance like most prior princess films, but rather by honor, family, and courage (and, to be honest, my own love of sailing). I was not disappointed. From the opening exposition, to the hilarious post-credit scene (see IMBB's trivia, quotes, and connections sections AFTER you watch this masterpiece) and from the use of Dead Reckoning (Reckon correctly, or you are (Sorry, aviation/maritime joke) and well-done musical numbers (Who knew The Rock could sing?!) to the near-flawless animation and references to other prominent films. Even the family- friendly swear-substitutes and subtle adult humor had the entire audience laughing.
This film, along with Zootopia, Interstellar, Forrest Gump, iRobot, and Independence Day (the original one) among others, is one of my favorites, and one that is a must-see for all members of the family, regardless of age.
Arrival (2016)
Mind-bendingly suspenseful
" Now that's a proper introduction."
This mind-bending sci-fi is simply amazing. From the visuals and the music, to the acting, writing, and fine details like the fact that a whole visual syntax was developed for this film.
"Arrival" has to be one of the best films of the year, so if you see it, and I recommend that you come prepared for the cast and story to draw you into it, from it's painful if somewhat enigmatic opening, to it's tense climax, to it's beautiful, bittersweet finale that makes you rethink yourself, humanity, and our universe.
One detail I really enjoyed was the design of the heptapods' craft was the resemblance to the similarity to the obelisks in Stanley Kübrick's film adaptation of 2001: A Space Odessey (originally a series of novels written by Sir Arthur C Clarke) The heptapods' unique design was also a welcome break from the average humanoid ETs commonly featured in Hollywood.
Also, the recurring Abbot and Costello reference helped add just the right amount of humor to an otherwise serious film.
Turbulence (1997)
A Smash hit... as in landing gear being pancaked and a flaming fuselage.
I watched this because I thought it was a film version of the John J Nance novel. Thank God it wasn't or my perception of said novel would be ruined forever.
For those of you considering watching this, save yourselves an hour and a half and pick something else.
That or go to the store and pick up "Turbulence"
Also, if you opt to watch this, bring a barf bag... I'm a pilot and it still made me airsick!
Better hijacking movies include Cliffhanger, Captain Phillips, Non- stop, The Taking of Pelham 123 (Also a great adaptation of a novel), Speed, Air Force One, and even Speed 2....
Basically anything but this waste of film.
Ultramarines: A Warhammer 40,000 Movie (2010)
Disappointingly mediocre
As a fan of 40k (and a loyal Imperial servant), I was disappointed in this film. The tone definitely fit the 40k universe, but the animation quality is substandard, and the plot was surprisingly bland and rushed for something by Dan Abnett. The sound effects also lacked something to be desired as they were brief, and seemed somewhat stock as well.
The soundtrack and battle scenes were, on the other hand, epic. The chanting was catchy and appropriate to the setting, and set the dark mood that I would expect from a story in the 41st millennium.
If I could suggest anything to the writers, I would suggest using a different animation studio, and using either an existing story like Gaunt's Ghosts (also by Abnett)or an original one that has been more fleshed out.
Zootopia (2016)
One of the best animated films in years
What do you get when you take the humor and child friendliness of Disney/Pixar and mix in a little "Traffic"? You get this gem of a film. It is astonishingly relevant to American, and World for that matter, sociopolitics. You can see it all here: the mistrust of African Americans, Trump's manipulation of the fear of Muslim and Hispanic immigrants.... It's all here, and being portrayed so frighteningly accurately.
One of the things that I particularly found interesting was the use of references, humor, and music to balance out the seriousness and suspense: it's effect being to force us (the audience) to think about the issues in the world around us, while still making an enjoyable and inspiring film for family members of all ages, religions, and races.