Change Your Image
TheEmeraldAriell
Ratings
Most Recently Rated
Reviews
Dune (2021)
What do you fear?
An intense rollercoaster (& I don't like rollercoasters) but I enjoyed this. They're taking their time this go round. Great casting. Great performances. I had a lot of fun watching it.
Eternals (2021)
And just like that
I wasn't prepared to be moved to tears but there I was.
Thought provoking.
Engaging
Not predictable
Deep and moving
Just what I needed
Would recommend
A.
Abominable (2019)
Sweet and simple
This movie wasn't made for me but that's okay. I enjoyed it still. I just hope that the portrayal of this culture was mostly accurate and that they consulted properly for film representation. The story seemed to be missing a lot for me. It was your basic coming of age plot. The characters were a little by the numbers so none of them really drew me in. Nothing about how things happen seems plausible but it's a cartoon. Harmless watch.
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007)
Sad and honest
Back in this corner of the Tim Burton universe Mr John Christopher gives another brilliant performance of the dark and brooding protagonist obsessed with justice and vengeance. Years ago when I first tried to watch this the singing took me completely out of it so I had to step. When I came back I was glad. This style of art by Tim and John is my jam. I had fun. So many Harry Potter alum. A little long for my taste but I stayed with it to the end and wasn't disappointed. Dark watch is fun watch (for me).
Wonder Woman (2017)
Old and safe
The entire movie was a flashback. That was really annoying for me. So they wanted to gloss over the fact that the reason she's more powerful than everyone is because she's a god. They don't tell you that because her naivety and good faith in humans comes naturally since she also doesn't know she's a god. And that's supposed to be relatable. But in the very beginning we learn how she comes to be and none of that is relatable. Gal Gadot posed a lot. I guess people like that. Not the type of superhero movie I like. Wasn't for me. Boring watch. The villain was lackluster too.
A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)
Fun with the gang
Peanuts media is my jam. Always has been. Always will be. This is a must watch for me every year. I feel exactly the same as Charles does. I completely get where he's coming from. It's classic comfort that always works for me. Yearly watch.
Us (2019)
Deep metaphor is obvious
I had no idea what to expect. I didn't want to see this. I went with friends. I wasn't impressed. It was cringy to watch. Horror is not my jam but I'm not opposed to it. This wasn't for me. I won't go back to it. Bad watch.
Zootopia (2016)
Animals and allegory
You never though a corporation with its past would come full circle. Racism in a children's story? Are the parents listening? Is anyone listening? Sometimes entertaining requires teaching the hard lessons everyone is choosing to ignore. It looks fun and light but don't forget to think a little deeper. Deep watch.
Get Out (2017)
Real hurt
Open wounds still bleed even in the 21st century. Sometimes the truth is just black and white. You've seen it all your life and the desensitization would have you believe the problem has resolved itself when it actually hasn't. Still a hard pill to swallow for everyone even now. Important. Deep watch.
The Lighthouse (2019)
Quiet and trippy
The craftsmanship. Grey tones and shadows. Two artists alone with a lighthouse. Only each other and the ocean to drive them crazy. Time and companionship test their resolve. What would you do for a dollar? An escape? Psychological thrillers are my jam. Deep watch.
Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018)
A different view
I avoided the antman movies for a while because I'm new into comics and I thought a superhero called antman? Must be a joke. But it wasn't and I was pleasantly surprised to see T.I. in these movies. Paul Rudd is a fun accidental superhero. And they incorporated his partner seamlessly I think. It's not the typical high stakes MCU comic book drama which is a nice break from all the dark tension. Easy watch.
The Lion King (2019)
Fake and dull
I know exactly why they did this which makes it even more disappointing. I didn't need it. I didn't enjoy it. I saw it in theaters and I wish I had skipped it like some of the others. I don't like these and I won't be paying to see anymore. Bad watch.
A Simple Favor (2018)
Suburban and surreal
I liked seeing Blake Lively in this kind of role. It was also nice to see Anna Kendrick acting without singing. The plot seemed a little contrived. It was pretty unbelievable most times but the suspense kept me watching. A pleasant surprise. I might read the book someday. Easy watch.
Black Swan (2010)
Dark and painful
Natalie Portman is one of my favorites. I like Darren as a creative and director. Seeing this was a no brainer cause psychological thrillers are my jam. I know nothing about the world of ballerinas and dance but this was an interesting depiction. I can appreciate the source material being used a back drop to tell a story from a personal perspective (a relative of his). That made it more than just the swan princess. Great watch.
Mother! (2017)
Allegory and commentary
Darren is good. I saw this with no fore knowledge whatsoever. I saw Jennifer Lawrence and said yes and I was not disappointed. The deep metaphors really made me think. Jennifer's performance was really good. I liked Javier in a role other than bad guy. Makes you want to hold yourself accountable for the part you play. I don't mind that from the movies I watch. Great watch.
Bombshell (2019)
Blonde bombs
I watched this movies because of those three beautiful women. All actors whose work I am no stranger to that I respect and appreciate. I live in the same world as everyone else and I had no idea any of this was going on before I saw this movie. These kinds of movies are my jam. Of course there is fluff and exaggeration added to tell a big picture story of a real moment in time but I don't mind that. It was good. I was surprised to see Connie Britton in the role she was playing. Great to see her. This was intense. Great watch.
I, Tonya (2017)
Mean and talented
Tonya is a real person. Hearing her story and how this movie came to be with Margot Robbie cast in the lead I was like sure why not. It surprised me. I had no expectations going on so I was impossible to let down. They got Sebastian Stan as the husband lover husband and I was surprised to see him portraying such a character but he was good. I was surprised to learn about who this real person is the movie is depicting that I had never heard of before. Everyone has a story. Great watch.
Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town (1970)
Fun and light
Rankin bass productions are my go to for December. This is always a fun one to watch for me. The songs are catchy. The characters make me laugh. A straight forward origin story. Fred Astaire singing and narrating is the best. Mickey Rooney is the best Santa voice ever. Don't @ me. I watch it every year. Always will.
Nestor, the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey (1977)
Bad and weird
I love the rankin bass holiday specials but this one was always hard to watch. Most times I changed the channel unless nothing else was on. I don't like the Rudolph misfit story line because it was already done. I haven't seen it in years and I don't believe they still air it and I'm not mad at that. Wouldn't recommend.
Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)
Young and fresh
Another Spider-Man. There's a reason why they keep doing this. Because they know they haven't gotten it quite right just yet. So, take three. He already is. He's still smart and the odd ball out but he has a friend like always. Bright and fun and colorful like a comic. Classic spidey quips. I don't hate it. It was fun to watch. (Tobey Maguire is still my favorite, don't @ me) but Tom Holland does a stand up job. A fun watch. Thanks marvel.
Frozen II (2019)
Cold and blue
Obvious cash grab is obvious. I loved the existential snowman and that's it. It was too meta and that led to in movie cringe from its own characters that shouldn't have been ashamed or embarrassed by the previous movie but I guess that was for the audience. The movie yadayada-ed a lot of stuff. I watched it and it was what it was. Wasn't for me. Won't be going back.
Maleficent: Mistress of Evil (2019)
Unnecessary
I didn't need this. I didn't need the first one but I understand the underlying corporate goal of easy profits. The story was forced. The lovers don't know each other enough to actually love. The new villain comes way out of left field. It was very predictable at multiple points. I watched it once and that was too much. No fun at all.
The Prestige (2006)
Smoke and mirrors
Magic and showmanship. Is it the craft that shines or the performance. The trick isn't has spectacular once you know the secret. A little bit of mystery can go a long way. Secrets and competition. Who's story is it anyway? I'm no stranger to the world of Christopher Nolan. This movie has been on my list for a long time. I wasn't let down. A lot of fun and thought provoking. Great watch.
Frankenweenie (2012)
Other and unknown
Majority culture always fears the outside and the unknown. That fear and ignorance don't mean a thing is bad. Differences exist and that's good. Diversity keeps things going. I like this interpretation of Frankenstein's monster through the imagination of Tim Burton. It's exactly what I would expect and I'm a fan of his work so I wasn't disappointed. Very enjoyable for me.
Joker (2019)
Dirty and Gotham
Arthur Fleck isn't insane and cruel. He's disenfranchised and tired. The city has devoured him. In this story's imagining, a man of nothing has decided to claw his way out to keep from being devoured. Not the most conventional and moral of methods but finally the people started to see and he started to see. A fresh new take. Interesting to watch.