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jonathan_millet
Reviews
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (2024)
Decent start, decent ending, 100% poor writing in between
As the movie began, I enjoyed the opening. I then predicted that there would be at least 30 minutes of absolutely nothing happening. My daughter would not take the bet. I won the bet at least three times over. I guess they spent all of their CGI budget on the last 20 minutes. That wasn't too bad. I want my $10 back.
My teenage daughter liked it though. Unlike me, she didn't find the logical inconsistencies of the plot to be frustrating, maddening, and inane.
I enjoyed Afterlife. I thought it was decently written.
This reminded me of a plot for a 30-minute Ghostbusters cartoon from the 1990s or 1980s. Very thin on character development and a little bit of action. To be fair, a Ghostbusters cartoon would have more action than this movie.
Ghosted (2023)
Okay popcorn fare
It was decent. Nothing to write home about, but it was entertaining. Ana de Armas is lovely as Sadie and Chris Evan is handsome as Cole (says the wife).
Plenty of fun cameos, and Adrien Brody did a fair job as the bad guy. Decent action set pieces, designed for Sadie. The wrinkle in the story (everyday guy gets caught up in the spy business) is not very fresh, but they don't make Cole a wimp and he can handle himself, with the stunt work appropriate for someone of Cole's lesser skills. My basic grade: this is a good movie to put on in the background while you are trying to get something done.
Justified: City Primeval (2023)
Decent premise, love Rylan's character. Cannot stand Willa.
Got several episodes in. Enjoyed most of it and loved Rylan's character.
Unfortunately, the daughter's character was absurd. Had dinner with the psychopathic murderer? No fear -- just berates Rylan. That's not a teenage girl; she must be psychopathic as well. Her father is a U. S. Marshal and she is a white girl walking in the dangerous parts of Detroit. Absurd. She must never have listened to her father and his likely stories of being aware and safe. But she's a girl boss, so no worries.
Have a judge murdered and need a warrant to search a bar during an investigation of a likely suspect or accomplice? Guess the writers have not heard of a phone warrant. I'm pretty sure Rylan could have made a call and had a warrant to search in a few minutes. No, instead they wait for the defense attorney to show up. Absurd. I'll skip the rest of the episodes.
Champions (2023)
Formulaic, but fun.
Formulaic story, but fun. The players are the real stars and it's a fun movie to watch. Each player has character development and the story moves at an easygoing pace. Wanted a positive, uplifting, fun movie, and this fit that. Some crude remarks, some sexual situations between the main character and his love interest (and references to the players being sexually active). Not a hard PG-13, though. I found it respectful of the players. Unlike many sports movies, there was actually a fair bit of basketball being played. My guess is the opposing team at the championship game is probably more typical of Special Olympics play. But come for the special spirits and uplifting attitudes.
Outland (1981)
Great space western
Great western in a space setting. Sean Connery is a classic hero (not an indestructible James Bond). As accurate as it can get for physics in space for Hollywood -- better than many recent films. No aliens, just a mystery followed by action. Spare dialogue -- more showing, less talking. It was worth the $3 rental. Decent special effects. Even if the script is average and the plot is basic, it's still worth the time. Violence is somewhat graphic. Some nudity (usually in the background, prostitution is mentioned and a prostitute is in once scene but no actual sex scene is shown). Was not aware of this until earlier this year. Glad to have caught it.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)
Very poor writing
Great potential was wasted by a very poorly written script full of logical plot holes, worse than the Black Widow movie. CGI, sets, and a good director cannot overcome that. Was not worth watching in the theaters.
Idiocracy (2006)
Even more relevant as time goes by
This movie was moronic when it was released. Now, with the rise of social media, it is appearing to predict the near future. May common sense rule the nation, just like Joe Bowers. Yes, it's silly. Yes, it's potty humor and sex-related jokes. Nothing explicit and no sex scenes. And even Rita never even turns a trick. My only regret is the post-credits scene hypes a sequel that will probably never be.
The Fare (2018)
A cross between a long Twilight Zone episode and mythology.
The story keeps you guessing and the twist is not fully to be expected. Good acting by the two leads. Enjoyed the story. Not a true spoiler, but this is not really a horror movie.