in1984 Reviews

Trolls (2016)

Lazy Animation Combined with Old Hit Remarketing

[3/10 · 26 November 2016]

3.2 of 10. If you're choosing which theater cartoon to see with kids this holiday, Moana is the clear and easy winner. Trolls is a lazy cartoon from beginning to end. From the low-quality of the animation itself to the story and music selection, there's is nothing innovative, ambitious, or worth viewing on anything other than free TV, and only then to keep the kids quiet and out of trouble.

The 1 redeeming quality in the story is that it's about happiness not being found/gained through consumption, but instead through hugs and friends.

As for the cartoon quality, you see much better in TV standards for kids like Spongebob Squarepants and Adventure Time. The music and audio in them is also surprisingly better. The music you get in this is a selection of 80s/90s pop hits that you hear/have heard far more than you want to already. Nothing original.

Disappointing and cheaply done cartoon that provides nothing new. The very least they could have done is select some obscure or new music that fits in with the story, but they seem more interested in selling film space to existing corporate elevator music.

Sausage Party (2016)

In the Category of Best Cartoon Ever

[9/10 · 25 November 2016]

9.6 of 10. Being a mix of Aqua Teen Hunger Force and Betty Boop, while the animation doesn't do anything technically new or amazing, the character drawing and subtleties combined with the voices and story make for a grand experience as a whole. Easily the best cartoon of the past 3 years.

Sure, it's not for kids, but a lot is beyond their ability to comprehend anyway. It's far more intellectual than you'd expect in a cartoon. Teens and up should be viewing this, not that requiring it will be necessary. The combination of comedy, sexual innuendo, music, and action will draw viewers to it and keep interest rising. If not that, the desire to experience what it's like to see the world through Stephen Hawking's brain when really f'k'n' high.

What's wrong with it? Hmmm, I would have preferred a more lasting, graphic display of the sausages getting up into the buns. It's the least they could do for their puppet masters.

Bad Santa 2 (2016)

Definitely not up to the greatness of the original

[7/10 · 25 November 2016]

6.9 of 10. An amusing, funny sequel, but it lacks the depth and insight of the first. It still works in many ways as a gross-out comedy and satirical critique of the Christmas industry.

Like the 2003 original, it's probably still too much for the typical holiday film viewer. Gross out humor has come a long way and become much more the norm, but it's far from family viewing cartoons with Santa's elves.

As to elves, 13 years later, little people/elves are also at the peak of their popularity. Even tiny hands seem to be big. But they are definitely not heroes in this film, though they definitely get to show off their skills - as do the fat, overfed fastfood kids.

Moana (I) (2016)

Enjoyable Cartoon Covering Hawaiian Culture and Youth

[7/10 · 24 November 2016]

7.1 of 10. Not up to the high standards that Sausage Party set for cartoons this year, but it definitely fulfills Disney's standard for creating inspirational stories for youth that intertwine with mythology and culture.

It's also better than Kubo and the Two Strings, which it's more likely to be compared to given the importance of water in the story. The water animation itself is also better in Moana, from the transparency to the movement of the creatures in it.

This should be a very enjoyable cartoon for girls and young women. Certainly above the crop of 2015 cartoons.

Michael Moore in TrumpLand (2016)

Not Difficult to Say 3 Good Things about Michael Moore after Watching

[9/10 · 27 October 2016]

8.9 of 10.

1. Michael Moore can do stand-up comedy. He is funny, witty, and quick on his feet for someone who moves around so slowly.

2. Moore can do Colbert-like roasting satire.

3. Moore should run for President in 2020 regardless of whether Hillary Clinton turns into America's version of Pope Francis. It will make a good practice run and he has great ideas worthy of prime-time debates regardless of whether he can execute an executive order to have postal carriers actually deliver marijuana to every home on every Friday. Maybe, if Hillary turns out really great, she'll voluntarily relinquish power, something Trump would definitely never do.

While this isn't a documentary, it definitely has documentary-like qualities. Obscure parts of history are revealed, including long impressive connections with leaders in other nations and the respect that Hillary has from them.

As for Trumpland, another documentary aspect of this film is the insight given into a small part of Ohio known as Clinton County.

Deepwater Horizon (2016)

The Muddy Reality of Offshore Oil Drilling Brought to Horrific Life

[9/10 · 29 September 2016]

9.1 of 10. Makes a documentary-style, based-on-true events film into a stunning special FX action-thriller with the sort of technical detail that you'd expect Star Trek nerds to demand and enjoy.

2 people really impress here: Peter Berg for putting this film together and John Malkovich for his acting. Berg clearly expresses a passion for this that brings to life a film based on an investigative news article. As for Malkovich, pretty much everyone but him could have been replaced with another actor.

They definitely released this at the correct time. There's a not so obvious Halloween element in this film. Those looking for horror and gore without being stuck with slightly different versions of the same old horror clichés will prefer this over any made-for-Halloween film. You will feel truly scared and surprised watching this film without a single gimmick.

The Good Neighbor (2016)

Does for Halloween what Bad Santa did for Christmas

[7/10 · 19 September 2016]

7.5 of 10. While not quite up to the original Bad Santa (2003), Good Neighbor definitely does for Halloween what Bad Santa did for Santa Claus Day.

Rather than conventional horror, you get a mystery based in reality that takes advantage of the characters' both known and unknown beliefs in ghosts and the paranormal. Blood, violence, and sudden loud sounds still play a critical role, but without the directionless excess that recent big studio horror releases rely upon to the point of tedium.

Caan fortunately plays a more laid back role to a film that really doesn't need star power. It succeeds through a well-crafted story and exceptional casting of relative unknowns in all the other roles. Then when you don't expect it, things stay lively with a surprising and enjoyable soundtrack.

Snowden (2016)

An Inspiring, Sexy Addition to the Documentaries

[9/10 · 15 September 2016]

9 of 10. For me, the only significant missing part was Pfc. Bradley (Chelsea) Manning's and other earlier whistleblowers influence on how Edward Snowden decided to go about whistleblowing. Other than that, this film fills in all the gaps you want from a film based on a true story that's following up on documentaries.

One of the surprises involves Shailene Woodley's addition of sex appeal to the story. She added the emotional and relationship context expected, but, while it's not what I was looking for, I'm sure many will appreciate the flesh she adds.

Definitely a much needed and inspiring telling of the NSA and general government military spy ops that too many people might otherwise not spend the time they should thinking about. While John Oliver's "dick pics" added some humor and awareness, I think Oliver Stone provides a lot more known, non-hypothetical variants that drive the same point home, sometimes with humor, sometimes with sex, sometimes with sadness.

The Childhood of a Leader (2015)

The Worst Fascism Film Ever

[2/10 · 6 September 2016]

2.5 of 10. Rounded down instead of up. Given that there's a desperate need for more documentaries or even portrayals of fascism as it happened historically, the 1 remarkable thing about this film is that it completely fails to capture any unique element of fascism or fascists.

As a film on the spoiled brats of leaders in general, it's not bad. Not original and not insightful either. It's more like the writer and director threw a tantrum together.

It's not the worst possible rating essentially because the acting and music are entertaining enough to keep the film from causing your head from bouncing off the floor, but that's about it.

Now You See Me 2 (2016)

The Kind of Sequel that has you Hoping for a Trilogy

[8/10 · 6 September 2016]

8.25 of 10. I found the first a disappointing attempt to do a film like Ocean's Twelve and 13. This creates it's own space and provides a more fitting role for Woody Harrelson to fit in. The nature of the film, however, will disappoint young, naive magic fans who came for Daniel Radcliffe.

What makes this different from a magic or tech film is that it combines the 2 and goes further, mixing in international intrigue and national security issues. As a result, we have something like Edward Snowden meets David Copperfield (who is a co-producer).

Whether there's a trilogy now or not, this fulfills the promise of the first film and can leave us content with the series.

River (I) (2015)

A Mess Without Direction trying to Force Suspense

[2/10 · 13 August 2016]

2.3 of 10. Nothing like a river in its style. Though the title and the story do eventually connect, that's about the only connection you feel from this. The thrills/suspense all feel artificial, forced without anything to be of a concern. The running looks more like jogging.

Maybe the lead actor's connection to a Hollywood star is what gets this some free publicity, but it's not the story or his acting. This would be better setup as a tragic comedy about a naive American in a foreign country, but nobody involved seems to recognize it and you end up with a film taking its actors far too seriously.

I wouldn't recommend this on any level. It tries to provide some meaningful commentary on international problems, but even that feels concocted within this film.

Lights Out (II) (2016)

Basic "Scares", like a child sneaking up behind you and yelling "BOO"

[3/10 · 8 August 2016]

2.9 of 10. If there was a ranking of horror film categories that are the worst types of horror film, this wouldn't be the worst type, but it would be in the top 3. It's about as scare as a child sneaking up behind you and yelling book as you walk into a dark room. That's also pretty much the extent of what this film does, and thus the film title, which is the best part of the film.

Imagine you use your smartphone camera to film your son/daughter/little brother/sister wearing a long-haired wig backwards while they sneak through a dark house and wait for someone to turn out the lights and go to bed. Then they walk into the room as you hit play on a boombox with a loud, disturbing sound plays. Well, you'll get more entertainment out of that then this film, and that's pretty much all you can expect from this film, without having the benefit of having an amusing home video to play back.

Captain Fantastic (2016)

Grunge Family Superhero

[9/10 · 2 August 2016]

9.5 of 10. It's tempting to give it a perfect rating. This is the kind of film that should win an Oscar. Genius story telling combined with perfect social timing.

With grunge-era people now in full family mode or just escaping it, it fits that there should not only be a film set in a grunge utopia but complete with the filthy, tragic, painful aspects of life that grunge art is in large part dedicated to portraying.

One of the few drawbacks was its placement of Bikini Girl's "Rebel Girl". It's a great song that should be in the soundtrack, but they missed a few more ideal places for it. Otherwise, the soundtrack is a key part of keeping the film moving along.

The Angry Birds Movie (2016)

You'll feel like you've had a bird crap and vomit on you

[3/10 · 29 July 2016]

3.4 of 10. If having a bird crap and vomit on you is your idea of a good time, you may enjoy the green pork and white eggs this film offers. I'm not sure how they coaxed Sean Penn into this. Maybe a favor for a friend. The rest of the cast isn't surprising or add anything to it. Probably just happy to get a good paying Sony gig.

The animation and drawing is solid, more natural and better than a game, so game and cartoon lovers might get some enjoyment out of that. But beyond the technical visual and sound aspects, the story and characters are disappointing and poorly thought out.

About the only story element that I enjoyed involved how communities openly trusting and welcoming of traveling carnival acts passing through town are likely to be conned and lose heavily in the deal.

The Purge: Election Year (2016)

A Rarity that Completes the Trilogy

[9/10 · 4 July 2016]

8.75 of 10. It's a rare trilogy that the last film is both the best and smartest of the 3, and this is one of those rarities.

After suffering a dropoff with the second, Anarchy, from the first in the series that created a world we wanted to see and know more about, we're back to wanting to see more. On the other hand, this completes the series perfectly, or as close as it may ever get to it, and they should let it end here.

Once again, this is not sci-fi. That hasn't changed. What we have is an expansion and development of the dystopian, modern-day alternate reality the first setup so well. We also get a longer film with more plot and character that doesn't attempt to rush through it like a conventional action/horror flick.

Swiss Army Man (2016)

A Comedy of Fears - and Crazy

[5/10 · 3 July 2016]

6.5 of 10. Whereas we frequently get comedies of errors, and this certainly has that, this is primarily making comedy out of fearful and even horrific situations. I imagine this will be a favorite among social workers and psychologists.

Besides the frequently referenced farting and massive piles of bear poop, this treads in a lot of areas people would prefer not to talk or think about - not just because they are gross. The highly unusual if not unique element is the fear and crazy combined into humor. I can't think of anything that's not psycho horror that combines the elements of this film into something intriguing to watch.

Unfortunately, there are more than a few clichés and well worn melodrama for losers that hurt the originality of the story, plus some unexplained shifts in clothing/appearance that take away from the immersion.

Not a theater film, but worth seeing, secretly with your stuffed raccoon, or with your friends and biggest bear.

Free State of Jones (2016)

Civil Wars for the Rich

[9/10 · 29 June 2016]

9.25 of 10. The many shades of slave and involuntary servitude come to light in this story. A film that's true enough that it deserves to be something shown to students to help their interest and expand their understanding of American history, but too gruesome, violent, and explicit in language for the typical school.

It may also be a little too quiet and slow moving for some, but the depth to which the film explores obscure American Civil War facts and events, both during and after, makes one curiouser and curiouser to see where it goes.

This is a rare film that you can watch a trailer of, or not, and not have it ruin the film. In fact, it would be very difficult to anyone to write a spoiler for this. It's also something you want to watch from beginning to end, or at least until the credits shift to white text on black. It may not be the ideal theater film, but it definitely is worthy of a hard copy for your book/DVD shelf.

Colonia (2015)

Great Tale of History Removed of Oscar Status by Over-Directing & Acting

[8/10 · 10 June 2016]

7.5 of 10. As many of the top reviews mentioned, this a true story, or "inspired" by them, that needs to be told about relatively recent but virtually unknown history of Chile.

I'm adding a review to the mix because the other reviews really didn't capture the problems of this film. The few that did were too fixated upon them and essentially didn't consider anything else the film has to offer. Then there were the usual fanboy reviews of one of the film's significant problems - Emma Watson's acting. During the most significant parts of the film, she was stuck. In the less important parts, she was cliché, stereotypical, and showing about as much skill as a teen horror chick.

The other problem is that the director also failed in the same way, cliché, stereotypical melodrama hurting a story that didn't need it.

Fortunately, the story and most of the other actors overcome the over-direction and naive acting. Not enough, however, to turn it into an Oscar nominee that it deserves to be.

Allegiant (2016)

The Best and Only Sci-fi Divergent Yet

[8/10 · 26 May 2016]

8 of 10. The series keeps getting better and it finally becomes science fiction as opposed to just a dystopian alternate reality.

The first thing you need to do to fully enjoy this is not read the reviews and especially not the reviews of the book readers. The books may or may not be better. Harry Potter sucks no matter what. The Lord of the Rings is only good if you're a kid who hasn't read anything but a bible, Greek mythology, Dracula, or some other weak horror and fantasy.

Here we have a series that seems like little more than imitation Hunger Games complete with an imitation blond girl, but as it turns out, there's more too it and, finally, actual sci-fi.

The first 2 films act as a setup for what and why there is a dystopia in addition to not providing any science fiction, so this pays off the way a mystery book with a long plot does, even if the want-to-be book reviewers haven't read enough to develop the needed attention span to put this trilogy together.

Bite (I) (2015)

Insect Horror meets Sci-Fi

[6/10 · 20 May 2016]

6.25 of 10. If you're looking for something beyond another spider film, The Fly, Spiderman, or the Thaw, this adds something new to mix. It's also ahead of the curve on the zika-like infections.

Excellent visual and sound FX for a low-budget, indie film where the writer and director are the same person.

So much horror is fantasy based that another strong part of this film is that there's reality/science integrated into the horror. If you want horror that's not based purely on nonsense, you'll definitely appreciate this film.

The only weak part of the film involves the casting. With more budget and bigger actors, this could have easily been a more recognized film. As it is, it will probably pick up a cable audience and eventually turn into a cult hit.

Jackrabbit (2015)

Dystopia where only 1980s Games & Computers Survive

[8/10 · 2 April 2016]

8.1 of 10. As science fiction or cyberpunk, this would have been better timed during the late 1980s or early 1990s. Nonetheless, it's an entertaining and insightful look at one possibility if the wi-fi and other elements that enable current computer and mobile phone technology no longer function.

The world is essentially now less the mobile tech and massive media structure. Broadcasting is limited to radio-like communication and there remains a slow, phone modem like Internet.

Beyond that it's essentially another variation of a smart but naive young adult driven by success discovering himself and the world. Despite the lack of major studio money and actors, it is well cast and acted enough not to get in the way of the film's flow.

Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens (2015)

Didn't Pay Disney a Cent and Still Feel Cheated

[3/10 · 25 March 2016]

4 of 10. Rated 3 for now because the score so massively overrated on IMDb. Apparently Disney money can buy more than just the massive amounts to hijack the series from Lucas and convince the original actors to stick a light saber through their hearts and credibility.

The idea of a later world regressing/decomposing back into the old empire 30-40 years after the original ends isn't bad. The problem is that it's horribly developed with no follow-through and virtually no context and plot development to connect the end to this new beginning.

There's really nothing added other than for those looking for an obvious and boring answer to whether Han Solo de-virginizes the Princess. The tech is actually more impressive in the prequels, both in terms of the film making/FX and that of the Star Wars universe.

And the bad/dark side is so obvious. That's the worst part. Simply no originality/innovation in the development of those seeking to rule everything.

Excess Flesh (2015)

Psycho-Eating Disorder Horror

[6/10 · 22 March 2016]

6.25 of 10. Are they roommates or just 2 versions of the same person happening within a psychotic aspiring model with a tendency to binge on eating, sex, and self abuse? Either way, you get 2 similar looking actresses, a slender model and a plump mess, playing the lead rolls.

As simply horror and gore, it doesn't pick up until the latter part of the film. The first half is essentially dedicated to setting up the characters and their/her various disorders/psychoses. That does set up a mystery angle to it and make the film more enjoyable and less predictable as to where it's going.

It's rare to get so much character depth, plot, gross-out scenes, horror, and hot ass shots in the same film. Worth a watch even though it makes a mistake at the end with not really completing the story and going with more of a setup for a sequel.

Mune: Guardian of the Moon (2014)

Cartoon Dreams within Cartoons

[8/10 · 13 March 2016]

7.75 of 10. Stylistically and in terms of the quality of animation and imagery, one of the best recent cartoon films. The story is pure fantasy and works as sort of new a fairy tale clearly for children but with various themes that make it enjoyable for everyone in a family and certainly safe enough for kids to enjoy alone.

The deeper messages of the story involve the complexity of the universe and the benefits of working positively with one another as opposed to alone with minions doing your bidding under the threat of your power. The other ongoing message is a softened version of curiosity killing the cat. Curiosity here is both good and can get you into serious trouble, as can over confidence, arrogance, and too much power.

The story and cartoon is all woven together, as is the cartoon within the cartoon. It also makes beautiful use of new voice actors as opposed to relying on stars. It deserves to catch on as an underground classic that the critics and production corporations failed to identify and properly distribute.

Snowtime! (2015)

Best Cartoon of 2015

[8/10 · 25 February 2016]

7.9 of 10. Not that 2015 had much competition, but this is a well-thought out story based on a book. Both family friendly and something parents will enjoy watching with all their kids.

The one drawback is the ending tries too hard to make a happy ending out of a tragedy, probably because it's intended for kids for the most part. I wonder if it's even allowed to make tragic films intended for kids, some sort of secret rating rule.

For the most part, this is one big allegory made into a tightly integrated cartoon involving kids, snow, and building snow forts. There's a little romantic tween interest going on that should keep teens interested. Importantly, it's not forced and a vital part of the story.