acjacobsford Reviews

Bo Burnham: Inside (2021 TV Special)

I had to go take a walk

[10/10 · 3 June 2021]

I've been a fan of Bo all through 8th grade and highschool (about to end junior year now), and this is truly his best work, not even that, it's truly him.

I had a creeping sense of unease the entire time I watched this, knowing Bo, I knew the ending was going to hurt. Still, after the hour and a half long special ended, I immediately got up, grabbed my keys and went for an hour long walk. I needed to think about what the hell I just watched.

It was funny, horribly raw, interesting, colorful. It brought me back to the periods of time during the pandemic where I was intensely depressed. I would have loved to watch this during those times, and I know I will return to this special the next time I fall into a depression. Bo understands art, and I felt like he was looking into my soul, every time he made fun of himself for the harsh criticism he had for his own art. For being hyper aware of being pretentious, of being scared of pride.

Picking every little thing apart only leads to spiraling, and then the sad, dull realization that in order to make art, to make your true art, you'll have to roll the dice on being pretentious and being beautiful.

Self hatred is so common among artists, I see it in myself and in my friends. Sometimes it feels like people are so scared of being proud, they'll kill themselves instead.

Ah, that was a ramble, how about I just say this. Watch this special if you want to have an internal crisis, but for the love of gods if you are an artist, watch this special.

The Prom (2020)

Eh, it's okay

[6/10 · 13 March 2021]

One of the only movies like this that acknowledges how liberalism doesn't do much to change minds. It's also not a coming out movie, which is nice, as that has been done too much and doesn't show the true experience. So, yeah, it's not the best, I'm guessing the musical is better and would be fun to watch. James Corden is kinda annoying, hetero side relationship is boring, it's still kinda forced. But hell, they finally got queer actors to play queer characters (besides James Corden, seriously, why dude). I like that the "gay makeover scene" is a gay character dressing a gay character. I like Emma's first song. My liberal family likes it, so it certainly reaches its audience. I hope it hasn't/doesn't win any awards though. There are much better, more artistic or unique, less flashy and Hollywood, gay movies out there.

Soul (2020)

Beautiful; Perfect Pixar

[9/10 · 26 December 2020]

Pixar is strongest in terms of emotion, and they delivered once again. This movie made me cry twice. Now, I know crying doesn't mean it's a great movie, but it does point to good writing and probably some beautiful music. I enjoyed the humor in this. It wasn't forced, or formulaic like most big movie companies give us. (I'm looking at you Marvel). But if course, I love me some cynicism and it probably feels unfunny for some people. Tina Fey's character doesn't fall into a rut of being the comedic relief. I appreciate that. Too often a character is shoved in with no other purpose than to be funny or get in trouble. Soul 22(Fey's character) gets a full, rounded personality and character arc, all the while being the funny character. My mouth was hanging open for the first 20 or 30 minutes of this movie. The animation was amazing as always. I was fascinated by Pixar's representation of the "afterlife" and "before life". The hair raising awe I felt towards the swirling "great beyond" was awesome. Well done. The character designs of the people were, a tad bland, but I'd believe that's on purpose, for their lives were supposed to be bland. My only complaint is the design of souls, boring kinda. Again, it ties into the story, so I won't hold it against them. I'm gonna compare this movie to Coco and Inside Out, but please don't believe I'm doing this because I think Pixar stole their own ideas. No, and anyone who compares these movies like that is an idiot. Pixar simply expands on their previously touched upon messages. In Inside Out, they explored family, emotions and a bit of psychology. In Coco, Pixar examined art and family, passion vs. duty. In Soul, they expanded on those ideas. The looked at the relationship between art and how we live our lives. With a dash of family and existentialism. Whenever the main character played piano I found myself closing my eyes and remembering school band. Thinking about the feel of an entire ensemble playing together. But also the soft notes of someone warming up. Practicing with a friend. I think this movie hits that nail on the head. The scene where I first cried, maybe where we all cried, was when Joey went home after the performance, and played his piano. That part made me cry because it was beautiful. That scene is Perfect Pixar. I like that the, what I call, "Important Moment" didn't happen during the concert. The "Important Moment" of a movie, especially a movie like this, is a moment the audience watches a character triumph. Whether it's them leaping off a building to join the fight (I love you Spiderverse) or something simpler, like watching them playing the piano only for themself, it's the turning point of the film. I loved this movie, please watch it, especially if you are an artist, like me.

Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel (2009)

It's bad, but its about talking chipmunks you idiots

[11 September 2020]

This was the predominant movie of my childhood. It's bad, but I still love it. I love to make fun of it too. I'll probably rent it for my birthday and make fun of it with my friends

Frozen II (2019)

It was pretty nice- a review from a teen

[7/10 · 11 December 2019]

So, I'm fifteen. I enjoy animated movies. I went to see this with my friend and we had a great time. This movie has stunning animation and graphics, yes. It also has an okay story and some good songs. To be honest, the B plots of this story (Kristoff proposing and Olaf 'growing up') weren't very good or engaging. I found Olaf's arc unnesary and pandering to the kids in the audience. It doesn't fully tie into the main theme of the movie, which I believe to be "Take a chance." Or "move on to something new." I don't care that a three year old snowman is growing up. Another thing, I don't care about Kristoffs arc at allll. We barely get to see any scenes with Anna and Kristoff together. When they do, yes there is chemistry, but no bonding or change in their relationship. Him proposing at the end seems unnecessary and has no connection to Anna's arc. Again, which I understand to be "sometimes you can't help people." Okay, the music. Throw out Olaf and Kristoffs songs. Focus on Elsa's songs and Anna. This movie should be about them. Humor, flatter and more in your face than the first one. Olaf is okay most of the time. The story. I liked where Disney went, but if they want to do more complicated plots, work harder to make it smoother and more understandable. Well, I have to take a test now. Bye