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Reviews
The Iron Claw (2023)
Terrible casting mistake, but good wrestling scenes
I was probably too big of a Von Erich fan in the 80s to be able to enjoy this movie. The reason being they cast a little 5'6" mousy guy to play Kerry, a guy who actually looked like a Greek god. It would almost be like casting Michael Cera to play Arnold Schwarzenegger. That alone was enough to ruin this movie for me. Kerry was a larger than life hero to me as a kid. I was 10 years old at the peak of his career.
The casting of Efron as Kevin was also bad but nowhere near the mistake of Jeremy Allen White as Kerry. Efron seemed to have a stiff Botox-induced lack of emotion fin nearly all
of his scenes.
The positives are:
- they did a good job with the wrestling scenes but those scenes are a minor part of the movie
- the rest of the cast was good.
- the closing scene was touching.
Hereditary (2018)
Possibly best horror movie ever made
This might be the best horror movie ever made. It's easily the most disturbing film I've ever seen. I watched it two weeks ago and still think about it daily. I'm 47 years old and I actually thought about sleeping with my bedside lamp on at night. That's something that hasn't happened since I was a child. This film deserved a Best Picture nomination, but sadly this genre is always overlooked. And I'm sure Toni Collette was better than any actress nominated that year. Having said all that, this movie is not for everyone. It's just too horrific. However, I will certainly watch every film director Ari Aster creates. This was his first job directing and he's made a boldly terrifying masterpiece, so he's set the bar very high for himself. Its what I would call stunningly confident writing/directing. Bold choices. While watching the film, near the end, I said to myself "Oh my god, he's really going for it!"
Speak No Evil (2022)
Set boundaries for your family
I thought I knew where this film was going. It seemed like a horror satire about setting social boundaries for your family. It was that, but it delivers the message in a way I'll never forget. It was surprisingly brutal in the end. It's not for everyone. It was well directed and well cast. After I watched it with my wife we discussed it for a while, more than most films we watch. The point was well taken, but it's disturbing. I can't say I recommend this film, because I'm afraid some people aren't equipped to handle the brutality. However, I respect the creator's vision and execution. It's unforgettable.
Mandy (2018)
Not For Everyone. Amazing for Some.
This is a 'love it or hate it' kind of movie. If you are bothered by gratuitous violence, you probably won't be able to overlook that to see the absolutely original and amazing film that Mandy is. Also, the pacing is a little slow for some people, but I thought the director used the pace in a brilliant way. So you really feel this movie. The good emotions and the brutally painful ones. If you have the chance to see it in a theater, you should do that. The score of the film is Oscar-worthy, and the loud booming audio of the theater I was in really enhanced the experience. I have a feeling this is one of those movies that will be replayed in theaters for decades to come. Destined to be a cult classic. And as deep and dark as it is, there are also a few gut laughs. I mean, it is Nic Cage after all...
The Comedy (2012)
No Pain, No Gain
The Comedy isn't funny. It isn't meant to be funny. The Comedy is actually a little disturbing, and I have been somewhat haunted by it since seeing it last week.
I don't think the Comedy is just an indictment on "hipsters" as a lot of critics have said, but more broadly directed at any people with tendencies toward cynicism, sarcasm and despair.... and heavy drinking. I could relate to a certain degree, and I've been a little more self-aware of these things since seeing the film. I did not enjoy watching The Comedy, but I do (highly) recommend it.
*As a side note, to address the misogyny remarks I've seen around the web: The only way this movie could possibly be perceived as misogynistic (or offensive in any way) is if the viewer makes the mistake of thinking they're supposed to like these characters. They are clearly meant to be loathed by us.