jaxmk1 Reviews

Dune: Part Two (2024)

Great

[7/10 · 12 January 2025]

Amongst many things that are better then part one, is the color pallet of the desert, I don't think is as good as the original Dune from 1985 but is way better than the one in part one The script livens up quite a bit the part two witch is much needed, but for whatever reason I never understand why not use ranged weapons in the fights and only use them occasionally.... they have them , they work and are effective, why not use them all the time.

The Big cast of actors has grown thin in part two but the acting is still good some little mistakes here and there but nothing major.

The effects pick it up as well along with the action and like in part one are done very good, and the music is such a new creation never heard before great job on the music It is a step up from part one and it is still recommended to watch on a Friday night with friends .

ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!!

Dune: Part One (2021)

Better the original.

[6/10 · 9 January 2025]

Compared to the original this remake is much better.

As a new movie if I wouldn't had watch the original, this would be a nice average movie.

The collection of actors is outstanding, but at the same time because they are that many, they don't get allot of screen time.

The music and CGI is great, mabye more colors on those sand dunes would been nice.

I didn't spotted any Director mistakes so no problems there.

The only and biggest problem is, just as the original, is the story. It is not for everyone including me.

I would recommend watching the movie with friends on a nice Friday night with some snacks.

Enjoy!!!

The Little Mermaid (I) (2023)

A small and rough pearl in a deep sea shell.

[6/10 · 4 November 2024]

Initialy it is a 3-4 star movie, lots of things wrong with it, feels rushed, the epic moments and songs of the original don't feel well integrated, they just feel rushed and added for the sake of "they must be added" The cast is bad, the protagonist choice is verry bad, (the only time it was bearly acceptable was when she was unable to talk), I mea did anyone see the energy of the original protagonist in the original movie, it was drawn and inspired from an actual girl with that exact tipe of energy and cuteness, the crab and the bird did a good job they get a pass, and yet for some unknown reason I still shared tears at mid to end movie that Disney Magic found it's way even into this pile.

Objectively I can't in good conscience give more than a 6 star but from 3 to 6 statistically speaking is 100% just for tears and that is Disney's Magic doing it's thing.

Bobby Z (2007)

Ok

[6/10 · 6 June 2024]

I don't know if the story was intended like that but for half a movie things are vaygly explained to the point one would think the movie is bad, even dough everything is explained I believe they could have done that differently. There are some scenes where Director, John Herzfeld, was careless and it shows for example the relationship between the main character and the boy progress very unrealistic and rushed. More love could have gone in the script.

What can we say about the actors, legends. Paul Walker is right at home with the character, Laurence Fishburne is a bit out of his usual role here, but he manages it just fine and Olivia Wilde my God that Olivia Wilde's beauty is simply unmatched back in those days, she fits the role greatly and is not just show and no go, she does great.

There are very little special effects here and are all practical effects so that's a plus, but the camera work is average at best, some poor angle choices and camera stills, there are a couple of "that will do's" here and there.

This is a pizza movie in any day of the week, I don't think it's a weekend movie.

Enjoy!!

The Rescuers Down Under (1990)

They kept what worked!

[5/10 · 3 June 2024]

The script was intended to be a direct sequel to the first movie and they did a good job in paying attention to the first one. It feels like they took off right after the first mission. A new adventure this time with less drama and more courage.

The fact that the roles are played by the same actors is a great decision and the same calmness in their voices continues witch made the first one great, and the new actors are without a fault.

Amazingly they decided to go with the old and fantastic Disney look even dough it was the 90's and could easily create something graphics wise. The semi 3D effect is great and the quality is upscaled nicely. No 70's Xerox technology here this time around.

For the best experience I would recommend to watch the first movie and the second during a weekend with the children.

Enjoy!!

The Rescuers (1977)

Ok

[5/10 · 29 May 2024]

The Rescures 1977.

Bold title and a acceptable idea, dodge's the failure bullet on this one.

Disney has passed away, what is the next animation? The decision to draw inspiration from the script of older titles and keep the things that worked was a good one, the storyline feels inspired but also fresh, everething is well written.

At first the actors voice feels lifeless but we soon realised that is the point, this is not an action/shouting animation, their voices inspire emotion. The voice actors did a fantastic job.

Disney didn't like the "xerox" technology shown in the 101 Dalmatian but from a production point of view it was great, so you would guess after his death the company wouldn't take costly risks, so they did the smart thing of combining the two which in my opinion worked, the quality of the animation takes a pass.

Allot of love has been put in the film and you can feel it and for a first animation without Disney himself at the wheel it's quite ok.

I would recommend watching the film with your children on a rainy Saturday evening.

Enjoy!!!

Herbie Rides Again (1974)

Bad

[4/10 · 29 March 2024]

Herbie rides again 1974 Even dough they had success with the first movie, they could address the story gaps from the first, instead they opted for a new storyline witch has nothing to do with Herbie and his racing dream, as an idea the story and script on the second movie is not bad and presents the good vs evil saga witch was and still is popular at Disney but it needs more.

For the that script in particular to work they needed a good cast and the decision to add new actors and cuple that with a average performance the movie has started to go down the drain.

When you have a movie that is struggling to keep an interesting script up but is brought down by the performance of the actors what do you do? You try and fix it with practical effects, after all Herbie movies are a good opportunity for that. And at the time it may have looked inovative but today it looks terrible, from the rolling screen in the background to the poor hidden drivers shown in scenes where Herbie drives alone, those could and should have been spotted by the Director even back then, in the first movie they did a better job.

Overall the potential for a great sequel was lost to average acting and poor practical effects with a low effort at hiding movie magic effects and stunts.

The only reason I would recommend this movie is to watch it with light-minded people and to comment on it's quality and presentation.

Enjoy!!!

The Love Bug (1969)

Good.

[6/10 · 27 March 2024]

The Love Bug 1969 I am sure the nostalgic factor will apply to many who watch this, but lets see how it held up.

As a story it is unique, specialy at that time and full of unknown risks for the creators venturing into a world untested with ideas like a car being alive and you can see the gaps that result of that risk taking, no mentioning of why is the car alive and how was that achieved, but thanks to a great performance of actors like Dean Jones and a very sexy pair of legs from Michele Lee things turn out just fine.

If you are judging the movie based on special effects only, find another movie, it was the 60's and that was state of the art at the time, but by today standards it's a joke.

Overall thanks to a impresive performance of the actors and a very good choice of car this one gets a nice 6 ⭐ and is a good opportunity to watch with newer generation and teaching them where we come from or with our parents who still remember this as a must go to cinema movie.

Enjoy!!

Sound of Freedom (2023)

Impresive

[7/10 · 12 March 2024]

THE SOUND OF FREEDOM It is difficult to review such a movie, this feels more like a story than a movie, so yes it is difficult to separate them, but it is a movie with a Director and actors so the story is very emotional and the movie is strong.

It was filmed in many of the actual places that the real events took place the Director requested that and even dough it is difficult it was a good decision and it is felt throughout the movie.

The performance of the actors is such a excelent job, to be able to film such events with kids that age and still be able to smile at the end.... Congratulation to the team who did that.

I don't think there are any CGI or any effects in the movie and if there were any they are very well done.

I don't know when and with ho to watch this movie because it is a very strong movie and people feelings differ from person to person and might have negative emotional impact and depression, so do some more research before watching this movie.

Ps.there is a important message in the end credits!!!

Event Horizon (1997)

23 Years latter good movie.

[6/10 · 20 January 2024]

Some movies age well and this is one of them, a successful horror story in space.

The story is somewhat unique thanks to the space aspect and on the other hand is simple and easy to understand, but it is not predictibile that is for sure, it will surprise you all the way, even though it is a 1997 movie.

Our Director Paul Anderson was 30 years old at the time and did such a great job with the movie, he insisted to have as much practical effects as possible, his vision of the movie was much bigger around 3h of movie but was heavily cut down leaving us with the question, what would be like. In the extras he mentioned that to make another director's cut now will be a nightmare because all of the footage is on VHS tapes and they might not even exist no more, reason for that is, at the time dvd was not standard for movies and was not considered to keep extra footage for bonus material on disc, and so it probably got discarded.

The performance of the actors is excelent, some say the Director will make sure it will be excelent.

As expected the CGI effects look dated but the practical effects they held pretty good, and I am glad that the Director chose the practical effects over the CGI witch was in their early stages.

The horror aspect of the movie is mediocre by today's standards but the atmosphere and plot held up good more than 20 years later, so I would recommend to watch the movie on a clear sky night with friends that you usually debate subjects.

ENJOY!!!

The Jungle Book (2016)

Great!!

[7/10 · 17 December 2023]

Recently Disney remakes are usually weaker than their originals (rating score on IMDB reflects that) but this one is different, it keeps true to the original and there is no things added to ruin the Disney vision but at the same time it is modernized.

Bringing in Director Jon Favreau was the best move for the movie, and Neel Sethi as Mowgli is an EXCELENT choice (2000 kids in audition and at the last there he is and he got picked) The choice for the actors is great with one exception and that is the voice of Kaa..... The CGI is great as well, considering that they use some new and untested techniques.

This is a great family movie and to be watched on any holiday, specially the Bluray Version.

Enjoy!!!

Amélie (2001)

What the heck did I just watched!!!

[9/10 · 2 November 2023]

What is this??? Did I just watched one of the best movies ever made... Where did this came from. I feel so pathetic to discover such a treasure from 2001 and find out about it now in 2023.

How can this movie be so normal and yet so weird, how can people find so much joy in such little things, how can those actors look so ordinary and yet fit their character so good?(I really think some of them are not even actors) I didn't knew it was possible for an actress to have such amazing facial emotions, beauty, strangeness and innocent ness, how can you fall in love with the character and the actress at the same time...what is going on here?

Jean-Pierre Jeunet (Director) can stand proud in the middle of the WORLD'S Biggest Directors with this masterpiece made with less than 10mil $ (witch in movie world is a budget for a good TV commercial)

Amélie Poulain, ........one of the gratest moves, ........... In The World.

The Bodyguard (1992)

Good

[6/10 · 2 October 2023]

If you look at this movie from a professional point of view, one would say it is mediocre at best, but from a nostalgic point of view it is good, everything is period correct and a relaxing atmosphere while a love story unfolds.

The script was originally written in the 70's was rejected for 2 decades was originally intended for McQueen, and yes it is not the best script, but it was smartly modified to offer us atmosphere instead of action. The script gets 5⭐

Many people might not know this but this was Whitney Houston's first movie, and the result is great and in part credit need to go to Kevin Costner(Frank Farmer) for helping her with the acting and for postponing the movie one year so Whitney Houston will accept the role, he sad he will not play the part if Whitney Houston will not accept, and when asked why he sad a movie about a star singer nobody sings like Whitney Houston in Hollywood.. The actors get 8 ⭐

The Director(Mick Jackson) did a great job and brought the atmosphere of the movie to our living room he gets a 7⭐

I recommend the movie to be watched with the wife or girlfriend on a romantic day dedicated to the 2 of you. Enjoy!!!

Cruella (2021)

Good

[7/10 · 22 September 2023]

The unexpected good surprise of the year, thanks to a superb performance of the actors and a well written script.

I guess when you are making a prequel of a well established movie you have allot of freedom to crate your own story and that is what happened with Cruella, Effort was put into the script and it shows and the London scenery in the 70' tops it off a clean 8⭐

Adding to the well written script the choice of actors and the superb performance of the all in one star Emma Stone(Cruella\Estella) and Emma Thompson(The Baroness) plus Joel Fry(Jasper) with Paul Walter Hauser(Horace) you get a movie that you may think is poor but bang! It grows as you watch it. Performance if actors is a 9⭐

With a budget of $100,000,000 the Director(Craig Gillespie) did a good job with only small questionable decisions here and there and a somewhat poor choice on the CGI dogs, and judging from the behind the scenes and featurettes it was allot of actor freedom and improvisation given by the Director and it helped with the film, he gets 6 ⭐

This is best watched with your kids and family on a Sunday afternoon, specially if you have watched the original from 1961 and the 1996 motion picture film.

Enjoy!!!!

There's Something About Mary (1998)

Good

[6/10 · 13 September 2023]

Like the title sad, there's something about this movie as well, at first glance it appears not to be good, everything has a weird feel to it, even the special features confirms that, and yes as you keep watching it gets better and unexpected things happen and it gradually gets better. What appears to be a casual plot, turns out to be more complicated and fun. The script was written a decade earlier before release, maybe that is why it feels weird at first but it held great.

Plot 7 ⭐

The actors are at their beginning of carriers and with such a unique script and unique directors it shows the restrain of some embarrassing scenes, if you watch the special features you can see the directors holding their hands in allot of scenes, feels like the actors are newbies, the actors get a 6⭐

There was no CGI needed here but there were some scenes where props were needed and to be honest the props were cheap and poor design, to bad the directors did a fantastic job in directing the movie and to accept such poor props. 4⭐

I strongly recommend to watch the Blu Ray with the extended version of the movie, it has 2h+ of extras, and the honesty of the extras is great, you will get a clear idea about the movie.

The movie is at best to be watched a group of friends at any day of the week it is a good laugh.

Enjoy!!!

Maleficent: Mistress of Evil (2019)

Average

[5/10 · 12 September 2023]

The plot is average somewhat forced and predictable but is is a fairy tale so options are quite limited, it gets a 5⭐

Even tough that is all he had to work with, the Director did a good job in not making mistakes, everything was done "by the book" he gets a 9⭐

The performance done by the main actors was much less than expected, the magic acting done in Maleficent 2014 is simply gone here. Both Maleficent (Angelina Jolie) and Aurora (Elle Fanning) perform much less then we know they can, is is not a bad acting just much less than they can, the best performance is gone to Diaval (Sam Riley). Acting gets 5⭐

The CGI is great as usual only Disney can do that good of a job with the special effects, you see the scenery and you know is is a fairy tale and yet it seems so real that you might see it in a forest somewhere out there, CGI gets a 9⭐

Overall a average movie that could be better, the script and acting of some characters brings it down badly.

I still recommend to see it with the children on a weekend (I am sure the kids will love it)

Maleficent (2014)

Good

[6/10 · 5 September 2023]

Disney, the only Company that brings a tear to the eye on all major films or animation they ever made!!

Today is no exception, at first I was unsure about the fact that they changed the story here and there from the original 1959 film, but as is usually the case with Disney, they pull it of and probably made it more in depth witch resulted in a overall better film, couple that with the choice of actors and you get a new adventure about the fight of Man and Fairy with a complicated twist and lots of regrets. A modified plot from the original Sleeping Beauty 1959 with a new and fresh adventure that will catch you by surprise. 8⭐

Actors, what is it with Disney in that period of time 2011-2019 and the amazing choice of actors for princesses, same goes for Cinderella 2015, amazing performance form Elle Fanning, the facial expressions and emotion simply are perfect for this role. Now Angelina Jolie is somewhat more complicated, when you look at any poster of the movie she is the perfect choice the physique, stature and costume are in perfect harmony, but as a human she is not an evil soul, no mater how good of an actress she is she did not give the vibe of a evil character, however in the plot there is a reason for that, now was it intentional not to give an evil vibe because of the plot or she could not act to give the evil character that the original script has? I go with the first choice so 5 ⭐

You can't do a Disney movie with no or less CGI, but at least it is well implemented so it gets a reasonable 7⭐

I recommend watching the movie with Children and family on a nice holiday weekend.

Enjoy!!!

The Book of Eli (2010)

Great

[7/10 · 30 August 2023]

Sometimes I think Denzel Washington choses his movies to be unique, and it seems that the producer and director are not known for some blockbuster and yet the result is Great!!!

Combining a post-apocalyptic world with a Chosen one Hero is nothing new, adding the downfall of humanity and a battle for a item that's not considered today to have such a power, into the mix and make a plot out of all that is a challenge. Plot gets a 9 ⭐

The actors performance is exemplary with the exception of Mila Kunis, she doesn't emit any emotion is like she is not there plus her script didn't help either going from scared girl to combat ready. Actor performance is 5⭐ for Mila Kunis and overall for everyone else 8⭐

In a world where cannibalisms and drinking dirty water(if your lucky) is common, to undertake a journey of 30 years walking in one direction, what can drive anyone to do that, not even the post-apocalyptic world they live in can be reason enough for such a thing. Will he make it, and if so at what price?

I recommend this movie on any evening with family or friends (Makes you think what is precious in this world and what is not)

PS. The atmosphere is amazing and the soundtrack will give you the feeling that everything will be successful but there will always be a price.

Enjoy!!!!

Deja Vu (2006)

Great

[7/10 · 23 August 2023]

A movie with an impresive idea for the time and it was implemented verry good.

A love story combined with a sci-fi action idea gives this move a well earned place in a selective group of sci-fi movies.

What happends when an agent is incuraged by the father of the victim to make the case personal,the technology that helps crack the case is also the weapon that is complicating the same case. Will he make the right decisions or the decisions were already made??Plot 10/10⭐

The performance of the actors shows why they are stars of Hollywood with an excellent performance all main cast bring emotion to all scenes of the movie. The performance is 8/10 ⭐

Even though the director is a veteran of filming there are some scenes that will be ok in 2006 but now are quite questionable. The car case scene:all those casualties...After rescuing the girl considering what she has been through,in less then 2h she is in love with the protagonist and she has an impossible courage to get on the farry and face the man that brought TERROR to her just 2h ago.(she is sneaking on the ferry "ninja style") A 5/10 ⭐

I strongly recommend the movie specialy with friends on a weekend,all of you will have some things to comment and discuss after 🙂 Enjoy!!!

Alice Through the Looking Glass (2016)

Good

[6/10 · 2 July 2023]

I went into this title with some level of skepticism knowing that Hatter(Johnny Depp)'s performance might be somewhat dodgy considering what he went through in that period of time and it does show here and there, he is trying in some scenes to much.

The plot is not so well thought out, to save a friend you risk the world's safety and in the previous entry there was a grater cause and reason to risk the world's safety. 4⭐ (It lacks the Tim Burton touch)

As before the the CGI team did a great job of bringing that world to life 8⭐

With the exception of Hatter(Johnny Depp)'s performance, Alice(Mia Wasikowska)'s script is not for her stile of acting, the script in this entry, requires her to be much more tough and manly witch can be seen is a force acting and makes the character lack wonder and finesse and magic no beauty. The rest of the cast did great! 5⭐

A good sequel but not as the first instalment, I would recommend watching this one with family and kids on any weekend!! ENJOY!!!

Alice in Wonderland (I) (2010)

Great

[7/10 · 28 June 2023]

If you did not watch the original 1951 animation it might be hard to appreciate this one. The weirdness in the first is much more intense but that is the purpose of the movie so on that it will not be everyone 's cup of tea.

Plot - A nice and very weird adventure into Alice's(Mia Wasikowska) mid to find herself the courage of walking her own path in life. 6⭐

The performance is a thing of beauty done by the actors, with huge names like, Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Anne Hathaway, brings the writers script life and emotion. 9⭐

This is a heavy CGI movie but the Director(Tim Burton) and the Special Effects team did a fantastic job and went to all details with a dedicated care in making sure it is not a poor use of CGI (2010 standards) 9⭐

Disney did it again and I recommend watchin with kids and family on any weekend Enjoy!!!

PS. Memorable Quotes "UM my new Favorite"

Jungle Cruise (2021)

Average

[5/10 · 25 June 2023]

I am going to get strait to the point, the problem with this movie is that it copies to many thing from other movies,(Indiana Jones, Pirates of Caribbean, Jumanji, etc) and when they put it all together nothing matches, is line seeing random scenes from those movies.

There are other things wrong, like Lily (Emily Blunt) falling in love with Frank (Dwayne Johnson) in a mater of a week or soo, she falls in love to such an extent that at the end she gives up the hole idea of saving the HOLE WORLD for her love (that is extremely selfish specially when it was her lifetime goal).

The CGI was average you can kind-a see it around, for a Disney film to cut down on the CGI budget when you use so much of it is a poor decision from the Director he gets a 3 ⭐

Plot and Writing. The plot is good another adventure in the jungle is a good idea, the decision to combine elements from allot of other movies with no originality is bad. 3⭐

The thing that saves the movie is the actors and their great performance, the way they deliver the jokes and overall acting 8 ⭐

If you are a child this movie is great but for older audience is average at best, that is why it is recommended to watch with children and family on a nice summer Sunday afternoon.

Enjoy!!!

Cinderella (I) (2015)

Average

[5/10 · 22 June 2023]

The surprise of the year!!!

Even before I started the movie I was skeptical, but I finally decided to see it, and to an extent I was right as a hole movie is average, the plot is well know by now so all it had for it was to see how well the director, writer, cast and costume designer will do and they tried but, and this is a BIG BUT the thing that save it was the cast, specially Lily James (Cinderella) for a magnificent performance, that girl's facial expression throughout the entire movie shows the dedication for the role. The fact that there were as less CGI as possible is a good move from the Director (Kenneth Branagh), not sure of the villain role cast (Cate Blanchett) not sure about that one. I don't think she fits that role.

The plot for anyone who doesn't know is of a young girl who's mother died and father remarried a dark stepmother with 2 step sisters who after the father died as well, mistreated the girl very badly to the point where she becomes a servant for them, she was "saved" by "magic", love and kindness in a small but impressive adventure.

The power of Disney soundtrack and lead actress will make the hole family share tears during the entire movie.

I recommend watching with family and children on a relaxing Sunday 5⭐ Enjoy!!!

Cinderella Man (2005)

Great

[8/10 · 29 March 2023]

Even tough this is not a boxing movie, it is the movie that inspired me to look up classic boxing and learn about people like Jim Braddock, Muhammad Ali and their story. Before this movie, for me classic boxing was a black and white picture with two men punching random blows.

Actors like Russell Crowe, Renée Zellweger and a outstanding atmosphere of the time period takes you back then at those moments in time with their performance, the actors get a clean 10/10.⭐

Personally I never heard much of Director Ron Howard but he did an excellent job, kept the CGI to a minimum and let the actors improvise very often and with good success he gets 8/10.⭐

A true story of a man and his family surviving in a difficult period for New Jersey, using box as a main means to provide for the family and facing extreme bad luck for 2 years, he has to make it with the support of a strong wife.

This is a strong movie and it is recommended to watch with family on a nice Sunday evening.8⭐ Enjoy!!!

Prisoners (2013)

Great!!!

[7/10 · 8 October 2022]

How fast a thanksgiving day turns to hell. How fast dose a happy family turn into all-out demons, how long will you believe an innocent face to be innocent. All of this to be solved from a small town detective with a uncaring boss and 2 normal families.

This is what happens when you get togeder some big STARS and some known actors (Hugh Jackman, Jake Gyllenhaal, Terrence Howard, Viola Davis, Paul Dano, David Dastmalchian). All of those actors play their role excellently, it shows the quality of the actor immediately, a very good performance 9⭐

The plot is excellent I followed the clues just like the detective and was puzzled just like him trout the entire film. I felt the worries of the families and the anger, and that is rare. The story was so carefully written adding to that the performance of the actors and you get that transaction behind the screen. Story 8⭐

Our Director (Denis Villeneuve) did a great job in making sure everyone gives their 100%, I did not spot any mistakes or cheap cuts so he gets a solid 10⭐

This is a movie to be watched with friends and family on a nice holiday

Enjoy!!!!