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Reviews
Terrifier 2 (2022)
God Awful Waste
Clearly the writers didn't even try with this film. It's apparent from minute one that the entire budget and focus is just spent on displaying as much gratuitous exploitative violence as possible to try to gross out the audience rather than tell a compelling narrative or relay a style or tone. The overall direction is bland and uninteresting, there is no plot or lore to speak of at all. Use of licensed music is the one positive here, the music director has good taste. But that doesn't save the film by a mile. The fake film grain effect over clearly digital images is jarring and looks cheap and schlocky in places. Overall, this film was a waste of my 15$ on the ticket. But if you like gore and excessive violence against predominantly women. If Saw or Hostel wasn't edged enough, this is it, you'll dig it. Otherwise avoid at all costs.
The Gray Man (2022)
MCU style doesn't work for a bourne wannabe
This film wants to be a Bourne style film so badly but unfortunately falls short. With overly clean and Disney-esque family friendliness amidst bloodless violence and an overall neutered approach this film has zero grit, bite or tensions. Gosling Butters and De Armas perform well but with the choppy and cheesy dialogue and conflicting tones, you're better off watching the Bourne Trilogy.
Wonder Woman 1984 (2020)
Neckbeards are mad but it's solid
Well written, better acted and even better direction.
While standard and doesn't push the envelope of the genre, the film succeeds in being fun and enjoyable with great acting from all the leads.
Elephant in the room: it's got some campy elements, it's not dark or gritty and the film is very colorful, not a bad thing. But a majority of the fanboys get mad it doesn't look like a Nolan film and immediately review bomb the film.
Go watch it, it's a fun movie and unlike some media allows for a little escapism when it's needed most
Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War (2020)
Finally a proper sequel to BO1
The plot and story feels like the BO1 sequel we never got
Gone are futuristic plots and high concept tech, instead we get a grounded mostly well written and performed Cold War piece of fiction, the vibe fits, it's beautiful to look at and plays well.
The writing is a massive step up and probably the best COD campaign in at least 4 years (IW had a great campaign and nothing else)
Level design is varied and intuitive and puzzle solving with random generated codes to crack to complete side ops adds a good layer of interactivity and makes you think.
This isn't a mindless shooter, it tries to push some new ideas and come cool concepts. While clearly bogged down by activision's rules for what they can do and the recasting of Mason and Wood's VA's is horrendous.
Overall it delivers what treyarch has not in 10 years
A quality and replayable campaign that can thoroughly grip the player from start to finish.
Tenet (2020)
High Concept - Requires Your Attention
The film is once again a Nolan High Concept film. You have to first of all pay full attention, keep your phone off and don't plan on bathroom breaks. This film is being derided by those who want to not have to think while watching and that's a shame. If you enjoy a film that will make you both pay attention and think, this is for you. There are so many hints and Easter eggs that Allude to the plot to come that are clearer in a second and third viewing. The concept and lore are riveting and the acting superb. There isn't much humor here, it isn't Marvel. Go in with the attitude of a bourne film and the tone will resonate better.
The film hinges on you being able to feel through it and let it roll with you while thinking.
Plan to see it twice.
One negative, the sound mix isn't the best, could be the theatre I attended or just an immersion choice.
Overall, a superb film but you can't lazily shut your brain off while watching and that won't be for everyone
Birds of Prey and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn (2020)
Ignore what people say. It's fun. Go see it.
It's not the greatest piece of film ever but the story is passable. The action is VERY well shot and very clear. No shaky cam or fast cutting. There's a lot of style akin to suicide squad but this film feels like a film not just one long commercial. The actors all feel right in the roles especially having reas a myriad of comics featuring them. If you're a fan of Gotham Central or the Geoff Loeb Run of Batman you'll dig this. The messages are not shoved down your throat and if you're just having fun with it you may not even really notice them.
Robbie McGregor and Winstead are the standouts but everyone comes ready to the party.
Give your 10$ and go see it. It's fun. Movies are Allowed to be fun.
#32 extra spice.
Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
The definition of meh
The story is evidently written on the fly with little foresight and the reshoots and reedits are glaringly obvious.
This may be JJ's worst directing ever. The whole film is choppy and overall feels very disjointed and as if it was cobbled together by splicing 5 other films together.
Overall it's not memorable not satisfying in its conclusion or fan service. The character arcs are poorly written and do not feel earned and the villain is a contrived joke that I can't believe they actually went with.
That said, Babu Frik is adorable.
5/10 skip it.