bravo78 Reviews

Dream Scenario (2023)

Not my dream scenario.

[6/10 · 2 December 2023]

Could have been more. An interesting premise of a bland middle aged professor (Paul Matthews) showing up in the dreams of complete strangers along with some family. In the beginning no explanation is seriously offered up for this phenomenon, but like another concept movie, Groundhog Day, you jut buy into the idea and go along for the ride. And it works...for awhile.

The cast is good. Nicolas Cage has such a signature acting style that I always find enjoyable to watch. Dream sequences are seamless and entertaining. And the movie explores the unintended consequences of his fame that eventually degrades his mental state and likely the strangers dreams of him now becoming nightmares.

The wheels fall off near the end where the movie inserts a (fake) commercial about a company that has harnessed Paul's dream ability. It simply broke my suspension of disbelief. From then on I couldn't get back into the movie.

Giving it a 6/10. Some thought provoking material that falls short in it's execution.

Creed II (2018)

Chick flick masquerading as a fight film

[5/10 · 24 November 2018]

Drama!!!! I'm coming in having not seen Creed but having thoroughly enjoyed Rocky and Rocky Balboa thought this would be in the same vein. But no. Heavy on the drama. And incidental contrived drama. Fight scenes were good, the formulaic training montage was meh, but the chick flick scenes were far too dominant and unnecessary (unless you're a chick maybe?). Gave it a 5/10 cuz fight scenes and an aging Stallone imparting aging Stallone wisdom.

One More Time (1970)

One Bad Time

[3/10 · 22 May 2014]

An unfunny disjointed mess of a movie. Directed by Jerry Lewis, it's apparent the movie was a vehicle for Sammy to channel the comedic stylings of Lewis. Safe to say, Sammy is no Jerry.

The plot has Lawford assume the identity of his wealthy slain twin brother by getting the police to believe it was his character (Pepper) that was killed. And he keeps this little secret from his best buddy Sammy (Salt). Movie moves to big castle and no hilarity ensues.

Lewis has Sammy engage in some comedic 'bits' where Sammy has difficulty crossing the street, difficulty with a teapot, difficulty with a water heater and unwittingly encountering some Satanic ritual. All fall flat. Really flat. The teapot scene was just pathetic.

And unlike their earlier pairing in 'Salt and Pepper', Sammy and Lawford now seem devoid of chemistry.

'One More Time' is for Jerry Lewis and Rat Pack fans only.