Ali_C_77 Reviews

Doctor Sleep (2019)

I LOVED this film!

[9/10 · 28 June 2023]

Doctor Sleep surprised me, it wasn't what I was expecting. It's more of a horror-thriller than true horror as I only found myself horrified once by a scene (Rose's teleported hand cradling Abra's head, yikes!). But it's a slow burn ---a sexy, very dark, suspenseful slow burn. The themes of addiction, angels & demons walking among us, sacredness/divine power in everyday individuals, redemption, are frequently explored by Stephen King, and done very well in this movie. McGregor was very good but, as everyone has said, actresses Curran and Ferguson are outstanding, and their accolades are well-earned. This movie will be on replay for me. It was a fun, spooky watch!

Family (III) (2018)

A fun watch and a win for the talented Taylor Schilling

[7/10 · 18 June 2023]

So, maybe it's a me. I'm a midwestern girl who's been to a Tech 9 concert (joined by E40!! Whoop whoop!) and danced & moshed with Juggalos, so I felt connected to this film. I thought Taylor was funny. Her droll delivery and deadpan quips were delightful! Not always LOL, but funny still. This movie is rated R, so the humor was edgy, and often crass. The kid was the nougat to Taylor's nutty, rigid character... a character that needed some softness and sweetness added to her life. I was moved, and even though the ending was predictable, it wasn't cheesy. I love the message that we all have stuff others think is weird. We are who we are, even if parents and others don't get us. Austin, Texas knows best... just embrace the weird, and you'll get along fine.

The Door (I) (2012)

A decent film about friendship and life

[6/10 · 16 May 2023]

I struggled with giving a rating for this movie. I didn't dislike it but I also didn't enjoy it --- it's slow moving, I didn't particularly care for any of the characters, and I didn't find myself drawn into the story. The cinematography was crisp and beautiful, but the dialogue left something to be desired. Helen Mirren is a wonderful actress and did well in this role (as expected), but the character wasn't very likeable ---which I think is the point of the story. Emerenc is brusque and standoffish and hardworking and honest to a fault, but of course, she's that way for a reason. They did a decent job with Emerenc's backstory, understanding the tribulations of her life helps the viewer to see her as the flawed human she is. The friendship between her and Magda is touching at times, and we see Magda rethink what it means to be a friend and love another individual by accepting the other's different value system; this part of the movie was the best for me. That said, I would not rewatch this movie.

Let's Kill Ward's Wife (2014)

Not good

[4/10 · 4 May 2023]

This movie is billed as a black comedy, which would be fine if it was darkly humorous --which it is not. At all. I failed to laugh even once. The script is dry and the acting is wooden. Donald Faison was like a zombie, and we know from his "Scrubs" days that he can be lively and funny. I can't imagine why this movie was made --- it's not entertaining, not funny, not engaging. I guess we're supposed to feel as if Ward's wife had it coming ---certainly she's an all-around crappy individual--- but that's why there are divorce lawyers (if Faison's character could grow a spine that is). I just couldn't care about any of the characters' lives or outcomes. They're all average people, but the male characters are simply shallow and vulgar. I'm not certain how their wives can stand being around them; there's got to be better partners in the world, but the women have settled for jerks. You will win if you watch something else.

Don't Look Deeper (2020)

Fascinating sci-fi dive into the world of androids

[9/10 · 4 May 2023]

This is a fascinating series of vignettes --each about 15 minutes in length --- that tell the story of a teenaged "girl" named Aisha who discovers by happenstance that she is actually an android. Her "mother" is her literal creator. Her "father" is an academic. He was introduced to her as the daughter of that "single mother." He had discovered earlier, and quite traumatically, that the teen is not a human (some episodes are flashbacks to years past to provide context, so they are not chronological). Due to the loss of his own human daughter, he had developed a bond with Aisha and intentionally formed a family with her and her mother. The first episode starts with the three of them as a family unit residing in Merced, California and Aisha in high school. The layers are then peeled away. We later learn that her program has been wiped clean several times and reset over the years. Unsettling!

It's interesting that the droid's programming is reflective of her human age -- a teen around 15/16 y.o. -- and this limit is what causes the chaos to snowball. She's not Mr. Spock, full of logic and decisiveness and self-reflection, she acts and thinks like a teenager, with all of the angst, anxiety, and frustration that accompanies this age. She does not view herself as a droid, and she gets pretty irate when treated otherwise! We see her have what appears to be true friendships and a sweet love with her father. We see her sexual awakening. We see her manipulate her mother into over-riding the administrative controls that limit her behaviors and movements (in a stroke of genius). The final episodes show her on the run. I thought to myself, well, this can't be good!

The show is thought-provoking. As a parent, I had some uncomfortable moments --- but try to let that wash over you, embrace the awkward and weird! I am looking forward to Season 2!

Catching Hearts (2012)

A film that makes you think

[5/10 · 21 April 2023]

This movie explores journey of 3 people who question their place in the world.

One protagonist is a middle-aged man who has espoused atheism by writing best-selling books and giving lectures and has made a small fortune doing so. Something occurred in his life that made him rethink the existence of God; we are unfortunately not privy to this event, which is an unsatisfying gap in the story. He no longer feels he can promote atheism, and this causes a huge divide with his wife, as she loves the wealth, fame, and adoration he receives.

Another protagonist is a young man who lives with his widowed father and has had no luck finding a job after college. The loss of his mother and feeling stuck in life has fueled his alcoholism. He has a rocky relationship with his father, and lashes out at the father, especially when the father encourages reliance on faith in God's plan.

The last tritagonist is a young lady who is a nanny for an energetic and adorable young girl. She shares an apartment with her supportive and sassy best friend. She also has an abrasively rude and uncaring boyfriend. The film doesn't explore why or how the boyfriend became this way, which would have been helpful. One day while working as a nanny, she takes her young charge to an outing at a park. While the nanny takes a phone call to have a terse exchange with her boyfriend the little girl is kidnapped. The nanny is blindsided that such an event could happen to her.

As the story plays out, the characters reflect on their lives and choices. There is man who works as a park landscaper, and he seems like an angel who was placed in their paths to be a sounding board for their internal dialogue. The landscaper is interesting in that he encourages them to explore their struggles with faith and fate, even when the protagonists seek to learn about atheism. He seems to feel assured that they will find answers in time.

I don't think that atheists were portrayed in a negative light, even though one is an alcoholic and the wife of the middle-aged guy is a greedy shrew. This a movie, so some type of character flaw and life crisis is needed to move the story along; otherwise, we'd all be bored. The movie shows humans as humans, who are all on a path. I was pleasantly surprised that one of the characters remained an atheist at the end. It was good that there's realism in that aspect.

This movie is obviously low budget, and the acting and cinematography is on par with that. I wouldn't watch it again, but it was ok.

Crooked House (2017)

A very enjoyable whodunit!

[9/10 · 18 October 2022]

Beautiful cinematography accompanies a story of the mysterious death of an extremely wealthy but quite unlikeable man. The background of an exquisitely appointed mansion makes a great dynamic for the ugly & grubby souls who reside within. It's proper that his large family provide many suspects for the murder. I very much enjoyed the acting, and as others have pointed out, the young actress was a treat! I enjoyed the shocking ending, as I wasn't certain until the last few minutes who the killer was. I will caution that although the bad guy does not get away with the crime, the justice meted out is not for the faint hearted. Bravo Ms. Christie! I look forward to repeated viewing.

Stowaway (I) (2021)

Plot holes

[4/10 · 4 May 2021]

I had to read reviews to try to understand the premise of this movie... and I came away with not much more than I understood to begin with. The movie is dull and slow; I even sped up the movie just to see the end because frankly I wasn't going to make it through otherwise. The 4 stars are for the good acting from Kim and Collette plus the visuals.

Dad Stop Embarrassing Me! (2021)

It really is that bad! Jamie & David cannot save this mess

[2/10 · 24 April 2021]

I quit after the 1st episode as it was just terrible! Then I came to iMBD to write a review because others deserve to be forewarned but after reading a few I was told the show gets better. Nope, the 2nd was horrible too. But I gave an additional star (even though it really only deserved an add'l 1/2 star) for the actress who plays the sweet, loveable assistant. I almost left the rating at a 1 d/t the crass portrayal of Black congregants as idiotic lemmings following an unscrupulous pastor. BTW, Jamie is not "shoving religion" down throats as mentioned in other reviews, he is openly MOCKING the Black church--- how can ppl not get that??! Formulaic, tasteless, unfunny, canned laughter... on goes the crimes. Netflix is attempting to diversify its lineup --admirable ---but this misses the mark ENTIRELY.

What Keeps You Alive (2018)

Alternative title should be what not to do to stay alive

[5/10 · 14 November 2020]

So, spoiler alert, what keeps you alive is not being a dummy!! I realize the protagonist was shell shocked to discover that her wife's a psychopathic serial killer but by the end of the film I no longer cared if she made it. In usual horror film fashion, instead of dong anything remotely useful she silently sobs or is otherwise ineffective. And even more galling, the protagonist led her neighbors, like lambs to the slaughter, to the home of the killer!! Baffling! It gets 5 stars for great acting, beautiful scenery, and awesome direction. But the ending was a let down.