jamesshugart-58518 Reviews

Vice (I) (2018)

For the left, by the left

[7/10 · 23 July 2019]

Really good acting and cool to see some backstory. If you want to watch a movie about all the bad things dick cheney did and why he's so bad, and what his excuses are for all the bad things he did and how he doesn't actually think he's bad but he's wrong cuz they clearly are bad, this is the movie for you. Didn't offer too much in terms of new info or digging deeper, but i was entertained, i love christian bale, it had some funny moments and i just like political movies, so it gets an average rating of good!

After Hours (I) (1985)

For film studies students

[5/10 · 23 July 2019]

I'm sure I am the problem, this movie is highly regarded by critics and is obviously famous in certain circles. I didn't enjoy watching it that much. It's pretty scattered, random, unsatisfying and strange, which is probably what made it incredible when it came out in the 1980's. I'm sure I am the problem, I just didn't love watching it. If you watch a lot of movies, have a lot of time and are interested in a movie where the point is to appreciate it's cutting-edgeness of the time, this may be for you. But if you've got time for 1 movie and want to be entertained, this might not be it.

Chernobyl (2019)

Amazing historical piece

[8/10 · 23 July 2019]

Nothing but good things to say, really. An underappreciated event in terms of historical significance and I genuinely learned a lot. I am sure there are some historical biases at play, but nonetheless a great learning experience. Jared Harris is quickly becoming one of my favourite actors. This whole thing would be better if they used a Russian cast and did subtitles, but still an amazing series. The biggest event is at the beginning, so I did start losing a bit of interest in the history lesson by the end, but would still highly recommend this mini series to anyone interested.

Captain Marvel (2019)

Follows the Marvel formula for a typical Marvel Movie

[7/10 · 23 July 2019]

Most Marvel movies are all on the same level imo. This one is no different. It's got a great lead, some really cool action, it has a lot of funny moments, it ties in with the larger marvel universe that provides some context and backstory to other movies, it's well casted, cool costumes and period-awareness, but generally just another superhero movie that turns out exactly like you'd expect. Your not getting thriller shocks and twists, your getting some lighthearred pg13 cgi action scenes! If that what you want, Marvel continues to deliver.

Killing Eve (2018–2022)

Season 1 review

[7/10 · 23 July 2019]

Killing Eve turned out to be better than I thought. It's still a fairly light show if you are looking for a thriller, it's meant to be funny and deal with a lot of personal stuff besides international crime syndicates. It's heavily driven by it's lead actress who earns the focus. However, season 1 does throw some heavier suprrises that got me more engaged. The ending is pretty weird and i'm on the fence about continueing with this show, but it was worth the watch.

The Hate U Give (2018)

Emotional, powerful and thought provoking movie

[8/10 · 23 July 2019]

Based off a YA book, this movie is not particularly original or surprising. I'd assume most people watching it basically know how it'll all go. But each scene is well done, it's cast give powerful performances, it's a perfect screen grab of today's issues and it more than earns its run time. Be prepared for what you know you'll get with this movie in terms of emotion and injustice, but it's well worth the watch.

Avengers: Endgame (2019)

Solid ending but underwhelmed

[7/10 · 23 July 2019]

I'm not a super huge Marvel/Avenger fan, but have enjoyed these lighthearted movies that require minimal investment to be entertaining. Infinity War upped the stakes and this movie didn't quite live up to the surprise ending of it's predecessor. However, the action is great, jeff bridges is great, their are some funny moments and the movie delivers what its supposed to. I dont' think this movie is meant to generate new Marvel fans, but it does what it's supposed to. Overall I'd put it on par with just about every other Marvel movie in terms of story telling, with a significant upgrade in terms of epicness.

Bad Times at the El Royale (2018)

Don't know why the critics don't like it

[8/10 · 23 July 2019]

This movie revolves around the interactions of several hotel guests who each have something to hide. It is very similar to the Hateful Eight. The movie could have been shorter and some scenes are too long, but the amazing cast, who all give excellent performances, combined with the witty and captivating story, great soundtrack and shout-outs to 1960's era problems more than make up for it. Takes a bit to get into the movie, but once invested, it's really captivating. I went in with lower expectations after seeing critic reviews and it surpassed my expectations. It's a fun, if not perfect, movie that plays on some tropes, and has enough of an interesting story to justify the exceptional cast.

Good Time (2017)

gritty and exciting

[9/10 · 18 September 2018]

Good Times delivers a gritty, low-production movie with an exciting and dark anti-hero character who must navigate a criminal underworld to make things right. The best movie I've ever seen from Robert Pattinson, without whom I'm not sure this movie would satisfy at all. His performance, along with the directors ability to capture some type of cool neon lighting shades in all of the camera shots along with a pulsating, electronic score, are the best parts of the movie.

I don't know what exactly I found 'low-production' but this isn't a polished movie at all. It works though, as the movie starts right away and never stops and it all adds to the grittiness.

I'd definitely recommend this movie for anyone looking for an indieish, artsy movie with an exciting and gritty story. And well done Robert Pattinson.

The Shape of Water (2017)

Art more than entertainment

[6/10 · 5 September 2018]

Shape of Water is a period-piece of adult fairy tale romance with magical realism. Placed in Cold War 1960s, the movie tells the story of a mute cleaner at a government facility who falls in love with a captured fish-man being held for research. They escape, fall in love and have to avoid being caught by the government agent overseeing the operation.

It's a slow and familiar tale for most of the story. I wasn't overly captivated and would definitely see this movie as more of a piece of artsty, oscar, festival worthy cinema-making than an exciting or fun movie. Obviously, the talented director and cast intended to make it that way, leading to their Oscar win. All the acting is very high quality and the directing shows an incredible attention to detail. A few twists help make the ending more exciting. However, the bad guy lacks depth, the good guys lack any bad-side and the story drags and feels familiar at times. However, I'm glad I saw it and have to respect what it accomplished - although I won't be rushing to re-watch.

BlacKkKlansman (2018)

Awesome movie

[7/10 · 3 September 2018]

Colorados first black cop infultrated the kkk by working with Adam driver to pose as him. Investigation focuses on preventing the kkk from bombing a student group who's president Ron is dating. Ironic, witty and funny, with clear messaging about Americas ongoing racism and oppression.

Molly's Game (2017)

Fast Paced Story is fully entertaining

[7/10 · 31 August 2018]

The best part of the movie is the pace of the narration. We immediatly get to know Molly from the first scene and the movie continues to provide us with more details about her past and present. It's never boring because you are always moving onto the next scene where something it happening.

Cool shots of luxury, gambling, money and celeb life are throughout giving the movie a fun vibe, with intermittent sobering doses of fairly realistic legal wrangling to remind us of the trouble she gets into. Idris Elba is awesome as usual and the family vibes at the end of the movie make it was it is; a fun, low stakes, positive and encouraging overall movie about a girl who get in some trouble and gets out of it for a second chance.

Avengers: Infinity War (2018)

Dark but entertaining

[7/10 · 31 August 2018]

Most of the MCU movies are buidling to this point. The movie focuses on the 'infinitiy stones' which earlier Marvel movies are often based off and which form the overal narrative in the MCU. Which for 'dumb superhero movies' is actually kind of cool.

It isn't an funny as Thor, and doesn't have the same ethical issues as Black Panther or even Captain America. A bit more sterotypical good vs evil. However the population control villian ethics are better than most other movies.

Obviously a part 1 of 2. Things dont' go well for the good guys, setting up an epic but dark movie overall. I enjoyed watching it - gave it 7/10 since it's mostly typical pg13 cgi superhero fight scenes without the extra plot. but the epicness of everything coming together, as well as the somewhat bold move to end the movie on such a dark note/loss, with the usual comedy/easter eggs that make mcu always a bit fun, earns it a solid good/average rating!

Deep in the Heart of Texas: Dave Chappelle Live at Austin City Limits (2017 TV Special)

worth watching

[7/10 · 22 May 2018]

It's not as good the chappelle show, but its got some really good moments, and dave is still dave.