Kimi

POSITIVES

  • It's an interesting fresh approach to "the woman in the house," or "girl in the window" plot premise that works well as a compelling film that also has some triggering real-world commentaries absolutely worth exploring. 

  • Once the story really gets going, the plot progression gets pretty engaging and thrilling. Scenes that will keep you guessing how she’s going to get out of her situation. 

  • Zoë Kravitz does a spectacular job with her nuanced and idiosyncratic performance as our main lead, Angela Childs. Supporting cast such as Alex Dobrenko, Jaime Camil, and Byron Bowers are solid overall. . 

  • Loved the way this movie uses and represents tech and the internet, but most especially in how it depicts a smart assistant (like accidentally activating the trigger word and yelling at it to stop). 

  • This might just be one of the better films to heavily integrate it's premise with COVID-19, lockdowns, and the behavioral changes we have now because of them, and it only makes the narrative even more interesting. 

NEGATIVES

  • Angela Childs is not exactly the most affable protagonist to have. 

  • Doesn’t quite find the proper balance between having the antagonists be extremely capable or incredibly inept. 

  • It takes over 20 mins to build up to the actual premise. Hope it's able to keep your attention until then. 

  • There are some plot tropes and conveniences that you'll have to just accept are there. 

  • With “the woman in the house,” or “girl in the window” premise parallels, I’m sure you might be looking forward to some big mystery that has to be uncovered. Don’t hold your breath there.

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Kimi - watched it ON HBO MAX

Jackass Forever

POSITIVES

  • It’s Jackass. You go into this movie wanting to get what you expect to get from Jackass, and it delivers on that. 

  • There are a lot of good stunts and skits in this installment to the franchise. From the opening Kaiju scene, “Silence of the Lambs,” to the cup test sequel, there’s a lot of fun to be had here. 

  • Legacy veteran cast members are still here continuing to entertain you. I felt like Danger Ehren McGhehey was the best overall, but kudos to the whole crew. 

  • Jasper Dolphin and Poopies McInerne were some of the standouts of the new cast members that are worth checking out this movie for. 

  • A lesson that’s worth receiving from this movie (and the franchise as a whole), is to not have hard feelings and have a sense of humor when being pranked. The cast messing with each other and still remaining wholesome about it is a welcome thing to see. 

NEGATIVES

  • It’s still Jackass. If you weren’t already a fan, this isn’t going to change your mind. 

  • Hope you don’t mind seeing naked penis and scrotum over and over again. 

  • For a movie like this, there are expectedly some skits that are just not going to work with you. In fact I felt that a lot of the pranks involving innocent bystanders were not that funny at all. I wish the movie didn’t bother including them. 

  • No shade to the new cast, but a lot of fans will always just prefer the veteran cast. This franchise will not survive without them. 

  • I won’t deny it, there are questionable ethical uses of animals here.  

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Jackass Forever - watched it IN THEATERS

Moonfall

POSITIVES

  • Say what you will about the story telling, but I genuinely found this film to have a fascinating premise. I also liked the math/science jargon that helps make up the plot. 

  • Forget the rest of the cast, because John Bradley as Dr KC Houseman seems to be the only one that is making a real effort to be entertaining in his role. 

  • Those gravity wave scenes are visually pretty cool to watch. 

  • That big giant plot reveal! I give the movie kudos for going there. 

  • There’s a surprisingly unexpected recurring theme that kinda snuck up in this story that I absolutely appreciated. 

NEGATIVES

  • Very derivative to Roland Emmerich’s past filmography. So expect those familiar plot tropes and conveniences to drive the story forward. 

  • There’s a great amount of CGI in this movie, which wouldn’t be too bad if it wasn’t for the fact that the CGI looks average to acceptable at best. 

  • Stupid nonsensical ludicrous things happen so much in this movie.

  • Hey movie! Don’t tease a sequel at the end if you have no idea that you’re actually getting one. 

  • Unfortunately, there will be people who will actually believe the conspiracy theory that this story introduces. 

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Moonfall - watched it IN THEATERS

They/Them/Us

POSITIVES

  • This is for those looking for a different kind of Brady Bunch premise. The ones where the parents are a little more on the kinky side, with a side of embarrassing and awkward comedic situations. 

  • Movie includes a solid cast including Joey Slotnick, Amy Hargreaves, Lexie Bean, Shanna Strong, and Jack Steiner who is a scene stealer with the best lines. 

  • The relationship between Charlie and Lisa is probably the biggest draw to this story, but the main premise about their struggles in raising their teenage kids is quite endearing as well. 

  • There are a couple of running jokes and plot threads that I found pretty amusing. “The D-Type.” LOL 

  • Heartwarming themes that go well with the more modern family dynamics of a story should give you some insightful food for thought.  

NEGATIVES

  • While the sexual content isn't anywhere near tasteless or excessive, they are presented in a very frank and open manner, which admittedly is not going to be for everybody. 

  • Story feels a little aimless and unexciting at times. 

  • There’s a tonal shift during the third act that might kill the mood a bit. 

  • The teenage kids can seem a little too overly unreasonable and difficult. 

  • Was really hoping it wouldn't go for the most predictable awkward gag to do for this kind of movie, but it did 

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They/Them/Us - watched it on VIDEO ON DEMAND

The Tragedy of Macbeth

POSITIVES

  • For fans of Shakespeare and those who have never seen one of his plays. This is definitely worth checking out. Especially when you want to compare this artistic directorial vision to the other Macbeth adaptations out there.  

  • It's all about the monologues and dialogue exchanges that drive the narrative. Completely drown thyself in the language of the bard. 

  • The cast is great! Badass. Cool. Mesmerizing. Kudos to Denzel Washington, Frances McDormand, Alex Hassell, Corey Hawkins, Bertie Carvel, and most especially the amazing performance by Kathryn Hunter.

  • Those scenes with the witches are easily my most favorite parts of this film. Oh, but that fight scene at the end is pretty damn cool too. 

  • Excellent cinematography, fantastic set design, and art direction, that brings the locations to these surrealistic arresting visuals. 

NEGATIVES

  • Hope you're okay keeping up with Shakespeare's dialog. 

  • Speaking of keeping up. Pay enough attention to what is being said or be confused with how the plot is progressing. 

  • I suppose it doesn't help that the narrative takes short cuts with the story, because it felt like the movie moved too fast. I had no time to breathe. 

  • "Who is that character again? What's the relation?" Those are questions you might be asking if you’re not already familiar with the play. 

  • Let's be honest. A good chunk of movie goers will rather watch a more modernized and more easily digestible adaptation. 

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the Tragedy of Macbeth - watched it on APPLE TV+

A Shot Through The Wall

POSITIVES

  • Very compelling and complicated premise that uses a different take about cop shootings by the fact that the officer in this case is Asian American. Makes a difference in the narrative that kept me more invested. 

  • Plot progression keeps you hooked into wanting to see how it will all play out. What a conclusion too. 

  • Excellent cast that really brought their characters to life. Kudos to Kenny Leu, Ciara Renée, Fiona Fu, Tzi Ma, Clifton Davis, Lynn Chen, Dan Lauria, and more. 

  • Loved how it included many aspects of Asian family dynamics and culture. Felt it was important to look at this premise from a family such as this. 

  • The topic about racism is all over this movie, and I appreciated the fact that it covered many different perspectives from multiple angles. Thought provoking. 

NEGATIVES

  • Premise is just such a bummer. Hope you're in the mood for it. 

  • Your political biases may swing your opinions on how you feel about this film. 

  • There are some plot elements that you're going to want a follow-up on, but you're unfortunately not going to get them.  

  • I feel like Mike is continuously saying things and making the choices that will frustrate you too much.    

  • Really laid it on thick with the nagging Mom and disapproving sister. 

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A Shot Through the Wall - watched it on VIDEO ON DEMAND

The Fallout

POSITIVES

  • Heartbreaking and tragic premise about such an important subject matter to talk about, that is done in a thoughtful way, filled with many intimately powerfully memorable scenes. 

  • Appreciated the thought provoking insightfulness coming from many different perspectives as a result of "the incident." Explored the multiple reactions that people of varied ages can potentially have from such a traumatic event. 

  • Jenna Ortega is an energetic dynamo of teenage awkwardness who has to tackle so many emotions, and is absolutely phenomenal carrying this film. Plus a shout out to the supporting cast who really added to this movie, from Maddie Ziegler, Lumi Pollack, Julie Bowen, Will Ropp, Niles Fitch, and John Ortiz. 

  • Somehow amidst all the heavy drama, this film is still able to integrate some solid light-hearted humor into the story. Thank you. 

  • Liked how the movie integrates a lot of Gen Z elements to the narrative, like characters messaging each other, teens getting involved with politics, Facetime, emojis, TikTok, drugs, the soundtrack, sexual orientation, etc… 

NEGATIVES

  • Tough subject matter that you may not be in the mood for. 

  • All that Gen Z teenager stuff isn't going to be for everybody either. 

  • There are some tropes and conceits that you're going to have to forgive. 

  • Plot can feel like it's going in different directions unnecessarily.

  • Maybe not so much with the scenes of suggested teenage nudity? 

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The Fallout - watched it on HBO MAX

Benedetta

POSITIVES

  • Right from the get go, the movie establishes a fascinating character trait for Benedetta, and it really drives the plot really well. 

  • Virginie Efira as Benedetta is a spectacular lead to the great cast that includes Daphne Patakia as Bartolomea, Charlotte Rampling as The Abbess Soeur Felicita, Louise Chevillotte as Christina, Lambert Wilson as The Nuncio, and more. 

  • With the thought-provoking themes and social commentaries that challenge your beliefs and ideas, it’s easy to get invested with what the film’s story is thematically saying. 

  • Those dream sequences that will absolutely grab your attention. I’m not going to forget how some of them play out anytime soon. 

  • Honestly, part of the appeal of watching a film like this is just to see how far out there Co-writer/Director Paul Verhoeven goes with the premise. The fact that this is supposed to be based on a true story only makes it even more outrageous. 

NEGATIVES

  • Offensive to Christians? Absolutely! Just the way it depicts Jesus alone can be considered blasphemous. 

  • Way to unashamedly lean into all of those Catholic stereotypes. 

  • There's a switch in the narrative that might not be what you expected or wanted. 

  • Hope you don't mind all that nudity and fart humor. 

  • Some of the plot elements aren’t completely fleshed out to my liking. 

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Benedetta - watched it on VIDEO ON DEMAND

Belle (Ryû to sobakasu no hime)

POSITIVES

  • From the hyper sensory overload of a virtual world, to a simple confessional scene at a train station, the animation and visuals in this anime film are simply beautiful.  

  • Suzu’s narrative journey is a melancholic tale absolutely worth investing in. 

  • Thematically covers some commentaries and lessons that are to be lauded. 

  • Above all else, the third act turned out to be so grand, powerful, gripping, and emotional, that it knocked me out of my seat at how amazing this story turned out to be. 

  • Solid songs and the sequences that accompany them. One of them definitely has this infectious melody that will be stuck in my head for a while. 

NEGATIVES

  • First and foremost. This “U” virtual world that is in this movie. Can you please give us some form of proper world building to go along with it, because it just felt so uninspired. 

  • Hopefully you can put up with all that melodrama, cringey preciousness, and patronizing. 

  • Wished the movie didn’t rely too much on plot conveniences, familiar plot tropes, and cliches. 

  • There’s definitely a strong suspension of disbelief that is required to fully enjoy the narrative. 

  • I understand the take on Beauty & the Beast, but that 2nd act felt too derivative. 

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Belle (Ryû to sobakasu no hime) - watched it IN THEATERS

Scream (2022)

POSITIVES

  • You watch these Scream movies for it constantly being self-aware and meta (even calls out why this couldn’t just be called Scream 5), all the pop culture references (that Rian Johnson joke!), plus seeing Ghostface get beat up by the would-be victim (never gets tiring to see). This movie delivers splendidly on all those fronts. 

  • As expected, we know that there’s going to be this huge third act full of deaths, but prior to that are some solid murder set pieces that are thrilling to see play out. Those kills are pretty brutal too! 

  • The connections to the previous films should make fans happy. There is also one particular call-back scene that I thought was absolutely perfect. 

  • It’s good seeing the legacy characters/actors like David Arquette, Courteney Cox, and Neve Campbell, but huge shout out to the excellent new cast which includes Melissa Barrera, Jack Quaid, Jenna Ortega, Jasmin Savoy Brown, and more. 

  • There’s a running theme and plot thread about trust that is a lot of fun, and then there’s the subtextual theme on what this movie is really about that is just fantastic. 

NEGATIVES

  • Those plot conveniences are really pushing some things to incredulous levels. 

  • Hey movie! I know you’re having fun with all those fake-out jump scares, but it got tiring really fast. 

  • You new kids are supposed to be so self-aware and smart about movie plot tropes, and you still make the stupid decisions?!! Calling out your own stupid decisions doesn’t change the fact you made stupid decisions! 

  • Is it a negative in the fact that I thought it was pretty obvious who Ghostface was in this movie? Kinda kills the fun a little on the whodunit plot premise. 

  • What is it about these Scream sequels that can make them feel generic and unmemorable? 

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Scream (2022) - watched it IN THEATERS