The In Between

POSITIVES

  • This is that great love story that you might have romanticized having when you were an idealistic teenager. Enjoy seeing that put on screen. 

  • Narrative mix of chronological flashbacks, the present, and the supernatural elements, all work really well together. 

  • There are several beautifully shot simple scenes of Tessa navigating through what life has tossed at her, along with some involving set pieces that will drive your interest in seeing the story through. 

  • Joey King and Kyle Allen are amazing here as Tessa and Skyler respectively. Wearing their heart and emotions on their sleeves, how could you not root for these two? Shout out to Celeste O'Connor, Kim Dickens, and John Ortiz, for being really good in their roles as well. 

  • Stellar soundtrack that features some good song choices. 

NEGATIVES

  • Not exactly a unique romantic drama. So expect some familiar tropes, cliches, and derivativeness to keep things from being too fresh of a movie experience. 

  • Might be a bit melodramatic a lot of the time? Might not be to your liking perhaps? 

  • The character of Skyler is just a little too perfect? I mean he’s not perfect-perfect, but damn is he really kinda perfect for that dream boyfriend to have. 

  • Third act might have taken things too far with the premise. I know supernatural elements are involved here, but let’s put some logic to certain plot decisions now can we? 

  • If you somehow don't like "Never tear us apart" by INXS… well, sorry? 

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The In Between - watched it on PARMOUNT+

I Want You Back

POSITIVES

  • Opening montage scene perfectly shows you the kind of silly entertainment that you're going to have while watching this movie.

  • Jenny Slate and Charlie Day. Very funny people on their own, but also their chemistry together is fantastic. Kudos as well to Manny Jacinto for being quite the scene stealer.  

  • If there’s one factor that you can rely on to keep you amused, it’s the funny lines and punchlines that this movie is filled with.  

  • Enjoyable set pieces, from the Little Shop of Horrors, to the after club get together, gives you those situational comedies that this movie’s premise can bring. 

  • There are some subplots and character back stories that I found genuinely endearing. 

NEGATIVES

  • Can’t be helped, there are some predictable and familiar elements.  

  • On occasion, the movie does slow down to a crawl when it has to show some emotional moments. 

  • A couple of the characters unfortunately felt a little underwritten. 

  • Probably goes on longer than it had to. 

  • Can movies stop using the old tired plot trope of the lead characters having a discussion while watching a movie in a theater, while there are other audience members present?!!! Just write them watching a movie at home or at their apartment or something! Pet peeve of mine. 

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I Want You Back - watched it on PRIME VIDEO

Marry Me

POSITIVES

  • While ridiculous for a romantic premise, it’s admittedly charming and cute enough in that it works anyway. 

  • A lot of what makes this movie work relied a lot on Jennifer Lopez’s strength in being very familiar with the character she plays and Owen Wilson being the simple nice guy. Supporting cast was solid as well, from Sarah Silverman, Chloe Coleman, John Bradley, and Michelle Buteau.

  • Plot progression should keep your attention, and it’s entertaining enough to want to see the story play out until the end. 

  • Some key set pieces were fun to see play out, like a lot of the scenes involving the school, plus the montages. There are some solid montages here. 

  • They actually played out a lot of the songs in full, and I really liked “After Love,” “On My Way,” and “Marry Me (ballad).” 

NEGATIVES

  • You’ve seen these kinds of stories before. Expect the usual tropes, cliches, and predictability. 

  • The reasoning behind the premise is quite a bit preposterous. Huge suspension of disbelief required. 

  • Speaking of which, there are some unbelievable moments here and there that you're gonna have to just somehow ignore. 

  • I wasn't feeling some of the song numbers. They just aren’t all hits. 

  • Although I appreciated the commentaries and lessons shared in the movie, it all felt relegated to sound bites or just general plot details rather than fully formed themes. 

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Marry Me - watched it on PEACOCK TV

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