Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers

POSITIVES

  • It’s a buddy comedy thriller adventure, set in a Los Angeles where humans and animated characters coexist with each other. Don’t you want to see more of this kind of world? 

  • The different Animation techniques, animation styles, mixed with the live-action world are simply fantastic. 

  • A huge chunk of this movie’s appeal are all the clever pop culture references, the fun cameos, the background easter eggs, the nostalgia, to all the winky to the camera meta-ness of it all. 

  • Having a comedy with John Mulaney as Chip and Adam Samberg as Dale, and directed by Akiva Schaffer is why this movie works the way it does. It’s only more entertaining because of the rest of the cast which includes Will Arnett, Seth Rogen, Tim Robinson, KiKi Layne, and the always great J.K. Simmons.

  • Second banana, stinky cheese, bootlegging, whales, artichokie, human teeth, Rescue Rangers cologne, men's wearhouse, and so many other things that put a smile on my face. 

NEGATIVES 

  • Since this film is more about recognizing known intellectual properties, movies, and its reliance on nostalgia, so it's not exactly a fresh take on the story it is emulating. So expect the usual plot tropes. 

  • There are jokes and certain plot points that do seem to repeat itself more often than they probably should. Plus pop culture references as humor can only go so far.

  • Considering the content of this movie, I’m not sure if kids today should watch this. If anything else, this is for kids of the ‘80s and ‘90s.  

  • The more you try to think about how the world presented in this movie works, the more it might hurt your brain. 

  • Purists will have issues with what this movie does with some of the characters shown here. 

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Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers - watched it on DISNEY+

Men

POSITIVES

  • Mysterious. Unsettling. Fascinating. Creepy. Suspenseful. Terrifying. This is that kind of movie that will keep you invested in wanting to see where it’s going, and at the same time might make you want to watch this while peeking through your fingers. 

  • Stellar narrative that keeps you engaged with the provocative and disturbing plot. From the intercutting editing, the flickering lights, the camera’s perspective, the careful pacing that applies the necessary tension, the soundtrack & song choices, to specific scenes & sequences that really stand out in the overall story. 

  • Fantastic cinematography, beautiful settings, striking visuals, unforgettable imagery. Some of the things I saw in this film will be ingrained in the back of my head. 

  • Jessie Buckley is amazing as Harper, for really tapping into those emotions required from her character. Special shout out to the excellent Rory Kinnear, who is just able to do so much in this movie that he deserves a round of applause. 

  • The important thematic commentary here was incredibly visualized in such a manner that only Writer/Director Alex Garland is capable of achieving. 

NEGATIVES

  • Might be frustrating putting up with this movie’s need to be super obvious in what it’s trying to say, and it’s need to embrace not wanting to explain everything. 

  • Needless to say, the theme and commentary might be quite triggering and off putting. Definitely not for everybody’s taste. 

  • Can get kinda graphic, gory, bloody, grotesque, and nightmarish. Might not be to your liking. 

  • How about male nudity? You good with male nudity? No? This may not be for you then. 

  • That final sequence really goes for it. Maybe a little too much. A little? No, it really goes on far longer than it probably has to.  

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Men - watched in IN THEATERS

We Need to Talk

POSITIVES

  • Premise is nice and simple. It's the kind of topic and subject matters that can be genuinely interesting. 

  • Banter. That’s the main crux to what’s supposed to entertain you here. Oh, and to find the conclusion to the reason this movie is called “We Need to Talk.” 

  • While James Maslow carries the movie alright, it’s his interactions with three particular supporting cast; Johnathan Fernandez, Devin Kennedy, and Emily Bett Rickards, that helps keep things interesting and engaging. 

  • Despite the simple nature of the plot, there are some positive themes found in this movie after all. 

  • Fans of the video game “Splitgate” should appreciate this movie a little bit more than others. 

NEGATIVES

  • Lead character is not that likable. I'm watching a whole movie about this guy?! 

  • The dialogue can be a little cringe. Probably even annoying. Plus the humor and jokes just aren't that funny a good chunk of the time. 

  • There's a bunch of dumb unbelievable plot points that I’m disappointed are in this gamer centric story. 

  • Cliché trope about video gamers and the people that don’t understand them. Tired. 

  • Not the biggest production by any means. Probably should have just been a mini-series on YouTube. 

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We Need to Talk - watched it on TUBI

the Bad Guys

POSITIVES

  • Animated movie involving a crew and heists? Yes! Easter eggs and references to other heist and crime movies? Yes and Yes! Plus it even has a solid theme and messaging that I’m all on board with? Yes and Yes and Yes!!! 

  • The simple looking but very effective animation style is actually quite charming.

  • This motley crue ensemble cast of characters are great! Sam Rockwell as Wolf, Marc Maron as Snake, Craig Robinson as Shark, Anthony Ramos as Piranha, Awkwafina as Webs, Zazie Beetz as Diane Foxington, Richard Ayoade as Prof Marmalade. Loved their performances. 

  • Those conversations, banter, and expositions of the plans and stuff. Excellent! 

  • There are a lot of clever and creative bits that pop up here and there, that only makes this a far better movie than the trailers would suggest. 

NEGATIVES

  • Simply put, the many impossibilities and nonsense that are found in this movie are things some people may just not get over with to fully enjoy watching this. 

  • Some typical plot conveniences and certain predictable plot reveals, cheapens the story a little bit.  

  • Subjective and all, but I have to say that the comedy and humor can be hit or miss. 

  • Somehow one fart joke wasn’t enough, because they actually go down that path multiple times! 

  • Silly complaint, and probably unfair, but the logic behind the movie’s world of anthropomorphic animals, mixed with regular humans, mixed with traditional animals, just bugged me with how they didn’t quite sell me on that idea here. 

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The Bad Guys - watched it via VIDEO ON DEMAND

Firestarter (2022)

POSITIVES

  • It's a movie about a kid that has the power to create fire. That's got to be of some interest right? 

  • Cast is generally solid, which includes Zac Efron, Ryan Kiera Armstrong, Sydney Lemmon, John Beasley, Gloria Reuben, Michael Greyeyes, and even Kurtwood Smith is in this. 

  • They let loose a little bit more during the last act. Probably a “powered” sequence people were waiting for. 

  • Some of the messaging and the more nuanced themes were at least worth having. 

  • Kudos to the trailer for actually not spoiling everything, and allowing us to discover the nice surprising plot detail to the story. Of course if you’re familiar with the original…

NEGATIVES

  • First and foremost, this remake should have been much better than what we actually got. Disappointing. 

  • It's 2022. A movie about people with powers can't be this boring. 

  • Stock narrative techniques that come off a little tiring to watch. 

  • Stupid plot choices that will make you roll your eyes. 

  • That whole thing with the cat. I mean c'mon now. 

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Firestarter (2022) - watched it on PEACOCK

Senior Year

POSITIVES

  • You may be familiar with this kind of plot and the usual thematic lessons that go along with them, but you might just admit that it’s a comfortably likable premise anyway. 

  • The whole 2002 vs 2022 comparisons with pop culture, social awareness, and just how different High School life can be in two decades time is part of the fun in watching this. 

  • All that inappropriate immature irreverent physical humor can definitely be entertaining for the most part. 

  • Rebel Wilson is fantastic embracing her character’s conceit. Shout out to the supporting cast, Mary Holland, Sam Richardson, Zoë Chao, Avantika, Joshua Colley, Jade Bender, Michael Cimino, Chris Parnell, Justin Harley, and Angourie Rice. They looked like they had a lot of fun making this movie. 

  • Speaking of fun. The era specific soundtrack is fun. The montage sequences are fun. The dance routines are fun!

NEGATIVES

  • This is a very nonsensical but familiar movie that has a generally predictable plot progression. 

  • Don’t overdose too much on all those references from 2002.  

  • Comedy is subjective, and the jokes can be hit or miss here. The humor can also be pretty embarrassing, awkward, and cringey. 

  • Hate to say this, but the mushy stuff just ruins the overall comedic tone of the narrative. 

  • Felt like the movie was equally mocking Gen X and Gen Z kids here, which might annoy you.

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Senior Year - watched it on NETFLIX

Along for the Ride

POSITIVES

  • Young adult coming of age romance drama. In the mood for something like that? But with a more laid back chill tone to it? This is probably a movie for you then. 

  • Finding yourself by doing new things you've never done before. Solid appealing premise for you young adults out there. 

  • It's all about the montage sequences with this movie. Seriously the best parts! 

  • Liked the solid supporting cast like Laura Kariuki, Genevieve Hannelius, and Samia Finnerty. Their chemistry together, along with Emma Pasarow is good. 

  • Cool soundtrack. Love how they integrate all the songs into the narrative. 

NEGATIVES 

  • You've seen this story before. You know the tropes. Nothing should really surprise you. Try and enjoy it anyway. 

  • Have to admit that I really didn’t find myself invested with the main romantic plot thread. Consider the fact that’s a huge chunk of the movie. 

  • Also can't say I particularly cared that much when the movie got all serious. Came off as a bit too precious and melodramatic. 

  • The Parental characters in this are a little too much. Apologies to Kate Bosworth and Andie MacDowell. 

  • Kinda loses some steam halfway through the movie, and just moves in autopilot. 

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Along for the Ride - watched it on NETFLIX

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness

POSITIVES

  • If you’re caught up with the MCU and am a fan of anything Marvel in general, then there are no ifs or buts, you should go watch this movie. It’ll reward you for being a fan. 

  • The pacing, the energy, the plot progression, the visual storytelling, the magic, the sheer wondrous spectacle of it all, were all just non-stop and did not let go of your attention. Wow, that was a fun ride of a movie. 

  • It’s easy to take them for granted, but the casting for these MCU characters are just amazing. Kudos to Benedict Cumberbatch, Elizabeth Olsen, Benedict Wong, Rachel McAdams, and new to this world Xochitl Gomez who is simply awesome in this. More of America Chavez please! 

  • Fan Service. Some glorious fan service that should excite you. Thank you Kevin Feige. 

  • Loved the fact that there were multiple sequences that absolutely drew from Director Sam Raimi’s film making sensibilities. 

NEGATIVES

  • Absolutely not a movie that you can just “jump-in'' without prior knowledge from the previous movies as well as the many MCU TV series on Disney+. 

  • I know that “plot convenience” is an easy negative for me to criticize a movie with, but there are some sequences where I just have to raise an eyebrow and think “well the movie would really have been over now if they actually applied the logical action to that sequence.” 

  • There are plot directions (some were pretty brutal) that you may not be happy that they went there. 

  • Alright, for several of the CG effects, you can tell that they aren’t going to age well years down the line. 

  • For a movie with “multiverse of madness” in the title, there just wasn’t enough “multiverse” or “madness” in this film for my preference. 

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Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness - watched in IN THEATERS

The Fabulous Filipino Brothers

POSITIVES

  • Charming and sweet light-hearted family drama that has a narrative covering some very distinctly different Filipino-American brothers. 

  • Filipino-Americans will find a lot to relate with here. Those who want to know more about Filipino-Americans and the culture should watch this. Plus food. Gotta love those Filipino foods. 

  • One of the best strengths of this movie is the dialogue. Love the conversations found here. 

  • Humorous entertaining sequences, like the Rooster thing, the Church scene, or that eating seductively bit. 

  • Good cast overall, with Derek Basco, Dante Basco, Solenn Heussaff, Darion Basco, Dionysio Basco, Liza Lapira, and more. 

NEGATIVES

  • Not exactly the most exciting movie. 

  • Production isn’t exactly huge and it kinda shows. 

  • Questionable plot developments and conveniences. 

  • Humor and comedy are generally hit or miss. 

  • I wish it was more friendlier for kids to watch too, as the cursing and certain subject matters are more adult. I feel like this could be educational to the younger Filipino-Americans. 

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The Fabulous Filipino Brothers - watched it on VIDEO ON DEMAND

Crush

POSITIVES

  • While high school teen coming of age romantic comedies are very derivative, there's a comfortable satisfying appeal to watching them for fans of this sub-genre, and this movie is no different. 

  • Solid cast overall. Kudos to Rowan Blanchard, Auli'i Cravalho, Tyler Alvarez, Teala Dunn, Isabella Ferreira, Megan Mullally, Aasif Mandvi, and more. 

  • Romantic part of this rom-com is cute and adorable enough. Young love! 

  • The comedy part of this rom-com is pretty amusing, with Blanchard doing the physical humor, plus Aasif Mandvi and Michelle Buteau getting some good laughs from me. 

  • Liked the whole KingPun subplot (plus the artwork that comes with that), and having it be this ongoing mystery for the movie. 

NEGATIVES 

  • Like I implied, it's not too far at all from your typical high school teen coming of age romantic comedies, so expect the usual tropes, like unrequited loves, sports, horny teens, and them illegally drinking... 

  • About seven minutes into the movie, you pretty much already know where one of the main story lines are going. It's just one of those generally predictable movies. 

  • Not exactly the most ambitious or highly produced film. Cinematic this ain’t. 

  • Mother character is a little much. Seriously, calm down with her openness. 

  • Not really a negative to me, but there are those who won't be into the whole queer romance and social awareness. Sorry, it's unfortunately the world we live in, and that's the real negative. 

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Crush - watched it on HULU