My Best Friend's Exorcism

POSITIVES

  • Just from the movie's title, you're probably expecting the exorcism scenes to be solid, and the unfortunate events that lead up to that to be fascinating right? I would say yes to both of those. 

  • Using the ‘80s as the backdrop and Catholic school girls for characters in this demonic possession movie is a pretty great choice for this story, as there are multiple plot points that took good advantage of that. 

  • The cast of actresses are great in this. Elsie Fisher as Abby and Amiah Miller as Gretchen are both fantastic in this, and it's easy to get invested with what happens to them. Cathy Ang, Rachel Ogechi Kanu, Chris Lowell, and Clayton Johnson round out the supporting cast and are also quite good. 

  • In what might be considered a twist, the “horror” found in this movie do not focus as much on the supernatural aspects, but cover more of the real world horrors teenagers might be dealing with. Some tough subject matters here that add a lot of interesting drama. 

  • There is some welcome humor in this movie that cuts through the seriousness, usually involving “the Lemon Brothers.” Kudos to Chris Lowell's comedic sensibilities to try and lighten things up. 

NEGATIVES

  • It's not exactly what one would call a fun horror movie in the typical fun horror movie sense if that’s what you were hoping for. 

  • The tone may be too downbeat to the point where it feels like it's too much of a downer and a chore to watch through. 

  • For those thinking that this is a "safe" movie for kids and teens to watch. You're wrong. It gets pretty adult with some of the subject matters addressed, which admittedly also ruins any sort of fun this movie could be having instead. 

  • OMG there were some disgusting moments in this. Did not need to see all that. 

  • Makes fun of Christians and Christianity, so somebody might be offended by that. 

loveditenjoyeditlikedit IT’S OKAY itsmehitsterrible

My Best Friend's Exorcism - watched it on PRIME VIDEO

Significant Other

POSITIVES

  • If you needed something to scare you about backpacking in the woods, or being in a relationship, then this just might be the movie for you. A movie that has a clever self awareness to it, and not above having some humor, or special effects. All within an 84 minutes movie running time. 

  • Needless to say, considering the premise, the visuals and cinematography that captures the locations are fantastic to look at. 

  • Maika Monroe and Jake Lacy are excellent in this. They perfectly carry this movie with their chemistry, their interactions with each other, and their conversations. Observing what the characters do in this movie is what it's all about after all. 

  • Out of all the plot developments that occur in this, two particular ones made this more fascinating, interesting, and surprising than I initially anticipated. It's going to make you curious into seeing how it's going to conclude. That "just do it" scene definitely did that for me. 

  • There are some thought provoking subject matters that are brought up in this story that do enhance the narrative and the characters' situation. 

NEGATIVES

  • Okay, maybe it's not totally the movie that will scare you about backpacking in the woods, or about being in a relationship. Definitely not the be-all end-all of that if that's what you were actually hoping for. 

  • Felt like they kinda jumped the gun with that huge plot reveal during the first 3 minutes of the movie. Pretty much pointless to continue trying to tease that for a good portion of the movie.  

  • The attempts at jump scares aren't impressive at all. Shouldn't have bothered. 

  • Okay, there's that one ridiculous convenient plot point (water's involved) that made me go "Oh Come On You've Got To Be Kidding Me With That!"

  • That ending seemed too conventional and so typical of these kinds of movies nowadays.  

lovedit ENJOYED IT likedititsokayitsmehitsterrible

Significant Other - watched it on PARAMOUNT +

Hellraiser

POSITIVES

  • It’s not a Hellraiser movie without the harrowing sense of creepy dread, the disturbing gory imagery, disgusting deaths, suspensefully terrifying sequences, hooked chains flying out from the shadows, leaving the movie thinking “that’s messed up,” plus some sex stuff. Thankfully this one delivers on those fronts. 

  • Two main highlights of this movie are the “Lament Configuration Box” and the “Cenobites.” How they integrate the fascinating puzzle box into the story is great. The overall design, feel, and sound of the scary looking Cenobites are also completely on point. Fantastic stuff.  

  • Third main highlight for me is how this film visualizes the schisms between our earthly dimension and the hellish looking other dimension where the Cenobites appear from. The way this movie creatively moves or opens up the environment to bring in the other dimension is just amazing to look at. 

  • While they are somewhat thankless unremarkable roles that are typically perfect for a horror movie, the cast do a great job with what they are given anyway. So kudos to Odessa A'zion, Drew Starkey, Adam Faison, Goran Visnjic, Aoife Hinds, Brandon Flynn, Selina Lo, and Jamie Clayton. 

  • There are some metaphorical themes that work appropriately well and can be interesting to think about how that all applies to the narrative of this story. 

NEGATIVES

  • This isn’t a pure remake of the 1987 film nor of the original novel, so that might be disappointing to some. 

  • Due to the fact that this does purposefully thread similar grounds, this isn’t going to feel like the freshest horror movie you’ve ever seen. Unfortunately that makes this feel a little unremarkable by today’s standards. 

  • Some typical horror movie tropes of lucky coincidences or stupid decisions which can be eye-rolling to see. 

  • Pacing moves leisurely before it really gets to “the good stuff” which might make some people impatient. 

  • Lead character isn’t exactly the most sympathetic protagonist to follow? Speaking of characters, since this is a reboot, the new Pinhead might also be a debatable contention for some fans of the franchise. 

loveditenjoyedit LIKED IT itsokayitsmehitsterrible

Hellraiser (2022) - watched it on HULU

Amsterdam

POSITIVES

  • Filled with flights of indulgent plot diversions and idiosyncratically eccentric characters, this movie that’s somewhat based on real historical facts is a fascinating piece of cinematic storytelling. 

  • The plot can be a bit much in how the narrative handles it, but the more things unfold, the more it invites you into getting more and more invested with wanting to see what’s going to happen next. 

  • Following the dialogue can be entertaining by themselves. The lines given to the actors really do enhance the movie and make it into something more than just the story being told. 

  • It’s got solid leads in this with a good supporting cast, and I dare say that it was Christian Bale who completely saved this movie. Bale was truly the main draw for me, and he continues to prove that he is one of the best actors of our time now. 

  • I can absolutely get behind the messaging of this story. Once it was obvious what this movie was actually all about, was the point where I started to feel invested with it. There’s a great speech and a monologue that spells it out for you if you somehow don’t get it. 

NEGATIVES

  • Plot progression and narrative can be a bit all over the place. It’s like it didn’t know what kind of movie it’s actually telling us. So it just threw everything in it and hoped they would just stick. 

  • Sad to say that the romances featured in this story just didn’t work. Maybe on paper and plot-wise they did, but not in execution. 

  • Maybe there are too many shots of actors talking directly at the camera? Felt distracting to see. 

  • Speaking of distracting. The supporting cast were filled with so many cameos, stunt casting, or very familiar character actors, that it constantly took me out of the movie. Is Chris Rock relegated to only doing jokes about racism now? 

  • The conclusion felt like it was just crushed under the unwieldy weight of this film’s vision. 

loveditenjoyedit LIKED IT itsokayitsmehitsterrible

Amsterdam - watched in IN THEATERS

Bros

POSITIVES

  • For a romantic comedy to work, you have to believe that the romance is real, and the comedy is actually funny. In this movie’s case, I say yes to both of those! You must have seen a lot of rom-coms by now, and I’m saying that you can add this one to the list of entertaining rom-coms. Yes there is a very obvious LGBTQ+ angle to the plot, but it’s just one of many elements that keeps this from being just another typical romantic comedy. 

  • Billy Eichner as Bobby is being that guy who is constantly complaining, but is really funny at that with his opinions, rants, monologues, diatribes, etc. He is one of the main reasons to check this out. 

  • The plot progression that covers Bobby’s relationship that he is building with Luke Macfarlane’s Aaron (who is really good in the role) is why this is a very enjoyable movie. Both have great chemistry together in that oil & water combo kind of thing, which is what makes it fascinating to watch. Their back and forth dialogue is engaging, their different perspectives on life are insightful, and they have one of the funniest foreplay I may have ever seen in a movie. 

  • Speaking of funny. There is some solid comedy in this, and yes a lot of it has to do with Bobby’s commentaries. Then there’s how this movie shows people messaging each other, those self-aware humor, funny pop-culture references (and cameos), the always comedic awkward situations, plus many more. 

  • While there are social commentaries about the LGBTQ+ community and its history that are absolutely worth being exposed to here, there is actually another great thematic message that is addressed by the characters of Bobby and Aaron that everybody should take heed to. 

NEGATIVES

  • Obligatory fact. Romance depends on how much you believe the couple could actually be a couple in Love, so your results may vary. 

  • Obligatory fact. Comedy is subjective, so you may or may not find the humor in this to be funny. 

  • Not above using familiar plot tropes, and especially a particular plot development in the third act that is just so cliché. 

  • Really embraces that R rating with it’s frank talks about sex and the sex scenes themselves, which some people just don’t care for. 

  • I’m not ignorant of the fact that there are those who will not watch this just because it’s an LGBTQ+ rom-com. Sad but true. 

lovedit ENJOYED IT likedititsokayitsmehitsterrible

Bros - watched in IN THEATERS

Smile

POSITIVES

  • This is like a combination of everything Writer/Director Parker Finn learned from a Horror Movie 101 class, and put it all together into this very solidly effective scary film. This really knows how to build up tension and suspense. 

  • The plot direction, narrative, and pacing are all on point here. The scary scenes will keep you on the edge of your seat, and the mystery about what’s going on will also keep you on the edge of your seat. 

  • Right from the first scene that delivers the first “smile” in this movie, you know you are going to be seeing some creepy scary imagery. Along with the inverted shots, the slow pans, the jump cuts, to the blood, gore, and monster work, the visuals and special effects are excellent in this! Along with the imagery, a shout out to the spooky musical score and the loud noises for the scares. 

  • Sosie Bacon is simply fantastic here! She truly knows how to convey a scared terrorized person who is filled with anxiety and paranoia. You'll be right there with her as you follow her journey. Supporting cast is solid as well, so kudos to Kyle Callner, Jessie T Usher, Robin Weigart, Kal Penn, Jack Sochet, Gillian Zinser, Caitlin Stasey, and more.

  • There’s definitely an overarching theme involving trauma and mental health that works with the narrative. Gives you a perspective of what you’re watching and hearing in an interesting way. 

NEGATIVES

  • You’re going to feel like you’ve already seen this movie before. There’s a lot borrowed.

  • There are some questionable decisions certain characters make in this that will make you go “c’mon now, really?!” 

  • Oh the plot convenience of not just saying what’s going on when it seems like it’s the best time to say something. 

  • Why is it in these kinds of movies, nobody just goes and says “oh, it’s like that horror movie.” We want the characters to be smarter than the horror movie tropes. What is this, a world where those don’t exist? 

  • That thing that happens with the cat in the movie. 

lovedit ENJOYED IT likedititsokayitsmehitsterrible

Smile - watched in IN THEATERS

Lumpia with a Vengeance

POSITIVES

  • Hey people who say that there’s nothing different about superhero movies anymore! Here’s a movie with a hero who is a Filipino American wearing a barong that uses Lumpia as weapons. Unique enough for you? Check it out! 

  • Playing off the classic “street level vigilante superhero” narrative, this mixes in a lot of comfortably familiar elements from the genre, adds that Filipino American culture into the concoction, with a dose of self-aware silliness, fun references / cameos, and becomes this entertaining movie that isn’t afraid to toss in random curveballs into what you see on screen. 

  • Plot progression just moves in this. Does not waste any time. From the cool action beats, the comedic moments, to the parts where somebody needs to give the necessary exposition dialogue or monologue, you will keep watching just to see where the story is going to take you next. 

  • It’s got a solid ensemble cast that look like they are having fun making this movie, which should translate to you having fun watching it. Overall kudos to April Absynth, Darion Basco, Mark Muñoz, Katrina Janye Dimaranan, Francis Custudio, Edward Baon, Earl Baylon, and many many more. 

  • Needless to say, Filipinos all around will probably get the most joy out of watching this, but everyone else should appreciate this unique take of a superhero movie. At the very least, if you never had fried lumpia before, I hope this film at least convinces you to have a taste. Love that Lumpia! 

NEGATIVES

lovedit ENJOYED IT likedititsokayitsmehitsterrible

Lumpia with a Vengeance - watch in IN THEATERS

Blonde

POSITIVES

  • Fascinating triggering provocative traumatic exploitative take on who Marilyn Monroe is. Very moody film, that takes an incredible amount of liberties about her life, just to really let the films point of view sink in. 

  • Ana de Armas is simply phenomenal here. From some very nuanced mannerisms to those captivating monologues that she makes, Ana de Armas is showcasing an amazing tour de force. Truly she and her portrayal of Marilyn Monroe is the very main reason to see this film. 

  • It’s fantastic to see those iconic moments and events from her past that are recreated here. 

  • Some great visual stylistic flairs that really stand out spectacularly within the narrative. 

  • Incredible cautionary story, a strong reminder that celebrities are people too, and how taking care of your mental health is a very important thing to do. 

NEGATIVES 

  • Besides the fact that the majority of this movie is not based on facts, having a disjointed narrative with plot threads that are suddenly abandoned can all be pretty annoying.

  • Relentlessly dour, tragically sad, aggressively negative, obviously exploitative, and clearly made by a man if-you-know-what-I-mean. How much of that can you take? 

  • Pacing can feel too slow moving, and it doesn't help that it's a 226 minutes movie 

  • There’s definitely quite a bit of indulgence by the Director here, but intermittent switching of aspect ratios and color all seems a bit arbitrary to the point of being distracting. 

  • “Daddy.” Please stop. Too creepy cringe. 

loveditenjoyedit LIKED IT itsokayitsmehitsterrible

Blonde - watched it on NETFLIX

Don't Worry Darling

POSITIVES

  • A fascinating and compelling mysterious psychological thriller that is not above provoking you with what you see in this film. 

  • There’s a driving disorienting force to the narrative and editing, that should make you compelled to see how it all plays out until the end. Boring this is not. 

  • Visuals are simply excellent through and through. From the color palette, the set design, the cinematography, plus those brief fantastic touches of flair for some moments that truly stand out. Say what you will about the story, but this is a cinematic experience that should please your eyes. Not only that, but the soundtrack is incredible too!

  • One main reason to see this film is Florence Pugh as Alice. She really carries this movie with aplomb and it’s far more fascinating to see Alice’s journey in this story because of Florence Pugh. Supporting cast also does a good job in what was given to them, but a specific shout out to Chris Pine who really brings a certain malevolent charming panache to his character. 

  • As the story proceeds, you should notice the themes and commentaries that this movie is making. That added layer of what it’s about, on top of the premise, actually does make this film better than just being yet another mysterious plot that you have to figure out before the big reveal. 

NEGATIVES

  • It’s not a promising thing when during the first act, the first thoughts in my head were “do I really want to spend time with these obnoxious characters? No. No I do not.” 

  • Most of the time it felt like the movie was just jerking me around with how cryptically mysterious it all is. We get it. Creepy imagery and inexplicable questionable events that defy explanation. I roll my eyes. 

  • There are several logical gaps and plot conveniences that should have been directly addressed. However since they weren’t, some will call them plot holes, or just stupid dumb. 

  • Just when I thought the antagonists of this story were about to be given the needed depth and nuance that they were sorely lacking the whole time, the movie is pretty much already over. 

  • Not everybody is going to be happy with how the movie ends. Some will feel frustrated and cheated by it. 

loveditenjoyedit LIKED IT itsokayitsmehitsterrible

Don't Worry Darling - watched in IN THEATERS

See How They Run

POSITIVES

  • It’s a Whodunnit! Who doesn’t like watching these kinds of films and try to solve the case before it’s officially revealed? 

  • A huge part of what makes this movie a fun watch is the dialogue. The play on words. The back-and-forth. The self-aware humor. The puns. The sense of humor and jokes in this are just delightful. 

  • Sam Rockwell is good as Inspector Stoppard and gives his character a nuanced performance, however Saoirse Ronan as Constable Stalker is the one who completely steals this movie with her inexperienced but very eager character who has an adorable sense of humor and speaks her mind often. The rest of the supporting cast also deserve kudos, like Adrien Brody, David Oyelowo, Harris Dickinson, plus many more. 

  • It would have been easy to keep the imagery simple for this film, but the visual direction has some flair to it (like the split screen stuff), and there are legitimately a lot of locations that this story moves through which I appreciated. 

  • The whole movie has many scenes that keep you entertained, and the final act in particular is quite an enjoyable set piece to conclude the story. 

NEGATIVES

  • It’s a Whodunnit, and it doesn’t necessarily offer anything too fresh for the genre. 

  • Not exactly the most exciting or most interesting whodunnit either. 

  • Speaking of which. The big reveal didn’t really seem that… big. It could have been more twisty and surprising perhaps? 

  • The extended supporting characters could use… more character. 

  • There is that bit of self-awareness in this that might come off as an overplayed trope for some people. 

loveditenjoyedit LIKED IT itsokayitsmehitsterrible

See How They Run - watched in IN THEATERS