Decision To Leave

POSITIVES

  • Do you like your crime mystery movies involving a detective investigating a questionable death, a femme fatale of a suspect, and insomnia? Well here is an entertaining one that you should definitely check out. 

  • Park Hae-il and Tang Wei are amazing in this as Detective Jang Hae-joon and Song Seo-rae respectively. Since the main premise surrounds their unexpected and precarious connection, it is very engaging to see how well the two play off each other. 

  • From stake-out scenes, “mind palace” sleuthing, chases by car and foot, to sequences of eating a bento box, the plot may move at a measured pace but successfully strings you along to want to see what happens next. 

  • Appealing to the eyes in terms of cinematography and the set locations used in the movie, but it’s the visual narrative via the editing that really wins me over here. Fantastic stuff! 

  • Infatuation, attraction, obsession, and romance? This story does have a provocative premise that’s designed to get a reaction out of you, and possibly make you question how far you are willing to risk things and the sacrifices you will make when it comes to Love. It’s what completely drives this movie and is what makes it tick. 

NEGATIVES

  • This is not a movie you haven’t seen before, and is definitely not Director Park Chan-wook’s more ambitious project. 

  • How much you are willing to believe or put up with the main crux of the premise will make or break how invested you are going to be with it. Questionable character motivations indeed. 

  • Some people will probably feel bored or uninterested with the plot. 

  • At a certain point, the movie keeps going past when you thought it already ended, and suddenly it’s like you’re already watching the sequel movie. I adored the editing in this, but maybe edit the story down a bit too perhaps? 

  • That ending may or may not be what you wanted. 

lovedit ENJOYED IT enjoyeditlikedititsokayitsmehitsterrible

Decision to Leave (Heojil kyolshim) - watched it IN THEATERS

Slash/Back

POSITIVES

  • Ragtag teenage Inuit girls who find themselves fighting monsters in Pangnirtung? Besides the generous amount of blood on screen, I do like the fact that this is a monster movie that is perfectly fine for kids to watch, with solid thematic lessons that will benefit them. 

  • For a movie that heavily features these new young actors, I’m glad that they were able to capture their camaraderie as a group of friends, because that went a long way to get us invested with what happens in this film. 

  • Gotta love the Inuk mythology and Inuit culture mentioned, which are topics you don’t normally hear about in movies. Plus the location setting is a perfect additional flavor for the narrative. 

  • Creature work is good and effective for this lower budget film. Some creative imaginative ideas to bring these monsters to the screen. 

  • I appreciate how the characters have seen Alien Monster movies and apply that knowledge to their situation. Goes the same with the filmmakers who seem to be honoring those movies with this film. 

NEGATIVES

  • "Stupid kid. What are you doing?!" You'll be saying that occasionally. 

  • Not exactly the most highly produced movie, and not necessarily having the flashiest action sequences. 

  • The many actors in this movie aren't what you would consider seasoned actors. 

  • Unlikeable lead character? Interesting choice to make, but it does serve one of the themes of the story. 

  • They mention Honda so much, I think they might be a sponsor. It’s also interesting how their iPhones are practically written into the plot as well (another sponsor?). 

loveditenjoyedit LIKED IT itsokayitsmehitsterrible

Slash/Back - watched it on VIDEO ON DEMAND

Tár

POSITIVES

  • Excellent fictional biopic and character study that lets us peek into the world of musical prestige, creation, and politics. At certain points, it was like a conductor and musical theory 101 class. 

  • It’s not surprising to say this but Cate Blanchett as Lydia Tár is absolutely phenomenal! Her performance is truly what makes this movie THIS movie. Blanchett is so good she makes you believe that Lydia Tár is an actual real person that she is portraying. 

  • Besides all the music stuff that music geeks are going to love, the conversations and monologues are fascinating to the point we feel like we are a fly on the wall observing them. Engrossing stuff. 

  • In terms of the narrative and plot progression, this is a movie that goes places. It has plot directions that I myself wasn’t expecting it to go, but definitely got my attention anyway. 

  • Without a doubt, this story has things to say and comment on. It has themes that took me by surprise, but ultimately did make it far more interesting than I originally expected it to be. Thought provoking stuff indeed. 

NEGATIVES

  • If you go into this movie thinking that there’s going to be a lot of scenes of conducting, composing, and music constantly being played, then you’ll be wrong. Not only that, but for a movie about musicians, it feels odd watching a film without a musical score to accompany the visuals. 

  • The many musical jargon, references, and inside jokes will probably go over many people’s heads and just confuse or frustrate them. 

  • There are some ambiguity and unexplained plot details that might also confuse or frustrate people. 

  • At a certain point you might just ask “where the heck is this movie going?!” Which in turn might make you lose interest. Also doesn’t help that there were some plot directions that I just didn’t care for at all. 

  • Gotta say that the movie did feel like it was longer than it had to be with a 158 minutes run time. 

lovedit ENJOYED IT likedititsokayitsmehitsterrible

Tár - watched in IN THEATERS

Till

POSITIVES

  • Fictionalizing the Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley historically true story is a very sensitive task, but this film does an excellent job at it. This is an important heartbreaking story to tell, and is still very much relevant to this day and age.

  • Jalyn Hall is excellent as Emmett Till, but this is actually Danielle Deadwyler's movie as Mamie Till-Mobley and she is absolutely amazing in the role. What a performance!  

  • There’s a simplicity to the direction, but it was very adept in keeping us engaged and involved with this story. Especially since it’s filled with several thought provoking scenes of powerful dialogue, speeches, and testimonies.  

  • I respect their recreation of the mutilated body of Emmett Till and the detail put into it. However I would like to give an additional shout out to the cinematography for making the visuals look so vibrant in what is essentially not a flashy film. 

  • This movie is a great reminder on why you shouldn’t be racist. Let this also be a reminder to be vigilant against those who embrace bigotry and hate. 

NEGATIVES

  • You might be disappointed with this film if you were hoping to spend more time with Emmett Till. 

  • Moves at a very measured pace that some might wish it moved just a bit faster. 

  • There will be those who understandably might find it too hard to see Emmett Till’s disfigured body, as this movie was not shy about showing it. 

  • Some might protest on the facts left out of this fictionalized retelling. 

  • Sorry white folks, but I don’t think there was a single “good” white person in this. “Not being fair?” That’s debatable. Don’t get too triggered now. 

lovedit ENJOYED IT likedititsokayitsmehitsterrible

Till - watched in IN THEATERS

Triangle of Sadness

POSITIVES

  • Looking for a movie that might scare you from getting on a cruise? Want discussions about gender role dynamics in regards to the patriarchy or matriarchy? Have opinions about capitalism vs socialism? Do you know what an OFW is? If you said yes to all that, then this is definitely the movie for you. 

  • I rather enjoyed the unexpected plot directions that this movie is willing to take. This will keep you on your toes to see what happens next. Just avoid watching the promotional trailer if you could.

  • There is some dark satirical humor in this film that should make you want to uncomfortably chuckle at or laugh out loud. It’s what makes this movie fun! In den wolken! 

  • Amazing ensemble cast of characters in this that will keep you invested in what happens to them. Great work by Harris Dickinson, Charlbi Dean, Zlatko Buric, Dolly De Leon, Vicki Berlin, Woody Harrelson, plus many more! 

  • The social political commentaries this movie makes are very much some serious topics that will keep you further invested with it. If you don’t get triggered by it first that is. 

NEGATIVES

  • Some might find the narrative to be aimless and having a tendency to meander too much. 

  • Can feel like a long movie. Maybe it should have just been a mini-series. 

  • I would say there were some legitimate plot holes that should have been addressed better. 

  • There is one particular extended sequence of seasickness that might be hard to watch. 

  • Speaking of something that's hard to watch. That scene with the animal during the third act. 

lovedit ENJOYED IT likedititsokayitsmehitsterrible

Triangle of Sadness - watched in IN THEATERS

The Stranger

POSITIVES

  • For a true crime procedural thriller, this is actually different from the usual. Which makes it a rather interesting movie to check out. 

  • The plot unfolds in methodically fascinating ways, with it constantly presenting an ever changing narrative as things progress. 

  • Sean Harris and Joel Edgerton are excellent in this. The characters they play are pretty complicated individuals, and they gave us performances that go places. 

  • Considering the premise, there is a good amount of tension throughout that'll keep you on edge and guessing. 

  • There's a strong commentary here that only makes this movie feel even darker and scarier, and might just haunt you beyond this film. 

NEGATIVES

  • Not the fastest moving movie. Don't get too impatient now. 

  • Maybe the tone feels way too bleak and dark to put up with? This is not for everybody. 

  • Even at just under 2 hours it felt like a much longer experience. 

  • Certain plot elements could be further explained I suppose? You'll probably be heading straight to Google or Wikipedia to get the answers you are looking for.

  • The ending isn’t necessarily the most satisfying one in how it plays out. 

loveditenjoyedit LIKED IT itsokayitsmehitsterrible

The Stranger - watched it on NETFLIX

Ticket To Paradise

POSITIVES

  • Sometimes you just want to watch a pleasantly familiar romantic comedy, with appealing leading actors, that will comfortably put a smile on your face, and possibly warms your heart. This movie is simply that, and that’s absolutely okay. 

  • The cleverly amusing lines of dialogue, and the back and forth banter, should keep you delightfully entertained. Especially when paired with the multitude of scenes and moments that play off like it’s a sitcom. 

  • Julia Roberts and George Clooney. Their chemistry, charm, and wit really makes this movie worth watching. Has to also be said, but Kaitlyn Dever and Maxime Bouttier also make a very nice pair to grab your attention. 

  • It’s hard to ignore, but the location setting really adds a lot to the viewing experience and enjoyment of the movie and the plot. 

  • Considering the premise, it does share thematic commentaries about relationships and marriage that are always thought provoking, and should keep you engaged enough to see where they go with it. 

NEGATIVES

  • Alright. You’ve seen this movie before. It’s not like it suddenly introduces all these completely fresh new ideas for the genre.  

  • Oh look, well off successful people and their problems. So relatable? 

  • Discuss among yourselves whether the people of color represented in this are just used as props or have actual agency in this story. I know this movie conveniently ignores a lot of the cultural political aspects of reality and prefers to have a more idealized perspective on things. So if you’re looking for more beyond what is presented, then you will probably be disappointed. 

  • No shade to Billie Lourde, but she plays such a cliche of a character. It felt like she was either just conveniently included for certain plot points, or a lot of her scenes were just removed from the final cut. Seemed completely unnecessary. 

  • Hope you don’t mind, and I guess it’s kinda a spoiler, but this does go for that cliche ending. Just in case you were hoping for an infinitely more compelling conclusion. 

lovedit ENJOYED IT likedititsokayitsmehitsterrible

Ticket to Paradise - watched in IN THEATERS

Black Adam

POSITIVES

  • For those wanting their Superman or Shazam type DCEU character to be a bit more edgier, angrier, and be someone willing to just kill bad guys, then this movie might just offer what you’re looking for. 

  • You come into this movie for all that super powered people action right? It’s got that here and all, but it’s how it successfully integrates slow-motion and speed into the action that I found quite entertaining for the eyes. 

  • Speaking of super powered people, I rather liked seeing the Justice Society heroes here. The actors who gave those characters personality were all pretty solid, so kudos to Pierce Brosnan as Dr Fate, Aldis Hodge as Hawkman, Noah Centineo as Atom Smasher, and Quintessa Swindell as Cyclone. More of them please. 

  • Gotta hand it to the editing of this movie. At being a 2 hours movie, this thing just moves at a solid pace, with continuous set pieces after set pieces that are designed to keep grabbing your attention. 

  • There’s definitely a thematic narrative focus on what it means to be a hero in a very politically charged world, which does bring up some interesting things to think about. Especially considering the anti-hero of a lead character here. 

NEGATIVES

  • Has all the elements of being an exciting and fun movie, but ends up just being a slightly exciting and moderately fun watch. Doesn’t help that its attempts at humor just come off as amateurish. 

  • As a comic book movie, this is as derivative and unremarkable as they go. Expect the usual plot tropes, cliches, lazy writing, lapse in logic, and uninspired narrative. 

  • Exposition done well is good writing. The exposition in this movie is a bit excessive, kinda clumsily written, and at worst just boring. 

  • I have issues with how they initially portray Teth-Adam to be someone completely unaware of his surroundings or just plain ignorant. All for that attempt at humor? It also doesn’t help that he is one of the least interesting characters in this movie. 

  • Most everything to do with that Amon Tomaz. No shade to the actor, but the character he plays is kinda annoying. 

loveditenjoyeditl LIKED IT itsokayitsmehitsterrible

Black Adam - watched in IN THEATERS

Rosaline

POSITIVES

  • You've seen many different takes of the Romeo & Juliet story, but this addition of Rosaline into the mythos is actually decently entertaining to see in this comedic narrative. 

  • Comedy plays on self-awareness, physical gags, play on words, awkward situations, and running jokes. It has fun with the material and I rather liked that! 

  • Cast is adorably charming and playful with their roles, anchored by the incredible Kaitlyn Dever in the lead role. Excellent work as well by Isabela Merced, Sean Teale, Kyle Allen, Bradley Whitford, Minnie Driver, Christopher McDonald, and many more. 

  • Alright, I have to admit that the set locations and costume design are fantastic, and only positively add to the movie! 

  • The modern sensibilities and social commentaries applied to this story do stand out a lot. However it is also what gives this movie that solid light-hearted enjoyably casual tone that works really well with the premise. 

NEGATIVES

  • I'm sure there are those who will protest about the modern touches to this adaptation. 

  • This is not without its derivative plot and character tropes. So expect some familiarity with the narrative. 

  • It's definitely not what I would call a challenging movie to watch, and it's probably only memorable to a certain point. 

  • Okay, there's this quirk that Rosaline has that's supposed to be humorously endearing, but it just reminds me of the plot conveniences this movie has to rely on sometimes. 

  • Sean Teale looks so much like a younger Oscar Isaac that it's very distracting. You'd think it was a deep fake special effect or something. 

lovedit ENJOYED IT likedititsokayitsmehitsterrible

Rosaline - watched it on HULU

Halloween Ends

POSITIVES

  • The title of the movie implies that this is presumably the last Halloween installment with Michael Myers and Laurie Strode. Let’s consider it a positive then that this does live up to the title and indeed ends things. It’s about time. 

  • Jamie Lee Curtis will forever remain awesome as Laurie. Strong work by Rohan Campbell as well who turned out to be an interesting addition to this franchise. 

  • Death scenes. When they happen, they don’t hold back that much on how bloody gruesome they are. That’s what we want from a Halloween movie right? 

  • Some solid sequences in this movie. That intro scene. The house with a pool. The scrap yard. The final battle. 

  • There's a thematic lesson to the structure of this story that I appreciated it attempting to do. 

NEGATIVES

  • Gotta say, this is absolutely not the movie that people expected for the presumably last Halloween movie. I see a lot of disappointed fans. 

  • Why is this movie just wasting so much time with all these little derivative plot threads? Just get to the reason why we’re even watching this movie already! 

  • Stupid decisions and plot choices that I really did not care for. 

  • There are some stupid unnecessary jump scares in this. It's kinda embarrassing. 

  • That ending. Seriously? That’s how they are going to conclude this decades long story? I’m shaking my head right now while giving myself a facepalm. 

loveditenjoyeditlikedit IT’S OKAY itsmehitsterrible

Halloween Ends - watched it on PEACOCK