I Hate New Year's

POSITIVES…

  • Premise is familiar but comfortably enjoyable.

  • I appreciated the lighthearted tone of this story.

  • Dia Frampton is absolutely solid and charming as Layne Price. Brought a smile to my face.

  • Ashley Argota is quite entertaining to watch as Cassie Holmes. Has some silly fun in her role.

  • When it comes to romantic stories, it's important to want to root for the couple. Thankfully, I was all for Layne and Cassie!

  • The two of them together is the main reason to see this film. Excellent chemistry.

  • There's a psychic reading scene that was cute.

  • Arlene Peckerwood.

  • The songs featured in this movie are fantastic.

  • I should point out that as a fan of the musical act Meg & Dia, it's always a treat to see Dia sing songs that are new to me.

NEGATIVES…

  • Not that we really expected it, but this doesn't add anything much new to this tried and true genre.

  • Plot cliches and conveniences? Sure.

  • Could be more of a cinematic experience.

  • There's a particular narrative gimmick that I didn't care for.

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I Hate New Year’s - watch it on VIDEO ON DEMAND

Wander Darkly

POSITIVES…

  • If you’re looking for a different kind of love story, then this just might be for you.

  • The fast pacing is unrelenting in this, but it helps keep you thoroughly engaged.

  • Powerful performance by Sienna Miller as Adrienne, who is put through the ringer here.

  • Diego Luna is solid as Mateo, whose character is a good counterpoint to Adrienne.

  • The visual transitions can be pretty clever, and keeps you on your toes.

  • As a story about a troubled relationship, I appreciated the fact that this movie brought up issues and topics that might be worth addressing for couples out there.

  • With a narrative that plays around with the perception and concept of time, this is an emotional experience that is unlike what you normally would see.

NEGATIVES…

  • Tests your patience with the plot, especially when it starts to feel like it’s getting repetitive.

  • Narrative style might be too disorienting for some.

  • There are plot cliches and conveniences that keep this from being great.

  • Depending on your point of view, the final act may or may not work for you.

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Wander Darkly - watch it on VIDEO ON DEMAND

The Prom

POSITIVES…

  • The premise of this musical pokes fun at liberal celebrities and American conservatives, and I think that's wonderful.

  • Narrative has some familiar plot tropes, but it does constantly keep you engaged.

  • Jo Ellen Pellman is absolutely incredible as Ellen! I was thoroughly impressed by her presence and singing.

  • Speaking of singing. Meryl Streep! What an absolutely delightful highlight of this movie.

  • One of my favorite plot is between Dee Dee and Principal Tom.

  • The ensemble is fantastic here, from Ariana Debose, Keegan-Michael Key, James Corden, Nicole Kidman, Andrew Rannells, plus more!

  • Lots of good song numbers in this one, from “Just breathe,” “It's not about me,” The Lady’s Improving,” “Unruly Heart,” “It's Time to Dance,” and more!

  • There were definitely some effective emotional, moving, inspirational, and heartbreaking moments in this movie.

  • Fun pop culture references, theatrical in-jokes, and social political commentary.

  • “This isn't America, This is Indiana.”

NEGATIVES…

  • Production value could have been higher.

  • Not all the songs are hits.

  • If you somehow don't get the themes and lessons of this film, well it will hit you over the head with it, over and over again.

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The Prom - watch it on NETFLIX

First Cow

POSITIVES…

  • Seems to really capture what it must be like in the American frontier of the 1820s, in a slice of life kind of way.

  • The friendship between John Magaro's Cookie Figowitz and Orion Lee's King Lu is at the heart of this story.

  • Those stories and monologues that Orion Lee gets to say.

  • Toby Jones as Chief Factor is a fine addition to the cast of this movie.

  • Everything to do with the cow.

  • Who doesn't love a good delicious biscuit?

  • Gotta appreciate the confidence and vision by Co-writer & Director Kelly Reichardt for this particularly unique kind of indie art film.

NEGATIVES…

  • Not a fast moving movie. Indulgences itself by taking its sweet time.

  • I would say it doesn't really get going until almost halfway through the movie.

  • You might think it meanders too much, is listless, and probably boring.

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First Cow - watch it on SHOWTIME

Soul

POSITIVES…

  • Simple but fascinating premise of a fun, enjoyable, and beautiful Pixar animated movie.

  • The combo of Jamie Foxx as Joe and Tina Fey as 22 is really good. The interactions between the two is a strong reason to watch this movie.

  • While there is a more serious narrative found here, it definitely isn’t without it’s jokes and comedic moments, and there are funny ones.

  • The world building of what’s beyond the living is good and interesting.

  • Character designs are charming.

  • Gotta enjoy all the pop culture and historical references.

  • Fans of cats should be amused by this movie.

  • Should be no surprise but fans of Jazz music should find something here to appreciate.

  • That New York Knicks joke. LOL

  • There’s usually an underlying theme and message with Pixar films, but I would say that “Soul” might just have one of the most important and enlightening ones.

NEGATIVES…

  • Not the most exciting animated movie in the traditional sense.

  • As usual with most Pixar movies that it’s kind of a cliche, but there is in fact a set time and goal that the characters are racing towards.

  • Not entirely a negative, but I don’t know if little kids will get the message of this story. Not only that, but Parents might be forced to explain death to those little kids watching this. I’m sure they had practice from “Coco.”

  • Hospital security.

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Soul - watch it on DISNEY+

Wonder Woman 1984

POSITIVES…

  • The opening tournament set piece, back to back with a shopping mall action sequence, was a most excellent 20 minutes to start off the movie.

  • Speaking of action, it’s choreography is absolutely amazing. Especially just about everything that has to do with the Lasso Of Truth.

  • Gal Gadot continues to be a wonderful incarnation of Wonder Woman. I would say she got to flex more emotional drama out of her character in this one.

  • Chris Pine is ever so charming as Steve Trevor. There’s a certain joy and fun to his character that appropriately balances out the more seriously earnest sides of this movie.

  • Kristen Wiig shows her comedic sensibilities and villainous side with great aplomb.

  • Pedro Pascal is terrific hamming it up as Max Lord, embracing the outrageousness of his character.

  • The final act, from the White House set piece, all the way until the final shot, is ambitiously spectacular in visual and storytelling excesses.

  • This story touches on so so so many themes, that I’d forgive it for shoving all that into this movie, because a lot of those are worth it.

  • Hans Zimmer gave us yet another great musical score.

  • Who doesn’t like 1980s easter eggs and references to your familiar Wonder Woman mythos?

NEGATIVES…

  • Plot progression can be a little bit unwieldy at times.

  • Idiotic plot conveniences, or bad writing? Take your pick.

  • The many questions raised by the plot, makes this an easy target to ridicule.

  • At 155 minutes long, the movie could probably use a trim.

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Wonder Woman 1984 - watch it on HBO MAX

The Midnight Sky

POSITIVES…

  • Familiar premise, but an interesting one nonetheless.

  • The George Clooney and Caoilinn Springall relationship is my most favorite thing about this movie.

  • The introduction of Felicity Jones in space was a nice scene that sparks that wonder you want to see in science fiction movies. There's more of that experience throughout the film.

  • That whole space walk sequence was definitely one of the highlights of this movie.

  • Future tech ideas showcased was great.

  • Excellent supporting cast. David Oyelowo, Kyle Chandler, Demian Bichir, Tiffany Boone, and the rest.

  • Musical score by Alexandre Desplat as pretty darn good.

NEGATIVES…

  • Derivative.

  • Meanders. Listless. Boring.

  • Overall narrative should have been reworked for this story.

  • At 122 minutes, it felt unnecessarily long for this movie. There are three (or four) main storylines being told here. Probably would have worked better as a 4 part limited series.

  • There were some plot conveniences in this that felt frustratingly cliche. C’mon screenwriters! Let’s not keep going back to the same old tired well of plot tropes.

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The Midnight Sky - watch it on NETFLIX

Words on Bathroom Walls

POSITIVES…

  • Premise of the story hooks you in, and easily encourages you to see where it’s going to go.

  • Voice over monologues. Breaking the fourth wall voice over monologues. Lots of good ones in that department here.

  • How this movie visualizes schizophrenia is just spot on for this film.

  • The pacing. The editing. The stylistic flairs. Solid stuff.

  • Charlie Plummer as Adam is very excellent in this. Charmingly awkward, and emotional, in all the right ways.

  • Taylor Russell as Maya is great. Cool and confident, the chemistry she shares with Charlie Plummer is fantastic.

  • Got to give a special mention to AnnaSophia Robb as Rebecca, Lobo Sebastian as the Bodyguard, and Devon Bostick as Joaquin. This wouldn’t be as entertaining to watch without them.

  • Supporting cast is good too, from Molly Parker, Walton Goggins, Beth Grant, and Andy Garcia.

  • Easily one of the best things about this movie are the confessionals Adam has with Father Patrick. I look forward to them.

  • That fire at the Catholic School Nun’s office is quite the sight too. This movie knows how to have fun with itself.

  • Final act will push your buttons to see how far you are still invested with the plot progression. I for one was completely with it all the way to the final frame of the movie.

  • I loved loved loved the thematic core of this story. This isn’t really just about schizophrenia. This has an important message to share with everyone watching.

NEGATIVES…

  • Some predictable plot cliches, and tropes.

  • Story does opt for some conveniences with it’s overall narrative.

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Words on Bathroom Walls - watch it on VIDEO ON DEMAND

Hunter Hunter

POSITIVES…

  • Could you live a life and raise a family in the remote wilderness as fur trappers? It’s a solid set up for the setting and characters…

  • …then the story goes places. There’s a creepy ominous suspenseful dread with the narrative, which keeps it a bit more interesting.

  • MVP goes to Camille Sullivan as Anne. You immediately understand where her mind is throughout this film, and that’s all thanks to her performance.

  • One of the best parts of this movie are the scenes with Gabriel Daniels. In fact, the whole rangers subplot in general was enjoyable to watch.

  • Good supporting cast, from Devon Sawa, Summer H. Howell, Lauren Cochrane, and Nick Stahl.

  • I’ll give Writer-Director Shawn Linden this. He knows how to just grab your attention with that ending. I know that’s all everybody seems to want to talk about.

  • It may not be the point of this movie, but it thoroughly convinced me to not want to ever live in the woods. So I’ll put that in the win column. Oh, there’s a commentary against city folks too, so take that for what you will.

NEGATIVES…

  • Deliberately has a slow burn of a pace, and doesn’t really get going until at least 20 minutes into it. Heck, some will argue that it doesn’t really get going until at least an hour into it.

  • It’s being talked about like a horror film, but it’s definitely not that in the typical sense.

  • One of the characters makes a very questionable decision which just seems so stupid, and kills some of that suspension of disbelief for the rest of the story.

  • I would say that there are several questionable plot decisions that made me shake my head in disapproval.

  • There’s a mean streak to this movie that I didn’t particularly care for.

  • I know Animal lovers will hate this film.

  • Speaking of hate. The plot progression left me more frustrated and angry than I’d prefer to be.

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Hunter Hunter - watch it on VIDEO ON DEMAND

Never Rarely Sometimes Always

POSITIVES…

  • Simple premise and all, however not to be too cliche in saying this, but it's a very essential story that needs to be told. Educational even.

  • As far as moody teenagers goes, Sidney Flanigan plays her perfectly. She however excels at giving us some subdued acting that resonates the thoughts and emotions her character Autumn is having.

  • Talia Ryder is also excellent as Skylar, showing a confidence and strength in her role that is just perfect for her character.

  • The chemistry between Autumn and Skylar is easily one of the greatest strengths of this film.

  • Certain scenes are effectively hard to watch.

  • One extended scene in particular felt like the most important sequence in this film, and contains the meaning behind the title of the movie.

  • There's a very specific voice and point of view that dictates the story of this movie. I may not necessarily always agree with it, but I appreciate what is being presented to me.

  • New York. I liked the way this movie showcased the city. Felt real and not glamorized.

NEGATIVES…

  • A little slow moving. Meanders quite a bit.

  • There are some aspects of this movie that's way too on the nose for my taste.

  • Subject matter may not be to everyone's interest.

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Never Rarely Sometimes Always - watch it on HBO MAX