Overlord

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In case you haven’t seen the intro from my entry dated 1/26/19 (it’s in my archives whenever you want to read it), I’m no longer going to review every single movie I see.  I’m going to review one, with the occasional bonus, and just give ratings for the rest from now on (unless I decide to pick it up again in the future).  You can always ask me why I gave the ratings for the films without reviews though (via comments or the e-mail addresses under the ‘About Me’ section).

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Overlord           OK

War/horror hybrid set in Nazi-occupied France during World War II.  I know I probably mentioned this before, but war is horror, real-life horror at that.  I do like a good war movie although I’m not the biggest fan of the film genre and have no interest in the real subject (war, what indeed is it good for?), and I do like my horror movies as anyone that knows me or keeps up with my blogs should know.  Ironically, I actually liked this better when it was a war movie.  It was foreboding during that part, as any good war movie or horror movie for that matter should be.  It isn’t without its violence either, that’s for sure, but that goes for the general war and/or horror film.  In fact, this was mostly a war movie that was part Re-Animator-ish.  I actually couldn’t wait for it to be over once the horror part, or sci-fi/action part more appropriately, took on.  It’s not that I was unimpressed with the special effects; I just wasn’t really a fan of them.  I honestly don’t know how this wouldn’t have ended up a typical war film without the horror elements added, so I can’t truly say this would’ve been better as a straight war film.  I’m more of a horror fan, but liked this better when it was a war movie.  Someone that’s more of a war movie fan might not like when it veers into horror territory.  That being said, I really don’t know who would appreciate this film the most, even fans of both genres which I could sort of say I fit into with a much higher preference for horror.  2/23/2019

Bonus Haiku Reviews:

True Detective:  Season Three

Dark like first season.

Not as good; the reveal sucked.

Better than two though.  2/25/2019

Weird City:  Season One        OK/G

(haiku review)

Six short eps.  YouTube.

Black Mirror-ish.  Not as dark.

Generally fun.  2/27/2019

Other movies I've seen and their ratings (see above):

Columbus        OK/G

Mary Queen of Scots        EH

---Sean O.

2/27/2019

Happy Death Day 2U

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In case you haven’t seen the intro from my entry dated 1/26/19 (it’s in my archives whenever you want to read it), I’m no longer going to review every single movie I see.  I’m going to review one, with the occasional bonus, and just give ratings for the rest from now on (unless I decide to pick it up again in the future).  You can always ask me why I gave the ratings for the films without reviews though (via comments or the e-mail addresses under the ‘About Me’ section).

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Happy Death Day 2U               OK/G

The first one was basically Groundhog Day as a slasher film, and while this sequel does contain aspects of that Bill Murray vehicle as well, this time it’s more like The Butterfly Effect as a slasher film.  You do have to watch Happy Death Day first since everything is reiterated here, and it might not hurt to rewatch it beforehand depending on when you saw it last.  I thought the first one was fairly decent (check out my review for it in the archives---www.abcreviewarchive.blogspot.com) and was actually a bit better when I watched it the second time.  You do get an explanation for the time loop in this one, something I always wish would be directly answered in many of these Groundhog Day-type movies.  I did enjoy this for about two-thirds of the way before it became a bit too sentimental for me and ended too soon.  I did read that a third one is already planned, so perhaps that’s why it felt like part of a larger story.  I also read there was a scene after the credits, even though I always wait until the end of the credits (or fast-forward if watching at home) ever since Napoleon Dynamite, so wait until after the credits (or fast-forward if at home), or at least halfway through them.  It appears a threequel, based on what was hinted in that mid-credits sequence, might be even more repetitive than these two have been, but I’m still curious to see how it’ll be pulled off in this (as yet) passable slasher series with a sci-fi bent and a probable iconic killer in “Babyface.”  2/14/2019

Bonus review:

The Grinch                       EH

It’s usually not the same watching Christmas movies out of season, and as much as I despise remakes, my OCD would never allow me to pass this up (or any for that matter).  They’re never going to stop being made so I might as well keep giving them the benefit of the doubt.  Instinctively, yes, you’re always going to like the one you grew up with better and no remake will ever erase any previous version(s).  That being said, it’s not like the originals have disappeared from any archives, so why can’t they be shown to any future generations instead of remaking them?  That always seemed to be the definitive argument concerning remakes---to make the current generation aware.  Again, if the sole purpose is to bring attention to the original and generally much better version, why can’t the original be shown in the first place?  The original Grinch cartoon came out in 1966.  I was born in 1982.  Therefore, it was ahead of my time but I still grew up with it and loved it.  This full-length animated film was more a remake of the live-action Jim Carrey version and I honestly don’t know which one was worse.  This film may have had its funny moments and cute moments here and there, but I was generally more annoyed and unimpressed.  The best part of the original cartoon was when the Grinch robbed all the houses; here, all those scenes felt rushed in a film that had plenty of time to recreate those fun, detailed moments.  I might see how kiddies today will enjoy this if it’s their first foray into the story, but I would personally recommend they watch the original instead which is about an hour shorter.  I also can’t believe Scott Mosier, the producer of many Kevin Smith movies, including all the ones before he became “too Hollywood,” was the co-director of this unnecessary remake.  2/14/2019

Other movies I've seen and their ratings (see above):

Bohemian Rhapsody               OK/G

7 Days in Entebbe                   EH

Shoplifters                               EH/OK

---Sean O.
2/16/2019

The Prodigy

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In case you haven’t seen the intro from my entry dated 1/26/19 (it’s in my archives whenever you want to read it), I’m no longer going to review every single movie I see.  I’m going to review one, with the occasional bonus, and just give ratings for the rest from now on (unless I decide to pick it up again in the future).  You can always ask me why I gave the ratings for the films without reviews though (via comments or the e-mail addresses under the ‘About Me’ section).

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The Prodigy                                 G

There’s something fun about evil kid movies.  This is merely set up as an evil kid movie though, much like Orphan (you’ve had ten years to see that so I think it’s safe for me to say it technically wasn’t an evil kid movie), although it wasn’t quite like Orphan or other evil kid movies like The Good Son and The Omen despite reminding me of them.  Unless you were born yesterday or haven’t seen too many movies, you should be able to figure out the connection in the beginning when a guy is shot down and a baby is born at the same time.  Luckily this movie doesn’t beat around the bush or wait until the last quarter to reveal what we already know and that it deals with reincarnation, thereby making it appear as an evil kid movie simply because a deceased murderer now inhabits the body of a young boy.  Somehow the merging of those two concepts works and the film generally manages to be mildly entertaining; I said mildly!  It’s a simple story really, made all the more tolerable (or at least simply tolerable) if you keep your expectations low.  All I expected going in was just another evil kid movie and what can you really expect from that?  2/10/2019

Bonus haiku reviews:

Air Strike                                       B

Japs invade China.

Dubbed here and there, poorly though.

Paycheck, Bruce?  This blew!  2/7/2019

Russian Doll:  Season One           OK/G

Eight short eps.  Netflix.

It’s basically Groundhog Day.

Not bad but not great.  2/8/2019

---Sean O.

2/10/2019

Indonesian Doll Trilogy

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In case you haven’t seen the intro from my entry dated 1/26/19 (it’s in my archives whenever you want to read it), I’m no longer going to review every single movie I see.  I’m going to review one, with the occasional bonus, and just give ratings for the rest from now on (unless I decide to pick it up again in the future).  You can always ask me why I gave the ratings for the films without reviews though (via comments or the e-mail addresses under the ‘About Me’ section).

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The Doll                       OK

The Doll 2                    EH/OK

Sabrina                        EH

I saw, not long ago, that Sabrina was a new evil doll movie on Netflix but luckily I found out it was actually the third film in an Indonesian trilogy that began with The Doll and The Doll 2.  The Doll and The Doll 2 weren’t available at the time, even online, so my OCD wouldn’t allow me to watch Sabrina right away, but they recently became available on Netflix, so my marathon began (yes, there are subtitles for those not fluent in Indonesian).  Besides the OCD reasons, luckily I did wait as some characters reappear in each successive entry in addition to certain scenes being referenced (the films were all released a year apart beginning in 2016).  These movies are more Annabelle than Child’s Play.  The doll just happens to be present in each film generally having the same plot---there’s a doll, there’s a demonic presence, lives are ruined, revelations indicate humans are the real monsters.  The doll in The Doll resembled a trashy, gothic Cabbage Patch Kid while the better looking (but still creepy) Sabrina doll was introduced in The Doll 2 and appropriately returned for the eponymous threequel.  Indonesians certainly did their homework in watching American horror cinema but apparently didn’t attempt to improve upon it, even going so far as including fake jump scares; and brevity definitely isn’t their strong suit as each of these exceeds 100 minutes with the last 2 barely shy of two hours!  They all certainly seemed as long as they were too, if not longer!  None were exactly low-budget (in the general sense; there’s a poorly staged car accident in The Doll 2) and they were all bloody when they wanted to be, but they were all subpar demonic possession movies instead of actual evil doll movies.  Sure, I was reminded of Child’s Play 2 and Dolly Dearest just once separately throughout the entire series, but I was more often reminded of other films like Poltergeist, Paranormal Activity(s), The Evil Dead, and just about every other demonic/possession flick.  There was even a “jealous female trying to ruin domestic bliss” subplot á la Fatal Attraction and The Hand that Rocks the Cradle at the end of The Doll 2!  My ratings make it appear they get weaker each time, but none were entirely worth it, although if you’re an ‘evil doll cinema enthusiast’ like myself, you’ll probably want to watch them strictly for your enthusiasm while everyone else will think they’re as lame as their American counterparts.  Wait, didn’t I complain they weren’t actually evil doll movies?  Oh well, there’s a doll in them and that’ll still probably make you ‘evil doll cinema enthusiasts’ curious, but don’t blame me if you’re disappointed though!  1/31/2019

Bonus Haiku Review(s):

Folklore:  Season One               EH

Objective review:

Six eps.  HBO.

Six different Asian countries.

Anthology show.

Subjective review:

How disappointing.

I like anthology shows.

Not this one.  Bummer.

Episodes:

            A Mother’s Love            EH/OK

            Indonesian one.

            Chilling but derivative.

            Wewe.  Kidnapper.

            Tatami                           B

            Japan.  Curses.  Deaths.

            The Grudge-ish.  Only it’s worse.

            Too slow.  Too empty.

            Nobody                        EH/OK

            Singapore.  Dead girl.

            Raped.  Murdered.  Back for revenge.

            Formulaic.  Lame.

            Pob                               OK/G

            Thai one.  Wasn’t bad.

            Hungry ghost.  Literally.

            There’s a Caucasian.

            Toyol                            EH

            Not sure which country.

            Gorgeous shots.  Demon baby?

            Confusing for me.

            Mongdal                      OK

            Korea.  Teen boy.

            Psycho.  Unrequited love.

            Death.  Ghost.  Dark.  Okay.  2/4/2019

Other movies I've seen and their ratings (see above):

Bushwick:   OK/G

Galveston:   OK

The Guilty:  OK/G (more G than OK)

Velvet Buzzsaw:  EH

---Sean O.
2/5/19

Glass

In case you haven’t seen the intro from my entry dated 1/26/19 (it’s in my archives whenever you want to read it), I’m no longer going to review every single movie I see.  I’m going to review one, with the occasional bonus, and just give ratings for the rest from now on (unless I decide to pick it up again in the future).  You can always ask me why I gave the ratings for the films without reviews though (via comments or the e-mail addresses under the ‘About Me’ section).

Glass                                                                           G

Split wasn’t even a sequel to Unbreakable; it just existed in the same comic book-inspired universe concocted by M. Night Shyamalan and you didn’t know so until the end.  This is technically a sequel to both, technically making all three films a trilogy.  Yes, you do have to watch Unbreakable and Split before watching this to get a full understanding of the characters (at least the three played by Bruce Willis, Samuel L. Jackson, and James McAvoy).  Even though I am a fan of M. Night, I’ll admit I didn’t intend to see this right away (although definitely eventually) as it didn’t look too good and the low rating on Rotten Tomatoes didn’t alter that.  After some thought though and knowing not to listen to critics (whether good or bad) since I’m one too (as well as anyone, naturally), plus having a free movie pass and wanting to see for my damn self, I went for it.  Also, if you’re a fan of M. Night and/or saw Unbreakable and Split, do you really think you can allow yourself to not watch this?  (I understand not everyone has OCD like me but still).  Unbreakable and Split weren’t great but I still liked them and I pretty much felt the same way about this which makes it a good companion piece, and I can honestly say I enjoyed this more than many films actually based on comic books.  You might need to hold your judgment until it’s over because I thought it was the plain kind of good for a bit before being cleverly tied up as Mr. Shyamalan knows how, poignantly even.  1/30/2019

Bonus Haiku review:

Kingdom:  Season One                                               G

Korea.  Zombies.

Historical times.  Netflix.

Six eps.  I liked it.  1/28/2019

Other movies I've seen and their ratings (see above):

AXL: EH/OK

Beirut: EH

Boy Erased: OK/G

Deadly Switch: EH/OK

Suspiria (2018): EH

---Sean O.
2/1/19