Us

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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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Us                                                                                OK/G

I did like Get Out but not as much as general moviegoers, critics or not, apparently did (enough to get Oscar recognition).  This is director Jordan Peele’s (one half of Key & Peele) sophomore cinematic effort.  While Get Out focused entirely on the topic of race, Us just happens to focus on a vacationing black family with race not factoring into the plot involving doppelgangers.  [I’m glad I read an article afterwards where Mr. Peele stated he had no intention of this film being about race, because I was afraid perhaps I missed something; I didn’t read Get Out 100% correctly the first time after all.  To me, that’s progress showing black people live like every other American without being labeled a “black movie” and simply a “horror movie,” but it makes me wonder if it wasn’t labeled as such since the primary ancillary characters were a white family.  Therefore, more progress is still necessary in order for a film to have a predominant black cast without being labeled a “black movie” regardless of genre.  Or perhaps all movies should just always have an equal amount of representation, no?].  Anyway, to say I was disappointed with this film would be an overstatement, although I kind of was considering I’ve been looking forward to this upon hearing of it and seeing a preview for the first time.  There was a bit I liked about it and Jordan definitely knows how to make movies (as proved twice now), but I believe much of the first half was rather ordinary by horror standards after a fairly ominous beginning (scissors are an awesome weapon of choice though by the way).  During the last half, I felt like there was much more than met the eye (which Mr. Peele also revealed was the intention so, again, I’m glad I may not have missed something) and the revelations didn’t make me ponder too much about what came before, but rather the revelations themselves.  I know I’m probably going to have to eventually rewatch this after reading a couple different analyses and thinking about it more, but for now I’ll say I wasn’t completely satisfied even though I was still hooked throughout and I’m absolutely not dismissing it.  3/24/2019

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

Evil (2006)  >>>OK/G

If Beale Street Could Talk  >>>OK

Love (2015)  >>>OK

Puppet Show  >>>EH/OK

Second Act  >>>B/EH

---Sean O.
3/28/2019

Leprechaun Returns

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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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Leprechaun Returns                                                    OK/G

This is the 8^th film in the franchise if you include the 7^th one (Origins) which had nothing to do with the others in that it involved the mythology surrounding the Irish creature that didn’t quite resemble the cinematic icon played by Warwick Davis.  Mr. Davis didn’t return for this entry (you can find out why if you research), but the pint-sized demon (played here by Linden Porco) still contains the same wit (at least attempted) while causing murderous mayhem in search of that fabled pot of gold.  Much like the latest Halloween, this sequel ignores all the other sequels and is a direct sequel to the first film, even taking place at the same exact house (or at least a good replica).  I am a fan of Leprechaun.  I take the sequels for what they are---low expectation diversions---and don’t recall disliking any of them, even the two in the ‘Hood, except for maybe the one in space (part 4) only because I’m not the biggest fan of space-set films (horror or otherwise), but I don’t even recall despising that one (I actually didn’t hate Jason X because the violence was exemplary).  That being said, I didn’t expect much from this sequel premiering on the SyFy channel other than the Leprechaun returning and killing people, which is exactly what happened (here, a group of college students using the house from Leprechaun for a project) and I don’t know what any other fans expect either, or even anyone that’s just seen them all.  I probably could give this a G rating, but I guess the split comes from the fact that it’s still a sequel and felt like one.  I’m still recommending it though, mainly for the fans.  It does contain the expected violence with both red and green blood and most of its worthy, some slightly reminiscent of early Peter Jackson efforts.  There’s also a worthy homage to Army of Darkness.  I never thought I would say this and I don’t care what anyone says, but I can actually say this was a much more enjoyable direct sequel than the last Halloween movie.  Take from that what you will.  3/18/2019

Bonus review:

Climax                                                                         G

Gaspar Noe, the experimental French (Argentine-born) filmmaker.  He’s given us the experimental yet stylish and effective Irreversible which contains a brutally realistic rape scene rivaling, if not surpassing, those in the original I Spit on Your Grave.  I was a fan of that film.  I remember Enter the Void being trippy as fuck but also lengthy as fuck.  I have yet to see Love but one of these days I’ll get around to it (it’s currently available on Netflix and rated NC-17 so what am I waiting for?).  This is his latest project involving a group of dancers having a party before everything goes to shit as a result of someone spiking the sangria.  Oh, it is a French film if my mentioning of the filmmaker didn’t register, so there are subtitles for those not fluent in French; there’re just a very few parts in English.  The premise sounds as simple as they come and has likely occurred at many a party (high school or otherwise), but this is 110% style and not exactly for all tastes being that Mr. Noe is behind it.  You don’t see what the altered characters see firsthand, but you do witness how they’re all affected and occasionally feel as if you yourself are drugged up (credit to the cinematographers).  It didn’t end up being as disturbing as it could’ve been or as I anticipated, although it surely has its moments, but the film definitely had my attention and for that I’m certain.  3/18/2019

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

Await Further Instructions  >>>G

Piercing  >>>EH

The Possession of Hannah Grace  >>>EH

Spider-Man:  Into the Spider-Verse  >>>EH

---Sean O.

3/19/2019

Ralph Breaks the Internet

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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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Ralph Breaks the Internet                                            G

I am a fan of Wreck-It Ralph.  Aside from my love for Disney movies, I thought it was very imaginative and fun.  It was very creative in showing us a world behind the scenes of arcade games (something almost obsolete).  I felt the same way when I recently rewatched it in preparation for this sequel, which is pretty much the same concept behind the scenes of the internet with a primary focus again on the characters of Ralph and Glitch.  I was kind of reminded of The Emoji Movie (which really isn’t as bad as many made it out to be), but for those that disliked The Emoji Movie but were a fan of Wreck-It Ralph, this is the “behind the scenes of the internet” movie for you.  Like the first, this one is imaginative and fun, for both the young and old (although some of the modern digital references might go over the heads of the unhip older crowd).  It does get a bit sentimental, but not in the sappy Hollywood fluff kind of way, but more in the true-to-life way both kids and adults can, or might one day, relate to.  Is it as good as the first?  Hard to say, but it’s definitely a worthy follow-up, hence a good companion piece.  3/5/2019

Bonus review:

Burning                                                                       OK/G

Here’s a movie from Korea that starts off as a largely uneventful drama involving a man meeting a woman before another man enters the picture.  That other man is played by Steven Yuen a.k.a. Glenn from The Walking Dead.  He speaks Korean as this is a Korean film and he is of Korean descent.  Oh, F.Y.I., this movie contains subtitles for those not fluent in Korean and is just about 2 ½ hours, just to let you know ahead of time.  The second part of the film becomes a mystery and all your questions will be answered if you pay attention throughout; it actually becomes a much darker film when all is said and done and you should wait until it’s over before making your final judgment.  I still don’t think it needed to be as long as it was and the general moviegoer will most likely feel the same way.  While it may be rather lengthy for a repeat viewing (at least right away), I will say I’m definitely interested in reading the short story (“Barn Burning”) by Haruki Murakami in which it’s based.  3/6/2019

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

Apartment 212  >>>EH

Vox Lux  >>>EH

Whispering Corridors  >>>B

Wildling  >>>OK

---Sean O.
3/7/2019