The Disaster Artist (Quick Review)

When you hear the term “so bad it’s good”, everyone has their own go to film.  Perhaps it’s Plan 9 from Outer Space or Birdemic: Shock and Terror.   For many including myself, however, we first and foremost think to The Room—a film so bafflingly, wonderfully bad one may believe it was done so on purpose.  Yet it’s not, despite what its director otherwise claims, and perhaps even more mystifying than The Room itself is the man behind its creation.  The Disaster Artist, based on the biographical book of the same name, details the odd relationship between Greg Sestero (Dave Franco) and Tommy Wiseau (James Franco) and the events that led to their creation of The Room.

Star Wars: The Last Jedi (Film Review)

To add on to Emperor Palpatine: Very Good.

Coco (Film Review)

A funny thing happened while watching Coco.

Short Film Reviews Directory:

PIXAR:
(Click on Picture to be Directed to Review)

Lou (A "Short" Review)

Director(s): Dave Mullins

Date Released: 2017

Theatrically Released Alongside: Cars 3

The Shape of Water (Quick Review)

Every year, there’s at least one critically acclaimed film that I find to be, at best, decent.

These are the worst kinds of films to review.  The Shape of Water is such a film.

Blade Runner 2049 (Film Review)

Blade Runner 2049 has beautiful cinematography, is well-acted, and is completely forgettable.

The Night Before (Quick Review)

Why the hell did I not see this film in theaters!?

Elvis & Nixon (Film Review)

Author's Note: This review was written back in 2016, before the recent Kevin Spacey scandal.  Just to make abundantly clear, and this goes for all my reviews, my praise towards Spacey's acting does not equal support for the actor himself or his actions.  I consider art and the artist to be two separate realities—fiction and reality—and you can praise one while scorning the other.  If next week Micheal Shannon is discovered to have murdered a dozen people, my opinions on his past work would remain relatively unchanged (though they may be altered slightly depending on how relatable his roles were to his crime).  That said, I would most certainly condemn and support punishment for his actions, just as I do with Kevin Spacey.

Midnight Special (Quick Review)

Author’s Note:  This review was written back in 2016, yet I never got around to releasing it—hence explaining the contradictory criticisms towards Adam Driver despite Paterson making such claims null and void.

Nocturnal Animals (Quick Review)

The premise to Nocturnal Animals is simple enough.   Susan (Amy Adams), a high-class art gallery owner living a shallow life receives a novel from her estranged ex-husband Edward (Jake Gyllenhaal) titled Nocturnal Animals—a nickname he used to give her.  The novel is a gruesome thriller, detailing a humble, weak-willed man’s (also Jake Gyllenhaal) life being destroyed by one unfortunate encounter—paralleling Edward’s own destroyed relationship with Susan.  The plot is understandable, but I still have no clue what its opening is all about.  Talk about an R-rated big-lipped alligator moment.  It comes out of nowhere, is absolutely bizarre, stays for an uncomfortably long amount of time, and is never talked about, nor mentioned again.

Take Shelter or: The Greatness of Michael Shannon (Film Analysis)

The year is 2011, about one year into my newfound film hobby.  At the time I had become more interested in smaller indie films, with director Jeff Nichols’ recent Take Shelter catching my eye.  Before Take Shelter I was unfamiliar with its lead actor Michael Shannon, having only seen him in bit roles that were nothing significant or noteworthy.  Take Shelter was my first real introduction to Michael Shannon, and boy did it leave an impact.  Even if Shannon’s role had been played by another, less compelling actor, Take Shelter would have still been a great film.  The film contains great direction, great cinematography, a great performance from its lead actress, and a thoroughly engaging story.  Yet it’s Shannon’s fantastic performance in the lead spot that soars Take Shelter to new levels of impact and significance.

IT’S MICHAEL SHANNON WEEK!!!

That’s right folks, for one whole week I’m paying homage to one of the decade’s most talented actors, Michael Shannon!

Micro Reviews #19: American Made & Ingrid Goes West (Micro Reviews)

American Made:

Thor: Ragnarok (Film Review)

Thor has always been the black sheep of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).  His films are often considered the MCU’s weakest, and are polarizing among fans and critics alike.  I like both Thor and Thor: The Dark World, as I do with 94% of the MCU’s library, regardless of their noteworthy flaws—such as weak, non-Loki antagonists, overly convoluted storylines, bland settings, etc.  The MCU appears to have taken note of such weaknesses and completely revamped Thor in his latest feature, Thor: Ragnarok.  Such restyle has proven to be both a major improvement and complete success, making Thor: Ragnarok the best Thor film yet, 2017’s best MCU film, and the best MCU release since Captain America: Civil War.

Columbus (Quick Review)

Columbus has a distinctly similar feel to Lost in Translation.  Both films follow two characters—a middle-aged man and a young adult female—experiencing a personal crisis in their lives.  By chance the two characters meet and begin interacting, growing closer in an ambiguously-romantic relationship set in an aesthetically pleasing region.  Now comparing Columbus to Lost in Translation does not mean Columbus is on Lost in Translation’s level—but to be fair, I never expected such.  Lost in Translation is both my favorite film of the 2000s and one of my favorite films of all time—Columbus being on its level would have been quite the remarkable achievement.  Nevertheless, Columbus succeeds as a very good story with some visually gorgeous cinematography.

The Girl with All the Gifts (Film Review)

Obligatory The Last of Us reference.

Happy Death Day (Film Review)

It’s impossible to talk about Happy Death Day without referring to Groundhog Day.

The Mountain Between Us (Quick Review)

I cared more about the dog’s survival than the romance.

Super Dark Times (Film Review)

Its name is no deceiver, Super Dark Times is a f@#%ed up film…a f@#%ed up film with great cinematography, a thoroughly engaging story, and phenomenal acting.

Micro Reviews #18: Baywatch & Rough Night (Micro Reviews)

Baywatch:

Everything, Everything (Film Review)

Everything, Everything is everything but subtle in romance.  It’s a teenage love-fantasy that deals extensively with the many tropes (both the pleasing and the frustrating ones) involved in romance stories.  If you’re one who’s picky with romance and requires very unique and/or high quality writing to enjoy such genre, then you best look elsewhere.  I, however, am a sucker for romance, and while Everything, Everything has some glaring flaws on a storytelling level, on an aesthetic and emotional level the film succeeds in gaining my approval.

Micro Reviews #17: The Hero & The Unknown Girl (Micro Reviews)

The Hero:

It Comes at Night (Film Review)

It Comes at Night has a very deceptive title.  The film is labeled under the horror genre, and with horror stories such as It Follows and It preceding the release, it’s no surprise I expected the titled “It” in It Comes at Night to be some kind of supernatural being.  “It”, however, does not refer to any monstrous being, but rather a state of mind: one’s subconscious thoughts while asleep.  Make no mistake, It Comes at Night may not be a traditional horror film like It Follows and It, but it can certainly get horrific.

It (Film Review)

 It…is not for me.

Micro Reviews #16: Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie & Death Note (Micro Reviews)

Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie:

FRJ’s Mid-Year Top 10 Films of 2017 (Film List)

The summer blockbuster season of 2017 cinema is officially over, and with it brings the incoming hustle and bustle of the fall-winter Oscar season (just as soon as we get out of this dry month known as September).  Last year’s Oscar season was an absolute disappointment, with only two of its releases placing in my top 10.  It’s difficult to say how different 2017’s Oscar Season will be compared to 2016’s, but with the bar set so low, I’m hopeful to see some kind of improvement.

Dunkirk (Film Review)

Christopher Nolan knows how to make epic theatrical experiences.  His films practically require a theater viewing to fully appreciate, with Dunkirk being the most prominent example.  Is Dunkirk Nolan’s best film to date?  Subjectively, I say no (at least 5 of his previous films I consider superior), yet it is, so far, Nolan’s best film to see theatrically.  Dunkirk is a grand experience of hell and hope, with sound playing an essential role.  It’s a film I thoroughly urge you to see in theaters (IMAX if available), as I cannot see it being as effective if viewed at home.

Our Trip to Universal Studios Hollywood Part 3: Shrek 4-D & The Simpsons Ride (Trips & Travels)

I forgot to mention in Part 2 how the Transformers’ ride attendants were dressed up in military outfits, amusingly causing my wife and me to act overly respectful towards them.

Annabelle: Creation (Film Review)

Previously, in my The Conjuring 2 review:

Dave Made a Maze (Quick Review)

I really appreciate a film like this.  It gets right to its nonsensical premise—no setup, no backstory, no logical explanation, just a story about a guy who builds a giant, magical, deadly cardboard maze because he was bored.

Personal Shopper (Film Review)

Kristen Stewart is a very talented actor.

The Hitman's Bodyguard (Quick Review)

Sometimes, a film’s title is enough to draw you in.

Our Trip to Universal Studios Hollywood Part 2: Jurassic Park, The Mummy & Transformers (Trips & Travels)

I continue my review of Universal Studios LA with the park’s Lower Lot.  To see Part 1, click the link here!

The Big Sick (Film Review)

The Big Sick is a film that gradually progresses into excellence.  It starts off a decent, unremarkable romance-comedy with the occasional cute and/or funny moment, but then steadily gains traction as it grows in better comedy, engaging romance, and potent drama.  It’s then that The Big Sick hits its middle section, the meat of the story, where the title’s meaning comes into play.  I wasn’t aware going in what exactly the title was referring to, but after seeing the film I wholly understand its meaning and why the film is named after such event.  It’s the film's “Big Sick” element where the story’s quality skyrockets to phenomenal levels of innovative concepts and beautifully executed comedy-drama.

Micro Reviews #15: Midnight Return, The Shack & Song to Song (Micro Reviews)

Midnight Return: The Story of Billy Hayes and Turkey

Our Trip to Universal Studios Hollywood Part 1: Harry Potter & Despicable Me (Trips & Travels)

Around 2 weeks ago, My wife and I got the amazing opportunity to visit Universal Studios while visiting friends in California.  There we got to experience a plethora of awesome and fun activities and events.  Since the majority of rides/events pertain to film (or are actual short films), I figure it'd be fun to give my two-cents on them.

Baby Driver (Quick Review)

A story where characters move to the rhythm of music, yet isn’t a musical or music video.  It’s a concept I thoroughly love and enjoy creating short stories to the beat of whatever song I'm currently listening to (usually when I’m jogging or in the car).  Movie trailers have had great success with such concept, yet the trailers’s feature lengths rarely contain the same rhythmic timing.  Baby Driver, however, is one of those rarities.

The Circle (Quick Review)

How did The Circle fail so badly?  The pieces were all set up in the 2013 novel’s favor: an exceptional director who’s great at adaptations, and an all-star cast of actors such as Emma Watson and Tom Hanks.  So why did The Circle turn out so bland and generic…quite a few reasons actually.

Spider-Man: Homecoming (Film Review)

Hello Spider-Man, my old friend.  I’ve come to reboot with you again.

Megan Leavey (Quick Review)

Megan Leavey is a lot better than expected, though still far from being a “must see”.

Micro Reviews #14: Aftermath & Wilson (Micro Reviews)

Aftermath:

Micro Reviews #13: Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales & Snatched (Micro Reviews)

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales:

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (Quick Review)

So, unfortunately, Mr. Reviewer Jr.’s entire Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 review was accidentally—and by no means his doing—translated into Groot speech.  As an official Flora colossus to English translator, I’ve been hired to do my best in translating what the review has to say.

Please note, that unlike Mr. Reviewer Jr., I have not seen the film:

Micro Reviews #12: Bokeh, CHiPs, Going in Style & Life (Micro Reviews)

Bokeh:

Wonder Woman (Film Review)

By god they did it, they made a good film.

Get Out (Film Review)

Get Out is most certainly a superior option over Jordan Peele’s previously written feature Keanu.  In fact, the more I contemplate Get Out, the more I’ve come to appreciate it; while unquestionably a good film, I’m well inclined to call it a very good one.  The plot revolves around black photographer Chris Washington (Daniel Kaluuya) traveling with his white girlfriend Rose (Allison Williams) to meet her family.  While there, Chris begins to feel something is amiss, particularly regarding the family’s black hired hands.   Such nagging feeling grows the more Chris comes to know the family and their acquaintances, yet his cautionary sense may come too late for him to…get out, as Chris discovers a sinister plot with himself right smack in the center.

Alien: Covenant (Film Review)

I find this to be a good clip summarizing David’s relationship with the Covenant crew:

Micro Reviews #11: Before I Fall, A Dog's Purpose & Mean Dreams (Micro Reviews)

Before I Fall:

Your Name (Quick Review)

Hype can be a devastating factor regarding cinematic viewing.

T2 Trainspotting (Film Review)

Right from the start, T2 Trainspotting—sequel to the 1996 black comedy drama Trainspotting—has a very exceptional premise.  It’s rare to see a sequel in the “hood film” genre, and while some will argue Trainspotting doesn’t belong in such category, I’d counter there’s enough elements there (drug use, trafficking, broken families, violence, a focus on young men struggling/coming of age, etc.) for the film to classify.  T2 is set 20 years after the first film with a “where are they now” concept: expanding upon the original by offering both affectionate nostalgia and refreshing new themes that actually improve upon Trainspotting’s story and characters.  Ambiguity can be effective when it comes to “will these characters ultimately escape their destructive lifestyles?” yet there are times where it’s even better to see such question explored—which is exactly what T2 does: granting a very unique opportunity to see how Trainspotting’s characters have grown since the 90s.