What a joyful rollicking film replete with a jaw-dropping performance by Rami Malek. I would swear they also found a cryo-preserved body of Brian May from 1970 and thawed him out for this movie.
Yes, it’s still a formulaic music biopic like all others, yes there’s a thinly implied character arc that ties up too neatly, but dammit it’s a great time just the same.
Delightful from start to finish.
4.5 stars out of 5
This is an impressive film, but not entirely in good ways.
It’s impressive for its performances, full stop. Cooper and Lady Gaga are both fantastic as both singers and actors. The sets, costumes and cinematography are all stupendous. Some of the songs are even very impressively written.
It’s also just really impressive that a film that gets so much right is so damned boring, predictable and preachy. The film talks a big game about having something to say and “reaching deep into your soul” and yet can’t do the same thing itself. It feels like a film without a soul. What are the start-to-end goals of either of these characters? Why do we want to root for them? The film retreads familiar tropes of alcoholism and the rock star life but neither gives the viewer little stake in the issues at hand nor a coherent message to take away beyond the cycle of drug and alcohol abuse and a thin parallel to music. I’m sorry, but it’s just...weak.
But in all honesty, despite these glaring gaps in its emotive intent, the film is very well put together. Like a pop song though, it’s an impressive package that pretends emotion, but is cavernously hollow beneath the surface.
"Love, Simon" is among the most heart-warming movies of the year. A delight from start to finish. On top of that, "Love, Simon" is sharply written, funny, well-shot and even well acted. It is a stand-up and cheer movie. Can't say enough great things. Wonderful.
Not nearly as bad at the reviews make it out to be, though it does have some very messy editing moments here and there (such as the arrival of the guests on the train), this is a solid film carried along nicely by Branagh and a cast that gets slightly underused.
Interesting, gorgeously filmed, finely acted, but the occasional unintended confusion does crop up thanks to bad editing or an abbreviated script moment.
A very honest and real portrayal of growing up with social anxiety, but also how that social anxiety is fueled in part by social media. Interesting and something that should be shown in middle schools everywhere.
An absolutely riveting documentary that goes from "Cool" to "Wow" to "What the heck" to "OMG" to, well, more from there. It's fascinating, intense at times, and extremely well made. The film makers really do well to tell a narrative without foreshadowing too much. Unlike some docs that use the technique, the recreation of old situations with modern footage didn't feel hokey.
I expect it will be among the best documentaries I see all year ("Won't You Be My Neighbour" may prevent it from claiming the crown of best) and among the best films I see all year in any category. Recommended!
Ant Man and the Wasp is a walking example of why Marvel's films are not "good" films. Perhaps they're not meant to be. That's fine, but this film was shocking display of lazy, cliched writing. If you're okay with that, that's fine. I hope you enjoyed the film. I did not enjoy the film.
Firstly, the film telegraphs (not just foreshadows) much of its plot. The villain is contrived on misunderstanding and backstory we're not privy to. The characters chasing the mcguffin are all as thin as an eggshell. I lost count after 10 times when someone would say "Get the (mcguffin)" or "We need the (mcguffin)" or "I'm going after the (mcguffin)".
Furthermore, I lost count how many times characters commented on how the film's plot stopped progressing so that characters could make non-sequitur jokes. The jokes are entirely irrelevant to the plot and add nothing but comic relief - mentioning the comic relief is neither meta-humour nor actually funny. It's actually rather annoying.
The film has no message, no real chemistry between the actors, and is frankly an incomplete package given that we needed to have watched at least two other films starring Ant Man in order to understand what the backstory here was (excepting the telegraphed opening which told us how the film would go in the first 5 minutes).
Though, to be fair, I have to yield to the metric that the late-great Roger Ebert used to use: Is this film better than a film of the same actors eating lunch? It's close, but I will say - yes, probably. Is this film something that people in its target audience would enjoy (I am not its target audience)? Yes, most probably.
To that end it succeeds, but if you're not into Marvel's films, you're not going to be into this one either.
While some might consider the film to be a bit preachy, by the end (and by preachy, I mean bordering on religious), it largely avoids proselytizing and sticks to universal fundamentals of love and other life-affirming qualities. This is a wonderful film that explains so many wonderful things about a very interesting person. Like a two-hour counselling session, I felt like this film opened doors in my head that I didn't remember existing. Fred Rogers, and indeed this film, had/has that effect on people. It's an emotional ride that really makes one evaluate the modern world a little bit differently. It makes me think that much of the resurgence of dislike for Rogers (as shown in the film) had to do with his ability to make people (and children) feel self-sufficient, satisfied, fully loved and human. Those are not qualities that mass media, the rich and power-hungry want from a populace. To paraphrase something in a book I remember reading once, a mall full of zen monks doesn't make much money.
The first half hour or so of the film is a litlte ho-hum, but the last three quarters are so wonderfully loving and warm that I can't help but gush over this lovely film. Go see it. Feel free to be you. You are great the way you are. I wish the whole world could see this film and that we could all reconnect with our own sense of self-worth.
Pleasant musical numbers that are disconnected from the narrative of the characters (though broadly important to the film) make this film a bit odd, but that's the point, I assume.
Joel Grey is absolutely frightening by the end of the film. Liza Minelli seems a bit flighty and I'm sure that's intentional. The plots don't really fit together in a structured way, and they seem slow. The sub-plots come and go and eventually we're left with a creeping sense of dread (again, intentional).
Minelli's closing number is a true show-stopper and sums up the point of much of the circus that goes on at the Kit Kat Club, but overall the film just felt slow and predictable (even with the somewhat risque love-life plot of the two main characters). The songs aren't particularly great except for the opening and closing numbers. Still, the parallel with the rise of Nazi Germany is interesting and original and the film uses its border-line absurdist moments in the club to point out some very important truths about the descent into fascism.
The film is largely notable for the chemistry between Hepburn and Bogart and the fact that it is essentially a play set on a boat moving down river. Much of what appears in the film is incredibly average by today's standards, especially the woefully aged green-screen effects.
Nonetheless, Bogart's performance and the novelty of the setting do make it watchable. It has some great lines and moments, but overall feels cliched today. When it comes down to it, they don't really make films like this anymore and that's a shame because this is a solid film.
While the sequel serves up the expected sameness it feels like it’s going through the motions. Only a few of the jokes are very funny and the rest just kind of mild.
As someone who read this book and enjoyed its fun adventure, I was worried about how the film might turn out.
Thankfully, no one does Spielberg as well as Spielberg.
This is a delightful adventure from top to bottom. Spielberg is a master. No different than if he was making "The Goonies" for the 21st century generation, the film is also a delight for those that watched The Goonies back when it was fresh. Replete with loving tributes to the 80s and a fresh couple of chapters to Ernest Cline's tale (including one I never saw coming and LOVED - you know which one), Ready Player One brims with humanity, heart and fun at every turn. Part mystery, part adventure, part techno-wow, the film is a visual and emotional delight.
There are some very funny moments, but the movie drags and is overall just okay. It's strange, unique and at times wonderful, but mostly it's dry, skin-deep and elusive in its charm.
— that mediatisation of events like these that turn someone into a villain is a form of abuse --
is laid on rather thick, it is nonetheless fascinating. The script is fairly good, presenting itself similarly to Frost/Nixon with modern interviews as framing devices but with more fourth wall breaks. The story is fascinating and Robbie and Janney are great, and Robbie’s performance has been underhyped.
If I have one complaint, it’s that the pop/rock soundtrack feels like a cheap way to elicit emotion from the audience. Maybe there’s a message related to class there.
5 stars
Having watched this after the initial hype, I found the film interesting. It wasn't spectacular, but it was pretty great. The social commentary is probably the most interesting, though the performances across the board are really fantastic.
For those wondering, I didn't find this film that scary. Not really any jump scares except one. The rest is just creepy.
Overall, an excellent film with lots to talk about. Recommended!
An absolute delight from start to finish. The humour is great, the visuals are absolutely spectacular and the warmth is real. Another Pixar triumph. Highly recommended for families.
Molly's Game is no less than what you'd expect from Aaron Sorkin: Great. The script crackles with his signature patter, wit and driving pulse that propels this film forward. It is slick, moves with a purpose and never leaves you hanging.
Jessica Chastain is equally great, carrying this film to its full potential. Idris Elba is fine, certainly conveying the confused and helpful lawyer role to perfection (though his accent did slip out every once in a while).
For a first time director, Sorkin does a great job. His editing really carries the day, and the parallel narrative serves his purpose well.
If there's anything to quibble about, it's the motivation of the main character toward the end of the film, but I'll leave that as a minor point of contention. Sorkin's script certainly does not leave that stone unturned, and frankly gives us a great scene
on a park bench
(though I still doubt the motivations despite the scene's purpose).
All in all, Molly's Game is more greatness from Sorkin's mind.
About halfway through this movie I thought to myself "A charitable reading of this film would be that it was poor execution of an interesting idea". By the end of the film, there was no longer a charitable reading possible. This film is just awful.
What begins as a fun, quirky premise (the one featured in the trailer) turns quickly into a film about something else entirely. What that something else is? Your guess is as good as mine. The film meanders through vague commentary on poverty, class, climate change, medical assistance, political dissidence, mental health and many other ideas.
The tone of the film is never settled. The comedy never hits, the drama seems fake (
and the Vietnamese character speaks with an accent that is probably so stereotypical that the only conclusion is that it's racist
) and the meandering plot never leads anywhere important.
While the performances are fine and there's a few moments that might make you go "Hmm, I wonder what that's about", the film is not the one advertised in the trailer and I thought the film was SO bad that it probably should have been direct to video.
The group I saw the film with were debating who would enjoy this film. The answer came up with: Small children, the mentally incapacitated, the elderly/infirm.
James Franco gives a very convincing performance as Tommy Wiseau and the attention to detail and fun in making this film are evident and mostly impressive. That said, the film presents nothing particularly moving or interesting. There are no grand messages to take away, no real understanding of why Tommy is so weird, and maybe that's fine -- it is a comedy after all.
And yet, given the setup with the testimonials from celebrities at the beginning, you expect something more momentous to come from this film. Instead, you get an odd story about a guy that made a movie with someone when he couldn't connect with anyone else.
Nonetheless, the film is very laugh out loud funny (when it's not just recycling awkwardness from The Room) and the closing side-by-side comparison is so impressive.
There's so much to like in this film. There's also so much to dislike, however.
Likes:
- Holy crap the visuals. Great. The fight sequences are pretty fantastic. Some of the climactic scenes
-- such as when Kylo Ren and Rae face go to lightsaber town all through the throne room --
are great.
- It felt unique. Johnson's extensive use of close-ups really gave it a unique tone.
- Over all the story was solid-ish, and there were definitely parts where the opening night audience cheered.
Dislikes:
-It's a good 30 minutes too long. As one professional reviewer pointed out, somewhere in there is a fantastic 90 minute Star Wars Movie
- The subplot
with Finn and Rose
was abysmally bad and insulting. Felt prequel SW bad. Holy crap I couldn't believe how bad it was.
- By splitting up the characters, the dramatic tension was diluted. But when they get back together in the same place, man, does the film cook.
- One important moment is never really resolved
(the aftermath of Rae and Ben's fight): She just gets to the Falcon off screen. That's so silly. You can't just put the main character's story on pause and then resume it in a totally new place with an offhand comment like that.
- The humour was way too over the top and silly. Meta-awareness has always been Han Solo's job, and it just seemed out of place coming from other people.
-Trying to be cool and modern: Alongside the humour is the weird way language is used. A lot of modern vernacular and body language is used that just feels out of place in Star Wars.
- The music: John Williams is a living legend, but overall this had nothing new to offer and felt watered down.
- The tone: It didn't feel like Star Wars in the way I though The Force Awakens PERFECTLY captured the Star Wars tone. It was close, but it was it's own thing. Maybe that's fine. Wasn't for me though.
-Useless romance that seems incredibly tacked on.
Overall: I liked the movie, but there's much about it that bugged me. Some parts were FANTASTIC and others were just awful. Hammil was solid. There was very little in the way of character arcs for anyone though. It was all just kind of treading water. The film really had no pathos, ultimately. It just kind IS a Star Wars story. Felt more like Rogue One in the way it emulates Star Wars than just BEING a Star Wars movie. Also, like Rogue One, it felt more like a film about military operation than about a real adventure. Where was the adventure here? Larry Kasdan needs to write the rest of this series. His magic was sorely lacking here.
Frances McDormand completely disappears into this character who seems rich with emotion and fraught with anger. This film is refreshingly original in many ways but ultimately slightly trite in its message. Nonetheless, it is chock full of great scenes one after another. The surprises keep coming and the film doesn’t overstay it’s welcome or go off course.
It’s certainly an interesting film — and one aimed squarely at the state of political discourse — but it didn’t quite reach the level of fascinating.
4.5 stars out of 5 (and at least one Oscar nomination for McDormand, maybe a second one for Rockwell)
Comments 101 - 125 of 576
Movie comment on Bohemian Rhapsody
frankqb
What a joyful rollicking film replete with a jaw-dropping performance by Rami Malek. I would swear they also found a cryo-preserved body of Brian May from 1970 and thawed him out for this movie.Yes, it’s still a formulaic music biopic like all others, yes there’s a thinly implied character arc that ties up too neatly, but dammit it’s a great time just the same.
Delightful from start to finish.
4.5 stars out of 5
Movie comment on A Star Is Born
frankqb
This is an impressive film, but not entirely in good ways.It’s impressive for its performances, full stop. Cooper and Lady Gaga are both fantastic as both singers and actors. The sets, costumes and cinematography are all stupendous. Some of the songs are even very impressively written.
It’s also just really impressive that a film that gets so much right is so damned boring, predictable and preachy. The film talks a big game about having something to say and “reaching deep into your soul” and yet can’t do the same thing itself. It feels like a film without a soul. What are the start-to-end goals of either of these characters? Why do we want to root for them? The film retreads familiar tropes of alcoholism and the rock star life but neither gives the viewer little stake in the issues at hand nor a coherent message to take away beyond the cycle of drug and alcohol abuse and a thin parallel to music. I’m sorry, but it’s just...weak.
But in all honesty, despite these glaring gaps in its emotive intent, the film is very well put together. Like a pop song though, it’s an impressive package that pretends emotion, but is cavernously hollow beneath the surface.
Two and a half stars out of five.
Movie comment on Love, Simon
frankqb
"Love, Simon" is among the most heart-warming movies of the year. A delight from start to finish. On top of that, "Love, Simon" is sharply written, funny, well-shot and even well acted. It is a stand-up and cheer movie. Can't say enough great things. Wonderful.4 stars
Movie comment on Murder on the Orient Express
frankqb
Not nearly as bad at the reviews make it out to be, though it does have some very messy editing moments here and there (such as the arrival of the guests on the train), this is a solid film carried along nicely by Branagh and a cast that gets slightly underused.Interesting, gorgeously filmed, finely acted, but the occasional unintended confusion does crop up thanks to bad editing or an abbreviated script moment.
3 stars out of 4
Movie comment on Eighth Grade
frankqb
A very honest and real portrayal of growing up with social anxiety, but also how that social anxiety is fueled in part by social media. Interesting and something that should be shown in middle schools everywhere.3.5 stars out of 4
Movie comment on Three Identical Strangers
frankqb
An absolutely riveting documentary that goes from "Cool" to "Wow" to "What the heck" to "OMG" to, well, more from there. It's fascinating, intense at times, and extremely well made. The film makers really do well to tell a narrative without foreshadowing too much. Unlike some docs that use the technique, the recreation of old situations with modern footage didn't feel hokey.I expect it will be among the best documentaries I see all year ("Won't You Be My Neighbour" may prevent it from claiming the crown of best) and among the best films I see all year in any category. Recommended!
Spoilers below from other reviews on this page.
Movie comment on Ant-Man and the Wasp
frankqb
Ant Man and the Wasp is a walking example of why Marvel's films are not "good" films. Perhaps they're not meant to be. That's fine, but this film was shocking display of lazy, cliched writing. If you're okay with that, that's fine. I hope you enjoyed the film. I did not enjoy the film.Firstly, the film telegraphs (not just foreshadows) much of its plot. The villain is contrived on misunderstanding and backstory we're not privy to. The characters chasing the mcguffin are all as thin as an eggshell. I lost count after 10 times when someone would say "Get the (mcguffin)" or "We need the (mcguffin)" or "I'm going after the (mcguffin)".
Furthermore, I lost count how many times characters commented on how the film's plot stopped progressing so that characters could make non-sequitur jokes. The jokes are entirely irrelevant to the plot and add nothing but comic relief - mentioning the comic relief is neither meta-humour nor actually funny. It's actually rather annoying.
The film has no message, no real chemistry between the actors, and is frankly an incomplete package given that we needed to have watched at least two other films starring Ant Man in order to understand what the backstory here was (excepting the telegraphed opening which told us how the film would go in the first 5 minutes).
Though, to be fair, I have to yield to the metric that the late-great Roger Ebert used to use: Is this film better than a film of the same actors eating lunch? It's close, but I will say - yes, probably. Is this film something that people in its target audience would enjoy (I am not its target audience)? Yes, most probably.
To that end it succeeds, but if you're not into Marvel's films, you're not going to be into this one either.
2 stars out of 5
Movie comment on Won't You Be My Neighbor?
frankqb
This is a wonderful film.While some might consider the film to be a bit preachy, by the end (and by preachy, I mean bordering on religious), it largely avoids proselytizing and sticks to universal fundamentals of love and other life-affirming qualities. This is a wonderful film that explains so many wonderful things about a very interesting person. Like a two-hour counselling session, I felt like this film opened doors in my head that I didn't remember existing. Fred Rogers, and indeed this film, had/has that effect on people. It's an emotional ride that really makes one evaluate the modern world a little bit differently. It makes me think that much of the resurgence of dislike for Rogers (as shown in the film) had to do with his ability to make people (and children) feel self-sufficient, satisfied, fully loved and human. Those are not qualities that mass media, the rich and power-hungry want from a populace. To paraphrase something in a book I remember reading once, a mall full of zen monks doesn't make much money.
The first half hour or so of the film is a litlte ho-hum, but the last three quarters are so wonderfully loving and warm that I can't help but gush over this lovely film. Go see it. Feel free to be you. You are great the way you are. I wish the whole world could see this film and that we could all reconnect with our own sense of self-worth.
4.5 stars out of 5
Movie comment on Cabaret
frankqb
Pleasant musical numbers that are disconnected from the narrative of the characters (though broadly important to the film) make this film a bit odd, but that's the point, I assume.Joel Grey is absolutely frightening by the end of the film. Liza Minelli seems a bit flighty and I'm sure that's intentional. The plots don't really fit together in a structured way, and they seem slow. The sub-plots come and go and eventually we're left with a creeping sense of dread (again, intentional).
Minelli's closing number is a true show-stopper and sums up the point of much of the circus that goes on at the Kit Kat Club, but overall the film just felt slow and predictable (even with the somewhat risque love-life plot of the two main characters). The songs aren't particularly great except for the opening and closing numbers. Still, the parallel with the rise of Nazi Germany is interesting and original and the film uses its border-line absurdist moments in the club to point out some very important truths about the descent into fascism.
Interesting, but not compelling.
3 stars out of 4
Movie comment on The African Queen
frankqb
The film is largely notable for the chemistry between Hepburn and Bogart and the fact that it is essentially a play set on a boat moving down river. Much of what appears in the film is incredibly average by today's standards, especially the woefully aged green-screen effects.Nonetheless, Bogart's performance and the novelty of the setting do make it watchable. It has some great lines and moments, but overall feels cliched today. When it comes down to it, they don't really make films like this anymore and that's a shame because this is a solid film.
3.5 stars out of 4
Movie comment on Deadpool 2
frankqb
While the sequel serves up the expected sameness it feels like it’s going through the motions. Only a few of the jokes are very funny and the rest just kind of mild.3 stars
Movie comment on Ready Player One
frankqb
As someone who read this book and enjoyed its fun adventure, I was worried about how the film might turn out.Thankfully, no one does Spielberg as well as Spielberg.
This is a delightful adventure from top to bottom. Spielberg is a master. No different than if he was making "The Goonies" for the 21st century generation, the film is also a delight for those that watched The Goonies back when it was fresh. Replete with loving tributes to the 80s and a fresh couple of chapters to Ernest Cline's tale (including one I never saw coming and LOVED - you know which one), Ready Player One brims with humanity, heart and fun at every turn. Part mystery, part adventure, part techno-wow, the film is a visual and emotional delight.
5 stars
Movie comment on The Death of Stalin
frankqb
There are some very funny moments, but the movie drags and is overall just okay. It's strange, unique and at times wonderful, but mostly it's dry, skin-deep and elusive in its charm.3 stars
Movie comment on I, Tonya
frankqb
While the central premise of the filmIf I have one complaint, it’s that the pop/rock soundtrack feels like a cheap way to elicit emotion from the audience. Maybe there’s a message related to class there.
5 stars
Blog comment on Happy New Year!
frankqb
Keep up the great work! Continue to love the site!Movie comment on Get Out
frankqb
Having watched this after the initial hype, I found the film interesting. It wasn't spectacular, but it was pretty great. The social commentary is probably the most interesting, though the performances across the board are really fantastic.For those wondering, I didn't find this film that scary. Not really any jump scares except one. The rest is just creepy.
Overall, an excellent film with lots to talk about. Recommended!
4.5 stars out of 5
Movie comment on Coco
frankqb
An absolute delight from start to finish. The humour is great, the visuals are absolutely spectacular and the warmth is real. Another Pixar triumph. Highly recommended for families.5 stars out of 5
Movie comment on Molly's Game
frankqb
Molly's Game is no less than what you'd expect from Aaron Sorkin: Great. The script crackles with his signature patter, wit and driving pulse that propels this film forward. It is slick, moves with a purpose and never leaves you hanging.Jessica Chastain is equally great, carrying this film to its full potential. Idris Elba is fine, certainly conveying the confused and helpful lawyer role to perfection (though his accent did slip out every once in a while).
For a first time director, Sorkin does a great job. His editing really carries the day, and the parallel narrative serves his purpose well.
If there's anything to quibble about, it's the motivation of the main character toward the end of the film, but I'll leave that as a minor point of contention. Sorkin's script certainly does not leave that stone unturned, and frankly gives us a great scene
All in all, Molly's Game is more greatness from Sorkin's mind.
5 stars out of 5
Movie comment on Downsizing
frankqb
About halfway through this movie I thought to myself "A charitable reading of this film would be that it was poor execution of an interesting idea". By the end of the film, there was no longer a charitable reading possible. This film is just awful.What begins as a fun, quirky premise (the one featured in the trailer) turns quickly into a film about something else entirely. What that something else is? Your guess is as good as mine. The film meanders through vague commentary on poverty, class, climate change, medical assistance, political dissidence, mental health and many other ideas.
The tone of the film is never settled. The comedy never hits, the drama seems fake (
While the performances are fine and there's a few moments that might make you go "Hmm, I wonder what that's about", the film is not the one advertised in the trailer and I thought the film was SO bad that it probably should have been direct to video.
The group I saw the film with were debating who would enjoy this film. The answer came up with: Small children, the mentally incapacitated, the elderly/infirm.
1.5 stars out of 5
Movie comment on The Disaster Artist
frankqb
James Franco gives a very convincing performance as Tommy Wiseau and the attention to detail and fun in making this film are evident and mostly impressive. That said, the film presents nothing particularly moving or interesting. There are no grand messages to take away, no real understanding of why Tommy is so weird, and maybe that's fine -- it is a comedy after all.And yet, given the setup with the testimonials from celebrities at the beginning, you expect something more momentous to come from this film. Instead, you get an odd story about a guy that made a movie with someone when he couldn't connect with anyone else.
Nonetheless, the film is very laugh out loud funny (when it's not just recycling awkwardness from The Room) and the closing side-by-side comparison is so impressive.
3.5 stars out of 5
Movie comment on Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi
frankqb
There's so much to like in this film. There's also so much to dislike, however.Likes:
- Holy crap the visuals. Great. The fight sequences are pretty fantastic. Some of the climactic scenes
- It felt unique. Johnson's extensive use of close-ups really gave it a unique tone.
- Over all the story was solid-ish, and there were definitely parts where the opening night audience cheered.
Dislikes:
-It's a good 30 minutes too long. As one professional reviewer pointed out, somewhere in there is a fantastic 90 minute Star Wars Movie
- The subplot
- By splitting up the characters, the dramatic tension was diluted. But when they get back together in the same place, man, does the film cook.
- One important moment is never really resolved
- The humour was way too over the top and silly. Meta-awareness has always been Han Solo's job, and it just seemed out of place coming from other people.
-Trying to be cool and modern: Alongside the humour is the weird way language is used. A lot of modern vernacular and body language is used that just feels out of place in Star Wars.
- The music: John Williams is a living legend, but overall this had nothing new to offer and felt watered down.
- The tone: It didn't feel like Star Wars in the way I though The Force Awakens PERFECTLY captured the Star Wars tone. It was close, but it was it's own thing. Maybe that's fine. Wasn't for me though.
-Useless romance that seems incredibly tacked on.
Overall: I liked the movie, but there's much about it that bugged me. Some parts were FANTASTIC and others were just awful. Hammil was solid. There was very little in the way of character arcs for anyone though. It was all just kind of treading water. The film really had no pathos, ultimately. It just kind IS a Star Wars story. Felt more like Rogue One in the way it emulates Star Wars than just BEING a Star Wars movie. Also, like Rogue One, it felt more like a film about military operation than about a real adventure. Where was the adventure here? Larry Kasdan needs to write the rest of this series. His magic was sorely lacking here.
3.5 stars out of 5
Movie comment on Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
frankqb
Frances McDormand completely disappears into this character who seems rich with emotion and fraught with anger. This film is refreshingly original in many ways but ultimately slightly trite in its message. Nonetheless, it is chock full of great scenes one after another. The surprises keep coming and the film doesn’t overstay it’s welcome or go off course.It’s certainly an interesting film — and one aimed squarely at the state of political discourse — but it didn’t quite reach the level of fascinating.
4.5 stars out of 5 (and at least one Oscar nomination for McDormand, maybe a second one for Rockwell)
Movie comment on Thor: Ragnarok
frankqb
The entire middle act of this painfully obvious movie could be omitted and we'd have the same film.What a waste of digital space.
Movie comment on Kingsman: The Golden Circle
frankqb
Surprisingly watchable. Not amazing, but I enjoyed it.4 stars out of 5
Movie comment on Blade Runner 2049
frankqb
This film is visually head-turning not just for how much it looks like the Blade Runner universe, but also just how beautiful it is.The performances are great, though
Recommended for all fans of the original and folks curious what the fuss is about.
3.5 stars out of 4
Showing items 101 – 125 of 576