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daisukereds
Still, I like to remember that no movie will ever deserve a 0, and much less a 10! Since no amount of effort will ever attain perfection, and in the same vein, should not be discredited completely.
I'll watch most anything, as I've learned to find little nuggets of gold everywhere. Never stop looking for that next story, camera trick or detail that can meet and exceed your expectations, or a film that will blow you away completely. Remember, you have not seen it all yet!
Reach out for any reason :D
Ratings
Most Recently Rated
Reviews
The Seven Year Itch (1955)
"You've begun to imagine it Cinemascope, with stereophonic sound"
It is said that men go crazy during summer, when the heat of Manhattan drives the wives and children away.
And that is the case for the male lead. Whose appalling imagination goes to comical and interesting extremes.
And while I personally didn't find it particularly hilarious (for a comedy) nor romantic (for a romance).. it is fun and light, and has the feel of a newspaper comic-strip (with the imaginative antics and all). Of course, the main attraction is miss Monroe, who is always charming and was perfectly cast as an aloof (but still alluring) young women with whom man would fantasize endlessly. But she is never dumb, and turns out to be quite caring and sweet. Another memorable role to remember her by. But the story is centered about the left-behind husband and his marriage, and would be easy to recommend for anyone interested in a kind of script they would only ever do back in the 50s.
How to Marry a Millionaire (1953)
"Pardon me, but my name is Ding Dong."
You have 3 decently-written girls that want to get married into money.. no matter the prospect, so they hatch a weird setup (that doesn't really have a pay off) so that at least one of them gets hitched.
One is smarter and more rugged, and the other two are cutesy and quirky. I did appreciate Monroe's visual gags, as it added a much needed layer of something.
The movie is rather slow, but quite eventful with plenty of shuffling around into unexpected situations. Honestly, the setup is pretty unique and fun, but the execution is rather tame overall. No memorable lines or truly charming moments.
At least the ending is somewhat satisfying, IF the ladies managed to grow on you.. which I would find surprising.
Mulan II (2004)
"The world is full of opposites"
The unnecessary continuation to the great first entry, starts strong.
With a Mulan that is "still learning" (and showing more growth than the live action adaptation in one line), a decent message in the strength of differences and team work, surprisingly good animation (albeit some ugly CGI background-models), and few fun moments early on.
Sadly, the ending feels like a total cop-out from the hole they wrote themselves in. And the constant Mushu-antics were more than a detriment.
And while it is completely simplistic and predictable, I found it more enjoyable than I expected it to be for a direct-to-video release!
If it had less Mushi, the threat to China wasn't completely forgotten and a proper resolution, this would have been a great sequel.
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953)
"I'm old enough to appreciate a good-looking girl"
*gulp*
Marilyn has the presence and Dorothy the personality. One wants to marry a millionaire, the other just wants love. How can two girls be so different and be such good friends?
With a perfectly tailored script with simple but effective purpose, plenty of fun and great lines in it. I was surprised to see how pleasant and beyond-charming the roles these two ladies were given. Surprisingly, they are written as quite the smart and driven ladies, and incredibly so! Still, I wouldn't really call this a musical (but a movie with musical numbers in it). Very much enjoyed their antics and getting to know their personalities and what they wanted.
Even so, you put a few charming characters in a boat, and I'm there to watch.
The Rhythm Section (2020)
"If they've got balls.. go for those"
Journalist finds what should have been another victim of a planned bombed-plane (alongside her family), and gives her life purpose again.. to bring the bombers to justice. A junkie-prostitute's journey for revenge, becoming an MI6-like agent on the way.
The storey it's a bit meandering at the beginning. But then the training gets going, and finally the "contract missions" start to move the plot forward.. though the pacing is perpetually slow.
Conceptually, it is an interesting thriller promise.. that does not really deliver on a fun premise. It's rather adequate in every department, and nothing more.
Trigger Warning (2024)
"'Sup, Damsel in distress?"
Army girl comes back home to deal with her father's death. And as she wishes for it to be more than just an accident.. she gets more than she bargained for.
Does that summary sound interesting? Well, it isn't. I haven't this bored, while trying not to be, in a while.
From the get-go, you start to notice that they are not going the extra mile. And while I like Alba, she ain't selling it. Everything feels slow, boorish and my main thought throughout was "were they tired,. While filming this?".
Then, the choreographies are too simple and the actors just visually fumble constantly.. makes me wonder if the camerawork is also not up to par. There's not much to talk about, sadly. It attempts a "Jack Reacher kind of story", but everything it provides is textbook content. There's no charm or personality to like, no dialogue to remember, and the developments are as bad as the execution!
I guess it is okay, overall. But it is not worth watching.
IF (2024)
"Well.. that's that"
This is a film someone made with a message they wanted to tell. One hopefully born out of empathy towards others' desolation.
Where people weighted by loneliness need imaginary friends.. and we just need to remember that. Where our emotional problems are solved by regressing into ourselves for emotional support.
Personally, I don't think it pulls it of.
It tries to be uplifting, but doesn't reach very high. The antics aren't particularly fun, and the imagination barely manages to spew out a few different characters. With a backdrop of life's main tropes like sickness and death.. and an utterly predictable resolution. It feels a tad shallow and rushed, and I would have prefered the angle of a kid being forcefully returned to "being a kid again" instead of maturing prematurely. The main kid feels stiff, and the music goes a little too hard.. making the magic/nostalgic feeling forced.. Good CGI, though!
I didn't get anything out of it, but hopefully somebody did.
Inside Out 2 (2024)
"Everyone pay attention to embarrassment"
It's funny, I don't remember enough about the predecessor to say if it builds upon its inventive concept . But, conceptually, I still really like the core of this film.
The creative depiction of how a personality is composed and develops (specially at our most vulnerable and demanding) shows depth and a lot of thoughts in the script. A reminder that we are all composed of all the different experiences and memories we've ever had.. and how anxiety should not define who we are as a person.
I found the movie (conceptually) to be really thought-provoking. But the execution feels somewhat simplistic.. probably the parts introduced to balance a younger audience's interest. Its slow pacing and lack in developments makes me think it would work better a short, more than a cinematic experience. But the ending is pretty satisfying and the overall delivery charming enough to warrant a recommendation. Even if you don't remember the original.
Am I OK? (2022)
"This was supposed to be a horse"
The lines "I think it's because you're afraid of getting close to someone for fear of rejection", but also "that's so lezz", are uttered in this movie.
Never too late to change your life's direction.. or to ponder in anxiety if where you are is right or not. You may think you have everything under control, only to soon be reminded that you just don't. But not-so-believable super friendships is always a start.
The movie feels "soft", and a tad obvious (or is it?), but the ending was fresher than I expected.
It certainly has a gloomy feeling (that is most probably on purpose), and a relatable "awkwardness in life" from the lead.. so I'd say it is well done! It accomplishes what it sets out to do.. although not sure about the strength of the message or even the way it delivers it. It's enjoyable, in a way, but not memorable at all. I'm feeling a "Beast of the Night" (by CATBEAR) out of 10.
Scavengers Reign (2023)
"Trust me.. this will toughen you up"
Something original indeed.
More than the straightforward "story", the characters or their few interactions.. it is the beauty of that alien planet, where nothing feels safe because everything is strange. It provides quite an expedition of new experiences and survival. I do think it does have a slower pacing, but also plentiful and unexpected developments. Also, excellent animations and an appealing "french" style to it. But more than anything.. the incredible amount of imagination and creativity.
Sad to hear it was originally cancelled by Max, before getting on Netflix.. and the promise of a Season 2 might never materialize. But it is an easy recommendation for anyone wanted something quite fresh.
Confessions of a Shopaholic (2009)
"If the American economy can be billions in debt and still survive.. so can you"
It has energetic, somewhat-charming and cartoonish characters going for it! With a disaster of a life (and luck) you'd only find in movies.
Decently casted and executed well (and those animated mannequin were a highlight). But the story feels is a tad too chaotic (although it also makes it fun) in a way only a 2000's film can be, lacking in structured developments and depth (even if it certainly tries to make an effort), and the romance a bit hollow and unsatisfactory.. not even the love rival worth remembering. But the core of a person reaching their lowest point, while attaining what they want, does properly convey the message of one's necessary-change of attitude. The difference between cost and worth.
It all seems too easy, tension-free! And the solution was a consideration I had as soon as I understood the problem from the beginning.
This story is not worth recommending, but if it was on a sale.. maybe.
Presumed Innocent (1990)
"You always had the cork in too tight"
This is primarily a court-case movie.
There's an event that starts the chain for mystery-solving, deception discovering, and more.. where a man is accused of murdering a beautiful woman that was not his wife.
I've heard a new series based on this came out, had never watched it for some reason (considering it has Harrison in it).
I must say, while a tad predictable.. it is quite satisfying, well written and executed. Has good pacing, interesting revelations, and keeps one guessing. But the ending makes the film (you'll have to watch it to know).
Also, the cast is good, and it has the best-written judge I've ever seen on film.
Nunmuleui yeowang (2024)
"More unbelievable, unfair and outrageous than a rental scam"
This series was a bit much.
Not only is it 16 episodes, but each one goes for at least 1 hour and a half!! And the script is at least 2 dramas worth of storytelling!!
...
That is not to say I did not enjoy it. Luckily, what it does well, it does REALLY well. But you also wonder if it is because of the excessive length, or how it tries to do TOO much, or even how it relentlessly hammers certain feelings and cliches into submission. And at some point, there's too much fluff that gets in the way of what could have been a very effective and efficient core! From deadly diseases, to gigantic corporate power-struggle, even different-class romance, etc.
It mostly works because of the leads and some GREAT supporting roles.
The male lead is a professional punching bag, but what might be worse, is how perfectly capable he is at dealing with it all. And the female lead is to die for! Then there's the scene composition, editing, production, etc. It's a beautiful show.. so you can tell they used their budget properly (or was rather expensive).
I would recommend it IF you can spare the time investment, are fine with overly complicated-and-unrealistic plots that sometimes are resolved quicker than you can see them coming, and accept the fact that they abuse the "drama playbook" in its entirety. This has it all, and that might be a fault more than a strength. Thankfully, the ending is so overindulgent that you can let go with a feeling of completion.
Morbius (2022)
"You don't wanna see me when I'm Hungry"
Finally caved! And honestly.. it is a generic 'nothing' burger.
CGI aside, it is well produced and executed (the entirety of my score). But the contents of the script are just disappointing. Morbius tries to cure himself and others, makes an awful mistake and when it gets out of hand, he tries to fix it! Which he does.. partially. But it is so straightforward, direct and hollow that there's nothing to enjoy at all. The ending is abrupt and inconsequential, but not as out of place as the post-credit scenes that don't match or fit it on the shown narrative. Watched because of Adria Arjona, who did an okay job.. and Leto was at least decent this time around.
Sadly, this is for nobody. As the IP has been completely massacred to deliver something worth ignoring.
Hit Man (2023)
"Chivalry may be dead.. but I didn't kill it"
Well, I'm a little shocked.
They tagged this as "Action Comedy Crime", and I think only the Crime label fits it. It is more Psychological than Comedy, and it is is more Romance than Action.
It's not entirely "hilarious", and I was just thinking about how a movie can be this engrossing without "adrenaline-fueled" sequences at all.. But what it is, it's a tremendously well written and executed script. With plenty of memorable lines, unexpected "commitment", and even introspective lessons. Glen Powell is simply amazing in it. He's demonstrated a lot of charm, but we now got to see quite a bit of range as well. Even his disguises. The rest of the cast helps sell it. And the ending was quite satisfying, even if I didn't entirely expected it!
The great pacing takes you along and you start to accept the path you are walking alongside these characters. Haven't watched a recent movie that makes me want to recommend this to everyone I know.. kind of has a Mr Brooks vibe to it.
X-Men '97 (2024)
"The Phoenix Force is gone now!"
Actual Character depth, cool comic-book moments, decent references and proper usage of the IP, memorable emotional high-points.
CGI animation aside (to those of us that found it out of place at times).. This is a sequel to a gigantically OLD series. A story that was made nowadays.. and for something Marvel-adjacent? I'm surprised the storytelling goes as "hard" as it does and to do it so well!
Still, the ending might be a bit undercooked (with the villain deserveding "a tad more" or a better closure). The threat was made too great and was neutralized too quickly. And there's also the promise of more chaos.. when it felt like it could have just ended.
For me, "finally, this feud is over".
Last Action Hero (1993)
"To be or not to be? Not to be."
Do not understand the Razzie nominations..
I mean, I understand it doing poorly and not meeting expectations at the time. With a giant 85 million USD budget, Schwarzenegger as the star, and being released alongside "Jurassic Park" might have been too much! But hearing the film was tonally inconsistent, and being a little too meta? It is exactly the kind of superhero satire that you'd expect to be made by today's standards! With a starstruck cast and "cool" film references. Just seeing Sylvester Stallone as the Terminator was enough to remind me of a time people expected Tom Cruise as a parallel Tony Stark. I find the whole thing funny and quite interesting.
And while I can see the script's flaws and genericness.. I still consider it was doing something enjoyable and different.
Bell Book and Candle (1958)
"Before I'm through with her, she'll see more geography than Marco Polo!"
This is certainly "Fantasy".. not so much "Comedy" or "Romance".
I watched it without knowing anything at all, and was hitched at the idea of "Witches". Miss Novak does fit the role of an enchantress perfectly, and Mr James Stewart of a sucker.. both in a relationship that doesn't quite spark. The plot does feel quite straightforward and as simple as it could be. Sadly, there isn't much in the department of interesting imagery or memorable dialogue, much less developments.
I would love to be able to see the original 1950's play of which this based upon. Specially after reading about his thoughts on witchcraft : "Witches primarily seem to exist for their own self-gratification. However, one has to stop living in terms of 'self' if aspects of love are ever to be realized", which seems like a more realized idea in that simple phrase, that it does in this "okay" movie.
That Funny Feeling (1965)
"With all this talent and no place to put it.. something's gotta give."
The premise is simple.. a cutesy cleaning-maid lies about owning the apartment she takes care of.. to the owner of said apartment.
It is a pleasingly old-fashioned quaint little story of silly deception and romance, with charming characters and decent dialogue, and maybe some dated elements. It isn't particularly hilarious or memorable, but it is fun enough to give it a chance. And more than a cinematic experience, it feels like watching television. Specially since there's one development, and this one-track script suffers a bit in the pacing department. But it makes do with a somewhat unexpected ending.
Satsujin yugi (1978)
"Narumi, you are like a Gorilla"
With a terribly weak setup, a simplistic plot and developments, and awfully low stakes.. I would be hard pressed into recommending anyone watching this.
And in any case, it seems this is a sequel to a set of movies called "Game Trilogy".. with "The Most Dangerous Game" (1978) being the first entry (and I hear a lot more sleazy).
I was initially interested, as a random person on the internet stated that Spike Spiegel (Cowboy Bebop) was somewhat inspired by Yusaku Matsuda in this role. I could somewhat see it.. if I squint really hard. But there's no charm to this character (at least in this entry, one of the other 2 might actually be good), no memorable lines, no rewatchable action scenes, or anything. All you get is a plot of a guy hired to kill either Yakuza boss from 2 warring gangs.. and it is as lacking in excitement as that sentence I just wrote. I probably won't be tracking any more of these, sadly.
Inside Daisy Clover (1965)
"Someone declared War!"
From unstable beginnings to a fabricated and unstable career. From an innocent tomboy to a disillusioned Hollywood star. A movie about exploitation of talent, and its cost.
I'm told that Gavin Lambert's original novel is more "spicy", and that this film did not entirely capture the depth and nuance of the main character.
Personally, it failed at properly conveying the internal struggles and vulnerabilities that a child actor would experience in such context. Everything seems too external and lacking in cohesion. The mental breakdown feels simplistic and weightless. There's no scene that leaves a charming impression, nor does it have any memorable moments, and the conclusion doesn't feel particularly satisfying. And while I liked her general presence on screen, Natalie does not really fit the teenager image of the young singer.
As an "entertaining" piece, instead, it manages to confuse with its content. And while it certainly does attempt to make a mockery of 1930s Hollywood "Dream Machine" and the price of fame, it falls short in that department as well.
Sex and the Single Girl (1964)
"That's all I want lady! A chance to show what I can really do"
I'm thankful I've been on a Nataly Wood kick recently.. for I knew nothing going in, and simply loved it.
This comedy-romance is delightfully "on the nose" and truly refreshing! The world-building is intriguingly absurd (almost to the point of being a farce),which only enhanced my enjoyment! The characters are brimming with energy, and their mischievous antics make their enthusiasm contagious.
The initial premise vaguely reminded me of "Down with Love" (2003), but the ensuing chaos is a stark reminder that films aren't made the same way anymore. And the icing on the cake? The ending is absolutely perfect! It has a hint of "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World" (1963), and I wished it could have gone on for hours! Haven't had this much fun with such nonsensical and unexpected little details and lines! I just hope I forget enough to enjoy it again in the future.
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (2024)
"I hold him profoundly in contempt"
I quite enjoyed it! The story is a very interesting chapter in Immortan Joe's difficult reign! With survival and leadership amidst a landscape filled with covetous and ambitious individuals vying for power.
Fury Road's cinematic and chaotic style catered well to general audiences and garnered significant word of mouth. But it was relentless! Furiosa, on the other hand, seems to lack that same impact (which might affect its box office performance).. but is not a detriment! This installment felt more in line with the latter two movies of the original trilogy, and the world building is satisfying.
Still, I do think Anya Taylor-Joy's portrayal felt "too childish" for the role (even at the end). While she is usually quite charming, she doesn't physically embody Furiosa, especially when considering the direct connection to the Fury Road version. The lack of dialogue and presence further detracted from her performance. Chris delivered a very memorable character despite being somewhat tame compared to my expectations. But he fits perfectly. Tom Burke's Praetor Jack stood out as my favorite character, reminiscent of Iroquois Pliskin. Lastly, the CGI appeared under-polished, suggesting either a reduced budget or a rushed production.
Be it the impact of grandiose set-pieces or over the top and fresh world-building, or a lack of more memorable characters (what we did get felt like a glimpse of MGS villains, but with little screen time).. I can't quite put my finger on it, but it is lacking something.
Easily recommended.
Splendor in the Grass (1961)
"The exact damn thing! Just as pretty.."
This is a rather messy romantic-drama, where developments sway into extremes, and the young leads have powerful-emotions they don't truly understand.. and as they force themselves to not explore them, it is enough to almost make them explode! In a way, the developments seem rather childish and almost everyone in it feels inadequate.
The exact message is seemingly lost to me in the many scenes where adults are incapable of providing the necessary mental support. Still, I quite like the core ideas of thoughtless and inseparable love, of callow youthful-passion, societal expectations, of a force that pushes almost everyone into swimming against their will, the pain of unfulfilled desires, of mental health, and even the theme of loss and acceptance. As it aptly says, "gotta take what comes"! But the execution leaves a lot to be desired, at least to someone with today's sensibilities. The intensity seems to much to bear and even understand. And while it does feel somewhat dated, I can still understand it.. even if there's little to take out of it.
I'd watch anything with Natalie Wood in it, but I would have loved for someone to deliver a more polished version of this script.
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners (2022)
"I'll take you to the moon"
Take the visuals away.. what do you have?
This feels like a story that loops onto itself rather pointlessly, where the details in between (after the setup of the 2nd - 3rd episode) can be completely skipped without affecting the delivery of the last episode's ending. It all doesn't make for a compelling or deep narrative experience either way.. the plot isn't memorable, and no characters is actually likeable. Calling this "mature content" because people constantly blow-up into small pieces of gory meat, is rather childish. Specially since the story itself is way too boring and plain to even complain about.
If you like studio Trigger's crisp animation and character design, you'll definitely get something out of it. But if you don't like meandering and pointless content that pretends to be more than it actually can deliver.. you can safely lower your expectations and maybe even skip this.