Crazy Rich Asians Review (2018)

Crazy Rich Asians

  It's been 25 years since Hollywood has released a film with an all Asian cast and the significance of that has not been lost on me. I think it's absolutely wonderful that we are getting films with diverse representation across all races and people are proving that these types of films will make big money. That said, I must be objective in my review, and while there were things I did like about Crazy Rich Asians, I wouldn't say it holds up to all the hype.
  What I did enjoy about this film, is how big and bold everything was. The production value, the sets, the music, the costumes, the settings, and colors. Everything looked absolutely gorgeous and dazzling. This film definetly has charm, mostly stemming from the performances of its dashing leads and the cultural references that Asian Americans will identify with.
  It shoots for commericial appeal, which is good in the sense that a wider audience will find it enjoyable, but that also means usually (and in the case of this film) that it has to be dumbed down in order to be more palatable to your casual moviegoer.
  While it does offer a unique perspective from your typical rom-com, it follows all of the same beats, just on a bigger drum. What it doesn't offer is a lot of depth in terms of character or subplot. In fact, there was only one subplot, which didn't really relate to plot A, and actually seemed like the more interesting story of the two. Because of this, the film suffers from feeling overlong. There were several scenes that could have been taken out and the story would have lost nothing, but they weren't. Another flaw was the comedy. While it hit on occasion, it mostly fell flat with me. This is obviously my personal preference as everyone will find different things humorous, but had this film been funnier it might've gotten a higher score.
  Overall, Crazy Rich Asians is likeable and "cute", but it never quite reaches its full potential. That said, I hope it opens the door for better films with all Asian casts and that people will continue to support those when they come out. 6 out of 10 stars. (Worth Ticket Price)

Blackkklansman Review (2018)

Blackkklansman 

  Blackkklansman is a dramedy inspired by true events and directed by Spike Lee. It stars John David Washington (Denzel Washington's son) as Ron Stallworth, Colorado Spring's first African American detective. His first mission? Infiltrate the Ku Klux Klan. He makes connections over the phone with the klan and uses his Jewish/white-passing colleague (Adam Driver) to meet with them in person.
  Now this story sounds absolutely crazy for obvious reasons, which is why I'm surprised it is just now being told. Honestly though, the timing couldn't be more perfect. Blackkklansman isn't afraid to go for it, delivering on both big laughs and big discomfort. It never once polishes America's dirty history, nor does it detract from the seriousness of it, but what it does do is expose the absolute stupidity of racism in a comedic way. The black community has always coped with oppression through humor as a way of healing, and this film hits just the spot.
  Harkoning back to the 2017 Charlottesville Unite the Right rally, Black Klansman asks, "How much has America really changed in the past few decades?". It's a question worth examining, especially when it comes in the form of this incredibly entertaining, absorbing, and intelligent film.
  I give Blackkklansman a 10 out of 10 stars. (A Must See)

Blindspotting Review (2018)

Blindspotting

  One word. Whoa.
  I left this theater absolutely speechless, my heart in my stomach, my mind spinning. Blindpsotting hit me like a hammer to the chest and came as a total surprise in every way.
  Blindspotting is the story of a man living in Oakland and trying to make it through the last three days of his probation. It's a simple story, but it tackles massive issues such as police brutality, gentrification, white privilege, incarceration and implicit bias. How it managed to do all of this affectively with such a short run time and with such nuance, is an insane mystery to me.
 The way Blindspotting blends the heavy, serious themes and storyline with laugh-out-loud, buddy-comedy is unlike any film I've ever seen. This is of course credited to both Daveed Diggs and Rafael Casal who acted and wrote the film, and were nothing short of spectacular in their delivery.
  There is no reason the tone of the film should make sense, but it does. And just when you wrap your brain around that, they add spoken-word rap into the mix like an urban musical.
  Blindspotting places you in the shoes of another and makes you feel what they feel. This film builds a case for empathy in a way that is so pitch-perfect and timely that you would never believe it was written 10 years ago.
  As you can see, I thoroughly enjoyed this film. In fact, it is currently competing with Hereditary for the number 1 favorite spot of this year. If you haven't seen it yet, go! Add it to the top of your list. Blindspotting is a compelling masterpiece, and it reminded me why I love cinema and how important it is to have diverse representation. 10 out of 10 stars (A Must See)

Mission: Impossible - Fallout Review (2018)

Mission: Imposible - Fallout

  Tom Cruise is back at it again with another fun, action-filled, blockbuster hit. My question is, are you a fan of those? 

  When reviewing movies, I am aware that there are films that exist simply for the sake of entertainment. I watch those movies and enjoy those movies for what they are, and there is no better example of this than the Mission: Impossible franchise. 

  In the same strain as John Wick, or any of the Marvel movies, these films are all spectacle. Insanely wild stunts, thrilling suspense, more twists than liquorice. What more can you ask for or expect?
  Fallout delivers on all of these things, bringing the charm and charisma of Tom Cruise that keeps us coming back again and again. It's not deep, it's not that clever, but it's cinematic and sometimes, that's good enough for me.
  This is a fantastic looking film that works on pretty much every level, accept being about 20 minutes too long.
  If you're a fan of these films, go see it. If not, I completely get that too. For what it is, I will give Fallout a 7 out of 10 stars (Very Good) 

Leave No Trace Review (2018)

Leave No Trace

  Leave No Trace is the story of a veteran (Ben Foster) and his daughter (Thomasin McKenzie). They are a regular family in every sense except one. They choose to be homeless.
  This was a really unique story about the bond between father and daughter and about how choices we make, even with the best of intent, can unintentionally hurt the people we love most.
  At a slow pace, Leave No Trace develops its characters and allows the audience to grow fond of them. It's a character study that isn't afraid to show weakness in a way that isn't judgmental.
  Leave No Trace tackles big topics in a quiet and subtle way, asking challenging questions about how our vets are treated and what we can better do to help them.
  Ben Foster and Thomasin McKenzie were absolutely brilliant, giving haunting, soulful performances and gaining our empathy.
   This is a film you are going to have to be patient with. It's not action-filled, it's not loud, it's not going to spoon-feed you its themes. In terms of re-watch-ability, this probably won't be on your list as it's not the most entertaining film of the year, but Leave No Trace is as solid as they come, both technically and story-wise, with an affecting pay off that is worth your time. 7 out of 10 stars (Very Good)

Sorry To Bother You (2018)

Sorry To Bother You

  If you've ever wanted to know what an acid trip feels like, just watch this movie.
  Sorry To Bother You is a film by first-time filmmaker, Boots Riley, about a telemarketer named Cassisus who is trying to make it in Oakland. As Cassisus works his way up the ladder at the company, he realizes that this job isn't as innocent as it seems and that in order to get where he needs to be, he must essentially sell his soul.
  It's been an odd few years for film as art house is becoming more popular and surrealism is becoming more commercialized with films such as Get Out or Mother!. Films like these are polarizing because they are so weird and so out there, that people will either love them and love figuring them out, or they will hate them and consider them pretentious trash. Usually I'm pretty good at figuring where I stand after watching films, but there have been exceptions. Swiss Army Man was one of them, A Ghost Story was another, and Sorry To Bother You has made the list.
  What's so odd about these films is that you can't exactly figure out why certain things work and why certain things don't. Everything is so absurd and self-aware of its own absurdity. I found Sorry To Bother You to be quite a mixed bag in a lot of ways.
  It's strengths were in it's humor and the likeability of its lead character played by Lakeith Stanfield. The satire was sharp and had this "Key and Peele on steroids" type vibe to it. It was bold, and unapologetic in it's approach to making it's points and elaborating on it's themes through comedy.
  I also loved how you never really know where the film is going or where the characters are going to end up. You're just thrown onto this wild, meta, and entertaining ride.
  I was with the film for the first two acts, although the second did seem to lose direction for a minute and drag. However, it was the third act that through me for a loop and left me wondering what on earth I was watching. The plot twist will either make or break it for the audience and for me it kind of broke it. I understand what it was trying to do, and I respect it, but it also cheapened the rest of the film in my opinion.
  Sorry To Bother You deals with really big ideas, but it never tells you what to think or explains them. Some people will like this, others will find it frustrating. For me, I was really glad I watched it because it was such a unique experience, but not exactly sure I would want to experience it again. 6 out of 10 stars (Worth Ticket Price)  

Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far On Foot Review (2018)

Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far On Foot

  Don't Worry He Won't Get Far On Foot is the true story of a quadriplegic, comic-writer that must go through the 12 steps program to break his addiction to alcohol.
  I went in not knowing anything about this story other than the fact that Joaquin Phoenix was playing the main character.
  Surprise, surprise, he did amazing. Phoenix always manages to create sympathetic characters out of people that should by every stretch of the imagination be unlikeable. He is just so good at what he does and he always brings it 100% to every film he's in, and Don't Worry isn't an exception. That said, he is probably the only reason this film has any whatch-ability because otherwise, I wasn't too impressed.
  Now, Don't Worry wasn't a bad film, but it did have a lot of problems. The biggest being the pacing and the non-linear way of telling the story.
  There were times where the film jumps to the past, then jumps to the future, and then cuts to a flashback, and ultimately the timeline just felt confusing, serving no purpose whatsoever to the story. This bizarre editing choice only stilted the effect the story could have had with a more conventional outline, and it took me out of the film.
  There were also times where they tried for humor, and in almost every case for me it fell flat. This could totally be a personal preference more than an objective critique of the film though, considering the character has a quirky sense of humor that not everybody gets. For me what was awkward about the delivery was the jarring insert of comics in the form of a cartoon with Phoenix's voice narrating them. The tone was odd, and simply didn't work for me.
  In the end, this film wants to be more poignant and inspiring than it is, but Phoenix's strong performance keeps it's head above water and makes it worth at least one viewing. 5 out of 10 stars (Rent It)

Eighth Grade Review (2018)

Eighth Grade

  Directed by youtuber and comedian Bo Burnham, Eighth Grade is the story of a young girl (Played by Elsie Fisher) in her last year of (You guessed it) Eighth Grade.
  I'm just gonna get straight to it and say that I absolutely ADORED this film. Bo Burnham did something here that I can't say I've seen before on screen, and that is capture the way teenagers actually behave. If I had to pick one word to describe this film, it would be authentic. From the acne covered teens, to the fact that the actors were all actually in eighth grade, to the way they talked and stumbled around, it was all so true.
  Eighth Grade takes a look at what life is like for the modern teen and how technology has influenced the way they grow up.
  It's hilarious and cringey in the same way The Office is, capitalizing on how unaware kids are of themselves at this age and how awkward it is to grow into yourself. I loved how they didn't feel the need to dramatize elements of the story for entertainment's sake. They kept the stakes familiar and small, yet found a way to make them still cinematic through the use of humor and relateability.
  Elsie Fisher gave a perfect, heartfelt, vulnerable performance alongside a talented cast, and I can't wait to see her in future films.
  Eighth Grade is one of the best films of the year and absolutely (A Must See). 10 out of 10 stars.

Sicario: Day of the Soldado Review (2018)

Sicario: Day of the Soldado

  To be honest, I wasn't a huge fan of the first Sicario movie after my first viewing. That said, after watching several analysis videos and really thinking on it, I realized that it was an excellent film with lots of layers and a lot to say. Dennis Villeneuve has a way of telling stories that is unlike a lot of director's working today. He takes his time, each shot having meaning, and he is intentional with his dialogue/cinematography.
  When I saw the trailer for Sicario: Day of Soldado, I wasn't sure how to feel. Mainly because it was directed by a different person, Stefano Sollima, and also because the first film didn't seem to need further storytelling. Either way, here we are. Round 2.
  Sicario: Day of the Soldado was a mixed bag for me. Mainly because it was a lot more entertaining than the first film if we're talking pure commercial draw, but it seemed to have a lot less to say. In fact, it wasn't clear to me what the film was saying at all.
  The action was good, the simple, gritty story is engaging and lean, but it felt soulless.
  There were times where it felt like this film wanted to be Logan. We have this relationship between Benicio Del Toro's character and this young girl (who isn't a very good actress), and they want us to care about them, but I just didn't. The girl annoyed me, and her bad acting took me out of the film every time she was on screen.
  Day of the Soldado isn't a bad film, but it's not a particularly impressive one either. If you're looking for a popcorn flick that has more edge than Avengers, than go give this one a viewing. If you're looking for the thought-provoking, dynamic thriller that the first was, you won't find it here. 6 out of 10 stars (Worth Ticket Price)

The Incredibles 2 Review (2018)

The Incredibles 2

  It's been 14 years since the first film, and my excitement for Incredibles 2 was like no other. As a kid, I watched the first film hundreds of times, so when I sat in that theater for this one and when that classic Pixar studio image appeared, I literally had the chills.
  Before I get into the review, I want to mention quickly that the short, Bao, was one of my favorite Pixar shorts to date. It was absolutely hilarious, beautifully animated, and moving at the same time.
  Okay, now that that's out there. Back to The Incredibles 2. Was it good? *inhale* YES. It was fantastic.
  When you go into the sequel of a movie that was soooo nostalgic to you as a child, it hardly ever lives up to the hype. Not here though. Pixar brought everything they had, making this equally as entertaining, hilarious, and fun as the first. Just like the first film, The Incredibles strengths is in it's character development and the character's interactions with each other. The stakes are grand yes, but the way it effects the characters personally is what makes us care. The way they have to deal with the conflicts of the outside world while at the same time dealing with how the outside world is creating conflicts within their own home.
  I was really impressed by the villain of the film. They were scary, the threat felt real, and their motivations made sense.
  While to me, The Incredibles has a more "Mission Impossible" type feel than a superhero film, I would say if we are to categorize it by the superhero genre, it was the best to come out this year. 10 out of 10 stars. (A Must See)

American Animals Review (2018)

American Animals

  American Animals is the true story of four college students who plotted one of the mosts infamous heists in American history, stealing rare books worth millions of dollars.
  The style of the film is something you will either really like, or something that will take you out of the movie completely. It's filmed partly like a documentary, with the real thieves and their parents giving their sides of the story. The rest of it is filmed conventionally with actors, and will cut from both throughout.
  The movie takes quite some time to get off the ground, bordering on tedious at times. That said, when it does pick up, it really picks up.
  The film's strengths are in its performances. Evan Peters and Barry Keoghan are soooo much fun to watch, somehow making extremely unlikeable characters, sympathetic and relatable. 

  American Animals doesn't seem deep at first, but as it gets further into the story, it is quiet the poignant exploration of privillage, responsibility, selfishness, morality, and man's deep-longing to be special.
  It's other strength is its cinematography, which is so beautiful that it might as well be a painting itself. There is one shot that intentionally looks just like The Desprate Man painting by Gustave Courbet, and it literally blew my mind when I saw it.
  Overall American Animals is a strong film techincally and performance wise, but it does have pacing issues and the interviews between scenes will either hit or miss with audiences. I give it a 7 out of 10 stars (Very Good)

Hereditary Review (2018)

Hereditary 

  With films like Get out, The Witch, A Quiet Place, The Conjuring, and now Hereditary, it looks like the horror genre is ready to play with the big boys. Honestly, I couldn't be more excited about this, and I couldn't wait to see this film. Not only did it recieve high praise from critics, but it was even called this generation's Exorist/Rosemary's Baby. When a movie has so much hype around it, it's easy to be dissapointed. But with Hereditary, I wasn't. Not even a little bit.
  What I adore about this film is how good it is even when you take away all of its horror elements. The characters are interesting, well acted, and fleshed out, keeping us emotionally invested in the story. There were moments, specifically one at a dinner table, that literally brought tears to my eyes because I felt so deeply affected by these characters and their tragedy.  
  Toni Collete and Alex Wolfe give unforgettable, Oscar worthy performances as Annie and Peter, but Milly Shaprio is also one to look out for.
   All that to say, Hereditary is a gripping drama above all, but it is also absolutely, freaking terrifying. Like make an appointment with your local priest after and sleep with the lights on terrifying.
  In fact, Hereditary is one of the scariest films I've ever seen, but not in the same way as a film like The Conjuring. It's scary in the same way The Witch was scary. It takes its time to build the tension and it earns each and every scare with techincal excellence. Every shot is carefully crafted by cinematographer Pawel Pogorzelski, while the sinister, soundtrack of Colin Stetson will haunt your dreams. Director, Ari Aster, has made a film that lives up to all of the hype, and yes, can be compared with greats like The Exorcist. The demented, disturbing images in this film will stick with you forever, as well as the story which you will be able to analyze for hours afterwards.
  As you can tell, I absolutely LOVED this film. 10 out of 10 stars. (A Must See)

Adrift Review 2018

Adrift

  Adrift is the true story of a young couple stranded in the middle of the ocean for 41 days. It's a powerful story, but I have mixed feelings about its execution.
  What I did love about the film was Shailene Woodley. Her performance was so beautiful and captivating, and she really brought it as she always does. Woodley is one of those actresses that demands your sympathy and demands to be liked. She carried this film on her shoulders, giving us someone to root for in a world of pretty non-interesting characters.That said, it doesn't change the fact that we are in a world of non-interesting characters. Especially when the story continually cuts back and forth from the present tragedy of being lost at sea (which is interesting), and the boring romantic relationship we are supposed to care about. This isn't to say that Claflin and Woodley don't have chemistry, but it is to say that director Baltasar Kormakur tries so hard to make the audience care, that it feels contrived and strategically plotted out.
  Adrift is solid, but it's not nearly as memorable as other films like Life of Pi or Castaway. 6 out of 10 stars (Worth Ticket Price)

Solo (A Star Wars Story) Review (2017)

Solo (A Starwars Story) 

  I went into this movie expecting absolutely nothing, but I was actually pleasently surprised.
  Solo happens to be the most Star Wars-y, of all the recent Star Wars movies! It's got the charm and campiness of the originals, the forbidden romances of the prequals, and like all of them, it's fun!
  Solo manages to tell and interesting story that feels unique and also adds to the character of Han without ruining your childhood.  It's never convienient, the pacing is smooth, and the acting is actually really good.
   Alden Ehrenreich wasn't necessarily my first casting choice for Han, but he was quite likeable in the role. Same can be said for Donald Glover as Lando and Joonas Suotamo as Chewy.
  Did this film need to exist? Not necessarily. Han is a character that we love because of his mysterious history and the fact that nobody can be Harrison Ford. That said, Ron Howard was the right person to do this movie and I'm glad he did. 9 out of 10 stars. (I'd Buy It On Blu-Ray)
  

 

Speed Reviews: Tully, Deadpool 2, Ready Player One, You Were Never Really Here

Tully

  Starring Charlize Theron, Tully is the story of a mom with postpartum depression.
  This movie gave me really mixed feelings, because the first 2 acts were absolutely incredible. It was probably the best I've seen Theron, and everything felt so raw and authentic. You care about the characters, you relate with the story, it's beautiful, it's moving.  The way the characters react and interact with each other feels so real. Then, the third act comes around. They throw in a plot twist that undercuts everything they set up, and makes the audience feel like they've been cheated. Honestly, the end was downright cheasy.
  Tully is a film that has a 10 out of 10 first two acts and a 5 out of 10 third. Over all, I'll round it off to a 7 out of 10 stars. (Very Good)

Deadpool 2

  Back again with the witty, crude humor of a middle-school screenwriter, we have Deadpool 2. If you're a fan of the franchise, you will most likely love this film, if not, you may feel how I did.
  Now don't get me wrong, I didn't dislike the first film, but I also didn't think it wasn't as great and revolutionary as other people seemed too.
  This franchise lives off its shock value, which is a problem when most mainstream films are already pretty shocking. Cursing a lot, and being vulgar doesn't cut it anymore. With Deadpool, we can feel them trying.
  Does it have its funny moments? Yes, absolutely. When it hits, it hits hard. But when it doesn't, it really faceplants.
  I would say that I found Deadpool 2 entertaining, but not much else. 6 out of 10 stars. (Worth Ticket Price)

Ready Player One

  Ughhh. If you are a fan of this film or the book, you may find this review offensive...
  Let me start by saying that I thought the film looked trash from the trailer. Then the reviews came out. Then my friends saw it. Everything was positive, everyone loved it, people were even seeing it multiple times in theaters. So I gave in. And now I have trust issues.
  Ready Player One is hot garbage. The characters are uninteresting, the dialogue is dumb, the story is childish and boring. They try and make you care about the characters by giving them a "Thing". Abusive parents, a deformity, etc. But that's a shallow way of building empathy and it does nothing to make me care. 

  Everything about this film is one-dimentional, and my favorite part was when it was over. If I am gonna say anything positive at all, it's that Ready Player One has pretty decent graphics. Aside from that, 1 out of 10 (Trash)

You Were Never Really Here

  Starring the amazingly soulful performance of Joqauin Phoenix, You Were Never Really Here is the story of a veteran who saves young girls from sex-trafficking. While it sounds like the plot of the next generic Taken movie, it is anything but.
  Director Lynne Ramsay instead gives us a delicate and fragile film about those affected by violence and how they are usually the ones to perpetuate it. It talks about how violence runs in circles, and what it does mentally to its victims. She does this in a way that never glamorizes the violence, but always shows the horridness of the outcome. Joaquin Phoenix's character is empathetic to a fault, carrying the entire world on his shoulders as he tries to help as many people as he can at the price of his own mental sanity.
  You Were Never Really Here is poetic and beautiful and impactful.  Its flaws are in its pacing and some of the jarring editing, but the positives definetly outweigh the negatives here. If you have the patience and aren't bothered by the fact that not everything is spoon fed to you, this film is really emotionally satisfying. 8 out of 10 stars. (I'd Buy It)

Avengers: Infinity War Review (2018)

Avengers: Infinity War 

  Staring all of your favorite superheroes, Avengers Infinity War is finally here, but does it live up to the hype?
 Initially I had no interest in seeing this movie, but I do what I can for my followers, so here we are. As usual, I'll start with the good and then lead into the bad.
  I have to give credit where credit is due, and the writers definetly managed to impress me with this one. With so many characters, it's very easy for a movie like this to feel overcrowded, but I felt like everyone got just enough screentime and felt relevant to the story. It was also super fun watching some of the newer characters interact for the first time, like Thor and Rocket, or Doctor Strange and Iron Man.
  Another thing I loved about Infinity War was Thanos' character. Josh Brolin brings this menacing presense to the character that makes him actually feel like a threat. He also feels more 3-dimensional than you're typical marvel villain.
  Now for things I didn't like. My biggest problem with this film was actually the way it ended. They made certain choices that have long lasting effects on the characters and the story, but I know that these choices aren't going to really be permanent. This dilutes the stakes and feels like cheating. I'll try to give a non-spoiler example of this on a minor scale. (Though if you haven't seen the 3rd Thor movie, it may be a mild spoiler). 3. 2. 1. In Thor Ragnarock, Thor loses his eye. In Avengers Infinity War, Rocket gives him a new one. Like why? You made a character choice, you made him lose his eye so that he resembles Odin. Why go back on that choice and give him another eye. Like why take his eye in the first place? If they want there to be stakes, they have to show us that they can be taken seriously. That they will follow through on their threats. If I know that when a character dies, they will bring them back 3 more times (Cough cough, Loki in every Thor movie ever) then when you actually do kill a character, it won't affect the audience the same way.
  All that said, I thought Avengers Infinity War was entertaining, but could have been better. 7 out of 10 stars (Very Good) 

Top 10 Favorite TV Shows

  Time to take a break from all of the movies and give you guys some TV recommendations! These are my top 10 favorite shows of all time. Obviously, I haven't seen every show in existence, so I am only judging off things I have seen and adored. If you don't see your personal favorite here, that's okay. We can still be friends. Either way, I hope you enjoy this list! Here we go, in order of least to greatest!

10. New Girl

  A show about a girl that moves into an apartment with three dudes, all the while dealing with a breakup and trying to navigate the world of dating. 

  New Girl has some of the quirkiest, funniest characters around. It stars the talent of Zooey Deschanel, Jake Johnson, Mad Greenfield, Hannah Simone, and Lamorne Morris. 

  This lighthearted comedy never misses an opportunity for a tender moment within all the laughs. This is definitely one to add to the list.

9. Downton Abbey

While I'm not usually a fan of period pieces, this character-driven show won me over with its gorgeous set production, beautiful cinematography, fantastic cast, and moving script. Downton Abbey gives every character a story with depth as it interweaves between plot-lines through several decades. It isn't always fast moving, but it is always interesting. If you are a fan of Jane Austin, give this one a try!

8. Breaking Bad

  I for sure wasn't emotionally prepared for this show when I started it, but if you like, dark and gritty dramas, Breaking Bad is for you. With one of the best screenplays on television, Breaking Bad breaks ground. Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul are soooo much fun to watch as they try to get out of the impossible, high stake scenarios their characters wind up in every episode. It's a heavy show, and the tension they build makes you feel like you're living right in the action with them. This is a show that stays with you long after you turn it off.

7. Avatar: The Last Airbender

  Looking for a gateway drug into anime? Give this AMAZING show a try. Not only does Avatar: The Last Airbender have one of the coolest concepts out there, but it's also super hilarious and entertaining. What I love most about this show is the genuineness and purity of its message. It's a show about unity, love, redemption, and sacrifice. So don't let the atrocity that was the live action M. Night Shyamalan movie turn you away from this gem. Go check it out!

6. How I Met Your Mother

Looking for a way to spend the next several weeks? Try binge watching HIMYM. This charmingly relatable comedy about romance and friendship is, yes, I'm going to say it, much funnier than Friends. How I Met Your Mother is sweet and honest when it needs to be, and outright hilarious the rest of the time. It is also the show that coined iconic phrases like, "Bro Code", "Legendary", and "Suit up". HIMYM is a must see!

5. The Andy Griffith Show

Yep, I'm throwing it back to the 50s. As a kid, I grew up on a lot of black and white television, but The Andy Griffith Show was always one of my favorites. From the hilarious performances of Don Knotts, Jim Nabors, to the parental figures of Andy and Frances Bavier, this wholesome series has earned its spot in my heart and in my top 5. It's rare that a show can be so funny while maintaining its class and substance, which is why I'm glad that this little slice of the 50s got to be a part of my childhood.

4. Black Mirror

Let me just say that Black Mirror is one of the most unique shows out today. The best way of describing it is as the modern version of the Twilight Zone. A dark, twisted, social commentary on technology and ethics with different plots and characters every episode. Black Mirror isn't afraid to go the most uncomfortable, and honest route, making sure that the audience is left with something to think upon.

My favorite thing about this show is the writing. It's genius and relevant. It also has some of the best performances and cinematography you will see on TV. If you have a tough stomach, make this one a priority.

3. I Love Lucy

Looks like we are taking another leap back into the 50s with this iconic show. If you haven't seen this show, you need to rethink your life because it is honestly one of the best things that has happened to us. Lucille Ball's comedic timing and array of over the top faces, never fail to make me laugh, even all these years later. I Love Lucy proves that comedy doesn't have to be crass and raunchy to be good, and that is why it is number 3 on this list!

2. The Office

For a story about a bunch of white-collar workers who don't actually do any work, The Office is my favorite comedy of all time. Largely due to the comedic genius of Steve Carrell, this show managed to make me laugh for 9 seasons straight, and I could not get enough of it. The Office's satire is cringey 98% of the time, but that's part of what makes it so great. Unlike, the British version, The Office is quite optimistic in its approach to the characters and their interactions. It's sentimental when it needs to be, and in those moments you will realize how much you have fallen for these characters.

1. Bates Motel

We have made it to my #1 favorite show of all time! This prequel to the iconic film Psycho wins on so many levels, but the two that immediately comes to mind is the acting and the writing. The way the story perfectly encapsulates everything I loved about Psycho, while also adding its own twists and turns makes this show stand out. It isn't afraid to dive deep into the soul and mind of it's twisted, tortured characters, providing one of the best character studies of mental illness I've ever seen on screen, period. 

  Freddie Highmore and Vera Famiga's chemistry in this show is out of this world. They deserve every award imaginable for their portrayal of these characters, bringing raw emotion to every single episode.

  I can't say enough about the quality of this show. It's moody, and terrifying, and beautiful, and sad, and sometimes even funny. Bates Motel will take you on a roller coaster of emotions that is well worth your time.

  

Tomb Raider Review (2018)

Tomb Raider 

  Before I begin this review, I should state that I've never seen any of the previous Tomb Raider movies or played any of the video games. 

  I went into this film knowing absolutely nothing other than that it starred Alicia Vikander who I absolutely loved in Ex Machina and Light Between Oceans. Unfortunately, I wasn't that impressed with her performance here. 

  To her defense though, I think her average performance had to do more with the bad script, which was my biggest problem with the movie.
  For starters, they did this thing where Character A will tell Character B information that Character A already knows just to fill in the audience instead of organically revealing the information. It was super annoying and they did it several times. On top of that, the story didn't really make much sense, and you don't really have a reason to care about any of the characters.
  In a movie like this, you'd hope at least the action would be entertaining. But nope. There was probably two cool sequences, and the rest feels extremely date, bringing nothing new to the genre.
  If I were to sum up Tomb Raider, I'd say it was the estranged love child of Prince of Persia, Indiana Jones, and The Mummy, but without any of the charm that made those movies likeable. 3 out of 10 stars (Watch At Your Own Risk)

Thoroughbreds Review (2018)

Thoroughbreds

  Every blue moon a film hits theaters that isn't quite like anything else. Introducing, Thoroughbreds. A psychological, teen thriller starring Olivia Cook, Anya Taylor-Joy, and the late Anton Yelchin. 

  What is it about? Well, it's about a wealthy, overly emotional girl who strongly dislikes her stepdad, and calls upon her extremely unemotional friend to plot out his murder.

  For starters, this is a very character driven story and it takes its time to get where it's going. Some may think the pacing is too slow, others might not. Either way, the performances are absolutely amazing and these talented girls keep your eyes glued to the screen the entire time.
  I enjoyed a LOT about this movie. From the production design, to the soundtrack, to the camera angles. It's an extremely stylish film that still manages to have substance.
  Thoroughbreds deals with themes of moral relativism, privilege, and the horrible things humans can do to each other when they lack empathy.
  It's a bold, pretty messed up movie, but it works, and you aren't likely to forget it even if you never want to watch it again. Thoroughbreds gets a 8 out of 10 stars from me. (I'd Buy It)

Annihilation Review (2018)

Annihilation

  After watching several analysis videos of this film and seeing it twice in theaters, I think I'm officially qualified to write this review.
  Directed by Ex Machina's Alex Garland, and starring Natalie Portman, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Gina Rodriguez, Tessa Thompson, and Oscar Isaac, we are lead into The Shimmer. What happens in The Shimmer? Nobody knows. All we know is that everyone who goes inside dies. Well, except for one person. Now a group of female scientists with nothing to lose, go inside to see for themselves what they can learn.
  This film's concept fascinated me from the beginning, and the first two acts of it is actually pretty straightforward. Despite some of the side characters not being as fleshed out as I might have liked, you are fully engaged with them, and you want to solve all of these mysteries as much as they do.
  Annihilation's cinematography is very strange, in that it's really beautiful, and yet really ugly at the same time. The color grading induces this sense of disorienting unease and nasuea that I believe is intentional and works to fill the audience with dread.
  What I love about Annihilation, is that it isn't afraid to take big concepts and run with them. It's a smart movie for a smart audience, and it asks a lot of questions we don't necessarily get answers to. Like Inception, you will probably have to watch this movie at least 3 times before you fully understand everything. Honestly though, those are my favorite kind of movies. Movies that provoke thought and conversation long after you leave the theater. For that reason, I give Annihilation a 9 out of 10 stars (I'd Buy It On Blu-ray)
  

Game Night Review (2018)

Game Night

  Not sure which was funnier, the over-the-top laugh of the lady behind me, or the hilarity that was this movie. Starring the wonderful talent of Jason Bateman, Rachel McAdams, Sharon Horgan, Kyle Chandler, Billy Magnussen, Lamorne Morris, Kylie Bunbury, and Jesse Plemons, we are invited to join game night. Hosted by Annie (McAdams) and her competitive husband Max (Bateman), things take a turn for the worst when Max's brother, Brooks (Chandler), decides to do a murder mystery at his house, and the kidnappers turn out to be real.
  I really liked the tone established in this movie from the jump. It never takes itself seriously, which makes it easy to suspend belief (and believe me, you will need to).
   Game Night is a quick-witted, delightful movie with big laughs and low-stakes. Does the script come together perfectly in the end? Not quite, but Game Night has enough going for it to earn a 7 out of 10 Stars (Very Good)

Black Panther Review (2018)

Black Panther

  Black Panther isn't just a movie, Black Panther is a cultural event. People often underestimate the power of representation, but the way this movie has been recieved in black communities is just further proof that Black Panther needed to exist. When it comes to the movie, there were things that I absolutely loved and things that fell into the cliches of the superhero genre. The strongest aspect of the movie wasn't the action or the set or the visuals, although they definetly had strong moments. What made this film great was it's message. It is nuanced in it's delivery, but impactful. It shows how we must take responsibility for the mistakes of our ancestors, and that we must right whatever wrongs we can within our power. It is a film about unity in an unjust world, and it's told through some really great performances.
  The second strongest aspect of the film was how Ryan Coogler infused African Culture into every inch of the film. It's so vibrant and beautiful, and it will make black people proud of their roots.
  Did it have it's cheesy moments? Yes. Was it sometimes predictable? Yes. Was it tonally off sometimes? Yes. Is it on the same level as Logan or Dark Knight? Not at all. But even so, there is so much more to praise about this film then to critique. I give Black Panther a 7 out of 10 Stars (Very Good)
  

Speed Reviews: Darkest Hour, Molly's Game, The Shape of Water, I, Tonya (2018)

Darkest Hour

 Starring Winston Churchill himself, risen from the grave, Darkest Hour gives us an extremely accomplished companion piece to Dunkirk. It's a relevant film that informs, but not exactly in the most entertaining way. This is Gary Oldman's movie, and you watch it for his performance, but you probably won't watch it again. Darkest Hour is a pretty mediocre film with some great moments and the best performance of the year. 5 out of 10 Stars (Rent It)

Molly's Game

  Aaron Sorkin has written some of the best scripts in Hollywood, but can he direct? Yes. Yes, he can. While Molly's Game isn't perfect, it's incredibly riveting. Led by the beautiful and talented Jessica Chastain, we follow the true story of Molly Bloom the Poker Princess. This is a fast-paced, intelligent, high-stakes drama, with a lot of opulent expositional dialogue.
  While Molly's Game could have definitely benefited from a shorter run-time, it's pay off almost makes up for it. The characters are insanely absorbing and by the time we reach the end, it hits us with the emotional equivalent of a cannonball. Keep your eye on Sorkin, folks. He's onto something. 7 out of 10 stars (Very Good)

The Shape of Water

  From the visionary director, Guillermo del Torro,  Shape of Water is a fantasy film for adults. It's a beautifully shot film with a wonderful score by Alexandre Desplat and some FANTASTIC performances. That said, I couldn't really get on board with this story. The fact that this is a love story was something I couldn't get over. Not only is there literally beastiality, but everyone in the story seems to be completely okay with it. I get it's a movie and all, but you weren't even allowed to be gay in the 50s, let alone have sex with a fish-man. Ew. This movie was so conflicting because the execution was so great, but in the end, the relationship made me so uncomfortable that it spoiled whatever other positives the film had.  4 out of 10 Stars (One Time See For Free)

I, Tonya

  Led by the wonderfully strong performance of Margot Robbie, I, Tonya pushes boundaries with its edgy narrative, it's black humor and the way it unashamedly points its finger at society. This is a film not quite like any other in its execution. I thoroughly enjoyed this film and if I were to say anything bad about it at all, I'd say perhaps it was a little long. Outside of that, this is a film with a lot of offer in terms of social commentary. 7 out of 10 Stars (Very Good)

The Greatest Showman Review (2018)

The Greatest Showman

  The Greatest Showman is the story of P.T. Barnum, a man who exploited a bunch of sad, outcasted individuals for, you guessed it, a whole ton of money. I couldn't think of a better story for a lighthearted musical. . . . *cough*
  While this could have been an extremely layered, timely commentary, and character study of the man who put the freaks in freak show, we instead get an excessively sentimental, tone-deaf, superficial story with horribly choreographed pop songs and an arch that's about as curved as a ruler. Exchanging substance for self-indulgent mawkishness, problems like racism, classism, and exploitation are solved and brushed over by a little dancing and a Disney-channel inspired soundtrack.
  As much as I love Hugh Jackman, I was highly disappointed by this film and genuinely can't understand the high audience ratings it's received. Not only was it lacking in story, but it couldn't even make up for it in visuals, delivering some of the worst CGI I've seen since Justice League.
  At the end of the credits, there is a quote by P.T. Barnum that says "The noblest art is that of making others happy." I completely disagree. It's very easy to make other's happy by giving them what they want, even if what they want is bad for them, teaches them nothing, and simply makes them feel good about themselves. What I would say, is that the noblest art is that of telling the truth. That is what gives a film soul.
  Just like the crowds of Barnum's show, so many people just want to be entertained and dazzled, but they don't want to be challenged or confronted with anything real. This film is so disappointing because it lacked the courage to tell the truth about our main hero. To show the dark side of his show and to truly examine the dark sides of himself. And yes, I understand this is a movie for kids. That said, if you want to make an uplifting musical for kids, maybe try finding a more uplifting protaganist. The Greatest Showman should have spent less time rewriting the stars, and more time rewriting its script. 4 out of 10 stars. (One Time See For Free)