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MickyG333
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The Groomsmen Last Dance (2024)
Major improvement
7.4 stars.
I suppose this was the best of the three. At first I didn't appreciate the female Italian actress, she was very abrasive.
Once again we are taken hostage by this secret conversation between bridesmaid and pub owner. Bridesmaid is enigmatic about groomsmen and is telling the story of the third groomsman (Hynes in this story).
The meet cute is cliche in that he almost runs over the Italian woman. But she comes around and quickly becomes very likable. She has an exotic beauty that grows on you, a sharp Italian or Greek appearance which took a bit to get used to. As I ponder it a bit, I think now that it's more about her hardness than her look. She is intense at first, then she's suddenly very soft.
All that aside, this film is nothing like the first two. This is a good movie. Not a great movie, but above average, although not enough to make it to my 8.0 club. I don't plan on watching this in the next 5 years, but maybe in 7 or 8.
The Groomsmen: Second Chances (2024)
Acquired taste?
6.0 stars.
This is the rating I must give to a movie that I couldn't finish, but maybe there are people who like this sort of film. I am not a fan. All three of this trilogy (I just watched the third one and will review it soon) are similar in that thy seem to appeal to a specific demographic of movie watcher that I'm not part of.
I like the actors, they are all great. I don't enjoy the theme as far as the ideology and lifestyle aspects are concerned.
It's a shame they wasted three great leading men on this. Like I said, I couldn't finish the movie. Once I was watching the bridesmaid speaking to the pub lady again and spewing useless anecdotes about things we know nothing about and don't seem relevant...
Operation Nutcracker (2024)
Many magical moments
7.7 stars.
I think the casting is spot on. I'm surprised I didn't see this when it came out in July, so here we are three months later. I've been recording every new movie on Hallmark for the last three years but somehow I missed it. No matter. I'm glad to have the opportunity to finally watch it.
'Operation Nutcracker' fits right in with all of the great Christmas films of the past several years. It's not spectacular, but it is certainly far above average.
There were many great moments I felt a real warm feeling in my soul. With the number of wonderful feelings, I had, this would normally be 8.0-worthy. However, there were also a few awkward, or may be better described as, clumsy scenes where some of the chemistry was derailed. This could simply be a product of unknown factors in moviemaking. In the end, this is a great addition to anyone's Christmas collection.
Perhaps the extra three supporting cast members with more substantial than usual roles, served to knock it a little off balance, but it was a necessary facet for the story.
The Turnaround (2024)
Inspiring
7.6 stars.
I felt really warm and fuzzy watching this. Turner had a really rough start in 2023 season. I remember watching a game when they started giving him standing ovations, because me and my dad watch the Phils a lot and we were like, "wow, the Philly crowd is giving him a standing o, nobody ever does that in Philly. It's almost an unwritten rule for like 60 years or so, who knows, but those fans are the harshest in b-ball, but maybe not so much as they used to be and this time it helped to be nice. Just got done watching the Phillies choke out this season, so they are in the usual form. They have the worst history for championships compared to length of time the team has been around.
Daddio (2023)
One inspiring conversation
8.0 stars.
This is a film that everyone must see at least once. This is where you take your troubles and dreams and talk to someone you love and trust, and tell them about a person in your life called Daddio.
What a compelling story about a complex woman and a down-to-earth taxi driver. As they continue to talk, he pulls all of her sorrows out of her and it's all on the table for discussion and healing. But she is not just an ordinary woman, she's also a person of great empathy and she will win this game of honest discourse and reparation of the soul.
I was profoundly touched by these two wonderful actors.
Already Tomorrow in Hong Kong (2015)
Seems realistic
7.7 stars.
What I like about this film is how they do a lot of long takes with few cuts, so the actors have to get it right and I'm sure it took a while. That being said, I love movies like this that flow and seem realistic. This is what it might look like between two people who are falling in love at first sight. Let's be real, that's what this is. The girl is obviously frustrated at his lack of self-awareness, but wait, he is fully aware of everything, and I think she realizes this eventually, because she gives hints and he is picking up her hints, and so she knows he's aware of the situation. It's brilliant. I'm glad he finally communicates. And then comes the end, which I don't quite appreciate as the director probably wants me to. We needed a little more, just a little would have been fine, but they cut it off just a wee bit too soon. Close, but not enough, so this loses 0.4 stars for that ending.
The elephant in the room is the quandary that people just don't know how to handle. It's not until you get older that you realize you gotta spit it out, stop beating around the bush, especially with love, because life is too short.
Upside Down (2012)
No substance
5.8 stars.
This story is about gravity, yet it holds no gravity. There is almost zero substance to this plot. This movie could easily be 20 minutes instead of somewhere around 90 minutes long. The plot is so basic, but they stretch it out about as far as they possibly can. In my opinion, this movie should never have been made. The concept of anti-gravity, or whatever you want to call it, is interesting, but this film takes all the wind out of its sails. How flat can you make a romance? All they do is go through some strange treacherous experience to see each other over and over, and when they do they are chased and shot at over and over and why? There really isn't a good explanation, and so we see a bunch of upside down kissing, and there is no emotional impact at all. Terrible.
Barefoot (2014)
Evan Rachel Woods is luminous
7.8 stars.
I don't recall seeing her in anything until 'Westworld', even though I think I recognized her from various things I can't specifically recall, but I've not seen 'Barefoot' until today.
Speedman is one of those actors that you sort of get the same package in everything he is in, but that's fine, the formula works for this film. He is always a very sympathetic man in his roles. He always roots for the underdog and that makes him a likable personality.
Wood is absolutely amazing and I just KNOW that this role is what got her noticed for 'Westworld'. I just know it in my gut. You can say otherwise, but it's a strong hunch. I love her to death and forgot how much, because when 'Westworld' went off the deep end, I never saw her in anything since. I know she had serious problems with the ghoul she dated from the Hollywood underworld. Trust me, you've heard of him. You should see her documentary about that.
Saint Judy (2018)
Good generic courtroom drama
7.0 stars.
It's based on a true story, which makes this more interesting than most. I think it's dramatized just the right amount. I like the actors, they all did very well. On one hand, it's very real for any person who needs asylum in the USA, but there's a fine line between those who need it and those who are trying to cut corners and get citizenship any way they can. Let's face it, we would grant it to all these people if we could, but it's just not reasonable, because then it's nothing but an open can of worms and then everyone from every third world country will be in the USA before you know it. So the I. C. E. System is there for a reason. But this woman definitely got justice and amen to that.
Awake (2007)
Deliberate thriller
6.8 stars.
The way it all turns out is why a lot of people like this movie. I think people like it when the villains are revealed in a surprising and shocking way. The upside is that the plot was very well done, but it's toned way, way down for my taste. It plods along and then we are made aware of what's going on, but they mixed a few major details and didn't execute it quite as effectively as they should. The fact that he is awake is actually irrelevant. There is nothing gained by it at all. He does not have a hand in anything, he's just a bystander, so why does he witness everything if his observations are pointless? Oh well.
Swing Vote (2008)
Relevant every 4 years
6.3 stars.
This is a very offbeat movie. I didn't expect to see Costner portraying a character that has about 20 more IQ points than Forrest Gump. His character really is intellectually challenged, no doubt, and he doesn't do a bad job at playing him, which is odd to watch. I've never seen him play someone like that, because all of his parts are of intelligent and troubled men, usually powerful men. In this story, power is thrust upon him and he's not smart enough to realize it. His daughter is super smart and i really think this movie is about how she, this little girl, can transfer some of her intelligence onto her clueless dad. I'm not kidding, I think that's the theme. It's about children who need us adults to realize we are destroying our once awesome nation...other than the little girl, who gives us a most stellar performance, this film is a bust. Nobody else came to play ball, they all struck out, she hit a granny, but it's not enough to salvage this film.
The Groomsmen: First Look (2024)
Not great
6.3 stars.
I am fairly certain I left a review for this movie, guess not. I have no idea why. All I can say is it's not a great movie. The groom is a nice enough guy, but there are challenges that he must face in order to get the girl. There are two other groomsmen, who are his best friends. They seem to be good buddies, he's the more serious of the three. There is the narration being done by a bridesmaid, who is providing all the details about these men and their escapades.
We don't know who she is, or why she is telling the story in an empty Irish pub to an Irish woman, who runs the bar. So, with some mysterious woman telling this story that doesn't make a whole lotta sense, and the fact that we don't know why she is in the movie at all, really kills the continuity factor. Let's hope it becomes clearer as time goes on in the next two installments. I knew right away there was gonna be three of these, and when I looked it up, sure enough.
Romance is lacking, acting is fine. The humor is flat. This film is a strikeout.
Plus One (2019)
Hilarious!
8.2 stars.
I don't say a movie is hilarious unless it's over-the-top funny. Usually, I'd say "it's funnier than expected", or "Wow, didn't see that coming", but this time I'm just coming right out with the truth. This movie is one of the funniest I've seen the past 20 years. I don't know how they got it to work out so perfectly, the banter between these two is priceless. I figured after laughing five or six times I would have to give this a super flattering review, but then the laughs kept coming and coming, a few minutes of normal dialogue in between, then they brought on more laughs and another one-two punch, and I was starting to get tired. You know that feeling you get when you've laughed too much? Wow, it's been so many years since a movie hit my funny bone square-on like this. I thought it was me, nope, it's the industry. The industry doesn't make 'em funny like this nearly as often as they used to. At least, not for people my age (generation x)
Pixels (2015)
It's fun
7.2 stars.
This really is quite a fun little movie. I think that Adam Sandler is still doing well at this point in his career, but here we are now nine years later and i'm finally watching this movie. So the positive aspects definitely outweigh the negative ones. It's fun and has a gorgeous leading female with Michelle Monaghan. I've loved her and everything she's done, however, sometimes she portrays trailer park. In stark contrast, she is a decorated military woman and it looks very good on her.
The story is about a loser who was good at video games back in the 80s and 90s. But those video game abilities have no transferable skills until now. As with any Sandler film, it's goofy and strange, and every other weird, silly thing, but it's somewhat clever, and you gotta love his down to earth, one-liner sort of humor. All of his movies are generally the same with that and you can always pick out a Sandler film.
Woman of the Hour (2023)
Well made based on true crime
7.3 stars.
The actor portraying Alcala is creepy, so they got that part right. You must realize that most serial killers are not very creepy, so I'm surprised the woman who was the protagonist in real life (played by Kendrick) got a creepy vibe off of him. But as far as the presentation of the film goes, it's well done.
There are many true crime thriller movies out there that hit the nail on the head somewhat better, but this film is sufficient to give the impression of him being a cold-blooded man, yet seemingly very intelligent and exuding enough charisma to entice women into his web.
I like anything Kendrick does and I'm fairly certain most would agree she is one of the most likable actresses out there.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012)
To be seen by all humans
8.0 stars.
Once in a while a story comes along that must be witnessed by all humanity. There are a few movies that I believe fit into this special category of must-see films, not because they are necessarily great, but because in addition to great, they are essential. This is one. What other movies might fit into this category? I'm not entirely certain. This is sort of a standalone film. It's not a classic like 'The Sound of Music', or 'Dirty Dancing', but similar in that it's iconic and somewhat a coming of age story. It's also not quite the same as 'The Shawshank Redemption' is for adults, and not exactly like 'Mean Girls', or 'Napoleon Dynamite'. It's more like 'Paper Towns' in a way...in the way it makes you feel alone, like you were when you the most alone in your life, even if you're not currently alone, but you remember, it reminds you of what it feels like to be that scared and sad person you were when it was the worst it ever was.
Everyone needs to see this film. This film captures a feeling that is very difficult to communicate. I shudder to think of the humanity, the visceral reality of what it means to be a damaged individual, if for only a moment of your life you've been there, heaven forbid any longer than a few interminable moments. Unfortunately, for many, those moments become a chain of intermittent days, weeks, or months, then suddenly you realize those moments are the majority of your reality.
10 Years (2011)
A most intriguing ensemble
7.4 stars.
What in the world is going on? I've never heard of this movie and so I figure it looks cool, hey look it has Channing Tatum, hmmm, interesting. Next thing I see a half dozen big stars who all showed up for this film before any of them were big stars. Tatum was starting to rise in G. I. Joe just a couple years prior, but he was really only known for the Step Up movies and then 'Dear John', then 'The Eagle', which I remember slightly, but was really nothing to put a spotlight on his career. He exploded right when '10 Years' was released, how crazy is that? Then Chris Pratt (he does not look healthy in this movie) comes out of nowhere. The only thing he was known for at this point was 'Parks and Recreation'. And what sort of dumb luck has Oscar Isaac as one of the main characters? The only thing he was known for at this point were a few supporting roles, but they were in some pretty stellar films, which didn't hurt. Then his career exploded too, just around that time. He landed a few leading roles in somewhat lesser films, but then got lucky with Star Wars, and was an immediate household name. There are a few more big stars like Rosario Dawson, Jenna Dewan, Justin Long, Scott Porter, Aubrey Plaza, Kate Mara, Anthony Mackie, Ron Livingston. This feels like one of those ensemble movies where they put all the big stars in it, where they can't afford to pay them anything, it's just a plug for some cause or something. But in the case with '10 Years', I feel it was just a lucky coincidence they landed a fistfull of big stars right on the cusp of legendary status, but how could the casting director have guessed on not just one, but like seven actors whose careers all skyrocketed? This is like 'Breakfast Club' or 'The Outsiders', heck even 'A Few Good Men' was an ensemble cast, but they were all just becoming big, whereas in '10 Years', nobody would have guessed, it was still too soon for all of them. It's so surreal, I can't seem to shake it. How did they pick all the best before they were really known? I can't imagine this film had anything to do with catapulting any careers, quite the opposite actually. Especially for Pratt who looks really sick and bloated. What were his issues at that time? His appearance sure changed for 'Guardians of the Galaxy'. He was a new man just a couple years later.
This movie is nothing special, but because of the cast it's actually not bad. If this was a bunch of unknown actors, I'd give this a 5.9, but the acting is so superb and full of presence and charisma, I have to give this a decent score.
The Other Zoey (2023)
Lacks continuity, but it's entertaining
7.7 stars.
I'm sorry, but this is the kind of seemingly senseless YA romance that I love. I think the lead female is very likable and interesting, the lead male is also the perfect choice as a supposedly dumb jock type. He fits that mold, yet he's not actually dumb once his personality is developed. The story utilizes his head injury to camouflage the real guy for a while.
So, yes, this film is sort of all over the place, but that really only applies to the continuity of a few key elements. But for me it's very entertaining and fun. They did not actually go with the usual formula, the one that is very obvious, nope, they took us on a detour and went in another direction, one we didn't expect. It's not totally foreign, just a road less traveled in most YA romcoms.
There is a lot of depth between Zoey and her best friend, which makes for a great sideshow to follow the main romantic plot. In fact, this side story is just as relevant to the whole experience.
I think it's a great movie, sort of a mix between current rom coms and older ones. It's a transitional film. Just my thoughts.
Deepwater Horizon (2016)
Edge of your seat
7.8 stars.
My third time seeing this and it never gets old. I like to be reminded every few years of this horrific event that was in the news for years.
It's an action packed story about the explosion at a deep sea oil rig that was responsible for that well-known BP fiasco. It basically caused a massive environmental disaster that is still affecting the ecosystems of the surrounding area in the Gulf of Mexico.
Not only is this movie a very good description of the whole fiasco, but it keeps you on the edge of your seat as you watch the whole thing happen from start to finish. It sort of reminds me of an apocalyptic movie on a smaller scale. Instead of the earth's crust exploding, it's an oil rig exploding, but the impact of the cataclysm feels very similar to a near extinction event.
The way this film depicts the whole event is breathtaking (for lack of better terms). It's horrifying and explosive (no pun intended) and we can feel the impact of such awesome power running amok due to the careless practices of a greedy corporation. They placed the importance of money over safety and it finally came back to bite 'em. Unfortunately, the ecosystems of all wildlife on the planet were affected.
27 Dresses (2008)
This one hits the mark
8.4 stars.
I see a bunch of reviews about how this is just a regular rom-com, nothing outrageous, not great, not bad. I see others who feel it's too formulaic and overdone etc. I must say that it is all of those things, but what this film succeeds in accomplishing is this: it actually is just as good as any great romcom.
It is a great romance, it's clever, it's hilarious, the comedy is on-point, the acting is superb, the story is rich and emotional and cynical and joyful and sarcastic. This film has all the ingredients of a top notch romantic comedy. Ok, so they had to use some of the same blueprints of so many similar films before this, but if you think about it '27 Dresses' is an instant classic, there is no doubt in my mind. Deserves much higher praise. Just because Heigl had a slight hand in sabotaging her own career for a decade, this movie shouldn't have to suffer for it. I felt sorry for her, getting nominated for Razzie awards more than once. She's a great actress, it was all rigged and that leaves me feeling pretty disappointed in the Hollywood powers-that-be with their fragile egos and short fuses. Shame on them.
The Real West (2024)
Mixed feelings
7.1 stars.
I love Sustad, she is like gold for me, although some of her latest stuff seems a bit on the edge. By edge, I mean outside of my usual preferences. Not sure what that's all about, but something isn't quite smooth about this film. Maybe the romance is a bit complicated, and don't get me wrong, complicated can be good. On the other hand, the mother's character is shallow and odd, the young son is really into ghosts for a specific reason, and that's fine, the older son likes a girl, but his character goes completely undeveloped. We also get to know the girl he likes and she's actually quite endearing.
Sustad's character has a younger sister who is somewhat flaky and too much into shallowness and fun, that's the best description. Maybe they make her that way so we can feel less sympathetic toward her because of what happens to her. I don't know, but what happens is really close to a betrayal. Maybe it's not a full betrayal as much as hesitation and reluctance on the part of Sustad's character.
In the end, I suppose all of them end up getting what they want, and I saw it coming, but was surprised by how the story arrives at the destination. That's fine, a little different, proven to be less effective than the usual formula in this case.
Anyways, I didn't quite feel the pure love, the gut wrenching yearning that some Hallmark films are able to convey until the very end. Therefore 'The Real West' is a bit above average (thanks to the ending).
Autumn at Apple Hill (2024)
Not as generic as it sounds
7.8 stars.
Judging by the title, you might be thinking this is just another themed film, one for Autumn, just like any for Halloween, Christmas, Spring, Valentines etc... But this is far from it.
This is a wonderfully presented love story. It has all the great aspects of one, because it starts with some pretty heavy tension between the leads. This tension is not the usual light and quirky kind, it's the real deal, and yet it's not too heavy either. They figured out how to create just the right amount of angst between them and when they finally see what's going on, who they are, who they were, and how they sort of knew each other; it's amazing how things change.
No, this is not a totally crazy awesome romance like some of the mainstream classics, but it's very good for Hallmark fare, no doubt. This would seem to be a must-see every other year. I say that as I'm writing this, but I'm realizing now into about my third year of hardcore Hallmark viewing, that I don't actually have the time to watch all the ones I like more than once every 3 to 5 years. So, this is a must-see every 5 years. Any film I rate between 7.5 to 7.9 is a once-every-five-year film. Anything 8.0 to 8.4 is a 3 year and anything above that is open season. I've loosened my ratings starting right about now. Need to have continuity in my reviews as much as possible.
Million Dollar Baby (2004)
Top Tier boxing film
7.8 stars.
I think it's based on a true story, but I forget. Either way, it's such a tragedy what happens and so I lower my rating from 8.4 to 7.8, that's how I feel about it, just spontaneous decision.
The acting is absolutely phenomenal all around. There is nothing negative to say about it, but I fell in love with her character so deeply, that I was heartbroken at the end. But I love Eastwood's character, how he took care of his little girl, not his, but you get the picture. Freeman is just as good as any of his previous and post performances. This is an absolute must-see movie, the fighting and the emotional impact are second to none.
Berlin Nobody (2024)
Lacked originality
6.4 stars.
This film is very well made, but the execution is clumsy. The music is outstanding and I have to comment on it, because it evokes a pretty scary feeling. The acting is tolerable and the direction is wonderful, the lighting and camera work is without fault. Okay, so what could be wrong with this movie if I've just praised every aspect of it? Well, I didn't give any accolades for the script and the story itself. The story is repetitive, and so this is just the same film done a million times, but the only difference for me is that it was done in Germany, which gives it just a smidge feeling of something "different". The script is atrocious and there is no way they could make this a very entertaining film. Some of the characters are not believable and just too weird, so there is no sense of authenticity. It's too robotic at times and wooden at times.
I assume since the setting is Germany that most of the actors are German. However, the two main characters are Americans.
It's a movie about a cult and it's obviously a Satanic one. There are some apparitions and after life visions and odd stuff like that and it's an eerie experience for sure. I think the whole film was done so well, I just wish they had a better script and a bit more originality.
Bana's character is supposedly an absentee father, but unfortunately he was a bit absentee with his acting. I said most of the acting was good, but strangely enough, the Americans left something to be desired. The Germans stole the show.
This film is not quite good enough for me to want to ever see it again, therefore it must fall below 7, but I can't say it's any less than 6.4, because it's a really accomplished presentation outside of the flat script.
The Family Man (2000)
Cage for Christmas
7.9 stars.
This is him in his element for sure. He has all the quirks and over-acting qualities that make him one of a kind in this film. I don't know when his career began to stall, but I feel it wasn't for another 12 years or so after this film. In other words, this movie is right in the heart of when he was at his peak.
It's nice that he did a good old-fashioned Christmas fantasy story. Hallmark has modeled a dozen movies after ones like this. It's a twist on Scrooge, and it's great.
Leoni is great in this. I see why she had a great career back in those days as well. She has star power. Niven, wow, it's one of the first performances of his that I can recall back in the day. This movie came out just yesterday, it seems. It has nostalgia, and it's got goodness about it. I think this should be a Christmas regular, at least every other year or so.