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Phillip McSween (751 KP) rated Ready or Not (2019) in Movies
Jan 6, 2021
Great From Beginning to End
A new bride agrees to an innocent game with her in-laws on her wedding night only to find out the game involves her murder.
Acting: 10
Beginning: 10
Characters: 10
Cinematography/Visuals: 10The film has a dark, yet colorful cast that works on both engaging and eery levels. Part comedy, part horror directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett masterfully capture both without either looking out of place. I was very impressed with the attention to detail.
Conflict: 10
Entertainment Value: 10It’s hard to miss when you combine action, comedy, and horror into a solid movie. Every moment of this movie is engaging. it’s a ride you’re excited to be a part of as you wade through what the heck is going to happen next. A fun, wild ride.
Memorability: 9
Ready Or Not will definitely stand in the memory long after being watched. Again, it checks the boxes in the three different categories. However, it doesn’t quite master any of them hence the docked point.
Pace: 10
Great start, then the tension continues to mount from there. it never lets its foot off the gas save for a few short breaths. It shoots out of a cannon then moves forward at a breakneck pace.
Plot: 10
Resolution: 10
One of my favorite parts of the entire story. Mums the word here.
Overall: 99
In the near future, I’m going to do a piece on “Movies I Can Watch Repeatedly and Not Get Bored”. Ready Or Not will probably make that list. It does so many things right. Definitely a movie to remember.
Acting: 10
Beginning: 10
Characters: 10
Cinematography/Visuals: 10The film has a dark, yet colorful cast that works on both engaging and eery levels. Part comedy, part horror directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett masterfully capture both without either looking out of place. I was very impressed with the attention to detail.
Conflict: 10
Entertainment Value: 10It’s hard to miss when you combine action, comedy, and horror into a solid movie. Every moment of this movie is engaging. it’s a ride you’re excited to be a part of as you wade through what the heck is going to happen next. A fun, wild ride.
Memorability: 9
Ready Or Not will definitely stand in the memory long after being watched. Again, it checks the boxes in the three different categories. However, it doesn’t quite master any of them hence the docked point.
Pace: 10
Great start, then the tension continues to mount from there. it never lets its foot off the gas save for a few short breaths. It shoots out of a cannon then moves forward at a breakneck pace.
Plot: 10
Resolution: 10
One of my favorite parts of the entire story. Mums the word here.
Overall: 99
In the near future, I’m going to do a piece on “Movies I Can Watch Repeatedly and Not Get Bored”. Ready Or Not will probably make that list. It does so many things right. Definitely a movie to remember.
James P. Sumner (65 KP) rated What Men Want (2019) in Movies
Jul 10, 2019
What men want... but is it what moviegoers want?
In keeping with the growing trend of gender-swapping reboots, What Men Want is a re-envisioning of the classic rom-com, What Women Want, with Mel Gibson replaced with the charismatic Taraji P. Henson, and a toaster in the bathtub replaced by a drug-dealing psychic.
Yeah...
The premise remains the same: fate intervenes and gives a headstrong, intimidating woman who thinks she's doing a good job of making it in a man's world the power to hear men's thoughts... which quickly shows her she knows nothing at all.
This R-rated comedy has a few laughs, but falls into cringe territory more often than it needs to. It's predictable, which was to be expected, really, given the genre. However, I confess to being pleasantly surprised by it. Certainly not the best comedy I've seen by a long way, but on a par with the Baywatch remake in terms of the level of humour and the assumed target audience.
Taraji P. Henson is great in the lead role, with the supporting cast all doing a solid, if not a little routine job of backing her up. It's the kind of film you go into understanding what you're getting - a few laughs, a few cringes, a lot of inappropriate and suggestive themes and, ultimately, something that makes you forget the real world for a couple of hours. Nothing more, nothing less.
Overall, it's not bad, but it's far from great. This is something you watch on a Friday night when you've had a hard week and your brain needs a rest.
Yeah...
The premise remains the same: fate intervenes and gives a headstrong, intimidating woman who thinks she's doing a good job of making it in a man's world the power to hear men's thoughts... which quickly shows her she knows nothing at all.
This R-rated comedy has a few laughs, but falls into cringe territory more often than it needs to. It's predictable, which was to be expected, really, given the genre. However, I confess to being pleasantly surprised by it. Certainly not the best comedy I've seen by a long way, but on a par with the Baywatch remake in terms of the level of humour and the assumed target audience.
Taraji P. Henson is great in the lead role, with the supporting cast all doing a solid, if not a little routine job of backing her up. It's the kind of film you go into understanding what you're getting - a few laughs, a few cringes, a lot of inappropriate and suggestive themes and, ultimately, something that makes you forget the real world for a couple of hours. Nothing more, nothing less.
Overall, it's not bad, but it's far from great. This is something you watch on a Friday night when you've had a hard week and your brain needs a rest.
Lenard (726 KP) rated Late Night (2019) in Movies
Aug 26, 2019
Late Night is a well-written comedy about a non-white female hired to add diversity to the writing staff of a late night talk show. Katherine Newbury (Emma Thompson showing the comic skills developed during her university days as Hugh Laurie's girlfriend) is a older sophisticated woman who hosts a show whose audience is dying off, literally in some cases and figuratively. If things do not improve, she will no longer be host of her eponymous talk show. So, in an unexpected but obvious hiring decision, Molly Patel is hired to join the writing staff. At first, seen as an interloper with little comedy or writing experience, Molly uses her Mindy Kaling charm to win over her co-workers and her boss. As Katherine starts to see a way to take advantage of her uniqueness and the youth of Molly, she challenges the status quo of late night.
The movie is charming. The characters are developed and not cardboard cutouts of caricatures thanks to the writing, Max Casella, Reid Scott, Denis O'Hare, Hugh Dancy, Amy Ryan, and John Lithgow have backstories and motivations. However, the movie never really goes after the boys' club landscape that late night television inhabits nor does it go after the concept of diversity hires. It simply turns Molly into some sprite who sprinkles enthusiasm into the mundane lives of the people she encounters. Late Night also begins the campaign for John Lithgow as this year's Best Supporting Actor, Not for this role as the mentor for Molly's transformation to strong woman and devoted husband of Katherine who learns the meaning of karma, but for his role later this year as Roger Ailes.
The movie is charming. The characters are developed and not cardboard cutouts of caricatures thanks to the writing, Max Casella, Reid Scott, Denis O'Hare, Hugh Dancy, Amy Ryan, and John Lithgow have backstories and motivations. However, the movie never really goes after the boys' club landscape that late night television inhabits nor does it go after the concept of diversity hires. It simply turns Molly into some sprite who sprinkles enthusiasm into the mundane lives of the people she encounters. Late Night also begins the campaign for John Lithgow as this year's Best Supporting Actor, Not for this role as the mentor for Molly's transformation to strong woman and devoted husband of Katherine who learns the meaning of karma, but for his role later this year as Roger Ailes.
Dianne Robbins (1738 KP) rated Tag (2018) in Movies
Feb 3, 2019
Yikes
Contains spoilers, click to show
This movie started off as a fun, mindless romp but in the second half of the movie, one of the characters pretends to have a miscarriage and it is used as a joke among the other characters. As a woman who endured four traumatic miscarriages, this was a very dark turn for me and I could not focus so much on the movie as my nerves were made raw from their callous treatment of a sensitive, traumatic event that happens to more women than you think. Miscarriage has been a taboo topic in society and women have had to suffer in silence. It should not be used so lightly as a plotline in a freaking comedy. As I said, it ruined the movie for me and I do not recommend it.
Lee KM Pallatina (951 KP) rated Clerks (1994) in Movies
Jun 11, 2019
CLERKS
Clerks is an indie comedy shot in black and white about dante hicks (Brian O'Halloran) a man reluctantly left in charge of the Quick Stop. His place of work...on his day off! Working with his best friend Randall (Jeff Anderson) at the adjoined video store (when it suits him) who's hate for his job and its customers become problematic for dantes attempt at a customer service a nice guy,
Problems continue as dantes continuous fight with girlfriend veronica and feeble attempts at getting back with his ex caitlyn, not to mention local dealers Jay (jason mewes) and silent Bob (kevin smith).
Released in 1994, and spawning a sequel and multiple spin offs, written and directed by Kevin Smith, CLERKS is a magic cult hit with characters we can all identify ourselves with.
Problems continue as dantes continuous fight with girlfriend veronica and feeble attempts at getting back with his ex caitlyn, not to mention local dealers Jay (jason mewes) and silent Bob (kevin smith).
Released in 1994, and spawning a sequel and multiple spin offs, written and directed by Kevin Smith, CLERKS is a magic cult hit with characters we can all identify ourselves with.
Awix (3310 KP) rated The Raven (1963) in Movies
Feb 9, 2018 (Updated Feb 9, 2018)
Vincent Price Broods Over His Dead Wife's Portrait (Yet Again)
Roger Corman's cycle of Poe-inspired movies goes into full-on comedy mode with this tale of squabbling magicians (played by Vincent Price, Peter Lorre and Boris Karloff). It is, obviously, only very loosely inspired by Poe's poem, but then you can only stretch 108 lines of verse so far.
The fun is in the performances, with the veteran cast members competing to ham it up more extravagantly. Also knocking about the lower reaches of the cast list is Jack Nicholson, really showing not much sign of the talent that would earn him so many Oscar nominations in later years.
Knockabout stuff, but well played and often very funny. Not actually much of a horror movie, though, certainly by modern standards.
The fun is in the performances, with the veteran cast members competing to ham it up more extravagantly. Also knocking about the lower reaches of the cast list is Jack Nicholson, really showing not much sign of the talent that would earn him so many Oscar nominations in later years.
Knockabout stuff, but well played and often very funny. Not actually much of a horror movie, though, certainly by modern standards.
Andy K (10823 KP) rated Baby Driver (2017) in Movies
Jan 21, 2018
When I first began watching this, I was not convinced it was going to be good.
I have to say, the fast pace, stylized action/music score scenes and the witty screenplay had enough to win me over. Very entertaining throughout other than maybe the ending was a little far-fetched I guess.
If Kevin Spacey is never going to act again (seems almost certain at this point) this film is a fitting swan song for him and his memorable list of acting credits.
Director Edgar Wright continues his streak of entertaining quirky hits like his previous films Shaun of the Dead and Scott Pilgrim vs. the World.
Going to iTunes now to download some songs!
I have to say, the fast pace, stylized action/music score scenes and the witty screenplay had enough to win me over. Very entertaining throughout other than maybe the ending was a little far-fetched I guess.
If Kevin Spacey is never going to act again (seems almost certain at this point) this film is a fitting swan song for him and his memorable list of acting credits.
Director Edgar Wright continues his streak of entertaining quirky hits like his previous films Shaun of the Dead and Scott Pilgrim vs. the World.
Going to iTunes now to download some songs!
Dana (24 KP) rated Inferno (The Divine Comedy, #1) in Books
Mar 23, 2018
I have been wanting to read the Divine Comedy for a while now, especially since it is constantly referenced in other works. I thought it was cool how Dante brought in so many well-known political, religious, and just generally famous people then showed them all suffering in Hell. Yes, there was a lot of humor strewn throughout this epic poem, but there were obviously a lot of serious moments that made you have to think. Even if you are not religious, this is a very interesting thing to pick up because of its historical connections as well as being an insight into the minds of some more religious figureheads during this time period. Overall, this was a pretty cool read and I am excited to read the other two.
Erika (17789 KP) rated Sex Drive (2008) in Movies
Feb 25, 2018
This movie is incredibly crude, but completely hilarious. It's got some of the funniest lines I've ever laughed at loud and obnoxiously in theaters. I always know if it's a good comedy if there are lines I still laugh at years later (ten in this case, it makes me feel old af). The main character, pretends to be this buff, muscle car owning dude, and chats up chicks online. Of course, the car belongs to his brother, James Marsden's character. One of the chicks tells the main character that she's willing to 'go all the way' (this is a high school age movie), if he makes this road trip from his home to somewhere in TN or KY. Various hijinks ensue, and rando actors show up throughout. Like Seth Green randomly being Amish.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Downsizing (2017) in Movies
Feb 13, 2018 (Updated Mar 30, 2018)
Rather charming SF comedy-drama in which Matt Damon has himself shrunk down to ickle-wickle size in the hopes of starting a new and idyllic life but discovers things are not so straightforward.
Ignore the deeply suspect science (even Ant-Man was more accurate) and the lack of strict narrative control and this is a thoughtful and quietly rather witty film that's more interested in exploring the ramifications of its central idea than hitting particular plot points. Eventually reveals itself to be something of a meditation on what it means to live well; poses many questions, doesn't thrust particular solutions upon the audience.
Well cast, full of ideas, made me think differently about the world (for a while, anyway). Meanders about a bit but is never actually dull.
Ignore the deeply suspect science (even Ant-Man was more accurate) and the lack of strict narrative control and this is a thoughtful and quietly rather witty film that's more interested in exploring the ramifications of its central idea than hitting particular plot points. Eventually reveals itself to be something of a meditation on what it means to live well; poses many questions, doesn't thrust particular solutions upon the audience.
Well cast, full of ideas, made me think differently about the world (for a while, anyway). Meanders about a bit but is never actually dull.