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LoganCrews (2861 KP) rated Ratchet & Clank (2016) in Movies

Sep 21, 2020

Ratchet & Clank (2016)

2016 | Action, Animation, Comedy

5.4

(5 Ratings)

Movie Rating

The accompanying ps4 game sucked but this somehow sucks way more. Absolutely guts the video games of their charisma, nuance, wit, humor, lively visuals, world-building, sense of wonderment, good characters, memorability, fun, and solid writing until it eventually whittles away and lays waste to nearly everything which made them what they were in the first place - leaving behind a shallow, barren husk of another throwaway film for babies with no sense of object permanence yet. Can't say it's completely laugh free, and it is cool to see Jim Ward's lovable doofus Captain Qwark (albeit a watered-down version) sharing the screen with cinematic heavyweights like Sylvester Stallone and Paul Giamatti - but otherwise it's a profoundly nothing experience. Also pretty ironic that they attempted to reboot a story where capital ran rampant and turned everybody into selfish, greedy assholes into one of the most bastardized corporate attempts at appealing to a broader demographic by shucking away all its personality and slapping on the most overused trite template that all of these dumbass cash-grab children's dumps which do little more than insult kids' intelligence use. If I have to see one more movie about a bland wide-eyed dreamer who dreams of being something more and they get it for no reason I'm going to sue. For the record I also do not side with the people complimenting this cold, soulless, chintzy animation. The new characters reek and it's boring as fuck. Even the weaker games are miles better than this dirt.

Kudos

LoganCrews (2861 KP) rated For a Good Time, Call... (2012) in Movies

Sep 19, 2020 (Updated Nov 26, 2020)

Started out a little worrisome but thankfully this is every bit as funny, progressive, breezy, joyous, and woefully slept on as its cult supporters make it out to be. Miller and Graynor's chemistry is out of this world; and Nia Vardalos, Mark Webber, and of course the man Justin Long are smashing in their respective supporting roles. This was right around the start of that era where these raunchy sex comedies started to get not just really fucking obnoxious but also formulaic and near intolerable - so it's more than refreshing to see one that gives its characters an insane amount of both agency and dignity, setting up a commendable amount of their intricacies and quirks without ever pandering on the former nor judging them for the latter. The whole thing just has this infectiously delightful verve and bright personality about it, and it never seems like it's making any of the topics it finds humor in the actual butt of the joke. I admit that I'm sick of seeing just random montages of the city in opening credits sequences like this though, it adds nothing to the experience other than to remind you that this takes place in New York - and it does show its clumsiness in other areas too sometimes, but it's a damn good time as well as a reminder in how far some thoughtfulness and authentic care can go in elevating an experience like this. Ends a bit suddenly but otherwise the realization of that last scene is simply perfect.

Kudos

LoganCrews (2861 KP) rated The House That Jack Built (2018) in Movies

Sep 19, 2020

One of the singular most disgusting, depraved, downright inhuman pieces of genre filth I've ever laid eyes on - try to think the 𝘚𝘢𝘸 movies' gore porn meets 𝘈 𝘚𝘦𝘳𝘣𝘪𝘢𝘯 𝘍𝘪𝘭𝘮 levels of twisted and shockingly grotesque subject matter. Not perfect: at times this feels more like a defense than an apology (not that he doesn't answer for a lot nor are the defenses always unwarranted), but it's rigorously complex and as a piece of provocation this is simply exquisite - almost unparalleled. Over two and a half hours of unforgettable novelistic madman monologues and some of the most cruel, savage violence you will ever see in a motion picture. I'm seldom ever less than fully impressed by Lars but the fact that this is so twisted and animalistic yet the humor is still so on point is only another testament to why he's one of the greatest living directors. Bats for the fences and rubs your noses right in all its slime, plus it has some of the most haunting effects work you're likely to ever see. Matt Dillion gives not only the ultimate performance of his career, but one of the defining of the decade in what can only be described as blood-curdling, remorseless but totally eccentric work. Screamed and shrunk into my own body numerous times. I've seen a metric ton of vile, uncomfortable cinema and I'm not unsettled easily but this was truly terrifying - as well as 110% unique. My jaw was dropped the entire epilogue well through the credits. RIP - Bruno Ganz.

Kudos

Andy K (10823 KP) rated Captain Marvel (2019) in Movies

Jul 13, 2019

Captain Marvel (2019)

2019 | Action, Adventure

7.7

(166 Ratings)

Movie Rating Watch

More female Superhero movies please!

I had read a lot of criticism of Brie Larson since I am so late seeing this film; however, I thought she held her own against Samuel L. Jackson and Jude Law in this first major female led Marvel Cinematic Universe film. Maybe my expectations were a tad lower since I had heard of lot of opinions beforehand.

The origin story of Carol Danvers was unknown prior to seeing this film so I cannot comment on whether filmmakers got that correct or not (I would imagine they did).

The Stan Lee opening made my tear up.

I did think the movie dragged some in the middle after Carol gets thrown back to 1995 USA. The Blockbusters scene was classic and her introduction to Nick Fury and SHIELD was good. Things picked up a little for the car/subway chase, but then slowed down again as events unfolded and were explained.

I was happy there was not the humongous CGI supervillain at the end and that fight was very good.

You cannot ever complain about the look of a MCU as that is one thing they never disappoint on for sure. The humor I thought was a good balance: not too serious and not too wacky either.

The cat definitely stole every scene they were in for sure.

Overall, very entertaining film and a great start to other female Marvel heroines coming us us hopefully not too far away in the future!

Thank you Stan!

Kudos

Edna & Harvey: The Breakout

Games and Entertainment

(0 Ratings) Rate It

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The award-winning debut adventure game from the creators of The Whispered World and Deponia now on...

Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2393 KP) rated Bad News Travels Fast in Books

Aug 19, 2020

Capital Crimes

When Joe and Dottie Loudermilk sold everything to enjoy their retirement on the road, one advantage was that it would make it hard for their kids to drag them into difficult situations. However, when they arrive in Washington DC, Dottie arranges for them to have dinner with their son Eddie. The next morning, Eddie is arrested for killing his former roommate. The murder weapon is Eddie’s knife, and the victim was killed after Eddie had a very public fight with him. Despite all of this, Joe and Dottie believe Eddie when he claims to be innocent. But can they prove it?

I’m glad I got to revisit these characters this year because this was a delightful mystery. It was a fast read, but there wasn’t a wasted word as Joe and Dottie track down one lead after another. The twists and turns kept me engaged the entire way through. Joe’s temper is toned down a bit from the first book, and Dottie is a strong narrator of the events. The rest of the cast is just as sharp. While travel is a theme of the series, the little bit of sightseeing that Joe and Dottie do always also serves the plot. I could have done without the smattering of foul language scattered throughout the book, but that is worth nothing mainly in passing. Everything is mixed together with a dash of humor that I enjoyed. If you’ve missed this book, I’ve got great news – you’ll enjoy it.