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Phillip McSween (751 KP) rated Zombieland (2009) in Movies
Nov 12, 2019
Great Cast Makes For the Perfect Movie
Four strangers have to learn to survive together during a zombie apocalypse. Talk about a movie that checks all the boxes, Zombieland does just that! It’s got a little something for everyone.
Acting: 10
Beginning: 10
The first ten minutes is a perfect setup for what you can expect throughout the movie. This isn’t your typical zombie-survival romp and I thought writer Rhett Reese did an amazing job of establishing that early. You meet and fall in love with the main character as he tries to survive a simple trip to the bathroom. You also learn how his “rules” have kept him alive so long.
Characters: 10
His name is Columbus, played by Jesse Eisenberg. He’s such an unlikely hero that you can’t help but root for the poor guy as he moves from one scene to the next. Many of the scenes would have played out much differently if it weren’t for his quirky personality.
The other three mains, Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson), Wichita (Emma Stone), and Little Rock (Abigail Breslin) add their own flare to the film as well. Tallahassee is a badass to the point where it gets extremely comical. His character motivation of searching for a Twinkie (literally!) is priceless. The ladies share a fun backstory that make them an intriguing pair. You throw all four together and you have a perfect combination.
Cinematography/Visuals: 10
Conflict: 10
Entertainment Value: 10
This apocalyptic adventure is a blast across the board from beginning to end. Even the backstories are exciting to watch. The characters help drive the story as you can somehow manage to get on board with each of their motivations for survival. The action is a blast and the slower moments are underrated gems.
Memorability: 10
Pace: 10
Plot: 10
Zombie movies have been done over…and over…and over…It’s a rare treat when they get it right and try to think outside of the box. I love that the film manages to take a familiar theme and make it fresh. Not only is the movie original, but it harbors some of the most memorable scenes in film.
Resolution: 10
Always nice when a movie doesn’t overstay it’s welcome. Zombieland ties up its story in tidy fashion, ending with a heartfelt bang. It immediately makes you want to watch it again.
Overall: 100
I have the utmost respect for the sheer creativity in Zombieland. Sometimes movies try too hard while others don’t try hard enough. This movie never feels forced and always feels in control of its own destiny. Even the small scenes are impactful, like the night scene where they are taking turns driving and getting to know each other in the car. Zombieland is a cinematic treat.
Acting: 10
Beginning: 10
The first ten minutes is a perfect setup for what you can expect throughout the movie. This isn’t your typical zombie-survival romp and I thought writer Rhett Reese did an amazing job of establishing that early. You meet and fall in love with the main character as he tries to survive a simple trip to the bathroom. You also learn how his “rules” have kept him alive so long.
Characters: 10
His name is Columbus, played by Jesse Eisenberg. He’s such an unlikely hero that you can’t help but root for the poor guy as he moves from one scene to the next. Many of the scenes would have played out much differently if it weren’t for his quirky personality.
The other three mains, Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson), Wichita (Emma Stone), and Little Rock (Abigail Breslin) add their own flare to the film as well. Tallahassee is a badass to the point where it gets extremely comical. His character motivation of searching for a Twinkie (literally!) is priceless. The ladies share a fun backstory that make them an intriguing pair. You throw all four together and you have a perfect combination.
Cinematography/Visuals: 10
Conflict: 10
Entertainment Value: 10
This apocalyptic adventure is a blast across the board from beginning to end. Even the backstories are exciting to watch. The characters help drive the story as you can somehow manage to get on board with each of their motivations for survival. The action is a blast and the slower moments are underrated gems.
Memorability: 10
Pace: 10
Plot: 10
Zombie movies have been done over…and over…and over…It’s a rare treat when they get it right and try to think outside of the box. I love that the film manages to take a familiar theme and make it fresh. Not only is the movie original, but it harbors some of the most memorable scenes in film.
Resolution: 10
Always nice when a movie doesn’t overstay it’s welcome. Zombieland ties up its story in tidy fashion, ending with a heartfelt bang. It immediately makes you want to watch it again.
Overall: 100
I have the utmost respect for the sheer creativity in Zombieland. Sometimes movies try too hard while others don’t try hard enough. This movie never feels forced and always feels in control of its own destiny. Even the small scenes are impactful, like the night scene where they are taking turns driving and getting to know each other in the car. Zombieland is a cinematic treat.
The Marinated Meeple (1853 KP) rated Once Upon a Time in the West (1968) in Movies
Mar 23, 2018
Harmonica, and the orchestra of sounds (3 more)
The strength of a woman in this time period
a lesson in cinematography
Action has a lot of suspense before it, very thought out.
An epic opera of a western and an amazing feat of cinematography as well.
I adore this movie, it's my favorite western of all time, and the acting is top notch, it's visually stunning, it's a symphony of sounds to the ears. just the scene of the welcoming committee waiting on the train is an amazing piece of cinema. I could go on an on. I love how strong the women are in the film in unexpected ways. I love the traditional good guy as a bad guy. It's just plain amazing. It can be slow by modern standards, but isn't that also part of it's beauty, measured time.
Gareth von Kallenbach (980 KP) rated Playing with Fire (2019) in Movies
Nov 7, 2019
The movie Playing With fire starring John Cena and directed by Andy Fickman was a delight to watch.
Filled with clean family-friendly humor, and touching moments, it is a great film for the whole family to watch together.
It tells the story of a no nonsense smoke jumper named Jake Carson, and how he learns that relationships and family provide support and “keep you going” when life gets tough.
The cast was hilarious!
Especially Keegan Michael-Key who kept the audience laughing with his perfect timing.
John Cena shone in his role of Jake Carson.
While they kept the audience laughing, they also brought a lot of heartfelt moments.
One of my favorite moments was when they were planning a surprise birthday party for one of the 3 kids they were watching because they were survivors of a forest fire.
Filled with clean family-friendly humor, and touching moments, it is a great film for the whole family to watch together.
It tells the story of a no nonsense smoke jumper named Jake Carson, and how he learns that relationships and family provide support and “keep you going” when life gets tough.
The cast was hilarious!
Especially Keegan Michael-Key who kept the audience laughing with his perfect timing.
John Cena shone in his role of Jake Carson.
While they kept the audience laughing, they also brought a lot of heartfelt moments.
One of my favorite moments was when they were planning a surprise birthday party for one of the 3 kids they were watching because they were survivors of a forest fire.
David McK (3576 KP) rated Demolition Man (1993) in Movies
Feb 1, 2021
"There's a new Shepherd in town..."
I think I first saw this movie in the cinema when it came out.
In 1993.
So nearly 30 years ago now (writing this in early 2021).
Starring a pre tax evasion Wesley Snipes, Sylvester Stallone and a very young Sandra Bullock, this is a sci fi actioner set in a (supposedly) utopian future where there is no crime, and in which Snipes character of Simon Phoenix escapes from his cryo-freeze prison (in which he was placed in 1996!), leading the hopelessly outmatched police force of the time to reanimated his original captor John Spartan (Stallone) at the suggestion of the 90s-mad Sandra Bullock Lieutenant Huxley, who was also put on ice after being framed by Phoenix for the killing of 30 civilians.
Yes, it's aged.
Yes, it still well worth a watch.
In 1993.
So nearly 30 years ago now (writing this in early 2021).
Starring a pre tax evasion Wesley Snipes, Sylvester Stallone and a very young Sandra Bullock, this is a sci fi actioner set in a (supposedly) utopian future where there is no crime, and in which Snipes character of Simon Phoenix escapes from his cryo-freeze prison (in which he was placed in 1996!), leading the hopelessly outmatched police force of the time to reanimated his original captor John Spartan (Stallone) at the suggestion of the 90s-mad Sandra Bullock Lieutenant Huxley, who was also put on ice after being framed by Phoenix for the killing of 30 civilians.
Yes, it's aged.
Yes, it still well worth a watch.
Ivana A. | Diary of Difference (1171 KP) rated The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014) in Movies
Aug 3, 2020
Amazing story about an owner of the hotel and his many adventures, poured through time as the story gets told by many characters through the years.
Very interesting storytelling, something I haven't encountered before, but loved it. If you know any movies that follow the same concept, I would love your suggestions.
We enter the life of a hotel management, a hotel that has a life of its own. We follow the owner and the lobby boy, as they try to solve a mystery regarding a rich and powerful woman, that gets murdered but has an interesting will.
These people embark on an adventure for truth, in times where everything seems to be against them.
I loved the cameos from so many popular actors, and also loved the dry humour. A very beautiful, intriguing and unique movie.
Very interesting storytelling, something I haven't encountered before, but loved it. If you know any movies that follow the same concept, I would love your suggestions.
We enter the life of a hotel management, a hotel that has a life of its own. We follow the owner and the lobby boy, as they try to solve a mystery regarding a rich and powerful woman, that gets murdered but has an interesting will.
These people embark on an adventure for truth, in times where everything seems to be against them.
I loved the cameos from so many popular actors, and also loved the dry humour. A very beautiful, intriguing and unique movie.
Daniel Boyd (1066 KP) rated Cargo (2017) in Movies
Jun 8, 2018 (Updated Oct 26, 2018)
A Different Take On A Tired Genre
Cargo is a recent zombie drama movie by Netflix. It stars Martin Freeman as a father who has been bitten by a zombie and has 48 hours to get his infant daughter to safety before the infection spreads through his body and he turns.
Honestly, the film itself wasn't what I was expecting from the trailer, it was much slower than I expected. I actually came very close to switching off during the movie's first act due to some of the inexplicably stupid decisions that the characters made, which led to them becoming infected. However, I stuck around as I like Martin Freeman and I love zombie movies.
While it was worth sticking around to see Martin Freeman give an incredible performance, (possibly the best of his career so far,) the film just didn't live up to the expectations that I had for it from it's trailer. There wasn't enough of a sense of urgency present in the movie. This is a man who knows that he is dying and must ensure his daughter is safe before he does, yet so much time is spent plodding about nonchalantly and going on pointless sidequests while the clock is ticking. The constantly depressing tone of the movie also becomes a slog after a while and in my opinion, the movie's payoff doesn't really justify the 100 minutes of bleak that we just sat through.
Overall, it's okay and Martin Freeman gives a fantastic performance, but there are better zombie movies out there and it's not something I would watch again.
Honestly, the film itself wasn't what I was expecting from the trailer, it was much slower than I expected. I actually came very close to switching off during the movie's first act due to some of the inexplicably stupid decisions that the characters made, which led to them becoming infected. However, I stuck around as I like Martin Freeman and I love zombie movies.
While it was worth sticking around to see Martin Freeman give an incredible performance, (possibly the best of his career so far,) the film just didn't live up to the expectations that I had for it from it's trailer. There wasn't enough of a sense of urgency present in the movie. This is a man who knows that he is dying and must ensure his daughter is safe before he does, yet so much time is spent plodding about nonchalantly and going on pointless sidequests while the clock is ticking. The constantly depressing tone of the movie also becomes a slog after a while and in my opinion, the movie's payoff doesn't really justify the 100 minutes of bleak that we just sat through.
Overall, it's okay and Martin Freeman gives a fantastic performance, but there are better zombie movies out there and it's not something I would watch again.
Nick Friesen (96 KP) rated The Circle (2017) in Movies
Jul 12, 2017
Tom Hanks (2 more)
Bill Paxton
The core concept
Unrealized Potential
There's a part early on the circle where the main character, Mae, is interviewing for a job at the titular company. The interviewer asks her what her biggest fear is. "Unrealized potential," she responds. That's pretty much my review of the movie. There's so much that could have been done with the great core concept of the Circle, but the potential was lost in poor writing and direction. The movie doesn't take the concept of questioning the benefit of privacy or lack thereof anywhere significant, and lots of screen time is spent on side tangents that also go nowhere. The Circle is perhaps most exciting in the final scene, when Mae pulls back the curtain on the antagonists, but it all comes to a screeching halt with no resolution. Couple that with Emma Watson's worst performance to date (she CAN NOT muster an American accent to save her life), and the Circle becomes a forgettable and not-so-thrilling thriller that not even Tom Hanks can salvage.
Lilyn G - Sci-Fi & Scary (91 KP) rated Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (2017) in Movies
Jan 31, 2018
Forced humor, cliches, and way too many jokes about male anatomy.
Contains spoilers, click to show
Okay, I'll start by saying that I did legit chuckle a few times watching Jumanji. I can't even recall why at this point, but there was definitely some laughter involved.
What stands out to me though (I watched the movie a few weeks ago) was all the things that annoyed me.
Like the African American kid from what appeared to be upper middle class whose mother made it seem like the team was his only hope of succeeding.
Also, the fact that it's of course the African American character in the game that is the one who loves alcohol and gets plastered without exercising any common sense.
Or, you know, the fact that it was just so funny to see Jack Black overplaying the 'female trapped in a man's body' thing to limp-wristing levels.
This movie could have been so much better than it was. But it was almost painful to watch. I was hoping we were moving past thinking that laughing at this type of crap was a good thing.
What stands out to me though (I watched the movie a few weeks ago) was all the things that annoyed me.
Like the African American kid from what appeared to be upper middle class whose mother made it seem like the team was his only hope of succeeding.
Also, the fact that it's of course the African American character in the game that is the one who loves alcohol and gets plastered without exercising any common sense.
Or, you know, the fact that it was just so funny to see Jack Black overplaying the 'female trapped in a man's body' thing to limp-wristing levels.
This movie could have been so much better than it was. But it was almost painful to watch. I was hoping we were moving past thinking that laughing at this type of crap was a good thing.
Maddi Zoe (6 KP) rated Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (2017) in Movies
Feb 8, 2018
Casting (2 more)
Storyline
Dark humour
Simply brilliant
Contains spoilers, click to show
Martin McDonagh has delivered an amazing screenplay, with amazing direction. It is dark humour, which is not for everyone, but the dramatic storyline should still please movie lovers.
Frances McDormand is amazing as the mother of a girl who was raped and murdered. The story is poignant, very in your face and heart wrenching at times.
With supporting performances from Woody Harrelson and Sam Rockwell who are also amazing, it's no surprise it won Best Drama Motion Picture at the Golden Globes.
*Spoilers ahead*
The only disappointing thing is that we spend the whole movie hoping with all the characters that we will find the killer, and at one point we think we have found him. But I heard the audience collectively groan in disappointment when it wasn't him. And it was a disappointing ending to not get closure on the case.
But having said that, it is a style that McDonagh often goes with.
Frances McDormand is amazing as the mother of a girl who was raped and murdered. The story is poignant, very in your face and heart wrenching at times.
With supporting performances from Woody Harrelson and Sam Rockwell who are also amazing, it's no surprise it won Best Drama Motion Picture at the Golden Globes.
*Spoilers ahead*
The only disappointing thing is that we spend the whole movie hoping with all the characters that we will find the killer, and at one point we think we have found him. But I heard the audience collectively groan in disappointment when it wasn't him. And it was a disappointing ending to not get closure on the case.
But having said that, it is a style that McDonagh often goes with.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Chocolate (2008) in Movies
Mar 2, 2018 (Updated Mar 2, 2018)
Mmm, Chocolate
Yet another film about an autistic girl with prodigious martial arts skills forced to beat the living daylights out of dozens of gangland thugs in order to pay for her mother's cancer medicine. But a really good one, by the standards of the kung fu movie genre at least. From the director of Ong-Bak, Prachya Pinkaew, who almost single-handedly seems to have put Thai martial arts movies on the map.
The plot is, as you can probably tell, somewhat eccentric and quite possibly in dubious taste (the final boss battle sees the autistic kickboxing girl facing off against a teenage capoeira expert with Tourette's syndrome), but this just adds to the distinctive flavour of this particular chocolate. Terrific performance, both acting and athletic, from Jeeja Yanin. The fight scenes are stupendously well-choreographed, especially the climax (a vertical fight up and down the side of a building). I don't know which is more surprising: that this movie exists at all, or that it's real and also really lives up to its potential.
The plot is, as you can probably tell, somewhat eccentric and quite possibly in dubious taste (the final boss battle sees the autistic kickboxing girl facing off against a teenage capoeira expert with Tourette's syndrome), but this just adds to the distinctive flavour of this particular chocolate. Terrific performance, both acting and athletic, from Jeeja Yanin. The fight scenes are stupendously well-choreographed, especially the climax (a vertical fight up and down the side of a building). I don't know which is more surprising: that this movie exists at all, or that it's real and also really lives up to its potential.