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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.
Tim McGuire (301 KP) rated Greed (2019) in Movies
Mar 14, 2020
410. Greed. A satirical look at the super rich. We meet Sir Richard McCreadie and it's his birthday coming up so he's gonna throw himself a party like the Romans used to party. And leading up to the party, the movie goes splitz on ya. Its the tale of young Richard and how he got to where he is. Its part documentary about the garment business as slave labor in foreign lands, also talks about immigration issues. Another huge chunk is Richard on some sort of business ethics trials, then it'll swing back to the party planning where we get to see his turbulent family life, his relationship with his son falling apart, however the main theme is the party, and keeping up appearances. It was an oddball movie, wasn't expecting it to be all over the place. I did enjoy it, I thought Steve Coogan played a cool though somewhat sleazy businessman, who really doesn't give a rat's ass about anyone else but himself. Filmbufftim on FB
Woody Woodmansey recommended track Sweet Thing by David Bowie in Diamond Dogs by David Bowie in Music (curated)
8.0
Album
Favorite
Colin O'Donoghue recommended The Shawshank Redemption (1994) in Movies (curated)
David McK (3857 KP) rated Sharpe's Company (1994) in Movies
Oct 10, 2021 (Updated Apr 6, 2026)
Back when this was first shown on TV (it's a TV movie) in the mid 90s, this was based on what-was-then one of the mid entries in Cornwell's long-running series.
I say what was then, as there have since been more novels set before, during or even after The Napoleonic Wars, which provided the background for these movies.
This - both novel and movie - is the one that starts with the siege of Ciudad Rodrigo and ends with that of Badajoz, with (Sean Beans) Captain Richard Sharpe 'pushed aside' in the intervening period by those who can afford to buy his commission. This is also the one with the mad, twitching Obadiah Hakeswill (portrayed here by Pete Postlethwaite), who isn't so much a danger to Sharpe himself as he is too his men - Patrick Harper included - and who has a history with Sharpe.
I've said it before, and I'm sure I'll say it again: I so wish they had a proper budget for these movies!
I say what was then, as there have since been more novels set before, during or even after The Napoleonic Wars, which provided the background for these movies.
This - both novel and movie - is the one that starts with the siege of Ciudad Rodrigo and ends with that of Badajoz, with (Sean Beans) Captain Richard Sharpe 'pushed aside' in the intervening period by those who can afford to buy his commission. This is also the one with the mad, twitching Obadiah Hakeswill (portrayed here by Pete Postlethwaite), who isn't so much a danger to Sharpe himself as he is too his men - Patrick Harper included - and who has a history with Sharpe.
I've said it before, and I'm sure I'll say it again: I so wish they had a proper budget for these movies!
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.
Lee (2222 KP) rated Instant Family (2019) in Movies
Jan 24, 2019 (Updated Jan 24, 2019)
A very funny, heartwarming drama about adoption
On paper, you'd be forgiven for thinking that Instant Family is going to be just like so many other movies you've seen over the years. A couple without children of their own decides to adopt and end up with three troubled siblings of varying ages. And when you read that it's from director/co-writer Sean Anders, along with Mark Wahlberg, who worked together on both of the 'Daddy's Home' movies, you'll think you've got a pretty good idea of the tone and direction this movie is going to follow. Luckily though, while there are some genuinely very funny moments in this movie, it also manages to successfully blend it with some serious human drama and emotion and a fantastic set of characters.
Instant Family is based on the real life experience of the director Sean Anders and the adoption process he went through with his wife. In the movie, the couple are called Pete and Ellie (Mark Wahlberg and Rose Byrne), who earn their living by flipping houses (buy, renovate, sell). After Ellie has an argument with her sister regarding kids, they begin thinking about having children of their own. Worried about their age, they begin looking into fostering, with a view to eventually adopting an older child.
They visit an adoption agency, where they are joined by a number of other couples and single parents all looking to find out more and begin their journey to becoming parents. Octavia Spencer and Tig Notaro are social workers, there to guide them all through the process. A very funny double act, providing a lot of the movies hilariously well timed lines. In fact, all of the other potential adopters are well written and funny, continuing to crop up throughout the movie as we revisit how everyone is getting on with their fostered children. None of this is zany, particularly goofy or over the top though - it's made very clear that many of the children in the foster system have had a pretty awful life so far, and this honest piece of reality is never downplayed.
At a meet-and-greet with potential adoptive children, organised as an outdoor event in a park, Pete and Ellie are drawn to Lizzie (Isabela Moner), a fiery teenage girl who is hanging out with the other older kids - separated from the main gathering, having resigned themselves to the notion that they're never going to get chosen by the prospective parents. When the couple mark her down as a potential for fostering, they learn that she actually comes as part of a package, having a younger brother Juan and even younger sister Lita. Pete and Ellie decide to go for it and foster all three, convinced they can make a difference in these kids lives.
There follows a period of new parents being thrown in at the deep end - the stressful night time routine, the problems with getting kids to eat and dress properly, problems at school etc. But again, it's not over the top - rooted in reality and successfully managing to walk the line between comedy and drama without resorting to exaggerated comedy set pieces. The problems experienced are made all the more challenging as the couple trying to care for and raise children who haven't had a great start in life, and have been used to a very particular way of living. Made even more difficult when the children's birth mother appears on the scene later in the movie.
I wasn't expecting to enjoy this movie as much as I did. There are more laugh out loud moments than any movie I've seen in recent years that bills itself as a comedy, but at the same time it's also a really heartwarming feel-good drama. So many enjoyable characters too, and with a sharp script that brings out the best in them all. Hugely enjoyable.
Instant Family is based on the real life experience of the director Sean Anders and the adoption process he went through with his wife. In the movie, the couple are called Pete and Ellie (Mark Wahlberg and Rose Byrne), who earn their living by flipping houses (buy, renovate, sell). After Ellie has an argument with her sister regarding kids, they begin thinking about having children of their own. Worried about their age, they begin looking into fostering, with a view to eventually adopting an older child.
They visit an adoption agency, where they are joined by a number of other couples and single parents all looking to find out more and begin their journey to becoming parents. Octavia Spencer and Tig Notaro are social workers, there to guide them all through the process. A very funny double act, providing a lot of the movies hilariously well timed lines. In fact, all of the other potential adopters are well written and funny, continuing to crop up throughout the movie as we revisit how everyone is getting on with their fostered children. None of this is zany, particularly goofy or over the top though - it's made very clear that many of the children in the foster system have had a pretty awful life so far, and this honest piece of reality is never downplayed.
At a meet-and-greet with potential adoptive children, organised as an outdoor event in a park, Pete and Ellie are drawn to Lizzie (Isabela Moner), a fiery teenage girl who is hanging out with the other older kids - separated from the main gathering, having resigned themselves to the notion that they're never going to get chosen by the prospective parents. When the couple mark her down as a potential for fostering, they learn that she actually comes as part of a package, having a younger brother Juan and even younger sister Lita. Pete and Ellie decide to go for it and foster all three, convinced they can make a difference in these kids lives.
There follows a period of new parents being thrown in at the deep end - the stressful night time routine, the problems with getting kids to eat and dress properly, problems at school etc. But again, it's not over the top - rooted in reality and successfully managing to walk the line between comedy and drama without resorting to exaggerated comedy set pieces. The problems experienced are made all the more challenging as the couple trying to care for and raise children who haven't had a great start in life, and have been used to a very particular way of living. Made even more difficult when the children's birth mother appears on the scene later in the movie.
I wasn't expecting to enjoy this movie as much as I did. There are more laugh out loud moments than any movie I've seen in recent years that bills itself as a comedy, but at the same time it's also a really heartwarming feel-good drama. So many enjoyable characters too, and with a sharp script that brings out the best in them all. Hugely enjoyable.