Don't Move






PRAISE: A lot of times one on one or small cast thrillers work for me. Don't Move definitely did for the most part. Sure I've seen stories like it before and this one is about a grieving woman being pursued by a killer has a lot going for it.
As Iris Kelsey Asbille does a fine job because it's not only an emotional performance but a physical one. Also on point is Finn Wittrock as Richard the seemingly nice and comforting person but the creep is right underneath the surface. Directors
Adam Schindler and Brian Netto and
Writers David White and T.J. Cimfel make some great choices when they want to turn up the suspense and get the viewer involved. I definitely couldn't help but think about a couple of my favorite movies The Vanishing and the 1988 French-Dutch movie with the same name. The consistently in peril moments worked for me. I those the visual violence was pretty good. The inclusion of information about the characters blended in well. I also liked the therapy through trauma moments.

PROBLEMS: I couldn't get on board with how a couple of things played out in the movie especially with a character being so cautious and thorough.

Scale of 1 to 10 a 7½

Heretic





PRAISE: Having being a member of several organized religions over the years i found myself instantly involved in this movie about. Two young missionaries being pulled into the trap of a Mr.Reed.
Some of the discussions about the Bible ive had over time matched with the topics and questions brought up by Mr.Reed portrayed by Hugh Grant who looks like he's having fun in almost every scene he's in. Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East are quite good as the sisters in religion. At first equally matching Reeds questions with their own analogies which made me smile, in fact I don't think i could stop smiling during the movies first 30 minutes. Even with the possibility of something sinister going on with Reed his questions and metaphors about faith and beliefs were always interesting to me. The intentions and objectives of Reed seemed obvious but i didn't mind because it's tied to the interesting parts of the movie.
There are several good moments of suspense and good uses of camera work as I was placed in the footsteps of the two missionaries as they approach certain objects in Reeds home.

PROBLEMS: Not much is done with a specific character i felt the placement was just there to be tied to a moment of convenience. The movie definitely runs out of steam in its last 24 minutes as things are explained as if I was watching a Scooby Doo Gang or Nancy Drew explanation of everything

Scale of 1 to 10 a 7½

Absolution




PRAISE: I believe everyone reaches a point in their life whether they are pushed to do so or something overwhelms them to reflect on people they are on the outs with and regret who they left in the rear view of their lives. All of the aforementioned can be said about the character Liam Neeson portrays in this film he turns in a very strong performance as a gangster reaching his twilight period. Also quite strong are Frankie Shaw as his daughter Daisy and Yolanda Ross as a playful, caring, woman whos life the gangster walks into who has her own set a of problems. I enjoyed that Neeson's character was trying to set things right even though there were some huge hurdles in his way. I loved the salty dialogue in the script, and even when the script hits a few familiar beats i found the movie to be entertaining. I was actually shocked by one turn in the movie. I admire the film for trying to do a few different things in the old school gangster genre. The movie reminded me of one of my favorite movies of 2023 Knox Goes Away.

PROBLEMS: There's definitely some been there done that old hat scenes throughout the movie. A couple of turns were very predictable.

Scale of 1 to 10 an 7½

Just watched this on prime.

Great fucking movie. Its about a rape and murder that takes place in a small town in Missouri. The movie starts after it happens and the mother puts up 3 billboards criticizing the police sheriff. This causes a rift between her and the police and a bunch of stuff happens. The movie is serious, but has some very humorous moments and overall a great story. Highly recommend. 9 out of 10.

Red One






Praise : Red One takes a stab at a modern day take on the mythical Santa Clause in a movie about the head of North Pole security (Dwayne Johnson) teaming up with a notorious hacker (Chris Evans) in order to locate a kidnapped Santa. I did like that this movie displayed what the holidays have become to people just like in the horror movie Thanksgiving. I actually enjoyed J.K. Simmons as Santa for the time he was in the movie. I also liked the villain in the movie witch Gryla (Kiernan Shipka),Shipka has the cold unflinching stare down to a T. I believe I smiled at some of the going ons in the movie a few times. I did like the tech used in the movie and the various creature and character designs.

PROBLEMS: Evans and Johnson basically are the same characters they have portrayed in every other action comedy they have been in. Just looking at the ages of the "kids" at the start of the movie and the fact that was presented to them would upset them made no sense. This is another movie that forgets what was stated two minutes before. With the "Authority" that was placed in the movie it waters down the main plot of the movie. I felt the movie wastes time on something that was supposed to be funny but it ultimately wasn't. The complete change a character makes made no sense. I was never fully involved with the familial threads as the movie wanted me to be.

Scale of 1 to 10 a 5

Gladiator II





PRAISE: The first Gladiator film is one of my all time favorites. I've always thought it of the movie being on the same level as classics like Spartacus and Ben Hur. The sequel makes some good attempts to be on the same level as Gladiator. I was more than happy that one of the story threads didn't go down a path that would have been completely unbelievable. With that out of the way Director Director Ridley Scott and writer David Scarpa try to keep things interesting in this story about Lucius all grown up and ready to embark on his own journey. Paul Mescal takes on the role of the older Lucius and at times brings the right amount of intensity, humor, and unflinching nerve to the role. Denzel Washington steals every scene that he's in as Macrinus owner of gladiators and he is fun to watch as he grasps for power sometimes viciously as i could see him working things out in his mind as he uses people like chess pieces. Alex Karim is also quite good as Ravi i almost didnt recognize him.The battle scenes, that take place on water and in the coliseum with man vs man and beast are fun even though a bit abrupt. There's blood spilling galore as various gladiators are put through deadly paces. I did laugh at some full on displays of insanity moments.

PROBLEMS: The cast is full of big names including Pedro Pascal and Joseph Quinn,but their characters may have a couple of strong moments they feel underdeveloped. Some other characters i couldn't take seriously or maybe i wasn't supposed to. Familiar and similar beats that are "borrowed" from the first film made this movie feel like a repeat button was being pressed over and over again. A couple of times i found myself asking how is this even possible?
The CGI looked a bit choppy in a few scenes

Scale of 1 to 10 a 7

We Live In Time





PRAISE: There are so many been there done that stories about people meeting cute and then a relationship just building from that moment. But this movies familiar paths are uplifted by the chemistry of its leads,some very beautifully filmed moments and the facts that I made assumptions about the two lead characters and ended up being happy I did because it was a nice surprise to watch things play out in a unpredictable way for portions of the movie. As Almut and Tobias Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield are terrific together. Their moments together feel real as they play out with honesty and sometimes pain. The film goes through several moments of unforseen occurrences and I thought it was all handled well nothing felt forced . Situations are laid out to the audience that are moving and true to life . Wanting more out of life than just being a parent or a spouse. Being supportive even though it may come at great sacrifice to someone in the marriage or partnership. Even the melodramatic moments worked for me.

PROBLEMS: I would have liked to have seen more character development than just something being told by another character to give a character a foundation.

Scale of 1 to 10 an 8

ELEVATION




As far as post apocalyptic, strange creatures taking over the world movies go i found this movie to be here and there entertaining. The cast is small and it includes Anthony Mackie as Will · Morena Baccarin as Nina · Maddie Hasson as Katie · Shauna Earp as Hannah · Rachel Nicks as Tara. There are a few good moments of suspense as the small group go on a impossible and dangerous mission trying to avoid the Reapers. I thought the design for the reapers was cool and also some of their features and abilities. The flick even strikes a few emotional chords. The CGI and editing was pretty bad in a couple of action sequences. I felt the movie was too brief to tell the story it wanted to tell especially when a revelation is introduced along with some interesting information but it's so abrupt and with a ho hum feel to it,I went into unintentional laughter ,then throw in a mid credits scene for something that's likely not going to happen and it's a wrap for this fun at times Sci Fi romp.

Scale of 1 to 10 a 6