djsmanzgeier Reviews

Whiplash (2013)

Outstanding

[10/10 · 30 April 2023]

I will start by saying two things 1. I have never seen a chazelle film 2. I do not play any instrument

But I loved this I can tell Damien is a master class director. The intensity he brings to this is outstanding. And J. K. Simons is crazy in this. And now I want to watch the movie. But for the Parts were the band is playing in unison you feel like you're there. It brings you in and doesn't let go until the very end. And I now want to watch his whole filmography. And want to start playing an instrument for some reason. But if you have not seen this masterpiece go see it right now. I could talk four hours about this and it's only 18 minutes long.

Friday the 13th Part 2 (1981)

A sequel better then the original.

[8/10 · 18 March 2023]

5 years after the events of the fist movie. A new group of counselors start getting picked off one by one.

I did not like the original Friday the only things I liked of it was it's score, cultural impact, the kills and the intensity, and mrs vorhese. But I think this one took those to the max. I loved it way more. It has way better characters. The only thing the first one dose better deaths. I put this into sequels better then the original. Like Avatar: The way of the water, Top gun: Maverick, Manos returns, ETC. But im still hesitant to watch the others thou. But it's a great movie just watch a clif notes version (If that exists). Or I think watch the fist just to watch this.

I give it a B.

Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio (2022)

This film is amazing

[9/10 · 5 March 2023]

A stop-motion remake of the classic tale of Pinocchio. Set in fascist italy.

This film is amazing. I love how it adds onto the lore. Ans the voice acting is top-noch and its beautiful. And at the heart of it. This is a story about grief. Gepeto makes Pinocchio. And just it deserves to be one of the greatest if not the greatest Pinocchio film. And one of the greatest stop-motian films. But I wish it was darker in tone. Even give it a PG-13 rating wouldn't be so bad. The only other thing I don't like about this is the water dose not look the greatest. But i assume that its hard to do in stop-motian.

A-

M3GAN (2022)

Dolls and death go together

[8/10 · 4 March 2023]

After her niece Caty is the soul survivor of a car crash that killed her parents. Gemma a toy designer builds Caty a robotic doll who (M3GAN )takes her mission to protect Caty to far.

This film hilarious. Frightening but hilarious. I find this frightening cause of how possible it is for this to happen. The uncanniness of M3GAN is great. Thanks to the two girls playing her. But at the center this is a story about two things. Grief and A. I. . And it doesn't feel it's length. I want to see the two hour long version of this. And how this plot explores the AI takeover. And I love how unconventional some parts are. Like M3GAN uses the cutter off of a paper cutter a weapon. B+

Scream (1996)

Pretty good

[10/10 · 19 February 2023]

In a small town a mysterious killer called "Ghost-face" is killing people. And a news lady try's to figure out who it is.

This is great. I found it great. Although its pretty predictable I knew who it was gonna be 20-minuets in. I love how it makes fun of the horror. I love the design of Ghost-face. And I find it funny how they make a parody of this. And the editing in this is pretty great. And its cultural impact is gigantic. And its cinematography is great. But im not a big fan of how long it is. I wish it was a little shorter. Like 100-minuets. But overall its a pretty good film. I would recommend this to any horror fan.

B+

Fear Street: Part One - 1994 (2021)

A messy but enjoyable film

[7/10 · 13 February 2023]

When a teenage girl gets blood on the body of Sarah feir. The past slashers Sarah made come after her to get more blood.

This film is messy. It doesn't have much plot with there being barley any side plot. But it's enjoyable for what it is. It uses its slashers amazingly with them being the highlight of the film. And there are some pretty good kills in it. But it could have been 10 minutes shorter and still enjoyable. It kept me on the edge of my seat. It's good for what it is.

If you're looking for a film that will blow your mind this is not it. But if you're looking for a hood Friday night movie that will keep you entertained this is it.

B+

The Black Phone (2021)

Thrilling

[8/10 · 5 February 2023]

A teen boy gets kidnapped by "The Grabber". And an unplugged phone gets called by the previous kidnapped

I loved this film. It's a very horrific, Thrilling, and suspenseful. The editing is flawless. And I love how it barley explains anything. The brother and sister relationship works almost to well. Ethan hawks acting is great. And he makes it suspenseful. He is perfect for this role. The cinematography in this film is great. It's a very strange film. It feels somewhat like stranger things. It's score and sound design are great. And the costumes are perfect especially the mask. I would recommend this for anyone who likes horror.

Stranger Things (2016– )

Perks of being a wallflower, meets jaws meets Carrie

[9/10 · 3 February 2023]

A group of friends in the 80s gets deep into the dark side of Hawkins Indian. When they meet a telekinetic girl. And one goes missing.

While perks of being a wallflower, jaws, and Carrie don't sound like they'd mix well. They do in this. This show is one of the greatest things Netflix has made. I'm separating this by seson

Seson 1: this seson is great. It starts off the whole series great, it introduces the characters perfectly. For a first seson it balances Horror, comedy, and thriller aspects perfectly

Season 2: this one is the worst. But that's not saying a lot it's still great but it's the most forgettable. It's more thriller then horror or comedy. And then episode 7 is just useless. But it's still great.

Season 3: this so the most 80s out of them with its neon color scheme and references it's great. I would go as far to say it's finale battle is perfect. I it introduced 2 of the greatest characters. And the costumes are great.

Season 4: this is the best it brings the horror, and thriller (the two driving parts to it) to the max. It dumbs down the comedy. It handles the four plots great. With mostly of them being outstanding. My only gripe is the California plot is bland they should of had more thriller parts throughout it. But I loved it

Overview: this series is great go watch it.

Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022)

I need more

[6/10 · 29 January 2023]

After The legendary Puss in boots dies. He has to live his last life. But a wishing star comes down to earth he has to make his way to it to get his lives back.

This film is great. I'm not a huge shrek fan I've only seen the fist one. But after watching this I want more. The animation is stunning. And the characters are great. Especially Death. I love The character Death is outstanding I want a spin of film or tv- show. And go all out make it Pg-13 or Tv-14. It deserves its Oscar nomination it's not gonna win. The voice acting is great. I would say best dream-works film I've seen. Go watch this. A-

Tár (2022)

What did I just watch

[10/10 · 29 January 2023]

Tár is an amazing music film. Cate Blanchett. Is great in it. The use of editing is great. And how did this not get best sound design at the Oscar's. And it's use of no score. I'm not going to say I understand it. But of what I did I loved it. It's one of the greatest films of 2022. If I watch this agin somewhat knowing who Lidiya Tár is it would be a different experience. It's not gonna win best picture but Kate is gonna win best actress. The only one who could beat her is Michel Yeoah for everything everywhere all at once. It's cinematography is great. Just go watch it. I love it. It's just so good. A-

The Banshees of Inisherin (2022)

Amazing

[10/10 · 26 January 2023]

Two friends separate apart with the backdrop of war. This film is an amazing black comedy. The score is amazing. The editing is some of the best editing I've ever seen in a film. And the framing of the shots in it is both haunting and outstanding. It deserves the golden globe. It's one of the greatest of 2022. Colin feral is great in it. With Brendan Gleason being snubbed at the golden globes for best supporting actor. And the production design is beautiful. I would go as far as to say this is up there with visually stunning films with Spirted away and 2001. I want to move there after watching this. And some of the twist this movie makes. A+

The Menu (2022)

Delicious

[9/10 · 16 January 2023]

This is great. I loved this it has amazing editing, cinematography, and plot. After watching this I want another film with Anya Taylor-Joy and Ralph Fiennes co staring. They are the highlights of the film. The fist 45 minutes to an hour are perfect. I were they took the plot. It has amazing production design and costumes. The food in it looks great as expected. But this film dose not try to do anything it didn't need to. It's a simple plot that feels like an 80s action/thriller. Anya Taylor-Joy deserved the golden globe nomination for this. I want more films like this even prequels and sequels to this would be great. A-

The Fabelmans (2022)

Amazing

[9/10 · 16 January 2023]

I'm a big fan of Steven Spielberg's work. And this is probably my favorite. It's in my opinion the greatest film of 2022. It deserved the golden globe. I loved what Spielberg did with it.

And I just love everything it did. The acting is great, the script, the editing, and the production and costume design. If you haven't go see it. I was excited for this film from the fist trailer. The only other Spielberg film this could tie with is "West side story". It's great I would recommend this to anyone who has any appreciation for Spielberg and/or movies. I love it with Stephen Spielbergs next film being a western I'm excited to see what comes next. A+

Marcel the Shell with Shoes On (2021)

Amazing

[10/10 · 8 January 2023]

This film is great. The script, animation, acting, voice acting all that jazz. It's everything I love about film. It's one of the greatest cross media films. It's good for the whole family. And the emotions it will make you feel are amazing. How could this be so under appreciated. It's my second favorite animated film of 2022. Right after belle. Just go watch this film it's almost perfect. It's spirted away meets the nightmare before Christmas. It's so quiet yet so loud at the same time. This is just wonderful go watch it. Laugh, cry feel all the emotions. Stop what your doing right now and watch it. A+

Don't Worry Darling (I) (2022)

Doesn't deserve the hate

[6/10 · 7 January 2023]

This film is great. I love it how it depicts the idea that nothing is as it seems. I just love the acting excluding Harry styles the actings great. And the production design is amazing to, that deserves an Oscar nomination for sure. But the suspense is what I love most of all. It's not a perfect films but it succeeded my expectations. I went in blind and am glad. You need to see this. I'm not gonna lie and say I fully understand it. But it's great it's shot amazing. It's one of the best dystopian films I've seen. And it's thought out so well. It dose not deserve the hate. It's better than other films that came out this year. B.

Citizen Kane (1941)

Wow

[10/10 · 7 January 2023]

People have said that this is one of the greatest films of all time and I understand why. I love the plot, the production design, Costumes, acting etc. It deserved best picture that year. I still don't know why i enjoyed it this much but I loved it everyone should see it. And if you have not it's on HBO max go watch it. It would not work in color. And I love the writing there is no scenes in it that drag. It's one of the best mystery films that I've seen. I do think it would be interesting to see how it would work in the modern day. Go watch this film. I went into it blind and came out loving it. A+

Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977)

Amazing

[9/10 · 2 January 2023]

This film is amazing I would go as far to say it's one of the best. Everything about it from the Oscar winning score. And the acting is amazing the standout is Alec Guinness who got an Oscar nomination for playing obi-wan kanobi. If you have not seen it stop what you are doing right now and go watch it. In this film you can see the influences from Stanley Kubrick's 2001 a space odyssey and the wizard of oz. And I also like how it doesn't set it at an exact place and time so it doesn't get outdated. And the visual effects still hold up. I should also put Im talking about the special edition not the original edition. A+

The Matrix (1999)

Amazing

[9/10 · 23 December 2022]

The matrix is a must watch film. It feels like I'm watching a modern Christopher Nolan movie. The score is great the acting is great. It's a tad bit confusing but I love it it's an almost perfect film. I loved it The effects are great for its time and the plot is so well thought out. It's score is so outstanding I loved it. This is a film I would want to see on a 70 millimeters. And with headphones with base up yes. That would be the perfect viewing experience. If you haven't seen this go ahead and watch it. It's an experience. Sure if it's not your thing I completely understand but at least try it it's a light R if it's fine for like 10 +. A.

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007)

One of the best Tim Burton movies

[9/10 · 9 December 2022]

Sweeney Todd the demon barber of Fleet Street is one of the greatest musical adaptations. I love Stephen Sondheim and this is my favorite one of his musicals. The songs are great the standouts are The worst pies in London, My friends, Pretty woman, Epiphany, A little priest, Poor thing, Joanna, Joanna reprise, by the sea, green finch and linnet bird, and Pirellis miracle elixir. I would also recommend the Gorge hern and Angela larnsburry Pro-shot. I just love this film if you have not seen it just go and watch it. Johnny depp, and Hellen Abonuhm carter is amazing in it. Just go watch it it deserved best picture. A.

Dracula (1931)

Great just amazing

[9/10 · 27 November 2022]

This film is so good! It is one great masterpiece. Everything about it is just so alive. It still holds up after all these years. It deserves its ninety three percent on rotten tomatos. And it's in rob zombies top five favorite horror movies. And I'm not a big horror fan but I love it. Just if you have not seen it go watch it it's short just a little over an hour. I just love this it should probably never get remade just go watch this words can't describe how much I love this film if it was in color it would lose its charm. And it's so ahead of it's time. And it's the reason films like Frankenstein and the invisible man exists it just so good! A-

The Dark Knight (2008)

One the greatest super hero movies

[9/10 · 25 November 2022]

Christopher Nolan's the dark night is amazing. Just two and a half hours of amazingness. Heath ledger deserved the Oscar for his joker 🤡. If only he was alive to see it. And the whole movie is amazing this deserves all of its Oscar nominations. Even though it only won two. Christopher Nolan took the original and made it so much better. Morgan freemen was great in it. And the special effects where amazing. If you haven't seen it watch it. It deserved best picture. Though I haven't seen slum dog millionaire. This film is just amazing if you haven't seen it drop everything and watch it I love it so much and how intense it is I love it. A.

Manos: The Hands of Fate (1966)

BAD

[2/10 · 25 November 2022]

This movie is so bad. I didn't care for any of the characters or any of the plot. But there's a good movie in here somewhere. But i didn't like it it could have been a episode of a tv show like the twilight zone. It's bad and very boring. But I think everyone should watch this. It is so bad but I thought it is hilarious with a line like "vacations are good but this one should be great ". Or "but master you have six wives". It's just so bad it's somewhat good. It's no mourbius but it's still something I mean like it doesn't have a mettacrittic score if it did it's probably 5 or something. But go watch it and laugh. F-

Heathers (1988)

Mean girls meets a Tim bortton movie

[10/10 · 20 November 2022]

Heathers is an amazing teen movie. It's basically if Tim Burton replaced Tina fey in mean girls. While mean girls is focused on the high school aspect. Heathers is focused on the dark side. I had a lots of fun watching this. I love mean girls so much but this film way better when it comes to the cinematography. Like there's one seen I don't want to spoil it. But if you've seen it you should know what I'm talking about. But I will say this. Heathers the musical is better. But the movie is still so amazing every single seen is great. Every little detail is great. You just need to see this movie it so amazing. A.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012)

One the best teen movies

[10/10 · 12 November 2022]

The perks of being a wallflower is a heart felt movie. It should never be remade. It makes you feel every emotion and the acting in it is incredible. With the main standout being Ezra miller ( as I person I don't like him but as an actor he is great). This makes into my favorite teen movies along with Mean girls, clueless, everybody's talking about Jamie. High school musical, dear even Hansen, and the hunger games. This is expertly made. I would recommend it to anyone. It looks like it was was filmed in the 1990s when it place. And this was made in 2012 it a film that tries to be different and is. B+

See How They Run (2022)

Clue but more Sirius

[9/10 · 6 November 2022]

See how they run is a visually stunning film. And one the best of this year. It is somewhat predictable but that dose not take away from my enjoyment of the film. I hope this director dose more movies in the future. This could potentially get some Oscar nomination's. Probably something like best cinematography or maybe best costumes. I would recommend this film to anyone it's just a fun whodunnit. I went in to this film pretty much blind only seeing 1 trailer and I did not expect some parts of this plot. The plot twists are great. And if you have any appreciation for movie's you need to watch this film. A-