kevindoconnel Reviews

The Kingfish 2 (2024)

A fun indie film with lots of subtle humor.

[8/10 · 2 February 2024]

Rating 8.5 stars.

Last year, I attended a screening of the pilot at the PIFF festival, and I thought it was brilliant for a small, local project. Recently, I was able to watch it on Prime Video and noticed that this second iteration - "The Kingfish 2" - has matured into a fill-length feature.

My first impression was how much of an improvement was made in the cinematography and sound. I must say that for a film that cost (according to the film's producer) "about the same as an old used Ford Taurus," it looks pretty darn good. But the story of TKF2 is it's storyline and how adeptly this group of attractive, young, new actors (so new that none of them even have an IMDB image) brought it to life. Keep your eyes on the three female leads. They are great talents.

Having seen the pilot, I understood some of the backstory which explains some of the scenes in this film, such as when the character X bumps into Cupcake and they recognize each other. This is a follow on from the pilot when they bumped into each other, stared lovingly into each others eyes, and were separated before they could formally meet. This story picks up where the first left off.

The three male leads are feeling down because they didn't get to connect with the three girls they met briefly who were, "perfect." Bobby, the suave one, did recall one of the girl's names, "Penny." he looked her up on Instagram, got his buds X and Flip to play wingman, and headed off to meet Penny and her friends. They all meet (the introductions are quite funny), have some laughs, and realize that they may have discovered the singer Josephine Sincere--the actual real life Philadelphia singer who was a big hit back in the late '90s, but disappeared. And that's when things get interesting.

The formula is the same: the three guys (and this time, their gal pals, too) venture into a tough neighborhood and encounter some sticky situations, but escape unharmed due to some quick thinking--and a lightsaber battle. Yes, you read that correctly. These are some of the more memorable scenes.

This little film packs a lot into its 72 minutes, including the introduction of a talented new singing group, Penny cupcake.

BUT THE MOST refreshing part about the film is that there is no profanity, sex, drugs, or guns, yet the film held my attention throughout without a lag in excitement. Well done.

Saltburn (2023)

An overrated film made for film critics, not moviegoers

[5/10 · 2 January 2024]

Here are the three main reasons why I believe this film is overrated and seems to have been produced with stodgy film snobs in mind rather than a regular moviegoer:

1. THE THREE "SHOCK" SCENES: Ask yourself: whenever anyone mentions this film (even film reviewers), what are the ONLY three things they reference? 'Nuff said. If you remove these edgy (not "shocking") scenes, what would you say about the movie? Exactly; not much.

2. THE RIDICULOUS PLOT: As it turns out, the entire outcome was PRE-PLANNED to happen as it did by the lead character (Barry Keoghan). WHAT?! In order for him to have ever imagined that his plot would play out exactly as it did, they should have named his character Jesus or Nostradamus; only someone with omniscience would EVER think that. Utter nonsense. Talk about suspending reality.

3. DIRECTOR EMERALD FENNELL. Any time a director has to spend 10 minutes describing ONE scene (see YouTube), you KNOW the film is not intended for general audiences.

ALSO ... (1) The selection of songs with lyrics that literally describe the scene that's happening is film-schoolish; (2) Listen to 5 film critics and you will hear 5 different interpretations of the ending. Why?

Sorry, Emerald, gotta pass on this one.

Past Lives (2023)

A beautiful film in every way. 9.5 stars

[10/10 · 1 January 2024]

I have never officially rated a film this highly--well, maybe "The Godfather," "Amadeus," "Best Years of Our Lives," and a couple of others. But Past Lives exceeded my expectations.

Yes, the heavy buzz surrounding the film was an indication that it was probably very good, but, after having watched it, I was still caught off guard. The film is, in a word: beautiful. The cinematography is stunning, the location selections were well thought out, and the acting was sublime.

Teo Yoo (as Hae Sung) and John Magaro (as Arthur, the husband) delivered understated yet powerful performances that showed that great acting does not necessitate verbal communication; in this case, non-verbal acting was stronger than any words could express in many of the scenes involving the trio of leading actors.

The film kept me watching with rapt attention, and the tension created by the uncertainty of where the relationships were heading added a heavy layer of suspense. The experience was so captivating that I found myself thinking, "Don't mess up this great film with a terrible ending." Then came the ending -- or what I THOUGHT was the ending, which made the actual ending ... perfect.

Night Comes On (2018)

A wonderful indie drama about contemplative revenge

[9/10 · 9 December 2023]

An 18-year-old African-American young woman, recently released from the juvenile detention center, revisits her old stomping grounds to reconnect with old friends, find a place to stay, and give familial hope to her younger sister who, like the lead, is a resident of the foster system.

I love well-made independent films that retain their grittiness and imperfections--not flaws. "Night Comes On" achieves that outcome. It is a moody film, skillfully paced so that it doesn't get ahead of you, but doesn't leave you wanting, either.

The film's focus is on the teen's struggles to reintegrate into her community, her quest to find her family, and exact revenge on someone who had performed a major injustice against her. The ending is riveting, as the director expertly builds tension that leaves you guessing.

Highly recommended.

Reptile (2023)

Many big-name actors, but few instances of excellence

[6/10 · 9 December 2023]

It seems that there is an escalating trend I've noticed with the growth and increased significance of streaming services to the film industry. Lots of major actors are featured in straight-to-streaming films that appear to be produced on tiny budgets -- and hence, poor quality. Yes, on Netflix, too, which is where I watched this film.

I am a sucker for noir-type mysteries, especially those with great titles like "Reptile." I hoped to enjoy this film but I could never get into it - mostly because I kept thinking, "This is like a film school project with a big name cast." The build up was worthy; but, unfortunately, I can't say the same for Benicio's acting. He was just going through the motions, collecting a check.

The mystery? Yawn. The revelations? Wake me when it's over. And the ending's big reveal? WEAK! This felt like a low budget made-for-TV flick, not a feature film.

The Mail Lady (2023)

An indie film with promise, and a few plot holes

[7/10 · 9 December 2023]

I saw this film's review on Film Threat and the reviewer made it sound like a good watch. It was. Good story, but overall nothing exceptional.

When watching this film, you have to keep in mind that it is a low budget production with low budget issues. So I recommend focusing on the story being told. When I did that, I found this film to be overall enjoyable.

If you liked "Fatal Attraction," then you will enjoy "The Mail Lady," which is basically a remake. But the director adds a few very good wrinkles to the FA plot line, especially the excellent unexpected ending.

Remember, this is low budget film, so it is inevitable that there will be flaws. So, when they occur (e.g., the focus issues, color grading, repetitive shots, acting) you should afford the filmmakers some grace. If you do, you will enjoy the film.

And as for the plot holes in the screenplay, suffice it to say that you will have to suspend reality a few times. Otherwise, not bad.

The Killer (2023)

A tale of two halves: Excellent and meh.

[6/10 · 9 December 2023]

The trailer for "The Killer" intrigued me, so I decided to watch the movie. Overall, I found the film to be two different experiences. The first half had me riveted to my seat; it was so compelling and kept me wondering what was going to happen next. Director Finch was able to create a mood and atmosphere that made you feel like a part of the experience. Tension. Intrigue. Mystery. Anticipation. Excellence in filmmaking. Then came the second act ...

The middle of the film dragged on and the pace slowed which, ultimately, lessened my interest and intrigue. The plot meandered and I watched intently as I awaited the denouement; it never came.

The second half of the film was about ... nothing? Revenge? There did not seem to be a plot. It just ... ended. What? What was the point? Talk about a big letdown.

The Blackening (2022)

Hmm ... Not sure what to make of it

[6/10 · 1 December 2023]

I looked forward to this film based on the buzz it generated and from a couple of funny lines in the trailer, e.g., "Why do Black women always have to clean up this mess." Then I watched the film. Hmm ...

For starters, the film looks great, and the color saturation helped keep me focused on the imagery and thus, the film. The first several minutes were really enjoyable; the character intros, scene setting, and early mystery were intriguing. From there, it went slowly down hill.

The first few "f---s" and "B----s" were tolerable, but nearly two hours of it? No. Once the film settled in and it became clear that the group of friends were part of a mysterious game (a VERY lame, idiotic game, at that), the stereotypes kicked in, the plot became silly, the horror film rip-offs became obvious (Friday the 13th, anyone?), and it was almost unwatchable.

It wasn't all bad; there were many funny moments, but then they mostly became slapstick.

Port Authority (2019)

An exceptional romantic drama, even for non-LGBTQ

[9/10 · 1 December 2023]

I stumbled onto this indie standout while surfing Amazon prime. The trailer seemed intriguing enough -- a man, new to New York, sees and becomes intrigued by an alluring woman, and sets out on a quest to find her. So I watched it; I'm glad I did.

I am not gay, nor do you have to be in order to enjoy this well-paced, beautifully-filmed story about a man coming to understand personal connection and appreciate true love.

For much of the film, the audience is kept wondering about the pretty, mysterious women who always seems to be just out of reach of the man whose interest she has attracted. How will they meet? If they meet, will they like each other? Will the troubled young man be able to handle a loving relationship with this New York woman -- and all of the self-assuredness, openness, and realness that comes with being a "New Yorker"?

It is a truly remarkable film that all fans of romantic dramas should watch.

Hijack (2023)

Starts strong, wilts in the middle, looses me near the end.

[5/10 · 1 December 2023]

I am a big Idris Elba fan, and I always enjoy his films. When I finally got around to binging "Hijack," I was excited as the first couple of episodes kept me wanting more. My interest waned with each subsequent episode, however, to the point where, by the final episodes, I just wanted it to be OVER.

This film falls into the same trap as many series on streaming services: in order to fulfill the delivery of a 6, 7, or 8-episode series, the filmmakers stretch each episode with so much time-filler that it begs the question: couldn't this series have been effectively told in two or three episodes?

By the fourth episode, nothing new or useful happens; the same predictable-yet-unnecessary tense situations occur over and over. Yet, they add nothing new to the story. In addition, by this point, the character casting starts revealing itself to be amateurish. With one exception, couldn't they find more believable bad guy hijackers? It was laughable.

My recommendation is to watch the first two episodes, skip the next few, and go straight to the last episode. Trust me, you won't miss anything worthwhile.

Triangle of Sadness (2022)

Wonderful writing, engaging story, but ... make up your own ending?

[7/10 · 1 December 2023]

Given all of the buzz surrounding the film, I eagerly anticipated taking the time to finally see it (I know, I'm late to the game). And for most of the film, I did just that: enjoy it.

The film held my attention throughout, as I was kept wondering where the story would take me next. Early on, the pacing was perfect, allowing the story to unfold organically while revealing subtle clues through each scene that something big was to unfold. I was all in. Then, for me, the pace slowed, as I found many of the yacht scenes dragging on for far too long -- toilet humor, anyone? Overlong communism vs socialism prattling? But still, I remained very engaged,

The clever writing revealed itself most strongly during the island scene, where, again, subtle clues were sprinkled in that said things were not exactly as them seemed; Gucci bag, anyone? However, while intriguing, this is also where I found myself saying, "get on with it, already." Several scenes dragged on too long, just like the toilet humor, until the climactic ending. Oh, oh ... something amazing is about to happen here!! THE END.

What?!?

The Kingfish (2023 TV Movie)

A smart, fun urban comedy without the usual tropes

[9/10 · 25 January 2023]

I caught "the Kingfish" at an advance screening in Philadelphia before Xmas. I wasn't sure what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised that the show didn't take the usual "urban" film approach of using drugs, guns, sex, and other tropes as overdone crutches. Instead, TKF relies on smart writing, a fresh, attractive leading cast, and outside the box situations to make the show fun and engaging.

The script is fast-paced and leaves very little time for lags. There are several funny scenes, a couple of which you would have to be dialed into pop culture to get ("fizzbin," anyone?) or to either be a high-schooler, college student, or have kids in HS or college to appreciate. But when you get it, it's truly funny. It is also unique for any film I have seen.

It is hard to describe the film's premise--other than it's about three smart, street-savvy, handsome high-schoolers who go to a tough Philly neighborhood in search of something desirable--without giving away some of the many surprised in the film. That said, if you are a fan of clever twists, unpredictability, and good old-fashioned clean fun, than you will not only enjoy, but also appreciate this film and what it stands for.

I would have give it a "10" but, as a low-budget indie, there are minor audio glitches in one scene. But the story of "the Kingfish" is its freshness.