Refreshing honest moments both in tragedy and humor. It's a step forward for Hallmark to include realistic messy divorce, both leads are divorced and not in the usual problem-free Hallmark style. His wife left him in his darkest hour, hers is a cheating narcissist. I appreciate this and the realistically salty humor. The execution of the grinch story is odd though. The son is obviously dealing with fallout from the split and acting out. The mom is clueless in this regard as he needs help and is the one being a jerk slamming soccer ball against his house included. Would like to see more attempts at real issues in these movies.
Reviews
65 Reviews
Speak No Evil
(2022)
Trauma inducing
6 August 2023
My stomach is still in knots. This film restored my faith in truest dreadful horror. A film maker who understands what kind of slow burn and human frailties are haunting. It's unfortunate Americans aren't making this kind of slow burn psychological horror cuz as an American I definitely appreciate it more than any other kind of horror. They create unease in such a natural way. You'll be frustrated and bewildered but thought I'd not put myself in their position. It is not a stretch. Our politeness, unwillingness to upset others can in fact lead to danger. You must watch it if you're a fan of psychological horror.
The Crowded Room
(2023)
Let's stop glorifying rapists
10 June 2023
Warning: Spoilers
It's pretty clear many of these characters are part of Billy's various identities. What's unclear is what story this series is trying to tell. The cinematography is interesting but that's about it so far in this very slow tale of serial rapist Billy Milligan. It's a hazy convoluted story and I'm unclear why we are supposed to care about any of it. I'm a fan of true crime but this one seems to lack any purpose. More than anything it's boring. Amanda Seyfried is underused as his court ordered lawyer. Maybe the later episodes will present more of a story for the man known as the Ohio campus rapist, but I'm not holding my breath.
If I could give negative stars
30 May 2023
If I could give this negative stars I would. Absolutely dreadful pointless movie. Not funny in any way, not scary in any way. I read it's based on a book of the same name but find this hard to believe because there is no story. No point. Just Kid's moving from murder to murder for no apparent reason. Please filmmakers or wannabe filmmakers give us backstory and an actual story to keep our interest. Humor is attractive. You don't need a huge budget. I just rewatched Creep 2, a hilariously offbeat tension filled creepy film that wasn't afraid to be weird and different. There's enough trash out there for 10 lifetimes.
The Tutor
(2023)
Omg so bad
23 May 2023
I'm finished listening to IMDB reviews. This movie is all over the place. Victoria Justice can't act. Garret is a bit awful/odd not sure cuz this movie's so laughable it's not worth deciding. The rest of the cast didn't have anything to work with since there's little plot. The concept wasn't a bad one but you actually need a SCRIPT and a STORY. This lacks any kind of coherence in any form. I keep thinking Hetlund's hair is going to fly away? I do not understand why young filmmakers don't work on the most important aspects of storytelling. We'd like to care about at least one character. We'd like a story to follow. I love Noah and hope he's offered better roles in the future.
Glass Onion
(2022)
Thank God I'm not alone
3 January 2023
I watched in utter horror the trash that is Glass Onion. Terrible acting, pretty much every scene cringe inducing and not remotely funny. Kate Hudson can't act, as we've learned in every movie except Almost Famous before she was. What's happened to Ed Norton? Compared with the actually funny skewer the rich Triangle of Sadness, Hollywood has lost all sense of how to make a good film. I agree with another reviewer, I was truly baffled how this junk is getting positive reviews from critics and being nominated for anything but Razzie awards for the worst movie of 2022. I hope it's not a complete decline in western civilization but all signs point to yes. My only comfort is not being alone in how much I loathed it. If you want to feel nothing but bewildered perhaps you'll enjoy it.
God's Creatures
(2022)
Atmospheric dread
21 November 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Incredible acting from Emily Watson and pretty much the entire cast. Unfortunately it doesn't give us enough background for these complex characters, and it's a bit disjointed. Basically a seemingly prodigal son returns home after 7 years abroad and silence. His mother, Watson is overjoyed until he's accused of sexually assaulting a childhood friend. It's worth watching for the sound and atmosphere alone. The clacking of oyster shells and a steady drum beat interwoven with bagpipes creates incredibly eerie tension, just incredible, and I'll never eat oysters again. The resolution is a bit fast, but surprising. Not as good as I wanted it to be but a solid film.
The Music of Chance
(1993)
Paul Auster, yes please
25 August 2022
A favorite from the actual 90's this film and the book by the amazing Paul Auster it's based on is still a mind bending thriller. You can see how it's influenced filmmakers like Charlie Kaufman and others, and deserves a wider audience. Give it a chance, lol, it will stay with you in that rare way wildly imaginative films do.
Killer Kids
(2011–2015)
Ok so it's not just me with this voice
23 August 2022
There's a reason Dateline's Keith Morrison is beloved. His mellifluous voice and gentle candor let us know murder is serious. I couldn't get into this because of the seriously miscalculated narration. No one wants to hear that baby talk nonsense ever, much less regarding children who kill?
Falling for Vermont
(2017 TV Movie)
Vermont?
12 August 2022
Warning: Spoilers
The main guy lives in what would be a multi million dollar home on an actual gorgeous Vermont lake that he supports as a small town doctor. The kind that treat boo boos & don't really exist anymore. Has a canoe the missing woman fixes up for him as apparently has never taken his kids on this incredible lake, ever? I get it's Hallmark but they always set up the most implausible details, implausible plot aside?! People just don't behave like this. You live on gorgeous lake you're on it, in it and it's why you live there. It's dopey but the acting is better than most.
I Won't Let You Go
(2022 TV Movie)
Lol prom gown
12 August 2022
Warning: Spoilers
What adult wears a prom gown to their big work event? Hello, the 90's r calling & want their fashion back.
Her toxic controlling husband is sending every red flag trope, it's laughable, zero suspense as obvious who the true stalker is. Her odd friends boss her around constantly as if a toddler and hate her husband, its so weird. Zero non hetero cast. The lead actor is maybe in her first role as seemed so gullible and silly. Her fake pregnancy belly is just a pillow & worn too low. Actually it moves around. I know it's Lifetime but the budget was non existent, clearly. These used to be occasional fun but the quality is just so suj-par these days, I can't.
Her toxic controlling husband is sending every red flag trope, it's laughable, zero suspense as obvious who the true stalker is. Her odd friends boss her around constantly as if a toddler and hate her husband, its so weird. Zero non hetero cast. The lead actor is maybe in her first role as seemed so gullible and silly. Her fake pregnancy belly is just a pillow & worn too low. Actually it moves around. I know it's Lifetime but the budget was non existent, clearly. These used to be occasional fun but the quality is just so suj-par these days, I can't.
You Can Never Go Home Again
(2022)
you can never get your time back
1 August 2022
What happened to the once cheesy but fun Lifetime? They seem to churn out movie after movie now that r just hideous quality, absurdly so?! The acting to the stories aren't fun and r plain stupid with adults acting less adult than teenagers would IRL. I get leaning into cheesy but you still need a story pple want to watch.
Kudos to these detectives
25 July 2022
Warning: Spoilers
It's detectives like this who don't take no for an answer who are truly heroic. Non stop efforts, endless hours of work. Shows you how slimy journalists can be for a "story". To consider blowing a case for a story is truly sick.
Under the Banner of Heaven
(2022)
The best series I've seen this year, and my favorite true crime
16 July 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Andrew Garfield is riveting in this extremely nuanced, well told and visually gorgeous story. He begins as a devout Mormon detective who is brought, through the harrowing case,, to question his religion. It pulls you in right away with a gruesome tragedy, even more so because it's true. The acting is stellar from everyone. It shows how man can twist even an already extremist religion into a horror show. Daisy Edgar Jones does a beautiful job giving a voice to a woman who's own was taken so young. Even in a patriarchal religion her faith strengthens her. She is smart, kind, and wants more than most Mormon women of the era. Her charisma helps her navigate the misogynistic men surrounding her. She is strong til the last, even knowing her fate, a true testament to the story tellers. I couldn't recommend this more.
Beautiful family gone
23 June 2022
Warning: Spoilers
I don't believe justice was found for this beautiful.family. The prosecution was single minded in pursuit of one man who may well not be guilty. It's egregious they literally looked at none of the other characters who look suspect. The brother himself is so off. He waited to report the family missing, 11 days and even then suggested maybe they'd gone to Mexico. Interesting cuz someone planted their car to look that way. The cops bungled EVERYTHING. Interesting case, definitely worth watching.
I wonder if there is justice in this country unless you can afford the best lawyers.
I wonder if there is justice in this country unless you can afford the best lawyers.
Argo
(2012)
Brilliantly done, riveting culture clash
24 April 2022
It's funny this came from Ben Affleck as I find he tends to play a version of himself in most films. Argo is set apart. It's an incredible story, well told and riveting. I'm not sure where was shot but you feel you're in Iran with them, it's so realistic. He makes you care deeply about the characters, on edge of seat the entire time. It will stay with you long after viewing. A favorite film.
Don't Go Breaking My Heart
(2021 TV Movie)
Insipid
3 April 2022
Warning: Spoilers
This is on the worst end of these churn em out rom coms. The lead actress is monotone, with zero sparkle or presence. It's beyond formulaic.
You don't care what happens cuz they don't bother to make you care. There's no reason he'd fall for her. Not that he's any great shakes. Beyond boring.
You don't care what happens cuz they don't bother to make you care. There's no reason he'd fall for her. Not that he's any great shakes. Beyond boring.
Psycho Sister-In-Law
(2020 TV Movie)
Are people this dumb?
12 March 2022
Warning: Spoilers
This show is unbelievably awful. They r all over the top, but the Zara character is the most unappealing human I've ever seen on tv.
Every word outta her mouth is offensive and weird. Her supposed CEO brother doesn't see she's a trailer trash calculating biatch?
His wife is so sweet or vacuous she won't say omg that's so inappropriate, stop talking and no you can't move in with us in fact you must go now?!
Every word outta her mouth is offensive and weird. Her supposed CEO brother doesn't see she's a trailer trash calculating biatch?
His wife is so sweet or vacuous she won't say omg that's so inappropriate, stop talking and no you can't move in with us in fact you must go now?!
Blended
(2014)
The misogyny of Adam Sandler
6 February 2022
Just awful in every regard. Boring, stupid, misogynistic, pointless and devoid of actual comedy. He's the Woody Allen of his generation.
He only gets beautiful women cuz he's wealthy. It's a shame cuz the rare dramatic films he's done are not garbage like most of his work.
He only gets beautiful women cuz he's wealthy. It's a shame cuz the rare dramatic films he's done are not garbage like most of his work.
Being the Ricardos
(2021)
Skip it
20 January 2022
Why is Kidman being touted for an Oscar for this tragically bad wooden performance?
I'm convinced it's all rigged. I'm a big fan of Javier but he doesn't fit this role physically or otherwise. A rare bust for him. It's a mess and worst of all, it's boring.
I'm convinced it's all rigged. I'm a big fan of Javier but he doesn't fit this role physically or otherwise. A rare bust for him. It's a mess and worst of all, it's boring.
The Dry
(2020)
Well worth watching
16 January 2022
This is a quintessential Australian film that takes you right there, as if can feel the blistering sun. Eric Bana is wonderfully understated, and our moral compass in a story with many twists and turns. Stay with it as it's fascinating and the pieces tie together in the end. Unlike anything I've seen and much better than many popular films this year.
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