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Reviews
Joker (2019)
Finally We Have A True Adult Comic Book Film That Is Not For Kids!
At first I didn't expect much with this film, as I saw the same previews of him running and laughing over and over again. Let me say, the hype is very real.
Joaquin Phoenix was as accurate as could be for playing someone with a mental disorder. His version of the Clown Prince Of Crime was very different compared to what we've seen in previous Batman related films. His character was realistic, the world was realistic, and as a viewer I felt on edge the entire time. This character was unpredictable because he was so mentally unstable. You didn't know if he would kill or not kill.
Joker is an origin story that is long over due. We see what it's like for the common citizens of Gotham that aren't in the point of views or Batman or Jim Gordon. It's a disturbing and very harsh society. We don't see super villains, we see that people whom are just trying to survive. This version of Joker has intentions of a any normal human whose been rubbed the wrong way by society, he just wants people to be nice to him and entertain them. By no means does he want to be a bad guy. He's very sympathetic and makes you think twice before you want to treat someone differently.
Phoenix was the real deal. The acting was on par and this was a terrific origin story. If you are comic book buff. Crime buff, or just a movie buff, give it a watch. Fair warning, this movie is indeed not for children and is just not appropriate for those young eyes to see. It is very dark and can be influential to those youngsters, therefore I would recommend leaving those little ones at home for this one. Go watch!
9/10 because there is no such perfect film.
Avengers: Endgame (2019)
Good But Not Great
A nice fun movie for comic lovers and families to watch. Entertaining. This film is really good but not great. It is much better than Infinity War and miles over that nonsense we saw called Age of Ultron. In spite of how good this film is, this really did not need to be 3 hours long. Maybe 2 hours 20 minutes, most of the beginning scenes were out of place and even some of the ending scenes. The action scenes were good quality, one of the best I've scene in a movie. The acting wasn't great, but good. Although this movie's storyline isn't The Dark Knight/Rises, Shawshank Redemption, or Empire Strikes Back quality, I am confused as to why the rating is a 9. The storyline is pretty average. Again, fun movie to watch, but not a movie I would watch more than twice. I've grown up a comic fan and have loved super heroes before they were considered cool, but don't expect this movie to meet beyond your expectations. It is all hype. That said I give this movie an 8 at the most.
Trust (2010)
Realistically Scary
Now when I first saw this film, I had no idea what to expect. That said, I am very disgusted, yet still impressed. Trust is totally not something I ever plan on watching again, due to it taking me three days to finally finish it. However, this film serves as something for educational purposes for both parents and teens to see, despite the R rating.
This movie starts off with a happy-go-lucky teenage girl who gets access to an online chatroom. Very similar to the ones we had in the 90s. She meets a boy claiming himself to be Charlie, says he's a teenager. It seems as months go by, "Charlie" senses the girl's comfort toward him so he changes his life story. One weekend, "Charlie" claims he is in town and would like to meet the girl, Annie. When Annie goes to meet Charlie, she is in for dissappointment. This is when it is known that Charlie is not who he claimed he was, and that he was in fact a sexual predator. After a traumatizing event that Annie faces, her family also copes with her. Her father is obsessed with revenge while Annie is in denial she was a victim. Overall, the tone of this film is depicted as real life. There are no happy endings in this film, which is remarkable. As I don't give 10s because every movie has it's flaws, and this movie very well has flaws, I give it a 9 for its realism and the wake-up call it gives both parents and children.
As I have no intention of ever watching this film again, I do advise EVERY parent to watch Trust. Parents need to monitor what their kids are doing on social media. Young teens need to watch this to know what a scary place the world is. Despite the R rating, schools really need to show this film for educational purposes.
Spider-Man (2018)
Never Have I Ever Seen A Well Polishes Video Game...
Back in 2016 when they announced Spider-Man, I was nervous. I felt the last successful Spider-Man game was Spider-Man 2 on the PS2/X-Box. I played all of the previous games, but none of them could give me that feeling of being Spider-Man. Until, I came across this game. This is the Spider-Man game we have been waiting for. It beats all of the films and previous games. The magic this game brings is the same magic I felt from Spider-Man 2.
The graphics are purely amazing. They are the best to date and really take advantage of the PS4 Pro's features. From simple puddles, NPCs, and even buildings. You can actually see furniture inside non-accessible buildings! It's not pictures but actual 3D figures.
The dialogue is amazing. Pacing in the game is great, as it contains a few different Acts. The most amazing part was this game starting as a Boss Fight. I can't remember the last time I've played a game where you just jump straight into the action. Another thing I love about this game is that even though it is in its own universe, it makes several connections and shows Easter Eggs toward other Spider-Man allies and foes.
I don't give 10s because that's just too generous. I'll have to give it a 9/10 on here but in my mind it is about a 9.8/10. I have never seen such a polished video game. The atmosphere of New York is very realistic and accurate. I strongly recommend to anyone who is a Marvel fan or just wants to play a great action game. The story line is par, the combat is the smoothest to date, and the atmosphere makes you feel as you are in New York City. Give it a try.
Cobra Kai (2018)
Good, but not great. Has potential! (Minor spoilers, characters names and actions)
Prior to Cobra Kai, it had been about 6 years since I've binged watched a show. When watching the first episode for free, I did not have very much high expectations due to the lack of quality the sequels had compared to the original film. Boy, was I blown away by this show!
Set 34 years after the original Karate Kid, it recreates the magic that the first movie left. It shows heart, and rivalry. During the pilot, it shows Johnny Lawrence who is washed up and has never quite gotten over his high school glory days. Typical has-been, but it works well for the character. He meets Miguel a wimpy boy who is almost like Daniel, except he's a typical Generation Z baby, annoying and tries too hard at life. The kid has problems with bullies, and Johnny pulls a Miyagi/Jerry Maguire with the kid. Later on, Johnny crosses paths with arch nemesis Daniel Larusso, who seems to be over the whole rivalry, but Johnny is not.
As the series progresses, we see the bitter rivalry between Larusso and Lawrence reoccur. Larusso who should be a wise man due to Miyagi's teaching comes off as the same whiny little boy we saw in the original. For his character, it just doesn't work. He's a successful business man who too has not gotten over the events that happened in '84. As a result, Larusso teaches a young man Karate like Miyagi did with him.
Though this series really is good, there are many flaws from keeping it great.
1. Johnny tries too hard to be like John Kreese as a Sensei. In this series it doesn't work, mainly because Johnny is the protagonist and doesn't really have the whole stern personality like his former sensei. I felt Johnny was a better leader and more aggressive as a teenager.
2. Miguel's character sucks. I'm not sure if he is even supposed to be likable to begin with, but he's just a typical new comer actor who tries too hard to be wimpy, and tries too hard to be mean. It isn't believable at all. I feel they could have casted an actor who has both the good cop bad cop personality.
3. It's hard to believe that as much as Daniel has done with his life, he still hasn't gotten over the Cobra Kai gang from high school and Ali with an I from nearly 35 years ago. The man has an amazing house, great looking wife, a sucessful business, and a fit lifestyle. Why dwell on your teen years?
4. Daniel's boy. I get that the new generation Z kids are obnoxious and mostly overweight, but why does Larusso have to have a fat Kid for a son. As strict as Miyagi was with Daniel, I'm very surprised that Daniel isn't the same way with his kids.
5. This show really needs more than 10 episodes in a season. There could have at least been 20 episodes. While 30 minutes is an appropriate time run for a show like this, there needs to be more episodes for character development. For example, a character named Hawk. He was wimpy and shy one episode, the next he's confident and able to beat people up. To make it realistic, we should see their progress as students and as people. Another example is Miguel being so scrawny. The producers and director should have had this kid bulk up throughout production. You can't tell me you workout for 9 months (in the show) and show no results. Plus in the original Karate Kid, Johnny was a pretty toned kid, all of the Cobra Kai students were built. Hopefully we'll see a difference in some physical appearances in season 2.
While this show was good and I'm waiting for a second season, I give it a solid 8. If there weren't so many flaws, like the ones I pointed out, I would rate a 9, but I won't, yet. I don't give 10s because realistically, there has never been a fully well acted and flawless film/show that everyone can agree on. Hopefully this series learns from its' mistakes and comes off even better next season! You should give it a watch.
Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018)
Solid, Well-Paced
Before entering the theatre to watch this film, I was feeling very mixed about this film. My first thought was "how are they gonna pull this off?" About midway through the film, I realized I had a love for it! The acting was spot on, the pacing of the film was not slow at all. If you go into this film imagining that you're watching Harrison Ford and Billy Dee Williams as Han and Lando, you will be amazed. For once, I've finally witnessed a Star Wars film that I have not seen in the last 35 years.
Solo brings heart to the theater, the story is fantastic, several references from its' predecessors are within the film, and the ending gives away that there will be a potential sequel. This film was nothing like the borefest that they call Rogue One. Solo started with action and ended with action and charm, much like the original trilogy.
If you haven't watched this film, please do so if you are a fan or may be new to the series, it is tons of fun. I give this film a solid 8/10 for a great storyline, nostalgic action sequences, terrific acting, and of course a famous villain us fans know and love.
Overall, Solo is brilliant and will definitely watch again.
Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi (2017)
Uninteresting, Lack of Heart
This film was not what I expected to be. So much hype was built around it, that I was excited to watch. When finally watching, I was so dissappointed. I was expecting it to be on par with The Empire Strikes Back, except this was no where near as great.
What this film contained was many side plots that were very unnecessary and many awkward moments within the characters. The original characters even lacked the charm they had in the original trilogy.
1. The romantic plots? Really? It's just awkward. 2. Kylo trying to pursuade Rey to join him? I felt like I was watching an awkward porno when the step brother tries getting it on with his step sister when Mom and dad aren't around... yeah, no, weird.
3. Luke Skywalker is no Ben Kenobi. Ben was a nice old man. Luke is as grumpy as Red Foreman from That 70s Show.
Being a Star Wars fan for the last 22 years, I am greatly disappointed. There is no heart, nor great story to this addition of the series. The actors seem bored, and Kylo is just another Anakin Slywalker, whiny.
Overall, if you have kids and want to watch a decent action film, go ahead. If not, who cares?As many people have said, Disney has ruined Star Wars and it shows.
I give this a 4 because realistically, films aren't 1s, and it's mainly for the original characters and the ending.
Deadpool 2 (2018)
Pure fun and solid acting
When going into Deadpool 2, I expected it to be a try hard film compared to the first one. However, Ryan Reynolds has impressed me once again with this role. He is the true definition of an actor. He fills this role perfectly and makes his audience feel that he is really Deadpool. I was not disappointed one bit. If you love comedy and action, this is a must see. Though this is NOT a film for kids, it sure made me feel like a child all over again experiencing magic, in which this film was! I rate this film an 8/10 only because I do not give 10s (let's be realistic, this film is not Shawshank or The Empire Strikes Back) and not a 9 mainly because it's just a goofy comedy.
Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
Rushed, Predictable, Overwhelming
When the first Avengers film was released in 2012, there was much hype for it, much like Infinity War, but it actually lived up to it. Fast forward six years later, with Infinity War and many new members in the crew, and now fans are given a rushed action film with cheesy one liners. Upon going into the film, I checked the writing on IMDb and saw it was a 9.0/10. Seeing the rating really intrigued me, in which I was expecting so much only to be disappointed.
1. Thanos in no way intimidated me like he did when I read the comics. Josh Brolin could have done better at the role. I found him more intimidating in Labor Day, or the Goonies back when he was 17.
2. There was just too many stories for one movie. In order for it to work, this film would have needed to be nearly 5 hours long, like Gone With The Wind.
3. Why did that massive battle scene on earth with Cap and the rest of crew resemble Star Wars: The Phantom Menace? Literally all I could think of was Jar Jar Binks throwing blue balls at Thanos' army and calling it a day.
4. Out of all 80 of the main cast, I felt the only characters with the best chemistry were Rocket and Thor.
5. What was up with Bruce Banner having hard time turning to Hulk? Is that his way of having an Erectile Dysfunction? I mean Hulktile Dysfuntion... That whole bit was just weird.
6. Some of the characters, like Starlord, Drax, and The Vision were not the same characters they were in previous films. Starlord is smart, sarcastic, and cocky. In this film, he's dumb. Same with Drax, he was real insecure and always on edge. In this film he's just there.
Lastly, The Vision. What happened to the wise man we saw in Age of Ultron? Yes, he had feelings, and I understand he had evolved, but has millions of traits and personalities. I don't understand how such a strong character became so weak. Overall, this film was pretty mediocre when it came to acting and the action scenes. We've seen them all before. Of course being a comic book/superhero fan for nearly 20 years, I will watch the next film, but most likely wait till it releases to redbox or other streaming services.
I rate this film a 5/10 because 1. The all star cast. 2. Decent action and CGI that will most likely attract younger viewers. 3. Rocket and Thor's chemistry. 4. Scarlett Johansson. 5. It's Marvel. Other than that, if you haven't seen the film, just wait till it's released on DVD or Netflix. Not worth the trip.