dominguezerin Reviews

Malcolm & Marie (2021)

Give Zendaya an Oscar

[8/10 · 6 February 2021]

This film is not for everyone. It will likely not hold the average viewer, but it is an excellent film for those who more intune with cinema...which this film comments on and even mocks.

The performances are perfect. 👌 Zendaya is the best she has ever been. John David Washington is also fantastic. The audience feels like they're with the couple the whole time. Dare I say the whole thing is...authentic?

Finding 'Ohana (2021)

Just Watch The Goonies

[4/10 · 5 February 2021]

This movie is extremely cringe-worthy. Many aspects are, but the dialogue is by far the most cringe-inducing element of this film. None of the characters are that fleshed out either, and it just made for film that dragged on. Seriously. There wasn't an arc that seemed that sincere nor one that I cared about.

The beautiful backdrop of Hawaii takes this film farther than it deserves to go.

If you like Kid History (YouTube), you'll probably enjoy this film.

Below Zero (2021)

Your worst fear is in this movie...

[5/10 · 4 February 2021]

This movie was right up my alley for what it was. It was not incredible. In fact, it really wasn't even that good. In fact, you should probably just watch Assault on Precinct 13 instead. But, there is an audience for this film, and I am in said audience. This was right up my alley for the type of movie that it was. There were some exciting moments of violence, and I actually had a lot of fun with. If you need a mindless break from the world, this will serve as that.

The acting is adequate...and, that's about all the good I have to say on a technical level. We have seen this type of story time and time again. Even though it did introduce some unique plot points, it just wasn't ever enough, and they weren't really developed. The action is shot like most Netflix films these days, and the CGI was very distracting.

If you know what type of film you're in for and go in with low expectations, it will probably be a lot of fun. If not...well...

Also, why did Karra Elejalde remind me so much of Gruncle Stan?

The Little Things (2021)

Just watch Se7en

[6/10 · 31 January 2021]

This film was technically fine (with notably great music),but the story could never quite get me fully invested. Some loose ends were tied in the end, but there was much more that I wanted to see. Jared Leto gives a great performance, and everyone else was fine. There was nothing overtly wrong with the film, but there was nothing outstanding neither.

Penguin Bloom (2020)

Great Family Movie

[7/10 · 29 January 2021]

This was a very delightful family film. I would have liked to have gotten to know the Blooms a little bit more, but they seemed like a real family from what we do see. This film brought me joy, laughter, and sadness. Technically speaking, it is a very good film. The cinematography was fantastic, and I thought the music served the film well. This was a very cute film that I will happily recommend.

The White Tiger (2021)

If All Else Fails, the Music is Poppin'

[6/10 · 25 January 2021]

This was a very exciting film to watch, but it built and hinted at social themes throughout that I don't feel were fully realized. The ending seemed a little rushed in comparison to the suspenseful and slow-burning tone that the rest of the film was predicated on. It is still a very enjoyable film to watch and one that I will likely revisit again someday.

Our Friend (2019)

Let Casey Affleck be Happy in a Movie

[8/10 · 23 January 2021]

WOW. Technically speaking, there isn't an aspect of this film that isn't well done. The cinematography, editing, and performances stand out as particularly excellent. This is the type of role that Casey Affleck thrives in, and he delivers! The story will certainly resonate more closely with certain types of people, but there is something that will move everyone. I don't think there was a dry eye in the theater that I saw it in. A must see!

Outside the Wire (2021)

If Ex Machina was a Bad Action Movie

[3/10 · 20 January 2021]

The opening scene set the film up for something that could have been interesting, but it didn't take long for the film to lose that edge. I am writing this review the morning after viewing, and I have already forgotten most of the film. There just isn't much to it that will stick with the viewer, and anything deep that it attempted to explore was not found. Also, robots apparently sweat? SKIP IT.

The Ultimate Playlist of Noise (2021)

Not Bad for a January Release!

[7/10 · 19 January 2021]

I am sure that I am going to like this film far more than the average viewer as it touches home. I am a musician, and music has played a huge role in my life. I inherently connected to this character before the story began. As the story went on, I found myself laughing at the titular playlist because some of my favorite sounds were on it, and I have literally thought about the emptiness their absence might bring. Had the film left it at that, and really explored the character's fears and reservations about his new life, I think that it would have been more impactful than the conflict that is introduced. I think that there is something in this film that everyone can enjoy!

Crack: Cocaine, Corruption & Conspiracy (2021)

All Over the Place...

[5/10 · 17 January 2021]

As with most documentaries, this one is tagged with some biases. Granted, there is validity in them, but I think this will find a way to be divisive, warranted or not. It's done well enough, but it didn't seem to me that any central cause was addressed. Rather, few components were touched on. Drugs are a complicated problem, so one wouldn't expect a simple fix, but it made for jumbled presentation of facts and opinions. I think a docuseries, each covering the "chapters" discussed in this feature, would have been much better representation of the complexities of the system and issues rather than trying to touch on all aspects as it did in this. The interviews were powerful, and there were varying perspectives on the matter, but it didn't seem that any dissenting opinion was represented.

One Night in Miami... (2020)

Excellent Film!

[7/10 · 16 January 2021]

By far, the most impactful aspect of this film to me was the use of music throughout. The role that the chosen songs play tie into the story and beautifully help in conveying the themes of the story. This isn't the type of film to frequently revisit as it is heavy in nature, but it's a fantastic film with excellent directing, acting, and writing. It helps to understand the history of the real-life characters, but it will not take away from one's enjoyment if they are not super familiar. There is something that will resonate with everyone!

Save Yourselves! (2020)

Save Yourselves!

[6/10 · 13 January 2021]

I was absolutely delighted by this film! I had seen trailers, and I thought that it looked cheesy. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find just how much I enjoyed it. The screenplay is a lot of fun, and the score and dialogue only enhance that. The story is pretty cohesive, and there really aren't any cliches that aren't written very well into the story (i.e. the car not starting). I probably wouldn't be very good friends with this couple, but I liked them enough on screen and found them quite charming when needed.

This film reminded me a lot of Dark Star (1974) which is one of my favorites! If you like this one, definitely check out that one!

Herself (2020)

Herself

[7/10 · 12 January 2021]

"Ask better questions."

An Irish accent is going to get an extra half star from me by default because I think that it is a beautiful accent. Though it became predictable after a certain point, I still thought that the film was executed well. Nothing particularly stood out as fantastic, but that it isn't to say that I didn't enjoy it. There were moments that had me on the edge of my seat. For the sad story that it was, it ended on a great note that I thought was hopeful.

The Minimalists: Less Is Now (2021)

The Minimalists: Less Is Now

[5/10 · 10 January 2021]

While it got a little preachy at times, I do feel that this documentary had some interesting points to share. It made me feel like I ought to clean my room. It didn't resonate much with me, but it wasn't too boring to watch. It was perfectly okay, but some people will love it!

Pieces of a Woman (2020)

Pieces of a Woman

[7/10 · 10 January 2021]

The opening scene was everything I want in a movie. I thought the pacing of the first act was fantastic! However, it slows down in the middle for a little bit, but with a film like this, that's expected. I thought the ending brought a delightful end to Martha's arc. Performances were great though I would have liked to have seen Ellen Burstyn utilized a little more. All in all, I enjoyed it, but it's not the type of film that I will quickly revisit.