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Reviews
Joker: Folie à Deux (2024)
Out of tune
As in the original strong acting and interesting characters, but just 5 stars for this one. The first movie I gave only 7. Really good, but I wasn't all hyped up about it.
What bothered me a lot in this sequel was the singing. As with any musical I just see no reason for it. It did not add anything to the story and in here it fitted like a square peg in a round hole. Could have saved 40 minutes of my time and the movie already would have been better. The only movie where I can remember this being done right is "Dancer In The Dark"
And although well brought I think there could have been more inside Lee's character than just a love interest.
Arcadian (2024)
Lost in the dark
Arcadian has a strong foundation for a horror/sci-fi film. An intriguing storyline and good performances from the cast. However, a few odd editing choices disrupted the flow of the movie.
The biggest issue, though, was the visual presentation. While the creature design showed potential, with some intriguing movement patterns, the monsters themselves looked poorly executed. The cinematography seemed to aim for an avant-garde style, but instead felt disorienting, almost as if the camerawork was handled by someone intoxicated.
Many scenes were marred by excessive darkness, leaving key moments difficult to make out. Combine that with frequent out-of-focus shots and clunky editing, and the overall visual experience became frustrating. It's a shame, because with clearer direction and better visuals, Arcadian could have truly stood out.
Weekend in Taipei (2024)
A Waste of a Beautiful Location
The only redeeming feature of Weekend in Taipei was Taipei itself. The cinematography managed to capture some beautiful shots of the city and culture. Unfortunately, that's where the positives end.
The movie was incoherent, with characters that felt one-dimensional and difficult to connect with. Any emotional moments were weighed down by poor dialogue, making it hard to feel anything for the characters.
It's a shame that such a gorgeous setting was wasted on a standard and dull action popcorn flick. If you're hoping for an engaging story, you won't find it here. The action parts (apart from some of the opening sequences) were disappointing.
Escape Room: Tournament of Champions (2021)
Watch Einsteins solving puzzles in no time
Same problem as the first movie. It is just as interesting as watching a gifted mathematician solve some difficult equations in no time without much explanation.
"I think we have to open that door. There's a clue here. This refers to that. I found something here that could be exactly that. Look it contains a key. Omg! We only have 5 seconds"
Exactly that but within 5 minutes over and over again for one and a half hours. No human being on earth could solve these puzzles that fast. It leaves you as an audience uninvolved. Don't bother to think with them. Solution is there in a sec.
The biggest puzzle for me was why this movie has the tags "horror" and "mystery"
Cemitério (2024)
Not even worth 50 cent
This was a difficult watch. The story was going all over the place with a few unnecessary side stories and flashbacks. There were just as much holes in the plot as in the boneyard.
The acting was going from good to ok and shameful. I don't mind singers pursuing an acting career. Lady Gaga, Cher, Justin Timberlake,... it doesn't necessarily go wrong. But I don't think 50 cent did a surprisingly exceptional audition to get this part. This was a favor or a bribe. The mumbling, repetitive hand movement and expressionless face could at most be called atrocious acting. This was distracting me throughout the movie.
Disrespectful for the hundreds of actors standing in line to get this part of wich 99% were undoubtedly better.
The Fabulous Four (2024)
Fabulous flaw
Well what can I say... a tv movie script from the ninetees they found lying around that is totally predictable and blunt with a few unnecessary scenes leading to an allegedly funny situation, a bit of a problem that gets solved and some shameless tearjerking.
Not the worst actresses (and supporting actors) but they were not at the top game of their game here and there was chemistry missing.
I don't know what their intentions were with middle aged people (wich is kind of what this film is about), but we came out looking awful.
There was one hilarious scene, although not intentionally, where they dragged out a Michael Bolton statue from Madamme Toussaud's to get the party started. Now that was awkward! Great singer, but actor... sorry, not so much.
The Good Liar (2019)
Very good
I'm not the best at seing things coming. Here I saw the plot coming from miles ahead, or at least that is what I thought. For the first half of this movie it seemed like a mediocre film because I thought knew what was coming. I was wondering how they assembled this exceptional cast of top actors for this scenario that didn't seem all that special. In the second half the plot unveiled slowly but in an unexpected way.
There were a few strange things in the scenario looking back, like the murder. Not sure why it was there. Perhaps to give an even more menacing feel to a somewhat likeable menace?
Addams Family Values (1993)
A frighteningly better sequel
One of those rare occasions where the sequel is better than the original, darker and funnier. The cast is obviously once again having a blast as they did in the first movie. The first was very kind and carefull in comparison to this. But the path chosen was enthusiastically embraced at the time, so less need for prudence and compliance wich leads to a more interesting script, sharper dialogs, harsher jokes, more shocking punch lines and a lot less Disney. But somehow they still sustained a family movie vibe, with a enjoyable sauce of edginess. The special effects unfortunately look a bit outdated now.
The Tomorrow War (2021)
Classic Hollywood
A good and original premise that open a window of opportunities for some good scriptwriting. This was the case for most of the movie, if it wasn't for the standard Hollywood ending. You could see this coming from miles away: all's well that ends well. The enemy is defeated, everyone makes peace and no mention of anyone dying in 7 years. All of this on a bombastic victory music score. It was making me a bit noxious. Overall a good movie with a nice pace, decent actors, entertaining script and visuals... You know the drill. But didn't we see this all before? These formula films leave me with a bad after taste.
Meteor Assault (2015)
Medicine assault
Funny that this kind of movie still exists. What do you do when you have a microscopical budget in comparison to big budget Hollywood flicks. You can try to stand out with an original story or approach, some experimental cinematography, a strong performance by a yet unknown actor,... Or you can try to copy Hollywood and make a movie that gives you small samples of a possibly ok CGI finale to a mediocre story portrayed by untalented actors filling the gaps with an overload of uninspired dialogue that results into a huge disappointment. Somehow this crap is still being made and thus being profitable.
Spiral: From the Book of Saw (2021)
Yet another cheap cash in of a brilliant original
I'm a big horror fan. Nightmare on Elm Street, Halloween, Final destination, ... I did not put any numbers there, but everyone knows I mean part 1. Does anyone remember Final destination 5? Or know what happened in Halloween 4?
Every one of these horror classics have a strong first episode that stands out. Everyone of these classics have sequels that are at most half as good.
I might remember this one too many installment of the brilliant Saw original. Not because it's one of the better sequels (far from that), but for the probably worst casting disaster in the history of movie making. Sorry Chris, liked you in some of the comedies you did, but this was embarrassing.
The Gay Bed and Breakfast of Terror (2007)
A drama. Not in style but in execution
I'm a horror fan and a member of the LGBTQAI+!? (hope it's all inclusive) so a gay horror movie must be great right? Well, the thing is horror and LGBTQ movies have a few things in common. There's a few great ones, a few good, some OK, but the majority is low budget crap. This was a silly script packed with clichés embodied by mediocre actors in a visually horrible way. On the plus side: I watched the whole movie. The inside gay jokes, an interesting character or 2, the fantastic opening act, .... left me hoping for more. The idea of a gay horror movie isn't that bad. More original than all the drama you normally get.
I'll keep watching these horrors and LGBT movies in hope for some hidden gems. This unfortunately wasn't it.
Eternals (2021)
This MCU thing has gotten really old
Funny. I can copy/paste a large part of another MCU movie. "Every recent MCU movie seems alike. Lots of stars, heroes, CGI, yet another apocalyptic threat, a more interesting mid part before the final fight, credits, a teaser for a future marvel spoof, more credits and a final scene. This has become a total drag. ". Can you guess what movie I wrote this for? No? That's because it applies to every of the latest MCU films. They copy/paste a formula into every installment. This version of that formula was probably one of the weakest I have seen so far. I almost fell asleep several times. Please rethink the superhero movie or pull the plug. These abominations are becoming everything but a marvel.
Pinocchio (2022)
People's noses who rate this +5 are growing
This is the perfect example of what I don't like about Disney. It is like the movie pleasentville. Sweet toned, perfectly orchestrated well-being. Of course the story is well known with some added unsuccessful adaptions and unremarkable songs. My compliments to Hanks trying to save the day, but this did not surpass a tv-movie level.
This obviously had quite a big budget, but there was something that just didn't compute. CGI, wich is killing cinema, is nowadays looking astonishing. For some strange reason the CGI characters looked like they were standing in front of a green key screen.
And this was directed by the man who did the amazing back to the future films? Wow! Disney certainly sucks the mojo out. Burton was one of my favourites until he fell under Disney's arms.
Thor: Love and Thunder (2022)
This MCU thing is getting really old
Thor will be back. I can't say that I'm excited. I also can't say that this will be in another Thor movie, because in the MCU universe it doesn't matter who's name carries the movie, as long as they appeared in any marvel comic everyone's welcome whether it makes sense or not. This leads to a messy storyline and many stars standing in front of a green key. I have to admit, the Omnipotence City looked absolutely stunning, but I would have been much happier watching a good scenario. Every recent MCU movie seems alike. Lots of stars, heroes, CGI, yet another apocalyptic threat, a more interesting mid part before the final fight, credits, a teaser for a future marvel spoof, more credits and a final scene. This has become a total drag. On the plus side : 3 funny scenes and a good villain.
The Empty Man (2020)
Original approach to standard horror
A superb opening sequence with some iconic scenes that gets you interested enough for more, because right after comes what seems to be a less original standard horror flick wich reminded me of candyman/slender man. This slowly evolves into something much more interesting and smart. Not the easy jump scare approach, but a great build up of an atmosphere that creeps up. Great acting performances from all, a script and direction with the right amount of pace and excitement and a superb music score. This had a pretty standard horror story as a backbone, but easily surpassed that. I totally recommend watching this.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)
MCU has gotten really old
This MCU thing has gotten really old. Time to pull the plug or give it a thorough revamp. If it gets a revamp, here are a few tips. Write a good and consistent story, because this thing was all over the place. Use at most 10% of the amount of CGI, because as baffling as it looks it gets tedious after a certain time. Stop dragging in other supers from other comics that have absolutely nothing to do with the movie you are making. I was literally laughing out loud when Charles Xavier showed up out of the blue. This film was confusing, empty and a drag. The top cast sure tried, but could not save the day.
Risen (2016)
A religious titanic
This reminded me a lot of titanic. A movie with a dramatised version of a story well known. You know what's going to happen. Far from the greatness of the titanic movie, because this movie was trying too much to convince you the story was true instead of telling the story.
Knives Out (2019)
A whodunit throwback/revamp
The whodunit genre is fantastic. Part 1 you will be dazzled with information. Part 2 everyone's a suspect. Part 3 plot twists galore. Part 4 the most complicated and unexpected reveal. Compliments to all. Director, actors, cinematographer (loving that eye focus scene), etc. But a big thanks to the script writers. Original twists, funny winks to other whodunits, lifting the whodunit to another level,... job well done from everyone!
Into the Storm (2014)
Hollywood popcorn remake of a Hollywood popcorn flick
Totally what I expected to see. A twister lookalike/remake/revamp/.... Equally visually stunning, but much more up to date than 15+ years ago because the software has been updated. And here's the thing. Equally empty, predictable, Hollywood. This film could have easily surpassed twister with a less predictable script, better actors, directing, and a ... uhm ... twist. All that CGI is eye candy. Great to look at, but will have forgotten this next week. Bring a story and then (emphasis) make it look good.
Within These Walls (2020)
Not that bad, neither fantastic
This had a good amount of excitement, but it suffered from a slow start where the acting was difficult to appreciate. There were some strange choices in direction and editing. But it became more and more compelling despite of some plot holes.
Spy (2015)
Generic and not so funny
Il really like Melissa Mccarthy, she's really adorable, funny and a good actress. For some reason she always ends up in these cheesy and generic Hollywood flicks. Typecasted as the insecure hidden gem.
Leatherface (2017)
Too low score due to horror adepts
I watched this without previous info and I was enjoying it. A horror with lots of gore and excitement, and also ... lacking in most of these... story and depth. There was a lot more going on than usual. I was captivated throughout the movie. And then I was was wondering, why the very low score? And then near the end... this looks familiar... isn't this? Aha! A prequel. I'm not the person to underate a movie because I'm a big fan of the original, but this was far from bad. I'm also not the person to rate 10 just to get the score up. Much more than average horror. But not a masterpiece.
Ferry (2021)
Prequel of the excellent undercover series
Prequel of the excellent undercover series. As the series very well acted, but not sure why this was made. More backside story and character development, but lessgenius plots and intrigue.
8eraf (2021)
W84it
Je moet een fan zijn geweest van de W817 serie om dit te appreciëren. Het kwam een beetje traag op gang, maar geduld... komt goed. Ook niet meer dan een goede lange aflevering.