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Blink Twice (2024)
one of two things happen with directorial debuts
Usually a directorial debut can go one of two ways. Either an endless montage of skills, a 2 hour demo reel ... or genuine entertainment. But generally not both. This debut from Kravitz falls into the former group, with little or nothing on-screen to hold the attention of the viewer for the first half of the film. When the action finally starts, things do get interesting. That's a plus. And Tatum gives his best performance in ... well .. pretty much forever. ((Designated "IMDb Top Reviewer." Please check out my list "167+ Nearly-Perfect Movies (with the occasional Anime or TV miniseries) you can/should see again and again (1932 to the present))
Ashita no Jô (1970)
one of a kind, unique
Don't be discouraged by the production date. This review is penned in 2024 and to be honest there are some pretty interesting things happening in modern anime. And, it follows that a lot of the older series simply cannot compete, pound for pound, with new product? Jo is not merely an exception to the rule, it is THE exception. First of all, the animation style. It was unique in 1971 and it remains unique today. If you do the research, you will find the closest analog was the basline cartoon style from the 1940s and 1950s, in the popular comic books, a style that was considered lost to the world. Until JO appeared two decades later. The writing and story lines are excellent. Many episodes touch the heart. Highly recommended. ((Designated "IMDb Top Reviewer." Please check out my list "167+ Nearly-Perfect Movies (with the occasional Anime or TV miniseries) you can/should see again and again (1932 to the present))
Ôdishon (1999)
world's most unforgettable rom com
There is a reason that the most interesting Hollywood horror films tend to be knockoffs of Japanese originals. This review is written in 2024. While India is starting to become more unpredictable in terms of the genres of films it produces - which is a GOOD thing -- nobody comes close to heaping the extremes on top of the extremes, like the Japanese film sector. This is a textbook example. It starts off as a sort of rom-com with all the tricks and tropes. Then it morphs. And then it morphs again. Pretty soon you just want it to be over. And that is the whole point. ((Designated "IMDb Top Reviewer." Please check out my list "167+ Nearly-Perfect Movies (with the occasional Anime or TV miniseries) you can/should see again and again (1932 to the present))
Zodiac (2007)
the journey not the destination
You must see the Directors Cut. Fincher is one of the most unappreciated directors in the biz and Jake Gyllenhaal is one of the most under-used actors. (Much like Sam Jackson is one of the most over-used). This is a fascimating and engaging look at the "story behind the story" of a book written about a serial killer. Extremely well done and the supporting cast shines. As I have noted in other reviews, audience connection is waht makes a good film, and Zodiac delivers. ((Designated "IMDb Top Reviewer." Please check out my list "167+ Nearly-Perfect Movies (with the occasional Anime or TV miniseries) you can/should see again and again (1932 to the present))
Ball of Fire (1941)
"the kind of woman that makes whole civilizations topple"
Perfect example of the "screwball comedies" of the 1940s. Modern creators could learn from this. Manages to present a wide assortment of themes that could possibly trigger someone today -- old vs new, age issues, class issues, cops vs robbers, morality -- yet does so in such a sweet and funny way that you simply cannot avoid being entertained. Seriously entertained. Cooper and Stanwyck have legit chemistry and the pace holds for the almost 2 hr run time. ((Designated "IMDb Top Reviewer." Please check out my list "167+ Nearly-Perfect Movies (with the occasional Anime or TV miniseries) you can/should see again and again (1932 to the present))
Dìdi (2024)
FRESH!
Creator Sean Wang has taken a tale already done 1000 times, in 1000 different ways, and made it fresh and new. The characters say and do amazing things, yet somehow they remain authentic and genuine. Wang has a gift for audience connection, an attribute we have mentioned in dozens of reviews here. Setting the story at the dawn of the Social Media era was especially clever, allowing the viewer to perceive movement in the story arcs not merely from the characters themselves, but from the way the characters present themselves to others. Izzaac Wang can deliver dialog with merely a glance. The overall effect harks back to Ferris Bueller's Day Off, 1987, a similar standout film which made its mark by clever exposition. ((Designated "IMDb Top Reviewer." Please check out my list "167+ Nearly-Perfect Movies (with the occasional Anime or TV miniseries) you can/should see again and again (1932 to the present))
One Piece (2023)
the real "crew" is behind the camera
If you look closely, most Hollywood series are done by a known crew who, years ago, launched a hit show and ever since have been making a nice living by introducing new variations of that old show. Which means that a new form of creativity by a new team is welcome indeed. The crew behind One Piece aimed high -- to do a live action version of a treasured anime that was even better. Than the original Sometimes it pays to aim high. In this case the audience is the big winner. Magical. ((Designated "IMDb Top Reviewer." Please check out my list "167+ Nearly-Perfect Movies (with the occasional Anime or TV miniseries) you can/should see again and again (1932 to the present))
Hit-Monkey (2021)
Brilliantly fills the gap left by Archer
Archer started slow, and then built up a following over 14 seasons. HIT MONKEY was-fine tuned and ready to go from the very first season. One of the best-written and funniest series ever. Season 01 Episode 05 -- just as this reviewer was starting to actually understand the subtle tones and meanings in the Monkey's infinite range of grunts, a "vengeful ghost spirit" comes to life looking for the duo because the "peace" of Tokoyo has been threatened. As the viewers -- all of you not just me! -- are trying to make sense of this new twist, we hear the deadpan voice of Jason Sudeikis with perfect comic timing that even Jack Benny would have admired: "IS IT LIKE COMIC CON HERE ALL THE TIME HERE, OR SOMETHING?" Funny! ((Designated "IMDb Top Reviewer." Please check out my list "167+ Nearly-Perfect Movies (with the occasional Anime or TV miniseries) you can/should see again and again (1932 to the present))
Rebel Ridge (2024)
Jeremy Saulnier back in the saddle -- we missed him
A non-traditional narrative, story arcs that continually veer in an unexpected direction, and a movie you will remember long after the closing credits. In my review of Saulnier's breakout release BLUE RUIN 2013, I dubbed that feature "the only true successor to Blood Simple" (referencing the epic breakout work of the Coen Bros, a film already on my IMDb list of all time greats). In that same review, I expressed hope to see something equally extraordinary from Saulnier in the future. Well, the future finally arrived. Rebel Range 2024 takes place in the modern era, but has all the classic tropes and beats of an old-fashioned western. The momentum of the tale is to die for, catching the attention of the viewer right off the top, then delivering tension that just builds and builds. Saulnier's gift for audience connection -- the ability to get the viewer heavily invested in what comes next -- is as strong as ever. The underlying mechanics of the tale are very real too -- modern "lawfare" dragged from the shadows into the light. ((Designated "IMDb Top Reviewer." Please check out my list "167+ Nearly-Perfect Movies (with the occasional Anime or TV miniseries) you can/should see again and again (1932 to the present))
Grace: Dead Simple (2021)
did this conversation ever actually happen?
Imagine you are a fly on the wall when the pilot for this series was first discussed. We are looking for a hook, says the producer, for a limited run police show, maybe just 2 or 3 episodes in the season. We are competing against the best of the best, so we need something really unusual. Hey, says someone from the back of the room. How about we put together a senior writing team, two guys who have been doing this for decades, and tell them to throw the rule book out the window, write a script that defies all logic and common sense? Go nuts. Barking mad. That'll work a treat. So ... did that converation ever happen? It could have. The first episode in this strange series succeeded in attracting an audience, so props all around. But the script itself was so convoluted that even Conan Doyle himself would have raised an eyebrow. Or two. Or three. ((Designated "IMDb Top Reviewer." Please check out my list "167+ Nearly-Perfect Movies (with the occasional Anime or TV miniseries) you can/should see again and again (1932 to the present))
Smoking Tigers (2023)
Deserves a wider audience ...
... But may not find one. Turns out that not all Asians are crazy, or rich, or martial arts masters, or communicating with the Gods on Five Elements Mountain. This is the tale of a Korean teenager, superbly portrayed byJi-young Yoo, who (of course) has a lot of confusion in her young life. Her father is estranged from her mother, and is headed back to Korea. Her mother spends every spare dime trying to help her daughter with academic achievement. And, as with any teen anywhere, all the poor girl wants to do is impress her friends (even if it means pretending to be what she is not) and find out who she really is. Well done. But nothing new. ((Designated "IMDb Top Reviewer." Please check out my list "167+ Nearly-Perfect Movies (with the occasional Anime or TV miniseries) you can/should see again and again (1932 to the present))
A Gentleman in Moscow: The Fall (2024)
To be honest
Ordinarily, when a single episode compels me to do a review, I arrive at the IMDb "episode" spot only to find that that I am late to the party, and many other members were here earlier. I am befuddled this time to find that I am the first to leave a comment on this extraordinary episode. To be clear, this is one of the best series in recent memory. The writing and acting are superb. The opening premise was so strong that I expected the core narrative -- a revolution no one expected changing every single aspect of society -- to continue. That would have worked by itself. Instead, the story keeps getting better. This episode in particular seemed like the climax to a Jimmy Stewart movie from the last century. Wonderful. ((Designated "IMDb Top Reviewer." Please check out my list "167+ Nearly-Perfect Movies (with the occasional Anime or TV miniseries) you can/should see again and again (1932 to the present))
Tin lung baat bou (2023)
a bridge too far -- MUCH too far
For as long as this reviewer has been watching these movies (since the 1970s) the industry has walked a fine line between historical fiction and pure martial arts. It is a tried and true formula, it is what viewers expect, and it works. With this film, a line has been crossed. The story is part Hatfields vs McCoys, part Greek ("who are my real parents?") Tragedy, and part (kid you not) Mission Impossible. With real face-changing masks. Would be great if it worked. It doesn't. Technicals are perfect and the actors do their best. But this script was in many ways a bridge too far. ((Designated "IMDb Top Reviewer." Please check out my list "167+ Nearly-Perfect Movies (with the occasional Anime or TV miniseries) you can/should see again and again (1932 to the present))
My Octopus Teacher (2020)
one in a million
A one in a million movie about a one in a million relationship. Astonishing. Truly shows the difference between religion and spirituality. The story is deeply spiritual yet without a hint of religion. It reminds us that the one thing we have in common with each other is connection. If we honor that connection, everything changes for the better. Reminded me of the other oddball film (on my all-time best list) MARCEL THE SHELL WITH SHOES ON. ((Designated "IMDb Top Reviewer." Please check out my list "167+ Nearly-Perfect Movies (with the occasional Anime or TV miniseries) you can/should see again and again (1932 to the present))
Triple Threat (2019)
runs the gamut of emotions ... the wrong emotions
So much talent to work with. And so little accomplished. The film starts with some of the most un-authentic "action" you have ever seen. Without any explanation, a small gang of men dressed as soldiers raid an encampment and pretty much kill everything that moves. You the viewer watch this and think, gee, some dialog, some backstory, would be nice. At least buy me a drink first. Then, a few scenes later, you finally get some dialog, some backstory, and some idea of where the film is headed. Ugh! Now you are thinking, those fight scenes -- few though they may be -- are not bad. Maybe I will just turn the sound off completely and watch those? That is essentially how this film unfolds. As for the fight scenes, Tiger Chen projects well. Adkins in memorable only for trying to kill a car with his bare hands. Jaa is lost. And so are you. Waste of space. ((Designated "IMDb Top Reviewer." Please check out my list "167+ Nearly-Perfect Movies (with the occasional Anime or TV miniseries) you can/should see again and again (1932 to the present))
The Magic of Lemon Drops (2024)
Review & Bonus Notes (on spotting 'Canadian' movies)
The review -- friendly, polite, somewhat sterile story about parallel realities, choices, roads not taken, consequences, and appreciating what is right in front of you, right now. Everything about the production is perfect. Which is both a blessing and a curse ...
Bonus Notes -- this is a Canadian film pretending to take place in the US. Something that was very common in the early days of Canadian film-making, but quite rare today. It suffers from all the common telltales and giveaways -- lighting perfect in every shot, like the Director just graduated film school. Everyone's clothing is fresh out of the laundry or dry cleaner. Not a smudge or spot anywhere. No recognizable actors, not one, very usual for a production supposedly taking place in the US. Dialog not very "natural," especially for the wisecracks and snappy rejoinders. Accents that don't quite ring true.
Conclusion -- Friendly, and includes useful Life Lessons. The inherent sterility of the Canadian production values blunts much of the impact and audience connection. ((Designated "IMDb Top Reviewer." Please check out my list "167+ Nearly-Perfect Movies (with the occasional Anime or TV miniseries) you can/should see again and again (1932 to the present))
The Killer (2024)
ladies and gentlemen of the jury ....
I have done my share of reviews here and, over the years, I have developed a very special fondness for actors and directors trying to recreate their salad days. What we have here, ladies and gentlemen of the jury, is nothing more and nothing less than a brilliant impresario, almost 80 years old, gently reminding the rest of the world ... "Hey .. you know those film tropes and set pieces you take for granted now? Well, thing is, I #^$^ invented them." This is the way of it. You can't go home again, and you can't get younger. Ridley Scott has never come close to the brilliance of Alien 1 or Blade Runner 1. Stallone has never duplicated the original Rocky vibe. Eastwood has never been as good as he was when he trusted Leone to direct him. And The Pastor Currently Known as Bob Joyce no longer boasts the legendary 3-octave voice he once had -- but that has not stopped him from singing! Was ever thus. Enjoy this film for what it is, let's not critisize it for what it is not. ((Designated "IMDb Top Reviewer." Please check out my list "167+ Nearly-Perfect Movies (with the occasional Anime or TV miniseries) you can/should see again and again (1932 to the present))
Longlegs (2024)
3 coherent thoughts on Longlegs
1. Big divergence between member scores and the critics, especially in the Metacritic data. Don't see that everyday.
2. Osgood Perkins has achieved something other creators strive for. Perfect highlight reel. Whether you love or hate this film, Perkins has shown new and innovative ways to frame shots, use audio, and basically achieve major effects (on the viewer) without resorting to CGI. Props.
3. Cage continues to pop up in unexpected roles. In my review of Willy's Wonderland 2021 (where he was slent for the movie) I suggested that actor had achieved a mystique seldom seen in the industry. Many of his roles could be seen (by fans) as either high drama -- or documentary style, where Cage just woke up in a bad mood, decided to start smashing things, and the camera followed. Got the same vibe here. As good as this film was -- and it was pretty effective -- Cage was having way too much fun, almost like he was in another film only he knew about. Props again.
((Designated "IMDb Top Reviewer." Please check out my list "167+ Nearly-Perfect Movies (with the occasional Anime or TV miniseries) you can/should see again and again (1932 to the present))
The Lockdown (2024)
batter up, swing for the bleachers ... and a big miss (IMDb Top Reviwer)
Here we go again. Yes, it is possible to do a good "prison" MMA on a low budget. Check out what the role of "Boyka" did for Scott Adkin. And yes, there are some truly outstanding MMA films out there -- check out Warrior 2011. (Both of those films are on my list of all-time greats). But this is not the way to go about it. First of all, this is a "gimmick" story that relies on a female protagonist (Caity Lotz) who looks like she weighs 98 pounds soaking wet. The scenes where she beats up several brawny guys at once are just not credible, and not especially well choreographed. Second, the first 90 minutes are mainly waffle and backstory. By the time we get to the payoff, the viewer has simply lost interest. Michael Biehn is given star billing in the press package. Biehn, almost 70 years old, has been doing B-movies for decades. He is a solid performer, but this film flat runs out of steam in the first 20 minutes. ((Designated "IMDb Top Reviewer." Please check out my list "167+ Nearly-Perfect Movies (with the occasional Anime or TV miniseries) you can/should see again and again (1932 to the present))
The Limey (1999)
Stamp is one of those rare actors...
... who cannot give a bad performance. And Steven Soderbergh Is one of those rare directors who jumps genres with ease and, again, cannot do a bad film. This revenge drama will be a special treat for those IMDb members of a certain age for whom the cast will, in many ways, be like looking up old friends. It is competent, and Stamp holds your attention like glue. This reviewer, being of a certain age himself, has a special fondness for older professionals who like to occasionally open the tank and see how much petrol they have left. Jackie Chan did THE FOREIGNER in 2017, and it hits many of the same beats, also a fun watch. In August 2024 the Pastor Currently Known as Bob Joyce gave his first live performance in many years at an event in Hot Springs, Arkansas. When Bob was considerably younger, some say, he did a lot of hit films, and still knows how to hold a crowd. ((Designated "IMDb Top Reviewer." Please check out my list "167+ Nearly-Perfect Movies (with the occasional Anime or TV miniseries) you can/should see again and again (1932 to the present))
Shogun (2024)
film students only?
Perhaps only IMDb members of a certain age will recall, but the 1980 version was also a major hit and swept the awards at the time. In fact, both versions are excellent. But the gauntlet is thrown to the film classes to deconstruct the differences. I have just watched both versions, top to bottom, and I was struck by the fact that the creators of this revised version somehow felt the original was too subtle for modern audiences -- many scenes of Japanese dialog, with no translation, and very long silent reaction shots -- and went out of their way to punch up the action scenes here instead. Do I agree with this upgrade? Yes and no. One of the powerful themes of the original novel was the clash of civilizations. Japan had a culture which, left on its own for centuries, placed great emphasis on strength, character and duty. The author of the novel was showing us that, under the right circumstances, a "barbarian" from our world could in fact rise to the occasion. It was a powerful message and, by scrutinizing both approaches very carefully, you can see that Chamberlain was better suited to the role. I would argue that both versions have their merits, but the earlier version has the greater depth and subtlety. The only major improvement, to this reviewer, was the casting of Anna Sawai in the modern version, who, to be fair, rates much higher on the Scoville scale. ((Designated "IMDb Top Reviewer." Please check out my list "167+ Nearly-Perfect Movies (with the occasional Anime or TV miniseries) you can/should see again and again (1932 to the present))
Shogun (1980)
For film students only
This review written in 2024 and the current adaption of this same story has received rave reviews. In fact, both versions are excellent. But the gauntlet is thrown to the film classes to deconstruct the differences. I have just watched both, top to bottom, and I was struck by the fact that the creators of the revised version somehow felt this version was too subtle for modern audiences and went out of their way to punch up the action scenes, and minimize the "cultural" messaging found here. Do I agree with this upgrade? Not necessarily. One of the powerful themes of the original novel was the clash of civilizations. Japan had a culture which, left on its own for centuries, placed great emphasis on strength, character and duty. The author was showing us that, under the right circumstances, a "barbarian" from our world could rise to the occasion. It was a powerful message and, by scrutinizing both approaches, you can see that Chamberlain was perfect for the role. Jarvis, in the modern, version, not so much. I would argue that both versions have their merits but the earlier version has the greater depth. The only major improvement, to this reviewer, was the casting of Anna Sawai in the modern version, who, to be fair, rates much higher on the Scoville scale. ((Designated "IMDb Top Reviewer." Please check out my list "167+ Nearly-Perfect Movies (with the occasional Anime or TV miniseries) you can/should see again and again (1932 to the present))
Pantheon (2022)
never said this in a review before
It is a matter of some considerable irony that a show about key inflection points in the development of a concept should itself be hobbled by a critical decision made at a key inflection point in its own development. To be clear. The anime is OK. The story is brilliant. Or, let's find a word stronger than brilliant. Unforgettable? Soul searing? Fans of the series, and there are many, have to be wondering what would have happened if the creators had made the critical decision to go live action? Would that have turned the tide? Would that have won the recognition this project properly deserved? We'll never know. Sigh. ((Designated "IMDb Top Reviewer." Please check out my list "167+ Nearly-Perfect Movies (with the occasional Anime or TV miniseries) you can/should see again and again (1932 to the present))
Oddity (2024)
Director/writer Damian Mc Carthy has got "it"
The positive reviews are merited. If you breakdown really successful films, what you find most often is control. That is, the auteur is in control of the viewer's reactions from scene to scene. In mediocre productions - tens of thousands to choose from - you feel the control only in the pivotal scenes, the high points. In superior productions, you the viewer can feel yourself being gently led along, like in an amusement park ride. It is a subtle difference but an important one. This will clearly be remembered as McCarthy's breakout film. ((Designated "IMDb Top Reviewer." Please check out my list "167+ Nearly-Perfect Movies (with the occasional Anime or TV miniseries) you can/should see again and again (1932 to the present))
Art of Eight Limbs (2024)
there is only one reason for this movie to exist
For many creators, the challenge of combining a MMA story with an international espionage tale is just too exciting to pass up. Which is really unfortunate because the two mix as well as oil and water. This film takes yet another kick at the can. However, to use MMA lingo, that kick is "blocked" by a generally weak story, weak dialog, and weak acting. Compounded by obvious budget restraints and the inability of the editor to keep the final product below a tight 90 minutes. The real reason this film may attract an audience, however, is to see if Ludi Lin has the star power to carry the entire thing on his back, warts and all. If yes, this could really help his career. Fingers crossed. ((Designated "IMDb Top Reviewer." Please check out my list "167+ Nearly-Perfect Movies (with the occasional Anime or TV miniseries) you can/should see again and again (1932 to the present))