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Territory (2024)
brass tacks, straight talk
Let's get to the nub of it. You didn't watch Yellowstone to learn how be a rodeo star. You got sucked into Taylor Sheriden's world of story-telling and you were hooked. Here the story-telling is not quite as sharp, but the cast compensates for that. Anna Torv back on the homescreen is reward enough. Robert Taylor is a bonus. Australia doesn't a roster of 100s of stars like the US, but they make do with what they have. As does the U. K. (Canada is the exception -- most of their stars end up in the dozens of X-Mas specials released in November of each year, and are never seen again). Solid, entertaining, and worth your 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))
Reptile (2023)
works in spite of itself
If you are in film class, and the topic pops up of older stars that try a second career, Kevin Costner's name eventually pops up. To be clear, Kostner -- the poster child for second chances -- is not in this film, but he haunts it anyway. Reptile 23 is a slow plodding point-of-view procedural of a type that was popular in the 80s. It stars Del Toro and Bogosian, two actors who were also popular in the 80s. The camera loves Del Toro. The audience loves Del Toro. This new heavier, older, version of the once-lean and fast-moving actor commands attention, and is the glue that makes this work. ((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))
Return of the King: The Fall and Rise of Elvis Presley (2024)
gives new life to an event few understood
Gives new life to an incredible story. But does not do justice to his fascination with religion. Elvis used to carry a Bible with him everwhere, and he would ask friends to open to a page at random, pick a verse, and he would complete the verse from memory. In my IMDb comment on the original ELVIS THE COMBACK SPECIAL (1968) -- on my IMDb list of best all-time films -- I suggested that, decades from now, historians looking back at our present time period will note that, of the many dozens of Conspiracy Theories floating around, the Bob Joyce controversy was the only one that could actually produce a smile. The world is a brighter place with him still in it. Do your own research. Start with "Clark Kent Syndrome." ((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))
Do Not Open (2024)
the problem with the film business today
The problem with the business today is that the demand for new streaming content is so great that most providers have lost the ability to simply refuse low-end product. DO NOT OPEN by creator Brian Babarik is a good example. Not only is the notion unoriginal, but Babarik has taken his own work so seriously that the timing, of the editing, of each shot is designed to allow you to pause and spend extra time appreciating the end result. In real life, the extended pacing only grants the audience the luxury of finding fault with the writing, the acting, the direction, the editing and -- my personal favorite -- the atonal mishmash that pretends to be a sound track ((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))
Rope (1948)
a counter-intuitive review
As an IMDb reviewer who has built a list specifically to support the lost treasures of the last century, my take on ROPE will seem counter-intuitive. In short, Hitchcock was right all along. It was a vanity. It was definitely not one of his best films, not even close. He was right to delay its release. There are flaws galore. Stewart, the titled star, does not show up until 30 minutes have flown by and, worse, he seems awkward in a character role he never revisited afterwards. The stage-play dialog does not engage. The homosexual subtext might have worked a treat in 1948, but seems awkward today. Yes, a piece of history. No, not a great piece of entertainment. ((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 Penguin Friend (2024)
The actor who plays the penguin is great ..
The actor who plays the penguin is great .. though it must get hot in that suit. It is hard not to get enchanted by this story. Reno, basically film royalty in France, is great too. And although it differs in tone and presentation from MY OCTOPUS TEACHER 2020, at the end of the day both are great stories about connecting with animals. This review written in 2024, shortly after after the debacle with Peanut the Squirrel in NY, showing yet again that nature brings out both the best and worst in our species. ((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))
Citadel: Honey Bunny (2024)
this "product" from Russo Bros should be recalled
The name "Russo Bros" on a production should stand for something better. Here it does not. Everything about this series is slightly out of kilter. The acting, the writing, the use of flashbacks, the direction -- all hat, no cattle. If you want to see how action scenes should flow in a thriller, how viewer connection is built, watch the first 3 Bourne movies and take notes. Nor is the fault with the production venue. One of the best series I've ever seen was an Indian production -- Asur, on my IMDb list of all-time greats. A swing and a miss. ((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))
Almost Paradise (2020)
Samantha Richelle - an honest review
How about an honest review. A very long time ago, the 1960s to be precise, a writer for british TV came up with the idea of of a clandestine spy team that tracked down oddball villains. It was a light comedy/action show that almost vanished into obscurity -- until the creators recast the lead female agent with Diana Rigg, a stage actress who immediately won the hearts and minds of male viewers. Here we have the same formula, a show so so determined to keep the budget down that each episode blatantly limits itself to the same locations and actors. This obsession with cost-saving was even more obvious in S02 than S01. However, as was the case with its iconic UK forebear, male viewers tune in mainly for Samantha Richelle , who, no matter what she is saying or doing, never fails to disappoint. ((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))
Le Comte de Monte-Cristo (2024)
best eaten cold
They say revenge is a dish best eaten cold. That was never more true than in the iconic and time-tested Monte Cristo story, a tale as far from John Wick as the earth is from the sun. Equally interesting is how, in 2024, patriot fever is evident even in the entertainment sector, as Spain asserts it right to showcase Zorro 2024, and France lays claim to this venerable old tale. The producers even gave Dumas a writing credit! With a few new twists not evident in the book - and Dumas of course unable to complain - the time spent is both enjoyable and worthwhile. ((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))
At the Drive-In (2017)
two ways to review
One of those unusual films that can be reviewed in different ways. First as a documentary. In my IMDb list of best films, I suggested that THE RESCUE 2021 was the best doc ever done, both technically and in terms of story. Let's be honest. At that level, AT THE DRIVE-IN cannot compete. However, as a story about a bunch of great people who believe in something bigger than themselves and want to share that dream with others ... this rocks. The payoff at the end, where the guys create a digital projector for about 5% of the retail cost .. also fun. ((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 Wild Robot (2024)
For a film about robots and animals
For a film about robots and animals WILD ROBOT manages to tell us an awful lot about what it means to be a human being. This entry joins a long line of novel animated films which start with what looks like a simple premise and -- before you know it -- the story is resonating with people and places and circumstances we have known our entire collective lives. Easily one of the best of its kind. Award worthy. The only sour note for this reviewer was that voice actor chosen for Brightbill (Kit Connor) sounds almost the same as Michael J. Fox. ((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))
Levels (2024)
sum of its parts
In my many reviews here I have pushed the meme that a really good movie experience should be more than merely the sum of its parts. LEVELS 2024 is an excellent example of a production that unfortunately flips that notion upside down -- the film has many excellent parts, but the end result falls somewhat short. Creator Adam Stern, already known and respected for his work with visual effects, keeps production levels above what you might expect for a low-budget indie sci-fi. Cara Gee, who earned rave reviews for her work in The Expanse (one of the best sci-fi series EVER!) gives a solid performance that will only add to her fan base. The clever premise, the main arc, is a composite of THE MATRIX and FREE GUY, and raises many pertinent questions about the role of AI in our world-to-be. The final product, however, is much more interesting at that beginning than the end; and although the script tries hard to entertain, there are large chunks of dialog that cannot avoid sounding preachy and strained. ((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))
Jolt (2021)
unusual genre of film
Forget the plot. If you haven't already. This film is less about the story arc and more about the star. Traditionally when a female actress in Hollywood starts to crowd the BIG 5-0, the roles offered change. Instead of being the ingenue, suddenly you are cast as the mother of the ingenue. This is the way of the industry, and has been for decades. But there is an exception, and it is worth noting. If, in your career; you once voted the Hottest Actress West of the Milky Way, and if, even in your dotage, you look 25 years younger than you actually are, you will be offered a role in a rare genre of film. Offbeat comedies. Action films with nutty premises. Fantasy scripts. Something that will attract your fan base without offending the critics. And now you know why this film exists. ((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))
Hooten & the Lady (2016)
the real question
Lovibond reminds one of those older Swiss Army Knives. No matter what the situation, you can always find a blade or attachment that fits the situation. Similarly, to her credit, Lovibond never plays the same character twice, and yet always seems to command attention on the screen. Landes was, is, and always will be charm personified. This "adventure" series is technically excellent, but the real question will always be the chemistry. Is there any between the stars. Indeed there is. ((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))
Ginger Snaps: Unleashed (2004)
the sequel that never was
You almost have to feel sorry for the creators. I said almost. You accidentally create a cult classic without realizing it. By the time you get what you did, and want to repeat it, you realize you have also killed off the main character. So you panic. And produce a script which relies almost entirely on the acting chops of the remaining character, in this case Perkins. Perkins is talented, yes, but the original had a clever script full of unexpected reversals, a rock solid high school setting, and of course Katherine Isabelle. Isabelle was on fire in the original, as may be gleaned from the many reviews by her fanboys. That said, considering that GS2 was hobbled and handicapped by its own creators, it is nonetheless technically solid and sort of holds attention in its own right. But it never comes close to the magic of the original. ((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))
High Potential (2024)
not the review you were expecting
When a series is itself based on another successful series, you have to go back to basics. HPI, as it is known in France, is a successful and clever police procedural. If you watch a bunch of sodes, which this reviewer did, you will find that the entertainment value is less about the crime and more about the lead actress who, in her late 40s, looks and acts like a 25 year old. Seriously. That is the gimmick. OK, on the transplant to the US, the showrunners decided to outgun the French by finding an actress who is actually older than her French counterpart but could -- depending on the lighting -- pass for a teenager. Not kidding. This is the part of the review where you want me to say that both shows are great aside from the gimmick, but that is not so. The gimmick carries the show. You either connect with the lead actress or you don't. Guys probably will. Just a guess.
((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))
Bad Monkey (2024)
an acquired taste
Much the same way that the Goliath series had almost nothing to do with law, but rather was a vehicle designed to give Billy Bob Thornton fans the fix they had been missing, Bad Monkey is specifically for Vaughn fans. Period. End of Story. For the record, Vaughn is not merely a comic actor. His work in True Detective will be remembered as one of the most extraordinary examples of "physical" acting in TV history. Monkey has continuity issues, and VO issues, and many other flaws, but Vaughn fans will love it. ((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))
Don't Move (2024)
don't watch
As auteur, Sam Raimi is pretty much Hollywood royalty. Over his career he has made a lot of controversial choices in his work but, surprisingly, most of them worked out. DON'T MOVE 2024 may prove to be the exception. On paper it is clever as Hell. In real life, however, there are issues. First, it is hard to imagine any self-identifying female enjoying the ordeal that "Iris" goes through. The overall effect uncomfortably mirrors what is known in the trade as Torture Porn. So there goes half your audience. Will guys perhaps go for the convoluted script? The fact that the Reacher book series is the all-time bestseller in Men's Fiction tells us that guys like a story that unfolds logically -- and, be assured, there is nothing at all logical about this film. So, who does that leave? Inquiring minds really want to know. ((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 Shadow Strays (2024)
credit where credit is due
Credit where credit is due. Timo Tjahjanto is one of the most fearless and unpredictable auteurs on the planet, especially when it comes to violent revenge films. If he had only done one film in his entire career -- referring of course to THE NIGHT COMES FOR US -- he would still deserve mention in any film class on the planet. The opening arc here is original, not derivative. A trained female assassin makes a mistake on a mission, and is sidelined, told to take her meds. She forms an unexpected bond with a neighboring kid, and goes completely off-book, takes on the local mob. Not his best work, maybe, but it holds the attention and best of all makes you curious about what happens next. 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))
Ginger Snaps (2000)
lost classic
Perkins and Isabelle are both pitch-perfect in this lows budget Canadian classic. Proves once again that if you cover the basics -- story, characters, flow, connection -- then even with minimal special effects you can hook the viewer from the opening to the credits roll. The sequel didn't have any of the magic. Isabelle went on to several secondary roles but never found the one she was looking for. Under rated and under appreciated. ((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))
Blade: Trinity (2004)
3 different ways to review this
One, as the last of the trilogy, you could it is the best and most nuanced, having had the benefit of the first two as reference. Or, second, you could say that, as the last of the franchise, this is the one that killed the franchise because it was awful on almost every level, with terrible writing, and characters nobody cared about. Or, if you are an optimist, you could say that this hidden gem allowed Reynolds to develop a patter that, astonishingly, was still a cash cow for him a decade later. ((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))
Trap (2024)
either works for you ... or it doesn't
Fascinating study, albeit unintentional, on the degree to which theatre patrons will allow themselves to be manipulated. In this case M. Night Shyamalan, a talented but unpredictable creator, uses his skills to mess with your head for almost 2 hours. (M. Night Shyamalan is the creator who wowed us with THE SIXTH SENSE; and horrified us with his failed attempt to bring AIRBENDER to life). Some viewers will go along for the ride. Others will bristle, because, to be honest, the manipulation is overlong and overdone. Interestingly, the critics loved this film. The patrons, not so much. ((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))
Smile 2 (2024)
Finn gives a master class on endings
Smile 1 was competent but left you with the nagging feeling that the film was a clever idea in search of a clever resolution. Finn seemed to have that in mind with Smile 2. Although the first 60 mins of the overlong 2 hr drama were a little laggy, the last 30 minutes may possibly be some of the most memorable moments in the history of the genre. Props to Finn -- supported by an outstanding Scott -- who remembered that most creators today tend to let the audience down when a jolt is most needed. No one will ever say that about Smile 2. Ever. ((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))
Bookworm (2024)
Two movies for the price of one?
One of those film oddities where, at the halfway point, you get an entirely different second movie. The first movie, which fills the first 50 minutes, is a genuinely interesting father-daughter roadtrip romp, with the daughter (Fisher) gettting the best lines: (dialog) "Am I still dreaming .. or did a 42 year old man really just wake up an 11 year old girl to tell her that he heard a creepy sound in the night?" Wood, late in his career, still has star power and the vibe between the two is solid. Then the tone changes and, much to the chagrin of the N. Z. Dept. Of Tourism, a friendly couple encountered while camping turns out to be anything but. The two halves of the film do not match, and the sour notes of the second half suck all the joy out of the first half. ((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))
Ludwig (2024)
detective fans are a funny lot indeed
Off the top, it is exceedingly well produced. And the opening episode was one of the most interesting in quite a while. Which turn means that a lot of murder fans were hooked and can be counted on to binge their way through. Whch creates the first paradox. Namely, will the premise, which showed so much promise, hold up? Good question. For this reviewer, the answer is .. barely. First of all the premise. Clever, yes. Original. No. Could name a half-dozen Disney movies based on the notion of switched identities. Including the sub-arc of twins. Second, is this better as a movie or a mini-series? Given the demand for streaming content these days, the producers could have taken the high road and done a quite engaging movie. But there is more money in doing a series, so they decided to go for the fatter target. Which means that week after week, our hero has to keep trying to break a code, solve a murder, deal with the ominous senior policeman, maintain his secret from his prying underling, and assure his newphew everything will be all right. I have seen episodes of Zorro 2024 that are less complicated. And that is not a compliment. ((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))