Mid-March held the annual Academy Awards. We were able to watch all the best pictures before the premiere and agreed with almost all the choices. A lot of great movies this year. Little upsets or undeserving. You can check out what I have been watching here.
Dune: Part Two
This is my second watch of Dune: Part Two, and it did not disappoint. I would say that a second viewing has only increased my interest in the universe and other genres like science fiction. Denis Villeneuve is becoming a prolific filmmaker, and I am glad to share the same timeline. I am looking forward to new content from him.
I never thought I could get goosebumps from a boy named Paul riding a giant worm for the first time … but here we are.
4.5 out of 5
Foundation - Season 3
I am a sucker for science fiction, and Foundation tickles that proclivity hard. Complex story over many generations with an ever-expanding character and political intrigue to keep you engaged. Season three ends with hope in the galaxy and a shift in direction of the show. Interested to see if it gets renewed for Season 4.
4 out of 5
Friendship
Second watch for me. Tim Robinson continues to crack me up. It’s awkward, bizarre, and masterfully made. “A true horror about how devastating it is to be a dude who can’t hang” describes the movie perfectly.
4 out of 5
Queer Eye - Season 10
Solid feel-good show that is more than fashion, but making a difference in the world around you.
4 out of 5
Hamnet
I went into Hamnet not watching any trailers or reading what it was about. I believe I was at a disadvantage honestly. The movie does not mention the main character’s full name until about 80% of the movie is over. While the story does involve William Shakespeare it is more about the story of his family and wife he left behind to pursue his writing. This is a fantastic portal of what ‘may’ have transpired with William Shakespeare’s family and is by no means a historical documentation of events. However it is a great story with amazing acting, set pieces, and cinematography. Jessie Buckly absolutely deserves Best Actress.
3.5 out of 5
The Dinosaurs
Great dino doc. Easy entry level point for younger audience and tells a compelling story from the start to the demise of the dinosaurs.
3.5 out of 5
People Magazine Investigates: The Secrets of the Twelve Tribes Cult
This is not a cult I was familiar with going in. It is absolutely mind blowing to me that these places still operate and exist. No good can come from a ‘Jesus movement out of Chattanooga, Tennessee.’ The cult forces their members to work for free at their many businesses including The Yellow Deli. Hiding members and children across the many pods around the world is human trafficking and we are not doing anything about it.
3 out of 5
Bridesmaids
This is my second watch. I first saw this in theatres in 2011 and how the world has changed since. I don’t believe this holds up very well. It feels like one big SNL skit and take that however you would like. As SNL cast movies go, it’s great. As raunchy movies like wedding crashers, 40-year-old Virgin, and the Hangover - I don’t think it holds a candle.
3 out of 5
Frankenstein 2025
While I love Guillermo del Toro and Oscar Isaac, this felt a little flat for me. It feels VERY flat if you take into account that it is up for Best Picture. If this is your first introduction to the story of Frankenstein and his monster, I am sure it would be a bit higher than what I gave it. It brings nothing to the table other than a grimdark rendition of the non-copyrighted intellectual asset.
3 out of 5
Louis Theroux: Inside the Manosphere
I have enjoyed Theroux’s documentaries for some time. This Netflix release follows 2-3 inner circles of the ‘Red Pill’ community, or males who teach other males how to be dominant and, by all accounts, douche bags. This tells a story with a solid conclusion showing just how fake and predatory this society is.
3 out of 5
Tucker and Dale vs. Evil
Second watch of Tucker and Dale, and it has aged pretty well. I would liken it to a comedy version of Cabin in the Woods. Laughs were had by all. Some tropes are not great, but held up overall.
3 out of 5
Buy Now! The Shopping Conspiracy
Instead of presenting a compelling case on the downfall of society due to capitalism, it uses blowhards and hypocrites to make its point. It turns consumerism into a content delivery and makes it nauseating. Listening to people who have contributed to the issue continue contributing, with no end in sight, is depressing, not motivating. Just not a good documentary.
2 out of 5
The Bride!
A very confusing tale told on the heels of a large Frankenstein movie. Directed by Maggie Gyllenhaal, the production felt preformative. As if someone has been sitting on this idea for ages and formed it, molded it, cast it in their head and no one could sway them on story choices.
The movie opens with Academy Award winner Jessie Buckley as the writer of Frankenstein, who then possesses a 1920s Chicago woman also played by Jessie Buckley. Yes … the ‘real world’ writer of the fictional book Frankenstein Mary Shelley, played by Jessie Buckley, decides she is going to possess a woman in the WORLD of Frankenstein 200 years after the book transpires. Now you have a flapper Chicago accent manically switching to a lat 1700s proper British accent. Then she gets pushed down the stairs and FORGETS ALL OF THIS, while maintaining the flip flopping of accents.
After all this gets sorted and the stage is set, Christian Bale and Jessie Buckley have a great time as Bonnie and Clyde (The Bride and Frankenstein’s Monster) bouncing between Chicago and New York. It was an interesting watch but not a good movie.
2 out of 5