3 Thoughts on The Wild Robot

1. The Robot - I didn't know much about this before watching it. I was meeting my mom for lunch and a movie - and this was the only thing playing aside from horror movies (Heretic, Smile 2), movies I've never heard of (Here, Elevation), or movies I know my mom would hate (Conclave, Anora). So we picked this and I have no regrets! It's so good! The best animated movie I've seen since The Mitchell's vs. The Machines. There has been some great animated movies about robots (Big Hero 6, Wall-E, The Iron Giant), so I didn't know how this one was going to stand out. But it does. Roz not only has to adapt to her new environment (on an island of wild animals), she also has to learn about friendship, motherhood, and the laws of nature. All of it is done so well, and SOMEHOW, I didn't cry! Instead I left the theater feeling inspired and entertained. 

2. The Wild - Not only does this have a loveable robot, but it also has loveable wild animals, so OBVIOUSLY, I'm going to love it. The biggest "lesson" of the movie is that kindness is, in fact, a survival skill - something that A LOT of people would probably argue against. I think we've adapted the mantra that the "nice guy finishes last" and have run amuck with it, unfortunately. In theory, it's really cute - and a good lesson for children, but my mind kept wandering to - "but if all the animals are friends and take care of each other, how are they getting food???" In "the wild" animals will eat each other and it's survival of the fittest! They do mention this more than a few times, but in the end, the animals all band together and they ignore the whole eating each other thing. But, I know, I know, it's a kid's movie. And I know if I were a kid, I would have been obsessed with this - especially with Fink the fox. They do a great job of giving depth to these characters - Fink is a loveable "hated" character. I also like that it touches on how being different (or having a disability), i.e being a runt of a litter, still has its strengths within a community. Everyone contributes to society - you just have to find out how. 

3. The Rest - I think the thing about this movie that really blew me away is the animation - and I haven't really cared for modern animation in a long time. Especially from DreamWorks (I like a lot of their animated movies - The Kung Fu Panda movies, and The Bad Guys, but I still find the animation lacking that spark. OH WAIT - I just realized that Puss in Boots is not only DreamWorks but came out in 2022, after The Mitchell's vs The Machines - so that's probably the last animated movie I truly loved). But this movie is gorgeous. Simply GORGEOUS. I love the way it intertwines the relationship between technology and nature - it's so vibrant, detailed, and feels magical. I also think the casting is incredible because as recognizable as all the voices are, it's not distracting to the movie. Lupita's voice is so soothing and calm, it's so perfect for this character. Her supporting actors that surround her - Pedro Pascal, Kit Conner, Stephanie Hsu are all great. I think the only critique I have is Matt Berry, because his voice is SO overwhelmingly distinct that it was distracting. 

Thoughts on 5 New TV Shows

1. Nobody Wants This - This is SUPER cute!! I heard good things and I adore Adam Brody, but I instantly had my doubts when I realized the other main character (played by Kristen Bell - who I don't always love) is a podcast host, and her podcast is about her relationships and dating. I'm sorry, but I hate the whole idea of this - nobody fucking cares about your dating life. It's so narcissistic and annoying. But apparently people do care because this is what people do with their lives now - they listen to strangers on podcasts talk about their lives (like, MILLIONS OF PEOPLE. Even some of my co-workers - instead of putting music on in the stockroom, they now put podcasts on and I want to kill myself). Anyway, fortunately - this show is still good even though I hate this whole concept. The show is more about falling in love with the unexpected and life not going as planned. The biggest success is, in fact, Adam Brody because he's one of the most loveable men on the planet. I know a lot of The O.C. girls loved Seth Cohen - he made nerdy guys COOL. Every girl wanted their very own Seth Cohen (I didn't - I was always a Ryan Atwood girl. Reformed bad boy. Broods a lot. He's perfect). Brody takes that same Cohen charm, but as an adult - he's mature but still fun and silly, he's a rabbi (!!), and he's still just as awkward and self-deprecating. And very, very funny. I will concede that he is absolutely swoon worthy in this. And I love the relationship that forms between him and Bell. They definitely have chemistry - and they match each others wit. I think Bell is the weak link, but I expected that. I also just don't think her character is written very well - and she is very much a stereotype of a needy girl (she gets upset that he doesn't text her back because it's been 3 hours?? I would not survive that kind of relationship. Thank God my husband does not need constant communication. I always think it's really weird when my co-workers spend their break talking to their husbands/partners. Aren't you going to see each other when you get home?? I get when it's a new relationship, even though it's not my style. But my husband and I can go weeks without texting each other. I see him every day!). The supporting cast really, really shines - I think Jackie Tohn, as the bitchy sister-in-law, is the sneaky highlight of the whole thing. But, Timothy Simons is HILARIOUS. It's great casting to begin with (they definitely could be brothers in real life), and he's kind of the same character as Jonah from Veep, but it's in a completely different circumstances so it works really well. Plus, I love the friendship that is forming between his character and the sister (played by Succession's Justine Lupe). They are really funny together. And, of course, Tovah Feldshuh is a legend. I love that it's about a mixed faith relationship (well, he's Jewish, and she's not religious at all) - the problems they face due to their own customs, traditions, and expectations is explored in really thoughtful ways. Plus, it's laugh out loud funny - some of my favorite moments: 1. When the sister first meets the brothers ("what does Jewish look like to you?" LOL). 2. The line "I'm independently wealthy because my family is rich". 3. When Sasha is watching the movie and he says "you're a problematic weirdo, but goddamn it, you're a movie star!" about Tom Cruise (the love for Tom Cruise is at an all-time high right now and it is soul-crushing to me. It really shows that people do not care if movie stars are good or bad people AT ALL). There's so many more really funny moments, but you get the point. I think my only criticism is that Sherry Cola is underused. She is FUNNY. Please LET HER BE FUNNY! 

2. Agatha All Along - I didn't really like this show and I don't really have any solid reason why. It just didn't hook me and I felt like I had no idea what was going on at any given moment. They were going down the witches road for...something. I guess? And they had challenges along the way? BUT, I LOVE (most of) this cast! I was really interested in seeing Joe Locke in something outside of Heartstopper because I love him so much on that show - he's just the sweetest teenager ever and I want to give him a big hug and tell him everything's going to be okay. He's good in this too! A different role, and he does a decent job with it. But also - Patti LuPone!!! What a legend! And I'm a big fan of Kathryn Hahn (and have been for a while) - I'm glad she had so much success with this character that they gave her a spinoff, but I also find the whole exercise unnecessary. And love it or hate it, Aubrey Plaza continues to be Aubrey Plaza. I think the weakest link is Ali Ahn - I've liked her in past projects, but in this I think she was miscast (or they just wrote the character wrong) because she's, like, my age and she's working at Hot Topic and acts like she's a teenager? It's really confusing. And I usually love Evan Peters - although I'm so lost on his whole Marvel connection because he's Quicksilver in the X-Men movies but then he shows up in WandaVision as someone else (I think?) - and then he reappears in this and for some reason is doing a Sam Rockwell impersonation? I don't get it. And speaking of WandaVision, I really liked it, for the most part, but I don't remember much about it - and it seems essential to understand what's going on here. It was like 4 years ago - how do people remember things from 4 years ago? I have such a bad memory, it stinks. I try to do puzzles and things to help, but it doesn't. I think it's a coping mechanism (to forget things so easily), but it gets so annoying. Anyway, so *spoiler* Locke's character is Wanda and Vision's son and his whole goal is to find his twin brother (by following the witches road? I guess?). I like the reveal, but I also don't know why I'm supposed to care about any of these characters. The best part of the show is the end credits - I like the songs, and I like the nods to all the previous witch characters in the media. Also, "The Ballad of the Witches' Road" is a really catchy song. Annoyingly catchy. 

3. Doctor Odyssey - Oh my God, this is the stupidest show I've watched in a while - and guess what? I'm going to keep watching it. When the commercials for it first started to air, my husband had commented on how dumb it looks - he was like "there's a show that's like that 911 show you watch mixed with The Love Boat" and I laughed because that sounded pretty fucking stupid. I didn't really pay attention to the commercial during the multiple times he commented on how dumb it looks, until one day, I noticed PACEY on my television and was like "OH What's this?!!" only to realize it's the show that my husband had been ragging on for weeks. He came home and I said "I regret to inform you that I will be watching that 911 Love Boat show". His response: "of course you are". I will never not watch a show with Joshua Jackson, though. I've watched all of them - from Dawson, to Fringe (which is an excellent sci-fi show), to The Affair (which had an amazing first season and a decent finish), to Dr. Death, to the Fatal Attraction remake. He's so good in all of them, but ALWAYS STILL PACEY! But, I admit, this is, by far, the worst show he's ever done. It's actually TERRIBLE for so many reasons. For one, it is exactly like 911 in that it takes all these crazy scenarios (that may have happened on a cruise ship at some point in time), but they all happen to this cruise and these doctors - every week! There are like 4 or 5 extremely unlikely emergencies every episode! It's so stupid. I also think the whole love triangle (now turned into a threesome with the last episode I watched), is written like they are in high school and these are fully grown adults. It doesn't help that I hate the other two co-stars (she's from Hamilton, right? She's a horrible actress. And she's not hot, but I think she's supposed to be??). I will give them credit for somehow getting wild guest stars (Gina Gershon!! Margot Martindale?? Chord Overstreet?!). But the absolute most ridiculous thing about this show is that Pacey is supposed to be patient zero for the Covid epidemic and they keep referencing it and doing flashbacks and it's the fucking funniest thing I've ever seen. It's so trashy and dumb - maybe even too trashy and dumb for me? If it didn't have Pacey, I definitely would not keep watching it. 

4. Grotesquerie - I'm not loving this show and I kind of hesitated watching it because I think I'm finally over Ryan Murphy shows. He's going too far, I think. He needs to take a break and reassess - come back when he's ready to reinvent shit again instead of turning out the same stuff with different titles. This is basically an American Horror Story, just not as weird. It's like his version of Se7en - and I hate to make that comparison because it's not nearly as good, but it's basically the same story. So far, at least. I did decide to give it a go because I really love Niecy Nash-Betts - and she was so good in Dahmer. I'm interested to see what else she can do, and I appreciate that Murphy cast her to headline a series. I love that Murphy stays loyal to certain actors & actresses (although his love for Emma Roberts and Lea Michele needs to die - it's clear they are both very self-centered narcissists. And so many co-stars have come forward with their own horror stories about them. It can't be ignored anymore. Stop hiring them). But Murphy also has a tendency to stunt cast - like Kim Kardashian, and with this, Travis Kelce. Kardashian was not the worst, but Kelce is remarkably bad. I don't really understand the need to hire people who aren't actors for ACTING roles. Just for ratings? I don't think Kelce drove any hard ratings for this, did he? Football fans are not watching this. And Swifties are already using up their precious free-time watching football for Kelce, they're not going to also watch a bad horror series. Anyway, nothing about this show has gripped me - the whole nun part is somewhat intriguing because the actress is very charismatic and interesting (and she has a STUNNING voice - the scene with her singing in the car gave me literal goosebumps). But I also don't understand why they are suddenly in a shootout in the middle of the desert? I keep zoning in and out, though, so it's not surprising that I can't follow the plot. And I don't care about the main character, at all. She's a drunk, but she also insists on driving everywhere??? AS A COP? FUCK HER, I hope she kills herself before she kills someone else. UGH. Anyway, I'm 5 episodes in, and I'm hoping that it gets better (and I have a better understanding of what the Hell is going on), but I'm not counting on it.

5. La Maquina - So far, I like this show. I'm 4 episodes in - and I like the turn that it has taken. I thought it was going to be this underdog boxing story, which we've seen a million times. But the stakes have turned much higher with it being about this underground ring of people "fixing" matches and then making demands. I watched this for the Gael Garcia Bernal & Diego Luna reunion - I love them so much, and I hope they continue to act together until they retire from acting. Bernal is very much in his element with this role - he's charming and loveable even when he's being an asshole. He oozes chemistry on screen (that smile!) and he should be a much bigger star. Luna has become more of a household name with the whole Star Wars Andor character (good for him!), but I prefer him in quieter, independent projects. But in this he is practically unrecognizable - he plays someone who has had major plastic surgery and fillers injected into every crease of his face. It's so hard to look at! It's based on a true story (and a real person). I tried to look up some pictures of him to see why they had to make Diego look like that, but I couldn't find any (I didn't try that hard though! I'm too lazy for real research right now). But I'll never understand how people think they look better when they look all plastic and swollen like that. But to each their own! Not my business. This also has Eiza Gonzalez in this, but so far, she is underutilized. The story is interesting, but it's also very well made - the pace and editing is great. Like the cut from him being all hyped and arrogant going into the fight to him in the ambulance. We don't need to see the actual fight to completely understand what happened. And there is a really cool tracking shot in the beginning of the second episode (wait, maybe it's the 3rd episode, I forgot already), but it's extremely smooth and moves in and out between all the characters in the gym. I love when shots are so smooth like that that you almost don't even notice the technicality of it (I don't think most audiences notices stuff like that anyway, unless it's pointed out to them). I'm excited to watch the rest of it (I think it's only 6 episodes, which is perfect!). 

Movie Marathon: Scream

*This post contains spoilers*

1. Scream (1996) - This is one of my favorite movies of all time!! It came out when I was 15 and is a big reason I fell in love with movies. I was always a big movie person when I was a kid, but my mom wasn't, so I didn't have someone introducing me to movies like most kids do. I had my paternal grandfather who really loved westerns and war movies, but as a young girl, I did not really enjoy those movies (I do now). But I remember going to see this with my friends in the movie theater and for one, I was terrified - I had not seen too many "scary" movies and the ones that I had seen I thought were not scary or even cheesy (the only exception is Firestarter, which gave me nightmares because I watched it too young). And two, I fell in love with how well-made this movie is. The way it references other movies made me seek out those movies! I began my film journey by watching Hitchcock and Fritz Lang movies, and the original Halloween, which led to a whole new world of movies! Don't get me wrong - I loved a lot of 90s movies - Jurassic Park, Speed, Independence Day, and Bad Boys all come to mind - but those were different. And none of those made me seek out Hitchcock. It's weird to think of now, because I would much rather watch blockbuster action films over horror, but horror is where it all began for me. I went on to take an elective film class in my senior year of high school and then I double majored in film studies & drama studies in college - all because Drew Barrymore gets violently murdered within the first 15 minutes of this movie! And I still think this is the best opening scene to a movie OF ALL TIME. It's iconic. And I love how Wes Craven pays homage to other iconic horror shots throughout the rest of the movie (like the reflection in the eyeball, the knife slashing shots, etc.). And I think a lot of people credit Scream with the whole meta film experience, but I recently watched the Nightmare on Elm Street movies (I had only seen the first one, so I watched all the rest a few years ago) and Craven's New Nightmare is excellent and extremely meta (and was released a few years before Scream). But this definitely helped drive the whole meta film device into the mainstream and became the running theme through the rest of the Scream movies. The ending goes over the top a bit, but Matthew Lillard gives it his all and I love every second of it. His dialogue and line delivery at the end makes me laugh every time ("should I let the machine get it?" LOL perfect). Plus, this one has one of my favorite horror kills of all (aside from the opening), with Rose McGowan and the garage door - still slightly afraid of garages because of this if I'm honest. 

2. Scream 2 - This is where things get exciting for me because I've seen the original Scream probably 20 or so times, but this I've only seen a few times (but not since it was originally released) and the rest I've only seen once. So I'm excited to see if my memory is skewed by nostalgia (*spoiler* it was!) or if the original trilogy are *just* as good as I remember them. This sequel came out while I was still in high school (the turnaround for the first three was so quick!), and I saw it in the theater 3 or 4 times and I remember having a BLAST. Especially during the opening scene featuring Jada Pinkett Smith. The only problem is that it wasn't scary at all; instead the audience laughed their ass off (partially at how Jada dies. It's so fucking funny!). I was a big Jada fan back in the day (between this and Set it Off, she was a STAR), but now I realize she's a bad actress (and she's super weird). I know a lot of people are big fans of Timothy Olyphant now, but I was around for him back in the 90s (again with this, and then Go is one of my favorite 90s movies). There is a big success with the casting in this - some genuine 90s icons - Sarah Michelle Gellar, Heather Graham, Rebecca Gayheart, Omar Epps, AND Pacey!! And I LOVE that they got Tori Spelling to play Sidney Prescott in the movie version because she jokes about it in the first one (they also name drop David Schwimmer playing Dewey, which is funny because of the Courtney Cox connection). Plus this is the movie that both Neve and Courtney have the BEST hair - Courtney with that bob and red streaks - I longed for that hairstyle (I did the streaks, but my hair is too thick and curly for a bob). I still had so much fun with this - it's a little funnier than the first one and I think the reveal of the killer was genuinely surprising. Some of it drags a bit - like the theater scenes, and it was a big mistake killing Randy, but overall it's as good as I remember it. 

3. Scream 3 - This is where things get weird - because I remember Scream 3 being a disappointment, but I don't remember it being an actively bad movie. But....it's bad. And as I pressed play, I realized that I didn't even remember who the killer was so it felt like I was watching a new movie. I genuinely didn't remember anything about it aside that a lot of it takes place on a film set and Courtney's mini bangs have been placed in the worst haircuts of all time. I was surprised that the first kill is Megan Mancini/Lily van der Woodsen!! It's always such an iconic scene in the Scream movies, it's kind of crazy that I don't even remember her being in this. I kinda hate the whole meta aspect of this because it goes a little too far with the cast interacting with the actor playing them in a movie bit (they are doing this on the current season of It's Only Murders in the Building and it's THE WORST). Parker Posey, as much as I love her, is miscast because she doesn't have the same energy at all as Gale Weathers. She is really grating in this too. They definitely lead the audience to believe it's the cop (played by Patrick Dempsey), and for a few minutes I thought it might be (especially since it's a cop in the most recent one - I thought that was maybe a reference that I missed). I think this one is bad mostly because it turns Sidney Prescott into a stupid woman - and she was never stupid! Why would she wander around on this film set BY HERSELF? Why would she go into this cop car BY HERSELF? It's just so dumb. And some of the scenes don't look good (like the house blowing up). There is one really strong scene - the double-sided mirror scene, but other than that this movie is a doozy.

4. Scre4m - I've always listed this on the bottom of my Scream ranking even thought a LOT of film buffs insist that it's great. After this rewatch, I still think it's bad, but I do think that Scream 3 is worse so it's no longer on the bottom of my ranking. But I do think that this has the worst killer reveal in the whole franchise. Not only is Emma Roberts a terrible actress, she's 5'2" and 105lbs max. There is just no way she could physically overcome all of these people with her stature and just a knife. And Rory Culkin isn't much bigger. It's just the dumbest thing ever and it makes me so angry. I also hated the opening kill scene - the uber meta repetitiveness is so annoying (although I forgot it was Kristen Bell and Anna Paquin). I also think this one has the worst cast because, in retrospect, these were supposed to be Hollywood "It girls", but they picked all the ones who didn't end up being big (Lucy Hale, Aimee Teegarden, Shenae Grimes, Britt Robertson, Hayden Panettiere - none of them made it. That sounds mean, but it's true! And I like most of these girls!). Emma Roberts has had a modicum of success, but that's just because of Ryan Murphy. I'll forgive it a little bit with Adam Brody (and how weird that both him and Bell are in this - I didn't realize that while watching their new Netflix show) and Alison Brie. I did realize with this that I got the timelines wrong - I thought this started the rebooted Scream movies, but instead this is part of the original films and then the next one starts the "new" movies, which makes sense as to who the killer is in Scream 6 matches Scream 2. I think this one is a bit nastier and the kills are very gruesome, but bad acting combined with this dumb-ass ending, does not make a good movie. 

5. Scream (2022) - I remember being a little skeptical about this at first because I hated Scre4m so much. And like I said, I was definitely confused by the structure of the sequels and sort of counted the 4th one as the new batch of movies, but this one is really the reboot - and it follows the original in so many ways. And I know that everyone was upset at how it wasn't called Scream 5 (or 5cream), but I think that's because even though it is the 5th movie, it's also the first one of the new story - following Sam Carpenter and her sister. It even starts off with a mirrored first kill scene starring Jenna Ortega answering the phone and having to play Ghostface's movie trivia game. I think the next series of movies will all have the roman numeral numbers to differentiate. Anyway, back to the opening scene - first of all, I love Jenna Ortega. And I'm not just jumping on the bandwagon. I saw her in You and thought "wow, she's going to be a big star". The opening scene is SO GOOD as a throwback, but it's also the first time the victim survives!! And the becomes a main character! I mean it's a little ridiculous because she's stabbed like 100 times but still! I like the twist! I think it's obvious who one of the killers is from the beginning (especially with them referencing the original so much), but I never guessed the second one - which is the bff played by Mikey Madison. Again, I think having a petite young woman as the killer is dumb but at least she's a better actress than Emma Roberts. There's also a scene in which Ghostface is standing next to Dewey and they are the same height and stature. Ghostface can't be Jack Quaid in this scene because he's in the scene pretending to be scared of Ghostface at this point. So in theory, it's Mikey under the mask - a 5'3 petite woman standing next to a 5'10 man and they are the same height and stature. I'm sure that there are inconsistencies like this in all of them if I watched closely enough and paid attention to it (I know there is a website that theorizes who is under the Ghostface mask for each scene, which would be interesting - maybe I'll check it out the next time I watch these movies). Anyway, I like a lot about this movie - I think the "requel" aspect is done really well. I love the new characters introduced and the cast is great. Also, killing off Dewey is sad, but necessary. He was always my least favorite character of the series - not to mention, a terrible cop. 

6. Scream VI - I appreciate the turnaround for this sequel - it reminded me of how quick the original Scream sequels were released. I know a lot of people disagree, but I absolutely love this entry. And I loved it even more on a rewatch, so much so that I moved it up in my ranking to second!! I think 2, 5, and 6 are all 3.5 star movies, but this one tips the scale for me mostly because it feels the most fresh - changing the location is a big part of that. And I know that a few of them don't take place in Woodsboro but the other locations are a college that could be in Woodsboro and a film set that looks like Woodsboro. This is the first one that uses a completely different location and uses it well. The bodega scene is one of the best scenes of the entire franchise (and gives Ghostface a gun!). There is also a killer subway scene. I love the opening kill scene too because Samara Weaving is one of my favorite current horror queens, so as soon as I saw her face I was thrilled that she gets to be a Scream opening kill. What an iconic moment for her. I think the only big flaw in this is that the second the roommate says "when I lost my brother" I knew immediately that she was Richie's sister and therefore, Ghostface. And that was only 25 minutes into the movie. Then when she "dies", I realized that the cop is also Ghostface because he was on the scene and probably helped fake her death - plus it has to be a cop collecting all that memorabilia that is also EVIDENCE in multiple homicides (LOL). It was the first time in the whole franchise that I *knew* who the killers were without any hesitation or reconsideration. There is a first time, third killer, but he's sort of inconsequential to the whole movie. And yet, I still think it's the one that gets the balance exactly right - a perfect mix of meta, original characters vs new, and tries something new while still keeping within the "rules" of the Scream universe. I really loved doing this marathon watch because my ranking definitely changed - and I found an appreciation for the series in new ways. It's also the first time that I noticed that "Red Right Hand" plays in all 6 movies. I remember it from the original movie, and then the two new ones, but it can be heard in all of them. That's cool! Plus, as awful as this sounds - Sidney Prescott isn't in this, and I didn't even notice. I love Neve Campbell but these movies have become bigger than her. 

Ranking: 

Scream (1996)

Scream VI 

Scream 2 

Scream (2022)

Scre4m 

Scream 3 

Thoughts on 5 Films

1. Trap - This is probably the dumbest movie I've seen all year, but not the worst. It won't be featured on my Worst of 2024 list, but it's just so fucking stupid it made my brain hurt. I would love to just "go with it", but there are so many plot holes and inconsistencies, it's impossible. But first, I'll start with the good - which basically comes down to Josh Hartnett. He's great here - probably his best performance to date. I know I've told my Hartnett story on here (he went to my college), but I don't think that I've mentioned all the other things we have in common! Aside from going to the same college, we also share a birthday, like to paint as a hobby, and are in love with people with the last name Egerton!! Isn't that crazy!? Annnnyyywayy...I think he does a great job here playing this sort of duel role normal dad/serial killer character. His facial expressions flip so quickly and seamlessly - it's the only interesting part of this whole movie. I also heard the theory that this movie was made to showcase and launch Shyamalan's daughter's pop music career (which I think he admitted (??), so might be more than a theory at this point), and honestly she can sing and has better stage presence than most current pop stars (sorry, as someone who is a huge pop music fan - I don't understand Taylor Swift at all. And I'm starting to believe the rumors that it's all a cult because how do so many people want to pay to watch someone who can't sing live or dance at all - her rhythm is WILDLY off in every clip I've ever seen? She's a talented song writer, but...that's it?). So, I enjoyed the concert that took up approximately a third of the movie. But everything else about this movie is a TOTAL mess. I've always said that I can appreciate Shyamalan even though he's made some of the worst movies ever made (The Happening, The Visit, After Earth), but this doesn't even have the same imagination or thought as any of his previous movies. The entire premise is a gigantic plot hole! *Spoilers ahead* First and foremost - if they *knew* a serial killer was going to be at a gigantic pop concert with thousands of young girls, they would just cancel the concert. There is NO WAY law enforcement would devise this elaborate plan to catch him by...asking every single male attendee psychological questions before exiting the building (that's the literal plan). Second, he probably would have just passed by the authorities unnoticed. He's a serial killer but he's also a "normal" family guy with children and a wife. He obviously knows how to fool everyone. Third, the reason they know he's going to be at this concert is because they found a PAPER receipt for it at one of his crime scenes. In 2024. A PAPER RECEIPT for a concert ticket. Now, they explain at the end that this receipt was left there by his wife who started to suspect her husband was, in fact, The Butcher. WHICH IS EVEN DUMBER!!! Why would this woman leave this clue that would lead police somewhere in which he is WITH THEIR DAUGHTER?! No mother would want their child to witness their father being arrested for being a serial killer! Wouldn't she just call an anonymous tip line or something? It's just SO DUMB. There are so many little things that happen in the movie that just wouldn't happen in real life (like the employee letting him into the back to find more t-shirts - he would lose his job!). But other than the plot being WILD, there's also terrible pacing that makes it drag instead of building suspense. And Saleka (Shyamalan's daughter) is great during the concert scenes, but she can't act. And once the film leaves the concert it gets even more unrealistic. I can't even think about it anymore - just the dumbest shit imaginable. But was I entertained? Sure. 

2. Didi - I loved this. It's a very cute coming-of-age story, but there's also a lot of depth and layers to the writing so that it doesn't come off too fluffy. I saw a lot of push for Joan Chen's performance, and she is great, but I really feel like Izaac Wang is the shining star of this. He's just so...real. Flaws and all, I felt every part of his embarrassment, confusion, anxiety and awkwardness of being a teenager. There are some coming-of-age moments that are more specific to being a teenage boy, and also a Taiwanese American, but most of it is very universal in its relatability. I think the logline sums it up pretty terrifically - "An impressionable 13-year-old Taiwanese boy learns what his parents can't teach him: how to skate, how to flirt, and how to love your mom." It's sweet, and also laugh-out-loud funny in a lot of parts (I died when they keep telling "your mom" jokes to the kid whose mom has cancer, and when he does his E.T. impression clearly never having seen E.T. lol). The writing is just spot-on (it's a semi-autobiographical story written by Sean Wang), and it doesn't linger too long on anything or make anything super obvious - like when all the skater kids traipse into his home and don't take their shoes off. I could feel his awkwardness without him having to say anything. And Chen is definitely very good - the scene in which the same skater kids compliment her paintings, the way she gets so excited...it's just too cute! I just loved it all - it's currently my third favorite film of 2024 (behind Kinds of Kindness and His Three Daughters). 

3. Daddio - I want to like this movie - there's a lot about it that I do like, but overall, I kind of rolled my eyes through the whole thing. The main thing is that I love Dakota Johnson. It's full-on love at this point. She is definitely someone who I was tough on in early roles (the 50 Shades movies, in particular), but she's SO GOOD now. I don't really know how to describe it, but she's just so natural on camera - that sparkle in her eyes, the subtlety of emotions that show on her face, I think she's destined for an Oscar if she just chose better roles (I like a lot of what she's been in, but nothing has been Oscar worthy yet). I do not like the bleached blonde hair in this - and it really makes her look like her mom (you know what's weird, I always knew her mom was Melanie Griffith (and grandma is Tippi Hedren), but I *just now* clocked that her dad is Don Johnson! He's on that new Doctor Odyssey show that is so ridiculous but of course I watch it. I was like "wow...Don Johnson! What's he been up to?" so I googled it and was like..."holy shit! he's Dakota's dad! DUHHHH"). I also like the confined space, mostly single location style film - it is made extremely well. There are some really cool shots, and it's beautifully lit (which is RARE for films nowadays). I also love just watching two people talk - they come from different worlds but create an undeniable bond during this hour and a half taxi ride (although I would HATE it if my taxi driver started talking to me and I would definitely just pretend to be on the phone the whole time). But, the whole gender politics approach to the dialogue is EYE-ROLLING. The reveal of Johnson's character is really dumb (she's dating a married man - which is established from the beginning, but then their is a reveal that is also obvious from the beginning but it's not actually said until the end. And *major spoiler alert ahead* this is the second movie in which Dakota plays someone who has a miscarriage and doesn't immediately see a doctor?!). And some of the dialogue feels like it's supposed to come off as honest, but it's just really cringe (like the whole part where Penn says the quiet part out loud about men being assholes and then he clocks her daddy issues as if it's some sort of big revelation that only he could deduce because he's an observant taxi driver. LOL). I was just frustrated by the whole thing. I mean I could never, ever date someone who texted like a 16 year old boy. They give ZERO reason as to why she is with this married man - and then at the end I think we're supposed to believe that the taxi driver is wrong because he finally texts her that he loves her - as if that's going to solve all their problems and erase all the texts that came before. Also, I love Sean Penn, and the accent - even though it's over-the-top - I can handle, but the gum chewing (like, literal gum chewing) is so grating that I almost couldn't watch. Then he spits it out and I was so relieved for a very short period of time until he takes out MORE GUM!! UGH. 

4. Janet Planet - This is so weird because I saw this movie on the same lists as Didi as being among the best of this year, and there are some really strong reviews about it being a sweet coming-of-age story, and yet I didn't like this at all (and it's also a 2023 release in America so it won't appear on my ranking for this year). I was actually more annoyed by this than anything else - the actual movie is...fine. It's well-made (sort of), the acting is good, and it's got strong bones. It just never really goes anywhere and I think the main characters are incredibly and blissfully unaware of how privileged they are. There's this realization in Didi in which the young boy realizes that his mom is human and has sacrificed so much for him and he "discovers" how lucky he is to have a mom like this. That realization doesn't really happen in this. This little girl is spoiled rotten - almost to a detriment to her own maturity, and she just continues to be a spoiled brat to the very end. And honestly, in all sincerity, I've never seen a woman regret having a child so much in my life. It's separated into three parts - each featuring another person that has entered their life, shifting their relationship, and each part gets worse. I don't really understand why the boyfriend in the beginning is supposed to be seen as bad?! Because he had a migraine and asked for peace and quiet multiple times and she ignored him?? When I was a kid, my mom suffered migraines and I had to be super quiet and sit in the dark and I did it because my mom fucking TOLD ME TO. The end. And now, I get migraines here and there (like 4 a year tops) and I totally understand because any slight noise or light pierces my brain as if someone is stabbing me with a knife. The mom is also, very obviously, privileged because she owns her own acupuncture business and yet can afford her own home and also be a single mom, which is UNHEARD OF but then we learn that she was left an inheritance. On a sidenote - acupuncture is probably the only thing aside from opioids that I haven't tried for my chronic pain and neuropathy because I'm so terrified of it paralyzing me. Anyway, she's also a terrible mother. Aside from raising a spoiled bratty brat, she also criticizes her daughter for being "forthright" (which she caused by raising her like that) and tells her basically that she'll never find a man who will put up with that. FUCK OFF. And THEN she brags about how she can "make any man fall in love" with her?! Is she supposed to have some sort of magnetic personality? Because I didn't get that at all from this character? She's super dull, in my opinion. I do love Julianne Nicholson so much (and I have since Ally McBeal), but the more I think about this movie the more I hate it. Also, some of the shots linger way too long - like why am I watching this little girl wash her hair for like 5 whole minutes? Edit that shit down, please. 

5. Blink Twice - *extreme spoilers ahead* I think this is a very interesting watch so closely to Trap, because it's a reminder that movies can have a ton of plot holes and not be realistic, but can still be GOOD because I can understand the motivation behind it. I get it. So, obviously it doesn't make sense that a perfume can erase memories - but only traumatic memories - and that snake venom can make you remember these previously erased memories. The concept is probably dumber than Trap, but I think the POINT of it is that the desperation that people have for fame and wealth - to be a part of this exclusive group of people living in luxury - causes this imbalance of power in which people are taken advantage of. People become willing to "forget" the trauma and focus on advantages they gain instead - and this is how people like Weinstein, Puff Daddy (I will always call him Puff Daddy), Epstein, etc., kept getting away with all this shit. Whether it's an endless supply of drugs and alcohol, emotional gaslighting, blackmailing, etc., it's all a way of "poisoning" someone to keep a checks and balance of the abused and the abuser in place. So I think the whole perfume poison is just a metaphor for how abusers maintain control. And because of that, I can just "go with it". Overall, I really liked this. And I think for a directorial debut, it is excellent. I will definitely watch more from Zoe Kravitz. It has style and substance, features some terrifically intense scenes, and feels relevant. The highlight for me, is no surprise, Adria Arjona. She is INCREDIBLE in this. I also think this is the first time I've liked Channing Tatum in a serious role - but he does this charming douchebag role very well. I saw someone compare this to Don't Worry, Darling, so I knew there was going to be some sort of twist (I thought it would be closer to the simulation plot of Don't Worry), which there really isn't. The plot is hinted to from the beginning - and I'm someone who is in the "trigger warnings are stupid" camp. First, it gave away the plot. Second, art is supposed to invoke (evoke? I don't know the difference) emotion, get reactions, be surprising! If you have a sensitivity to a certain situation it's up to you to avoid it as best you can, but it's unrealistic to avoid it all together. And if you're watching something that is a rated R thriller/suspense, then you have to be mindful of what that means. The only time I would argue *for* a trigger warning is if it's something dark or traumatic that happens in a blatant comedy (like if someone has a miscarriage in a dumb comedy like Tag, for instance - it's a movie you're watching that's intended to make people laugh, but that's a very triggering event for a lot of people). It's still a grey area, but at least, I can understand it for that case. I don't understand it here. Anyway, there is another little twist that I did really like, even though it makes the plot make even less sense (the she's been there before revelation). I just like that Zoe really went for it with this - she's someone who grew up in this industry of excess and wealth and men always getting what they want, and this feels like a big fuck you to all of it. On a sidenote, I really liked her and Channing as a couple! I thought they were cute. But they announced their breakup like an hour before I started watching this. The film does have a few flaws though - I don't think Naomi Ackie is a good actress at all. I thought she was bad as Whitney, but I thought it was more of a directing issue, but she's not good in this either. Especially compared to Adria - who is able to show layers of fear and terror with just one glance. She's not terrible, but there is just something off about her that made me wish it starred someone else (like Aja Naomi King would have been great in this, and she should be a much bigger star). And I do wish that they addressed just how this perfume works to erase trauma but not any other memory, and yet with the ending - it seems that Channing doesn't remember anything? If they just put some thought into the plot just a tiny bit more it would have been a stellar film. 

Thoughts on 5 Films

1. Handling the Undead - This is one of those films that is made very well and has some incredible ideas, but is also very, very boring. It's from the same writer as Let the Right One In, which I loved, so I was interested in his take on a zombie story. And just like Let the Right One In, was not really about vampires, this is not really about zombies. Instead it's a story of grief - well, three stories of grief. It's definitely more of a drama than a horror, although it does have some intense moments (and one moment involving a screeching bunny that is very hard to watch - that cry will be burned into my memory forever). I really like Anders Danielsen Lie - he's from The Worst Person in the World with Renate Reinsve (who is also in this), but I really liked him more from Bergman Island and Sick of Myself. I think he has a great career ahead of him and we'll likely see him in more mainstream movies soon. I like the three different stories, but the almost no dialogue is what kills it for me. There's practically no character development either, instead it's just watching characters suffer through grief. The audience can still sympathize because grief and loss is something every human can connect to, but it's still frustrating to not know the stories behind these people. I just couldn't get into it. 

2. Killer Heat - I will always watch a movie with Joseph Gordon-Levitt in it. Always! But unfortunately this movie sucks big time. It will probably be among the worst of the year for me. I'm not sure which is worse - the dialogue, or the fact that it's extremely obvious what the twist is, OR is it Richard Madden playing twins? It's a close call, but I think it's the dialogue ("rich people always look guilty and this guy was no exception" LOL). JGL and Shailene Woodley do their best with it, but there is only so much you can do with writing that bad. Richard Madden is incredibly hot, but he's usually the worst part of any project he's in, except for the exceptional Bodyguard tv show. Whatever happened to that? Wasn't there supposed to be another season or did Covid kill that? He's just awful in this - so wooden. And exactly what I thought was going on is exactly what was going on. It's a classic soap opera twin plot twist. They do add a slightly interesting "other" twist, but it's also kind of stupid. And I don't think a mother would ever be able to just shoot her son directly in the chest even if he was a murderer. It all feels pointless. But I like the ideas about jealousy being poisonous - and how it's revealed that our main "hero" is just as flawed and has also let jealousy ruin his life. It's just, overall, a very bad movie. 

3. Woman of the Hour - I really liked this and I'm glad that it seems to be getting fairly decent reviews. It's weird that I hadn't heard anything about it at all until the day it was released on Netflix, so I was shocked to see that Anna Kendrick directed it!! And I feel like she gets a LOT of things right that most first time directors don't. First, she focuses on creating an atmosphere of fear. The fear that women live in every day, especially during the 70s when serial killers were on the rise. It's not really about this murderer, it's about women navigating the world in the midst of misogyny and violence. It's rare for stories about serial killers to be directed by women, but when they are they are typically GREAT (American Psycho is a perfect example - a lot of film bros don't like to discuss the fact that their favorite movie was directed by a woman). Second, Kendrick focuses on the details - from the echoing music that creates suspense, to the absolutely perfect scene transitions - she's proves that she's A DIRECTOR. It feels focused, polished, and purposeful. The victims that are highlighted are given depth and emotional beats - even in some very small scenes. And third, I like that this story veers off a little from the true story - it's certainly an interesting story that I wasn't aware of (I'm not one of the true crime serial killer weirdo aficionados, sorry). It's sort of crazy that this psychopath would put himself into the public like this, but it speaks volumes about his narcissism. The story follows this actress who books a job as a contestant on a dating show - and she ends up picking a serial killer to go on a date with. There's a side-story about a woman in the audience recognizing him as a suspected killer of her friend years ago - and her desperately trying to warn the producers (and she's ignored because she's seen as a typical hysterical woman). I think this part feels the least authentic just because of the sheer convenience of it. And it's not part of the true story. I understand the inclusion of it - it does sort of create a level of suspense, but I also feel like it could have been cut and that time could have been given to the victims stories. But, I do like another fictional plot that is added too - she goes on a date with this man. In real life, this woman called the producers the next day and asked if she could cancel the date that she won because she didn't like a vibe he gave off!!! That's kind of INCREDIBLE. Never underestimate the power of a woman's intuition. I wish more women were encouraged to follow their gut, but I think a lot of women are too scared to because they don't want to be seen as "difficult". But, not interacting with this serial killer isn't the best ending to a movie, so this movie has them meeting up in the parking lot after the show - and a date ensues in which she is given the same "bad vibes" and then has to somehow navigate out of this situation. It's a great change to the story that creates a terrific ending. And definitely more cinematic. 

4. MaXXXine - I liked X and Pearl just fine. Solid 3 star movies. This is more of the same. I like the whole thing as a trilogy of films set in different decades. I do get confused by the timelines, to be honest. I think I just didn't pay close enough attention though - because there is a lot of filler and I did get bored by some of it. So this takes place soon after X, right? After she escapes? Mia Goth is incredible - and definitely is the best part of all three of these movies. There's a great scene of her "acting" during an audition that really shows her strength as an actress. Not a lot of actors can pull of "acting" scenes, in my opinion (but recently Emma Stone nailed it in La La Land - and she got an Oscar for it! And Margot Robbie is terrific in Babylon). There's an unexpected supporting cast of Elizabeth Debicki, Michelle Monaghan, Kevin Bacon, Bobby Cannavale (I just saw him at a Jets game! He sat right in front of me), and Halsey (side story: one of my best friends - more like my little adopted sister - went to high school with Halsey. She claims the whole bullying thing isn't true (similar to Lady Gaga's bullying claims) because alienating yourself from your peers because you think you're better than everyone is not the same thing as getting bullied). Overall, it's just another solid three star movie. I think it's weird that people have wildly different reviews of each of these movies - because they are all about the same person, starring the same person, made by the same person and they all feel part of the same story. My ranking would be X = Pearl = MaXXXine. 

5. Babes - This is a very cute movie. I watched it for two specific reasons - 1. Michelle Buteau is HILARIOUS. 2. Pamela Adlon directed it! I think it's her film directorial debut?? I think she directed some episodes of Better Things and Louie (maybe?), but I don't think she's done any films before. I'm a big fan of hers. She's the best (and if you haven't watched Better Things, please do! It's incredible and should have won a million Emmys). I also like Hasan Minhaj. And, I'll admit, Llana Glazer is growing on me slightly. I've been told many times by many people to watch Broad City, so I finally started it a few months ago - I just finished season 2. I don't love it, but it's mildly entertaining. And Glazer and Abbi Jacobson have great comedic chemistry together. I have to support Glazer for how unapologetic her comedy shtick is - and it's also obviously very focused on female friendship. I also love that in real life she is married to a super smart scientist with a PhD (smart & funny people compliment each other so well). This movie feels like an episode of Broad City, just with a different best friend. I laughed out loud several times, so I have no complaints because that's all I ask for with movies like this. Some things that made me laugh: "This feels like destiny and this...is Destiny's Child", when she goes for the amnio needle - I was laughing so hard. I also like that it shows all the absolutely gross parts of being pregnant. And the best line of the movie is "he died", "oh shit, he is like mom" LOL. 

Thoughts on 5 Films

1. Inside Out 2 - I liked the first one, but I hated how everyone latched onto it and misunderstood it (it's not about depression! It's about being sad - a totally normal feeling for a young girl). This one is okay, too. I think they do a good job of explaining that as you get older your emotions become more complex, with added in anxiety, envy and ennui. And speaking of ennui - I have never laughed harder than realizing Adele Exarchopoulos is the voice of Ennui. Probably the best voice casting in all of Pixar. The other new casting emotions are great too (Maya Hawke, Ayo Edebiri - great casting to make it more "of the moment"). There's some really funny lines ("I'm going to call you "wee-wee" made me laugh hard), and overall it's just very cute. Some of it is also bad - like the entire scene in the vault is hard to watch. It's over-stimulating and too chaotic. It also sends a bit of a mixed message with anxiety being SO evil and trying to destroy lives. Like, anxiety does often ruin things - it stops you from doing things you might enjoy, often resulting in a more catatonic state (and then that causes depression because you didn't do the thing you wanted to do, etc.), but I don't think people who suffer from anxiety actively ruin other peoples lives or treat other people badly. Again, it's supposed to be more of a lighter take on all these emotions a young girl feels - and that all these emotions are normal if they work together and let their emotions have time to breathe. But, anxiety is one evil bitch in this. 

2. Wolfs - This movie relies waaaaay too much on the charm and chemistry between George Clooney and Brad Pitt. It's just them giving each other weird disapproving looks for 80% of the film. That's not to say that I wasn't entertained, because I definitely was. I love Clooney & Pitt together, but this movie is more than a little sloppy. None of it holds up (for instance - the kid would have had so many more cuts with all that blood spooling and splattering everywhere?? How is he just a little scratched up through the rest of the movie? Where did all that blood come from?). And I kind of stopped paying attention to all the mafia stuff, but none of it seemed to make sense (like how they say they can't be seen in the same room together, but then go INTO THE SAME ROOM TOGETHER? What??! So stupid). Aside from Clooney & Pitt's chemistry - the surprising highlight is the GUY I HATE FROM EUPHORIA! I never in a million years would think that this guy would hold his own against A-list heavyweights, but I love to be surprised by someone. He's so good in this that I even looked up his name - Austin Abrams. Not only does he hold his own, but he's funnier than both Clooney & Pitt combined. But ultimately, this whole thing feels like a waste of time and talent. The only person that I cared about was Abrams' character - Clooney & Pitt could have died and I would have happily watched his story instead. And I don't think that was the intent. 

3. Apartment 7A - I definitely thought this was a tv show. I went to start the first episode only to realize that it is, in fact, a movie. A very, very, very pointless movie. You may already know that I'm not a fan of Julia Garner, but one day maybe she'll surprise me just like the kid from Euphoria did!! I would honestly love that and welcome it, but this is definitely not it. I didn't really know much about this going in - other than it was related to Rosemary's Baby. I realized quickly that it's a prequel - and also a spinoff because it's about Terry, a character that had a minor but very important role in Rosemary's Baby. I actually just watched Rosemary's Baby for the first time just last year and I really liked it. But I don't remember the character that Wiest plays in this being so shrill?? Combined with that crazy accent - it's hard to watch. I usually love Dianne Wiest, but I just could not get on board with this performance. The beginning plays out exactly how you'd expect it to - a dancer gets hurt and her dreams are crushed. Things start to get interesting when she's offered that gigantic NYC apartment FOR FREE (can you even imagine? I would take them up on it too! Any sane person would!). But unfortunately, it never goes anywhere - it's just so dull and boring. I definitely zoned out once she gets the terrible haircut. I was still leaning towards a 3 star movie (it's made well, and I love all the original film references), but THEN Garner does this whole "wild" dance in the Hail Satan scene and I had to take a 1/2 star away. She's so laughable at trying to be crazy - it's insane to watch. And then the credits roll and I was not expecting to see John Krasinski and Michael Bay's names as Producers. LOL. 

4. The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare - Okay...uh...this movie is really good?! I was definitely not expecting it to be. I've seen barely anyone mention it. It's currently in my Top 10 of the year (but towards the bottom, so I don't expect it to be there for long - especially going into peak movie season). There are three really bad parts of this movie - so I'm just going to get that out of the way first - 1. The makeup for Churchill is AWFUL. 2. Alex Pettyfer is (allegedly) an abusive asshole, but he's also a terrible actor so it's VERY EASY to not cast him in stuff, but he's still getting jobs in 2024. *deep exhale*. 3. The party scene at the end is so ridiculously over-the-top with the costumes. Is there a Spirit Halloween on that island??? It doesn't make sense at all. But everything else about it is fantastic. Even Henry Cavill! He has a pulse in this!! And I'm not familiar with Alan Ritchson, but I definitely will be adding Reacher to my list because he is HOT (and I've already heard good things about Reacher). Eiza Gonzalez and Henry Golding are also HOT. They all have amazing chemistry together - it's funny, sarcastic, layered, and it's all based on a CRAZY true story! I also got a kick out of the James Bond connection considering that Cavill is a fan favorite for the role (and Golding is my pick! Make it happen Ms. Broccoli!). I like the focus on historical events combined with their sarcastic energy - it keeps things light and fun even though it's about something very serious. It definitely has a bit of an Inglorious Basterds but that's not necessarily a bad thing - it still does its own thing and feels very much like a Guy Ritchie movie. 

5. Rebel Ridge - I've liked all of Jeremy Saulnier's previous movies, but I would also definitely describe them as overpraised. He's a solid director - and I like his focus on slow burn storytelling. I think this is probably his best film (I rated Blue Ruin and Green Room 3 stars. And I don't remember Hold the Dark? I'm not sure if I watched it? But I can't imagine why I wouldn't have seen it? Anyway, I rated this 3.5 stars). Aaron Pierre is so HOT OHMYGOD. He's also so good at this no bullshit character - someone who can't catch a break and falls into a web of police corruption. But the highlight is newcomer Zshane Jhe. I love her so much. There are some really good scenes too that build the perfect amount of tension - my favorite is probably when he shows up to confront the police at the station as they are looking into his file. I googled MCMAP before they did and said out loud "Ohhhh they are FUCKED". I also like that it deviates a little bit from normal film style shootouts with meta type dialogue - like when he frustratingly says "hit the fucking tires" because that's what I yell out during any car chase shootout scene. And during the end shootout, the one police officer yells "I'm not sure who to shoot at" because it's so chaotic, and nobody knows at that point who is good and who is bad. Also, the final shootout is terrific; it's choreographed so smoothly. I would say my only complaint is the lighting all but disappears after about an hour. And it should have been 100 minute tops. OH...and AnnaSophia Robb's awful haircut. Who did that to that poor girl??? 

Movie Marathon: X-Men*

*I'm not including spin-off or origin films because that's like 8 more movies - maybe I'll do the Wolverine movies separately at some point* 

1. X-Men - I can't believe this movie came out 24 years ago!! And I haven't seen it since its release. I don't remember much about it, but I do remember liking it. I assume I saw it in the movie theater on release because from 1996 to about 2005 I saw every movie in the theater (I mean not every movie, but I went to the movies at least twice a week). The cast is great - Hugh Jackman, James Marsden, Famke Jannsen, Rebecca Romijn, and obviously Ian and Patrick. I'm not the biggest Anna Paquin fan, and I definitely think she's the weak link. And also, Halle Berry is...terrible. I think it's weird to notice this, because I used to be such a big fan, but then suddenly I saw her in something (I think it was either the John Wick movie she was in or Kingsman: The Golden Circle) and I was shocked at how bad she was. I thought it was a new thing, but after rewatching these movies, I realize she might have always been bad? Anyway, I think this is a very good start for the franchise. It introduces a lot of characters, but gives them all time to shine and develop. The Magneto stuff is terrific and super cool, but the some of the other effects are are bad (like him speeding on the motorcycle - it just looks so fake). The foreshadowing is a little too much, also. But overall it was a fun rewatch. 

2. X2 - I've had two revelations watching this - first, I definitely should have done this marathon rewatch before I watched Deadpool & Wolverine, because there's so much that I didn't even get because my memory is terrible. I figured the characters that showed up were from the X-Men universe at some point, but I don't remember them at all (like Pyro, for example). I also didn't catch that the "Bye, Bye, Bye" opening credits scene is also a reference to this (it comes on the radio and Wolverine immediately turns it off. LOL). Also, I can't believe Brian Cox is in this!! After shitting on comic book movies (around the release time of D&W) and he's FUCKING IN ONE OF THEM?! Come on, dude. Was he just bitter he wasn't invited to be in D&W? My second revelation is that this movie is GOOD! For some reason I thought it was bad and I'm always surprised when people rank it so highly among the X-Men movies. But it's highly ranked in mine now too! There's definitely a little too much filler in the middle so it drags a bit, but overall it's great! If it was about 30 minutes shorter it would have been a 4 star movie! (I actually don't rate any of these 4 stars, even after a rewatch. 3.5 is the highest). 

3. X-Men: The Last Stand - Okay, so this one is the bad one. It's really, really bad, too. Like the drop in quality is insane. I also question if I've ever actually watched this one? It was released when I lived in Philly and my movie theater attendance dropped (actually - I still went to the movies a lot, but the closest theater was an independent theater so I saw more smaller movies. I had to drive to a regular theater - and driving in Philly was not a fun adventure). Learning that it was directed by Brett Ratner makes sense as to why it turned out so awful. Bryan Singer is a garbage human being but he could direct a big blockbuster movie - there's no denying that. I'm actually waiting for Singer's comeback because all these cancelled assholes find their way back into Hollywood somehow. But it's been like 6 years and we haven't heard a peep! Anyway, like I said, I'm not sure I ever watched this because I don't remember a single thing about it - especially the ending??? Is that why they went the prequel root? That makes sense now. I was surprised by some of the actors that appear - like Ben Foster! And a baby Elliot Page! Hugh Jackman looks...weird in this one - like maybe the hairline on the wig is off? Something is wrong with it. And the de-aging tech hasn't really gotten any better, has it? It was awful here and it's still awful! The whole thing is just weird - like how Jean just *appears* with no real plausible explanation? So dumb. 

4. X-Men: First Class - First of all, I've been a James McAvoy fan from day one. I remember when I first started dating my husband he asked me who my biggest celebrity crush was and I said James McAvoy - he was like "isn't that...Professor X?" (and he was also shocked that I didn't say the usual Chris Evans type person). I know he's known to most as Professor X or from the Shyamalan movies, but I've been been in love with him for like 20 years now. When I first saw this movie, I had a mixed reaction to it, but McAvoy is the clear highlight. He forms a bond & chemistry with Michael Fassbender that fells really genuine, which helps this franchise continue the way it did. I'm also a big fan of Michael Vaughn's movies (sorry, Kingsman haters, but they are extremely well made action movies). I'm still mixed on this, though. There's some really good stuff, but overall - there's just too much wrong with it. Jennifer Lawrence was miscast from the beginning (and she literally gave up 1/2 way through these movies). January Jones should be a megastar after her role in Mad Men, but shows clearly that she unfortunately can't act and Mad Men was a fluke. I didn't even remember all the side character mutant actors like Zoe Kravitz and Caleb Landry Jones because they are all so dull. Overall, I found this rewatch kind of...boring? The Wolverine scene is legendary, though. 

5. X-Men: Days of Future Past - I'm actually surprised that this is my favorite of the bunch because on my initial watch, I wasn't that impressed. Maybe my expectations were too high because it is so highly praised by others? I'm not sure, but I seriously loved this one. So, I guess everyone was right! I think it's partly because they finally got the cast right. I mean, obviously Lawrence continues in this role, but everyone else is soooo good. It definitely features the best acting out of any of the X-Men movies. McAvoy is INCREDIBLE. I think he got outshined by Evan Peters as Quicksilver because those scenes are so much fun - and Peters does a great job. But McAvoy shows a range of emotions that nobody else can touch. I think bringing Wolverine back into the mix helps tremendously - and he brings an energy to it that is lacking in First Class. I love the way it weaves the past & present together, and there's some really funny dialogue. But they do explain the plot way too many times (which was my complaint from the first one. We're not stupid - we get it. It's not that difficult!). 

6. X-Men: Apocalypse - I liked this one more than most on my initial watch. There were things I didn't like about it, sure. Like, Lawrence is dead weight at this point. And Sophie Turner as Jean Grey is a TERRIBLE casting decision (and she even got her own movie too! Even though it was more of an X-Men movie, I'm NOT rewatching it because I remember it being really awful). She's so blank - especially compared to Famke Janssen!! And Olivia Munn has like one line of dialogue!? It's so weird. They really do the women in this franchise dirty. Either bad casting, terrible dialogue to work with, or they cut them to bit parts. The only saving grace is Rose Byrne. I like the casting of Cyclops, though - Ty Sheridan. This is the role that Taron Egerton talks about turning down (because he didn't want to do multiple films in which his eyes were covered). I glad he turned it down, but I think if he didn't it probably would have been a bigger character arc (like, we would have definitely gotten a Cyclops spinoff). I also would DIE to see James & Taron in a movie together (my two biggest crushes!). I'm still hopeful that it will happen because they are both close with Matthew Vaughn. He's gotta put them in a movie together at some point?!! I still liked this movie on a rewatch - I like it for the simplicity and linear story compared to all the craziness of the other two prequels. This feels more straightforward and to the point. The villain is a bit weak (played by Oscar Isaac! I forgot about that!), and some of explosions look bad. And it's missing Wolverine! (except "I hope that's the last we see of that guy" made me laugh hard!). But, overall, it's fine. *shrugs shoulders*

Ranking: 

X-Men: Days of Future Past 

X2

X-Men 

X-Men: First Class 

X-Men: Apocalypse 

X-Men: The Last Stand 

Thoughts on 5 New TV Shows

1. Bad Monkey - There's a lot I like about this show - and I think it's something that has a great deal of potential to get really good, but it's just not quite there yet. First, the narration is PAINFUL. I typically don't like narration as a film device anyway, but this is really bad. He literally tells you everything that you know just by watching it and listening to the dialogue. Second, it should have only been 6-8 episodes instead of 10. Some of the side stories could have been completely cut - especially Michelle Monaghan's whole arc. I love her but her character seemed really pointless and they waste a lot of time on her. Or, actually, scratch the 6-8 episode thing and instead make the episodes shorter, like 30-40 minutes instead of 50-60 minute episodes. Because my third thing is that Vince Vaughn is great, but he's so much better in small doses. After that, he becomes a bit grating. And fourth, this just makes me hate Florida even more than I already do! It just looks so humid and gross, and the worst people live there! Anyway, there is a lot I like about this too, so I'm hopeful that it's given a second season so that it could maybe make some changes and be better. I really like Natalie Martinez and I think she has really good chemistry with Vaughn. Every scene they have together is the best. And I love Monaghan - if they develop her character more and intertwine her in the next mystery it will work better. I can't believe how good she looks at 48! The rest of the supporting cast is really good too - lots of Bill Lawrence connections (his daughter is in this, and some Scrubs regulars sporadically show up). And Meredith Hagner is Wyatt Russell's wife! Which is kind of weird because she kind of reminds me of Goldie Hawn. Plus, Jodie Turner-Smith - who definitely also could have used some more screentime. I like that the mysterious death is solved fairly quickly and then we get more of a perspective of these people trying to get away with this crime. There's also a great soundtrack - all the Tom Petty remixes are great! And it uses the instrumental 50 Cent song from Anatomy of a Fall. LOL. 

2. Time Bandits - Okay, so I watched the first two episodes of this and it's incredibly bad. I thought it had a fun/cute premise that was like Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure but more fantasy based, plus the cast is (mostly) amazing. I've never seen the movie, but I think it has a cult following? But I started the first episode and was horrified by how bad it was - first of all, it's cheesy as Hell. It's more aimed at kids, I think? But that's not how they advertised it. Second of all, every single member of this cast is awful - yes, even Lisa Kudrow. Actually she may even be the worst offender - but I think it's more of a case of bad casting, and a terrible wardrobe (does she take that forehead headband off...or nah?). The kid is awful (I don't want to trash talk a kid, but his name IN REAL LIFE is Kal-El??? That's like the joke in That 90s Show about Eric and Donna naming their daughter Leia Tatooine - but that's a tv show, not REAL LIFE!). And I've always hated Charlyne Yi. I read all about her lawsuit with the creators of this show and it sucks. Nobody deserves to be abused by their employers, even if they are one of the worst actresses working today. She seemed like she was gaining some popularity there for a little while, but then went away and I was grateful. Anyway, I think it's definitely trying to be funny, but I definitely didn't laugh at all, and I wasn't even entertained. Just a total failure on every level. I was toying with watching another episode of this (I don't like giving up on shows at all, but definitely feel like I should at least give a new show 3 episodes), but then I read that it was already cancelled so I'm not going to waste my time (thank the Lord!). 

3. The Penguin - It's four episodes in and so far, so good!! I liked The Batman just fine, but I don't think it was anything to rave about. But I was baffled by Colin Farrell's casting. Yes, the makeup is great, but also....just find an actor who is heavier and balding?? Why go through all of this? Colin does a great job, and obviously is unrecognizable. But, I also think that the makeup hinders his facial expression and his NY gangster accent is very spotty (although he does do a great job of changing his voice - it's also unrecognizable). Obviously the casting was a success and therefore bled into turning this character's story into a miniseries (or show? Is it just the one season or will they make more? I know it's getting good reviews, so they'll probably want to capitalize on that). The series focuses more on the gangster mob aspect and the interweaving of the Falcone's family business. I was expecting more of a Batman connection, but overall, I'm invested - especially in Sofia's story. Cristin Milioti is incredible in this role. The most recent episode with a look at her time in Arkham is the strongest yet because she's so good at showing her innocence and how someone can be driven crazy by prison (and by men, in general. LOL). The supporting cast is great - Mark Strong, they guy from Mrs. Maisel, Theo Rossi, Clancy Brown, Shohreh Aghdashloo, etc. I think some of the blocking is weird though - there are way too many shots that are either too close, or cut at weird angles. I think it's trying a little too hard to be "artsy" like The Batman. And I'm hoping that they give us a reason to care about Oz? I feel like I care about everyone else in the show except him. But overall, it's very entertaining. 

4. The Perfect Couple -  *spoilers ahead* This is the perfect miniseries to watch on a 5 hour flight from Aruba to NYC. It doesn't take too much effort to watch, it's entertaining and trashy, but also has a great cast involved that elevates it from Lifetime movie territory. I think they give away the "who did it" answer a bit too early. They try to throw the audience off and give other suspects, but they never explain why Dakota's character is desperate to wash that glass - she's someone who screams for the housekeeper to do everything 24/7 - she would never just *decide* to wash the dishes. So, it kind of felt like a waste of time for the reveal to be...revealed. But I still had fun with it because there are a few other twists along the way, and they start off each episode with such a fun dance number!! It's kind of hilarious that the cast was so against doing it (reportedly) because it's the absolute best part. I'm definitely tired of Nicole Kidman in these roles, but she does do it so well. It's nice to see Dakota Fanning in a role that is a bit different for her. I have a huge crush on Meghann Fahy since The White Lotus, and she's just as adorable here. Jack Reynor is the perfect asshole (and his American accent is getting better, I think?). Eve Hewson is also a highlight (she definitely has "it" - not all nepobabies are bad!!). But there's also some really bad casting too - like the other two brothers and the guy who plays Shooter. Just terrible acting, but the worst offender is the French woman. My God, how did they not notice how bad she was while filming and recast immediately?? It's not enough to ruin the show, but it would have been better if these 4 characters were cast better. 

5. How to Die Alone - I like this show a lot and I'm really hopeful that it gets another season, because I need to see more of this character. It stars Natasha Rothwell - she was a writer on Insecure (and she was one of my favorite characters too!), and she created this show. I can say with confidence that I am a fan for life because Insecure is SO GOOD, and this show feels unexpected and different. I like that it jumps between being laugh-out-loud funny, while also being incredibly dark and morally grey in some spots. I also think this character is fully formed - she's vulnerable, funny, sweet, and flawed. There are definitely two episode highlights - the Thanksgiving episode is probably my favorite television episode of the year. It's so well written, but not just with the jokes. It keeps the audience in suspense the whole time because you know that there are two very explosive secrets on the verge of being told in the midst of this family drama. Plus, her mom is hilarious when she starts to pray. I couldn't stop laughing. The other episode is the finale episode with her traveling to all these different places instead of going on her planned trip to Hawaii to ruin her exes wedding. It's just a really cute way to end things especially if the series doesn't continue - it's still a satisfying conclusion even though obviously it ends badly. And I love when she starts to lip synch to "Feelin' Good" when she discovers she's getting a settlement for 17k. There's some absurdity to it that reminds me of a more grounded Atlanta. I think my only criticism is that the supporting cast is a little lacking. Nobody stands out to me.  

Film Retrospective Part IV: Thoughts on 10 Films (pre-1980)

1. Badlands - [blind spot] I've had this on my list for a while. I'm not exactly a Terrence Malick fan, but I thought maybe I would like his older stuff? I like The Thin Red Line, so I remain hopeful. I also adore Sissy Spacek, but I honestly thought Carrie was her first movie! It's also crazy how much a young Martin Sheen looks like Emilio Estevez! Anyway, there's definitely a lot of Malick-isms in this - like the overly poetic whispered dialogue, the shots in the tall grass, the chorus-like soundtrack, etc., but it's also very different because it's not 3 hours long and it has a plot!! And I loved it! 

2. Jaws - [rewatch] I've been due for a Jaws rewatch for quite a while now. I don't think I've seen it since I was a teenager (which was like 25 years ago!). It's just not something that every really stood out in my mind, even though I know it's one of the greatest films of all-time. And after this rewatch, I can definitely agree with everyone - it's a perfect 5 star film. Richard Dreyfuss is incredible. The story is perfect - and I love that it's not just about people getting eaten by sharks, they do a great job of developing these characters and providing depth to this story. I didn't remember the part about the hoax with the two kids, but that whole scene is great. I do think it feels a little long in parts and it starts to drag once the three of them are on the boat chit-chatting and comparing scars. I paused it at one point and was shocked that I still had a whole hour left. I also LOL'd with the dialogue "you were on the Indianapolis", "what happened" exchange because it's as if the chief of police had never heard of famous WWII stories. It's just so funny to think about. There's some outstanding camera work, and I just love that little animatronic shark. One of my favorite things to do as a kid was the the tram ride at Universal Studios in Hollywood - when you drive through the lake and then see Jaws swimming in the water towards you and then he jumps out of the water and everyone gets splashed with water. It's so much fun! I don't think they do it anymore, right? Such a shame. They play this movie every year on the beach in Cape May and I always miss it by a few days, but I'm definitely going to try to catch it one of these years. There are very famous shark attack stories here - and even though the author of the book that this is based on said it's not based on the 1916 Jersey Shore attacks, everyone from NJ will tell you otherwise. 

3. Heaven Can Wait - [rewatch] I watched this as a kid, and I always equated it with an 80s movie, so I was surprised that this came out in the late 70s. This was one of my mom's favorite movies - she wasn't a big movie person, but she really liked more lighthearted movies like this (it was either this or dark Lifetime movies). I was also surprised that Warren Beatty directed this, too. I actually didn't remember that Beatty directed any movies (like, he directed Bulworth and Dick Tracey, too??? Why don't I remember that??). This is really cute, entertaining, with some really funny moments, but it's also very stupid. It's like a precursor to movies like Heart and Souls and even 13 Going on 30 (and I love both of those movies a lot). I love Julie Christy but that hair definitely ages her by about 15 years (she's only 38 in this but she looks like she's in her 50s). It's sort of crazy that people talk about how being "woke" and political is ruining movies, but movies like this existed in the 70s (and this is definitely about being "woke" about the environment). 

4. Three Days of the Condor - [blind spot] Holy shit, Robert Redford looks so good in this - the wispy blonde hair, the popped collar on the peacoat, the glasses - I would have swooned hard in 1975. And Faye Dunaway! They are so sexy together (but the sex scene is...weird. First, all your coworkers were just MURDERED. Second, the shots of photography spliced in with the saxophone heavy score is A CHOICE). The movie, for a modern audience, feels a little cliched and slow moving, but I have to appreciate the time that this was made and that it probably inspired a whole lot of conspiracy centered stories (especially 90s films like Conspiracy Theory). Overall, I liked it, but modern movies have done it better. 

5. Stage Fright (1950) - [rewatch] One of the lesser Hitchcock films, but I've always liked it nonetheless. I like his focus on theater with this one, it feels a little outside his realm. Marlene Dietrich is delicious (but can't sing - holy shit that scene is painful), but Jane Wyman is a STAR. Her face just shines in front of the camera. I was looking up some info on her while watching this - and I had NO IDEA that she was married to Ronald Reagan?!? How weird! Anyway, I like this movie, but it is definitely too long for the story that it's telling. However, the blocking and camerawork at the end totally make the whole movie worthwhile. Just some stunning shots (the lighting hitting their eyes with the rest of their faces in shadows! SO GOOD). There's some funny bits in it too. 

6. How to Marry a Millionaire - [blind spot] I've had this movie on my list for quite a while, but couldn't find it streaming anywhere. Finally found it airing on TCM during a Lauren Bacall celebration week. I had really high hopes for this after watching Gentlemen Prefer Blondes because I was not expecting to love that movie as much as I did. I thought this would have the same effect, but unfortunately, I was a bit disappointed. It's cute, but nowhere near the brilliance of Gentlemen. I think I must now consider myself a Marilyn Monroe fan because Some Like it Hot is also among my favorite comedies. And Monroe is the unexpected highlight in this (I thought I would have praised Bacall more), but the glasses gag she does through the whole movie really got me good. She's just so naturally funny. Bacall is great too, and I like her little reference to her in real life beau Humphrey Bogart in The African Queen. I just think the story sucks and it's incredibly obvious that the guy from the beginning that they treat like shit is actually a millionaire. 

7. In the Heat of the Night - [blind spot] I love Sidney Poitier! I've seen a lot of his movies (To Sir, With Love being my favorite, and I love him in Guess Who's Coming to Dinner and A Raisin in the Sun). This movie somehow eluded me. Some of it does seem familiar, so I may have watched it or parts of it at some point. Unfortunately, I didn't love it. Some of it is good, but a lot of it is just overdone. The gum chewing is OFF THE CHARTS. The racist police officer reminded me of someone, but I couldn't figure out who. But it's all so in your face and repetitive. But the way that Sidney can shut someone down with a single stare is incredible and so satisfying. 

8. The Out-of-Towners - [blind spot] This movie stressed me out! I feel like Jack Lemmon's character is every service person's worst nightmare. He's so nasty and entitled! While I like the whole vacation gone wrong aspect, a lot of it is very anti-NYC (and anti-city life in general), which is frustrating. I also think these two people should divorce ASAP. But on a high-note - the dynamic between them is extremely funny and I like the way she's very submissive in the beginning but then gets more and more tired of his bullshit. She gets more and more hilarious as the movie goes on because she starts to come alive as he falls apart. It's a very interesting commentary on marriage and how couples handle stress. One of the things my husband and I always do when we travel is to adopt a "go with the flow" attitude. Like, nothing can get to us when we are on vacation. Flights delayed? No worries. Hotel evacuated due to a gas leak? Oh well! Phone fell out of pocket in the taxi and they left before we noticed? I guess, we'll make some calls! There's always going to be changes to the schedule and plans, and we'll just deal with it, otherwise the vacation will be ruined and what's the point in that? We'll end up miserable like these people?! NO THANK YOU. Anyway, it's also very funny in parts. The "pervert in the park" scene got me, especially when the police officer on the horse comes out of nowhere chasing them through the park. I laughed so hard. 

9. The Thomas Crown Affair (1968) - [blind spot] I vaguely remember the 90s one (I was a big Renee Russo fan back in the day. I still am, but she's not in much anymore). Steve McQueen and Faye Dunaway are a dream casting (was Dunaway just in every movie in the late 60s/70s? It's kind of weird that she followed up Bonnie and Clyde with this story.), but this is another disappointing movie. It's very stylish, has some intense moments, and it's certainly not a bad movie - just kind of dull and predictable. The shots being cut up into squares reminds me of The Brady Bunch, and some of the shots are weird - like the kissing scene that dissolves into all the colors. And what was up with the sexy Chess game??? LOL. So weird. I do like the glasses he wears with the blue lenses! I want those! Otherwise, I was kind of bored. 

10. Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956) - [rewatch] I just watched this for the first time a few years ago, with the intention of also watching the one from the 70s (that I've never seen! I KNOW!), but I never got around to the 70s one. I went to watch it for this retrospective, but then decided to rewatch this one again first because I remember LOVING it! I think the 70s one is held in higher regard, so I'm even more excited to see it because I think this one is close to perfect. I love how simple & menacing the score is. I love how it feels like a longer episode of The Twilight Zone. And I love the chemistry between the leads. I feel like sometimes these older horror movies have terrible acting because it's too cheesy (like The Blob for instance), but this is an exception.