www.theringer.com
This is the worst Denzel I've ever seen, not because of Denzel but because it's just a bad movie. Pedro Pascal had the most interesting character, but Denzel's character had way too much movie magic working out in his favor. At times it felt I was watching one of those B Roman movies with a bunch of New Zealand actors. The main actor did a good job but unfortunately did not have a good story to back him up.Gladiator II
PRAISE: The first Gladiator film is one of my all time favorites. I've always thought it of the movie being on the same level as classics like Spartacus and Ben Hur. The sequel makes some good attempts to be on the same level as Gladiator. I was more than happy that one of the story threads didn't go down a path that would have been completely unbelievable. With that out of the way Director Director Ridley Scott and writer David Scarpa try to keep things interesting in this story about Lucius all grown up and ready to embark on his own journey. Paul Mescal takes on the role of the older Lucius and at times brings the right amount of intensity, humor, and unflinching nerve to the role. Denzel Washington steals every scene that he's in as Macrinus owner of gladiators and he is fun to watch as he grasps for power sometimes viciously as i could see him working things out in his mind as he uses people like chess pieces. Alex Karim is also quite good as Ravi i almost didnt recognize him.The battle scenes, that take place on water and in the coliseum with man vs man and beast are fun even though a bit abrupt. There's blood spilling galore as various gladiators are put through deadly paces. I did laugh at some full on displays of insanity moments.
PROBLEMS: The cast is full of big names including Pedro Pascal and Joseph Quinn,but their characters may have a couple of strong moments they feel underdeveloped. Some other characters i couldn't take seriously or maybe i wasn't supposed to. Familiar and similar beats that are "borrowed" from the first film made this movie feel like a repeat button was being pressed over and over again. A couple of times i found myself asking how is this even possible?
The CGI looked a bit choppy in a few scenes
Scale of 1 to 10 a 7
theringer.com
www.theverge.com
Thanksgiving
2023
5/10
This film debuted last year, I was gonna watch it but decided to catch up on old stuff from the past when the Hollywood strikes were going on. So I decided to just wait until Thanksgiving of this year to watch it. I watched it last night at home on Netflix.
Since I’m probably the last person to see this film, I’m not going into the plot. It’s basically a new version of the classic “Teen Slasher Flick” that became popular in the 1980s. Like all films in this genre, the usual group of suspects are presented in the first 30 minutes and you have to find out who the slasher is before it’s revealed at the end.
Slasher deaths are graphic and original in the presentation. Some are humorous.
For the Militants, there is a IR, BM/WW teen couple, just PDA is shown.
They left it off for potential sequels. There is a post credit scene at the end.
Synopsis
A mysterious masked maniac terrorises residents of Plymouth, Massachusetts, one year after a Black Friday riot ended in tragedy. Picking off victims one by one, the seemingly random revenge killings soon become part of a larger, sinister plan.
variety.com
ELEVATION
As far as post apocalyptic, strange creatures taking over the world movies go i found this movie to be here and there entertaining. The cast is small and it includes Anthony Mackie as Will · Morena Baccarin as Nina · Maddie Hasson as Katie · Shauna Earp as Hannah · Rachel Nicks as Tara. There are a few good moments of suspense as the small group go on a impossible and dangerous mission trying to avoid the Reapers. I thought the design for the reapers was cool and also some of their features and abilities. The flick even strikes a few emotional chords. The CGI and editing was pretty bad in a couple of action sequences. I felt the movie was too brief to tell the story it wanted to tell especially when a revelation is introduced along with some interesting information but it's so abrupt and with a ho hum feel to it,I went into unintentional laughter ,then throw in a mid credits scene for something that's likely not going to happen and it's a wrap for this fun at times Sci Fi romp.
Scale of 1 to 10 a 6
www.theringer.com
www.theringer.com
www.theringer.com
Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 1
2024
4/10
Me and my sons watched this last night on MAX.
Not going to go into the plot, but this film was presented as big mess.
Thru-out the whole film, every scene was presented like you just walked into the middle of a conversation and had no idea WTF they were talking about.
There was basically no official character introduction/devlopment thru-out the film. Characters would debut and I had no clue on their name or if they were a primary/supporting character.
A number of times we had to rewind to try and piece together what was happening. We also had to sit and watch the film with our phones in hand bringing up the cast to figure out their names.
Costner tried to present the hardship and struggles of people migranting to the open west during the years prior to the Civil War. It just didn’t present itself well. It was clear Costner was trying to copy Taylor Sheridan’s “1883”, Costner fell flat trying to repeat his success.
Another thing that threw me off was depicting Black folks interacting with Whites as if Slavery was not going on. That was throwing me off at the start of the film.
We were thrown off at the end when the music played and scenes were shown. I thought they were doing bonus scenes or blooper reels or whatever and it took me a minute to realize they were showing scenes from Chapter Two. It would have been nice to know prior to them showing the scenes with a “In The Next Chapter” or something.
Costner has been in Hollywood for 40 years. I’m not sure where his mind was when he did this. The film came off like a college film product.
The only plus to the film was cinematography with it being filmed on location in Utah and Arizona. A small bit of CGI was used to enhance scenes.
This definitely was not a film for theatrical release. It definitely should’ve went straight to streaming.
Being Costner has plans for 4 films, each film should have focused on just two stories and then bring all the characters together in the finale. It was made clear throughout the film that the town “Horizon” is where it will all come together. He should have done it “MCU” style.
I will watch the 2nd film when it hits streaming at some point. Not looking forward too it, but since I have invested time into it, I will watch it.
Synopsis
In 1859 families discover the lure of the Old West as they settle in territories from Wyoming to Kansas. Meanwhile, a gruff cowboy soon finds himself on the run with a prostitute and a young boy after killing a fellow gunman.
Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 1
2024
4/10
Me and my sons watched this last night on MAX.
Not going to go into the plot, but this film was presented as big mess.
Thru-out the whole film, every scene was presented like you just walked into the middle of a conversation and had no idea WTF they were talking about.
There was basically no official character introduction/devlopment thru-out the film. Characters would debut and I had no clue on their name or if they were a primary/supporting character.
A number of times we had to rewind to try and piece together what was happening. We also had to sit and watch the film with our phones in hand bringing up the cast to figure out their names.
Costner tried to present the hardship and struggles of people migranting to the open west during the years prior to the Civil War. It just didn’t present itself well. It was clear Costner was trying to copy Taylor Sheridan’s “1883”, Costner fell flat trying to repeat his success.
Another thing that threw me off was depicting Black folks interacting with Whites as if Slavery was not going on. That was throwing me off at the start of the film.
We were thrown off at the end when the music played and scenes were shown. I thought they were doing bonus scenes or blooper reels or whatever and it took me a minute to realize they were showing scenes from Chapter Two. It would have been nice to know prior to them showing the scenes with a “In The Next Chapter” or something.
Costner has been in Hollywood for 40 years. I’m not sure where his mind was when he did this. The film came off like a college film product.
The only plus to the film was cinematography with it being filmed on location in Utah and Arizona. A small bit of CGI was used to enhance scenes.
This definitely was not a film for theatrical release. It definitely should’ve went straight to streaming.
Being Costner has plans for 4 films, each film should have focused on just two stories and then bring all the characters together in the finale. It was made clear throughout the film that the town “Horizon” is where it will all come together. He should have done it “MCU” style.
I will watch the 2nd film when it hits streaming at some point. Not looking forward too it, but since I have invested time into it, I will watch it.
Synopsis
In 1859 families discover the lure of the Old West as they settle in territories from Wyoming to Kansas. Meanwhile, a gruff cowboy soon finds himself on the run with a prostitute and a young boy after killing a fellow gunman.
Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 1
2024
4/10
Me and my sons watched this last night on MAX.
Not going to go into the plot, but this film was presented as big mess.
Thru-out the whole film, every scene was presented like you just walked into the middle of a conversation and had no idea WTF they were talking about.
There was basically no official character introduction/devlopment thru-out the film. Characters would debut and I had no clue on their name or if they were a primary/supporting character.
A number of times we had to rewind to try and piece together what was happening. We also had to sit and watch the film with our phones in hand bringing up the cast to figure out their names.
Costner tried to present the hardship and struggles of people migranting to the open west during the years prior to the Civil War. It just didn’t present itself well. It was clear Costner was trying to copy Taylor Sheridan’s “1883”, Costner fell flat trying to repeat his success.
Another thing that threw me off was depicting Black folks interacting with Whites as if Slavery was not going on. That was throwing me off at the start of the film.
We were thrown off at the end when the music played and scenes were shown. I thought they were doing bonus scenes or blooper reels or whatever and it took me a minute to realize they were showing scenes from Chapter Two. It would have been nice to know prior to them showing the scenes with a “In The Next Chapter” or something.
Costner has been in Hollywood for 40 years. I’m not sure where his mind was when he did this. The film came off like a college film product.
The only plus to the film was cinematography with it being filmed on location in Utah and Arizona. A small bit of CGI was used to enhance scenes.
This definitely was not a film for theatrical release. It definitely should’ve went straight to streaming.
Being Costner has plans for 4 films, each film should have focused on just two stories and then bring all the characters together in the finale. It was made clear throughout the film that the town “Horizon” is where it will all come together. He should have done it “MCU” style.
I will watch the 2nd film when it hits streaming at some point. Not looking forward too it, but since I have invested time into it, I will watch it.
Synopsis
In 1859 families discover the lure of the Old West as they settle in territories from Wyoming to Kansas. Meanwhile, a gruff cowboy soon finds himself on the run with a prostitute and a young boy after killing a fellow gunman.
Lights Out
2024
4/10
I watched this one this afternoon on Hulu.
It’s a Frank Grillo flick, if you seen one, you seen them all. For those not familiar with him, he makes White Boy “Hood Films” with a bigger budget. HaHa!!!
Mekhi Pheiffer co-stars. His non-acting Ass plays the same role he does in every project he has done, since Spike Lee’s “Clockers”.
The film has a couple of quick fight scenes and one Shoot-Em-Up scene. If you are a fan of MMA, you will somewhat enjoy this film.
The film is basically “Mindless Entertainment”. If you need something to watch to kill time, put this on the list.
Synopsis
A drifting ex-soldier turns into an underground fighter with the help of a just released ex-con, pitting them both against a crime boss, corrupt cops and hired killers.
deadline.com
deadline.com
Dwayne Johnson’s No. 1 Box Office Openings For ‘Moana 2’ And ‘Red One’ In Same Month A Rare Hollywood Feat
Dwayne Johnson has something that few Hollywood stars have: Two No. 1 openings in a given month at the domestic box office with 'Moana 2' & 'Red One'
www.mentalfloss.com
