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Growing up, I did not have the exciting vacations most kids had. No trips to the beach or to Disneyworld. Most winter, spring, and summer vacations were spent at other family members' homes. One particular cousin is a cinephile like me, and every summer I spent with him was always filled with late nights watching movies on cable television. I remember I stayed up for two nights watching a movie marathon hosted by TNT. The first one was a Godzilla marathon, watching all of the old-school Godzilla films, starting at 8 pm through the night until 6 am, taking commercial naps so I could stay up to finish the movie. The second was a Kung Fu-marathon. I remember the excitement while watching a movie and the anticipation while waiting for the next one to start. I was eager to discover what happened to the characters if a sequel was up next and the feeling of closure when everything was said and done. Those feelings are still present today anytime I watch a movie at home or in the theater. Each of those movies brought along many different things that added layers and created depth in the storytelling experience.
Movies have the unique ability to add to a story using many different methods. The soundtrack and score of a film can add drama and emotion to a scene and cause the viewers' emotions to change accordingly. The same music can transport us back to the movie experience and help us reminisce later in life. The visual effects can add things to a movie that we may not have imagined, seen, or are impossible. The locations a movie is filmed in can literally transport us to another part of the world and inspire us to travel there one day. The actors can deliver dialogues and use non-verbal communication to make characters feel real and relatable. These and many other things make the storytelling experience of a movie more immersible.
I enjoy partaking in other storytelling mediums, but movies are my comfort. After a bad or stressful day, watching a movie that elicits happy and joyful emotions is my go-to. If I feel stuck, an inspirational movie does just that; it inspires me to dream and work toward my goals. Books are great but require work, focus, and significant time investment, depending on your reading speed. Plays and the theater are fun and alternative mediums. Still, they can be expensive and unavailable in your area, and the seating usually needs to be more comfortable. Word-of-mouth storytelling is always a gamble since other people may not be as intriguing as they think. You need to be in the mindset to interact with another human being. Movies solve many of those problems and can transport you to another world or dimension or help you escape reality for a few hours. No matter how busy life gets or the state of the world, movies will always be my go-to for an escape.
Reviews
The Bikeriders (2023)
Not what I was expecting
Johnny started the first club in the Midwest, wanting to share his love for motorcycles. Many people joined it, sharing their love of riding motorcycles and a sense of community. Benny was a member who acted first and thought second and had an unflinching sense of loyalty, even if it put him in danger. As the club grew across the county, things got out of hand, eventually turning the club into a gang.
This movie is based on a book by a photographer who spent time documenting the club in its infancy. The story is slow and is shared through reenactments of interviews done by the author. There are only a few motorcycle scenes, history, or illegal activity. The story focuses on the longing to belong shared by the many motorcycle enthusiasts and how the community grew and changed over time. This movie might appeal to history buffs and motorcycle club members. If you are expecting a more gangster-style movie, it will disappoint.
Kill (2023)
Solid Collaboration
After returning from a mission, Captain Amrit Rathod discovers the love of his life is set to be engaged to another. He immediately sets out to find her and make things right. After surprising her on her train back to Delhi and proposing to her, they both dream of the endless possibilities of their future. Their time on cloud nine is cut short when bandits lockdown their train compartments and start looting and hurting passengers. When tragedy strikes, Captain Rathod does what he does best, kill.
This Hollywood-Bollywood collaborative production is straightforward, intense, and exhilarating to watch. The story is simple and only takes a little to keep up with. It has the romantic undertone of a classic Bollywood romance, with a Hollywood action flick's intense violence and gore. The action choreography is excellent without it being over the top or far-fetched. The movie gets right to it and takes its foot off the accelerator at the end. No song or dance sequences or parts that drag on. Catch this in theaters if you are looking for a high-octane action movie and a foreign film.
Thelma (2024)
Age is just a number, for the most part.
After scam artists bamboozle her out of money and she grows tired of being treated like a baby, Thelma decides to take matters into her own hands. With the help of a friend and some common sense, she tracks down the culprits who swindled her, proving that she still has some usefulness left in her and that she is not wholly dependent and helpless.
This movie is genuinely the phrase "age is just a number." The film is funny and entertaining, has some action, and shows that you can do anything you want, regardless of age. The story sheds light on what it is like to age and how older adults struggle with aging, all while keeping it light. The movie gets to the point quickly and wraps it up nicely, using the entire runtime efficiently-a great movie to catch if you are looking for something original or are close to a grandparent.
Inside Out 2 (2024)
For the kids who grew up with the first one
Riley and her team of emotions have gotten it together over the years, creating a happy sense of self. At 13 years old, Riley hits puberty, and her primary emotional team is joined by a second crew of more complicated emotions. With Riley's life and body changing rapidly, her emotions are conflicted on how to deal with the changes. As they work through Riley's external conflict, they learn that they must all work together, creating a more complicated sense of self.
This sequel is almost as good as the original. The approach this film takes to visualizing and personifying emotions is nearly perfect. The first movie was great for helping younger children understand their emotions. This sequel does the same for older children. The story does not get into the nitty-gritty of puberty. Still, the single situation it shares encompasses many of what pre-teens and teenagers go through when growing up. The story is quick, gets to the point, and is perfect for children and young adults who tend to have short attention spans. Catch it in theaters with the family.
Treasure (2024)
A daughter father journey to closure
After the loss of her mother, Ruth decides to make a pilgrimage to Poland and learn about her parents' past. Her father, Edek, decides to join her and make it a daughter-father's trip. As Ruth and Edek travel through Poland, they learn and relive the Jewish people's history and experience how things are in the present. As they travel together, Edek and Ruth learn more about each other, share their burdens, and grow closer.
This film is based on the true story of the child of two Auschwitz death camp survivors and her journey to learn about her family. The story is approached delicately. While the subject is heavy, the story is told simultaneously in a manner that is both serious and lighthearted. The story develops slowly, making the audience feel the nearly two-hour runtime. This film has multiple themes the audience can focus on, and by the end, it is a very gratifying watch. This is a decent watch once it is available to stream.
Ezra (2023)
Fatherhood comes in variations
Max's life is in shambles; the only worthwhile aspect is his son, Ezra, a boy with autism. While he may have messed up everything else, Max is determined to be the best father and protect Ezra. When Max's temper gets him into trouble, he does what he thinks is best for Ezra, and they embark on a road trip. The journey also takes Max down a path of self-reflection and discovery, looking into his relationship with his parents, ultimately bringing him closer to his son.
This is a beautiful film about fathers' bond with their children. The story is emotional, dramatic, and peppered with lighthearted parts. The story does not solely focus on autism but uses it to show that even fathers struggle with doing what is best and questioning their abilities. The movie highlights autism and how it affects caregivers, parents, and people interacting with neurodivergent individuals. The film has a decent runtime but flows efficiently. This movie is excellent for new parents, parents of children with special needs, or anyone looking for an emotional release. Catch it in theaters or stream it as soon as possible.
Bad Boys: Ride or Die (2024)
A Solid Sequel Fans Will Enjoy
Mike and Marcus have been partners and friends for decades, sharing each other's highs and lows. When their late Captain is accused of corruption, they make it their mission to prove his innocence, clear his name, and honor his legacy. To accomplish this, they must approach this case differently and rely on people they never expected.
This is the fourth installment of the Bad Boys franchise and a solid sequel. It is more enjoyable with prior knowledge of the first three but can still be enjoyed independently. The movie has some great comedy between the two legends, classic Bad Boys antics, and many references to the first three movies. There is not as much action as you would expect in a Bad Boys movie, but the action in the movie is phenomenal. This is a definite watch for fans of the franchise.
IF (2024)
Entertaining and unexpected
Bea acts like an adult, while her father wants her to enjoy being a kid. While staying with her grandmother, she meets a peculiar man tasked with an unusual job: helping Imaginary Friends, IFs, figure out how to exist after their kids have moved on. She joins him on his quest and rediscovers what it means to be a kid while on it.
This movie, with its whimsical characters and the theme of imaginary friends, is primarily aimed at children. However, the depth of the subject matter and the character development make it equally appealing to young adults. The story bounces around a bit and needs to capture the full potential of the movie. There is a bit of slapstick comedy, some childish jokes, and a smidge of adult humor. There is also an equal amount of drama and emotion, which makes the movie heavier than expected. This movie is worth watching as a family night stream at home.
Gekijôban Haikyû!! Gomi Suteba no Kessen (2024)
Might be better for fans of the series.
Two rival volleyball teams, the Crows and the Cats, finally get the chance to compete against each other during the tournament. The last time they met, the Cats were victorious, and the Crows have been working hard to redeem themselves. The most anticipated match of the tournament, who will be the victor?
Like other anime movies, this is just an extended episode turned into a movie. The movie is entertaining, especially for fans of the show and volleyball. The story is easy to follow, but watching the show and having context will make it more enjoyable. Overall, this movie is streamable, especially after watching the series.
The Garfield Movie (2024)
A great movie for family movie night
After being abandoned by his father, Garfield is adopted by John and lives the luxurious life of a kept cat. Years later, Garfield is kidnapped and forced to reunite with his father to help him rectify something he did in the past. As father and son work through their plan, they also work on their relationship.
This fantastic, family-friendly movie reintroduces a classic comic strip character to the next generation. It maintains all of Garfield's classic qualities in full animation. The story is simple, easy to follow, and has a range of emotions. There are some entertaining parts for adults peppered in throughout the movie. The runtime is perfect for children, and the story gets right to the point quickly, making it easy for them to stay engaged. This is a must-see in theaters with the kiddos as soon as possible.
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (2024)
Decent prequel, a bit too long
Kidnapped from her home and the land of abundance, Furisoa vows to her mother that she will one day return. With her wit, cunning, and singular goal of returning home, she creates opportunities to escape danger and survive in the Wastelands. With the passage of time and the chaos of Wasteland politics, Furisoa reprioritizes her goal and becomes the legend of Fury Road.
This movie is the prequel to Mad Max: Fury Road. While this movie has the same awesome action and post-apocalyptic feel as the first, it has a drawback. The story is excellent and expands on the character of Furisoa, gives some history as to how the world ended up in the state it is in, and expands on the history and dynamics of Wasteland and the colonies that exist in it. Since it is a prequel, the audience knows what is in store for the main character, making some of the story predictable. Another drawback is the length; with Furisoa's story already known, some parts could have been shortened or obliterated, keeping the audience engaged without feeling like the movie was dragging on. Overall, the movie is entertaining, expands on the overall story of the Mad Max saga, and sets up the potential for more. This is an excellent watch in theaters for franchise fans or anyone looking for an action-packed movie.
Sight (2023)
More science than religion.
A pioneer in his field, Dr. Wang restores eyesight to patients who were told it was impossible by others. When he decides to take a pediatric patient from India, who lost her sight brutally, a ghost from Dr. Wang's past reemerges. As he journeys to find an appropriate treatment for his patient, he struggles to come to terms with the past and live in the present. In the end, it is the patient who helped Dr. Wang see clearly how living in the present and far more healing than being tormented by reliving the past.
Another Angel Studios production, this movie shares the story of Dr. Wang, who pushed the limits of science and developed new techniques and technologies to help restore his patients' eyesight. With the runtime clocking in at one hour and forty minutes, the story is balanced but has some scenes that could have been adjusted to streamline the story and compress the time. The story focuses more on Dr. Wang's life history and the method, procedure, and research he developed, with just a touch of religion. The movie is emotional, inspiring, and heartfelt. This is a solid movie to catch in the cinema for those looking for something less mainstream and a great watch at home; either way, it should be watched.
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (2024)
Build up for the next one
Generations after Caesar's sacrifice, apes populate the world, humans are scarce and wild, and nature has retaken the things made by man. Noa is part of the clan of birds. While preparing for his right of passage, he encounters a human, and the world as he knows it falls apart. With his clan kidnapped, Noa must find and rescue them. As he travels across the land, he learns the history of humans and apes, the way of Caesar, and what it means to be a leader.
This is the fourth or fifth installment, depending on which movies you count in this franchise. The story leaves much to be desired and creates many questions and plotholes. It picks up decades into the future with a new set of characters but references the first three movies. The movie has a long runtime, with long, slow parts building up to short-lived, thrilling parts. The overall purpose of this movie is to introduce the next time period and characters and act as a build-up for the next installment. This is a must-see for fans of the franchise and completionists, but it can be waited on to stream, and for others, it can be skipped.
The Fall Guy (2024)
Romantic Comedy wrapped in an action flick
After a near-fatal stunt accident, Colt Seavers leaves the job he loves and the woman who makes his heart soar and hides away from reality. After a year and a half in hiding, he is sucked back into being a stuntman in the hope of helping the same woman he left to fulfill her dream of directing a movie. While filming, he searches for the actor he doubles for and stumbles into a dangerous situation.
This is a romantic comedy wrapped in an action movie. The movie focuses on the unsung heroes, the stunt people and crew, and their fantastic contributions to movies. It is funny, action-packed, and has cute romantic comedy moments. The movie has a good story, which pokes fun at many action arches, stunts, and the supposed relationship between actors and their stunt doubles. The ending drags on a bit, but the movie is an excellent watch, especially for a date night.
Unsung Hero (2024)
Viewer determines the hero
An Australian music promoter goes belly up after investing in a massive tour. With all possibilities exhausted, he moves his family to Nashville, hoping to start over. With the support of his wife and kids, they get to work surviving in their new home. Doing what he does best, he invests in his daughter and sets out to make her dream of a music career a reality.
This is the true story of how the Smallbones migrated from Australia to America and achieved their dreams of becoming musical sensations. The movie is heavy on Christianity and religion, but the hero is dependent on the viewer. The movie shifts its focus from religion to family, struggle, and the music industry. This movie is definitely for the Christian fan base, but anyone can enjoy it.
Gekijôban Spy x Family Code: White (2023)
Don't need to watch the series to enjoy this
Agent Loid created a fake family to accomplish his mission, but little did he know that each family member had a secret. His fake wife, Yor, was an international assassin, their adopted daughter, Anya, was a telepath, and their family pet, Bond, could predict the future. Anya was the key to his mission, and she now had to win a school cooking competition, so the family vacationed to find the perfect dessert. While enjoying their time together, they unknowingly stumble into a military operation. They must resolve the situation while maintaining their secrets.
This is an anime movie that extends a running series. Watching the series before this movie will help clarify what is happening, but it is unnecessary. The movie does a great job quickly recapping the essential elements of the series and focusing on the story. The movie is funny, entertaining, and a bit on the mature side. If you are a fan of the series or just want to watch an anime movie, this is entertaining.
Civil War (2024)
Completely fictional, but shows the part the press during war time
A group of journalists risk life and limb to travel through war-torn America, from New York City to Washington, D. C., to be the first to interview the President of the United States of America. As they journey through the country, they encounter and document different people, observe the devastation of the civil war, and experience the horrors of war. By the end of their journey, things did not go as planned, and the war took an unexpected turn, but they still did not give up on their goal.
Another outstanding A24-produced film focuses on the press and photojournalists' role during times of war. The story is engaging, sharing how the mentality of war differs from person to person and how society can change depending on that mentality. The story leaves it up to the audience to determine what may have started the war. The film has many warfare scenes, which adds to the depth and breadth of the story. This is an excellent watch, especially in theaters, because of the better sound quality.
The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare (2024)
A true story told with some comedy
With the Nazis advancing across Europe and U-boats cutting off the safe passage of supplies and soldiers from America, Winston Churchill decides to take an unorthodox approach. He turns to a man to undertake an unsanctioned mission to turn the tide of the war and give Great Britain and the rest of the world a fighting chance.
This movie is based on documents declassified in 2016. It shares the story of these brave men in a simple, humorous, and straightforward way. The movie is a mix of war, espionage, and history. The action is not over the top, gory, or excessively violent. This is an excellent watch for history buffs, spy fans, or anyone looking for something entertaining and not requiring a lot of thought.
Sasquatch Sunset (2024)
Can go either way.
A "nature" film follows four Sasquatch living in their habitat. Going through the natural cycle of the seasons and mating season, they travel through the woods. As they migrate across the region, they sense a change, encounter strange things, and experience tragedy.
This movie is supposed to be a comedy, which may be appropriate if you are really into dark humor. However, the movie has no dialogue, which can cause your attention to drift. Quite a few WTF moments will make you laugh and take a moment. The movie's underlying premise is how humans affect the environment and natural habits. This movie is not for everyone, but it will impress you if you can get through it. Stream it for something different.
La chimera (2023)
Interesting but lacks backstory
A foreign archeologist, out of touch with reality, uses his gift to find and raid tombs with his gang of grave robbers. Events have transpired, leaving him roaming the country, isolated. With every tomb they raid, the man looks for more than artifacts left by a past society.
This is an intriguing Italian film, but some cultural background might be necessary to understand the story entirely. The protagonist's lack of a backstory makes the story a bit complicated. The film is long, slow, and requires the reading of subtitles. This film may not be for everyone, but it is worth a watch if you are looking for something outside of mainstream Hollywood.
Arcadian (2024)
No backstory, all survival
A father and his twin sons have survived the end of the world for fifteen years. As teenagers, the boys have grown into young men and become independent and rambunctious. As they quarrel and go their separate ways one day, their lives are threatened again, and they must fight for survival.
This is a simple end-of-the-world, post-apocalypse survival movie. The story gets straight to the point, giving little to no backstory on the characters or what caused the world's end. There is not a lot of action and a bit of suspense. The runtime of the movie is short. This might not be worth watching in theaters, but it is worth streaming.
The Long Game (2023)
Enjoyable for both golfers and non-golfers
A superintendent and five high school students set out to show that everyone, even Mexicans, is welcome on the golf course. They start a golf team with a single goal: to win and reach the state championship. Along the way, they face racism and obstacles but do not waver in their goal.
This is an inspirational true story about a group of teenagers and their coaches going against the odds and societal norms. The film has a bit of comedy, emotion, drama, and golf. The film quickly gets to the main parts of the story, sharing details and backstory along the way. The film is not heavy on golf but has enough to keep golf and non-golf fans interested. The film sheds some light on how non-white American soldiers were treated during and after the war, which is eye-opening and heartbreaking. This is a great sports film, regardless of whether you are a golf fan.
Monkey Man (2024)
Revenge movie, but Indian
Tormented by his past and bereaved by the murder of his mother, a young man gets knocked around while plotting his revenge. Before he can exact his revenge, he must come to terms with his past and accept who he is.
This movie has a straightforward storyline: revenge. What makes it different from other revenge movies is that it is set entirely in India and incorporates aspects of the culture, people, politics, and religion. Despite the story getting straight to the point, some parts could be removed to streamline it. The action is on par with other great action movies, and the violence, gore, blood, and viscera are out the top. This is an excellent watch for adults and what inclusion should be like in Hollywood.
Wicked Little Letters (2023)
Based on a true story, this is a fun watch.
Edith Swan has been anonymously receiving vulgar and profane letters, and she decided to take action. She reports her neighbor, a foul-mouthed single mother who does not conform to society's constructs, as the culprit. As the investigation proceeds, more letters are sent, and the victim count increases, grabbing the entire country's attention.
This film is based on a true story and is hilarious. It is a period piece set in 1920 in a small town in England. The film gets to the point, full of foul language and insults. The casting may not be historically accurate, but it is well done and enjoyable. This is an excellent watch for a date night or to see something less mainstream Hollywood.
Crew (2024)
Slow and Predictable
An airline is struggling financially, and its chairman reassures his staff to have faith. As the employees work without being paid and serve customers, three flight attendants reach their breaking point. They decide to take matters into their own hands and enter the world of international smuggling.
This movie is supposed to be a buddy heist comedy, but it falls short of that. The film has comedy, but it also has an equal amount of drama and emotion. The movie is long, slow, and predictable. Many of the songs are remixes of old Bollywood songs, which can be good or bad depending on the viewer. The movie is a decent stream and can be watched with divided attention.