December Recommendation: Fatman

 

                                Just two days till Christmas and the time has come to reveal my Christmas present to the world. Now technically, this is a Christmas present for myself but the movie I'm recommending is the crème de le crème of Christmas movies that this needs to be seen, for the whole world. The film I'm giving as in early Christmas present is Fatman, starring Mel Gibson as Santa Clause aka Chris Cringle, now you may think to yourself isn't this the same Mel Gibson that made so many phone calls to his ex-wife and threw racial slurs as well. You're obviously not wrong if that's what you’re thinking in the top of your head, but in all honesty this was the movie we're he redeems himself moreover I would rank this as one of the top five best performances of his entire career. So, lets break out the fireball egg nog and let’s talk about Fatman.

                                The story is very simple. Santa (Mel Gibson) is being forced to work with the U.S. Government to secure his workshop because of the rising number of kids being extremely naughty. After a spoiled 12-year-old kid gets a lump of coal for Christmas, he hires an assassin (Walter Goggins) to kill Santa Clause. Moreover, I'll let your imagination do the math.

                                In the recalling of many Christmas films over the years it’s pretty much the same concept either it’s the retelling of baby Jesus or every story of a family trying to get by on Christmas but admits the frustrations they come together as a family furthermore let’s not forget the many Hallmark movies that come out every Christmas season. And sure, its fine and dandy but there comes a time when I just want something new and different, though sure Die Hard is a different kind of Christmas film but Fatman is a new kind of retelling, to the legend of St. Nick. What I like about the story is that Santa is your everyday citizen, when he's outside of his workshop and you never know who he really is, mainly he's just and everyday person but when he's back at his shop he's Santa Clause whose frustrated about the world, in short kind of reminds of my Dad, but a great summary he's the Santa Clause that we've never seen before and that's what makes his performance great. Then you also have Walter Goggin's a great character actor that is both funny and strangely scary at the same time. Chance Hurstfield who plays the spoiled kid also does a great job playing the most snobbish brat that you want to smack around but you can't and at the end it's what makes it even amazing. Now I don't want to carry on because I'm afraid to spoil the movie, but this is the Christmas movie I've been looking for my whole life and I'm so glad to recommend this movie moreover I strongly doubt I can top a Christmas movie like Fatman. And I'll make this apology towards the late Jimmy Stewart, but It's a Wonderful Life has just be dethroned as best Christmas movie in my book, though not to say that it's still one of the greatest movies of all time for which it’s still is but as of right now Fatman is officially my go to Christmas movie for every time December hits. So, if you're like me who’s tired of the Christmas movies of old than I highly recommend watching Fatman on Christmas Day. Now if you'll excuse me, I going to re-watch this movie again until I'm tired of it. For Which I will never be. And Merry Christmas everyone and a Happy New Year.

          

Grand Theft Auto 5: Replay Review

 

                             By now I'm sure everyone has got their Christmas shopping done, unfortunately for those who want to get a Playstation 5 well, you’re still screwed sorry not sorry in being honest. Well at least we still have the Playstation 4, speaking of I just finished revisiting a great Rockstar game, Grand Theft Auto 5 the game to end all Grand Theft Auto games in all truthfulness, now in all seriousness a side I do have two copies of this for many reasons my PS3 takes up so much save data that I decided to play this on PS4. And I got to say that I don't think I can play any of the past Grand Theft Auto games because there so frustrating when it comes to gameplay controls that this is much better whenever you want to create havoc in a fictionalized Los Angeles.

                              The story is pretty much simple both a young hustler, a retired bank robber and a psychopath are caught in the cross hairs of fame, money and corruption in the city of Los Santos though both of them don't really like one another, they so come to terms they need to work together in order to make way for the new kings of Los Santos.

                              I remember a certain GMA interview of Steven Spielberg while promoting Ready Player One they asked the question of when the technology of Ready Player One will catch up with today's technology, he states that it’s going to be three years from now, now looking back in remembering that I thought that was hilarious, but in all honesty I truly believe that Rockstar Games are without  a doubt the pioneers of the real Westworld like environments, for many reasons I do began to realize that once coming back to this world you’re really just doing whatever you want with known consequences just like the first two Red Dead Redemption games, but with GTA 5 you’re a hundred percent a monster while playing the game which is fun but also scary at the same time, when parents talk about violent video games like GTA yes they are right about not having kids play it because in all honesty kids today aren't ready for it just because of its immaturity, but when you’re an adult you can defiantly play this because you can wreak havoc any time you want and escape reality, for which I would defiantly be afraid of the future because we all know that Disney is going to be that company that's going to create that Westworld like future park and shamefully the robots will defiantly take over the world. So, thanks to Rockstar Games for at least creating a safe Westworld like video game were you don't have to pay a thousand dollars and spend a vacation, but instead once you get off work you can pop this game in and play it all day and all night. The story itself is pretty good moreover its really three criminals who are the most dysfunctional group ever, trying to work on both sides of the law, in all fairness it does have its references or inspirations behind any Tarantino films or Scorsese gangster movies as well. But of all the actors that are voicing these characters, is defiantly Steven Ogg who plays the psycho Trevor, because he's fully committed to the role and is just hilarious in the most psychotic's way possible, and I love transitioning to him because he's just doing something that's either dark or funny at the same time. If you’re in adult like me I would highly recommend playing this on the Playstation 4, but to those who have a girlfriend or married I would highly recommend it but maybe playing it at midnight so they won't know what you’re doing in Los Santos.

         

Walk Hard: A Dewey Cox Story

 

                       

                                 In all my years of watching movies, I've never seen a comedy that's so strange and so bewildering despite the film itself having some good moments but in all honesty that's really five percent of what the film has. But this is the first time ever, I watch a movie and feel so confused in terms of decision making, and poor choices when it comes to making this film happen and unfortunately what makes this film so confusing is that it’s a fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, for which I still don't understand why that's possible because I see this film as a pure rotten film.

                                 Anyway The film is called Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox story, and usually I would give a brief description of the plot, but in all honesty I don't know if I can, because in all honesty its really a comedy that spoofing on the rise and fall of famous musicians aka music biopic, from Walk the Line to Ray, but through the course of the fictionalized singer that's played by John C. Reilly but it goes from one crazy mess to another crazy mess for which make the Scary Movie films look like Freddy Got Fingered 2.

                                Now sharing my thoughts of this bizarre/strange film I still can't really put it into words because throughout the movie I had a bewildered through the entire film I mean sure there were some funny moments SNL alums Chris Parnell and Tim Meadows were kind of the best parts of the movie because they gave me some good giggle moments too as the same with Jenna Fisher because the Lets Duet scene was shamefully funny as well and let’s not forget the actor the plays Reilly's dad but all those moments in the film, that's basically it. And the rest of the film is just flat out so confusing that I don't know how to feel about it. Furthermore, sure you can see movies like Walk the Line or Ray and right then you can understand and laugh but this was just beyond the point of I don't think this was funny at all. So, to sum this movie up in the best way possible this movie is like the sacking of Ancient Troy you don’t want to witness all the horrors the Greeks have done on the Trojans but your eyes can’t close for some reason, and to be truthfully honest it needs to be seen so that everyone can be confused as well. I would say don't buy this, absolutely not if its free and or you can rent it on your phone I would watch it that way but after your done watching it I would suggest deleting your entire history of searching this movie as well as clips you've probably watched on YouTube because I still haven't watched any clips from Walk Hard to this day.    

House of Gucci

 

                            I'm confident in saying that the producers out in Hollywood have Bat phone of some kind to contact Sir Ridley Scott, whenever their having trouble getting some good movies and stories out or getting tired of remakes and Superheroes. It was two months ago that The Last Duel came out and now Ridley Scott is back with another film about a family empire, destroyed by their own ego. Lady Gaga gives a performance of a lifetime playing the Black Widow who loved power but pushed to the madness of the glamour and fame. Adam Driver after his great performance in The Last Duel, returns as a lawyer turned face of Italian fashion empire. Along with Jered Leto who I have to give praise because he was unrecognizable in his role, Jeremy Irons and Al Pacino who for the first time in God knows, like forever that he's actually acting and not losing his s**t. So, with one of the greatest directors of all time at the help and a lineup of great actors and actress, let’s talk about House of Gucci.

                             When Patrizia Reggiani (Lady Gaga), an outsider from humble beginnings, marries into the Gucci family, her unbridled ambition begins to unravel the family legacy and triggers a reckless spiral of betrayal, decadence, revenge -- and ultimately murder.

                              I often don't do this, but in a strange way if I had to compare this with another but from in alternate reality it would probably be Crazy Rich Asians, despite Crazy Rich Asians being more of a fantasy film and House of Gucci being more realistic when it comes to a main woman being married into a very rich family and then secretly manipulating everyone that crosses her, not saying that Rachel Chu would of done that but, you never know it could happen in a certain movie life. In my life I believe I've heard of Gucci, I may have heard references of Gucci such as a fashion trend but in all honesty I've never, ever heard of the Family tragedy that happened. And what makes this film great is that this was about a family that is Italian Royalty but is destroyed by their own sense of ego and power, and that's what makes it so interesting is that one woman whose seduced by this legacy but crosses a threshold into complete madness, for which as we all should know by now it’s like gravity, all it takes is a little push. I will say this that, this is one of these films that you do need to see at the movie theaters because after seeing this great movie I felt like I just went through a family drama of some kind. Lady Gaga gives a performance of a lifetime, playing Patrizia Reggiani who at first is a kind moreover a gorgeous woman only a lucky man would see at a night club, but then is a viscous woman though turns crazy when she crosses a line, and Lady Gaga did a tremendous job in leaving her real life self, and just transforming herself into the real Black Widow, or if your confused in my last statement I'll give a better example, she basically Daniel Day Lewis herself in embodying her character. Adam Driver is really have a year in terms of find a great director that believes in him moreover getting the freedom and wisdom in acting in some great roles, and with this movie he does a fantastic job playing a so called awkward lawyer whose heir to the Gucci name, but becomes his own worst enemy when it came to money and power. Jared Leto I believe gets in award for Daniel Day Lewis transformation because he was just unrecognizable in this film, while Al Pacino finally does a great job acting for once in a movie like this, although he has Ridley Scott directing him and I would think keeps telling him "okay Al, if you want to chew up the scenery like in your past films, just chew on this piece of cardboard". Even the supporting cast gets some praise as well like Salma Hayek does great work molding Patrizia through the course of the movie, while Jeremy Irons does a great job playing Drivers father who even warns him about the love in his life but yet doesn't listen to him. Ridley Scott is one of my favorite movie directors of all time and this movie is a great example of Scott finding any story he can get his hands on and turn it into magic, and I can even argue and say that his future work is not as great as his past work but is still entertaining and amazing to watch when you go see them, I mean hell I don't think Prometheus and Alien: Covenant were great films but I still love them for what they are. In a year that's so crummy and barely recovering from a year that should not be named, Sir Ridley Scott in my book wins Man of the Year, because with his work of The Last Duel and House of Gucci, I have to say he's the real reason why the movie theaters are still great places to see a film. With a one of the greatest casts ever assembled and a great director at the helm, hands down another film I declare best film of 2021 although The Last Duel is at number one and House of Gucci is number close tie. So, with the year nearing the end I would stop what you’re doing and see House of Gucci because this is one of the only films ever to be seen at the theaters. 

      

   

Ghostbusters: Afterlife

 

                        This was one of the many times that I really didn't want to see a movie that brought back great childhood memories, unfortunately I was told from a source that I needed to watch Ghostbusters Afterlife and as much as I didn't want to I went to the film anyway. But I will officially say that this one in amazing fun ride of nostalgia and brought back a great time of being a kid. Moreover, I will go ahead and state that this is the far better and superior sequel than the one movie that will not be named. Starring a few actors I don't know too much of besides Paul Rudd and some surprising, aw you know what screw it I can't keep this a secret Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray and Ernie Hudson return as the original Ghostbusters who help the up and coming Ghostbusters along with Annie Potts and Sigourney Weaver, along with a special appearance of the late great Harold Ramis. Oh, and sorry not sorry because I can't contain the excitement of watching a movie that helped me relive my childhood.

                        When a single mother and her two children move to a new town, they soon discover they have a connection to the original Ghostbusters and the secret legacy their grandfather left behind.

                         Now I had my doubts of this movie I wasn't going to lie, believe me I was literally throwing a small temper tantrum in not wanting to see this all because of a one film that again should not be named (all female Ghostbusters, which included a female version of Chris Farley). Although I now say that this was hands down one of the most entertaining movies I ever had the privileges' to watch at a movie theater, it was one of those films that introduced you to a new  brand of characters and guided you all the way through, to one of the greatest reveals in cinema history. I love the fact that Paul Rudd wasn't a ghostbuster the way people came to believe in terms of the promotion was or how the trailer and previews that we're give you a sort of convincing nod to, because deep down it would of just been silly in some ways. But what makes the movie great was that you have a group of kids with different background but come together in helping stop the forces of evil. Jason Reitman who is the son of Ivan Reitman, did such a fantastic job in making this film not just a sequel to the past Ghostbuster films but more of a love letter to all of the fans the grew up and watched the original films day in and day out, and I'm grateful he played a great tribute to the late Harold Ramis furthermore I don't think there could of been anyone in the world that would bring this film to life. In all honesty there's really not a whole lot to say because let’s face anyone whose watched this film like I have would know that the ending was amazing to witness and some of the newcomers also did their part in making this film great. So, if you’re a Ghostbusters fan like I am I would highly recommend finding a movie theater and watching Ghostbusters: Afterlife. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to bring my PS3 out and play Ghostbusters: The Video Game.  

   

                         

Call of Duty World at War: Replay Review

 

                         

                              Even though we're long gone with Veteran's Day moreover long passed Black Friday I figured I'd still talk about a Call of Duty game I've recently played a week ago and proceed to talk about it anyway, mainly because this is probably one of the best Call of Duty games set in World War II and sure there's some of its successors and predecessors but this is one of the few WWII games were you at least have a variety of enemy's to shoot at and well get to that later but yes Nazi Germany was the main enemy fighting with when it comes the second World War but it should be the same concept when it comes to making a WWII game, Hell it’s been quite a long time since the first Call of Duty was made and we still to this day haven't made a game set in the Great War besides the Battlefield franchise, so enough talk let’s talk about Call of Duty World at War.

                              Set in 1942 you play both Private's from both United States and Soviet Union, one fighting the Japanese in the Pacific Coast and the other bringing down Nazi Germany.

                               Why after replaying this great Call of Duty game, I consider this the best WWII game setting? Well the obvious answer is this, you at least get a variety in terms of enemies you get to fight plus expand the story of the second World War in a good way. Though sure I'm all for killing some Nazi's but let’s have different enemies to shoot at, because let’s be honest Nazi Germany wasn't the only enemy the whole world was fighting there was the Italians and Japanese that were allied with Nazi Germany, so in all honesty you can at least expand some story lines into the WWII history that we've never heard about in history classes or documentaries. What also makes this game great is that you have both Kiefer Sutherland and Gary Oldman playing leaders to your character you’re playing, moreover I think Oldman playing a Russian Sargent, all I can say is playing a Russian terrorist in Air Force One really payed off because I had no clue he was providing his own voice in the game. In closing I still say Call of Duty World at War is still the better WWII game because of its different enemies to fight so yeah people might have a different view point on that but I believe it shouldn't always be Nazi Germany because than we're becoming lazy when it comes to storytelling. 

     

November Recommendation: Stripes

 

          

                              My sincerest apologies in not keeping up on my movie reviews I guess Thanksgiving feast really does knock you out or but you’re through the bleeping wall. I guess there comes a time when so much is going on in the world and being over stressed at work I figured there comes a time when you have to put on a movie that can help you turn your brain off from the world. And since we're in the giving thanks mood of the month of November I figured what better way to give thanks to a movie that helps me get through life. The film that gave us a great dynamic duo of Bill Murray and late Harold Ramis. The film I'm referring to is Stripes, one of these over the top comedies that doesn't have a clear logic when it comes to story structure but yet we can still have a great sense of humor when it comes some of the topics that you really can't do in today's society or another way in putting it you honestly can't make this kind of film anymore let’s just say that. So, let’s give thanks and talk about Stripes.

                              Hard-luck cabbie John Winger (Bill Murray) -- directionless after being fired from his job and dumped by his girlfriend -- enlists in the U.S. Army with his close pal, Russell Ziskey (Harold Ramis). After his barely satisfactory performance in basic training, the irreverent Winger emerges as the figurehead for a ragtag band of Army misfits. 

                              A mist of all the story structure and using the same concepts of Caddyshack, Animal House and MeatBalls but I have to say the comedic pair of both Murray and Ramis are always fun to watch especially in moments were they're being interviewed by the Army enlister and are asked the question, if they're homosexuals it’s just pure genius to see these men look at each other like "can't help it must say something sarcastic", and see this film just proves that you really can't make a film like this anymore because you honestly can do that anymore, moreover I doubt the Army ever asks if your Homosexual anymore. A side from the great chemistry of both Bill and Harold, now watching this film again I had no idea both the ladies for both Murray and Ramis were Sean Young whose most famous for Blade Runner and P.J. Soles whose the famous call girl in the original Halloween. Now when it comes to Soles I was glad at least she was getting work plus being remembered for not just one movie role, but Sean Young on the other hand I was completely and utterly surprised she was in this movie until the the credits rolled because I always known her for was Rachel in Blade Runner, but then re-watching some of those scenes she was in she actually does a great job as the leading lady to Ramis character moreover she had a great sense of humor in the film as well, I have to say that the Ramis and Sean Young chemistry I actually liked plus Ramis was just a smooth guy when it came with her, I mean with that big nose he had, I mean there had to be so like smooth love song playing in when it came to their scenes together. The movie itself does have some puzzling moments for me moreover the story is just like Animal House or Caddyshack where the misfit underdogs take on the people that prove them wrong, I will say does get annoying a little bit but thankfully it’s one of those films where I can only watch once. But deep down this is still a good comedy to watch and be thankful of the comedic collaboration of Ramis and Murray duo and the direction of Ivan Reitman, and let’s face it we all should be thankful for these guys at least because without them we wouldn't have Ghostbusters.       

Rifftrax: Plan 9 from Outer Space

 

                            Typical movie night, I recently subscribed to the Rifftrax's YouTube channel since they've been releasing free movies of their recent riffs on bad movies, long behold they just released Ed Wood's classic Plan 9 From Outer Space and as usual movie nights would go especially the boring kind when I can't find anything I want to watch I said to myself "what the hell". Well, in truthfulness this was my first experience of an Ed Wood film and I in a million years never thought I would experience a movie quite like this one. I may or may not have given a brief history behind Rifftrax in my last review of a movie they made fun of, so I'll give a little brief history behind Rifftrax. During the last three seasons of Mystery Science Theater 3000 Mike Nelson, Kevin Murphy and Bill Corbett we're a force to be reckoned with in TV comedy in fact these guys where my first introduction to MST3K, anyway a few years since the show ended they've been recently be releasing their own tracks on popular films that have recently been released via downloading them on MP3 style of software so anytime you watch a movie you can listen to them making fun of it. Then long behold these guys are still in business performing shows all over the country. So, with that brief history lets go ahead and talk about their latest movie victim.

                             The basic story is this Aliens are invading earth because of our stupidity they summon real life monsters such as Bela Lugosi reprising his role as Dracula and the United States of America are trying to stop the invasion from happening. Oh, and there's a lot of stock footage of stuff I should let everyone know.

                            Now, in fairness I've heard of Ed Wood I just never experienced one of his films and I swear to you watching this amazingly entertaining bad film was all I needed to know about the guy. They say films are a way of looking into the filmmaker’s mind, and to be honest Ed Woods mind would be nothing but egotism, insanity and well, let’s just say pure madness because I can't find another word to describe crazy. A side from Ed Woods craziness the movie is so entertaining from the bad set designs to the bad dialogue and even the stock footage that includes a lot of monster that have nothing to do with the movie itself and what makes the film great to watch is you have Mike, Kevin and Bills track playing over it which makes it even better because the amazing joke of all time for me is "Big Foot shaved, no that's still Tor Johnson". But to be fair I don't think I would really watch this film if it didn't have any of the rifftrax jokes because really I wouldn't have a whole lot of interest seeing it to begin with but now having watched this with the MST3K men, would I want to watch this film without them? And the answer is obviously no because they make this film look like a Oscar movie with their wise cracks and jokes. A fun fact I should add, is that Bella Lugosi died a year before this film was released and I could imagine that in his final minutes of his life he had to of seen the set of the airplane's cockpit and was like "yeah I'm going home and sleep with hope that God takes me away", because throughout the film it’s clear that it’s a double posing as Lugosi/Dracula. So, in short if you’re looking for something to watch I would highly recommend watching this and don't be afraid to find some exciting stuff on YouTube and despite the annoying adds there some exciting movies and documentaries you can enjoy watching.  

Last Night in Soho

 

                            So just when I recommended a great Horror movie to watch last month and thought I don't know if I can do any better, but along comes another great suspenseful scary type of a film and unfortunately I only saw the film in November so this is the best I can do. Last Night in Soho is a Psychological Horror story of "be careful what you which for". Or in a more reasonable, it’s more of a story of wanting to relive something that was so glamourous but had a much darker side to the life and glamour of the sixty’s era. I wasn't sure on what to think of it, when I watched the first teaser trailer for the first time. Though in all honesty, when I watched the trailer, maybe so many times that I lost count in, I had to admit I couldn't get enough of Anya Taylor-Joy in that pink dress she was wearing, now I know that sounds creepy but that's not the only thing that caught my attention. Okay serious note, I have to say that this was one of the most creative psychological horror films ever made, now I'm going to try and not say so much so let’s get on with the review.

                            An aspiring fashion designer (Thomasin McKenzie) is mysteriously able to enter the 1960s, where she encounters a dazzling wannabe singer (Anya Taylor-Joy). However, the glamour is not all it appears to be, and the dreams of the past start to crack and splinter into something far darker.

                            A side from the stunning beauty of Anya Taylor-Joy, this was one of these movies I wasn't sure of, but I just can't get enough of watching the trailer for which has so much stunning beauty, amazing direction and scenery you just cannot stop looking at it, I mean you could almost ask director Edgar Wright if his Titanic made ship is safe to travel on and he shouts "IT'S UNSINKABLE", and you in a confused state can just say "alright cool, I'll take your word". As a film alone this is one of the most visually stunning horror film ever made, it just felt like you were taking some kind of acid trip but in the most scariest way possible, and I honestly thought that I had this movie put together until I witnessed the surprisingly good twist that even I wasn't expecting and I honestly felt like James Bond in Casino Royale and Edgar Wright was Le Chiffre and he pulled out his final card and telling me how bad I sucked at life. Both Thomasin McKenzie and Anya Taylor-Joy give great performances and do such a great job in taking you on this journey of great wonder but pure madness along the way. I do love the fact that both Matt Smith aka Doctor Who and Terrance Stamp though I must say, the two of them do great work as playing the mysterious furthermore antagonists of the film. Anyway, I don't want to give so much detail away but if you’re interested in something new and different moreover getting tired of the remakes and superhero genre than I would highly recommend watching Last Night in Soho because this I would say a movie only the late Alfred Hitchcock would be proud of.     

                                

The Last Duel

                               There's no question that Sir Ridley Scott is one of the many directors I look at and consider one of the greatest of all time, but then when his latest film about the last trial by combat in medieval France, and in all fairness I was a bit unsure because this was a movie that was co-written by both Matt Damon and Ben Affleck along with another professional writer Nicole Holofcener. For which is staring Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, and that part I was a bit weary of because I had no idea how I was going to take these guys serious when it comes to a movie like this. Unfortunately, Sir Ridley Scott must have heard me questioning his latest film because I didn't expect to consider this one of the best films of 2021. But in fairness the cast also includes Adam Driver and up and coming actress Jodie Comer who does a fantastic job in the film as well. Now I'm no expert when it comes to filming Trial by Combats but when it comes to this movie Ridley just made the Game of Thrones creators look like a bunch of amateurs when it comes to making it epic.

                               Jean de Carrouges (Matt Damon) is a respected knight known for his bravery and skill on the battlefield. Jacques Le Gris (Adam Driver) is a squire whose intelligence and eloquence makes him one of the most admirable nobles in court. When Le Gris viciously assaults Carrouges wife (Jodie Comer), she steps forward to accuse her attacker, an act of bravery and defiance that puts her life in jeopardy. The ensuring trial by combat, a grueling duel to the death, places the fate of all three in God's hands.

                               In a year or decade where it’s nothing but Superhero films, lazy written rom coms, or remaking classics from the past. It's really nice to go to a well, a mediocre (though sh*thole) theater and watch in epic movie like this and I'm honestly am not lying for that fact because without a doubt with all that's been happening it did feel nice to see something that was in the grand scale of epicenes that took me on the edge of my seat. And, sure the bromance of Matt Damon and Ben Affleck are in the writing but they at least have a real writer Nicole Holofcener, but it’s really Ridley Scott's direction, that makes the film amazing, his vision of being able to make a story based on true events and turn it as real as possible is what makes this hands down the best film of 2021. In all honesty it’s been close to seven years since Scott made a period piece or biblical movie, though Exodus: Gods and Kings was a decent movie the big difference I would say with this movie is that it's a story that I believe everyone can relate to, and sure you can say I'm over exaggerating but in all truthfulness, Medieval France and today's world is no similarities with only a slight difference it’s not a man's world anymore. And what Scott does great in this film is the hard truth you would see in Medieval France and that it’s not a great place to live unless you’re a Nobleman or a Knight and especially when it comes to women it's not all glitz and glamour life when it comes to marriage, and Sir Ridley does a fantastic job in showing you that trait. I will admit I was a bit weary when it came to Matt Damon and Ben Affleck staring in the movie, but the way I see it in terms of what makes the film amazing is that Ridley does a fantastic job in bringing out the most in his actors, especially Matt Damon because despite my unsureness about him I do remember seeing a preview where Damon shouts "CONFESS" I was like oh wow, Matt Damon's coming out to play and to be honest Damon does a great job playing a Knight whose bit of a hypocrite but a man who will do anything to protect is wife. Now when it comes Affleck I don't think Scott needed to do much with him because Affleck does a great job playing a scumbag and the scenes that he's in I could imagine he does that in real life moreover could imagine he gives JLO a baby he'd be in the hospital saying to her "well good luck having the baby Hun I going to have in orgy with Adam Driver". Jodie Comer is really the greatest part of the whole movie, she's really the anchor of the entire cast for many reasons this was her story throughout the entire movie, and sure the movie is told through perspectives but her characters story is the most truth when you get to her side of the story especially in scenes where she's tragically attacked that was some powerful acting on her part and even when people don't believe her, or trying to hold her own about the risks she might endure if she loses, Jodie does an amazing job holding her ground and I hope she gets nominated for Best Actress at the Oscars. Adam Driver I have to say does a great job playing the antagonist in the movie but I also praise the guy who plays the attacker to Jodie's character because that's really the hardest thing to portray on film because I don't think any actor wants to do something that evil, and I have to give him praise for having to convince everyone on film furthermore I can't wait to see him coming back for Ridley's next film House of Gucci because he's doing some great work after his Star Wars gig. There were a lot of battle sequences but I have to say the Trial by Combat sequence is hands down the best thing I've ever seen in movie theaters because its honestly two trained knights in medieval Iron Man armor swinging anything they got their hands on, and I was just amazed in terms of two men wearing heavily plated armor and you can barely move around nor strike a perfect blow on your enemy and I still can't get over how well choreographed and well filmed that sequence was furthermore I have to say that fight sequence is up there in the best Ridley Scott fights I've seen in years. There hasn't been a lot of movies this year that peaked my interest especially last year and coming up with the final years but hands down the Last Duel was no doubt the best movie I've seen this whole year moreover felt great to watch a movie that wasn't a superhero film or remake, so that felt really great in seeing this great film especially in the movie theaters. So in short, if you’re looking for something new and different I would suggest picking this week to go see it, if it's at your local theater, but I would make it a date night don't take your kids to see this because their obviously not ready for the themes to this story. 

          

                                 

October Recommendation: Ready or Not

 

                                   I can't describe the excitement I'm having right now especially for a movie I was looking forward to recommending since close to a year ago. Since where now during Halloween season, it’s always traditional to recommend a Horror based film, specking of tradition. Ready or Not in a brilliant horror film about a richer than God type family who have very not so good qualities about them. Staring Hugo Weaving's niece Samara Weaving along with Adam Brody who I thought did a fantastic job in this as well as Andie McDowell. Now, I'm very picky when it comes to the horror film genre I really am, for many reasons that they're times I look at a scary film and I look to it as what would scare me the most nothing to over the top like Eli Roth does with his movie or any of the Conjuring films especially where they had the worst title ever "The Devil made me do it". So anyway, enough talk because I'm getting way ahead of myself here lets finally talk about this amazingly well-crafted horror film I'm recommending for the month of October. 

                                   Grace (Samara Weaving) couldn't be happier after she marries the man of her dreams at his family's luxurious estate. There's just one catch -- she must now hide from midnight until dawn while her in-laws hunt her down with guns, crossbows, and other weapons. As Grace desperately tries to survive the night, she soon finds a way to turn the tables on her not-so-loveable relatives.

                                  What I love so much about the movie is the fact that it’s something new and something different in the world of Horror, as I said many times before when it comes to Horror and suspense it really has to be a blend of both, no fancy thrills just some good and simple scares that can put the audience on the edge of their seats. Furthermore you really don't have to use so much gore like Eli Roth does in his movies and don't get me wrong there some WTF moments in the movie but there used in the best ways not just being disgusting all the time. But in all honestly if you ever want to make a scary movie you always must have a half and half of both suspense and horror to grab your audience’s attention. Re-watching the movie in order to prepare for the recommendation, I learned saw new things but that's what I love is that the more I would watch this great film, I learned something new moreover the more I get to talk about it and I haven't seen Psycho for quite a long time but I would probably pick up some little things I haven't seen in quite a while. What also makes this film amazing is that the whole film is set within a full landscape of the mansion, with the possibility of no escape and no way to out run the crazy family, for which brings the great concept of not being able to contact the outside world, especially when you have a crazy family on your tail, that's what makes it so amazing. Now this is in fact a scary film, but it also has some comedic moments in the film and will get to those in a bit especially with Adam Brody because he deserves some great praise for his performance in the movie. But right now I'm going to spend some time talking about Samara Weaving, this is probably the first time I've noticed her in terms of movies I've seen her in moreover I had no clue her Uncle was Agent Smit aka Hugo Weaving, but she does in outstanding job playing the heroine whose a bit clueless then becomes traumatized of what is happening but then becomes fearless at times and she does it in the best ways possible, and this is up to with roles like Ellen Ripley and Sidney Prescott, furthermore she does in all in a wedding dress throughout the entire movie. Adam Brody does in amazing job in this film for many reasons he plays a character that at first realizes what really his family is all about and yet is haunted by this at a young age but in conflicted at what to do in these moments of the movie and Brody does a great job at that, moreover I'm glad he's getting some good work because this is coming off a long road from starting off in The O.C. I'm not going to go in further detail on what makes this film amazing because I don't want to spoil this for all of you that haven't seen it, but if you’re looking for a different and new kind of Horror movie to watch this Halloween, I would highly recommend watching Ready or Not this is hands down one of the best and defiantly in my to five best horror movies of all time, despite the fact that this film was flown under the radar but defiantly needs to be seen because this was freshly new and different and had a great time watching this film and without a doubt one of my monthly Halloween movies to watch. And here's the sad thing, now that I've recommended this great film to watch on Halloween season, I don't know what other scary movie to recommend next year because there's nothing that can top Ready or Not.   

Batman: Gotham by Gaslight

 

                          Where during Halloween season, so I figured why not talk about a movie that's both a superhero film but also has a scary spin to it. Unfortunately, this is one of the first times ever when it comes to watching a movie moreover witnessing a twist that I wasn't a big fan of I yelled out "f**k you" to my own TV. Batman: Gotham by Gaslight is a unique and surprisingly great story of what would happen if Batman existed in the 19th century and fought Jack the Ripper, for which is based on the graphic novel and was kind of a turning point to the DC Universe where they can introduce alternate universes. While the graphic novel was in excellent read, all I can say about the film was, that its kind of like a navel destroyer whose about to destroy a submarine until the submarine launches its final torpedo and all of a sudden the destroyer fails to maneuver. 

                           Simplest stories as they come Batman is trying to discover the truth behind Jack the Ripper, with the help of Alfred and Selina Kyle. But in the world of Gotham you can never trust people, especially when they're the allies you trust the most.

                           Loved the Graphic Novel don't get me wrong, but their certain twists and turns that I can look at a movie and I just permanently hate for which destroys the entire film for me. And in all honestly the film itself wasn't all that bad to be truthful and there were moments where I liked and predicted, because again I've read the novels so I knew certain elements that were coming, but what I also liked was the fact that all three main Robins were in this movie (Dick Grayson, Jason Todd and Tim Drake) for which I thought that was pretty cool because I always thought all three should be together with Batman but up until that point I didn't realize that story element but now I kind of wished they should incorporate that for future Batman stories. Now, what I don't like most about the movie was that and I'll try as best as I can not to spoil the movie for you, was the reveal of who was Jack the Ripper, and to me that was the point where I was almost close to saying f**k you out loud but I couldn't due to my neighbors next door but it was just one of those reveals that was like hell no I cannot support that because I would never in a million years believe that person would be Jack the Ripper and I was wanting to shut it off but I'm already in hour in fifteen minutes in so there's no going back, but that was just then I automatically hated the movie. So if you’re looking for a Halloween movie to watch in your own free time, you can go nuts in watching this animated movie but I must warn you this will make you hate it near the end of the story, even if you’re not a Batman fan.  

                           

Mortal Kombat Legends: Battle of the Realms

 

                        Well hey everybody, we have another sequel to the Mortal Kombat Legends series and surprisingly enough, was still an entertaining movie from start to finish. Moreover, you also get some great humor to come along with the movie also there's a bit of things that I liked what they did more than the live action Mortal Kombat film. Although I will say this I do in fact enjoy last year’s Mortal Kombat film but I do think it was great that they finally gave Liu Kang the spotlight on this film unlike the first film where it focuses on Scorpion which is fine with me but I truly think that whenever you start out with the story of Mortal Kombat, you should always focus on the Luke Skywalker of MK Universe. Anyway, I'm getting way out of hand when it comes to talking so let’s get right into the fight.

                          With Outworld trying to invade Earthrealm, Sho Kahn and Raiden proposes a final tournament that will seal the fate of Earthrealm. Scorpion on the other hand is on the run from the mad God Shinnock who’s trying to bring pieces of a special artifact that will resurrect the One Being that could bring death upon the world. With the fate of the world resting on the balance only Liu Kang and his allies can bring about peace and prosperity.

                          I do like all the new things they bring to the sequel moreover I think they kind of in a sense over crammed it, in terms of length and story. What I do love about it, is that both Raiden and Sho Kahn act like reasonable men, sure Kahn is without a doubt a tyrant and dictator but he does know when to bring fairness when it comes to war even if the mother f**ker is tough to kill, sorry just having some PTSD flashbacks of MK9 on the PS3. What I like about Raiden is that no matter how powerful he is he's still human inside of him even if he chooses to sacrifice his own. The other thing I like about the movie is Scorpion becomes more of the voice of reason when he interacts with the younger Sub-Zero, when it comes to fighting each other than accepting they must work together. I will say that they did crammed both storylines of the sequel games and not given enough length or timeframe of the movie and I still wish they at least improve Johnny Cage's character because the way I look at Cage I always think of him as the Bill Murray when it comes to comedic sense of humor. But in the end the movie does save itself with the best line in the whole movie where Sonya yells at Cage "Don't be such a baby, it's just a kick in the nuts", in which I need to applaud whoever wrote that line because that's one of the best one liners I've ever heard in the entire Mortal Kombat Universe. I honestly don't think that you need to watch the first movie, but I would recommend doing so just to get a full head up. All and all both cartoon films are excellent in their own way and I would highly recommend watching them if you’re a Mortal Komabt fan. 

Assassin's Creed Brotherhood: Replay Review

 

                                Do you ever have the feeling in life, we're you accomplished something, and it felt like you climbed Mount Everest. Well, replaying Assassin's Creed Brotherhood, which includes the story missions and the entire side missions and the DLC. Well I am not going to lie when I say this that this was defiantly my climb to Mount Everest and now I officially don't want to revisit Renaissance Rome anymore, and that's a full fledge truth the next time I play AC Brotherhood is probably when I get old and grab this from the attic and play. Anyway, all jokes a side I have to say replaying this great game was much fun than the last time I played it, for many reason's the first time playing it I was more concerned about the story mode than I was with all of the side missions plus the exploring aspects of the game. And now doing everything that the game contains I now have a full fledge respect for the character of Ezio Auditore da Firenze. So, let's step right back into the Animus and travel back to Renaissance Rome.

                                Set after the events of the second AC game. Ezio having beaten Pope Alexander IV (Rodrigo Borgia), Ezio finally prepares to remove Templar rule, unfortunately Pope Alexander IV children, led by Cesare Borgia attacks Ezio's villa of Monteriggioni. Being saved by his own allies Ezio realizes he can't defeat his enemies alone; he needs to build an army. Ezio develops a new plan to break the heart of the Templar order, financially and to do whatever is necessary to recover the Apple of Eden so no one will ever know of its existence.

                                The huge difference I can say when I first played AC Brotherhood years ago to now is that I wasn't all big on the expanded world of gaming I was just more into the historic visuals and the storyline of Assassin's Creed universe especially when they killed off the most important character Lucy or Kristen Bell (who guides our protagonist Desmond Miles throughout the game), for which now when I look back on it, that was probably a sad thing for many reasons, this is the only time I see her acting via video game presents because in real life she's not all that great especially now that she's married to Dax Shepard. Anyway, all jokes a side, it’s crazy replaying the game now and just getting a grasp and feel of how they game designers and programmers can take something so simple and be able build a huge world. Even with using both software on the PS3 and X-BOX 360, were compared to today’s games where they look nothing compared to games now where it still looks very pixilated or more like a game out of the PS2 era. I don't care what anyone says, when it comes to playing games that's premise focuses solely on the medieval Europe or Renaissance Italy it's always fun no matter what because of the amount of weapons you can use to kill your enemies because as we all know a sword is always the coolest weapon to have but when you disarm someone whose carrying a axe or halberd it's always a blast doing these little things. This will defiantly be the last time I ever say this again but binging on the Showtime show The Borgia's I have to say really paid off when it came back to the two titles of Assassin's Creed, AC2 and Brotherhood because I began to understand the world in its conflict and most importantly the historical figures that have a part to play when it comes this storyline. Years ago, I never understood the impact Ezio had in terms of character wise mainly because I didn't understand why we were continuing his storyline when I figured the developers would like the first game introduce a new Assassin that we can follow in a new adventure and new world, now after finishing Brotherhood I truly why the character of Ezio is so loved by fans because he's a man who at a young age is so consumed by vengeance for all of the wrong that has happened to his family but then he began to see that the fight was never about vengeance but more of concealing knowledge from those would use that knowledge against humanity, furthermore believing with the fact that most people don't want to know the truth and to let humanity decided of how they want to go on with their lives, because as we all know when it comes to the Assassin's and their Creed fight for free will of humanity is the most important fight out there. So, I'm not going to lie going back into replaying Brotherhood was fun but it also had its moments where I didn't want to play anymore but that's the reason why I consider Brotherhood my Mount Everest of accomplishments so as of now I'm officially taking a break from anything Assassin's Creed for a while because that almost killed me when it came to spending way too much time in that whole world.               

Jolt

 

                     

                        So after my buzz kill experience with Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard I decided to look for another movie to watch and sure enough I decided to watch this film on Amazon Prime called Jolt staring Kate Beckinsale. And strangely enough, this saved the night for me a little bit for many reasons this was in a sense kind of like Jason Stathem's movie Crank where he needs adrenaline to stay alive but with this movie Beckinsale needs a jolt of electricity to suppress her anger. For which I wished, I would have those kinds of devices if I had to put up with stupid people. Anyway when I watched a good thirty minutes of the movie I was like "wow, this doesn't seem to bad" for many reasons it’s a bit bizarre and shocking that you almost feel bad on the character but when the twist and turns come around then you just don't know what to think So, enough talk let’s talk about Jolt.

                         A bouncer (Kate Beckinsale) with an anger management problem goes on a furious and resentful rampage after the murder of a friend.

                         I will say this, that this was a breath of fresh air. For many reasons, that it was so ridiculous and strangely shocking but yet it was a good move when it came to saving movie night for me, especially when I sit through the miserable hours of Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard. Kate Beckinsale does a great job in making you feel for the character moreover doing the insane fights that I was like well, this bring back some great memories with the first two Underworld movies. The story surprisingly enough does a good job in explaining the who premise of Beckinsale's character and what she can do so I really have no criticism of what the film is because this is a clear definition of mindless action, and so it is, what it is so, hell Jai Courtney is in the movie so whenever you see his name on the credits you know this is either going to be stupid, or stupid good especially when he's barely in it much. So if your ever having a bad day or feel like you just watched a bad movie that makes you so mad you want to punch something, I would highly recommend watching Jolt because this is one of those movies that you can breathe easily and say that this was a much better movie than Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard.  

Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard

 

                       Do you ever get the feeling when you have a typical movie night but all of a sudden you movie night feels trashed all because of the movie, then you just feel so angry you don't know how to describe that anger? Well this was one of those movie nights we're I felt my night was ruined and I had to find a backup plan quickly, but well get to that later. Usually there are times when you look at a sequel to an awesome movie with two actors who provided great chemistry work, you'd think if they couldn't go wrong. Well, unfortunately there comes a time where you should just quit while your ahead when making a smash hit like The Hitman's Bodyguard. Though sadly, director Patrick Hughes really should of made the decision to quite while you’re still ahead because really when you try so hard to make a sequel better than the first you always know you’re going to fail. Ryan Reynolds and Samuel L. Jackson return for the sequel with Salma Hayek along for the ride. Regrettably there's a famous saying "Two's a company, Three's a crowd" that's best going to describe why this isn't as amazing as the original.

                       The World’s most lethal couple--bodyguard Michael Bryce (Ryan Reynolds) and hit man Darius Kincaid (Samuel L. Jackson)--are back for another life threatening mission Still unlicensed (which is weird because I assumed he was going to be licensed after the first movie ended) and under scrutiny, Bryce is forced into action by Darius's even more volatile wife (Salma Hayek). Soon, all three are in over their heads when a madman's sinister plot threatens to leave Europe into chaos.

                       This movie is a clear definition of sequels never being as good as the original was. And the sad thing was, that I actually thought this was going to be good and then I watch the movie and I'm just thinking to myself "I can't believe, I'm still watching this" It wasn't the fact that yes Sam Jackson can save a film as always but there really wasn't enough of Sam Jackson and I wanted more of Sam Jackson making fun of Ryan Reynolds because that's what made the original film great. But no we have to split the difference with both Sam and Salma Hayek, which deep down is really not as fun, furthermore the jokes aren't even funny as well especially when you have a character like Frank Grillo whose supposed to be this Boston agent in Interpol and makes trash talk with a Scottish female agent, in which I would apply to Grillo "don't quite your day job". The one plot hole which doesn't make sense to me is that Reynolds character is still unemployed for which I would think he was employed and yet was haunted by Kincaid but yet he's still unemployed and what happened to his girlfriend from the first movie? Moreover why would I ever want to feel sorry for Reynolds character when the movie is telling me to feel sorry for this guy, since were giving a little side origin story about him, which is why I'm going to say this a million times when it comes to this movie never cut screen time with Samuel L. Jackson, you should always give that man a hundred percent of the screen time no matter how bad you movie is. Even Morgan Freeman doesn't save this movie, in which if I was making this movie I would have him at least explain the whole movie, but Freeman is another clear example of how lazy a movie can be especially when Freeman is playing Reynolds Dad furthermore are making the usual joke of a character that is white who just so happens to have a Dad that's black, because the movie is trying to desperately explain that we've never seen that before, especially when the punch line of the joke says the son is adopted. Now I hopefully explained how bad this movie was and hope that I saved you into not wanting to watch this movie. But yet this was a movie that still angers me in thinking about but luckily, I found another movie to watch that took a little bit of the steam out of me, but that conversation will have to continue for another time. 

Football Recommendation: What Carter Lost

 

                    

                          Football season is finally here and we're all excited, I hope. Well, as for finding a Football film worth recommending it’s kind of hard to take a good look at some of them and say this is worth recommending but yet you find out that there's not another one recommending in the foreseeable future. So, with some of the Documentaries that ESPN's 30 for 30 has done, well I guess this one I believe is the better version of when it comes to HS Football in Texas was like, well have to do. What Carter Lost is basically a retelling of the opponent team Dallas Carter that won against Odessa Permian the main architype for the bestseller Friday Night Lights, if I can find any words to describe this more of a Greek Tragedy, but most importantly surprising the very people who don't expect much, and sure I know it sounds corny but when you get the chance to ever watch something like this on Hulu or ESPN Plus you'd be amazed of what went down. 

                          What Carter Lost, directed by Adam Hootnick for ESPN Films 30 for 30 series, is the saga of that team, the 1988 Dallas Carter Cowboys. Somehow, Carter managed to win it all on the field, and somehow, they threw it all away.

                          In all honesty what I like most about this story is that it’s a hundred percent fact and doesn't over dramatizes the events that took place, unlike the movie or the TV Show in which it just overdramatize so much little things that really shouldn't be overdramatic and to be fair I have nothing against the movie itself I just wish they simply told the truth when it comes what happen to Odessa Permian and Dallas Carter and not just say oh these two teams meet in the State Championship when they really meet in the semi-finals and hell even the Book itself explains that these two teams played against each other in the semi-finals so I clearly don't understand why Hollywood would even say hey let’s make this better and say these two will meet in the State Championship. Anyway, enough talk back to the documentary itself, when I say that this story is a Greek tragedy meaning this was the definition of a HS Football team winning it all, but yet letting the ego lifestyle those player been carrying throughout their life take a holed of them and do the most unthinkable thing they could ever imagine and sure you can use different point of views as to why they would do such thing or what would pose them to make these bad choices but in the end it's really unexplainable because when Football is such a big thing in the heart of Texas it's really no secret of how much rock star royalty theses students get and probably still do now which sure it does sound weird because there's other sports to follow when it comes to Texas but deep down I'm from Nebraska so, I can't deny that I will ever understand it. So, in closing if your ever in the mood for a football film to watch in days were they're is not any games on I would recommend What Carter Lost because no matter how much I can trash on how terrible the show of Friday Night Lights was this was probably the only side-story, other than Friday Night Lights story as a whole that I can look at and say they speak the honest truth about what when down in Texas.  

                         

Reminiscence

 

                               Lisa Joy co-creator of Westworld also married to Jonathan Nolan whose brother is Christopher Nolan, who decided to finally after three seasons of Westworld decides to make her film debut, and I shamefully say this was kind of, boring to say the least. Look, it not just about the concept idea of what makes the film at first intriguing it’s the list of actors and actresses that failed so badly yes I'm talking about Hugh Jackman the same Wolverine whose only great non-Wolverine film was The Prestige, but let’s face it all this man ever cares about is wanting to dance and sing furthermore wants to act like he's tough but fails so miserably at it. What Reminiscence truly is, is a half and half of Westworld and The Maltese Falcon. And sure as a fan of Chris Nolan and Jonathan Nolan's work I did find this intriguing at first but then I began to feel a little different to it.

                               Nick Bannister (Hugh Jackman) is a private investigator of the mind, navigates the darkly alluring world of the past by helping his clients access lost memories. Living on the fringes of the sunken coast of Miami, his life is forever unchanged as he uncovers a violent conspiracy while trying to solve the mystery behind a client who disappeared.

                                In all honesty I give Lisa Joy points for coming up with an intriguing idea. But deep down, this movie kind of when from intriguing to absolute boredom. Now technically this isn't Joy's fault, for many reasons this is really her husband’s fault and her brother in law's fault as well, because while watching this film I am suspecting that the two men lied to her and thought that this was great when deep down they were lying just to make her feel pleased, for which this needs to be clear to all dudes who are married female filmmakers, is to give them your honest opinion don't be a schmuck and lie to them just to make them happy, even if there mad at you just tell them you’re giving your honest opinion because you love them even if it means you have to sleep outside or find a shitty motel. And I'm sorry, but there comes a point where men need to grow a pair of balls and give the love of your life your honest opinion because that's the only way they can make this movie any better, furthermore the way I think of this movie is that the Nolan brothers read the first two drafts and said "I loved it". Hugh Jackman, I honestly can say fails so miserably at life, I mean it doesn't bug me that his character is in love with lady who are both 18 years apart but what bugs me is the fact that his character becomes infatuated with the leading lady in Rebecca Ferguson but wants she leaves or disappears he just has in obsession in finding her all because of one maybe two one night stands for which I'm guessing his character was just thinking with his manhood. And that's why we went on this journey of boredom. Speaking of cast I actually wished Joy would of borrowed her brother in law's casting director because yes Thandie Newton was amazing in Westworld but she played a real boring sidekick and so did the entire cast as well because honestly they all tried to want me to care but I honestly didn't want to care after the hour of the film passed. So, deep down all I can say is that this film is trying to be a entertaining and new update to the film noir genre but it just failed miserably when it comes to storytelling and borrowing a lot of twists and turns from Chris Nolan, furthermore in closing if you want to find something to watch on a movie night I would find something else and pass on Reminiscence for many reasons it’s like going on a journey through the realm of boredom land, but you began to realize that your already in hell.

   

September Recommendation: Promising Young Woman

 

                             There are times were my movie critique knowledge is put to the ultimate test, well in this my September Recommendation this was without a doubt the ultimate test of my movie watching knowledge. I heard about Promising Young Woman though the Academy Awards this year, and was intrigued that the writer/director of the film was pregnant during the making of Promising Young Woman, though sure that sounded like a strange way to be intrigued, but I thought that this woman has some guts to make this happen. Then months past then I saw the film was already out on DVD despite the fact I couldn't find a copy of it on Blu-Ray at Wal-Mart which is weird because I would usually think they would have everything, but he that what happens when you live in the central part of Nebraska. Then I thought to myself ah what the hell, I see what this movie's got see what makes this film amazing and then I watched the whole movie through and I was just shocked and terrified all at once furthermore I thought to myself that I would never in a million years be married and would just stick to being a good person, go to church and never mess with women because you'll never know how crazy they are when you come across one, hell especially when an unknown woman is wanting to follow you and want to be your friend right away despite the fact that you don't know then at all. But re-watching the film again with the Emerald Fennell's commentary in the background I now have in understanding and appreciation for the movie’s ton consider this one of the greatest movies of all time in my book.

                            Nothing in Cassie's (Carey Mulligan) life is what it appears to be -- she's wickedly smart, tantalizing cunning, and she's living a secret double life by night. Now, an unexpected encounter is about to give Cassie a chance to right the wrongs from the past.

                            I knew that this was some kind of rape revenge film, but what I didn't expect this was going to take a lot of psychological toll to my brain moreover not going to lie when I say this but through the course of watching the film for the very first time my mouth never shut back up because of how shocking and somewhat disturbed with fear. And Mulligan's character was just terrifying that I would never in a million years want to cross a woman like her. Speaking of Carey Mulligan, yes this is another movie of hers that I'm recommending in my monthly recommendation but this is her best work ever, this is probably one of the many movies that I look at and say this was her best, she really dives into the role of a woman who is so angered by the injustice of how people look the other way when it comes to rape, and the way she's able to terrorize her victims is just freighting but yet ingenious at the same time. Deep down what makes this film amazing as well is that Fennell's does a great job of creating a revenge film but toning it to a much realistic tone and not including the gun for which I think makes it more interesting for many reasons just killing the person is way too easy and nothing scares people more than exposing them of their darkest secrets or making feel the worst fears they can possibly imagine.  I didn't realize this at first when watching the movie for the second time with the director's commentary and it makes sense that Fennell's was making this as a biblical/Greek tragedy, for which there's a lot of moments where I see a lot of resemblance of the crucifixion's or Cassie having a Halo hovered around her, and to be honest I like the fact that Mulligan's character is given her victims the choice of forgiveness or punishment. Alright, now let’s talk about Emerald Fennell, I honestly don't know a whole lot about her other than she's a writer on a BBC show called Killing EVE and a actress on the Netflix show The Queen, but after watching her film debut I now can know all I need to know in a good way possible. The fact that she was able to create a story that's a breath of fresh air, but most of all giving the film a dark sense of humor along with creating a set environment that springs bright colors and yet shows you the dark and harshness of what comes into the world of Promising Young Woman. Moreover the fact that Fennell included Paris Hilton's song Stars are Blind deserves a lifetime of bonus points because yes I recognized a lot of pop songs in the movie but I never thought in a million years I would hear that song again. Speaking of music, Anthony Willis does a fantastic job as well creating an eerie and creepy themed music to the whole music because yes as we all know the things that happen in the movie are just wrong and shocking but holy crap watching the film for the first time and hearing the music just gave me chills beyond relief. I know the people who seen this film will tell you that this wasn't what they'd hoped to be because we'd all hope for poetic justice, but in all honesty I look at this film differently and just think that the idea that you would have to live with the things you did, that you'd wished to forget I think that's more worse than death furthermore having your life ruined is a much better revenge than just death. So, listen if you’re looking for something new and different I can't promise you that this will give you the ending you would want but I promise you, you'll be shocked and terrified until the final frame.