Sven's Watched in 2020
Every film I watched in 2020
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- DirectorMark L. LesterStarsPerry KingMerrie Lynn RossTimothy Van PattenA new teacher at a troubled inner-city high school soon ends up clashing with a delinquent punk posse who run the institute with an iron fist.Jan 4
A surprisingly good 80s thriller. I’m surprised I’d never heard of it before. A cast including some recognizable faces such as Michael J Fox (pre Back to the Future) and Roddy McDowell. The film was apparently banned in several places due to the extreme violence. It was somewhat graphic and reading about the filming sounds like the actors went through hell making the film too. 8/10 - DirectorNisha GanatraStarsEmma ThompsonMindy KalingJohn LithgowA late night talk show host suspects that she may soon lose her long-running show.Jan 4
A blind choice from amazon prime. I nearly turned it off early on expecting it would go a very different direction. Mindy Kaling was my main reason for giving it a chance. The way it handled the me too movement and gender roles was somewhat refreshing. 7/10 - DirectorGavin GrazerStarsAlicia SilverstoneRachael Leigh CookWoody HarrelsonBy chance 3 employees rob their bank the same weekend.Jan 4
Filled with well known actors and and interesting collection of interconnected stories. Poorly scripted and executed unfortunately. 6/10 - DirectorPeter SohnStarsJeffrey WrightFrances McDormandMaleah Nipay-PadillaIn a world where dinosaurs and humans live side-by-side, an Apatosaurus named Arlo makes an unlikely human friend.Jan 4
Not the strongest of the Pixar films. The main characters are good (Arlo and his family and spot) but the rest of them like the other dinosaurs take away from the quality of the film rather than adding to it. 7/10 - DirectorAndrew StantonStarsBen BurttElissa KnightJeff GarlinIn the distant future, a small waste-collecting robot inadvertently embarks on a space journey that will ultimately decide the fate of mankind.Jan 4
Incredibly charming for a film about robots. I wonder how well it would have worked if the simple detail of Wall-E’s voice were different. So many details of this film add to its appeal. The environmental commentary on garbage/waste, the use of real human actors in the animated world etc. 8/10 - DirectorAndrew AdamsonStarsTilda SwintonGeorgie HenleyWilliam MoseleyWhile playing, Lucy and her siblings find a wardrobe that lands them in a mystical place called Narnia. Here they realize that it was fated and they must now unite with Aslan to defeat an evil queen.Jan 5
A big action and adventure film made primarily for kids. I remember it being enjoyable for adults too and an epic sort of adventure. I had a very different opinion of it this time around. It all felt very childish now. More silly than epic. Even the actors chosen for the kids seemed wrong for the roles. 6/10 - DirectorRob MarshallStarsEmily BluntLin-Manuel MirandaBen WhishawA few decades after her original visit, Mary Poppins, the magical nanny, returns to help the Banks siblings and Michael's children through a difficult time in their lives.Jan 5
Good songs and good performances. Makes me want to give the original another try. 7/10 - DirectorEricson CoreStarsWillem DafoeJulianne NicholsonChristopher HeyerdahlThe story of Togo, the sled dog who led the 1925 serum run despite being considered too small and weak to lead such an intense race.Jan 10
Great true story about a heroic dog. When done right, these kind of stories really work to pull the heart strings. Some surprisingly bad acting early on in the film but that seemed to disappear as the film went on. Hard to believe some of the major heroic moments actually happened the way it shows in the movie but the overdramatization is fun. 7/10 - DirectorNorman TokarStarsKen BerrySandy DuncanHarry MorganThree scientists help an Alien feline, stranded on Earth, to repair its damaged spacecraft in order to return home but their efforts are hampered by inept army officials and foreign spies.Jan 11
Typical 70s/80s live action Disney film. Plenty of humour and a decent premise. Movies with cats are definitely not common enough. 6/10 - DirectorJustin DecStarsElizabeth LailJordan CallowayTalitha Eliana BatemanWhen a nurse downloads an app that claims to predict the moment a person will die, it tells her she only has three days to live. With the clock ticking and a figure haunting her, she must find a way to save her life before time runs out.Jan 12
Bargain version of Final Destination. The creatures added another level to it that took away from the fun of finding out how somebody died when their time comes. Still some decent death scenes at least. 6/10 - DirectorKevin SmithStarsJoey Lauren AdamsBen AffleckFred ArmisenJay and Silent Bob inadvertently sign away their names and rights to the new Bluntman and Chronic movie. Now they head to Hollywood to stop the film from being made. Along the way Jay discovers that he is a father.Jan 12
All of Kevin smiths movies have been big on inside jokes and references. This film took that to another level and not in a good way. It was less of a film and more just a collection of inside jokes. There were some jokes worth a laugh but as a whole it was garbage. It’s been awhile since Smith made a good film at this point. At least this wasn’t Yoga Hosers. 5/10 - DirectorJay RoachStarsCharlize TheronNicole KidmanMargot RobbieA group of women take on Fox News head Roger Ailes and the toxic atmosphere he presided over at the network.Jan 16
Filled with a great cast with strong performances. Theron and Lithgow are unrecognizable, except for their voices. The acting noms for Theron and Robbie are well deserved. While I preferred The Morning Show for a look at the Me Too scandal, this was very different in it being an obviously guilty person. Some important details that don’t normally get mentioned were touched on but it would have been nice to explore those further. 7/10 - DirectorKasi LemmonsStarsCynthia ErivoJanelle MonáeLeslie Odom Jr.The extraordinary tale of Harriet Tubman's escape from slavery and transformation into one of America's greatest heroes, whose courage, ingenuity, and tenacity freed hundreds of slaves and changed the course of history.Jan 16
Good story of a heroic person who risked her own life to rescue many others from slavery. That story could have made for an even better film if handled differently. As is it allowed for a strong lead performance to shine through and to give a look into the story without giving the proper focus to the story. 7/10 - DirectorPedro AlmodóvarStarsAntonio BanderasAsier EtxeandiaLeonardo SbaragliaA film director reflects on the choices he's made in life as the past and present come crashing down around him.Jan 16
Almodovar and Banderas have always been hit and miss for me. This one was a hit for sure. Mostly character driven but just enough story and style to satisfy all sides of the medium. Relatively minor characters came through in big ways thanks to the way the main character presented them to the audience. 8/10 - DirectorTamara KotevskaLjubomir StefanovStarsHatidze MuratovaNazife MuratovaHussein SamThe last female bee-hunter in Europe must save the bees and return the natural balance in Honeyland, when a family of nomadic beekeepers invade her land and threaten her livelihood.Jan 16
This is not my kind of documentary at all. Very little going on for much of the film aside from giving us a look into the sad life of a person in a 3rd world country. Many docs of this sort seem to get nominations but I don’t think it’s deserved. At least this one was well shot. Clean look to the production and thankfully not shaky handheld camerawork. 5/10 - DirectorDean DeBloisStarsJay BaruchelAmerica FerreraF. Murray AbrahamWhen Hiccup discovers Toothless isn't the only Night Fury, he must seek the Hidden World, a secret Dragon Utopia before a hired tyrant named Grimmel finds it first.Jan 16
I’ve never been thrilled with these movies. Much like the others, this entry is enjoyable enough but forgettable. 6/10 - DirectorGreta GerwigStarsSaoirse RonanEmma WatsonFlorence PughJo March reflects back and forth on her life, telling the beloved story of the March sisters - four young women, each determined to live life on her own terms.Jan 16
I’m generally not a fan of period pieces and this is no exception. The performances were good for the most part though Florence Pugh’s portrayal of the younger version of her character was awkward and obnoxious. The stylistic choice to have the timeline go back and forth is the only aspect that saves it from being completely forgettable. 6/10 - DirectorSam MendesStarsDean-Charles ChapmanGeorge MacKayDaniel MaysApril 6th, 1917. As an infantry battalion assembles to wage war deep in enemy territory, two soldiers are assigned to race against time and deliver a message that will stop 1,600 men from walking straight into a deadly trap.Jan 17
The illusion of a single take is a nice gimmick that elevates an already good war movie. The story does feel a bit limited compared with many other war films. Some beautifully shot scenes throughout. 8/10 - DirectorRoxann DawsonStarsMarcel RuizTopher GraceSarah ConstibleWhen her 14-year-old son drowns in a lake, a faithful mother prays for him to come back from the brink of death and be healed.Jan 17
Clearly a nomination for beat song doesn’t require a quality movie. Overall a typical manipulation of emotions movie of the week type thing. If the over the top religious scenes were taken out of this film there’d be nothing left. Super preachy and poorly made. It’s too bad a nice story has to be spoiled by so much focus on that. 2/10 - DirectorJoachim RønningStarsAngelina JolieElle FanningHarris DickinsonMaleficent and her goddaughter Aurora begin to question the complex family ties that bind them as they are pulled in different directions by impending nuptials, unexpected allies, and dark new forces at play.Jan 17
Stylistically nice for the most part. I couldn’t make myself care about the story though. Felt tedious very quickly as the movie went on. 6/10 - DirectorWaad Al-KateabEdward WattsStarsWaad Al-KateabSama Al-KhateabHamza Al-KhateabFOR SAMA is both an intimate and epic journey into the female experience of war.Jan 17
Yet another shaky cam war doc. I had low expectations based on that alone. I was pleasantly surprised how much more I enjoyed this one. The narration being directed to her baby while showing the baby living through the war zone really set this apart from all other war docs I’ve seen. It had a heart and family that I’ve never seen in a film like this before. 8/10 - DirectorSteven BognarJulia ReichertStarsJunming 'Jimmy' WangRobert AllenSherrod BrownIn post-industrial Ohio, a Chinese billionaire opens a factory in an abandoned General Motors plant, hiring two thousand Americans. Early days of hope and optimism give way to setbacks as high-tech China clashes with working-class America.Jan 19
Well structured documentary that made the subject matter more interesting than it should be. The interaction between the Americans and the Chinese were the highlights of the film. 7/10 - DirectorClint EastwoodStarsPaul Walter HauserSam RockwellBrandon StanleySecurity guard Richard Jewell is an instant hero after foiling a bomb attack at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, but his life becomes a nightmare when the FBI leaks to the media that he is a suspect in the case.Jan 19
Maybe the best Eastwood movie in the last decade, or at least my favourite. Richard Jewell made for a great subject. Not exactly a likable character but made the mystery work. All the performances were good including Kathy Bates who was nominated. 7/10 - DirectorPetra CostaStarsDilma RousseffLuiz Inácio Lula da SilvaMarisa Letícia Lula da SilvaPolitical documentary and personal memoir collide in this exploration into the complex truth behind the unraveling of two Brazilian presidencies.Jan 19
Started in a bad way already with a political topic I wasn’t interested in. Add to that a narrator that’s hard to listen to. I think it’s the director but she should have hired a professional. 4/10 - DirectorTim MillerStarsLinda HamiltonArnold SchwarzeneggerMackenzie DavisAn augmented human and Sarah Connor must stop an advanced liquid Terminator from hunting down a young girl, whose fate is critical to the human race.Jan 23
After a first 30 mins of big Terminator style action the pacing slowed down significantly. There wasn’t any of the good character work T2 had to maintain in the slower scenes. Either way a solid terminator addition. 7/10 - DirectorClint EastwoodStarsClint EastwoodPatrick L. ReyesCesar De LeónA ninety-year-old horticulturist and Korean War veteran turns drug mule for a Mexican cartel.Jan 23
Clint Eastwood plays yet another lovable yet somewhat unlikeable character. Not on the level of gran Torino but similar. Hopefully he will still direct himself in a few more films. Always enjoyable. 7/10 - DirectorStephen GaghanStarsRobert Downey Jr.Antonio BanderasMichael SheenA physician who can talk to animals embarks on an adventure to find a legendary island with a young apprentice and a crew of strange pets.Jan 24
Went into this with very low expectations thanks to the negative reviews. It was more childish than I hoped for but overall not so bad. Some decent humour, along with some overly childish humour. The story was fine as is and most of the characters were likeable so it’s too bad it wasn’t made to be more appealing to all ages. 6/10 - DirectorRuben FleischerStarsWoody HarrelsonJesse EisenbergEmma StoneColumbus, Tallahassee, Wichita, and Little Rock move to the American heartland as they face off against evolved zombies, fellow survivors, and the growing pains of the snarky makeshift family.Jan 24
Unsurprisingly not as good as the first film but a very good effort. The relationship plots worked pretty well and the Elvis stuff was also good. 7/10 - DirectorStewart RaffillStarsDenise RichardsTheo ForsettPaul WalkerAn evil scientist implants the brain of murdered high-school student Michael into a Tyrannosaurus. He escapes, wreaks vengeance on his high-school tormentors, and reunites with his sweetheart Tammy.Jan 25
Ridiculous and poorly made horror film. Extra points for a good cast between Denise Richards and Paul Walker and it’s camp value. Apparently the whole film was made just because the director had access to an animatronic T-Rex for a couple weeks. Could have been much worse. 5/10 - DirectorCaryn WaechterStarsLauren ElizabethClaudia SulewskiKeith MachekanyangaThe horrors and isolation of being a social media influencer run rampant when a collection of YouTube and Instagram stars soon discover there are things scarier than thousands of teenagers armed with phones asking for selfies.Jan 25
Average horror film with some creepy imagery. The premise with the social media influencers doesn’t work properly as it makes you want to root against them rather than for them. No likable characters at all. 5/10 - DirectorHayao MiyazakiStarsHitoshi TakagiNoriko HidakaChika SakamotoWhen two girls move to the country to be near their ailing mother, they have adventures with the wondrous forest spirits who live nearby.Jan 26
A charming animated film that manages to be both simple and deep. Enjoyable just for the characters even if you don’t pay attention to the deeper themes. 9/10 - DirectorStephen HillenburgMark OsborneStarsTom KennyJeffrey TamborRodger BumpassSpongeBob takes leave from Bikini Bottom in order to track down, with Patrick, King Neptune's stolen crown.Jan 26
Funny like the tv series, just on a bigger scale. Well balanced for a feature length adaptation of a show directed at young kids. Plenty of laugh out loud moments. 7/10 - DirectorFeras FayyadStarsAmani BallourAlaaSalim NamourAmidst air strikes and bombings, a group of female doctors in Ghouta, Syria struggle with systemic sexism while trying to care for the injured using limited resources.Jan 28
Pretty similar to fellow nominee For Sama, thoigh not nearly as personal and touching. The scenes of them caring for the hurt children were the most memorable parts of the film. Even those became repetitive though. 5/10 - DirectorAndy FickmanStarsJohn CenaKeegan-Michael KeyJohn LeguizamoA crew of rugged firefighters meet their match when attempting to rescue three rambunctious kids.Feb 6
Terrible in so many ways, but I fell for the emotional side of it. Bad acting and worse script. The family aspects and taking care of the kids added something good to the film though. 6/10 - DirectorJan KomasaStarsBartosz BieleniaAleksandra KoniecznaEliza RycembelDaniel experiences a spiritual transformation in a detention center. Although his criminal record prevents him from applying to the seminary, he has no intention of giving up his dream and decides to minister a small-town parish.Feb 9
Familiar story that I’m sure has been done before. It was done quite well here though. Good character building and an emotional story. I’m not at all interested in the religious aspects of the story but those were surprisingly secondary anyway.
With this film, I’ve now seen all feature films nominated in all categories for tonight’s oscars. 8/10 - DirectorPeter FarrellyStarsViggo MortensenMahershala AliLinda CardelliniA working-class Italian-American bouncer becomes the driver for an African-American classical pianist on a tour of venues through the 1960s American South.Feb 13
Critics be damned, this is simply a great film. 9/10 - DirectorAlfred HitchcockStarsAnthony PerkinsJanet LeighVera MilesA Phoenix secretary embezzles $40,000 from her employer's client, goes on the run and checks into a remote motel run by a young man under the domination of his mother.Feb 17
Holds up well thanks to the perfect performance from Perkins and the masterful direction from Hitchcock. So many details that add to the enjoyment simply by watching the background of the film. 10/10 - DirectorJeff BaenaStarsAlison BrieMolly ShannonGoldeniteSarah, a socially isolated woman with a fondness for arts and crafts, horses, and supernatural crime shows finds her increasingly lucid dreams trickling into her waking life.Feb 18
The trailer hooked me and the film was a complete let down. The Duplass Brothers films have been much better than this in the past. I would have like this film to be more The One I Love rather than so much like Safety Not Guaranteed. 5/10 - DirectorMiguel ArtetaStarsSteve CarellJennifer GarnerEd OxenbouldAlexander's day begins with gum stuck in his hair, followed by more calamities. However, he finds little sympathy from his family and begins to wonder if bad things only happen to him, his mom, dad, brother and sister - who all find themselves living through their own terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.Feb 21
Good cast in an average family film. The casting goes a long way to making this more enjoyable than it would otherwise have been. 7/10 - DirectorThor FreudenthalStarsZachary GordonRobert CapronRachael HarrisGreg Heffley is a 12 year old who is fresh out of elementary and transitions to middle school, where he has to learn the consequences and responsibility to survive the year.Feb 21
Funny and enjoyable kids film. Still laughed after seeing it several times. Not something I’d ever watch without Sawyer though. 7/10 - DirectorJeff FowlerStarsBen SchwartzJames MarsdenJim CarreyAfter discovering a small, blue, fast hedgehog, a small-town police officer must help him defeat an evil genius who wants to do experiments on him.Feb 22
Definitely better than I expected it to be. For a movie based on a side scroller game where there wasn’t really much of a story, I expected it to be obnoxious and terrible. Jim Carrey was funny as Robotnik. Sonic made for a cute character. 6/10 - DirectorRian JohnsonStarsDaniel CraigChris EvansAna de ArmasA detective investigates the death of the patriarch of an eccentric, combative family.Feb 22
Such a great cast and twisty mystery. Lots of humor to go along with the whodunit so it made me think of Murder By Death. Not as good but much more modern while still having a classic feel to it. 8/10 - 1997–20231h 29mUnrated6.2 (4.1K)TV EpisodeDirectorD.J. MacHaleStarsSteve GuttenbergNia PeeplesMichael McShaneA disgraced reporter investigates an abandoned luxury hotel where five people mysteriously disappeared sixty years earlier.Feb 17
Disney TV movie based on one of our favorite rides from the Disney theme parks. Just the fact that Steve Gutenberg is in it was enough to tell me it wouldn’t be great. For being based on a ride I suppose it was ok. Added more detail to the story told on the ride. It was fun spotting some of the sites from the park ride in the movie. 6/10 - DirectorGus Van SantStarsVince VaughnAnne HecheJulianne MooreA young female embezzler arrives at the Bates Motel, which has terrible secrets of its own.Feb 23
I’ve always defended this remake saying if the original is good and this is a shot for shot remake then how can it be bad. I still say it’s good and unfairly criticized, but I noticed alot more differences this time and all the differences just made it worse than the original. Biggest unnecessary change is the house. Vince Vaughn is great as Norman though. 7/10 - DirectorM. Night ShyamalanStarsBruce WillisHaley Joel OsmentToni ColletteMalcolm Crowe, a child psychologist, starts treating a young boy, Cole, who encounters dead people and convinces him to help them. In turn, Cole helps Malcolm reconcile with his estranged wife.Feb 24
I really enjoyed watching this with Sawyer. Fun to watch somebody see the twist for the first time and not have had it spoiled for them before. Rewatching it this time it seemed so crazy to think you wouldn’t notice how nobody else interacts with him throughout the movie. 9/10 - DirectorBarry SonnenfeldStarsTommy Lee JonesWill SmithLinda FiorentinoJames, an NYC cop, is hired by Agent K of a secret government agency that monitors extraterrestrial life on Earth. Together, they must recover an item that has been stolen by an intergalactic villain.Feb 27
Interested in watching this with Sawyer for the first time after going on the ride at universal. Most of the effects and costumes holds up nicely. The humour was the best part thanks to Will Smith. 8/10 - DirectorElizabeth BanksStarsKristen StewartNaomi ScottElla BalinskaWhen a young systems engineer blows the whistle on a dangerous technology, Charlie's Angels are called into action, putting their lives on the line to protect us all.Feb 27
My expectations were low going into this and I was still disappointed. The Drew Barrymore, McG version got it right with fun action and characters. This version is forgettable and a bore to watch. 4/10 - DirectorTrey Edward ShultsStarsTaylor RussellKelvin Harrison Jr.Alexa DemieTraces the journey of a suburban family - led by a well-intentioned but domineering father - as they navigate love, forgiveness, and coming together in the aftermath of a loss.Feb 28
Now I wish I’d seen this at tiff. Great emotional look at a family and some major problems in their lives. It’s unfortunate that this was overlooked at the Oscars. It was way better than most of the films that were nominated. In my opinion, it deserved noms for best pic, director, cinematography, actor and supporting actor. I’ve updated my top 10 from 2019 list and put this at the top. 9/10 - DirectorWill BecherRichard PhelanStarsJustin FletcherJohn SparkesAmalia VitaleWhen an alien with amazing powers crash-lands near Mossy Bottom Farm, Shaun the Sheep goes on a mission to shepherd the intergalactic visitor home before a sinister organization can capture her.Mar 2
More Wallace And Gromit style humour and animation is always welcome. Not on the same level as that, but a fun follow up to the first Shaun The Sheep movie. 7/10 - DirectorMotonori SakakibaraTetsuo YajimaKunihiko YuyamaStarsSarah NatochennyDan GreenBill RogersAfter a scientific experiment leads to the creation of a clone of Mewtwo, he sets out to destroy the world. Ash and his friends then decide to thwart Mewtwo's evil plans.Mar 2
Much like the other animated Pokémon movies I wasn’t impressed with it. I don’t know what people see in them. It was kinda fun seeing some Pokémon I recognize from playing Pokémon go but that doesn’t make it worthwhile. 4/10 - DirectorWilliam Brent BellStarsKatie HolmesChristopher ConveryOwain YeomanAfter a family moves into the Heelshire Mansion, their young son soon makes friends with a life-like doll called Brahms.Mar 3
Follow up to a decent horror film that completely ignores what was good about the first film. The changes they made were groanworthy. Not really a movie that needed a sequel and whatever way they went with it would have been a stretch. Too bad they went with the worst way. 4/10 - DirectorDavid SilvermanStarsDan CastellanetaJulie KavnerNancy CartwrightAfter Homer pollutes the town's water supply, Springfield is encased in a gigantic dome by the EPA and the Simpsons are declared fugitives.Mar 4
Since we’ve been watching so many Simpsons episodes, it seems like every time I suggest to Sawyer that we watch a movie he chooses this one. Still fun to watch for the most part. The jokes still feel fresh but the story is starting to feel stale. 8/10 - DirectorNick BrunoTroy QuaneStarsRachel BrosnahanJarrett BrunoClaire CrosbyWhen the world's best spy is turned into a pigeon, he must rely on his nerdy tech officer to save the world.Mar 5
Better than expected considering the low expectations I went into this with. Will smiths voice seemed more like a distraction than a benefit for the film. 5/10 - DirectorChris BuckJennifer LeeStarsKristen BellIdina MenzelJosh GadAnna, Elsa, Kristoff, Olaf and Sven leave Arendelle to travel to an ancient, autumn-bound forest of an enchanted land. They set out to find the origin of Elsa's powers in order to save their kingdom.Mar 8
Same characters from the original which makes it worthwhile. The songs are decent, but not really memorable. The story does elevate it a bit. 7/10 - DirectorSophia TakalStarsImogen PootsAleyse ShannonLily DonoghueA group of female students is stalked by a stranger during their Christmas break. That is until the young sorority pledges discover that the killer is part of an underground college conspiracy.Mar 8
Hugely disappointing remake of the original black Christmas. The horror aspect wasn’t as good. The big reveal was completely skipped/ignored. They added a ridiculous dark conspiracy aspect. Despite all of those issues, the biggest problem was the over the top me too movement focus. 3/10 - DirectorDan ScanlonStarsTom HollandChris PrattJulia Louis-DreyfusIn a magical world full of technological advances, elven brothers Ian and Barley Lightfoot set out on an adventure to resurrect their late father for a day.Mar 12
Charming family road trip film. For a movie that appeared to be filled with unlikeable characters and a cheesy world, Pixar surprises again. The characters were much better than expected. And the story played out differently than expected. 7/10 - DirectorJim AbrahamsDavid ZuckerJerry ZuckerStarsRobert HaysJulie HagertyLeslie NielsenAfter the crew becomes sick with food poisoning, a neurotic ex-fighter pilot must safely land a commercial airplane full of passengers.Mar 14
Still one of the great comedies. I might give it a 10 if it wasn’t for the one extremely annoying and mostly unfunny character of Johnny. 9/10 - DirectorWes AndersonStarsGeorge ClooneyMeryl StreepBill MurrayAn urbane fox cannot resist returning to his farm raiding ways and then must help his community survive the farmers' retaliation.Mar 14
All the same great style of any other Wed Anderson film. The music, visuals and comedic timing were all on point. If only it could have been live action then it could have been much better. 7/10 - DirectorCameron CroweStarsBilly CrudupPatrick FugitKate HudsonA high-school boy in the early 1970s is given the chance to write a story for Rolling Stone magazine about an up-and-coming rock band as he accompanies them on their concert tour.Mar 14
For some reason I didn’t appreciate this the first time around. Very well written, though perhaps a little bloated in this longer version. Kate Hudson was perfect in her role. The music gives it life the whole way through most notably each time zeppelin comes on. 8/10 - DirectorLulu WangStarsShuzhen ZhaoAwkwafinaX MayoA Chinese family discovers their grandmother has only a short while left to live and decide to keep her in the dark, scheduling a wedding to gather before she dies.Mar 14
Good performance from Awkwafina that probably should have been nominated. Aside from that it was a decent film that has a bit of a unique premise. Emotionally impactful for the most part. 7/10 - DirectorJoseph KahnStarsMartin HendersonIce CubeMonet MazurA biker returns from Thailand to set things straight with his girlfriend. One gang leader wants him for delivery of 2 motorbikes filled with crystal meth and another gang leader wants him for murdering his brother.Mar 14
Big budget action equivalent of something like the Room or Troll 2. Terrible acting, script and directing. The production was surprisingly good for such a bad film. 3/10 - DirectorGuillermo del ToroStarsSally HawkinsOctavia SpencerMichael ShannonAt a top secret research facility in the 1960s, a lonely janitor forms a unique relationship with an amphibious creature that is being held in captivity.Mar 14
The story wasn’t as good the 2nd time around without the surprise. Thankfully the style makes it worth watching. Very good looking film. 8/10 - DirectorGeremy JasperStarsDanielle MacdonaldSahr NgaujahBridget EverettPATTI CAKE$ is centered on aspiring rapper Patricia Dombrowski, a.k.a. Killa P, a.k.a. Patti Cake$, who is fighting an unlikely quest for glory in her downtrodden hometown in New Jersey.Mar 14
Didn’t hold up so well to a 2nd viewing. Still enjoyed it for the music/songs, but it felt slow moving in between the music. 7/10 - DirectorRuben FleischerStarsWoody HarrelsonJesse EisenbergEmma StoneColumbus, Tallahassee, Wichita, and Little Rock move to the American heartland as they face off against evolved zombies, fellow survivors, and the growing pains of the snarky makeshift family.Mar 14
Funny and gory which is what you want from a horror comedy. I felt much more critical of it watching a 2nd time though. Plenty of issues with it, unlike Shaun of the dead or Tucker and Dale vs evil. The characters are not likable which is a pretty major issue. 7/10 - DirectorJohn KrasinskiStarsEmily BluntJohn KrasinskiMillicent SimmondsA family struggles for survival in a world where most humans have been killed by blind but noise-sensitive creatures. They are forced to communicate in sign language to keep the creatures at bay.Mar 14
Holds up very well to multiple viewings. I’ve seen it several times now and still enjoy it even without anything being a real surprise. Smart plot/screenplay that holds interest with minimal dialogue. 8/10 - DirectorSteven SoderberghStarsMatt DamonKate WinsletJude LawHealthcare professionals, government officials and everyday people find themselves in the midst of a pandemic as the CDC works to find a cure.Mar 15
Very much a timely story for now. Better than I remembered it from the first time. Huge cast of stars and some used in surprising ways. 8/10 - DirectorNicolas PesceStarsTara WestwoodJunko BaileyDavid Lawrence BrownA house is cursed by a vengeful ghost that dooms those who enter it with a violent death.Mar 15
Pale imitation and uninspired remake of the original Juon. Even the first American remake was much better as it retained what made the original so good. There was nothing creepy or scary about this version. It all felt very generic when it finally got to the horror aspects. What a waste of some real quality cast members. 3/10 - DirectorTaika WaititiStarsJames RollestonTe Aho Eketone-WhituTaika WaititiBoy, an 11-year-old child and devout Michael Jackson fan who lives on the east coast of New Zealand in 1984, gets a chance to know his absentee criminal father, who has returned to find a bag of money he buried years ago.Mar 18
Much of the same charm and humour as the later Waititi films just in smaller doses. Certainly showed promise at this point. Pretty sure there’s only one more of his films I haven’t seen. 7/10 - DirectorFrank OzStarsJerry NelsonDave GoelzFran BrillFor the first time ever, five of the original Muppet performers come together to discuss the creation of their iconic characters under the visionary leadership of Jim Henson. With unexpected stories, rare behind-the-scenes footage, and important insights into how Jim led his team, this documentary gives a private glimpse into the true spirit of The Muppets and how a culture of innovation, hard work, and playfulness produced one of the most successful creative endeavors in history.Mar 21
While there is some interest in hearing stories about Jim Henson from the people who worked with him, this doc somehow didn’t satisfy. Some of the stories were interesting but most were not. The casual style of it was so in your face that it turned out to be more of a subject than it should have been. 5/10 - DirectorLeigh WhannellStarsElisabeth MossOliver Jackson-CohenHarriet DyerWhen Cecilia's abusive ex takes his own life and leaves her his fortune, she suspects his death was a hoax. As a series of coincidences turn lethal, Cecilia works to prove that she is being hunted by someone nobody can see.Mar 21
Completely different than the original universal horror classic. This was a very smart modern take. The tech and the style worked quite well. Some scenes were more stylized than others. 8/10 - DirectorCraig ZobelStarsBetty GilpinHilary SwankIke BarinholtzTwelve strangers wake up in a clearing. They don't know where they are, or how they got there. They don't know they've been chosen - for a very specific purpose - The Hunt.Mar 22
A story that’s been done before several times. There seems to be a lot more thought to this one. Well handled story with some ok twists and plenty of good gory action. 7/10 - DirectorM. Night ShyamalanStarsBruce WillisHaley Joel OsmentToni ColletteMalcolm Crowe, a child psychologist, starts treating a young boy, Cole, who encounters dead people and convinces him to help them. In turn, Cole helps Malcolm reconcile with his estranged wife.Mar 22
Sawyer liked this so much the first time that he wanted to watch it again already. Great film despite some plot holes that you could explain away if you try. 9/10 - DirectorHayao MiyazakiStarsCate BlanchettMatt DamonLiam NeesonA five-year-old boy develops a relationship with Ponyo, a young goldfish princess who longs to become a human after falling in love with him.Mar 22
Charming and unique characters like most Ghibli characters. Lots of weird details to the story, some good and some bad. Overall the charm wins out. 8/10 - DirectorJohn HughesStarsJohn CandyMacaulay CulkinJean Louisa KellyLaid back commitment-phobe Buck babysits his brother's rebellious teenage daughter and her cute younger brother and sister.Mar 22
Unquestionably John Candy’s best film. Great family film with loads of laughs and loads of heart. 9/10 - DirectorTaika WaititiStarsChris HemsworthTom HiddlestonCate BlanchettImprisoned on the planet Sakaar, Thor must race against time to return to Asgard and stop Ragnarök, the destruction of his world, at the hands of the powerful and ruthless villain Hela.Mar 22
Taika Waititi adds a heaping load of humour to the Marvel franchise. At the same time, still keeping up with the story and action you’d expect. 9/10 - DirectorLuc BessonStarsBruce WillisMilla JovovichGary OldmanIn the colorful future, a cab driver unwittingly becomes the central figure in the search for a legendary cosmic weapon to keep Evil and Mr. Zorg at bay.Mar 22
One of the very best Sci fi films. 2nd only to the first Star Wars films. Perfectly stylized the whole way through. The music is weird but in a good imagined future kinda way. 10/10 - DirectorGore VerbinskiStarsJohnny DeppGeoffrey RushOrlando BloomBlacksmith Will Turner teams up with eccentric pirate "Captain" Jack Sparrow to save his love, the governor's daughter, from Jack's former pirate allies, who are now undead.Mar 22
Not as good as I remembered it. Much of it is repetitive and slow moving. The action is fun pirate action, but even that is repetitive. Having recently been on the ride at Disney World it was fun spotting some of the scenes inspired by the ride. 7/10 - DirectorChelsea StardustStarsRebecca RomijnArden MyrinHayley GriffithA pizza delivery girl at the end of her financial rope has to fight for her life - and her tips - when her last order of the night turns out to be high society Satanists in need of a virgin sacrifice.Mar 23
Horror comedy with Rebecca Romijn and Jerry O’Connell. Much better than the last attempt at horror comedy I saw him in. The comedy aspect at least gave it more purpose than a typical bad horror movie it would otherwise have been. This had the makings of a good horror comedy, but just lacked consistency in the acting and screenplay. 6/10 - DirectorGalder Gaztelu-UrrutiaStarsIvan MassaguéZorion EguileorAntonia San JuanA vertical prison with one cell per level. Two people per cell. Only one food platform and two minutes per day to feed. An endless nightmare trapped in The Hole.Mar 23
From my shortlist at tiff but didn’t get a chance to see it there. Unique premise that reminded me in some ways of Cube. The idea seemed too simple to carry a whole film, but it found enough interesting places to go with the story. 7/10 - DirectorCathy YanStarsMargot RobbieRosie PerezMary Elizabeth WinsteadAfter splitting with the Joker, Harley Quinn joins superheroines Black Canary, Huntress, and Renee Montoya to save a young girl from an evil crime lord.Mar 24
Even with expectations set low going into this, it was still disappointing. Harley Quinn was easily the best part of Suicide Squad. In this film her performance was much different. The style of the entire film was excess. If done right (Scott Pilgrim for example) excess can be a good thing. The action was ridiculous and the performances were unwatchable at times. 4/10 - DirectorGuy RitchieStarsMatthew McConaugheyCharlie HunnamMichelle DockeryAn American expat tries to sell off his highly profitable marijuana empire in London, triggering plots, schemes, bribery and blackmail in an attempt to steal his domain out from under him.Mar 26
Ritchie’s return to slick crime-comedy is unsurprisingly his best film in 20 years. Unlike Snatch and Lock Stock, the casting choices were sometimes a distraction. I prefer the cast of unknowns(at the time) in lock stock. While the style is not up to those earlier films, there are hints of his style and loads of what you would expect from a Ritchie crime film. 8/10 - DirectorDavid PastorÀlex PastorStarsJavier GutiérrezMario CasasBruna CusíJavier Muñoz, once a successful executive, makes the fateful decision to leave his home, which he and his family can no longer afford.Mar 27
Thriller storyline that’s been done several times before but with some gender role reversal it still felt fresh. If you ignore some of the predictability then it’s a good film. 7/10 - DirectorDave WilsonStarsVin DieselEiza GonzálezSam HeughanRay Garrison, a slain soldier, is re-animated with superpowers.Mar 28
Crank meets Terminator meets Total Recall. Nowhere near s as good as any of those other films though. Overly dramatic and over the top action. The attempts at being stylistic only made it more lame. 4/10 - DirectorPeter StricklandStarsSidse Babett KnudsenMarianne Jean-BaptisteJulian BarrattIn Fabric is a haunting ghost story set against the backdrop of a busy winter sales period in a department store and follows the life of a cursed dress as it passes from person to person, with devastating consequences.Mar 28
I guess I need to stop watching films from this director. This makes 3 for 3 that I haven’t liked. Some aspects of this film did work. The acting was good from the leads. The directing style with the random cutaway scenes was terrible. Many of the scenes that were meant to be dramatic came across as almost comedic they were so bad. The end of the film was a step in the right direction for the story. Too bad the rest didn’t work so well. 4/10 - DirectorScott Z. BurnsStarsAdam DriverAnnette BeningJon HammIdealistic Senate staffer Daniel J. Jones, tasked by his boss to lead an investigation into the CIA's post 9/11 Detention and Interrogation Program, uncovers shocking secrets.Mar 29
Surprisingly enjoyable for a political film. Much of the film was more about the investigation than the political side of it. Having seen a documentary about the Guantanamo investigations helped since not alot of their activities were shown. There was enough to give the general idea of what was done there but the doc actually showed loads of detail. 7/10 - DirectorQuentin TarantinoStarsLeonardo DiCaprioBrad PittMargot RobbieA faded television actor and his stunt double strive to achieve fame and success in the final years of Hollywood's Golden Age in 1969 Los Angeles.Mar 29
I’m glad I gave this a second try as I liked it alot more this time around. The pacing and style both worked better for me with reset expectations. I still don’t see it as a great Tarantino effort though. 7/10 - DirectorJohn SuitsStarsOmar EppsKate WalshAngus MacfadyenA group of astronauts living in the haunting emptiness of deep space awake to find Earth has suffered an extinction level event.Mar 29
I guess it’s hard to come up with really original ideas for these low rent films. The way I look at it then is whether or not it still manages to be entertaining. In this case it was decent despite a lack of originality. I wish it had more of Miranda Cosgrove in it since that was what convinced me to watch it. 6/10 - DirectorAdam Egypt MortimerStarsMiles RobbinsPatrick SchwarzeneggerSasha LaneA troubled college freshman, Luke, suffers a violent family trauma. He then resurrects his charismatic childhood imaginary friend Daniel to help him cope, not realizing how dangerous Daniel is.Mar 29
Not bad for a low budget horror film about a split personality. Sasha Lane rescues it from total mediocrity. 6/10 - DirectorWilliam EubankStarsKristen StewartVincent CasselMamoudou AthieA crew of oceanic researchers working for a deep sea drilling company try to get to safety after a mysterious earthquake devastates their deepwater research and drilling facility located at the bottom of the Mariana Trench.Apr 4
Underwater creature feature. The setting was a good one to add to the intensity. It’s funny how similar a deep sea film is to a space film. This could have been transplanted to being an alien film with almost no changes whatsoever. In fact there are probably several alien films with this exact story. 6/10 - DirectorRichard LinklaterStarsCate BlanchettBilly CrudupEmma NelsonA loving mom becomes compelled to reconnect with her creative passions after years of sacrificing herself for her family. Her leap of faith takes her on an epic adventure that jump-starts her life and leads to her triumphant rediscovery.Apr 4
I’m sure I’m being overly generous with the rating for this film. For some reason it just worked for me. Good family drama with a sprinkle of humor mixed in. Unique story is what really sold it. 9/10 - DirectorDebs PatersonStarsJ.J. AbramsNaomi AckieJohn BoyegaThe Making of Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker (2019).Apr 4
Doc about the Skywalker Saga, though much more about the last movie. Some interesting stories about the original productions and how some of that inspired what was done in the most recent film. It could have been hours longer to include more about the other films. 7/10 - DirectorCan EvrenolStarsClémentine PoidatzAli AksözDavid SakuraiOn a snowy eve, Little Holly's sister and father are killed by her frantic mother. Years later, Holly is married, lonely, and her life is soon about take a turn for the ultra weird, when she visits "Umbrella of Love and Mind".Apr 5
Weird and graphic in a good way. The voice acting was suspect, but it was able to entertain despite that. Some simplistic imagery that was used effectively to let you into the lead’s mind. 7/10 - DirectorChristian VolckmanStarsOlga KurylenkoKevin JanssensJoshua WilsonMatt and Kate buy an isolated house. While moving, they discover a strange room that grants them an unlimited number of material wishes. But since Kate has had two miscarriages, what they long for the most is a child.Apr 5
I really enjoyed where they took this premise. It went deeper and weirder than expected. The ‘twists’ we better thought out than your average horror film. There another direction I wish they’d tried out even if just mid-film rather than a final solution to the problem. 7/10 - DirectorPatrice LalibertéStarsGuillaume LaurinMarie-Evelyne LessardRéal BosséA fatal accident at a remote survivalist training camp sends participants into a panic - and sets the stage for a chilling showdown.Apr 5
Not at all what I expected going into it. The focus wasn’t at all on what I thought it would be, though probably even more interesting the way it was. The setup of a potential disaster coming soon to the world works well with everything going on now. And I’m sure there are plenty of nuts around more out there than the ones in the film. 7/10 - DirectorLiz GarbusStarsAmy RyanThomasin McKenzieGabriel ByrneWhen Mari Gilbert's daughter disappears, police inaction drives her own investigation into the gated Long Island community where Shannan was last seen. Her search brings attention to over a dozen murdered sex workers.Apr 5
When I saw who the lead actress was, I was a bit worried about how she would pull off a serious role like this. It was a pleasant surprise although the standout was the daughter played by Thomasin McKenzie. Movies are often elevated by the fact that they are based on a true story. Unfortunately, this was a different situation. The end was disappointing but it shouldn’t come as a surprise since the beginning mentions its an unsolved mystery. 7/10 - DirectorMichael DowseStarsEd HelmsTaraji P. HensonTerrence Little GardenhighTwelve-year-old Kareem Manning hires a criminal to scare his mom's new boyfriend -police officer James Coffee - but it backfires, forcing Coffee and Kareem to team up in order to save themselves from Detroit's most ruthless drug kingpin.Apr 5
I felt the need to watch something lighter with a comedy. Lots of laugh out loud moments. Ed helms is always funny and the casting of the kid was good. Taraji P Henson was not a great choice. She seems to be very onenote and that didn’t work for this role. Distracted from the film every time she was on. 7/10 - DirectorChris BaughStarsNigel O'NeillSusan LynchJózef PawlowskiA middle-aged Irish farmer, who still lives at home with his mother, sets off on a mission of revenge when his mother is murdered.Apr 5
Slow moving revenge thriller with some decent characters. Straightforward plot with a good amount of violence. Shortening the time between action scenes would have improved it. 7/10 - DirectorRobert MooreStarsPeter FalkAlec GuinnessPeter SellersFive famous literary detective characters and their sidekicks are invited to a bizarre mansion to solve an even stranger mystery.Apr 5
A comedy classic that I enjoy every time. It seems to me that just about any murder mystery comedy borrows at least some jokes from this. Some would call it racially insensitive but it’s best just to let that go and enjoy it. 9/10 - DirectorChris WeitzPaul WeitzStarsHugh GrantNicholas HoultToni ColletteWill, who attends single parent meetings to woo women, meets Marcus, a troubled 12-year-old boy. As they become friends, Will learns to be responsible while he helps Marcus with his studies.Apr 6
Surprisingly light on romance and packed with charm. Plenty of humour to go with the strong performances from Grant and a young Nicholas Hoult. 8/10 - DirectorMichael GraceyStarsHugh JackmanMichelle WilliamsZac EfronCelebrates the birth of show business and tells of a visionary who rose from nothing to create a spectacle that became a worldwide sensation.Apr 6
Some of the songs from this film have grown on me since watching it and any really liking it years ago. The songs and the dancing that went along with them were quite enjoyable this time around. Unfortunately all the other problems I had with it remain. The characters and their actions feel unnatural. The dialogue was weak. The songs would have made up for those issues if the pacing was tighter. 7/10