joeymcpee Reviews

Star Trek: Amok Time (1967) Season 2, Episode 1

Captain Kirk Idiocy Exemplified

[5/10 · 16 May 2024]

I mean if the ST reboots mocked one thing it was the supposed perfect blend of emotionallism and intuition that Captain Kirk possessed.

Was there a bigger swing and a miss than Kirk pressuring beyond capability of his ship's "biggest asset" (his words)? Spock over and over spells out the importance and then even a Vulcan's inability to convey importance and meaning and yet dumby McGee pushes onward. Sigh. I love Kirk and maybe moreso Shatner. But for the love of me banging my head against a wall, this portrayal of inexplicable stupidity and lack of stable leadership had me wringing my hands. It might have saved the first fifteen minutes if Kirk had said the immortal words of Michael Scott: "explain it to me like I'm five years old."

One of the poorer episodes in a magnificent television series.

Nefarious (2023)

Much better than expected

[8/10 · 14 March 2024]

In one of my platform algorithms I stumbled upon the trailer for this film, then rabbit-trailed into learning about its making. I heard the crazy events that seemed intent on stimying its making and eventual release. But from all that I saw I still didn't know what to think, and I thought it might be too B level in its production value to be of any enjoyment or impact.

All in all, from the very beginning, this film came across as well filmed, acted and directed. I really have no complaints as I don't think there was any broad release, and any time I looked for it I couldn't find it - so my expectation was quite low.

Flannery was excellent and his performance reminded my of McAvoy's in Split (as was mentioned in another review). I too felt that the film was closer to a psychological thriller than horror, but then again I didn't know where the film was going exactly so did feel a foreboding familiar with the slotted genre.

And though I mentioned Flannery, I thought all of the actors performed convincingly from the doctor to the prison warden (a striking resemblance to Ed Harris).

Finally, the subject matter was deep and surprisingly touched on a lot more than expected in a manner that seemed to me more brazenly accurate than anticipated. No wonder it was suppressed some by those with power and influence to do so.

I lowered my rating by a star, but do think it's significantly better than the review average, particularly rotten tomatoes.

Glass Onion (2022)

Movies nowadays, like this one, lack the S word

[5/10 · 14 March 2024]

Soul.

I found this film pretentious and lacking any real careful delivery of a good, lasting murder mystery. Mildly interesting, enough to get through, but by no means a worthwhile watch.

And what's with the disrupter aspect? Again, sort a general descriptor of the ugh reality we live in today. Edward Norton's speech on what a true disrupter was, which he said they all were, was a person who was willing to cross the line and take the whole system down. What? Other than an alarming prospect with a certain ideological bent, what did that have to do with this story? That they had come up with an energy replacement?

As others have said, Daniel Craig's accent was annoying. The film generally was annoying.

The Killer (2023)

Vapid, Vacuous, Unbelievable, Narcissistic, Pointless- Was this a Wes Anderson Film? Oh it wasn't, Oh well, who cares . . .

[2/10 · 5 January 2024]

Unlikable . . . Did I say unbelievable? Painfully nonsensical. Pointless. And yes as said in the ranking title - utterly narcissistic.

Please stop. No more of this extravagant self-important time-wasting.

I believe the killer's statement at one point went like this: "I can't believe I'm living amongst the 'normies.'" I did quick search and couldn't find the exact wording. I bet even Alexa would rather watch paint dry.

That about sums up the arrogant milenialiast self-agrandizing meaninglessness. Oh, boring too.

I literally have no idea what this was supposed to be about except that it was about a killer? Character quota satisfied. Out.

Hobo with a Shotgun (2011)

Well done overall for what it was aiming for

[8/10 · 8 October 2023]

I can't help wondering in rare films like these if all of the extras really knew what they were a part of, shocked when the final cut was released. I'm sure more than a few but I digress.

Though interesting for those with a very thick skin, Hobo With a Shotgun was a little too dark for high praise. With the right story and told the right way, dark and disgusting can add an invaluable dynamic. In this rendering it seemed that everyone and every scene was so morally corrupt (minus the shred of decency in the Hobo), that it detracted some from my overall enjoyment. From the excessive vulgar language to the deranged sadism of supposed functioning persons holding position in the dystopian city setting, worthwhile vibes were difficult to extract.

And yet after all the unsettling mayhem, I still give Hobo With a Shotgun a fairly high rating of 8/10. It was a grindhouse throwback and it delivered for what it set out to be.

Knock at the Cabin (2023)

Alright, I'd have alternated the ending

[7/10 · 8 October 2023]

I wasn't a fan of some of the messaging of the film and it did have the millennial flare for the melodramatic.

But, accepting the narrative of what was happening for the reasons that they were happening, the film was fairly interesting. In fact I didn't see the first kill occurring when and how it did, but once that was out of the way, the film became unfortunately a little predictable.

As such I'm not sure I'd have written it the way it ended up with all of the messengers being eliminated (which was sort of expected after the first).

Most aggregious however, was that the wrong dad was killed in the end. It should have been the unbelieving one. Was there no epiphany for the survivor at any point after witnessing the succession of deaths and the catastrophe playing out in the news? And except for extending the film, perhaps the sacrificial dad would have took the hit sooner than later after seeing the light.

I thought the acting was quite good. And again it was an interesting watch, another decent film from Shyamalan.

The Infernal Machine (2022)

C'mon people, definitely better than the current rating; an original mystery

[8/10 · 8 October 2023]

Not a perfect film but definitely a lot better than the ratings suggest.

Guy Pearce delivers; in this story, as a hardened recluse.

The story doesn't present itself right away but it doesn't take long for the viewer to find themselves immersed in a layered mystery.

Who is the central character played by Pearce and why has he shut himself away so interestingly? Why does he have such an edge, relying on alcohol and seclusion.

Unsolicited, unsettling fan mail leads to an intricate web of mystery filled with red herrings, danger and intrigue.

Though the plot becomes slightly convoluted and at times hard to follow (even unbelievable), one does give it a plausibility pass as the tale is attached to a tragic historical shooting event.

Interesting and well worth a watch if one can handle some language, substance abuse and scenes of graphic violence.

Smile (V) (2022)

Better than expected, gorier, more imaginative than the average mainstream horror fare

[7/10 · 6 October 2023]

I was debating between a 7 and 8 and probably would give Smile a 7.5 . . . I just can't quite rate it an 8 so in this case I rounded down.

The characters (starting with the therapist and her fiancee) were probably the most annoying part of the film for me. Even the therapists' department director (or whatever he was) came across a little too stereotypical. The biggest weakness with the characters as they were written was their inability to communicate well (or almost at all). Had the therapist started communicating to her fiancee the supernatural aspects of what she was experiencing in thought-through snippets rather than in garbled hysterics, things could have been managed far more effectively from the outset. Too many times I see acting out stereotypes rather than realistic roles/characters which unfortunately happened in Smile. Too (as others have mentioned), a basic understanding of first aid would have helped many of the characters starting with the therapist (which would be expected of them in their vocations).

To round out the flaws, there was some repetitiveness in the scenes and I'm not sure the creepy smile was always that terrifying; I suppose it was unique enough so I'll give it a pass.

On the positive and to why I gave Smile an above average score.

First, the filming/cinematography was excellent.

Next, the directing didn't hold back from goryness (something generic horror offerings "pump the brakes on").

And there was actually a creature/monster (2 even), which I give full props to (despite the difficulty in pulling off the feat with perfection). Real effects are always appreciated amongst us horror buffs, and Smile had a decent mix, mostly real even.

Finally, there were some imaginative, effective jump scares (along with a few that were predictable). Overall there were enough fear-inducing moments (combined with the aforementioned positives) to give this film a thumbs up.

Wrong Turn (I) (2003)

I Don't know what the low raters were expecting; Wrong Turn is one of the best horror movies ever made!

[10/10 · 24 September 2023]

Seriously, I find myself thinking what were the poo-pooers expecting?

Actually accept the setting and characters of this film and "enter into it." It works once you realize that this is a fictitious account that is unique and terrifying (oh yes). It's clearly in the horror/slasher-thriller genre; did the film poster indicate otherwise? As such, the low reviewers are submitting ridiculous reviews for this film in my opinion.

The acting and characters of Wrong Turn were terrific, actually above average for this genre which is typically portrayed by poorly played annoying stereotypes. And hey, several of the actors/actresses are recognizable. The inbred, genetically deformed cast were very believably created, wonderfully unique (especially the skinny fellow with the freaky laugh), AND they were terrifying.

The plot was fairly standard in a way, but at the same time the flow and events of the cat-and-mouse chases had interesting and creative aspects that kept me tensely entertained from start to finish!

One of the best horror films ever made, particularly of the sub-genre of slasher and/or cannibal horror films. Definitely in the top 5 to 10 from the '90s and early 2000s entries (horror sub-genre inclusive).

Suspiria (1977)

Better than I remember; the last 20 min increased my rating

[9/10 · 21 September 2023]

This is yet another film that I completely, totally forgot that there was a 10 bell payoff in the end. I don't know how I remembered it differently.

To be honest I remembered the majority of the frightening scenes from the first hour and a bit. I was thinking that I'd end up giving this film around a 7/10 instead of the 9 that I gave it due to somewhat mediocre acting and some of the effects weren't terrific: the blood looked a little too much like red paint, the razor wire in the room (while still a shocking and frightening scene) was in focus too long so that the viewer could quite easily see there were no razor barbs on the wire, etc.

Again, I don't remember how I forgot the ending and that indeed the viewer does get to see the old queen witch, which was terrifying. And just before that the raised body of the deceased dancer who died in the razor wire room coming to life was a scary inclusion.

All in all this film was much better on its revisit 25 years later; and amazing too that a rating can rise two points due to the last twenty minutes.

Definitely worth the watch and a stalwart in horror cinema history.

The Hills Have Eyes (1977)

Pretty amazing in 2023, holds up well!

[8/10 · 21 September 2023]

I actually think it's a bit unfair to this film that I watched and reviewed The Texas Chainsaw Massacre just before (as I consider TTCM a classic horror masterpiece).

Having seen the 2000's The Hills Have Eyes films (which I quite liked, thinking they were decently disturbing and scary) I wasn't sure what to expect from the 1977 original.

That all said, I have to give the original it's fair due. Again for all the poorly made horrors in the 1960s and 70s, I thought this one held up surprisingly well -.better than expected.

Overall good acting. Even from the get-go with the old-timer dad who owned the gas station.

It wasn't a perfect film, but again I'd say better than average or fair for this era of film. Maybe if falls closer to 7 out of 10, but I think the overall rating here is slightly low so it gets an 8 from me.

The Office: Phyllis' Wedding (2007) Season 3, Episode 15

The only The Office episode I didn't like; difficult to watch

[5/10 · 21 September 2023]

This show was near perfection. Nearly every episode is a 10/10 to me, maybe the odd 9/10. The show as a whole a 100/10.

But this was the one episode I just couldn't get behind.

Michael's incessant need to be in the limelight and all the other ways of statng this character flaw wasn't funny in this case.

In a believability sense I'm pretty sure he'd have been locked in the broom closet at best, KOd and sent home in someone's trunk at worst.

Though the actress put up with jabs at her appearance throughout and in a couple of instances it was mildly funny, this episode just went too far over its entirety given that it was Phyllis' wedding day.

I'm probably exaggerating the disrespect, but it is the one episode I skip over now that I've seen it despite a few laughs. Just a poor entry into the greatest TV series of all time.

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)

Makes the other Slasher Films of the late 70s and 80s Pale

[10/10 · 20 September 2023]

I literally can't believe I've seen this at least once before. I seem to have remembered very little, maybe 3 or 4 scenes. That said it was almost 30 years ago - the other time was possibly viewed through mostly closed eyes. But I digress.

I was shocked this time around how extremely well The Texas Chainsaw Massacre holds up to this day. What I thought might be thin effects, set and scene; the opposite in fact is the case. Every single thing about this film is spectacular; the horror raw, real, terrifying.

About the only thing that got a little annoying was the screaming, but in the same breath as saying that, it was also realistic- the actress that survived sounded like she was practically losing her mind.

I didn't recall at all how creepy the ma and pa were, and didn't remember that pa somehow was still alive under all the rot and corpse-like body. Just crazy. The whole nut-house was spectacular, each character tops.

As if it needs saying, not for the faint of heart. Further to this, my high ranking isn't due to loving the content per se. But it's about content effectiveness and delivery and this film told a story to the max. As others have said there shouldn't have been remakes (having seen each one).

Just wow wow wow.

The Haunting of Hill House (2018)

Way over-rated, quite annoying, but not horrible

[6/10 · 13 September 2023]

A mini-series where everyone is a self-absorbed narcissistic victim . . . Except, ironically (because he is the most attacked throughout the show), the oldest surviving child of the hill house subject family.

There were some incredibly ridiculous things in this series (I suppose of the genre generally). Like:

• the youngest daughter keeps having night terrors claiming to see ghosts in her room. And yet every night she goes to bed in the same room, same bed, lights out as normal. The rest of the family experiences haunting too, yet they all go to bed night after night with all the lights out in this clearly haunted mansion.

• piggy-backing onto the above, the youngest daughter has her worst experience with a ghost and what do the parents do? They take her out of her bedroom and have her sleep on a couch in a huge room of the mansion with eerie vaulted ceilings and whatever else. Of course turn out the lights and wait for her to fall asleep and then leave her, way to go mom. Such a stupid scene. Of course the ghost hovers over her causing life-long trauma. Parenting 101.

• the lesbian doctor sibling shakes the hand of the foster dad of one her patients (?) and "just knows" that he's molesting the foster child. Instantly (as far as the episode portrays) the cops are at his house hauling him away. Its not surprising that probably the most messed up sibling some how has these super powers, though forced and ridiculous as this inclusion was into the story. Sigh. Par for the series.

I found the characters very unlikable and as my review title suggests, utterly narcissistic, selfish victims (you know, status card holders).

So how's that going to be an interesting story when you can't escape the characters? Again, the oldest brother seemed to be about the most well-adjusted. Ironic that his youngest sister somehow justifiably storms one of his book signings and attempts to ruin his life. The justifications are thin at best, but that's what C culture does. So I guess that makes sense to some as warped as that might be.

Strange too that the most interesting/scary ghost (in my opinion) was the floating man, who only appeared the one night. Too bad there wasn't more done with him.

Finally, if I had a fault of mediocre to bad horror, is that there's an attempt to wrap things up in a bow. I mean generally horror writers and directors on average don't know how to write good endings, but the least frightening and most unworthy final chapters are the ones that try to solve things. The Ring should be the 101 class of horror writing, with the child stars basic summation of Samara, that she was a malevolent entity, NOT what his mother thought (with all her naive helping).

I found the last couple of episodes not horrible, but maybe it's because I found myself mostly enduring the beginning and middle ones.

The Nice Guys (2016)

Pretentious Hollywood Perv Material

[1/10 · 13 September 2023]

Leave it to Hollywood to make Crowe and Gosling look like weirdo/pervs along with everyone else in this pretentious, only slightly funny/entertaining piece.

What was the point of Gosling's 13 yr old daughter being dragged into Hollywood's seedy porn industry? That's what makes this film producing town look like a sick cult city. This garbage. While watching porn at a porn actress/actor party with a fat perv in his underwear and a porn gal, the 13 yr old literally corrects the porn gal characterizing her role on the screen in front of them by saying, "don't say 'stuff' say anal." Pretty much summarizes this gross Hollywood pretentious mess in a nutshell. Literally there was no need for this girl being in the film. The wierdoes behind this could have written a more effective film if it were not for all the rightly felt cringe.

Makes me wonder how A list actors end up with something like this on their record. Maybe it doesn't, which sucks. And sad if you don't see it.

The Green Inferno (2013)

Those Giving Lower Scores Probably Never Even Watched The Poorly Done Classic Cannibal Movies

[9/10 · 21 August 2023]

Or they have a serious case of blind memory. My point being is The Green Inferno though not perfect is definitely at the top as far as this thinly represented genre is concerned (having seen the dozen or so most popular names like C. Holocaust - amongst many other lesser known entrees).

The good: the gore was prolific and realistic for the most part (save maybe for some of the downed plane original capture aspects - the blow dart and arrow wounds maybe). The story was interesting and plausible, sort of misdirection.

The could have been improved upon: the accents of the protestor leadership were unnessecarily distracting/difficult to understand. I did a rewatch of this with an older person and had to do quite a lot of translating what the actors said, I even found myself struggling to understand what was said. And finally (and I'm not sure there was a solution), the lack of actual full nudity of the tribe added a tinge of unbelievability but again with children involved Roth came as close as possible to representing an authentic cannibal tribe (all things considered).

For what this film was, it was very well done and worthy of a 9 (an 8 at least).

The Black Phone (2021)

Got Better Near the End, Far Too Messy Overall

[5/10 · 12 July 2023]

This was a tough movie to rate in the sense The Black Phone got a bit better near the end, had some interesting aspects throughout, but overall (as I've pondered the experience) was just far too "messy" and convoluted to be considered very good at all. In my opinion it sits at about 5/10 all things considered.

First the good:

• the 70s period was captured pretty well

• the characters were quite solid and the acting above average

• the killer's brother realizing the kidnappings/murders were happening from within the same house was a neat twist

• the character's brother was interesting and added some comedy to the story

• the karate boy tough guy was cool, but his capture appeared to be an easy one despite what the buildup of his character would make the outcome seem

The Bad (unfortunately a lot more than the good):

• I found the abusive father relationship very strange. The belting in the kitchen was difficult to watch, but then he didn't deliver more of a beating after she dropped the alcohol bottle after he just promised he would if she did (one whip more vs a dozen or so prior). And then after this, somehow the relationship between father and children improved to the point that the portrayal of the father (and their relationships) almost became . . . Good? All very odd.

• Next, the boy quizzed the killer what his intentions were and actually the killer/kidnapper said he wouldn't hurt him, so the impending evil was more or less implied but little of anything sinister actually took place. The killer even left the basement door open at times. I'd say the confinement was fairly tame as far as portrayals go.

• the story came across as a dream more than reality for the majority of it, even more so (at times) than Wes Craven's Nightmare on Elm Street franchise. I'm not sure why this film needed so much supernatural inclusion when the killer and his van were visceral and compelling enough. But the phone being disconnected, and the cord cut and frayed acting as a deceased-child contacting medium was obviously a other dimension inclusion. The sister's dreams (conveniently) giving clues were yet another somewhat forced touch.

• though the killer implied that he at one time was a victim in the basement and that the phone didn't work for him, there was no back-story that fleshed out what that story was (even in slight detail).

• the brother staying at the house and not seeing the killer sitting sleeping in the kitchen guarding the steps, not being alerted sooner to the basement was a large gap in believability.

• the clues to escape and eventually the entrapment of the killer were far too convoluted and impossible to swallow. First, the broken tiles being pulled back would have been super obvious had the killer ever looked down the toilet hall in the time the hero child was there. Second, a toilet won't flush a cubic yard or more of dirt, it would have just plugged up immediately. Those are just two of the more obvious examples.

Anyway, overall just not a very good film though it had a few interesting and decent aspects to it. You're not missing much if you decide to pass on The Black Phone.

Tenacious D in the Pick of Destiny (2006)

Still one of the greatest comedies, nay, films of all time

[10/10 · 20 April 2023]

This is just such a crazy entertaining film. And it's not just the crude and rude (after all I did like Black's family movie Nacho Libre about as much). But it's about the uniqueness, the delivery, the story, and the talent of Jack Black (in fairness Kyle Gass and Tenacious D generally). The rock-off challenge is my favorite part, but there are many other grade A moments including the opening scene and the sasquatch song. Just so funny all around. I can't say enough about how rewatchable this film is too. A total 10 out of 10 - "its the only whay."

If you can handle some cussing and R humor, then curl up for a laugh out loud crazy big little film.

John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023)

John Wick Chapter 4 was good. Really good.

[10/10 · 20 April 2023]

This is that franchise that doesn't take itself too seriously and just gives us knuckle-draggers oodles-of and seemingly-endless, well-choreographed fight scenes. Ironically, John Wick is a soft-spoken, sensitive and humble character that would blend into today's world, but somehow he still delivers on meme-statements like "I will kill all of them." I think that was how this episode's mission went.

I believe there were 5 long fight scenes and I liked the last one best (without giving anything away). But I can say that by about 3/4 of the way through the audience was laughing and cheering the mayhem.

One can't help but be utterly impressed with Reeves' Wick portrayal. The lack of filming cuts in the excruciatingly long fight sequences, the detail and the believability (in its own not-real-life way) is all testament to the craftsmanship and wll of the cast and directing.

A supremely enjoyable thrill-ride!

The Pope's Exorcist (2023)

Recycled everything and not scary at all

[3/10 · 19 April 2023]

I've seen worse, and though I wondered if I'd end up walking out due to the film devolving into such a mess that I'd have to remove myself and save my time, I didn't.

But, unfortunately, this was ultimately a movie of tropes, recycled themes, copied scenes and even Gollum (from the Lord of the Rings) as our central demoniac.

The opening scene was very underwhelming (considering how long this sub-genre has had mainstream representation), though I guess it told the psychological aspect of Crowe's character's discoveries while performing his vocation.

And then there were the endless recyclings complete with: growling demon voices, barked obscenities, inverting crosses, heads twisting backwards, crackling joints preceding unnatural crabwalks and whatever else, ceiling crawls that accomplish nothing, windows and mirrors being blown out, priest guilt, symbolism, an old castle with secrets, a rain storm with lightning, priestly whiskey flasks, cgi . . .

Ironically the film was mildly interesting at moments and I suppose the ending had a little flare and intrigue though not exactly scary.

I think all-in-all the more I endure possession movies I'm more inclined to believe there was Blatty's The Exorcist and not much since, though I'll give the tip of my hat to The Conjuring and Annabelle for being decently creative and scary.

The A-Team (1983–1987)

Yes, One of the Most Over-Rated Shows of the 80s

[2/10 · 18 March 2023]

I had a neighbor friend who was a little slow and a year younger than me. He loved this show. We were preteens when this show ran, I saw my friend's enjoyment of the show and I wanted to love it too. The intro was pretty good, the music exciting. But the show itself sucked and still does. It's strange that I feel this way as I'm a sucker for most 60s, 70s and 80s shows, willing to cut them breaks that modern shows wouldn't get.

But alas, the characters were unbelievable and bad; the writing mediocre; and a lot of the effects were very average to below average. Even the action was sub-par and lacked punch despite reviewers actually lauding it, strangely.

Howling Mad was a ridiculous, unfunny character whose persona felt forced and his jokes fell short. Hannibal was a grey-haired leader with a slight ponch who wore gloves and had a foot-long cigar that never appeared to be lit though he drew on it. The womanizer fellow was too skinny and dumb and whatever. About the coolest was Mr. T but even he drew largely on gimmicks like excessive jewelry, growly demeanor and a Mohawk haircut; if you actually analyze his stature compared to today's WWE or mma fighters he's just a fairly average-sized dude.

There was one episode I saw recently on MeTV and essentially they were rigging up an old white van for battle. They had put fencing over the windows. The finished product looked so amateurish now watching it as an adult and I'm sure it provided no use other than for appearances (if it didn't blow away).

Interesting premise, total lack of delivery. Actually an annoying piece or history that doesn't deserve re-run time today in my opinion.

Fall (I) (2022)

7 Because You'll Likely Watch It Through and Be Entertained

[7/10 · 18 January 2023]

Believability issues aside (the main ones being these), that: a) so many bolts would have jiggled loose and fallen out of the ladder and b) the bolts intact would be so underrated that the whole ladder would fall off of the tower.

Establishing those plot holes but allowing them: this is what would have happened about a third of the way through the movie.

Hunter (the blonde - can't imagine that being her birth name lol), as the more confident youtubing rock climber understanding leverage, would have cut a 10-12 length of rope. She'd have padded it with a strap from the backpack and looped it around the large-diameter pole below the uppermost platform. From there she would have shimmied her way down the pole like a lumberjack past the satellite dishes and to the main framework that led to the bottom. From there she'd easily descend to the ground, walk to the diner and obtain help.

That simple. Literally that was what would have happened. The end.

Pig (I) (2021)

Nope, Not Very Good

[4/10 · 12 November 2022]

Funny how action movies get eviscerated for believability and then something rather artistic, different or whatever like this offering, doesn't.

Where to start.

The night before the pig gets stolen Cage assures his pig that it's just coyotes out there. Then middle of the night he gets beaten half to death with a shovel, pig gets stolen and he wakes up next morning in a pool of his own blood with the door wide open. In the forest with coyotes and every other Oregon forest predator not dining on him all night? Very unlikely.

Next point. Sure he had a loss in his life (that is difficult to piece together). But the pain was so bad he submitted himself to some dystopian underground street person beating circuit? And this is a thing under Portlands city crust? Bad sci-fi but okay.

And then as it turns out the real hard-boiled crime syndicate is the high end restaurant scene. Led by a self-agrandized baddest of asses. Strange because mob boss who arranged the stealing of Cage's pig never has the door locked to his mansion nor any visible body guards/thugs let alone cooks or maids or anyone around him. No wonder after sternly warning Cage in a Joe Pesci from Goodfellas manner to stay away and never show himself again, Nic convinces the ever-ready mobster son to do his bidding and help produce the most tear-inducing heart melting meal ever - after only 2 bites.

I found a lot of the passive, subtle assertions pretentious and naive; as in, the consuming fulfillment of one's passion (whatever that may be, in this story cooking) that overcomes somehow is greater than all other aspects of human existence.

Mildly interesting; not really about the love of animal; mostly a meandering pretentious fatalistic view of meaning. I think.

The Andy Griffith Show (1960–1968)

Wholesome Show

[8/10 · 15 September 2022]

I came in to write some negativity on the character Andy but found I had to give the show its props first. I couldn't give this historic piece of television history a lower grade than an 8/10. Don Knotts deserves mention for all of his comedic hilarity.

My one slight criticism of the show is Andy. Him having his Aunt live with him and his son taking care of them as his life ebbs away all the while continually relating to others in his high-brow, smug and often pedantic way, is the show's one drawback for me. He's not altogether insufferable with his ability to be superior in everything (guitar playing, expert simple-folk management along with his "staff". Being the all-wise and patient sage single father to an adorable rascal) . . . Or maybe I just articulated what makes him a little insufferable.

That said, good show and I watch it quite reglarly still.

Nacho Libre (2006)

Funniest Totally Clean Movie of All Time

[10/10 · 12 August 2022]

I think the overall rating ought to be much higher. Such a hilarious, well-acted, odd, unique, relaxed film. Great cast and acting. So many memorable lines and scenes.

If you want a family film you don't need to mute or fast-forward this is for you (I don't think there's a single swear word in it).

Unless you don't like wrestling . . . Then again maybe you also need to watch it.