travola-35109 Reviews

House of the Dragon (2022– )

Great show that will only get stronger.

[10/10 · 25 May 2024]

This show will not have a bad ending. It's already been written and trust me they stick it. So people need not worry about that.

As we go into season 2 we are geared up for war and will be in war for the remained of this show and it's going to be epic. I read Fire and Blood years ago so I know what's coming and I can't wait. They have already proven that they can handle war on this show and we are about to get one of the better shows of the next 5 years.

The first season was basically set up. The first 5 episodes especially. They throw a lot at you and a bunch of characters that you need to know and it's overwhelming. My advice watch it multiple times and you will have the layout and the players for the entire series. The show doesn't really start until after the first 5 episodes. Once everyone is grown that's where it begins and they ended right when the war really starts. Everything before that was just flexing and prodding. Once her son went down protecting the realm went out the window and she became the rage of her family name and it's about revenge. Buckle up people this show is only beginning to stretch its wings!!

Game of Thrones (2011–2019)

Great show that was a masterpiece until the end.

[9/10 · 25 May 2024]

Game of Thrones is an amazing show and that's undeniable. Yes the last season is bad and the writers absolutely made huge mistakes and the main one being shortening season 7 and 8. I mean no one was happy that Bran ended up King but it could have at least been fleshed out better and it would have also allowed time for Danny to have he final serious turn to madness. Not to mention it would have made the traveling and time passing from major events easy to swallow for the fans. In seasons 1-6 it takes people a few episodes or at least 1 full episode to get from point a to point b but the last two seasons are unnecessarily rushed and that makes everything less enjoyable. Thrones was about the slow burn, that's what we love and then someone gets it and it is so sweet because they made us wait. That's all gone and also characters start doing things they don't do normally but that would have made sense if they would have had more time to come to these bad decisions. People make bad decisions all the time and that is a major theme of the show as well but those decisions were made after they were properly explored in the show.

It's like this. Don't let a bad last season ruin one of the finest shows to exist. The first six seasons truly are a masterpiece. Season 7 is decent and 8 is just bad. I watch season 7 and 8 and I enjoy them because you can still appreciate the great acting and the great visuals and they still have great moments. Just enjoy the moneys that you get from those seasons and it allows me to still love the show. Those first six season are so damn good that I just can't stop loving the show. They gave me so much to love that I can't just quit it completely. It's gets a 9 for those first 6 seasons. I choose to grade it in that because it was so great and I just accept that I can't change what they did as far as the ending.

In the words of Vito Corleone "look how they massacred my boy!"

Rocky V (1990)

So bad it's good. Rocky 5

[7/10 · 6 January 2024]

Easily the worst of the series. The Rocky series is surprisingly decent and some of the films are actually great and that includes the Creed films as well. Rocky 5 is the black sheep of the family. The thing is this film is so bad it's great. If you view it as a comedy and Rocky having a concussion dream it's pretty great. There are many laugh out loud scenes. Not to mention Rocky loses his money and gets a brain injury and the way they show this is to just make him talk like he did in the original. His kid getting the crap kicked out of him hilarious especially since Rocky just ignores it because he's training redneck Rocky and doesn't have time. The only person who is normal is Adrian and you can tell she's like WTF happened to everyone. Why had my entire family turned into jackasses. 🤣🤣🤣. Don't take it seriously and just enjoy the ridiculous nature of the film. Look at it as a comedy break from the rest of the series as you are watching them all.

Ratched (2020)

Garbage. Slap in the face to the amazing source material.

[3/10 · 5 January 2024]

Ryan Murphy had his own style and some people love it. I enjoy some of his stuff like certain seasons of AHS, People vs OJ Simpson, and the Feud series. This is garbage. The book and film One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest are both exceptional works and the film in particular is one of the best films ever made and a personal lifetime favorite of mine and my older sisters. We have watched it hundreds of times and the story and performances are amazing. This is just a stylish Murphy series that has ZERO respect for the character and its style and shock for the sake of style and shock. If this was going to be done it should have been done by someone who has respect for what came before it and it someone who just wants to have dumb shock characters doing dumb and shocking things. Don't watch it if you love the source material because it's just AHS lite with iconic character names slapped on it. I would grade it a 1 but it does have amazing set design and cinematography and those deserve praise while everything else should just be ignored.

The Iron Claw (2023)

Finally!!

[10/10 · 29 December 2023]

Finally a serious film about the professional wrestling business!!! People can say what they want about wrestling but it has been around since before television and is one of the first things to ever be on television!! It is ingrained in American culture and along the way some incredibly interesting events have happened outside the ring. To fans of the business this the story of the Von Erich's is well known and one of the most tragic stories and families of the entire industry. They did a magnificent job with this film and their story. It's pretty accurate and of course certain things were moved around and some dates are changed and so forth but the nailed the overall story and being completely accurate isn't important when trying to tell the best story and that's what the wrestling business is all about!! Telling the best story in and out of the ring. Hopefully it does well in theaters and with some awards recognition and on home release so we can get more films like this on the wrestling industry. There are so many great stories about the backstage world of wrestling and other families in wrestling and the film industry has never tapped into that well. If they do they will have so many stories to tell they won't know what to do.

The acting is great and it's a beautiful film. I was glued to the screen. Yes I'm a big fan of wrestling so I was heavily invested no matter what but this film is so good that if you aren't a fan it won't matter because this families story is so captivating that you won't be able to look away and it's so crazy that you'll think it's a made up wrestling storyline but it's all true. You'll laugh, cheer, cry, and want more when this one is done. Now get out to the theater and drop a big diving elbow on a ticket to The Iron Claw!!!

The Social Network (2010)

Should have a much higher score.

[10/10 · 18 December 2023]

This is one of the biggest injustices of IMDB. A 7.8 for this film when it's arguably the best film of the 2010s and one of the best American film ever made. Social Network and There Will Be Blood are the two best American films of the last 40 years. Not since the 70s has an American director made films better than those two in my opinion. I think they are the best since Apocalypse Now was made and released.

Gone Girl is great but it's a simple mainstream thriller film. Fight Club is overrated. It's one of those films you grow out of and with repeated viewing it becomes less and less enjoyable which is the opposite for Finchers best films (Seven, Social Network, Gone Girl,

Social Network should have a score of at least 8.7 on IMDB. It's Finchers best film (followed closely by Seven) and it's amazing in every major category for a film. It's at the top for Acting, Script, Cinematography, Film Score and Soundtrack, Casting, and Directing.

The Prince of Egypt (1998)

The rating for this on IMDB is disrespectful

[10/10 · 3 December 2023]

This is one of the best animated films ever made. I'm sure some of the downvotes are from people who have issues with religion but this is straight up a fantastic story religion or not. I'm not religious by any means and haven't been in a church with the exception of a wedding or a funeral in in the last 25 years but the Old Testament does have some good stories. Everything about this film is top notch. Animation, voice acting, songs, adaptation of a classic story, and the soundtrack. It was a hit when it came out but in todays America it doesn't get talked about because I'm sure they are afraid someone will get offended and that will stop them from making money in some way. A great story is a great story and this is a masterpiece. It needs more praise and I would love to see it in theaters again for a rerelease. Still remember seeing it with my mom and sisters in theaters and it was awesome.

I put The Prince of Egypt over 98% of what has been released after it in the animation genre.

Mean Girls (2004)

A classic.

[10/10 · 6 November 2023]

This movie is a classic of the early 2000s. The humor is great and the performances are fun. It's one of the better high school movies of the genre. Up there with Breakfast Club, 10 Things I Hate About You, She's All That, Heathers, Easy A, SuperBad, Clueless, and Perks of Being a Wallflower.

What makes this film stand out though is the humor. It's genuinely hilarious and there are so many great bits and one liners. This is an incredibly quotable movie and there are people of a certain age who use them on a daily basis (Guilty! SHE DOESNT EVEN GO HERE!!!). This is the film that will keep Lindsey Lohan relevant for the rest of her life as it will get celebrated on its anniversary dates and is a truly loved film. It's almost a cult classic but it actually did really well so you can't call it that but it has a fanbase that is very similar. Fans of this film aren't just girls or women plenty of men find this movie hilarious and fun. I watch it yearly and if I'm ever feeling bad it's one of those movies you can pop on and instantly forget what's going on and feel better.

Mystic River (2003)

Good film that is a tad overrated.

[8/10 · 29 September 2023]

Mystic River was huge when it first came out. It was a film built for awards season. A hard drama about death and the past haunting you in the present. I'm not a Sean Penn fan at all. I do not like his performances at all and he really off putting to me. I don't like him as a person either. He is a bit of an doofus and a pretentious jerk out here in the real world. This is one of the few movies that I think he nailed and the scene where he finds out his daughter is dead I will admit is one of the best acted and realistic portrayals of a father who's heart has shattered right in front of us. Those screams are haunting and the way it's shot is breathtaking. He earned his Oscar for that scene alone. Everyone else does a fantastic job as well and it's a very solid film that deserves its praise but I feel critics went a little overboard in their love for the film. While it's a good film, it isn't a great film and it's not the best film of 2003 or even in the top 5. It's certainly isn't one of the best films of the decade and is in no way a masterpiece like some critics said.

Definitely watch it because you won't be disappointed but don't go into the film thinking it's a masterpiece because it is not on that level.

Malcolm X (1992)

Masterpiece

[10/10 · 26 September 2023]

This is an absolute masterpiece of film. It's Spike Lees best film followed very very closely by Do The Right Thing which is also a masterpiece. Denzel gives his most powerful performance and he is masterful in every second he is on screen. When he gives Malcom's speeches he commands the screen with his energetic and powerful voice. The story of Malcom X is incredible and he was such an important part of the civil rights movement and he was becoming even more influential to people after his pilgrimage to Mecca. This film covers Malcolm from the very beginning and captivates you as the story goes. The runtime doesn't even seem to be real as this film seems to fly by because the material is so interesting and the film is so well done that you are completely taken by it.

Everyone should watch this film. You will not be disappointed and when you finish do yourself a favor and watch Do The Right Thing. Some people don't like Spike Lee but he has made some truly amazing films and this is his crowning achievement.

Fire in the Sky (1993)

90s nostalgia for me.

[9/10 · 4 September 2023]

Rewatched this film for first time in 20 years tonight. My wife had never seen it and it just popped up on MAX this weekend to my surprise. I remember watching this movie on VHS regularly during the summers of my childhood. Nothing like a good alien abduction film on a humid summer night while eating some pizza. Then usually after the film my cousins and I would venture out into the neighborhood and scare ourselves with thoughts of aliens coming to get us while we ran around into the graveyard next to my Nanas house. So many fun memories of this film and better times of the freedom of summer in youth.

The film does a great job of setting the stage early with a frenetic group of guys driving back into town off the mountains after their friend was attacked by a beam of light and then disappears. They then go back a few days to build some character development of our cast before Travis had his encounter. Then they break down what the guys saw as they relay the story to the police and the town becomes suspicious of them and what happened to the now missing Travis.

Next they find a changed man who doesn't seem like he's mentally returned to earth and is a shell of himself. Finally we get to the best part of the film when we get what Travis experienced and the director nailed the tense scenes of his experiences with his alien abductors. For a film made in the early 90s they did a wonderful job with set design and as a kid the scenes really put a scare into you. As an adult I appreciated the efforts of the filmmakers and this film is far better than Half wit critics reviews of it. You have to grade a film for what it is and not what you expect it to be. Not every film is made for awards consideration.

John Wick (2014)

Masterpiece of action films

[10/10 · 2 September 2023]

The first John Wick is an absolute masterpiece of action cinema. With 3 additional films already released most people who didn't check this out when it was first released don't understand how explosive this film was when it showed up in theaters. There's been decades of action films but this one was just different. Every action set piece was executed perfectly and while it clearly a work of fiction and essentially a grounded superhero film in style, it's realistic in its approach to the film genre. Reeves took himself to another level in preparation for all these films but this is the one that set the bar for not just the remaining films in the series but for action films in general. The gun play is top notch, the hand to hand combat is fluid yet there is a struggle between combatants which gives it the realistic feel.

I recommend the entire film series and each one just ups the ante as they go on but the first one is the most important action film since the 1980s.

Freak Power: The Ballot or the Bomb (2020)

Thompson's defining moment.

[10/10 · 30 August 2023]

Most people would say his defining moment was the publication of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas but they would be wrong. That may be his biggest moment in his literary career because it was a skyrocket for him as far as fame (which ironically ruined his career) but for his personal life it was when he ran for Sheriff of Pitkin County. Before he created and became gonzo Hunter tried his hand at starting a rebellion in the small town of Aspen. He made strong points against land developers and outlandish drug laws. His foresight on the devastation of major companies coming into small town America and ravaging communities, small businesses, and nature's ecosystems was incredible and is still massively relevant today.

He did it with his own style and grit as only Hunter S. Thompson could do because there can never be another like him. All imitation of the man is embarrassing and inaccurate. People who aren't fans or informed about him think he was just a guy on drugs playing a character when that was just him. They focus on his outlandish behavior without listening to the knowledge he was bestowing on his readers and listeners. He was extremely intelligent and cared deeply about what was once The American Dream. If you were really paying attention he was teaching while also entertaining you.

Thompson cared greatly for this community and changing it for the better and fighting against the continued pillaging by corporations, government, and ignorance. This was the happiest time of his life and he truly felt like a leader. People were listening and he was changing minds. He also was doing something that should be highly commended in America and that getting new voters registered and making people understand the importance of voting. He was trying to make a real difference.

This documentary covers this time in his life and the history in Aspen that he was attempting to make. This was Hunter S. Thompson being Hunter S. Thompson and not playing a character or embracing the outlandish in his Gonzo style of journalism which was revolutionary at the time. If you are a fan you will love this and it will help you brush up on the man's life and work. If you aren't very familiar with the man this is a great documentary to become acquainted with the man and hopefully get into his works and legend. In my opinion he's one of the most important writers of the last 100 years. He created a new style and it was so intertwined with who he was as a person that it's impossible to replicate accurately without completely ripping him off. Please watch this if you enjoy his work or if you don't know it and you are simply into small town politics or just raising a little bit of hell for the sake of change.

Fear and Loathing in Aspen (2021)

If you enjoy Hunter S. Thompson then you'll enjoy this

[10/10 · 29 August 2023]

It's a low budget independent film. It's not here to win awards or even make money. It's simply a little film about an interesting time in Pitkin County and possibly the happiest time in Thomason's life. Freak power was on full display when he made his run for sheriff and he actually gained traction and had people listening to him and tried to change things. He certainly had an understanding of land development and what that entails and what it can do to small town America. Hunter was certainly one of a kind but in the 60s and early 70s before he went full gonzo the man really cared. He was a self proclaimed political junkie and his many works on American politics is completely unique compared to your run of the mill political commentary.

I'm todays America and how the political landscape is Hunter S. Thompson actually comes off quite normal compared to todays reality tv show version of running for office in the United States. Give this little film a chance and again if you are a fan of the man then this will be a fun little escape. If you aren't familiar with the man then hopefully this gets you to read his work. Especially his work in American Politics. Fear and Loathing on the campaign trail 72 is must read political history for anyone interested in the madness of American politics.

Wyatt Earp (1994)

Biased rating. I'm a Costner fan

[9/10 · 23 May 2023]

Wyatt Earp is a long epic film that has plenty of flaws but I still love it. This film was made during Costners epic movie phase after he won big at the Oscars for Dances with Wolves. He got really into trying to replicate the epic big screen pictures from the golden era of cinema. After Dances he did Robin Hood, Wyatt Earp, Waterworld, and The Postman. Most of those films did poorly at the box office and they all got ripped by critics. Years later they are actually being looked upon for fondly. Waterworld is a great summer Sci-fi action flick, Robin Hood was his medieval movie (not my favorite), The Postman I really enjoy because the premise is quite good but the execution wasn't the best, and Wyatt Earp was his return to his best genre the Western.

Costner is one of the best Western stars of all time. You can argue the quality of some of those films (he's never made a bad Western, I will die on that hill) but his performance in them are consistently great. He just knows how to act in a Western period. Wyatt Earp is probably the worst western he's ever made even though I think it's great despite its flaws. This film is packed with great performances. Denis Quid is an amazing Doc Holiday and if it wasn't for the most charismatic performance in a Western ever by Val Kilmer he would he far more praise for his showing in this film.

The main issues with this film that I feel most people have is the length and most notably the first act which drags and has the worst acting of the film. Costner has the stary eyed kid was just cringe. When his wife dies that's when the movie really gets going and he moves into the cold demeanor of the gunslinger. If they could have shortened the beginning parts of Wyatt's life and dedicated more time to when he really goes out west it would have been a much better film. They could have cut through his youth in 15 minutes and then used the other 2 1/2 hours to tell the rest of the story but with characters fleshed out more and spend more time in other places before they get to Tombstone. If you are a Costner fan or you love Westerns you will enjoy this movie. You can kinda tune out for the first 30 to 40 minutes of the film because you won't be missing much and it really doesn't play that big a part of the story because everything that happens in that time has almost nothing to do with the rest of his life or the main arch other than saying he's cold and unloving because his wife died when he was young. You don't need a third of a film to get that point across especially when you do it the way he did here. Other than that it's a great film. Beautiful cinematography, fun performances, solid gunfights, and a good soundtrack really make this film a must watch for any Western fan. Don't let a weak opening ruin something that's pretty good and the weak love storyline doesn't hurt it either because the meat and potatoes of the film is based on the family bond, events of tombstone, and vendetta ride after the O. K. Corral.

Love & Death (2023)

Enjoying it so far.

[10/10 · 28 April 2023]

2 episodes in and I'm digging it. Late 70s and early 80s setting is always fun and Elizabeth Olsen is giving another great performance. She's incredibly underrated as an actress. People just see her as her Marvel character and don't realize she has put in some great work in other films (checkout Wind River for example). She's very talented and I look to see her start getting bigger roles in future high level dramas. She's on track to become the next highly decorated (awards wise) actress of the era. She gives me Frances McDormand vibes which I think is a tremendous compliment considering she's one of the best ever (alongside Streep, Benning, Amy Adams, Keaton, Bates, etc etc).

Everyone else has been solid as well including Jesse Plemons who again shows that he's one of the top character actors of modern times. The guy pops up everywhere and he always gives a strong performance. He's on a wonderful run of roles and continues to quietly build a resume that shows he's a great actor. Not bad for a kid from Texas who started out on Friday Night Lights because he actually had experience playing Texas high school Football and they needed someone for context on set. I think he's trying to become this generations Phillip Seymour Hoffman which is fantastic as he's one of my favorite actors ever.

The performances of those two will keep me entertained and so far they are executing the storyline of this true crime character study wonderfully. I highly recommend.

The Good Shepherd (2006)

Flawed film. Rating based on love of the material

[8/10 · 22 March 2023]

The Good Shepherd is long with iffy pacing and a source material that most will find boring. My personal rating is strictly because of my high interest in CIA practices. The acting is great and it's a well made film but again the story is based on material that can be boring and it's mainly talking and people analyzing each other. The pacing isn't the best either. At times it can feel like a slog but there are some very well done scenes. The interrogation scene is fantastic and intense and shows how far Matt Damon's character is willing to go with his obsession with finding a mole. Not only is this film about the beginning and tactics of the CIA but it's a major character study on Damon's part and his paranoia, obsession, secrets, and relationships.

Give it a try if you are into the intelligence community.

The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)

Gets better with each rewatch.

[10/10 · 12 March 2023]

The Wolf of Wall Street is a masterpiece of excess, corporate greed, theft, drug use, and everything in between. Every time I watch this film I appreciate it more and it's become one of my favorite films. It's an underrated comedy with amazing performances. Jonah Hill is incredible and really became Danny and was so funny with no just his dialogue but his mannerisms. To me this is one of Leo's best performances and this is a film he should have won an Oscar for. The drug fueled phone call and drive Home Screen alone should have brought him the prize. The physical comedy Leo gives us in that scene is a shinning light in his career and shows how great he is at playing the Villain who has insane charisma. All of these people are horrible and they deserved to be in prison for much longer because they just stole from everyone and ruined peoples lives for their own gain and essentially got a slap on the wrist for it. That's why a lot of people hate the film because todays world is full of criticism of these major issues but no action. It's easier to complain and try and get rid of a piece of media made for entertainment than actually down together to make change.

It's fun film about awful people with career performances from some of the best actors of this era of Hollywood.

American History X (1998)

Should be used as a teaching tool in American education

[10/10 · 8 March 2023]

This is an important film. It's extremely intense and deals with some tough issues. They didn't take the easy way out either. You live that kind of life there is a high probability that you will end up with a life of pain and suffering. Derek earned his suffering with his actions. He was a hardcore racist and was recruiting more to join in his hate. He murdered a man in cold blood. He was so angry because of how his father died but his own father was already planting the seeds of hate in his mind before he ever died. Derek was young and didn't fully buy into it at that time and you could see how uncomfortable he was during that conversation and he knew his father was wrong but he didn't want to say the wrong thing. Then his father died and in his rage and grief he decided that his father was right and he was set on his path of hate and suffering. He went in with nothing but hate in his heart and he spewed it for anyone that would listen. Then he used people who were young and not as intelligent as he was to destroy anything that he hated. He let himself be used by Cam so he could feed his thirst for revenge against people of color because he blamed them for his pain and he wanted them to feel his pain.

Then after he got out of prison and after Lamont not only protected him in prison but helped Derek see and let go of his hate and rage, he still wasn't done on his path of suffering. Derek will always have to atone for his sins because they were the worst sins a man can commit on another man. He has changed his ways and let go of the hate in his heart but he will always feel pain in his heart. Now after his brother was murdered in cold blood just like the man he killed years earlier will Derek continue on his path to redemption? I think he does because he knows that if he was to let the hate consume him again then there will only be more pain coming, not just for him but more importantly the rest of his family who he has already torn apart with his actions.

It's an amazing film and should be shown to students in history classes. When we teach history and about racism in this country and Civil rights and the civil war we need to relate this to today for young people so they can see what it has done to people and for nothing more than because they have different skin, religion, gender, or anything that's deemed inferior. It's an intense movie but so is racism and hate crimes and violence against your fellow man and that happens every single day in this country. It really does just watch any news program (local or National) and you'll see people being murdered everyday in this country and no it's not all race related but it is clearly hate related. I recommend everyone watch this film at least once. It will make you think and ask yourself real and serous questions and that's what great films are supposed to do.

Babylon (I) (2022)

I see why it wasn't successful but it's still great

[10/10 · 26 February 2023]

Wow. I came into this flick without great expectations so maybe that's why I was able to really enjoy this. This film was very entertaining to me and that's hard to find in todays film industry of rinse and repeat big picture films and the predictable art house and indie scene (which is ironic considering it's supposed to be what's different and boundary pushing). It was big and loud and at times out of control just like the 20s film industry.

The sets are amazing, cinematography is stellar, the acting is amazing and over the top in the right way, and a fitting soundtrack. The story is a bit all over but this film is better if you approach it like a film that is supposed to be lived in as opposed to followed.

I think Babylon is going to be a film more celebrated and enjoyed as time goes by and more people find it. It's the most fun I've had with a newly released film in the past few years. Film is my favorite hobby and it has been since I was a child. I've seen every type of movie and seen them from every era and modern film is the most disappointing to me. There's no magic anymore and it's just plain boring but this was a nice change of pace. It's is a movie lovers movie and it will now be in my rotation and I think it will only improve on rewatched because there is so much in this film that you can't catch it all the first time around.

Jarhead (2005)

Got better with rewatches.

[8/10 · 24 February 2023]

Jarhead is a very solid film about Desert Storm/Shield. The way the soldiers interact and discuss being in the service and eventually going to combat and dealing with the fact that there really isn't much combat during this "war". It really covers the day to day boredom of being in the armed forces during peacetime. It's the late 80s and early 90s and after going through boot camp and more training these guys are ready to serve. Enough time has passed from Vietnam that the horrors and division that Nam caused are a bit forgotten and honestly the information of the atrocities and blatant lies from the government were as openly accessible as they are now in the constant Information Age. They wanted to go, they wanted to kill, they wanted to be proud as they say at times. The first time I watched it as a teenager I thought it was disappointing, the trailer gave the impression of a different film. As I got older and more educated on American armed services in combat in the last 2 centuries and experienced my generation's Vietnam with Iraq and Afghanistan that I really began to appreciate and understand this film. It has done nothing but improve with each viewing for me.

Go into this film and think of it more as a character study on the modern American Solider and government tactics to fight the wars they know will benefit us the best (this has been the story with almost every armed conflict we have been apart of since Vietnam). Having the knowledge of American foreign policy tactics and Vietnam will make this a better experience. Vietnam is the single biggest event in American History when it comes to America and the peoples relationship with the government. This is a more modern tale of a soldiers experience with propaganda, training, and what it means to serve.

Shot Caller (2017)

Brutal but compelling

[9/10 · 4 December 2022]

Shot Caller is underrated. For a film that was released on VOD and not theatrically it's really well done. In fact it's better than a lot of films that get a wide release. Sure it's a storyline that isn't based in reality to drive the plot and main character but it is a stark reminder of how the prison system is not made for rehabilitation but for grooming further criminal activity. Fact is when you go to prison you aren't coming out the same. You are forever changed and it stays with you forever. This film shows a guy who went in for a DUI car accident that caused death and when he came out 10 years later he's ganged up and a career criminal because of the choices he had to make on the inside to survive his time. Prison took everything from him and this did an amazing job of showing that.

The Faculty (1998)

Great 90s Teen horror flick.

[8/10 · 19 November 2022]

This is a great old school 90s flick with a young cast and good soundtrack. It has all the elements of a high school flick but with aliens taking over the school. The Sci fi and horror spin on it make this movie fun. It's the type of movie that high school kids would check out on a Friday night before they hit the party later on. The young cast is great and some of them became bigger stars down the road as this was their coming out party to a degree (Hartnett, Brewster, Wood) with some supporting roles played by well know middle age actors (Stewart, Hayek, Patrick, etc).

The soundtrack is fantastic and really puts over some of the montage scenes (schools out during the football game). They even have a fun homage to The Thing. The finale at the school was fun and satisfying. This isn't some masterpiece or even a staple of the genre but it's a fun teen horror flick with great rewatchability and a perfect Friday night flick.

Deadwood (2004–2006)

Unappreciated

[10/10 · 17 November 2022]

One of the best shows ever made and arguably the best western ever made. Top notch acting with perfect casting even the simplest storylines and conversations are captivating in this show. It's incredibly witty and even hilarious at times especially characters E. B., Dan, and Richardson who have some genuinely laugh out loud moments. The realism of everyday life in the old west is interesting to watch as well and they used modern cursing and language to bring it to life for the modern crowd. I'm glad they ruled out using old time language and insults because that would have taken away from fierceness and comedy the show brings in certain moments.

I could go on and on about this show but you just need to watch it and experience it to really truly love it. Any person who says they love westerns has to watch this because it doesn't get much better and anyone who isn't really into westerns give this a go because it play extremely well for lovers of good television drama. Enjoy!!

Weird: The Al Yankovic Story (2022)

Like Weird Al himself this was a lot of fun.

[10/10 · 5 November 2022]

Funniest movie of the year IMO. I loved Weird Al as a kid like many from my generation and in true Weird Al fashion he makes an incredible parody movie of his own career and it's hilarious. Daniel does a great job as Al is this outrageous and over the top movie. If you enjoyed Dewy Cox then you will love this as it's in the same vein but with it being about the king of music parody himself it's taken up to 11. They make that Al actually released eat it before beat it came out and of course the crazy relationship with Madonna and of course her kidnapping by Pablo Escobar and the murderous rampage Al goes on to get her back. Yes you read that correctly and it's hilarious. There is also a further twist to that and I laughed out loud at the ending as well.

Check it out if you love Weird Al or if you just love absurd comedy.