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jcjudkins
Reviews
Neal Brennan: 3 Mics (2017)
The World Is Filling Up With Water, And A Joke Is The Air Bubble...
Neal Brennan has a rare talent to make a large room of people laugh when necessary... or sit in silence, not sure to weather to cry... or just empathize with him.
Most of us probably watched this in the comfort of our homes, but that didn't lessen the pure impact of his message, and the heart behind his humor. I did NOT expect to receive that from a comedian I've never heard of before today.
Within the last ten minutes of the show, I was in tears. The subject matter he covers in the last bit is so brutal, and hard to listen to, but I think the reward is to know that he is who he is today because of it.
I don't know what else to say without giving anything away except... go watch it! See for yourself. The very idea of 3 microphones was brilliant, and frankly kept me guessing a few times to see which mic he was going to go to next after the lights went out. It puts a nice twist on the "One Man Show" Concept.
I certainly hope this guy builds a larger following. The more people who watch this will understand where I'm coming from. I've been deeply impacted by this, and I hope I'm not alone on that.
Breaking Bad: Ozymandias (2013)
The PEAK Of The Entire Show
This episode is the turning point of the show in every possible way. I was balling through the entire last 3rd of this episode.
It is THAT good! However, I recommend at least watching the entire 5th season before this episode. Believe me, it'll be well worth the build up.
Spoilers:
I was worried for a moment that he had killed Hollie. When he was on the phone with Skyler and the cops and the camera is in his car overlooking what appears to be a still blanket... I thought he had killed her. My heart was pounding so hard, I thought I was going to have a heart attack.
You can imagine my relief when it showed that Hollie was actually okay. My crying turned to laughing... I must sound like a crazy person to my upstairs roommates.
Spoilers done.
I cannot believe someone had actually written something this good. I'm very picky about good story telling, and if it hits any of these three emotions: paranoia, laughter or tears... than it's good writing to me.
I'm so thrilled this episode has a 10/10. I wouldn't rate it anything lower. Magnificent work. Emotionally stunning.
Now go watch BB.
Riley Rewind (2013)
For Those Who Don't Know, It's Based Off A True Event.
Anna (the writer) lost her sister a few years ago to suicide, and this is basically a reenactment of "what if I could go back and save her?" type movie. She wrote this because of her sister.
I don't see how the plot is so "bad" by her trying to help save someone by using this rewinding ability. Some people are really harsh while critiquing this movie. I know it's not the best movie, but it has some good potential none the less. The message being sent here is supposedly: "Make every moment count, because you can't go back and change it."
It's target audience is a little unclear, though. I think it's directed at teenagers because of some language they put in, but it seems to be directed at YOUNGER people as well because of the innocent plot-line and lack of major violence and sexuality. It's quite tame, and definitely not bad for a younger audience as long as they don't mind some swearing.
I don't think it's directed at people who already have 30 or 40 years behind them... I think it's audience is the younger school kids who still have a lot of time ahead of them, and are figuring out who they are. Finding out how to "be a good person" to other people throughout their high school years.
The movie seems kinda rushed as well. They could have put a lot more into the movie if they wanted to, but if they had it may be overdone. Riley Rewind is NOT a failed attempt at a debut movie. It's very DIFFICULT to make a good movie as it is. I'm surprised Ray didn't crash and burn on this one. It's well done, considering it's his first movie. I give it around a 7.5 out of ten. I hope Ray and Anna can take what they learn from this film and use it to their own personal growth as producers.
And as for Anna, I think critics should tone it down just a tad given the fact that the movie's purpose came from her hardships of losing her sister and her desired fantasy to rewind time to bring her back if she could. I personally hope Anna is proud of this project, even if a large amount of fans aren't.
I await to see what movies they'll bring about in the future.
Passage to Zarahemla (2007)
Non-members HAVE to see it!!! Chris should continue his work.
The first time I saw the movie, I hadn't read the book. Just yesterday I saw it once more, but it was just about an entire different movie! I can honestly say, this movie is... just INCREDIBLE, and I ask several non-members just to watch this movie if any Mormon movie! I am a Mormon, and I truly respect my religion. But I do not think this movie should be ranked so harshly. I think it can tell a lot about the Mormon religion, but not make it look contrary to what it truly is.
I personally love being a Mormon, but there are times when I get a little angry with things they do. For the most part, movies they make have kind of poor acting. True, the story line is good in most of the movies, but some...I got to admit, I am disappointed. The acting in this movie wasn't "out of this world" good acting, but I do think they portrayed their characters VERY well, especially the person who played Kiddoni! He did a marvelous job!
(Possible spoilers after this point!) Now, going deeper, I looked at how they portrayed the gangsters and was a little confused. They all were white (as far as I've seen) and their accents seem a little abnormal to the general gangster today, but that I don't think is a large issue. Also, near the end when they surround the house, I think the acting went a little down hill, and there were some unnecessary pauses. And when the gangsters hear the horn on their vehicle sound, they surround it, with guns at the ready, and the man inside knocks over one of them with the door. It's cheesy, but rather humorous how when Hitch looks over and sees his buddies on the ground, one of them tries to pick himself up but falls again. I personally think that's a sign of "I didn't know the camera was rolling" but, it's a good laugh for me every time I watch it.
And the ending... I thought it was very cliffhanging, and frankly sad. The rift in which she only can see Kiddoni but can't feel him, can be a very tear-jerking scene to watch. I love this movie, and I don't think I will get easily bored of it for a long time. I admonish EVERYONE if at all possible to see it. (and by everyone, I mean all religions alike or not alike.) Chris Hymordinger (don't know how to spell his last name) should definitely continue his work as a directer and *smirks* hire me to play Jim Hawkins in his Tennis Shoes movie. =p