Change Your Image
mrmurr9909
Reviews
The Iron Claw (2023)
Brotherhood is King
This movie is a love letter and brutal reminder that family and brotherhood is the most important thing one is blessed with.
I was born into a 2 child family. While my sister provided much love and comfort, there is something special about having a brother. I found brotherhood in other fellas as I grew up. Nothing compares to having the masculine camaraderie and a guy to lean on.
This film captures this in a non-traditional way. Not using war, bar-fights, and violence to show masculinity. The violence in this film is all in dramatization (pro wrestling) and self-inflicted violence of neglect. Instead, this film captures the essence of the pain found after focusing on trivial things beyond family, when all along the family right beneath your nose is truly what you needed all along. It's only realized once it's too late.
If you have a brother, in blood or in life, this is a film for you.
Bones and All (2022)
Multiple Meanings
I went into Bones and All knowing very little. The vague plot description and the last work of the Director was about it. In conclusion, I found myself making connections that added to my enjoyment of the film. Films like this are always great because the filmmakers allow you to draw meaning from them, even if it was the specific/desired message.
I heard the director was tying the meaning to meat consumption and American diets (or something of that nature). I found myself viewing this film as a allegory for addicts. Let me explain my connections...
1) Many believe addiction is passed down, even hereditary. The flashbacks of her father "eating" shows she was exposed to this early on. Like addiction, whether it's hereditary or not, she was always destined to be an "eater" as well.
2) through her travels she found love, comfort, and companionship with other eaters. Much like addicts, they gravitate towards other addicts and can even "sense" them much like the eaters did in the film. Later on when they find a way to suppress the "addiction" an eater from the past emerges to pull them back in. This is common with drug addiction as well.
3) the scene where she met two other eaters it was discovered one had the genetic curse, and the other "chose" to be an eater. Like the previous statement, whether hereditary or chosen, addiction hits individuals in different ways.
4) in the end the addiction has such a stronghold that it ultimately claims the life of a person close to you. Such is true with the "eaters."
Anyways, one take for a movie with many layers. Overall I really liked this film and the connections I found. Hopefully you find some connections to the film as well.
Smile (2022)
WILL be underrated
This movie gives all the jump scares a casual horror fan needs to score cuddles from a new girlfriend, and lead to some popcorn spills. Still, under the surface, there is a deeper and better film.
I feel the "you aren't possessed! You are just crazy" backdrop exists in many horror films. Some may even say it's overused. But THIS film does a masterful job of displaying what it: A) must feel like to be psychologically unstable, and B) what others see (or don't see) when someone is struggling mentally.
I think this film will take criticism from "horror buffs" for the abundance of jumps scares, moments of "spelling out" feelings, and not trusting the audience will be sophisticated enough to grasp some of the feelings of the characters. Aside from that, this is a hit. A great film and another great addition to the genre.
The future of horror is in great hands!!!!
Nightmare Alley (2021)
Deconstruct, 1st
I think movies like this have a tendency to draw misplaced reviews. You have cinematography, actors/actresses, and directors on deck for a "twilight zone-ish" feature.
Instead what you get (and are gifted with) is a major character study of what most talented individuals do when they have opportunity.
Some live through that talent and maximize their abilities without harm to others. They enlighten and enhance their counterparts.
Others use those around them as stepping stones. They see their peers, lovers, and colleagues as pawns to get them to the next step. They only stop if/when they are humbled and meet gravity.
I think many view this film as disappointing because it didn't capitalize in the fear and scary elements displayed in the marketing. However, it was a beautiful display of the classic phrase "too much is never enough."
Be fair, folks, and enjoy this film for what it IS not what you hoped it would be.
Guillermo del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities: The Outside (2022)
Stop the Over-glorification
We are not about to go on about some hidden meaning and pass this as a tale of masculinity vs. Femininity. You can breakdown all the symbolism you want. This was no good.
Solid acting and quirky. But a bit of a reach. And the plot choices that lead to the climax are not only unnecessary, but they don't add to the messaging.
Avoid this episode of the anthology. Unless you just want an excuse to find deep meaning in something that was likely a black mirror reject script.
There are some good pieces in this anthology series, but this one is not. Keep watching, but don't hang your hat on this one.
I Love You, You Hate Me (2022)
Nostalgia, Revelation, but a bit Extreme
This documentary did a great job of recapturing the general public perception of Barney and Friends. Growing up in the 90s among other middle-class Americans, I had the luxury of falling in the age group between both perceptions. As a young kid I watch and enjoyed Barney. As I grew up it became "less cool" and I was almost forced to leave the show behind prematurely to watch shows my friends were watching (X Men, Transformers, Power Rangers, etc). Explaining both sides of the coin was fantastic in this documentary.
The only segment that was a bit off-putting was when the child stars (now grown) explained what Barney did to them. It seemed to me (and I don't mean to invalidate anyones feelings/reality) that they blamed far too much of their late-teen and young adult experimental phase on the fact that they were in the show. While I'm sure there was pressure, backlash, and trauma I still don't feel Barney deserves that much of the blame. Almost as of to say, "I was a drug addict, because of Barney!" Not sure that level of accusation is entirely fair.
Yet in still, I can't walk a mile in their shoes and perhaps it was valid.
Overall an enjoyable experience and worth a watch if you recall, even slightly, the show that dominated 90s kids TV.
You Won't Be Alone (2022)
Patience! Drama draped film leads to terror.
This film burns very slow. While it implements mild suspense in the unknown for the main character, it is more of a drama/period piece with some supernatural elements.
However, each of the slow plot points becomes a masterful chess move for a terrifying ending. You simply have to stay on board with the plot to truly feel the end terror.
Many will argue the juice isn't worth the squeeze, but movies like this are bold, creative, and beautiful to see created.
Little Children (2006)
Finish Matters
This movie had a lot of great elements. It will certainly strike a core with adults who have found themselves on somewhat of a "hamster wheel" and often dream of another life. Adults who worry about how others live their lives because they feel a void in their own.
My only critique is that this film did a great job working you up to invest in and care for the characters. In the end, it gave no closure in any of their story. I know this is always the "50/50" argument many have in film? "Give it to them or let them imagine." In my place, I would at least like to know how their next steps impact their lives? Does it change? Does it stay the same? To give nothing left an empty feeling after a film loaded you with emotion for 2 hours.
Mainstream (2020)
Great, but will lose those looking for cliches
My complete and unbiased review.
Great film. Love a film that latches on to an idea and stays with it. This central plot and them rains throughout and is a message that EVERYONE in this generation should (at least attempt to) digest.
Cons
I think it will suffer, unfairly, to people who want it to branch off to cliches and turn into some kind of love story. They will not be happy with the chemistry build-up of Maya and Andrews' characters. They will hope it turns into something more and once they realize what the film truly is, they will tune out (even though they are idiots for this, being that this film takes its stance a good 30 minutes in).
Pros
Its gifts are embedded in (what most will see as) its flaws. To be ambiguous and drive home a point that is pivotal to our times. And to do it by ignoring typical storyline cliches. I instantly took it as (and I could be wrong): Maya represented us as consumers of social media. Andrew G. Represented its nastiness. Its ugliness. Its ridiculousness. No matter how much we know it is phony and know it is ridiculous, we can't turn away. Much like the moment where she knew he was a psycho, but kissed him and went on her way, still promoting. She knew how much of an ugly burden this man (social media) was, but couldn't turn away. The relationship, though "Hollywood atypical" was directly correlated to one's relationship with social media. That was the point all along, and this film nailed it.
It was great but will be treated unfairly. Hopefully folks will wise up and understand what a gem this story is to our generation. (much like Requiem was for drugs on our generation, or "Kids" was for the 90s)
Adrift (2018)
You WILL feel...
This movie embodies the complexity of many movies mirroring the earlier stages of a relationship, while identifying the later issues of a mature relationship (much like Blue Valentine). However, the writer of this film allows you to refer to this paradigm MANY times, only to shock you with its conclusion.
This movie is a tale that had been told, but told from a dynamic/unique way, while highlighting the heroics from a resilient person. This movie will be revisited by some, but SHOULD BE respected by many. Pay homage.
Some Beasts (2015)
Very good, but missing some things
I initially stumbled upon this movie looking into films starring Lindsay Burdge. It took a while, but it finally made its way to Prime Video.
This movie has some fantastic elements. It feels very real, almost as if you are IN the movie with the characters. It does a fantastic job highlighting the stresses of living in such isolation, farming in the tough conditions, and trying to find your way as an outsider in a small farm-town community.
The film is also visually stunning. If you are an outdoorsman, you will enjoy the scenes and backdrops of the mountain country. It does a great job capturing the feeling of isolation and just how it may feel being in the mountains for a year.
This movie has some SOLID performances, and each actor/actress nails their performance, despite having much dialogue or interaction. Mosley is a great talent and carries the movie along well enough for you to invest in his journey. The central them of belonging is accurately reflected in his interactions with the townspeople and phone conversations with his girlfriend.
My only criticism is that there are some missed opportunities to allow this movie to "pick up steam." While the small dialogue and interactions add to the feeling of isolation, I think it takes away from the development of other characters. They are only shown long enough to disappear as quickly as they come and you never really get to know them. Though this is probably intended, and accurately depicts the relationships you slowly harvest in a small town, I think it prevented the film from gaining momentum. It would have benefited from a few more interactions with the characters, and allowing some of the situations to be understood more thoroughly. Some of the situations, character thoughts, and experiences are left far too vague with the lack of dialogue and interactions.
All in all, this is a beautiful film, with a great theme. I can't wait to see how the director develops and grows in future films, because there is a TON of potential here.
Queen & Slim (2019)
Lot to love, but some to hate
This film was shot brilliantly. It looks and sounds beautifully. However (without spoiling) I think the film took a few plot turns that were far more drastic than they needed to be to get the writer's vision across.
Clearly there was a vision when the choice was made, but I don't think it added any real value to the storyline.
Certainly worth a watch, and some solid performances by the leads. However, nothing Oscar worthy.
Ghost Stories (2017)
3 reasons this movie is great
For starters, as a fan of the genre, I know that everyone enjoys their horror in different ways. Some are supernatural fans, some like slashers, etc. Persnally I am a fan of supernatural/demon/ghost stories as well as psychological thrillers. Rarely can a movie deliver both of these feels for me, and Ghost Stories does just that. This is reason #1 I loved the movie.
Reason #2 is based on how the scares are delivered. The style of the movie being 3 seperate ghost tales offers great scares in a short amount of time. Many horror films drag on for hours delivering 4-5 scares in the entire film. This movie gives you a solid 4-5 within each tale all without feeling like the story relied on them to be entertaining.
Reason #3 is due to the great performances. Some characters aren't on screen for long (again, due to the "short story" format. However, they bring a lot to their characters and offer genuine performances that are very believable.
This movie had all the feels for me. Not ready to place it as a classic (maybe after I've views more times, discussed with peers, and reflected). However, I jumped, I laughed, I cried, I even genuinely got the chills on one scene. Really loved Ghost Stories and highly recommend.
Me and Earl and the Dying Girl (2015)
Took me back...
This movie was a beautiful tale of a young boy that has shut himself out of all emotions only to find one person that is able to draw it out of him. I laughed, I cried, I cheered. It also took me back to the days I was in High-School. The creativity and complexity of each character keep you locked in. I found myself truly caring about each individual character, and even saw some of myself, friends, and family members in them.
The style and tone of the movie make it wonderful to view. Many unique camera angles and intimate shots. I just loved the overall feel during the movie, and was left with a feeling of peace once it was finished.
I truly enjoyed and highly recommend.
The Midnight Swim (2014)
Great ActING, no ActION
This movie was rooted in outstanding performances by the sisters. Lindsay Burdge is a flat out amazing actress and was maybe even out-acted by Jennifer Lafleur and Aleska Palladino. Their performances alone kept me watching.
However, I am not sure where are these reviews of "horror" and "haunting" are coming from. This movie baits you in to think there will be some bone-chilling climax, but never delivers. This may steer many people away that go into this movie expecting some chills. it is FLAT OUT not suspenseful at all.
This movie is a great story, it is mind bending, and thought provoking with some great acting...but that is where it stops. The story progresses slowly and never really capitalizes on the small moments that are set to build up suspense.
If you do watch, go into it as a short drama with good performances. Do not expect to be blown away by suspense or a thrilling plot.