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I never really watched Teen Titans Go! as an animated series, so this movie was basically my introduction to these characters, based on this movie alone, i could only find small bits of charm throughout, i don't know if this kind of absurd humor is what the series is known for, but i found it pretty underwhelming, it really felt like a parody video stretched into an 84 minutes movie. The overall experience just wasn't that entertaining for me, as an animated superhero movie, it felt like a pretty average adventure, it wasn't bad, and not everything failed, there were a few charming moments here and there, i liked the "Upbeat Inspirational Song About Life" the voice acting was decent, Slade/Deathstroke as the villain was fine. That said, Robin's goal of getting his own movie just wasn't as enjoyable as i hoped, i also wasn't a big fan of the constant Marvel references that they put in, like, i get it, it's a DC movie, but they mentioned Marvel a lot, and sometimes they repeated the same jokes over and over again, after a while, the jokes started to feel repetitive. Overall, i think younger audiences will enjoy it just fine, but personally, this one didn't really work for me, i think i would've liked it more if it focused more on movie references that actually fit the story, that probably would've made the movie more fun for me, this one was just pretty meh.

Nuremberg is a truly fascinating piece of historical drama, and what makes it even more compelling is this possibly overlooked story exploring the relationship between a psychiatrist and one of the highest-ranking ****, the bond that develops between them throughout the film is incredibly interesting, the film portrays Göring as human without ever excusing who he was, yet at the same time makes him feel larger than anyone else on screen, his presence feels almost sympathetic around Kelley, and i found myself doing exactly what Kelley was doing, studying his behavior, mannerisms, and personality, Göring captured my attention just as much as he captured Kelley's, whenever he appeared in the courtroom, he carried an overwhelming and commanding presence, as i mentioned earlier, he simply dominates every scene, with an unsettling aura that constantly reminds you of the evil he represents. The conversations between these two characters are consistently fascinating and held my attention from start to finish. It makes for an incredibly engaging character study, even though the subject matter is deeply disturbing given the horrific crimes they were responsible for. Rami Malek and Russell Crowe both deliver terrific performances, while the supporting cast is equally solid, the atmosphere is excellent, James Vanderbilt's direction is confident, and the score is haunting whenever it needs to be, combined with its fascinating story, Nuremberg stands as a really solid historical drama.

What Oliver Hirschbiegel accomplished in depicting the final days of Adolf **** is a careful and compelling portrayal of not only a side of the Führer rarely seen on screen, but also a fascinating perspective through the eyes of his last personal secretary, more importantly, the film offers a broader and deeper look at Germany's final moments in the Second World War, Bruno Ganz delivers an iconic performance, and the rest of the cast is equally outstanding, the tension and chaos that unfold over the course of just a few days create a gripping and emotionally intense viewing experience. Nearly every aspect of the film feels thoughtfully executed and handled with great care, while i did feel that the final act dragged a little, Downfall succeeds not as a film that asks the audience to sympathize with an evil man, but as one that provides a better understanding of the literal collapse of an evil regime, shown with great care and respect for history.

A film that i thought would be about the genius behind Facebook, well, if accuracy isn't part of the conversation, that's clearly not what we learn about Zuckerberg here, instead, we see someone who's a genius at playing tactics and doing whatever is best for the business, even if it means hurting the people closest to him. Personally, there were moments when i had enough of Jesse Eisenberg's portrayal of Zuckerberg, his fast-talking, electric mannerisms became exhausting at times, even within the first five minutes, i already felt drained, not necessarily in a bad way, though, i don't know if the real Zuckerberg was actually like that, but based on this portrayal alone, his personality could be overwhelming. Storywise, and i think the movie shows those themes really well, as expected, David Fincher's storytelling is great, and the performances are strong, especially Andrew Garfield who was the standout for me, even more than Jesse Eisenberg. Overall, The Social Network is not only a good movie, but also a great case study for anyone interested in business, entrepreneurship, ambition, and the consequences of the choices people make on the road to success.

It's an interesting take that focuses on retelling the second half of Homer's Odyssey, though i'm not entirely sure whether audiences who are mostly unfamiliar with the epic as a whole will fully enjoy it or be able to follow the story, as someone who is already familiar with the source material, i found it to be a nice and decent retelling overall. The movie depends a lot on Ralph Fiennes performance as Odysseus, on my opinion, and he's easily the strongest part of the film, he carries most of the movie alongside a fairly unknown cast, who all do a decent job, though none of them are particularly incredible, the environments are also quite good, with the sets and production design feeling faithful, at least based on my understanding of what that era might have looked like. Since the film focuses solely on Odysseus return home, it leaves out the mythical creatures and fantastical adventures that made The Odyssey such a grand epic, still, as its own, i think it still works quite well, i thoroughly enjoyed the pacing, decent performance from most of the cast, that said, there were a few moments where i couldn't help but wonder how almost no one recognized Odysseus. Overall, The Return is a decent retelling of the second half of Homer's Odyssey, it's told well, with decent performances but led by a solid one by Ralph Fiennes, who gives the film its strongest performance, it may not be the most exciting or groundbreaking adaptation of the story, but it still works well and i enjoyed it.

Well, that was quite a nightmare, Marrowbone builds great tension while hiding a really dark story underneath, the way it tells its story kept me curious from beginning to end, making me think about what had actually happened and what took place before the film's main timeline, some twists were guessable already, but the ones i didn't see coming were handled really well, those surprises are easily one of the film's biggest strengths and probably be what most audiences will remember. The performance are good, the score was surprisingly one of the highlights for me, it was gorgeous, credit to composer Fernando Velázquez, the horror elements are also handled effectively, relying more on tension than cheap jumpscares, overall, Marrowbone is an enjoyable yet intense and haunting experience that delivers its mystery and emotional weight remarkably well.

My criticism isn't just about what happens in the film, but also what happened outside, Disney's decision to greenlight this project for the sake of Dwayne Johnson's ego is baffling, it feels like a dumb and unnecessary decision, and the fact that it even made it into pre-production is genuinely strange. As for the film itself, i could honestly close my eyes, imagine the animated version playing instead, and it would work just fine, even if it still wouldn't be as good as the original, then you actually look at the visuals, and they're simply ugly, Moana in live-action is basically the same movie, just uglier. I will say that the execution of the recreated scenes isn't nearly as awful as i expected, most of them are handled decently, but they never come close to capturing the charm, warmth, and magic of the original, it also loses the vibrant, colorful beauty of Disney's animation, which continues to be the biggest flaw of nearly every Disney live-action remakes. The performances aren't bad either, they're decent at best, and yes, that includes Dwayne Johnson, what i really couldn't stand, though, was his wig, if there's one thing that's terrible from beginning to end, it's that weird, out of place wig, it looks awful. I love the songs from the original, so when hearing the re-recorded version, again, not as good as the original, but they sound just fine. Overall, Moana didn't frustrate me as much as some of Disney's earlier remakes, especially The Lion King, it's still a pointless and completely unnecessary remake that offers no meaningful reason to exist, the original already tells this story beautifully, so why do we need this version? It has many of the same problems as Disney's other live-action remakes, but at least this one still feels like they pretending to have fun, in the end, it's a forgettable movie that i'll never come back to.

At least Zodiac knows how to have fun, and David Fincher clearly knows how to direct both a film and its performances, even with nearly three hours of packed information, countless clues, and a conclusion that some people might not favor, i still really enjoyed Zodiac, it's an incredibly engaging crime mystery that takes you through a fascinating investigation, some of the clues aren't always easy to follow, but the film does enough to guide you through how everything eventually comes together and is, quote unquote, "solved". The movie could even be split into chapters, the first two acts mostly focus on Mark Ruffalo character, while the final act gives Jake Gyllenhaal his time to shine, i mean he could be useful way earlier, if you watch the film, you know what i mean, but it's still kinda nice to see how his character development build from this sort of unimportant looking rookie cartoonist to what he able to accomplished throughout and finally at the end. I also love how Fincher builds tension during the murder sequences, i'm the type of person who's far more terrified by serial killers than supernatural ghosts, and the way those scenes are directed genuinely creeped me out more than most horror movies ever have, they're frightening because you know events like these actually happened in real life. The performances are great, and the filmmaking is, as expected from Fincher, excellent, my only criticism is that the film eventually reaches a point where it throws so much information and so many clues at you that i wish the final act had focused a little more on the bigger picture instead of every small detail, unless you really into this mystery solving stuff with great detail, still, even if you don't catch every clue, there's more than enough to appreciate in the incredible craftsmanship Fincher brings to Zodiac, overall, Zodiac is a really well-made, intriguing, and thoroughly engaging crime mystery film.

"War is young men dying and old men talking" This epic story inspired by Homer's Iliad and adapted by Wolfgang Petersen, Troy is one of the most engaging, entertaining, and exciting epic war films i've ever seen, despite its lengthy runtime, i was never bored or disconnected from the story, every battle, every political decision, and every personal conflict kept me invested from beginning to end. At the center of the story is a young prince whose naivety and selfish choices start a war that costs thousands of lives, it's a simple story, but the film tells it on a huge scale without ever becoming hard to follow. Brad Pitt gives a fantastic performance as Achilles, the greatest warrior in Greece, he's confident, intimidating, and also shows a more human side, making him the standout of the film, the rest of the cast is great too, with strong performances that make both the emotional moments and the political conflicts feel believable. The battle sequences are spectacular, they're large in scale, intense, and beautifully choreographed, balancing brutal combat with memorable one on one duels, combined with James Horner's powerful score, the action feels even more grand and emotionally impactful. One of the film's biggest strengths is its pacing, it never feels slow, it balances action, politics, and character moments really well, making the story easy to follow while still feeling grand in scale. Troy may not be a completely faithful adaptation of The Iliad, but it succeeds as a thrilling historical epic with memorable characters, outstanding action, strong performances, and a great musical score, it's a film that delivers both spectacle and emotion while showing the true cost of war.

Christopher Nolan's debut feature, Following, is somehow both the most Nolan-ish and the least Nolan-ish film at the same time, it already contains many of the trademarks that would later become his signature style, like the non-linear timeline, psychological storytelling, and clever twists, at the same time, its low-budget style and simple presentation make it feel very different from the big films he would go on to make. That said, it's still a great-looking and well-made movie, the black and white cinematography looks great, the performances are good, and the story itself is interesting, the concept keeps you paying attention and makes you think about what's really happening. That being said, i have to admit it didn't grab me as much as i thought it would, perhaps that's because i've become so familiar with Nolan's storytelling style through his later films, especially Memento, which shares a very similar psychological and structural approach, watching Following almost feels like watching a prototype of Memento, where many of the ideas are already present but not yet fully developed. Even though i wasn't as impressed by the psychological twists or mind games as i was with Nolan's later work, i still found it to be a thoughtful and engaging film that needed careful attention, it's not the masterpiece i was anticipating, but it's certainly far from disappointing, overall, it's a solid debut that shows the early signs of the filmmaker Christopher Nolan would later become.

8.5/10 A movie about Minions trying to make a film set in 1920s Hollywood with some charming references to classic cinema? Of course i'm gonna enjoy and like it. The Minions are back once again simply to entertain, and they never disappoint, this time, with its wonderfully specific Hollywood setting, this film is easy to enjoy from beginning to end, younger audiences will probably miss many of the classic movie references, but that doesn't stop the filmmakers from giving older viewers a delightful treat, even including a cute little cameo from someone whose influence helped shape the blockbuster films we know today. The setting is wonderful, the characters are fun, and Christoph Waltz is great as the film director, while Jeff Bridges brings plenty of personality to the twin brothers who run the movie studio, they all add a lot of charm to the story. What continues to make this franchise work is its ability to embrace simple, lighthearted fun, it never tries to be anything more than an entertaining family adventure, and it's filled with the kind of innocent humor and joyful energy that constantly puts a smile on your face. That said, i do think the so-called villain is one of the weaker antagonists in the franchise, i didn't dislike the character, but i couldn't help the feeling they could have come up with something much better. Besides that, overall, Minions & Monsters is another unsurprisingly charming, funny, and thoroughly entertaining entry in the Despicable Me/Minions franchise, more than anything, it feels like a genuine love letter to cinema, celebrating the magic of classic Hollywood in the cutest and most enjoyable way possible, and i really liked it.

Ridley Scott's attempt to reinvent the Robin Hood folklore is undeniably epic, while it does feel unfamiliar in some places, i can absolutely appreciate what Scott is trying to do here, rather than retelling the legend we already know, this is more of a story about how Robin Hood became Robin Hood. As expected from a Ridley Scott film, it features strong performances, impressive filmmaking, and epic battle sequences that are executed really well, it is possibly the darkest adaptation of the folklore so far, while the 1991 Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves certainly had its darker moments, it still embraced the fantasy charm that has long been associated with the legend, Scott's Robin Hood, on the other hand, feels like a grounded historical drama, making the world feel more believable and alive. Although some people may find its serious and grounded approach isn't what they're looking for in a Robin Hood story, i think the film still works well, even without the Robin Hood name attached to it, it would still stand as a compelling and well-written epic war drama about an ordinary man who gradually becomes a symbol of courage, justice, and hope. The film also reminds us that holding a position of power doesn't automatically make someone a good leader, one has authority but lacks moral leadership, while the other has no official power yet inspires others through his actions, i think Ridley Scott explores this theme in a much more mature and grounded way than most adaptations of the tale. Overall, Robin Hood is a good epic film that successfully reinvents the classic legend with a darker, more mature approach, while it isn't perfect, it remains a solid and enjoyable interpretation that stands well on its own.

The Death of Robin Hood had great potential, but unfortunately, it wasn't delivered in the way i think it should have been, the film shows a version of Robin Hood that is brutal, unapologetic, and almost feels like a complete villain, the first act of the film establish that exceptionally well, and i was genuinely surprised by how effectively violent it was, if the film had carried that energy into a story that built toward an epic final death for Robin Hood, it could have been something truly great. Instead, the rest of the film follows Robin after he is wounded, weak, and staying in a priory, accompanied by Brigit, played by Jodie Comer, that's where the film lost me, it opens with such a powerful setup for what feels like one final legendary journey, but it ultimately becomes a slow and melancholic story about a broken man spending his final days, unfortunately, that direction just didn't work for me. As a result, i found myself disconnected from both the story and its characters, and at times, i was almost bored to death, i was eventually able to follow where the film was going, but i had very little interest in what was happening, on top of that, the way Brigit's relationship with Robin is developed feels awkward and unclear, making it difficult to become emotionally invested. Hugh Jackman, Jodie Comer, and the rest of the cast all deliver strong performances, Michael Sarnoski once again proves himself to be a talented filmmaker, and i really appreciate his filmmaking style, the visuals are impressive, while the score and songs are incredible, the biggest issue is simply the story itself. Had The Death of Robin Hood maintained the intensity and promise of its first act all the way to Robin's final breath, it could have been one of the best films of the year, instead, it stands as one of the greatest missed opportunities, a film that shows flashes of greatness but never fully becomes the masterpiece it could have been.

What i loved the most is how Eggers did not rely on the witch itself as the main source to scare the audience, instead, he focused on this family filled with tragedy, fear, and suspicion, creating an uncomfortable and disturbing atmosphere, that's what makes the film feel so unique, and for me, it worked really well. The performances are mostly solid, Eggers filmmaking is impressive, the score is haunting, and the characters are very well written, the film succeeds in creating its own identity and delivers an experience that feels different from most horror movies, overall, The Witch is a great and rare horror film that shows how powerful horror can be without revealing much of what's actually scary, it's pretty incredible.

This retelling of Robin Hood has its own unique charm and personality, Kevin Costner brings a version of Robin Hood that can be funny and even a little silly at times, yet despite the darker and more serious elements, from Alan Rickman's villainous presence to the witch and the film more sinister moments, it still feels like a wondrous fantasy world, there is a real sense of epic adventure to it. For a film that runs 143 minutes, i was glad to find myself enjoying most of its runtime, the characters are introduced well, the world is established effectively, and Morgan Freeman is a welcome and interesting addition to the story, the film captures the fantastical atmosphere of a classic epic tale, and that charm remains intact even when darker events unfold, Alan Rickman's performance is undoubtedly one of the highlights. Overall, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves is a good epic retelling of a classic legend that, despite its lengthy runtime, never loses the fantastical charm that makes it such an enjoyable adventure.

I haven't been this angry and disappointed by a superhero movie in a very long time, and just to spell out everything i absolutely disliked about Supergirl, let's start with the plot, it's a stale, worn-out story built around a kid sidekick, a trope that has already stopped being interesting years ago, why are they still doing this? It feels like such a boring and uncreative approach to storytelling. Then there's the sidekick, Ruthye Marye Knoll, who is one of the most useless characters i've ever seen in a movie, she's badly written, has an uneven presence throughout the film, and is given a stupid freaking mission that ultimately concludes in the corniest and dumbest way possible, she barely does anything, what's the point of having her there? All she does is pull off a couple of lame moves and then stand around watching Kara Zor-El do everything herself. Krem of the Yellow Hills is also, in my opinion, one of the worst villains i've ever seen in a superhero movie, there is literally zero threat coming from him, he's not scary, he's not intimidating, he's not cool, and what i really can't believe is how weak he is, one character even points out that he could be killed right then and there without much effort, again, what's the point? What a complete waste. If there's anything stopping Supergirl from being a 0/10 for me, it's the visuals and special effects, they can look rough at times, but for the most part they're a nice visual treat, the performances are mostly decent as well, though nothing particularly special, Milly **** is doing her best, i guess, playing a more reckless and often drunk version of Supergirl, the actress playing the sidekick can be bad at times, and the same goes for the actor playing the villain, but neither of them are completely terrible. The fight sequences are also decent enough, in fact, i became so fed up with all the stupidness that every time a fight scene started, my enjoyment immediately went up because at least there was something entertaining happening on screen, to be fair, the first two acts are actually quite alright, unfortunately, the movie just keeps getting worse and worse after that. Overall, as the second feature film in James Gunn's DC Universe, i was still left with nothing but disappointment, his Superman movie didn't click with me, and Supergirl is somehow even worse, i honestly don't know how to feel about the future of this universe after this, but for now, all i can do is hope for the best with Clayface and wish Man of Tomorrow good luck.

The Minions, Gru, and the gang are back for another fun mission, what i loved most this time was seeing Gru at his most human, watching him try to balance his double life while becoming more of a family man was really enjoyable, and i liked seeing that side of him. Gru Jr. is adorable, and Maxime Le Mal, voiced by an almost unrecognizable Will Ferrell, is another fun villain added to the franchise, so do the other new characters were also good additions and helped keep things entertaining. After six films, i still find myself having a good time with this franchise, yes, some of the earlier entries are stronger, but the series has never lost the charm that consistently puts me in a good mood, once again, this is an entertaining, lighthearted, and fast-paced adventure that moves along nicely, and even as an adult, i was never bored, overall, Gru and the Minions have done it again.

I wouldn't say the horror elements in Hokum scared me, nor did the witch-related aspects particularly interest me, what i did enjoy, however, was the concept of Adam Scott being trapped in this creepy honeymoon suite, along with Ohm backstory and all the messed-up things happening around him, it made for a pretty fun and entertaining watch. The characters are interestingly written, and i especially liked the set design of the hotel and the room itself, the atmosphere and environment were probably my favorite parts of the movie, while the story lore was decent, it never really creeped me out beyond a few creepy-looking figures and the tension from some of the jumpscares. The supernatural horror elements weren't particularly groundbreaking, but i still had a decent time with Hokum, the performances were good, the concept was fun, and the set design helped keep things interesting, honestly, i think the movie could have still worked, maybe even better, as a pure thriller about a man trapped in a hotel by a psychopath without all the supernatural stuff, overall, Hokum is a pretty decent ride.

In the rise of YouTubers turn filmmakers, i can confidently say that Curry Barker has had one of the most successful runs so far, and personally, i think he's the most impressive director to come from that space since Danny and Michael Philippou. That said, Obsession has been getting a lot of praise, which made me curious to see how good it actually was, after watching it, and without letting the hype influence my opinion, i still think Obsession is a bit overrated. Curry Barker can definitely direct, but i don't think it's quite as great as a lot of people say, it's not bad either, in fact, i'd say it's somewhere between ok and good overall, there are some genuinely great moments in it, but there are also several noticeable flaws that i just can't get out of my head. The concept is interesting, it's actually pretty silly when you think about it, but Barker does a good job making it work, and some of the horror scenes are handled really well, one of the flaws for me is that the beginning feels a little too long, i get that it's trying to set everything up, but i found myself wanting it to get to the horror stuff sooner. Once the chaos starts, though, Obsession becomes a fun ride, it's still filled with flaws, from the way certain characters handle situations to certain moments that don't always work, but it also has some genuinely disturbing and effective horror scenes, the whole One Wish Willow concept was interesting enough, but i wasn't as invested in it as i expected to be. The performances are great, and the filmmaking is impressive, still, a little bit of pacing issue and some character flaws kept me from seeing Obsession as the masterpiece that many people call it, it might be one for them, but it wasn't for me. That said, there's still a lot to like here, most of the horror scenes are done really well, and the final act is actually quite strong, overall, i had a decent time with it, it's a fun and disturbing experience, even if i don't think it fully lives up to all the praise.

8.5/10 Robin Hood's more mature themes in Disney's take on the classic tale are surprisingly effective and engaging to follow, Prince John is portrayed as an awful ruler whose heavy taxation and self-serving leadership create a conflict that feels surprisingly relevant, meanwhile, Robin Hood himself is reimagined as a fox, bringing a unique charm and charisma that make him an instantly likable local hero. I also loved the film's narration, which gives the story a distinctive personality, along with its fun and catchy songs that remain memorable throughout, while the story itself is fairly straightforward, Disney adds enough creative touches to make it consistently entertaining and fascinating to watch, the animal characters are packed with personality, from their expressive animation to their dialogue and excellent voice performances, every character feels lively and memorable in their own way. Overall, i was quite fascinated by Disney's Robin Hood, it may not be held in the same regard as Pinocchio or some of Disney's other more celebrated classics, though for some viewers it certainly might be, even so, the high standard of Disney animation from this era shines through, making Robin Hood a genuinely great film in its own right.

Based on the description in the opening, there is no way a 6 or 7-year-old Andy in 1995 would be watching this woke space ranger movie with a lesbian couple in it and become obsessed with Buzz Lightyear, i don't even believe this type of movie exist back then, it has none of the charm, fun, adventure, or excitement that made Buzz such an iconic character in the Toy Story world. I know this is supposed to be its own thing, separate from Toy Story, but at least make me excited, instead, it's filled with woke storylines and a silly, nonsensical mission that never becomes interesting. "You'll be back in a year or two," says Alisha, Buzz's best friend, as Buzz keeps failing the mission over and over again, after what feels like the 500th attempt, she simply moves on with her life, grows old, and eventually dies while Buzz is still trying to solve the same problem, then, after all that buildup, a robotic cat figures out the solution, it's stupid, the entire mission feels pointless and completely unexciting. The voice acting isn't bad, but it's nothing special either, it's decent at best, the new Space Ranger team doesn't work for me too, most of them are forgettable and nowhere near as interesting as the movie thinks they are. Other than Pixar's beautiful and great animation, which is pretty much the only thing carrying this movie, and a few decent moments here and there, Lightyear is quite trash, the story is messy, the characters are weak, and the adventure lacks the excitement and wonder that a Buzz Lightyear movie should have had. This doesn't feel like the movie that inspired Andy's favorite toy, it feels like a completely different movie wearing Buzz Lightyear's name, in the end, Lightyear is one of the silliest and most disappointing spin-offs i've ever seen, and a clear example of a franchise losing sight of what made people love it in the first place.

Many would agree that the series should not have continued, and i had the same concern at first, but from the moment the film opens with its emotional and nostalgic opening, i was immediately drawn back into the world of Toy Story, it felt like we were about to experience another charming adventure with Woody and his friends. After watching it, i found Toy Story 4 as the beginning of a new chapter in Woody's story, a new chapter, a new home, and a new owner, when you think about it that way, continuing the franchise actually feels quite reasonable. To be completely honest, for most of the film, i thought Toy Story 4 was on the same level as the previous three entries, then, at some point, i found myself remembering what made those films so special, and i realized they are still untouchable, that said, i don't think Toy Story 4 belongs far below them, it's still a near-perfect movie. The charm that made the franchise beloved is still very much intact, the plot is fairly simple, but the world of Toy Story remains endlessly fascinating, these characters are iconic and wonderfully written, and the voice acting is excellent across the board, of course, Tom Hanks and Tim Allen have become so inseparable from Woody and Buzz that it's impossible to imagine anyone else in those roles, but the rest of the cast delivers great performances as well. As i mentioned, while the story doesn't quite reach the heights of the original trilogy, i still enjoyed every minute of it, it's funny, entertaining, and once again filled with emotional moments that hit surprisingly hard, and the most impressive part is that these characters are literally toys. For those who grew up with Toy Story, watching Woody take on a mentor role for Forky is incredibly wholesome, it shows how much he has matured over the years, and it feels like a natural progression for his character, overall, Toy Story 4 is a delightful return to one of animations greatest franchises and a heartfelt new chapter in Woody's journey.

Ernest Cline's novel could not have been adapted more perfectly than by the great Steven Spielberg himself, Spielberg is a filmmaker who never seems to have lost his sense of wonder, allowing him to understand and capture the imagination of any generation, he tells this story through his own unique vision in the coolest way possible. Ready Player One is an exciting 140 minute adventure that never feels boring, the pacing keeps you engaged from beginning to end, and the film is far more than just a video game movie filled with references and endless "look who appeared!" moments, the references are used naturally, never feeling forced or included solely to please the audience. The Iron Giant doesn't have any particular new story to its character, and i think that was the right choice, the focus stays on the main story and the main characters, both of which are great, the lore of OASIS immediately establishes a fascinating world that is easy to become invested in. James Halliday goals and ambitions feel surprisingly real despite the futuristic setting, the film is also filled with classic Spielberg touches, and i definitely enjoyed seeing those throughout the movie. While it would certainly be interesting to imagine what a score by John Williams might have brought to the film, choosing Alan Silvestri was still a great decision, his music fits the film's adventure and excitement perfectly. I simply had a blast watching Ready Player One, the world feels exciting, the quest genuinely feels ambitious, and the characters are fun to spend time with, it's 140 minutes ****, epic adventure where video games and reality collide, brought to life through yet another fascinating vision from Spielberg.

7.5/10 I admired the technical aspects of the film more than its horror elements, especially the set design, which was incredibly well done and easily the standout for me, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Renate Reinsve also delivered good performances, i also have to give credit to A24 for giving and trusting Kane Parsons with the opportunity, they basically taking the risk, but i don't think they're going to regret it. Parsons is only a year older than me, and if more studios were willing to take chances on young talent the way A24 does, the future of young filmmaker would be bright, from a filmmaking perspective, i have a lot of respect for what he accomplished here. As for the Backrooms itself, the technical execution was far more compelling to me than the story or lore surrounding them, the mythology never fully grabbed my attention, perhaps because the film intentionally holds back a lot of information, the film seem confident that they'll explore those details further in the sequel. The horror and claustrophobic atmosphere were enjoyable to watch, though i found them more fun and intriguing than genuinely terrifying, the film still executes its scares reasonably well, even if it occasionally relies on some cheap jumpscares. Overall, Backrooms is a very impressive achievement for a 20-year-old filmmaker, its technical craftsmanship and filmmaking are genuinely strong, while the horror elements remain entertaining enough despite the lack of deeper explanations for its world and lore, even with some missing information, the film kept me engaged throughout its runtime, and that's more than enough for me to consider it a successful experience.

7.5/10 The Iron Giant is a cute film with some interesting political themes that i honestly wish it explored more deeply, i think it could've been even better if it leaned further into its darker ideas, especially with the Cold War setting and the fear surrounding the giant, still, for what it is, it's a solid animated film. The friendship between Hogarth and the Giant is definitely the heart of the movie, and it works well throughout, the voice acting is good, the animation still holds up nicely, and the film does a great job mixing fun moments with more serious ones, i also liked how simple its message is about fear, acceptance, and choosing who you want to be. That said, i never really formed a strong emotional connection with the story the way many others seem to, while i understood what the film was going for and appreciated its themes, the emotional moments didn't hit me as hard as i expected them to, because of that, i found myself enjoying the film more than actually feeling deeply moved by it. While i still wish the movie had gone further with its darker political ideas, it's a well-made, charming, and easy to like movie, with enough substance behind its story to make it stand out from many other animated films of its era.

8.5/10 While political dramas usually aren't the easiest watches for me, as they often require you to absorb every piece of information carefully to fully understand what's going on, that's why i was a bit worried about watching The Post, even with Spielberg at the helm, thankfully, Spielberg's storytelling works greatly in the film's favor, the story and its conflicts are presented clearly enough that i was able to follow what was happening most of the time. The film really won me over in its last two acts, by that point, i found myself fully invested in the case and genuinely excited to see how the events would unfold, which is great, i love the last two act of The Post, the first act isn't bad at all, but it does require more attention as it sets everything up, the last two acts, however, are much more tense and easier to get caught up in, that's what makes The Post so fascinating to me. Alongside its compelling story, the film is elevated by strong performances from Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks, an excellent score from John Williams, and Spielberg's typically impressive filmmaking and storytelling, overall, The Post is a gripping historical drama that manages to keep you engaged without overwhelming you with information, allowing its tense situations and powerful performances to take center stage.

It's as narrative-heavy as i expected, and the film does an excellent job of laying out every detail of the Watergate scandal, what starts as a simple case slowly turns into something much bigger, messier, and more complicated, if you're not already familiar with the case, or simply aren't in the right state of mind, All the President's Men can be a challenging watch. That said, it's still easy to appreciate the effort, performances, and overall execution, as the investigation grew larger, i found myself struggling to keep up with all the details, even though i was trying my best to follow along, at 138 minutes, it can be quite a challenging watch. Still, there's a lot to admire here, Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman are both phenomenal, and the filmmaking is impressive throughout, if you're a fan of political dramas and detailed storytelling, this is an easy recommendation. Personally, i found it challenging at times, but i still appreciated what the film was trying to do, a lot of my appreciation comes from the performances, the direction, and the way it brings such a massive real-life story to the screen, even if it didn't fully connect with me all the time, i can clearly see why it's considered such a great film.

7.5/10 If there's anything in Rush Hour that somehow not entertaining, it's how Lee, played by the legendary Jackie Chan, is treated earlier in the film, whether that was intentional or not, it somewhat a bit frustrating to me, other than that, this unlikely duo going on a goofy and chaotic mission together was highly entertaining. Chris Tucker is absolutely electric, bringing endless energy and charisma to every scene, Jackie Chan, even in a more comedic role and working around the language barrier of his character, still delivers a decent performance, thankfully, the film doesn't waste his phenomenal stunt skills, which remain one of its biggest highlights. The story offers a fun enough twist, and the villains are convincing enough to keep the stakes engaging, overall, Rush Hour is simply a good-time movie that knows exactly what it wants to be, i had fun with it and definitely looking forward to seeing Lee and Carter's next adventure together.

I don't know if the movie is trying to make the audience root for the characters by the end, and if that was the intention, i still think that they're a bad couple who do bad things and clearly bothering everyone around them, and i still want them to have any consequences, i still really liked their portrayal, though, and i think Goldie Hawn and William Atherton both did a great job playing these characters. It's a good movie overall, especially considering it's one of Spielberg's earliest films and his first collaboration with John Williams, who did a terrific job with the score, i already sense that magic of music throughout the film, not knowing if its John did the score for this one. The storytelling works well because i found myself fully invested in the chaos and ended up spending hours with these two characters on a genuinely wild journey, at several points, i honestly had no idea how any of this could possibly work out or how they were going to settle things in the end, which made the film engaging enough for me to keep following it, i did start to feel a bit exhausted near the ending, but Spielberg's direction, the engaging characters, and the overall unpredictability of the ride still make The Sugarland Express a worthwhile journey overall.

Friday is a funny and entertaining portrayal of Black Americans living in the hood, i loved the authenticity of the performances, where the actors felt like they were genuinely living their lives rather than simply acting, the film follows a simple plot, but that simplicity works because it reflects the kind of everyday problems people in these neighborhoods actually deal with. I also liked how the movie gradually introduces us to Craig's neighborhood, played by Ice Cube, through his perspective, we get to know the people around him naturally, from Smokey, played by the endlessly entertaining Chris Tucker, to Deebo and the rest of the neighborhood, we know they're personality well just by them coming or passing by Craig's point of view, without spending too much time trying to fully explain every character. Overall, i had a really good time with Friday, it felt unique and refreshing to me, genuinely funny, it felt real in a way, and consistently entertaining

It's a strange movie and a strange experience, built around a fairly simple conflict that slowly transforms into something more supernatural and almost voodoo-like, i appreciated that direction, even if i wouldn't say i was completely amazed or fully engaged by it, visually, the film is stunning, with impressive costume design throughout, and i was surprised by how dialogue-driven it is, i also thought the writing was genuinely strong, while Anne Hathaway and Michaela Coel both deliver fantastic performances as two of the leads. Those are the aspects of the film i really admired, the storytelling choices, the strange atmosphere, and some of the twists didn't entirely work for me, though i wouldn't call them bad at all, they just never fully grabbed me emotionally, which i think is the most important part for a film like this, still, the execution is solid enough that i could always follow where the story was going. Overall, Mother Mary is definitely an interesting cinematic experience, one that is undeniably impressive from a filmmaking and visual standpoint, while the plot and tone will probably divide audiences, even though it didn't completely work for me, it's still a film i can appreciate for what it's trying to do.

I'm still progressing the fact that a movie about a chickens trying to escape their evil owners is quite literally an absolute cinema, it's actually terrific, not just because of its straightforward story, which i usually love, but because of the charm packed into every character, each one has a unique and fun personality, they're expression, and they're accent was a cute, funny, and great addition to the film. The voice acting is also solid, the stop-motion animation is incredible, and the score is surprisingly impressive, even as an adult, i found myself completely entertained by it, there are a few disturbing images and situations that might be a little intense for younger kids, but honestly, i found those darker touches amusing because they give the film more personality and edge. At its core, Chicken Run is simply pure entertainment that's easy to follow and enjoy, but i honestly think it offers more than that, it has a genuinely great story, memorable characters, and fantastic technical work on the animation side, it ended up being a surprisingly near masterpiece of animated films for me, and it's now become one of my absolute favorites.

7.5/10 This unlikely whodunnit, which i had zero interest in at first, genuinely surprised me for its pure entertainment that they deliver, from a mystery perspective, there's nothing especially groundbreaking, but for a whodunnit to work, the most important thing is keeping the audience engaged, and i think the film does that pretty well. As for the sheep elements, while i'm probably no longer the target audience for talking animal stuff, i eventually started to recognize the charm they bring to the movie, by the end, i found myself more connected to it and could easily see myself enjoying it even more on a second watch. The cast did a good performance throughout, and the voice actors do a solid job as well, it's surprisingly funny, fun, and entertaining, honestly, i'm not even sure this is really a movie for kids, since they probably wouldn't follow most of the clues and would mainly watch it because of the sheep, in many ways, this feels like Knives Out for early teenagers, which honestly isn't a bad thing at all. The Sheep Detectives ended up being a genuinely pleasant surprise, a movie i expected not to care about whatsoever, only for it to give me a pretty good time with its charming and enjoyable enough whodunnit story.

It's a mad, mad movie for sure, i had a really fun time with it, the film is packed with awkwardness in the best way possible, this clearly isn't the kind of story i usually go into, nor the type of film i'd revisit often, but i genuinely appreciate how entertaining it manages to be from beginning to end, as things did gradually become even more chaotic, and i loved how straightforward the film stayed throughout. Dustin Hoffman and the rest of the cast all delivered really solid performances, and the choice of aspect ratio was pretty interesting too, also, Simon & Garfunkel had three or couple of more songs for the film, but at least three that i remember, and i'm telling you, the film loved to repeat those songs again, again, and again, which i found it quite funny. It's good, it's good, i liked it, and i genuinely enjoyed the madness, the awkwardness, and the music, if the film had toned down the repeated use of the same songs, and maybe even braver visually, i probably would've liked it even more, storywise, it's the kind of movie you can have a great time watching with friends, overall, The Graduate really captures that classic 1960s feeling, and that vibe alone made the movie very entertaining for me.

Outside of the monarch's absolutely silly and nonsensical rules, the person who really should've been bully is Prince Philip, don't know how accurate his portrayal in the film actually is, but if it's anywhere close to reality, then he comes across as an incredibly selfish, arrogant, and emotionally blunt person who lives a royal life simply because he married the Queen, at the same time, i also got the feeling that Queen Elizabeth II herself would've acted differently if centuries of royal tradition and protocol weren't constantly holding her back. The film also raises an interesting question about whether a thousand year old monarchy still fits within the modern world, and Diana's death clearly reawaken that debate, for better or worse, the institution nearly lost public support during that week, ironically, even after her death, Diana finally received the royal family's attention and acknowledgment, almost as if the monarchy had no choice but to bow in respect to her influence and public legacy. Filmwise, Helen Mirren is simply terrific as Queen Elizabeth II, she perfectly captures the Queen's charm and personality from what i've seen of her in real life, she genuinely disappears into the role and fully becomes Her Majesty, Michael Sheen as Tony Blair is also excellent. Despite the frustrating moments involving Prince Philip and a slightly dragged pacing toward the end, the costume design and production design are extraordinary, the way they recreated the royal interiors in minute detail is incredibly impressive, overall, it's a strong and thoughtful portrayal of a difficult historical moment, combining personal grief, political pressure, and complicated questions about an institution whose relevance is constantly being challenged, and the film handles those themes well enough.

7.5/10 Give a round of applause to Keiko for delivering the best whale, and possibly one of the best animal performances i've seen in a movie so far, Free Willy is a fun, charming, and surprisingly solid story about Jesse, whose personality i found interestingly written in a good way, i like that the writers didn't make him the typical sweet little boy who adores whales, instead, he's rebellious, troubled, and an orphan, and that choice adds a lot more depth to his character development. I also love the way the film looks, there's this strong color palette and warm tone throughout the movie, the score is beautiful as well, Michael Madsen plays a father figure who isn't exactly the best parental presence, which was clearly intentional storywise, but he still gives a solid performance alongside the rest of the cast, especially Jason James Richter, who delivers a good performance for a child actor, it's not perfect, but definitely convincing enough. The plot itself is sweet and engaging enough, while the pacing stays entertaining throughout, Free Willy is not exactly a masterpiece, but i mostly enjoyed it, younger audiences will probably love it even more, while older viewers may feel more divided on it, still, i found it to be a pretty good and heartfelt animal film with a solid story worth following.

I like Patch Adams, it's a good movie, but honestly, aside from Adams, Carin, Truman, the nurse, and some of the patients, almost everyone that got involved in Adams life is simply ****, they're mean, unpleasant people, to the point where it almost feels too fictional to be believable, like these kinds of people can't possibly exist in real life, as Adams himself would say, complete "****", it can get genuinely frustrating to watch at times. Still, despite all that, it remains a wholesome and heartfelt movie in many ways, Robin Williams plays the role wonderfully, he's always such a delight to watch, and the rest of the cast does a really solid job too, i definitely got emotional, which is honestly unavoidable with this kind of story, the score was beautiful as well, even if it felt a little overdone in certain moments, but mostly it was fine. At the end, Patch Adams is simply a genuinely good person surrounded by bad people, and while that makes the film frustrating at times, the emotional core, characters, and overall message are still incredibly powerful.

If there's one thing i'd change about the film, it's the title itself, yes they have kids now, but it's clearly not really about the Little ****, my feelings toward Meet the **** and Little **** are pretty much the same, not just in terms of the issues, but also their charm. What i've always appreciated about the Meet the Parents series is its consistency, these films never try to be groundbreaking, but they know exactly what they are and deliver a simply pure fun entertainment, and they served what it need to served, a funny and entertaining decent film. Stiller and De Niro is already created this iconic duo from the first film, and that dynamic still works really well here, plus they're family members continues to add a lot of charm too, especially Blythe Danner and Teri Polo, Owen Wilson as Kevin, who i've always liked since the first film, getting more screen time here is a welcome addition, meanwhile, Hoffman and Streisand's brief return is short but still memorable in its own way, especially Blythe Danner and Teri Polo, also Owen Wilson as Kevin in which i've always like from the first film, finally get the most screen in here was a nice addition. Overall, for the third time, the Byrnes and the **** succeed again in delivering a purely fun, easy to watch comedy, it's nothing extraordinary, but it's a decent, entertaining film that does exactly what it sets out to do.

While i'd probably prefer living with the **** family, there's something about the Byrnes chaotic household that really gave the first film its charm, Meet the **** feels more like an adjustment period between the two families, with a bit of fun chaos sprinkled in, the film tones down the madness compared to the original, but there's still plenty going on, and it remains entertaining throughout. I still had a really good time with it, and what a way to reunite De Niro and Hoffman, their comedic dynamic works well, Barbra Streisand is also a charming addition to the cast, it's a longer film, but it never feels dragged out, unlike the first movie, the ending here doesn't feel rushed, which i appreciated. That said, i still think the original is superior, mainly because its pure chaos felt more engaging, this is a decent follow-up overall, still full of charm and fun, now that both families seem to have settled into each other, what's come next?

7.5/10 Meet the Parents is mostly good, i had a genuinely fun time with it, it's a very entertaining comedy with a very enjoyable cast and performance, especially Robert De Niro, who's always enjoyable when he leans into lighter, less serious roles. What really works is how chaotic Greg's visit with the Byrnes family becomes, everything that can go wrong does go wrong, particularly from Jack's perspective, and the film keeps that tension going almost the entire time, it rarely slows down, which keeps things engaging and consistently funny. That said, the resolution doesn't quite stick the landing, the way everything wraps up feels a bit rushed and less satisfying than it could've been, it's like the film spends so much time building the tension, then resolves it a little too quickly, still, a few funny moments at the end help soften that issue. Overall, Meet the Parents is a solid, funny, and entertaining introduction to the Byrnes family, it captures the chaos of Greg's situation really well and clearly sets the stage for what's to come, it seems like the story and relationships will grow on me more in the next films.

The film knows that if its structured and concluded in the most generic way, the audience will suffer, Jessica Tandy is so good at playing her character and we all know why she will be a pain to watch, not in a good way if they do the other way, but thankfully, she never does. I really love how the film shifts so beautifully in the middle, what starts as a complicated, sometimes tense relationship between Miss Daisy and Hoke slowly turns into something genuinely warm and meaningful, their bond feels real because it's built through small moments, disagreements, and shared experiences over time. Morgan Freeman delivers a lovely performance and full of charm, while Dan Aykroyd, in one of his rare serious roles, also does a great job, Hans Zimmer score sits beautifully in the background, the makeup work, showing the characters aging over the years, is also very well done. At its core, this is a gentle, heartfelt journey between two old folkes in a time that wasn't always fair, their simple conversations, small arguments, and everyday rides together become the heart of the film, and they're genuinely a joy to watch. If i had one small criticism, it's that Morgan Freeman's performance can occasionally feel almost too polished, like it leans a bit too much into perfection at times, most people probably won't notice it, and honestly, it doesn't take away much, he's still terrific overall. In the end, Driving Miss Daisy is a warm, sincere, and beautifully told story that stays with you.

I love a good story, and this film really feels like a reflection of storytelling itself, the way the narrator tells and writes the story inside Harold's head is such a fascinating and unique idea, it constantly reminds you how important a story is, especially how it ends. I also really enjoyed seeing Will Ferrell step into a more serious role, he's mostly known for comedy, but when he leans into something more grounded like this, his performance is genuinely impressive, and i also really like Marc Forster's directing style in this film, it fits the tone really well. At its core, the film explores what Dustin Hoffman's character says, "The ultimate meaning to which all stories refer has two faces: the continuity of life, the inevitability of death, tragedy you die, comedy you get hitched", the film explores that theme through Harold and it represents two of those faces really well, "This may sound like gibberish to you, but i think i'm in a tragedy", oh, poor Harold. But like most good stories, the film still try it best to find the best possible way to end the story, and in the end, Stranger Than Fiction no longer feels strange, it becomes something genuinely beautiful in its own way, and it works.

Dangerous Minds portrays racially segregated neighborhoods and the harsh reality of the lives shaped within them, where education and future goals often don't align with what they should be, these students live in constant tension, where even small conflicts can carry serious consequences, and higher education rarely feels like a real possibility, it's a tough truth, but it's a reality the film doesn't shy away from. What the film does so well is present this world through a lens that feels almost like Dead Poets Society, with Michelle Pfeiffer stepping into a role reminiscent of Robin Williams, surprisingly, that approach works, the story isn't just about troubled kids finally get their attitude together, it goes deeper than that, from the poet teaching style, and the inspiration from Dylan's poetic symbolic words from his lyrics, to each student's personal struggle that still remains tied to the environment they come from, and the film never lets you forget it. You don't just root for Pfeiffer's character, you start to genuinely care about the students themselves, you understand them, you see how their interests slowly grow, even with all their flaws, it's a fascinating perspective. There's even a moment, that wasn't meant to hit emotionally, but it did, it caught me off guard, and suddenly i felt it, that's where the film truly connects, Dangerous Minds is great.

Personally, i think Duel, Steven Spielberg's first film before Jaws, feels even more menacing than the shark itself, the non-stop terror that keeps on going throughout the film, it's fascinating. What impressed me the most is the filmmaking, especially the camera work, from the long opening sequence shot from the car perspective to the sudden cuts and slow, tension building movements, everything is handled with precision, it creates this uneasy feeling that just keeps tightening, and there were moments where my heart was genuinely pounding because of the uncertainty. I also want to give credit to Dennis Weaver, who completely sells the performance, he carries the film in a way that makes every reaction feel real, and honestly, whoever handled the truck deserves recognition too, the vehicle itself feels like a character. What's impressive is that, despite being mostly set on the road and centered around a continuous chase, it never feels boring, the film grabs your attention early and doesn't lose it. My only issue is that at times David Mann could have tried a few smarter or more creative ways to escape or uncover the driver identity, still, that's a small complaint, overall, Duel is a fantastic film, even when you don't consider it as Spielberg's debut, it's an intense, uncomfortable 90-minute ride that keeps you on edge the whole time.

I'm not being biased just because i'm a Jackson fan, but this is honestly one of the best biopics i've ever seen, and truly, i don't think anyone could've done it better than Jaafar, it's epic, it's not enough, and i already want more of Michael as soon as possible. What Jaafar accomplishes here is fascinating, it never feels like he's just imitating his uncle, he becomes Michael, the voice, the gestures, the movement, the dancing, the charm, even the personality, it's all there, and honestly, i don't mind the look, because what matters most in a biopic is how the actor embodies the person, and Jaafar absolutely nails it, i was genuinely in awe of his performance. The film grabs you from the very first second and doesn't let go until the end, it moves like a song, a great, upbeat one, nonstop, pulling you into its rhythm, it's the most exciting musical journey i've experienced in a long time, probably since Bohemian Rhapsody. Colman Domingo as Joseph Jackson is also incredible, both he and Jaafar deliver two of my favorite performances of the year, Antoine Fuqua's direction is strong, and the recreations of Michael's iconic music videos and moments are stunning. The film doesn't try to cover everything, and it's clearly not even half of Michael's life, this story needs to continue, whether future parts will address the more complicated aspects of his life is still a question, especially considering the involvement of the estate, It's a tricky situation, but if they maintain this level of accuracy and detail, then eventually, they'll have to confront those parts too, we'll just have to see how they handle it. For the phase of his life that the film focuses on, his relationship with his father, his genius, and his creativity, it delivers more than just entertainment, it feels like an event, a grand, spectacular biopic experience that i haven't felt in years, i honestly wouldn't have minded another two hours, it flew by, i loved it, it's easily my favorite movie of the year, Michael is a magical experience.

I can honestly say i had a great time, and i'm really thankful for the invitation, at first, it all feels pretty straightforward, like a normal love story playing out on screen, nothing too special or unexpected, but once things start to take a turn, that's when it becomes something genuinely unique. That's the moment i realized this "invitation" was far more intriguing, creative, and different than it first appeared, it's dark, very dark, but in a way that's hilariously entertaining, what a love story this couple has, what a journey, what a night, honestly, it might be the most fcked-up wedding party i've ever attended. Zendaya and Robert Pattinson are great, but the entire cast delivers solid performance, i really like Kristoffer Borgli's directing style, what The Drama offers in terms of storytelling feels rare, it's fresh. This could've easily turned into just another marriage drama that doesn't quite hold your attention, but the dark sense of humor elevates everything, it gives the film its identity and adds real value from an audience perspective, i found myself laughing, surprised, and completely drawn into the film the whole time, overall, The Drama is one hell of a wedding crasher.

7.5/10 My admiration really goes to all the classic Hollywood performances, especially Gene Kelly, whose presence here is effortlessly charming, between the dancing and the singing, he carries the film with a kind of energy that feels timeless. From a storytelling perspective, Singin' in the Rain is genuinely engaging and unique, i love numbers like Singin' in the Rain and Good Morning, but not every musical sequence worked for me, that's more about personal taste than anything else, and i can easily see why others would enjoy all of them. What stood out most to me was how funny and interesting the story is, supported by strong performances across the cast, that said, Lina Lamont might be one of the most irritating characters i've ever seen, i understand that's exactly the point of her role, but at times it felt a bit too much, a few musical numbers also felt slightly dragged in terms of pacing, they're well-executed from a production standpoint, but they don't always keep the momentum going, it's a bit ironic that the film is most celebrated for its musical elements, because for me, that's actually the weakest aspect overall. Still, outside of that, Singin' in the Rain remains a charming, funny, and well-written film with a fantastic lead performance and fun dance choreography, even if not every song fully lands for me.

There's nothing better than a movie that goes straight to the point, starts strong and ends just as strong, some films don't need to overcomplicate things, they let the story guide everything, slowly pulling the audience along without revealing too much, keeping you unsure of what's coming next, especially between these two incredibly well-written characters. Ethan Hawke delivers a really solid performance here, but Denzel is on a completely different level, it's hard to imagine anyone else in that role, what really stands out, though, is the storytelling, it's not the most original concept, nor does it reinvent anything, but that doesn't matter when everything else is done this well. The pacing is tight, the filmmaking is sharp, the writing is consistently strong, great performances, and great storytelling, it's those simple things that make a near perfect film, Training Day is incredible.

8.5/10 Spike Lee's prequel to Bad 25 feels, in many ways, similar to its predecessor, how much you connect with it really comes down to your personal view of Michael Jackson, especially as an artist, as a huge fan, i'm clearly part of the target audience, but even then, i think it's fair to have your own ranking of his work, Off the Wall has never quite been my go to Jackson album, but i still really love it, it's easily in my top five, maybe even top three, just behind Thriller and Bad, i enjoy every track, and i genuinely love most of them. Where the documentary works best is in exploring the album's creation, it does touch on the "Journey from Motown" aspect, as the title suggests, but what feels missing is a deeper look into why Michael chose to make Off the Wall in the first place, not just the process, but the motivation behind it, that's the gap i felt the most. Another thing that didn't quite land for me is the emotional weight, Bad 25 really built up to something powerful, especially toward the end, maybe it's because there's no equivalent to "Man in the Mirror" here, but that emotional payoff just isn't as strong, this documentary wraps up more by emphasizing the album's success, which is fine, i have no problem with it at all, but it doesn't hit the same emotional note. That said, i still thoroughly enjoyed it, it's a terrific story, filled with interesting insights and conversations, and it's put together really well, Spike Lee once again does a solid job capturing this chapter of Jackson's career, i just hope he continues exploring more of Michael's discography, because i'd definitely watch the next one.

I'm usually not a big fan of talking-head interview-style documentaries, and with a runtime of 2 hours and 11 minutes, i thought i'm gonna be incredibly bored by it, but then i forgot that the subject matter of the documentary is Michael Jackson's Bad, i'm a huge Michael Jackson fan, and Bad isn't just my favorite album of his, it's one of my favorite albums of all time, i love every single track on it, they're all classics, all masterpieces, so of course i'm gonna enjoy it from start to finish. Bad 25 also deserves credit for its unseen footage, which is genuinely fascinating to watch, more importantly, the conversations throughout the film really work, you hear from people who were not only directly involved, participate, and work with Michael, but also musicians who are simply fans, and that mix makes everything feel more personal and engaging, i was hooked the entire time. I even got a bit emotional near the end, especially when the "Man in the Mirror" section kicks in and carries through to the closing moments, ending the film with a performance from the tour is a powerful choice, and it really lands. Overall, Spike Lee does a decent job from a filmmaking standpoint, but what truly makes Bad 25 special is the subject itself, the man, the music, the stories, the footage, and the people, it comes together as a heartfelt celebration of one of the greatest albums of all time, at least in my opinion.