Marty Supreme set in the 1950s told and directed by Josh Safdie is incredible. Chalamet without a doubt may rob this Oscar in gains of dreaming big with ping pong. This is more than a sports drama; it's a thought-provoking character study of a narcissist trying to achieve something bigger that is not dirt.
PTA finally got a film called One Battle After Another and after seeing it on IMAX, I can confidently say that his by far the best works he ever made. Didn't expect Leonardo DiCaprio and PTA to work together and the performances were truly extraordinary. The use of music by Jonny Greenwood and the edgy cinematography elevated this film to a whole another level of dark comedy meets Grand Theft Auto. Sean Penn's character made me hate him so much that he's right up there where Anton Chigurh and Joker are at and he absolutely crushed it. Politics aside, the whole story of this thriller is insane.
Anora is a masterpiece. It's sexy, funny, and depressing as hell how ugly this world can get. The acting by Mikey Madison is not to miss on the big screen and this film is almost anxiety induced as Uncut Gems. Crazy how much emphasis and detail they put into this film and Sean Baker nailed it.
Joker Folíe a Deux is unsurprisingly the sequel people weren't expecting ever since Todd Phillips announced this film to be a musical and it was meh. The production design, acting, and cinematography are still effective in this sequel, but the plot - not so much. The grittiness surrounding Arthur Fleck and Gotham are still there, but the whole concept served as a characature in Fleck's mind which delivered some so-so result. Phoenix and Gaga still shine throughout the whole film, but the story that was told by Phillips and Scott Silver didn't hold up nicely which inconsistent issues in narrative tone. I guess Joker Folíe a Deux is The Hangover Part II alright. Somehow, the technical aspect of the entire film followed by Phillips' direction still had me engaged aside from the messy script.
After so many years of waiting for Francis Ford Coppola to unveil his long-awaited unmade epic, Megalopolis is perhaps the worst film he has ever made matching to the likes of Tommy Wiseau's The Room. Whether this film is intentionally funny or not, this film suffers on a lot of problems that made this viewing experience difficult to understand for the audience. I was glad I have survived seeing Coppola's latest and possibly his last film he got to make after all these years, and I really don't think this is the epic I envisioned from Coppola.
Challengers directed by the visionary Luca Guadagnino, is an absolute triumph of cinema that leaves audiences breathless and exhilarated. From its stunning cinematography to its poignant storytelling, every aspect of this film is a masterpiece that captures the title of the film and it's pretty damn good.
Dune Part Two is a masterpiece that brilliantly expands upon the rich universe established in the first installment, delivering a captivating narrative filled with intricate characters, political intrigue, and epic scale. Trust me, you're in a ride of your life in this epic film.
After five years after Ethan Hunt's sixth chapter concluded in Fallout, Dead Reckoning is what I called a Part One done right. Mission Impossible Dead Reckoning Part One is a fun action film that will make you grip onto Ethan Hunt's new chapter as it packs a great narrative that will satisfy everyone. It may not top Fallout in terms of everything, but it has the touch that will making you beg for more for part two.
Ever since the first John Wick came out nearly 10 years ago, the movie is all about a loving family man goes on a vengeful rampage after his dog gets killed and we can see why how dangerous Baba Yaga is. Fast forward 2023, our beloved assassin is back and the fourth chapter of the John Wick franchise is remarkable. If the Oscars does not recognize this film for any categories, I'll be so upset. This movie is amazing and the brilliant action sequences followed by a smart linear direction by Chad Stahelski is the best thing I've ever seen in film history. It's impossible to believe that Keanu Reeves still got it after taking big hits and risks to make this film so special. Everything about this film is amazing especially production design and cinematography standpoint. This is perhaps the best action quadrilogy ever made. Who knows what will the franchise take next? And we certainly know that Ana de Armas' John Wick spinoff Ballerina is certainly around the corner.
RIP Lance ****.
Two words that describe Andrew Dominik's Blonde: Holy **** Blonde is gorgeous, devastating, and shockingly beautiful all around as Ana de Armas gave her best performance of her career. I could see Oscar waving hi to Ana next year as she triumphs her role as Marilyn Monroe. I guess that NC-17 rating says it all and let's just say watch it at your own risk. Just be warned though, this movie is not a very pleasant watch as some events revolving Norma Jeane's life is fictionalized.
Top Gun: Maverick is how a modern day action movie should be when blending in the past and the present. Let's just say that Tom Cruise is still the best action star alive rapidly approaching 60 when he pulls off stunts like that. Surprisingly enough, the sound design in this film is what got me to love this sequel so much even if it's a standalone film. Top Gun: Maverick is without a doubt the best action sequels ever made standing right next to Terminator 2 and Blade Runner 2049. No weirdness, less modern day clichés/societal sensitivity, and more nostalgia that feels like an actual 90s movie. Thank God.
I have never seen a revenge epic like this since The Revenant and Robert Egger's The Northman is one of those films that will be talked about years to come. It's a Viking cinematographical masterpiece at its full glory.
This is by far one of the very underrated hood dramas ever shaded by Hollywood. And the Oscar worthy performance by Samuel L. Jackson with the talented Clifton Collins Jr. shows it all in this depressing 90s East LA drama. Even though the movie's been written by an actual teacher, the script can be janky all around but still holds up quite nicely in film history showing the dark side of high school back in the 90s. No wonder why Rockstar Games thought of Samuel L. Jackson and Clifton Collins Jr. to reprise their personas for Grand Theft Auto San Andreas.
Let's just say that Robert Pattinson brought the Vampire out of him and became the best Bat Vigilante that Gotham needs right now in the DCEU. The Batman is so suspenseful asf to the point where cinematographical rage erupts out of Robert Pattinson since The Lighthouse and it's a pretty damn good time to see The Battinson kick ass.
Avi Arad ruined Uncharted so he can get his box office paycheck. As a result, Uncharted is cheesy and detrimental to the point where it looks like a cheap TV movie where action scenes feel fake. Talking about a huge missed opportunity right there if Dan Trachtenberg or David O' Russell directed the live adaptation of the smash hit masterpiece made by Naughty Dog.
Holy Macaroni, House of Gucci is so messy that the Italian accents in this movie made it so funny despite it's a film directed by Ridley Scott. This film is basically a fashion biography that reminded me of #Joker, but it was a fun campy watch alright and Lady Gaga's acting chops shows it all.
Before Star Wars and Game of Thrones were a big thing in today's sci-fi Hollywood lore, there's Dune and Denis Villeneuve's visual interpretation of Dune is a cinematographical epic that must be seen on the big screen. Before diving down to the point, Dune is impossible to translate on the big screen as there were attempts that other filmmakers tried to do with Dune but never worked. Acclaimed Director of Mulholland Drive, David Lynch, tried to faithfully adapt Frank Herbert's Dune, but messed up due to studio interference all thanks to Universal for messing him up. Then, there was Ridley Scott and his vision of Dune was never seen due to personal tragedy which had him abort the project because of it. And lastly, there's legendary cult Chilean filmmaker, Alejandro Jodorowsky, known for his trippy indie films such as El Topo and The Holy Mountain and his savage version of Dune was the best movie never made all thanks to studios being greedy for not trusting him from adapting the impossible as he completed everything by creating the look and officially casting the warriors (Pink Floyd, Mick Jagger, Orson Welles, David Carradine, Salvador Dali, Udo Kier, and a name of few..) before it was scrapped from us. Jodorowsky's Dune was way ahead of its time that most sci-fi films paid tribute to greatest movie never made and I highly recommend watching his documentary before seeing the big thing in theaters or at home. Now lets fast forward to the present, we finally gotten Denis Villeneuve's Dune, and his vision of Dune is massive, provocative, and violently superb in each and every way that this film presented. The scope of Arrakis is enormous and uncharted in a way that makes the action sequences in this epic adaptation so badass as the music by the legendary Hans Zimmer and the terrific instant Oscar-worthy winning cinematography by Grieg Fraser steps in as Paul Atreides with his badass father Duke Leto and the Fremen fight the Sardaukar aka House Horkennen from taking the spice away from the planet. There's no doubt that Denis Villeneuve gets the long awaited Oscar attention he deserves after adapting the impossible of how complex Frank Herbert wrote Dune and it is masterfully faithful from the book. The characters in this film are awesome and realistic, the visual effects and costume/production design are immaculate crafted, and the story is mad epic for part one. It can be a bit baffling for some that don't understand how complex Dune is or thinking it's wokey pokey, but the action sequences and narrative tension in this epic is what made Denis Villeneuve's Dune so unique compared to Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings franchise and Denis Villeneuve is the easily the best director working today and there's no doubt that Part Two must be made whenever he's ready to make it so we could see the glimpse of House Corrino and the feared Feyd Rautha in action.
Well, this is it, this is Daniel Craig's last modern day 007 film and James Bond's final chapter in No Time to Die is a proper way to sendoff Daniel Craig with a bang. No Time to Die is cunning, ferocious, romantic, and stylistic of how this Bond installment presented and the two hour and thirty plus minute runtime makes up for everything after six years in the making. The directing by True Detective's Cary Joji **** is spot-on when the action sequences and tension blends naturally, the sound design is immaculate, and the new and reoccurring cast of characters are pretty good and well written. It can be a questionable ending for many, but No Time to Die entirely makes up for everything that Spectre has done. And there's no doubt that No Time to Die is worth seeing it at the big screen to help celebrate Daniel Craig's iconic portrayal of the 007 Agent we all know and love for one last time.
Like Black Panther, Shang-Chi is fun, exhilarating, and wise, but the formula gets tiring with no originality put into it whatsoever like every MCU film that came out in recent memory.
This reminds you so much of a Soderbergh meets a Safdie Bros film that involves virtual sex and gentrification. And the whole idea behind PVT Chat perfectly describes how relatable when it comes to finding love through an erotic website with compromise.
After DCEU and WB had a rocky road on what to take with their DCEU lore, James Gunn's take of The Suicide Squad is probably the best thing that ever happened in a long time. First of all, this movie is HILARIOUS and I have no freaking idea where to start. Not to mention that this is the goriest DC film that matches the quality how the suicide squad is portrayed in the comics and Gunn has done justice. Secondly, the narrative structure with its characters are heartfelt in which us as the audience can easily care for. (Expect a lot of memes on Polkadot Man and you'll see how relevant he is to us and King Shark lol) Almost everyone from the original hot topic Ayer directed PG13 Suicide Squad are back and this sequel-boot has brought in justice done right. Let's not forget to mention that James Gunn's Harley Quinn is the most definitive Harley Quinn we've got and Margot Robbie killed it again since her recent appearance in her Birds of Prey spinoff. The cast is great, the production design is convincingly sharp, and the overall presentation in terms of narrative is just icing on the cake. If I were you, I may see this in theaters before the Delta Variant gets even worse because this is the best DC film we've got.
LeBron James' ego inevitably trashed what Space Jam is all about and it's a darn shame that Warner Bros got along with it. No wonder why the first Space Jam film had heart unlike this heartless follow-up. And the sequel is easily forgettable if you ask me.
What is a single word to describe Zola? Dazzling. Believe it or not, it's equally good as American Honey and Hustlers in a way that explores freedom and revelation. The cinematography by The Girlfriend Experience's Ari Wegner is a beauty that can't be slept on as Riley Keough and first timer Taylour Paige shines throughout this biopic that inspired a series of tweets that made Twitter talk in 2015.
Finally we got the Snyder cut and it is sure as **** that it ain't no masterpiece as you would've expect from a Zack Snyder film. The movie is quite good! The meh writing by Chris Terrio and CGI is still there, but the content that was removed from the crappy final film by Joss Whedon entirely makes up for it. Additionally, that four-hour feature length is somehow pretty good to see how the film opens up and ends the story and it certainly did not disappoint a bit. All I can say is, The Snyder Cut is better than BvS: Ultimate Edition hands down especially with all the content we did not expected to see and the society we did not see in our eyes. And of course, this film is made for the fans demanded by the fans and Zack Snyder delivered it just in time.
After Diana Prince saved the DCEU from critics in 2017, it is safe to say that her follow up in 1984 still makes her wonderful. It might not be the strongest hit that Diana Prince have in mind against Kristen Wiig's Cheetah due to overloaded CGI, but it is still one of the better DCEU movies I've seen in recent memory.
Nomadland is truly a swan song when Frances McDormand gives her very best in this masterfully directed flick by Chloe Zhao. The raw emotion in this film that captures the struggles of homelessness of being a nomad will make you realize something can be possible thanks to the portrayal of this film.
David Fincher’s Mank can be classified as a work of art, somehow, it feels very familiar to what Quentin Tarantino has done with Once Upon a Time In Hollywood in terms of historical significance by retelling cinema history and Mank says it all.
Jagshemash! The Well Known Kazakh Reporter, Borat Sagdiyev, is finally back after fourteen years hiding behind the curtains of shame and it is safe to say that his Subsequent Movie Film: Delivery of Prodigious Bribe to American Regime for Make Benefit Once Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan is about as funny as the first which is very nice! There’s no doubt that the Kazakh government would execute Borat after documenting his newest adventures in today’s pandemic/socially charged America. This subsequent film is nowhere closer as having Azamat's fat hairy balls sitting on Borat’s face naked while fighting over Pamela Anderson master-laughter level, but it is definitely worth your time seeing Borat go naughty-naughty to those that he crosses paths with in Trump/Pennis’ America with his 15 year old Daughter exposing what's real or not – great success!
Fascinating piece of documentary that needs to be seen if you're a fan of Alejandro Jodorowsky's explicit work. If it was made, this would make Dune "The Godfather" over Star Wars.
A movie about a man and his cow and who wouldn't that this is one of the best films I have ever seen in a long time. You got definitely had me there with that one A24.
After the events of Suicide Squad, it is safe to say that Harley Quinn's break up with "The Joker" actually worked quite well in Birds of Prey. What turns out to be a surprise is the stunt choreography led by John Wick's Chad Stahelski and the colorful cinematography. And everything else except a cheap one-dimensional villain is just icing on the cake. DCEU finally has a good R-Rated film and it didn't disappoint. Is it bad and feminist as Captain Marvel? Nope, but it's certainly a bloody good time seeing these women kicking ass in this gritty Tarantino-like DC flick. At least I didn't drink bleach after seeing it.
This movie **** more than Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones. Boy o boy, this last installment of the Skywalker saga will piss every fan off of how underwhelming the finale is compared to previous Star Wars films. Don't know if it's Chris Terrio's writing or Colin Trevorrow's original idea effed the whole plot up. But JJ Abrams still tried his best to conclude the saga as best as possible. Like goddamn it, what happened?!
Executively produced by Martin Scorsese with Joker's Emma Tillinger Koskoff and directed by The Safdie Bros, Uncut Gems is a genuine bloody good time seeing Adam Sandler giving his very best performance since PTA's Punch Drunk Love. I ain't gonna trip just yet, but Adam Sandler needs to get an Oscar nomination for this film ASAP. Or not, he's gonna do Jack and Jill 2 if that happens.
Joker is deep, immaculate, powerful, and triumphant as you witness Joaquin Phoenix giving the Oscar winning performance of his entire career as the Clown Prince of Crime in 1970’s unforgiving Gotham City. All thanks to Todd Phillips’ inspiration from Martin Scorsese’s Taxi Driver and The King of Comedy, it is safe to say that this film is one of those films that will be talked about for a very long time. And there is no doubt that Joker can deliver a mature fish out of water story that is dark and psychologically brooding that every comic book fan needs to see. May the future of DC Black begin…
So I finally saw Rambo: Last Blood and it wasn't very bueno. And what amazes me most about this movie is that they are trying so hard to be like Sicario: Day of the Soldado in a way that's mindless and relevant that presses the audience buttons in a good way or in the bad way by keeping these bad hombres out of the country kind of way. Either way, this film is just a mindless cashgrabbing action thriller that can be enjoyed if you don't care about the plot. Sly still got it in this last installment of Rambo though except that it was bad in a 360° narrative and technical perspective.
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is probably one of those films that you need to see once in a lifetime. And Quentin Tarantino sure knows how to send a love letter properly to the golden age of Hollywood that blends humor and mystery in an all-in-one starstudded package. Most people won't buy it, but there is something truly spectacular about it in terms of art and history behind this film. And yes, Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt were a fantastic acting duo in this QT directed flick and so are the main and supporting A2B-listers. I recommend seeing this twice or in 35mm/70mm at your local Alamo Drafthouse Cinema if you're lucky enough. Ain't gonna lie, but this is one of those movies that will get you talking for a while.
Rocketman is one of the most linear biopics I ever seen based on Elton John's life, especially when the script and the fantastic performance by Taron Edgerton clicks it in a way that could be admirable to fans. And yes, it's 2x better than the choppy Bohemian Rhapsody aside from Malek's fantastic performance. I hope a David Bowie biopic is in the works.
Guy Ritchie's take on the beloved animated Disney hit Aladdin is not what you expect, instead, it was rather very cliché to watch. Especially when the writing feels so exhausting and intricate to follow in terms of building a whole new world. Sorry Will Smith, it's not your fault..
The latest entry of the John Wick franchise is back and it did not disappoint. Not to mention that there are lots of guns and shots that will make you feel accommodated in The Continental hotel thanks to the masterfully superb stunt choreography and neon color palette.
You Were Never Really Here is one of those films that will make you shock and awe of how brilliantly crafted and masterfully shot this film is compared to the qualities of Drive and No Country for Old Men. No wonder why Joaquin Phoenix is making moves on being one of the very best actors in Hollywood history.
Zero Dark Thirty is an excellent film that is based on an actual event that impacted U.S. history and it safe to say that the use of narrative and technical design of this film worked naturally. And Jessica Chastain is a shining diamond throughout this whole film without a doubt. No wonder why Kathryn Bigelow is the best female director of all-time when pulling off such movies like this alongside with a terrific cast and crew that helped make Zero Dark Thirty happen.
After one heck of a cliffhanger that Thanos pulled off in Infinity War, it is safe to say that Endgame is without a doubt, the very best MCU film ever assembled in recent memory. Not gonna lie, this is probably the most fun I ever had when I first saw Joss Whedon’s take on The Avengers in 2012 and holy schmidt, it’s a gamechanger in the history of comic book movies. Interestingly enough, the film felt like Return of the King in a way that feels badass and emotional and it did not disappoint. Expect for a cultural and historical significance in the history textbooks as the box office numbers does set sail for a staggering $2.5-3B blockbuster margin at the worldwide box office within the first two months ahead. Is Avengers: Endgame worth the hype? Obviously, if I were you take a worthy bathroom break and sneak in some goodies or two before the main event starts rolling because it’s a satisfying conclusion you don’t want to miss.
Blindspotting is one of these social flicks that will get you talking and thinking deeply about what is going on around us, especially if you’re living in a city filled with boundaries. No wonder why this film got me good when Daveed Diggs and Rafael Casal presented us their unique take on radical injustice.
Bronson is defined as a film that’s notorious under Charles Bronson name and Tom Hardy’s portrayal as the showstopping prisoner truly shines throughout the whole film thanks to the excellent coherent direction led by Nicolas Winding Refn.
You Don’t Mess with the Zohan considers to be Dennis Dugan’s “best work” when he combines the awful slapstick humor elements and satire together in a way that would get you socially and politically. And yes, this film and Click are the only decent flicks that’s actually worth seeing Adam Sandler getting crazy.
Shazam! is one of the funniest DCEU films ever made and perhaps one of the most heartfelt films ever crafted sitting right next to Wonder Woman. If I were you, stick all the way to the end of the movie and a surprise or two will come up thanks to the remarkable coherent direction that DC/David Sandberg has taken in terms of creating a great family superhero movie. And yes, Captain Marvel is better than 'Captain Marvel' alright.
This film broke every boundary and obstacle in order to create a believable story that relates to today's society (it relates to me as well) and surprisingly enough, it's one of the best films ever crafted with such passion and realism that makes you shock and wonder all around.
Mid90s is a 90s-like film that you have to appreciate, especially if you're from an urban background in rough neighborhoods. It's funny, deep, and depressing of how relatable Jonah Hill's movie is compared to my childhood. No wonder why Boi/Atreus (Sunny Suljic) is getting that sunburn in this skate classic compared to Larry Clark's Kids and The Wassup Rockers skate joint.
