Rorschach Posted March 15 Author Share Posted March 15 November MBWII: The Second Monster Bug Wars Spoiler Spoiler Now, normally, I don’t disapprove of random fuckery occurring in films, provided it feels justified and/or funny, but man, that cameo in the third act took me out for a minute or two. Took a dumb fun film and just made it plain dumb for the sake of it. At least this film is not a literal scam like the two copycat spin-off films that came before it. The Second Water War Spoiler Spoiler I can’t even recall the first Water War flick (I don’t even remember what year it came out, tbh). Not that it matters, either way; this is pretty much standard kids’ fodder with a fun ski resort setting and some decent messages about privilege & class division. Not substantially special, but it’s not like this was made with hefty ambitious storytelling in mind—an okay winter season timewaster at the theater. Soil Spoiler Spoiler Not exactly an easy film to talk or write about, that’s for sure. I even had to go back and re-read it again just to fully wrap my head around it, given how subtle certain scenes in this play out (not a bad thing, whatsoever). It wasn’t until I read McKill’s Top 25 write-up that the story’s intentions fully clicked for me: written from the perspective of an outsider providing a certain service to those in need, it intentionally keeps you at a distance, but never enough to come off as cold and detached. It approaches its subject matter with deep empathy – heavily anchored by a heartwrenching performance from Sophie Bartlett – and overall feels like a much-needed, reassuring hug (a quality that I’ve noticed quite a few films from this year share in common). Probably the one film from this year that’s really stuck with me for some time after reading it. The Unseen Spoiler Spoiler Found this one decently compelling, up until the very end when it hammers home its faith-based messaging in a way that, personally, just didn’t sit right for me. On top of that, the abrupt and unsatisfying conclusion just completely sours the experience altogether. It's a well-intentioned film, no doubt about that, but in execution, it leaves so much to be desired. 3 Hearts, 3 Fires Spoiler More like Baddy G, amirite? For Queen and Country Spoiler See my Red Flag review. Let's Eat Dad Spoiler It’s fair to say that the last couple of years have made me extremely ambivalent towards Taika Waititi, who followed up his Oscar-winning Jojo Rabbit with two mediocre duds that have inadvertently soured me on him as a filmmaker. With that said, I don’t hate the guy, considering he co-directed one of my favorite comedies from the 2010s, so I’m willing to give anything he does a shot. This brings us to his newest film, which in a lot of ways feels like a mini return to form more in line with his earlier works. I dug the main premise, and, as McKill said, I like how it carefully sweeps the rug out from under you of what’s truly about into something much more thoughtful. Though I will admit that the zany comedy here (a lot of which deals with Chris Pine’s villain character towards the end) works a little less than the actual dramatic core of the narrative, I think that said narrative is strong enough to overcome some of the mixed-bag humor thrown at you. Wagner Moura and Dedé Santana are clear standouts here, especially the latter as the titular dad character. For sure, one of the more memorable films to come out of this year. King of Kings Spoiler Yeah, the white-washed casting here does bring a bit of sour baggage to the experience, but I won’t lie and say that I didn’t still enjoy it for what it was – a big-budget, sword-and-sandals biblical epic that delivers on spectacle, with some good performances at its center. Not bad. More Than Just a Residency Spoiler Slay!!! The Quest for Buster's Bones Spoiler Yeah, I liked this one. The commitment to the old-school style of animation alone is enough to scratch a bit of a nostalgic itch for me, and the actual story itself, simple as it is, ain’t half bad, leading to some very fun cartoon antics that got quite a few laughs out of me. A good watch. Cloud Cuckoo Land Spoiler First and foremost, this film (and, by extension, the source material it's based on) owes a lot to Cloud Atlas. Some might take more of an issue with this than others, as there are times when this feels pretty derivative of that film’s narrative structure. Rest assured, though, this is not at all an Academy-level blunder. In fact, I’d go as far as to say this film is quite good… mostly. If there is one problem that holds over from Cloud Atlas, it's that not every storyline quite works. In this film’s case, I didn’t find either of the 1400s-era stories all that interesting, whereas I was hooked on the 20th-century, present-day, and distant future stories. Not sure which ones others will gravitate toward but that’s where I land. I found everything about Jake T. Austin’s character – a closeted Korean War veteran librarian who becomes obsessed with translating the fictional titular story – especially compelling and the clear stand-out storyline of the bunch. What I do think the film as a whole pulls off quite well is how it bridges a few of these storylines together in an extremely satisfying fashion, building up to a very riveting second half that pulls everything together into a fitting bow. No doubt, an ambitious feature that overcomes its slight familiarity with another (better) film to deliver something that’s at least quite fascinating and thought-provoking. Meme Run Spoiler *Me contemplating everything I did wrong in my life that led me to the theater showing me this "film".* 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rorschach Posted March 15 Author Share Posted March 15 (edited) December My Winter Retreat Spoiler Spoiler Disappointingly straight and serious for a Rob Zombie picture. You’d think a winter-themed slasher he directed would be at least memorably funny, but neither is the case here. An unfortunate director-for-hire gig for the guy. SSX Tricky Spoiler Spoiler A decently entertaining action film that amps up the goofiness of its predecessor even more with a “world-ending” threat this go-around. Like the first film, your enjoyment of this hinges on your enjoyment of seeing people rip some powder, which I do, so I got some enjoyment out of it. Happy Together Spoiler Spoiler Not a lot to say about this one, other than it's trash… my kind of trash. Really hope to see more films like this one in the future. Gateways II: The Empire of Zenith Spoiler Spoiler Hmmmmmmmm. Admittedly, I’m not as enamored with this as I thought I was hoping to be. It’s a shame because there are a lot of good elements at play here. If there is one thing I’ll give it, it's a clear love letter to several different animation styles, which this showcases and seamlessly blends to form possibly one of the most ambitiously creative big-budget films seen in this game. From a purely aesthetic standpoint, this is near-perfect. But unfortunately, I don’t think the story quite comes together to deliver a fully complete experience. From a slightly repetitive structure in the middle section to an overstuffed cast of characters constantly vying for attention (aside from the titular villain, none of the new characters make much of an impression, tbh), I felt this desperately needed to reign its ambitions in a bit and slim itself down to something just a little more streamlined to feel like a cohesive whole. Certainly, though, you can’t fault it for trying to reach those heights, but I think it needed a stronger foundation to get there. Still, a solid enough picture that’s got a lot on its mind and delivers spectacularly on an audiovisual front. Hidden Blood Spoiler The Library of Babel Spoiler Spoiler An intriguing idea for a premise, but also far too abstract and limited to work as a feature narrative. There’s only so much interest one can have in a film centered around a guy reading books for 2 hours. Probably a good showcase of why some stories just don’t quite translate into feasible adaptations across other mediums as others. Some good production design, though! Floodbath: The Play Spoiler Spoiler An admirable experiment, though at times feels like you’re watching a taped stage version of a theme park stunt show. I’ll just stick with the movie version. Edited March 15 by Rorschach 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rorschach Posted March 15 Author Share Posted March 15 Spoiler The countdown will begin shortly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rorschach Posted March 15 Author Share Posted March 15 Top 10 DisHonorable Mentions (in alphabetical order): Spoiler 51 (dir. Jonathan Liebesman) Spoiler Adam and Cindy ft. Cersei, in Guinea Piggestt (dir. Barry Sonnenfeld) Spoiler Doraemon (dir. Karyn Kusama) Spoiler For Queen and Country (dir. Louis Theroux) Spoiler Lions and Dragons (dir. Troy Quane and Nick Bruno) Spoiler MBWII: The Second Monster Bug Wars (dir. Beth McCarthy-Miller) Spoiler Meme Run (dir. Andy Fickman) Spoiler Paranormal Paranormal (dir. Daniel Stamm) Spoiler Red Flag (dir. Jason Hehir) Spoiler Toppings: A Pizza Romance (dir. Sam Levinson) 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hiccup23 Posted March 15 Share Posted March 15 Two dishonorable mentions! Thank you!! ❤️❤️ 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rorschach Posted March 15 Author Share Posted March 15 The Honorable Mentions Spoiler Fishergirls (dir. Chris Wayan) Spoiler Freedom Day (dir. Levan Gabriadze) Spoiler Life Picture (dir. Lila Neugebauer) Spoiler Old Men Walking (dir. Chris Columbus) Spoiler Operation Finality (dir. Leigh Whannell) 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rorschach Posted March 15 Author Share Posted March 15 25-21 25. Spoiler The Valkyries vs. The Galaxy (dir. Ian Jones-Quartey) 24. Spoiler Room 131 (dir. Tate Taylor) 23. Spoiler The Lottery (dir. Sarah Polley) 22. Spoiler DC's The Siege of Savage (dir. Jeff Fowler) 21. Spoiler Smile (dir. Kirsten Lester) 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rorschach Posted March 15 Author Share Posted March 15 20-16 20. Spoiler Time After Time (dir. Tom Harper) 19. Spoiler Tatiana's Journey (dir. Mike Owens and Shadi Petosky) 18. Spoiler Sony v Nintendo (dir. Lisanne Pajot and James Swirsky) 17. Spoiler The Boy with the Green Eyes (dir. Zach Cregger) 16. Spoiler The Quest for Buster's Bones (dir. Steve Moore) 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hiccup23 Posted March 15 Share Posted March 15 Thanks for #17 and #24! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rorschach Posted March 15 Author Share Posted March 15 (edited) 15-11 15. Spoiler Spoiler The Enormous Radio (dir. Christina Choe) 14. Spoiler Spoiler Happy Together (dir. Adrian Lyne) 13. Spoiler Spoiler Providence (dir. James Wan) 12. Spoiler Spoiler Green Lantern Corps: Evolution (dir. Christopher McQuarrie) 11. Spoiler Spoiler Gateways II: The Empire of Zenith (dir. Jennifer Yuh Nelson and Adam Muto) Edited March 23 by Rorschach 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rorschach Posted March 15 Author Share Posted March 15 10-6 10. Spoiler Let's Eat Dad (dir. Taika Waititi) 9. Spoiler Tailypo (dir. Alexandre Aja) 8. Spoiler Cloud Cuckoo Land (dir. Ridley Scott) 7. Spoiler Maniac Magee (dir. Robert Zemeckis) 6. Spoiler The Legend of Hollis Brown (dir. Clint Eastwood) 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rorschach Posted March 15 Author Share Posted March 15 5-1 5. Spoiler The Set-Up (dir. Claire Scanlon) 4. Spoiler Berserk: The Golden Age (dir. Zack Snyder) 3. Spoiler A Walk in the London Rain (dir. Emma Seligman) 2. Spoiler Penpal (dir. David Robert Mitchell) 1. Spoiler Soil (dir. Charlotte Wells) 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rorschach Posted March 15 Author Share Posted March 15 (edited) Top 25: Spoiler Spoiler Soil Penpal A Walk in the London Rain Berserk: The Golden Age The Set-Up The Legend of Hollis Brown Maniac Magee Cloud Cuckoo Land Tailypo Let’s Eat Dad Gateways II: The Empire of Zenith Green Lantern Corps: Evolution Providence Happy Together The Enormous Radio The Quest for Buster’s Bones The Boy with the Green Eyes Sony v Nintendo Tatiana’s Journey Time After Time Smile DC’s The Siege of Savage The Lottery Room 131 The Valkyries vs. The Galaxy Honorable Mentions: Fishergirls Freedom Day Life Picture Old Men Walking Operation Finality Grades: Spoiler January Sony v Nintendo - B Puckshot - C Money Heist - C+ Toppings: A Pizza Romance - D Operation Finality - B- February Viva Las Vengeance - C Room 131 - B- The Valkyries vs. The Galaxy - B- The Legend of Hollis Brown - B+/B A Ghost Tail - C- March Speed Demon - C Klonoa: Door to the Phantomile - C+ Gran Turismo 2 - C Lions and Dragons - D+ April Father vs. Son - B-/C+ Cruis’n World - C The Enormous Radio - B Stallions - C May Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas - C+ Doraemon - D+ DC’s The Siege of Savage - B/B- The Set-Up - B 12 Angry Veggies: A VeggieTales Movie - C June Old Men Walking - B- Flesh - C+ LittleBigPlanet - C- The Secret That Love Brings - C- July Ping - C 51 - D- Freedom Day - B- Second Dimension: Battle for North Kingdom - B-/C+ The Furby Movie - C Lifeguards - C- The Lottery - B- Green Lantern Corps: Evolution - B Wii Sports: Vacation on Wuhu Island - C- August Tornado - C Tatiana’s Journey - B/B- A Walk in the London Rain - B+ Six Souls - C- Burnout: Revenge - C+ Coyotes Wild - C September Providence - B Smile - B/B- 9/11: Never Forget - B- Adam and Cindy ft. Cersei, in Guinea Piggest - D Fishergirls - B- Kris’ Plan - B-/C+ Sweet Tooth - C+ October Pac-Man - C+ Paranormal Paranormal - D+ The Boy with the Green Eyes - B Monster Farm - C+ The Elevator - C Mouse Hunt - B- Red Flag - C-/D+ Life Picture - B- November MBWII: The Second Monster Bug Wars - C-/D+ The Second Water War - C Soil - B+ The Unseen - C- 3 Hearts 3 Fires - C- For Queen and Country - C-/D+ Let’s Eat Dad - B King of Kings - B- More Than Just a Residency - C The Quest for Buster’s Bones - B Cloud Cuckoo Land - B Meme Run - D December My Winter Retreat - C- SSX Tricky - C+/C Happy Together - B Gateways II: The Empire of Zenith - B Hidden Blood - C- The Library of Babel - C+ Floodbath: The Play - B-/C+ Edited March 15 by Rorschach 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MCKillswitch123 Posted March 15 Share Posted March 15 Thank you so much for three HM's, #23, #19, #18, #16, #15, #8, #6, #3 and especially #1! ❤️ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YM! Posted March 16 Share Posted March 16 Thank you for 10-12. 14, 22 and 25 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rorschach Posted March 24 Author Share Posted March 24 (edited) nvm Edited August 9 by Rorschach Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...