cowboywayfest's Reviews

Seraphim Falls (2006)

4/10

24 March 2024

The story is weak despite the A list Actors who Give it their best. It was cool to see Angie Harmon for a whole 30 seconds. Angelica Huston obviously had fun. Liam and Pierce make a great combo. There's just no story. And what's there is bleak, all about revenge. It portrays everyone in the Era to Only be out for themselves (except the fabulous scene in the mountain family cabin). Even the name is sucky. To compare this to the westerns of the past is ridiculous. Liam Nissin coulda been a John Waynesque figure but his roles just have been too weak.

This movie is rated as having "moderate" Violence & Gore. I'll agree on the gore which generally I can't stand. But this movie is Pure Violence through and through. I found it a waste of time.

Certainly not for anyone sensitive or faint of heart. Even my evil War buff spouse though into be so-so.

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Rescued by Ruby (2022)

10/10

Average should be a high 8 or a 9

31 December 2023

So I gave it a 10 to push up the average. Reading past reviews those who gave it less than a 6 just can't comprehend that every second of a movie does not have to make total sense as long as we feel good watching it. (And those who gave it a 6, wow you have ridiculously high expectations!) This is an excellent feel good movie. No sex, no gore or violence, no language -- just a happily ever after story that some of us want More of!

And it doesn't hurt the eyes that "The Flash" is the star. :) If you love dogs, good movie. If you don't, move on. And if you're looking for a deep experience that's 100% "real" you'll be disappointed. (I bet you're disappointed a lot.) BTW,thank you the review that said, Watch the bloopers at the end. Yup, they're fun. (I don't think this counts as a spoiler).

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Godmothered (2020)

9/10

A feel good without regrets

26 December 2023

One of the better Disney releases in the past decade, especially post 2020!

If male bashing and PC correctness has you on the verge of regurgitating, this is a movie for you.

It IS mostly acted by females but at least the lead fella is actually all guy. No man-buns, no male bashing. Yay! He's actually a devoted father and all around good guy.

And there's nothing in it I wouldn't let a 3 year old watch, hoorah!

Of course it challenges some traditions, this is a 2022 flick,but at least in a generally good way.

And how can you not Love Gary the Raccoon?! (Throw back to Cinderella)

The only confusing thing is in the muddle of Christmas season with its rich cataloge of Holiday music, Disney chose to insert Sound of Music tunes?! Surely there's a Christmas Carol that would worked... though of course we all sang along anyway... Great family holiday movie. Maybe not a class but good fun amyway.

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Save Yourselves! (2020)

2/10

Disorganized and pointless

22 November 2023

Apparently the writers and director did NOT have a clear plan for this story. It's disjointed, slow, dull and at times simply ridiculous. As an example the shower scene, who on earth has conversations like that while showering together?! Srsly dudes! They didn't know how to end it, so it simply stopped. Weird.

So many options for this couple to be safe and they make the wrong choice every. Single. Time. But then I suppose there'd been no story? Nawh, I think then it could have been a much better story IMHO.

For me this was a horror flick in that its typical of how young adults today handle crisis--illogical and with little knowledge. For instance, at 1 point Sue uses epi pens on both of them. Later she says "what is epinephrine anyway." How do you get to be someone who Has an epi pen without knowing what it is? The lack of knowledge and ignorance of the 2 stars characters is truly Frightening and very uncomfortable. As a high school teacher, I can tell you that the majoriity of students today are this uneducated. Its really sad. And their lack of interest in learning is even scarier. If there really is an alien invasion we Are all quite screwed.

The acting is pretty reasonable. The cabin is fabulous and scenery pretty. Photography is well done. Thus the 2 rating.

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The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (2023)

5/10

Meh...

20 November 2023

Warning: Spoilers

After the trilogy we were really looking forward to this prequel. If you're wanting the excitement of the trilogy this is a fail. If you're looking for the love story, this is a fail. And if you're looking for a political statement amongst the story this is extremely weak though not a total fail. Don't expect any pomp and circumstances or fantastic outfits either.

The characters are shallow, the story line even more so. The angst doesn't come through.

It's clear from the get go what motivates Snow--self preservation. Period. But we already knew that from the trilogy. Duh. He didn't wrestle with any moral or ethical questions whatsoever although the weak attempts alluding to such. He has always been an a$$hat.

And the son of Plinth?! Srsly unbelievable considering his background and upbringing. And to think that Daddy didn't even attempt to bail him out a last time?! Nawh dawwg. Not buying it.

Almost no development of any of the tribute "players". You don't really have anyone but Ms. Gray to root for. And what IS the deal of always using her full name? It's stupid.

Acting is very good, as it should be. Effects are few but well done. The weatherman/emcee is the only real connection to what we saw in the trilogy and yet still incomplete.

Overall disappointed, would rather have seen it at home.

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Killers of the Flower Moon (2023)

6/10

Really needs an Intermission!

29 October 2023

Warning: Spoilers

After reading the book I looked forward to the movie. I'm from Oklahoma and have friends appearing in the movie. (They were great, btw!)

The movie mostly stayed true to the book but added in a lot of unnecessary backstory that only slowed it down. The fire scene was completely a waste of time.

I would have liked to see more of Molly's efforts as described in the book, she doesn't seem integral to the movie except as a potential victim.

I was really surprised to see di Caprio as Burkhart. He did a fair job but to achieve the jutting jaw of the actual Burkhart had to maintain a grimace throughout the movie. That was so apparently fake.

A sickly child certainly was possible but again simply wastes time. The overall story drags. Very little of it is the investigation. That was a thrilling read and could have been so in the movie.

Kudos to the Osage Nation for surviving and sharing their culture and story. I am so sorry!

All this said I'd see it again--because it is relevant to me. I give it a 6.5, the acting was fine. It's the editing that needs help.

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Just Married (2003)

1/10

So bad I didn't finish it

2 September 2023

Reading reviews here I thought, what the heck, there's some laughs so I'll give it a whorl; I like kutchner.

I'm easily amused, I like slapstick. But this was a total bomb from the first opening seconds. Almost made half way and never was any of it believable. Zero character development and usually I don't even notice if there is any-- I'm not an intellectual when it comes to entertainment. This is beyond bad.

Tom is just a complete jersey. Every problem up until I gave up watching was because he wouldn't listen to any 1 else. Sad.

Move on, waste your time elsewhere. I can't name 1 redeeming feature of the script. Nice photography I guess.

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The Outrage (1964)

4/10

More "artistic" than interesting

5 June 2023

I consider this flick an early version of the spaghetti westerns where the "art of film" is more important than moving the story along. Except most of the spaghetti westerns were food. I got soo bored during this movie!

Granted Newman is superb, but that's to be expected. His accent though is really over the top, over done. Bloom really isn't particularly good, IMHO, her acting is quite flat.

Shatner is a pleasant surprise, soo young! But he, as usual, just plays himself.

But seriously how long can a rape be dragged out before you're thinking, okay, I get it, it was torture. Duh.

And why black & white? How silly. Color was by 1960s a norm. So again being "artsy" is more important than the viewers experience.

Then there's the ending. SIGH. Definitely not wasting my time again with this one.

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Bless Me, Ultima (2012)

9/10

Makes me want to read the book

6 May 2023

Reading other reviews during the start of the movie, I wondered why so many low scores for what was appearing to be a very well done film.

On close inspection the low scores were nearly all by those who read the book first. I get that movies frequently don't live up to our own experiences and expectations after reading a great book.

But as La Grande warns throughout the movie, there are ramifications that come to those who behave selfishly.

Watch this movie, decide for yourself. Those on a spiritual path will find it of interest. Those just looking for a well done film honoring Hispanic culture will find familiarity and authenticity. And those who just want to hear a good story without nudity, gore, and over played drama with find an ultimately enjoyable couple of hours.

It's a good message, and honest look at the part of the world urban dwellers forget. A nice reminder that no matter what, life indeed does go on.

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This Beautiful Fantastic (2016)

10/10

A simply lovely story

14 January 2023

If you like stories, think of movies such as Eat. Pray. Love, Under the Tuscan Sun, Chocolat, or similar movies, well, then you'll like this movie too.

You'll smile and may be shed a tear or two. Nothing earthshattering. There are no special effects, no bedroom scenes, no battles or blood, heck, there isn't even any foul language.

This movie is just a story of a young woman, a curmudgeon, and widowed Irish cook and a shatterbrained (handsome, of course) young inventor. It's about their lives intertwining. It's hopeful and yet pragmatic.

So pop some pop corn, put your feet up and sit back and relax. It'll end too soon but it ends nicely.

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No Time to Die (2021)

9/10

Well Done, 1 of top 5 Best Bond Films IMHO

13 January 2023

I've watched every Bond movie more than a dozen times. I know most of the scripts by heart. IMHO up until now I liked Daniel Craig the very least of all the Bonds. Just didn't fit the stereotype for me. However, I've changed my mind. He'll never be Sean or Roger, THE Standard, but Craig did very well with an excellent script. Finally the first really decent story since Moore was retired. Sure there were plenty of blow em ups and chases but for once that wasn't The story.

I hated how it ended but I wouldn't change a thing about it. I didn't particularly care for the actress, but Lea and Daniel had good chemistry on screen. She didn't seem like "a Bond Girl" at all.

But, that's part of what made it all work.

Be ready for a 23 minute opener--wow, pretty certain that's the longest Ever! And even though it's timed at 2hrs 43minutes it goes by fast!

Is there room for improvement? Yes, definitely. But for plain good ol entertainment this film delivered in buckets despite the wokeism (which actually was refreshing for a change).

I'll watch it over and over amd not cringe at the lack of meat from which the past half dozen Bond movies sufferd.

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The Munsters (2022)

4/10

Except for 2 actors, a total waste

22 December 2022

Jeff does a good job as Herman, really captures his essence, I enjoyed his portrayal. And, Mr. Daniel's has grandpa down perfectly. I give them a rating of 9 and 10 respectfully. But if you're expecting Lilly or any one else to recreate the beloved 60s series, don't waste your time! Sherrie Moom plays Lilly, poorly, making her into a nervous excitable teen crush. Sad. Rating of 2 at best for Ms. Moon -- at least she has the hand motions down. The script sucks, and I'm being kind. It seems like a third grader wrote it. I can hardly believe I made it though this sad excuse for a remake. If you're a huge fan of the 1960s show, skip this!

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Corporate Animals (2019)

1/10

Makes Leaving Las Vegas seem hysterical (& I hated it too)

3 April 2022

I can't even believe we watched the entire thing. Not only the worst movie EVER, it's disgusting that anyone ever thought up the concept. 100% debase. Zero redemptive qualities. Exactly what's wrong these days.

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The Mole Agent (2020)

9/10

A MUST for everyone!

21 April 2021

Warning: Spoilers

Rated it 9 because rarely is anything perfect. But this movie is amazing. It doesn't move quickly, it hasn't action or intrigued or any of the things we usually expect from a film.

But what it does have is humanity, compassion, love, and hope in bucket loads. Think Chocolat or Under the Tuscan Skies... this is a very human piece. And a critical message. If you have parents and haven't seen them recently I pray this reforms you!

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Out of Liberty (2019)

7/10

Just because there isn't a lot of action doesn't mean it's not a western

7 March 2021

This is a fair drama. Some of the acting is excellent. And yes some of the script is weak, especially it its depiction of Joseph Smith. I agree with some of the reviewers that the Smith character is too weak and really doesn't appear to be the group leader much less charismatic. But this doesn't make the overall movie Bad. It's a Drama not an action movie. The weakest part is it's a good 30 to 40 minutes into the movie before they tell you Exactly why the LDS men are in prison. Makes the first part confusing.

In regards to some reviewer's accusations that the only good reviews are by "Mormons," well I am not LDS. I do have many friends who are so I do have some insight into their culture. The movie does a fair job of depicting that. And overall it IS a significant event in history of the US.

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The Jade Pendant (2017)

9/10

A sweet and important story

2 March 2021

If you're looking for a fast action, king fu type movie, move on. This is a serious drama about a real incident in the history of California. Foremost it is a love story, set in 1870s San Francisco and then moves on to L.A. The director is thoughtful incorporating our imaginations into the scenes. The pace is towards the slow side but not slow nor boring if you have any interest in Chinese culture and history. One reviewer on here pretty much torn the movie up. To him I say, you have no imagination nor understanding of asian culture. I found this movie compelling, delightful, and a tear jerker. Very well done!

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