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Reviews
Avatar: The Last Airbender (2005)
The Epitome of Childhood Animation
After watching this iconic series from the pilot to the last episode of season 3, all I can say is WOW! X 1000
The quality of animation is considerably good for something that aired between 2005 - 2008, by today's standards. The characters, writing, story and world building are brilliant. The lore is top-notch, and the further along you progress into the seasons, the more connected you feel to Team Avatar - and Zuko.
For me, Zuko's redemption arc was something I was heavily invested in, and I was cheering for him all the way through; because I knew he had to figure almost everything out for himself. The good thing about this series is that it feels like both Zuko's AND Aang's stories rolled into one. This is especially seen with smooth transitions between the two in some episodes.
I can't wait to move on to the Legend of Korra.
Killers of the Flower Moon (2023)
A Tragic Piece of History
For all of those who are saying the film is "too gruesome" - that's exactly the point. Scorsese ought to be praised for his bold, unfiltered look into a historical event that, up until now, has received very little spotlight. History is bathed in blood, and this movie is no exemption to that.
Scorsese having the actors learn native Osage language adds a layer of authenticity to the story, and it shows just how dedicated he really is to portraying their story accurately. The props and sets are top-notch, including all of the cars from the 1920s that look perfectly preserved in time. I also tip my hat to the costume designers, who did an astounding job on the native Osage clothing, up to and including the intricate tribal weaving/stitching.
I, and I assume many others, had no idea such a tragic event had ever occurred until watching this film up on the silver screen. I also deeply appreciated Scorsese's perception on showing his masterpiece in movie theatres - as opposed to just streaming on Apple TV. He demands respect for cinema, and I believe that this film respects cinema, just as everyone who buys a ticket to see this does.
Witnessing Di Caprio and De Niro working together was a treat, and through cold, calculated conversations, we see them hatch a plan to slowly eliminate the Osage people in order to get their greedy, corrupt hands on their oil money, or "headrights". The real star of this movie is Lily Gladstone - whom portrays Mollie Brown, an Osage native dealing with diabetes, and whom is forced to mourn the deaths of her family all around her, unbeknownst that her husband had a hand to play in all of it.
The Intern (2015)
Light-Hearted Comedy With Good Leads
Firstly, I want to say that 2015's The Intern is a very enjoyable movie with heartfelt moments all throughout. Robert De Niro and Anne Hathaway have long been favoured actors of mine, and their chemistry on-screen is superb.
I admire that this film is light, fluffy and fragments romantic, but at the same time, I feel like the characters weren't too deeply delved into through the writing process. De Niro's character is an admirable, loyal and dependent widow trying to piece his life together, but he also shies away from conflict and stays mute on some things that should really have him speak up more.
Hathaway's character started off as an insufferable, pretentious woman who later on blossoms into a better version of herself - more mellowed, humble and empathetic. What I don't like is how she so easily forgave her husband for cheating; I felt that was a VERY unrealistic representation of what it's like to actually be cheated on, and dishonest to Jules (her character). The director was obviously trying to speed through the ending without much thought to how it would all flow (or not flow) on the big screen.
Five Nights at Freddy's (2023)
8 Years In the Making
It's been mentioned in other reviews, but if you aren't a fan of the franchise, you won't understand the story of what's going on. Otherwise, I found the movie to be very faithful to long-time fans of the games.
I'd been waiting to see this movie since it was first announced in 2015, and I was beginning to think it would never happen, due to all the setbacks and delays. But I'm so glad it did happen, and here we are seeing the fruits of everyone's labour who worked tirelessly hard on the movie.
A few inconsistencies/missing bits of information dragged it down a bit, but mostly the movie was true to the source material. Five Nights at Freddy's has always been heavily lore based, so it was nice to see bits and pieces of it sprinkled throughout the film.
The animatronics are spectacular, visually, and look exactly how they do in the first game. I also ADORE that they put time into making the animatronics from scratch, without heavily relying on CGI. That, paired with the beautifully made sets, makes the movie even better, and much more realistic and loyal to the source.
It's not exactly considered scary - albeit some parts are a bit bloody and gruesome. The creepiness of FNAF stems more from aesthetic than from physical violence, so the movie does well on that front. Adding brief scenes of humour in the movie also makes it entertaining to watch.
I do think they could've added a brief scene somewhere near the start where we get to see Foxy doing his infamous dash down the hallway to the security guard's office - a favourite amongst fans of FNAF.
Black Mirror (2011)
Very Thought-provoking
I only just recently started to watch Black Mirror, after seeing its name practically everywhere - I know, I know, late to the party by at least a decade.
I was pleasantly surprised by the content of this show, and it's refreshing to watch an anthology series, where each episode tells a different story. It makes things a lot easier for casual viewers like me, or people who go back to watch a show after abandoning it for a time. The production, direction and cinematography should be highly praised for such visually dynamic episodes - each bizarrely different from the last, in both good and bad ways.
I, for one, think this series is an essential watch that should be on everyone's bucket list. It gets you thinking about the repercussions (and benefits) of technology, digital media and AI (all of which are steadily overtaking the world right this moment).
Grease 2 (1982)
Has Its Own Charm
Whilst it would be next to impossible for a sequel to top its predecessor, Grease 2 holds its own unique charm without trying to top the masterpiece that was Grease.
We get introduced to a new cast of diverse, young characters in a new school year, where all the rage is now motorcycles - but still maintaining the hair grease, combs, and signature jackets of the T-birds and Pink Ladies that made the original.
It's the same premise, just with the roles reversed this time around. Instead of a slick, smooth-talking greaser that tries to conceal his feelings behind a popular guy charade, we see a gentle, refined soul trying to win over the most popular girl in school - who happens to have a thing for bad guys who ride motorbikes.
The songs, while different, are still catchy and memorable years on from its first airing date.
Anomalisa (2015)
A Visual Dive Into Fregoli Delusion
I didn't actually know what Fregoli Delusion was - heck, I'd never even heard of it - until watching this movie.
After watching this artistically made masterpiece, which took each animator 48 individual frames to shoot each day, and used 1,261 individual faces in a two year period of production, I can confidently say this is one of my favourite movies of all time - coming in a close second to James Cameron's Titanic.
David Thewlis' smooth, calming voice was the perfect choice for Michael Stone, as it carries the entire movie - alongside Jennifer Jason Leigh's stunning performance as Lisa.
The narrative is thoroughly told through both audio and visual aids, such as people around Michael all sounding and looking the same. This adds a huge layer of character complexity, but also helps people better understand the Fregoli Delusion and how people who have it perceive the world around them every day.
I Love My Dad (2022)
Always Love Your Dad
As someone who had a very tense and one-sided relationship with their dad, this film made me miss him even more - and made me realise how lucky I was to have such a decent dad, even if he wasn't always nice to me.
I Love My Dad had me feeling all the emotions under the sun; awkwardness, second-hand embarrassment, sadness, but also sympathy. At the end of the day, Chuck was a dad trying to reconnect with his son after years of neglect, half-assed efforts and excuses. I related to Franklin a lot, because my dad was similar in how he chose to communicate with me. Even though we didn't always get along - same as Franklin and Chuck - he was always there if I needed someone, and would've done anything for me.
Go into this movie with an open mind and open heart, especially if you haven't always had the best relationship with your father. I applaud both Oswalt and Morosini on their performance in this loveable comedy. Definitely added to my favourite list of movies.
Beaches (2017)
Paaaaiiiiinful
9/10 times, remakes of iconic, heart-warming masterpieces should never be made - let alone attempted. This movie is no exemption to that.
Aside from the boring, sleep-inducing acting and lack of narrative, this "remake" fails to capture the very essence that was Beaches. Without Bette Midler and Barbara Hershey dominating the screen with their chemistry that can be felt in even the youngest of hearts who weren't even alive in the 80s, this failed attempt to rekindle a classic should be a hard pass for anyone with any ounce of respect for the original.
Please stop trying to recapture the classics. It never works.
John Farnham: Finding the Voice (2023)
The Voice of a Nation
This may very well be the best music documentary of 2023. Farnsy has been a household name in Australia for decades, and rightly so. I never knew much about him, but everyone knows his iconic voice by sound. Exploring his upbringing, childhood, and the struggles he faced to get where he is today is a very emotional roller-coaster from start to finish. The friends he made along the way, the people who stuck by him, and those who didn't, it's all here in this amazingly produced film detailing the personal life of John Farnham - Australia's voice. If you're a fan of his work, either casually or dedicated, I implore you to see this documentary.
Scream (1996)
A Cult Classic That Never Goes Out of Style
I've lost count of how many times I've seen the original Scream movie (1996), but it's one of my top-tier slasher horror films.
What draws me (and others) in is how calm and casually Ghostface plays mind games with his (or their) victims - all for the thrill of the chase. Who could ever grow tired of seeing these cliched, hopeless teenagers just barely escaping death at the hands of a serial killer who remains anonymous behind a store-bought mask and robe? And with solid favourites like Neve Campbell and Courtney Cox, the first in the franchise that followed never grows old - remaining, to this day, a timeless classic that people can watch over and over again.
The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023)
Everything You Could Ever Want In a Mario Movie
I went to see the highly anticipated Super Mario Bros movie tonight with my mum, whom was my gaming buddy back in my childhood days. We'd spend hours playing Mario All-Stars on my dad's SNES, and later on we played on our Mario edition Wii.
As a gamer, this movie was a promiseland I wish I could stay in forever. Admittedly, I was sceptical about Chris Pratt voicing everyone's favourite Italian plumber, but he did a superb job and he deserves a lot of praise for his dedication to the role. From learning about power-ups, to fighting against Donkey Kong, and to racing along the infamous Rainbow Road with all the drifts we've all performed countless times on MK8 and its predecessors, this movie is a huge dose of nostalgia for millennials, and a nice introduction for the younger generations.
My hat goes off to Mr Jack Black for his awesome job bringing the big, bad Bowser to life on the silver screen. He was the primary reason I wanted to go and see this movie so badly, and he did exceedingly well.
Weird: The Al Yankovic Story (2022)
All hail Weird Al!
I went into watching this film with moderately cautious expectations, cause I'd seen so many mixed reviews from people all over the web. But 20 minutes in, I was both feeling sorry for the misjudged little boy known as Alfie, and laughing my head off.
I've never been a Weird Al fan; I do enjoy his work but I've never closely followed him. But I believe that this film is the perfect depiction of his life; albeit slightly more hilarious than it would have actually been, which is a nice change from the serious paced biopics of other artists. It's a genuinely enjoyable experience for people of all ages.
Scream VI (2023)
Put A Knife In It - I'll do it for you
Scream 6, released in 2023, is a classic horror slasher that I would highly encourage people to see. What its predecessor lacks, Scream 6 more than makes up for with its on-the-edge-of-your-seat suspence, unseen twists, and all the stabby stabs you could ever want. Most of the gore is a lot heavier than what was in the past films (for the most part). There was never a dull moment; and despite the Leading Lady Neve Campbell not being included, it takes nothing away from the story. Sidney is mentioned a handful of times, so it's nice to see her still included in some small way.
You need to go and see this right away. You won't be disappointed.
Final Destination 5 (2011)
180 Always Finds You
After the train wreck that was The Final Destination, it's nice to see they've returned to their roots - so to speak. The deaths were thrilling and creative, and the story was very suspenseful (both key ingredients for any good thriller/horror movie franchise).
I also admire how the directors and producers tied the current events into previous ones; the logging truck at the beginning, the plane at the end, the ticket that reads "flight 180". For any long-standing fan of the movie anthology, it's a must-see that can be splurged over and over again with all the blood, guts and gore you could ever want.
Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen (2004)
Still a solid fave
People seem to be viewing this movie through the lens of an adult - it's a movie made for kids. The plot isn't going to have anything serious; it's a feel-good, coming of age story that's meant to be light, bubbly, funny and memorable.
Personally, I think Lindsay Lohan nailed the role of a melodramatic teenager who's maybe a little more spoiled/aristocratic and vain than she should be. I also really like the casting choice of Alison Pill as her best friend Ella. The chemistry between them is nicely depicted, and by the end of the movie, you realise just how much Ella has helped Lola overcome her selfish ways to grow into a humble, caring person - even going so far as to helping her nemesis out of a water fountain she fell into.
Room 203 (2022)
Total Snoozefest
My mum and I watched this recently, seeing as how we've both been long-time horror movie buffs. But to lump this mediocre teenage flick under the very category would be grossly offensive to the whole genre.
It's p*ss poor. Bad acting, lousy scripts, and a few half-assed jumpscares to tie it all together in what can only be described as a hit and massive miss. Reading through the other reviews on here, it's easy to see most other people are in agreement.
I'd be willing to overlook the unheard of actors if they actually put in effort, and didn't make it feel like along, droning Lifetime movie.
Ginny & Georgia (2021)
A semi-realistic representation of doing it hard
Throughout the whole 2 seasons (thus far) I've cried a few times, but I've also laughed. Georgia is easily the most likeable character, for me, because she does anything she can to ensure her kids don't have to go through the traumas she herself did as a teenager, and a young girl.
As someone who grew up poor, and on hard times, it's easy to relate to Georgia because she reminds me so much of my own mum - minus the murders, embezzling, and stealing. But she did all of those out of necessity, to give her kids the best lives they can possibly have; to not grow up poor, and to have full tummies, warm clothes, and a roof over their heads.
Ginny I found to be a little ungrateful, but I further understood her character in the second season because it all clicks together in her head; why her mum does what she does, why she made the sacrifices she did, and why she has to keep a lot of things secret, so that they can all live safely and make a better life for themselves in a new town.
Outpost 37 (2014)
Don't understand the hate?
Never having seen this film before - or heard of it - I went in with mild expectations, and came out awe-struck. The camera style reminded me both of District 9 and also of Cloverfield; both films I really, really enjoy in terms of sci-fi.
It's not a perfect movie, but it's still a very well-done piece that deserves more praise than it seems to be receiving both from critics and from IMDb users. I like how the marines/soldiers explain their aspirations, and even go so far as to explain how they tackled alien armor and technology without any human bullets doing damage to the Heavies. It's very much a trial and error process.
Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody (2022)
Don't listen to the critics
As an avid fan of Whitney Houston, I'm always highly critical of any film that comes out depicting her life and the struggles she endured throughout its sadly short span.
This movie had me firmly in its grasp since the opening performance, where Naomi Ackie sings her little heart out as America's pop princess. We get to see Whitney's humble beginnings, and how certain relationships throughout her career shaped her into the person she became. She was so much more than just the voice of her generation - she was also a loving, devoted mother to her daughter Bobbi Kristina, and at times, an all too forgiving daughter to her father. She doesn't allow him to trample all over her, though, and finds her feet again once she becomes lost.
I highly recommend this movie, and bring tissues.
The Lost Boys (1987)
Exceeds Most Modern-Day "Horrors"
I watched this for the first time ever, in 2023. And while I was watching this movie, I kept thinking to myself, "wow, this is so much more suspenseful and scary than most "horror" movies these days".
The acting is first-rate, and I also admire how you're not meant to take the plot all that seriously. The vampires were freakin' awesome, and actually terrifying. They had the perfect blend of typical 80s outcasts/rockers/punks, mixed with troublemakers that could very literally kill you if you choose to take them lightly.
In a slight way, this movie brought back the nostalgia of The Little Vampire.
Time Is Up (2021)
I'd rather watch paint dry
I saw this movie highlighted on Amazon Prime and decided to give it a go. About 10 minutes in, my first and most lasting impression was that this was an adaptation of your typical, run-of-the-mill teenage girl fanfiction given worldwide recognition for all the wrong reasons.
I still think that may be the case. But do yourself a favour and skip this snoozefest; it's a recycled, melodramatic cliché-riddled story that actually doesn't have much of a plot, so to speak. I admire Bella Thorne as an actress, cause she's played some good roles, but this has to be rock bottom for her acting career. It's like an Italian version of After.
The Menu (2022)
Intense. Very intense.
First of all, I want to point out how amazing the cinematics are in this movie. The settings are scarce, but that doesn't matter - the cinematography is first-rate and evokes so much emotion. What looks like a seemingly mundane, simple experience at a 5-star restaurant on a secluded island slowly draws the viewer in; and we all learn how the kitchen staff devote their lives, every day, to procuring only the finest ingredients to make courses their diners will remember; trying go always appease thr never-ending obsession people have to experience the perfect cuisine.
But this is just a ruse.
Through the cool, calculated acting of Ralph Fiennes (famous for his role as Lord Voldemort), we soon realise this is far from a standard restaurant experience. He wants to make the patrons a part of his experience - one they will never forget, and he does just that, by setting them all alight in a life-sized s'mores set up.
Atypical (2017)
This show helped me understand people with Autism
I've watched this show from the pilot episode, up until the last episode of season 4. To say that this fantastical series has opened up my eyes to how people on the spectrum differ from the rest of us in their day-to-day lives would be a gross understatement. Through talented acting, well-written scripts and the ever-shifting dynamics in the relationships between the main characters, this show has single-handedly won over the hearts of its millions of viewers from all around the globe. It also helps people like me, who aren't on the spectrum, better understand the minds of those who are - how their emotions aren't always laid out to bear, or as easily understood, and how even little stressors can severely affect their daily routines.
The Lion King 1½ (2004)
Everything the light touches... Belongs to someone else!
Years on, I still enjoy this movie. It's a light-hearted, family-oriented film with memorable moments that continue on the nostalgia of the first Lion King movie.
A lot of iconic characters make this film an instant gem, like Uncle Max and Timon's mom (both played by equally iconic actors). I understand that this film might not be everyone's cup of tea, because it's not set as a run-of-the-mill movie with one solid storyline, but to deny it as a flop would be extremely harsh. It's musical, feel-good and a lot of fun. It reunites OG Lion King fans with old favourites, while creating bonds between a new generation of kids and the generation before.