Categories: Movie and Series Reviews, 3/5

Distant (2024) 3/5

It is not a perfect, there is a scene that looks cool but moves nothing and a hint of romance crops up that is awkward, but I think anyone who enjoys Sci-Fi can find something here. I think the first half is a stronger movie, but thrill junkies may disagree. Seeing what the planet has to offer was fun, even if not surprising. Anthony Ramos was a solid lead.

It is a shame people are going to be so hard on this movie. I have zero regret watching Distant.

Free State of Jones (2016) 3/5

Undeniably entertaining, but Free State of Jones does not do so in any inspired way.

A swing at an epic that falls short when you start to feel the runtime.

Massive appreciation to director Gary Ross for trying to explain what is and is not real in the movie (http://freestateofjones.info/). I am amazed the site is still up and running all these years later.

Wolfs (2024) 3/5

A mediocre story, pulled beyond that by its cast. The first act is the best, a lot more methodical, but it gets a bit too loose at times. I think there was an opportunity to keep momentum with the two exchanging more tricks, but all is not lost even when it loses itself a bit.

Would I rewatch it? Probably not. I also don’t feel like I wasted time though.

Slingshot (2024) 3/5

People will call this movie derivative and misinterpret that the point is the twist. I think that the movie knows it is easy to see what is coming and I think that is not the point. Watching skilled actors and considering how people feel and think, that is where the movie is.

It does trip over its own feet at times though in its simple explanation. Even still, I enjoyed myself.

Prometheus (2012) 3/5

The technology in Prometheus feels out of place, even considering a simple mining vessel in Alien vs this top of the line endeavor. I was willing to set that aside though, imagining that perhaps Scott wants each film to be far future technologically and is simply modernizing that.

Visually, Prometheus is no doubt impressive. Expansive shots and tightly framed ones mix with all sorts of effects to capture both the expansiveness and the claustrophobic feel of horror.

The problem with Prometheus is it feels like it is very uneven. At times it is brilliant and at others it falls on its face. The cast all does their part, nobody is a bad standout. Charlize Theron is the only one who initially comes across too mustache twirly, but that does not last past the opening.

I only took larger issue with the encroaching of the directors and films needs versus what made sense for the story. Most visible was how immediate everyone is prepared to remove their protective gear, and undoubtedly easier way to film but nonsense for a bunch of people only just landed on an alien planet.

Still, Prometheus is interesting and has a couple of moments that I feel could have been iconic if not tied to the larger whole of a film that from my understanding has been divisive amongst fans of Alien. I still want more and I am willing to give more rope for the philosophical elements it was proposing and mostly not answering. Hopefully the next movie grows this better. I commend Prometheus, at the very least, for not mimicking Alien or Alien 2. It is, as they were, unique.

The Bikeriders (2023) 3/5

At times it feels like an emulation of a bunch of others movies or people, and it feels like it stays in the shallows.

In no time at all, pictures from this movie will be all over Facebook with macho quotes overlaid.

Longlegs (2024) 3/5

It is a bold movie but I felt like a lot was being overlooked. Mostly characters not acknowledging obvious things and not acting on their motivations like it would seem they should.

It was not all bad for me though, but the aggravations are akin to bad horror. Which is a shame, because so much of the movie is leagues above schlocky horror.

The Edge (1997) 3/5

Not without problems or aspects to roll my eyes at, but still a fun flick nonetheless. I do wish the characters were a little better managed but the bear is incredible to see and a google search tells me it is the second time Hopkins has worked with the bear turned bear-actor.