It must have been incredibly hard to balance this movie. I can’t fault the age of the actors too much vs the real life people when no doubt they probably got people in seats and the movie made. Everyone is on their game and the story carefully balances how much of each character we get. I did feel a little longing for more knowledge of the politics in it but I appreciate the movie nonetheless.
Categories: Movie and Series Reviews, Drama
A Haunting in Venice (2023) 3.5/5
The twists aren’t so twisty, overly telegraphed to the point of being easy to see. However, the movie stays afloat above its necessity for subterfuge with careful direction and captivating atmosphere.
A house/hospital full of stuck people, literally and figuratively, makes a strong setting.
It is funny that you can walk away from the movie thinking Poirot gives some credence to mysticism or that you think he gives zero and everything can be explained. It makes for a little extra engagement.
I have a real soft spot for these movies. Even flawed, Hercule Poirot and Branagh are an attractive pair.
The Big Sick (2017) 4.5/5
Categories 4.5/5, Comedy, Drama, Movie and Series Reviews, Romance 
Great cast across the board and a lovely story carried by those convincing performances. It sways between romanticism and realities with mostly ease and it feels heartfelt.
28 Days Later (2002) 3.5/5
I don’t get so pumped for the finale but it isn’t bad. It is a fun zombie flick with some cool presentations in its visuals and audio.
The young actor who plays Hannah seems to have trouble delivering believable dialogue. Like its really bad and I am surprised Boyle didn’t step in, especially at a big loss scene.
With Garland and Boyle, now more recognized both as directors, involved in a proper sequel, I am excited.
American Made (2017) 3.5/5
It is like a lot of Liman movies. It trades sense often for flash but it isn’t bad at doing it. When I think of dumb-but-fun-flicks, this is what I want. It beats sorting past 100 action hero flicks at a Redbox. Wow, Redbox. Are those still around?
BlacKkKlansman (2018) 3.5/5
I’m torn because I really loved some aspects but some liberties felt out of place. Starting there, I think the romance plot and the mustache twirling officer felt a bit hamfisted. To not go into spoilers, I will just say this reaches a peak at the end of the film.
That being said, the cast did wonderful and there was some really good writing. I also felt mixing in direct-life clips was handled well and that is not easy to do.
I ended up peaking the wiki page for this one after and I found a lot of the parts I had trouble with were the parts adjusted to fit a Hollywood movie. Kinda a shame because the movie is fantastic in so many ways. Obviously there was a way to do these things but as is I think they felt too from-the-script-to-the-screen. It didn’t feel natural.
Don’t let what I am saying deter you though. I feel I am being a bit picky and I will probably wish I had given another half-star later.
No Country for Old Men (2007) 5/5
Categories 5/5, Crime, Drama, Movie and Series Reviews, Thriller 
A movie you peel back again and again.
Atlas (2024) 1.5/5
There are a lot of neat parts here but it just doesn’t come together well, and I think that falls very heavily on the direction and the script.
Everything else ranges from serviceable to good. I am not a big JLo listener/watcher but I think I could see people wrongly putting it on her shoulders because her face is all over it. None of the actors felt like they were slacking off and the fx house did some neat work.