Sunday, January 7, 2024

2023 Year End Wrap-up, Part 1


 

Note: Yeah, the Writers and Actors strike paused the industry, including for us humble movie bloggers. Now that that's over, perhaps there will be (finally!)no more lockdowns and labor disputes to get in the way of Hollywood releasing new films---so hey, it's 2024 already, here we go!

EQUALIZER 3

ACTION/THRILLER 

PLOT:   DIA Robert McCall (Denzel Washington) wants to retire in Italy but he has to get rid of the gangsters first.

WHAT IS RIGHT:  Oscar winning actor Denzel Washington!  His talent is still there despite he kills the bad guys like The Punisher!  He is cool, calm and cold.  Italy looks beautiful and dangerous.

WHAT IS WRONG:  It’s a story they use thousands of times: man with a skill set takes out the crooks!

SHOUD YOU WATCH:  If you like Denzel Washington and the kills he commits for justice.


GRAND TURISMO

DRAMA 

PLOT:    Based on the video game of the same name and a true story.  A young guy who plays video games gets a chance to become a real race car driver.

WHAT IS RIGHT:  The cast!  Archie Madekwe is great as Jann Mardenboroguh who worked in a store to professional race car driver.  David Horbour as Jack Salter, once a great driver now a mechanic.  Djimon Hounsou as Steve Mardenborough, Jann’s father and Geri Hallwell (Ginger Spice) as his mother Lesly.

WHAT IS WRONG:  Every cliché about chasing your dreams is there.

SHOULD YOU WATCH:  Only if you like the video game and the cast are great.


EXPENDABLES 4

ACTION 

PLOT:   The gang has to stop a merceny from selling warheads to a terrorist.

WHAT IS GOOD:  Sylvester Stallone as Barney (?) Ross and Jason Statham as Lee Christmas playfully annoying each other!  The banter is priceless.  Curtis (50Cents) Jackson is good as new member Easy Day.  Tony Jaa (Ongbak) is good as Decha, an ex Expendable. The villian Iko Uwais (The Raid 1 and 2) as Suarto Rahmet.  He doesn’t talk very much but his brutality is much.

WHAT IS BAD:  The CGI is not very good and the final battle is on a ship!  The price tag of the film is 100 million dollars!  Where did the money go?  Megan Fox as Gina who is great but becomes the leader of the team!  Once was Christmas girlfriend.

SHOULD YOU WATCH:  If you like action and despite it isn’t as good as Expendable 2 it is B-movie good!


THE EXORCIST: BELIEVER

HORROR 

PLOT:  Two teens go in the woods and come back possessed.

WHAT IS RIGHT:   The production is very good.  Two special guests are in it.

WHAT IS WRONG:   It is the rip-off of The Exorcist name!  Terrible sequels and this is a possible reboot.  Who is asking for it?  It is more like Evil Dead than the title.

SHOULD YOU GO:  If you are a fan of the original movie and all the others than yes but if not-WAIT!!!

 

THE NUN II

HORROR

PLOT:    In 1956 a priest is killed by fire and Sister Irene has to deal with the evil nun again.  The sequel to the first film The Nun.

WHAT IS RIGHT:  Tasa Famiga as Sister Irene.  She is scared and she is brave as well.  Sophie (Katelyn Rose Downey-not related to actor Robert Downey Jr) is  a innocent little girl who is picked on by bully Kate(Anna Popplewell) and Maurice(Jonas Bioquet) is great as a friend to Sophie and wants to be lover to her mother.

WHAT IS WRONG:  Many jump scares that you know are coming!

SHOULD YOU WATCH:  If you like the first movie you will enjoy it but if you didn’t it is more of the same.

 

SAW X

HORROR 

PLOT:    John Kramer/Jigsaw GOT conned by bogus doctors for his illness-bad idea!

WHAT IS RIGHT:    John Kramer(Tobin Bell) is near death and someone in his support group tells him about a group of doctors to save him so he goes and finds out it a scam!  That doesn’t sit well with him so you know what happens next!  All 10 movies this is my first.  I enjoy the revenge theme that is why I watchted this one.  Very good and gory.  Bell as John Kramer is very good at being bad and the villains are very terrible and gets what is coming to them.

WHAT IS WRONG:   It is long for a horror movie

SHOULD YOU WATCH:  If you are a fan of the franchise –YES! If not you will not be used to the gory death!

 

PAW PATROL THE MIGHTY MOVIE

ANIMATED 

PLOT:    Cute puppies becomes cute superhero puppies from a magical meteor.  Based on the Nickelodeon TV series

WHAT IS GOOD:    The evil but brilliant scientist Victoria Vance (Taraji P. Henson) is great as being wicked.  Skye, a tiny pup but is strong and driven.

WHAT IS BAD:    Too short!!!

SHOULD YOU GO:  If you have children who love the series YES and even if you don’t like the series you will enjoy this!

 

THE MARVELS

SUPERHERO/ADVENTURE 

PLOT:    The Supreme Being is destroyed in Hala and the new Kree leader Dar Benn wants to save her planet and get revenge on Captain Marvel.

WHAT IS GOOD:  The three superheroes Brie Larson (Captain Marvel)who carries herself well as a deity, Teyonah Parris as Monica Rambeau and Iman Vellani as Kamala Khan.   Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury as comic relief.  Zawe Ashton is a good villain as Dar Benn.

WHAT IS BAD:  Marvel latest movie problem is being too funny mostly. 

SHOULD YOU WATCH:  It is B-movie good!  It is not the best but not the worst!  If you can wait for ON DEMAND  or streaming would be the best bet.

KC Web Developer

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