In the 2000s, many films tried to replicate the success of the <I>Saw</i> films by presenting a "may the best person win"-type of scenario, and we'd gobble it right up. <I>Exam</i> does belong in this pot, but after everything that our characters go through, the reward (a job) is a once in a lifetime opportunity at a company full of secrets that has done wonders for the world. Strong character development helped move this film through. When we learn about most of their backgrounds, their strengths and weaknesses become available to others to take advantage of in order to succeed. And, oh boy, do people go to certain lengths to be "the one".
Through its twists and turns, <I>Exam</i> is a solid, clever film from beginning to end. While watching, pay attention to literally every detail. It'll be worth it at the end.
<B>Film setup</b>:
LG OLED TV G6 in Perfect Black. <I>Exam</i> is a very dark film, and the TV's Perfect Black mode made it an incredible watch.
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I thought A Simple Plan was about a guy hiring another guy to kill his wife, but it isn't. I suppose I'm glad I had mixed it up with something else, because this was really good. Probably better than that other movie. It reminded me a lot of Fargo, which I'd imagine is a pretty common take.
I feel like I learned a lot about the core characters in two hours. Very solid and seamless character development. The wife was a little intense. She was sort of taking charge of the plan, and she was right and smart, but also she was kind of a jerk, and I liked that.
And obviously I love Bill Paxton. Who doesn't?
It's kind of tough to look at this objectively when I feel like the original was pretty special.
The cast is perfect, and most of the jokes land for me. The main thing that stands in its way is the repetition. There are three full rounds of plotting against the frat, and by the third it's just like damn I thought we did this already.
I always assumed this was fun and peppy. Something about the phrase "All That Jazz" sounds like a party. It was not. It was REALLY good, and it bummed me out.
I loved the daughter and the girlfriend doing that very cute little dance routine,
Having first come across Kane Parsons' YouTube in 2023, I've been mesmerized by his videos, and eagerly awaited the premiere of his film, <I>Backrooms</i>. While I do know he is not the only person to create such videos, I believe he is the only one who continued to expand on its universe, crafting a story that has captivated viewers around the world.
Now, with the release of his feature debut, <I>Backrooms</i> is everything and nothing what I expected. The story is fascinating, how a furniture store is a portal to this new world of never-ending rooms, and how the protagonist is an innocent participant in what eventually becomes his downfall, especially by including those "close" to him to join the exploration.
The film's audio and visuals are incredible and must be witnessed on the big screen. For a first-time director, Parsons takes us by the hand and guides us through his incredible vision, with a storyline that has some (intentional?) missing pieces but fully delivers in the end, allowing us to process what we just took in while wanting more (and more and more and more).
Let's Be Cops isn't good, but if you like Nick and Coach on New Girl, you'll probably like it a little.
I'm mixed on Backrooms.
Chiwetel Ejiofor and Renate Reinsve give great performances. I love the sets, the creepy imagery, the vibes. Some of it reminded me of Little Nightmares. When they are actually IN the Backrooms, I am also IN.
There's more time than I expected OUT of the rooms. While those scenes were interesting from a character perspective, it wasn't really what I was looking for, and it felt like it was at the expense of time IN the rooms.
PS: My popcorn tasted stale. 😔
If you hope this will be like the show, you will be pretty satisfied. The formula is the same: travel, go fetch mission, fight, repeat, with cute Grogu moments scattered throughout.
If you wish Star Wars would fully commit to what makes Andor great, you won't love this. You probably don't like the Mandalorian show anyway. Honestly, you're probably done with Star Wars, because that Ryan Gosling one coming out next year is him protecting a kid, which sounds kind of like the Mandalorian.
As for me, I'm a Star Wars casual. Mando & Grogu is a solid continuation of the show. The cute and funny parts land, and there is a lot of action. There are no stakes, but that is seemingly by design. Overall it's exactly what you think it's going to be.
Serviceable but feels very 90s, like it would have seemed dated even when it was released. It's tough to avoid comparing it to the Netflix Punisher show, which I like much more.
I like to leave a review each time I watch something, but what do I have to say about my fourth time watching Clueless in four years?
I wish there was a sequel where Tom Cruise and Demi Moore have triplets, and it'd be called "A Few Little Babies."
I know I waited a REALLY long time to give this a watch, but in my defense, I was a very young child when it came out, and military legal drama doesn't really scream STORMY.
It's just so good. I was locked in from the first scene. It was perfectly paced with an incredible cast. My only note is that I think it's surprising Kiefer Sutherland got the prestigious "and" in the opening credits. You know, at the end when it's like "and Kiefer Sutherland as..." Was he a bigger deal in 1992 than I am giving him credit for? Maybe.
