Mayhem! (Farang) (2023)

This French Thai film scores very high on the list of top revenge flicks. I appreciated the backstory and character development before the blood spray from some excellent fight scenes erupted. 

Rather surprised they got permits to shoot this script in Thailand, as it portrays the extremely seedy underbelly lurking around every corner. It’s not all doom and gloom though. There are many vivid and heartwarming scenes of everyday Thai life, people, food, and traditions. Quite well made. 

Rating: B

Civil War (2024)

Seeing this on a big screen with an incredible sound system really added to the tension of the story. We live in a divided America, and it’s not much of a stretch to see things becoming violent. Whether or not that could manifest into an organized, militaristic attack is yet to be seen. But seeing this director’s vision of what it might look like makes me really hope it doesn’t. 

I felt like the storytelling was even keeled–not preachy about which side was right or wrong. It’s more of a both-sides-lose situation. One thing is for sure. If shit hits the fan and society breaks down, don’t take a cross country road trip. Hunker down with people you trust. Have resources to self-sustain. Thank me later. 

Rating: B-

Drive-Away Dolls (2024)

How is this a Coen Brothers film? How did they get Matt Damon and Pedro Pascal to debase themselves with cameos? Was this supposed to be a comedy? It wasn’t funny. Was it supposed to be a sexy lesbian romp? No heat or chemistry at all. A dark thriller? This flick had zero pulse. 

Total disappointment. Complete flop. 

Rating: F

Mayhem (2017)

Virus causes folks to get homicidal in an office setting. Came off too much like a B movie. Poor execution across the board. Meaningless violence alone won’t save your film. 

Rating: D-

Self Reliance (2023)

Loved the concept. The setup in the first third of the film was excellent. Anna Kendrick was cute and fun. I just wish they had committed to the story and had a few more dangerous encounters that were less corny. A slow reveal to his family and friends would have been funny and cathartic. 

Instead, the game became too much of a joke without any real consequences for breaking the rules. I would have loved to see the viewers perspective–those tuning into the dark web D.O.G. show. The final act was all over the place. Real shame. 

Rating: C

Orion And The Dark (2024)

With Charlie Kauffman calling the shots, I kind of hoped it would be weirder. Some cute moments and themes, but mostly straightforward with a bit of cheese. 

Rating: C-

American Fiction (2023)

A clever twist on African American stereotyping in film, but also a story of a typically dysfunctional family coming together in their own way. It doesn’t feel like a comedy, but I laughed out loud a lot. Smartly written and well acted. 

Rating: B-

The Promised Land (Bastarden) (2023)

What a fantastic historical drama from Denmark. Mads is brilliant as always. Amanda Collin, who played Mother in HBO’s Raised By Wolves is also terrific. It’s a battle of wills, where no one escapes unscathed. It’s a film that will engage and move you. 

Rating: B+

The Greatest Night In Pop (2024)

A behind-the-scenes musical documentary for the song 'We Are The World'. As a music lover, I enjoyed seeing the drive and collaboration to make this thing happen. It certainly wasn’t easy. Fun to see all these stars gathered in one place. It’s not groundbreaking cinema, but certainly entertaining to watch and listen. 

Rating: C

Poor Things (2023)

I’m not particularly fond of Yorgos Lanthimos’s work, but I was intrigued with the award nominations and Emma Stone, so went to see it with my cousin. Captivating and often funny, but seemed way too focused on her sexual awakening. Multiple people got up and left the theater midway through. 

Emma’s performance was pretty spectacular. I’m sure many would say brave. She put it all out there. Not for the squeamish. 

Rating: C

The Beekeeper (2024)

I’m always up for a good revenge flick. Okay, I’m always up for average revenge flicks too. Beekeeper walks a fine line between ridiculous and fun, with a lot of splashy violence. No regrets from my $10 Saturday matinee.

Rating: C+

Albert Brooks: Defending My Life (2023)

As a moderate fan of Albert, it was interesting to see his body of work critiqued by himself and others. There is nothing exciting or unique about the documentary itself. Reiner plays a series of interviews and clips. The end. 

Rating: C

The Holdovers (2023)

 

I love watching Paul Giammati act so much. This was a terrific role for him to slip into. A nice film for a quiet winter’s day. 

Rating: B-

Please Don't Destroy: The Treasure of Foggy Mountain (2023)

 

Not as dumb as some reviewers suggested. Not as funny as other reviewers made it out to be. 

Rating: C

Loop Track (2023)

 

A New Zealand thriller, of sorts, where the baddie is ever slowly revealed to those who don’t believe it exists. Most of the film is a slow buildup, but to me, this kiwi juice wasn’t worth the squeeze. 

Rating: C-

Thanksgiving (2023)

 

The full length Thanksgiving horror film inspired by Tarantino's Grindhouse, I guess. Mostly dumb and predictable, with needless gore. 

Rating: D-

Silent Night (2023)

 

The movie is called Silent Night and the lead is “silent” after catching a bullet in the throat. I get the pun. But why does everyone else in the film have to be mute? It’s weird that his wife never talks to him. That she’s ok with him buying a Mustang, artillery, a really expensive camera, etc while she’s holding down a remedial job. Where is all that money coming from? 

John Woo leaves all these plot holes uncovered in pursuit of a big revenge finale that plays more like a MAGAtard’s wet dream. Karanan had no business signing onto this eyesore. 

Rating: F 

The Iron Claw (2023)

 

Morale of the story, avoid fake wrestling at all costs and anyone who spends time watching it. I’ve never understood why people tune in to watch a bunch of roided out beefcakes pretend-fight each other. Then again, a third of our nation is functionally retarded. (this happens to overlap on a venn diagram with Trump supporters) 

The acting and commitment to their rolls was impressive. But the movie is such a downer filled with one bad decision after another. 

Rating: C-

Showdown At The Grand (2023)

The best things this film has going for it are the title and the concept. The execution was abysmal. Hard to tell which parts were meant to be purposefully bad. Ultimately, it didn’t matter. Sucked from start to finish. 

Rating: F

Fast Charlie (2023)

 

An aging Pierce shoots up the bad guys and gets the girl that’s 25 years younger. Everybody wins. 

Rating: C