Ladder 49 (2004)

 

It's no Backdraft. A series of flashbacks tell the story of a fireman who's caught in a roaring fire. Overly dramatic and anti-climatic. 

Rating: D+

Joker (2019)

This is the style of “superhero” movie I like; dark and based mostly in reality. This one was really dark. Phoenix is superb. I predict he’ll win the Oscar. Funny that Robert DeNiro was in this, as I noticed a lot of similarities to Taxi Driver. Gritty stuff. Don’t bring the kids.

Rating: B

The Village (2004)

M. Night brings together a fantastic group of actors for one of his most original films to date. Suspenseful and surprising. If only all of his films were this good.

Rating: B

Hotel Rwanda (2004)

Films like this make me hate other people. I hate people who act on their hatred. It's a great film that tells an important true story, and hopefully does more than simply entertain. Excellent performances.

Rating: B

Inherent Vice (2014)

A confusing fruit salad of characters who meander and mumble their way through a plot that never quite delivers coherency. And believe me, it pains me to say that, because I’m a huge Paul Thomas Anderson fan. But this effort is a stark turn in the wrong direction.

Rating: D

Her (2013)

Quite a strange film about love and the future. I recently watched a similar premise on the fantastic series Black Mirror from the UK. It’s a great concept with almost limitless plot possibilities. I felt this film sometimes got distracted by the details, some of which were brilliant, but others seemed farfetched.

Rating: C+

Earthlings (2006)

I put off watching this for a long time, knowing that it was going to be worse than any horror movie I’ve ever seen. Worse because the gory scenes are real, not staged. There is footage shown that depicts some of the most cruel, inhumane, and gut-wrenching scenes you will ever see. (Also known as standard operating procedure at businesses around the world, particularly the US.)

I lived most of my life purposely unaware. I knew in the back of my mind that this kind of stuff went on, but I made sure not to dig too deep. Doing so would mean having to drastically change my way of life. I’d say 99% of the population falls into this category. They aren’t mean and cruel people—they simply prefer to stay uninformed, because it’s easier. I did too.

However, once you watch a dozen or more tamer documentaries, you suddenly realize you know too much and can no longer claim ignorance. That’s when you obtain a copy of this documentary and make yourself ill by seeing what you had somehow hoped was simply an urban legend. It’s not. Our species is unnecessarily perverse in our treatment of others. This doesn’t come as a shock, but watching this documentary will show you how much larger the scope of this cruelty is compared to what you thought possible.

It’s doubtful anyone reading this review will watch the movie, and frankly, I don’t blame you. Who wants to sit through a 90 minute downer? Nightmare fodder for years to come. Apparently me. Bring a vomit bag.

Rating: C

The Master (2012)

Cloudy, nonsensical, and delusional, just like Scientology. While interesting on a casual level, the story eventually grows tired. I’m not wholly sure what the point of the movie was, or if they wanted to have one. Things were completely off the rails by the end. As a massive Paul Thomas Anderson fan, I was greatly disappointed in this convoluted narrative.

Rating: D

The Yards (2000)

A lot of big names in this one, although it didn't make a big splash at the box office. Acting was good, story held my attention, and suspense was satisfactory.

Rating: C

Signs (2002)

Creepy and interesting. One of M. Night's better films. I had no idea where this movie was taking me, which is refreshing.

Rating: C+

Walk The Line (2005)

Some top notch musical performances from Phoenix and Witherspoon. I'm sure the film doesn't portray things exactly as they went down, but it does serve to give you a nice overview of Cash, much as Ray did for Charles.

Rating: B