Come To Daddy (2019)

I liked the bizarre way things kicked off and I was excited to see where the story would go. Nowhere very interesting it turns out. 

Rating: C-

2012 (2009)

A by the numbers disaster movie, but with superior special effects. Quite watchable for the first 3/4ths of the film. Some ok humor to lighten things up. Things fall apart toward the end with some extremely forced emotional scenes. Had it not been for the groundbreaking (pun intended) end of the world depictions, I would have scored this movie lower.

Rating: C

A History Of Violence (2005)

Great performances, intense drama, cool action, but only a decent ending that left me wanting more.

Rating: C+

Shoot ‘Em Up (2007)

A title that lives up to its name. Gratuitous violence in all of its forms. Death abounds as bodies fall like dominoes. Plot is a mere afterthought. Plausibility an ugly step child you refuse to look in the eye. What matters here are bullets, and the speed at which they can be delivered to the assorted parts of our bodies. Carrots play a major role as well, but I'll let you discover that for yourself. Admit it. We all have night's when all we're in the mood for is a high body count and non stop action.

Rating: C+

The Fountain (2006)

I'm a huge Darren Aronofsky fan, based in large part on the brilliant film Requiem For A Dream. The Fountain is literally in another universe from his other work, one that requires the viewer to clear his mind of all questions and doubts before going in. I was willing to make this sacrifice, and the film had me mesmerized from start to finish.

No, I don't pretend to completely understand it. I'm not 100% sure anyone does. But the visuals and performances ensnare your eyes and refuse to let go until the credits roll. Darren is a true master behind the camera. You'll keep asking yourself as you watch—How does someone come up with this? And then—How did he film it?

Rating: B+

A Little Bit Zombie (2012)

Everything a zombie movie shouldn’t be, and worse. An embarrassment to the genre.

Rating: F

300 (2006)

Visually stunning, violently satisfying, with stand-out characters to boot. This is what we hope for, but rarely receive, when going to see an action film.

Rating: B+

Secretary (2002)

Spader has never been better. Maggie Gyllenhaal is an acting genius. Perfect chemistry in an unorthodox love story.

Rating: B

Pontypool (2008)

Barely a zombie movie, which initially drew me in. What hooked me was Stephen McHattie’s mesmerizing radio voice. The film had me for a while. I was skeptical, but intrigued. However, as the explanation for the cause of the zombiness was laid out, I lost interest. The final act was weak too.

Rating: D+

Watchmen (2009)

I wasn't sure what kind of movie to expect going in, and now, having seen it, I'm not quite sure what kind of movie I saw. I thought of "Sin City", but in full color, including the requisite Bloody Red. However, Watchmen aspires to be much more than Sin City. It's a thinking man's movie in addition to being a "bones popping out of skin" man's movie. There are plenty of shout-outs to Snyder's previous film "300" as well.

I liked the back and forth storytelling style we've grown accustomed to from shows such as LOST. There's a lot happening onscreen, but I never felt confused. Zack Snyder's signature touch is transfused in the celluloid. Characters are rich and obscene. Long dramatic stretches will abruptly be interrupted with extreme bouts of violence. The kind of brutality that is so over-the-top that it makes you giggle with immoral delight.

Visually, it's a great film, but conceptually, the story is not as compelling as it would like to be.

Rating: B