His House (2020)

I like my horror to be centered in reality, or at least this dimension. The plot didn’t make a whole lot of sense and wasn’t very scary. Mostly bored. 

Rating: D

One Child Nation (2019)

Documentary on China’s One Child Policy and its devastating effects on their citizens. One of the most depressing things you’ll ever watch, yet still important to be seen. 

Rating: C

News Of The World (2020)

Living in the Old West sucked. Traveling in the Old West really sucked. It’s like a 50/50 chance you’ll get killed or raped each trip; at least according to all the Westerns I've seen. 

Cable newsman of his times, Tom Hanks, travels from town to town reading old newspapers for dimes. It’s a living. Along the way he picks up an orphan German-Squaw girl. It’s a road trip movie, but with a terrible soundtrack. Hanks sports a really sweet jacket. The girl eats chili with her hands. It’s gross. 

Rating: C

Thoroughbreds (2017)

I felt engaged the entire film, yet unsatisfied and a bit annoyed at the end. A horse ride to nowhere. 

Rating: C-

Promising Young Woman (2020)

Angry woman takes things to the extreme to reinforce the message that no means no. The dark humor and writing was more fun in the first half than the second. 

Rating: C

Sound Of Metal (2019)

Going deaf terrifies me, so in a way this movie was a horror film. The sound editing really allows the audience to experience a glimpse of the trauma that comes with losing your hearing. I imagine losing one’s sight would be similar. You go from living one life to living a completely new one. 

Rating: C+

War On Everyone (2016)

Two unprofessional cops work out their retirement plan through theft and murder, with some dark comedy on the side. 

Rating: C-

The Speed Cubers (2020)

A short documentary about cubing, friendship, and autism. Watch for a heartwarming pick-me-up. 

Rating: C+

Half Brothers (2020)

This was much better than the preview led me to believe. The story isn’t perfect, but it felt personal and was often funny. 

Rating: C+

The Kid Detective (2020)

Encyclopedia Brown grows up, and life isn’t as sweet as it used to be. He hopes solving a big case will bring him back to his former glory. 

Rating: C+

Run (2020)

Best to watch this without knowing anything in advance. I may need some of Chloe’s drugs to deal with the anxiety this film gave me. 

Rating: B-

The Wolf Of Snow Hollow (2020)

A small Utah town deals with a werewolf problem. Quirky characters elevate it to above average. 

Rating: C+

Mortal (2020)

Thor, on a Norwegian budget. More of an origin reboot really. 

Rating: C

Army Of One (2020)

It’s a low budget revenge flick with no-name actors, but you won’t throw it out of bed for not being entertaining. 

Rating: C

High Ground (2020)

A high stakes conflict set in the Australian Outback 100 years ago. 

Rating: B-

Let Him Go (2020)

It’s a slow burn with a sense of tension and dread that becomes increasingly difficult to ignore. This takes trouble with the in-laws to another level. 

Rating: C+

Greenland (2020)

Whether it be economic disaster, a pandemic, war, political crisis, or a comet; the result will be the same--pandemonium. It takes surprisingly little to cause mass panic and looting. 

Watching it play out on screen is a little unnerving, because it feels too real. You start thinking about your own preparedness as you watch. Do we have enough food, medicine, fuel, clean water, and supplies on hand to sustain us during a prolonged disaster. Could we defend it if we do? 

I like movies that entertain as well as make me think. The action and special effects felt real. Guess it’s time to get an underground bunker. 

Rating: B

George Harrison: Living In The Material World (2011)

 

I really wanted this documentary to be better. I expected more from director Martin Scorsese. Unfortunately the direction and editing were choppy and confusing. Songs were abruptly cut off between scenes. New segments began without any introduction or context. Shockingly sloppy. At least that’s how I felt about Part 1. 

Part 2 was more coherent and heartfelt. Just as the subjects of the film were maturing, so did the storytelling. The two parts could certainly have been edited down to just one. Fascinating subject and themes, but overly long and uneven. 

Rating: C-

Borat Subsequent Moviefilm (2020)

 

Curiosity got the better of me and I give this sequel a viewing. All the awkwardness and crudeness of the original, but without any of the humor or fun. To say it was in poor taste would be an insult to poor people. A lot can be forgiven if a movie is funny. There is nothing to forgive in this one. 

Rating: F

Brave Blue World (2019)

It was nice to see a documentary about a problem that was filled with a lot of innovation for how to solve it. I especially enjoyed some of the ingenious ideas developed locally from water starved areas. One hopes that this same innovation can be applied to climate change. We’re pretty screwed otherwise. 

Rating: C