Grade: C-

The movie was fine, but I think it could have been much better if it had a longer runtime and spent a bit more time in the oven.

I think the costumes looked great, as did the rest of the retro-futurist style of the movie. It was well done and added a unique feel that few MCU movies have. The music, scoring, and sound effects were excellent, especially the sound effects for Galactus. Speaking of, Galactus looked great. He had what felt like an early-2000s sci-fi look to his body, but in a good and heightened way. And the performances were largely solid.

Now for the Not-So-Positives:

Spoilers Below!!!

The pacing felt a bit jarring. The movie has a quick montage going over the Four’s origins, which was fine, done well even, but the entire mission to Galactus felt so quick; getting there, being there, and leaving. The more intense moments here worked for me, but they were gone for a month, yet it felt like a day trip. I wish there was something other than them telling us they were gone for a month to communicate this jump in time. Besides the beginning, the pacing felt fine, but some scenes and moments felt a little too quick, and some character moments felt rushed throughout the film.

Sure, there were some odd lines and odd performances, but overall, I think the cast’s performances were good. If anything, I wish I saw more from the Four and Silver Surfer, both in terms of performance from the actors and, for Shalla-Bal, greater involvement as quite a sad character in the story. But again, another problem with the pacing and what was covered in the film, her character felt like we speed-ran through her backstory just so the movie could cover it and move on.

The comedic-ness didn’t stand out. For me, there were just as many lines/moments that landed comedically as there were that flopped. But that could be a me thing. Some jokes got me to laugh out loud, some got me to cringe.

The CGI felt very odd at times. There was, of course, the somewhat uncanny shots of a CGI baby Franklin, but more unfortunate for me were a handful of times Ben interacted with something real. There was a lot of gliding, or sometimes it would look like he wasn’t actually making contact. The CGI was also disappointing when it came to the Fantastic Four’s car, this time, when Ben got in or out, it looked fine, but for Sue, it wasn’t so nice-looking. She would kind of just slide in or out, seemingly against the physics of how the car was moving. Like how she so easily steps out of the car when it came flying in and was continuing to move. As if inertia didn’t apply to her.

This Fantastic Four movie feels less like an actual story and more like a dramatized OVERVIEW of the core characters (Johnny, Ben, Reed, Sue, Franklin, Silver Surfer, and Galactus) and the world they inhabit. I didn’t feel immersed in the narrative, setting, or sometimes even the action.

Overall, this movie felt so underdeveloped. From the quick pacing, the quiet Marvel Studios intro that played straight from a preview (perhaps a theater problem) without much fanfare, to its short run-time for a superhero world we haven’t been introduced to yet, the movie itself felt like it wanted to get it over with asap. In hindsight, I see that perhaps Marvel is putting all their chips on the upcoming Avengers movies and allowed this movie to serve as an introduction to the characters that will feature, but that is really disappointing.

The one film where “Marvel homework” wouldn’t apply, having such a cool style and concept, and an interesting story, this should have been a highlight for the MCU, but instead, they rushed all parts of this movie. And for what? To release in the summer? To start production on Avengers? I am thoroughly uninterested in what’s to come in the next Avengers movie simply because it looks like this film here suffered in quality so that they could get on to make that one.

If they had given more time to shoot, more time for VFX, more time to developed a script with improved pacing and satisfying character moments, maybe lean more into the cosmic horror of Galactus and the Silver Surfer, push the film back to release in the fall/October not just because of the horror elements but because the movie itself has Halloween in it! Then maybe we could have had a great, one might even say a fantastic, Fantastic Four film.

Grade: B+

I got what I wanted. I got what I needed. In James Gunn we trust. Amen!

It’s not a perfect movie, but it’s a damn excellent Superman movie. It’s not just about comics being brought to life (which it is), it’s not just a faithful version of Superman (which it also is), it’s just an easy-to-enjoy film. And the reason it’s so easy to enjoy is because of the heartfelt story, performance & direction. This isn’t just a film about or featuring Superman. It’s a film in the style, aesthetics, and mode of what Superman means; in pop culture, comics, & past films.

I was tearing up several times throughout the film, most significantly in the first 15 minutes. The humor is very James Gunn, but the script feels like it was labored over to find & reach the right tone. This might be in my top 3 James Gunn films.

The other hero characters fit so well. Just as if they were always a part of the Superman myth & not just here to set up something else. As a whole, this feels like the true counterpart to what the MCU did. Not just an attempt to copy what one franchise did (JOSStice League), but to emulate the concept of the MCU: an interconnected mythology of worlds & characters brought to cinema. It doesn’t just feel like a franchise starting over, but that there is a real, creative, original, & exciting vision for what’s to come.

Grade: D+

It felt like they were coming up with the plot as they were filming. There is a REALLY cool movie inside here, but this was just a mess. A huge disappointment coming off of Dead Reckoning, which may be my favorite of the franchise. It was super boring for 75% of the movie. You can definitely feel the long runtime. Too many cutbacks to older films, not in a heartfelt homage kind of way, but mostly to force a connection between characters and the plot. None of the fun from the last few movies and the cool action set piece happens way too late in the film.

Still, there were some really cool parts, including the action choreography, the cinematography, and the performances. I really like the more serious tone, even though I think it betrays the tone we are used to from Mission Impossible.

It’s just crazy to me how tight and fantastic the last movie is, just for this one to be such a letdown. Honestly, if they tightened this up by cutting some scenes or making them shorter, I think this could’ve been the finale we deserved.

Grade: A

This is why I love the X-Men. It’s because of Chris Claremont. Sure, what first brought my attention to them were the movies, but the films are wholly indebted to how Claremont depicted the lives and conflicts of those characters over 20 years before the first movie. All of the Fox X-Men movies are either adaptations or inspired plots from Claremont’s X-Men.
Those versions of the characters Magneto, Professor X, and Wolverine were all Claremont’s characterizations. My first time going to a comic shop, I picked up what turned out to be a new series of my favorite character, and I didn’t know it at the time, but Claremont wrote it.

Marvel deserved bankruptcy in the 90s when they so disrespectfully kicked Claremont off the series he made so important (that’s not exactly why they went bankrupt).

He deserves the Stan Lee treatment, like in the MCU, for the next X-Men movies. Because sure, Stan created the X-Men, but Claremont made the X-Men matter.

Grade: D

I first heard of this movie when I was at the theater to see Argyle, and the trailer came on during the previews. Halfway through the trailer, I made a note on my phone: “Glorifying war? Don’t watch?”
See, the idea of this film potentially making light of civil war (or at least focusing on the “cool” action of war) upset me (as a Sudanese American) since the crisis in Sudan had barely been going on for a year. I felt that Americans in general don’t get what a war-torn country really feels like and wouldn’t appreciate the travesty/tragedy of a modern civil war. And that this film wouldn’t attempt to provide that insight, but would make entertainment out of the idea of a war-torn America. But I thought, “Hey, come on. That’s just the trailer. They’ve got to sell the film somehow. So it could be the case that the trailer seems to focus on the spectacle of war whilst the actual film tells a compelling story.” I contemplated telling others not to see the film, don’t reward the idea of American civil war as entertainment. However, I didn’t do that.

That being said, I did not like this movie. The best thing about it was, hands down, the performances. Everyone felt really real, especially in a very intense scene that was from the trailer. I don’t think there is anything else I like. Well, there were those moments of inserted photography shots taken of the action that made for a cool style. The worst thing was the damn music. I don’t know what the idea or effect they were going for, but there are several bone-chilling/dramatic scenes followed by goofy/fun music that completely ruin the moment. Including the intense scene I mentioned before. It took me right out of the film every time it happened.

The film, I didn’t feel, was at all about anything substantive. It did not hit my concerns of making a spectacle of modern war too much. But it wasn’t really a compelling/grounded POV of war from a journalist’s perspective. Nor was it about the hypothetical worldbuilding of American politics like the marketing suggested. Usually, I let a great ending save a mediocre film, but I got so upset by the ending that I shouted “WHAT!” at my TV when the credits rolled. I think if I were to turn my brain off, I could enjoy this movie a little more, but overall, it was very hollow, and I am disappointed and upset.

Grade: C

This was my favorite Christmas movie as a kid. My dad and I would watch this together for years. And sure, I haven’t seen this since I was a kid, but I was a bit disappointed. Tim Allen’s quips ruined a few moments, and his character doesn’t really make sense. Like, shouldn’t HE be the cynic that has to learn to believe? There is a character who would make for a better thematic protagonist in the movie, but he’s oddly the antagonist.

I wish the script were written better because there is an S-tier film in there somewhere. For a Christmas movie, it just lacked an aura: no memorable theme music, no classic set pieces, no iconic lines, maybe besides “Not too hot, extra chocolate, shaken, not stirred.”

That being said, by the end, I didn’t care. This is still a decent movie with some funny moments, and I think it holds up well as a kids’ flick.

Grade: A-

This could have been better for sure. There was just something unsatisfying about the characters and themes by the end. But whatevs, it was a fun thriller that kept me watching till the end. I really liked the performances and production. The sound design is also really cool.

I like how this was a thriller, horror, and sci-fi movie, yet I don’t feel as though I got what I wanted from any of these genres. As in, none of the thriller, horror, or sci-fi aspects were mind-blowing, and I felt something was lacking. I think it needed a few tweaks to make it perfect FOR ME, but I still largely enjoyed the movie, so once again, I say whatevs.

I’m not sure if this makes my Loved Movies of 2024 list, but it’s at least a contender. My rating might change on a second watch, though.

Grade: C-

Firstly, I do want to say that people overhate this movie, and by the end of the film, I expected most people to come away liking it. I think lots of people missed the point of the film, though I also think the film poorly presented its themes. Most of the negative reviews that I’ve seen are poor in quality/substance. This is mostly a negative review, but I’m attempting to give a more substantive critique of Joker: Folie à Deux.

Positives:

The performances by everyone are great. There is a particular scene near the end starring Leigh Gill, which was amazing, one of the best scenes in the whole film.

I’ll be the first to say it, the singing was pretty good. There aren’t that many people who sing, but I appreciate all of the singing performances.

There ARE some great shots in the film. Mostly, they are shots of Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker looking sad/mysterious/cuckoo. The problem with those shots is that they come off as inserts of cool photoshoots in an overall boring film.

Lastly, Lady Gaga was fine.

ALRIGHT, NOW ON TO THE BAD!

I know this wasn’t really advertised as a musical, but it’s obviously trying to be at least a pseudo-musical, and it isn’t very much appreciated. The songs were redundant, as they mostly repeated what we already knew about the characters, often in the previous scene. This made almost every musical sequence a waste of run time since they weren’t interesting/new songs.

The plot of this movie felt like it was just “Wow! Didn’t the last movie happen? Remember that?”

The narrative itself was weak. It didn’t carry the audience through the conflict in a compelling manner, and then ended with one of the least cathartic endings to a movie I’ve ever seen.

The movie also fails to add anything to the first film. This could’ve easily been a throwaway draft of the first film edited to include moments referring back to the actual first film.

Grade: A

This movie is just great. It’s really funny straight from the get and only gets better. I was actually laughing out loud watching this. The movie also looks really good. Especially the club scene. All the fight scenes are choreographed in an engaging way. I still cant tell if Emily Blunt actually did that fight scene or not. I’m leaning on that she did, well either or, it’s impressive.

I do have some nitpicks though:

Spoilers Below!!!

First, not enough people called him “the fall guy.” Just would’ve been a nice touch. Also I think they should have shown more moments of him being rusty and in his own head after the fall. But this movie is already beyond great.

Also in one of the fights, the take downs sounded like they were from the Arkham games & in the next scene Gosling grabs a goon and with his best Batman voice shouts “WHERE’S RYDER?!”. So I’m officially submitting Ryan Gosling to be the new Batman.

Grade: B-

To start, I think the acting performances from everyone was great and this is actually where I thought the movie would disappoint. But no, the acting was good. I especially enjoyed Josh Andres Rivera’s performance. The music was also really good. I was surprised by Zegler’s singing and I loved each of her songs. The film sets and costumes were also beautiful.

I do feel that the structure and pace of the film was odd. I dont think the second half landed well enough and the beginning felt too quick. Having not read the book, I would have preferred the movie to be shorter and more intimate or perhaps two separate hour long movies. With the first focusing on the lead up to and including the game then the second focusing on the aftermath and turn of Snow. I know a lot of people would have a problem with that but if done well I would have enjoyed a smaller scale movie focused on the character of Snow compared to replicating the largeness of the original series.

Spoilers Below!!!

I found one of the scene’s towards the end, where snow and Lucy Gray run away, quite interesting. It wasn’t a great ending but the scene itself was good. The turn of Snow and how he kind of goes crazy shooting at the birds was captivating and credit must be given to Tom Blyth’s performance. It was also great how the last time we really see Lucy Gray is when she suddenly leaves and then we only see glimpses of her in the woods and that’s it, fully immersing us in Snow’s perspective. It was a captivating and intriguing way to end her part of the story.

I do want to rewatch this again I dont know why but there is a certain charm I get from this movie. I also want to read this book so well done I guess.

Excelent Grade: A-

Without comparing this film to the one from 1971, this is a fantastic movie. Even when I do compare them, I don’t have that much of a problem with this movie.

The first stand out issue I have is that the movie isn’t as charming as the previous one, which is one of my favorite aspects of that film. This movie isn’t a fun and light hearted musical like Mel Stuart’s. On the other hand, Tim Burton does add a strong visual aesthetic I find as an improvement. This film doesn’t just look nicer because of Burton’s moody gothic design/style, but it also has much better cinematography. The biggest issue for me is the CGI (which isn’t that bad or that big of a problem itself). I think it holds this movie back and dates it in a way unlike the much older film.

The music and songs are outstanding but that’s no surprise when composed by Danny Elfman. As well as Deep Roy’s performance as the Oompa Loompas providing a bit more of comedy and personality to them compared to the 1971 version.

Spoilers Below!!!

This Wonka is quite different but still fantastic. I wasn’t sure about the flashbacks and characterization of Wonka and his problems with family until the end where it resolves ALMOST satisfyingly (I get into what I mean by “ALMOST” at the end of the review). Johnny Deep’s performance was incredible and I couldn’t imagine anyone else doing this role as great as he did.

I do think it lacks the fun of some of the other characters singing besides the Oompa Loompas. Like If Charlie got a song earlier in the film or some other kids get a musical moment. For example, Veruca’s elimination. Though I like this one more with the squirrels since it adds a bit more excitement to how she leaves, the previous one had a GREATLY performed musical number but just ends with Veruca stepping on the egg shoot and falling. This film emphasized the “bad nut” bit and made it work more than the other, where the bad egg joke felt un-emphasized and sudden but had a fun song just before.

Whilst talking about the kids, I felt they and their parents were each just a little bit worse with exception to Charlie and Veruca. I think the 1971 versions of each of the kids’ introductions works so much better in understanding them and enjoying their flawed personalities. As well as the montages showing how obsessed the world is with Wonka was absent from this film and left me feeling that the golden ticket was a random sweepstake instead of a worldwide event showing why some with the means to cheat (like Veruca) do cheat. Like why even have the fraud story? It only works if this is as big of an event and Charlie doesn’t even react to hearing that the last ticket has been found and it undermines the moment he finds ten dollars in the snow.

Even though I like this version of Veruca just fine, I think her father isn’t as interesting. I liked the fearful aspect of her original father towards fulfilling Veruca’s demands. Like he is afraid of what will happen if she doesn’t get what she wants. This was missing in this version of the film. I think Violet being a boastful brat and her father a politician constantly trying to sell his image was funnier than this version of Violet and her mtoher being competition junkies.

Oh yeah, the two feet tall clone Oompa Loompas look weird.

Now on to the ending

Despite liking the ending, I have some nitpicks on what I would have preferred and what I think would have worked better. First, I like the different twists but not necessarily more than the original. I thought it was an interesting idea to have Charlie reject Wonka because Wonka doesn’t want his family to come with. It justifies the backstory and flashbacks of Wonka and his Father. But I think it would have been nicer to have Charlie offer to help without Wonka’s line of “At least not by myself”. I think instead, have a line from Wonka in this scene where he mentions he is afraid or nervous or something to talk to his father, then having Charlie ask to come with would have been more heart warming to me. The other thing is in the next scene when they go to talk to his father. There should have been a shot of Wonka noticing for himself the news clipping on the wall before the teeth inspection. This was left for Charlie to find but I dont think this works as well because Charlie ALREADY believes that parents love their children. We never even see Wonka see them. Wonka needs to find them so that he learns that his father does love him. Otherwise, why does Wonka accept the idea of family in the end? His father doesn’t really say anything besides remembering Wonka’s teeth. It doesn’t work when in the scene right before Wonka is still disgusted by the idea of family and parents.

That’s all, still a really good film but I think because of the flat ending I like it slightly less than the original.

Excelent Grade: A

Ok, so not as scary as I remember but I also dont remember having seen the ending so this was great! I loved all the songs and the performances were outstanding. It’s the perfect movie for children and adults to enjoy.