Friday, April 29, 2022
Wednesday, April 27, 2022
Geeks and Jocks: Episodes 111 and 112
Last week's episode 111:
https://anchor.fm/ryan-sullivan1gaj/episodes/Episode-111-Even-Rough-Spring-e1hgg6i
And this week's episode 112:
https://anchor.fm/ryan-sullivan1gaj/episodes/Episode-112-We--the-Podcast-e1hng7f
Tuesday, April 26, 2022
Father Stu Review
I'm not an overly religious person. That said, Father Stu seemed like an interesting film. A guy who wants to find his true calling and tries several things before deciding to go into priesthood. There's probably better films of this type of genre, but this isn't too bad.
Mark Wahlberg plays Stuart Long in this true story of what Long did at points in his life. A local boxer who is forced to retire because of health issues, he wants to make a name for himself and Hollywood is where he believes he can do well for him and his mother. He tries his luck and finds himself in bad situations until catching the eye of a young lady named Carmen who goes to church every Sunday. Long decides to clean up his act and do better and believes in joining the priesthood with ups and downs along the way.
The real Stuart Long passed away back in 2014, so this is a film that knows there will not be any sort of happy ending. I don't know how to explain the movie. No matter what throughout it, Long is determined to get what he wants. Even if it sounds crazy, he knows he has a true calling. It's also redemption, especially with the rocky relationship of his father, played by Mel Gibson. So many things you can describe. And it's a passion project that Wahlberg wanted to work on, hence helping finance it according to multiple websites. Redemption and also tragedy with Long's health and past wounds that don't heal.
Outside of some pacing issues, the cinematography had a bit of a grittiness and some excellent lighting usage at points. That was used with big effort in the later part of the film. There was a little bit more of a movie score along with a few songs here and there. The only other problems would be the subject matter. It was a decent enough film. Definitely an on the fence type of choice. If you're interested, see it before it gets pulled out of theaters within a few weeks. There's far worse true story movies.
Score: 6.5 out of 10
Friday, April 15, 2022
Thursday, April 14, 2022
Tuesday, April 12, 2022
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 Movie Review
Sonic the Hedgehog made for a good movie two years ago. It did a strong job with its CGI. Dr. Robotnik was a crazy character done well. When I reviewed it, I said it was surprisingly good. With the sequel now, it has a lot going and the expectations are very high. For the most part, it lands on its feet with ease. You're on a roller coaster ride of many things.
Sonic (Ben Schwartz) is enjoying life in Green Hills with Tom and Maddie Wachowski (James Marsden and Tika Sumpter). He does try to do good, but not to the best results. On his own for a weekend, His nemesis, Dr. Robotnik (Jim Carrey) returns from another dimension with a sidekick, Knuckles (Idris Elba). The two are on the search for the Master Emerald and Sonic must be taken care of. But the blue blur has his adopted human parents and new sidekick Tails (Colleen O'Shaughnessey) that can help him in a pinch and learn what it means to be a hero.
This one is more a race against the clock type of film. White knuckle (no pun intended) frantic adventure to save the world. It's a little more serious with a bit more banterish and pun type humor in the mix. Sonic is given all sorts of emotions of doing the best and struggling at keeping up with being ahead of Robotnik. While not as wacky like in the first, Carrey continues to shine as the mad scientist. Not as humorous, but he still has his times to shine with intellect. Knuckles has the warrior treatment with Elba playing him as though he came out of a comic book or fantasy world. They put in some nice insight of his story to get the Emerald. Speaking of that, they put in a fair share of references to various forms of media of Sonic throughout the 90s and 2000s.
The CGI is unbelievable along with creating amazing special effects. Some of it on Sonic and Knuckles is crazy excellent. A little more emphasis on songs, but there's still a focus on a movie score. It's got a wonderful cinematography and the lighting is magnificent. It's human scenes can be a little undercooked in a couple of scenes. Being a little longer than the first isn't necessarily bad. For a kids film, it might drag for some parents. However, the pacing is good. If you want a family flick, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is a good choice. This should have a strong run for a good couple of months.
Score: 7 out of 10
The Lost City Review
The Lost City is one of those films that caught my interest a little bit. I was a little hesitant to see it in theaters and waited on reviews. I would rate it right around where the critics would place it. It's a fun little film that has its share of adventure and some humor mixed into it. Not a straight up action. As much as I liked Uncharted, I would put Lost City over it, but not by far.
This is centered around Loretta, played by Sandra Bullock. She writes adventure novels and is part of a book tour that begins in New York. Along with that first promotional of the book is her cover model, Alan, played by Channing Tatum. Loretta is frustrated at having to do book touring. In the midst of it, she is kidnapped by a billionaire. Abigail, performed by Daniel Radcliffe, wants her to find the real treasure as done in the books. It ultimately become a rescue mission and a treasure hunt with a real sense of adventure.
The film takes its moments to be light hearted. Have some humor in it here and there. And then hit a serious moment. It finds a good balance on continuing the story. They develop the characters as it goes on. You get to understand the feelings of what Loretta and Alan are going through. The fact they open up more of Alan says a bit about wanting to be more than a book cover model. And Abigail is an eccentric bad guy. The performances altogether are well thought out. The action is not overdone and contribute to the story. Like I said, it finds good balance.
I like that there is more of a movie score with some songs put into it. The cinematography is excellent and the production design is well thought out for being a treasure hunt type of film. It can drag in a couple spots, though, and a couple characters do get somewhat annoying in some scenes. But otherwise, check out The Lost City. It's a fun popcorn film that isn't as ridiculous compared to other films.
Score: 7.5 out of 10
Friday, April 8, 2022
Wednesday, April 6, 2022
Friday, April 1, 2022
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)