Tag: Romance

FRANKENSTEIN (2025)

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Written & Directed by Guillermo del Toro

Based on the novel “FRANKENSTEIN OR THE MODERN PROMETHEUS” ByMary Shelly 

Cinematography: Dan Laustsen 

Editor: Evan Schiff 

Cast: Oscar Isaac, Jacob Elordi, Mia Goth, Christoph Waltz, Charles Dance, David Bradley, Ralph Ineson, Lars Mikkelsen, Nikolaj Lie Kaas, Lauren Collins, Sofia Galasso 

Dr. Victor Frankenstein, a brilliant but egotistical scientist, brings a creature to life in a monstrous experiment that ultimately leads to the undoing of both the creator and his tragic creation.

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Guillermo del Toro’s adaptation of Frankenstein arrives with the kind of anticipation usually reserved for cinematic pilgrimages. It’s a long-gestating passion project by a filmmaker whose devotion to monsters borders on religious. And yes, it’s gorgeous. Ravishing. Sculpted with the kind of gothic precision that makes you want to pause the frame and hang it in a museum (which, ironically, is part of the problem).

Because for all its visual majesty, the film feels less like a living, beating story and more like a beautifully lit museum chamber piece sacred, admired, but curiously still. Almost like a Wes Anderson film

Watching Frankenstein at home, even on the biggest TV you can justify without shame, is like trying to view a cathedral through your peephole. You get the idea, but not the impact. As The film Is A Gorgeous Experience That Never Quite Comes Alive

Del Toro stages the movie like a theatrical spectacle; wide, grand, operatic. It demands an audience seated in the dark, collectively hopefully

holding their breath. On a smaller screen the whole thing compresses, and so does its emotional force. It becomes one more thing you’re “watching while also texting,” its larger-than-life gestures suddenly feeling muted. Which might be why this film doesn’t reach me. As much as it would in a theater more secluded and direct. 

It’s a reminder of an uncomfortable truth: not every film needs the big screen, but this one absolutely does. Shrink it, and the soul shrinks with it.

A friend once described last year’s NOSFERSTU remake as “a museum piece”—impeccable, reverent, exquisitely lit, styled, designed and emotionally distant. It comes off more as a presentation than a movie. Del Toro’s Frankenstein often slips into that same territory.

The sets are Immaculate. The creature design is inventive. The mood? Pretentiously Overwhelming in the best way.

And yet… it rarely moves you. The emotions are presented but not felt. They are laid before the viewer with academic seriousness, like annotations on a text everyone already knows by heart. Maybe that’s the curse of remaking a story we’ve collectively known since childhood: the beats land, but they don’t surprise.

It becomes less a story and more an opportunity to witness someone else’s interpretation of a myth you’ve heard too many times.

Del Toro is too talented to ever make something bad, but here he feels like a director in his Tim-Burton-phase: Instead of breaking new ground, he’s lovingly recreating  the things that inspired him growing up. Unlike Burton, del Toro doesn’t defang his monsters or turn them into punchlines. He actually adores them too much for that, but the result is still a filmmaker circling familiar territory rather than charting new routes. 

And yes, the del Toro signature remains: a gothic romance at the center, a creature yearning for connection, a broken heart inside a larger-than-life body. It’s easy to see what drew him to the material. It’s also easy to wish he’d returned to an original idea instead.

Christoph Waltz—shockingly—goes big. He’s operatic, but also the kind of actor who benefits from stern directorial supervision. Left unchecked, he can become his own genre. Here, he hovers just on the edge of self-parody, charismatic but distracting. 

The rest of the cast plays it with earnestness and restraint, letting del Toro’s production design do most of the heavy emotional lifting. Sometimes too much.

So… Is It Good? Absolutely. Is it essential?

Not quite. As Frankenstein is an achievement, a vision, a painterly triumph. But it’s also one more retelling of a story that has been told so many times it now arrives pre-interpreted. Beautiful, yes undeniably. But also strangely hollow, like an echo of itself.

It’s a noteworthy film, worth admiring, worth seeing on the biggest screen you can find.

But it’s not a new favorite. More a reminder of what del Toro can do… and what we wish he’d dare to do next.

Grade: B 

OUR LITTLE SECRET (2024)

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Directed By: Stephen Herek

Written By: Hailey DeDominicis

Cinematography: Graham Robbins 

Editor: Heath Ryan 

Cast: Lindsay Lohan, Ian Harding, Joe Rudnitsky, Kristen Chenowith, Tim Meadows, Judy Reyes, Katie Baker, Dan Bucatinsky, Ash Santos, Henry Czerny, Chris Parnell, Kurt Yue 

Avery and Logan haven’t spoken in the 10 years since they broke up. As Christmas approaches, they discover that their new partners are siblings, and both of them have been invited to stay with the family for the holidays. Avery proposes that they keep their past a secret to avoid any awkward confrontations, but hiding the truth turns out to be more difficult than it seems–and spending time together reignites old sparks.

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The film Has the screwball comedy concept down. 

In veteran director Stephen Herek’s hands makes what could have easily been insufferable into something more memorable. Very formulaic 

It get’s a bit racy but never over the edge and stays quite clean. Though goes a few places you wouldn’t expect, but keeps its subjects and targets soft. After all it is a movie aimed at the holidays for families for the most part. 

I will admit I watched this movie mainly to see actress Lindsay Lohan. I was a fan when I was younger and was alway rooting for her through her turmoil with fame, but always thought she was talented and had the skills. Making quite the comeback here. Though not as full fledged as one would hope. Though she is trying and sells the material.

So looked forward to her many comebacks. Luckily they have recently seemed to stick, but mostly here does what is required. She comes across a bit stiff and too poised. Especially when she needs to throw herself into it more. 

The film Is filled  with reliable recognizable and reliable actors who the audience  will instantly recognize. 

It’s a Sweet romantic comedy that is a bornvoer the top yet relatable. As most of the characters throughout are holding secrets. None that small they are all quite devastating in the end. 

Which at least leaves the movie with some gravity. As most of the other gags seem forgettable and never quite Go for  the full damage or gambit of consequences, but still Manages to leave a smile on your face. 

Grade: C+

THE ACTOR (2025)

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Directed By: Duke Johnson 

Written By: Duke Johnson and Stephen Cooney 

Based on. The novel “MEMORY” by: Donald E. Westlake 

Cinematography: Joe Passarelli 

Editor: Garret Elkins

Cast: Andre Holland, Gemma Chan, Toby Jones, Tracy Ullman, Joe Cole, May Calamawy, Tanya Reynolds, Youssef Kerkour 

When New York actor Paul Cole is beaten and left for dead in 1950s Ohio, he loses his memory and finds himself stranded in a mysterious small town where he struggles to get back home and reclaim what he’s lost.

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This is a strange film as it is beautifully film, offering surreal, imagery, mystery, nostalgic throwbacks in a bit of artificiality that the film leans into when it comes to fading memories, or one memory leading to another and connected 

What a strange about this tail is that it plays a bit like film noir it seems to want to head that way, so it plays more like a romance, as well as a psychological character drama that fully tries to illustrate the lead characters, fractured, memories, and emotional state due to this condition 

Though ultimately the problem with the film is that it doesn’t really go too many places it explores the situation, but you never know where exactly it’s headed and it still doesn’t really offer any answers and what it does. They’re not really that big revelations so you wonder what are we supposed to do with this And even though the film doesn’t outright explain anything we’re able to get answers through small little clues

Obviously, the film deals with identity, and whether this is truly the person’s identity stripped away, and who he was before was always an act. This is more the emotional vulnerable him or is he in fact, truly a different person.

Just as we are left a question what’s real as the film is obviously filmed more on sites than actual locations and can easily walk over to the vaccine or memory, but it makes it not only a movie but also makes it feel more staged, but also loose in itself as there is obviously a design to it all, but you never know where it’s gonna go so more like an outfit from the runway, though in the parameters of an outfit that someone could wear daily, but still with that wild streak. As the sets work to show that each time he moves on, he is in a new scene or a new set for him in his life. 

If anything, the film plays more like a dramatic romance that is dreamlike and fits in with movies such as MOOD INDIGO, and THE SCIENCE OF SLEEP where it’s more about the creative forces,  presentation and artistry on display. As the films and the filmmaker seemed to get lost in their imagination and while it all looks good by the end, it doesn’t come too much

Though it all looks pretty and it does entertain it’s very light on material, even though there is plenty of depth. Though sometimes that creativity seems like it is more there to either distract or make up for the lack of action.

Though this film is admirable, if you give it a chance for its beauty and what it attempts to do not to mention where it takes you to and leaves you for you more interpret as it is sweet and old-fashioned now using more modern storytelling techniques. Not to mention the bravery of the filmmakers to make this film and live in the moments.

Another aspect that keeps the film feel more like a stage plays is that some of the noticeable and notable actors play at least three different roles throughout. Usually minor but meaningful ones. That come In each phase or territory that he travels to. 

Andre Holland in the lead is excellent as usual, truly showing his leading man presence, looks and vulberability. Gemma chan as the female lead is so precious though one wishes she was given more to do and play with. Even as with that decision she plays more of a sweetheart who the audience falls in love with, as she is truly innocent throughout.

Hopefully this will be a film that is discovered and studied by Audiences In the future and not just an undiscovered gem. That while shiny isn’t as heavy as it should be. 

by the end, you just wish that it had more to say and something you can grab a hold of so that it could truly match its beauty

Grade: B-

CONTEMPT (1963)

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Directed By: Jean-Luc Godard

Written by & based on the novel “IL DISPREZZO” By: Alberto Moravia

Cinematography: Raoul Coutard

Editor: Agnes Guillemot 

Cast: Jack Planace, Brigitte Bardot, Fritz Lang, Michel Piccoli, Giorgia Moll

A French writer’s marriage deteriorates while working on Fritz Lang’s version of “The Odyssey”, as his wife accuses him of using her to court favor with the film’s brash American producer.

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Tortured Myself again, by watching another Jean Luc-Godard From my Criterion Collection, sight unseen.

I know how dour that already sounds. You just have to know that me and Jon Luc Godard films have had a love-hate relationship. I have actually liked and enjoyed some films that I didn’t expect while other films that are considered classics I found rather boring noteworthy for different reasons.

I like the ideas of Jean-Luc Godard, in his style though the films not necessarily as much at times they work, but usually not at least for me as they become statements which might have worked at the time as bold but now come across as pretentious, cinematic, theatrical games, there is a living quality to them in an absurd quality, as they are usually quite beautiful, but leaves the audience lost to find their own way, which is commendable, if not having

I will say watching the movie is like reading a classic book you don’t like and wonder why so many do as it feels more like an assignment that you’re determined to finish 

This is one of those movies where you’re going to come up with your own theory or understanding of it so I’m only gonna present my interpretation.

Now it’s always entertaining watching a younger Jack Palance in a film, as well as young women, riding bicycles in skirts. Though watching Fritz Lang steal the movie in his scenes was worth it

It is another movie of Brigitte Bardot being torn supposedly between Teague lovers neither of which is seem a good choice, but one is better than the other and her never having chemistry who is the one who is older, has more money and seems more want her only physically.

This film is a satire film making, but it seems to turn more into a domestic drama romance of a deteriorating marriage.Even as it explores the themes of selling out or staying, true to your principles.

That was it’s a beautiful locations still end up being a hang out movie that is in the middle of paradise yet everyone is oblivious to the beauty of their surroundings or they’ve been there so long that it is normal to them, though the film still manage to showcase the beauty and appeal of Brigitte Bardot and it seems like while everybody in the film can see her beauty she is like the background to them. They’ve grown so used to her that it’s normal, but will still contest her. Well, the film and filmmaker bathe her and loving light as well as give her a meaty challenging role. Though questionable if you might actually like her by the end

One can say that at least she gets to play full character other than just a fantasy or an object of beauty pretty much a bombshell, though she does Grace the poster, so it she did help sell tickets for this phone as next to Jack Palance she’s the biggest name in the film and of course Fritz Lang. No, she seems to be the entrance or introduction for us to the Phil as the camera lingers on her

Throughout the film, we see the games that all the characters seem to be playing weather in love relationships filmmaking financing.

Now one can see where Martin Scorsese got part of his score of CASNO from. It gets  annoying a bit at times watching its source play throughout. The score “ST. MATTHEW PASSION BMV 244/PART TWO: WIR SETZEN UNS MIT TRANEN NEIDER”’By Johann Sebastian Bach 

Which leads me to wonder Did he use it to subconsciously say that all these characters are in this Idyllic Wonderland in that they are alienated from it due to mounting domestic pressures & alienation from one another

Didn’t expect this to become one of Godard Morchella Ching films even though it’s seams like most of them are as the film deals with alien nation. It almost feels more like a Michelangelo Antonioni film only no not as long, and this seem to have more of a cruel, ending the natural ending.

In the end, I have no problem, admitting maybe I didn’t quite get it as much as others did as I loved the concepts and drama that was introduced that lead to discussions and conversations even after you watch the film no again I can’t say I enjoyed it, or necessarily would need to watch it again

I LOVE YOU, FOREVER (2024)

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Written & Directed By: Cazzie David and Elisa Kalani

Cinematography: Christine Ng

Editor: Autumn Dea, Colin Fair and Natalie Toppino

Cast: Sofia Black D’Elia, Ray Nicholson, Cazzie David, Jon Rudnitsky, Olvier Cooper, Raymond Cham Jr., Michael Manasseri, Owen Thiele 

A subversive romantic comedy gone wrong that follows a young woman into and out of an emotionally abusive relationship.

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This film tries to say something with a more sarcastic voice in this film, though not quite loud enough it’s more like an affection.

Which is a shame, consider considering the films potential but it’s definitely a film worth checking out.

The film horrifies you and opens your eyes to a certain type of behavior and the hearts that lie within. Which can be worse as it is more intimate than spontaneous.

Though the film goes for overkill at times, and clearly shows his ridiculous scarring mental state and no one seems to note or notice it even him, and he never sees his own problems. Though we continuously see the damage it causes to our lead who is young and impressionable, even though she has had dating in relationship experience.

You wonder in the audience if the film would’ve hit harder if maybe she had a bit more experience or was a bit older and didn’t come off as desperate at times to a degree. So eager to PLEASE, but that might be the weakness of that the character played by Ray Nicholson is looking for.

The lead played by Sophia Black D’Elia is supposed to be kind of an every woman showing how anyone can fall into a trap or be prayed upon by such a person. though you can see why she would fall for this guy when her one other romantic partner is such a jerk and we never see anyone else show any interest in her

which makes sense for us in the audience to see that her choices in the dating pool are limited and messed up in someway, or are not surely looking for anything more than sex.  

Ray Nicholson seems to be the actor these days to play romantic psychopath as he appears to be quite gifted at it would be nice to see if he is truly a character actor by playing something a little different maybe a little more normal

The ending packs of punch, but also kind of treats it like a dark joke. It needed to show a bit more as you want more answers, but it leaves the audience like the main character wondering what

As the abuse scene hit hard and will have you screaming at the screen, causing an emotional reaction. Is though the film is supposed to be a comedy at times and her friends seem stuck in comedic roles, yet most of the film feels more like a drama for the most part.

So at times the film has two different styles working against each other, though for quite a few scenes they seem to work hand-in-hand.

it does make you wonder if when it comes to his friends who are very minor in this film if he pays for them to be so willing to feed into his paranoia or they doing it out of loyalty.

All the film is a subversive, romantic comedy one wishes it was a bit more subtle and stronger with its punch and it’s punchlines.

There are things to admire, but it feels a bit after school special-ish only without a typical ending.

For a debut feature The film is a great showcase for all involved, especially Cassie David, who costars who wrote and directed the film. It’s quite assured and defitnely  has something to say. Can’t wait to see what she comes up with next.

Grade: B-

THE DEAD THING (2024)

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Directed By: Elric Kane 

Written By: Elric Kane and Webb Wilcoxen 

Cinematography: Ioana Vasile

Editor: Star Rosencrans

Cast: Blu Hunt, Ben-Smith Petersen, Katherine Hughes, John Karna, Josh Marble, Brennan Mejia, Joey Millin, Aerial Washington 

A young woman lost in a series of meaningless connections falls in love with a charismatic and sensitive man, who hides a dark secret that turns her affair into a dangerous obsession.

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The film starts off with such a shock that it reminded me of the film RED WHITE AND BLUE. The shows the mundane life she has and those around her are so lifeless, but when she is with different men. She feels alive and with this one who seems to finally grab her interest and want to see more than once, is of course supernatural. Which we won’t find out like her until later. 

Though It’s never quite explained as even the character who it happens to can’t understand. The film doesn’t make it too much of a spectacle. Though it doesn’t mystery and thus life to the character, but also the film. It’s never quite fleshes out its ideas. The film is always doom And gloom as ItMs never fun and becomes quite repetitive. 

The film explores, Just when you think you have made a connection and you each like one another. You get ghosted literally. As Later revelations is she a nymphomaniac using sex to make her desired and feel good about herself, not necessarily happy. As the film never quite explains her motivations. She is just very sexual and then meets the right guy. Who she makes a connection with, then her literally ghosts her and she can’t take it. Treating her how she has treated others, except without the death part 

The film is broody and moody. Though one you could certainly talk about even for It’s Cut and dry factors. It seems to have something to say, but not quite. As it seems more provocative only to be seen and noticed . It’s Not necessary, yet keeps you interested by its presentation. 

It’s also mainly due to the lead Blu Hunt that keeps one captivated. As she has an exotic yet plain attractiveness.

It seems ridiculous as her character is so attractive and she doesn’t appear to be that picky. Though even her original co-worker failed at seduction of her. But she is willing to keep hooking up with the undead/ghost/zombie/dead guy and she knows it. So that she comes off as a necrophiliac willing to cross the line because he is attractive. It’s Like the film substituted who she should have gone for for a cuter guy.

This is what happens when you forsake your friends, work and responsibilities for lust, their partner and/or sex. As Time passes and you don’t realize what you are missing or losing. 

The film keeps you guessing in its reveals but never quite tells or explains. Like in a relationship you learn more as it goes along.

The film is built on metaphors throughout. It also feels a bit superficial. 

As it’s a relationship horror film that offers It’s take on dead end relationships. Accepting the faults that might end up affecting you and killing you. 

She’s Obsessed as he Seems to feed off of her. He becomes more desperate as she rebounds. As She is ready to get over him he comes back and seems to only want sex and for her to take care of him and forget her own needs.

The film is slow paced and offers a slow burn as it takes its time. It keeps its world so small. So that there aren’t that many characters. Though it seems to take place in Los Angeles. It seems to stick to its neighborhood. 

This erotic thriller that catches your attention immediately, but always so downtrodden. As it’s only an erotic thriller as it seeks that theme with mood, sex scenes and nudity. Though the lacks of chemistry between the leads messes up the experiment and the nudity in the sex scenes is solidly focused on her and her being topless. 

How come no one else like her roommate checked on her. Even though they share a place. 

As we watch the Dangers of jumping into a relationship. Even though demand the attention does make them both feel Separately and together. Even if the couple on the middle of this film don’t necessarily have any chemistry. 

It has a plot point that you can see coming, but doesn’t need to be there. As it seems there just to add a body count. 

The film might have made a more effective short or could have been edited down a bit to be shorter. Maybe if it had gone with some stronger ideas that it sets up. It would feel stronger and about more then relationship similes and a doomed love story. Which we have seen before. 

It might have helped if there was a female writer on this film. As it is written and directed by males. Where it feels less sensitive and more masculine. 

Even the ending why does one character,  who he kills come back but not any of his other victims?

In the end it seems to be a film that shows the emptiness of sex. As it goes out of its way to make it look so unappealing for the most part and how it causes nothing but pain eventually and even death. That is the way I read it maybe i am dyslexic when it comes to this film and also I am single. 

ETERNAL BEAUTY (2019)

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Written & Directed By: Craig Roberts 

Cinematography: Kit Fraser 

Editor: Stephen Haren 

Cast: Sally Hawkins, David Thewlis, Billie Piper, Alice Lowe, Myfford Clark, Rita Bernard-Shaw, Robert Pugh, Paul Hilton, Penelope Wilton

This movie follows Jane who, after being left at the altar, had a breakdown spiraled into a chaotic episode of schizophrenia lasting 20 years, in which love (both real and imagined) and family relationships collide. Things change when she begins a darkly-comic romance with Mike, a failed musician and fellow lost soul.

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Though it got no major release. Sally Hawkins’s performance in ETERNAL BEAUTY is amazing. Better & bigger than the movie, but the movie is what she needed to truly show her talents and as a showcase. Give the movie a chance. A deep look at mental illness.

The film isn’t bad but it feels like the runway for her character and performance to launch off. It works as a kind of case study file but where we get to see the outside influences that have helped to contribute to her mental illnesses. 

Not that Ms. Hawkins hasn’t Had plenty of great roles and performances since seemingly being introduced with the film HAPPY GO LUCKY. Thougbbshe had been in plenty of movies, television and theatrical productions prior. That film seemed to be her breakout role 

The film takes a Look at her paranoid schizophrenic character with a horrible family who only seems to inspire her condition to make it worse with their indifference or Using her  Where only one Family Member truly seems concerned but that character is influenced more by the rest of the family. To look the other way. Which also causes problems within her marriage. 

The first half plays out like a tragedy and the second act is more of a romance where the colors get richer and the style of the film becomes a little more surrealistic. It also becomes a bit happier though still downtrodden but hopeful 

It helps if the material is strong enough for them to base a performance on mention as they get older more is expected of them or a certain legacy is on them, and it is hard to live up to especially when you were just trying to do the work and work and more and more you’re not getting the roles you used to and the writing isn’t as strong. 

As the film goes along we learn that each of her family members has their drama  And dysfunctions as the film doesn’t  Seek to villainize any characters but shows them as human beings fallible 

The film is Advertised more as a romantic comedy between two people with mental illnesses it is deeper than that as it was kind of bait to hook More mainstream tastes seem more conventional for audiences. 

Grade: B

LOVE HURTS (2025)

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Directed By: Jonathan Eusebio

Written By: Matthew Murray, Josh Stoddard and Luke Passmore 

Cinematography: Bridger Nielson 

Editor: Elisabeth Ronaldsdottir 

Cast: Ke Huy Quan, Ariana DeBose, Lio Tipton, Cam Gigandet, Marshawn Lynch, Rhys Darby, Mustafa Shakir, Daniel Wu, Sean Astin, Drew Scott 

A realtor is pulled back into the life he left behind after his former partner-in-crime resurfaces with an ominous message. With his crime-lord brother also on his trail, he must confront his past and the history he never fully buried.

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this oddly feels like this could’ve been a sequel to the big hit only because again a gang of hitman, a love story and disposable action that is quite visual and admirable from a stunt and fight choreography standard but feels a bit much about nothing.

It feels like a lighter version of the film. NOBODY that packs a much lighter punch. as this is more of a jab.

As all the actors are likeable, you just wish that there was a stronger script because everything here feels like you’ve seen it 100 times before and it just feels so basic that even at under 90 minutes it feels a bit long like everyone is going through the motions The only thing that keeps you is lead actor Ke Huy Quan 

As he is so small and has such a gentle nature, but seeing him be a bad ass is quite watchable, but also seeing him struggle with the two sides of himself, the dangerous side and the good side is quite remarkable 

Everything else about the film though is a little bit tired or familiar even Marshawn Lynch usually is a scene stealer and most films while he’s good and humorous here it still feels like unremarkable in this film 

Same with Ariana Debose, a great actress and Oscar winning actress where you have to wonder why is she here? Was it just the paycheck because she is very enticing in this film and seems to be having fun but she feels better than the material or this film so that it feels like she’s slumming and you wanna see her and better you wanna see key and better You wanna see better than what they have.

you know when the film has multiple screen writers that it’s most likely gonna be a little bit confusing and it’s identity and probably water down. 

It feels like the film is afraid to ever slow down and its pace as every shot must be busy or they have the camera move like a 90s MTV style film with an electronic music soundtrack to keep the bass moving at times you wish it would slow down With its constant push you more and more away from the film and it’s believability

What’s worse is that I am an advocate for seeing for films being seen on the big screen as that seems to be what they when you’re making one. That’s what they’re made for but this film feels like it has blockbuster money, but the script seems more accustomed to a streaming platform and the big screen. 

At least you’re paying for the service and this is what they offer you rather than you going. Spending hard earned money on this and the quality is not that great even though maybe if you’re an action junkie, this might be up your alley, but in the end, even though it is an action film it also seems like it’s more comedic moments rather than the action at times , and it doesn’t seem to be able to have it.

It’s not a horrible film. It’s just a film that seems like it more just gets by instead of trying or attempting to be better and there’s nothing wrong with that being satisfied with who you are but let us know that in the audience beforehand instead of making it seem like you have promise .

Well at least  Ke Huy Quan has a cute moment of a reunion of THE GOONIES having played in the film as data . Here he isso close with his mentor and boss at the realty company played by Sean Astin, who played Mikey in THE GOONIES. As well as them both appearing in the film ENCINO MAN together

Grade: C

PERFECT (1985)

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Directed By: James Bridges

Written By: James Bridges and Aaron Latham

Based on Articles By: Aaron Latham 

Cinematography: Gordon Willis 

Editor: Jeff Gourson 

Cast: John Travolta, Jamie Lee Curtis, Marilu Henner, Jann Wenner, Laraine Newman, Anne De Salvo, Kenneth Welsh, Chelsea Field, David Paymer

Fed up with writing obituaries for a local New Jersey newspaper, the inquisitive and ambitious journalist, Adam Lawrence, finally gets his big break, when–as a Rolling Stone reporter–gets to interview a well-off entrepreneur accused of drug-dealing. However, one brief look at the tight-bodied members of a modern gym will have Adam itching to write an exposé on the latest craze of fitness and health centres, where aerobics instructors like the ferociously-astonishing, Jessie, are the absolute stars. But, Jessie, really despises interviewers. Will she ever let him into her sultry world of cool music, high-energy exercise, and perfection?

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One could see the appeal of this movie at the time. as more revolving around the romance between the two leads played by John Travolta and Jamie Lee Curtis. You need to fill the time of this movie that is way too long.

This film is over two hours long and the tale could’ve been told and 90 minutes. so instead of just a romance, the film also wants to talk about journalistic responsibility not only that but how to build a story.

As the film tries to show, yes there is a reporter trying to get the truth out to the people and tell a story, but also how the story is only the view of the reporter and might not tell the full story or is edited so that details are left out, and also the aftermath that the story can do two people who never intended originally to be victims.

One can see why John Travolta chose this movie as it’s by James Bridges, who also directed him in his head urban cowboy so this is another kind of down and dirty romance. Only this is given more of a flashy treatment as it is tying for rolling stone magazine, for which John Travolta is a reporter of and , the editor and chief of the magazine at the time Jan wiener even plays himself a version of himself under a different name.

The script was also written by written by the actual writer that John Travolta character is based on who wrote a story about sports clubs or aerobics clubs being the new singles club so it all feels like an in-house production.

I will say that Jamie Lee Curtis looks fantastic in the movie and her character is so cool and has such a fashionable look that you just wish her character was in a different and better film. 

John Travolta tries his best and makes his character charismatic and dramatic, but he doesn’t make him interesting.

That is the problem with this film at first, watching this film as a look back at the fashions and mentality of the times, but it moves along so slowly that even any campiness factor within the film slowly drains away until your hit with what is supposed to be drama but he just doesn’t seem in the right way that the film is hoping it will just want resolution as you’re wondering where is this movie going to go?

Seem to have a lot going for at first it has some unbilled cameos by Lauren Hutton and Carly Simon and it seems like a typically streamline film that was made to be tied into a fan, but then also tried to have some substance and that might be the problem is that that substance dragged down the film that not that it wouldn’t necessarily have been good Even without the substance, but it could be forgiven for naïveness

So give credit for at least trying to be worth something.

The film is fascinating to watch though after a while it’s feels a little monotonous, almost like a sitcom where you wait for the two leads to finally get together and then they do and then the show kind of runs out of steam as it doesn’t know what else to do or focus on , watching just to see where it’s going to go if you’re a Die Hard that’s what it feels like watching this film. It goes on for way too long and so many characters consequences and plots that don’t seem to go anywhere or are introduced but not more depth.

For instance, the Lorraine Newman character seems like the one chance for the film to actually have a character of death who has tragic ramifications around her and offers some traumatic consequences, but the film seems to hint at these prospects and then totally drops them so that just becomes another background character that we do with.

It’s not exactly the same with Mary Lou character who is Bill heavily but is given very little to do more than maybe be in the background of scenes even though she looks great too in this film as much as Jamie Lee Curtis, but other than just being another body in the background She doesn’t have much to do.

I’m sure this film has its fans and Jamie Lee Curtis and John Travolta still defended though this was a flop a big one for the studio and John Travolta who seem to not start another film for another four years after this film so he did kind of a hit though again I think everyone is proud of the film, at least attempted to even if it didn’t do it successfully.

I would say the warnings but watch at your own risk. It’s not the worst thing in the world, but it’s reputation proceeds and there is a reason for that there is some decent stuff in here, but you have to get through so much bad stuff just to get to it, including a ridiculously long aerobics scene where John Travolta just keeps thrusting his hips endlessly.

The one aspect of the film is that it has so many aerobics and workout scenes that this film under normal circumstances could’ve been a musical if you just take all the aerobic scenes and made them into song and dance productions it seems it wants to be a musical, but physically, it’s a romantic drama about reporting and aerobics.

Grade: D+

SUGAR BABY (1985)

~ jbg ~ Leave a comment

Directed By: Percy Adlon 

Written By: Percy Adlon and Gwendolyn Von Ambasser

Cinematography: Johanna Heer

Editor: Jean-Claude Piroue

Cast: Marianne Sagebrecht, Elsi Gulp, Toni Berger, Manuela Denz, Will Spindler, Hans Stadlbauer, Meret Burger 

An asocial, obese German woman lives in a large city. Unfortunately, despite her kind and intelligent personality, she has had a lot of trouble making a connection with people, until she gets a crush on a handsome subway conductor.

Though this film sounds more modern about an older person taking care of a beautiful younger person financially and them doing the ssmenin return socially and physically. The same happens here but it is more romantic and emotional. Same title different meaning. Oh how the times have changed 

Throughout this film I had the feeling that I had seen this film before. As it constantly felt familiar though I I had only learned of this film in the previous weeks. Then by the end a particular scene jogged my memory. I didn’t see this film exactly, but a televison movie name BABYCAKES starring Ricki Lake and Craig Sheffer. Which o found out was a remake of this film.

Only with a happier and less ambiguous ending. As this original is definitely more sexual and a bit more twisted, but still sweet and more direct. 

As this film goes the artistic route in It’s stark lighting and camera work that seems to go a bit haywire at times in romantic scenes. I am shocked this film hasn’t become a cult film with a following. 

The lead played by Marianne Sagebrecht comes off as lonely and sad but also smart and determined. As we watch in her determined pursuit of her crush. Who seems like an epiphany to her one day.

Their romance takes up most of the film. As they find salvation in one another. Even though he is married. Most of the scenes are of their courtship and romance and some sex. The main difference between the movies other than country of origin is in the remake she has a best friend who is jealous and kind of pulls the rug out from under the romance.

The main attraction of this film is that the female is older and overweight. Making her seem all the more desperate and like her pursuit is more of a dream of fairytale. As the guy is considered think or in this original rather average but skinny. So when she manages to get him it is joyous and a wish come true. So it truly feels like the underdog finding victory. Only unlike most romances we stay way past the victory lap and watch as they deal with reality and the world. Remeber You have to defend your title at times. 

As I saw the remake first I have to side with it as far as presentation of the story and offering up a happy ending. Even though the original is more truthful, artistic and focused. 

Grade: C