jamess's Profile - Metacritic

Average User Score: 6.9

Sep 28, 2022

8

In it's own way Ti West and Mia Goth's Pearl is a 1918 version of Joker. A small town girl dreams of stardom while trapped in her secludedIn it's own way Ti West and Mia Goth's Pearl is a 1918 version of Joker. A small town girl dreams of stardom while trapped in her secluded farmhouse caring for her infirm father and her strict German mother. And Goth is in practically every scene, as we watch her mentally deteriorate over the course of the movie. The style of the cinematography is like the bright colorful studio musicals of the 40s and 50s along with the credits that wipe on and off in the cursive font of old films. Mia Goth goes all in portraying the unbalanced young woman who spirals downward as the movie develops. And taking place during the influenza pandemic of 1918 adds to the isolation without hitting us over the head with modern analogies.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful

Barbarian

Average User Score: 6.9

Sep 14, 2022

8

Barbarian can be viewed as a very competent "house of horrors" type horror film that shares some DNA with Don't Breathe, as it takes place inBarbarian can be viewed as a very competent "house of horrors" type horror film that shares some DNA with Don't Breathe, as it takes place in a deceptively expansive house in the middle of a abandoned area of Detroit. And as horror movies go, it begins on a dark and stormy night. But there's a line early on that informs the rest of the movie. When a young woman finds out that the Airbnb she rented has been double booked, occupied by a young man, and reluctantly stays, she is asked would you have done the same if the roles (genders) were reversed. That question lies beneath the surface in her interactions with the occupant, the police and others. To say more would spoil the film. I did find it ironic that the last name of the lead actress shares the same last name of a particular actor who has Detroit roots and had to battle evil. Just sayin.… Expand

0 of 3 users found this helpful

Lightyear

Average User Score: 4.0

Aug 8, 2022

6

There is something that bugged me from the opening scenes on a fundamental level. How does a mid nineties animated movie look a hundred timesThere is something that bugged me from the opening scenes on a fundamental level. How does a mid nineties animated movie look a hundred times better than the movie it precedes, if this was the inspiration for the Buzz Lightyear action figure in Toy Story?… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

Nope

Average User Score: 6.3

Jul 27, 2022

8

I think in it's way, Nope is Jordan Peele' s most personal film. Dealing, in one aspect, with African-American's history and legacy in theI think in it's way, Nope is Jordan Peele' s most personal film. Dealing, in one aspect, with African-American's history and legacy in the film industry. The main characters are descendants of the first person captured on film, a black jockey riding a horse. That person is a forgotten piece of film history, and never given their due. OJ and Em operate a horse ranch catering to film production, carrying on the tradition (and legacy) of their late father, portrayed by John Carpenter favorite Keith David (The Thing, They Live). There is a poster in their home of the early seventies film Buck and the Preacher, made at a time when "blacksploitation" films were made crossing many genres, from crime to horror to westerns. The business is going through tough times as real live animals are being replaced by much more manageable CGI. Because as the Gordy subplot reveals, it's near impossible for man to control nature, especially for entertainment and spectacle. And flesh and blood being replaced by machine. That's just one aspect. When ex child actor Jupe, recalls the incident where a chimpanzee attacks during the taping of a sitcom, he references an SNL sketch and a Mad magazine cover is shown. Tragedy is turned to parody (for our entertainment), and, of course, Peele appeared early in his career on Mad Tv, which ran opposite SNL. And Jupe tries to capitalize off that notoriety and exploit nature for his own profit, which does not go well. Peele references everything from Jaws, to Close Encounters (in Spielberg' s film objects electrically spring to life in the presence of the aliens, here, just the opposite), to even Akira. But he uses these references as loving nods. It's in no way a perfect movie, but it is a movie made by a man who LOVES movies, and it shows.… Expand

9 of 10 users found this helpful

The Black Phone

Average User Score: 7.0

Jun 30, 2022

6

Adapted from a story by Stephen King's son and wonderful storyteller himself, Joe Hill, The Black Phone shares themes that Mr. King has beenAdapted from a story by Stephen King's son and wonderful storyteller himself, Joe Hill, The Black Phone shares themes that Mr. King has been mining for decades. The inept adult authority figures, be they parental (Jeremy Davies does a nice job as the alcoholic, abusive father), or the police who can't seem to realize the Black windowless van driving around the neighborhood is suspicious to a major degree. The young girl with dreams and visions that link them to the killer. Even the 70's needle drops include songs King would whole heartedly approve. That said, this is a horror movie that would seem right at home on a streaming service instead of the big screen. It's well done, acted and directed. It just seems a bit on the slight side. I did notice that the masks worn by Ethan Hawke were co-designed by legend Tom Savini. Nice.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful

RRR

Average User Score: 8.9

Jul 4, 2022

10

I have to admit up front, that my knowledge of Indian Cinema is zero beyond the Bollywood style movies that are the only representation thatI have to admit up front, that my knowledge of Indian Cinema is zero beyond the Bollywood style movies that are the only representation that most people identify. When I heard of RRR, I thought will a three hour movie be the proper introduction. In retrospect, it's like saying, gee what's this anime I'm hearing about....oh Akira?, I'll give it a watch. RRR is like Infernal Affairs on overdrive, starting with a kidnapping and developes into one of the best bromances in cinema history. There are few movies that I'll smile throughout in appreciation of the craft, ingenuity, and foremost the story...but RRR is one of those few.… Expand

12 of 38 users found this helpful

Everything Everywhere All at Once

Average User Score: 7.9

Jun 13, 2022

9

Take a bit of the Wachowskis, Terry Gilliam and a sprinkling of Sam Raimi and Edgar Wright, and it gives you an idea of the cinematic journeyTake a bit of the Wachowskis, Terry Gilliam and a sprinkling of Sam Raimi and Edgar Wright, and it gives you an idea of the cinematic journey The Daniels take you on. I was only aware of their previous film Swiss Army Man, and found that to be a delight, and a wonderful showcase for the lead actors. Michelle Yeoh is a legend, of course, but the revelation and welcome return to film is Kw Huy Quan, of Temple Of Doom and Goonies fame, as her husband. He has to play her partner in various incarnations and it's a joy to watch. And not to forget James Wong, who shows no sign of slowing down as he approaches a century on this planet. It's rare to find a film that engages the eye, the heart and the mind so successfully.… Expand

2 of 4 users found this helpful

X

Average User Score: 6.7

May 27, 2022

7

Ti West joins the list of directors that wear their love of seventies filmmakers, particularly Tobe Hooper and Brian DePalma (a fair amount ofTi West joins the list of directors that wear their love of seventies filmmakers, particularly Tobe Hooper and Brian DePalma (a fair amount of split screen) in this case, on their sleeve and on the screen. In fact since the film's themes are SEX and VIOLENCE, and the main characters travel to a remote area to film a porno, it's surprising DePalma didn't think of this 40 years ago. It's good, and the cast is definitely up to the task, but I was expecting something a little more.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful

Ambulance

Average User Score: 5.8

May 26, 2022

5

AmbuLAnce is perhaps the most Michael Bayist Michael Bay movie I can recall. The first scene of Yahya Abdul-Mateen II talking on the phone toAmbuLAnce is perhaps the most Michael Bayist Michael Bay movie I can recall. The first scene of Yahya Abdul-Mateen II talking on the phone to an insurance company had twenty cuts over the course of sixty seconds. I counted. That averages to an edit every three seconds. For a phone conversation. Bay's editing style works in a tense scene mid movie with an operation taking place in a moving vehicle, but Bay uses that editing style for EVERY SINGLE SCENE. It's enough to give the viewer ADD. On top of that, Bay has discovered drones. So we are treated to soaring camera angles, sweeping and gliding like a bird on crack, not once or twice but over and over and over until it's no longer a visual treat but a tiresome device. There's Bay's trademark "magic hour" lighting that appears to be taking place just before sundown. But it appears throughout the hours of the day that the events take place. Many directors have come from commercials and advertising from Ridley and Tony Scott onward, using visuals and editing to great effect. Bay though seems to film as if the entire movie was a series of sixty second commercials stitched together. And if Bay's direction is cranked to eleven, Jake Gyllenhaal' s performance is cranked to twelve. At least he knew what type of movie he was appearing.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

Uncharted

Average User Score: 6.2

May 12, 2022

5

It's pretty hard to adapt a videogame thats already based on movie premises (National Treasure/Indiana Jones's), back into a movie that feelsIt's pretty hard to adapt a videogame thats already based on movie premises (National Treasure/Indiana Jones's), back into a movie that feels fresh. Let's face it, an Uncharted movie, especially one in 2022, has an uphill battle coming 20 some years after the Lara Croft hohum adaptation. And instead of an age appropriate version based on the games, Sony is banking on building a franchise with young, box office hot Tom Holland as the young Nathan Drake in what's basically an origin story. Yes, I know a portion of one of the games had an origin plotline with Drake' s brother and meeting Sully. But that was a minor part of the games. The fan film with Nathan Fillion and Stephen Lang (a pitch perfect Sully) was ten times more FUN and entertaining. That's whats missing from Uncharted. A true sense of fun and actual adventure. Holland is charming and definitely agile (I did like the injoke that Drake admits he's not a dancer..ahem, Lip Sync Battle?). Wahlburg is basically doing Andy Samberg' s SNL impression of Wahlburg. I actually expected him to say, "say hi to your mother for me" at some point. Like the recent Tomb Raider reboot, maybe they can hit the ground running with the follow up, but for now....eh.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

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jamess

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