Log: week 47 / 2022

The new take on a classic story is solid, Reynolds and Ferrell are pretty much their usual self but there's enough chemistry between the two. I didn't think making this a musical was the smartest idea (the songs weren't great and it does add to the runtime) and the comedy felt pretty safe (Apple Original, true to their brand I guess), but this was a pretty decent Christmas film.

There are some smart takes here (like the advent of AI art), but the execution is wildly inconsistent and some of the segments are pretty subpar. The animation sequences in particular are abysmal, which brings the overall level down. It's a shame, there's so much potential here and it does shine through quite regularly, but it's not enough to make this a great film.

This is the type of quintessential western I really don't care for. The characters are very dull, the plot is boring, the pacing is slow and the setting very uninviting. There's just nothing here that can hold my attention for longer than five minutes, which made it quite an ordeal to finish.

The cast is decent, there are some pleasant jokes, and the mix between comedy and romance feels balanced. There's a little drama, but never too intrusive. Don't expect anything too extraordinary from this film, it never colors outside the lines and it sticks to what is known to work, but I've seen plenty worse.

The fight with the old pirate is great and what I expect to see from a film like this, the rest of part five never really reached that same level. The comedy has its moments and the action is nice enough, but the bar should be higher for Hark. There's also a bit too much padding, adding 15 pointless minutes to the runtime. Still good, just not as great as I remembered it to be.

The soundtrack is notable, Portman's performance is strong and the film has a clear visual identity. Some parts are more interesting than others (I didn't care much for the White House tour) and the structure is a little predictable (though a nice variation on the more typical biopic), but all in all, a good film.

The animation is pretty mediocre, the mech designs aren't the most inspired and the drama fueling the story is generic at best. But the pacing is alright and there are some proper action scenes. It's all pretty bare and basic, also very forgettable, but it's not the worst kind of filler and I still found a few things to enjoy here. Your mileage may vary.

One of the best things about these films is how concise and to the point they are. They rarely go beyond the 90 minutes mark, and they kinda rush through the plot to get to the good parts as quickly as possible. There are some standout scenes (like the butterfly dance), enough originality to avoid being a complete carbon copy of other films, and a decent director who understands what is required of him and delivers. Good fun.

The editing is different but incredibly messy and distracting. The plot is pretty nonsensical (but politically motivated) and the soundtrack is a complete disaster. No doubt this is a film with historic importance, and some people may appreciate the presentation, it just didn't do anything for me.

Waters demonstrates he is smart enough to make a funny, grotesque film without becoming too crass or vulgar, so the scenes with animal cruelty and poo-eating feel pretty out of place, even in a film about people aspiring to be filthy. Take those away and you'd have had a better movie, but even with them included, there's still enough to enjoy.

Cosmatos sticks nicely to the template of the 80s action flick. There's a bit of neon, motorbike gangs, cheesy oneliners, a metal factory, exploding cars, and whatnot. It's just that everything is just a bit more stylish and in-your-face compared to similar films of its time. It's certainly not a timeless classic, but if you want a bit of exaggerated 80s kitsch, you can't go wrong with this one.

The pacing is extremely tight, the action sequences are pretty fun, the CG isn't half bad and it's not overused as much compared to many of its peers. The film relies more on proper cinematography and styling to make an impact. And the fantasy elements help it to stand out from the crowd, making it more than just another thriller. Surprisingly good.

The music and songs are way too much for me, Adams' performance is more than a little grating and the Disney polish makes everything way too bland and safe. The production values are there though and the mix between live-action and animation has potential, I'm just not the audience for this type of film.

The cinematography is poor, the performances leave a lot to be desired and the plot is mediocre. The second half is a little better, as there are some proper reveals, but it's not enough to make this a worthwhile film. It's decent thriller filler, but Nakata can do so much better. Too lazy for its own good.