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COLME AARON
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  • Movie Reviews
  • Yearly Top 10
    • Top Movies of 2021
    • Top Movies of 2020
    • Top Movies of 2019
    • Top Movies 2018
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Movies In RevIew

Bloodshot - Review

3/13/2020

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Released: March 13, 2020
Shoot Me Instead

When Vin Diesel isn't doing Fast and the Furious movies, he is usually staring in a low budget action picture that should have gone straight to digital. I'm talking The Last Witch Hunter and xXx: Return of Xander Cage; this is the type of quality I was anticipating from Bloodshot. The trailers seemed to confirm my suspicions, and I set my expectations accordingly. As someone who could almost justify The Last Witch Hunter being a guilty pleasure based on its world-building, this is absolutely a waste of time. Bloodshot doesn't warrant the danger of contracting COVID-19 by going to the theater.

Many of the problems that this movie exhibits lie with the editing. The average shot length feels like three seconds, I tried counting, which creates a rushed pace. It overwhelms you into thinking that what you're watching is exciting or more action-packed than it is. Combined with the choice to shoot close-ups and mediums for most of the runtime, the problem is more noticeable. That combination is at its worst in action scenes. The 
shaky-cam and zoomed-in framing make it very difficult to follow what is going on. 

​Another facet of the movie that doesn't work is the story. While trying to mash The Matrix with Hardcore Henry, the end product is as bad as you expect. I never felt attached to any of the characters, didn't care what they cared about, or ever wanted to see them again. Even when a character grows a conscience, it comes across as desperate to keep the plot moving and artificial. At least it's wrapped in references lifted out of Fight Club and even calls itself out for the Reservoir Dogs one.

There are three things that I did like about Bloodshot. First, Lamorne Morris injects some much-needed humor in this drag of a movie. I would love for him to get more roles so I can see him in actually good films. He shows up right before the third act, so he's not the brightest light at the end of this very dark tunnel. Second, Eiza Gonzalez continues to be a strong actress that doesn't stand out but makes a mark in her roles. Finally, some of the set design and costumes were very nice. This movie proves that you can dig into the genre and make it look great on a big screen. At one point, a character puts on a rectangular metal helmet, and it looks incredible.

So like I said before, Bloodshot is not worth potentially getting COVID-19 over, so don't go to the theater to see it. If you are looking for movies to stream and come across it there, then it might be worth your time if you really want to see it. Other than that, I can't see a world in which this would be an acceptable way to spend an hour and forty minutes. 
2/10
There were inconsistent aspect ratio and lenses used which became really distracting

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Bad Boys for Life - Review

1/16/2020

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Release Date: ​January 17, 202
Another 'Modern' 90s Movie

​When promoting the latest installment in the Bad Boys franchise, Will Smith talked about how he wanted to bring it back since 'every franchise was getting a reboot'. He then proceeded to promise that it would be worth it. That alone made me suspicious of Bad Boys for Life, and for good reason. While it did end up surprising me, you've seen what this movie has to offer. So unless you're bored or need the nostalgia trip, there isn't a need to see this in theaters. 

I thought we moved past the 'old guys are being replaced by people that have tEcNoLoGy' as a trope, but I was mistaken. The element doesn't play as big of a part as I suspected it did, but it needs to stop. There are a couple more dated tropes that the movie utilized, and they're all as effective as that first one. What caught me off guard was how they were utilized. There seemed to be restraint, whereas other pictures have gone overboard with it. That helps to make the movie more palatable, bringing it up from trash to just shy of mediocre.
While Bad Boys for Life won't offend anyone, at least I hope so, it doesn't inspire confidence in me. With this reboot shooting for the stars as it tries to become a regular series, it doesn't do a good enough job easing back in. Martin Lawrence was always the heart in the middle, grounding the movies in a ridiculous fake reality; by sidelining him, the movie slots into the emerging low-big budget category. This is where the John Wick series and many others reside as tentpole films have left studios with under $100 million budgets to share. The good thing is when Lawrence is on screen he does a great job being the comedic relief.relief.

I can't whole-heartedly recommend this movie. While it does do away with Michael Bay's signature shaky cam and depicts action more clearly, there just isn't enough here. If you've already seen the award season movies, then this actually might be the slight fun you need if you're bored out of your mind. It's another old franchise that started in the 90s trying to modernize, what did you expect?

4/10
There was a shot where they forgot to set the muzzle flashes to screen and it was hilarious

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Little Women - Review

12/26/2019

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Release Date:  December 25, 2019​​​​​​​​​​
Another Classic

​I really liked Greta Gerwig's last film Lady Bird. It told a relatable coming of age story that resonated with me even though I don't fit that movie's demographic. So when I heard that Gerwig had another film coming out, an adaptation of a book that I'd never heard of—I couldn't wait to see it. As luck would have it, I don't fit the demo for this either as Little Women seems to be a story for young girls. But history seems to have repeated itself as I adore it and can confidently say it's one of the best things I've seen this year.

While sitting in the theater, I was trying to find the right adjective for Little Women. It started with the performances; I didn't want to say Saoirse Ronan was electric because that word sounds too erratic. There was a honed in focus that embodied every aspect of the film. All the performances, the cinematography, and even the score were pitch-perfect as everything molded together. The word I settled upon was 'magic' as it perfectly encapsulates what I saw on screen.​
The quaint and hominess that this movie exudes harkens back to a time of a different sensibility. Halfway through the runtime, you can tell it feels like a classic. Even though the original story came out in 1868, the film brings its message into the 21st century. Without devolving into preaching or propaganda, Little Women is able to balance its fantasy with stark realism. It even injects humor in a way to help release tension while not robbing the plot of its intensity.

​Little Woman utterly surprised me. The attention to detail, the proficiency in its craft, it all screams of a seasoned director. I think Greta Gerwig's knack for emotional literacy and her ability to craft scenes that let the audience experience the complexity of real relationships is unparalleled. While everyone is perfectly cast and there is praise to go around, I cannot stress enough how integral Gerwig was to making it all work. As director and screenwriter, this seems to be a unique vision that could have only come from her. I highly recommend the heartbreaking, funny, touching, and beautiful Little Women.
9/10
Greta Gerwig is officially one of my favorite directors

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Jumanji: The Next Level - Review

12/13/2019

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Release Date:  December 13, 2019​​​​​​​​​
A Surprising Misstep

The reboot of Jumanji back in 2017 was a huge hit. By almost making a billion dollars at the box office and taking on Star Wars: The Last Jedi, it's legacy in Hollywood has been cemented. The sequel aims for the magic to continue as it faces Star Wars once again for the holiday season; the only difference is that there is much more competition thanks to that first film proving there is space for more movies during this time. The sequel has to prove that the reboot wasn't a fluke by being fun to watch. As long as that goal is achieved, Jumanji: The Next Level would be an easy recommendation.

​These movies' greatest strengths continue to be getting the actors to act very unlike themselves. Welcome to the Jungle had Jack Black take center stage as he impersonated a teenage girl with all of the mannerisms to go along with it. That wasn't the only good performance as Karen Gillian did a great job embodying a fish out of water and being a constant in the group. The Next Level has Kevin Heart pull focus as he acts like an older man perfectly. His back-and-forth with Dwayne Johnson's character are hilarious, which is facilitated
by absurd dialogue. In second place again is Gillan as she continues to be the rock that is the foundation for the story. Since the cast expanded for the sequel, it would be remiss not to acknowledge Aquafina, who, at the ending of the movie, does the best acting.

​Everything else just doesn't work. The story is worse this time around, which completely boggles my mind. There is too much filler, which usually comes from scenes designed to make the audience laugh without any actual substance. It can all be traced back to the plot's inability to have motives for its characters' actions. This lack of direction that slows everything down brings the pacing to a crawl. Instead of being a tight fun movie, Jumanji: The Next Level ends up being a frustrating experience that is nowhere near as enjoyable.

I know that for some viewers, the changes made to characters and pacing won't be a problem for them. But I would implore them to ask if the sequel really is as good as the first. It honestly felt like I was on an amusement park ride as I was whisked to different locations with little prompting. Though there are some funny moments and there is fun to be had, it just doesn't come close. It's not like Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle was an impeccable movie that knew what to do, but it was better than this. I was very excited about this film; I thought that I was going to get more of everything I saw from the first, and in a way, I did. Since the ending hints at a third Jumanji movie, I would like to advise for that not happen. They should have focused on this installment being fun instead of trying to make a Jumanji franchise.
3.5/10
​It's time to stop
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Zombieland: Double Tap - Review

10/18/2019

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Release Date:  October 10, 2019​​​​​​​​​
Too Late For A Comeback?

​The first Zombieland came out in a different time, before it's actors were Oscar-nominated and when its 90-minute runtime was appreciated. Now, a decade later, can the sequel recapture the magic that made the first one such a fun film. It always seems like sequels stumble and rely heavily on previous gags, so I'm looking for a companion piece that can stand on its own. My fear going into the sequel was that it would be impossible to have the same style of film today. The results surprised me; I was shocked to find out that Zombieland: Double Tap was funny and overcame a lot of its shortcomings.

​When going to see this movie, do not expect an action-packed thrill ride with blood squirting from every orifice. These movies have always been comedies with a sprinkling of zombies. It actually really works since each zombie encounter seems to be tied directly to the story rather than just for another action sequence. Comedy is front and center with some bits that delivered throughout the movie. One of the best things about this entry in the series is the expanded cast.
At first, I thought adding more people to the isolated incidents of the original would quickly make the story feel too crowded. Thankfully, the trailers are more extreme in this department, and the new additions don't drag the movie down. If anything, Zoey Deutch was the perfect thing to add, keeping everything fresh; she has some really great lines and interactions with the rest of the cast. The outcome of her performance overcame a lot for me, though, I could never shake the feeling that she was putting on an act. I could tell this was not her real personality. It threw me off at the start, but the material was so good that I just accepted it.

​The rest of the cast does a good job too. No one seems to have missed a beat during the ten year hiatus. This is mostly a shout out to the screenwriters, as writing characters that were defined by 2009 could have been tricky to continue in 2019. The temptation to sanitize a role that screams balls and dicks all the time would have been powerful. I could have done without the slow-mo intro, the same trick they used for Deadpool, but it wasn't egregious. 

Overall, Zombieland: Double Tap spiritually feels like the first, and that's good enough for me. It definitely lacks the tight storytelling and has pacing issues, but makes up for it with its charm. It gets you laughing and has quite a few scenarios to do so, making it very entertaining. The worst part is the ending, as it doesn't play to the movie's strengths, but as a whole, it delivered. This result was probably the best I could have asked for.

5/10
Might be fully tapped now
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Once Upon a Time In Hollywood - Review

7/26/2019

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Release Date: July 26, 2019​​​​​​​​​
A Big Ol' Meh

Quentin Tarantino is one of the only directors that most moviegoers know by name. That name-recognition comes with a lot of baggage as expectations for upcoming films can be defined by previous work. It’s a problem I saw many audience members battling with while I watched his latest film, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. When most people think of a Tarantino movie, they usually remember the copious amounts of blood and over the top action. What these people seem to not notice, is the excruciating amount of detail put into recreating a time period. Not only are locations dressed up to evoke the past but character mindsets and general behaviors seem ripped straight out of the decade. It’s that lack of understanding, not realising the focus has always been the storytelling through characters with their dialogue. If you go into Once Upon a Time In Hollywood expecting action, you will be very disappointed.
In his ninth film, Tarantino has proved he really likes making movies about things that interest him. He loves the golden era of Hollywood and successfully transports the audience there. Following around an actor and his stunt double make for a really interesting setting. His craftsmanship is on full display as everything seemed perfect, from the lighting to camera movements, it was all top tier. A huge part of making it all work came down to the acting though, Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt elevate the material they are given and breathe as much life as possible into the movie. Even with its flawless presentation, Once Upon a Time In Hollywood is hard to watch.

The truth is, there is a severe lack of tension to push the plot forward, nothing is ever really being built up to. Aside from the realistic depiction of Hollywood as a business and the handful of great scenes that will be clipped out and be put on YouTube, the movie is aimless. Other critics might site that they love how the film is a collection of moments, that the break from narrative structure is to be applauded, they are just making up reasons to defend a bad script. With a runtime of two hours and forty minutes, there needs to be something to string the audience along. Just having a good third act doesn’t absolve the rest of the film from all of its sins.

Tarantino proves once again that he is a first-rate director when it comes to the act of making movies, from a technical standpoint there is little to complain about. Whenever you decide to watch one of his films, you will be treated to a curated selection of music that perfectly intertwines with the visuals on-screen. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood could have been really great. but with all the things that it gets wrong, there is little reason to see it. It still features great acting and scenes which still don’t make it a must watch.

Edit:
As more time has passed, I realize the appreciation I have for the craft and quality that Once Upon a Time In Hollywood exudes. I can't forget about the aspects of the movie I do like and all of the nuances that story takes its time planting. If I had known the movie was almost three hours before going to see it, I might have had a better reaction to it. I definitely plan on seeing it again, but probably not in theaters.

5.5/10
I guess fairy tales aren't true
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Spider-Man: Far From Home - review

7/2/2019

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Release Date: July 2, 2019​​​​​​​​​
Really Fun

Two years ago, Spider-Man was rebooted for the third time; his first appearance was in a core MCU movie, allowing for his solo film to bring the character back to its roots. Since then, Spider-Man has had an Oscar-winning animated movie and a best-selling video game, propelling the brand to heights unseen in a decade. Expectations for the sequel were high—not only was it coming after the mega-blockbuster Avengers: Endgame, but it was bringing Mysterio to the big screen for the first time. As the last entry of Phase 3, Spider-Man: Far From Home has the tough job of transitioning the MCU into an era where fans can only speculate what is going to happen next. Even more challenging is the prospect of telling another compelling story grounded in everyday life—the hallmark of any Spider-Man tale.

I went on media blackout for this film since trusting Sony with spoilers is like thinking Facebook will keep your personal information safe. I bring this up only to iterate that some big moments are straight up ruined by being revealed in ad campaigns.
In so many ways, Far From Home is exactly like Homecoming; its structure and ideas are more similar than you might initially notice. Overarching ideas are woven into the very fabric of what makes the story tick, and it becomes unsettling when a Venn diagram comparing the two is almost a circle. 

These repeats of the first movie do have quite a few positives. The critical conflict of having Peter Parker's normal life clash with being a superhero takes center stage. Trying to juggle being a teenager with being the only Avenger abroad takes its toll as Parker has to decide what is more important. Far From Home retains an emotional core while being able to up the ante, making sure that there is enough action to keep viewers satisfied. It's able to focus on relationship issues and hardships while still injecting tons of humor in between, striking the perfect balance. It is the recipe that MCU movies have perfected yet forgotten for any large group movies. 
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However, the retread of material does come along with some baggage as it does not work for all situations.  Trying to have a twist with Mysterio doesn't work the same way the reveal of The Vulture, even though both are supposed to be equally shocking. Having the villain and hero connect also didn't work out well in this instance since there weren't enough scenes of them together. Trying to force their friendship was a mistake due to it being so underdeveloped. 

Overall, Far From Home doesn't have any barriers when it comes to recommending it for theater viewing. There are enough action set pieces audiences have come to expect and plenty of laughs that will keep you entertained. Obviously, if you don't want to see a movie about Spider-Man or superheroes, this won't change your mind. I can say, that Far From Home did pull at my heartstrings a little, but that's because I am very partial to a particular character. I guess I haven't seen many Indies this year because this ended up being one of the best films I've seen this year.

7/10
The neighborhood just got a whole lot bigger

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Men In Black: International - Review

6/14/2019

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Release Date: June 14, 2019​​​​​​​​
No More Please

The Men In Black franchise has been a bumpy ride for most of its fans. The critical success of the first film clashes with the mostly negative feelings the sequels carry. It's in this reboot that Sony hopes to recapture the lightning of the original and the box office success of Thor: Ragnarok. Men In Black: International reteams Chris Hemsworth and Tessa Thompson, banking on the pre-established chemistry from their team up in 2017. Will this revitalize the series or end up like Ghostbusters(2016)?

The absolute best part of this movie is Tessa Thompson, the way she plays her character is pitch perfect. Runner up goes to Kumail Nanjiani as the comic relief. He hits the mark about half of the time, which ends up being good enough.

Everything else about the film falls short. The biggest problem is the plot. Its structure doesn't work, within the first 10 minutes, there are three separate time jumps. It relies on a flimsy mystery to support the rest of the runtime that never really engages the audience. It ends up being a skeleton for all of the story beats that 
audiences have come to expect from the franchise. In a way, it strictly tries to follow the MIB formula but ends up being bogged down by bad dialogue. 

​Surprisingly, this movie didn't suffer from bad CGI. All of the special effects were very crisp and clear. From the distortion of everyday items to close up of aliens, there was a lack of washed out images commonly found in other blockbusters. 

To be honest there isn't too much else to say without giving the plot away. Just know that sometimes the film works and other times it doesn't, but mostly it's medium. Along with sequences that are edited poorly and an underwhelming ending, it just doesn't scream summer blockbuster. There were nice nods to the original trilogy like music and references which were subtle enough not to get annoying. It's not something worth rushing to see in theaters and could easily be enjoyed at home, or playing in the background while doing something else. 
4.5/10
​Still waiting for a good summer movie
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Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse - Review

12/8/2018

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Release Date: December 14, 2018​​​​​​​
Spidey Senses Tingled

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse has never been a sure bet for me. It always seemed fun and artistically interesting, but it never hooked me. It's two trailers set my expectations pretty low and I didn't think about the movie as a must see. I knew I had to see it to review it, but other than that fact, I couldn't care less. If you were like me, I hope this review can change your mind and make you consider seeing the film because Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is worth the price of admission.

I can say without a doubt, that this is the best film I have seen all year. I can't believe the level of artistry on display. Whether it was the visuals or soundtrack, everything was firing on all cylinders. The movie's ability to amaze you knows no bounds as the creativity bursts from the screen and washes over you like a tidal wave. Minutes in, you know its special, but that feeling doesn't last forever.

As the movie slowly introduces more incarnations of Spider-Man, the attention on Miles wavers. You want to see more of his day to day life, to see him interact with  
the people around him. This is a slight complaint, and a compliment, in comparison to the thing that really hurts the movie for me. Since it starts out so strong, it makes me sad to say that the quality does dip. There are two moments where the visuals and soundtrack create amazing moments that the story does not support. Miles' relationships with most characters are thin, so when the film asks you to care, it can be hard to fulfill that request.

​It does a great job of showing how hard life can be when you want to become Spider-Man. It nails the crushing experiences with the mantra "get back up no matter how hard you get pushed down". In committing to that great message, it never shows the growth from learning that lesson. Miles goes from zero to hero in the span of a couple of minutes. As a character it makes sense, but to become a full-fledged veteran Spider-Man overnight was hard to buy.

​It still ends up being the best movie I've seen this year. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is labeled by many as "the best in the series" or "the best Spider-Man story". To me, I realize that this movie wouldn’t work without all the other mainstream Spider-Man stories; comparing them wouldn’t be fair. You should look at this movie like this: Spider-Man is a popular property; it now has an animated movie that tells a story about what it would be like if YOU were chosen to be Spider-Man". Ironically, that's the message of Spider-Man anyways, but this movie is built upon respecting legacy without you even needing to know any of it. I can't wait for the sequel if it's this good.
8.9/10
The voice cast did a great job, but next time leave Peter Porker at home
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Venom - Review

10/4/2018

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Release Date: October 5, 2018​​​
Better Than You Heard

I honestly can't believe the reception this movie is getting. I knew from the trailer that the movie was going to have problems, but people are straight up lying. Venom is an enjoyable movie, simple. It scratches an itch for me I didn't know I needed to be scratched. A comic book movie that has a plot with characters.

Venom is an origin story for a character that movie-going audiences haven't really been introduced to before. The dynamics set up between the characters really work to bring this movie to life. The conversations that Venom and Eddie have together are hilarious. The mannerisms and all the acting done by Tom Hardy is really convincing. The movie does a lot to have a lighter tone which makes it easier to enjoy. They even seemed to fix some of the janky CGI from the trailer making it look better.

Some things about the movie that could have easily been improved were: the music choice during the first third of the movie, the transitions to different scenes, and to hold off on all the slow-mo. It's not like these were the only things wrong with the movie, but the rest is more of a general complaint. It doesn't have the strongest plot, pretty generic, but it got the job done. A lot of this movie comes down to it being good enough with fun sprinkles. It's the sprinkles that really pushes this into the positive for me.
I need to address issues people have with this movie that I don't feel are justified. To the complaint about the movie being PG-13 and not rated R, buy the extended cut when it comes out on Blu-Ray. Plus, gore would not make me change how I felt about the movie. Maybe it might for others who didn't like it as much as I did, but I honestly don't believe the movie needed it. To the people complaining about the plot of the movie, sure it's pretty typical for a superhero movie, but guess what, SO ARE ALL THE OTHER MOVIES IT'S JUST LIKE. Plus, I would take this ok plot over the non-plot of Infinity War any day. My final address is to the people complaining about comic book accuracy. You are probably some of the worst people out there. You complain about these things only when it suits you. You let Marvel get away with changing things and praise them for it. Take your non-argument and shove it down your throat.

Venom is fun, watchable, and is getting a bad wrap. Tom Hardy does a great job acting in it. It is totally worth a watch whenever you want to go see it. Stay for the two after credit sequences, they are pretty cool.
6.5/10
The most unbelievable thing about the movie was having a serious boyfriend, six months after being engaged.

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