recent product reviews
A Real Pain (2024)
An interesting character study, though I’m not sure the story offers enough arc. Who really grows from this experience? Do either of them genuinely change by the end? Michael Cera brings his trademark nervous energy to the role, as expected. Kieran Culkin is especially strong. His performance feels raw and…
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The Taste of Things (2023)
A truly beautiful film. It begins at a slow simmer, 19th-century food porn, meticulously crafted. But as the dishes come together with patience and care, so too do the characters and their quiet, heartfelt stories. It’s a simple narrative, yes, but like the gourmet meals lovingly prepared on screen, there’s…
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Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023)
Nice effects, really nice effects, but I nearly didn’t make it past the opening credits. Would much prefer to ease into all of that visual craziness. Combine that kind of start with the dizzying timelines, universes, characters, and it’s hard to latch onto anything emotionally. Once things settle down, genuine…
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Memoirs of a Geisha (2005)
The delicate portrayal of a young girl’s transformation into a geisha against the backdrop of beautiful, historical Japan. Ziyi Zhang is striking, and even with her limited English, she draws the camera in. Gong Li delivers a powerful performance as the antagonist, both beautiful and captivating in her villainy. Suzuka…
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Conclave (2024)
Who knew this process could be so political? In my naivety, I always assumed the election of a pope was peaceful, orderly, and drama-free. Instead, what we get is a fascinating study of power, ambition, and human nature. Built on a foundation of well-drawn, distinctly interesting characters with competing motivations,…
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Mr. Nobody (2009)
At first, I thought it was a story about a man, the life he lived, and the connections he made along the way. Then I thought it was an epic statement about mankind and our place in the universe. Then I thought it was several parallel stories about the same…
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A Minecraft Movie (2025)
Expected it to be dumb and aimless, but it was actually kind of entertaining. Jack Black’s outrageous personality and full buy-in to the ridiculousness really sell the movie. Momoa’s little belly is on brand for the character, but I’m wondering if it’s a consequence of his notorious distaste for working…
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Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story (2024)
Touching. Certainly makes you stop and appreciate life a little bit more. That’s powerful. Lots of great footage, and the editing is especially impressive. Crafting a coherent, emotionally resonant, and well-paced story without relying on a third-party narrator is no easy task. The frequent time jumps felt a little gratuitous,…
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Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024)
Tim Burton is right at home here, delivering his signature blend of quirky macabre, high school theater-style effects, and retro claymation. He’s always had a playful relationship with goth aesthetics and a light-hearted take on death, and this film is no exception. But my beef with Burton is that he…
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Perfect Days (2023)
A contemplative exploration of the tragic beauty of life. Vintage Wenders. Like the guy’s life, the film moves at a gentle, deliberate pace, though it feels a bit slow at times. If the message is simply to appreciate every day above ground, I’m not sure we needed to watch a…
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I'm a photographer, web developer, travel enthusiast, and movie buff living in Alexandria, Virginia, USA.In the summer of 1993, I started writing reviews for every movie I saw and haven't looked back. I'm up to 2,371 reviews now. This makes me cool or a complete dork, depending on your perspective.
Some of these reviews contain spoilers, so if that bothers you, don't read!
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