recent product reviews
Apocalypto (2006)
Apocalypto is an ambitious project. Visually stunning, intense, and steeped in mystery. Mel Gibson has made another historical epic. The ending is great, with its haunting implication that a much bigger story, one we already know, is about to begin. While not as polished or dramatic as Braveheart, it’s every…
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Don’t Worry Darling (2022)
Right from the start, it gives off strong Stepford Wives and Truman Show vibes. Everything retro, everything too perfect. Then come the echoes of The Matrix, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Clockwork Orange, The Game, and Get Out. Florence Pugh is fantastic. She carries the film with an emotional,…
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Elio (2025)
Pixar’s answer to Carl Sagan. The set-up is good, and there are moments that are almost poignant, but it veers too hard to silly and cute to really have the impact I was looking for. A couple of laughs.
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20 Days in Mariupol (2023)
Horrific, harrowing, nearly unwatchable. Life and death, captured in real time. The graphic horror exceeds even what Hollywood can conjure up in war films like Saving Private Ryan and Hacksaw Ridge. So many gut-wrenching private moments shared, willingly, in the hope that eyes in safer, distant lands might bring help.…
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The Remarkable Life of Ibelin (2024)
A touching, beautifully nerdy love letter to a kid who made a difference. The immersive dive into the game world might seem corny to some, but it works. The graphics are striking, and the attention to character expression clearly took effort. But at the risk of sounding insensitive… Did Mats…
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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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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 2,376 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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