recent product reviews
David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet (2020)
This is not a biography, but it certainly gives us a lot more insight into the man than we’ve ever gotten before. A true personal statement, and since he’s one of the few experienced enough in this subject, he’s earned the right to make one. Beautiful footage from the documentaries…
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Coda (2021)
A beautiful film, with magic coming from the sweet and cleanly told story, the heartfelt and authentic characters, and perfect casting. The drama of having a voice in a deaf family is real and marvelously explored in this one. Similar drama plays out in Mr. Holland’s Opus (though perhaps in…
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Soul (2020)
Interesting exploration of complicated ideas and a real thinker for spiritual adults, but it might be a little too cerebral for kids. The genius of Pixar is that their stories are not about enemies. Instead, the antagonist is always life and its emotional complexities. The hero must find a way…
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The Batman (2022)
They set out to make something even darker and moodier than the Nolan’s Batman, and they succeeded. The contemplative pace something different for a superhero movie. I like it overall, but it starts to wear a bit in a movie this long. After The Lighthouse and this one, Pattison is…
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Encanto (2021)
Engaging story full of magic, wonderful animation, and good comedy. It’s clear that Disney has assimilated Pixar without major consequence, as this one feels like an independent Pixar release.
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Nope (2022)
Beautiful photography, effects are impressive, and Peele is really great at creating tension and suspense for a few moments at a time, but all these little moments don’t support a very good story. Carnivorous alien spaceships? Why are they here and what do they want? Where is the media or…
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Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)
Nice to get all the old stars back, I guess, but the story and dialogue is awfully goofy. A spell that has the power to destroy the universe is interrupted by Peter Parker being annoying? And now his motivation is to make all the bad people from the old movies…
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What Is a Woman? (2022)
It takes balls (no pun intended) to take on this topic, as it’s certainly controversial and messy, but I wish Walsh was a little more sincere in his approach. Dramatizations of fishing and kicking a bulletin board and waking up in the middle of the night, along with melodramatic cutaways…
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Minions: The Rise of Gru (2022)
Animation is good, but story is thin, characters are not that interesting, and the editing is dizzying. A few smirks.
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Top Gun: Maverick (2022)
A wonderful sequel, even more impressive considering it’s been 36 years. Kosinski has done a really good job honoring the story and style of the first, with many of the shots and scenes playing clear homage. Kosinski’s filmography is also a testament to how versatile he is. So far, so…
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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 2,321 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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