kingsgrl2010

The first shot opens and it's like it's straight out of a Tarantino film, long title sequence then transitions to us meeting all these dancers that are brought to this studio. The first 40 minutes is all about getting to know who each of these young characters are before things.get.crazy.

the second half is just insane. constant screaming with a pulsating heart of music constantly playing in the background. This whole movie feels like you are watching a music video... lots of dancing, there is not much dialogue, really no plot instead it's all based on character interactions.

Sofia Boutella (who has an extensive dancing background - including dancing for Madonna - i've been a fan of hers for years and really love the acting choices she has made recently), she plays our main lead that we follow the majority of the time and this is where it turns into a Birdman style camera work that seems to never break. The camera just follows character to character with a series of shots of crazy things happening, either to the character we are following or any of the character's nearby.

You are trying to piece together what exactly is happening, but the camera doesn't let you know anymore than these characters do, until the very final moments.

i'm not sure how much I liked this, but it's very creative, the french director Gaspar Noé really captured this crazy frenetic night in a really insane way. so just for that, it's worth checking it out, if you can handle it.

Since this just came on Netflix, I finally decided to check it out.

For me nobody can replace Harrison Ford as Han Solo, it's my main reason why I waited so long to even watch this. Along with all the mixed reviews when it hit theatres, I just didn't have a need to see it right away.

That said, I really enjoyed it. Ron Howard did a good job of finishing this movie, but I am curious as to what Lord & Miller would have made (especially considering how well Spider-Verse was done).

like I said before Harrison Ford IS Han Solo for me, but Alden Ehrenreich did a serviceable job. He definitely created his own Solo while giving some nods to the way Ford played him. I'm always a fan of Emilia Clarke (KHALEESI) and of course Woody Harrelson. Donald Glover just crushes it and I wish we had more time with him.

Aside from liking the new characters, the visuals are really well done, and it had a simple enough story to keep me engaged. Showing Han Solo's beginnings, meeting Chewie, and showing how he came to be the smuggler we know of him today. I'm glad I finally got to see it, not sure where it ranks for me among the recent Star Wars movies but it's definitely worth a watch.

also, Disney - If anything else comes of this, can we PLEASE get a Lando movie?!

"Max: Very nice house, Tony Stark. Should we give our drink orders to JARVIS? Brooks: I got the Tony Stark part, but then you went full nerd on me."

Taking the fun concept of a Game movie and turning it on it's head multiple times. A lot of silliness and over the top action, it's exactly the type of movie that just fills you with happiness on rainy night.

Fantastic cast of Jason Bateman, Rachel McAdams, Kyle Chandler, Sharon Horgan, Billy Magnussen, Lamorne Morris, Kylie Bunbury, and Jesse Plemons. Their comedic chemistry is really good, it's directed well, and has a great script. I really hope that they get to make a sequel.

I don't want to spoil any of the plot so this is a short review...don't even watch the trailer before seeing this movie, just watch it and enjoy it!

A dark and scary place where the surrealist moments are way more beautiful than the actual world we live in.

Ethan Hawke gives a fantastic performance, where every word he writes in his diary contradicts what he is actually doing in real life. You can preach and give advice all day, but if you don't take that unto yourself, you will be stuck in the garden without an escape.

Amanda Seyfried is great as Mary, Toller's own Guardian angel of sorts. They need each other to get through this horrific time in each other's lives.

this year is filled with movies that are more thought provoking and edgier than ever. Where it's hard for people to speak up in this world, movies like this are doing the talking for you. Paul Schrader did a great job directing this movie, leaving you with an unanswered ending.

This is a movie to watch more than once, dissect all the lines, and read all the bible quotes lurking in the background of scenes and come to a conclusion of your own.

"people may not know like the real you, like if you only ever see, you know, people at school or something, then those people are only going to know the school you, but if you put yourself out there and go to places you wouldn't usually go, people can know the movie you, or the pool you, or the party you, or the weekend you, all the you's that make up the real you."

Elsie Fisher is great as Kayla Day, fully realizing just how awkward being in Eighth Grade can be. Being a kid is not easy, from trying to make friends, to doing well in school, to just trying to find out who you are as a person. Bo Burnham captures these moments perfectly.

For not having a mother figure in her life, it really effects a young girl. This movie may only touch on this moment briefly, but that shows how strong Kayla has to be, but also how hard it is for her to navigate it by herself. These moments I completely relate to, and I love just how sweet her relationship with her dad is. really showing that father-daughter embarrassment we all have, but no matter what at the end of the day - your dad is there for you and loves you completely.

a really well done coming of age film that a lot of people can relate to. also touches on how social media can actually help with confidence and trying to come out of your shell. Putting thoughts and opinions online, like Kayla does, shows how much good intentions she has for others and for trying to be the best version of herself. check this one out, it's worth it.

A Korean foreign film directed by Lee Chang-dong (his first movie in 8 years). This is a movie that for the first hour, you have no clue where it's going, and then suddenly hits a turning point that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

it plays with social and class archetypes, mental health, loneliness, unemployment, jealousy and many more subtle points. The three characters in this are so well acted and feel as real as can be, along with stunning Cinematography and a landscape that turns just as cold as the story does.

big shoutout to the three actors Ah-in Yoo as Lee Jong-su, Jong-seo Jun as Shin Hae-mi, and Steven Yeun as Ben (from The Walking Dead), their chemistry is what kept me really invested.

You end this movie wishing there was another hour to get the final pieces of this puzzle together, but instead Lee Chang-dong leaves you to make a conclusion of your own. I think that's what makes the story great, you think you know, but do you?

I have waited to watch it until I could give it my full attention and it did not disappoint.

This is Alfonso Cuarón's follow up to Gravity (i can't believe he hasn't made anything since then). You can tell it's a very personal movie from him, I really love that it is shot in black & white, I think it fits the themes of this movie very well.

set in the 1970's in Mexico City with the city's political war as a backdrop. It's not the easiest watch, it's a long film, slowly revealing what is happening within this family, and this young maid that finds herself in an unfortunate predicament.

For this being Yalitza Aparicio's first time acting, I thought she did a phenomenal job. You really felt for her, what she was going through, and you see how just important she is to this family dynamic. From the mom to the grandma to each kid, they all have a unique personality of their own, and the character moments that Cuarón chooses to show is what really makes you connect with these characters - like how the youngest kid in the movie keeps trying to tell his family that he remembers this past life that he had.

It is beautifully shot and since Cuarón grew up in Mexico City, he knew exactly the story and the look he wanted to tell.

just like with most movies this year, it's not for everyone, critics will love it and anyone that appreciates a slow build in movies. just give this one a chance, let it wash over you and soak in all it has to offer.

Home for the holiday's and catching up on movies I missed earlier this year... Christopher Robin being one of them.

this movie is just an enjoyable ride that reminded me of all the Winnie The Pooh I used to watch as a child.

My favorite thing about this movie was going to IMDB afterwords and seeing all the 40+ year old dad reviews that really connected with the story and even went to see it multiple times. That's what this movie was aiming to do, and it hit right in the heart.

Ewan McGregor was great and deserves to be in more movies (c'mon Disney cast him as Obi-Wan again!). I really loved it and seeing all these classic character's again. I was a little disappointed that it ended so soon, I could have easily watched another hour.

Definitely check this one out, great family movie that we need during these times right now, it reminds you to be a kid and find the fun in life.

As Adam McKay's follow-up to The Big Short (one of my favorite films of 2015) he is back with another dark satirical comedy.

Just like in The Big Short, the amount of information McKay throws at you is a little overwhelming, especially if you don't fully understand it. It is a little slower paced of a movie, but the way he frames every scene has such gusto that you can't take your eyes off the screen.

Other than the brilliant script the main thing to note in this movie is the perfect casting. Christian Bale and Amy Adams teaming up again, this time as Dick and Lynne Cheney further prove they should team up in every movie together. Christian Bale is so believable as Dick Cheney that you suddenly forget that you are even watching Bale at all. Then you have Steve Carell as Donald Rumsfeld, Sam Rockwell as George W. Bush, Tyler Perry as Colin Powell, Naomi Watts, Lily Rabe, Jesse Plemons (in a role that I did NOT see coming), and plenty more.

There is a fantastic scene between Lynne and Dick where Plemons' character narrating notes - that we wouldn't know what they actually would have said in this certain moment, but he images it would be something quite Shakespearian. Then Lynne and Dick start talking like they are in Macbeth. Their chemistry is just fantastic and you get to see how much Lynne stepped up, and her ambitions and reservations with going into this political world.

As much as this movie paints Cheney as a villain, McKay still gave him depth and compassionate moments, and showing all of his health troubles. You really see how this man became the most powerful VP that we have ever had in the history of the U.S. Presidency and how scary that is because it is all true. We have lived it.

This movie is definitely not for everyone but I really enjoyed it. There is a funny after credits scene that shows how divided our country is, and the quote above is exactly what you should be asking yourself at the end of the movie. So, what do we believe?

A really enjoyable sequel that touches on all of the originals' tones.

I truly believe that the only person that could play Mary Poppins after Julie Andrews is Emily Blunt and she didn't disappoint in this movie. Further proving her talents from being able to play any genre of movie, she knocks it out of the park as Mary.

Maybe this movie is hitting me at the right time in my life, but the mix of the fun escapism of the places the kids go and real life struggles that Mr. Banks is going through are fully realized and hit home.

Not all of the songs are memorable but the standouts that I was either humming or wanted to hear again were:

The Place Where The Lost Things Go - Emily Blunt's voice here is so beautiful and the song meant something to me.

Trip A Little Light Fantastic - probably my favorite performance which was very reminiscent of 'Step in Time' from the first movie.

Nowhere To Go But Up - a great ending song and beautifully shot.

Overall: I grew up on the classic Mary Poppins and Rob Marshall made me feel that magic again. I really enjoyed this, you won't get anything you didn't see before but, it's well acted all around from Emily Blunt, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Emily Mortimer (who really fits the grown up Jane), Ben Whishaw, the kids in the movie, and some special cameos, it's a fun time at the cinema this Christmas and worth going to see.

What could have been a groundbreaking movie for it's time is suddenly lost and locked away, it just goes to show how people are afraid of real success and having others succeed when they can't themselves.

I really feel for Sandi Tan and all the other ladies involved with writing and putting all their force behind making Shirkers a real movie. They finally got to make their movie but then never received the end result. With what looked like such a completely original concept - Shirkers deserved better.

If you're a fan of cinema or any art that you have to put your time and soul into then you understand how devastating this can be to a person. I am so happy that there was a positive outcome, that these ladies finally got to see the footage they shot, but I wish it had the chance to be a real thing because it could have really made an impact. instead it is now a time capsule of 90's Singapore and their time together.

my favorite thing though is that all three ladies Sandi, Jasmine, and Sophia are still doing work within film, maybe not what they fully intended to do, but they haven't let their talents or drive subside.

definitely check this one out, it's on netflix right now!

A great documentary of about three boys and how their childhoods turned made them turn to skating for escapism.

Everyone has their own life struggles, some harder than others. This documentary by Bing Liu clearly showcases that. I think he did a great job, he just followed these people from his life over a time period and saw how they evolved. We all have our own life journey and choices to make, whether it's good or bad, we make them.

it's a very small doc that hits you emotionally and you just hope the best for everyone.

This is one of the most ambitious movies ever created and it's one of the best animated films ever made.

This movie is so vibrant, it feels like you are flipping through a comic book + the pages just leap right off. Everything in this was brilliant from the script, the colors, the casting, music and overall feel. I really love the inclusion of so many different "spider-people" you have Miles Morales, Peter Parker, Gwen Stacy, Spider-Man Noir, Peni Parker, and even Spider-Ham. It just made the movie even that more fun.

You don't need to watch any Spider-Man movies prior to seeing this, but if you have (or read the comics) it is loaded with cameo's and easter eggs. While this movie can look flashy and have a whole lot pumped into it, this is simply Miles' story, his journey, and a joy to watch.... Stan Lee also has the perfect send-off cameo (that I may have shed a tear at).

oh, and also stay to the end of the credits for this one. it's pretty great.

I waited way too long to watch this.

This tv show came out of nowhere and everyone was recommending it to me back in October. sure enough I waited all the way to December to watch it. wow. why didn't I watch it sooner?

The fact that this show made me cry multiple times just puts it to the top of the list for the best tv show of 2018 + one of the best I have seen.

This story follows the Crain family and their time during and after living at Hill House. While it is a horror show, and there are a few good jump scares, the most interesting part is it's story and thriller aspect of trying to figure out what in the world is going on in this house. Each character have their own demons heightened by the house, and are unfortunately put into circumstances out of their control. It's ultimately how they deal with these demons, each other, and how they chose to live their lives after leaving the house and the effects it had on them throughout the rest of their lives.

This show is so meticulously crafted, every scene, every interaction is interlaced and lined up. Brilliant acting from the whole cast especially Carla Gugino (who as a 90s baby - I know mostly from the Spy Kids franchise) - watching her destruction just breaks your heart.

There are multiple scenes throughout this show with one-takes, the most impressive one is in the episode titled "Two Storms" I think the take went on for a good 15 minutes without any cuts. this show just has the perfect directing, writing, and casting.

if you were on the fence about watching this - don't be!

A movie where Nicole Kidman is a badass Atlantian Queen, Jason Momoa is a badass rightful Atlantian King, and Amber Heard is a badass Xebellian Princess.

oh, and it's directed by James Wan.

Aquaman is a fun undersea romp of a movie. Nothing groundbreaking here but a solid addition to the DC universe. As a fan of Wonder Woman and Man of Steel, this is my third favorite movie of the franchise so far.

The writing is lacking and this movie definitely is a paint by the numbers superhero movie, but I really enjoyed the ride. The visual effects, the music, and the acting are all top notch.

It is not a full set up of him becoming Aquaman but it is a setup of him becoming King. I really love Jason Momoa in this role, and I hope we get to see more of him playing this character in the future.

A nice enjoyable movie to ride out the new year, worth seeing for a good time on a holiday afternoon.

From the gorgeous costumes and Scotland's landscape, this movie is one worth seeking out. a little slow of a beginning trying to figure out who each of the male characters are and what role they have in the story but once a beginning plot starts moving along you are fully invested. Saoirse Ronan as Mary Stuart and Margot Robbie as Queen Elizabeth I elevate every word of the script. Saoirse's defiant character has a very modernist viewpoint and strength that is much needed in a period piece today. Josie Rourke's debut has stunning direction and purpose, showing how society has always pit women against one another. The final scenes make this film.

Pawel Pawlikowski's follow-up to Ida that won the Best Foreign Language film at the Oscars in 2015. This polish film set during the Cold War, feels like it was plucked straight out of the 50's. From the gorgeous black and white cinematography, to the stunning music that has such a variety but still seems to fit in every scene, and to the two main actors Joanna Kulig and Tomasz Kot. They did a fantastic job, I believed their chemistry, their desire to be together, but also their frustrations. There is a scene where Zula and Wiktor are on a boat and it reminds me of a scene in Charade with Audrey Hepburn and Cary Grant, just enjoying this quiet moment that they have together and looking out at people as they pass by. They know that this moment is fleeting, but they still take it in. It almost feels like a silent movie, and I wouldn't have minded if it was, but the music is so great in this that I'm glad it's not. This broken hearted story definitely isn't one to miss.

I didn't realize how much I missed the chemistry of Michael B. Jordan, Tessa Thompson, and Sylvester Stallone until I saw this movie last night. Usually sequels to a beloved film don't end up doing well, granted this is very far along in the Rocky Universe, but only the second in the Creed franchise. Callbacks to the earlier Rocky movies (not just the 4th) are so well done, and will probably make you want to rewatch the whole franchise just to make sure you caught everything. Adonis' journey in this film is one of finding what he is boxing for, what means the most to him, and if the effort is really worth it. His rival Viktor Drago wasn't just a villain. They actually gave him and his father Ivan Drago, real depth and reason. The director Steven Caple Jr. had a very hard task of trying to do a movie after Ryan Coogler. Coogler made a masterpiece, and Caple picked up these characters and continued the journey so well it felt like it was more of the same movie. From the feel, the music choices, the camera shots, and the storyline. You feel very much connected to these characters as you did in the first one, and even might shed a tear at the end.

As a fan of Young Adult (also written By Diablo Cody and directed by Jason Reitman, and starring Charlize Theron) I thought this movie was going to be more of the same. A very dark dry comedy that leave you feeling uncomfortable but still stunned by Charlize's performance. This movie is so much more. It is laugh out loud funny throughout the whole film, you completely feel for Charlize's character Marlo, you feel her exhaustion, but also her love for her kids. It showcases motherhood in a way that is relatable to everyone. Mackenzie Davis is fantastic as Tully the nighttime nanny that comes to help out Marlo when her new baby is born. Tully's chemistry with Marlo is what keep the movie going, sometimes you need a friend in a time of need, even if she is only temporary. This is a movie that is pleasant as you watch it, gets a little darker as it goes, and by the end hits you with emotion you didn't see coming, but you fully understand and accept. Brilliantly done and one you should not miss.

Erin Bell is a brutal character that is driven with revenge, she can't seem to fix the world around her and she's not even trying to fix herself. Nicole Kidman (who is unrecognizable other than her tall frame) gives one of her greatest performances yet. Her chemistry with Sebastian Stan is fantastic and makes you understand why she is where she is now. The way she goes about solving the crime in this noir-thriller, is unrelenting, she is a character that is trying to do right by her child, but is so lost she doesn't know how. While you shouldn't feel bad for her character, you do, because Nicole is that. good. Big props to Karyn Kasuma, great direction, and the ending of this film is beautifully shot and completely heartbreaking. Overall a good thriller and a powerhouse performance by Ms. Kidman, a female director and female cinematographer - showing women can be strong, complicated, messed-up, and still filled with utter passion. see this one, so we can get more movies like this.

When your whole theatre starts clapping at the end, you know it's a great movie. Viggo Mortensen and Mahershala Ali have such great rapport in this movie, you can't help but be 100 percent along for the drive. There is a lot of humor in this movie, and most of it sticks. It's a story we have seen before, and will likely see again, but it's these two actors' chemistry that make this film. It could have been a little more dramatic and I do wish it delved into that a little more, but it ended up being a nice Christmas movie that arrives just in time for the holidays.

There are three compelling reasons to see this - Olivia Colman, Rachel Weisz, and Emma Stone. They go full force into this 18th-century world. Its a wickedly ridiculous and dirty dark comedy that only Yorgos Lanthimos could make with a brilliant whip-smart script by Deborah Davis and Tony McNamara. Weisz vs Stone is a master class in acting, and Colman holds the Crown. Showcasing just how devoted one is for love (or power) but if it is truly worth the cost. If you didn't like The Lobster or The Killing of a Sacred Deer, you may not like this movie. While it is Yorgos' most commercial movie yet, it is still very much his style. The more that I think about this movie, the more that I love it and it will be everywhere this award season.

Vox Lux has a daring + clear vision by Brady Corbet, it doesn't sugar coat real tragedies that effect our society. and with Natalie Portman's performance you feel the weight of the choices and circumstances of where a person can end up. It's has pretty dark moments, that if you pay attention to Brady's vision, it should create a bigger discussion. Raffey Cassidy stands out giving an even more memorable performance than in The Killing of a Sacred Deer, you feel for her as a young Celeste, trying to figure out her next journey in life with very little guidance. A woman's journey through tragedy told in a stylistic dark approach. Vox Lux has become one of my favorites of the year.

A post-apocalyptic thriller in the vein of A Quiet Place. There are plenty of differences that makes this movie worth watching but has a hard time giving the viewer a surprising or new experience. As I was watching I was able to predict some things that happened, and a twist that should have been shocking ends up being the weakest part of the movie. The movie is at its best when the tension from the mysterious creatures is heightened in small places. When there are too many characters on screen you don't feel the urgency or connect with the characters that may not make it. Sandra Bullock gives another great performance and I can't wait to see Trevante Rhodes in more movies, he really left an impact on the story. Overall a nice watch on Netflix when it comes out, with some great tension, and a nice arc of Sandra Bullock's character.

just as an FYI - I did see this at the World Premiere at AFI Fest with the whole cast and director in person. so I did see it in a theatre and I am so glad I did! Definitely worth watching on Netflix too.

Joel Edgerton's second movie he has directed and totally different from his first. Turning into a very talented director that is willing to take risks and speak about issues still affecting thousands of people in the LGBT communities and their families. He does a stellar job in making sure this story is told in a way that gives you hope for their futures. Nicole Kidman has a scene stealing moment that melts the hearts of the viewers, and Lucas Hedges is not only the most capable young actor of the last few years, but gives his best performance yet. An intimate take on a real family that Joel Edgerton clearly showcases how time and patience is the most healing of all.