Zi_Reviews_Movies

In the words repeated too often in the movie, I don't know how to rate it. It wasn't too bad but neither was it too good and hence the halfway mark in the rating. The buildup was slow, taking its time to explain things and hoping it would lead to a crazy story unravelling down the line. That didn't happen. There definitely was a chance for a crazy story though. To give us something new and different and wild beyond our imagination, and trust me, the whole idea of The Shimmer allows that. But the director decided to pass over it, and deliver some mediocre sci-fi story with massive plot holes.

The movie is pretty to the eyes eventually and isn't too heavy, but it doesn't draw you in. It's as if they wanted to create a thought-provoking film with a strong female cast but forgot about the thought-provoking part by the end. I would suggest you watch it though, it's not bad, it's got a unique story and some good parts. If you have 2 hours and want to try out something new, add this to your list.

On a side note, I was impressed by Gina Rodriguez and enjoyed watching her in something different than a rom-com-type-ish role.

A story like this has the ability to pull at your heartstrings and make your soul weep, to wonder how the world turned so cruel and be grateful for everything you have, The Swimmers missed on that opportunity. They made the protagonist a little too entitled and arrogant and while I understand she was young, I highly doubt she wasn't aware of the situation in her country and the sacrifices everybody around her made.

Overall though, the movie had some good shots, one that particularly stood out to me was the bombing while they danced in a high-rise, unaware the revolution had begun, which I imagine might have been the situation for many, the suddenness of live changing overnight. It's a good movie, it just had the promise of being much better.

Anyway, if you have read any of my other reviews, you'd know I'm a crier, but while this movie made me think, it didn't make my breaths shallow and let my mind travel in grief, it kept me there, watching some sports shots that didn't add to the movie.

Are you a teenage girl? Are you a young adult? Are you watching this as a family?

If you've answered yes to any of the questions, go ahead, you have an entertaining watch lined up with a quick, charming and adventurous Millie Bobby Brown.

But if you're a Sherlock Holmes stan or are looking for a resemblance to Sir Arthur's books, you're at the wrong place and you're up for a lot of disappointment.

Well, I enjoyed the chase, the breaking of the fourth wall, an enthusiastic Enola and all of the other characters. There are elements of surprise throughout the film and it isn't as easily laid out as some of the IMDb reviews claim. Though I did like the previous one better, I look forward to watching the next one.

I'm not a fan of this kind of comedy and usually keep my distance. And that's how I've spent so many years without watching Rush Hour or the others. I was promised to be howling with laughter but by the end when that didn't happen, apparently it's supposed to be in 'Rush Hour 2'. Not going to happen though, I cannot watch this genre again anytime soon. Nothing against buddy cop movies or the goofy Chris Tucker kind of roles, probably just different taste. Though an element I truly enjoyed in the movie was Jackie Chan, he seemed too genuine in his role and the character fits him a bit too naturally. The fight scenes didn't seem over the top but had that early 90s effect.

I even watched the entire post cred and enjoyed his little goof-ups more than the film. The extra few minutes were worth it.

Frank Abagnale Jr., a truly charismatic and smart young man

Based on real-life events, Leonardo DiCaprio plays a cocky smart man who fools the system until he can and makes a fabulous con man. This was my second time watching the movie, the first was when I was infatuated with DiCaprio and decided to go on a spree, this time though, I paid more attention to the other characters, the dialogue and how young Abagnale might have abused his charm. The first watch was extremely captivating, the second time though, it wasn't as engaging, and that could be because I knew exactly how the story would unfold. Thus, this makes it a one-time watch for me. But a must-see one-time watch for anybody as the story is extremely well told and keeps you engaged until the very end. Everything aside, I'm still convinced that Leonardo made this movie the hit it is, and nobody could have played Abagnale Jr. Better.

I've been watching a lot of movies that have been inspired by real-life events, and I'm beginning to think, they should stop. These movies don't do justice to the character or the story and give us a dull, sloppy movie. Molly's Game was on the same boat. Over 2 hours with too much going on that you couldn't catch up with her. There were many moments I thought I'd stop, but I persevered believing I would get the ending I deserved, boy was I disappointed. Now, it's not a bad film, it's just poor direction and painful storytelling. And maybe in the hands of another director/writer, it could have been marvelous. But here it wasn't. And truly, I wouldn't recommend it either, it's just not that kind of a movie, but on the off chance, you've found it yourself and want to give it a try, just remember, you made that call.

P.s - I'm still wondering why Michael Cera agreed to do this?

Having never heard of the original Fantasy Island series, I watched it purely based on the trailer. I thought the story was unique and it was a horror I could digest. Well, there's barely any horror, I'll tell you that so if that's something holding you back, watch it. Coming to the story, it's laden with loopholes and unnecessary elements, a lot of which you can ignore, you just gotta try. While the plot does have substance, it doesn't deliver effectively and it holds the audience only to disappoint. Coming to the positives, the movie is surprising and entertaining. You wouldn't expect each event that happens and it's laid out extremely interestingly. It's not like a typical movie and the actors do a good job. And for a thriller, it's got a few laughs packed in as well.

If you're looking for something different, this Blumhouse film deserves it.

I usually enjoy chick flicks and coming-of-age movies but this one just didn't seem right. Firstly, the protagonist was very pretty and attractive to not have any friends apart from the one. And while not everybody wants the world to crash and burn, you'll usually find a bunch of them in high school and then you become friends with them. The story also seemed like a common one where 'only my dad gets me' and oh he dies so now I hate the world with more passion and my only best friend is hooking up with the brother I hate (Kissing Booth + Never Have I ever). Or maybe it's just me and my inability to relate to the character who's actively trying to sabotage every situation and believes the world is here only to get her down.

The best friend in case here had not a lot of story or character, and the mother and brother seem like a simple addition to the film. The dramatic events that lead the main character to realize that she's been seeing things wrong don't seem dramatic enough and unfortunately, make the movie very less memorable. The only good thing here is the acting and Woody Harrelson giving the teenager her crap back.

My rating is lesser than most viewers but I have an explanation. The movie is really good, no doubt. It claws where required, tugs at your heart and leaves you in a pool of tears. You'll begin to question the world, religion, people and the list goes on. It will leave you with the right questions, questions you'll never find answers to. And that's what really good movies do.

The children aced their roles. They were convincing and powerful. I don't know how some scenes were enacted and I don't want to find out. Whereas, the lead actor, Gong Yoo seemed a bit even-tempered for the role, a little too mellow and that took away from the movie. There were some unnecessary moments with music and slow shots that could be avoided. Some scenes that could be left to the imagination, dragged on.

The story is unnerving and one the world deserved to know. It had a lot of potential that didn't make its way to the screen, but I definitely don't want anybody to remake this story.

P.s - This horrific tale is based on a true story.

Is this a family movie? Yes. Can you sit through this as an adult? Maybe no. Is it worth 2 hours? Definitely, no. If the movie was cut short by at least half an hour, I would have added maybe half a star but it just dragged on. You can't sit through it as easily as an adult because the acting is just forced and cringe at many moments. Some dialogues are unnecessary and sometimes entire scenes too. Now it's not funny as an adult but it is for kids so if you're watching it as a family, don't worry. It is bearable.

But since it's a kids' movie, the message does drive home (even if it takes 2 hours to get there), they try really hard to be cool, which I assume kids enjoy, has some overall fun elements, and is light-hearted. If you don't have better options, you can watch it but skip it while you can.

P.s - The scenery is breathtaking.

At first, I didn't want to review the movie, just give it the highest rating and leave it at that because I don't think I am worthy to judge it. And here I am, writing this, not because I have become any worthier but because people need to watch it. Capernaum tugs at your heartstrings and makes you ache. It's painful, and not in an ordinary way. I watched the movie a few days back and I still think about it. It's definitely made me more grateful for the things I have. The actors don't feel like they're acting (to some extent they're not), it feels like a reality, their innocent eyes describing a journey most of the world was unaware of.

I want to recommend this to everyone, but if you're at a low point in your life or show signs of depression, avoid it, you suffer enough. I watched most of the film with tears streaming down my face and at the end, I just sat in the dark with the credits rolling and wondering about the world we live in.

Capernaum is a masterpiece.

I was supposed to be watching another Demi Moore movie and got things mixed up. Having not watched the trailer or even remotely heard of this movie, I had no idea what to expect but surprisingly it was a good watch. While the plot is predictable, it was still an entertaining watch. Demi Moore is captivating and the passion the lead actors share for each other is wonderfully captured. The movie is provocative for its time (don't compare it to 365 Days) and could even be considered erotic, but all in good taste. Unfortunately, I couldn't get the Woody Harrelson charm but that's okay since it's just my personal mental block here. Overall, it's a good watch, quite simple and yet enjoyable.

There's a moral dilemma here for all of us, will your partner leave you for a million dollars?

At first, the run time seems long, but I assure you it is worth every second. The cinematography, the dialogues, the passion, the conviction, Gladiator is worth every second you spend on it. It surely ranks among the best films made and if you don't mind gore and violence, you must watch this. I don't know why it took me so long to watch it, but I'm going to highly recommend this to everybody. I don't want to even describe what a visual thriller it is, how each song captures the essence of the scene or how entertaining and powerful it is. You deserve to experience that for the first time, just like I did. The movie lets you feel an array of emotions and if you concentrate enough, you can feel each major death in your bones. In fact, it was so convincing, I questioned my history and spent a lot of time researching and fact-checking.

This is magic, this is a classic, this is cinema!

P. S. - Why did I assume the movie is much much older? Like the 80s or 90s.

Jane and John were a Doe-ze fest!

I've had this movie on my Netflix list for a very long time and always ended up skipping it. Now that I've watched it, boy do I want my time back. With so much happening in the movie, I still wanted to sleep! It just wasn't captivating. And no, I'm not judging it based on the amazing CGI action scenes we get these days but on the thorough nonsense in it. I'd rather watch Spy Kids for the nth time. While the plot is entirely ridiculous with cringe stunt scenes and the jokes fall flat, action and comedy are two genres this movie shouldn't fit in.

The 2 stars are for their chemistry, which is undeniable. And I completed watching the movie, solely and solely for that. I believe the movie is for their fans, or for folks looking for a rom-com with action to spice things up. For the first time, I don't get how this movie has such high ratings on IMDB.

The issue is, I am watching this in 2022, and now there's been a lot of great heist movies and shows and hence have a lot to compare to. I don't want to drag this review on, it doesn't deserve it. To me, this was a fun watch and not as much a thriller as I expected. Yes, it isn't predictable and neither is it like every other movie but I guess it could be a lot more fun. I found Ocean's 8 more entertaining than this, but hey, that's just me. It's got some big stars, technical jargon and since I haven't watched the original, I can't join the whole 'Why a remake' conversation.

This is a Sunday watch for me, no commitment, nothing heavy, and brings on a good nap.

Let's clarify, I liked the movie and genuinely enjoyed it. So much, that I didn't realize nearly 2 hours had passed by and the movie was nearing its end. But it could have been so much better with an anti-hero like this. I enjoyed Tom Hardy and his Venom persona but was really upset with Riz Ahmed, he just didn't have that main character feel and couldn't convey his 'I am saving the world by killing people' rhetoric. John Cena did that so much better as Peacemaker!

The other side characters weren't convincing either, it seemed like Tom Hardy solely carried the movie. A lot of the jokes fell flat, the focus on Venom seemed quite less and Riot didn't seem like such a Riot after all. Don't get me wrong, the movie isn't bad, I'd actually re-watch it someday but it had so much wasted potential. I plan to watch the second part though someday and hopefully; it isn't a letdown.

It was really nice seeing Stan Lee though, in 2022. His movies truly carry him on.

I hadn't heard about this movie before nor seen the trailer but I came across it on Instagram! A scene from the movie (stealth day-light robbery) was being posted on many handles and I thought the scene was cool too. Now I like both these actors so figured I'll give it a try. I'm glad I did. Very rarely do you come across a dramedy with romance crucial to the plot and I liked that combination. Even if the romance was sub-par and superficial. The story was unique, the twist unexpected and kept me hooked. And while those are all great things, they lacked a finishing touch. So many scenes felt incomplete or just didn't fit right. The chemistry seemed dull at many moments and in some scenes, the actors just felt wrong for the role. I'd say it's entertaining and in the right hands could have been a movie we revisit from time to time, but this is where hope comes to rest.

While I know it's not the best, I'd still recommend this movie as it has something new to offer and if you like movies and don't complain as much, you might actually enjoy this.

Firstly, why did all of these stars agree to do this movie? These are some really big names here, so what's the back story? I've had this movie on my watch list since forever and finally decided to strike it off. I've wanted to watch it many times before, but the rating always deterred me. I finally gave in and boy was I disappointed! By the end, I had one eye open, just waiting for the end. It was slow and draggy and unfunny and just bad. Yes, it does have minor funny elements but to have to sit through 2 hours of nothingness to have a few chuckles is criminal.

If you want something to fall asleep to or just have running in the background, this is your pick.

Just some good shirtless Zac Efron action and a fairly simple plot.

I'm a Nicholas Sparks fan. Once I picked The Notebook, I decided to read every other Sparks book I could ever get my hands on and easily devoured them. The stories were simple, and magical and made me believe in love. Now I don't want to begin by comparing this to the book or The Notebook adaptation. I want to review the movie without comparison because honestly, I liked it. It made me feel warm and fuzzy and in love with the characters. Unlike most romantic movies, this one has a distinct story to it that unfolds by the end. Yes, it's predictable and even slightly creepy, but I don't watch movies only because I need them to be a piece of reality. We have documentaries for that.

Young Zac Efron is a heartthrob and Blythe Danner had a maternal charm very rarely seen. Though I was unimpressed with the Keith Clayton character. Maybe a better performance from him could have improved the ratings. Also the music seemed like it could be taken down a notch.

All I wanted was a rom-com, what I got was a chick-flick. That's not bad but I wish it wasn't portrayed as a Romantic Comedy. There isn't a big review I can write about it, and to put it simply, it was light, breezy, and had a few chuckles. JLo seemed like the angry feisty Latina while Jane Fonda seemed like a control-freak white parent and they both played their part well but the male lead, Dr. Kevin Fields lacked personality and felt like a dud. I did enjoy the performance Wanda Skyes put up, she was just as funny and sassy as ever and had great chemistry with Jane Fonda. Having watched and enjoyed Bride Wars quite a few times, I felt like this movie could have been better. It had the 90s touch I wanted and was the classic feel-good happy ending movie, so I don't have too many complaints. It's a casual watch, but I prefer the other JLo movies to this one.

I've often seen bits and parts of this movie all over social media but never truly watched it. You may have come across the popular scenes too, where she wears lipstick and prances around acting like a model, cries at an open casket or when she believes she's hemorrhaging. Even apart from those admired scenes, the movie has a lot to deliver. It beautifully portrays the drama and transformation the age brings while delicately addressing common topics like falling for our teachers, first love, young dreams, death, divorce, re-marriage, grandparents getting too old, and dysfunctional families. All within 102 minutes, and neither does it feel rushed nor too slow, not once. I was prepared to cry, but I wasn't prepared to cry my heart out. With all its simplicity, the movie managed to make me feel sad. I'm glad they didn't leave us at that though.

Howard Zieff's My Girl is a journey, a wonderful one that movies today don't easily capture. I'm glad I had the experience of watching something like this for the first time when I was prepared to. It bought back memories I didn't remember I had.

This movie is why people will continue to watch in cinemas over streaming subscriptions at home. This is my first Tom Cruise movie in a theatre and the only one I've watched from start to end in one sitting. Now it's not because I don't like the Scientologist, but because Action isn't my genre as much. I'll be honest, I had a long day and was pretty tired by when the movie started, things were slow, I hadn't watched or heard of the original Top Gun, hence had zero context, and 15 mins into the movie thought this was going to be a 2-hour long snooze fest. Boy was I wrong. Once the plot was laid and homage was paid to the original, the movie just kept climbing up the roller coaster, hitting a new peak every time. I now have a burning desire to be in a fighter jet or frankly any kind of combat aircraft. (May the Lord grant me this wish.) Every time a jet came on the screen, the director had me on the edge of my seat. It felt real, I felt entirely invested in the movie and time just flew by. It felt so real that I can't even say what was CGI and what wasn't, to me, who knows zero facts about this movie, I'm going to believe Tom Cruise and the rest are trained pilots. The supporting cast did a fantastic job too. The movie made me feel patriotic and proud and oh, it made me swoon over Tom Cruise. The old man hasn't lost his charm since Jerry Maguire. It was also exciting to see new kinds of action scenes over the car chases, fight scenes, and random missile combat scenes most movies serve.

I'm glad I watched this and someday when I have a big enough screen and a great sound system, I'm going to watch this Masterpiece all over again.

I've never had an eating disorder nor known anyone who suffered from it, so in that sense, the movie is an eye-opener. Realizing that it's more than 'just eat' and 'like it's hard' and that an eating disorder is like any other psychological issue, difficult. I don't think I have a problem with food, but even then, the movie was triggering. I had to pause it and give myself a break. And I couldn't digest my next meal. It made me wonder if I need to drop some weight and is purging the way to do it. While it is a topic rarely spoken about and deserving of an audience, I think it should not be shown to impressionable minds.

Overall though, the movie is unconvincing. With every passing minute, my interest reduced, and an hour into it, I was wondering if it was at least going to end with a bang. It didn't. I don't blame Lilly Collins though, she carried the movie but every character just seemed to be there because they didn't have anything better to do. Their storylines were almost non-existent. While the movie explores a deep topic, surprisingly it lacked depth. But I'd still recommend it, so you too would learn something new and know it's not as easy.

Oh, what a beautiful movie this could have been! It had so much potential. The plot is so distinct and is the perfect ground for a thriller, but then somebody decided it needed to be ridiculous before it ended. Oh also, it's filled with soft porn. Not that I'm complaining.

While the movie does have a great premise, it also has extremely unnecessary elements and some nonsensical parts. And 2 hours is a drag. It should have ended before it did. I'm hoping somebody decided to pick on the plot and deliver something better. The actors sounded weird like they either faked their voices or put on a voice they believed conveyed their part. The acting was limiting and the lead characters lacked chemistry too. I had to switch off the lights to see what was going on for many scenes, so be prepared.

The movie is definitely interesting, not predictable nor easily forgettable, but it is disappointing.

Hadn't heard of the movie before and it came up as a suggestion. Since the rating was fairly decent, I decided to give it a try. And the movie was just as the rating, fairly decent. The critics definitely overhyped this one thought. While it was funny, it had no comedic gold. And having watched a lot of Mindy Kaling shows and movies, I expected better. The acting was plausible, but the story isn't something you'd carry with you or like to revisit. The plot was different and the dialogues were decent. If you don't have anything to watch and want to try out something new, this is something you can add to your list.