andrewchristianjr Reviews (1,089)

The First Omen (2024)

ONE OF THE BEST HORROR PREQUELS.

[7/10 · 4 April 2024]

Easily one of the best horror prequels. The original Omen is an all time classic, and this is a great follow up. The film revels in mashing up genres: body horror and gothic church horror. Well paced with a good cinematic moment.

Synopsis: When a young American woman is sent to Rome to begin a life of service to the church, she encounters a darkness that causes her to question her own faith and uncovers a terrifying conspiracy that hopes to bring about the birth of evil incarnate.

When a young American woman is sent to Rome to begin a life of service to the church, she encounters a darkness that causes her to question her own faith and uncovers a terrifying conspiracy that hopes to bring about the birth of evil incarnate.

No Way Up (2024)

HMM.

[6/10 · 1 April 2024]

If you enjoy thrillers with a survival theme, No Way Up might be worth checking out. No Way Up builds tension with the underwater setting, it's more reliant on atmosphere and suspense than intense action sequences.

Synopsis: Ava (Sophie McIntosh), the daughter of the Governor of California, is hoping for a peaceful getaway with friends in the resort town of Cabo, Mexico -- with her faithful minder Brandon (Colm Meaney) in tow. But when the plane crashes in the Pacific Ocean and comes to rest on the edge of an underwater ravine, Ava and a handful of survivors are trapped in the airlocked cabin. Against the odds, Ava must fend for herself, contend with bloodthirsty sharks, and find the courage to step up and lead the crash survivors to safety.

Splinter (I) (2008)

WELL.

[6/10 · 29 March 2024]

"Splinter" is good for what it is. A monster movie that may be a little outdated but still a fun ride. The monster is a little silly but I'm a sucker for a group of people getting stranded in a store while a monster is lurking outside.

"Splinter" is good for what it is. A monster movie that may be a little outdated but still a fun ride. The monster is a little silly but I'm a sucker for a group of people getting stranded in a store while a monster is lurking outside.

"Splinter" is good for what it is. A monster movie that may be a little outdated but still a fun ride. The monster is a little silly but I'm a sucker for a group of people getting stranded in a store while a monster is lurking outside.

The Zone of Interest (2023)

WELL.

[8/10 · 29 March 2024]

So unsettling. It conjures horrific images in your mind without blatantly depicting the horror you know is just yards away. A smart, innovative and thoughtful take on the Holocaust, yet it doesn't have any of the vision or power of many of his predecessors. It lacks the punch, the bitterness and the aura of tragedy that would give to this kind of neo-realistic take the right amount of strenght to overcome its being-boring plot.

So unsettling. It conjures horrific images in your mind without blatantly depicting the horror you know is just yards away. A smart, innovative and thoughtful take on the Holocaust, yet it doesn't have any of the vision or power of many of his predecessors. It lacks the punch, the bitterness and the aura of tragedy that would give to this kind of neo-realistic take the right amount of strenght to overcome its being-boring plot.

Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire (2024)

SUPER FUN!

[8/10 · 28 March 2024]

That third act was fire! A truly popcorn movie. If you're simply looking for a film that features massive creatures punching each other in the face for almost all duration, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire is going to give you everything you want.

Synopsis: This latest entry in the Monsterverse franchise follows up the explosive showdown of Godzilla vs. Kong with an all-new cinematic adventure, pitting the almighty Kong and the fearsome Godzilla against a colossal undiscovered threat hidden within our world, challenging their very existence -- and our own. The epic new film will delve further into the histories of these Titans, their origins, and the mysteries of Skull Island and beyond, while uncovering the mythic battle that helped forge these extraordinary beings and tied them to humankind forever.

Metamorphosis (2019)

GOOD.

[7/10 · 23 March 2024]

Interesting. Storyline is unique. The acting are well carried out by the casts. Could have put more scare into it. Overall, not bad for a boring night to pass time.

Synopsis: A face-changing evil spirit infiltrates a family, placing one brother in danger while the other tries to save him.

A face-changing evil spirit infiltrates a family, placing one brother in danger while the other tries to save him.

A face-changing evil spirit infiltrates a family, placing one brother in danger while the other tries to save him.

A face-changing evil spirit infiltrates a family, placing one brother in danger while the other tries to save him.

Poor Things (2023)

WEIRD AND BEAUTIFUL.

[8/10 · 11 March 2024]

Emma frickin Stone. This film is, well.. a lot! Enhanced by some gorgeous production values and top-notch performances, Yorgos Lanthimos and Emma Stone team up to deliver a bizarre and over-the-top tale of self-discovery. This is one of the most aesthetically pleasing films I've ever seen; the camera movements, vibrant colour palette.. amazing.

Synopsis: From filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos and producer Emma Stone comes the incredible tale and fantastical evolution of Bella Baxter (Stone), a young woman brought back to life by the brilliant and unorthodox scientist Dr. Godwin Baxter (Willem Dafoe). Under Baxter's protection, Bella is eager to learn. Hungry for the worldliness she is lacking, Bella runs off with Duncan Wedderburn (Mark Ruffalo), a slick and debauched lawyer, on a whirlwind adventure across the continents. Free from the prejudices of her times, Bella grows steadfast in her purpose to stand for equality and liberation.

American Fiction (2023)

WELL DONE.

[7/10 · 10 March 2024]

It attempts to dip a figurative toe in the water of American social commentary. The success ends with shining a spotlight on the topic. However, it doesn't feel like it waded enough into the ocean to provoke a thoughtful conversation

Synopsis: AMERICAN FICTION is Cord Jefferson's hilarious directorial debut, which confronts our culture's obsession with reducing people to outrageous stereotypes. Jeffrey Wright stars as Monk, a frustrated novelist who's fed up with the establishment profiting from "Black" entertainment that relies on tired and offensive tropes. To prove his point, Monk uses a pen name to write an outlandish "Black" book of his own, a book that propels him to the heart of hypocrisy and the madness he claims to disdain.

Dune: Part Two (2024)

EPIC MASTERPIECE!

[9/10 · 29 February 2024]

Epic Masterpiece! The Visual, the sound, the music, the story, the acting, the world of Dune is pure epic. This is cinema!

Synopsis: "Dune: Part Two" will explore the mythic journey of Paul Atreides as he unites with Chani and the Fremen while on a warpath of revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family. Facing a choice between the love of his life and the fate of the known universe, he endeavors to prevent a terrible future only he can foresee.

Rating: PG-13 (Sequences of Strong Violence, Brief Strong Language, Some Suggestive Material) Genre: Sci-fi, Adventure, Action, Fantasy, Drama Original Language: English Director: Denis Villeneuve Producer: Mary Parent, Cale Boyter, Denis Villeneuve, Tanya Lapointe, Patrick McCormick Writer: Denis Villeneuve, Jon Spaihts.

Avatar: The Last Airbender (2024– )

FAITHFUL ADAPTATION.

[8/10 · 25 February 2024]

SEASON 1: Can we all agree that it's (almost) impossible to replicate this one of the best animation series? It's not perfect, but I can say this was a faithful adaptation. This is 100% better than the 2010 movie. The visuals were stunning, pretty decent CGI, but acting does need improvement.

The small changes in the story didn't bother me too much, including the lack of humor. It could've been better, but my inner child had a good time.

Synopsis: A young boy known named Aang as the Avatar must master the four elemental powers to save a world at war and fight a ruthless enemy bent on stopping him.

Madame Web (2024)

OVERACTED.

[6/10 · 15 February 2024]

Took a while to get started but never really delivered. The story falls flat every time it tries to pick up. Overacted, felt dubbed and unintentionally corny. Poorly executed and forced.

Synopsis; In a switch from the typical genre, Madame Web tells the standalone origin story of one of Marvel publishing's most enigmatic heroines. The suspense-driven thriller stars Dakota Johnson as Cassandra Webb, a paramedic in Manhattan who develops the power to see the future... and realizes she can use that insight to change it. Forced to confront revelations about her past, she forges a relationship with three young women bound for powerful destinies... if they can all survive a deadly present.

Anyone But You (2023)

SILLY, CHEESY, BUT CUTE AND ENTERTAINING

[7/10 · 11 February 2024]

It was a light "no-brainer" type of film. Great to see something that makes you smile with no violence or blood involved! It was silly and cheesy but very cute and entertaining. Typical romantic ending though.

Synopsis: In the edgy comedy Anyone But You, Bea (Sydney Sweeney) and Ben (Glen Powell) look like the perfect couple, but after an amazing first date something happens that turns their fiery hot attraction ice cold -- until they find themselves unexpectedly thrust together at a destination wedding in Australia. So they do what any two mature adults would do: pretend to be a couple......

Passages (2023)

INTIMACY CAN BE A BEAUTIFUL THING.

[7/10 · 8 February 2024]

Intimacy can be a beautiful thing. However, it can also become something messy, hurtful and emotionally devastating when tainted by self-serving agendas, irresponsible intentions, or reckless, short-sighted experimentation, influences that can purposely or unwittingly end up wreaking widespread havoc.

Synopsis: Celebrated filmmaker Ira Sachs (Love is Strange) makes a breathtaking return with PASSAGES, a fresh, honest and brutally funny take on messy, modern relationships, starring Franz Rogowski (Great Freedom), Ben Whishaw (Women Talking) and Adèle Exarchopoulos (Blue Is the Warmest Colour). Set in Paris, this seductive drama tells the story of Tomas (Rogowski) and Martin (Whishaw), a gay couple whose marriage is thrown into crisis when Tomas begins a passionate affair with Agathe (Exarchopoulos), a younger woman he meets after completing his latest film.

All of Us Strangers (2023)

SLOW.

[7/10 · 3 February 2024]

The acting is good and the cinematography is dark and somber, the idea for the plot is brilliant but its development is slow and feels disjointed as it juxtaposes reality with inner self ghost moments overall the film turns out to be difficult to bear despite some intense emotional scenes.

Synopsis: One night in his near-empty tower block in contemporary London, Adam (Andrew Scott) has a chance encounter with a mysterious neighbor Harry (Paul Mescal), which punctures the rhythm of his everyday life. As a relationship develops between them, Adam is preoccupied with memories of the past and finds himself drawn back to the suburban town where he grew up, and the childhood home where his parents (Claire Foy and Jamie Bell), appear to be living, just as they were on the day they died, 30 years before.

Through My Window (2022)

WHAT A BULL.

[5/10 · 30 January 2024]

One of the richest family in Spain but cannot afford a wifi. What a bulls*it.

Synopsis: Raquel has a longtime crush on her hot neighbor, Ares, whom she secretly watches but has never spoken to. Can she make Ares fall in love with her?

Raquel has a longtime crush on her hot neighbor, Ares, whom she secretly watches but has never spoken to. Can she make Ares fall in love with her?

Raquel has a longtime crush on her hot neighbor, Ares, whom she secretly watches but has never spoken to. Can she make Ares fall in love with her?

Raquel has a longtime crush on her hot neighbor, Ares, whom she secretly watches but has never spoken to. Can she make Ares fall in love with her?

The Holdovers (2023)

RIGHT WINS VS WRONG.

[7/10 · 28 January 2024]

Good storyline regarding life lessons. Great progression of the characters, right wins vs wrong.

Synopsis:From acclaimed director Alexander Payne, THE HOLDOVERS follows a curmudgeonly instructor (Paul Giamatti) at a New England prep school who is forced to remain on campus during Christmas break to babysit the handful of students with nowhere to go. Eventually he forms an unlikely bond with one of them -- a damaged, brainy troublemaker (newcomer Dominic Sessa) -- and with the school's head cook, who has just lost a son in Vietnam (Da'Vine Joy Randolph). Beautifully bittersweet, The Holdovers marks a satisfying return to form for director Alexander Payne.

Not Friends (2023)

LONG LIVE CINEMA, BRO!

[8/10 · 27 January 2024]

Long Live Cinema! This is the first Asian film (exc. Indonesia) that I watched in theater.

The strong point of "Not Friends" lies in the hilarious scenes, which provide an experience that invites laughter and touches the hearts of the audience. The transition from comedy to drama is also impressive because of the unusual scenes taken. This is a friendship film and a love letter to film.

Synopsis: Not Friends is a 2023 Thai coming-of-age comedy-drama film written and directed by Atta Hemwadee in his directorial debut. It stars Thitiya Jirapornsilp, Pisitphon Ekphongpisit, Anthony Buizeret, Tanakorn Tiyanont and Natticha Chantaravareelekha.

Maestro (2023)

DISJOINTED.

[7/10 · 25 January 2024]

This film has great technical and artistic quality: in terms of direction, interpretation, photography, set design, costumes and of course music. But I felt that the story was somewhat disjointed. No space or movement to see the film develop and really find out about Bernsteins work.

Synopsis: Maestro is a towering and fearless love story chronicling the lifelong relationship between Leonard Bernstein and Felicia Montealegre Cohn Bernstein. A love letter to life and art, Maestro at its core is an emotionally epic portrayal of family and love.

Maestro is a towering and fearless love story chronicling the lifelong relationship between Leonard Bernstein and Felicia Montealegre Cohn Bernstein. A love letter to life and art, Maestro at its core is an emotionally epic portrayal of family and love.

Boiling Point (I) (2021)

STEPHEN FRICKIN GRAHAM.

[8/10 · 22 January 2024]

Believable, gripping and intense piece of cinema. Its use of an engaging subplot, a single location and its cinematography, combined with the stellar performances, naturalistic dialogue and tight story makes for one of the most engrossing experiences I've had in a while. Stephen Graham was unreal his facial expression and just pulsating anxiety and tension without even speaking.

Synopsis: On the busiest night of the year at one of the hottest restaurants in London, charismatic, commanding head chef Andy Jones (Stephen Graham) balances along a knife's edge as multiple personal and professional crises threaten to destroy everything he's worked for. A surprise visit from a health and safety inspector sets the staff on edge as the overbooked hotspot begins to fill with guests. Jones alternately berates and cajoles his diverse staff, trying his best to diffuse tensions between management and his crew, while catering to the ridiculous demands of customers.

Home for Rent (2023)

TRIES TOO HARD.

[7/10 · 17 January 2024]

Although the movie tries too hard on the Scare-O-Meter by overly playing spooky music at every scene and typical jump scares, the story, suspense and build-up itself is good and made up for that unnecesity.

Synopsis: Ning, Kwin, and their daughter, Ing, shifted to the condo. Ning started to notice a shift in her husband's behavior. He was a little too attached to a red book that he carried along with him wherever he went. When Ning asked him about it, he stated that it was the factory manual. He had also recently had a symbol tattooed on his chest; he blamed it on a game of dare that he indulged in with his colleagues. Ning very well knew that Kwing was lying, but she couldn't understand the reason behind it. When she went back to the house to collect some items, she was a little surprised by Dr. Nuch's behavior. Dr. Nuch was clearly annoyed by Ning's sudden visit and wanted her to leave the house immediately.

Past Lives (2023)

HEARTBREAKING.

[9/10 · 16 January 2024]

Well, now I need a wine and a chill music to listen. It was a slow burn, but it burnt hard in the end. It was a movie about the things we don't say, about the people we lose and let go of, and the things that can't be. The things that weren't and the choices we stick to. Heartbreaking.

Synopsis: Nora and Hae Sung, two deeply connected childhood friends, are wrest apart after Nora's family emigrates from South Korea. Two decades later, they are reunited in New York for one fateful week as they confront notions of destiny, love, and the choices that make a life, in this heartrending modern romance.

The Finest Hours (2016)

GOOD. JUSG GOOD.

[7/10 · 13 January 2024]

Good. Nothing more than that, but nothing less either. Pacing is iffy, but the effects are excellent - from the ships to the water scenes, impressive! The (true) story, meanwhile, is as hearty as you'd expect. Worth watching.

Synopsis: On Feb. 18, 1952, a massive storm splits the SS Pendleton in two, trapping more than 30 sailors inside the tanker's sinking stern. Engineer Ray Sybert bravely takes charge to organize a strategy for his fellow survivors. As word of the disaster reaches the Coast Guard in Chatham, Mass., Chief Warrant Officer Daniel Cluff orders a daring rescue mission. Despite the ferocious weather, coxswain Bernie Webber takes three men on a lifeboat to try and save the crew against seemingly impossible odds.

Vegetarian Cannibal (2012)

I HATE TO SAY THIS: IT'S GOOD.

[8/10 · 12 January 2024]

As a doctor, I can tell that Obstetrics is absolutely one of the most "challenging" specialities. This film proves it. It's hard to sit through, but once you do, it feels good idk. The story is well written and it has that sick atmosphere and disturbing throughout the entire runtime. The ending scene was so hard to watch that even my stomach started growling.

Synopsis: Meet Dr. Danko Babic. An up and coming gynecologist with a taste for the finer things in life. Though he is among the most respected in his field, he still keeps friends in low places. Babic likes blow, he likes women, and most of all he likes money. When a local mob boss who is a friend of a friend makes Babic an offer he can't refuse to "take care of" his strippers and hookers, suddenly the good doctor finds himself stumbling into a world from which there is no safe escape.

The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999)

BRILLIANT.

[9/10 · 11 January 2024]

Low-key terrifying from a psychological point of view. I love the film's setting, the characters are good, and I like the dark twists that the film takes. He's a monster, but we want him to get away with idk.

Synopsis: To be young and carefree amid the blue waters and idyllic landscape of sun-drenched Italy in the late 1950s; that's la dolce vita Tom Ripley (Matt Damon) craves- and Dickie Greenleaf (Jude Law) leads. When Dickie's father asks Tom to bring his errant playboy son back home to America, Dickie and his beautiful expatriate girlfriend, Marge Sherwood (Gwyneth Paltrow), never suspect the dangerous extremes to which Ripley will go to make their lifestyle his own.

Society of the Snow (2023)

THIS MOVIE. GOD.

[8/10 · 9 January 2024]

This movie. God. Yes it's not the most dramatic film, but it is most accurate and feels more real. Absolutely amazing approach to an amazing story. It was truly a miracle anyone survived and if not for the instinct, courage and will to live no one would have. It was also a story of unconditional love. Bravo!

Synopsis: In 1972, Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571, which had been chartered to fly a rugby team to Chile, crashed in the heart of the Andes. Only 29 of its 45 passengers survived the accident. Trapped in one of the most hostile and inaccessible environments on the planet, they have to resort to extreme measures to stay alive.