Favorite films

Recent reviews

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  Nanny McPhee 2005

  ★★★ Watched 23 Mar 2024

  This review may contain spoilers. I can handle the truth.

  Zany, colorful, and (mostly) charming. Best early on when recklessly embracing the grotesque. Nanny McP herself is less Mary Poppins than Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle, thankfully devoid of cuddles.

  Disappointing, then, that the film surrenders to adult-focused sentimentality in the home stretch, including an over-frosted finale with ill-advised and rather dodgy CGI. (The inevitable nuptials should have taken place amid the post-food fight muck rather than after a magically cleansing snowfall.)

  Still, there's always pleasure in a film that lets vets of…

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  Paranormal Activity 2007

  ★★ Watched 17 Feb 2024

  No self-respecting spirit would be caught undead haunting this boring beige bungalow! 🤮 Two effective sequences (ouija board, footsteps / attic), the rest is meh with deflating tension toward the close. Stupid final shot. Blair Witch Project has nothing to fear, that's for sure – cheapo found footage horror crown is secure.

Popular reviews

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  Batman Returns 1992

  ★★★ Rewatched 20 Jun 2010

  Note to future self: do not attempt to watch this movie during a family gathering in a white-walled room with afternoon sunshine blazing through naked windows. This is more harmful to Gotham than any supervillain.

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  Batman: Mask of the Phantasm 1993

  ★★★ Watched 04 Sep 2023

  Solid longform episode, but a disappointing movie. Yes, the simplified Deco styling is attractive, and yes, the voice acting has Gotham gravitas. But I've already seen it / heard it on TV. Where's the extra juice? (Don't tell me they spent all $$$ on those 3-D opening titles!) Also, there's something rather Scooby Doo-ish about the Phantasm. Wrong show! Thankfully the Joker swishes in and gooses the joint.