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The Ghost Trap (2024)
Okay melodrama
Not great, but not bad. As usual the movie got a super high rating. The last I looked it got an IMDb rating of 9.4 with only 7 people rating it. That usually means they are friends and family of the folks involved in the making of the film. Anyway, on to discussing the movie itself. It's pretty predictable. A guy and his girlfriend are out to sea. He's a lobsterman and she's helping out. She accidentally goes overboard, and by the time he rescues her, she suffers brain damage. She struggles for the whole rest of the movie. You think that she eventually is going to recover, but actually the opposite happens. I won't give any more of the movie away, but let's just say it's depressing as all get out. So if you're in the mood for something uplifting, give this one a pass.
Old Goats (2011)
A dull movie about some dull guys
I started watching this movie the other day. And after I was about 25 minutes I realized I'd seen it before. Now I have a pretty good memory for movies. So how did I not remember seeing this one? Because it just so darn boring. Almost nothing about it stands out. Especially the actors characters in the movie. They're a trio of totally lifeless individuals. The do almost nothing. And the film just keeps on rolling along. You get the feeling that if you watch it right until the end absolutely nothing of consequence is going to happen. So I didn't even bother to skip ahead to see what happens. I already know--NOTHING.
Don't waste your time with this one. Unless you want to save money on Z-Quil and want to be put to sleep for free!
--MovieJunkieMark.
Retrograde (2022)
And all of a sudden...nothing happened.
I should have been suspect when the film got a great rating on IMDb, with only 88 votes. Obviously friends and family of the filmmakers and the actors. What has me puzzled is the high rating on Rotten Tomatoes. I'm going to be suspicious of that service from now on. Now on to my review.
I have to say, the film is not terrible. The acting is okay. The writing is decent. The problem is, absolutely nothing happens in the movie. A young woman gets a moving violation for cutting off a cop, entering the highway. Then, she gets mad about it and eventually takes the cop to court. But, based on the description of the movie, I thought the was going to spin out of control. She doesn't, she just quietly fumes for the rest of the film. I kept waiting for it to get interesting. It just doesn't. Such a terrible waste of time. Maybe the filmmakers will come up with something worth filming next time. If there is a next time.
--MovieJunkieMark.
The Grief of Others (2015)
Good grief, this is a depressing movie
Okay, I wasn't[t sure what to expect when I started streaming this one. And I have to admit, I was unpleasantly surprised. As it says in the description, it's about a family dealing with loss. The mother of two children loses a baby soon after it's born. Okay, I get it. But the film tends to jump around a bit which made it a little confusing to me. The story wasn't told in a linear fashion, which is fine, if you can follow what's going on. Then there's a bit of confusion when the wife's sister (I think), comes to stay with them for a while. She meets a guy who has a collection of his late father's artsy dioramas. She works with him on getting them into an art gallery. Not sure why this aside was included in the movie. It would have made more sense to jut focus on the family.
Additionally, I found all the characters unpleasant and unlikable. The acting was decent, but it's nice to have at least one person in a movie you can relate to. And not only were the characters unpleasant, there wasn't a single bit of joy in the movie. Just one depressing event after another. So if you're up for being down, you'll love this film.
--MovieJunkieMark.
Antiviral (2012)
Thoroughly unwatchable
Wow, this one was absolutely horrible. I should have known when I saw the name Cronenberg attached to it. It was one of those rare movies where I had to bail early. But I usually give a movie a 1/2 hour. I had to quit this one after a mere ten minutes. I knew exactly where it was going.
This is one of those super stylized, dystopian movies where everything is washed out visually. The sets are super stark and even the action is stylized. It's just plain annoying.
I figured out that I'd better cut my losses while I was ahead. If you want to watch a super depressing, sci-fi movie, give this one a shot But you've been warned. It's truly awful.
--MovieJunkieMark.
Rebel Ridge (2024)
Decent, not great
I have to admit, after reading all the glowing reviews, I was expecting a lot more out of this movie. I thought the acting was very good. Especially the leads. And Don Johnson is great as the evil and corrupt sherif. But the film could have been so much more.
I think the director played it safe. The storyline is one that we've seen a million times before. So why redo it if you're not going to bring something new to the party? If the main character is wronged, let him get some revenge. Take it over the top.
Instead, the writer and directer played it safe and made a ho-hum story out of it. And the ending was especially lame.
MovieJunkieMark.
Reverse the Curse (2023)
Way better than I thought it was going to be
I know David Duchovny had a good run back in the days with the hit series "X-Files. I never saw the show but noticed recently he's been involved with a number of projects as a director, writer, and actor. And I must say, several of his newer movies have really impressed me. Especially this one. It also stars Logan Marshall-Greene and Stephanie Beatriz. I loved her character she played in "Brooklyn Nine-Nine," but she proves here that she can play a lot more than a snarky, hard-assed cop.
When Marty (Duchovny) discovers he has cancer, his estranged son Ted (Marshall-Greene) decodes to take care of him. The two have a lot to work out, since their relationship wasn't the best. The grief counselor Mariana (Beatriz) assisted to Marty is a sweet, lovely woman and before long, Ted ands up falling for her. All this action takes place against the backdrop of the Boston Red Sox and their battle with the Yankees to win the pennant. The "Curse" in the title refers to the famous "Curse of the Bambino"which, if your a fan of the game, you'll know what it signifies.
Well, the pennant race isn't going quite like they wanted it to, so Ted arranges for Marty's friend to engage in a bit of clever deception--faking a Boston winning streak. This proves to be one of the funnier parts of the film. The interactions between father and son are equally amusing and poignant. Marty is an old advertising guy (as am I), and he has all sorts of tales to tell.
This movie was a lot better than I thought it was going to be. If you're in the mood for something a bit different, be sure to check out this little indie flick. I don't think you'll be disappointed.
--MovieJunkieMark.
Empire of Dirt (2013)
One miserable time
If you want to be thoroughly depressed, don't miss this movie. It hits home on all eight cylinders. For starters, the story itself is just sad. A mom, who had a baby when she was a teen, is taking care of her 13-year old daughter. They're just barely scraping by. She ends up getting fired from her cleaning job and is forced to look for someplace to live. And as if that wasn't[t bad enough, her daughter is a nasty, ungrateful little so-and-so. You just want to smack her, she's such an ill-mannered kid. And frankly, what made the movie even worse, is there wasn't a likable character in the entire movie. They all were horrible people.
If there's anything positive about the film, the acting was pretty decent. I guess it takes a special talent to make someone despicable on the big screen.
Ugh!
Movie-Junkie-Mark.
Downtown Owl (2023)
Wes Anderson meets "Prairie Home Companion"
I was expecting a lot more from this one. And frankly, I was pretty disappointed. I should have taken the relatively low grade IMDb viewers gave it. The movie had so much potential.
Here are the main problems as I see it. The film really tried too hard to be offbeat. It ended up looking like it was directed by someone with ADD. It needed a lot more focus instead of trying to tell several, seemingly unrelated stories at the same time.
The acting from Lily Rabe while excellent, wasn't enough to save the movie. She deserved better material. And Ed Harris? Wow! What an utter waste of his talent here.
Maybe the director will have better luck on his next outing.
--MovieJunkieMark.
Waiting for the Light to Change (2022)
"Waiting for the Action to Begin"
I think that would be a more appropriate title for this movie. I thought of it as the cinematic version of Z-Quill. If you're having trouble getting to sleep, just put this movie on and I can practically guarantee you'll be nodding off in a matter of minutes. Okay, I got my digs in. Truth be told, the movie wasn't terrible.
I thought it had a great deal of potential The cinematography was pretty good. The acting wasn't awful. The problem was in the writing. The movie was about five people in their early twenties who head to a beach house for a week. Then their stories begin to be told. Unfortunately, we don't really learn that much about them. There's mention of one of the women having gotten over an eating disorder. But there are scenes, many scenes, where they're just sitting around, barely talking. And they all seem to be terribly depressed. How is that having a fun getaway? I'd rather stay at home than hang out with these sourpusses.
Anyway, I think the director has potential and look forward to seeing what comes next from her.
--MovieJunkieMark.
The Union (2024)
Uh, isn't a thriller supposed to be thrilling?
It was a Saturday night and I just wanted to watch a fun-filled, action-packed thriller. So I thought I'd give this one a chance. Boy was I ever disappointed. For starters, I can't stand Mark Wahlberg. But he's okay once in a while. Not here. It also starred Halle Berry. There's just something about her that I find unappealing. She always seems like she's in a bad mood. A total sourpuss. She almost never smiles and it seems like she's not having a good time. Ever. And there was zero chemistry between them The saving grace was J. K. Simmons, who's great in every role he plays.
Then there's the whole lack of action. Talk about boring. Even the car chases you've seen a million times before. Only better. The cinematography is just passable. And the writing? Wow! A ten-year old could write a more interesting g script.
If you're looking for an action flick, your average cooking show is more exciting. This one is absolutely dreadful.
--MovieJunkieMark.
Re: Uniting (2023)
Wow that was depressing!
Okay, I read someone describe it as a Canadian "Big Chill." Well, sure if you define that as a bunch of folks getting together for a reunion. But this one just depressed the heck out of me. Six people get together 25 years after graduating from college. They[re staying at one couples place somewhere in the Pacific Northwest. That was the bright spot of the movie. Just beautiful views.
However, after they all get drunk and high, secrets start being revealed. They each have something they've been hiding for years. But the worst is one of the women is dying of an inoperable brain tumor. And that's literally the last third of the movie.
Not a lot of happy moments in this one. The acting was pretty good. But the storyline, oh so sad.
I kind of wish I never saw this one.
--MovieJunkieMark.
What Happens Later (2023)
Way better than I thought it would be
I was looking for a light little rom/com to kill some time and put me in a pleasant mood before hitting the hay. Wow! I was not expecting anything like what this film offered up. Sure, there's a little bit of rom, and just a tad of com, but for the most part, it's a very thoughtful, dialogue-driven movie, which really caught me off guard.
The film stars David Duchovny and America's sweetheart, Meg Ryan, who also directed the film. They play Bill and Willa, respectively. They were lovers twenty years before and run into each other for the first time since they broke up at an airport. As luck would have it, the airport is closed down due to a major snowstorm, and at first, a few flights are allowed out, then all flights are cancelled for the night. So they're stuck with each other.
At first, they trade off witty remarks and try to impress each other with how clever they are. Slowly, their barriers are let down and they start to fill each other with what actually transpired all those years ago. Things get pretty heavy. And you begin to cling to every word they utter. Lots of feelings are uncovered. Along with a bunch of "what ifs." I know both Duchovny and Ryan are seasoned actors, but this may be their finest film in years.
The film could easily have been a stage play, since 99% of it focuses on the two leads. I thought it was extremely well written and filmed. The cinematography was quite good, and it contributed to the surreal feeling to the movie. A bit of comic relief comes from the Public Service Announcer, who delivers his messages to not just the airport in general, but occasionally directly to Bill and Willa. If I had to categorize it, I guess I'd call it a rom/com for adults.
--MovieJunkieMark.
Going In (2023)
There's indie and then there's amateurish
This movie falls neatly into the second category. It's one thing to make a film on a budget. But a good indie flick makes up for limited funds with a great story, good writing, and most importantly, decent acting. Well, sadly this one lacks all three.
I thought I'd give it a chance but, as usual, I should have looked at how many people rated it on IMDb. The number was unsurprisingly low. That should have been my first tip. Second, of the three reviewers who praised the film, two had only reviewed one film. That smacks of "friends and family" rating the movie. So it's relatively high rating is really meaningless.
I gave the film about 40 minutes and just had to bail. Life is too short to watch mediocre movies. Nice try folks. Better luck next time!
--MovieJunkieMark.
Tacoma (2024)
It was okay
I thought this one was decent. I'm a huge fan of indie flicks and this definitely is an indie. I felt the acting was pretty good. One of the main problems with the movie is the writing. It could have used some tightening up. It was a bit hard to follow what was going on exactly. I also thought the pacing could have been better. The movie itself was about 20 or so minutes too long. It also could have used some better editing. The camera stayed on the scene for too long in a lot of scenes.
Then there's the whole thing about it being labeled a sci-fi flick. I think that's a bit misleading. Overall, the movie was okay. I look forward to seeing what the director does next.
--MovieJunkieMark.
In a New York Minute (2019)
Hauntingly beautiful film
I had no idea what I was getting into when I started watching this movie. But I was pleasantly surprised. It's a story told in three chapters, about three different women--each one has a sad story to tell. As the title suggests, it takes place in New York City. The first story is about. Amy. She's a food critic and has to deal with an eating disorder, brought on by a breakup with an old flame. It's ironic because she simply can't keep food down. The second story deals with. Angel. She's in a loveless marriage and the only pleasure she gets out of life is her time spent with a lover from China. The third story deals with Nina, a young woman who makes a living as an escort. She hides this from her family. However, she has an ambitious boyfriend who wants to open up a restaurant with her and start a new life.
The stories converge at the end of the movie. I won't give away the endings to their stories, but they are a bit ambiguous.
If you like my reviews, I invite your to do a search for my movie blog
--MovieJunkieMark.
Beneath the Harvest Sky (2013)
Two hours of pure misery
Wow. I thought this one had some potential. But as stated in the title, it was absolutely painful. I'm not saying it wasn't without merit. The cinematography was pretty good. Definitely not a small, budget film. And the acting was decent. It's just that the storyline was miserable. It takes place in a bleak Maine town near the Canadian border. There are pretty much no jobs except for picking potatoes. So the kids in the movie have no future to look forward to. One of them gets his girlfriend knocked up. And naturally, there get into running drugs. As it turns out, this is one of those movies I quit halfway through. There was nothing pleasant about it. '
If you're in the mood to get really depressed, check it out. You'll love the miserable characters.
--MovieJunkieMark.
Cottontail (2023)
Beautiful, touching film
I wasn't sure what to expect from this one. It got a pretty high rating but that was from a relatively low number of raters. I'm always suspicious when that occurs. However, this was a pleasant surprise.
It's a very slow movie, or nuanced, as they say in the business. Some might find this boring, but you just have to stick with it.
As described, it's about a Japanese gentleman whose wife has recently died. She leaves instructions that she wants her ashes scattered in Lake Windemerre, in England. So he travels there with his son and daughter-in-law and his grandchild.
Along the way, there's a fair amount of tension, seething under the surface. Slowly, the father and son come to terms with their relationship
I only have one minor complaint about the film. I watched it on Hoopla which listed it as English language. False. It's 99% Japanese with a few times English is spoken. I guess it's more of a beef with Hoopla than the filmmakers.
Overall, it's a beautiful crafted film, fans of indie flicks will surely enjoy. .
Which Brings Me to You (2023)
A little gem that should be better known
This is one of my favorite types of movies. Basically it's the story f two people over roughly a 24-hour period. While attending a friend's wedding in the Hamptons, Jane (Lucy Hale) and Will (Nat Wolff) hook up. They're drained to each other and end up in a coat closet where they passionately rip each other's clothes off, about to do the deed. In a lot of films, this is where a torrid love affair would begin. But not here.
Will abruptly stops their actions before they get out of hand because it just doesn't feel right to him. (Pretty rare for a guy, I must admit). Instead of them getting it on, the couple take turns revealing all the messy affairs they've encountered over the years. At several points while one of them is confessing in great detail, the other appears in the scene, witnessing it first hand. It's a clever little trick that makes the film that much more intriguing.
Their adventures take them to several locations as they open up to each other. Before you know it, it's dawn. Are they any closer to giving into their passion? You'll just have to watch this lovey indie film and find out for yourself.
I thought Hale and Wolff had great chemistry. I don't recall seeing either one in anything before, but they're so likable, you can't help but root for them. The film was well written and the cinematography was quite good as well. Just another one of those films that deserve more exposure.
--MovieJunkieMark.
Rule of Thirds (2024)
Actually better than I thought it was going to be
I started this one with pretty low expectations. And about a half hour I was tempted to quit. But as luck would have it, it wasn't bad.
On the negative side, the acting was just okay. The leads were decent, but nothing exceptional. And the dialogue was a bit on the predictable side.
On the positive side, the production values were pretty good. It looked liked they spent a decent amount of cash to produce it. The sets were good and the camera work was decent as well.
Then there was the story. It kept me hooked and I stuck with it to find out how it was going to turn out. And the ending caught me a bit off guard. I didn't see it coming. After it was over I had to pause for a second to figure it out. Then I said, "I got it. Nicely done."
--MovieJunkieMark.
Maalle (2015)
Absolutely hilarious!
Wow. Where to start with this ridiculously bad film. I guess the overall production. It was horrible. Like something a 10-year old would make with an iPhone. It looked like the filmmakers looked at a bunch of Hollywood movies, then did the total opposite.
The acting was beyond bad. It was so wretched I laughed out loud numerous times. Not a single person in the movie could act. And the script didn't help either. Terrible writing and terrible plot.
Then there was the soundtrack. It appears they got their hands on some generic music from an epic war movie, then turned it on and off randomly. And have they ever heard of fading in and out? Nope. They just hit the play and stop buttons at random.
So how do films like this get made? And why are they ever distributed on streaming platforms? The horror...the horror!
--MovieJunkieMark.
Grace Unplugged (2013)
So cheesy you could make fondue out of it!
Ugh, this one was just plain bad. I should have know right from the get-go it was going to be one of those preachy movies. And I really should have bailed much earlier than I did. What an incredible waste of time.
I can't stand faith-based movies. Even when they're well done, they really test my patience. But what made this one so terrible was the acting. The lead was okey. Not great, but just okay. However, just about everyone else in this and film was horrible. The worst one was her dad. This guy should be banished to the nether world for his pitiful performance here. Just give it up dude! You can't't act.
So if you want to wast a couple hours of you life...Actually, maybe this is penance for some horrible sin you've committed. Maybe you'll spend less time in Purgatory if you watch it.
MovieJunkieMark.
Dorfman (2011)
10 pounds of cliches in a 5-pound bag
Ugh. This was a total W. O. T. (Waste of Time). It has just about every stereotype in the book. And the Jewish schtick is way over the top. I can honestly say this because I'm part Jewish. I found it totally insulting. And the acting was just mediocre. Not terrible. But not terribly good. And there really wasn't a single character you care a darn about.
Then there's the subject of Elliot Gould! Wow. I never knew he was such a one-dimensional character. And what a lousy actor. I got this sinking feeling every time he made an appearance. I just kept wishing he'd keep his trap shut. But no! He had to spew an endless series of Yiddish phrases, whining about something. Just shut up already Elliot. You're not funny and you never were.
This movie was just horrible. I can't believe it's rated as high as it is on IMDb.
--MovieJunkieMark.
Space MOMs (2019)
I bailed early. Too bad the filmmaker didn't
My first warning should have been the high IMDb rating with only 88 people voting. That means friends and family of the filmmaker and actors voted. Not the general public.
Secondly is the fact that an excellent movie has already been made about women in the space program. Can you say HIDDEN FIGURES???
My biggest complaint is the acting. Absolutely atrocious! You'd think in a country with over a billion people, you could find a half dozen who can act? Wow. Everyone in the movie is terrible. And I mean everyone.
Then there's the problem of language. Most of the movie is in English. But when they speak Hindi, or whatever language they're speaking, you'd think it would be submitted. But NO! I checked and subtitles were'n even an option.
Then there's the problem of writing. Did a third grader write the script? So amateurish it isn't even funny.
And my last beef is the directing. It's so awkward I felt embarrassed for anyone involved in this project.
Don't waste your time watching this dreadful film. Go take a walk. Read a good book. Listen to some nice music. But don't watch this "film."
--MovieJunkieMark.
I Am That (2018)
A little film with a big heart
AS the movie opened I thought to myself, "This is going to be cheesy." And I thought I'd give a half hour and was probably going to bail. But I'm really glad I stuck with it. This is why I love indie films.
The acting was decent, especially from the lead. The writing was good. And the story was, well, captivating. You just had to stick with it and see where it was going. It has a mystical quality, mainly due to various almost psychedelic scenes in it. They add a spiritual element to the film, without being too bizarre.
Overall all the elements added up to a very unique film that I'll probably end up watching again. Kudos to everyone involved in the making of this little gem. I can almost guarantee it'll put a smile on your face! I can't wait to see what the director does next!
--MovieJunkieMark.