O's

Overlord  2018
Jovan Adepo  Wyatt Russell

This film takes place 1944, US army parachutes down to destroy German radio tower stumbles upon an underground Nazi experiment lab that creates an injectable serum for super human strength.  This film was filled with action, thrills, startles and some gore from beginning to end.  It is definitely not for the squeamish.  I personally enjoyed this film and was happy if was pact with an entertaining story line. 

On Thin Ice  2003

Diane Keaton  Michael Rooker

Single mom Patsy, juggles jobs, scripping and saving to support herself and her 2 sons.  After finding out her main job is closing down, Patsy gets a job offer from an old friend selling meth.  Even though Patsy knows this job is terribly wrong, the money is making life easier.  The head drug dealer finds out that Patsy's friends have been steeling, she soon finds them dead.  Patsy decided that is was time to cooperate with the police and bring down the whole ring.  This film is based on a true story.  I absolutely adore Diane Keaton, I found her to be perfect for this role. 
 

F's

 

The Free Fall  2021

Andrea Londo  Shawn Ashmore

 

Psychological thriller about a young woman, Sara who witnesses the murder of her father and suicide of her mother.  After spending some time in the hospital, Sara tries to remember her life before the tragedy.  This film has many twists but, the ending was huge.  Sara has been possessed and her body is going through an exorcism, but once the demon is expelled from her it latches onto another soul, her sister!

 

 

Fresh  2022

Sebastian Stan  Daisy Edgar-Jones

 

Steve is a sweet talking cutie who misleads Noa, a girl down on her dating luck. Thinking this can't be real, Steve seems perfect, until he drugs her.  Noa wakes up chained in a room.  Steve reveals he just needed Noa for her flesh.  Steve kidnaps women, removes limbs and sells it on the black market. But that is not the only thing Steve is hiding, he is married, has a family and even uses his wife's body parts on the market.  This film was quick moving and clever.  It does have some cringe and gory scenes so if you are squeamish, skip this one. 

The Fallout  2021

Jenna Ortega   Maddie Ziegler

School shooting forces a popular girl and an average girl huddled in the bathroom and they form a bond from the trauma.  I enjoyed this coming of age love story.  It was well done and beautifully acted. 

 

Free State of Jones  2016

Matthew McConaughey  Mahershala Ali

 

Male war nurse decides to fight the confederates on their politics to regain equal rights for all.  This film held quit a bit of information and kept you up to date through out.  I am not completely sure why so many people hold a negative opinion on Matthew McConaughey, I find his acting to work well with the characters he choices.  

 

Four Good Days  2020

Glenn Close  Mila Kunis

 

A fed up but still caring mother tries to give her heavily drug addicted daughter another chance to be clean.  Glenn plays Deb a broken mother who struggles with how she abandoned her young children for two years may have drove her daughter Molly towards heroin addiction.  Carrying that memory within herself gives Molly countless recoveries and relapses.  I have seen a few films dealing with addiction, but these performances dig up all the raw, unbridled emotions that stem from these sort of situations. I was thoroughly impressed with each of these ladies.  I highly recommend this film. 
 

 



T's

Terrifier  2016
David Howard Thornton  Jenna Kanell

Violent serial killer dressed as a creepy clown murders and mutilates his victims.  This film was predictable but entertaining.  The clown was indeed terrifying and comical at times but I would not recommend it for the squeamish.

 Tracy Morgan: Stayin' Alive  2017
Tracy Morgan

This was such a riot.  Tracy never disappoints when bringing the funny!  This was performed after his horrific accident but that has not changed his genius. I laughed through most of this stand up between his impressions and his stories I don't know which was funnier. 

W's

 

 

Wish I Were Here  2014

Zach Braff  Kate Hudson

 

A Failing actor must figure out how to fix his plummeting financial burdens to save his family.  This film produces many wonderful actors.  The humor can be dry, but still enjoyable.

 

 

 

 

 

The Witching  2016

 

A group of friends gather around a campfire in the woods on the anniversary where a witch was murdered.  The acting in this film was definitely B rated, but the camp fire tales were interesting enough that it keeps you watching. I also felt the makeup of the 'witch' was beautifully done. 

 

 What We Do in the Shadows  2014

Taika Waititi  Jermaine Clement

 

Goofy vampires try to adjust to everyday life and lure new victims.  This film is hilariously written.  How these men act with each other, deal with house chores and their personal back stories you are guaranteed a laugh!  I adore this film and even more so that it was turned into a series for FX.  If you enjoy the satire on how ancient vampire ways adjust to modern times you enjoy this film and the TV show to the fullest. This is a high recommendation.

 

 

 

thumbs DOWN!

 

Crash 2004.

The Devil Inside Me 2011.

Mother! 2017.

Enemy 2013.

Last Kind Words 2012.

Inception 2010.

Where the Wild Things Are 2009.

Walk Among the Dinosaurs 2013.

Prince of Persia 2010.

Hereditary 2018.

Lady in the Water 2006.

The Happening 2008.

Crossroads 2002.

I Know Who Killed Me 2007.

Adaptation 2002.

Erin Brockovich 2000.

Requiem For A Dream 2000.

The 40 Year Old Virgin 2005.

Unbreakable2000.

Snatch2000.

Coyote Ugly 2000.

ALL Final Destination films

Old School 2003.

ALL The Fast and the Furious films

Slumdog Millionaire 2008.

500 Days Of Summer 2009.

Fantastic Mr. Fox 2009.

Inglorious Basterds2009.

Juno 2007.

Atonement2007.

Gone Girl 2014.

Okja 2017.

Her 2013.

The Ritual 2017.

Gerald's Game 2017.

45 Years 2015.

Emilie2015.

A Dark Song 2016.

Lavender 2016.

The Houses October Built 2014.

Dont Breathe 2016.

Pilgrim 2019.

Shortcut 2020. 

Anyone Home? 2018.

The Resort 2020.

Gaia  2021

Agnes 2022



A's

Alpha  2018
Kodi Smit-McPhee

A teenage boy named Keda goes on a buffalo hunt with his father and small tribe.  During the hunt Keda gets thrown off a cliff and presumed dead.  Badly injured, Keda tries to find his way back home, meets a wolf where they care for one another and form a friendship.  Although this film wasn't English speaking, the subtitles were small one line sentences or few words, very easy to follow.  I thought that aspect of this film was smart because it kept the feeling of the story instead of getting lost in words.  Animals and humans do not understand each other's language but feelings and emotion seem to radiate and be universal.  This film was very sweet and moved quickly. 

Antebellum 2020

Janelle Monae 

The opening scene to this film is gripping and heart wrenching.  It is set in old south where a male slave is running after his wife who have been busted for being together.  The woman runs for her life through the field only to meet her death by being roped around her neck and strangled.  I was blown away and thought this film is going to leave a mark. The beginning was memorable, but the film as a whole tried to be on trend and it flip flopped back and forth between old time and present day.  Which as you will slowly uncover, the "old time" is actually a racist camp.  Eden played by the beautiful Janelle Monae, is an author who becomes enslaved at a racist camp mimicking the old south playing by slave trading rules.  She learns that she isn't crazy and the camp is a modern front, she compiles a plan for escape and exposes this horrible place to the public freeing many of missing black people.  I personally felt if this film would haven't jumped back and forth it probably would have flowed better.  The choppiness was distracting, even though I liked the twist of this camp being a modern day, it was easy for me to lose interest. Overall, not bad though, looking at the creamy skin Goddess as the lead was definitely the right choice. 

M's

Mary Magdalene  2019

Joaquin Phoenix   Rooney Mara  

This biblical depiction follows the friendship between Jesus and Mary.  Joaquin Phoenix as Jesus was a good choice.  His eyes continuously shine through this film.  I appreciate Mary having her name cleared of horrible rumors.  Mary was an average woman of this time period.  She gave help and support where needed.  She was not in any way a prostitute.  This film was slow but the acting is solid.  

 

 

     Mother!  2018

Jennifer Lawrence  Javier Bardem

 

 None of the characters have names in this film.  Jennifer Lawrence plays a wife and potential "mother!" of a famous poet (Javier Bardem) who tries to rebuild her husbands secluded childhood home.  When a strange fan of the poets shows up on their doorstep, the story loses control.  Many more stragglers and fans barge into the house "mother" works very hard on.  The constant guests and insanity upsets her to such a degree she finds solace in drinking a mysterious yellow liquid only she knows about.  When the couple births their one and only child the joy is short lived when only a few hours after the infants birth he falls victim to the fanatic crowd where the newborn becomes ripped to shreds and eaten.  Now I honestly did not care for this film.  I felt it was insane for no purpose.  I had a thought of the scene where the newborn was ripped apart to death was a possible bible analogy for Jesus Crucifixion but I do not know for sure and I wish I could get the two hours back I wasted on this artless, tacky film.

 

 

 

 

 

My Friend Dahmer  2017

Ross Lynch  

 

This film touches on the early life of serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer.  It shows how he was detached from his home life because of his mentally ill mother and un loving father.  Jeffrey was an outcast in school but befriended a few boys that soon grew uncomfortable around Jeffrey as he begins to unravel into the perverted murderer.  I have to say I was thoroughly impressed with Ross Lynch's performance, because he does not have much dialog but, he portrays Dahmer with emotion and facial expression that make you feel his character. I am used to seeing Lynch on a corny Disney series for children, but in this piece he shined.  This is not a film that shows or elaborates on his murderous career, but I do recommend it. 

The Midnight Meat Train 2008

Bradley Cooper  Vinnie Jones

 

The title of this film sounds like an adult film, but even though the plot line is as strange as any pornographic film, it was definitely different.  Bradley Cooper plays Leon, a struggling photographer looking to impress an ritzy studio owner.  Leon tries to capture the raw city night life, seeking inspiration he comes across the beginning of a sexual assault as a women waits for the subway train. Snapping photos, thugs notice Leon, disintegrating any further conflict.  Next morning Leon reads local newspaper headlines that the woman he saved last night is missing.  Knowing he captured questionable assailants that could have been apart of her disappearance he shows the photos to police.  Police accuse Leon of being a part of missing woman and turn him away.  Feeling defeated Leon continues with his inspiration for the right shots coming across the same man the rode the train as the missing woman.  Leon follows this tall dark strange man uncovering he is a butcher by day and a sinister butcher aboard the nighttime subway.  Around the 2 am hour who ever boards the subway train, the butcher brutally murders passengers and hangs their life less bodies upside down on meat hooks.  Horrified by what he has witnessed, Leon tries to defuse any further victims.  Leon's girlfriend Maya is worried about his late night shoots, causing her concern to following him and figure out the roll of the butcher.  She becomes the next target leaving Leon no choice but to save her.  Fighting for their lives, they discover why the butcher was killing passengers, to feed the creatures that live deep underground. Maya and the butcher both die during the ending brawl scene, which then makes Leon the next in line to take place of the butcher.  I wouldn't say this film is a must see but it is different than any other horror film i have seen and if you just need something to watch it is pretty good. 

Man in the Attic  1953

Jack Palance  Constance Smith

Set back in foggy London, a private man rents a room who is suspected to be notorious murderer Jack the Ripper. This film was the perfect snuggle up film.  It was nice to see the possible perspective on Jack the Ripper, who he was, how he turned evil enough to kill, his habits.   I loved the set and the camera angles. 

The Manor  2021

Barbara Hershey  Bruce Davison 

This film was pretty good, for a current release.  Mom and grandmother Judith, has a medical scare and decides she would like to move into an assistant living home.  From first glance the facility looks nice, and staff seems caring, but once Judith moves in she quickly uncovers dark secrets with in the Manor.  The staff and her new friends that welcome her are all involved in witchcraft.  This film had a good story line and it move quickly.  It even had a some nice jump scares.





RYAN GOSLING

 La La Land  2016

John Legend   Emma Stone

 

"City of Stars" was definitely embedded in my brain be after seeing this.  It has a charming tone.  I enjoy this on screen couple.  This was a singy songy love story that doesn't end like you would hope.  Jazz enthusiast falls for wanna be actress who live two different lives.  Personally, I felt this film ran loooonngg but Ryan was the reason I sat through to the end.           

 

Lars and the Real Girl  2007 

Emily Mortimer  Paul Schneider

 

Loner, Lars lives in his brother garage, keeps to himself and avoids all contact with people.  His sister in law Karin, would love to have Lars break out of his shell and become more family oriented.  Lars learns about sex dolls and decides to purchase one but not for intimate reasons.  Lars works on opening up his social skills with the sex doll "Bianca."  While his brother and sister in law worry about his mental health, they book appointments with a doctor to open up the under lying burden Lars uncovers from the death of his parents.  Once Lars learns he no longer needs the Bianca to use for companionship, he griefs through a mental death of her and grows closer to a female friend.  Now, many have said how strange this film is and yes surface value it comes off as not your typical love story.  I liked it because it was different and digs deeper on a mental and emotional level.  

First Man  2018
Claire Foy  Jason Clarke

This film explains the life of first moon walking astronaut Neil Armstrong.  Honestly, I only wanted to see this because I absolutely adore Ryan Gosling but the story was quite interesting.  It starts out with Neil and his family; Wife, two sons and a young daughter.  His young daughter, Karen dies from a cancerous brain tumor.  Distraught over the loss of his daughter it pushes him to move forward on toppling intense NASA mathematics and continuously wrack his brain to accomplish a successful mission to the moon. I do wonder if the end of this film is true when Neil took a bracelet of his dead daughters and through it inside one of the moon's craters, that part was sweet and sad. This film did have a slow feel to it but I found it grabbing my attention enough to finish until the end. 

Blade Runner 2049  2017

Robin Wright  Harrison Ford

We follow Officer K in this futuristic film, in search of missing Blade Runner Rick, who could shed light on how the current world has turned corrupt.  If sci-fi is your thing or you were a fan of the original film you will thoroughly enjoy this sequel. I personally do not care for this genre of film nor did I find the original Blade Runner film interesting.  I solely watched this for my man Ryan. 

Song to Song  2017

Michael Fassbender  Rooney Mara 

This film did not have a strong plot line, it was just a summary of couples and their relationships.  I honestly found the story line a tad boring, but yet again, I watched this just to see my man.  Not something you must rush to see. 

The Nice Guys  2016

Matt Bomer  Russell Crowe 

Ryan plays Holland March, and alcoholic detective with a young daughter who tries to find a missing porn star "Misty Mountains."  Holland meets Jackson Healy; a better detective and personal investigator. Together they uncover the road of and adult film that will expose a well known politician and a vicious serial killer.  This film was quite funny.  There is nudity and sexual content. 

 The Big Short  2015

Steve Carell  Christian Bale 

This film is based on the story of wall street investors uncovering the greed and corruption that goes along with the stock market.  This film isn't bad, but I could give a shit.

Only God Forgives  2013

Kristin Scott Thomas   Vithaya Pansringram

Julian, a drug smuggler and Thai boxing owner searches for his brothers killer. Only, Julian does not realize his brother was killed by the father of the young woman he rapped and brutally murdered while cruising a brothel.  Now, keep in mind this film was written and directed by Nicolas Winding Refn, so it holds a strange story but it is visually artistic.  I felt this film was okay.  I had to laugh at the father who walks around with a sword in the back of his shirt and pulls it out like its nothing.  Like umm, ok you just walk around with that thing on your back? LOL!
 

Gangster Squad  2013

Sean Penn  Emma Stone

Set in the 1940's, Sgt. Jerry Wooters and his team of officers try to take down notorious mobster Mickey Cohen.  The story line for this film was interesting and I like the on screen chemistry between Ryan and Emma, but I have to say the high pitch voice of Ryan's character did urke me a bit.  Other than that, the costumes and makeup couldn't have been more flawless. If you are into the mob scene you should give this flick a shot.  

The Place Beyond the Pines  2012

Eva Mendes  Bradley Cooper

Dirt biker Luke Glanton travels with the local fair preforming stunt riding.  He reunites with a past fling Romina.  Luke finds out he has a one year old son Jason he did not know about.  Trying to make up for lost time, Luke starts coming around more hoping to provide for Jason and Romina.  Luke quits stunt riding for the fair and takes up bank robbing. First few robberies works like a charm.  Then he wants to take Jason and Romina to a better life, hoping this one last rob will bring them all together.  Unfortunately, Luke is shot to death after trying to escape police.  The story continues but it feels like useless fluff with out Ryan in the whole film. Just being honest! The first half hour is all Ryan then he dies and the story is good with the officer who kills Luke his son befriends Jason and the money from Luke's bank robberies was lost with the crooked cop system.

The United States of Leland  2003

Jena Malone  Don Cheadle

Leland is a troubled kid who murders his girlfriends autistic younger brother.  Sentenced to Juvenile detention, Leland grows from his teacher Mr. Madison, who sees Leland for his extraordinary  vision on the world.  Many young stars cast in this film.  It held a great story line, the performances of Ryan and Don Cheadle are wonderful.  

The Believer  2001

Summer Phoenix  Billy Zane

Teenage Jewish boy Daniel grows disgusted with his family Hebrew  heritage and turns into a K.K.K. member.  Once the white supremacy group learns Daniel is Jewish, they try to kill him.  Daniel cuts all ties and kills himself when a bomb explodes in a synagogue.  This film held such a powerful message; the hate of ones self will kill all.  Ryan is so young while undertaking this role but he did an impeccable job! 

Lost River  2014

Christina Hendricks   Iain De Caestecker

Ryan does not star in this film, but he did write and direct it.  It is about a single mother who is in a strange town filled with destruction and heavy drugs.  She investigates an underworld looking to better her family.  This is an art film, sort of strange, but I am so in love with the decaying buildings, the cinematic filters and scenery, mimicking the style of Nicolas Winding Refn.  Which makes sense because Nicolas and Ryan are friends.  I don't think this film was bad for Ryan's first go around.  To the regular film watcher, it will not hold any interest.  

All Good Things  2010

Kirsten Dunst  Frank Langella

This film is based on the story of Robert Durst, a mentally struggling man who is suspected of multiple murders.  Ryan did a fantastic job! If you have a chance watch the documentary "The Jinx," it is the complete story of this film and interviews with Robert Durst.  I also wrote a review of that documentary as well.  Ryan plays David Marks-essentially Robert Durst, who marries Katie, an innocent young woman with a wealthy family.  Katie opens an all natural food store All Good Things.  David quickly shows who he really is through controlling and abusing Katie until she disappears.  Everyone suspects David but cannot fully provide proof enough to convict him.  David becomes another personality of himself, a mute cross dresser who is suspect of more murders.  After going to trial, the public can see he is extremely unstable, but yet nothing enough to prove he is guilty of murder.  This film was very good.  If you like those murder investigation shows, this is your jam for sure.

The Gray Man  2021

Ryan Gosling  Chris Evans

Action packed film hopping from one country to another.  Government make deals with prison inmates and make them their personal assassins.  This film was like many other action films, it moved fast, lots of gunfire and sexy characters.  I only watched this because Ryan is in it, other than that it was meh.  

 

 

B's

The Book Club  2018

Diane Keaton  Jane Fonda

 

Four life long friends hold a monthly book club, decide to change their old, dull lives after reading the Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy.  I absolutely adore Diane Keaton!  This film had its slow bits, but it is super cute and great for a ladies night.

 

 

 

 

 

Bohemian Rhapsody  2018

Rami Malek

 

This docudrama is great! It reveals the birth of classic rock band Queen through the eyes of lead singer Freddie Mercury. From what I understand not all facts portrayed in this film are a 100% true, but you know how Hollywood works to make its millions! I must say I saw this film twice in the theater and each time made me feel electric. I like how it told the entire essence of the bands life in a fast entertaining pace.  The best part of this film was the final scene where Queen performs at the 1985 Live Aid benefit concert.  Rami Malek was spot on with each move, flick and blink in sync with Mercury!  Side note: if you look closely you will see actual footage of Mercury from that performance in the film displayed on the two side monitors of either side of the stage.  I highly recommend this film.

 

The Black Phone  2021

Ethan Hawk  Mason Thames

 

Set back in the 1970's, a kidnapper known as "The Grabber" snatches kids from all ages, hold them hostage in his basement and tortures them until they die.  This film was okay, it held an interesting story but for my personal view, I grew bored fast.  I am not sure what it was that it lacked?  This film does have some jump scares and tense moments but I just couldn't enjoy it fully.