Change Your Image
churchtwatters
Reviews
Selma (2014)
Very good
I have learned throughout a year of watching and reviewing historical films that directors sometimes take artistic liberties in films to highlight certain aspects of a historical person or event. Whether this is right or wrong, it happens, and talking down on a great movie for that reason is just disrespectful in my opinion. I think this movie was very good. I think David Oyelowo played a version of MLK that showed he was a real person. While King is known for how passionate and soulful he was, there are more layers to people than what you see on the surface and I think Oyelowo portrayed that well. I also like that this movie narrowed down on one specific part of the civil rights movement instead of trying to give a broad summary of the whole thing. Overall, this movie is well done and I don't think it deserves hate for making an artistic choice. There are plenty of documentaries about the civil rights movement if you want historical accuracy.
Big Fish (2003)
Fever Dream
Big Fish feels like a fever dream. I knew that Tim Burton is a weird guy but wow this movie is strange. The movie sets you up to relate to the main character Will Bloom who's relationship with his father is falling apart because he feels like nothing his father ever said was the truth. From that point on Burton twists your mind and truly wavers on the line between reality and fiction. Will's father, Ed, turns into this man that you can't wrap your mind around and you spend the rest of the movie trying to figure out what in the world is going on. I love that this movie plants the same feeling in you that the characters are feeling. I'm sure it isn't easy to fabricate such a complex emotion but Burton does it fabulously. The drags you along for this whole journey only to find out that it never really mattered what the truth was in the first place. The point was that Edward Bloom's dreamlike life, whether it was real or fake, was incredible. This movie was amazing. All you can do is just sit back and let the story take you where it takes you. If you think too much into it you'll miss it.
Babylon (2022)
Interesting but just too much
This movie offers a very interesting perspective about the switch from silent films to sound. It shows just how quickly stars who may have been popular during the silent film era lost relevance when the switch happened. The main reason I was excited for this movie is because of Damien Chazelle. His direction in La La Land and Whiplash made those movies a true experience, however this movie had some bumps in the road. I believe this film accomplished its purpose to show how disgusting and gruesome Hollywood is behind the scenes, however, the explicitness of the movie was just too much at times. The movie was three hours long and during that long duration the intended grotesqueness of the movie just turned into a headache. I think Margot Robbie was amazing. All of the actors in this movie are worth mentioning but you can tell that Robbie was all in for this film. One artistic choice I will stand with Damien Chazelle on in this movie is the ending sequence where Diego Calva's character, Manny, has an epiphany about the beauty and potential of movies. Chazelle shows clips of what movies would become and just how much progress has been made in cinema since that time. I think that message was a brilliant ending. Overall, this movie is quite a ride. If you end up watching it, be prepared for just how gruesome it is.
Cinderella Man (2005)
Sorry Max Baer
I absolutely cannot believe that people do not like this movie. From the second this movie started I could tell it was going to be a good one. The cinematography in this movie, in my opinion, was fantastic. The quality of the shots looked like they were straight out of a painting. The dark lighting was very on theme with the despair of the great depression and the quick flashing scenes during the fights exemplified the anxiety Braddock must have felt during fights. Russell Crowe and Renee Zellweger were amazing in this movie. Crowe was able to imitate the frustration of trying to support his family during his failing boxing career while still maintaining composure while Zellweger played the part of Mae who was just worried about her husband and the well being of her children. The relationship between them felt very real. GOD I LOVE PAUL GIAMATTI. Giamatti cracking little jokes and having little snarky comebacks were what made this movie amazing to me. Adding the aspect of humor to this otherwise serious movie was brilliant. Giamatti, even being the comedic relief, still made his character very dignified which is impressive. Although I am a little sad about the mis-portrayal of Max Baer, and I hope that the misunderstanding cleared up, I really believe that it was a necessary choice for the plot of this movie to stay exciting. It seems very frustrating to people that historical movies are not 100% historically accurate but sometimes artists have to take liberties to make their work more exciting. If you want a documentary, go watch a documentary. To sum it all up, this movie was absolutely fantastic and definitely worth watching.
A League of Their Own (1992)
Iconic and funny
Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed this movie. The jokes really hit home (haha) with me. I think Tom Hanks playing the washed up coach was fantastic. It was refreshing to see him in a role where he isn't some lighthearted main character who saves the day. He's actually kind of a jerk. I also absolutely loved the interactions between Stilwell and Jimmy. I liked the complex relationship between Kit and Dotty. It was interesting, and I think it accurately portrayed the dynamic between the prodigy older sister and the younger sister living in her shadow that lots of people can relate to. I don't really love how Dotty just randomly decided to come back to the team at the world series. I think they should have dove more into her feelings about the sport which would resolve the little side plot about whether or not she really cares about baseball. I do like this movie but honestly it just feels like every other sports movie to me.
Ray (2004)
Good Bio-pic
This is my second favorite Bio-pic I have watched. Ray was a very flawed person. He was addicted to heroin, cheated on his wife with multiple women, and had severe trauma about his younger brother. I think that looking at someone who has this many issues makes for a very interesting movie. Ray's winding road to success had so many roadblocks and even though he made so many terrible decisions, we were still able to understand why he did the things he did. Jamie Foxx is incredibly talented. Both the music and the acting got no complaints from me. One thing that I did not necessarily like about this movie is the sheer amount of flashbacks. There are little parts of Ray's past that are revealed through flashbacks throughout the movie to convey his trauma that I think could have been more well done. Having so many little flashbacks interrupted the flow of the movie and I think it would have been better if they revealed more at one time. Overall this movie was a very good dive into a very interesting person and it is definitely worth the watch.
Walk the Line (2005)
JOAQUIN!!!!!!!!!!!!
I think this movie was incredibly well done. I'm never really the type of person to pay attention to the direction of the movie, but the directing was incredible. The movie went at a perfect pace and didn't waste time on things that the audience doesn't really care about. The love affair between June and Johnny is serious and intimate but with a hint of comedy which makes it seem real. It didn't take the popular PG-13 movie approach by going into the sexual aspect of their relationship, but it still was able to create the feeling that they loved each other. Also Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon were amazing in this movie. Even without the fantastic vocals, I still believe that they both delivered emotional performances that are Oscar worthy. Also the soundtrack for this movie is incredible. I think I like listening to Joaquin just as much as Johnny Cash himself.
Elvis (2022)
AUSTIN WAS ROBBED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jk
I don't think this movie was bad. I went into this movie after watching the Oscars and rooting against this movie. After watching it I can confidently say that I do not think this movie was robbed of any oscars. Austin Butler was very very good. In my opinion, the acting seemed a little forced until the end of the movie when his health started declining, then it got really good. The fact that he also sang all the songs is also super cool. Tom Hanks is Tom Hanks. He gets about as good as Tom Hanks gets. I don't really know what kind of personality Priscilla Presley had but I want to imagine that the scene where she left Elvis could have been more passionate on her part, although I did think that scene is when the acting really started to get good. However, it just isn't an Oscar winning movie. Up against the other pieces it was running against I do not think that it deserved to beat any of them. No hate for this movie or anyone who likes it, I just don't think it got robbed.
Saving Private Ryan (1998)
If you watch this movie you are a LIBERAL
I feel like this is the most realistic war movie I've seen. Just starting with the opening sequence, you can already tell that they aren't holding back on the violence. The chaos and fear seen in the opening sequence seemed like a genuine scene stolen straight from a battlefield. The screen was shaking, it was hard to hear what was happening, and all of the soldiers were beaten and confused. You could see people dropping like flies and people that you thought could have been important were killed like nothing. I feel like that sequence, while watching it makes me motion sick, really made the movie seem more realistic. The cinematography also greatly complimented this realistic style, the camera shake and the weird angles make the scenes that much more chaotic. As the movie went on they built an attachment on these characters only having them die for the cause of saving one man. The movie really gives me a sense of irony as so many men went to die to save one man even if that man was Matt Damon.
Trade Upham for Miller.
Unbroken (2014)
ANGELINA JOLIE IS AN ALIEN FROM OUTER SPACE!!!!!!
I have not read the book but I have heard about the amazing reviews that it got, so with my information limited to only this movie I will review the story. I think that the story itself is very good. Louie is a strong and resilient character and Jack O'Connell has an Oscar worthy performance in this movie. I'm seeing a lot about how the pacing of this movie is very slow but I think that it just shows a glimpse of simply how long Louie was trapped in this hell. The only thing I have to critique about this movie is some toward the end it got a little repetitive and some of the artistic decisions in the directing made some of the scenes feel off. I didn't understand how the palettes for the scenes where Louie was being beaten were so light and beautiful. It almost undermined the fact that he was being brutally tortured. Overall, this movie is definitely worth the watch and makes me want to read the book.
12 Mighty Orphans (2021)
THE LIBERALS ARE TAKING OVER
It feels familiar. There's really only so much you can do with a football movie. However, the deviations from the plot of a typical football movie makes the movie feel unique. For instance, the typical movie doesn't usually have a villain character. It's usually a rival team or some other conflict that affects the players personally, but in this movie the orphans are being taken advantage of by Frank Wynn who is using them for child labor. This creates an interesting dynamic where it feels like Rusty Russell isn't just trying to make them good football players but is genuinely fighting for the orphans well being. The orphans have problems like depression, the lack of parents, and being abused and taken advantage of so it feels like football is their salvation. The acting was pretty good. I was not entirely impressed with Luke Wilson as Russell but he did a good enough job to where the other actors could shine. Dear god, Wayne Knight is a good villain. They made me hate that man so much that I laughed when the orphans assaulted him. Also it was very difficult to fight the urge to rip off Lane Garrison's toupe-like hair. Great job.
The Grapes of Wrath (1940)
PROPAGANDA!!!!!!!!! >:(((
It was not as terrible as people are making it seem. Don't get me wrong this movie is old and at times hard to follow but it's not because the story is bad. In 1940, they didn't have the capabilities to satisfy your 5 second attention span. If you can focus for a little bit, maybe you can notice the good things about this movie. The cinematography and camera work was very advanced for a movie of this time and Henry Fonda did great as Tom Jode. Jane Darwell won the award for best supporting role for this movie as Ma. The story of the Oakies having to leave their homes for work and opportunities and the losses they went through is tragic and very interesting. There was a "propaganda!" review that wasn't completely wrong for once! Anyway, maybe before you dawg on an old movie you can actually pay attention to it.
O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000)
We're in a tight spot!
This movie was a very fun watch. Don't get me wrong, it is by no means a cinematic masterpiece. It's meant to make people laugh. For a story, set in the time of the depression, there were only subtle mentions that it was going on. However, if they constantly went into the depths of the depression and how much people were struggling it wouldn't be a very funny movie. The main characters gave it more of a three-scrooges feel than the odyssey but the fact that it followed a similar plot was a cool addition. The acting was phenomenal. George Clooney does a great job as Everett, which was surprising because when was the last time George Clooney did well in a comedy role? Overall, this movie was really good. The only reason I can imagine that you won't find it funny is if you didn't understand the history.
The Social Network (2010)
I think this movie would be a lot funnier if Michael Cera played Mark Zuckerberg
In all seriousness, this movie was very good. It takes an interesting perspective on what is required of someone to be massively successful. I liked Jesse Eisenberg's portrayal of Zuckerberg, although I can't see it being completely accurate as I feel they dramatized how mean Zuckerberg was in this movie. There wasn't a whole lot of passionate acting from Eisenberg but that was really because his role didn't require it. It seems like the director wanted Zuckerberg's character to be almost emotionless and completely driven by success which Eisenberg did quite well. Andrew Garfield's acting was kind of weak at the beginning but somewhere in the middle of the movie something flipped and Garfield started to really act. I don't know if this was an accident or if it was intentional but it almost seemed like the more Eduardo Saverin was ripped off by Zuckerberg, the better Garfield's acting got. Justin Timperlake did a great job as the mildly annoying and cocky Sean Parker because Justin Timberlake is mildly annoying and cocky so that worked out perfectly. The plot was great, although I did wish that it deviated a little from focusing on the lawsuits that were filed against Zuckerberg and pointed more at the effect that Facebook has had on the world and how social interactions have changed because of social media. Also, I thought it was funny that the movie continued to include the Winklevosses. They didn't really have much of an effect on the plot of the movie other than the initial idea of the social network but they did create an interesting side plot I guess. Overall, I almost feel like this movie gives a message that if you want to be successful, you are going to make some enemies. Although Zuckerberg did make a lot of people mad with his selfish drive to make the next "big thing," it was also that drive that made him successful in the first place. It's almost depressing how some of the smartest and most successful people on earth are some of the biggest jerks. Either way, this movie was very interesting and definitely worth watching.
It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
Classic
It's a wonderful life is a classic. Most of the reason people really enjoy this movie is because of the sentiment they have while watching it with family and friends. Although, while watching the movie, I wasn't constantly thinking about how old the movie was. The story and the acting was captivating enough to make me forget about the old style. I've seen some reviews about how the movie told a depressing message about why you shouldn't take risks in your life and just stay where you're needed. However, I think the movie just tries to tell a message that there is meaning in life even when things are looking down; a slight change of perspective can change your whole outlook on life. Overall, a lighthearted movie with a meaningful message.
Also the wink at the end was foul ;D.
A Christmas Carol (2009)
Somebody stop me!!
There is no way this movie is for children. Honestly Charles Dickens just isn't for children. The preface of this movie is absolutely terrifying and depressing. A guy is so negative that he scares away everyone who has ever gotten close to him in his entire life and lives alone sulking in his negativity. Then it comes to Christmas and three ghosts put the fear of death into him so that he will change his ways. The animation style doesn't help either. It almost looks like a meat canyon video of a Charles Dickens story. Also let's talk about these ghosts. Why does the first one whisper so much? Creepy. The second one literally shape shifts and fades into dust. Creepy. Honestly the third one, death, was the least terrifying of the three. Overall, as a horror movie 7/10. As a kid's Christmas movie 3/10.
Also Jim Carrey will never be anybody but the mask.
Argo (2012)
Intense!
Boy was this movie action packed. While we knew what the outcome of the events were going to be, they still managed to keep the viewers on the edge of their seats. The acting wasn't exactly superb. Ben Affleck did a good job in his role but it didn't really allow him to branch out as an actor at all, he was just a guy doing his job. None of the other actors are really good or bad enough to mention. It was simply good enough to be able to enjoy the story. The story was fantastic. I realize that it wasn't 100% historically accurate, but come on guys... Historical movies have been around for a long time. If you expect the movies to be 100% accurate at this point, then you should just stop watching historical movies. Either way, the movie definitely had some suspenseful moments. I had to wipe the sweat off my forehead after the scene where they were trying to get on the plane. Overall, definitely a good movie.
Bridge of Spies (2015)
Good Watch
This film is worth a watch. The movie itself was well made. While most of the sets were just inside buildings, the ones that actually showed East Germany were beautiful and emotion provoking. While I do wish the movie dove more into the paranoia surrounding the cold war and just how scared the Americans were of being seen as different, I still thought the story was very interesting. It wasn't the most action packed but the cold war also wasn't full of action. The cold war was full of suspense and anticipation and I think the movie did a great job of recreating that feeling. The acting was fantastic as well. Tom Hanks did a great job convincing me that he had those strong morals and really wanted to achieve justice. Overall the movie was very interesting and held me close the whole time.
Hacksaw Ridge (2016)
Solid.
This movie, while definitely not groundbreaking, was still enjoyable to watch. The plot of the movie was pretty good. It was fast paced and exciting most of the time but knew how to slow down and build up some anticipation. There are some small plot holes that just weren't important to the story but there wasn't anything that ruined the movie. The acting was also done well. I think Andrew Garfield is a great actor and does well in this movie as Doss (even though his accent sounds kind of dumb). There was a little comedic relief in the movie as well. In a movie about WWII that might irritate some people but I think it really shows that the soldiers who signed up were not truly prepared for the seriousness of the war. The movie looked fantastic as well. Even the scenes that were the darkest or the most brutal had a certain beauty to them. This movie was definitely worth the watch.
Long live naked guy...
Red Tails (2012)
I actually enjoyed this movie.
I honestly do not understand why this movie is getting the hate that it is. Sure this movie may not be the most accurate representation of World War 2. I don't think the movie really dove into the depth of the heroism the red tails performed or just how terrible WWII was. The characters thought of the war as more of a game where they shoot bad guys and not as fighting for their country. It made the red tails seem like they were just hunting glory. The movie also didn't go into the civil rights aspects of the red tails. They talked about race a small amount but didn't really explain just how extraordinary the red tails earning respect was. The cinematography in this movie, in my opinion, was not bad at all. Lucas film is much more familiar with science fiction movies so some of the air battles and the CGI may have seemed Star Wars like, but the action scenes were still enjoyable to watch. Some of the acting was not great but certain characters in particular, such as lightning and easy, did a great job with their roles despite having a mediocre script. Overall, the movie was pretty good but they missed the message that the Tuskegee Airmen contributed to the civil rights movement and kind of glorified a terrible war.
Also... Why is Michael B. Jordan in this movie?
The Searchers (1956)
A great movie.
The Searchers is the first western I have ever fully watched. I have to say going in that I was not expecting to find as much entertainment as I did, but luckily I was wrong. The story holds you in from the beginning with the mystery around the relationships of the characters and continues to get more complex as it goes down the road. The quality is also nice for a 1956 film. Some of the shots on the battle scenes looked very advanced. The serious tone and the coldness of the main character mixed in with the subtle comedy creates some very entertaining interactions between the characters. While some of the parts of the films can be sad and dark it still manages to keep an upbeat pace and keep the watcher involved in the story. Overall, this was a great introduction into the world of the western genre and I will definitely seek out more to watch.